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IELTS

2nd edition

Preface
Preface
This
This is a self-study
self-study publication
publication with two audio-cassettes
audio-cassettes for students
students preparing
preparing for
the Academic
Academic Module of the International
International English Language
Language Testing
Testing System
System
(IELTS),
(IELTS), which is administered
administered by The
The British Council, the University
University of Cambridge
Cambridge
Local Examinations
TS Australia.
Examinations Syndicate
Syndicate (UCLES)
(UCLES) and by IEL
IELTS
The book covers
covers the four
four modules
modules of the IELTS exam:
exam: listening,
listening, reading,
reading, writing
writing and
speaking.
speaking. Special
Special features
features of the book are:
are: the reading exercises,
exercises, the detailed
detailed Keys
for these
these exercises,
exercises, the wide range of exercises
exercises to help you prepare
prepare for Writing
Writing Task
Task
1,1, and the detailed
detailed Key for the Reading
Reading Tests.
The publication
publication may also be used as a course
course book, or as a supplement
supplement to a course
course
book.
So that you may repeat
repeat the exercises
exercises in this book, we would advise
advise you to avoid
marking
marking the text.
This new edition
edition incorporates
incorporates the changes
changes to the speaking
speaking module
module introduced
introduced in
July 2001.
2001.
Sam Mccarter,
McCarter, Julie
Julie Easton
Easton and Judith
Judith Ash

2003
2003

iii

Contents
Contents
Page
Page
Preface
Preface

iiiiii

Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements

iviv

Listening
Listening Module
Module

Introduction
Introduction
Listening
Listening Test
Test 2

22
33
99

Listening
Listening Test
Test 3

15
15

Listening
Listening Test
Test 4

20
20

Listening
1
Listening Test
Test 1

Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises

25
25

Introduction
Introduction

26
26

1. How
How to read, or how
how to read efficiently?
efficiently?

28
28

2. Learning
Learning to read organisation
organisation

29
29

3. More
More about
about reading organisation
organisation
4.
4. A summary
summary of functions
functions

30
30
3131

5. Recognising
Recognising paragraph
paragraph types
types

32
32

6. Simultaneous
Simultaneous functions
functions

34
34

7.
7. Reading
Reading control
control

35
35

8. Spot the
the difference!
difference!
9. Learning
Learning to concentrate
concentrate

36
36

10.
10. Predicting
Predicting organisation
organisation 11

38
38

11. Predicting
Predicting organisation
organisation 2

39
39

12. Focus
Focus on paragraph
paragraph headings
headings

40
40

37
37

13. Foreground
Foreground and background
background information
information
14.
14. Increasing
Increasing your
your reading
reading speed

42
42

43

15. More
More about
about speed

45
45

16. Words
Words that
that slow
slow you down
down

47
47

17. Problems
Problems with
with meaning
meaning

48
48

18. An introduction
introduction to Yes
Yes

50
50

19. An
An introduction
introduction to No

51
51

20.
20. Meaning
Meaning in a text
text

52
52

21.
21. Yes, No or Not Given
Given 1?

53
53

22. Yes, No or Not Given


Given 2?

54
54

Reading
Reading Tests
Tests
Test
Test 11

56
56

Test
Test 2

66
66

Test
Test 3

75
75

Test
Test 4

83
83

Section
Section on Writing
Writing

9191

Introduction
Introduction

92
92

Graphs
Graphs and diagrams
diagrams for Task
Task 11
1.
1. Looking
Looking for
for patterns
patterns
2. Language
Language graphs
graphs
3.
3. Which
Which chart?
chart?

94
94
98
98
100
100
v

4.
4. A maze
maze in
in graph
graph form
form

102
102

5. Draw
Draw your
your own graph
graph
5.

103
103

6. Graph
Graph comprehension
comprehension
6.

104
104

7.
7. Improving
Improving a text
text

105
105

8.
8. The
The language
language of
of comparison
comparison and contrast
contrast

106
106

9.
9. Graphs
Graphs and charts
charts combined
combined

108
108

10.
...
10. It is
is predicted
predicted that
th a t...

110
110
112
112

11.
11. More
More comparison
comparison and
and contrast
contrast

12.
12. More
More complex
complex terms
terms
13.
13. Some
Some common
common language
language mistakes
mistakes
14.
14. How
How many
many correct
correct sentences
sentences are there?
there?
15. Questionnaire
Questionnaire 11

114
116
116

.,

117

; !-

118

16.
16. Questionnaire
Questionnaire 2

120
120

17.
17. Tables
Tables

122
122

18.
18. Map language
language and
and verb
verb tenses
tenses

123
123

19.
19. Process
Process language
language

125
125

20.
20. The
The process
process of making
making a newspaper
newspaper

126
126

Essay writing
writing for Task
Task 2
21.
21. Understanding
Understanding essay
essay titles
titles

128
128

22.
22. Plans
Plans for
for essays
essays

130
130

23.
23. Same
Same general
general subject
subject - different
different focus
focus

132
132

24.
24. A
A model
model essay
essay

134
134

Writing
Writing Tests
Test
Test 11

135
135

Test2
Test 2

136
136

Test3
Test 3

137
137

Section
Section on Speaking

139
139

Introduction
Introduction

140
140

1. Eliciting
Eliciting information
information

141
141

2. Example
Example of extended
extended discourse
discourseNo.1
No.1
3.
3. Example
Example of extended
extended discourse
discourseNo.2
No.2

145
145

4. Your
Your future
future plans
plans

148
148

5.
5. Put meaning
meaning into
into your
your future
future

149
149

Listening
Listening Tests
Tests

151
151

Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises

167
167

Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

179
179

Writing
Writing - Graphs
Graphs and
and Diagrams
Diagrams

203
203

Writing
Writing - Essays
Essays

210
210

Writing
- Tests
W riting-Tests

211
211

147
147

Keys

Speaking
Speaking

vi

'213
* 213

About
About the authors
authors
Sam Mccarter
McCarter is a lecturer in academic and medical English at Southwark
Southwark College,
where
where he organises
organises IELTS courses for overseas
overseas doctors
doctors and other
other health personnel,
and
and courses
courses in medical English - including preparation
preparation for the OSCE
OSCE component
component of the
PLAB.
PLAB.
Sam is also the creator
creator and organiser
organiser of the
Overseas
Doctors
and
works
Overseas Doctors
works as a freelance
freelance
in tropical medicine.

Nuffield Self-access
Self-access Language
Language Project
Project for
consultant
in
medical
English
specialising
consultant
specialising

Julie
Julie Easton is a lecturer
lecturer in academic
academic and medical English at Southwark
Southwark College,
College,
teaching
TS and the OSCE. Julie has
teaching on courses
courses preparing
preparing doctors
doctors for the IEL
IELTS
considerable
considerable experience
experience in both areas.
areas.
Judith
Judith Ash
Ash is a former
former lecturer
lecturer in academic
academic and medical
medical English at Southwark
Southwark
College. She now writes
writes freelance
freelance and is working
working on distance
distance learning programmes
programmes for
IELTS.

About
About Southwark College
Southwark
Southwark College
College has an international
international reputation as a centre
centre for
for teaching
teaching IELTS and
medical English. The College
is
situated
in
the
centre
of
London.
College situated
centre
Telephone:
Telephone: 0207
0207 8151600
815 1600 and Fax: 0207 2611301.
261 1301.

vii

Listening Module
Introduction ~
Practice Tests 1-4
I -4

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Listening
Listening

Practice Tests

Introduction
Introduction to the Listening Module
Module
In the IELTS exam, the Listening
Listening Test
Test forms
forms the first part of the exam and lasts for about
about 30 minutes.
In each test, there are four
four main sections,
sections, for which you have to answer
answer a total
total of approximately
approximately 40 questions.
Each main section
section is divided
divided into two and, sometimes,
sometimes, three sub-sections. Before
Before each of these
these sub-sections,
sub-sections,
you have time to read the questions
questions and you are advised
advised to write your
your answers
answers in the question
question booklet. At
the end of each section,
section, you have half a minute to check
check your
your answers.
answers.
At the end of the full listening
listening test, you have 10 minutes to transfer
transfer your
your answers'to
answers^to the Answer
Answer Sheet. Usually,
the listening exercises
exercises become
become more difficult
difficult as you move from Sections
Sections 11 to 4.

You will hear the test only


only ONCE.
ONCE.

- AA

The range of question


question types
types may include
include the following:
following:

;: '5

- multiple
multiple choice
choice questions
questions
- short-answer
short-answer questions
questions
- sentence
sentence completion
completion
- summary/notes/flow
summary/notes/flow chart/diagram/table
chart/diagram/table completion
completion
- labelling
labelling a diagram
diagram which has numbered
numbered parts
- matching
matching
Situations
Situations

The
The first
first two
two sections
sections are
are usually
usually of a social nature.
nature. Section
Section 11 usually
usually contains
contains a conversation,
conversation, e.g.
between
between two people
people in a shop,
shop, and Section
Section 2 a monologue,
monologue, e.g.
e.g. a radio
radio broadcast
broadcast or a talk. Section
Section
3 is usually
usually a conversation
conversation in an educational
educational or training
training context,
context, e.g. a tutorial
tutorial about
about a particular
particular
subject.
subject. In this
this section,
section, there
there can be up to four
four speakers.
speakers. Section
Section 4 is a monologue,
monologue, such as a
lecture
lecture or talk
talk on a subject
subject of general
general academic
academic interest.
interest.
It is important
important to
to remember
remember that
that the test
test is designed
designed to test
test your
your listening
listening comprehension
comprehension skills.
skills. The
answers
answers to all of the
the questions
questions are on the
the tape. You do not need
need any
any knowledge
knowledge of the
the topic
topic to be
able
able to
to answer
answer the questions.
questions.

Answer
Answer sheet
sheet

After
After the end of
of the
the tape,
tape, ten minutes
minutes are given
given for you to transfer
transfer your
your answers
answers to the Answer
Answer
Sheet.
Sheet.

Hints
Hints on
on listening
listening

Common
Common problem
problem areas
areas with
with this part of the
the IELTS exam
exam include
include the following:
following:

Misreading
Misreading
instructions
instructions

It is important
important that
that you read all the instructions
instructions very
very carefully
carefully so that
that you are
are clear about
about what
what is
required
required for
for the answer
answer to each
each of the questions.
questions. The
The instructions
instructions are
are usually
usually clear
clear and
and easy
easy to
follow,
follow, and
and an example
example is given
given in some
some cases.
cases.
It is worth
worth pointing
pointing out here
here that
that candidates
candidates often
often fail to read the
the instructions
instructions carefully
carefully or just
just glance
at them.
Students
rely
on
the
fact
that
the
instructions
are
exactly
the
same
in
the
Test
as
them. Students rely
fact that the instructions are exactly the same the Test they
they are
in the
the textbook(s)
textbook(s) they
they have been practising
practising with.

Changing
Changing

Sometimes,
Sometimes, the speaker
speaker may
may give
give a piece
piece of information
information and
and then
then change
change his or her mind. So
always
always watch
watch out
out for
for this.

Anticipation/
Anticipation/
prediction
prediction

When
When you
you are
are speaking
speaking to people
people normally
normally in your
your own language,
language, it is possible
possible to predict
predict what
what the
person
person you are talking
talking to is going
going to say. It is easier
easier in this situation
situation to do
do so, because
because you
you are part
of the conversation
conversation and
and know
know the context.
context. When you are
are just
just listening,
listening, it is just
just a little harder,
because
because you
you are not actively
actively involved
involved in developing
developing the
the context.
context. However,
However, you can do it with
with just
a little extra concentration.
concentration.

Concentration
Concentration

It is important
important to
to concentrate
concentrate from the beginning.
beginning. Some
Some candidates
candidates think
think that
that the first
first section
section is
is
going
to
be
easy
and
do
not
listen
carefully
enough.
They
miss
a
few
answers
which
affects
going
easy
carefully enough. They miss few answers which affects their
final
final score.
score. If you are
are aiming
aiming for
for a high score, like a 7 or a 7.5 you should
should be aiming
aiming to answer
answer all
the questions
questions in the first
first two sections
sections correctly,
correctly, as they
they are
are the easiest.
easiest.

Practice
Practice

If you
ELTS textbooks
you do not have access
access to many IIELTS
textbooks to practise,
practise, use listening
listening exercises
exercises from
from the
other
other Cambridge
Cambridge exams,
exams, e.g.
e.g. for the
the First
First Certificate
Certificate and
and the Cambridge
Cambridge Advanced.
Advanced. The
The listening
listening
exercises
exercises are not the same
same but they
they give
give you similar
similar practice.
practice. Also
Also listen
listen to the radio and
and watch
TV, and
and if possible
possible speak
speak to people
people in English.
English.

..

*+

A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Listening
Listening

Practice Tests
Tests
Practice

Practice
Practice Test 1:
1: Section
Section 11
Questions 1-5
complete
Complete the Account Details using NO MORE THAN
THAN TWO WORDS
WORDS for each blank
blank space.
space.
Account Details
Details
Account
Example:
Example:
__

Account holder:
holder:

No
No__

Discount offered.
offered.
Discount
First
First year
year students:
students:

(1}
(1)

Name:
Name:

Nasreen
Nasreen (2)

Address:
Address:

(3)
(3)
Compton
Compton Street, London.
London.

Postcode:
Postcode:

SE(4)
SE (4)

Telephone
Telephone number:
number:

0181 (5)
(5)

Mansions,
Mansions,

Questions
Questions 6-8
spaces below, if the information
information is correct.
correct. Or fill in the blank
blank with the
the correct
correct information,
information, if
Put a tick in the spaces
it is wrong. The first one has been done for you as an example.
example.

J^ ______

Example

7_______________
7.

Experimental
Experimental
Science
Science

Physics in the
the Age
Physics
of
Technology
Technology

j29^50^>o

A
A Stern

yt:H.'
,_T Out
L.._

ly
~

Of

Stock

Simon Blair
Simon

/
S-

Mathematics
Mathematics in

8.
A,c---A'--

-,,

E>

\ 27.95^>

Professor
Professor II Lovatt
Lovatt

the first
first
Physics for the
year
year student
student

Physics

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Violet Boyd
Boyd
& Violet

_,,1/
y

6____________ 8 .
6.------

L.._

./

j 2<r^>

_,,I/

A Laska
Laska

I//
3
3

Practice Tests

Listen
in~
Listening

Questions
O
Questions 9 & 110
Circle 1.he
the appropriate
appropriate letter.
letter.
9.

"ro
To collect the books the student
student must
must bring
A
three forms
forms of
of identification.
identification.
A
three
B
C
D
D

two forms
forms of
of identification.
identification.
two

one form
form of
of identification.
identification.
one
two forms
forms of
of identification
identification and
and the
the university
university confirmation
confirmation letter.
letter.
two
; I

110.
O.

The books
books will be kept
kept
A
in
A
in the
the Chemistry
Chemistry Department
Department in
in the
the basement.
basement.

cC
D
D

in
in the
the Physics
Physics Department
Department in the
the basement.
baserrfent.
in
in the
the Physics
Physics Department
Department on the first
first floor.
in
in the
the Maths
Maths Department
Department in the
the basement.
basement.

A
A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Listening
Listening

Practice Tests
Tests
Practice

Practice
Practice Test 1: Section 2
Questions 11-14
Circle the appropriate
appropriate letter.
11.
There are
student counsellors
counsellors at
atthe
the university.
university.
_________________ student
11.
a re _________
A six

12.

13.

B four
four

C five

D three
three

The speaker
_ .
speaker has come to talk about the
th e ____________________
A Student
Student Union

B StudentB Welfare
StudentService
Welfare Service

C student
student health
health

DD Student
StudentAccommodation
AccommodationService
Service

The
The number
number of
of main sites
sites is
is ...
...
A three

B four
four

C five

D six

Queen's Bulldln1

H-,Bulklln1

"4th
3rd

3rd
2nd

14.
14.

Where on this site is the student


counsellor's
counsellors office?

Counsellor's Office

2nd

1st

1st

Ground floor

Ground floor

"4th

"4th

Counsellor's Office

CounMllor's Ofllc.

3rd

3rd

2nd

2nd

1st

I st

Ground floor

Ground floor

Counsellor's Ofllc

Questions
Questions 15-20
Complete the notes below using NO MORE THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS for
for each answer.

15.
15.
16.
17.
18.
18.

The information
information leaflet is available
available almost
a lm o s t____________________
--------- .
Helpline in the evenings
evenings and weekends
weekends is dependent
dependent on the
th e --------____________
The Helpline
The Helpline
is
staffed
at
the
weekends
for
Helpline
weekends fo r _____________________ .
Students
Students contact
contact the Student
Student Welfare Service
Service for a ____________________ .

19.

the counsellors
counsellors cannot
cannot help
help you,
you, they
they will
will put
put you
you in
in touch
touch wwith--------IfIf the
ith ____________

20.

The
The Service
Service gives____________________
gives --------- to
to all
all volunteers
volunteers on
on the
the Helpline.
Helpline.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Practice
Practice Tests

Listening
Listenii,g

Practice
Practice Test 1: Section
Section 3
Questions
Questions 21-23
USE
USE NO
NO MORE
MORE THAN THREE
THREE WORDS to answer
answer the following
following questions:
questions:
21.
22.

On what topic did Jim write


write his essay?
essay?
_____________________________________
Besides the
the OECD
OECDstatistics,
statistics,what
whatother
otherfigures
figuresdid
didJim
Jim use?
use?
Besides

23.

Atthe
the beginning
beginningof
of his
his essay,
essay,what
whatdoes
doesJim
Jim say
say the
the 19th
19th century
century Luddites
Ludditesand
and people
people
At
today are worried about?
about?

Questions
Questions 24-27
In Jim's
Jims essay,
essay, there are 3 reasons for people's
peoples fears and 2 reasons why people's
peoples fears are unjustified.
unjustified.
In each
each case below, choose
choose the option
option which
which accurately
accurately describes
describes the point.
point. The first one is an example.

Example:
Example: The first
first reason
reason for
for fear:
./a
IT
affects
service and
and traditional
traditional industries
industries
Ja
IT affects service
b
Electricity affects
affects service
service and
and traditional
traditional industries
industries
Electricity

24.

The second
second reason
reason for
for fear:

a
b
25.

ITmakes
makesititeasier
easiertotochange
changejobs
jobs
IT
makesititeasier
easierfor
foremployers
employerstotomove
movejobs
jobsaround
around
ITITmakes

The first
first reason
reason why people's
peoples fears
fears are unjustified:

a
b
27.

Theintroduction
introductionofofIT
ITisishappening
happeningmore
morequickly
quicklythan
thanfor
forprevious
previoustechnologies
technologies
The

The third
third reason
reason for
for fear:

a
b

26.

Theintroduction
introductionofofIT
ITisismore
moredemanding
demandingthan
thanother
othertechnologies
technologies
The

Therehas
hasbeen
beenaacontinuous
continuousrise
riseininpeople
peopleininwork
workand
andincome
incomeininrich
richcountries
countries
There
Technologicaladvance
advancehas
hasindustrialised
industrialisedrich
richcountries
countries
Technological

The second
second reason
reason why
why people's
peoples fears
fears are unjustified:

Newjobs
jobsare
arenot
notupsetting
upsettingold
oldones
ones
New

Newjobs
jobsare
arereplacing
replacingold
oldones
ones
New

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Listening

Practice Tests
Tests
Practice

Questions 28-30
28 30
Questions

Circle the appropriate


appropriate letter.
28.
28.

New technology
technology does
does not always
always reduce employment,
employment, because
because
A people
people do not need to work as hard as before.
before.

products are a necessity.


necessity.
B new products
C itit can
can create
create new
new demand.
demand.

D
D itit can
can slow
slow down
down output.
output.

29.

In his conclusion,
conclusion, Jim says that
that IT should
should not
not destroy
destroy jobs,
jobs, if
A there
there is a balance.
balance.
B the
the workforce
workforce are favourable.
favourable.
C the
the workforce
workforce are businessmen.
businessmen.

D
D the
the workforce
workforce have
have a good education
education and they
they are
are skilled.
skilled.

30.

The phrase,
phrase, a favourable
favourable business
business climate, means
means an environment
environment where
A there
protectionism.
there isisnot
not too
too much
much ininthe
theway ofprotectionism.
B there
rules and regulations.
there are
are many
many restrictions,
restrictions,rules
regulations.
C minimum
minimum wage
wage levels
levels are too high.

D restrictions
restrictions on
on work
work practices
practices exist.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Practice
Practice Tests

Listening
Listening

Practice
Practice Test 1: Section
Section 4
Questions
Questions 31-37
31-37
Complete
Complete the notes
notes using NO MORE
MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS for
for your
your answer.
answer.
31.
32.

The speaker
speaker is
is aa specialist
specialist in
in _____________________
_ .
The
The
of the term.
The speaker
speaker is giving the
th e _____________________of

33.
34.

The focus
focus of her talk is the purpose
purpose of
o f _____________________ .
Good design
design leads
leads tto
_.
Good
o _____________________

35.

One facet
facet of
of the
the role
role of
of design
design isto
to make
make sure
surethat
that products
products do
do the
the job
job they
they are
are
One

36.
37.

People are
are persuaded
persuaded to
to buy
buyproducts
products bbyy _________aand
_
People
n d __________________
.
A shopper
may
buy
a
personal
stereo
for
its
as
well
as
its
trendy
shopper
personal stereo
its ____________________as well as its trendy
appearance.
appearance.

Questions
Questions 38-41
38-41
Circle the appropriate
appropriate letter.
38.
38.

The role of the designer


designer is becoming
becoming more important,
important, because
because ...
...
A the progress
progress of technology
technology is
is slightly
slightly faster
faster than it was.
B
B there are possibilities
possibilities for new
new ideas.
C products
products break
break more easily
easily these
these days.
days.
D
every
model
has
to
be
updated
more
quickly.
D every
updated
quickly.

39.

In
In the medical
medical field, the designer
designer is engaged
engaged in
in ...
...
A developing
developing a range of new equipment.
equipment.
B old equipment
equipment that
that is
is developing.
developing.
C everything
everything related to hospital
hospital portering
portering equipment.
equipment.
D
D advising
advising inventors.
inventors.

40.

Designers
Designers can help manufacturers
manufacturers by ...
...
A exporting
exporting their
their designs.
designs.
B helping
helping to make their
their products
products attractive.
attractive.
C making
making their
their products
products appreciated
appreciated by other
other manufacturers.
manufacturers.
D
D training
training them to appreciate
appreciate design.
design.

41.

Design is important
important in
in life, because
because ...
A existing
existing isis more
morethan
than living.
living.
B itit isis part
part of
ofour
ourattitude.
attitude.
C itit improves
improvesthe
the quality
quality of
of our
ourdaily life.
life.
D we
wedo
donot
notwant
wantthings
thingsthat
thatdo
donot look
look good,
good, even
even ifif they
they do
do not
not work.
work.

8
8

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Listening
Listening

Practice Tests
Tests
Practice

Practice Test 2: Section 11


Questions

1-4

---~~~-------=-_...,___,_

Circle the appropriate letter.

Example:
Example: Angela would like to order

A some
some chocolates.
chocolates. { (^ some chocolates
chocolates and some flowers.
B some
D some sweets.
some flowers.

1.
1.

Which
Which picture shows
shows the kind of flowers
flowers Angela
Angela would
would like to order?

B
B

D
r

A book
book for IELTS

Practice
Practice Tests
Tests

Listenir,g
Listenihg

2.

Which box of chocolates


chocolates does
does Angela
Angela order?
order?

co/ates
B

3. Angela
Angela would
would like
like to
to send
send
A a mixture
mixture of chocolates,
chocolates, mostly
mostly liqueurs.
B a box of liqueurs.
liqueurs.
C a mixture
mixture of chocolates,
chocolates, mostly
mostly white
white chocolates
chocolates and some
some liqueurs.
liqueurs.
D a mixture
mixture of chocolates,
chocolates, mostly
mostly white, but no liqueurs.
liqueurs.

4. The cost
cost of delivering
delivering both items is
A 90 pence
pence
B 38
C 19
D 9

10

A
A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Listening
Listening

Practice Tests
Tests
Practice

Questions 5-1 O
Complete the
the following
following Order
Order Form by USING NO MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS to complete
complete each blank
blank
space:
space:

ORDER FORM
Name:
Address:

AngelaLove
Love
Angela
144a
Orchard
Heights
144a Orchard Heights
Marsh Drive
Edinburgh

Telephone number:

0963371555
0963 371 555

Credit card number:

N/A_____

Switch card number:

569 000
(5)
000(5)

884
884 223
223 7
7

Sendee's
Sendees name:
Sendee's
Sendees address:

Mrs
Mrs (6}
(6)
27(7}
27 (7) _
Cardiff CA
13 BYU
CA13
8YU

Message (if any):

Congratulations
Congratulations on (8)
(8 ) ______________________ /!
Just let me know when you
you are out on the road. Love Angie
Angie

Any other
other details:

Delivery
_
Delivery Date:
Date: (9)
(9) ___________

_
_

{10)
andd ____________ in
inthe
themorning.
morning.
(10) Deliver
Deliver between
between ________ an

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

11

Practice
Practice Tests
Tests

Liste11ing
sterling

Practice
Practice Test
Test 2: Section
Section 2
Questions
Questions 11-13
Circle the appropriate
appropriate answer.
answer.

11.

12.
12 .

13.
13.

Information
Information about
about the sports
sports facilities
facilities can be found on
A billboards
billboards in parts of the campus.
campus.

C posters
posters in the campus.

B notice-boards
notice-boards throughout
throughout the campus.

D maps all over


over the campus.
campus.

The speaker
speaker is
A showing
showing a map on a screen.

C referring
referring to a diagram
diagram on a screen.
screen.

B
B talking
talking about a map in a leaflet.

D talking
talking about
about a map on the wall.

The university
university sports
sports complex
complex is
C in
in Thames
Thames Street.
Street.

A in Burse Road.
B on the right of the
the police station.
station.

D opposite
opposite the city library.

Questions
Questions 14-17
Tick
Tick the four
four other
other facilities
facilities below
below which
which are mentioned
mentioned as future developments
developments in the university
university sports
complex.
complex. One (C) has been marked
marked for
for you as an example.
example. Write your
your answers
answers in Boxes
Boxes 14-17 on your
answer
answer sheet.
FACILITIES
FACILITIES
A Two badminton
badminton courts
courts

G An ice-skating
ice-skating rink _

B Three squash
squash courts
courts

H
H A cafeteria
cafeteria ________

cC

A sauna

II

(Example)
(Example)

Two courts for


for tennis

J A soft-ball court
court ___

D
D A full-sized
full-sized Olympic
Olympic swimming
swimming pool
A
dance
theatre
E
dance th e a tre ____________

K A modern
modern gym ____

F A bar __________
Questions
Questions 18-20
Circle the correct
correct letter.
18.

Choose
Choose the correct
correct location
location (A,B,C,
(A,B.C, or D)
for the
the sports
sports ground on the map below.
below.

19.

The direct
direct bus to the sports
sports field is the

A 553
B 33

Sports
Sports ground
ground = A, B, C,
C, or
or m
D?

20.

C 43
43
C
D 53
53
D

The
The last
last bus
bus at nigt,t
night is
is
A around
around half
half past 12
12 in the
the morning.
B at 2.30
2.30 a.m.
C at 1.30 a.m.
D at midnight.
midnight.

12

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Listening
Listening

Practice Tests
Tests
Practice

Practice
Practice Test 2: Section
Section 3
Questions 21-26
USING NO MORE THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS for each space complete
complete the details
details about
about
the FBT
FBT Award below.

FBT
FBT Award
The FBT Award gives students
_.
students money
money to
to __
____ 21
21______
Conditions to be met:
Conditions
Applicants
Applicants have to:
be in their
__
22 __
their_____
_____ year.
be a British or Commonwealth citizen.
be among
233 __
theiryear
year ininthe
the final
final exams.
exams.
among the
th e __
_____ 2
_____ inintheir
hand in the application by the
244 __
th e __
_____2
_____ .
be under
__ 25
__ atatthe
theend
endofoftheir
theircourse.
course.
under_____
25____
give the names of
o f __
____ 226
6 ______ referees.

Questions 27-30
Circle the appropriate
appropriate answer.

27.
27.

The award
award Sandra
Sandra is applying
applying for is

A awarded
awarded twice
twice a year.

aB

not
not as
as hard
hard to
to get
get as
as the
the one
one Derek
Derek is
is after.
after.

C not
not for
for as much
much money
money as
as the
the FBT
FBT Award.
Award.

D
0 much
muchharder
hardertotoobtain
obtainthan
thanthe
theone
oneDerek
Derekisisafter.
after.
28.

To apply
apply for the Bisiker
Bisiker Award, students
students have
have to
A write
a detailed
application
form.
writeaa5,000
5,000word
wordoutline
outlineofoftheir
theirproject
projectand
andcomplete
complete
a
detailed application
form.
B write
a formawith their
writeaa5,000
5,000word
wordoutline
outlineofoftheir
theirproject
projectand
andcomplete
complete
form details.
withtheir details.
C fill in a short
short application
application form.
D write
write a 50,000
50,000 word
word outline
outline of their project
project and fill in a form with their details.

29.

The lecturer
lecturer puts
puts great
great emphasis
emphasis on

A the need for the summary


summary to be original.
B making
making five copies
copies of the application.
application.

C having it read through


through by someone
someone before submitting
submitting it.
D studying
studying previous
previous applications.
applications.

30.

The lecturer
lecturer also
also lays great
great emphasis
emphasis on the fact that

A the
the Bisiker
Bisiker Award
Award isis not
not much
much harder
harder to
to get
getthan the one Derek is after.
B the
the application
application should,
should, ifif possible,
possible, be
be typed,
typed, neat and bound with a ring
ringbinder.
binder.

C there is no need to type the application.


D the application has to be typed, be very
very neat and bound with a ring binder.

A book for IELTS

13
13

Listenir
Listenir

Practice Tests

19

_________ ' 9

Practice Test 2: Section 4

Questions
Questions 31-36
Comp,|ete the lecture
|ecture notes below.
below. Use NO MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS to complete
complete each space.
space.
ComP,1ete

Europe goes grey


refers
refers to the

31
_31

in Europe
Europe since
since the 60s.

Projections
Projections
- by 2029
32.
% of
ofthe
the UK
UK population
population will
will be
be over
over retirement
retirement age.
age.
2029 approximately
approximately_______32_______%
- roughly
33.
will be
be 65
65 or
or over
over by
by 2020.
2020.
roughly 23%
23% of the
the population
population of
o f_______33_______will
- the number
34
percent per
per year
year
number of centenarians
centenarians in the
the UK
UK will
will be increasing
increasing by
by_______34_______percent
in the 21st
21st century.

*
Reas(ons
Reasons for
for increased
increased life-span:
life-span:
a.
a. better
better diet
b.
b. better
better housing
c. the
of health
health care
care
th e _______ 35
35_______ of
The
The b,irth
b)jrth rate in Europe has fallen
fallen as a consequence
consequence of:
a. _______ 36.~-36_______
a.
b. education
education of women
women
b.
c. more
more women
women working
working
Oueistions
Questions 37-40

Circle,
Circle the correct
correct letter.
letter.

37
37.

39.
39.

needed
needed to

The speaker
speaker says
says that
that the elderly
elderly

A pay the wages


wages of carers.

A generally
generally need care.
care.

B help independent
independent old people.

B can be both happy and retired.

C create
create new medical
medical services.
services.

C vary
vary in their
their situations
situations and needs.
needs.

D increase
increase the level of pensions.
pensions.

D worry
worry about
about who will care for
for them.
them.

38.
38.

Unlike in the past,


past, today
today families
families
A don't
dont care about
about their
their grandparents.
grandparents.
B tend to live in the same
same area.
area.
C don't
dont take care
care of grandparents.
grandparents.
D share
share the care
care of the elderly.
elderly.

14

As regards
regards the
the elderly, financial
financial assistance
assistance is

>

40.

The
The speaker
speaker suggests
suggests that
that in the future
future
A people
people should
should be helped
helped to prepare
prepare
financially
financially for
for their
their old age.
age.
B existing
existing houses
houses of the elderly
elderly should
should be adapted.
adapted.
C retirement
retirement ages
ages should
should be increased.
increased.
D people
people should
should respect
respect the elderly
elderly more.
more.

A book for IELTS

Listening

Practice Tests
Tests
Practice

Practice
Practice Test 3: Section 11
Questions 1-7
'

complete
Complete the questionnaire
questionnaire below
below using NO MORE THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS for each space.
Questionnaire
Questionnaire
Example
Example
Year:
2nd.
Year:__
____ 2nd

Subjects:
Subjects:

Chinese
)
Chinese and (1
(1).

Age:

(2)
(2)_

Type
Type of accommodation: flat off-campus
off-campus __
____
(Please
tick)
flat
on-campus
~
(Please
- flat on-campus * /
Name
Name of block
block (if applicable):
applicable):

ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES

_
room
room

(3)
(3).

on-campus
on-campus __
off-campus
off-campus __

Number
Number of times
times per month
month student
student takes
takes part
part
A=
B = 3-5
C
D = 9-10
4 = 1-2
1-2
c ==66-8
-a
910
Write A,
A, B, C, or
or D below
below

Sports
Sports

(4)
(5)

Basketball
Football

Clubs
C1.u..b.s
(6)

A
A

Amateur
Amateur dramatics
dramatics

Questions
1O
Questions 88-10

8.
8.

How much of
his income
does the
student
student
spend on
socialising?
socialising?

A
B

(7)
(7)

Circle
Circle the appropriate
appropriate letter.

cC
I.

~:
A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

15

Practice
Practice Tests
Tests

Listening
Listening

9.

How much of his income


income does
does the student
student spend
spend on
on accommodation
accommodation and food?
food?

50% V

\
60%

110.
O.

Apart
Apart from books, what does
does the student
student spend
spend the rest
rest of his money
money on?
A small luxuries
luxuries like chocolate
chocolate and cakes.
cakes.
B lots of luxuries.
luxuries.
C food.
food.
D small luxuries.
luxuries.

16
16

A book for IELTS

Listening
Listening

Practice Tests
Tests
Practice

Practice
Practice Test 3: Section
Section 2
Q u estion s 11-13
Questions

Complete
Complete the notes
notes below about
about the Hoverplane
Hoverplane using
using NO MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS.
WORDS.
Hoverplane
Hoverplane
The hoverplane
__ 11__ per
perhour.
hour.
hoverplane will be able to travel
travel at a maximum speed of
o f____11____
The craft is efficient,
__ 12__ of the
of the
normal
a ferry.
efficient, because
because it uses one
one____12__
normal
fuelfuel
of aofferry.
The larger
__ 13__ and
and freight
freight at
at300
300 kilometres
kilometres an
anhour.
hour.
larger planned
planned version will be able to carry
carry____13_____
Questions 14-16
Questions
Answer
Answer the questions
questions below according
according to the information
information you hear about
about a new
new computer-based
computer-based police
communication
communication system.
system.
For each blank
blank space
space use NO MORE THAN THREE
THREE WORDS.
WORDS.
Police
Police Communication
Communication System
System

14.

What
What can
can aa radio
radio scanner
scanner warn
warn aa criminal
criminal about?
about?

15.

With the
the new
new police
police system,
system, what
what will
will take
take the
the place
place of
of most
most radio
radio traffic?
traffic?
With

16.
16.

What
What may
may be
be transmitted
transmitted to
to police
police cars
cars in
in future?
future? -------------

_________________

Questions
Questions 17-20
According
According to the information
information you hear about
about chickens
chickens and electricity,
electricity, complete
complete the summary
summary below.
below. Use no
more than TWO
TWO WORDS
WORDS to complete
complete each blank space.
space.

Chickens
Chickens and Electricity
Electricity
Dung
17
ofthe
thechicken
chickenfarm.
farm. AA British
Britishfirm
firmhas
hasproved
provedthat
thatthe
the
Dung is a _____ 17_____
of
answer to communities'
communities needs
needs for electric
electric power
power is profitable. So, at the moment,
it has
18
stationsininBritain,
Britain, which
whichare
arepowered
poweredby
bydung,
dung, and
andother
other
h a s_____ 18_____
stations
European
European countries
countries are showing
showing interest.
interest.
In many
19
headacheso
sothe
thecompany
companyisissolving
solvingtwo
two
many countries,
countries,_____ 19_____
isisaaheadache
problems
problems at one time,
time, namely: burning
burning dung
dung to make much needed
needed fertiliser and
producing
cheap
20
__
producing cheap_____ 20_____ .

book tor
for IELTS
A book

17

Practice Tests

Listening

Practice
Practice Test 3: Section 3
Questions
Questions 21-23

Circle the appropriate


appropriate answer.
answer.
21.

Dave thinks
thinks the
the last
last tutorial
tutorial
Dave
A was exciting and Sarah
Sarah disagrees.
B was not exciting
exciting and Sarah disagrees.
disagrees.

C wasn't
wasnt very
very interesting, but Sarah does.
D was good and Sarah feels
feels she has to agree.
22.

Sarah states
states that
that she
she understood
understood
Sarah
A a very
very small part of the tutorial.
tutorial.
B all of the tutorial.
tutorial.

C most of the tutorial, but parts of itit were


were incomprehensible.
incomprehensible.
D none of the tutorial.
tutorial.
23.

Sarahand
and Dave
Dave have
havejust
just attended
attended aa tutorial on
Sarah

tutorial on

A study
study skills for English Literature.
B reading in literature.
C writing
writing in literature.
D
D general
general studies.

Questions
Questions 24-27
I

Listen and complete


complete the table
table below with the appropriate
appropriate numbers.
Sarah
Sarah
Pages
Pages per hour
hour

25/30

Books
Books per week
week

11

Dave
Dave
(24)
_
(24)__________
(26)
_
(26)__________

Terry
120
120
(27)
__
(27)_______

Arnold
Arnold
(25)
(25)_______
20

Questions
Questions 28-30
Using NO MORE
MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS for each blank
blank space,
space, complete
complete the sentences below.
Terry
(28)__
.
Terry thinks
thinks it is important
important to develop
develop one's
ones reading speed to
t o __
_____ (28)_____
Terry
__
{29)__
after his
hisfirst
first tutorial
tutorial with
with Dr
Dr Pratt.
Pratt.
Terry felt
fe lt_____
(29)_____
after
When
pages
When Terry
Terry first
first arrived at university,
university, his reading speed was
w a s __
_____ {30)
(30)______ pages
per hour.

18

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Listening

Practice
Practice Tests
Tests

Practice
Practice Test 3: Section 4
Questions 31-34
Circle the correct letter.
31.

What four qualities


qualities do actresses
actresses and actors need to survive?
survive?
A fear, determination,
determination, persistence
persistence and ability to accept
accept a challenge.
challenge.
B hunger, thirst, persistence
persistence and talent.
C hunger, determination, talent
talent and persistence.

D anxiety, doggedness,
doggedness, talent
talent and persistence.
persistence.
32.

The unemployment
unemployment rate in the acting profession
profession is
A around 70 percent.
B between 80 and 90 per cent.
C not mentioned
mentioned in the lecture.
D over 90 per cent.

33.

Actors, on average,
average, work
A 110
O weeks per year.
B 11
11 weeks per year.

cC

7 weeks
weeks per year.

D 12 weeks per year.


*

34.

Actresses, on average,
average, work
A 14 weeks per year.
B 17 weeks per year.

cC

7 weeks
weeks per year.

D 12 weeks
weeks per year.
Questions 35-40
Complete
Complete the lecture notes below. Use NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS
WORDS to complete
complete each space.
Finding
Finding an agent
agent

Except
Except in
in special
special circumstances,
circumstances, agents
agents have
have to see
see actors
actors or actresses
actresses in some
some
kind of

35. __
.35.

For example,
example, they
they can send
send a show-reel
show-reel with their
their

Equity
Equity Cards
Cards

36.
.36.

Getting
__ 37 __ . The main disadvantage
disadvantage of the new system
Getting work
work without
without an Equity
Equity Card is
is______37______.The
is that
__ 38 __ .
that there
there are more
more people
people going
going for
for the
the_____38_____.

Photographs
Photographs

Photographs
bee __
39__
, black and white and the size
Photographs are essential
essential and they
they have
have to
to b
_____39_____,
ofa
40 __
.
of a __
_____40_____.

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

19
19

Practice
Practice Tests
Tests

Listening

Practice Test 4: Section 11


Ou&.stions 1-5
Circle
Circle^ the correct
correct answer.
Example:
Example:
The
...
The student
student...

1.
1.

2.
2.

Amman, Jordan.
Jordan.
Amman,

cC

Alexandria, Egypt.

Ankara, Turkey.
Turkey.
Ankara,

Athens, Greece.

is studying
studying Hebrew
Hebrew and Arabic.
is studying
English
and Arabic.
studying

The
Thestudent
studentmust
must reach
reach his
hisdestination
destination by
by
B
B

12th September.
September.
12th

CC

27th
27th September.
September.

31st
31st August.
August.

DD

20th
20th September.
September.

The The
student
decides
finally
to leave
on on
student
decides
finally
to leave
A
21st August.
August.
CC
20th
21st
20th September.
September.
B

4.

C
D

is Arabic.
Arabic.
is studying
studying Arabic.

The final destination


destination is

3.

A
B

20th August.
August.

27th August.

The student
wants to
go totoParis
The student
wants
go tobyParis by

"*"'6Qp

+
+

r<rv

D
D

+
+

20

A
A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Listening
Listening

Practics
Practics Tests
Tests

s.5 .

The student
student is afraid of

m
.

^__TU N N EL_^

BB

cC

VD

Questions 6-9

Tick the four


fo u r pieces
pieces of information
information below
below which
which give correct
correct details
details about
about the rest
rest of the
the journey.
journey.
Then write
write the answers
answers A-H
A -H in Boxes 6-9 on your answer
answer sheet.
A

The
The student
student is
is planning
planning to
to fly
fly from
from Paris
Paris to
to Vienna.
Vienna. __
___

The
The student
student is
is planning
planning to
to fly
fly to
to Athens
Athens via
via Budapest
Budapest from
from Vienna.

The
The student
student has
has not
not sorted
sorted out
out his
his visa
visa requirements.
requirements. __
_____

The
The Vienna
Vienna leg
leg of
of the
the journey
journey will
will cost
cost 142.80.
142.80. __
_____

EE

The
The student
student will
will spend
spend three
three days
days in
in Athens.
Athens. __
_____

The
ferry. ____
The student
student wants
wants to
to go
go from
from Piraeus
Piraeus to
to Alexandria
Alexandria by
byferry.

The
The student
student wants
wants to
to fly
fly from
from Piraeus
Piraeus to
to Alexandria.
Alexandria. __
_______

H
H

The student
student wants
wants to travel to Vienna
Vienna overnight.
overnight. __
_____

Question 10
Complete the blank space
space below.
10.
10* The
The booking
booking reference
reference is
is _

A book for IELTS


IELTS

21

Practice
Practice Tests
T ests

Liste Ding

Practice
Practice Test 4: Section
Section 2
0Ltestions
QLiestions 11-16
11-16
CO'nplete
Complete the table below
below as you listen. Use
Use either
either A NUMBER
NUMBER or
or NO MORE
MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS to fill
each
each space.
space.

Number
Number of participants
participants in the survey:
survey 4373
Radio
Radio
Soap
Soap

New Wake-up
Wake-up
New
start
start time

The
The (15)

17%
17%

87%

15%

% 64%

M3)
(13)

Radio
Radio
South
South
Approval
Approval
rating
rating

(11)
(11)

Disapproval
Disapproval
rating
rating

(121
(12)

Don't
Dont knows
knows

Not mentioned
mentioned

19%
19%

mentioned
Not mentioned

60%
60%

Listeners'
Listeners
comments
comments

Excellent
Excellent

Vulgar
Vulgar
and puerile

(14)
(14)_______ L _

(16)

O/o
%

25%

Questions
Questions 17-20
Circle the correct
correct answer.

17.
17.

Regarding
Regarding the message
message Voicebox, the number
number of complaints
complaints
C has remained
recent weeks.
weeks.C has remained
static. static.
A has gone up and down in recent
B
B has gone
gone down.

18.

19.
19.

20.

22

D has risen in recent weeks.


D has risen in recent weeks.

The praise
praise for
for the music
music on the Wake-up
Wake-up show
show has come
come
only from
from Australia.
Australia.
A only

CC from
from all
all over
over South-east
South-east Asia.
Asia.

only from
from New
New Zealand.
Zealand.
B only

D
from all
all over
over Asia.
Asia.
D from

Regarding
Regarding English
English Worldwide, the number
number of listeners
listeners
A has increased
increased ten times.
times.

8
B has remained
remained fairly
fairly static.

DD will
will increase
increase in
in the
the future.
future.

hashas
decreased
tenfold.
C
decreased
tenfold.

The radio station


station broadcasts
broadcasts
A 14
14 hours
hours per
per day.
day.

cC 24
24 hours
hours per
perday.
day.

8
B 19
19 hours
hours per
per day.
day.

DD 22
22 hours
hours per
perday.
day.

for IELTS
IELTS
A book tor

Listening
Listening

Practics Tests
Tests
Practics

Practice
Practice Test 4: Section
Section 3
Q uestions 21-25
Questions

II

Circle the
the correct
correct letter.
21.
21 .

Regarding the tutorials, Lorraine


Lorraine ...

A
B
C
D
22.

thinksthey
theycould
couldbe
beimproved.
improved.
thinks

hastwo
two daughters
daughterswho
who have
havebeen
beencausing
causingher
hertrouble.
trouble.
has
is aa single
singleparent
parentwith
with aa daughter
daughterin
in her
herteens.
teens.
is
is
is an
an immature
immaturestudent.
student.

is aa teenager.
teenager.
is

her eldest
eldestdaughter
daughterisis to
to blame
blamefor
for the
the family
familyproblems.
problems.
her
her youngest
youngestdaughter
daughteris
is to
to blame
blamefor
for her
herfamily
family problems.
problems.
her
her husband
husbandisis to
to blame
blamefor
for her
herfamily
familyproblems
problems
her
hertaking
takingthe
the course
course isis the
the cause
causeof
of her
herfamily
familyproblems.
problems.
her

When he was 16, Stevie took on a job ...

A
B
C
D
D
25.

statesthat
that they
they are
are useless.
useless.
states

Farilla feels that


...
th a t...

A
B
C
D
D
24.

is
is hesitant
hesitantabout
aboutsaying
sayingwhat
whatshe
she thinks.
thinks.

Farilla
...
Farilla...

A
B
C
D
23.

finds them
them very
very useful.
useful.
finds

becausehe
hedesperately
desperatelyneeded
neededthe
themoney.
money.
because
for no
no real
real reason.
reason.
for
to help
help his
his mother
motherout.
out.
to
to help
help his
his brother.
brother.
to

Dr Goldfinch
...
Goldfinch suggests
suggests that
that Farilla should
should...

A
B
C
D

get
get her
her daughters
daughtersaa job.
job.

speakto
to Stevies
Stevie'smum.
mum.
speak
give up
up the
the course.
course.
give
explainthe
the situation
situationto
to her
her daughters.
daughters.
explain

Questions 26-30
Complete the notes
notes below. Use
Use NO
NO MORE
MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS to complete
complete each
each blank
blank space.
space.
Stevie's
Stevies problem
Stevie had
26__ ready
readyfor
forFriday.
Friday.However,
However,his
hiscomputer
computer
had to have his
h is __
_____ 26_____
__
__ and,
and,unfortunately,
unfortunately,he
hedidnt
didn'thave
haveaacopy
copyon
ondisk,
disk,but
butdoes
doeshave
haveaa
_____ 27
27_____
__
__
_____ 28
28_____
..
He
29__ to
to Dr
DrJohnson;
Johnson;and
andgive
giveininthe
thefull
full
He has
has to get his OHPs
OHPs ready; submit a __
____29_____
paper
__
30__ .
paper after the seminar.
seminar. If he doesn't
doesnt do everything
everything on time,
time, he will
will lose
lose_____
30_____

A book for IELTS


IELTS

23

Practice Tests
Practice

Listening
Listening

Practice
Practice Test 4: Section
Section 4
Questions 31-33
Questions

Below is a list of steps


steps (A-1),
(A-l), four
four of which
which the speaker
speaker took in her career. The first
first step is A. What
What are the
Below
next three steps?
Write
your
answers
in
the
correct
order
in
Boxes
31-33
on
your
answer
sheet.
steps?
your answers
correct order Boxes
your answer
Career
Career steps
steps
took an MA in music.
music.
A took

workedas
asaaproof-reader.
proof-reader.
B worked

C was a freelance
freelance features writer.

followed a course
course in
D followed
journalism.
journalism.

enteredthe
theeditorial
editorialfield.
field.
E entered

F became
became aa full-time
full-time
music
music critic
critic

G
G a music critic
critic on a national
national
newspaper
on
a
retainer.
newspaper
retainer.

becameaapart-time
part-time
H became
music
critic.
music

became aa sub-editor
sub-editor for
for an
an
I became
educational
educational publication.
publication.

Questions
Questions 34-36
The
The speaker
speaker mentions
mentions four
four disadvantages
disadvantages to being a music
music critic.
critic. One has been
been marked
marked for
for you.
you. Tick the
other
other three disadvantages.
disadvantages. Write
Write your
your answers
answers in Boxes 34-36
34-36 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
sheet.
Disadvantages
Disadvantages
A
A being pestered
pestered by the concert-goers
concert-goers while working
working
B
B being bothered
bothered by enthusiastic
enthusiastic accountants
accountants
loneliness
C the loneliness
D having to deal with people
people on the telephone
telephone
E the low pay
F being glamorous
glamorous
meeting uninteresting
uninteresting people
G meeting
H writing
writing reviews
reviews of concerts
concerts within tight
tight time limits
Question
Question 37
Circle
Circle the correct
correct letter.

37.

regards travelling, the speaker


speaker...
As regards
...
A

enjoys itit aa little.


little.
enjoys

goes abroad
abroad ten
ten times
times aa year.
year.
goes

visits other
other European
European countries
countries at
at least
least ten
ten times
times aa year.
year.
visits

goes
goes to
to Iceland
Iceland regularly.
regularly.

Questions
Questions 38-40
Using NO
NO MORE
MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS for each space, complete
complete the blanks below.
below.

38.

Michael
_ .
Michael lgnatieff's
Ignatieffs TV series
series dealt with
with the
th e __________

39.

The critic's
_ .
critics job is to foster
foster the talent
talent of
o f ___________

40.

As people are so unsure


unsure of themselves,
themselves, what
what a critic says can
can act as an objective
objective

24
24

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Reading

e-"'
~
,__,
;(.~

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

25

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22

Reading

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The Reading
TS lasts for 60 minutes.
Reading Test
Test in IEL
IELTS
minutes.
There
There are three
three reading
reading passages,
passages, which
which may include pictures,
pictures, graphs,
graphs, tables
tables or diagrams.
diagrams. The reading
reading
passages
,000 words. The total
passages are of different
different length, from approximately
approximately 500 to 11,000
total for
for the
the three
three passages
passages is
between
between 1,500
1,500 and 2,500.
2,500. Each reading
reading passage
passage has several different
different types
types of questions,
questions, which may be
printed either
either before
before or after the
the passage.
passage. Often the texts
texts and the questions
questions become
become more difficult as you
read from Passage
Passage 11 to 3.

Question
Question type
You may
may have to answer
answer any of the following
following question
question types:
- multiple
multiple choice
choice questions
questions
- gap-filling
gap-filling exercises
exercises
- matching
matching paragraph
paragraph headings
headings with paragraphs
paragraphs in the
the Reading
Reading Passage
Passage
- matching
matching the two parts of split sentences
sentences
- short
short answers
answers to open questions
questions
- Yes/No/Not
Yes/No/Not Given
Given statements
statements
- the completion
completion of - sentences
sentences
- summaries
summaries
- diagrams
diagrams
- tables
tables
- flow charts
- notes

11,H::h
Problems

Candidates
Candidates have a number
number of problems
problems with this part of the IELTS exam, which
which may include
include the following:
following:

Misreading
Misreading instructions
instructions
It is important
important that
that you read all the instructions
instructions very carefully
carefully so that
that you are clear
clear about
about what
what is required for
the answer
to
each
of
the
questions.
The
instructions
are
usually
clear
and
easy
to
follow,
and,
in some cases,
answer
questions.
instructions
usually clear
easy follow,
there
is
an
example.
there
example.
Candidates
Candidates think
think that
that the instructions
instructions will be exactly
exactly the same as the textbook
textbook or other
other material
material they have
been using to prepare
for
the
exam.
This
may
not
always
be
the
case,
so
make
sure
you
read
the instructions
prepare for
always
sure you
instructions
carefully
carefully in the exam itself.

Timing
Candidates
Candidates often
often achieve
achieve a lower
lower score
score than expected
expected in this component
component of the IELTS exam,
exam, because
because they
spend
too
much
time
on
some
sections
and
do
not
finish
the
test.
It
is
very
important
to
attempt
spend
time
sections
very important attempt to finish
finish the
test. You will not have time to read and enjoy
enjoy the passages;
passages; instead,
instead, you
you should
should learn to work
work out
out what
what the
question
question you are doing requires
requires and find each
each answer
answer as quickly
quickly as possible.
possible.
Candidates
Candidates often
often find it difficult
difficult to leave a question
question that
that they
they cannot
cannot answer.
answer. This
This is understandable,
understandable, but in
the IEL
TS it is disastrous.
IELTS
disastrous. While
While you are not answering
answering a difficult
difficult question
question you could
could be answering
answering two
two or
three,
three, or even more, easier
easier ones. Then
Then you can come back to those
those you
you have left blank
blank afterwards.
afterwards.

26

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Exercises 11 to
to 22
22
Exercises

Reading
Reading

Topics
Topics

The reading passage


passage topics vary, but are all of an academic
academic nature. Candidates
Candidates sometimes
sometimes panic
panic when they
are faced with a reading passage
passage on a subject
subject about which they know nothing
nothing at all. It is important
important to
remember
remember that
that the answers
answers to all of the questions
questions are in the text
text itself. You do not need any specialist
specialist
knowledge of the topic
topic to be able to answer
answer the questions.
questions. The test is designed
designed to test
test your reading
reading
comprehension skills, not your knowledge
knowledge of any
any particular
particular subject.
A nsw er sheets
s h e ets
Answer

You must complete


complete the answer
answer sheet
sheet within 60 minutes. You will not have extra time
time to transfer
transfer your
your answers
from the question paper
paper to your
your answer
answer sheet. Candidates
Candidates often think that, because
because they have time to transfer
transfer
their answers
answers in the listening
listening section, the same thing
thing happens
happens in the
the reading section.
section. It doesn't.
doesnt.

Students often ask what


what is the best way to read for the exam.
Below are some hints about
about what you can do.

Read
Read as widely
widely as
as you can, e.g.
e.g. newspapers,
newspapers, journals,
journals, specialist
specialist magazines
magazines and
and so on.
on. Ifif you are
preparing
preparing for
for a particular
particular academic
academic subject
subject at university
university e.g. law,
law, medicine,
medicine, engineering,
engineering, you should
should
make
make sure that
that you
you develop
develop the skills
skills of reading
reading with
with speed outside
outside your
your subject
subject area.

As you read, look for


for patterns
patterns in the organisation
organisation of the texts.
texts. The
The different
different types
types of paragraphs are
finite,
12
finite, but
but their
their arrangement
arrangement can make
make them
them appear
appear infinite
infinite in variety.
variety. See
See Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 5,
5,12
and 13.
13.
and

When
When you are reading,
reading, try to train yourself
yourself to read to understand
understand the meaning
meaning of the
the passage
passage rather than
just
reading
the
words.
See
Reading
Exercises
1-11.
just reading
words. See Reading Exercises 1-11.

As you
you read,
read, always
always practise
practise predicting
predicting what
what you
you are
are about
about to
to read.
read.
As
See Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 10 and
and 11.
11.

As you
you read
read generally,
generally, try
try to
to summarise
summarise aa paragraph
paragraph by
by giving
giving itit aa brief
brief heading.
heading. This
This will then come to
As
you automatically
automatically with practice.
practice. See Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 12
12 and
and 13.
13.

Learn
Learn to increase
increase your
your speed
speed while
while still reading the organisation
organisation and
and meaning
meaning of a passage.
passage. See
Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 14-16.
14-16.

Students
Students often
often focus
focus on words
words they
they do not know. This
This is dangerous
dangerous in the exam,
exam, as it wastes
wastes time.
time. You
have to
to learn to let go
go and look
look at the
the overall
overall meaning.
meaning. See Reading
Reading Exercise
Exercise 16.

Spend aa specific
specific period
period each
each day
day reading.
reading.
Spend

Don't try
try to
to focus
focus on
on all
all of
of the
the above
above at
at one
one time.
time. Even
Even focusing
focusing on
on one
one for aa short
period of
Dont
shortperiod
of time
time each
each
day
day is tiring.

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

27

Reading

11

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22

Exercise
Exercise 1: How to read, or how to read efficiently'?
efficiently?

Wher1
When people
people are taught
taught to read, generally
generally speaking,
speaking, they learn to read words
w o rd s .. To read efficiently,
efficiently, however,
however,
you a.1so
need
to
read
at
another
level:
you
need
to
be
able
to
read
meaning,
and
organisation
ajso
another
meaning, a n d organisation in a text. As
the reiading
TS exam primarily
reading section
section of the IEL
IELTS
primarily tests your
your understanding
understanding of meaning
meaning and your
your ability to find
your
your way around
around a text, it is, therefore,
therefore, not enough just
just to be capable
capable of reading words
words alone.
This ~xercise
Exercise helps you to begin developing
developing different
different strategies
strategies to read a text fast and efficiently.
efficiently. The exercise
looks at the organisation
organisation in a paragraph.
paragraph. Read the paragraph
paragraph below
below slowly,
s lo w ly , and then answer
answer the questions
questions
which follow.

The building,
building, completed in ll 785, was erected by the enigmatic
Frederick Hervey,
Hervey, Earl
Earl of Bristol
Bristol and Bishop
Bishop of Derry,
Derry, in honour
honour of Mrs
Mussenden, the Earl's cousin. The Earl
Earl Bishop
Bishop used
used the folly, which
become
known
as
the
Mussenden
Temple,
as
a library. Standing
became
Mussenden
dangerously on the edge of a sheer drop into the North Sea,
Sea, the temple
dominates the coastline to the West. The structure's classical simplicity,
with its dome and Corinthian columns, is in stork
stark contrast to the
haunting Celtic landscape.
1.

2.
3.

4.

The function
function of
of the
the building.
building.
The

The physical
physical structure
structure of
of the
the library.
library.
The

The location
location of
of the
the building.
building.
The

The history
history of
of the
the building.
building.
The

None of the phrases


phrases in number
number 11 above
above can be used as titles
titles for the paragraph.
paragraph. Why?
The
author
wrote
the
paragraph
...
The author wrote the paragraph ...
A
A
B

to describe
describe the
the Mussenden
Mussenden Temple.
Temple.
to

C
C

to express
express his opinion
opinion of the madness
madness of Frederick
Frederick Hervey.
Hervey.

to describe
describe the
the function
function of the library.
library.

to describe
describe the
the Celtic
Celtic landscape.
landscape.
to

5.

The writer
writer uses
uses aa series
series of
of synonyms
synonyms in
in the
the paragraph.
paragraph. Which
Which words
words are
are they?
they?
The
What is
is the
the purpose
purpose of
of these
these words?
words?
What

6.

What type
type of
of paragraph
paragraph is
is it?
it?
What

7.

28
za

There
There are four
four sentences
sentences in the text. Which
Which sentences
sentences give you the information
information below?

A
A

argumentative?
IsIsititargumentative?

cause and
and effect
effect paragraph?
paragraph?
IsIsititaacause

C
C

Does ititexpress
express an
anopinion?
opinion?
Does

descriptive?
IsIsititdescriptive?

Below is a list of titles. Which


Which is the most appropriate
appropriate title for
for the paragraph?
paragraph?
A
The enigmatic
enigmatic Frederick
Frederick Hervey.
Hervey.
A The
B

The mystery
mystery of
of the
the Celtic
Celtic landscape.
landscape.
The

C
C

The Mussenden
Mussenden Temple.
Temple.
The

D
D

The
The classicism
classicism of Frederick
Frederick Hervey's
Herveys folly.

8.

What is
is the
the relationship
relationship between
between the
the first
first sentence
sentence and
and the
the second?
second?
What

9.

What is
is the
the relationship
relationship between
between the
the third
third sentence
sentence and
and the
the fourth?
fourth?
What

A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Reading
Reading

Exercises
Exercises 11 to
to 22
22

110.
O. There is a division
division in the text. Where does it occur?
11.
1 1. What is the relationship
relationship between the two parts of text on either
either side of the division?
division?
12.
12. Look at the following
following sentence:
The building,
building, erected
erected by
by the
the enigmatic
enigmatic Frederick
Frederick Hervey, Earl of
of Bristol
Bristol and Bishop
Bishop of Derry,
in honour
honour of Mrs
Mrs Mussenden, the
the Earl's
Earls cousin, was completed in
in 1785.

Compare
Compare this with the first sentence
sentence in the paragraph above.
What has happened
happened to the information
information in the sentence?
sentence?
What is the main information
information in the sentence
sentence above?

I Exercise
Exercise 2: Learning
Learning to read organisation
organisation

You can see from the previous


previous exercise
exercise that to read a text effectively,
effectively, you need to be able to read
read organisation.
organisation.
You need,
need, therefore,
therefore, to learn to see a text in a different
different way.
In the passage
passage below, there are 105 words. Each of the words
words has a meaning. These
These words and meanings
are then divided
into
five
sentences.
Each
sentence
has,
in
turn,
a
specific
meaning,
divided
sentences.
sentence
specific meaning, which comes
comes from the
sum of the words
words in the sentence.
sentence. This meaning is different
different from the sum of the individual
individual parts, i.e. the words
of each
each sentence.
sentence. Take the following
following sentence,
sentence, for example:

Museums
M useum s and
a n d art galleries
galleries should
should be free of
o f charge to the general
gen eral public.
If you add all the words
words together
together (13 words),
words), the total is a proposal
proposal or suggestion
suggestion about
about the issue of charges
for museums
museums or art galleries. You can see that when you put the words together
together you get something
something different:
meaning at another
another level. And not just
just one meaning! The sentence
sentence does, in fact, have other
other meanings, but
you will
will see that
that later (see Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 5-8).
Another way of looking at the sentence
sentence is that
that the words
words proposal
proposal and suggestion
suggestion are summaries
summaries of the
sentence. If you then add up the meanings
meanings of the sentences
sentences in a paragraph,
paragraph, you will have a different
different level of
meaning. In other
words,
the
sum
of
the
meaning
of
the
sentences,
can
help
you
work
out
the title of a
other
meaning
sentences,
paragraph.
Obviously, therefore,
therefore, it is more economical
economical to be able to read the organisation
organisation of the meaning
meaning of a paragraph
and dip into sentences,
where
necessary.
Individual
words
then
become
much
less
important.
sentences, where necessary.
words
become
important. This
This exercise
develops further
further the basic techniques
techniques about
about organisation
organisation that you learnt in the previous
previous exercise.

Read the statements


statements below and
and study
study the paragraph
paragraph which
which follows.
follows. Decide
Decide which statements
statements about
about the
paragraph
are
true
or
false.
paragraph
a

the paragraph
paragraphtalks
talksabout
aboutdrivers
driversand
andtheir
their opinions,
opinions.
the

the paragraph
paragraphhas
hasno
nofocus
focussentence.
sentence.
the

the paragraph
paragraphcontains
containsthree
threeexamples
exampleswhich
which illustrate
the
illustratedrivers'
drivers high
high opinion
opinion of
ofthemselves.
themselves,

the second
secondsentence
sentenceis
is aa transition
transitionsentence.
sentence.
the

you could
could remove
removethe
the second
secondsentence
sentenceand
and put
put For
For example,
example,atatthe
thebeginning
beginningofofsentence
sentence3.3.
you

the basic
basicorganisation
organisationin
in this
this paragraph
paragraphis:
is: problem/solution.
problem/solution.
the

the paragraph
paragraphneeds
needsmore
moretext
text markers
markerslike
likethen,
then, indeed
indeedetc
etc
the

the author
authorwrote
wrote the
the paragraph
paragraphto
to show
showwhat
whathappens
happenswhen
whendrivers
drivers are
the
arrogant
arrogant about
about their driving
driving abilities.

a suitable title is: Driver arrogance and the consequences.

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

are

29

Reading

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22

Drivers
Drivers often have an over-inflated opinion of their own driving abilities
abilities
and think that most other people on the road fall well
well below
below their own
high standards. Some even
even take it upon themselves
themselves to show their fellow
road users
users how to drive. Car
C ar drivers commonly treat the road as a
stage where they show other motorists how skilful they are by
out-manoeuvring
out-m anoeuvring them.
them. Another frequent sight on the road is
is an irate
hanging out of the window
window of his car instructing another
another driver
man hanging
on the art of road-craft.
road-craft. A similar
similar situation is
is the football stadium
stadium full
of referees,
referees, yelling
yelling instructions at the man in black.
black.

Exercise
Exercise 3: More about
about reading organisation
organisation

This
This exercise
exercise gives
gives you more practice
practice in reading
reading organisation. Read the following
following paragraph
paragraph as quickly as
you can:

For many people, all the frustrations they face in their daily lives are
relieved on the battlefields of the road. The cashier in the bank, or at
the post-office, is also frequently the object of vented anger. And how
often do we read in the newspaper dramatic stories
stories about
about trolley rage
in the supermarket,
supermarket, phone rage, air rage and so on? Admittedly, we
do have the tendency
tendency to take out our pent-up emotions on others. But,
these situations would be simply
surely, a better way to deal with these
learning how to control our feelings.

Now decide
decide which
which of the statements
statements about
about the paragraph
paragraph are true or false:
a

b
c

Specific
Specific
example
example

the first
first sentence
sentence gives
gives the
the focus
focus or
or topic
topic of
of the
the paragraph,
paragraph.
the
the purpose
purpose of
of the
the paragraph
paragraph isisto
to show
show how
how people
people relieve
relieve their
their frustrations,
frustrations.
the
the structure
structure of
of the
the paragraph
paragraph isisas
asfollows:
follows:
the

Specific
Specific
example
example
\

Specific
Specific
example
example
__ ________

Concession
Concession

30

30

General
General
statement
statement

Opinion
Opinion

1
Contrast
Contrast

the
the fourth
fourth sentence
sentence is
is aa generalisation
generalisation or general
general statement,
statement, which
which acts
acts as
as a summary
summary
of
of the
the examples
examples in
in the
the previous
previous three
three sentences.
sentences.

the
thefifth
fifthsentence
sentenceisisjudgmental.
judgmental.

this
a list
and
paragraph.
this
is is
a list
or or
and
paragraph.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Reading
Reading

Exercises 11 to
to 22
Exercises

All of the following


following are suitable
suitable titles
titles for the paragraph:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

Relieving frustration
frustration
Relieving
The best
best way
way to
to relieve
relieve frustration
frustration
The
The best
best way
way to
to deal
deal with
with emotion
emotion in
in fraught
fraught situations
situations
The
Dealing with
with frustration
frustration
Dealing

[exercise
Exercise 4: A summary
summary of functions
functions

You saw in Exercise


Exercise 2 that
that it is possible to summarise
summarise a sentence
sentence in
in a paragraph by giving it a name. These
summaries
summaries then help you to read more efficiently
efficiently as you are learning
learning automatically
automatically to summarise sentences,
and then larger
larger chunks
chunks of text, i.e.
i.e. paragraphs.
paragraphs.
In
In this exercise, you are going to identify the meaning of sentences
sentences and paragraphs.
paragraphs.

Baboon
s in trees
Baboons
(i)
(i) Let
Let us use a tree as a vehicle for our explanation,
explanation, where the tree
represents
represents the way of thinking.
thinking, (ii) Some
Some thinkers, content to s.tick
stick to
the mainstream, stay
on
the
trunk
of
the
tree,
while
others
with
a bit
stay
more daring move out onto the sturdier boughs.
boughs, (iii) The reckless few,
not satisfied with sitting complacently on the branches, have to move
out to the flimsier twigs and branches.
branches, (iv) These
These are the radical
thinkers, the iconoclasts, the people who do not fit in.
in. (v) However,
they are not the dangerous ones.
(vi)
Beware
the
truly
menacing type
ones,
Beware
type
of thinker: the predator who sits like
like a baboon on the stronger
branches, waiting for the twigs to thicken and become stronger.
stronger, (vii)
Once the way has
has been
been prepared, it is the baboons who move in,
taking
taking credit for and stealing the ideas
ideas of those who dare.
1.

There
There are seven sentences
sentences in the text
text above. Below, there is a List of Functions
Functions (A-M).
(A-M).
Decide which function
function is suitable
suitable for
for each sentence
sentence and why. Some
Some of the functions do not
describe
describe any of the sentences.
For example,
example, for
for Sentence
Sentence l,
i, the answer
answer is G.

List of Functions
Functions
A
B
cC
D
D
E
F

G
G

giving
giving another
another example
example
making a proposal
giving
giving a solution
solution
stating a consequence
consequence
drawing a conclusion; a development
development of
the previous
previous sentence
stating a cause
a focus
statement
focus or topic sentence/
sentence/statement

A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

H
I1

J
K
L
M

a contrast
contrast
giving
giving an advantage
advantage

making
making a criticism
criticism
giving
giving a fuller
fuller explanation
explanation of the
previous
previous example
example
giving
giving examples; an expansion
expansion
of the focus
focus sentence
sentence
a warning;
warning; an example
example

31
31

Reading
Reading

2.
2-

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22

Which
Which one of the banks of functions
functions (A-D)
(A-D) below
below relates to the text
text above?
above?
A.
A focus
B.
A focus sentence
sentence
focus sentence
sentence
Example
Solution
Solution 11
Example 11
Example 2
Solution
Solution 2
Explanation
An expansion
Explanation
expansion
Example
A contrast
Example 3
contrast
A warning
A warning
warning
warning
Explanation/Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
Explanation/Conclusion
C.

A focus
focus sentence
sentence
Consequence 11
Consequence
Consequence 2
An expansion
expansion
A contrast
A warning
Conclusion

D.

A focus sentence
Cause
Cause 11
Cause 2
An expansion
A contrast
A warning
Conclusion

3.
4.

What type
type of
of paragraph
paragraph is
is it?
it?
What
Is the
the text
text an
an and
and paragraph?
paragraph?
Is

5.

Which, ifif any,


any, of
of the
the texts
texts in
in the
the previous
Which,
previous exercises
exercises isis itit similar
similar to?

6.

Would itit have


have been
been better
better to
to put
put a few more markers, e.g. for example,
Would
example, moreover,
in the paragraph?
paragraph?

7.

Where
Where does the writer
writer take the title from and why
why is it a good
good title?

to?

I Exercise
Exercise 5: Recognising
Recognising paragraph types

It is possible
possible after some
some practice to recognise different types
types of paragraph.
paragraph. You
You have already
already looked at three
types, perhaps without
.. This
without realising it, in the previous exercises:
exercises: a description,
description, cause
cause and
and effect, etc
etc..
exercise
exercise gives
gives you some more specific
specific practice.
practice.
If you feel, at this stage, that your
your reading is slowing down rather
rather than becoming
becoming faster,
faster, then
then that
that is a good
good
sign. It means that
that you are trying to absorb a new mechanism.
mechanism. If necessary,
necessary, leave
leave the
the exercises
exercises and repeat
them
them again, another
another time.
time.
Alternatively,
Alternatively, use
use the Key
Key to help you complete the parts of the exercises
exercises you cannot
cannot do. The
The main thing is
is
that
that you learn to acquire
acquire the mechanism
mechanism rather than just
just learning
learning words.
words. This
This applies
applies to all the
the exercises.
exercises.
Read Paragraph
Paragraph 11 below and decide which of following
following statements
statements about
about the
the paragraph
paragraph are false.
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Ii
Jj

The author wrote


wrote the paragraph
paragraph to show
show the effects
effects of too many data on people's
peoples ability to work.
work,
Theparagraph
paragraphisispurely
purelydescriptive.
descriptive.
The
Theauthor
authorwrote
wrotethe
theparagraph
paragraphto
togive
giveexamples
examplesof
ofthe
thedifferent
differenttypes
typesof
ofdata
datathat
thatpeople
peoplereceive,
receive.
The
The
sentence,
The
repercussions
are
grave,
is
not
a
transition
sentence
in
the
paragraph.
The sentence, The repercussions are grave, is not a transition sentence in the paragraph,
Thetext
textis
isbasically
basicallyaa list
listparagraph.
paragraph.
The
The writerhas
paragraph
the principle
ofprinciple
cause and
effect. and effect,
Theorganised
writer hasthe
organised
thearound
paragraph
around the
of cause
The
Thesentence,
sentence, The
Therepercussions
repercussionsare
aregrave,
grave, acts
acts as
as aa divider
dividerbetween
between the
the two
twoparts
parts of
ofthe
the text.
text,
The third sentencegivesthe focusof the paragraph.
The third sentence gives the focus of the paragraph.
Thelast
lastsentence
sentenceis
is aa conclusion
conclusionof
of the
theinformation
informationin
in the
thefirst
firstthree
threesentences,
sentences.
The
Only
one
of
the
following
titles
is
suitable:
Overwhelmed
by
data;
The
effects of too much
Only one of the following titles is suitable: Overwhelmed by data; The effects
Information;
information; Increasing
Increasing amounts of data.

32
32

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Reading

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22
22

Paragraph 11
Daily, people are being bombarded with a mountain of facts and
figures. At one time, it was possible
possible to cope with the influx of
information.
Now,
office
workers
find themselves
just by
inform ation.
themselves assailed
assailed not just
written information,
inform ation, but also by ever increasing volumes of data
through the Internet, electronic mail, voice boxes
boxes and the answering
answering
machine. The repercussions
repercussions are grave. People
People feel so overwhelmed
that they are unable to work normally, with the upshot being that they
feel helpless
helpless and find it impossible to extract the information needed
needed
from the constant flood of detail.
Read the paragraph below as quickly
quickly as you can.

Paragraph 2
The relationship between
between success
success and failure is more intricate than
people generally realise.
Failure
is seen
realise.
seen as something that should be
avoided. It is frowned upon and reviled; so much so, in fact, that we
all avoid doing certain things, if we are afraid offailing.
of failing. Instead, people
should be taught the value of failure and how to use it as a stepping
stone to success.
success. We buy a classic
classic novel or the latest best-seller and
we are not told how many times
times the author
author was refused
refused before the
book came into print. Likewise,
Likewise, we are not told how many auditions
an actor went to before he or she
she became a star.
star. More emphasis
emphasis
obviously needs
achieve
needs to be laid upon the necessity
necessity to fail in order
order to achieve
success!
success!
Now answer the following
following questions
questions about the paragraph, as quickly
quickly as you can:
aa

What type of paragraph


paragraph is it? Is it a cause
cause and effect
effect paragraph?
paragraph? An explanation?
explanation?
A description?
Or
is
it
a
general/specific
paragraph?
description?
general/specific paragraph?

paragraphwhich
whichcontains
containsaalist
listofofinformation,
information,i.e.
i.e.isisititan
anand
andparagraph?
paragraph?
IsIsititaaparagraph

Whereisisthe
thefocus
focusof
ofthe
theparagraph?
paragraph?
Where

similarto
tothe
thetext
textinin Exercise
Exercise1,1,22or
or3?
3?
IsIsititsimilar

Whichsentence
sentenceshows
showswhy
whythe
thewriter
writerwrote
wrotethe
theparagraph?
paragraph?
Which

Whichof
ofthe
thequestions
questionsbelow
belowdoes
doesthe
theparagraph
paragraphanswer?
answer?
Which

g
g

(i)
Whatis
Is failure?
failure?
What
(ii)
Whatmakes
makespeople
people happy?
happy?
What
(iii)
How are
are failure
failure and
andsuccess
success linked?
linked?
How
(iv)
Whateffect
effectdoes
does success
success have
haveon
onpeople?
people?
What
Which, ififany,
any,of
ofthe
thetitles
titlesbelow
belowisisacceptable?
acceptable?
Which,
(i)

(ii)
(iii)
(iii)
(iv)

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Failure as
as aa learning
learning process
process
Failure
Making society
societyaa happier
happier place
place
Making
Theneed
need to
toavoid
avoid failure
failure
The
Failure as
as aa route
route to
to success
success
Failure

33
33

Reading
Reading

11

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22

JI

Simultaneous functions
functions
Exercise 6: Simultaneous

This exercise
exercise takes
takes the idea in Exercise
Exercise 5 a step further. Students
Students often do not realise that meaning
meaning and
organisation
organisation also operate
operate at different
different levels
levels at the same time. In this exercise,
exercise, you are going to look at this
idea. Read the paragraph
paragraph below and then the Lists
Lists of Functions
Functions.. Decide
Decide which list of functions best
describes
describes ~ach
ach sentence.
sentence. Two of the lists do not relate to any of the sentences.
sentences.
If you have to look at the Key to help you complete
complete the exercise,
exercise, then leave
leave it and try to do it another time.
Example:
Example: The answer
answer for
for Sentence
Sentence 11is
is C. For
For an
an explanation look
look at the
the Key.

The teaching
teaching of thinking
thinking

(l)
(1) If
If you ore
are of the opinion
opinion that reading, writing and numeracy are
taught badly, then what about
about the art of thinking? (2)
(2) Generally
speaking, people are not taught how to think
think at all. (3) There is a very
very
laisser
laisser faire,
fa ire , non-interventionist
n o n -in te rv e n tio n is t approach
a p p ro a c h to education
e d u c a tio n that
tha t
encourages students
students to discover things for themselves,
themselves, when they are
all crying out for some prescriptive
prescriptive guidance. (4) What
W hat appears to have
have
escaped the theorists
is
the
basic
concept
of
the
need
to
learn
rules
theorists
rules in
order
order to break them. (5)
(5) When it comes to thinking, no guidelines are
given; students
students are either just taught facts or left to fend for
fo r themselves.
(6) If only
only a little
little thought
thought were
were given to teaching
teaching young
young people some
mechanisms
than the 'what'!
mechanisms for thinking: the 'how'
'h o w ' rather
ratherthan
'w hat'! (7)
(7) Children
would then be able to absorb and use
knowledge
better.
(8) For it is
use
not knowledge itself that bestows
bestows power, but the ability to process
process and
manipulate knowledge: in other words, being able to think.

Lists
Lists of functions
functions

34

A
A

reformulation of
ofthe
the central
central problem;
problem; making
making aacriticism;
criticism; stating
stating aa reason
reason
reformulation

returning to
tothe
the focus
focus of
ofthe
the paragraph;
paragraph; stating
stating aa specific
specific problem;
problem; aacriticism;
criticism; an
an opinion
returning
opinion

topic sentence;
sentence; an
an organising
organising sentence;
sentence; posing
posing aaquestion
question
aatopic

D
D

conclusion; aa general
general statement
statement
aa conclusion;

describing
describing the
the present
present situation;
situation; giving
giving background
background information;
information; stating
stating a general
general problem;
problem;
an explanation;
a
reformulation
of
the
previous
sentence
explanation; reformulation the previous sentence

hypothetical result;
result; aa certain
certain result;
result; aadevelopment
development
aa hypothetical

strong recommendation;
recommendation; aaconclusion
conclusion
aa strong

H
H

a wish; a regret;
regret; a solution;
solution; sarcasm;
sarcasm; a complaint;
complaint; a criticism;
criticism; giving
giving a solution;
solution; a proposal

II

an advantage
advantage
an

giving aa reply
reply describing
describing the
the present
present situation;
situation; giving
giving background
background information;
information; aa contrast
contrast
giving

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Reading
Reading

Exercises 11 to
to 22
22
Exercises

Exercise 7: Reading control


~L-E-xe_r_c_is_e_7_:_R~ea~d_i_n_g_c_o_nt_ro_l~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--===============

Reading
Reading and, at the same time,
time, keeping
keeping the understanding
understanding of a text under
under control
control is difficult, especially
especially if you
have to do itit in another
another language. As you read, you have to deal with words and the sum of the words:
meaning. Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, the words
words often interfere
interfere with the meaning, because
because you cannot
cannot climb on top of them
to look down at the text
text from above.
above. If you can overcome
overcome this problem, you can read the organisation
organisation of a
text,
text, and
and control
control your
your interpretation.
interpretation. It will then be possible to follow
follow the meaning
meaning without
without your
your concentration
concentration
wandering.
This
exercise
will
help
you
to
start
doing
this.
wandering.
exercise
Read the
the paragraph
paragraph below
below and then read the Lists
Lists of functions
functions describing
describing each sentence.
sentence. Some of the
functions
functions in each
each list are not suitable.
suitable. Decide which
whichones
onesare
arenot
notsuitable
suitableand
andwhy.
why.
The first
first one
one has
has been
been done
done for you
you as
as an
an example.
example.

A case for
for trolley
trolley buses and trams
(1)
(1) Not
N ot that long ago, trolley buses
buses and trams were being condemned
as rather out-moded
(2) Yet,
Yet, now
now they
they are
arebeing
being
out-m oded forms of
of transport.
transport. (2)
hailed as the answer to the ills
illsafflicting
afflictingmodern
moderntransport
transportsystems.
systems.(3)
(3)
A vast swathe
swathe of South
South London
London from Tooting on the Northern Line
Line to
Croydon is being linked by a new tram system.
(4)
Motorists
do
not
system. (4)
like it, because
because the roads are in the process
process of being churned up in
preparation
preparation for
fo r the tramlines. (5)
(5) When the trams are finally up and
running, private car owners
owners say
say the system
system will lead to more one-way
systems,
systems, further
further hindering freedom of movement and increasing the
congestion
congestion that they were designed
designed to overcome. (6)
(6) These
These points
points
certainly present
present a strong argument against the tram system. (7)
(7)
Nonetheless, provided the system
system is as efficient and cheap to use
use as
planned,
planned, many people feel the service
service will be a resounding success.
success.

Lists
Lists of
of functions
functions
Example:
Example: The items
items below
below in bold
bold italics
italics in No. 11 are
are wrong.
1.
stating
a disadvantage;
stating
the main
argument
against;
stating
the focus
of the
1.stating
a disadvantage;
stating
the main
argument
against;
stating
the focus
o f the
paragraph;
paragraph, giving
giving general
general background
background information
information

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

2.
2.

stating
stating an advantage;
advantage; stating
stating the
the main argument
argument for; making
making a general
general statement;
statement; stating
a contrast;
contrast; stating
stating the focus
focus of
of the paragraph;
paragraph; making
making a criticism
criticism

3.

giving
giving an example;
example; giving
giving general
general background
background information;
information; stating
stating an argument
argument for;
making
making a proposal
proposal

4.
4.

stating
stating an argument
argument against;
against; stating
stating a reservation;
reservation; stating
stating a result; giving
giving a reason
reason
against;
against; stating
stating a disadvantage
disadvantage

5.

stating
stating a subjective
subjective argument
argument against;
against; giving
giving an opinion;
opinion; stating
stating a reservation;
reservation; stating
stating
an objective
argument
against;
stating
a
result
or
implication
objective argument against; stating result or implication

6.

summarising the
the arguments
arguments against;
against; summarising
summarising the
the disadvantages;
disadvantages; stating
stating an
an opinion
opinion
summarising

7.

restating the
the focus
focus of
of the
the paragraph;
paragraph; aacontrast;
contrast; stating
stating an
an argument
argument for;
for; stating
stating an
an
restating
opinion;
opinion; stating
stating a tentative
tentative result based on a condition;
condition; drawing
drawing a conclusion
conclusion

35

Exercises 11 to 22

Reading

Exercises:
Exercise 8: Spot the difference
difference

11

When you are reading a text


text about
about a particular
particular subject, it is often difficult
difficult to see what the difference is between
the contents
of
different
paragraphs.
There
are
basically
two
reasons
contents
different
There
basically
reasons for this.
this. First of all, it may be difficult
to see the difference
difference between
between the general
general subject
subject and the focus
focus in each paragraph.
paragraph. The second
second problem is
trying to read a text
text with concentration
concentration and prevent
prevent one's
ones mind from wandering
wandering from the focus
focus of the paragraph
paragraph
to related ideas in one's
ones head. This can lead to misinterpretation.
misinterpretation. When we are writing,
writing, we often find itit difficult
to focus on the title we have been asked
asked to write about. A similar
similar problem arises
arises in reading.
In this exercise,
exercise, you are going to analyse
analyse the organisation
organisation of two very
very similar
similar paragraphs. Each has the same
general subject
subject and most of the information
information is the same. However, the paragraphs
paragraphs have different
different meanings
meanings
and foci.
Read Passage
Passage 11 below
below and then from the Function
Function bank after
after the passage
passage decide
decide which
functions
best
describe
each
sentence
in
the
paragraph.
Note
that
each
sentence
functions
describe
sentence
paragraph.
each sentence may
may have
more than
than one function.
function. You may use some
some items from the bank more than once.
Then
Then read Passage
Passage 2 and compare
compare the organisation
organisation of the text at paragraph
paragraph level.
Decide what
what the similarities
similarities and differences
differences are.
If you
you need
need to, read
read the Key to help you
you do the exercise,
then leave
the
exercise
for
a
while
and
come
leave
exercise for
come back
back to it later.

Passage
Passage 11
(l)
(1) The government recently
recently invited the water industry and interested
interested
parties to make suggestions
suggestions about
about how to save
save water. (2) Debatable
though it is, one of the most common
com mon ideas put forward was to meter
all homes in the country. (3) Many people feel that installing water
meters
meters nationwide would turn out to be expensive. (4) However, the
longer
longer the delay in doing so, the greater the cost is likely to be, both
in terms of water wasted
wasted and money. (5) Metering would, in all
probability,
be
the
single
most important
probability,
important step,
step, simply because it would
make people aware of the amount
am ount of water they are using, thereby
reducing consumption.
consumption. (6) To many people, this course of action lets
lets
water companies off the hook and transfers
transfers responsibility to the
consumer. (7) Yet, most are of the opinion that nationwide metering
needs
needs to be introduced.

Function
Function bank
giving
giving a reason;
reason; a contrast;
contrast; stating
stating a probability; an objective
objective conclusion;
conclusion;
a hypothetical
hypothetical implication;
implication; stating/describing
stating/describing a suggestion;
suggestion; making
making a suggestion;
a result;
result; a reservation;
reservation; a development;
development; a focus sentence;
sentence; a subjective
subjective conclusion;
an organising
organising sentence;
sentence; a real
real implication;
implication; expressing
expressing an opinion;
opinion; stating
stating a fact.

36

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Reading
Reading

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22
22

Passage
Passage 2
(1) The government recently
recently invited
invited the water industry
industry and interested
interested
parties to state how they thought
th o u g h t water
w ater could
could be saved. (2)
Controversial though it is, one of the most common recommendations
the government should initiate is to meter all homes in the country. (3)
(3)
Installing water
meters
nationwide
is,
no
doubt,
an
expensive
water
nationw ide
doubt,
proposition.
(4)
However,
the
longer
the
delay
in
doing so, the greater
proposition. (4)
the cost will be, both in terms
terms of water wasted
wasted and money. (5)
(5) Metering
is the single most important
important step,
step, simply because
because it will certainly make
people aware of the amount
am ount of water they are using, thereby reducing
consumption. (6) People
course of action.
People may be dismissive
dismissive of this course
(7)
Yet,
I
feel
that
it
ought
to
be
taken.
(7) Yet, I

ILi

Exercise 9: Learning to concentrate


_E_xe_r_c_is_e_9_:_L_e_a_rn_in_g~to_c_o_n_c_e_nt_ra_t_e~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~__JII

One of the greatest


TS is holding different
greatest problems
problems that
that you will face as you do the reading texts in IEL
IELTS
different bits
of information
information in your head at the same time. The reading tests are in booklet
booklet form and you have to flick
flick back
and forward between
the
exercise
and
the
text.
Often,
students
forget
the
information
they
are
looking
at as
between
exercise
students forget
information they
they move between
the
two.
All
you
have
to
do
is
listen
to
the
volume
of
the
rustling
of
paper
as
students
do
between
volume
paper
a test to see how difficult
difficult they find it!
It is, therefore, more economical
economical for you to learn to hold and manipulate
manipulate information
information as you read. This is
another aspect
aspect of controlling
controlling a text.
This exercise
exercise helps you to do just that. It also helps you:
to read
to read
to predict
the text
which
follows.
and and
to predict
the text
which
follows.

to predict
the direction
of a text.
to predict
the direction
of a text.

and to see how


how a text
text matches
matches a title.

Read the following


following three titles:
(i)
Cloning's
Clonings bright
bright future
future
(ii)TheThe
unacceptable
of cloning
unacceptable
faceface
of cloning
(iii) The
The dangers
dangers of cloning
cloning

Now look at the reading maze below. At each number, choose the text which develops
develops the meaning
meaning of title
(i),
(i). Then repeat the process for each title.
For example, the first
first sentence
sentence for (i) is 1C and
and the second
second is 28.
2B.
A

B
B

1. Cloning
Cloning is
is such
such an emotive
emotive
subject that
that it is impossible
impossible to
approach
approach the matter
matter with an
open mind.
mind.

The
The few obvious
obvious benefits
benefits of
of human
cloning
cloning apart,
apart, there
there is a downside
downside
to
to the
the cloning
cloning of human beings.
beings.

There
There is no denying
denying that
that
mankind
will
profit
mankind
considerably
considerably from the
cloning
cloning of human
human beings.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

37
37

Reading

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22

B
B

cC

2.
perhaps, the
2. Is it, perhaps,
the fact that
people
people are
are created
created without
parents
parents that
that horrifies
horrifies many
many
of us?

The
The process
process gives
gives us the
opportunity to maximise
maximise
opportunity
certain valued
valued human
human traits.
traits.

The
The process
process is unquestionably
unquestionably
a landmark
landmark in
in the
the development
development
of science,
science, but
but it is not
the
the panacea
panacea to the world's
worlds ills,
as some
some scientists
scientists would
would
have
have us
us believe.
believe.

example, parents
parents may
3. For example,
to have
have a child
child with
with above
above
want to
average intelligence,
intelligence, who
who is
average
physically
physically perfect
perfect and
and free
free
from disease.
disease.

Many of us
us find
find the process
process
Many
totally
totally unpalatable
unpalatable for
for several
reasons.
reasons.

Cloning threatens
threatens the very
very
Cloning
survival of the
the human
human species.
species.
survival

4. Certain
Certain disease
disease traits that
that

cloning persons
persons with these
By cloning
characteristics,
characteristics, the
the future infant
would be guaranteed
guaranteed to
to possess
possess
would
them.
them.

The general
general belief
belief is
is that
that an
The
infant who
who has not been
been created
infant
human sexual
sexual congress
congress is
is a
by human
violation
violation of God's
Gods will and
and will
not have
have aa divine
divine soul.

To those
those who
who do not believe
believe
5. To
in an active
active God, cloning
cloning
violates nature.
violates

Conversely,
Conversely, the very
very characteristics
characteristics
that
that are now highly
highly desirable
desirable
may turn out
out to be harmful
harmful and
may
dangerous
dangerous for
for coming
coming generations.
generations.

Which parent
parent will want to deny
deny
Which
their future
future off-spring
off-spring such
such
their
an inheritance?
an

6. And
And the
the agony
agony that
that most, if
childless couples
couples are
not all, childless
now forced
forced to
to endure
endure would
would be
now
swept away
away for
for ever.
swept

Or is it perhaps
perhaps the vision
vision of
batteries of babies
babies being
being
batteries
produced in some
some factory
factory that
that
produced
arouses our
our horror?
horror?
arouses

Moreover,
Moreover, babies
babies with
with aa
sell-by-date
sell-by-date may
may well in future
bought in shops
shops much
much as
be bought
pets are
are today.
today.
pets

7. What
What will
will happen
happen to those
those
babies who
who are not sold?
sold? Will
they be used for spareparts,
spareparts,
or killed?

The thought
thought of human
human beings
beings
The
produced in such
such farms
farms like
produced
chickens
chickens for
for spare-parts
spare-parts is
is
not
not that
that far-fetched.
far-fetched.

There is also
also the
the strong
strong
There
possibility that
that we shall
shall be
possibility
able to create
create a race of
humans
humans free
free from
from all disease
disease
and handicap.
handicap.

8. No
No doubt,
doubt, such
such a prospect
prospect
will horrify
horrify some,
some, but it will be
delight to most
most people.
a delight

Thus, the
the way
way will
will be paved
paved
Thus,
rather dangerous
dangerous
for the rather
prospect
prospect of a race of perfectly
perfectly
modelled
modelled human
human beings.
beings.

Identical
Identical twins
twins are
are clones,
clones, but
we
we have
have not
not heard
heard of
of twins
twins
being
being used
used as an organ
organ
bank
bank for
for their
their siblings,
siblings, yet.

may be removed
removed from
from the
human gene
gene pool could
could some
some
time
time in
in the future
future be necessary
necessary
in our
our fight
fight against
against illness.

Exercise
Exercise 10: Predicting
Predicting organisation
organisation 11

As you have seen briefly in the previous


previous exercise,
exercise, once you are familiar
familiar with the organisation
organisation of a paragraph,
paragraph,
it is possible
possible to predict
predict the direction
direction of other
other paragraphs
paragraphs and texts
texts that
that you read. This
This is because
because there
there is a
limit to the different
different types
types of paragraph.
paragraph. If you look at other
other areas of language,
language, you can see that this happens
all the time.
time. How often, in your
your own language,
language, can you predict
predict what
what someone
someone is going to say? Sometimes,
Sometimes,
you can even give the
the exact
exact words. Predicting
Predicting when you come to reading is no different.
different.
exercise, you are going to try to predict
predict the contents
contents of a paragraph.
paragraph.
In this exercise,
look at the following
following information:
information:
To help you, look

38

the paragraph
paragraph is
is an
an example
example paragraph.
paragraph .
the

the fourth
fourth sentence
sentence contains
contains the
the focus.
focus .
the
the first
first three
three sentences
sentences are
are general
general information
information which
which make
make up
up an
an introduction.
introduction .
the

A book
book for
for IELTS

Reading
Reading

Exercises
to 22
Exercises 11 to
22

Now
Now read the first
first four
four sentences
sentences of the passage:

try
try to predict what you
you think
think the
the function
function and content
content of the rest of the sentences
sentences are,
are,
after the focus
focus sentence.
sentence. Think
Think of common
common examples.
examples.

write your list on


a piece
write
youroflistpaper.
on a piece of paper.

read
readthe
thetext
textand
andcompare
compareyour
yourlist
listwith
withthe
thetext.
text.

Life at a faster pace


II blame
blame the fast
fast forward button on the video recorder.
recorder. How often hove
have
you found yourself
yourself reaching for the remote
remote control when you find a
programme
programme slow
slow or boring? Frequently? Life
Life has
has to be lived at a much
faster pace nowadays. Microwaves
enable
meals
Microwaves enable meals to be prepared in
minutes.
minutes. Computers
Computers allow
allow work to be done at a quicker rate than even
even
a few years
years ago.
ago. So much faster,
faster, in
in fact, that people feel
feel that they will
be left behind unless they quicken up.
up. People
People hurtle along on ever
faster forms
forms of transport.
transport. Planes
Planes carry people across
across the world in ever
shorter times.Trains
speed
along
like
rockets
through
the countryside.
times. Trains
along
rockets
countryside.
We have
have to do everything
everything and get there much more quickly than ever
before.
before. No part of our
our lives
lives is free from
from the drive to get things done
more quickly.
quickly.

Exercise 11: Predicting


Predicting organisation
organisation 2

This exercise is the same as the previous one.


In this exercise,
exercise, you are going to try to predict
predict the contents
contents of a paragraph.
paragraph.
To help
help you,
you, look
look at
at the
the following
following information:
information:

the
the paragraph
paragraph is
is aa result
result paragraph
paragraph predicting
predicting the
the negative
negativeconsequences
consequencesofof
introducing
introducing trams
trams and trolley
trolley buses.
buses.

the
the paragraph
paragraph in
in this
this exercise
exercise uses
uses the
the same
same information
information in
in Exercise
Exercise 7, but
but
the
the paragraph
paragraph takes
takes aa different
different direction.
direction. Go
Go back
back and read the
andtext.
read the text.

readthe
the title
title to
to help
help you
you work
work out
outthe
the direction
direction of
ofthe
the passage.
read

passage.

Without
Without reading the passage:
passage:

try to
to predict
predict what
what you
you think
think the
the function
function and
and contents
contents of
of the
the paragraph
paragraph are.
are.
try

write your
your list
list on
on aa piece
piece of
of paper.
paper.
write

readthe
the text
text and
and compare
compare your
your list
list with
withthe
the text.
text.
read

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

39

Exercises 11 to 22

Reading

trolley buses and tramsl


trams!
No to trolley
buses and trams, rather out-moded
out-m oded forms of transport, are
Trolley buses
mistakenly being hailed as the answer to the ills afflicting modern
transport systems.
systems. A vast swathe
swathe of South
South London from Tooting on the
Line to Croydon is being churned up to build a new tram
Northern Line
system. Motorists obviously don't
d o n 't like it, because
because the roads are
in the
system.
are in
process
process of being ripped up in preparation for the tramlines being laid.
When the trams are finally up and running, most people will
will be against
the idea, because the system
system will lead to more one-way
one-way systems,
systems, thus
hindering their
their freedom of movement and most certainly increasing
designed to get rid of. Then, when the
the congestion that it was designed
problems start arising, they will have
have to start dismantling the whole
network again at great inconvenience to the motoring public!

Exercise 12:
12: Focus
Focus on paragraph
paragraph headings
headings
Exercise

Students
Students find the exercise
exercise where
where they have to give
give a heading to a paragraph
paragraph in the IELTS exam particularly
difficult. However, you have already had some practice
practice at analysing
analysing paragraph
paragraph headings.
headings. Perhaps,
Perhaps, you can
see that there
there is a relationship
relationship between
between paragraph
paragraph structure
structure and the heading
heading of a paragraph.
paragraph. In some cases,
i.e. obvious,
obvious, but, in many instances, it may be covert, i.e. hidden.
this may be overt, i.e.
Below,
Below, there
there are five independer.t
independent paragraphs
paragraphs and a List
List of headings.
headings. Read the paragraphs
paragraphs as quickly as
you can. As you read, try to find the main focus and then the direction
direction of the paragraph.
paragraph. Try also to write a
suitable
suitable title of your
your own on a separate
separate piece of paper. Then look at the List
List of headings
headings at the end of the
exercise
exercise and find the correct
correct heading
heading for each paragraph.
paragraph. Note that
that some of the alternatives
alternatives are distracters.
1. Paragraph
Paragraph heading:-heading:___________________
------The segregation of boys and
secondary school
and girls
girls at secondary
school level
level only
only stores
stores up problems for the
future.
future. First of all, such an environment
environment does
does not
not provide
provide young
young people
people of both
both sexes
sexes with
which they will be expected
expected to function
function when
when they
they become
become
realistic preparation for the society in which
adults. In single sex
sex schools,
schools, it is not uncommon
uncommon for both
both girls
girls and
and boys to grow
grow up with
misconceptions
misconceptions about
about the opposite sex; for
for the former, there is the
the romantic
romantic Mills
Mills and
and Boon
hero, and
and the notion
notion of the alluring goddess
goddess for
for the latter. And, thirdly,
thirdly, young
young people
people who are
brought up in single
single sex
sex schools have
have difficulty functioning
functioning socially
socially with members
members of the
brought
opposite
opposite sex.

2. Paragraph
_
Paragraph heading:
heading:___________________
Some
Some people mistakenly believe
believe rather
rather strongly that segregating
segregating girls
girls and boys at secondary
school
school level is unnatural. Their argument is that
that such an environment does not
not provide
provide young
people of both sexes with realistic preparation for the society in which they
they will be expected to
people
function when they become
become adults. However, speaking from
from the point of view of someone
someone who
has had to undergo
undergo the
the trials of a non-segregated school, I feel, single sex
sex schools, are much
has
better for girls. It has
has been demonstrated time and
and time again that
that girls
girls at secondary level
flourish in surroundings
surroundings where they are not held back academically
academically by an army of pestering,
pestering,
immature
immature boys.

40

A book for IELTS

Reading

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22

3.
_
3. Paragraph
P aragrap h heading:
h e a d in g : _______________________
The segregation of boys
boys and
and girls
girls at secondary
secondary school
school level
level ts
is not
not exactly
exactly natural.
natural, as such
such an
environment
environment does
does not
not provide
provide young
young people of both
both sexes
sexes with realistic
realistic preparation for
for the
society
society in
in which
which they
they will be expected
expected to function
function when
when they
they become
become adults. In smgle
single sex
sex
schools, it is not uncommon
uncommon for
for both
both girls
girls and
and boys
boys to grow
grow up
up with misconceptions about
about the
opposite
opposite sex;
sex; for
for the former, there
there is the romantic
romantic Mills
Mills and
and Boon
Boon hero, and
and the notion
notion of the
alluring
alluring goddess
goddess for the latter. By
By contrast, in a co-educational
co-educational setting.
setting, there
there is not
not the sllghtest
slightest
possibility
possibility that
that such
such illusions
illusions will survive.

4.
_
4. Paragraph
P a ra grap h heading:
h e a d in g : _______________________
Change
Change causes
causes problems, not
not least
least because
because it upsets
upsets people's
peoples routine
routine and
and makes
makes them
them feel
uneasy. A
A good
good example
example is the introduction
introduction of technology
technology in the workplace.
workplace. The Luddite
Luddite in all of
us
us comes
comes out
out as
as we are
are faced
faced with adapting
adapting to the onslaught
onslaught of technological
technological change
change at work. In
the early
early 19th century,
century, the Luddites
Luddites revolted
revolted against
against the introduction
introduction of what
what was new
new
technology
technology in their
their time
time by breaking
breaking machinery
machinery which
which replaced
replaced workers. The pace
pace of change
today
today is much
much faster, and
and thereby
thereby more
more unsettling.
unsettling. Thousands
Thousands of workers
workers in factories
factories have
have been
replaced
replaced by computers
computers and
and robots;
robots; now
now voice recognition
recognition programmes
programmes threaten
threaten to replace
replace
secretaries;
secretaries; computerised
computerised switchboards
switchboards receptionists
receptionists and
and computer
computer video
video packages
packages instructors
and
and teachers. What
What area
area of life
life is safe
safe from
from the advance
advance of machines?
machines?

5. Paragraph heading:
heading:____________________
Change
Change causes
causes problems,
problems, but
but the belief
belief that
that it destroys
destroys people's
peoples jobs and
and lives
lives is totally
totally
unfounded.
unfounded. The Luddite
Luddite in all of us comes
comes out
out as we are
are faced
faced with adapting
adapting to the
the onslaught
onslaught of
technological
technological change
change at work. In the early
early 19th century,
century, the Luddites
Luddites revolted
revolted against
against the
introduction
introduction of what
what was new
new technology
technology in their
their time
time by
by breaking
breaking machinery
machinery which
which replaced
replaced
workers. The pace
pace of change
change today
today is much
much faster, which
which can
can be unsettling.
unsettling. However,
However, it is now
now
clear
clear that, far from
from destroying
destroying work, thousands
thousands of jobs have
have been
been created
created in factories
factories as the
power
power of technological
technological change
change is harnessed.
harnessed. Witness the development
development of 'silicon
silicon valleys'
valleys
throughout
throughout the world. The fear
fear that
that robots
robots and
and computers
computers will
will replace
replace people
people in all areas
areas is
clearly
clearly a myth.

List of headings
headings

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

A
A

A 19th Century
Century revolt

B
B

No reason to
to fear
fear technology
technology

C
C

The
The unsettling
unsettling effect
effect of change
change

Machines
Machines v. factory
factory workers
workers

E
E

Various
Various effects
effects of segregation
segregation

The
The main argument
argument against
against segregation
segregation

G
G

Attacking
Attacking the Luddites
Luddites

Teenagers
Teenagers notions about
about sex

II

A modern
modern copy
copy of the
the Luddites
Luddites

A passionate
passionate defence
defence of modernisation
modernisation

K
K

The
The need for
for segregation
segregation

lL
M

The
The creation
creation of distorted
distorted ideas
ideas about
about sex
Dysfunctional
Dysfunctional behaviour
behaviour in girls

41
41

Reading
Reading

Exercises 1 to 22

Exercise 13: Foreground


Foreground and background
background information

You saw in the previous


previous exercise
exercise that
that working
working out
out the heading of a paragraph
paragraph is basically
basically about
about organisation.
You need to be able to see the thread
of
information
going
through
the
text
connecting
the
information
thread
information going through
connecting
information to a
heading.
heading.
Most people think
think of analysing
analysing the title
title as a forward-looking
forward-looking exercise. Yet,
Yet, when a writer
writer is writing
writing he is
constantly looking backwards
backwards to his
his plan
plan or guidelines
guidelines (in
(in this case the title).
title). When you are writing an essay
in the IELTS,
IELTS, you need to look back at the title constantly to make
make sure you are writing
writing the correct
correct essay. If
the examiner
examiner cannot
cannot match your
your essay
essay to the essay question
question in the exam, you have a problem.
problem. The same
applies in the case of paragraph
paragraph headings.
This exercise gives you more practice with paragraph
paragraph headings.
headings. This time each paragraph
paragraph has a heading.
Read the paragraphs
paragraphs and decide
decide why the heading is correct.
correct. Make a photocopy
photocopy of the texts
texts and underline
the words
words and phrases
phrases that give you the
the theme
theme of the paragraph.
paragraph. If you can,
can, make a rough plan to help you
see the layout
layout of each paragraph.
paragraph.
Look at the Key
Key for the previous
previous exercise
exercise before you attempt
attempt this one.
one. The plan will help you see why the
writer wrote each paragraph.
paragraph.
Note the paragraphs
paragraphs are not connected
connected to each other. You will also find that
that several
several of them are similar
similar to,
but not the same
as,
paragraphs
you
have
already
read.
same
paragraphs
already read.
In this exercise,
exercise, like the last one,
one, if you need to use the Key
Key to help you understand
understand the mechanism,
mechanism, feel free
to do so.
However,
try
to
do
the
exercise
first
without
any
help.
so. However,
exercise
without

1.
1. Heading: Hooked
Hooked on change
change
Change
Change causes
causes problems,
problems, not least
least the anxiety
anxiety it generates
generates among those
those whose
whose very
very livelihood is
threatened.
threatened. Yet, there
there are people who seem to thrive on change,
change, enjoying
enjoying the constant
constant flow of
challenges.
challenges. There
There is a bit of the Luddite
Luddite in all of us when we are faced
faced with adapting
adapting to the
onslaught
onslaught of technological
technological developments
developments at work. In the early 19th century,
century, the Luddites
Luddites revolted
against
against the introduction
introduction of what
what was new technology
technology in their
their time by breaking
breaking machinery
machinery which was
replacing
replacing workers.
workers. The pace of change
change today
today is much faster, a situation
situation in which
which certain
certain types of
people
people flourish.
flourish. To them the constant
constant movement
movement involved in change
change is like a drug. They
They become
addicted
very
quickly,
harnessing
the
power
of
technological
advances
and
creating
addicted
quickly, harnessing
power technological advances
creating new
opportunities,
opportunities, not just
just for themselves,
themselves, but for others as well.

2.
2. Heading:
Heading: Welcome
Welcome to new technology
technology
Change
Change causes
causes problems,
problems, not least because
because it upsets people's
peoples routine
routine and makes them feel
uneasy. A good example
is
the
introduction
of
technology
in
the
workplace.
example
introduction
technology
workplace. The Luddite
Luddite in all of us
comes
comes out as we are faced
faced with adapting
adapting to the onslaught
onslaught of technological
technological change
change at work. In the
early 19th century,
century, the Luddites revolted
revolted against
against the introduction
introduction of new technology.
technology. The pace of
change
change today
today is much faster,
faster, and thereby
thereby more unsettling.
unsettling. But the belief
belief that
that it destroys
destroys people's
peoples
jobs
jobs and lives is totally
totally unfounded.
unfounded. Thousands
Thousands of workers
workers in old-fashioned
old-fashioned factories
factories may have been
replaced
replaced by computers
computers and robots; it is now clear, however, that, far from destroying
destroying work, many
more jobs have been created
in
factories
as
the
power
of
technological
change
created factories
technological change is harnessed.
harnessed.
Witness
Witness the development
development of 'silicon
silicon valleys'
valleys throughout
throughout the world. The advances
advances in the field of
technology
technology should,
should, therefore,
therefore, be embraced
embraced with open arms rather
rather than feared.
feared.
t

3.
3. Heading:
Heading: The North/South driving divide
Another
Another interesting
interesting ooservauon
observation is
is how standards
standards of driving seem to deteriorate
deteriorate markedly
markedly as you
travel down the country.
A
much
more
calm
and
relaxed
manner
of
driving
is
noticeable
country.
manner
driving noticeable to those
visitors
visitors to Northern
Northern cities like
like Bradford,
Bradford, Leeds, Manchester
Manchester and Carlisle.
Carlisle. There does not seem to be
the same mad rush
rush and lack of respect for other
other road users that is all too apparent
apparent in areas like the
42
42

A
A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Reading

Exercises 11 to
to 22
Exercises

South-east and London. It is a strange


strange experience
experience to drive
drive down the M1
M1 from
from the
the North and feel
feel the
south-east
traffic gradually
gradually start to speed
speed up,
up, with
with tailgaters appearing
appearing in your
your rear mirror
mirror more
more regularly
regularly and
undertaking
undertaking becoming
becoming more commonplace
commonplace the nearer
nearer you approach
approach London.
London. In the two to three
hours drive South,
South, the journey
journey changes
changes from a pleasant
pleasant drive at a respectable
respectable pace
pace to a mad
aggressive rush
rush as the traffic hurtles towards
towards London.
London. Is this yet another
another example
example of the differences
differences
between the North and South?
South? If so,
so, itit is
is one Northerners
Northerners should be proud of.
4 Heading:
Heading: Peace
Peace at the wheel
4.
Another interesting
interesting observation
observation is how much more relaxing it is to travel
travel around
around in the North.
North. A
calm and relaxed
manner
of
driving
is
noticeable
to
those
visiting
cities
like
Bradford,
Leeds,
relaxed manner
noticeable
visiting cities
Bradford, Leeds,
Manchester
Manchester and Carlisle.
Carlisle. There does not seem to be the same
same mad rush and lack of respect
respect for
other road users that is all too apparent
apparent in areas like the South-east
South-east and London.
London. It is a strange
strange
experience to drive up the M1
M1 from the South and feel the traffic
traffic gradually
gradually slow
slow down,
down, with fewer
fewer
appearing in your
your rear mirror and
and undertaking
undertaking becoming
becoming less
less frequent.
frequent. The
The tension
tension at the
tailgaters appearing
wheel subsides;
subsides: and a car journey
journey changes
changes into a very pleasant
pleasant drive at a respectable
respectable pace.

s.5. Heading:
Heading:

The stupidity
stupidity of ageism
ageism

Age discrimination
discrimination is rife among
among the business
business community.
community. The folly
folly inherent
inherent in this process
process is
nothing
nothing less than a criminal
criminal act. It does not seem to have dawned
dawned on employers
employers that
that the workplace
workplace
is changing.
changing. The number
number of people dealing
dealing with knowledge
knowledge compared
compared with manual
manual workers
workers is
increasing. In the near
near future, we may find companies
companies clamouring
clamouring over
over each
each other
other to attract
attract old
people as the demographic
make-up
of
the
working
population
changes.
Some
companies
demographic
working population changes. Some companies already
already
have a policy
policy of employing
employing older people in their
their stores, and they
they have seen
seen a marked
marked turn-around
turn-around
in sales. Could this possibly
possibly have something
something to do with a thing called
called experience?
experience?
6. Heading:
Heading: The need for legislation
legislation to protect
protect older
older people
people
Age is commonly
commonly used as a criterion to prevent
prevent people from entering
entering a job
job and,
and, indeed, to rid an
establishment
of
excess
personnel.
Young
people
are
seen
as
being
fitter
physically
establishment of excess
Young people
fitter physically and mentally,
and as costing
costing less. The experience
experience of older people is overlooked.
overlooked. A dose of ageism
ageism is needed
here, but ageism where
where there is discrimination
discrimination in favour
favour of old people.
people. Some
Some companies
companies already
already
have a policy
policy of employing
employing older
older people in their
their stores, and they have seen a marked
marked turn around
around in
sales.
sales. So, perhaps
perhaps there
there is a case
case for legislating
legislating in favour
favour of old people
people in the workplace.
workplace.

Exercise 14:
14: Increasing
Increasing your reading speed
I Exercise

In Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 1-13,
1-13, you looked
looked at reading a passage
passage from the point
point of organisation
organisation and meaning.
meaning.
We have pointed out that
that this may have slowed your
your reading down, as learning
learning any new skill does.
does. With
practice, however,
however, the mechanisms
mechanisms can help
help to increase
increase your
your speed
speed as well as efficiency
efficiency in reading
reading and
examining a text.
You also need,
need, however,
however, to have
have a range of strategies
strategies to help you read quickly.
quickly. Increasing
Increasing one's
ones reading
speed in one's
ones native language
language is difficult
difficult enough; in a second,
second, or possibly
possibly third
third or fourth,
fourth, it is even more
difficult.
Below
Below is a list of mini-exercises
mini-exercises to help you focus on increasing
increasing your
your speed.
speed.

1.1.

One way to increase


increase your
your speed
speed is by learning
learning to pick
pick out the most
most important
important words in a
sentence
which
will
give
you
a
summary
of
the
meaning.
Look
at
the
following
sentence
give you summary
Look
following sentences:
sentences:
A recent study of top executives shows that companies are wasting valuable time and
because managers are being
being subjected to unacceptable
unacceptable levels of stress by
resources, because
office politics and Increased
increased pressure.
pressure. This situation is further
further compounded
com pounded by long
hours, infrequent breaks and sleeplessness.
sleeplessness.

What
What is the difference
difference between the words
words that
that are highlighted
highlighted and the ones
ones which
which are not?

A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

43

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22

Reading

2.
2.

Read the text


text in 11 above again and then
then read the following
following text:
A recent
recent study of top executives
executives shows that companies are wasting
wasting valuable
valuable time and
resources,
resources, because
because managers are being subjected to unacceptable
unacceptable levels
levels of stress by office
politics
politics and increased
increased pressure. This situation is further compounded
compounded by long hours,
infrequent
infrequent breaks and sleeplessness.
sleeplessness.

What
What is the difference
difference between
between the highlighted
highlighted words this time and the original?
original?
3.

Read the texts below as quickly


quickly as you can and mark the words
words which act as stepping
stepping stones
and summarise
summarise the text
text for you.
you.
(A)
(A) Participation in the Euro, the new
new European
European currency, hinged
hinged on
on whether
whether the criteria
criteria
set
set out
out in the Maastricht
Maastricht Treaty
Treaty were
were adhered
adhered to strictly.
strictly. Several
Several countries
countries would
would like to have
seen
seen some
some of the
the qualifying
qualifying conditions
conditions relaxed, but
but that
that did
did not
not happen,
happen, as the banks
banks were
against
against any
any slackening
slackening of monetary
monetary control. What
What remains
remains to be
be seen
seen is whether
whether the
governments
governments concerned
concerned can
can stick
stick to the stringent
stringent monetary
monetary goals
goals they
they have
have set
set themselves.
themselves.
(B) The swingeing
swingeing cuts introduced
introduced by
by the government
government have
have created
created quite
quite a fracas, but
but
many
many people
people believe
believe that
that they
they are necessary
necessary for the
the future
future health
health of the country. The main
target
target areas
areas appear
appear to be
be spending
spending on welfare, defence
defence and
and the road
road network.
network.
(C)
(C) One member
member of the public, a Gladys
Gladys C Roach, who took
took part
part in the survey,
survey, stated
stated that
that
she
she felt
felt it was
was dangerous
dangerous to shop
shop in the department
department store
store as it was
was so
so full
full of tempting
tempting food. She
added
added that
that she always
always had
had to make
make sure
sure that
that she
she went
went there
there to
to shop
shop only
only on a full
full stomach.
Otherwise,
Otherwise, she
she would
would spend
spend a fortune.

4.

5.

Understanding
Understanding the relationship
relationship between
between the parts of sentences
sentences will also help you.
you. What
What is the
relationship
relationship between
between the parts within the sentences
sentences below?
a

The underlying
underlying rate
rate of
of inflation has
has remained
remained the
the same
same as
as last month,
month,
The
under-mining the government's
governments attempts
attempts to curb
curb interest
interest rate
rate rises.

Progress
Progress in the talks to settle
settle the dispute
dispute has
has been
been slow: agreement
agreement has
has
only
only been
been reached
reached on one
one item
item in the
the list
list of differences
differences between
between the two
two sides.

The frost
frost wreaked
wreaked such
such havoc
havoc among
among the early
early blossoms
blossoms at Farkleberry,
Farkleberry,
The
that
that there
there was much
much consternation
consternation at the big house.

Although
Although he had
had created
created a very innovative
innovative and
and effective
effective programme,
programme, it was
was in
danger
danger of being
being destroyed
destroyed through
through ignorance
ignorance and
and jealousy.
jealousy.

He
He had
had created
created such
such an
an innovative
innovative and
and effective
effective programme,
programme, that
that it was in
danger
danger of being
being destroyed
destroyed through
through ignorance
ignorance and
and jealousy.
jealousy.

Another
Another way to help you read quickly
quickly is to learn to recognise
recognise the relationship
relationship in meaning
between
sentences.
What
is
the
relationship
between
the
pairs
of
sentences
between sentences. What
relationship
sentences below?
a
This shows, say
say many
many teachers,
teachers, that
that standards
standards of English
English for many
many secondary
secondary school
school
pupils
and
university
students
have
declined
over
recent
years.
The
answer
pupils and university students have declined over recent
answer is, obviously,
obviously,
that
that the teaching
teaching of grammar
grammar should
should be
be made
made compulsory
compulsory in secondary
secondary school
school and
and on
relevant
relevant teacher
teacher training
training courses.
courses.
b
This shows,
shows, say
say many
many teachers,
teachers, that
that standards
standards of English
English for many
many secondary
secondary school
school
pupils
pupils and
and university
university students
students have
have declined
declined over
over recent
recent years.
years. The answer
answer is, perhaps, to
make
make the teaching
teaching of grammar
grammar compulsory
compulsory in secondary
secondary school
school and
and on
on relevant
relevant teacher
teacher
training
training courses.
courses.

c
This shows, say
say many
many teachers, that
that standards
standards of English
English for many
many secondary
secondary school
school
pupils
pupils and
and university
university students
students have
have declined
declined over
over recent
recent years.
years. The danger
danger is,
is, ob,viously,
obviously, that
that
the
the teaching
teaching of grammar
grammar is made
made compulsory
compulsory in secondary
secondary school
school and
and on relevant
relevant teacher
teacher
training
training courses.
courses.
d

The number
number of ships
ships being
being repaired
repaired in the dockyard
dockyard has
has declined
declined steadily
steadily since
since the
end
end of the 60s. Only
Only five ships
ships were repaired
repaired or
or refitted
refitted last
last year
year as against
against 30 in
in 1968.

44

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Reading

Exercises 11 to 22

6.

Sa above, isolate
isolate the two main pieces of information.
In the text in 5a
information. For the first you may
use only five words; for the second you may use only eight.

Exercise 15: More about speed


[~l_e_x_e_rc_i_s_e_1_s_:_M_o_r_e_a_b_o_u_t_s_p_e_e_d~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Exercise 15 contains
contains some more strategies
strategies to help you increase your speed.
1.

2.

What is the main information


information in each of the texts below?
below? Read and decide
decide as quickly
quickly as you can.
What
a

In aa paper
paper to
to be
be published
published in
in the
the next
next issue
issue of
of the
the Journal,
Journal, Farilla
Farilla Bartlett,
Bartlett, the
the eminent
eminent
In
anthropologist,
anthropologist, of the University
University of
of London, argues
argues that
that the
the launch
launch of the
the anti-smoking
anti-smoking
campaign
campaign will fail miserably.
miserably.

In
In detailed
detailed studies
studies of the sleep
sleep patterns
patterns of males,
males, the
the researchers
researchers recorded
recorded that
that the
amount
amount of deep
deep sleep
sleep declines
declines with
with age,
age, thus
thus leading
leading to a reduction
reduction in
in the body's
bodys
rejuvenation process.
process.
rejuvenation

Scumbling, the
the use
use of
of dry
dry brush
brush to
to create
create aa hazy
hazy effect
effect on
on paper
paper surfaces
surfaces not
not previously
previously
Scumbling,
covered
covered with a colour
colour wash,
wash, is a simple,
simple, but subtle
subtle technique.
technique.

layout of a sentence
sentence can also help you find your
your way round a text and
Understanding the basic layout
efficiently and quickly. Sentences
Sentences in English are basically
basically divided between
hence read more efficiently
old and new information.
information. Look at the following
following example:
entered a building.
building. Suddenly, she saw a large cat. The
The aniani
A woman entered
mal
mal was eating a mouse.
mouse. The
The cat looked at the woman. The
The woman
lifted a stick
stick and
and walked away
away from the
the cat

You can look at the information


information as follows:
A woman
woman

New
New
entered
entered a building.
building.

Old
Old
[Suddenly], she
[Suddenly],

New
New
saw
saw a large cat.

Old
Old
The
The animal

New
New
was
was eating
eating a mouse.
mouse.

Old

Old
Old
looked
looked at the woman.
woman.

New
New

The
The cat
The
The woman
woman

New
New
lifted a stick

Old
Old
and [The woman]
woman]

New
New
walked
walked away
away from

Old

Old
the cat.

Notice how the information


information generally
generally jumps
jumps back and forward
forward from Old
Old to New, except
except in the first
and last part of the text! An economical
economical way of reading text
text is to train yourself to read only the New
information as you already
already know
know the Old.
information

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

45
45

Reading

Exercises 11 to 22

In the texts below, find


find the Old
Old and New
New information.
information.
(a) A car
car was driving
driving slowly
slowly along
along a road. It turned into the drive of a
large white house. The car
car stopped
stopped just short
short of the front
front door, but the
driver
did
not
get
out.
driver did not get

(b) Her
Her first
first acting
acting break
break in a major
major film was doing a voice-over
voice-over in a spy
spy
film. This led to a string
string of similar
similar jobs
jobs doing
doing work on adverts.
(c) Mr Maguire
Maguire made
made a number
number of predictions
predictions for the future of further
further eduedu
cation
in
the
UK.
His
forecasts
are
seriously
flawed.
They
are
much
too
cation
forecasts
seriously
optimistic
optimistic to be credible.

(d) A woman with a manic


manic grin entered
entered a building.
building. Suddenly, the building
building
collapsed.
collapsed. When the dust
dust settled, she walked
walked into another
another building. Her
Her
grin
grin was now
now even more hideous.
(e) The government's
governments version of events
events was not
not believed
believed by anyone. It
was seen by most
people
as
a
cover-up.
The
whole
affair
most people
affair serves
serves to illusillus
trate
trate the fears people
people have
have of politicians'
politicians inclination
inclination to abuse
abuse power.

3.
3.

As you have seen


seen in the reading
reading exercises
exercises you have done
done so far, it is helpful to know
know how
a text
text is organised.
organised. If you are able to see how text is organised
organised in general it will help you to
move through
through the reading
reading passages
passages in IELTS quickly
quickly and effectively.
effectively.
Look at the organisation
organisation of the text
text below. What
What is the essential
essential information
information in the sentence?
sentence?
Can you divide
divide the information
information into three main blocks? Paraphrase
Paraphrase the sentence
sentence and begin:
Statistics
Statistics show
sh o w .
...
According
According to the statistics
statistics available on homelessness,
homelessness, what drives
drives
young
young people away from home is the threat
threat of violence
violence from those
within
within the household.

4.

It is difficult for all of us to hold several pieces of information


information in our heads at the same time
about
about a
a text and extract
extract detail. You can, however,
however, practise
practise doing this. Look at the texts below
and answer
the
questions
which
follow:
answer
questions which
(a) Lacking
Lacking the natural
natural resilience
resilience of her
her mother, Muriel, Mavis, recently
recently
devastatingly
rebuffed
by
her
aunt
Maureen,
fell
into
a
long
and
agonising
devastatingly rebuffed
her aunt Maureen, fell
long
agonising
period
of
depression.
period
Who
Who became
became depressed?
depressed?
(b) Unlike
Unlike Mr Richardson
Richardson and
and Mrs Frome, the previous
previous directors,
directors, the new
new
directors,
directors, Mrs Allinson, Mr Frome
Frome (no relation
relation to Mrs Frome)
Frome) and
and Miss VinVin
cent, decided
to
terminate
the
contract
that
had
been
signed
by
the

decided terminate
contract that
been signed

above-mentioned
above-mentioned Mr Richardson's
Richardsons father
father prior to his son and
and one
one of his
daughters
daughters taking
taking over
over as directors
directors of the company.
company.
What
What is the relationship
relationship between Mr Richardson
Richardson and Mrs Frame?
Frome?

46

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Exercises 11 to 22

5.
5.

Reading
Reading

Look at the following


following text and complete the sentence
sentence which follows:
follows:
In a tense hour-long
Whitehall
meeting
the
day
before
yesterday, Mrs Cartiebury, sitting
hour-long
with
Sir
Charles
Drew
and
Charles
Drewmore,
the
chairman
and chief
with
chief executive
executive of Silver,
Finch & Finch, respectively, the main auditors
auditors employed by the Ombudsman, and
Samantha Ali,
AM, Head of the Personal Investment Authority,
Authority, which
which is overseeing
overseeing the
multi-billion
multi-billion mis-selling
mis-selling review, laid down the rules.
The rules
by Mrs
Mrs Cartiebury.
Cartiebury.
rules__________________ by

11

Words that
that slow you down
Exercise 16: Words

11

Students
Students often complain
complain that
that they find it difficult to read a text because
because they do not know
know certain
certain words.
words. These
words do not stop you from understanding
understanding a text. What
What stops you is focusing
focusing on individual
individual words
words and not the
overall meaning.
meaning. There is a saying in English that the devil
devil is in the detail. He is there, so do not let him hold
you back!
Below is a series
series of short texts and sentences.
sentences. Each text contains
contains a blank space
space where
where a word which would
normally cause difficulty
difficulty has been left out.
After each text, there
TS exam. Do
there is a sentence
sentence in a box to complete like the questions
questions you have in the IEL
IELTS
not try to complete
complete the blank spaces
spaces in the first text
text in the exercise,
exercise, as the original
original words
words are rather difficult.
The exercise
exercise aims to show you how irrelevant
irrelevant individual words can be to your
your understanding
understanding of a text.

Example
Students
Students are often totally
totally__________ when
whenthey
theycome
comeacross
acrosswords
wordsthat
thatthey
theydo
donot
notknow
knowininaatext
text

Words
frequentlyconfuse
confusestudents.
students.
Words that
that _________frequently
The
The missing
missing words
words in the box
box are:
are: they
they do not
not know. You do not
not need
need to
to know
know the missing
missing word.

Now complete
complete the blank spaces
spaces in
in the boxes under
under each Text below using no more than four
four words
words from
the first Text in each case.
1.
the reading
reading passage
passage distracts
distracts people
people so
so much
much that
thatthey
they cannot
cannot read
read the
thetext
text
1. The
T h e _________ ininthe
comfortably.
comfortably. Certain
Certain words,
words, like waves
waves interfering
interfering with a radio transmission,
transmission, affect
affect students'
students ability
to extract
extract the meaning from a passage, because
because they
they are unable to leave the words
words they
they do not
know alone. They
do
not
realise
that
it
is
possible
to
understand
the
meaning
without
They
possible
understand
meaning without knowing
every single
single term.
term.______________________________________ _____________

,--------------------------,
Certain
_
Certain terminology
terminology prevents
prevents people
people from
from reading
reading a text
text__________.

2.
In writing and reading,_________
reading,
basic form
form of
ofconnecting
connecting aatext.
text. Examples
Examples of
ofsuch
such
isisaabasic
reference
reference are words
words like:
like: it, they, synonyms
synonyms etc. __________________________
Referring
_
Referring backwards
backwards in written
written text
text is an elementary
elementary form
form of
o f__________.

3.
herattempts
attempts to
to modernise
modernise the
the company
company while
while trying
trying to
to satisfy
satisfy the
the investors
investors and
and
3 . _________ inin her
the financial
her resignation.
resignation.
financial markets
markets at the same time, she reluctantly
reluctantly decided
decided to
t o _________ her
She resigned
were opposed.
opposed.
resigned from
from her post because
because her endeavours
endeavours to
to __________were

A book for IELTS


IELTS

47

Reading
Reading

Exercises 11 to 22

4. ItItseems
seems that
that th
the
instruments were
werethrown
thrown into
intothe
the rubbish
rubbish pit
pitrather
ratherthan
than
e _________ instruments
being taken back for mending.
mending.
The
The instruments
instruments that
that did
did not work
work were
were thrown
thrown into

5.
institutions soon
soon run
runinto
into trouble
trouble when
when they
they find
findthat
thatthey
theycannot
cannot pay
payfor
forthe
the
5.
institutions
day-to-day administration
administration of their
their establishments.
establishments.
Bodies
Bodies which do not
not control
control their
their spending
spending

6. They
wasfoolproof,
foolproof, but
but they
theywere
weresoon
soon found
found out
out
Theythought
thoughtthat
thatthe
theplot
plotthat
thatthey
theyhad
ha d ________ was
and severely
severely punished.
punished.

Their plot
plot was
was not
Their

7.

The style
style seen
seen here
here in
in this
this church
church is
is th
the
ofthe
theachievement
achievement reached
reachedat
atthe
theheight
height ofof
The
e _________ of
the Italian Renaissance.
Renaissance._____________________________________
The
at its
its height.
height.
The church
church represents
represents the style
style of _________ at

8.
8.

The difficulties
bythe
the introduction
introduction of
of
difficulties experienced
experienced over the last few weeks
weeks have been
been_________ by
new measures
measures to combat
combat the rise in crime.
crime. The recent rights riots have only served to exacerbate
an already
already difficult
difficult situation.
The
The new measures
measures to fight
fight the

have made the situation


situation worse.

9.

The situation
situation will
will easily
easily be
be rectified
rectified by
by aa _________ programme
The
programme focusing on the most
most pressing
aspects
aspects of the problem.
The
of the
the problem.
problem.
The programme
programme can focus on the __________of

10. The
Thedistinction
distinctionbetween
between both
bothsides
sidesofofan
anargument
argumentcan
canoften
oftenbecome
becomequite
quite

There
There is a grey area
area between
between both
both___________.

Exercise 17: Problems with meaning


ILi_E_x_e_rc_i_se_1_1_:-P_ro_b_le_m_s_w_it_h_m_ea_n_i_n_g

__.ll

This exercise
exercise is an attempt
attempt to illustrate
illustrate a problem that students
students have as they try to analyse
analyse the reading texts
in IEL
TS, particularly
Not Given
IELTS,
particularly Yes/ No/
No/ Not
Given exercises.
exercises. It is a problem
problem that they do not realise exists and which
interferes
interferes with their analysis of the texts. As you have seen in previous
previous Exercises,
Exercises, particularly
particularly Reading
Reading
Exercises 5 and
and 6, sentences
sentences can have several
several meanings
meanings at the same time.
Likewise,
Likewise, there are two basic mechanisms
mechanisms at work
work as you are analysing
analysing a text. Look at the following
following pair of
sentences:
sentences:
A
A

Growth will
will slow
slow down
down in
in the
the near
near future.
future.
Growth

B
B

predicted that
that the
the pace
pace of
of growth
growth will
will decline.
decline.
ItIt isis predicted

At a glance,
glance, the sentences
sentences have the same
same meaning. You see that
that Sentence
Sentence Bis
B is a paraphrase
paraphrase of Sentence
Sentence
A. Obviously,
Obviously, it does not contain
contain all the information
information that
that is in Sentence A. It is not exact enough, because
because it
does not specifically
specifically mention
mention a time (in the near future). It is, nevertheless,
nevertheless, a paraphrase
paraphrase of Sentence
Sentence A.

48

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Exercises 11 to 22

Reading

Now look
look at the same
same sentences
sentences the other
other way round:

B
A

predicted that
that the
the pace
pace of
of growth
growth will
will decline.
decline.
ItItisispredicted
Growth will
will slow
slow down
down in
in the
the near
near future.
future.
Growth

Sentence
Sentence A does not paraphrase
paraphrase Sentence
Sentence B, because
because it adds additional
additional information
information to the information
information in
Sentence
Sentence B! Remember
Remember that
that in the exam you are analysing
analysing the text
text using the sentences
sentences in the exercises.
exercises.
You are not
not analysing
analysing the exercises
exercises using
using the text. The danger,
danger, of course,
course, is that
that students,
students, consciously
consciously or
sub-consciously, read also from the reading passage to the exercise,
exercise, as they look from the statement
statement in the
sub-consciously,
information in the text. This, as we have seen, can give you the wrong
wrong answer!
answer!
exercise to the information
Now
Now compare
compare the above
above pair of sentences
sentences with the following:
following:
A
A

The
The dog gave
gave chase
chase to
to the cat.
It was
was the cat
cat that
that was
was pursued
pursued by the
the dog.

A has the same


same meaning
meaning as B and vice versa!
In this exercise,
exercise, you have pairs of sentences
sentences 1-15.
1-15. Read the sentences
sentences as quickly
quickly as you can and decide
whether the sentences
sentences in each pair have exactly
exactly the same
same meaning.
meaning. You will probably
probably have to do this exercise
exercise
whether
several
several times. If necessary,
necessary, use the Key to help you.

1.
1.

A The man
man sank
sank his
his teeth
teeth into
into the dog's
dogs ear.
B It was
was the dog's
dogs ears
ears that
that were bitten
bitten off by
by the man.

2.

A Joseph
Joseph stopped
stopped smoking
smoking cigarettes.
B Joseph
Joseph stopped
stopped to smoke.
smoke.

3.

A Mohamed
Mohamed was too optimistic
optimistic about
about the future.
B Mohamed
Mohamed was not
not that
that hopeful
hopeful about
about the future.

4.

A Everyone
Everyone should
should take
take up some
some form
form of exercise
exercise to
to help
help them
them relax.
B It is necessary
necessary for everybody
everybody to get
get involved
involved in
in some
some form
form of exercise
exercise to
to help
help unwind.

5.

A Various instruments
instruments were
were studied
studied as part
part of the research.
research.
B A variety
variety of instruments
instruments were studied
studied during
during the research.

6.

A Few
Few people
people grasp
grasp this point
point at
at the first
first attempt.
B There are
are not
not many
many who
who understand
understand this straight-off.

7.

A It's
Its going
going to
to rain
rain soon.
B The forecast
forecast is for
for rain.

8.

A Adapting
Adapting to
to change
change induces
induces a number
number of unpleasant
unpleasant side
side effects.
B Depression
Depression and
and physical
physical illness
illness are
are brought
brought on by having
having to adapt
adapt to
to change,
change, which
which is
never
never a pleasant
pleasant or easy
easy experience. Change
Change also
also induces
induces stress
stress and unhappiness.
unhappiness.

9.

A The final
final contract
contract did
did not
not fully
fully meet
meet the
the union's
unions demands.
B What was approved
approved in the
the end
end fell
fell short
short of what
what the union
union had
had asked
asked for.

10.

A Parents
Parents fear
fear that
that standards
standards at al/
all levels
levels of education,
education, but
but especially
especially at secondary
secondary
school, are
are falling.
B
B Parents
Parents are
are afraid
afraid that
that not
not enough
enough attention
attention is being
being paid
paid to education
education at primary
primary
school
school level.

11.
11.

A If only
only the
the fire
fire brigade
brigade had
had arrived
arrived sooner
sooner the building
building would
would have
have been
been saved.
saved.
B It is regrettable
regrettable that
that the building
building was destroyed
destroyed because
because the
the fire
fire brigade
brigade did
did not
not
arrive
arrive sooner.
sooner.

12.

slim possibility that


that the accused
accused may
may not
not have
have committed
committed the
the murder.
murder.
A There is a slim
that it was
was the
the accused
accused who
who committed
committed the murder.
B It is highly likely that

13.

that the
the centre
centre has
has improved
improved significantly.
A Everyone is aware that
B It is not
not widely
widely appreciated
appreciated that
that the centre
centre has
has got
got better.

14.

A He is only
only 65.
B It is surprising
surprising that
that he is 65
65 years
years of age.

15.

A The stolen
stolen vase
vase is priceless.
B The value
value of the vase that
that was taken
taken is beyond
beyond price.
price.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

49

Reading
Reading

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22

Exercise 18: An introduction to Yes


l~I_E_x_e_rc_i_s_e_1_a_:_A_n-i_n_tr_o_d_u_ct_io_n~to_'_Y_e_s_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~II

This exercise
exercise helps
helps you focus
focus on the
the technique
technique required
required to answer
answer the Yes/
Yes/ No/ Not Given
Given type of question
question
in the exam.
exam. It is
is more
more important
important for you to learn
learn the analytical
analytical process
process in this
this type
type of question
question than
than to find
the correct
correct answer.
answer. The exercise
exercise has, therefore,
therefore, been
been designed
designed in
in such a way
way that
that you need to hold
hold
information
information in your
your head
head while
while you try to find the correct
correct answer.
answer. You may need to do the exercise
exercise several
times.
In
In the column
column on the left, you
you have 14 statements.
statements. On the
the right, there
there are 17 statements
statements (a-q). How many
many
statements
statements on the eft can you find that
that have a statement
statement with
with the same
same meaning
meaning in
in the right-hand
right-hand column?
column?
For example, the
the answer
answer for
for Sentence
Sentence 14 is (a).

1.
1. All that is
is necessary
necessary to ensure
ensure the
the future
future viability
viability of the
the
Project has been done.
2. What
What surprised
surprised the government
government most
most was the
the rapidity
rapidity
with
with which
which their
their fortunes
fortunes were
were reversed.
3. Why
Why the second
second report has
has been
been hushed
hushed up is
is not
entirely
entirely clear.
4. Why
Why the
the previous report
report was
was hushed
hushed up
up is patently
patently
obvious.
5.
5. The
The ability
ability to separate
separate emotion from
from rationality
rationality is
is a rarity.
rarity.
6. The government's
governments discomfort
discomfort at their
their misfortune
misfortune was
was not
surprising.
surprising.
7. Intelligence
Intelligence can surely
surely be nurtured
nurtured and developed
developed in
most individuals.
individuals.

a. He
He is aa perfect example of
of what
what people now
now
think of as
as the
the old-fashioned
old-fashioned type
type of police
police
officer.

b. ItIt looked
looked as
as if there
there was
was going
going to be
be aa
downpour, when
when the train
train set off.
c. The government
government was
was discomfited
discomfited by
by the
reversal
reversal of their fortunes.
fortunes.

d. Not
Not all of us
us find
find it difficult
difficult to
to separate
separate our
our
emotion
emotion from
from our
our reason.
reason.

e. The reason
reason for burying the
the second
second report
report is
completely
completely unknown.
f.

The speed
speed with which
which matters
matters deteriorated
deteriorated
took
took the government
government aback.

8. Doctors
Doctors are
are made
mads not born.

g.
motives behind
behind the
the suppression
suppression of the
9- The motives
second
second report
report are
are not
not 100%
100% clear.
dear.

9. The
The government
government were
were attacked
attacked for
for not acting promptly
promptly to
to
sort out
out the
the situation.

I.i.

10. As the train


train departed,
departed, the
the sky
sky was
was promising
promising a heavy
heavy
burst of rain.

Learned
Learned people
people are
are more
more often
often than
than not
not
superstitious.

/.
1

No
No stone
stone was
was left
left unturned
unturned to
to protect the
the
future
future Project.
Project.

11
11.. Superstition
Superstition is far
far from
from being
being rare among
among educated
educated
people.

h. Doctors
Doctors are
are born
born not made.

k. Criticism
Criticism was
was levelled
levelled at the
the government
government for
for
not
not acting more
more quickly
quickly to
to resolve the
the matter.

12. The
The government
government should
should have
have acted
acted sooner
sooner to take the
pressure
pressure out
out of the
the situation.

I.
1.

13. There
There is nothing new
new under
under the sun.

m. Everything
Everything has
has been
been done
done to make
make sure
sure the
Project
Project will survive.
survive.

14. He epitomises
epitomises everyone's
everyones idea
idea of the old breed
breed of
policeman.
policeman.

The reason
reason for
for hushing up the
the previous report
is generally
generally unknown.

n. The overwhelming majority


majority of people
people are
are
incapable
incapable of keeping
keeping emotion
emotion apart
apart from
from their
rational
rational side.

o. The
The qualities
qualities necessary
necessary to be
be a physician are
are
not
not inherited, but taught.

p.
the train
train left.
P- ItIt was raining as the
q.
Everything seems
seems the
the same.
q- Everything

50

A
A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Reading

Exercises 11 to 22

Exercise 19: An introduction to No


ILI_E_x_e_rc_i_s_e_1_9_:_A_n~in_tr_o_d_u_c_tio_n~to~'N_o_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_Jil

This exercise helps you focus


focus on the technique
technique required to answer
answer No in the Yes/
Yes/ No/
No/ Not Given
Given type of
question in the exam. As in the previous exercise,
exercise, it is more important
important for you to learn
learn the analytical
analytical process
in this type of question
question than to find the correct answer. The exercise
exercise has, therefore,
therefore, been designed
designed in such
a way that you need to hold
hold information
information in your head while you try to find the correct answer.
answer. You may need
to
to do the exercise
exercise several
several times.
times.
In
In the column
column on the left, you have 9 texts. On the right, there are some words
words and phrases
phrases (a-t)
(a-t) are suitable
parts of the text on the left
left with these
these words and phrases
phrases so that they
they disagree
disagree with or contradict
contradict the original
texts.
texts. Some statements
statements may be changed
changed in more than one
one way. One cannot
cannot be changed.
changed.
One sentence
sentence has been done for you as an example.
example. Try not to mark
mark the text so that you can repeat the
exercise.
exercise.

healthy profit from


1. The
The company
company made
made a healthy
from the sale
sale of its
publishing
publishing arm.

b
c

{Answer=
[ Answer = j}
j]

2. Fertile fields
fields flecked
flecked with
with blood-red
blood-red poppies
poppies sped
sped past the

carriage
carriage window.
window.

3.
Re-negotiating the new treaty
treaty has been hampered
hampered by the
3. Re-negotiating

fT4

fact
fact that
that several
several of the governments
governments involved
involved are facing
general elections
elections at the present
present time.

g
9
h

4. The
The behaviour
behaviour of
of the policeman
policeman was
was commendable
commendable in all
respects.
5. His honesty
honesty is
is typical
typical of the new
new breed of politician.
politician.
6.
His predictions
predictions for
for the future
future of the
the welfare
welfare state
state in many
many
6. His
European
European countries
countries are seriously
seriously flawed. They are too
optimistic to
to be
be credible.
credible.
7. The
The story
story is obviously apocryphal.
apocryphal. Nonetheless,
Nonetheless, it serves
serves
to illustrate
illustrate the
the fears
fears people
people have
have surrounding
surrounding the
problem.
8.
In the very
very middle of his life,
life, he found
found himself
himself in the
the dark
dark
8. In
wood of despair.
despair.

9. Travelling
Travelling with a purpose
purpose is better
better than travel
travel for
for travel's
travels
sake.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

i
jj
k

duplicity
unbelievably
unbelievably pessimistic
pessimistic
atypical
atypical
police
police
not
not sanguine
sanguine enough
As he lay
lay dying,
dying,
deplorable
deplorable
advertising
slightly covered
covered
small
small
felt unbelievably
felt
unbelievably optimistic
optimistic

1
m
m

crawled
crawled slowly by

n
n

integrity
integrity
true

0o

q
q

hindered

big loss
loss
have just
just won a plebiscite
plebiscite

ss

pessimistic
pessimistic
leg

old

51
51

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22

Reading

11

Meaning in
in a text
Exercise 20: Meaning

11

This exercise
exercise gives you some more practice with paraphrase at sentence
sentence level. Read through
through the passage
passage
below,
below, which has 9 sentences.
sentences. Then read the texts (A-Q),
(A-Q), which
which follow,
follow, and
and replace
replace each
each sentence
sentence below
below
with one of
of the
the texts
texts (A-Q)
(A-Q) with
withthe
the same
same meaning.
meaning. There
are
more
texts
in
the
list
than
you
can
use.
There are more texts in the list than you can

((1)
l) What
W hat is the difference
difference between
between knowledge and experience?
experience? (2)
Knowledge is basically
basically information that is stored in the brain. (3)
(3) The
The
process
process for this
this is one way - from an outside
outside source like a book or the
TV to the brain. (4) Experience
Experience is
is something
something altogether
altogether different.
different. (5)
(5) ItIt
is a process
whereby
stored
knowledge
of
any
kind
is
moved
around
process
stored
the brain.
brain. (6) Take
Take learning to drive a car. (7) We can read all there
is to know about
about driving, but
but until
until we start connecting and using
using the
different pieces
pieces of knowledge we have
have acquired, the information
inform ation is
useless.
useless. (8)
(8) So, to make the information we have
have in our brains useful,
we need to be able to manipulate it.
it. (9) The
The examples
examples are endless.
endless.

List
List of texts
texts

Information
Information is basically
basically knowledge
knowledge we have learned
learned or acquired.
acquired.

Thedifference
difference between
between knowledge
knowledge and
andexperience.
experience.
The

good example
example here
here is
is learning
learning to
to drive
drive aa car.
car.
AA good

Knowledge isis not


not that
that different
different from
from experience.
experience.
Knowledge

E
F

People need
need to
to be
be capable
capable of
ofapplying
applying the
the knowledge
knowledge they
they have
have for
foritit to
to be
be of
ofany
any benefit.
benefit.
People
Thenumber
numberof
ofexamples
examples isislimited.
limited.
The

G
H

Is there
there a difference
difference between
between knowledge
knowledge and
and experience?
experience?
Experience isis aa very
ve,y different
different animal.
animal.
Experience

Experience entails
entails moving
moving different
different pieces
pieces of
ofknowledge
knowledge in
in the
the brain.
brain.
Experience
Knowledgeisis not
not the
the same
same as
as experience.
experience.
Knowledge

In this
this process,
process, information
information in
in the
the brain
brain isis moved
moved around,
around, e.g.
e.g. learning
learning to
to drive.
drive.
In

L
M

basic definition
definition of
of knowledge
knowledge is
is information
information or
or facts
facts that
that we
we have
have learned
learned or
or acquired.
acquired.
AA basic
Knowledge is
is an
an external
external resource.
resource.
Knowledge

we learn
learn aa lot
lot of
ofinformation
information about
about driving,
driving, but
but do
do not
not use
use it,it, the
the data
data are
are then
then useless.
useless.
IfIf we

Knowledge is
is different
different from
from experience
experience in
in that
that the
the former
former is
is aa static,
static, passive
passive entity,
entity,
Knowledge
whereas
whereas experience
experience requires
requires knowledge
knowledge to be activated.

People
People acquire
acquire knowledge
knowledge from sources
sources outside,
outside, not
not inside
inside themselves.
themselves.
Thiscan
can be
be exemplified
exemplified time
time and
and time
time again.
again.
This

Q
Q

sa

A book for IELTS

Reading

Exercises
Exercises 11 to 22

Exercise
Exercise 21: 'Yes',
Yes, 'No',
No, or 'Not
Not Given'
Given 11

This exercise
exercise and the next one focus
focus on the tricky question
question of deciding
deciding whether
whether a statement
statement in relation to a
text is Yes/
Yes/ No/
No/ Not
Not Given.
Given.

In the exercise
exercise below, each text
text is followed
followed by three statements.
statements. For each alternative,
alternative, write:
Yes

if the statement
statement agrees
agrees with
with the
the information
information in the text
text

No

if the
the statement
statement contradicts
contradicts the information
information in the
the tex1
text

Not Given
Given

if it is impossible
impossible to
to say whether
whether the
the statement
statement agrees
agrees
with
with or contradicts
contradicts the
the information
information in the
the tex1
text

1. Many
Many lecturers
lecturers find
find their
their jobs
jobs very rewarding.
aa
bb
c

Many
Many lecturers
lecturers are well paid.
paid,
All lecturers
lecturers get something
something positive
positive from
from their
their work.
work,
The majority
majority of lecturers
lecturers get satisfaction
satisfaction from their
their work.
work.

2. Computers
Computers are
are gaining
gaining in popularity,
popularity, despite
despite their
their cost.
a
b
c

Computers
Computers are getting
getting cheaper.
cheaper,
Computers
Computers are expensive.
expensive.
Computers
Computers used to
to be more popular
popular than they are now.
now.

3. As
As a result
result of
of increasing
increasing affluence,
affluence, an
an ever
ever larger
larger number
number of families
families now
now have
have two cars.
a
bb
c

Most
Most families
families nowadays
nowadays have two
two cars.
cars,
People are
are getting
getting richer.
richer,
People
Cars
Cars are
are becoming
becoming more expensive.
expensive.

4. Educational
Educational standards
standards in schools
schools have, in
in general,
general, been
been gradually
gradually improving.
improving.
aa
b
c

Schools
Schools have
have been getting
getting better.
better,
The education
education in schools
schools has not been improving.
improving,
Educational
Educational standards
standards are not as unsatisfactory
unsatisfactory as they
they used to
to be.

5. In families,
families, the traditional
traditional roles
roles of
of men and
and women
women are often
often reversed
reversed if the man
man becomes
becomes unemployed.
unemployed.
a
b
c

Unemployment
Unemployment can affect
affect the way
way that
that families
families operate.
operate.
In families
families where
where the
the woman
woman has a job, men and women
women usually
usually have
have traditional
traditional roles.
roles,
Unemployment
Unemployment does
does not affect
affect the role of aa man in the family.
family.

Although the hazards


hazards of boxing
boxing have
have been
been well publicised,
publicised, the government
government has
has yet
yet to
6. Although
introduce
introduce a total
total ban
ban on the sport.
a The
The government
government does
does not want
want to ban boxing.
boxing,
bb The
The hazards
hazards of boxing
boxing are not very
very well-known.
well-known,
c A ban on boxing
boxing has not been introduced
introduced yet.
7. There is as much
much money
money to
to be made
made from
from the sale
sale of umbrellas
umbrellas on
on rainy
rainy days, as
as there
there is from
from cold
cold drinks
temperature rises.
when the temperature
a
b
c

Cold drinks
drinks sell well when
when it gets
gets warmer.
warmer,
When
When it rains, older
older people
people buy umbrellas.
umbrellas,
The
The author
author is a shopkeeper.
shopkeeper.

8. While it has been


been acknowledged
acknowledged for
for many
many years
years that
that an increasing
increasing number
number of animals
animals are bound
bound to become
become
extinct,
extinct, it is only
only recently
recently that
that the problem
problem has
has been
been addressed
addressed by
by politicians.
politicians.
a
bb
c

A book
book for IELTS

Recently
Recently people
people have
have been writing
writing to our
our politicians
politicians about
about animals
animals becoming
becoming extinct.
extinct,
We have
have known
known for
for a long time that more species
species of animals
animals will disappear.
disappear,
Politicians
Politicians have been fighting
fighting animal extinction
extinction for
for many
many years.

53

Exercises 11 to 22
Exercises

Reading
Reading

9. Most
Most people
people would
would be amazed
amazed 1f
if they realised
realised how
how many
many different
different types
types of insect
insect life exist in their
their very own
garden.
garden.
a The
The majority
majority of gardeners
gardeners are
are not surprised
surprised at the
the range
range of insect
insect life
life in
in their
their garden.
garden,
bb It is impossible
impossible to
to count
count the different
different types
types of insect
insect hfe
life in
in a garden.
garden,
c There
There are more
more types
types of insect
insect life in the average
average garden
garden than most people
people think.
think.
10. In the busy
busy modern
modem world
world we live tn,
in, it is very
very easy
easy to take
take for
for granted many
many of the things
things our
our forebears
forebears had
had
to struggle
struggle to achieve: adequately
adequately heated
heated housing
housing and
and sufficient
sufficient food on the table,
table, to name
name but
but two.
a In
In the past,
past, not
not all houses
houses were
were heated.
heated,
b Our
Our lives
lives are better
better than
than those
those of people
people in the past.
past,
cc Two
Two things
things today
today are
are better
better than they
they used to be.

Exercise
Exercise 22: 'Yes',
Yes, 'No',
No, or 'Not
Not Given'
Given 2

This exercise
exercise gives you further
further practice
practice with deciding
deciding whether
whether a statement
statement is Yes/ No/
No/ Not Given,
Given, but this
time in longer
longer texts.
In the exercise
exercise below, each text is
is followed by three statements.
statements.
For each alternative
alternative write:
Yes

if the statement
statement agrees
agrees with
with the information
information in
in the
the text
text

No

if the
the statement
statement contradicts
contradicts the information
information in the text
text

Not Given
Given
Not

is impossible
impossible to say whether
whether the statement
statement agrees
agrees
if it is
with or contradicts
contradicts the
the information
information in the
the tex1
text

Read the text as quickly as you can, and then try to answer
answer the statements
statements without
without looking
looking at the text again.
If you find
find this too difficult,
difficult, then read the text again.
Good health
health is something
something that
that people
people assume
assume is a right
right to which
which everybody
everybody should
should be entitled.
1. Good
However,
However, the means
means of maintaining
maintaining good
good health
health are
are not
not always
always at the disposal
disposal of every
every citizen, this
particularly
particularly being the case
case in societies
societies where a two-tier
two-tier health
health service
service is in operation.
operation. The unfortunate
unfortunate
consequence
consequence here
here is that
that the financially
financially disadvantaged
disadvantaged also
also tend
tend to become
become disadvantaged
disadvantaged in terms
terms
of the standard
standard of health
health care
care they
they receive.
a In
In some
some societies,
societies, the health
health care
care an individual
individual receives
receives depends
depends on how
how wealthy
wealthy you are.
b
b Poor
Poor people
people tend to have more
more health
health problems.
problems,
c Nearly
Nearly everybody
everybody believes
believes good
good health is a basic human
human right.

2. For
For students
students in full-time
full-time education
education one of the major
major worries
worries is how
how to make
make ends
ends meet. Studying and,
therefore, receiving no
no income,
income, they
they need
need to obtain
obtain financial support
support from
from somewhere.
somewhere. The first
first option
option is,
for those who are
are eligible.
eligible, a government
government grant;
grant: although
although this may
may have
have to be
be paid
paid back
back at a later
later date.
Reliance
Reliance on parentai
parental support
support or cla oank
bank loan are also possible avenues
avenues open
open to some, but
but not
not all, students.
It is
Is important, however,
however, to match
match the financial
financial arrangements
arrangements carefully
carefully to the individual
individual concerned.
aa Part-time
Part-time students
students are
are not as anxious
anxious about
about money
money as
as full-time
full-time students.
students,
b
b The
The author
author thinks
thinks that
that financial
financial support
support from
from parents
parents is easily
easily available
available for most
most students.
students,
c Full-time
Full-time students
students have
have littie
little money
money, because
because they
they do not work.
work.
t

3. The
The myriad
myriad of new
new sporting scuvities
activities which
which have recently
recently sprung
sprung up means
means that
that any
any individual
individual who ts
is
considering taking
taking up
up a different form of exercise
exercise is very
very much spoilt
spoilt for choice. From scuba diving
diving to
skateboarding
skateboarding, and
and trom
from abseiling
abseiling to snov.
snow boarding.
boarding, the young and
and fit throw
throw themselves
themselves with enthusiasm
enthusiasm
into
into these
these new
new sporting
sporting pursuits. Caution, however.
however, is to be advised
advised for
for the hitherto
hitherto unsporty
unsporty individual,
individual,

54

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Exercises 11 to 22

Reading
Reading

who
who risks serious injury
injury if physically
physically unprepared
unprepared for,
for, or incapable of coping
coping with,
with, the physical challenges
challenges
many
many such
such activities involve.
a
b
c

The
The writer
writer thinks
thinks the sporting
sporting activities
activities mentioned
mentioned should
should be attempted
attempted only
only by
by young
young people.
people,
Many new
new sports
sports are physically
physically demanding.
demanding,
Recently
Recently there
there have
have not
not been many
many new
new sporting
sporting activities.
activities.

4. In any
any inner-city area, there are certain to be problems associated
associated with a great number
number of people
living in close proximity
proximity to each
each other. Whilst it may
may be possible for people
people in such
such communities
communities to exist
exist
perfectly amicably,
amicably, it is more
more common
common for
for there to be a certain amount
amount of tension and
and animosity brooding
beneath
beneath the surface. Flare-ups
Flare-ups that
that result in injury, and
and even
even violent death, are not
not uncommon
uncommon
occurrences, as frequent
frequent newspaper reports
reports bear
bear witness.
a People
People in inner-city,
inner-city, high-rise
high-rise flats
flats live in a permanent
permanent state
state of tension.
tension,
b Densely
Densely populated
populated inner
inner city
city areas
areas are
are breeding
breeding grounds
groundsfor
for all
all kinds
kinds of
of dubious
dubious activities.
activities,
c In
In inner
inner city
city areas,
areas, tension
tension has
has led
led to
to violent
violent gun
gun battles.
battles.

5. The taking of exams is a ritual that


that all students
students encounter
encounter throughout
throughout their
their academic
academic career, whether
whether it be at
school level
level or at a higher academic level, for example,
example, at college
college or university.
university. Many
Many theories
theories and
and
methods
methods have
have been
been propounded
propounded as
as to the
the best
best way
way to ensure
ensure exam
exam success, but
but all students
students need
need to be
reminded
consistent approach
reminded that
that a consistent
approach to
to studying is certainly not inconsequential
inconsequential in achieving
achieving exam
exam
success.
a Exam success
success is
is a consequence
consequence of a consistent
consistent approach
approach to studying.
studying,
b Passing
Passing exams
exams is
is aa problem
problem only
only for
for pupils
pupils at
at school.
school.
c Several
Several hypotheses
hypotheses have
have been
been put
put forward
forward about the
the best
bestway
way to
topass exams.
pass exams.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

55

Reading
Test I1

56

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Test
Test 11

Reading Tests

You should
should spend
spend about
about 20 minutes on Questions
Questions 1-15,
1-15, which are based on Passage
Passage 11 below.

A rose
rose by any
any other
other name
name would
would smell
smell as sweet
sweet
In
In the past
past few years, the trend
trend has been away from hybrid
hybrid tea and floribunda roses towards
towards shrub and
species roses. While this change has, in part, been driven
driven by recent
recent fashions in garden design coupled
with adroit marketing,
marketing, there is no doubt that shrub and species roses offer a number of cultural
advantages.
advantages. Of course, there are aesthetic considerations
considerations too: some growers preferring
preferring the wide colour
range and high-centred blooms of the hybrid teas, while others
others choose shrub roses, because they
integrate more easily into an overall garden
garden design. This is largely
largely a question
question of taste and lies beyond
the scope of the present
article.
present
Before examining
examining the cultural
cultural advantages
advantages of shrub roses, mention
mention should be made of their
their diversity
and antiquity.
antiquity. There are three
three distinct
distinct races of rose, which can be traced
traced back to the Middle Ages: the
gallicas,
gallicas, the albas,
albas, and the damasks.
damasks. Gallica roses were first recorded in the 13th century, and probably
the most
most famous of all, Gallica
Gallica officinalis,
officinalis, is among the flowers depicted on the famous Ghent Altarpiece,
painted by the Flemish artist
artist Jan
Jan Van Eyck in the 14th century.
century. Another
Another gallica, Rosa
Rosa mundi,
mundi, with its
characteristic
characteristic red and white petals has been cultivated
cultivated for at least six centuries.
centuries. Albas too have a long
history. Alba
Alba x serniplena
semiplena is the world's
worlds oldest
oldest 'working'
working* rose and is still
still grown in the Kazanluk
Kazanluk region
Bulgaria for its highly scented petals, which are harvested each June
June to make the perfume, attar
attar of
of Bulgaria
roses. Damasks,
Damasks, as the name implies, were thought
thought to have come from Damascus.
Damascus. Their origin is more
obscure,
obscure, but they are certainly related to wild roses still growing in parts of the Middle East
East and Iran.
There are in cultivation
cultivation more recently introduced
introduced varieties ofroses
of roses too, such as Bourbons, hybrid musks,
and hybrid perpetuals
perpetuals as well as rugosas, which originate
originate in the Far
Far East.
East.
As a result of this genetic diversity, shrub roses have two major
major cultural
cultural advantages
advantages for the
horticulturalist,
horticulturalist, and the amateur
amateur gardener: resistance
resistance to disease
disease and
and tolerance
tolerance of a wide variety of
climate and soil types. Many shrub roses show resistance to fungal diseases
diseases such as black spot and rust,
to which hybrid teas are highly susceptible.
susceptible. Rugosas are particularly
particularly disease-free.
disease-free. In poor soil conditions,
shrub roses, having
having deep vigorous root systems, are more tolerant
tolerant of drought and do not suffer to the
same extent from nutrient
nutrient deficiency diseases. For the horticulturalist,
horticulturalist, this means
means that
that less time and
money need be spent on applying
fertilisers or spraying for disease. Similarly,
applying fertilisers
Similarly, there
there are some shrub
roses which will grow well in shady or windy conditions, or even against
against a north-facing
north-facing wall. Large
specimen
specimen shrubs
shrubs may be found growing happily
happily in the most unpromising
unpromising situations.
However, there
there are other practical issues to consider. Where space is at a premium,
premium, it is important
important
to remember
remember that
that the majority
majority of shrub roses, which do not require regular
regular hard
hard pruning in order
order to
encourage them to flower, will eventually
eventually grow into large
large bushes up to two metres
metres high, with a spread
of two to three
three metres. For small gardens,
gardens, hybrid teas, rarely
rarely growing more than
than one metre tall, are
more practical. The size and density of shrub roses can, however, be an advantage where
where a large
permanent
bush
is
required.
Some
varieties
are
sufficiently
dense
as
to
be
suitable
for
hedging.
permanent
required.
varieties
Another
Another factor is length
length of flowering
flowering period. Many shrub roses have a short, but spectacular
spectacular flowering
season. The famous old rose Cuisse de Nymphe,
Nymphe, for example,
example, is covered in succulent
succulent pink blossom for
midsummer, but does not bloom again. There are, however, other varieties, which are
about a month in midsummer,
repeat
repeat or perpetual
perpetual flowering, including
including Madame
M adame Isaac
Isaac Pereire,
Pereire, probably
probably the most intensely fragrant
fragrant
rose of all. Moreover, there
there are a number of varieties with attractive
attractive ferny foliage and graceful, arching
arching
habit.
habit. This contrasts
contrasts with the upright
upright stance
stance and coarse leathery
leathery leaves of hybrid
hybrid teas. Species roses
also produce bright
bright red fruits (hips)
(hips) in September-October,
September-October, and their
their leaves often acquire
acquire attractive
attractive
autumn
autumn tints.
All these factors need to be taken
taken into consideration
consideration when choosing a rose for a particular
particular site. Shrub
Shrub
roses are long-lived,
long-lived, easy to propagate,
propagate, and require less pruning
pruning and
and maintenance
maintenance than
than a hybrid tea. A
detailed
detailed catalogue of varieties will give details of colour, flowering period, size, preferences
preferences of soil and
aspect, optimum planting
planting times,
times, and general
general cultural
cultural requirements.
requirements.
A book for IELTS
IELTS

57

Test
Test 11

Reading
Reading Tests

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 1-;
1-3
Use NO MORE
MORE nAN
ThAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS from the passage
passage to complete
complete each blank
blank in the diagram
diagram below.
below.

F irs t____ 6 ____


in 13th C entury

There are three

/ /
e.g. Alba x semiplena
semiplena

s __

Origin obscure

which
__ 5 ___
which has
has____

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 7-13
7-13
Complete
Complete the text
text below,
beiow, which
which is a summary
summary of paragraphs
paragraphs 3, 4 and 5. Choose
Choose your
your answers
answers from the
Word
Word List
List below
below the summary
summary and write them in Boxes 7-13
7-13 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
There are more woros
words or phrases
phrases than spaces,
spaces, so you will not be able to use them all. You may use each
word or phrase
phrase only nce,
(jnce.
Factors
Factors governing
governing the choice
choice of rose

58

Example:
Example:

The
(Example)
of shrub roses can be an advantage when a
T
h e _____________________________________________________(Example)_of
shrub roses can be an
large permanent
permanent bush is required.
required.

Answer:
Answer:

siie
size

A book
book for IELTS

Reading Tests

Test 11

There
There are different
different types of shrub
shrub roses,
roses, some
some of which
which are
are able
able to resist
resist disease
disease
and others which suit diverse climates and soils, features that are of
___
(7)
toboth
bothhorticulturalists
horticulturalistsand
andgardeners,
gardeners,as,
as, inin the
thelong
longrun,
run,
________(7)________
to
such
(8)
such adaptability
adaptability saves
saves both
both time and
and money. The
The ________(8)________
isis
another
another factor that needs
needs to be
be taken
taken into account
account when
when choosing
choosing a rose.
rose.
___
(9)
shrubroses________
roses
(10)
withouthaving
havingto
to be
becut
cut
________(9)________
shrub
(10)________
without
back
(11)
growto
toaaheight
heightof
ofnearly
nearly
back regularly.
regularly. In fact,
fact, they can
c a n ________(11)________
grow
two metres
(12)
. So
So for small
small gardens
gardens
metres and
and up to three
three metres
m etres________(12)________.
hybrid
hybrid teas are more
more practical,
practical, because
because they rarely
rarely grow
grow more
more than
than one metre
metre
tall.
(13)
the choice
of
tall. The
The length
length of the flowering
flowering season
season also
also____________________________
(13)______the
choice of
rose,
rose, as does
does the shape
shape of the plant.
plant.

Word List
gives
most
majority
majority
in the end
area available
available
benefit
benefit

across
beneficial
beneficial
slowly
slowly
also
dictates
dictates
always
always

spread
spacing
spacing
over
circumference
circumference
blossom
blossom
advantage
advantage
size

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 14 &
& 15
'

Choose
Choose the appropriate
appropriate letters A-D
A -D and write them in Boxes
Boxes 14 & 15 on your answer
answer sheet.
14.

15.

Which of the statements


statements below
below is true about Madame
Madame Isaac Pereire?
Pereire?
A

is one
one of
of the
the most
most fragrant
fragrant roses
roses of
ItIt is
of all
all roses.

B
B

is impossible
impossible to
to say
say whether
whether the
the writer is
is talking
ItIt is
talking about
about shrub
shrub roses
roses or
or all
all roses
roses when
when
he says it is probably
probably the most intensely
intensely fragrant
fragrant rose of all.

is probably
probably the
the most
most intensely
intensely fragrant
fragrant shrub
shrub rose.
rose.
ItIt is

flowers only
only once
once per
per year.
year.
ItIt flowers

The flowering
flowering season
season of shrub roses ...
...
A

is short
short but
but spectacular.
spectacular.
is

is repetitive.
repetitive.
is

is perpetual.
perpetual.
is

varies.
varies.

A book for
tor IELTS
IELTS

59
ss

Test 11

Reading Tests

You should spend


spend about
about 20 minutes
minutes on Questions
Questions 16-29,
16-29, which are based on Passage
Passage 2 below.
below.

Road rage all the rage!


To many
many people
people the term 'Road Rage'
describes
describes a relatively
relatively modern concept
concept of
drivers
drivers 'getting
'getting worked up due to some
incident whilst
whilst on the road and resorting
resorting to
physi
cal violence or damage
physical
dam age to property'.
property.
Most
people
would
say
that
this
has
only
really
Most
really
become
become a problem in the last five years
years or so.
It has certainly attracted great media interest
interest
in recent times, but it has,
has, in fact, been part
of motoring for quite some time now.
now.
A psychologist,
psychologist, employed
employed by the Royal
Royal
Automobile Club (RAC), defines 'Road Rage',
Rage',
thus:
thus: 'unchecked
'unchecked behaviour
behaviour designed
designed to
cause harm to another road user; behaviour
which is
is not normally in the behavioural
behavioural
repertoire
repertoire of the person.
person. 'Road Rage' is
is an
altering of an individual's
personality
whilst
individual's personality
driving
d riving caused
c a u s e d by a process of
dehumanisation.
dehumanisation. This dehumanisation
dehumanisation is
is
caused
caused by road use frustrations
frustrations and an
artificial
artificial sense
sense of insulation,
insulation, protection and
empowerment
empowerment provided by the car. This
This leads
the person
person to behave in a way designed to
cause harm or endanger other road users,
users^.
Most motorists
m otorists con
c a n remember
re m e m b e r an
occasion
occasion at some time
time in their motoring
career when an impatient, or short-tempered,
short-tempered,
driver has 'cut them or someone else up' with
with
an aggressive
aggressive display of driving.
driving, forcing the
victim to take evasive action
action to avoid a
collision.
collision. At the time, they probably thought:
what a cireadful
Oreadful piece
piece of driving;
driving; and mentally
clapped
clapped themselves
themselves on the back for being
such controlled,
c o n tro lle d , calm
c a lm drivers.
drivers. Media
M edia
attention,
attention, focused on particularly
particularly gruesome
incidents,
incidents, has bestowed a certain notoriety
notoriety on
this sort
sort of driving. As a professional
professional driver
driver in
inner
inner London and a motorcycle instructor,
instructor, II
have witnessed
witnessed such driving
driving all too often over
the years.
years.
The l1996
996 Lex Report
Report on motoring,
m o to rin g ,
published
published by Lex service
Service PLC, the UK's
UK's leading
vehicle retailing
retailing and leasing group, provides
provides
us with some startling
2
startling statistics. In
In the last
last l12
months,
.8 million
months, there have been: l1.8
million
instances
instances of people
people who have been forced to
pull over or off the road; 800,000 instances
instances of
60

people being physically


physically threatened; 500,000
people in their cars being deliberately driven
driven
into; 250,000 people attacked
by
other
attacked
drivers; and 250,000 people
people having their cars
deliberately damaged
dam aged by another driver. A
survev
survey also carried out by Lex confirms that up
to 80% of motorists
motorists have been the victims of
'Road Rage'
Ragje' and that driver
driver confrontation isis
on the increase.
increase.
The RAC
RAC has also much to say on the topic.
One of their survevs
surveys reveals
reveals that as many as
90% of motorists
have
suffered
motorists
suffered at the hands
of seriously anti-social drivers
drivers and that the
effects upon them have in
in many cases been
wholly
wholly disproportionate to the level of threat
or actual violence inflicted.
inflicted.
The examples are both chilling and legion:
legion:
a driver
driver had his nose bitten off following
following a row
with
with another motorist;
motorist; a 78 year-old man was
was
killed after being punched
punched by a man half his
age; an RAC patrolman, flagged
flagged down on
the motorway by a motorist, was violently
violently
assaulted
and
verbally
abused
assaulted
abused by the
motorist.
motorist. The list goes on and on ...
...
The 1991 Road Traffic Act takes a very dim
view indeed
indeed of dangerous
dangerous and careless
driving
driving and, as with assaults,
assaults, provides
provides stiff
A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Test 11

Reading Tests

custodial sentences
sentences for those
those guilty of such
custodial
crimes.
crimes, To
To date,
date, however,
however, there
there isis no such
offence in
in the
the statute
statute books
books known as 'Road
'Road
offence
Rage'.
Rage'. There can be
be assaults or criminal
criminal
damage,
d a m a g e , followed
fo llo w e d or preceded
p re c e d e d by
dangerous
dangerous driving,
driving, but no
no offence
offence that
incorporates both
both - a change
change in
in the
the law
incorporates
which
the
public
are
clamouring
for
in
which the public
clamouring
in the
the
face of increasing
increasing anarchy
anarchy on the
the roads.
Conversely, the
the Association
Association of Chief
Chief Police
Officers
Officers denies
denies that
that 'Road
'Road Rage'
Rage' exists;
exists; or,
indeed,
indeed, that
that there
there is
is a trend.
trend. There have
have been
been
suggestions
suggestions from
from the same
same quarter
quarter that
'media
'media interest and
and reporting
reporting are, in
in fact,
fact,
creating
creating the
the problem
problem by causing
causing unnecessary
unnecessary
anxiety in
in the
the minds
minds of the
the motoring
motoring public
public in
in
anxiety
a direct
direct analogy
analogy with fear
fear of crime'.
crime'.
Most of us
us probably
probably imagine
imagine violence
violence on
the
the road
road to be
be an entirely
entirely male
male preserve, as
men
men are
are naturally
naturally more
more competitive
competitive and
and
aggressive,
aggressive, especially
especially when
when it comes
comes to
driving. Melanie
Melanie Flowers of Oxford Brookes
Brookes
University,
University, however,
however, has the
the following
following to say:
Women
'Women can
can be
be more
more aggressive in cars than
than
they
they ever
ever would
would be
be when
when they
they are
are walking
walking
along
along the
the street. In
In fact,
fact, you
you could
could even
even argue
argue
that
that smaller
smaller or weaker
weaker people,
people, who
who might
might be
be
victims
victims when
when they
they are
are out
out of their cars, often
often
feel they
they can
can even
even things up
up a bit when
when they
they
feel
are
are behind
behind the
the wheel.
wheel. When you are driving
you're
than your
you're judged
judged by your car
car rather than
physical
physical attributes. It makes
makes some
some women
women feel
feel
stronger than
they
really
are'.
than they

'

An interesting study, but


but how
how often
often do you
see women
women fighting
fighting at the
the roadside
roadside or kicking
in
in body
body panels?
If all this is
is a general
general reflection
reflection of the
the driver
of the
the 90s, then
then the
the professionals have
have an
uphill
uphill struggle.
struggle. But they are
are tackling
tackling the
the
problem head
head on. The
The RAC
RAC and
and Auto
Auto Express,
Express,
problem
a motoring
motoring journal,
journal, have
have joined
joined forces
forces in
in a
Campaign
Campaign Against
Against Rage
Rage (CAR).
(CAR). They aim
aim to
promote driver
driver courtesy,
courtesy, offer
offer advice
advice on
promote
avoiding
avoiding 'Road
'Road Rage',
Rage', and even Rage
Rage
Rehabilitation for violent
violent offenders
offenders in
in an
Rehabilitation
attempt to avoid
avoid re-offence.
re-offence.
attempt
The
The courts
courts are
are looking
looking at stiffer penalties.
penalties.
And the
the RAC
RAC is
issuggesting
suggesting that
that sign-posting
sign-posting be
improved
improved to try and
and stop
stop city
city drivers losing their
way, a constant
constant source
source of annoyance
annoyance and
and
aggression,
aggression, and
and they
they have
have also proposed
proposed the
introduction
introduction of variable
variable message
message signs that
that
can
can help
help improve
improve driver behaviour.
behaviour. Some
Some
police
police traffic
traffic control
control cars
cars are
are now
now equipped
equipped
with these
these message
message signs on the
the roof
roof or rear
vehicles,
of their vehicles.
And
And the
the future?
future? The Autoclass
Autoclass survey,
published
997, shows that
published in
in 11997,
that parents
parents are
creating
creating the
the next generation
generation of
of road-rogers.
road-ragers.
The
0-16 year-olds
The research
research among
among 110-16
year-olds found
found
that 62 per
per cent
cent of fathers
fathers and
and 55 per
per cent
cent of
that
mothers
mothers get angry
angry while
while driving.
One
One thing
thing is
is a certainty:
certainty: the
the Road
Road Rage
phenomenon
is
not
going
to
disappear
phenomenon is not going
disappear
overnight,
overnight, even
even after
after stiffer sentencing
sentencing or
improved
improved driver training.
training.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 16 & 17

Using the information


information in the passage,
passage, complete
complete the table below. Write your
your answers
answers in Boxes 16
16 & 17 on
your
your answer
answer sheet.

Percentag
e of motorists
Percentage
motorists affected
affected by Road Rage
Rage
The Lex Report - up to _______ 16________
16
%
%
RAC Survey17
%
Survey - up to
_______ 17________
%

A
A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

61

Reading
Reading Tests

Test 11

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 18-23
18-23
Do the statements
statements agree
agree with the information
information in Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 2? In Boxes
Boxes 18-23,
18-23, write:
Yes
ifif the statement
Yes
statement agrees
agrees with the information
information in
in the passage
passage
No
if the statement
statement contradicts
contradicts the information
information in the passage
passage
Not
Not Given
Given

if there is no information
information about
about the statement
statement in the passage
passage
Example
Exam ple::
Answer:
Answer:

The Lex Report was published


published in 1997.
1997.
No

18. Road
RoadRage
Rageisisnot
notininitself
itselfaaviolation
violation ofofthe
thelaw.
law.
19. According
According totoaapsychologist
psychologist employed
employed by
bythe
the RAC,
RAC,cars
carsgive
givetheir
their drivers
drivers an
an
unreal feeling
feeling of being safe.
20.

Motorcycling
Motorcycling is an exciting, but safe mode of transport.
transport.

21. The
The Lex
LexReport
Report states
states that
thatthe
theincidence
incidence of
ofconflicts
conflicts between
between drivers
drivers isisrising
rising rapidly.
rapidly.
22. The
Thesurvey
survey on
on Road
Road Rage
Ragecarried
carried out
out by
bythe
the RAC
RAC isisvery
very thorough.
thorough.
23.

According
According to the writer,
writer, Road Rage is a relatively
relatively modern phenomenon.
phenomenon.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 24-27
24-27
Using NO MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS from the passage,
passage, complete
complete the sentences
sentences below.
below.
24.

Professionals
their fight
fight against
against Road
Road Rage.
Rage.
Professionals face an
a n ___________________ inintheir

25.

are being
being considered
considered by
bythe
the law
law courts.
courts.
____________________are

26.

Violent behaviour
behaviour by
by motorists
motorists is,
is, inin all
all probability,
probability, considered
considered by
by many
many to
to be
be exclusively
exclusively.a
Violent
a

27.

The Association
Association of
of Chief
Chief Police
Police Officers
Officers attributes
attributes the
the problem
problem of
of Road
Road Rage
Rage to
to media
media
The

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 28 & 29
Choose
Choose the appropriate
appropriate letters
letters A-D
A -D and write them in Boxes
Boxes 27
28.
Melanie Flowers of Oxford
Oxford Brookes
Brookes University
University states that

29.

62

& 28 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
...
...

A
A

cars make
make women
women stronger.
stronger.
cars

cars frequently
frequently make
make women
women more
more combative
combative than
than usual.
cars

C
O
D

cars sometimes
sometimes make
make women
women less
less meek
meek than they
cars
they would
would be
beon
on the
the street.
street.
small
women
feel
as
meek
in
cars
as
they
do
outside.
small women
in

usual.

The writer's
writers view
view of the eradication
eradication of 'Road
Road Rage'
Rage can be summarised
summarised as follows:
follows:
A
optimistic.
optimistic.
B
B
C

pessimistic.
pessimistic.
depressed.
depressed.

0
D

too pessimistic.
pessimistic.
too

A
A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Test 11

Reading
Reading Tests

You should
should spend about
about 20 minutes
minutes on Questions
Questions 30-40,
30-40, which
which are based on Passage
Passage 3 below.

900
900 YEARS: THE RESTORATIONS OF WESTMINSTER
WESTMINSTER ABBEY
ABBEY
A.

The
exhibition
in th
thee su
summer
off 11995
illustrated
Westminster
Abbey
been
transformed
thee
T
he exhib
ition in
mmer o
995 illu
strated hhow
ow W
estminster A
bbey hhas
as b
een tran
sformed oover
ver th
past
past nine
nine centuries.
centuries. Both
Both its
its structure
structure and
and its
its contents
contents have
have been
been changed
changed and
and changed
changed about,
about but
but the
the
identity
identity of
of the
the building
building has
has never
never been
been lost.
lost. This
This process
process of
of change
change deserves
deserves chronicling
chronicling as
as aa subject
subject in
in its
its
own
own right, not
not as
as an
an apologetic
apologetic footnote
footnote explaining
explaining why
why certain
certain original
original features
features have
have been
been modified.
modified. For
For
those
those of
of the
the Gothic
Gothic Revival,
Revival, such
such as
as William
William Morris,
Morris, even
even by
by the
the 1890s
1890s the
the exterior
exterior of the
the Abbey
Abbey had
had been
been
'damaged
... that we
damaged so
so vitally
vitally...
we have
have nothing
nothing left
left us
us but
but aa mere
mere outline, aa ghost'.
ghost. The
The 'ghost'
ghost has
has proved
proved
remarkably
remarkably robust,
robust, the
the latest century
century of
of its
its history
history encompassing
encompassing both
both aerial attack
attack and
and painstaking
painstaking
restoration. This
This isis aa story
story worth
worth telling.

8.
B.

Restoration,
Restoration, according
according to
to the
the meaning
meaning we
we give
give it today
today as
as aa self-conscious
self-conscious process
process of
of repair and
and reinstatement
reinstatement
of
of earlier features,
features, only
only came
came to
to the
the Abbey
Abbey at the
the end
end of
of the
the seventeenth
seventeenth century,
century, with
with the
the campaign
campaign of
of
comprehensive
comprehensive repair devised
devised and
and carried
carried out by
by Christopher
Christopher Wren
Wren and
and his
his successors.
successors. This
This programme
programme of
of
work,
work, covering
covering the
the entire
entire building
building both
both inside
inside and
and out
out and
and setting
setting out
out deliberately to
to respect
respect the
the style
style of
of
the
was
its date, not
the original
original structure,
structure, w
as exceptional
exceptional for
for its
not only
only in
in England
England but
but anywhere
anywhere in
in Europe.
Europe.

C.

Restoration
in aa w
wider
to ccover
of ren
renovation
whereby
thee ooriginal
fabric
R
estoration ccan
an aalso
lso bbe
e uused
sed in
ider ssense
ense to
over aa pprocess
rocess of
ovation w
hereby th
riginal fab
ric
isis replaced
replaced to
to aa different design
design and
and in
in aa different style,
style, but
but respecting
respecting the
the meaning
meaning and
and ethos
ethos of
of the
the
building.
building. AA famous
famous example
example was
was the
the replacement
replacement by
by Bramante
Bramante of the
the Early
Early Christian
Christian basilica
basilica of St
St Peter's
Peters
inin Rome
Rome with
with his
his Renaissance
Renaissance design,
design, not
not regarded
regarded then
then as
as an
an act of vandalism,
vandalism, but
but as
as aa restatement
restatement of
of
the
the significance
significance of
of the
the building
building for
for aa new
new age.
age. The
The continuing
continuing vitality
vitality of
of an
an institution
institution can
can be
be said
said to
to be
be
expressed
expressed better by
by refashioning
refashioning its
its buildings
buildings in
in aa fresh
fresh style, rather
rather than
than by
by patching
patching up
up the
the old.
old. It isis in
in
this
this way
way that the
the replacement
replacement of Edward
Edward the
the Confessor's
Confessors Romanesque
Romanesque abbey
abbey church
church (11th
(Nth century)
century) by
by Henry
Henry
Ill
work
III (13th
(13th century)
century) in
in the
the up-to-date
up-to-date Gothic
Gothic style
style can
can be
be considered
considered as
as aa w
ork of restoration, not as
as aa new
new
building.
building.

D.

The
meaning
of resto
restoration
at W
Westminster
bee vivid
vividly
illustrated bbyy aann uunexpected
example:
thee hhistory
T
he m
eaning of
ration at
estminster ccan
an b
ly illustrated
nexpected exam
ple: th
istory
of
of the
the effigy
effigy of
of Queen
Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth I.I. This
This figure
figure was
was dismissed
dismissed for
for years
years as
as aa second-rate
second-rate eighteenth-century
eighteenth-century
copy
copy of the
the original. Indeed,
Indeed, the
the exterior of the
the Abbey
Abbey has
has been
been regarded
regarded in
in aa similar
similar way.
way. However,
However, in
in
the
the effigy
effigy as
as in
in the
the building,
building, not
not only
only isisthe
the eighteenth-century
eighteenth-century interpretation of the
the earlier period
period important
important
inin its
its own
own right, but the
the early
early fabric
fabric turns
turns out to
to remain
remain at the
the heart The
The effigy
effigy acquired
acquired aa new
new head
head
and
and new
new clothes
clothes in
in 1760,
1760, not through
through insensitive
insensitive vandalism,
vandalism, but to
to show
show off Eliza&th's
Elizabeths central
central role
role in
in the
the
Abbey's
Abbeys history
history more
more effectively, just
just as
asWren
Wren and
and Nicholas
Nicholas Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor had
had refaced
refaced the
the fatiric
fabric of
of the
the building
building
aa few
decades
before.
To
try
to
strip
away
the
contribution
of
later
generations
in
order
to
reveal
few decades before. To try to strip away the contribution
generations in
to reveal some
some
mythical
prime
original
is
a
profound
misunderstanding
of
Westminster's
rich
complexity.
mythical prime original Is a profound misunderstanding Westminsters rich complexity.

E.

The
relationship
between
thee hhistorical
overview
depicted
in th
thee exhibition an
andd th
thee resto
restoration
work
in
T
he relatio
nship b
etween th
istorical o
verview d
epicted in
ration w
ork in
progress
seen
in
the
adjacent
Mason's
Yard
was
vital
to
the
exhibition.
The
two
parts
ive
meaning
to
each
progress seen in the adjacent MasonsYard was
to the
The two parts gave meaning to each
other:
the
historical
context
gave
validity
to
the
current
works,
showing
other, the historical context gave validity to the current works, showing how
howthis
this process
process of
of organic
organic renewal
renewal
has
been
present
at
the
Abbey
from
the
start,
while
the
display
of
work
in
progress
tirought
vividly
has been present the Abbey from the start while the display work in progress brought vividly to
to life
life
the
physical
reality
of
the
works
exhibited.
the physical reality the works

A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

63

Test
Test 11

Reading Tests
Tests

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 30-33
Choose
Choose one phrase
phrase (i-x)
(i-x) from the List
List of phrases
phrases to complete
complete each key point
point below.
below. Write
Write the
appropriate
appropriate letters
letters (1-x)
(i-x) in Boxes
Boxes 30-33
30-33 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
The information
information in the completed
completed sentences
sentences should
should be an accurate
accurate summary
summary of the points
points made by the
writer.
NB. There are more phrases
phrases (i-x)
(i-x) than
than sentences,
sentences, so you will
will not need to use them all. You
You may
may use
each phrase
once
only.
phrase once
30.

The effigy
effigy of
of Queen
Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth II was
was ...
...
The

31.

The Renaissance
Renaissance design
design for
for St
St Peters
Peter's was
was ...
...
The

32.

comprehensive assessment
assessment of
of the
the past
past was
was ......
AA comprehensive

33.

narrow, modern
modern meaning
meaning of
of restoration
restoration states
states that
AA narrow,
that itit isis ...

i
ii
iii
iv
iv
V
v
vi
vii
vii
viii
ix
xX

List
List of
of Phrases
regarded
regarded as an act of vandalism.
completely
completely restored
restored in 1760.
retaining
the
original
retaining
original design.
design.
at the time considered
considered appropriate.
appropriate.
a method
method of repairing
repairing and
and reintroducing
reintroducing characteristics
characteristics
from earlier times.
times.
a poor replica
replica of the original.
original.
as important
important as the work exhibits
exhibits in the Mason's
Masons yard.
yard.
the validity of the current works.
works.
respecting
the
original
structure
respecting
original structure and ethos of a building.
building.
for a long
long time considered
considered a poor replica
replica of the original.
original.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 34-36
Choose
Choose the appropriate
appropriate letter
letter A-0
A -D and write
write them
them in Boxes
Boxes 34-36
34-36 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
sheet.
34.

35.

64

At the end of the seventeenth


seventeenth century
century the Abbey
Abbey was
was ...
A

thoroughly repaired.
repaired.
thoroughly

conscientiously repaired.
repaired.
conscientiously

designed by
by Sir
Sir Christopher
Christopher Wren.
Wren.
designed

unusual for
for buildings
buildings of
of the
the time.
time.
unusual

Which of the following


following has the Abbey
Abbey retained
retained through
through centuries
centuriesofofchange?
change?
A
structure and
and contents.
contents.
structure
B
C

original features.
Identity.
identity.

outline.

A book for IELTS

Test 11

36.

Reading Tests

The writer
writer believes
believes that it is better ...
A

to remove
building.
to
remove the
the work
work of
of later
later generations
generations to
to expose
expose the
the original
original features
features of
ofaa building.

notto
to remove
remove the
the work
work of
of later
later generations
generations to
to expose
expose the
original features
features of
of aa building.
not
theoriginal
building.

C
D

toreveal
revealthe
themythical
mythicaloriginal
originalarchitecture
architectureofofaabuilding.
building.
to
to enhance the
rich complexity
of a building.
to
enhance
the rich complexity
of a building.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 37-40
Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 3 has 5 paragraphs
paragraphs (A-E).
(A-E). Choose
Choose the most
most suitable
suitable heading for
for each paragraph
paragraph from
the List
List of Headings
Headings below.
below. Write the appropriate
appropriate numbers
numbers (i-xi)
(i-xi) in Boxes
Boxes 37-40 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
One of the headings
headings has been done for you as an example.
example.
NB.
NB. There are more headings
headings than
than paragraphs,
paragraphs, so you will not use all of them.
them.
37.

Paragraph
Paragraph AA

38.

Paragraph
Paragraph BB

39.
40.

Paragraph
Paragraph CC
Paragraph
Paragraph DD

Example:
Example: Paragraph
Paragraph E
Answer:
Answer: vii

List
List of Headings
i
ii
iii
iv
v
V
vi
vii
viii
ix

xX
xi

A book
book for IELTS

Bramante's
Bramantes artistic and architectural
architectural skills
A royal example
example
Restoration
Restoration in Europe
The importance
importance of recording
recording change
change
An extensive
extensive and unusual scheme.
scheme,
Keeping the meaning
meaning
History alongside
alongside progress
progress
Hawksmoor's
Hawksmoors effect
effect on the Abbey
Abbey
Wren and Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor at the Abbey
Abbey
A summer
summer exhibition
exhibition
An organic renewal

65

Reading
Reading

Test 2

66

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Test 2

Tests
Reading Tests

You
You should
should spend
spend about
about 20
20 minutes
minutes on Questions
Questions 1-14, which
which are based
based on
on Passage
Passage 11 below.
below.

Translation:
Translation: from the sublime
sublim e to the ridiculous?
According
According to the
th e Oxford
O xford Dictionary,
D ictiona ry, 'to translate'
tra n s la te ' is 'to express the
th e sense in or
o r into
in to another
an o th e r
language'. But what
w h a t is 'the
'th e sense' really?
really? Translating
T ranslating a piece
piece of
o f writing
w ritin g is not
n o t just
ju s t a question
of
o f picking
picking up the
th e foreign
fore ign language dictionary
d ictionary and
and substituting
su b stitu tin g one set of
o f words
w ords for
fo r another.
aaother.
Although
A lthough it represents the
th e substitution
su b stitu tio n of
o f a set of
o f words
w ords from
fro m one lexicon for
fo r those from
another, it is ultimately
u ltim a te ly a form
fo rm of
o f communication,
com m u nica tion, concerned, as Peter Newmark
N ew m ark says, with
w ith
transmitting
tra n s m ittin g culture
cu ltu re and truth.
tru th . For
For this
th is reason, a translation
tra n sla tio n should only be attempted
a tte m p te d after
a fte r
the translator
tra n s la to r has
has carefully
ca re fu lly studied the whole text,
te x t, and
and asked
asked herself a number
n u m b e r of
o f questions.
Firstly, it is important
im p o rta n t that
th a t she considers
considers the purpose
purpose of
o f the said
said text.
te x t. Insofar
In s o fa r as all writing
w ritin g
is a form of
o f communication,
co m m u n ica tio n , does
does this
th is particular
p a rticu la r text
te x t aim - user instructions
in stru ctio n s for
fo r a household
household
appliance, for
fo r example
exam ple - simply
sim ply to transmit
tra n s m it information
in fo rm a tio n to a would-be
w o uld -be user?
user? Or
O r does
does it
strive - an advertisement
a d ve rtise m e n t or
o r hotel brochure or
o r any other
o th e r piece
piece of
o f publicity
p u b licity material
m ate rial - to
arouse interest
in te re st so that
th a t the
th e reader will
w ill want
w a n t to buy the product,
produ ct, or
o r stay in the
th e hotel? Or
O r is its
purpose
purpose - like that
th a t of
o f a piece
piece of
o f literature,
lite ra tu re , or
o r a film - to stimulate
stim u la te the
th e imagination,
im a g in a tio n , to
inspire and
and to entertain
e n te rta in - as well as, perhaps, to instruct?
Once
Once she
she has
has ascertained the purpose
purpose of
o f the text,
te x t, the
th e translator
tra n s la to r needs
needs to consider who the
readers
readers of
o f the
th e translated
tra n sla te d text
te x t will
w ill be.
be. The readers of
o f the
th e translation
tra n sla tio n will,
w ill, of
o f necessity,
comprise
com prise a different
d iffe re n t group from
fro m the readers of
o f the
th e original - but
b u t they
th e y are likely
like ly to share
certain characteristics. IIff the
th e original text
te x t was
was aimed
aim ed at
a t a wide
w ide audience - the
th e 'man
'm a n in the
street'
s tre e t' anxious to get
g e t to grips with
w ith his new
new coffee-maker,
co ffe e-m aker, for
fo r example
exam ple - then the
th e reader of
of
the
th e translated
tran slated text
te x t is likely to fall into the same
sam e category and
and have the
th e same
sam e expectations.
But perhaps
perhaps the
th e original was aimed
aim ed at
a t a more
m ore discrete and well-defined
w e ll-de fined group,
group , perhaps by
its style and content
co n te n t it has defined its readership.
Will the
th e reader of
o f the translation
tra n sla tio n be
be someone
som eone with
w ith a good
good knowledge
know ledge of
o f the
th e culture
cu ltu re from
which the original has
has sprung, or
o r will
w ill he be
be someone
som eone with
w ith a very
ve ry sparse knowledge
know ledge of
o f it? It
It
has
has been
been said that
th a t everything
e ve ryth in g is translatable
tra n slatable 'on condition that
th a t the
th e two
tw o languages
languages belong to
cultures that
th a t have reached
reached a comparable
com parable degree of
o f development';
d e ve lo p m e n t'; how up-to-date
u p -to -d a te will
w ill he
he be
with
w ith the requisite technical knowledge?
knowledge? Balancing
Balancing the
th e expectations of
o f the
th e potential
p o tentia l readers
with
w ith those of
o f the
th e writer
w rite r is, in this
th is way,
w ay, part
p a rt of
o f the tightrope
tig h tro p e which the
th e translator
tra n s la to r treads;
tre a d s; it
will
w ill dictate, for
fo r example,
exam ple, the
th e extent
e x te n t to which annotations
a nn ota tions and footnotes
fo o tn o te s will
w ill be
be needed
needed in
the
th e translation,
tra n sla tio n , and
and the way
w ay in which culturally-specific
cu ltu ra lly-sp e cific references and items
item s of
o f specialist
(o r are not)
no t) translated.
tran slated.
vocabulary are (or
The
The style
s tyle and register
re g is te r of
o f the translated
tran slated text
te x t should, for
fo r reasons
reasons of
o f integrity
in te g rity and
and coherence,
mirror
m irro r that
th a t of
o f the original. It
I t would
w ould be misleading
m isleading if the translator
tra n s la to r of
o f a text
te x t written
w ritte n in a
discursive and
and amusing
am using style were to render
rende r it ponderous in translation;
tra n s la tio n ; just
ju s t as it would be
be
wrong for
fo r a translator
tra n s la to r to over-simplify
o v e r-s im p lify what
w h a t was
was originally
o rig in a lly an
an erudite
e ru d ite piece
piece of
o f prose.
prose.
However, this
th is is not
n ot to ignore the fact
fa ct that
th a t there
th e re might
m ig h t well be instances in which a text
te x t awkwardly
aw kw ardly written
w ritte n in the
th e original - could be
be made
made more
m ore accessible
accessible by the
th e translator.
tra n sla to r. It
I t is a
question of
o f judgement.
ju d g e m e n t.
The style in which something
som ething is written
w ritte n often represents a large part
p a rt of
o f what
w h a t the
th e writer
w rite r is
trying
try in g to convey, and this
th is is particularly
p a rticu la rly likely to be the case
case with
w ith a work
w o rk of
o f literature,
lite ra tu re , such
such
as
as a poem
poem or
o r novel: it is not
n ot only what
w h a t the writer
w rite r is saying, but
b u t how
how she
she says it which is
important.
im p o rta n t. Allusions, deliberate
delib era te ambiguity,
a m b ig u ity, humour,
hum ou r, parody, and language which contains
alliteration
a llite ra tio n and assonance,
assonance, are likely to be features
feature s of
o f such
such a text,
te x t, and to represent
problems
problem s which the
th e translator
tra n s la to r needs
needs to solve appropriately.
ap p ro p ria te ly. To that
th a t extent,
e x te n t, translating
tra n sla tin g is
rather
ra th e r like doing a jigsaw
jig s a w puzzle. Other
O ther kinds of
o f writing
w ritin g - a piece
piece of
o f advertising,
a d ve rtisin g , for
fo r
example
exam ple - may
m ay well contain subliminal
sublim inal messages
m essages to which the translator
tra n s la to r will
w ill need
need to be
alert
'sub-text'.
a le rt - as to any kind of
o f's
u b -te x t'.

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

67

Test 2

Reading Tests

Much
Much translation
tra n sla tio n is,
is, by default,
d e fa u lt, given to those
those with
w ith an inadequate
inadequate grasp of
o f either
e ith e r the source
or
o r target
ta rg e t language~
language; - and
and often
often of
o f both. It
I t is frequently
fre q u e n tly overlooked
overlooked that
th a t the
th e successful
successful
translator
tra n s la to r needs
needs an excellent
excelle nt knowledge
know ledge of
o f the source language
language and
and a perfect
perfe ct mastery
m a ste ry of
of
the
the target
ta rg e t languaS]e
language in its technical
technical and
and colloquial
colloquial aspects.
aspects. The
The target
ta rg e t language,
language, for
fo r the best
results,
results, should
should be her mother-tongue
m o th e r-to n g u e but,
but, as Peter Newmark
N ew m ark says,
says, many
m any translators
tra n s la to rs who
translate
tra n sla te out
o u t of
o f their
th e ir own language
language 'contribute
'c o n trib u te greatly
g re a tly to many
m any people's
people's hilarity
h ila rity in the
process.'
process.' So,
So, for
fo r example,
e xa m p le , it once
once happened
happened that
th a t 'la sagesse
sagesse normande'
n o rm a n d e ' became,
becam e, in English,
English,
'Norman
'N orm an wisdom'.
w isdom '.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 1-3
Complete
Complete the sentences
sentences below
below with
with information
information from the reading passage.
passage. You may
may use NO MORE
THAN
THREE
WORDS
for
each
answer.
THAN THREE WORDS for
answer.

1.
2.
3.

Translating aa text
text isis more
more than
than m
merely
Translating
erely__________________

for
for others.
others.

Each text
text whether
whether informative,
informative, stimulating
stimulating or
or instructive
instructive has
has
Each
needs to take ijnto
into account.
account.

that the
the translator
translator
____________ that

The reader
reader of the
Hhe translation
translation may have only
only a ___________
which the original
origi nal comes.
comes.

knowledge ofofthe
the culture
culture from
from
____knowledge

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 4-6
Choose the approprie3te
appropr^te letters
letters A-D
A -D and write them in
in Boxes
Boxes 4-6 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
4.

5.

6.
6.

68

Anything can
can b>e
b>e translated,
translated, provided
provided th
that
...
Anything
a t...
A

the twothe
languages
are equally
developed.
t>wo languages
are equally
developed.

B
B
C

the
the two
t\wo languages
languages have
have similar
similar levels
levels of
of cultural
cultural development.
development.
the trranslator is up-to-date.
the translator is up-to-date.

the
thetrranslator
translatorhas
hasthe
thesame
sameexpectations
expectationsas
asthe
thereader.
reader.

According to
to thje
thie writer,
writer, itit is
is sometimes
sometimes possible
possible to
to make
make aa translation
translation ...
...
According
A

clearerthan
thanthe
theoriginal.
original.
clear-er

overl]y
overlJysimple.
simple.

C
D

humc:orous.
humcorous.
pond1erous.
pondierous.

translatirng aa literary
literary text,
text, which
which one
one of
of the
the following
following is
is important
important for the
the translator?
translator?
When translating
A
A

The \way
YNay ininwhich
which aawriter
writer says
says something
something as
as much
much as
asthe
the content.
content.
The

Sublhminal messages.
messages.
Sublhminal

C
D

Allusiions.
Allusiions.
Jiqsaiw puzzles
puzzles inintexts.
texts.
Jigsaiw

A book for IELTS

Reading Tests

Test
Test 2
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 7-10

The writer
writer mentions
mentions a number
number of Judgements
Judgements that need to be made
made by the translator.
translator. Which Four
Four of the
Judgements
Judgements below
below are mentioned?
mentioned? Write your
your answers
answers (A-H) in Boxes
Boxes 7-10 on your
your answer
answer sheet.

7.

_________

8.

__________

9.

_________

10.
10.

______

List of Judgements
A
B
C
D
D
E
E
F
G
G
H
H

Weighing up
up why
why aa writer
writer says
says what
what she
she says.
says.
Weighing
Determiningthe
the importance
importanceof
of poetry.
poetry.
Determining
Makingaa decision
decisionas
asto
to how
howfar
far to
to stick
stickto
to the
the original.
original.
Making
Judging who
who the
the target
target audience
audienceof
of aa translation
translationwill
will be.
be.
Judging
Whethertranslating
translatingis
is best
best done
done from
from the
the mother
mothertongue.
tongue.
Whether
Deciding
Deciding how
how many
many explanations,
explanations, footnotes
footnotes and comments
comments
on vocabulary
vocabulary to include.
include.
Decidingon
onwhich
whichinformation
informationto
to use
usefrom
fromdictionaries.
dictionaries.
Deciding
Whetherto
to oversimplify
oversimplifyaa text.
text.
Whether

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 11-14
Answer
questions below using information
Answer the questions
information from the passage.
passage. You may use NO MORE
MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE
WORDS
WORDS from the passage
passage for
for each answer.
answer. Write your
your answers
answers in Boxes
Boxes 11-14 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
11.

Translation isis aa form


form of
of communication;
communication; what
what does
does it,it, in
in essence,
essence, transmit?
transmit?
Translation

12.

What do
do readers
readers of
of aa translation
translation and
and readers
readers of
ofthe
the original
original text
text often
often share?
share?
What

13.

Which aspects
aspects of
ofthe
the translated
translated text
text should
should reflect
reflect the
the original?
original?
Which

14.
What, according
according to
to the
the text,
text, should
should aatranslator
translator look
lookat
at carefully
carefully before
before trying
trying to
to do
do aatranslation?
translation?
14. What,

A
A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

69

Test
Test 2

Reading Tests
Tests
You should
should spend
spend at:tout
about 20 minutes
minutes on QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 15-29,
15-29, which are based
based on Passage
Passage 2 below.

AA buzz
buzz in the
the world
world of
of chemistry
chemistry
A.

For
For the past
past few
few years,
years, one
one of the
the buzz terms in
in the
the pharmaceutical,
pharmaceutical, agrochemical
agrochemical and
and biotechnology
biotechnology industries
industries
has
has been 'combinatorial
combinatorial chemistry'.
chemistry. Surf
Surf the
the net
net and
and find
find thousands of references
references to it. Read
Read any
any of the general
general
science
science weeklies,
weeklies, such
such as Nature or New Scientist, and
and every
every few issues,
issues, another
another worthy
worthy author
author is going
going to save
the
the 21st
21st century
century from
from everything
everything nasty
nasty with
with this
this miraculous
miraculous technology.
technology. Some
Some of the
the more
more specialist
specialist journals
journals
have
have even
even devoted
devoted whole
whole issues
issues to reviewing
reviewing combinatorial
combinatorial chemistry.
chemistry.

B.
B.

These reviews
reviews all
all have
have the
the same
same format.
format. First,
First, there
there is
is aa section
section from
from the
the Research
Research and
and Development
Development Director
Director
These
of aa major
major chemical
chemical company,
company, aa person
person who has
has not
not worked
worked at
at the
the bench
bench for
for years,
years, if not
not decades.
decades. This
This is filled
filled
with
with business-speak;
business-speak; the
the jargon
jargon keeps
keeps the
the shareholders
shareholders happy
happy and
and makes
makes them
them proud
proud to own
own aa bit
bit of something
something
at the
the forefront
forefront of science.
science. Section
Section two
two is from
from aa director
director of aa venture
venture capital
capital funded
funded synthetic
synthetic chemistry
chemistry company
company
located
free for
located on
on aa green
green field
field site, probably
probably in aa portacabin,
portacabin, or, perhaps,
perhaps, in
in a new
new business
business park,
park, rent
rent free
for the
the first
five years
years from
from the
the local
local authority
authority of aa small
small town
town no one has
has heard
heard of. He discusses
discusses the
the molecular
molecular modelling
modelling
packages
packages that
that they
they are
are using
using to
to build
build 'virtual'
virtual libraries containing
containing millions
millions of compounds.
compounds. The
The third
third section
section is
by someone
someone who,
who, in
in fact, practises
practises combinatorial
combinatorial chemistry
chemistry and
and who
who has
has developed
developed automated
automated systems
systems to do
the
the syntheses
syntheses and
and to
to assay
assay the
the products.
products. They
They can
can probably
probably synthesise
synthesise aa few thousand
thousand compounds
compounds per
per week.

C.
C.

We know
know that
that organic
organic chemistry
chemistry is the
the chemistry
chemistry of carbon,
carbon, biochemistry
biochemistry the
the chemistry
chemistry of life and
and physical
physical
chemistry
chemistry the
the application
application of physics
physics to
to chemical
chemical behaviour.
behaviour. What
What then
then is combinatorial
combinatorial chemistry?
chemistry?

D.
D.

Combinatorial
Combinatorial chemistry
chemistry is aa branch
branch of synthetic
synthetic organic
organic chemistry.
chemistry. We
We all remember
remember mathematics
mathematics classes
classes at
school
school just
just before
before the
the end
end of term
term when
when we were
were given
given silly sums
sums to do: How
How many
many ways
ways can
can five differently
differently
coloured
120). Maths
coloured beads
beads be
be arranged
arranged on
on aa string?
string? ((120).
Maths teachers
teachers call
call these permutation
permutation and
and combination
combination problems;
problems;
hence, combinatorial
combinatorial chemistry.
chemistry.

E.
E.

After the
the development
development of
of solid
solid phase
phase peptide
peptide synthesis
synthesis in
in the
the 1960s
1960s by
by Merrifield,
Merrifield, soon
soon synthetic
synthetic peptide
peptide
After
chemists
chemists were
were also
also doing
doing permutation
permutation and
and combination
combination sums. There
There are
are 20 naturally
naturally occurring
occurring amino
amino acids,
acids, the
building
building blocks
blocks of peptides and
and proteins,
proteins, the
the workhorse
workhorse molecules
molecules of life. How
How many
many ways can
can these
these be
be arranged,
arranged,
or
or chemically
chemically bonded, to
to synthesise
synthesise novel
novel peptides
peptides which
which might
might be put
put to
to any
any number
number of uses
uses in
in the
the pharmacy?
pharmacy?
If we
we take
take just
just one
one molecule
molecule of each
each of the
the 20 amino
amino acids
acids and
andjoin
join them
them together
together to
to form
form a peptide,
peptide, we find
find that
that
we can
18 ways. Nature
can arrange
arrange these
these in
in 20! or 2.432902008177
2.432902008177 x 10
1018
Nature knows
knows no
no such
such restraint;
restraint; it can
can use multiple
multiple
copies
20 or 1.048576 x 10
26 twenty
copies of each
each amino
amino acid,
acid, and
and so can
can synthesise
synthesise 20
2020
1026
twenty amino
amino acid
acid peptides.
peptides. Proteins
contain
contain hundreds
hundreds of amino
amino acids.
acids. The
The numbers
numbers of possible
possible sequences
sequences are
are truly
truly innumerable!
innumerable!

F.
F.

Theybecome
becomeeven
evenmore
moreso
sowhen
whenone
oneconsiders
considersthe
theother
otherpolymeric
polymeric molecules
molecules of
oflife:
life:the
thelipids,
lipids,carbohydrates
carbohydrates
They
and
and nucleic
nucleic acids.

G.
G.

Classically
Classically trained
trained synthetic
synthetic chemists
chemists strive
strive for
for purity.
purity. One
One remembers
remembers twelve
twelve years
years ago
ago a chemist
chemist synthesising
synthesising
aa 20 residue
residue peptide.
peptide. He
He went
went off to
to the
the lab,
lab, was
was ever
ever so busy,
busy, producing
producing a different
different high
high performance
performance liquid
liquid
chromatography
cinematography (HPLC)
(HPLC) trace
trace every
every few days
days to
to show
show his biologist
biologist customers
customers how
how the
the reactions
reactions were
were
progressing.
progressing. A few
few months after
after the
the request
request was placed,
placed, the
the biologists
biologists were
were given
given aa few milligrams
milligrams of their
their
desired
desired peptide
peptide and
and half a rain
rain forest
forest worth
worth of HPLC
HPLC printout!
printout!

H.

That
That was fine
fine when
when only
only one
one product
product was
was sought.
sought. Now
Now the
the demand
demand is for
for thousands
thousands of products
products to satisfy
satisfy the
automated
automated high-through-put
high-through-put screening
screening systems employed
employed by
by the
the major
major pharmaceutical
pharmaceutical companies.
companies. How
How can
can this
be achieved?
achieved?

I.

Let us
us consider
consider solid
solid phase
phase synthesis
synthesis strategies.
strategies. In
In these,
these, the
the compound
compound of
of interest
interest is
is synthesised
synthesised on
on aa solid
solid
Let
support,
support, aa resin
resin bead.
bead. These
These beads are
are typically
typically 100 microns
microns in diameter
diameter and
and made
made from
from cross-linked
cross-linked polyvinyl
benzene
benzene or polyethylene
polyethylene glycol
glycol polymers.
polymers.

J.
J.

Using the
the Tea-bag
Tea-bag method,
method, developed
developed by
by Houghten
Houghten in
in the
the 1980s,
1980s, typically
typically about
about 100
100 mg of
of the 100
100 micron
Using
beads
beads are
are put
put into
into polypropylene
polypropylene mesh
mesh sacs which
which have
have aa 75 micron
micron mesh
mesh size. These
These are
are thermally
thermally sealed
sealed closed
closed
and
and the synthesis
synthesis takes
takes place
place on
on the
the resin
resin beads within
within the
the sac. During
During the
the synthesis reaction
reaction cycles,
cycles, the
the sacs are
transferred
transferred from
from reagent
reagent pot
pot to
to pot
pot in
in sequence,
sequence, and
and at
at the
the end
end of the
the synthesis, the
the product
product is cleaved
cleaved off
off the
the
bead, characterised
characterised and
and purified
purified as need
need be. Using
Using this
this strategy,
strategy, one
one needs
needs to
to use
use a separate
separate sac for
for each
each compound
compound
to be
be synthesised
synthesised and
and automated
automated systems have
have now
now been
been developed
developed for
for multiple
multiple sac
sac manipulation.
manipulation.

K.
K.

The sensitivity
sensitivity of
ofcompound
compound analytical
analytical techniques
techniques has
has developed
developed apace
apace with
with the
the technology,
technology, and
and whereas,
whereas, in
in
The
the
product to
the 1980s,
1980s, one required
required sever~
several gmllimoles
millimoles of product
to characterise,
characterise, now this can
can be done
done with
with femtomoles
femtomoles or
in some
moles)!
some cases
cases attomoles
attomoles (10(10
moles)! Therefore,
Therefore, one
one need
need only
only recover
recover product
product from
from 11 bead,
bead, about
about 2-3
2-3
picomoles.
picomoles. Automated
Automated systems
systems are
are now
now being
being developed
developed to
to synthesise
synthesise on single
single magnetic
magnetic beads using
using only
only 2-3
nanolitres
nanolitres of reagent
reagent per
per cycle.
cycle. When
When the
the 'classical'
classical Tea-bag
Tea-bag strategy
strategy was developed, 100 millilitres
millilitres per
per cycle
cycle
were
were considered
considered to be
be a phenomenal
phenomenal solvent
solvent cost-cutting
cost-cutting exercise.

70
70

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

Test
Test 22

L.

The
Thedevelopment
developmentof
ofhigh-through-put
high-through-putautomated
automatedscreening
screeninghas
hasdemanded
demandedfrom
fromsynthetic
syntheticchemistry
chemistrylarge
largearrays
arrays
or
or libraries
libraries of
of compounds
compounds to
to satisfy
satisfy the
the investment
investment made
made in
in installing
installing these
these systems.
systems. Will
Will combinatorial
combinatorial
chemistry
chemistry be
be able
able to
to meet
meet this
this demand?
demand? Are
Are the syntheses
syntheses well
well enough
enough developed
developed to
to meet
meet this?
this? Peptide
Peptide and
and
oligonucleotide
oligonucleotide solid
solid phase
phase strategies
strategies have
have been well
well developed
developed over
over the
the past
past 30 years.
years. Will
Will solution
solution methods
methods
and
and other
other novel
novel chemistries
chemistries be able
able to
to keep
keep apace?
apace? Can
Can 'virtual'
virtual chemicals
chemicals be used
used to
to remedy
remedy 'real'
real problems?
problems?
After
After all, we are
are living
living in aa real
real world.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 15-20
Complete
Complete the text below, which
which is a summary
summary of paragraphs
paragraphs A-E.
A-E. Choose
Choose your
your answers
answers from the Word
List and write them in Boxes 15-20 on your
your answer
answer sheet.

Example:
Example:
Answer:

There
(Example)
to
There is a wealth
wealth of
of_______ (Example)_______
to
combinatorial
combinatorial chemistry
chemistry on the Internet.
references

There are more words


words than spaces, so you will not be able to use them
them all. You may
may use each word only
once.
once.
How
How Combinatorial
Combinatorial Chemistry
Chemistry began
began

Combinatorial
__
synthetic organic
organic chemistry
chemistry has
has
Combinatorial chemistry
chemistry as an
a n __
_____ 15
15____
ofofsynthetic
been very much
16__
recent years,
years, ______
__
17__
plethora ofof
m u c h __
_____ 16_____
inin recent
17_____
inin aa plethora
articles
articles written
written by experts
experts in the field.
field. Moreover,
Moreover, all the
the reviews
reviews in specialist
publications __
__
the
_____ 18
18_____
the same
same formula.
formula. But
But what
what about
about the
the origin
origin of
of
combinatorial
combinatorial chemistry?
chemistry? It comes
comes from permutation
permutation and combination
combination problems
problems in
mathematics.
__
19__
solid
mathematics.______19_____
solid phase
phase peptide
peptide synthesis
synthesis was
was developed,
developed, synthetic
synthetic
peptide
peptide chemists
chemists started
started doing
doing similar
similar calculations
calculations as well. The 20 naturally
naturally occurring
occurring
amino
__ possibilities.
amino acids
acids provided
provided them with __
_____20
20_____
possibilities.

Word
Word List
List
known
limitless
limitless
offspring
offspring
usually
usually follow
follow
as

in vogue
in the air
air
until
until
offshoot
offshoot
follow
follow religiously
religiously

appearing
appeanng
once
once
doubled
doubled
limited
limited
references
references

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 21-25
Look at paragraphs
paragraphs II and
and J which
which describe
describe the Tea-bag
Tea-bag method. Using the information
information in the passage,
passage,
complete
complete the flow chart
chart below. Write your
your answers
answers in Boxes 212 1 - 25 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
sheet. Use NO
MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS for
for each answer.

A book for IELTS

71

Test 2

Tests
Reading Tests

In the Te;l-bag
Te*-bag method,

special
special solid
solid supports
supports are placed
placed
in--21
__
in
21
,
1

1
which are then closed by
__
__
..
_____ 222
2 _____

And, finally, the product


product
is separated,
separated, and
__
__
,
---------225
5 -----------

as
as required.

l
During the process, the
sacs are moved from
__
24
_
_____ 2 4 ______

Chemical bonding occurs


occurs on the
solid supports, i.e.
i.e. on the
__
23
_
_____ 2 3 ______

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 26-28
26-28
Below
of the
the regular
regular types
types of
ofcontributor
contributor to
to combinatorial
combinatorial chemistry
chemistry reviews.
reviews. Which
Which three
three
Below is a list of
contributorsare
-F ininthe
occur inin the
the text
text inin
contributors
are described
described by
bythe
the writer?
writer? Write
Write your
your answers
answers AA-F
the order
order they
they occur
Boxes 26-28
26-28 on the answer
answer sheet.
Boxes
A

A director ofAadirector
technology
business park.
of a technology
business park.

Someone
Someone who
who isisfrom
fromaamajor
majorcompany
company and
and involved
involved directly
directly ininresearch.
research.

Someone who
who isisinvolved
involved ininthe
the new
newtechnology
technology of
ofcombinatorial
combinatorial chemistry.
chemistry.
Someone

An amateur
amateur chemist
chemist who
who synthesises
synthesises thousands
thousands of
ofcompounds
compounds per
perweek.
week.
An

E
E

The director
director of
of aasmall,
small, obscurely
obscurely located
located and
and investment
investment funded
funded operation.
operation.
The

An
Anout-of-practice
out-of-practicedirector
directorofofsome
somemajor
majorchemical
chemicalenterprise.
enterprise.

QUESTION
QUESTION 29
Choose
Choose the appropriate
appropriate letter
letter (A-D)
(A-D) and write it in Box
Box 29 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
29.
29.

72

Physical
Physical chemistry
chemistry ...
A

deals with
with the
the way
way physics
physics isis applied
applied to
to chemical
chemical behaviour.
behaviour.
deals

closely connected
connected with
with organic
organic chemistry.
chemistry.
isis closely

cC

deals
behaviour.
deals with
with the
the way
way chemistry
chemistry is
is applied
applied to
to physical
physical behaviour.

led to
to the
the development
development of
of combinatorial
combinatorial chemistry.
chemistry.
led

A book tor
for IELTS

Reading Tests

Test 2

You should
Questions 30-41,
should spend about
about 20 minutes
minutes on Questions
30-41, which are based on Passage
Passage 3 below.

Ice
Ice and Fire
The
The poet W.H.
W.H. Auden once wrote: 'To me Iceland is sacred soil. Its memory
memory is a constant
constant
background to what
what I am doing. It is a permanent
permanent part
part of
of my existence.
existence. I could say that
that
Iceland
Iceland is
is the
the sun
sun colouring
colouring the
the mountains
mountains without
without being
being anywhere
anywhere in
in sight,
sight, even
even sunk
sunk beyond
beyond
the horizon ...
extraordinary and lasting effect
...'.', The extraordinary
effect that
that this small island of 270,000 inhabitants
inhabitants
invariably
invariably has on its visitors
visitors is as enigmatic
enigmatic as the land itself. Those once intoxicated
intoxicated by it are
likely to become addicts for
for life; those who recoil in horror
horror at the bleak lava fields, which
surround
surround its
its airport,
airport, may
may never
never return.
return.
Iceland is as distant
distant in topographical
topographical character,
character, modes of
of life and attitudes.
attitudes from
from its Nordic
neighbours
neighbours on the Scandinavian mainland as it is geographically.
geographically. Isolated far
far north-west
north-west in the
North Atlantic,
Atlantic, its real neighbours
neighbours are Greenland and the Arctic ice-cap. Far from the forested
forested
mountains
mountains of
of Norway or the flat
flat lakes of
of Finland, its geologically
geologically young landscape is constantly
constantly
being
700 years
being carved
carved by
by the
the activity
activity of
of ice
ice and
and fire.
fire. Volcanoes,
Volcanoes, glaciers
glaciers and
and 700
years of
of Danish
Danish colonial
colonial
rule
rule have
have impoverished
impoverished the
the land,
land, but
but enriched
enriched the
the human
human spirit.
spirit.
In
In its
its cultural
cultural history,
history, Iceland
Iceland has
has enjoyed
enjoyed no
no heritage
heritage of
of court
court patronage,
patronage, no
no interfertilisation
interfertilisation
with
murmurings of
with the European Renaissance, Baroque or Enlightenment.
Enlightenment. Yet, from
from the first murmurings'
national affirmation
affirmation in the latter
latter half
half of
of the nineteenth
nineteenth century
century to full independence
independence in 1944,
cultural
from the country's
cultural activity
activity has sprung up like the geysers which shoot
shoot high from
country's geothermal
geothermal
energy sources just
under
the
earth's
crust.
just under
earth's
Reykjavik
Reykjavik can
can now
now boast
boast as
as many
many as
as 60
60 musical
musical events
events per
per month;
month; it
it has
has two
two lively
lively theatres,
theatres,
an opera company
company and a flourishing
flourishing and internationally
internationally respected film industry.
industry. Much Icelandic
art
art articulates
articulates the sense of
of danger felt
felt in living in a country
country with
with at least 30 live volcanoes:
when
when one
one erupted
erupted under
under a
a glacier
glacier in
in the
the autumn
autumn of
of 1996,
1996, the
the subsequent
subsequent flooding
flooding swept
swept away
away
roads
roads and
and bridges
bridges to
to the
the tune
tune of
of six
six million
million pounds.
pounds. And,
And, despite
despite a
a sophisticated
sophisticated system
system of
of
damage limitation,
limitation, maverick avalanches can destroy
destroy entire
entire settlements.
settlements.
Stubbornness, a superiority
superiority complex which can, in moments
moments of crisis or loss of confidence,
quietly
quietly veer
veer towards
towards its
its opposite,
opposite, and
and a
a laconically
laconically oblique
oblique view
view of
of life
life characterises
characterises the
the typical
typical
Icelander,
Icelander, if
if such
such aa creature
creature exists.
exists. A
A determination
determination to
to protect
protect and
and develop
develop a
a language
language basically
basically
unchanged since the time
its own new words
time of the Sagas has led Iceland to coin its
words for
for
telephone, television, radio and computer.
computer. When gas pipes are laid, the homes of
of elves and
trolls
trolls are
are respectfully
respectfully by-passed.
by-passed.
One such detour
detour is there for
for those who have eyes to see on the main route
route from the airport
airport to
Reykjavik city
centre.
Nobody,
though,
should
feel
intimidated.
Regular
buses
connect
city
though,
intimidated.
connect all towns
and settlements
main ring-road:
settlements around the country's
country's main
ring-road: the central wilderness, stunning
stunning in its
landscape of
of black volcanic desert and brown glacial moraines, can be traversed
traversed only for
for a few
weeks in the summer,
summer, when the snow has melted but floods
floods have abated. Few rivers there
have bridges.
Four-wheel-drive
Four-wheel-drive vehicles, careful research, a good radio, and a sense of
of humour
humour are essential
travelling
travelling companions - unless, like the first travellers
travellers to Iceland,
Iceland, including
including William Morris and
W.H. Auden, a convoy of
as the old saying goes: 'If
of sturdy
sturdy Icelandic
Icelandic horses is preferred.
preferred. And, as
you get lost in an Icelandic
forest,
just
stand
up.'
Icelandic forest, just
up.'

A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

73

Reading Tests
Tests

Test
Test 2

QUESTION
QUESTION 30
Choose
Choose the appropriate
appropriate letter
letter A-D
A -D and write
write it in Box
Box 30 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
30. Which
Which of the following
following is
is true concerning transport
transport on Iceland?

A
B
C
D

All the
the settlements
settlements and
andtowns
towns inin Iceland
Iceland are
are linked
linked by
byfour-wheel-drive
four-wheel-drivevehicles.
vehicles.
All
Sturdy Icelandic
Icelandic horses
horses are
areneeded
needed to
toget
get round
roundall
allparts
parts of
of Iceland.
Iceland.
Sturdy
All the
the settlements
settlements and
andtowns
towns on
onthe
the main
main ring-road
ring-road are
are linked
linked by
by aabus
bus service.
All
service.
A
fleet
of
coaches
serves
the
entire
island.
A fleet of coaches serves the entire island.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 31-36
Do the statements
statements below
below agree
agree with the information
information given
given by the writer
writer in Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 3?
In boxes
boxes 31-36, write:
write:
Yes
Yes
No
Not
Not Given
Given

if the
statement
agrees
with
thethe
information
in the
passage
if the
statement
agrees
with
information
in the
passage
if the
statement
contradicts
thethe
information
in the
passage
if the
statement
contradicts
information
in the
passage
ifif no
no information
information isis given
given about
about the
the statement
statement in
in the
the passage
passage

31.
32.

transformation.
The natural features of Iceland are in a state of continual transformation.
Iceland is
is aa Danish
Danish colony.
colony.
Iceland

33.

Iceland is
is not
not dissimilar,
dissimilar, from
from the
the topographical
topographical point
point of
of view,
view, to
to Scandinavian
Scandinavian countries
Iceland
countries
on the
the continent.
continent.

34.

Some people are horrified by the


the starkness of
of the landscape
landscape around the
the airport.
airport.
Some
The majority
majority of
of people who people
visit Iceland
are intoxicated
it for life. by it for life.
The
who visit
Iceland areby
intoxicated

35.
36.

Theauthor
author isisintoxicated
intoxicated by
by Iceland.
Iceland.
The

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 37-39
Answer
Answer the questions
questions below
below using NO MORE THAN
THAN FOUR WORDS
WORDS from the passage.
passage.
37. What
What is
is the
the state
state of
of the
the Icelandic
Icelandic movie
movie business?
business?

38.
39.

To what
what is
is the
the growth
growth of
of cultural
cultural activity
activity in
in recent
recent decades
decades compared?
compared?
To
What
What does much Icelandic
Icelandic art reflect
reflect about
about life in Iceland?

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 40 &
& 41
Complete
Complete the sentences
sentences below. You may use NO MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS taken
taken directly
directly from the
passage, or based
based on the information
information in the
the passage.
passage.

40.
41.

74

Avalanches
Avalanches can destroy
destroy entire settlements,
settlements, although
although a system has been
been set
set up
to
t o ________________ .
Icelanders
their language.
language.
Icelanders are intent
intent on
o n ________________ their

A book tor IELTS

Reading
Reading
Test 3

A book for IELTS


IELTS

75

Reading Tests

Test 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions


Questions 1-15,
1-15, which are based on Passage
Passage 11 below.

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
TECHNIQUE AND
AND DISABILITY
DISABILITY
THE ALEXANDER
A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.F.

G.

76
76

Alexander Technique is a method of psychophysical


psychophysical re-education developed by F.
F. Matthias
Matthias
The Alexander
Alexander
Alexander more than a century ago,
ago, initially as a result
result of trying to solve a vocal problem. It is a.
atechnique
technique for the elimination of ingrained habits of 'misuse' that interfere with the healthy and
harmonious
harmonious functioning
functioning of ourselves as a whole, often the underlying cause
cause of many conditions,
such
such as back
back pain, neck and
and shoulder
shoulder tension,
tension, fatigue, breathing disorders
disorders and
and other stress-related
stress-related
illnesses.
Our
Our natural reflex mechanisms
mechanisms for balance
balance and
and posture
posture are largely dependent on the co-ordination
of the head, neck and
and back.
back. The
The Technique addresses the causes
causes of 'misuse' and lack
lack of poise that
may
may be interfering
interfering with this relationship.
relationship. When these mechanisms are
are allowed to work in harmony,
harmony,
'good use'
use' spontaneously
spontaneously returns,
returns, resulting
resulting in
in easier
easier breathing,
breathing, freer, lighter movement and
and a
greater ability to control
control our reactions and
and our movements.
movements. In
In other words,
words, the Technique enables
enables
us to 'use' ourselves
ourselves better, and, in that sense,
sense, is concerned
concerned with helping
helping anybody - the so called
called
'able
'able bodied'
bodied' as well as disabled
disabled people
people to overcome
overcome their disabilities.
disabilities. Hence, the Alexander
teacher's
teacher's approach
approach when
when working
working with
with the disabled
disabled is, in essence, the same as with any
any pupil of
the Technique.
Forexample,
example,ififwe
wetake
takeaaviolinist
violinistwith
with aa 'misuse'
'misuse' problem
problemofof the
the upper
upper limbs
limbscausing
causingtechnical
technical
For
limitations to his or her playing,
playing, the Alexander
Alexander teacher
teacher will work
work on improving
improving the pupil's
pupil's overall
overall
limitations
'use' by encouraging
encouraging the inhibition
inhibition of the habitual
habitual muscular
muscular tension
tension pattern that interferes
interferes with
with
head/neck/back relationship
relationship in order to enable him/her
him /her to play with more
more
the co-ordination of the head/neck/back
ease.
ease. Similarly, when
when working with a pupil
pupil who has
has lost mobility in the left arm from a stroke,
stroke, the
teacher will first of all
all address
address the head/neck/back
head/neck/back relationship,
relationship, and
and the inhibition of extraneous
extraneous
tension
tension that prevents
prevents maximum use of the affected
affected limb.
limb. In this way, it is possible
possible to enable
enable the
stroke patient to retrain
retrain mobility of the paralysed part of the body.
The approach
approach and
and what results
results can
can be expected
expected vary
vary greatly
greatly depending
depending on the disability. For the
stroke patient, especially if lessons
stroke
lessons are
are commenced
commenced early
early after the stroke,
stroke, the Alexander Technique
Technique
can play an important role
can
role in rehabilitation
rehabilitation and
and mobility retraining. With
W ith a blind
blind person,
person, the work
is likely to focus instead
instead more directly
directly on eliminating tension
tension habits
habits that have
have developed to
compensate for the loss of sight,
sight, e.g. insecurity
insecurity leading
leading to stiff and
and overcautious walking, balancing
balancing
difficulties and
poor
head
poise.
and
head poise.
Working with
with the
thedisabled
disabled pupil,
pupil,the
the Alexander
Alexanderteacher
teachercan
can offer
offer help
help wwith
everydayactivities,
activities,
Working
ith everyday
things that the average
average person takes
takes for granted,
granted, such
such as the ability
ability to brush one's teeth, shave,
shave,
tie one's shoelaces
shoelaces or cut a slice
slice of bread.
bread. By looking at compensatory tension patterns, the teacher
teacher
can, in many instances,
can,
instances, help the disabled person find a new means whereby
whereby they
they can
can perform
perform
these
everyday tasks.
these everyday
this respect,
respect,the
the lessons
lessons may
mayextend
extendtotoinclude
includethe
the disabled
disabledperson's
person'scarer,
carer,for
forexample
examplethe
the
InIn this
person
person who
who regularly
regularly has to help
help someone in and
and out of a wheelchair.
wheelchair. Using
Using the Alexander
Technique,
Technique, the carer
carer learns
learns not only to lift and
and give
give support in the most efficient way to
to avoid
damaging his/her
damaging
his/her own back, but, as the two
tw o learn together, they also become
become better skilled
skilled at
working out strategies
strategies enabling the disabled person
person to become
become more independent.
Thereare,
are,of
ofcourse,
course, several
severalfactors
factorswhich
whichhave
haveto
tobe
betaken
takeninto
intoconsideration
considerationwhen
when working
workingwith
with
There
disabled
disabled pupils. They may suffer intense
intense pain
pain and discomfort,
discomfort, loss of Kinaesthetic
Kinaesthetic awareness
awareness
(sometimes with total loss of sensitivity in
in parts
parts of the body),
body), severe
severe lack of co-ordination,
co-ordination, loss of
mobility, memory
loss,
blindness,
deafness,
and
speech
impairment.
The
effect
this
memory loss,
deafness, and
The
this has on the
person's
person's emotional and
and psychological state also has
has to be taken into
into account.
account. Some
Some disabled
disabled pupils
may
may need
need longer lessons, because of the time required
required to move
move them from the wheelchair, take
off casts, slings and other movement aids, etc.
etc. Others may only
only be able to concentrate
concentrate for short
short
periods of time and,
and, therefore, require shorter
shorter lessons more
more frequently. It often
often requires
requires a certain
certain
amount of inventiveness
inventiveness on the part of the Alexander
Alexander teacher, both as far as practical
practical arrangements
arrangements
and
and the approach to teaching are
are concerned, a challenge that, in most cases, is greatly
greatly rewarded
rewarded
by the positive
positive results.
results.

A
A book for IELTS
IELTS

Reading Tests

Test 3
Test

QUESTIONS 1-5
QUESTIONS
Reading Passage
Passage 11 has seven paragraphs
paragraphs (A-G).
(A-G).
Reading
Choose the most suitable
suitable heading from the List
List of Headings
Headings below.
below. Write the appropriate
appropriate numbers
Choose
(i-xii) in
in Boxes
Boxes 1-5
1-5 on your
your answer
answer sheet. Paragraphs C and G have been done for you.
(i-xil)

List of
of Headings
List
Ii
IIii
iii
Iii

Paragraph A
1.1. Paragraph
Paragraph B
2. Paragraph
Paragraph C
Paragraph

3.
4.
5.

Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph

Answer: (xi)
(xi)
Answer:

D
D
E
F

Paragraph G
Paragraph

Answer: (v)
Answer:

iv
v
vi
vii
vii
viii
viii
ix
Ix
x
xi
xii
xii

Co-ordination
Co-ordination -- important
important for
forali
ali
Tension
Tension and
and daily
daily routine
routine
Brushing ones
one's teeth
teeth and
andslicing
slicing bread
bread
Brushing
Fitting the
thetechnique
technique to
tothe
the disability
disability
Fitting
Challenges
Challenges for
forthe
theAlexander
Alexander teacher
teacher
Musical solutions
solutions
Musical
Potential drawbacks
drawbacks
Potential
Helping
Helping the
thedisabled
disabled through
through their
their helpers
helpers
Pain
Pain problems
problems
Better
Betterbody
body use
'use' for
forall
all
Retraining
limbs
Retraining limbs
Breaking
Breaking bad
bad habits
habits

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 6-14
Complete the
the summary
summary below
below using
using information
information from
from the passage.
passage. You may
may use
use no
no more
more than
than two
Complete
words from the
the passage
passage for
for each
each blank. Write your answers in Boxes
Boxes 6-14 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
words

Example:
Example:
Answer:
Answer:

Alexander
(Example)
the technique
technique named
named after
after him
him
Alexander Matthias
Matthias_______ (Example)_______
the
more than a hundred years ago.
ago.
developed.
developed.

With the Alexander


Alexander Technique,
Technique, people are
a re _______6_______
ininaa psychophysical
With
6
psychophysical way.
way. The
The
Technique works on the body's
bodys _______7_______
so
8_______
Technique
7
so that
that they
they all
all operate_______
operate
8
_ .
result, bad habits
habits are
a re _______9_______
and
As a result,
9
and the
the individual
individual isis able
able to
to live
live aa healthy
healthy life.
life.
Alexander's
Alexanders technique
technique can help
help any
any of us to __
_____ 10
10_______ ourselves
ourselves better.
better. As
As
person, the
the expected
expected results
results and exact method used vary,
regards ________11______
11
person,
according to the
12
ofthe
the individual,
individual, e.g.
e.g. shorter
shorter and
and more
more regular
regular sessions
sessions
th e _______ 12_______
of
in
in the case of clients who find it difficult
difficult to concentrate.
concentrate. With disabled
disabled clients, in fact,
fact, a number
o f_______ 13_______
have
of
13
haveto
to be
beconsidered,
considered, and
andfor
forthe
theteacher,
teacher, who
who often
often needs
needsto
to be
bevery
very
inventive,
14
_ .
inventive, this is
is _______ 14_______
QUESTION 15
Does the statement
statement below
below agree
agree with the information
information given in Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 1?
Does
Yes
if the statement
Yes
statement agrees
agrees with the
the information
information in the text
statement
information
in the text
No
if the statementif the
contradicts
thecontradicts
informationthe
in the
text
Not Given
Given if there
there is no information
information about
about the statement
statement in the
the text
Not
15.

The success
success rate
rate of
of the
the Alexander
AlexanderTechnique
Technique inin working
working with
with stroke
stroke victims
victims is
is high.
high.
The

A book for IELTS

77
n

Test3
Test 3

Reading Tests
Tests
You should spend about
about 20 minutes
minutes on Questions
Questions 16-28,
16-28, which are based on Passage
Passage 2 below.
below.

Science,
Science, Technology
Technology and the third
third Millennium:
Millennium:
Change,
Change, Progress,
Progress, Fear &
& Complacency
Complacency
The 20th Century is drawing to a close, merging rapidly and imperceptibly with its successor - the first 100 years ,
of the Third Millennium. It will deliver an awesome inheritance: a world propelled by science and technology; a
world where incredible and accelerating discovery will create changes beyond the scope of our wildest
speculations; a world where science and technology have placed What Is Possible beyond What We Can Imagine.
Imagine.
History may well dub the 1900s
1900s The Century of Change - the era when science and technology forged a
permanent partnership and unleashed the first products of their unique alliance on a largely illiterate, earthbound
civilisation.
civilisation. The Industrial Revolution provided the impetus for action and cast the die for the future; two world
wars, fought only a generation apart and before 1950, accelerated the process. Life changed quickly and irreversibly
- like a moth shedding its cocoon.
Within one life span, top-hatted physicians, gas lamps and horse-drawn transport gave way to transplant
surgery, laser beams and space travel. The speed of change and the volume of knowledge defied measurement.
Early attempts to do so reflected growing concerns about possible adverse effects on established social values and
systems. One widely circulated document estimated that mankinds
mankind's total knowledge doubled first between the
years 11 AD and 1900; again by 1950;
1950; and again by 1960.
1960. After that, even the best would-be assessors gave up,
many of them becoming management consultants. The new profession flourished as modem business faced
rampant stress caused by inexorable change, and cut-throat competition in the global marketplace. Change and
Progress became popular themes for training workshops.
Change is often presented as progress. To act on this misconception (as too frequently happens!) is to court
disaster. Progress implies change with benefit. It reflects action taken only after management has considered
relevant past experiences, current priorities and future objectives. Change for change's
changes sake may reflect the
response of a novice manager, or of one more senior who wishes to impress an advisory committee.
committee. Technology
can convincingly disguise poor drafting styles or a proposal's
proposals lack of substance, but its healing influence does not
extend to the application of a plan itself. Delays, increased costs, confusion and low staff morale often follow
change without benefit. Sadly, solutions offered to such problems are inevitably, further change!
The age of push-button miracles has not eradicated boredom. In the 1960s,
1960s, the world held its breath as live
television and radio transmitted the first lunar landing. Many in the worldwide audience viewed and listened from
the comfort of their homes. Technology had deftly demonstrated passive participation and predicted couch
potatoes. Local cinemas and sports grounds would close. As the astronauts bounced across the ghostly moonscape
and joked with each other and Earth, they demolished a primeval barrier: science fiction became fact. And anything
anything
imaginable became possible - perhaps worse, inevitable. For many participants, the mystery and magic of fantasy
vanished forever - like a child's
childs perception of Christmas. Technology had become commonplace, its wonders
explicable and predictable.
The second moon expedition raised little public excitement. It was, after all, a repeat performance, sure of
success. In the 1970s
... ! Nearly 30 years later, a space
1970s and 80s, repeated success itself bred complacency. But
B u t...!
shuttle exploded during the launch and the crew perished. Their deaths provoked intense, but short-term, shock.
Commentators soon reflected a popular view: that such accidents, although unfortunate, were also inevitable. The
astronauts had known and had accepted the risks; NASA could be proud of its record and rest on its laurels - until
the next catastrophe.
Today, as we face a new Millennium, technology and science are simultaneously feared, admired and taken
for granted. Enthusiasts and critics alike, increasingly depend on them. In education, for example, computer-based
programmes are replacing textbooks, blackboards and tutors; the Internet bridges time and distance and provides
access to specialist resources. Factors such as the need for skilled and costly support services are rarely discussed.
The principles of learning are established: the way they may be best used in different settings and the results
evaluated will vary with client needs. But, no matter how good, no one method can satisfy all the needs of any
one client. Books, theatre and technology go well together.
The Third Millennium will open the door to a future filled with a kaleidoscope of scientific and technical
wizardry. We have, without resistance, grown very dependent on such attractions. Few of us differentiate between
simple and complex uses of technology. The former used routinely (e.g. simple mental arithmetic) may deskill us
and increase our dependency - without our being aware of any danger. Artificial intelligence, human cloning and
the unimaginable are no longer science fiction.
78
78

A
A book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Test 3

Reading Tests
Reading

The time
has come
come to reassess
reassess our
our relationship
relationship with
with science
science and
and technology
technology to
to review
review the
the first
first 100
100 years
years and
and
The
time has
plan ahead.
ahead. We
We must
must reaffirm
reaffirm our
our roles
roles as creators
creators and
and directors
directors of that
that future
future and
and help
help realise
realise its
its human
human potential.
potential.
plan
Without such
such effort,
effort, we
we may
may find
find ourselves
ourselves victims
victims of our
our inherent
inherent intelligence,
intelligence, curiosity
curiosity and
and imagination
imagination - and
and
Without
rather curious
curious complacency.
complacency.
aa rather

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 16-19
16-19
Using NO
NO MORE
MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE WORDS
WORDS from
from the
the text,
text, answer
answer the
the following
following questions:
questions:
16.

According
According to
to the
the author,
author, who
who or
or what
what became
became partners
partners in
in the
the 1900s?
1900s?

17.
18.

Something
was it?
Something about
about the
the speed
speed of
of change
change and
and the
the volume
volume of
of knowledge
knowledge was
was elusive.
elusive. WhatWhat
was it?

19.

What
Whatdoes
doesprogress
progress have
have that
thatchange
change does
does not?
not?

What
What was
was the
the main
main contributory
contributoryfactor
factor to
tothe
thegrowth
growth of
of the
the management
management consultancy
consultancy profession,
profession, as
as
markets changed?
changed?
world markets

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 20-23
20-23
Choose the most appropriate
appropriate letters A-D and write them
them in Boxes
Boxes 20-23
20-23 on your
your answer
answer sheet.
20.

Progress can be seen as action taken after


consideration of
o f ...
...
consideration
A
B
C
D

22.

A
B
B
C
D

company priorities
priorities for
for the future.
company
the past, the present
present and
and the future.
mistakes made in the past.
mistakes
experiences
experiences and objectives.
objectives.
23.

21.
21.

Some types of manager


manager...
...
A
B
C
D

changing things.
things.
are always changing
make changes
changes for
for no apparent
apparent reason.
increase staff
staff morale.
try to increase
try to impress their colleagues.

happened,...
When the first lunar landing happened,
...
many people
people were watching it at home.
many
fact became fiction.
fiction.
fact
people thought
thought it was a joke.
a lot of people
became like Christmas.
science fiction became

space shuttle explosion


explosion showed
showed that ...
The space
A nothing
nothing is exciting
exciting anymore.
A
B
B TV can show
show shocking
shocking things as well
as exciting ones.
C accidents are bound
bound to happen.
D the astronauts were to blame.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 24-28
24-28
current and future
future developments.
developments. State
State whether
whether the developments
developments in
The text mentions a number of current
Questions
Questions 24-28
24-28 below are:
C
F
NG

current, as
as mentioned
mentioned in
in the text.
text.
current,
future, as mentioned
in
the
text.
mentioned
text.
not mentioned
mentioned as
as current
current or
or future
future ininthe
not
thetext.
text.

24.

machines taking
taking the
the place
place of
of teachers.
teachers.
machines

25.

aa life
life filled
filled with
with aa variety
variety of
of magical
magical gadgetry.
gadgetry.

26.

recognition
recognition of
of the
the need
need for
for expensive,
expensive, yet
yet necessary
necessary support
support services.
services.

27.

an
an adaptation
adaptation of
of learning
learning principles
principles to
to fit
fit different
different situations.
situations.

28.

aa re-evaluation
re-evaluation of
of our
our relationship
relationship with
with the
the world
world of
of science.
science.

book for
for IELTS
A book

79

Test
Test 3

Reading Tests
You should spend about
about 20 minutes
minutes on Questions
Questions 29-42,
29-42, which are based on Passage
Passage 3 below.

A
A note on the national
national minimum wage
w age debate
A.

B.

C.
C.

D.

E.

80
so

Much
Much of the
the literature
literature on
on the
the minimum
minimum wage
wage has
has as
as its
its main
main theme
theme the
the question
question of
ofwhether
whether or
or not
not
the
the introduction
introduction of a national
national minimum
minimum wage
wage reduces
reduces employment.
employment. The
The empirical
empirical evidence
evidence on
on this
this
point
point comes
comes mainly
mainly from
from America
America and
and is contradictory
contradictory and
and inconclusive.
inconclusive. This does
does not,
not, however,
however,''
prevent
prevent the
the political
political debate
debate from
from using the
the economic
economic evidence.
evidence. Advocates
Advocates from
from both
both sides
sides do
do so,
with
with some
some rhetorical
rhetorical force, despite
despite its
its contentious
contentious nature.
nature.
The proposition
proposition that
thatjobs
jobs might
might be
be destroyed
destroyed by
by higher
higher wages
wages follows
follows directly
directly from
from neo-classical
neo-classical
The
economic
the empirical
economic theory.
theory. However,
However, the
empirical studies
studies display
displayfindings
findings that
that are
are rather milder
milder than
than theory
theory
would
would expect.
expect. A review
review of
ofsuch
such studies
studies by
by Card
Card and
and Krueger
Krueger (1995)
(1995) concluded
concluded that minimum
minimum wages
wages
had no
had
no effect
effect on
on employment;
employment; this
this despite
despite the
the evidence
evidence ofNeumark
of Neumark and
and Wascher
Wascher (1992)
(1992) that the
the
negative
negative effect
effect comes
comes through
through strongly
strongly when
when teenagers
teenagers are
are isolated
isolated in
in the
the sample.
sample. This notion
notion was
was
supported
supported by
by a later
later study
study which
which showed
showed that teenagers
teenagers were
were more
more likely
likely to
to be
be enticed
enticed away
away from
from
education
education by
by the
the higher
higher wages
wages ensuing
ensuing from
from statutory
statutory minimum
minimum wage
wage legislation
legislation (Neumark
(Neumark and
and
Wascher
1995).
Wascher
Critics
Critics of
ofneutral
neutral and
and slightly
slightly positive
positive evidence
evidence claim
claim that
that studies
studies cannot,
cannot, by
by definition,
definition, take
take account
account
of companies
minimum wages.
companies driven
driven out
out of business
business by
by minimum
wages. Whilst
Whilst this is true,
true, a more
more substantial
substantial
criticism
markets and
criticism of
ofthe
the literature
literature would
would be
be the
the dearth
dearth of studies
studies based
based on
on local labour
labour markets
and on
on those
those
of specific industries.
industries. Such
Such studies
studies as
as exist
exist show
show a clearer
clearer picture
picture - which
which could
could be
be summarised
summarised as
as
demonstrating
negative effect on
demonstrating a small
small negative
on jobs,
jobs, but,
but, more
more importantly,
importantly, showing
showing the
the strategic
strategic
processes
processes which
which managers
managers use
use to
to cope with
with an
an imposed
imposed rise in
in the
the price
price oflabour.
of labour. Certain
Certain types
types of
of
service
industry,
for
example,
can
show
positive
employment
effects
(Alpert
1986).
service industry, for example, can show positive employment effects (Alpert
The
The irony
irony here
here is that
that the
the best evidence
evidence is furthest
furthest away
away from
from the political
political debate,
debate, which,
which, by
by its
its
very
very nature,
nature, uses
uses a national
national perspective.
perspective. Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, the
the contentious
contentious nature
nature of the
the evidential
evidential
base,
base, which
which is so unhelpful
unhelpful to
to the
the jobs
jobs argument,
argument, permeates
permeates into
into other
other areas. For
For example,
example, if
if the
the
jobs
jobs argument
argument is unresolved,
unresolved, then
then those
those arguments
arguments surrounding
surrounding the
the saving
saving to be
be made
made on
on the
the
payment
payment of
of social
social benefits
benefits to
to low paid
paid workers
workers hardly
hardly get
get off the ground,
ground, because,
because, if
if jobs
jobs are
are
destroyed,
destroyed, unemployment
unemployment benefit
benefit costs rise and
and offset
offset the
the savings
savings on
on income
income support.
support. Critics
Critics of
ofthe
the
minimum
minimum wage
wage would,
would, of course,
course, argue
argue that
that it only
only benefits
benefits people
people who
who have
have a job
job and,
and, therefore,
therefore,
does nothing
nothing for
for unemployment.
unemployment. Advocates,
Advocates, on
on the
the other
other hand,
hand, would
would contend
contend that income
income support
support
benefits
benefits are
are a wasteful
wasteful subsidy
subsidyto
to 'bad'
bademployers
employers who
who are,
are, in
in effect, gaining
gaining a competitive
competitive advantage
advantage
over
over 'more
more responsible'
responsible employers. In this
this argument,
argument, the
the minimum
minimum wage
wage would
would encourage
encourage better
better
market
marketfunctioning
functioning and
and more
morecompetitive
competitive conditions
conditions than
than the
the subsidies
subsidies that prop-up
prop-upbad
bademployers.
employers.
They
They would
would go even
even further
further and
and point
point to
to continental
continental Europe,
Europe, where
where minimum
minimum wage
wage statutes
statutes
abound,
to
suggest
that
minimum
wages
are
an
incentive
to
develop
training.
Exactly
why
abound, suggest that minimum wages are an incentive to develop training. Exactly why this
should
should be
be so escapes
escapes British
British management,
management, who
who appear
appear to need
need a better
better translation
translation of
of the
the text
text of
this
point that is well
this argument. However,
However, one
one point
well understood
understood is that
that a national
national minimum
minimum wage
wage could
could
cause
cause a run of differential-maintaining
differential-maintaining pay
pay claims. The
The fact
fact that the
the beneficiaries
beneficiaries of
of a minimum
minimum
wage
lack bargaining
wage usually
usually lack
bargaining power
power(Lucas
(Lucas 1995) and
and that
that they
they are
are unlikely
unlikely to
to be
be a 'reference
reference group'
group
for
for any
any sector
sector of
of organised
organised labour, takes
takes the
the edge
edge off
offthis
this argument.
argument.
The EEC
EEC has
has recently
recently tossed
tossed aa new
new coin
coin into
into the
the ring;
ring: the
the notion
notion of
of maximum
maximum working
working hours
hours per
per
The
week.
So
far
this
has
not
touched
the
minimum
wage
debate,
but
the
connection
is
inevitable.
week. far this has not touched the minimum wage debate,
the connection inevitable. A
new
new set
set of
of arguments
arguments about
about overtime
overtime and
and shorter
shorter hours
hours is about
about to
to break
break through.
through. Whether
Whether the
the
poor
be helped
helped by
poor can
can best be
by a minimum
minimum wage,
wage, or
ora maximum
maximum working
working week,
week, is a matter
matter for
forempirical
empirical
evidence.
evidence. Whatever
Whatever the evidence
evidence is, it will
will not
not stop
stop the
the political
political debate
debate from
from maintaining
maintaining a national
national
perspective.
This
is
a
pity,
because
an
increment
for
the
poor
does
not
go
on
luxury
items
and
perspective.
pity, because an increment for
poor does not on luxury items and foreign
foreign
holidays.
holidays. It
It is spent
spent on
on the
the home
home and
and on
on small
small scale
scale leisure
leisure activities
activities in
in the local market.
Furthermore,
Furthermore, if
if adjustments
adjustments in
in taxation
taxation to
to help
help small
small business
business through
through a sudden
sudden rise in
in labour
labour
costs
costs are
are contemplated,
contemplated, they
they are
are best executed
executed through
through local rather than
than national
national government.
government. To
To
paraphrase
an
American
political
slogan:
it's
the
'local'
economy
stupid.
paraphrase an American political slogan: its the local economy stupid.
A
A book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Reading Tests

Test 3
QUESTIONS 29-32
29-32
QUESTIONS

Use the information in the text to match the authors (A-D)


(A-D) with the Findings (29-32)
(29-32) below. Write the
appropriate letters (A-D)
(A-D) in Boxes
Boxes 29-32
29-32 on your answer
answer sheet.

A
B
C
D
D

Neumark
Neumark &
& Wascher
Wascher
Alpert
Lucas
Lucas
Card & Krueger
Krueger
Card

Findings
29.

The economic influence of those who would benefit most from a minimum wage is not great
enough to affect wage differentials.

30.

minimum wage
wage does
does not
not influence
influence the
the number
number of
of people
people who
who find
find employment.
employment.
AA minimum

31.
31.

The beneficial
beneficial effects
effects of
of aa minimum
minimum wage
wage have
have been
been observed
observed in
in some
some service
service industries.
industries.
The

32.

A minimum wage appears not to have a positive impact as regards teenagers.


teenagers.

QUESTIONS 33-39
33-39
The diagram below summarises
summarises some of the main points on the minimum wage provided in paragraphs
paragraphs
B-0.
B-D. Complete
Complete the diagram with information from the passage. You may use NO MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE

has a positive employment effect


on __
35 __
and

saves money on benefits


for __
33 __
, which

may even encourage the


__
36
_

subsidise

__

34

could cause pay


claims to maintain
__
37
_

has driven some companies


__
38 __
.

increases the likelihood of

__

39 __

being lured -rNay from


education.

WORDS to fill each blank space. Write your answers


answers in Boxes
Boxes 33-39 on your answer
answer sheet.

A book
book tor
for IELTS

81

Test 3

Reading
Reading Tests
Tests
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 40-42
40-42
Choose
Choose the appropriate
appropriate letters A-0
A -D and write them in Boxes
Boxes 4o-42
40-42 on your
your answer
answer sheet.

40.
40.

Critics of the minimum wage argue that


...
th a t...

A
B
C
D
41.

According
According to the writer, the fiscal counterbalance
counterbalance to increased costs
costs should
should be ...

A
B
C
D
42.

atnational
nationallevel.
level.
at
throughIncome
IncomeTax.
Tax.
through
throughVAT.
VAT.
through
atlocal
locallevel.
level.
at

There
There is a lack of studies
studies based ...

A
B
C
D

82
sa

makesservices
servicesmore
moreexpensive.
expensive.
ititmakes
onlyhelps
helpsthose
thosealready
alreadyinin work.
ititonly
work.
causesinflation.
inflation.
ititcauses
affectsexports.
exports.
ititaffects

oninternational
internationalindustries.
industries.
on
onthe
thenational
nationaleconomy.
economy.
on
onlocal
locallabour
labourmarkets.
markets.
on
onspecific
specificlocations.
locations.
on

A
A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Reading

Test 4

A book for IELTS


IELTS

83
83

Reading Tests

Test 4

You should spend about


about 20 minutes
minutes on Questions
Questions 1-14,
1-14, which
which are based on Passage
Passage 11 below.

HOW
HOW THE
THE PAULI EXCLUSION PRINCIPLE REGULATES THE
THE EVOLUTION
EVOLUTION OF
OF STARS
All stars (like plants and animals) evolve, with each one
following the same general pattern of evolution. Their
journey along the evolutionary path, and ultimate fate at
stellar death, is determined by their initial mass, which is
measured in multiples of the solar mass of our own Sun.
Perturbations of nebulous interstellar clouds in space
result in gravitational interaction, with the consequent
contraction of gaseous matter to create protostars, which
are much larger than the stars they will finally become.
As the temperature
temperature increases, the gas becomes
completely ionised to form plasma and gravitational
contraction of the core then takes place. The onset of
hydrogen-burning happens at a core temperature of
several million degrees, and converts hydrogen to helium
through nuclear fusion. The greater part of a star's
stars
evolutionary lifetime is spent hydrogen-burning
hydrogen-burning and,
during this period, it is said to be on the Main Sequence.
The end of hydrogen-burning
hydrogen-burning is marked by the evolution
of a star into a red giant, when it is said to leave the Main
Sequence. Burning ceases completely in the core, which
undergoes
undergoes gravitational
gravitational contraction
contraction to maintain
mechanical equilibrium.
Now, the Pauli Exclusion Principle states that 'no
no two
identical particles can occupy the same quantum state'
state
(Kaufmann, 1994): that is, loosely, they cannot have the
same spatial location and momentum. This principle is
important in determining
determining the ultimate fate of stars.
Consider low Main Sequence mass stars (that is, stars
of less than three solar masses) which have passed
through the hydrogen-burning
hydrogen-burning phase to helium-burning.
helium-burning.
Such bodies require extreme compression of the core to
raise their temperature
temperature sufficiently for the onset of
helium-burning.
helium-burning. Increasing density of electrons occurs,
so that they are squashed into close proximity with each
other, until a limit is reached when they resist any further
compression. This phenomenon is called degeneracy,
degeneracy,
and is a manifestation of the Pauli Exclusion Principle.
Resistance
Resistance to further
further compression
compression results
results in
degenerate-electron
degenerate-electron pressure which supports the core,
preventing its contraction. However, this pressure is
independent of temperature, and remains constant while
the temperature continues to increase. Helium ignition
takes place and the thermonuclear reaction proceeds at
an increasing rate until a helium-flash occurs. The
temperature is so great that degeneracy cannot be
maintained:
maintained: the
the core suddenly
suddenly expands with a
corresponding decrease in temperature that abruptly
84

ends the helium-flash. This cycle may be repeated until


all the core helium is converted to carbon.
More massive stars do not undergo a helium-flash.
Moreover, their cores are sufficiently massive for further
element-burning to occur, until they, too, reach a limit
imposed by degeneracy. That is, as the product of each
phase of element-burning is always nuclei of greater
mass, it requires even greater compression of the core
remnant in order to raise the temperature sufficiently high
enough to initiate the next phase. Such compression can
only occur until the degenerate condition is achieved.
Stellar death comes about when the core cannot carry
out further element-burning,
element-burning, because of its degenerate
nature. Stars of Main Sequence mass less than seven
solar masses become white dwarfs. The stability of a
white dwarf is only maintained if its final (post-Main
Sequence) mass does not exceed the Chandrasekhar
Chandrasekhar
Limit of 1.4 solar masses. Degenerate-electron
Degenerate-electron pressure
supports the core against collapse, thereby conforming
to the Principle.
Neutron stars are the stellar corpses of stars whose Main
Sequence mass is between seven and twenty solar
masses. Before death, these stars have undergone
some further element-burning and the final core mass
exceeds the Chandrasekhar
Chandrasekhar Limit. This is too great for
degenerate-electron
degenerate-electron pressure to prevent collapse of the
core: electrons and protons are crushed together to form
neutrons and neutrinos. Gravitational collapse continues
until degeneracy equilibrium is achieved once more. It is
degenerate-neutron
degenerate-neutron pressure that halts the collapse,
and, thereby, upholds the Principle.
The most massive stars have completed burning to
obtain an iron core, and have a Main Sequence mass
exceeding twenty solar masses. This is so great that
degenerate-neutron
degenerate-neutron pressure cannot support it, and
rapid collapse ensues. Since density is inversely
proportional to volume and the mass is vast, then, as the
volume dwindles, the density tends to infinity and a Black
Hole is formed.
Black Holes are a violation of Pauli's
Paulis Exclusion Principle.
If the Principle did not regulate the evolution of stars,
nothing would prevent the inexorable collapse of an
interstellar cloud from its initial disturbance
disturbance into a
massive Black Hole.
A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Test 4

Reading Tests

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 1-7
The flow
flow chart below
below summarises Paragraph
Paragraph 2.
2. Complete the chart with information from the passage
and write your answers in Boxes
Boxes 1-7 on your answer
answer sheet.
You may use NO MORE THAN THREE
THREE WORDS to complete each space.
The core then stops burning

Shapeless clouds in space


become __
I--

altogether and contncts to

__

6 __

With the rise in temperature,

__

2 __

is formed from the

hydrogen-burning occun through t------+


__
3 __ and

hydrogen-burningstops.

This stage is called


__
7 __
.

QUESTIONS 8-11
Choose the appropriate
appropriate letters A-0
A-D and write them in Boxes
Boxes 8-11
8-11 on your
your answer
answer sheet.

8.

What can be said about degeneracy?


A It violates the Pauli Exclusion
Exclusion Principle.
Principle.
B It is not
not dependent
dependent upon temperature.
C It is the point where the core of a star withstands
further
further compression.
compression.
D
D It happens to most,
most, but not all stars.

9.

According to the Pauli Exclusion Principle,


...
Principle,...
A no two stars are the same.
low mass stars do not
not degenerate.
degenerate.
B low
not possible
possible for two identical particles
particles to be
C it is not
in the same space
space at the same
same time.
D when a star
star is compressed,
compressed, the temperature
temperature and
and
the pressure
pressure rise.

10.
10. Which of the following is true of the largest
stars, but not of smaller
smaller ones?
A Compression
Compression of their
their core
core is halted
halted by degeneracy.
degeneracy.
B Their core becomes
becomes iron.
Their fate is stellar
stellar death.
C Their
D They
They undergo
undergo a helium
helium flash.

11.
11. What affects the development
development of all stars?
A Their stellar death.
B Their evolutionary
evolutionary path.
C Their
Their mass
mass when they
they are
are first
first formed.
D Their
Their size when
when compared
compared to our
our own Sun.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 12-14
12-14
Use information from the passage to complete the table below. Use No
No More
More Than
Than Two
Two Words
Words for each
space.
space.
_ _ _ _ _ _________________ _______ __________________________
Stars
Stars with
with main
main seauence
sequence mass
mass of
Less than 7
Between
Between 7-20
20+

A
A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

tum
turn Into
into
12
13
14
85

Test4
Test 4

Reading Tests
You should spend
- 28, which
spend about
about 20 minutes
minutes on Questions
Questions 15
15-28,
which are based on Passage
Passage 2

ENVY
ENVY WITHOUT
WITHOUT REASON?
REASON?
A

Do
you com
come
from aa culture
culture which
which places
places emphasis
emphasis on
on the
the emotion
emotion oof
envy?Without
Without aa doubt,
doubt,
D
o you
e from
f envy?
envy is something that we all feel
feel at some time in our lives.
lives. The Concise Oxford
Oxford Dictionary lists
lists envy
as 'resentful
resentful or admiring contemplation of
o f more fortunate person'.
person. Instead of
o f sharing in the joy
of
o f a new job, car or party dress, a friend either pretends she or he has not noticed the fantastic
new BMW or says
says 'Mercedes
Mercedes are better'.
better. But does it matter? In many parts of
o f the world, the
personal satisfaction felt by those who prosper
prosper is tinged with concerns about the ill-will
ill-will which
success
feared,
success provokes in friends, and even family
family members. Envy becomes something to be feared,
for it may have the power to cause harm.
The Swahili
Swahili people of
o f Coastal East Africa take envy very seriously. They frequently feel the need
to hide or minimise personal success.
success. Hence, boasting can be a dangerous pastime. Envy
emanates from neighbours, friends and family.
family. After all, a stranger does not care if you have
managed to replace your thatched roof with corrugated iron. But those Swahili
Swahili who
w ho have struggled
to build houses which are a little
little better than their neighbours often paint on the front of
o f their
houses the slogan, hasidi bana
hana sababu:
sababu: this means 'envy
envy without reason'.
reason. The slogan seems to be
a forlorn attempt
attempt to remind neighbours and any envious passers-by that the apparent
apparent good
fortune indicated by a superior house has been earned. The message is that there is no reason
for envy,
envy, and that those harbouring ill-will
ill-will should control
control their feelings.
feelings. The successful
successful are
pleading to be allowed
allowed to succeed.
succeed.
InSwahili
Swahiliculture,
culture,and
and many
manyothers,
others, envy
envyemanates
emanates from
from the
the eye
eyeoof
thebeholder.
beholder. The
The Evil
EvilEye,
Eye,
In
f the
as a source of
harm
to
those
who
fall
under
its
gaze,
is
reported
throughout
much
of
the
world.
of
reported throughout
of
Indeed, according to Brian Spooner, an expert on the various ways
ways used to keep envy at bay, the
idea of
o f the Evil Eye is so widespread that it can be regarded as a universal phenomenon.
phenomenon. In the
parts of
o f Europe
Europe that border
border the Mediterranean, in the Middle East and North
North Africa, the wearing
of
o f pendants depicting one large eye
eye is a popular way of
o f repelling envy.

D
D

Ideasabout
about the
theEvil
EvilEye
Eyemoved
movedfrom
fromthe
theMediterranean
Mediterraneantotothe
theNNew
World oof
America.Atwood
Atwood
Ideas
ew World
f America.
Gaines has traced the origin of
beliefs about the Evil Eye as a cause of
o f beliefs
o f sickness
sickness from Spain to
Mexico,
Mexico, Haiti and Puerto Rica.
Rica. The illnesses
illnesses caused by the Evil Eye are given specific
specific names such
as susto. In such cases, the Evil Eye is suspected after an illness
or
misfortune
has
already occurred.
illness

MarciaInhorn
Inhorn has
haswritten
written about
about the
the Evil
Evil Eye
Eye inin Egypt.
Egypt.There,
There, wwomen
mayattribute
attribute infertility
infertility
Marcia
om en may
and other health problems to the envy of
o f neighbours or friends. But in the Middle East, as
elsewhere,
elsewhere, envy can occur in many settings. Hence, at the end of
o f an important
important meeting to discuss
discuss
a research study, the head of
o f the project noticed that her best silk
silk suit had white marks on both
the jacket and skirt. It
It was ruined. She worked out that after the sumptuous
sumptuous lunch, which had
preceded the meeting, the table had been cleaned with bleach. She had then brushed against the
table.
table. Nobody
N obody else's
elses clothes were damaged. Her Palestinian colleague
colleague suggested that envy,
envy,
harboured
by
an
unknown
acquaintance,
had
ruined
her
suit.
The
grounds
for
envy
were
either
harboured
her beautiful clothes or her powerful position within the research team.
Some social
social scientists
scientists argue that envy is widespread in societies
societies where resources are scarce and
one person's
persons gain is considered another's
anothers loss. The reasoning behind this theory of
o f envy is that,
when people are poor and in competition with each other, they believe that there is not enough
good food, good fortune or good jobs to go around. GM
G M Foster studied peasant society in Latin
America and propounded
limited good'.
propounded 'the
the image of
o f limited
good. According to his theory, when somebody
from a family
family or village
village prospers, they use up part of
o f a stock of
o f limited good and reduce the
chances of
o f the success of
o f others. Foster sees the 'image
image of
o f limited good'
good as operating in peasant
societies
societies where people know and compete with each other
other in adverse economic
econom ic conditions.
However, the theory may hold good for many other social
social and economic
econom ic contexts. Take

86
as

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Test 4

Reading
Reading Tests

scholarships,
scholarships, for example.
example. There are only so many to go round. If
If your best friend gets
gets the
scholarship, your chances of
o f getting one too may be greatly
greatly reduced.
scholarship,
Western psychoanalysts
psychoanalysts have also studied envy.
envy. Melanie
Melanie Klein sees envy as an emotion felt by
the breastfeeding infant towards
towards its mother's
mothers breast. Although
Although the infant feels
feels love
love and gratitude
gratitude
towards its mother, it also wants
the
goodness
of
the
milk
for
itself.
Some
of
these
wants
goodness o f
milk
itself.
o f these scholars,
unlike everyday
everyday speakers of
o f English, are careful to distinguish between envy and jealousy. Swahili
Swahili
people make the same distinction. Jealousy is a triangular
triangular relationship.
relationship. For example,
example, two friends
spend all their free time together until one takes a lover. The neglected
neglected friend grows
grows jealous of
of
the affection
affection lavished on the new lover. When there is jealousy,
jealousy, three
three people
people are involved.
involved. Envy,
Envy,
on the other hand, is more straightforward:
straightforward: one person envies
envies another's
anothers achievement, quality or
possession. While
While most English people do not take envy
envy seriously,
seriously, it remains
remains a matter of
o f concern
worldwide. It makes ambition and the pursuit of
o f success more difficult,
difficult, and some
to people worldwide.
would say, dangerous. Many seek ways
ways to avoid
avoid falling victim to envy.
envy. How
H ow do you deal with it?

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 15-20
15-20
Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 2 below has seven paragraphs (A-G).
Choose the most suitable heading for each paragraph
paragraph from the List of Headings
Headings below.
below. Write the
appropriate numbers (i-xv)
(i-xv) in Boxes
Boxes 15-20
15-20 on your answer
answer sheet.
Paragraph
Paragraph D has been done
done for you as an example.
example.
Please
Please note that you may use each heading only once.
15.
16.
17.
Example
Example

18.
19.
20.

Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph

A
A
B
B
C
D

Paragraph
Paragraph E
Paragraph
Paragraph F
Paragraph
Paragraph G

List
List of
of Headings
i
Answer:
Answer: viii

ii
victim of
ofenvy
envy
ii AAvictim
Ill
iii

global remedy
remedy for
for envy
envy
AAglobal

iv
iv

What isisenvy?
envy?
What

The Evil
Evil Eye
Eye in
in Europe
Europe
The

vi

Sharing success
success
Sharing

vii

Nogrounds
groundsfor
forenvy
envy
No

viii
viii

Envyand
andillness
illness
Envy

ix

Envywhere
where resources
resources are
arelimited
limited
Envy

The Swahili
Swahili ininAfrica
Africa
The

xi
xii
xiii
xiii
xiv
xiv

xv

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Breastfeeding and
and envy
envy
Breastfeeding

The work
work of
of social
social scientists
scientists
The
Envyinin relation
relationto
toother
other emotions
emotions
Envy
dictionary definition
definition of
of envy
envy
AAdictionary
universal phenomenon
phenomenon
AA universal
Envyininpoor
poorsocieties
societies
Envy

87

Test
Test 4

Reading Tests
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 21-24
21-24
information in
in the text
text to match the people listed
listed (21-24)
(21-24) with the Concepts
Concepts (i-vii).
(i-vii).
Use the information

Write the appropriate


appropriate letter
letter in Boxes
Boxes 21-24
21-24 on your
your answer
answer sheet. Note that there
there are more concepts
concepts
than names, so you will not use all of them.

21. Brian Spooner


Spooner
22. GM Foster
23. Melanie Klein
24. Atwood
Atwood Gaines
Gaines

CONCEPTS
CONCEPTS
i
iiii
iii
iii
iv
iv

the idea that there


there is only so much good to go round in any one community
community

V
v

the concept
concept of the Evil Eye being a universal phenomenon
phenomenon

vi
vii
vii

that
that there
there is a relationship
relationship between
between the Evil Eye and illness
the theory
theory that the Evil Eye influences
influences infertility
infertility
keeping envy at bay
the distinction
distinction between jealousy
jealousy and envy
that
that babies envy their mothers'
mothers milk

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 25-28
25-28
Complete
Complete the following
following sentences
sentences with information from the passage. Use NO MORE
MORE THAN
THAN THREE
THREE
WORDS
WORDS to fill each blank space.
25.

________
people inin society
society are
are often
often the
thevictims
victims of
of envy.
envy.
___________________ people

26.

The Evil Eye is a ___________________ to


to those
those who
who come
come within
within its
its range.
range.

27.

Among the
the Swahili,
Swahili, boasting
boasting is
is aa _____________________.
_
Among

28.

The Swahili
Swahili on
on the
the East
East African
African coast
coast often
often feel
feel they
they have
have to
to conceal
conceal oorr ___________________
The

88
88

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Test4
Test 4

Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

You
You should
should spend
spend about
about 20
20 minutes
minutes on
on Questions
Questions 29-42,
29-42, which are based on Passage
Passage 3 below.

Have
Have you
you a tea-room?
tea-room?
We have all walked through
through modem
modem office blocks where the workers are busily tapping
tapping away at keyboards.
keyboards.
They have their mugs of tea, or coffee, as they work. Some have a packet
of
something
to
nibble
in
the
drawer;
packet something nibble
but how do they manage to make one packet
packet of chocolate
chocolate digestives last one whole week? There
There is an area
by the wall somewhere with a water
water geyser
geyser perpetually
perpetually on the boil, and a stack
stack of mugs. There
There is a palpable
palpable
air of activity. Productivity
Productivity must be booming, one thinks. But is it?
How many of these people work late of their
their own volition, want to obtain
obtain a result
result before going home, and
will beaver
beaver away happily until well after
after dark
dark to achieve it? Damned
Damned few! Yes! It may seem wonderful to
have a constant flow of liquid refreshment
refreshment at the desk, not to need a tea, or coffee, break
break - because
because the whole
working day is a tea break. Yet, who wants the tea when the ambience, all too often, is that
that of a concentration
concentration
camp?
Why not escape from the desk with a cup of tea from time to time? Perhaps, take your break
break in a comfortable
comfortable
chair, talk about last night's
football
results
or
discuss
work,
seek
or
offer
advice,
arrange
a
game
of squash,
nights
arrange
play bridge. Or, network
network and enjoy some refreshment
refreshment at the same time!
What will the Boss say, however?
however? If
If he has any sense, he will also come and join
join you. Perhaps, he supports
another team? You can discuss the merits of the players
players and show him how competently
competently you can present
present a
case. He will realise that the tea-room
tea-room is an ideal place for informal meetings with his staff, where any number
number
of day-to-day problems
problems can be sorted out over a cup of tea, and where anyone who needs a tender
tender warning
warning
about something can be quietly
quietly given it without the march to The Office. If, as a consequence,
consequence, the
communication
communication process improves, the boss may even dispense with a layer
layer of middle management
management 'twixt
twixt
you and himself. He will then no longer need to have expensive
expensive Off-site Meetings,
Meetings, where his middle managers
experience
experience Free Expression. He can spend some of the savings on light refreshments
refreshments for his staff
staff to enjoy!
If
If you,
you, or a colleague,
colleague, have a problem
problem with some aspect of work, share it with everyone
everyone in the tea-room. One
of your colleagues will, doubtless, have had similar
similar difficulties
difficulties in the past
past and will have discovered
discovered a
ridiculously
ridiculously simple solution. To your
your surprise, you will find he is more than happy
happy to share his experience
experience
and answers with you over a cup of tea. Both of you will then go back
back to your
your desks with added
added commitment
commitment
and make a positive contribution
contribution to the work of the group.
Every team has its 'specialists'.
specialists. They are normal people in their everyday
everyday lives, but there are those special
situations where they seem to excel all the time. It may be that they format
format new documentation
documentation with
consummate
consummate ease. Maybe, they can bake excellent
excellent butter
butter sponge cakes decorated
decorated as fax machines
machines ....
.... The
true specialist can train
train anyone to fulfil his role.
Who will be trained?
trained? Keen, eager, people: the raw recruits. Released
Released from
from the inhibitions
inhibitions of the office
environment
environment in the relaxed
relaxed atmosphere
atmosphere of a tea-room, they have the confidence
confidence to ask dumb
dumb questions. This
is, in fact, the best place to find solutions to problems; and
and conduct training. In the tea-room,
tea-room, old-hands,
old-hands, freed
temporarily
temporarily from the modem
modem technologies
technologies they often do not fully understand,
understand, will invariably
invariably offer advice.
These people, who know all about
about the way things happen
happen and what the final product
product should look like, will
give free information
information communicated
communicated with an honest confidence. Why have lots of knowledge,
knowledge, if you cannot
cannot
share it effectively
effectively with others?
others? The Boss should observe the information
information flow between
between these people.
Situations like these occur
occur in tea-rooms
tea-rooms worldwide every day. These are all natural
natural human
human interactions.
interactions. There
is much that can be said for the idea of fixed tea times during
the
working
day
away
from
one's
during
working
from ones precise
precise place
of work. Suggesting
Suggesting this will make Asset Managers cringe. This room
room is only being used 4 hours a day!
But let us say we allow staff to enjoy staggered
staggered breaks. The morning
morning coffee is between
between 10.00 and
and 11.00.
Lunch is sometime
sometime between
between 12.00 and 2.00.
2.00. Afternoon
Afternoon tea is between
between 3.00 and 4.00. The
The tea-room can then
be used by time-conscious
time-conscious executives
executives to have their
their meetings. And, since the room is required
required for refreshment,
refreshment,
these meetings must never over-run, unless they are scheduled after
after afternoon
afternoon tea ....
.... Who wants to work
late anyway?

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

89
89

Reading Tests

Test4
Test 4

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 29-33
29-33
Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 3 describes
describes a number
number of Implications
Implications for the working
working environment
environment provided
provided certain
certain
Conditions
Conditions are met. Match each Condition
Condition (29--33)
(29-33) in List
List A with its Implication
Implication (A-1)
(A -l) in List
List B.
There are more Implications
Implications in
in List
List B
B than you will need, so you will not use all of them.

List
List A: Conditions
Conditions
29.
29.

30.
30.

31.
31.

List
List B:
B: Implications
Implications

Provided people
people share and
solve problems
problems together,

A
A

B
B

cC

If the atmosphere
atmosphere in
in the
tea-room
is
totally
relaxed,
tea-room is
relaxed,

D
E
F

Should bosses relax


relax with their
employees,
employees,

G
32. When tea-rooms
tea-rooms are used
used as a
multi-purpose
venue,
multi-purpose venue,

33.

I
I

If communication
communication between
between boss
and staff is improved,
improved,

the tendency
tendency for meetings
meetings to over-run
over-run is avoided.
the employer
employer will
will recognise
recognise the positive
positive contribution
to team-work.
they will work harder as part
part of a team.
a layer of management
will
perhaps be removed.
management
some
some executives
executives will
will be able to work later.
more
more experienced
experienced staff will have
have an opportunity
opportunity to
train the more
more inexperienced staff.
they will see
see tea-rooms
tea-rooms as an informal opportunity to
meet staff and solve problems.
there
there will
will be more
more off-site meetings
meetings for middle
managers.
the boss
boss will see how information is exchanged
exchanged
between
between staff members.
members.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 34-38
34-38
Do the following
following statements
statements agree
agree with
with the views
views of the writer
writer in
in Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 3?
In Boxes
Boxes 34-38
34-38 write:
Yes
Yes
No
Not
Not Given
Given

if the statement
agreesagrees
with the
views
of the of
writer
if the statement
with
the views
the writer
if the statement
contradicts
the views
of the of
writer
if the statement
contradicts
the views
the writer
ifif itit is
is impossible
impossible to
to say
say what
what the
the writer
writer thinks
thinks about
about this
this

34.

variety ofofsnacks
snacks should
should be
beprovided
provided inintea-rooms.
tea-rooms.
AAvariety

35.
36.

surprisingthat
thatoffice
officeworkers
workers make
makeaapacket
packetofofchocolate
chocolate digestives
ItItisissurprising
digestives last for a week.
week.
The writer
writer suggests
suggests workers
workers could,
could, atattimes,
times, change
change the
thesetting
setting for
fortheir
theirtea
teabreaks.
breaks.
The

37.
38.

Specialists excel
excel inintheir
their everyday
everyday lives.
lives.
Specialists
Tea-rooms
are
the
best
places
to
ask
facile questions.
questions.
Tea-rooms are the best places to ask facile

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 39-42
39-42
Using NO MORE THAN
THAN TWO
TWO WORDS
WORDS from the passage, answer
answer the questions
questions below. Write your
your
answers in Boxes
39--42
on
your
answer
sheet.
Boxes 39-42
answer
39.
39.

How many people voluntarily


voluntarily work
work late?

40.
41.

On what
what can the money
money saved by avoiding
avoiding off-site meetings be spent?
What
Whatwould
wouldAsset
AssetManagers
Managersdo
doififthe
thetea-room
tea-roomwere
wereused
usedonly
only44hours
hoursper
perday?
day?

42.

What do older andWhat


experienced
not always people
understand?
do olderpeople
and experienced
not always understand?

go

90

A
A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Section on
Writing
Writing

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

91

Section
Section on Writing
Writing

Introduction
Introduction to the Section on Writing
W riting
The writing section in
in the IELTS contains
contains two tasks. Writing Task 11 usually contains
contains a diagram
diagram of some sort,
such as:
as: a graph, a pie chart, a bar chart, a table or a combination
combination of two or more of these
these items;
items; a diagram
of a process;
process; a map;
map; or some other
other kind of diagram.
diagram. You have to write at least 150 words
words and you are advised
to spend 20 minutes on this task. There is only one question, so you do not have a choice.
In Writing Task 2, you are asked
asked to write an essay
essay on an academic
academic topic, about
about which no specialised
specialised
knowledge
knowledge is required.
required. The length of the essay should be at least 250 words.
words. Again,
Again, there is no
no choice.
This section
section of the book contains 20 practice exercises
exercises for
for Writing
Writing Task
Task 1, 4 exercises
exercises for Task 2 with
with 3
Writing Tests.
The
exercises
all
have
a
Key
and
for
the
tasks
in
the
Tests
there
are
model
answers.
Exercises
Tests.
exercises
tasks
there
model answers. Exercises
1--1
O and Exercise
1--10
Exercise 20 in the
the Section
Section on
on Reading
Reading will also
also help you
you prepare
prepare for
for Writing
Writing Task
Task 2.
2. You
You may
may also
also
want to look at 'a
a book on writing'
w riting1by Sam Mccarter,
McCarter, published
published by lntelliGene,
IntelliGene, 1997.

Hints for Writing


Writing Task 11
You should train yourself
yourself to spend only 20 minutes on this task and to write the minimum
minimum number
number of words
you are asked to produce.
produce.
The language is academic
academic and formal, so you need to avoid using informal language.
Many candidates
candidates are not very familiar
familiar with doing this kind of task. Quite often the difficulty
difficulty they face lies in
interpreting
interpreting the diagram or data given. There
There are many
many publications with statistical
statistical data in diagrammatic form
in libraries. Even if you do not write a description,
description, you should
should study
study some
some of them and look for patterns of
organisation.
organisation.
It is important
important that
that you learn to recognise what 150 words
words look like in
in your
your own hand-writing
hand-writing and that you
write at least the minimum number
number of words
words that
that are set. We would also advise you not to write too many
many
words, whether
whether practising
practising at home or in the exam.

Hints for Writing


Writing Task 2
Questions
Questions to ask
ask yourself
yourself
In the examination
examination itself, you will not have time to rewrite your
your essay. You should,
should, therefore,
therefore, learn to write in
in
such a way that you can avoid re-writing.
re-writing.
This does not mean,
mean, however, that you should not re-read carefully
carefully and correct what
what you have written. As
you prepare
prepare for the exam,
exam, you should re-read and correct
correct each of your
your essays
essays immediately
immediately after
after you have
written them so that
by
the
time
you
take
the
IELTS
this
will
be
a
natural
thing
to
do.
that
Again,
Again, it is important
important that
that you learn to recognise
recognise what 250 words look like in your
your own hand-writing
hand-writing and that
you write at least the minimum number of words
words that
that are set. We would also advise
advise you not to write too many
words, whether
whether practising
practising at home or in the exam.
Candidates
Candidates often want
want to learn examples
examples of essays that have occurred
occurred in the exam. This causes
causes several
problems. First,
First, the exam questions
questions are quite long and, while it is possible
possible to have an idea
idea of the general
subject, it is often quite difficult
difficult to find out the exact
exact focus of the essay
essay question. Students
Students frequently
frequently memorise
essays
essays they have practised and reproduce
reproduce them in the examination,
examination, not realising that the essay
essay they are
writing does not have the same
same focus as the one on the exam paper. So beware!
More seriously,
seriously, when you write down something
something from memory
memory the number
number of mistakes
mistakes can increase. Try
writing out one of the model essays in the Key for the Tests
Tests and see how many mistakes
mistakes you make!
Below are some questions,
questions, you should ask yourself, both while you are writing
writing the essay, and also while you
are re-reading and checking.
checking.

92

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing

Essay title
title
1. Have
Have I Iaccurately
accurately identified
identifiedthe
thegeneral
generalsubject
subjectand
andthe
thefocus
focusin the title?

in the title?

2.
title, i.e.
do i.e.
I understand
exactly
what what
I am being
2. Am
Am I Iclear
clearabout
aboutthe
theorganising
organisingword(s)
word(s) ininthe
theessay essay
title,
do I understand
exactly
I ambeing
asked to write about?

Organisation
Organisation
3. Is the structure of my essay clear: are there clear paragraph divisions?
4. As regards the introduction, have II connected it with the title of the essay?
5. Have
and does
each each
one deal
point?
Haveeach
eachof
of my
my paragraphs
paragraphsgot
got aaclear
cleartopic
topicsentence,
sentence,
anddoes
one with
dealone
withmain
one main
point?
6. IsIsmy
lessorrepeat
what what
I haveI have
written
in myin my
myconclusion
conclusion short
shortand
and concise,
concise, and
and does
does it moreit or
more
lessrepeat
written
introduction?

Content
Content
7. Have II kept to the main theme of the essay? Or, have II made a mistake and strayed from the focus by
including points and examples that are not relevant?
8.
8. Have II made my points clearly?
9. Have II helped the reader to understand the points II am making by giving clear
clear examples, wherever
wherever
possible?
110.
O.Am
Am II completing
completing the task II have been set?
11.
11 ls
.Ismy
myessay
essaygoing
goingtotobe
bethe
theright
rightlength
lengthi.e.
i.e.more
morethan
than250
250words?
words?

Grammar
12.
ls the structure of my sentences
12.1s
sentences clear throughout, or are some of my sentences
sentences too long and
over-complicated,
over-complicated, making my essay difficult to read?
13. Have II used appropriate
appropriate and precise vocabulary?
14. Have II checked carefully
carefully to make sure that II have avoided making 'my'
my mistakes ,, i.e. language errors
which II usually make in grammar, syntax and spelling.

Ask yourself the questions above each time you write an essay, while you are preparing for IEL
TS. Then, by
IELTS.
the time you take the exam, you should be better prepared.

A
A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

93

Section on Writing

Graphs
Graphs and
and Diagrams
Diagrams for Task 11

l~

Exercise 1: Looking for patterns


_E_x_e_rc_is_e~1_:_Lo_o_k_in_g~fo_r_p_a_tt_e_rn_s~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~II

Many students
students have difficulty
difficulty describing
describing information
information or data in the form of charts, graphs, diagrams
diagrams etc. There
are many reasons for this, but, perhaps, the main reason is that
students
have
not
been
taught
that students
taught how to interpret
diagrams. They then cannot
cannot see the organisation
organisation and the underlying
underlying patterns,
patterns, which means that, when they
describe a chart etc, they do not have a framework
framework within which they
they can write. Their
Their description
description turns out
describe
to be nothing more than a list, or is just
just chaotic.
chaotic. This exercise
exercise helps you to recognise
recognise the organisation of
charts etc, and so give you a framework
framework within which to write.
Before you do the exercise,
exercise, look at the following
following example:
The bar chart below shows the results of a survey
survey which asked people what
what they
they thought
thought the main causes
causes
of crime were.
were. Study
Study the chart and look for patterns to help you organise
organise the information.
information.
poverty
poverty

unemployment
unemployment

boredom
boredom
drug
drug addiction
addiction

family
family upbringing
upbringing

I
I
I

lack of facilities
facilities

lack
lack of education
education
poor
poor housing
housing

--

-- -

_ ..

r.1

I
I

I
IJ

working
working parents
parents

lack of school
school discipline
discipline
peer group
group pressure
pressure
0

'

10

20

30

'

40

50

60

70

80

"'"'90

100
100

You can organise


organise the above data into three main categories,
categories, as follows:

Family

- family upbringing
working
working parents
parents

r;..-!r~":r,,..,

- powrty
- poverty

boredom
boredom

-unemployment
unemployment

drug
drug addiction
addiction

- lack
lack of
o f education
education
- poor
poor housing
housing

peer
peer group
group pressure
pressure

- lack of school
school discipline
I ities
lack of
o f faci
facilities
94

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing
Within this
Within
this framework,
framework, it is
is then
then easier
easier to
to describe
describe and
and analyse.
analyse. Your
Your description
description can
can move
move from
from general
general
points
people attribute
points to
to specific
specific examples.
examples. For
For instance,
instance, according
according to
to the
the bar
bar chart,
chart, people
attribute crime
crime to
to six
six causes
causes
within the
within
the control
control of
of the
the Government.
Government. You
You can,
can, therefore,
therefore, compare
compare this
this with
with the
the Family
Family or
or the
the Individual.
Individual. You
You
can
then
move
deeper
into
the
bar
chart
by
giving
specific
examples
from
within
the
categories.
You
can
also
can then move deeper into the bar chart by giving specific examples from within the categories. You can also
compare
compare examples
examples within
within categories,
categories, or
or even
even across
across categories,
categories, thus
thus moving
moving from
from general
general to
to particular
particular and
and
from particular
from
particular to
to particular.
particular.

Another
Another possible
possible way
way to organise
organise the
the data
data is:
is:

,.,;,A&'

,
.. /~
-~

.<

: /

;;'

,r, /''...,

/
.

/"

You can then describe and analyse the data within the top band and then within the bottom band. You can
see that this approach is more simplistic than the framework
framework above.
Now look at the diagrams and charts in this exercise. Remember that you are looking only for patterns and
ways to organise the data. You may find more than one way to do this. If you find the exercise difficult, look
at the Key and use it to help you understand how to organise data. Repeat the exercise several times so that
you can learn to recognise the mechanism.

The chart (Figure 1) below shows the results of a survey on the leisure activities
activities in which a group of adults
in their early 20s participate.
WatchingTV
WatchingTV

"

Reading
Reading books
books

........

Listening
Listening to CDs
Gardening
Gardening
Home
Home computer
computer

'

......

I~

Evening
Evening classes
classes
Visiting
Visiting a sports
sports centre
centre
Playing
Playing with
with children
children
Voluntary
Voluntary Work
Work

f
-

Reading
Reading newspapers
newspapers
Walking
Walking

OIY
DIY

'

~//
0

10

20
20

30
30

40

\\ \\ \-, \<,
50
50

60

70
70

80

90

100
100

Figure 11 Results of a survey


survey on the leisure activities in which a group of adults
adults in their
their early
early 20s participate.
participate.

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95
95

Section
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on Writing
Writing

The
The chart
chart (Figure
(Figure 2)
2) below
below shows
shows the
the same
same leisure
leisure activities
activities as
as for
for Figure
Figure 11 above
above for
for aa group
group of
of people
people in
in
their
their mid
mid to
to late
late 60s.
60s.
WatchlngTV
WatchingTV jiiiiiiiiiiijiiiiiiiii,;iiiiiiiiijiiiiiiiiijiiiiiiiiiiiiijiiiiiiiii,;iiiiiiiiijiiii--11-,
Reading
Reading books
books
Listening
Listening to
to CDs
CDs 111m... _...,_

... _..,.

Gardening
computer Home computer
Evening classes
Visiting a sports
sports centre Visiting
Playing with
with children
Voluntary
Voluntary Work
Work

ii--._...._..,._ ...._ ..

Reading newspapers
Walking
DIV
DIY
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Figure 2 The same


same leisure
leisure activities
activities as for Figure
Figure 11 above
above for a group of
of people in their
their mid to late
late 60s.

Now look for patterns


patterns between
between Figures 11 and 2.
2.

The chart
chart (Figure 3) below shows
shows the sporting activities, in
in which a sample of inner-city
inner-city teenagers
teenagers participated.
participated.

Football
Sub-aqua
Swimming

Basketball
Windsurfing
Hang-gliding
Cycling
Baseball
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Figure
Figure 3 The sporting activities,
activities, in which a sample of inner-city teenagers participated.
participated.

96

A book for IELTS


IELTS

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The graph (Figure 4) below shows
shows the share price of three high-tech companies
companies over a three-year
three-year period
from their launch.
The
The Berk
Berk

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20

SPQF LTD

10
0
0

Figure 4 The share


share price of three high-tech companies
companies over
over a three-year period
period from
from their
their launch.

The graph (Figure 5) below shows the estimated consumption


consumption of four sources
sources of protein in grammes
grammes per
person per week in a control group over a 35-year period.

280
260
240
220
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0

Poultry
Fish

Pork
^

Beef

ll)

co

Ol

Figure
Figure 5 The estimated
estimated consumption
consumption of four
four sources
sources of protein
protein in grammes
grammes
per person
person per week in a control
control group
group over
over a 35-year
35-year period.

A book for
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97

Section on Writing

Exercise 2: Language for graphs


l1~E_x_e_rc_is_e~2-:L_a_n_g_u_a_g_e_f_or_g_r_a_p_h_s~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~II

focuses on the language


language for
for describing
describing graphs. Match the texts below with
with the graphs on the
This exercise focuses
next page.
page. Each graph may have more than one suitable
suitable description.
description.

1.
1. The price
price did
did not
not change
change over
over the period.
2. There was a steep
steep fall in 1994 followed
followed by a gradual
gradual improvement
improvement in the subsequent
subsequent years.
years.
3. The price
price rose
rose and
and fell
fell over
over the period, but
but the trend
trend was definitely
definitely upwards.

4. The price
price collapsed
collapsed in 1994.
1994.
5. The price
price plunged
plunged dramatically
dramatically in 1994, but
but then it regained
regained its previous
previous level, before
before
soaring
soaring to a new
new peak.
6. The price
price plummeted
plummeted in 1994.

7. In spite
spite of the sharp
sharp fluctuations
fluctuations in the price, the trend
trend was obviously upwards.
upwards.
8. In 1994, the price
price fell
fell steeply.
steeply.
9. The price
price remained
remained static, before
before experiencing
experiencing a period
period of erratic
erratic behaviour.
10. The price
price fluctuated
fluctuated slightly
slightly over
over the
the period.
11. The price
price remained
remained stable.
12. The price
price plunged
plunged in 1994.
1994.
13. Having
Having remained
remained stable
stable for
for several
several years
years apart
apart from
from a plunge
plunge in 1994, the price
price leaped
leaped
to a new
new peak
peak at the end
end of 1997.
14. The price
price dipped
dipped slightly
slightly several
several times
times before
before sinking
sinking to a new
new low
low at
at the end
end of 1997.
15. The price
price remained
remained the same
same for
for a brief
brief period
period and
and then fluctuated
fluctuated wildly.
16. The price
price was steady
steady over
over the period.
17. The price
price was erratic.
18. The price
price was fairly
fairly steady
steady over
over the period.

98

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Section
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on Writing
Writing

A
A
320
280
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200

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Exercise 2 Match the graphs


graphs above with the texts on the previous
previous page.
Each graph
graph may
may have more
more than one suitable description.
description.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

99

Section on Writing

l~I

Exercise 3: Which chart?


_Ex_e_rc_i_se_3_:_W_h_ic_h_c_h_art_?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~---'II

Read the text


text below and look at the charts
charts and graphs
graphs (A-0)
(A-D) which follow.
follow. Decide which
which chart
chart interprets
interprets the
text exactly.
exactly. Then decide how you have to change
change the other
other charts
charts to make them reflect the text
text exactly.
exactly.

The
The average
average number
number of people
people attending
attending the museum
yearly stood at just under 700,
000 at the beginning
700,000
beginning of
1985. Over the subsequent
subsequent years, attendances
attendances SCJIIV
saw a
modest
rise,
followed
by
a
period
of
volatility.
During
1989,
modest
followed
period volatility.
the museum suffered a steep decline
decline in the number
number of
visitors as a result of the introduction of voluntary charges.
The recovery,
recovery, fitful at first,
first lasted through to the beginning
beginning
of 1993,
1993, by which time the number
number of people
people attending
attending
had climbed
to
a
new
peak
of
750,000.
In
the
first
half
climbed
peak
In
half of
1993,
1993, the attendance
attendance at the museum went into free fall,
nose-diving
nose-diving to approximately 300,000
300,000 visitors after
charging
charging was introduced. over
Over the next two
iwo years and a
half,
half, the number
number of people
people coming
coming to the museum
fluctuated wildly; the trend, however, was obviously
upwards.
upwards.

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100

A book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Section
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on Writing
Writing

B
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A book for
for IELTS
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101

Section
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on Writing
Writing

l~I

~II

Exercise 4: A maze in graph form


E_x_e_rc_is_e_4_:A_m_a_ze_i_n_gr_ap_h_f_or_m

In this exercise, you are going to look at the organisation


organisation of a graph in another
another way. Read the text below
and then look at the graph which follows. On the graph, there are various
various lines, which form a jumbled maze.
Find your way through the maze using the text as a guide. Where
Where do you end up at the end of the period:
Point A, B, C or D?

The share price of FF International


International Ltd soared spectacularly
spectacularly to
to
more than
than nine times its value in the first
first year of the
the period,
period,
before plunging again in the following
following year losing more than
than half
its previous gain. The share price then recovered, rising once
again fairly
fairly steeply in the next twelve
twelve months,
months, adding roughly
roughly a
third
third to
to its value, only to fall back by more than
than the
the same amount
amount
in the next
next year.
year. Over the next year, the
the price jumped
jumped to
to just
under a hundred
hundred points short
short of its 1960 peak. Then, for
for the
space of a year, the
the share value remained stable, but,
but, in the
subsequent
subsequent three
three years, the share price experienced a sharp
decline, increasing in speed at
at the
the end of
of the
the fall,
fall, to
to below its
value at the
the beginning of the period. The next
next movement
movement in the
share price was markedly
markedly upwards, but
but then
then it fell back again to
end at just over four
four times
times its value at the
the beginning
beginning of the 60s.

Ifft-.--------------------------~

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102
102

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71

71

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Section on Writing

11

Exercise 5: Draw your own graph

11

The bar chart below


below shows the average number of monthly flights in 'OOOs
000s out of a regional airport
airport called
Granby.
the text which follows
Cranby. Read the
follows the chart and plot the line graph for the number
number of flights out of the
second airport called Tinbury.
ItIt is better to make a photocopy of the page and to write on the photocopy
photocopy so that you can
repeat the exercise
400
375 I
350
325
300

en

275

250

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225
200 .

175

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0

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125
100

75
50
25
0
J

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JJ

JJ

A
A

Months of
of the year
year

In January,
January, the number of flights from Granby
Cranby airport was exactly
exactly half that
that of those from Tinbury.
Tinbury.
In the following month, both airports saw a rise of about 50,000
50,000 flights, but
but in March, while flights
from Granby
Cranby continued
continued to increase,
increase, to 150,000,
150,000, those from Tinbury
Tinbury dropped
dropped back
back to the January
January
level. Flights from Granby
Cranby stayed
stayed at the March level
level for the following
following two months, but, in April,
April, the
number
number leaving Tinbury climbed
climbed to 175,000,
175,000, remaining
remaining at this level
level for the subsequent month. The
number
number of flights from both airports decreased in June,
June, although the reduction
reduction was more dramatic
dramatic
in Tinbury than Granby,
by
50,000
and
20,000
respectively.
Both
cities
experienced
Cranby,
50,000 and 20,000 respectively.
experienced a rise in the
number
number of flights leaving
leaving their
their airports
airports in July, reaching a common level of 175,000. This increase
continued
continued in August,
August, both airports having just over
over 200,000 outbound flights.
flights.
However, in September,
September, while the number
number of flights out of Tinbury continued
continued to climb, to 25,000
more than the February
February peak,
peak, those from Granby
Cranby remained at the same
same number
number as for
for the previous
previous
month. October
October saw
saw an increase in the number
number of flights from Granby,
Cranby, to 250,000,
250,000, but a steep
steep drop
in those from Tinbury, to the June level. During the last
last two months
months of the year, the number
number of
take-offs from both airports
airports went up and
and then fell. From Granby,
Cranby, a dramatic
dramatic rise in November to
350,000 was followed
followed by a slight
slight decline in the subsequent
subsequent month; while from Tinbury the increase
in the number
number of flights was more marked
marked in November,
November, climbing
climbing to a new
new peak of 375,000, but
December
then
saw
the
number
of
flights
tumble
to
75,000.
December
saw
number
75,000.

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103

Section on Writing

l~I

Exercise 6: Graph comprehension


_E_x_e_rc_ls_e~6_:_G_ra_p_h~co_m~p-re_h_e_n_si_o_n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~__.II

Learning to look at a graph so that you can extract


extract information
information which is relevant
relevant to a particular
particular question
question means
that you have to develop
the
skill
to
do
so.
develop
Before you look at the graph in this exercise
exercise read the questions
questions below carefully.
1.1. Look
Look at
at the graph
graph very
very quickly. Which feature
feature stands
stands out the most?
most?
2. What other
other main
main characteristics
characteristics of the graph
graph can you
you see?
3. Is it possible
different types of fuel?
possible to group
group the different
fuel? If so, how?
how?
4.
4. Which line
line represents
represents coal
coal and
and which represents
represents natural
natural gas?
gas? How
How do you
you know?
know?
5. If you
you are asked
asked to describe
describe the graph, is it important
important to put
put in reasons
reasons for
for the changes
changes in the
amount
amount of energy
energy consumed?
consumed?
6. Which tenses
tenses are
are you
you most
most likely
likely to use in describing
describing the graph?
graph?

7. As regards
regards petroleum,
petroleum, you
you can mention
mention that
that over
over the period
period consumption
consumption fluctuated,
but
but ended
ended the period
period at approximately
approximately the same
same level. What else can you
you say?
say?
8. In writing you
you can use
you should
should always
always try
try to avoid
avoid repetition. Are
Are there any
any synonyms
synonyms you
for: consumption,
consumption, rise, fall?

Now cover
cover the questions
questions above and study the graph below which shows Inland Energy
Energy Consumption
Consumption in the
equivalents from 1992 to 1995. After
UK in million tonnes
tonnes of oil/coal equivalents
After you have done this, look at the graph
again and answer
answer the questions.
Inland
Inland Energy
Energy Comsumption
Com sum ption
100~--~---~---~--~--~100
Mllcnto::rn.ol
di/cod ecvdenl

Peicloum

80

BO

NaualGao

....
60

60

40

t-----+-----+-------,t------+-----l 40

O'----_.._----'----L.__-----1..--____J
0
1992

104
104

1993

1994

1995

1996

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Section on Writing

Exercise 7: Improving a text


l~I_E_x_e_rc_i_se~7_:_1m_p_r_o_v_in_g_a_t_e_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~----111

Once students have written a text,


text, it is often difficult for them to recognise the mistakes. The text below is an
answer
answer written for the graph in the previous exercise.
Read the text as quickly as you can and see how many mistakes you can find.
graph shows the energy
energy consumption
consumption from fossil and
and non-fossil
non-fossil fuels
1. The graph
in UK in million tonnes of oil/coal
oil/coal equivalent
equivalent from 1992 to 1995.
2. A striking
striking feature
feature of the graph is the rise in the use of natural
natural gas. Gas
consumption
consumption was steadily
steadily upwards, overtook
overtook coal
coal towards the end
end of
1992 and finally
a period,
finally outstriping
outstriping petroleum
petroleum in 1995 to become, for
fora
second most
most popular
popular energy source.
the second
3. This rise was coincided
coincided with a drop in the use of coal
coal during
during the period
period
1992 to 1995.
1995. At the beginning
beginning of 1992,
1992, coal consumtion
consumtion stood
stood at 65
million tonnes or so. In the first quater
quater of 1992,
1992, there was a breif, steady
steady
climb and, from then until the beginning of the third
quarter
in
1995,
the
third quarter
trend was markedly
markedly down. The fall down, first, was quite steep. From the
trend
end
end of 1993,
1993, consumption
consumption was steady
steady with two miner
miner peeks
peeks at the end
end of
and 1994,
1994, which were corresponded
corresponded with two troughs in the use of
1993 and
nuclear
nuclear and
and hydro-electricity. Then from the beginning
beginning of 1995 coal
consumption
consumption resumed
resumed its fall.
fall.
4. As it can be seen, petroleum
petroleum was the main source
source of energy
energy throughout
throughout
the period
period with little or no changes in the consumed
consumed amount. The use of
non-fossil
non-fossil sources
sources of energy, i.e. nuclear
nuclear and hydroelectricity,
hydroelectricity, over
over the
period
period was increased
increased gradually
gradually with no dramatic rises or falls.
amount of energy
energy consumed
consumed during
during the
5. Despite the variations, the overall amount
period
period shown on the graph was a little changed
changed at the end of 1995.

A book tor
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105

Section on Writing

Exercise
Exercise 8: The language
language of comparison
comparison and contrast
contrast

Look at the sentences


sentences and texts below. You can see that
that they are all related to comparing
comparing and contrasting.
Now look at the graphs on the next page. Decide which graphs are being compared
compared or contrasted
contrasted in each of
the texts and sentences.
sentences.
For example, the answer
answer to the first one is F and C.
1.
1. The number
number of seats filled
filled at the Bartlett
Bartlett theatre was steady
steady over
over the period, but
but at the Ritz
attendance
attendance was very irregular.
2. The trend
trend in attendance
attendance at the Ritz was erratic, but
but nevertheless
nevertheless upwards, while that for the
Bartlett
enjoyed
a
steady
rise
before
stabilising
at
around
Bartlett enjoyed steady
before stabilising around the 120 mark.
3. While attendances
attendances at the Ritz rose steadily
steadily throughout
throughout the year, at the Bartlett
Bartlett they shot
shot up
initially
before
plunging
steeply
and
then
remaining
stable
for
the
rest
of
the
year.
initially before plunging steeply and
remaining
for
4. Whereas the attendances
attendances at the Ritz dipped
dipped slightly
slightly at the end of March/beginning
March/beginning of April
April and
again in August/September, those at the Bartlett
Bartlett rose during
during the corresponding
corresponding periods.
5. The numbers
numbers attending
attending the Bartlett
Bartlett declined
declined through the year, while, on the contrary, attendance
attendance
at the Ritz climbed
climbed at an even pace.
6. Attendances
Attendances at the Ritz saw a steady
steady rise, whereas the Bartlett's
Bartletts fluctuated
fluctuated wildly ..

7. Audiences
Audiences at the Ritz, not very stable for
for the first part
part of the year, shot
shot up dramatically.
dramatically. The
Bartlett, on the other
other hand,
hand, went through a rather
rather volatile period
period in the first half of the year, before
settling
settling down to a more stable
stable period.
8. The number
number of theatre-goers
theatre-goers at the Ritz was fairly steady
steady in the first
first half
half of the year, but
numbers, plunging
plunging in the middle of the year, gradually
gradually petered
petered out. The Bartlett, however,
experienced
experienced a steep
steep rise in attendance
attendance in the first half
half of the year, before
before falling
falling again.
9. The total number
number of theatre-goers
theatre-goers attending
attending the Bartlett
Bartlett fell off during
during the first part
part of the year
year
before making
making a steady
steady recovery. By contrast, the Ritz attendance
attendance figures showed
showed a rise followed
followed
by a steep
steep drop.
110.
O. The attendance
attendance rate at the Bartlett
Bartlett went up and
and down considerably
considerably throughout
throughout the year with the
Ritz, by contrast, enjoying
a
period
of
stable,
though
modest,
attendance.
enjoying period

106
106

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing

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for IELTS

12

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107

Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing

Exercise 9: Graphs and charts combined


l~I _E_x_e_rc_is_e_9_:_G_ra_p_h_s_a_n_d_c_h_a_rt_s_c_o_m_b_i_ne_d

__.ll

The diagram below shows the number


number of shoppers
shoppers who visited a new shopping
shopping complex
complex in its first year
year of
operation and the estimated
estimated number
number of shoppers
shoppers over the same period. Below
Below the diagram,
diagram, there
there are two
charts, which show the sales at the centre
centre in the first and last quarters
quarters of the year.
On the opposite
opposite page, there
there is a list of words and phrases
phrases and a model answer.
answer. All of the items in the list fit
into the model, but some of them are more sophisticated
sophisticated than the alternative. Find the appropriate
appropriate words and
phrases
phrases to fill each blank and then decide which is the best answer.
For example,
example, the answer
answer for number
number 11 is e or m,
m, of which m is the better
better answer.

160

140

.,,

120

0
0

.E
I!!
e

100

c..c..

a.
a.
0

.I::.
1111
10

...

.
~

80
Estimated number of shoppers

60

E
::,

40
20
0
J

Months of the year

Sales in percentage terms for first quarter

Others...--------'----_..:;.-=-"-'--'-'--'-'-=-..:.;_--='-=--~__,
Toys

.,

Clothes .---------

.............---="""""'-"-"'----:~-=.:...~_;;;.:
' ... ',:.- "'X:I

Computers ----------------Electrical,-~.----------

108

10

..

15

20

25

A
A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Section on
on Writing
Writing
Section

Sales in percentage
percentage terms
terms for the last quarter
quarter
Electrical
Electrical
Others
Others
25%

Computers
Computers
10%

5%
5%

Food
20%
20%
Clothes
10%
10%

Toys
30%

List
List of words
words and phrases
a

in November
in
November the number
number of shoppers
shoppers increased
again
bb fell by a large amount
c those
d experienced
experienced a hefty fall
in
in the chart
outstripping projections
projections by a wide margin
margin
f outstripping
g9 outperforming
outperforming the figures
figures predicted
hh declined
declined further
further
i being
jj
November
November saw a noticeable
noticeable turnaround
turnaround
e

before they went up

II forecast
forecast for the period
m
as can be seen from the chart
m

n which were predicted


predicted for
for the period
o
0 which
which is twice as much as the estimated
estimated figures
pP they
they were
were
q
q

reveal a marked shift

r
s

double
double the estimate
estimate for the period
before picking up
t proved
u hitting a peak
vV were
w show
show that
that there was
was a change
change
xX went down
yy during
during which time
time they
they did better
better than the figures
figures
predicted
z doing better
better than expected.
expected.

MODEL ANSWER
ANSWER
_

__
in the
two months
after
the opening
of the
new shopping
complex,
_____11,__
in the ,first
twofirst
months
after the
opening
of the new
shopping
complex,
the number
of
shoppers
reached
nearly
50,000,
__
2
__
.
During
March,
number
shoppers reached nearly
_____2_____.
March,
however, the number
__
3__
duringApril
April and
and
number of shoppers
shoppers dropped
dropped slightly,
slightly,_____3_____during
May, once again
__
4__
. The
The summer m
months
__
5._ notonly
onlyrather
rather
a g a in_____4_____.
onths_____
5___not
erratic with the shopper
6__
no higher
shopper numbers
numbers at the end of August
August __
higher than
__
7__
at the end of February, and also falling well below
_____7_____
below the numbers
__
8__ ..
_____8_____
During
9
__
, but
During September
September and
and October, the number
number of actual
actual shoppers
shoppers __
9_____,
__
1
with the volume of shoppers
11
__
_____10_____
shoppers rising dramatically, __
11_____
.
December
December saw
saw this spectacular
spectacular rise continue
continue with the number
number of people
people shopping
shopping at
the centre
__
12__
ofnearly
nearly 160,000
160,000visitors
visitorsper
permonth.
month.
centre for the year
year_____12_____
of

o__

The sales figures


__
13__
spendingpatterns
patterns at
atthe
thecomplex
complex over
overthe
theyear
year
figures_____13_____
ininspending
with greater
greater expenditure
expenditure on Toys, Computers and Other
Other items
items at the expense
expense of Food
Food
and Clothes. For
For example, Toy sales soared
soared from 5% to over
over 30%, while at the same
time Clothes sales
__
14__
sales_____14_____
.

A book
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for IELTS
IELTS

109

Section on
on Writing
Writing
Section

I~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~___.II

Exercise 10: It is predicted th a t...


_Ex_e_r_ci_se~10_:_1t_is~pr_e_di_ct_e_d_th_a_t_
...

This
This exercise
exercise looks
looks at talking
talking about
about the
the future.
future. Study
Study the
the charts
charts below,
below, which
which show
show changing
changing trends
trends in leisure
leisure
in Europe
for
certain
industries.
Europe for certain

European Entertainment
Entertainment Industry
Industry
European
8000
$
m

7000

IInternet
ntemet Sales

6000
5000
4000
3000

2000

Album sales

1000
0 ('I)
0
0
N

0
""'"
0
N

io
0
0
N

CD
0
0
N

,......
0
0
N

CX)

Ol

0
N

0
N

0
N

0
N

0
N

Years
Years

Forecasts for European cinema attendances


1200
1000
Estimate 1
en
in
c
.2
|

:&
S

800
600
400
200
0
2003

2004
2004

2005
2005

2006
2006

2007
2007

2008
2008

Years
110

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Section on
on Writing
Writing
Section
Now look
look at
at the
the model
model below.
below.
Now

that European
European Internet
Internet music sales will increase
It is predicted that
dramatically over the period covered by the graph. Rising
Rising fitfully
fitfully
dramatically
first, the sales will then leap in
in two
two stages to reach a high of
at first,
$3900 million in 2012, before rocketing to aa new peak of $8000
sales, on the other
other hand, initially
initially
million at the end of 2014. Album sales,
climbing until the end of 2006, are then set to drop steadily
throughout
throughout the next five years, before bottoming
bottoming out
out to end the
period considerably below the $1000 million mark.
As regards attendances at European
European cinemas, there are two
two
diverging forecasts. The first
first estimate is for
for numbers to rise
the year 2003 and 2008, increasing from
from just
just
steadily between the
below 900 million people to 1200 million with
with the largest rise in
in
numbers going to cinemas expected to be in
in the year 2008. By
contrast, the
the second forecast paints a different
different picture. The
contrast,
projection
projection for
for the first
first three
three years of the period shows aa rise, but
after that
that cinema attendances are forecast to fall to below 400
after
million people.

Using the words and phrases below replace parts of the text above. Which version do you prefer? Note that
the items below are in
in the order that you should replace
replace them.
them. Number six has been done for you as an
example.
prediction is that
1.1. The prediction
will go up a lot
which the graph covers

2.
3.
4.
5.
5.
6.

They will rise erratically


They

and will then rise


going up
up
going
7. which will climb
climb at first

10. With European


European cinema
cinema
attendances
attendances
11
11.. and increase
12.
12. and the biggest jump
jump in
in cinema
cinema
projected
visitors is projected
But, the second forecast
forecast is different.
13. But,
14. will fall

8. before they bottom out and end


9. a lot below $1000 million

A book tor
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IELTS

111
m

Section on Writing

I Exercise
Exercise 11
11:: More comparison
comparison and contrast
contrast

This exercise gives


gives you more practice
practice with comparing
comparing and contrasting.
contrasting. This time, however,
however, you are going to
look at two bar charts and a pie chart.
Study the two bar charts
charts below,
month in
in each category
category for the
devoted to each category
category in the

which show
show the average number
number of books
books borrowed
borrowed from a local library per
years 1996 and 1997. The pie chart
chart then shows
shows the percentage
percentage of books
library

Look at the first two charts


charts and find patterns
patterns in the data. Then compare
compare the data
data with the information
information in the
pie chart. Make a list of the patterns you find on a separate
piece
of
paper.
separate

Borrowings
Borrowings per
per area
area 1996
1996

c::; ~
a,~'."'''

ill

ill

Crime

Romance
Non:fi~on ,
F1ct1on

10

15

20

25

'

30

'Y.
y.

Borrowings per
per area
area 1997
i 997
...
Other
Sci-fi
Children's

R.:::~
Crime

..

Romance

Non-fiction

F1ct1on
Fiction
00

10

'

15
15

20
20

25
25

30
30

%
%

Library Contents

Sci-ti
5%
Non-fiction

Crime
5%

112
112

Children's
Children's
15%
15%

20 %

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing
Now
look at
Now look
at the
the text
text below
below and
and insert
insert the
the following
following words
words and
and phrases
phrases in
in the
the most
most appropriate
appropriate place:
place:
1.1. in
in no way
way
2. For
For example,
example,
3. In
In the
the third category
category come
come
4. whereas
whereas
5. as another
another example
example
6. By
By contrast,
contrast,
7. A comparison
comparison
8. the latter
9.
9. fall into three
three categories
categories

10. ,, however,
however,
11. whereas
whereas
12.
12. On the
the one
one hand,
hand,
13.
the
former
13. the former
14.
14. by
by varying
varying degrees
degrees

One of the phrases (No.


(No. 13) has already been inserted for you.

of the borrowings
borrowings for 1996 and
and 1997 shows that they, those for fiction
and
and the
the 'other'
other category
category fell, the former
former by 50%
50% from 30%
30% of
of
borrowings
cent to five per
cent.
borrowings to 15%, and
and again by 50% from ten per
percent
percent.
,, children's
childrens books, romance and sci-ti
sci-fi all rose. Children's
Childrens increased
increased by
several
several percentage
percentage points, books taken out from the romance
romance section
rose by 50% between
between the two years. The number
number of books borrowed
borrowed
by those reading
reading science-fiction, went up threefold.
non-fiction
non-fiction and crime, neither
neither of which saw any
any rise.
rise.
The contents of the library
library are reflected
reflected by the books
books that are taken out
in either
either of the years.
years.,,sci-fi
sci-fi books make up five per cent of the books
in the library, while in both years
years borrowings
borrowings exceed
exceed this amount, by
three times as we have seen in 1997. Take non-fiction. Lendings
Lendings in both
years
years stand at five per cent, 20 per cent of the books fall into this
category.

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

113

Section on Writing

Exercise 12: More complex terms


11.___E_x_er_c_1s_e~1-2_:_M_o_r_e_c_o_m_p_1e_x_t_e_rm~s~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--'11

This exercise
gives you more practice with comparing
exercise gives
comparing data. Study
Study the charts below. The bar chart shows
shows the
results of a survey
survey of the reading habits of first year
year female and male university
university students
students at a university
university in
the UK. The pie charts show the amount
amount of time male and female students
students spend on various
various activities.
activities.

Reading habits
habits of first
first year
year university
university students
students
I

Journals
Journals

Ii

Ii

'I

Non-fiction
Non-fiction
Fiction

students
~ale stu
Iden ts
F vi
3 Male
L)

Comics
Comics

I.>-..

Magazines
Magazines
I

Tabloids
Tabloids

&

-0

t.

Qualities
Qualities
'

10

20

30

40
40

i
50

i
60

Female students
students
Working

70
70

80

90

100

Sport
10%
10%

Socialising
Socialising

10%
10 %

Male Students
Male
Students

Studying
45%

Socialising

Working
15%

15%
15%

114
114

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing
Now
Now read
read the
the following
following text:
text:
______
the bar
bar chart
chart shows
shows how
how many
many first
first year
year male
male and
and female
female university
university
______1______ the
students
read
2.
_
students read______ 2______ .

___
3
the female
female students
students appear
appear toto read
read more
more quality
quality newspapers
newspapers than
than
______3______
the
___
4
byaa margin
marginof
of roughly
roughly20%,
20%, male
malefirst
first year
year students______
students
5.5______
_
______4______
by
read more tabloids
__
6
tabloids_____6_______
. When it comes to non-fiction, the same pattern is
repeated; only this time the difference is ______7______
7
approximately 65%
65% of
of female
female
approximately
students reading non-fiction
8__
25% of
of the
the males.
males.
non-fiction______8_____25%
The
9
for comics.
comics. While
While over
over 60%
60% of
of males
males read
read comics,
comics, only
only 25%
25% of
of
T h e ______ 9______
for
__
1O
female students
students claim to do so.
s o ._____10_______
, however, male students are ahead
of females
__
11
fem ales_____11_______
, roughly 78% for the former and 75% for the latter. As
regards magazines,
12
both sexes
sexes are
are almost
almost equal.
equal.
magazines,_______12_______
both
__
13
from the
the pie
piecharts,
charts, aa number
number of
of differences
differences between
between the
the two
two groups
groups
_____13_______
from
___
14
Althoughfemale
femalestudents
studentswork
workmore
more(20%
(20%ofoftheir
theirtime
timerather
ratherthan
than
______14_____
. .Although
15% for males, they
15
they______15______
15% more of their time to studying. Females also
spend less time socialising and much less than men on sport, allowing them more time
for studying.

To complete the above text, add the most appropriate phrases to the blank spaces. Note that there are more
blanks than words and phrases, so you also have to decide which blank spaces to leave empty!

a
a

pattern is reversed

b devote
c by a narrow
narrow margin
d a range of publications
publications
e
fiction is concerned
concerned
e where fiction
f their
their male counterparts
counterparts
g
9
h
Ii
jj

A book for IELTS


IELTS

more pronounced
pronounced with
as opposed to
can be seen
whereas
whereas

115
115

Writing
Section on Writing

Exercise 13: Some


Some common
common language
language mistakes
mistakes
Exercise

This exercise
exercise contains
contains a range of mistakes,
mistakes, e.g. spelling and grammar,
grammar, that students
students often make
make in the
language that they
they use to write about
about graphs.
graphs. Some of the sentences
sentences have more than one mistake. Can you
language
find them?
There was
was a sharp
sharp decrease
decrease of the number
number of people
people attending
attending the
the theatre
theatre over
over the
the period.
period.
1. There
2. The
The increase
increase of the
the incidence
incidence in petty
petty crime
crime has
has continued
continued in spite
spite of the
the measures
measures
2.
introduced.
introduced.
3.
3. The
The charts
charts indicate
indicate that
that the price of the various
various types
types of cars
cars fell down
down considerably.
considerably.
4.
4. It was
was predicted
predicted that
that industrial
industrial production
production in Western
Western countries
countries level
level out,
out, while
while that
that in the
so-called
so-called Tiger
Tiger economies
economies will rise in the early
early '90s.
90s.

The price
price of computers
computers has drammatically
drammatically reduced
reduced over
over the
the period.
5 .. The
regarding noise pollution, a pretty
pretty big rise
rise in number
number of complaints
complaints was
was recorded
recorded for
for 1997.
6. As regarding
7.
7. As it can be seen,
seen, the
the rate of
of increase
increase slowed
slowed over
over the last
last five
five years
years of the period.
period.
8. At 1974, it's
its output
output began
began to stage
stage a gradual
gradual recovery.
recovery.

Between February
February and May,
May, the income
income was
was fairly
fairly eratic.
eratic.
9. Between
10.
10. It is estimated
estimated that
that the number
number of cars
cars on the road plunge
plunge when
when road prizing
prizing is introduced.
introduced.
11
11.. Sales
Sales hit a peek
peek in late summer
summer and then felled
felled back
back in the
the consequent
consequent months.
months.
12. There
There was,
was, acording
acording to the
the graph, no significant
significant changes
changes to
to sales
sales from
from 1973 to 1976.

13. The
The rate of inflation
inflation drooped
drooped slowly,
slowly, but surely,
surely, in
in the
the early
early '80s.
80s.
13.
14. The
The main charactristic
charactristic of the bar chart
chart is the large drop
drop in male
male students
students applying.
applying.
14.
15.
15. The
The birth rate raised
raised quite
quite slowly
slowly over
over the
the period.

116

A book for IELTS

Section on Writing

Exercise
Exercise 14: How many correct sentences
sentences are there?

And now more mistakes!


mistakes! On the left,
left, you have uncompleted
uncompleted texts, some of which are correct
correct and some
wrong.
wrong. In the right-hand column,
column, you again have some texts which are correct
correct and some which are wrong.
Match the correct texts in each column to form complete sentences. If you think that the text
text in the first
first column
is wrong, it cannot then be completed. One of the sentences
sentences has been completed
completed for you. In some cases,
there may be more than one combination.
combination.
e.g.
e.g. (9 + e) = Expenditure
Expenditure has
has climbed
climbed considerably
considerably over
over the
the period.
period.

1 The graph shows that there was ....


2 The small decline of the use of
o f ....
...
3 As the chart shows that
th a t...
4 From the informations shown in the charts,
charts,....
5 The graph shows the number
number of passengers
passengers ....
6 The incidence of 'telephone
telephone rage'
rage ...
7 Between 1780 and 1850,
...
1850, a large number
number...
8 The fluctuations
...
fluctuations in the consumption
consumption of alcohol
alcohol...
9 Expenditure ...
...
110
O There was a mild
mild rise ...
11
...
11 In case of Liberia,
Liberia,...
12 The pound ...
...

a using trains, buses and the metro rose 7%, 8%


and 4%, respectively.
b a sudden rise in applications
applications to take the course.
course.
c corresponding peaks in people using public
transport.
d was slight.
e has climbed considerably
considerably over the period.
f

numeracy rates slipped back in the late 1970s.


1970s.

g plant equipment
equipment will ease off.
h crept up at an even pace.
i

depend on many factors.

on education fell quite severely.

13 The incidence of TB ...

k trains, buses and the metro rose 7%,


7%, 8% and 4%,
respectfully.

14 The rise in cheese production ...


...

15 A similar rise can be ...

m we can see the main reason was a desire to


meet new friends.

16 The Bartlett's
...
Bartletts shares of the UK bicycle market
m arket...
17 From the data given,
given,
18 In the case of the UK,
...
U K ,...

soared slightly against


against the dollar.

n rose steeply between 1990 and 1997.


o is dependent
dependent on a number
number of factors.
p recovered slightly against
against the dollar.
q in education was decreased.

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

117

Section on Writing

Exercise 15: Questionnaire 1


I~' _E_x_e_rc_is_e~1_s_:a~u_es_t_io_n_n_a_ir_e_1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~II

This exercise focuses


focuses on a number
number of specific
specific language
language points relating to graphs. Answer
Answer the questions
questions as
This
far as you can,
can, and use the Key where necessary.
necessary.
1.

Look at the list of words


words and phrases
phrases below. Which
Which is the odd one out? And why?
decline, fall, drop, go down, decrease, fall down, plunge
plunge

2.

Read the
the following
following sentence:
sentence:
Read
Over recent
recent years, the price
price of white goods
goods has fallen considerably.
Over
words or phrases
phrases below can replace
replace has fallen?
fallen? There
There is more than one answer.
Which of the words
has reduced, has slowed
slowed down, has declined, has dropped, has been
been reduced,
has deteriorated,
deteriorated, has been
been dropped, has subsided,
subsided, has
has lessened,
lessened, has gone
gone down,
has decreased
decreased
Give reasons
reasons for your
your answer.

3.
3.

is correct
correct and
and why?
why?
Which of the sentences below is
The number
full-time work
number of people
people in full-time
workdipped
dippedrather
ratherdramatically.
dramatically.
number of people
people in full-time
work dipped slightly.
The number
full-time work dipped slightly.
The number
full-time work dipped
rather rather
slightly.
number of people
people in full-time
work dipped
slightly.

4.

One major
major problem that students
students face in writing
writing is using words
words that
that go together.
together.
In other
other words, they
they often use words which do not collocate.
collocate. For example,
example, you cannot
cannot say:
The space
space between
between the rich and
and the poor
poor widened
widened considerably.
considerably.
Space
Space is obviously
obviously the wrong word.
word. The correct
correct word is gap.
Look at the following
following sentences
sentences and decide which word or phrase
phrase is not suitable
suitable and correct
correct it:
(a) The
Thedropping
droppingdeath
death rate
rateended
ended the
thedecade
decade at
atan
anall
alltime
timelow.
low.
(b) The
Therising
risingcost
costof
oflife
lifecontinued
continued until
untilthe
theend
endof
ofthe
thedecade.
decade.
(c)

The
Thechart
chart shows
showsaalarge
largeplummet
plummet ininthe
theamount
amount of
ofmoney
money invested
invested inin
recent years.
education over recent

(d) There
Therehas
hasbeen
beenaadeterioration
deterioration ininthe
thepercentage
percentage of
ofthe
thepopulation
population inin work.
work .
((e)
e) There
There was
wasaa diminution
diminution ininthe
theprice
priceof
oftelephoning
telephoning internationally.
internationally.
(f)

5.

The downward
downward tendency
tendency in traditional
traditional skills halted
halted abruptly
abruptly at the end
end of the year.

Look
Look at the following
following sentence:
sentence:
While the number
number of tourists
tourists visiting
visiting the site saw
saw a significant
significant increase,
increase, the amount
amount of
money which they
they spent
spent on souvenirs
souvenirs fell.
What
What other
other ways
ways can you use to express
express comparison
comparison here instead
instead of using while?

6.

118
118

What
What other
other phrases and words do you know with the same meaning
meaning as fluctuate?
fluctuate?

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Section
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7.

The birth rate did not change over the period.


Can you rewrite the sentence and begin: There was ...
What other expressions
expressions do you know to express stability?

8.

Which two words


words and phrases below are the odd ones out?
plunge, plummet,
plummet, deteriorate,
deteriorate, take a nose dive, nosedive,
nosedive, decline, collapse,
dive, fall headlong
headlong

9.

One of the main problems


problems that students have in describing graphs etc. is that they have
difficulty
difficulty using synonyms. What other words or phrases can you think
think of to replace the
underlined words in the texts below?
The incidence
incidence of teenage crime has levelled
levelled off in many
many parts
parts of the country
country over recent
recent years.
Nevertheless,
Nevertheless, we should
should not become complacent
complacent about
about the situation, as the incidence
incidence of
teenage
teenage crime
crime is historically
historically high.

10. When you want to refer to a particular item on a graph you can use an expression
expression like:
As regards
regards the trend for Sierra Leone, the increase is more marked.
marked.
What
What other words or expressions
expressions like this do you know?

11. Look at the sentence


sentence below. What other
other words and expressions
expressions do you know which can
replace the word shows?
The graph shows
shows the percentage
percentage of the population
population of the UK
UK who support
support the
idea of a single currency.

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119

Section on Writing

ILi

Exercise 16: Questionnaire 2


_E_x_e_rc_is_e~1_s_:a~u_e_st_io_n_n_a_ir_e_2~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--'11

This exercise
exercise contains
contains a number
number of questions
questions about
about the language you need to describe
describe graphs.
1.
1.

What
What other ways can you express
express sequence
sequence in the sentence
sentence below instead
instead of just using
the word 'next'?
next? You may rewrite part of the sentence
sentence if you wish.
Next, the information
information is collated
collated and sent
sent out
out electronically
electronically to other
other agents.

2.

In the
the sentence
sentence below,
below, what
what do
do you
you think
think is
is the
the best
best word
word to
to fill
fill the
the blank?
blank?
In
ofthis
thisgraph
graph isisthe
theinverse
inverse relationship
relationship between
between the decrease
decrease inin the
The main
m ain__________ of
the
consumption
of
beer
and
the
rise
in
that
of
wine.
consumption beer and

3.

In the
the sentence
sentence below
below there
there are
are two
two pieces
pieces of
of information:
information: the
the approval
approvalrating
rating of
ofthe
the new
new
In
currency
currency rose and it rose 35%. Can you combine the two pieces of information
information in another
another way?
Which way is better?
The number
number of companies
companies who registered
registered approval
approval of the new
new currency
currency rose and
and the
ratings
ratings rose by more than 35%.

4.
4.

Rewrite the following


following sentence
sentence using the words
words followed
followed by:
Mobile
Mobile telephone
telephone sales
sales rocketed
rocketed in the first three
three months
months and
and then there was a
steady
steady decline
decline for the rest
rest of the year.

5. Are
Are both
both these
these sentences
sentences wrong?
wrong?
The amount
amount of money
money invested
invested in the infrastructure
infrastructure was increased
increased slowly.
Cinema
attendances
were
increased
in
the
period.
Cinema attendances
increased

6.

Is there anything
anything wrong with the sentence
sentence below?
A glance
glance at the graph
graph shows
shows that the trend
trend was stable
stable with no significant
significant fall and
and rise.

7.

Look at
at the
the following
following words:
words:
Look
predict, forecast, estimate,
estimate, prophesy,
prophesy, project, anticipate
anticipate
Which is the odd one out?

8.

Look at
at the
the following
following sentence:
sentence:
Look
The number
number of people
people on waiting lists is forecast
forecast to rise steadily
steadily in the coming
coming years.
Rewrite the sentence and begin:
begin: It
I t ...

9.

Is itit correct
correct to
to say
say the
the following:
following:
Is
The projected
projected number
number of people
people on waiting
waiting lists is set
set to rise steadily
steadily in the coming
coming years.

10. Is the word interesting


interesting in the sentence
sentence below
below objective or subjective?
subjective?
The most interesting
interesting characteristic
characteristic in the chart
chart is the variation
variation in temperature
temperature
during the period.
period.
If you replace the word interesting with significant, is there any change
change in the
subjectivity/objectivity?
subjectivity/objectivity?

120

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11. The amount of money invested in science and in training are being compared
compared in the
sentence
sentence below.
The falls in investment
investment in science and training are almost
almost the same.
What other
other ways can you compare the two items? You cannot
cannot use 'while'
while' etc
(see Exercise 15,
15, number 5).
12. All of the sentences below are correct. Which do you prefer and why?
(a) The rates of the decline in investment
investment in science and
and training are not
not the same.
(b) The
Therate
rate of
ofthe
the decline
in science
is not the
same
that as
for that
training.
decline in investment
in investment
in science
is not
theas
same
for training.
(c) The
Therate
rate of
ofthe
the decline
in science
does does
not quite
mirrormirror
that for
decline in investment
in investment
in science
not quite
thattraining.
for training.
(d) The
Therate
rate of
ofthe
the decline
in science
differs slightly
from that
forthat
training.
decline in investment
in investment
in science
differs slightly
from
for training.
(e) The
Therate
rate of
ofthe
the decline
decline in
in investment
investmentin
in science
science isispractically
practically the
the same
same as
as that
that for
fortraining.
training.
13 Rewrite the sentence below using the word not.
The fall in investment
investment in training is slightly
slightly smaller
smaller than that for science.

A
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121
121

Section on Writing
Writing

l~I

Exercise 17: Tables


_E_x_e_rc_1s_e~1_1_:T_a_b_1_e_s~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--'11

ltIt is usually harder


harder to describe
describe tables
tables than graphs
graphs and pie
pie charts,
charts, mainly
mainly because
because they
they lack the visual
organisation
organisation in the latter. However, the same
same principles
principles apply
apply to tables
tables as to graphs:
graphs: look
look for
for patterns.
patterns. In
In
addition, it might help you to draw a simple line graph next to each line of data, if it is
is too long to see a visual
visual
image immediately.
immediately.
Study
Study the table
table below and look for patterns
patterns in the data relating
relating to land
land transport
transport only
only i.e.
i.e. excluding
excluding Foot,
Water
Water and Air.
Passenger
Passenger death
death rates:
rates: by
by mode
mode of
of transport
transport

Great
Great Britain
Britain
1981
Motorcycle
Motorcycle 115.8
115.8
Foot
Foot
76.9
Pedal
56.9
Pedal cycle
Water
0.4
Water11
Car
Car
6.1
6.1
Van
3.8
Rail
1.0
Bus
0.3
Bus or coach
coach
Air
1
0.2
Air1

1986
1991
1986
---------100.3
100.3
75.3
75.3
49.6
0.5
5.1
3.8
0.9
0.5
0.5

94.4
62.5
62.5
46.8
0.0
3.7
2.2
0.8
0.6
0.0

Rates
Rates per
per billion passenger
passenger kilometres
Average
Average
1992
1992
1993
1983-1993
97.0
58.5
43.4
0.5
3.5
2.2
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.1
0.1

94.6
56.2
41.3
0.0
3.0
1.7
1.7
0.4
0.8
0.0

104.0
70.5
48.8
9.2
4.6
2.7
0.9
0.5
0.2

1 Data
Data are
are for
for United
United Kingdom
Kingdom
Source:
Source: Department
Department of Transport, Social Trends
Trends 1996,
1996, Table
Table 12.15
12.15

Now look at the jumbled


jumbled model below. The sections
sections of text on the left are in the correct
correct order
order and those on
the right are jumbled.
jumbled. Using the table above to help you, recreate
recreate the model answer
answer by matching
matching the two
sides.
Example:
Example:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
11.
12.
12.
13.
13.
14.
15.

1. matches
matches (d);
(d); and 2. matches (e)

The data in the table relating


relating to passenger
passenger
in Great
Great Britain
Britain between
between 1981 and 1993
1993
The first group, consisting
consisting of cars,
cars, vans
vans
reduction
reduction in the rate
rate of road
road death
death over
death
death among
among the car and van users
users
from
from 6.1 per billion
billion passenger
passenger
respectively.
respectively. Cycling,
Cycling, however,
however,
56.9 per billion
billion to 41.3,
41.3, remained
remained
In the second
second category,
category, comprising
comprising
slightly
slightly between
between 1981 and 1993.
type of transport
transport averaging
averaging more
more
than twenty
twenty times
times as high as cars.
Regarding
Regarding the third group, buses
buses
almost
almost trebled
trebled over the period
period
coaches
coaches were
were still
still the second
second

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

g.
gh.
i.
j.jk.

I.

m.
n.

under
under review. Nevertheless,
Nevertheless, buses
buses and
motorcycles
motorcycles and
and rail, the rate
rate dropped
dropped
the second
second most
most dangerous
dangerous type of
land
land transport.
transport.
death
death rates
rates by mode
mode of land
land transport
transport
can be divided
divided into three
three categories.
categories.
than
than twice
twice as many
many fatalities
fatalities as cycling,
cycling, _
and
and more
safest
safest type of vehicular
vehicular transport.
transport.
despite
despite a significant
significant decrease
decrease from
from
and
and bicycles experienced
experienced a significant
significant
kilometres
kilometres to 3.0 and 3.8 to 1.7,
the period
period under
under study.
study. For example,
example,
and
and coaches, the road
road death rate
rate
declined
declined by more than
than half, falling
falling
Motorcycling
Motorcycling was the most dangerous
dangerous

Compare
Compare your
your answer
answer with the Key.

122

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Section
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Writing

Exercise 18: Map language - and verbs and tenses

In this exercise, you are going to look at the language that is used in describing maps. Study the two maps
below, which show the area of Barton Bingham in 1937 and 1995. Then look at the text on the page opposite
which has no verbs. Read the text with the maps and put the verbs from the Verb box
box into the most suitable
places in the text. You may use each item in the Verb
Verb box
box once only. One of the verb phrases (No.17)
(No. 17) has
been done for you as an example
example..

... ..
.. .. . 8

Key

Farm

-.,.. -.,.. .......,


-...
, -..., -...,

Woodland
W oodland

~A M u i Railway
Railway station
station (1990)
( 1990)

Agricultural land

I - I

EJ Disused railway line

M/

Marshland

[D
*

0
0

I -- I Scrubland

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Houses

rn
i

course
\ Golf course

+H-

Railway (1991)
( 19 9 1)

Disused railway line

8Road

Road

W ildfow l sanctuary
sanctuary
I 7 !| Wildfowl

123
123

Section on Writing
Writing

Changes
Changes in
in Barton
Barton Bingham
Bingham
As can
can be
be seen
seen from
from the
the maps, the
the area of Barton Bingham significantly
significantly
between 1937 and 1995. The road bisecting the area and on both
both sides
various developments.
developments. On the
the north
north side, the
the manor
manor house into
into a health
farm
farm and part
part of the
the surrounding
surrounding scrubland and adjacent
adjacent woodland
woodland a golf
golf
course. The area immediately
immediately adjacent
adjacent to
to the
the road to
to housing along its
entire
entire length.
On the south side of the
the road, a railway
railway station
station in 1990, which by aa minor
minor
road to
to the
the main thoroughfare.
thoroughfare. In
In 1991, the
the disused railway
railway line, with
with a
bridge across the
the road.
road. In
In the scrubland to the
the east of the
the lake, a leisure
complex
complex in 1995. In
In addition,
addition, the
the area of agricultural
agricultural land which in 1937
to make way for
for the
the construction
construction of
of a new hospital and a car park both
also with
with road access
access to the
the main highway. A farmhouse
farmhouse the
the remaining
agricultural
agricultural land. Next to
to the agricultural
agricultural land, the
the marshes that there
there in
1937, to
to a wildfowl
wildfowl sanctuary.

Verb box

124
124

1.

became
became

10.

was reopened
reopened

2.

existed
existed

11.

was completed
completed and
and opened
opened

3.

gave way
way

12.

were

4.

being
being built

13.

was halved

5.

was
was constructed
constructed

14.

was built
built on

6.

changed
changed

15.

was connected
connected

7.

took
took place

16.

was straightened
straightened

8.
8.

was
was converted
converted

17.

can be seen

9.

were
were turned
turned over

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Section on
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Writing
Section

Exercise 19: Process language?


I-I_E_x_e_rc_i_s_e_1_s_:_P_ro_c_e_s_s_1_a_ng_u_a_g_e_?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~II

And
And now
now for
for the
the language
language necessary
necessary to
to describe
describe processes.
processes. Look
Look at
at the
the timeline
timeline below
below which
which shows
shows the
the
steps
steps taken
taken to
to produce
produce aa TV
TV documentary
documentary on
on Lenin.
Lenin.
Then
Then read
read the
the list
list (a-o)
(a-o) below
below diagram
diagram and
and choose
choose the
the sentences
sentences you
you need
need to
to describe
describe the
the sequence
sequence of
of
events
that
led
to
the
production
of
the
documentary.
events that led to the production of the documentary.

Documentary
Documentary
producer
seeks
funding
funding

Producer
Producer
chooses
chooses
team
team

Team
Team
interviews
expertS
experts
04/04/98
04/04/98

08102198
08/02/98

The
The start
start of
of
filming
filming on
location

Broadcast
of the
documentary
documentary
on TV
TV

12105/98
I2/0S/98

Contact with
Filming
Filming ends

expertS
experts ,
21103/98
21103198

07101/98
07/01/98

/6/06/98
16/06/98

27/09/98
27/09/98

1
07102/98
07/02/98

07103/98
07/03/98

/8/04/98
18/04/98

Producer
Producer
finds
necessary
necessary
finance

Team
Team begins
research
research

Recording
of interviews
of experts
experts
takes place

/2/07/98
12/07/98

Editing
Editing of
filming
filming and
interviews

Please note that five of the sentences


sentences are not suitable.
a

Thenext
nextstage
stagewas
wasthe
thefact
factfinding
findingwhich
whichwas
wasbegun
begunon
on 77March.
The
March,

Notlong
longafterwards
afterwardsthe
theprogramme
programmewas
wasedited,
edited.
Not

and the
theinterviews
interviewswere
werefinally
finallyrecorded
recordedtwo
two weeks
weekslater,
later.
and

Therequired
requiredfunding
fundingwas
wassecured
securedjust
justover
overfour
fourweeks
weeksafterwards,
afterwards.
The

Thefilm
filmcrew
crewwere
werebriefed,
briefed.
The

All the
the necessary
necessaryresearch
researchwas
wasdone
doneon
on 77 March,
March.
All

Thedocumentary
documentarywas
wasthen
thentelevised
televisedat
atthe
theend
endof
ofSeptember,
September.
The

At the
the beginning
beginningof
of 1978,
1978, funding
fundingfor
for the
the documentary
documentaryon
on Lenin
Leninwas
wasapplied
appliedfor.
for.
At

/'

Thenext
nextphase,
phase,filming
filmingon
onlocation,
location,began
beganon
on 12
12May
Mayand
andcame
cameto
toan
anend
endjust
just over
overfour
fourweeks
weekslater,
later.
The

Contactwas
wasthen
thenmade
madewith
withexperts
expertson
onLenin,
Lenin.
Contact

Theexperts
expertswere
wereinterviewed
interviewed
The

The
Theproducer
producerapplied
appliedfor
forfunding
fundingof
ofthe
thedocumentary
documentaryat
atthe
thebeginning
beginningof
of1998.
1998.

and the
theinterviews
interviewswere
werefinally
finallyrecorded
recordedthree
threeweeks
weekslater,
later.
and

Theproducer
producerwas
waschosen
chosenby
bythe
theteam.
team.
The

Theproduction
productioncrew
crewwere
wereselected
selectedby
bythe
theproducer
producerthe
thefollowing
followingday.
day.
The

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125

Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing

Exercise
Exercise 20: The process of making a newspaper
newspaper

Look at the diagram below. Then read the brief explanation


explanation on the next page, which
which a printer
printer gave to a group
of teenagers
teenagers about making a daily
daily newspaper.
Below
Below the printer's
printers explanation
explanation is an outline
outline for a written version
version of what
what the printer
printer said. Using the explanation,
complete
complete the report. Then compare
compare your
your version with the Key.

Making
Making aa daily
daily newspaper
newspaper

Mechanical
Mechanical
Pulping
Pulping Process
Refiner
Refiner

Timber

[] ......,...

De-Barker

Wire Section
Dinklng Cell

....,____..<F
Press Section

rm o [D <Flffl
<F

Screening & Cleaning

Refining

Blend Chest

Hydrapulper

l.l1J
1

Printing

126
126

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Section on
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Section

Printer's explanation
explanation
Printer's
Well, if you
you look at this diagram
diagram here, you can see that we take material
material from
from two places, timber
timber
'Well,
and then we pass
pass it through some machines to create the
from trees and recycled paper, and
newspaper.
We put the wood into this machine
machine here to remove the bark
bark and
and then we chop the timber
timber up into
little tiny pieces
pieces in this one here. These tiny pieces
pieces we then put into this mechanical
mechanical refiner, and
after that it goes into the hydrapulper
hydrapulper over
over there.
after
chippings with water
water and
and make them into a pulp, which we put into this blend
blend
And then we mix the chippings
chest where we mix it with pulp from recycled
recycled paper,
paper, which I'll
Ill talk about
about in a minute. We then
chest
and screen
screen this mixture before it goes into
into this large piece
piece of machinery
machinery here where
refine, clean and
press the pulp, dry it and
and then make it into rolls of paper.
paper.
we press
newspaper, it is sent to your newsagent. After you
you have finished
finished with the paper,
Once we print the newspaper,
hopefully goes into a recycling
recycling bin.
it hopefully
The recycled
recycled paper goes
goes into this
this hydrapulper
hydrapulper here and we remove the ink in that de-inking cell
cell
over there. This is added
added to the blend
blend chest: and
and the whole process is repeated. Any questions?'
questions?
over

Written
Written report
report
To create a daily newspaper, the necessary material is taken from two sources,

Trees are cut down to provide timber. In


_
In the first machine,
machine,________________
These chippings
subsequently a
chippings__________________________________,, and subsequently
hydrapulper
hydrapulper______________________________________________ .. At the next
stage,
the pulp----------------------pulp_____________________________________________________
stage, the
----------------------- This mixture __
___________

into rolls of paper.


.into

Once the newspaper


newspaper has been printed, iti t ______________ . After the reader _
__________________
________________________________________ . The recycling process first
involves
~
involves
__ .into
into a pulp.
pulp. A de-inking cell then extracts the ink. After that,
that, the solution is
put into the blend chest: and the whole process is repeated.
repeated.

A book
book tor
for IELTS
A

127
127

Section on Writing
Writing

Essay Writing
Writing for Task 22
Essay

Exercise 21:
2 1 : Understanding
Understanding essay
essay titles

Candidates
Candidates often score
score badly in the Task
Task 2 of the writing module
module in IELTS,
IELTS, simply
simply because
because they
they do not
understand
understand what the essay
essay question
question is asking them to do. Look at the following:
following:
Charges
Charges for entrance
entrance to museums
museums is seen by many as a tax on education.
education.
What do you
you think
think the consequences
consequences of such
such charging would
would be?
be?
The focus of this question
question is the word consequences
consequences and your
your opinion is involved
involved in the selection
selection of the
consequences.
So
you
should
organise
your
essay
around
the
focus
word,
perhaps
using
variations
consequences.
organise your
focus
perhaps
variations like
effect and result.
Now look at the ten essay
essay titles
titles below
below and the explanations which follow. Match the explanations
explanations to the titles.
titles.
Note that there
there are more explanations
explanations than titles and some
some of the explanations
explanations are wrong
wrong or not complete.
complete.
The answer
answer to number
number one is: B
Essay titles
titles
1.

Charges for
forentrance
entrance to
tomuseums
museums isisseen
seen by
bymany
many as
as aatax
taxon
oneducation.
education.
Charges
How far do you
you agree
agree with this statement?

2.

Manypeople
people believe
believe that
that the
thenext
next world
world war
war will
willhappen
happen as
as aaresult
result of
ofconflicts
conflicts over
over water.
water.
Many
Is this fear
fear justified?
justified? Give reasons
reasons for
for your answer.

3.

Success ininlife
life isismore
more often
often than
than not
not elusive.
elusive. What
Whatfactors
factors help
help to
tomake
make an
an individual
individual
Success
successful?
successful?

4.

Somepeople
people believe
believe that
thatititwould
wouldbe
be better
better ififthere
there were
wereonly
only one
one language
language inin the
the world.
world.
Some
Others are of the opinion that if this ever
ever occurred
occurred it would cause
cause more
more problems
problems than it solved.
Discuss
Discuss the problems
problems that might
might arise
arise if, in fact, there were only
only one language
language in the world
world
and
and give your own opinion.

5.

Somepeople
people believe
believe that
that the
theinfluence
influence that
that television
television exerts
exerts over
oversociety
society isislargely
largelydetrimental
detrimental
Some
and
and are calling
calling for it to be more strictly
strictly controlled. Should
Should television be more
more tightly controlled
controlled
to protect
protect society
society and, if so, how? Or should
should it have even fewer
fewer restrictions placed
placed on it?

6.

Noise pollution
pollution isismost
most certainly
certainly increasing
increasingat
atan
an alarming
alarming rate
rate ininmany
many industrialised
industrialised countries.
countries.
Noise
In what ways can this problem
problem be overcome?
overcome?

7. People
Peoplepoint
point totothe
the number
number of
ofpresidents
presidents and
and other
other rulers
rulers who
whocome
come to
topower
power at
atan
an advanced
advanced
age, or artists
artists and
and famous
famous people
people who achieve
achieve success
success late in life as one of the arguments
arguments
against
against age discrimination
discrimination in the work
work place. What are the dangers
dangers of such
such discrimination?
Do you
you feel
feel age discrimination
discrimination should
should be banned
banned or do you
you feel
feel that
that there
there are certain
certain jobs that
should
should only
only be open to younger
younger people?
people?
8.

As people
people live
live longer
longer and
and longer,
longer, the
the idea
idea of
of cloning
cloning human
human beings
beings in
in order
order to
to provide
provide human
human
As
spare
spare parts
parts is becoming
becoming a reality. The idea horrifies most
most people, yet it is becoming a reality
reality
rather
rather than mere
mere science
science fiction. To what extent
extent do you agree
agree with such a procedure?
procedure?
Have
Have you
you any reservations?
reservations?

9.

Money has
has always
always been
been aa prime
prime driving
driving force
force for
forpeople,
people, but
but as
as we
we move
move into
into the
the technological
technological
Money
age we seem
to
be
driven
more
and
more
by
the
pursuit
of
money.
Discuss
the
arguments
seem
driven
and more
pursuit
arguments for
and
against
this
idea
and
give
your
own
views.
and against
and
your

10. People
People generally
generally believe
believe that
that knowledge
knowledge isispower,
power, but
but rather
rather ititisis the
the ability
ability to
tomanipulate
manipulate
knowledge
knowledge not knowledge
knowledge itself, which bestows power. How
How far do you agree?
agree?

128

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing

Explanations
Explanations
A.

B.
B.

The title makes a distinction between the use of knowledge and knowledge. It says that the
latter gives an individual power.
power. You have to give your opinion about this distinction, i.e. which
is more important?
This title
title asks
asks you
you how
how far
far you
you agree
agree with
with the
the idea
idea that
that museum
museum charges
charges are
are aa tax
tax on
on education.
education.
This
You can state your opinion and give your reasons. Or you can state your
your own opinion generally,
then give other people's
peoples views and then demolish them by supporting your
your own opinion.
opinion. Or you
can give other people's
peoples views and then demolish them by giving your own.

C.
C.

You are
are being
being asked
asked to
to describe
describe what
what contributes
contributesto
to making
making an
an individual
individual successful.
successful.
You

D.
D.

This title
title asks
asks what
what you
you think
think about
about the
the next
next world
world war
war being
being fought
fought over
over water.
water. You
You can
can state
This
state
your opinion and show the consequences.

E. Describe
Describe the
the arguments
arguments against
against about
aboutmoney
money being
being the
the main
main driving
driving force
force for
for human
human beings.
beings.
F.

This title
title asks
asks your
your opinion
opinion about
about whether
whether we
we should
should be
be afraid
afraid of
of aa war
war resulting
resulting from
from fights
fights
This
over water supplies and also asks you to give
give your reasons.

G. The
The question
question is
is asking
asking you
you to
to state
state your
your opinion
opinion about
about the
the positive
positive effects
effects of
of TV
TV on
on society.
society.
H.
H.

Describe the
the risks
risks of
of age
age discrimination
discrimination in
in the
the work
work place
place and
and state
state whether
whether itit should
should be
be
Describe
banned. Also do you feel that certain jobs should be done by younger
younger people?

I.
J.

You are
are being
being asked
asked to
to describe
describe why
why people
people more
more often
often fail
fail than
than achieve
achieve success.
success.
You
You are
are being
being asked
asked to
to state
state how
how far
far you
you agree
agree or
or disagree
disagree with
with cloning
cloning human
human beings
beings to
to
You
provide spare parts and also to say whether
you
have
any
doubts
about
the
subject.
whether

K.

You are
are being
being asked
asked to
to describe
describe the
the problems
problems involved
involved ifif there
there were
were only
only one
one language
language in
in the
the
You
world and what your
opinion
is
in
this
matter.
your
is
L. You
You are
are being
being asked
asked to
to state
state how
how far
far you
you agree
agree or
or disagree
disagree with
with cloning
cloning human
human beings
beings to
to
provide spare parts.
M.
M. You are being asked to describe the advantages and problems involved if there
there were only one
language in the world.
N.
N.

Describe the
the arguments
arguments for
for and
and against
against and
and also
also give
give your
your opinion
opinion about
about money
money being
being the
the
Describe
main driving force for human beings.

0.
The question
question is
is asking
asking you
you to
to state
stateyour
your opinion
opinion about
about whether
whethertelevision
televisionshould
should be
O. The
be restricted
restricted
or not. It also asks you to describe how to control TV, if you agree.
P. Describe
Describe some
some measures
measures to
to reduce
reduce noise
noise pollution.
pollution.

a.
Q.
R.

S.
S.

Discuss the
the problems
problems faced
faced by
by industrialised
industrialised nations.
nations.
Discuss
The title
title makes
makes aa distinction
distinction between
between knowledge
knowledge and
and the
the use
use of
of knowledge.
knowledge.It Itsays
saysthat
thatthe
the
The
latter gives an individual
individual power not knowledge itself. You have to give your
your opinion about
about this
distinction, i.e. which is more important?
Describe the
the arguments
arguments for
for and
and against
against age
age discrimination
discriminationin
inthe
the work
work place
place and
and state
state whether
whether
Describe
it should be banned.

A book for
for IELTS

129

Section on Writing

l~I

Exercise 22: Plans for essays


_E_x_er_c_is_e~2_2_:P~la_n_s_fo_r_e_s_s_a_ys~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~___.II

For many students


students deciding
deciding how to plan an essay
essay under the stress of the exam
exam causes
causes many problems.
problems.
However, you should note that, while the range of general subjects
subjects is wide,
wide, there is a limit
limit to the type of
question you can be asked to write about.
This exercise
exercise shows
shows a range of essay
essay types. Look at the titles below and then at the plans
plans which
which follow.
follow.
Decide which basic plan, or plans, is suitable for each essay.

Note that two of the titles do not have plans.


1.1.
A growing
growing number
number of people feel animals should have the same
same rights as humans.
humans. Discuss the
difficulties
difficulties that the adoption
adoption of such a policy would have for
for humans.
humans. What
What is your
your own opinion
opinion on
this matter?
2.
2. A growing
growing number
number of people feel animals
animals should have the same
same rights
rights as humans. Others
Others feel
that
humans
must
always
come
first
and
accuse
animal
rights
activists
of
being
overly
sentimental.
that humans
always
first
accuse
rights activists
How far do you agree or disagree?
disagree?
3. The wealth of a nation depends
depends primarily on the level of education
education of its workforce.
workforce. How far do
you agree with this statement
statement and what
what other
other factors
factors do you think
think might be involved?
involved?
4. The primary
primary concern
concern of architects
architects should be to create buildings
buildings that are pleasing
pleasing to the eye rather
than just being functional.
functional. What
What would be the benefits to society
society if architects
architects adopted
adopted such a
principle?
5. Education is not a luxury, but a basic human right and as such should be free for everyone
everyone
irrespective
irrespective of personal wealth.
wealth. Discuss the difficulties
difficulties of applying
applying such a principle.
principle.
6. The extinction
extinction of animals
animals is part of a natural process
process that we as human beings should not
interfere with. What
What are the arguments
arguments against
against this statement
statement and how
how far do you agree with it
yourself?
yourself?
7. For a long time,
time, there has been concern
concern about the quality of the food
food we eat what
what with food
additives
additives and contamination
contamination from pesticides
pesticides and pollution.
pollution. Now the advances
advances in
genetically-engineered
genetically-engineered food are causing
causing concern
concern among the general
general public.
public. Is this concern,
concern, in your
opinion,
opinion, justified
justified or are we all just
just looking for
for something
something to worry
worry about?
about?
8. Prisons are basically
basically universities
universities of crime,
crime, fostering
fostering the kind
kind of behaviour
behaviour they aim to eradicate.
eradicate.
In what ways can prisons help criminals
criminals to function
function normally
normally when they return to society?
society? Do you
think such attempts
attempts at rehabilitating
rehabilitating criminals
criminals are effective?
9. The cloning of human beings is an inevitable consequence
consequence of human development.
development. Should
Should such
cloning be banned?
banned? Or should
should scientists
scientists be allowed
allowed to continue
continue developing
developing this field of research?
research?
10. Cloning
Cloning is an inevitable
inevitable consequence
consequence of human development.
development. What
What are the dangers
dangers ifif itit is
allowed to develop
develop unchecked?
unchecked? Should it be banned totally?

130

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Section on Writing
Plan
Plan A

Plan
Plan B

_______
hasbeen
beenan
an issue
issue about
about
_________________ has
which
which there has been considerable
considerable hostile
debate.
debate. There are,
are, of course,
course, a number of
problems involved in adopting such a policy.
policy.
The main difficulty is
_
i s __________________
______________
yet
________________________________ isis yet
another
another obstacle.
obstacle.
As far as II am concerned,
_
concerned,_______________

Whether
_
Whether.______
___________
.
I
personally
__________________________ . I personally
is _____________________
My main reason is--------Another justification
justification is
i s -------__________________
Another
Last
_
Last but
but not
not least,
least,____________________

Plan
C
PlanC

Plano
Plan D

Whether
Whether_____________________________
__________________________ . (I personally
-----------
.)
_____________ ____ ______ .)
Some
people
feel
_
Some people feel ____________________
Others ------------______________________________
Others

___________________ isisaa matter


-------matter of
ofdebate.
debate.
There are, however, several
several strong arguments
arguments
against
against this.
_________
is obviously
obviously the
the main
main
______________ _____ is
argument.
argument.
Another
_
Another justification
justification is

________________

In
In my opinion,
opinion,_________________

From my point of view,-------view,

__________

Plan
Plan E

PlanF
Plan F

Whether
Whether_________________ . From my point
of
_
of view,
view,______________________________

Many people are expressing


expressing concern
concern about
______
_______________ ..Other.people,
Other people, by contrast,

_______
is, in
inmy
my opinion,
opinion, the
the main
main
________________ is,
contributing
contributing factor.
Another
Another___________________ .,
Finally,
to be
be
Finally,__________________________ to
considered.
considered.
As
_
As we
we have
have seen,
seen,______________________

There are,
are, of course, several
several risks Inherent
inherent in
such a development.
development.
The most obvious
_
obvious danger
danger is
is ______________

is another
another hazard.
Having said that, however, II believe

PlanG
Plan G

PlanH
Plan H

Whether
From my point
Whether__________________ . From
view,_____________________________ .
of view,------------

___________________ isis aa matter


-------matter of
of debate.
debate.
There are, of course,
course, several
several strong arguments
arguments
for/against
for/against doing this.
________
___________________ is
is obviously
obviously the
the main
main
argument
argument for/against.
for/against. However,
However, in my opinion,

_______
_________________
main measure.
measure.

is,
is, in my opinion,
opinion, the

Another
_
Another course of action would be to
t o _______
II am personally of the opinion
_
opinion_____________

Another
_
Another justification
justification for/against
for/against is
is __________
______
.
Having
said
that,
however,
II
_____________
feel
fe e l_____________________ .
view,___________________
From my point of view,
-----'----.c...-

-----------,-

A book for IELTS


IELTS

131

Section
Section on Writing

Exercise 23: Same general


general subject
subject - different
different focus
focus

This exercise
exercise gives you further
further practice
practice in interpreting
interpreting essay
essay titles. Below
Below there
there are ten essay
essay titles all with
the same general
general subject, but the focus of each essay
essay question
question is different. Following
Following the titles, there
there are
some explanations.
explanations. Match the explanations
explanations to the titles. Note that
that there
there are more explanations
explanations than titles;
some of the explanations
explanations are wrong or not complete.
complete. In one or two cases
cases there may be more than one correct
correct
answer.

Essay
Essay titles
titles
1.

Some people
people feel
feel that
that media
media like
like the
the press,
press, television,
television, and
and the
the Internet
Internet should
should be
be more
more strictly
strictly
Some
controlled. Others
Others believe
believe that, if anything, the controls
controls should
should be loosened
loosened to give people
people freer
freer
access to information. Where do you
access
you stand
stand on this issue?
issue?

2.

Some people
people are
are of
of the
the opinion
opinion that
that media
media like
like the
the press,
press, television,
television, and
and the
the Internet
Internet should
should be
be
Some
more strictly
strictly controlled.
controlled. Others
Others feel
feel that
that the controls
controls should
should be loosened
loosened to give
give people
people freer
freer
access to information.
access
information. How
How far do you agree
agree with loosening
loosening the controls?
controls?

3.

Some people
people are of the opinion
opinion that
that media like the press, television,
television, and
and the Internet
Internet should
should be
more strictly
strictly controlled.
controlled. Others
Others firmly
firmly feel
feel that, if anything,
anything, the controls
controls should
should be loosened
loosened to
give
give people
people freer
freer access
access to information.
information. Discuss
Discuss the dangers
dangers and
and advantages
advantages if media
media controls
controls
were further
further relaxed.

4.

Some people
people believe
believe that media like the press, television, and
and the Internet
Internet should
should be more
strictly controlled. Others
strictly
Others feel
feel that, if anything,
anything, the controls
controls should
should be loosened
loosened to give
give people
people
freer
freer access
access to information.
information. What are the disadvantages
disadvantages of not
not relaxing
relaxing media
media controls
controls further?
further?
And where do you
you stand
stand on the issue?
issue?

5.

Some people
people think
think that
that media
media like
like the
the press, television,
television, and the
the Internet
Internet should be more
more strictly
strictly
Some
controlled.
Others
feel
that
if
anything
the
controls
should
be
loosened
to
give
people
freer
controlled. Others feel
anything
controls should
loosened give people freer
access
access to information.
information. Discuss
Discuss the problems
problems that
that might
might arise
arise if the controls
controls were relaxed
relaxed and
give your own opinion
opinion on the issue.

6.

Some people
people fear
fear that
that media
media like
like the
the press,
press, television,
television, and
and the
the Internet
Internet will
will cause
cause irreparable
irreparable
Some
damage unless
damage
unless they
they are more strictly
strictly controlled. Others
Others feel
feel that, if anything,
anything, the controls
controls should
should
be loosened
loosened to give people
people freer
freer access
access to information. Is this fear
fear really
really justified? Give reasons
for your answer.

7.

Some people
people believe
believe that
that media
media like
like the press,
press, television,
television, and
and the Internet should
should be
be more
more
Some
strictly
controlled.
Others
feel
that
if
anything
the
controls
should
be
loosened
to
give
people
strictly controlled. Others feel
anything
controls should
loosened
people
freer
freer access
access to information.
information. What are the dangers
dangers of such freedom?
freedom? Do you feel
feel there should
should
be more
more controls
controls over
over the media
media or do you
you think
think that
that the restrictions
restrictions in place
place are too tight?
tight?

8.

media like the press, television, and the Internet should


should be more
Some people believe that media
strictly
strictly controlled.
controlled. Others feel that if anything
anything the controls
controls should
should be loosened
loosened to give
give people
people
freer
freer access
access to information.
information. To what extent
extent do you
you agree
agree with the idea of reducing
reducing media
controls?
controls? Have
Have you
you any
any reservations
reservations either
either way?

9.

Internet should be more


Some people believe that media like the press, television, and the Internet
strictly
strictly controlled.
controlled. Others feel
feel that
that if anything
anything the controls
controls should
should be loosened
loosened to give people
people
freer
access
to
information.
Discuss
the
arguments
for
and
against
the
latter
idea
and
freer access information. Discuss
arguments
and against
latter
and give
your
your own views.

10. Some people believe that media like the press, television, and the Internet
Internet should
should be more
strictly
strictly controlled.
controlled. Others
Others feel
feel that
that if anything
anything the controls
controls should
should be loosened
loosened to give
give people
people
freer
freer access
access to information.
information. Should
Should the controls
controls be made
made tighter?
tighter? Or should
should there be more
freedom
freedom for the media?
media?

132

A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing

Explanations
Explanations
A.

The question is asking you to describe what the drawbacks could be if controls over the media
are relaxed. You also have to give
give your own opinion.
opinion. The question has two main parts.

B.

You are being asked to discuss


discuss the risks involved in relaxing control of the media. There is
another part to this question i.e.
i.e. you have to give your opinion about whether
whether controls need to
be tightened
tightened or whether
whether they are already too restrictive.

C. This
This title
title asks
asks you
you whether
whether you
you agree
agree with
with relaxing
relaxing or
or tightening
tightening media
media controls.
controls. You
You can
can state
state
your opinion and give your reasons. Or you can state your own opinion generally, then give
other people's
peoples views and then demolish them by supporting your
your own opinion. Or you can give
other people's
peoples views and then demolish them by giving your own.
D.

You are being asked to give


give your opinion i.e.
i.e. which side of the issue do you agree with or are
you in the middle?
middle?

E.

This title asks to write about the risks involved in


in having media controls. You should also give
your opinion. The question has two parts.

F.

You are being asked to describe the problems involved if media controls were relaxed and to
give your opinion.

G.

This title asks you to write about the risks involved and the benefits in having looser media
controls.

H. The
The question
question isisasking
asking you
you to
to describe
describe what
what the
the drawbacks
drawbacks could
could be
be ifif controls
controls over
over the
the media
media
are not relaxed. You also have to give your own opinion.
I.
You are being asked to describe the problems involved if media controls
controls were relaxed. You are
not being asked to write about anything else.

J.
J.

Notethe
the question
question has
hasthree
three elements.
elements.You
You are
arebeing
being asked
asked to
todescribe
describe the
the arguments
arguments for
for and
Note
and
against relaxing media control and also to give your opinion.

K.

Note the question has two elements. You are being asked to describe the arguments for
relaxing media control and also to give your opinion.

L.

Should we be afraid of relaxing controls governing the media? This also means that you should

ask yourself:
yourself: Or should we not be afraid? Then you are asked to give the reasons for your
opinion.
M.
You are
are being
being asked
asked to
to state
state how
how far
far you
you agree
agree with
with relaxing
relaxing media
media controls
controls and
and also
also whether
whether
M. You
you have any doubts either
either way regarding the issue.
N. You
You are
are being
being asked
asked to
to state
state how
how far
far you
you agree
agree with
with relaxing
relaxing or
ortightening
tightening media
media controls.
controls.
Note the question has only one part.

A book for
for IELTS
IELTS

133

Section on Writing

11

Exercise 24: A model essay


essay
Exercise

11

Look at two different


answers for the essay title below and see if you can spot the difference between the
different answers
two versions.
versions. Then when you have done this,
this, decide
decide which one is the better
better of the two.
Essay title
title
Should
Should museums
museums and
and art
art galleries
galleries be free of charge
charge for the general public
public or should
should a
charge, even a voluntary
voluntary charge, be levied
levied for admittance?
admittance?
Version A
1.

manycountries,
countries, aacharge
charge isislevied
leviedfor
forentrance
entrance totomuseums
museums and
andart
artgalleries,
galleries, but,
but, inin
InIn many
some instances, entrance
entrance is free.

2.

The up-keep
up-keep of
of such
such institutions
institutions isis not
notcheap
cheap and
and ititisisonly
only fair
fair that
that some
some contribution
contribution should
should
The
come by way of an entrance
entrance fee or, at least,
least, a voluntary
voluntary contribution.
contribution. An exception
exception is usually
made for certain categories
categories of people.
people.

3.

If people are made to pay to visit museums


museums and art galleries,
galleries, then this is effectively
effectively a tax on
education.
education. People should be encouraged
encouraged to visit such institutions.
institutions.

4.

Moreover,children
children who
who have
havevisited
visited aamuseum
museum or
oraagallery
gallery with
withtheir
theirschool
school may
maynot
notbe
beable
able
Moreover,
to go again with their parents. A fee would act as a deterrent
deterrent to people
people wanting
wanting to visit
visit a
museum.
museum.

5.

Often people want to spend maybe only half an hour in a museum


museum rather
rather than spending
spending a long
time to justify
justify paying a fee.

6.
6.

Peopleshould
should not
nothave
havepay
paytotovisit
visitmuseums
museums and
andart
artgalleries.
galleries.
People

Version
Version B

134
134

1.1.

manycountries,
countries, aacharge
charge isislevied
leviedfor
forentrance
entrance totomuseums
museums and
andart
artgalleries,
galleries, but,
but, ininsome
some
InInmany
instances,
instances, entrance
entrance is free.

2.

Where aacharge
charge is,
is, ininfact,
fact, levied,
levied, the
the argument
argument isisthat
that the
the up-keep
up-keep of
of such
such institutions
institutions isis not
not
Where
cheap
and
while
the
tax-payer
might
be
expected
to
provide
some
funds,
it
is
only
fair
that
cheap
tax-payer
expected
provide
some contribution
contribution should come by way of an entrance
entrance fee or, at least, a voluntary
voluntary contribution.
contribution.
An exception
exception is usually
usually made for certain categories
categories of people, like the unemployed,
unemployed, the elderly,
the disabled,
disabled, school children and students
students on the grounds
grounds of financial
financial hardship.
hardship.

3.

Personally, however,
however, I Ibelieve
believethat,
that, ififpeople
people are
aremade
madetotopay
paytotovisit
visit museums
museums and
andart
artgalleries,
galleries,
Personally,
then this is effectively a tax on education. People should be encouraged
encouraged to visit such institutions,
institutions,
as they
they contain a wealth of material relating not only to the history and culture
culture of their own
countries,
but
also
of
other
civilisations.
They
can,
of
course,
obtain
information
countries,
civilisations.
can,
information from books
films etc, but this is nothing to seeing the real objects.
objects.

4.

Moreover, children
children who
who have
havevisited
visited aamuseum
museum or
oraagallery
gallery with
withtheir
their school
school may
may not
not be
beable
ableto
to
Moreover,
go again with their parents,
parents, if there is an entrance
entrance fee.
fee. So a fee, in my opinion would act as a
deterrent
deterrent to people wanting
wanting to visit a museum.
museum.

5.

Often people
people want
want to
to spend
spend maybe
maybe only
only half
half an
an hour
hour inin aa museum
museum rather
rather than
than spending
spending aa long
long
Often
time to justify
justify paying a fee.
fee. This would deter many people,
people, myself
myself included,
included, from visiting
museums.
museums. Having said this, however,
however, II am not against
against voluntary
voluntary charges
charges or people being
encouraged
encouraged to make donations.
donations.

6.
6.

So, all
all inin all,
all, my
my personal
personal view
view isis that
that people
people should
should not
not have
have pay
pay to
to visit
visit museums
museums and
and art
art
So,
galleries.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Section on
on Writing
Writing
Section

Writing
Writing Tests
Tests
TEST 11

Writing
Writing Task 11
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
chart below
below shows
shows the projected
projected sales in the UK of private
private cars and
and company
company cars from
The bar chart
2003 to 2014 and
and the graph
graph shows
shows the projected
projected motorcycle
motorcycle sales for the same
same period.
university lecturer comparing and contrasting the data from the year
year 2003 onwards.
Write a report for a university
You should write at least 150 words.
Projected UK car
car sales
sales
Projected
3500
3000
Privllle cara

2500

2000
1500
1000
500
0

..,

8
N

vYears
.....
Projected UK motorcycle
motorcycle sales
sales
Projected
'450
'400
350
300

250
200
150
100
50
0

..,

8
N

II)

,-.

Years
Years

TEST 1
TEST

Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
argument or case for an educated reader with no specialist
specialist knowledge
knowledge of the
Present a written argument
following topic:
people are of the opinion that prisons
prisons are basically
basically universities
universities of crime, fostering
fostering the kind
kind of
Some people
behaviour they
they aim to eradicate, and
and are, therefore, not effective. Others
Others feel
feel that
that prison
prison life is not
behaviour

A book for IELTS

135
135

Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing

hard
hard enough. Discuss the arguments on both
both sides
sides of the issue. What is your own opinion on the
matter?
matter?
You should write at least 250 words.
Use your own ideas, knowledge
knowledge and experience and support
support your
your arguments
arguments with examples
examples and with relevant
evidence.

TEST2
TEST 2
Writing
W riting Task 11
You should spend about
about 20 minutes on this task.
The charts
charts below show the result of a public survey
survey on the use of mobile
mobile phones.
Write a report for a university
university lecturer
lecturer describing the data.
You should write at least 150 words.
Generally
?
Generally speaking,
speaking, do you
you approve
approve of mobile
mobile phones
phones?

I
Female I

I
All I
0

I
I

I
Male

10

20

30

)
50

60

70

Yes ONo
QNo ODont
Don't Know
Know I
I Yes

Do you think that mobile phones could be detrimental to your children's health?

Male

10

20

30

40

50

60

I Yes
Yes ODont
Dont Know
Know ONo
DNo I
136

A
A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Section
Writing
Section on
on Writing
TEST 2
TEST2
W riting Task
Task 2
Writing
You should spend about 40 minutes on this
this task.

Present a written argument or case for an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the following topic:
Euthanasia, or mercy
mercy killing,
killing, has been in the news more and
and more recently. Many people
people are
strongly
against
such
a
practice,
but
there
is
a
growing
demand
to
have
it
legalised.
How far do you
strongly against
growing demand
agree
agree with euthanasia
euthanasia being made legal?
You should write at least 250 words.

Use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and with relevant
evidence.

TEST 3
Writing
W riting Task
Task 11
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The pictures
pictures below
below show
show the changes
changes that took place at Laguna Beach
Beach from 1950 to1990.
to 1990.

wr

Sand dunes

>M 3F& Vi-ai-aiaL3 L


^ < Landsco|?ed . Hcfel*. /.Rood
sGordens
.

~ / N s & e a c h *.

1990
A book for IELTS
IELTS

*
SurP ,

Sch0l
137

Section on Writing
Write a report for a university
university lecturer
lecturer describing
describing the information
information shown below.
You should
should write at least
least 150 words.

TEST
TEST 3
3
Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes
minutes on this task.
Present a written argument
argument or case for an educated
educated reader with no specialist
specialist knowledge
knowledge of the
following
following topic:
In recent
recent years, life has become
become more stressful
stressful than it has ever
ever been. As a consequence,
more and more
more people
people are
are suffering
suffering from stress-related
stress-related problems.
problems. What factors
factors are contributing
to this increase
increase and
and what
what do you think
think can be done to overcome
overcome the current
current problems?
problems?
You should write at least 250 words.
Use your own ideas, knowledge
knowledge and experience
experience and support
support your
your arguments
arguments with examples
examples
and with relevant
relevant evidence.

138
138

A
A book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Section
Section on
Speaking
Speaking

A book for IELTS


IELTS

139

Speaking
Section on Speaking

Introduction
Introduction to the Speaking Module
The speaking module for the IIELTS
ELTS exam was changed
changed in July 2001.
2001. The new speaking
speaking test lasts
between
between 11
11 and 14 minutes.
minutes. During the examination
examination you will have a conversation
conversation with an examiner, which
is recorded.
There are now three main parts within
within the oral exam:

Introduction and interview


interview
Part 1: Introduction
In this part of the oral examination,
examination, the examiner
examiner introduces
introduces himself/herself and confirms
confirms the identity of
candidate.
the candidate.
The examiner
examiner asks the candidate
candidate questions
questions about
about himself/herself, their
their home, their
their interests, studies, etc.
This is very similar
similar to the first part of the oral exam before July 2001.
2001. For example, you could be asked
the following
following set of questions:
questions:
a) What
What is your
your name?
name?
b) Where do you live?
c) Do you
you have any
any brothers
brothers and
and sisters?
sisters?
d) What do they do for a living?
subject are you studying?
studying?
e) What subject
you choose
choose this subject?
subject?
f) Why did you
g) How
How do you
you use English in your
your studies?
studies?
The first question is obviously
information to your
obviously just
just your name, but you can add additional
additional information
your answers:
otherwise,
otherwise, the examiner
examiner will be speaking
speaking more than you! So, remember
remember to give the examiner
examiner evidence
evidence of
your ability to use the language. Look at the following
following short dialogue where the additional
additional information
information is
marked
marked in bold:
Examiner:

What is your
your name?

Candidate:

Bhatti
Sandra Bhatti

Examiner:
Examiner:

Where do you
you live?
live?

Candidate:

I1live in London
London now, but
but I'm
I m originally
originally from
from a small
small town in Southern
Southern India.
India.

Examiner:
Examiner:

Have you got


got any
any brothers
brothers and
and sisters?
sisters?

Candidate:

Yes. One brother


brother and
and two sisters. My
My brother
brother is two years
years older
older than
than me, but
but both
both my
sisters, who
who are
are twins,
twins, are
are younger
younger than
than me. They
They are
are 17 years
years of
of age.

Examiner:

What do they do for a living?


living?

Candidate:
Candidate:

Only my
my brother
brother is working. He is an
an engineer
engineer and he's
hes now
now working
working In
in Saudi
Saudi Arabia
Arabia
for
for a large
large oil
oil company.
company.

Examiner:

Let us now turn to your


your studies.
studies. What subject
subject are you studying?
studying?
Let

Candidate:
Candidate:

I'm
Im studying
studying architecture
architecture which
which I1have
have been
been doing
doing now for
for the
the past
past 5 years,
years,

Examiner:

Why did you


you choose
choose this subject?

Candidate:
Candidate:

I1adore
adore buildings
buildings especially
especially old
old ones
ones like the
the Taj
Taj Mahal
Mahal and I1have
have a thing
thing about
about
bridges.
design a world
bridges. My
My dream
dream is to design
world famous
famous bridge.
bridge.

Examiner:
Examiner:

How
How do you use English in your
your studies?
studies?

Candidate:
Candidate:

I1use it a lot when I1am reading


reading as many of
of my books on
on architecture
architecture are
are in English.
English.

There
There is one very
very important
important difference
difference between
between this part of the test and that
that prior to July 2001. The
examiner
examiner uses a frame to ask questions and is limited in the help he/she can give
give you if you cannot, or do
answer a question.
not, answer

140

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Section
Section on
on Speaking
Speaking

Part 2: Individual
Individual long term
In
In this part of the oral exam, you are given a card, e.g.
e.g.

Topic Card
Describe what you like doing most in your free time.
You should say:
when you first started doing the particular activity
activity
how frequently
frequently you do it
whether
whether you do it on your own or with other
other people
And explain why you like it.
You are given one minute to prepare a short talk, which will then last between one and two minutes.
There is paper and pencil in the exam to make notes. Please note that the examiner
examiner is checking not just
your English, but your fluency
fluency in speaking. We would advise you not to learn examples
examples of the long turn by
heart.
It is important that you make use of the minute given to organise your answer
answer and make notes.
Example of notes
- swimming

- on my own

- 5 years
- hated it at first

- relaxing

- 3 times a week

- stops laziness

- feel good

Then when you speak you can do so in an organised manner. Look at the following
following example
example and see how
information
information is attached to the above notes:

I think for me it has to be swimming,


swimming, which I've
Ive been doing now for
for the past
past 5 years.
years. At school,
...... where we were encouraged
encouraged to do compulsory
compulsory sport, II didn't
didnt fancy football
football or
or rugby, so I took
up swimming. At first, II must say I ... I hated it with a passion, because
because I didn't
didnt like putting
putting my
head in the water. It just
terrified me, but now things couldn't
just terrified
couldnt be more different.
different. I now try to get
in at least three half-hour
half-hour sessions
sessions per week, and on holidays,
holidays, if II can, I'll
Ill try to fit it in daily.
I prefer
prefer to do it on my own, but
but obviously
obviously now and
and again
again some friends
friends tag along - I1 can't
cant say I
like them
being
there,
because
they
tend
to
want
to
mess
around
....
I
suppose
you
could
them
because
around.... suppose
could say II am
addicted
... a healthy
addicted to it! But it's
its a better
better addiction
addiction than smoking and drinking;
drinking;...
healthy mind
mind in a healthy
healthy
body as my father
.... And why do I like it so much?
father used to say
say....
much? Well, first of all, it helps me to
relax,
relax, because it helps me take my mind off things, if I'm
Im worried
worried about
about something.
something. What's
Whats more,
I always feel so good
after
I've
come
out
of
the
swimming
pool.
It
also
stops
me
from
good after Ive
swimming
It
from being lazy
lazy
... like some of my friends
.... And
.... II just
friends....
And what
what keeps me going?
going? It's
Its not just
just the adrenaline
adrenaline....
just have
to look at some of my friends
friends and
and I know
know then why II am
am doing it!

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

141

Speaking
Section on Speaking
You can see how the notes
notes help you to organise your
your answer. So that
that you can get the feel of how much
above text and time it. Try to speak
speak at natural spoken speed.
you have to say, read the above
examiner may ask you a few questions
questions related to what
what you have said. For
After you have finished, the examiner
example, the examiner
might
ask
you
here:
examiner might
Do you do any other
other sport? Do you think
think it is important
important for people to do regular
regular physical
physical activity?
activity? Would
you recommend
recommend swimming
swimming to other
other people?
Remember
Remember to give full answers,
answers, not just
just Yes/No.

Part 3: Two-way
ussion
Two-way disc
discussion
In this part of the test, the examiner
examiner starts a two-way
two-way discussion
discussion on a subject
subject related to the topic in Part 2.
In
For example, if you were asked to describe
what
you
like
doing
most
in
your
describe
your free time in Part 2, you
might, for example,
example, have a discussion
discussion on leisure, stress
stress in modern life or health. This part of the oral test
lasts 4-5 minutes.
minutes.
Please note that the questions
questions in this part of the test are of a more abstract
abstract nature. For example, you
could be asked the following
following questions
questions on leisure:
What
What do you think
think the advantages
advantages are of doing leisure activities?
activities?
Is a hobby
hobby like chess more important
important than say a physical activity
activity like swimming?
swimming?
In what
what way do leisure activities
activities help us cope with modern
modern life?
Should a leisure activity
activity be incorporated
incorporated in the working
working day?
Do you think
think life will be more stressful
stressful or less stressful,
stressful, in future?
future?
How do mental and physical activities
activities improve
improve health?
Remember
Remember as in Part 11 that you should give full answers. Note also that you can ask the examiner
examiner to
repeat or rephrase
rephrase the question.
question.

Marking
Marking of the
the oral exam
exam
ItIt is important
important that
that you know how the examiners
examiners are marking your
your speaking. You are given marks for:
Fluency
Fluency and Coherence,
Coherence, which means how well you can speak
speak naturally
naturally without
without
stopping too much and also being organised.
organised.
Lexical
Lexical Resource,
Resource, which covers
covers the level and range of your
your vocabulary.
Grammatical
Grammatical Range and Accuracy,
Accuracy, which covers the level and accuracy
accuracy of your
your
grammar.
Pronunciation, which covers the pronunciation
pronunciation of individual
individual words
words and phrase and
Pronunciation,
sentence
sentence stress.

142

A book
book for IELTS

Section on Speaking

Exercise 1: Individual long term


l~I _E_xe_r_c_is_e~1:_1_n_d_iv_i_d_u_a_11_o_n_g_t_e_rm~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~II
Look at the Topic Card below, which contains a subject
subject on which you are asked to talk for one to two
minutes.

Topic Card A
Describe an event in your life which changed you.
You should say:
what
what the event was
when the event took place
what made the event special
And explain how it changed you.
Look at the notes below for the above talk, which are jumbled.

Example
Example of notes
a) motivated me

e) won a writing prize

b) made friends

f) change-confidence
change-confidence

c) 7 years ago

g) national

d) won money
Now look at the sample answer
answer below. Put the notes in the correct
correct order according
according to the talk.

'I
... which
I would
would like to talk about
about a prize I won,
w on,...
which I won 7 years
years ago when
when I was 15. The
The prize
was a national writing
writing competition,
competition, which, incidentally,
incidentally, I entered
entered without
without prompting
prompting from
from anyone.
I saw
sawthe
theentry
entryform
formfor
fora awriting
writingcompetition,
competition,a ashort
shortstory
storyofofnonomore
morethan
than5,000
5,000words,
words,and
andI I
felt compelled
compelled to enter
enter it. What
What made
made the whole thing
thing special was not
not the prize
prize money of 10,000
French
French francs, but having
having the story published
published in a national
national newspaper. As you
you can
can imagine,
imagine, I was
thrilled
... as I hadn't
thrilled to bits and
and so were my parents, who were quite
quite taken
taken aback,
aback,...
hadnt told anyone
anyone
about
it.
What
winning
the
prize
did
for
me
is
difficult
to
explain.
But
I
can
say
that
it
changed
about What winning
prize did
difficult
But can
that changed
my life dramatically.
dramatically. It may sound
sound silly to say so, but it boosted
boosted my confidence
confidence enormously. I
wasn't
wasnt doing very well in school at the time, especially
especially in English.
English. Another
Another thing is that it
motivated
motivated me in all areas of my life, not just
just my school work. I started
started achieving
achieving high
high grades
grades in
all subjects and doing well in sport. And a strange
thing
was
that
I
started
making
more
friends.
strange thing
that started making
Before that I was quite shy, but afterwards
afterwards my social life improved'.
improved.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

143

Section on Speaking
Speaking
Now look at the following
following cards for the Individual long term:
term:

Topic
Topic Card B
Describe
Describe somewhere
somewhere that Is
is special
special to you.
you.
You should say:
where the place is

Topic Card E
Topic
Describe the most
most memorable
memorable holiday
holiday
you
you have had.
You should
should say:

when you first realised it was special

when it was

why you like it

where it was

whether
whether you would recommend
recommend it as a place
other people to visit
for other

who you were with

And explain why it is special to you.

Topic
Topic Card C

what made it memorable


memorable
And explain why it is special
special to you.

Topic
Topic Card F

Describe a person who


who has had the most
Influence on your
influence
your life.
life.

Describe
Describe the most
most Important
important day of your
your
life.

You should say:

You should
should say:

who the person is

which
which day it was

when and where you first met the person

why it was important


important

what made this person so special

what happened
happened on that day

And explain why you think


think the person had such
an effect on you.

Topic
Topic Card D

And explain whether


whether you think
think you will have
equally
equally important
important days in the future.

Topic
Topic Card
Card G

Describe
Describe something
something which
which annoys
annoys you.

Describe
Describe your
your favourite
favourite food.
food.

You should say:

You should say:

what it is

what
what the food is

annoying you
when it started annoying

how often you eat it

how it annoys
annoys you

how the food is made

what you do when it annoys you

whether you make it yourself


yourself
whether

And explain why it annoys


annoys you so much.

And explain why


why it is your
your favourite
favourite food.

Prepare notes for each of the Individual long terms and practise
practise speaking
speaking using your notes. Time yourself
yourself
questions the examiner
as you speak. Also think about
about some questions
examiner might ask you at the end of each long
long term.
Compare your
your notes with the samples
samples in the KEY.
KEY.

144
144

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Section
Section on
on Speaking
Speaking

~ Exercise 2: Two-way dis~usslon


discussion
11
The discussion below is an example of what you might have in the third section of the Speaking
Component
Component of the exam.
Read the discussion and insert the examiner's
examiners questions (A-1)
(A-l) in the appropriate
appropriate space. You may use
each question once only.

Examiner's
Examiners questions
questions
A. And
Andworking
working hours?
hours? Should
Should people
people have
haveaalimit
limiton
onthe
the number
numberofofhours
hours they
they can
can work
work per week?
B.
C.
C.

What
Whatdo
doyou
you think
thinkworking
working hours
hourswill
will be
be like
likeininthe
thefuture?
future?
Should
we
have
more
holidays
nowadays?
Should we have more holidays nowadays?

o.
D.

And
Andwhat
what about
aboutany
anydisadvantages
disadvantages that
that holidays
holidays might
mighthave?
have?
To
Toturn
turn to
totypes
types of
ofholidays,
holidays, which
which do
doyou
youthink
thinkare
are better,
better, long
longor
orshort
short holiday
holiday breaks?
breaks?

E.
E.
F.
F.

What
Whatare
arethe
the advantages
advantagesfor
forworkers
workers of
ofhaving
having holidays?
holidays?

G.
G.
H.

Are
Are holidays
holidays of
ofany
anyimportance,
importance, ininyour
youropinion?
opinion?
And
Andwhat
what are
arethe
the arguments
argumentsagainst
againstthis,
this, ififany?
any?

I.

What
Whatare
arethe
the advantages
advantages of
oflimiting
limitingworking
working hours?
hours?

Examiner:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Candidate:

Two-way
Two-way discussion
discussion
_____ 1_______________
~~~~-1~~~~
Yes. II think
think they
they are
areactually
actually very
very important.
important. Of
Ofcourse,
course, there
there are
are other
other things
things that
that are
are of
of
Yes.
equal importance in life, but
...
holidays
give
us
something
to
look
forward
to,
...
just
like
a
b u t...
something
forward to ,...
purpose to aim for.

Examiner:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Candidate:

_____ 2 _______________
~~~~-2~~~~
lotof
of people,
people, ininmy
myopinion,
opinion, work
work far
far too
too hard
hardthese
these days;
days; the
the saying
saying that
that all
'all work
work and
AA lot
and
no play makes Jack a dull boy'
is
certainly
true.
So
...
yes,
I
think
we
do
need
more
boy
...
I
holidays ... to give us a chance to relax and enjoy life.

Examiner:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Candidate:

_____ 3_______________
~~~~-3~~~~
I'd say
saythat
that holidays
holidays are
arebeneficial
beneficialfor
forworkers
workers themselves
themselves physically,...
physically, ...
Id

Examiner:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Candidate:

Why?
Why?
Well, because
because they
they give
giveworkers
workers aagood
good opportunity
opportunity to
to recharge
recharge their
their batteries.
batteries.
Well,

Examiner:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Candidate:

Anything else?
else?
Anything
Another thing
thing isisthat
thatvacations
vacations also
also have
haveaapositive
positive effect
effecton
onemployees
employees when
when they
they return
return
Another
to work: they
they become more productive.

Examiner:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Candidate:

_____ 4_______________
~~~~-4~~~~

Examiner:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Candidate:
Examiner:
Examiner:
Candidate:
Candidate:

suppose, on
onthe
theother
other hand,
hand,holidays
holidayscan
cansometimes
sometimes make
makeworkers
workersfeel
feeldissatisfied
dissatisfied with
with
I Isuppose,
their jobs and unwilling to return to their working life, as it may seem dull and monotonous
in comparison
comparison to the time they have spent
spent on holiday. But II still think that the benefits far
outweigh any disadvantage.
disadvantage.
_____ 5_______________
~~~~-5~~~~
That's aa difficult
difficult question.
question. Longer
Longerbreaks
breaks have,
have, of
ofcourse,
course, been
beenvery
very popular
popular up
uptill
till now,
now,
Thats
but more and
and more
more people
people are
are taking
taking short
short breaks.
breaks.
And why
why is
is this?
this?
And
Forinstance,
instance,the
thechance
chancetotohave
haveaabreak
breakininroutine,
routine,even
evensay
sayfor
foraacouple
couple of
ofdays,
days,gives
gives
For
the worker
worker a feeling of having had a proper break, even though it may have been a short
one. It gives people a chance to unwind, to forget about work
work for
for a while and enjoy a
different
different pace of life.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

145

Section on Speaking
Speaking
Examiner:

__________ 6_________
~~~~-6~~~~

Candidate:
Candidate:

In many countries,
countries, II believe there
there is already
already a legal limit to the number
number of hours people
can work
work per
per week. But I'm
Im not sure whether
whether this is a good thing or not; II suppose
suppose it
depends
depends on the job and how much stress
stress and responsibility
responsibility is involved.
involved.

Examiner:

___________ 7__________
~~~~-7~~~~

Candidate:

Limiting working
working hours means that workers
workers cannot
cannot be exploited,
exploited, and put under
under too much
stress
... it could be
stress and pressure, which could be detrimental
detrimental to their
their health.
health. Sometimes,
Sometimes,...
dangerous
dangerous to allow people to work
work too many hours. For example,
example, an overworked
overworked and
exhausted
exhausted surgeon could make a mistake which could result in the death of a patient.

Examiner:

__________ 8_________
~~~~-8~~~~

Candidate:
Candidate:

From another
another point of view, it could be said that it is unfair to tell people
people how many hours
they
they can or can't
cant work. If, for example, a fit and healthy
healthy person is prepared
prepared to work
work many
hours to earn enough
enough money
money for himself
himself and his family
family to have a better
better standard
standard of living,
should
should he not be allowed to?

Examiner:

___________ 9__________
~~~~-9~~~~

Candidate:
Candidate:

In the future, II think


think the working
working lives of people will probably
probably become
become much more flexible.
Most people, in Britain anyway, tend to still work
work from 9-5. It would
would be a plus for workers
workers
if they could adapt
adapt their
their working
working life to fit in with their personal
personal circumstances,
circumstances, With the
growth in technology,
technology, it is also now possible
possible for many people to work
work from home, a trend
which
which II imagine
imagine will continue.
continue.

146
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A book for IELTS


IELTS

Section
Section on
on Speaking
Speaking

Exercise 3: Example of extended discourse


discourse No.2

Look at the dialogue below. The Examiner's


Examiners questions on the left are not in the correct
correct order, but the
candidate's
candidates answers are. Match the questions and answers in the dialogue. The first question of the
examiner
examiner is marked in bold.
bold.
When you have finished try to give your own answers to the examiner's
examiners questions.

1. Such
Such as?
as?

A. Well,
Well, there are several
several differences
differences that lI have noticed.
First of all,
all, where
where II come
come from,
from, the bond between
between each
generation
generation seems much stronger
stronger than in Britain.
Britain.

2. So, in what ways


ways would
would you criticise the British
way of life?

B. Yes, for
for example
example the older
older generation,
generation, the
grandparents
grandparents are looked after
after by their
their grown-up
grown-up
children, and more often than
than not they
they live with them.
them.

3. More marked, in what


what way?
way?

C.
C. Well,
Well, for one thing, it means that there is always
someone
someone around
around to help with the
the children, the
housework, the shopping
shopping or just
just to
to provide
provide company
company for
another
another member
member of the family.

4. And
And is
is that
that always
always aa bad
bad thing?
thing?

D.
D. Oh yes and in
in many
many ways
ways they
they are even more
pronounced.
pronounced.
5. But
But how
how can young
young people
people become
become independent
independent if
they
they aren't
arent given
given the chance?
chance?

6.
I expect family
6 .1
family life is different
different in
in your home
country?
country?

7. Can
Can you
you give
give me
me an
an example
example of
of this
this bond?
bond?

8. What about
differences between parents
parents and, say,
about differences
teenagers, are there
differences
there
too?
there differences

9. So you
you think
think children
children should
should live at home
home as
as long
long
as
as possible?
possible?

E. Well,
Well, for instance in my
my country
country teenagers
teenagers would
would never
dream
dream of leaving home to live somewhere
somewhere else, but, in
the UK,
UK, it's
its almost
almost the norm.
F. Yes, if it is possible, because
because they
they need their
their parents
parents
both financially
financially and, in other
other ways, too, for
for example,
example, in
in
an emotional
emotional or educational
educational capacity.
G. Independence
Independence is something
something that
that comes
comes gradually
gradually to
young people
people in my country,
country, but here it seems
seems to
to be an
instant thing. At home, young people
people tend to leave their
parents home only
only when
when they
they get married and not
always then either.
H. Well, to start
start with, II think
think one of the disadvantages
disadvantages of
there being weaker
weaker family
family ties than in my country
country is
that children
children are more easily
easily influenced
influenced by forces
forces
outside the home rather than
than by their
their parents.
I.I. Like films, their
their peers,
peers, the media
media in all its forms.

10.And
And what
whatare
are the
theadvantages
advantages of
ofhaving
havingpeople
people
around
around all the time?
time?

A book for IELTS


IELTS

J.
J. No not necessarily,
necessarily, but II do feel that
that in the UK there
there is a
lack of respect generally
generally for parents
parents as far
far as
teenagers
teenagers are concerned.
concerned.

147

Section
Section on
on Speaking
Speaking

Exercise 4: Your future plans


1-1 _E_xe_r_c_is_e~4_:_Y_o_u_r_fu_t_u_re~p_la_n_s~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~II
In the third part of the Speaking
Speaking Module, you need to be able to talk about
about your
your future
future plans. You should
think
think beforehand
beforehand about what you are going to say, but you should not learn a speech by heart. Remember
the examiner
examiner is testing your ability
ability to use the language, not to remember
remember it.
This exercise
exercise looks at some
some of the ways you talk about the future
future in English.
The future in English is expressed
expressed in many ways. Study Questions
Questions (i-vii) below, which
which ask you about
what way you look at the future.

Do you
i.

make
make firm plans
plans for the future?
future?

ii. plan
plan to finish something
something before
before a particular
particular time?
iii. dream about
about doing
doing something
something at a particular
particular time in the future?
future?

Or do you
iv. run your
your life according
according to a timetable or calendar?
calendar?
v. intend
intend to do things, but
but can't
cant make
make firm decisions?
vi. make decisions
decisions about your
your future without
without really thinking?

Or are you
vii. very indecisive
indecisive about
about your
your future?
future?

Now look at the statements


statements below
below and match them with the categories
categories above.
A. II am going to start working
working once II finish
finish university
university
8.
B. When II have graduated,
graduated, II intend to find a good job.
C. II am planning to go to university
university in the future.
D. II am intending
intending to go to university
university in the near future.
E. If II am successful
successful in the IELTS, my plan is to do a postgraduate
postgraduate course.
F. I'm
Im starting university
university next October.
G. I'll
Ill have finished
finished university
university in three years'
years time.
H.
H. II am having a small party to celebrate
celebrate the completion
completion of my IELTS exam.
I. This time next year
year I'll
Ill be studying
studying at university,
university, II hope.

J. The next step in my career, after


after this one year
year course, is to find a good job.
K. Mmm, Ill
I'll become
become a doctor!
L. In ten years'
years time, I'll
Ill be writing full-time, II hope.
M. II might be going to university
university next autumn, II don't
dont really know.

148

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Section on Speaking

Exercise 5: Questions
Questions about
about the
the future
future
Now look at Questions 1-10
1-10 below, which contain questions about the future. You can see that there are
four alternative answers
answers for each question. Decide which answer
answer is the most appropriate
appropriate in each case.
case.
Note that more than one answer
answer may be suitable.

t.
Doyou
youthink
thinkteachers
teachers will
willdisappear
disappear ininthe
thefuture?
future?
1. Do
(a) Well,
Well, II suppose some teachers will be replaced by machines.
(b) Yes. Machines will replace teachers.
(c) Well,
Well, some teachers
teachers are likely to be replaced by machines.
(d) Well, II think some teachers will probably be replaced by machines.
2.

Will people
people be
beable
able to
totravel
travel on
on holiday
holidayto
toplaces
places like
likethe
the moon?
moon?
Will
(a) II don't
dont see why not. People are probably going to be able to have holidays in space way beyond
the moon.
moon.
(b) There is every likelihood that people will have holidays in space way beyond the moon.
moon.
(c) II don't
dont see why not. People are probably having holidays in space way beyond the moon.
(d) II don't
dont see why not. People will probably have been having holidays in space way beyond the moon.
moon.

3.

Doyou
youbelieve
believe ititwill
willbe
bepossible
possibleto
tofeed
feedall
allthe
thepeople
peoplein
inthe
theworld
world in the
Do
the future?
future?
(a) Yes,
Yes, II think so. We'll
Well be able to develop new ways of growing food.
(b) Yes,
Yes, II think so. We'll
Well likely develop new ways of growing food.
(c) Yes,
Yes, II think so. Within the next few decades, we'll
well have developed new ways to produce
more food.
(d) Yes, II think so. We'll
Well be producing more and more food as the world population grows.

4.

What about living


living in cities?
cities? Will it be any different
different from
from now in the future?
future?
(a) Well,
Well, I'm
Im afraid it's
its likely that they'll
theyll be much more dangerous
dangerous in the future than they are now.
(b) Well, I'm
Im afraid II have to say that II think they'll
theyll certainly have become much more dangerous in
the future than they are now.
(c) Well, I'm
Im afraid II have to say that II think they'll
theyll certainly have become much more dangerous
dangerous by
the end of the decade than they are now.
(d) Well, II think they may be much safer in the future than they are now.

5.

Whatare
areyou
you going
goingto
todo
doonce
onceyou
youfinish
finishuniversity?
university?
What
(a) Well, II intend to spend a year
year travelling round the world.
(b) Well, II think I'd
Id like to spend a year travelling round the world.
(c) Well, I'm
Im intending to spend a year travelling round the world.
(d) Well,
Well, I'll
Ill be taking a year off to spend a year travelling round the world.

6.

When you
you have
have graduated
graduated next
nextyear,
year, what
what do
doyou
you intend
intendto
todo?
do?
When
(a) II plan to take time off before starting work.
(b) Mmm, well, I'll
Ill take time off before starting work.
(c) I'm
Im planning to take time off before starting work.
(d) Yes, II take time off before starting work.

A book for IELTS

149

Section
Section on Speaking
Speaking

7.
7.

Any plans for after graduation?


graduation?
(a) Yes, II start work
work immediately.
immediately.
(b) Mmm, II know, I'll
Ill go abroad for a few months.
months.
(c) Mmm, I'll
Ill be going abroad for a few weeks.
weeks.
(d) I'll
Illhope
hopeto
togo
goabroad
abroadfor
foraafew
fewmonths.
months.

8.

Are you intending to go to university in the near


near future?
(a) Yes,
Yes, next
nextSeptember.
September.
(b) Yes,
Yes, I Istart
startnext
nextSeptember.
September.
(c) Yes,
Yes, I'm
Imstarting
starting next
nextSeptember.
September.
(d) Yes,
Yes, I Imight
mightstart
startnext
nextSeptember.
September.

9.

Do you
you have any thoughts
thoughts about
about where
where you'd
youd like
like to work?
work?
(a) II was thinking
thinking of applying
applying for a research post in China.
China.
(b) II like to work
work somewhere
somewhere in South-east
South-east Asia.
(c) I'm
Im really
really not
not decided
decided yet.
yet.
(d) I'llIll like
think.
likeworking
working inin Australia
Australia or
or New
NewZealand,
Zealand, II think.

110.
O.

What
What do you hope
hope to have
have achieved
achieved in two years'
years time?
(a) II hope to qualify
qualify as an accountant.
accountant.
(b) II hope I'll
Ill be finally
finally working as an accountant.
accountant.
(c) II hope II finish all my accountancy
accountancy exams.
exams.
(d) II hope I'll
Ill have finished
finished all my accountancy
accountancy exams.

11.
11.

Are you doing anything to celebrate


TS exam?
celebrate the completion
completion of your IEL
IELTS
exam?
(a) I'll
Ill be having a rest.
(b) Yes II have a small get-together
get-together with some
some friends.
friends.
(c) Yes,
friends.
Yes, I Ithink
think I'llIll have
have aasmall
small get
get together
together with
with some
somefriends.
(d) I'll
Ill have
have had
had aa small
small get-together
get-together with
with some
some friends and we'll
well probably
probably do
dosomething.
something.

12.
12.

What
What do you think you'll
youll be doing this time next year?
year?
(a) II hope to start my degree
degree course.
course.
(b) II hope I'll
Ill start my degree
degree course.
course.
(c) II hope II get on my degree
degree course.
(d) II hope I'll
Ill be studying
studying at university.
university.

13.
Whatisisthe
thenext
nextstep
stepas
asfar
faras
asyour
yourcareer
careerisisconcerned?
concerned?
13. What
(a) I'llIll apply
apply for
for aa job.
job.
(b)
(b) II start a postgraduate
postgraduate course
course immediately
immediately once II get through
through the entrance
entrance exam.
exam.
(c) If II pass all my exams,
exams, II can start work
work immediately.
(d) I'm
Im starting
starting work
work immediately.
immediately.

14.
14.

Wheredo you see


Where
see yourself in ten years'
years time?
(a) Hopefully,
Hopefully, I'll
Ill be
be working
working as
as aa teacher.
teacher.
(b) Hopefully,
number of
of years.
years.
Hopefully, I'll
Ill have
have been
been working
working for
for quite
quite aanumber
Ill be
be aa politician!
politician!
(c) I'll
(d) Happily
Happily living in a cottage
cottage in the countryside,
countryside, writing
writing books and making
making jam.

150
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A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Listening
Listening Module
Module

Key to Tests I1-4


-4

A book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

151
151

Key to Listening
Listening Practice
Practice Tests

11

Practice Test
Test 11
Practice

Section 11 11

SA:
S:
S:
SA:
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797
797 ...
4882.
4882.
4882.
4882.
Yes,
Yes, that's
thats it.

Questions
Questions 1-5
SA:
S:
SA.
S:
SA
S:

SA:
SA:
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152
152

...
varsity Bookshop, Bridge
...versity
Bridge Street, Doris speaking,
can II help
help you?
Is that
that the University Bookshop?
Bookshop?
Yes, itit is.
is.
Yes,
I'd
ace an order for some books, if II may.
Id like to pl
place
Have
you
got
an account
Have
account with us?
us?
No, not yet.
haven't started
yet. II havent
started university
university yet.
I'll
Ill be starting in October,
October, but I'll
Ill be coming in early to
have a look round
round and
and to get settled
settled in and wanted
wanted to
order some
some books.
Right.
Right. II see. Would you like to open an account?
account?
Mmm, II don't
dont know.
Well,
Well, you get a student discount on all book purchases.
purchases.
Oh! And how
much
is
that,
then?
how
then?
15%
15% for first year students.
students.
15%! That
Thatsounds
soundsall
all right.
right.
15%!
You
You just have
have to make
make sure that you settle your account
account
at the end
end of each month.
month.
OK. Well,
Well, mm,
mm, II might
mightas
as well
wellopen
open one,
one, then.
then.
OK.
just need
needto
to take
takedown
downsome
somedetails.
details. Do
Doyou
you want
wantthe
the
II just
account
account to be at your term time address
address or your home
home
address?
address?
They'rethe
the same.
same.
Theyre
Right.
Right. First
First of all, can
can II have your name?
NasreenKerrigan.
Kerrigan.
Nasreen
Isthat,
that, KK ,, II ...
...
Is
No,Ill
I'll have
haveto
to spell
spell ititfor
foryou.
you. It's
No,
Its K,
K, EEfor
for everyone,
everyone,
double R,
R, I,I , G
G for Go, A and N
N for Nobody.
Nobody.
A ; N
N for
for Nobody.
Nobody.
Kerrigan.
A
...Kerrigan.
Yes.Thats
That's it.
it.
Yes.
And your address?
address?
It's
Its 127a
127a Adelalde
Adelaide Mansions
Mansions ...
...
Hold
on.
117a
...
Ade
...
Hold
117a ... Ade ...
No, 127a
127a...
...
No,
Ok, Right. And
And Adelaide,
Adelaide, that's
thats A,
A, D,
D, E
E for
for everyone,
everyone,
L, A , II , D, and E for everyone.
Yes, that's
thats it. Then
Then Mansions.
Mansions.
Mansions.
Mansions. Right.
Compton
Compton Street.
Street.
Right.
London.
London.
London. And
And the postcode?
postcode?
SE
19.
S
E 19.
SE .
19.
...19.
77FT
FT
7?
Yes
Yes 7 F for Freddie
Freddie and T for Tommy.
Tommy.
FT. Right.
Right. So let me
me just check
check that.
that. Mm
Mm
127a
127a Adelaide Mansions,
Mansions, Compton Street,
London SE19
SE19 7FT.
7FT.
That's
Thats correct.
correct.
And are you
And
you on the telephone?
Yes, it's
Yes,
its 01817974882.
0181 797 4882.

1.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

15%/
15%/ fifteen
fifteen percent/per
percent/per cent
Kerrigan
Kerrigan
127a
127a Adelaide
19
19 7FT
797 4882
4882

Questions
Questions 6-10
SA:
S:
S:
SA:
S:
S:
SA:
S:
S:
SA:
S:
S:
SA:
S:
SA:
S:
S:
SA:
S:
SA:
S:
SA:
S:
SA:
S:
SA:
SA:

Right, that's
thats that
that out of the way.
way. And which
which books
books would
you like
like to order?
order?
Well, II just want
want four books
books to start off with.
with.
Hmm.
Hmm.
Have
Have you got Physics
Physics in
in the Age of Technology
Technology by
Adrianna Stern.
Physics in
in the
the Age
Age ooff ...
... its
it's out
out of
of stock,
stock,Im
I'm afraid.
afraid.
Physics
Oh, OK.
OK.
Oh,
like me
me to
to order
order it for you?
you?
Would you like
No, what about
about mm. Mathematics in Physics
Physics by Professor
Professor II
Lovatt.
...
Lovatt. Experimental
Experimental...
Just,
Just, just
just wait,
wait, Mathematics
Mathematics in
in .
... Physics
Physics by
b y..
...
Professor I Lovatt.
Lovatt. Let's
Lets just check
check that.
that. Right, here
we are. Yes,
.... we've
Yes,....
weve got it in
in stock. It's
Its 27.95.
27.95! With
With the
the discount?
discount?
27.95!
I'm
Im afraid,
afraid, yes.
yes. Ah,
Ah, the
the next
next one?
Experimental Physics
Physics by
by Simon
Simon Blair
Blair and
and Violet
Violet Boyd.
Boyd.
Experimental
Experimental Physics
Physics by
by Simon
Simon Blair
Blair and
and Violet
Violet
Experimental
Boyd. OK, let's
That's 29.50.
lets see ..
....Thats
29.50.
OK
Laska.
OK and
and Physics
Physics for
for the
the first
first year
year student
student by
by A.
A.Laska.
Physics
... That's
Physics for
for the
the first
first year
year student
student...
Thats ...
... 25.
25.
OK.
OK. I'll
Ill stick
stick with
with these
these three
three for
for the
the moment.
moment.
Right. Would
Would you
you like
liketo
to have
have the
the books
booksposted
postedto
to you?
you?
Right.
No,
No
it's
it's
okay.
I'll
come
in
one
day
this
week
and pick
pick
No, No its its okay. Ill come in one day this week and
them
them up.
Right.
Right. When
When you
you come
come in,
in, can
can you
you bring
bring two
two forms
forms of
of
identification.
identification.
OK,
OK, Like
Like what?
what?
AA credit
. driving
aa cheque
and
credit card,
c a rd ,...
driving licence,
licence,...
cheque card
cardand

Oh,
Oh, OK.
OK.
...
... and
and your
your letter
letter confirming
confirming admission
admission to
to the
the
university.
university.
S:
Yeah,
Yeah, OK.
OK. What
What time
time do
do you
you close?
close?
SA:
when
SA: We're
Were open
open until
until 6pm
6pm every
every day
day except
exceptThursday,
Thursday,when
we close at 7.30.
,
S:
And
And you're
youre on
on which
which floor?
floor?
\
SA: The
The Physics
Physics Department
Department is
is in
in the
the basement.
basement. The
The
books will be kept here and as you're
youre paying
paying by
account
account we'll
well post the bill to you.
S:
Thanks.
Thanks. Bye.
Bye.
SA: Bye-Bye.
Bye-Bye.
S:
S:

SA:

6.

s /

7. 7. Physics
Physics 8. 8.25
25 9.
9. D
D

BI

10. B
10.

A book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Key
Key to
to Listening
Listening Practice
Practice Tests
Tests

usually tests your


your ability
ability to extract
extract basic
Note: Section 11 usually
information from a dialogue.
dialogue. It is easy
easy to pick
pick up marks
information
Section. However,
However, it is also easy to lose them. If
in this Section.
you should
should be aiming
aiming to get
get all
you need a high grade you
of the first section correct.

Id like to thank
thank you tor
for listening and
and now it's
its your
your chance
chance to ask
I'd
some questions
questions....
Yes the
the gentleman
gentleman in the third
third row in the red
some
.... Yes
T-shirt.
T-shirt.

Practice Test
Test 11
Section 2
Practice
Section
~
________________________________
Questions 11-14
11-14
Questions
morning. My name is Dave Eastman and I'm
Im one of the
Good morning.
five student
student counsellors
counsellors in
in the university.
university. And I'm
Im here today
to introduce myself to you briefly
briefly and
and to say just a few
few words
about the Student
Student Welfare Service. But before
before II begin, I'd
Id like
thank your
your Faculty
Faculty Head,
Head, Professor
Professor Anwar, for inviting me
to thank
here to talk to you. At the
the end, I'll
Ill throw
throw questions open
open to the
floor.

11.

C
C

12. B

13. A

everywhere on campus
campus
everywhere
generosity of volunteers
volunteers
generosity

17.

roughly 8/eight
8/eight hours

18.

variety
variety of reasons
reasons

19.

someone
someone who can

20.

training and support


support
training

level of difficulty
difficulty has increased
increased in
Note: You can see that the level
this section. Always
Always be careful
careful with questions
questions like
number 13. It is tempting
tempting to write down the answer
answer for
number
the first number
number you
you hear, i.e. A six.
that the answers
answers for
for 16 and
and 17 come close together.
Note that
Always be ready
ready to write down the next
next answer. Do not
Always
assume that the answers
answers will be wide apart.

service we offer is available on all six sites of the university


The service
main sites have aa counsellor
counsellor available
campus. The three main
week-days,
week-days, Monday
Monday to Thursday,
Thursday, between 9.30
9.30 am and 4.00
pm. On this site, the office is situated
situated in the Queen's
Queens Building,
on
on the first
first floor.
floor. II understand that all of you are based on this
site, so II won't
wont go into
into details about
about the
the others.

15.
16.

easy to lose concentration


concentration as
as you
you are listening.
It is also easy
need to practise
practise holding
holding your concentration.
concentration. There
You need
is quite a big gap between
between the information
information in 17
17 and 18,
which tests your ability
ability to concentrate
concentrate as you
you listen.
answer the questions
questions you
you do not need
need to listen to
Note that to answer
all the information
information in the speech. Try to learn to treat
the questions
questions as markers
markers and listen
listen only for
for that
that
information. When you
you are talking to someone
someone in your
own language
language or in English, you
you hear every
every word, but
you
you do not listen
listen to all
all of them!
them!

DI

14. D

Questions
Questions 15-20
15-20
about tile
the service and the
the other offices is contained
IInformation
nformation about
in this leaflet, which
which you can pick up practically
practically everywhere on
in
campus.
campus. We also run aa Helpline,
Helpline, which is
is open after
after the office
is
is closed.
closed. The number
number for the line
line is 0345 1607
1607 2390. This
This
number
number with all the others, my own,
own, included,
included, is
is contained
contained in the
the Hel
Helpline
leaflet. Obviously, we would like to make the
pline available
money simply
simply isn't
isnt there,
there, so we have to
24 hours a day, but the money
the generosity
generosity of volunteers.
volunteers. II can
can say on average the
rely on the
line is open about 3 hours
hours per evening
evening most
most evenings
evenings and
roughly
roughly 8 hours at weekends. If there is
is no-one
no-one to take your
call, or in the event
event of an emergency, there
there will
will be a message
message
which will gi
give
other contact
on the answering machine which
ve you other
numbers.
You
You might
might be thinking
thinking why not just
just give us the leaflet and get on
with the lecture. Well,
Well, the answer to that,
that, as you probably well
know, is that
that people don't
dont always read leaflets; they look at them
and say: That's
Thats not
not for me.
People contact us for
for a variety
variety of reasons.
reasons. They may
may come to
see us if they feel isolated,
isolated, because it's
its the first time many have
away from home; or they
they may have
have personal
personal relationship
relationship
been away
problems;
ems. Certain
problems; or money
money probl
problems.
Certain times
times of the year bring
exam time being
being
increased pressure to bear on students, the exam
the main
main one and I'm
Im not just
just talking
talking about
about Finals.
Finals. Preparing aa
seminar can also
also be a stressful
stressful exercise.
exercise.
paper for a tutorial or aa seminar
On occasions like this, we are available to help
help you.
you.

Practice Test
Test 11
11 Practice

Questions
Questions 21-23
21-23
L:
L:
J:

L:
L:
J:

L:
J:
J:
L:
L:

Come in!
Hello, Dr
Dr Townsend.
Townsend.
Hello,
Ah
Now-- it's its
about
Ah -- hello
hello Jim,
Jim, come
come and
andsit
sitdown.
down. Now
about
thisthis
essay of yours, am II right?
right?
Yes,
Yes, the
the one
one on
on global
global employment.
employment.
Ah yes,
yes, global
global employment,
employment, lets
let's see
see ...What
... What was
was the
the exact
exact
Ah
title again?
again?
Information
'Information Tech
Tech ...
...
Right,
:" Information
willput
putmillions
millions
Right, here
here itit is
is:"
'Information Technology
Technology will
of people
people out
out of work throughout the world in the
the
coming
coming decades.
decades. Explore
Explore the
the arguments
arguments on both sides
of this
this debate and give
give your
your opinion.'
opinion.

J:

L:
L:

dont pretend that we have an answer


answer for
for every
every problem,
We don't
and help;
help; and if we can't
cant we can usually
usually refer you
but we can try and
to someone who can.
can.

J:

II would also like to take this opportunity


opportunity to ask for volunteers tor
for
our advice Helpline.
Helpline. You don't
dont need any previous
previous experience
and, because
because you are newcomers
newcomers to the university.
university, it does
does not
and,
mean
mean that you do
do not have
have anything to otter.
offer. We provide
training
training and
and support for all volunteers.
volunteers. So if you'd
youd like to get
involved
involved see me
me at the end of this session.

L:

A book for IELTS

Section 33 11
Section

L:
J:

J:
J:

L:
L:
J:

Yep, thats
that's it.
it.
Yep,
very pleased with what you wrote
Yes, on the whole, II was very
....
.. mm ...
You've presented the
...Youve
the different
different points
points of view
clearly.
Thank
Thank you.
you.
Did you give the sources
sources for your
your statistics?
Yes, II ...
...
Yes,
Ah, yes, II see, the World Bank and the OECD. Where
did you get
get the figures
figures from?
On the
the Internet.
Internet.
On
Right, II see. OK - well,
well, let's
lets have a closer
closer look.
OK.
OK.

153
153

Key to Listening
Listening Practice
Practice Tests
Tests

L:

Now,
Now, near
near the beginning,
beginning, you draw a parallel
parallel between
between
present day
day fears
fears about
about machines replacing people,
people,

J:
L:

Yeah.
Yeah.
and the 19th Century Luddites. It's
Its an
an appropriate parallel,
parallel,
but don't
dont you think
think it might
might be better
better to explain who
who the
the
Luddites
Luddites were?
were?

J:
L:
J:
J:
L:

Questions
Questions 28-30
L:
L:
J:
J:
L:
L:

Well, II mm did think


about it, but
ah ..
think about
but ...
...ah
Yes?
thought itit might
might be
be aa little
little bit
bit simplistic.
simplistic.
II thought
Weil, yes,
yes, maybe,
maybe, but
but aa short
short sentence
sentence might
might help
help just
just to
to
Well,
show
show the
the connection
connection between
between then
then and now.
now.

J:
L:
L:
J:
J:

21.

global
global employment
employment

22.

The World
World Bank

23.

machines
machines replacing
replacing people

L:
J:
J:

The test
test is just checking discrete points of information
as in Sections
Sections 11 and
and 2. You just have to use the
questions
questions in the exercise as markers
markers for the informatio,
informatioi
on the tape.

L:
L:

Now,where
wherewere
werewe?
we?
Now,
Wewere
were ......
We
Yes, you
yousaid
said that
thatalthough
althoughnew
new technology
Yes,
technology may
may reduce
reduce
the amount
amount of labour
labour necessary
necessary to
to produce
produce aa given
volume
volume of output,
output, this
this doesn't
doesnt necessarily
necessarily reduce
overall
overall unemployment,
unemployment,
Employment,
Employment,
Sorry, yes, employment,
employment, because technology
technology can boost
boost
output
output and
and create
create new
new demand
demand and
and new
new products.
Yes.
Yes.
Perhaps
Perhaps you could have given some
some examples
examples here
here of
products
products which
which didn't
didnt exist 20 years
years ago?
Youmean
meanthings
things like
likeVCRs,
VCRs, mm
personal stereos,
stereos, soft
soft
You
mm...... personal
contact
contact lenses!
lenses! Yes,
Yes, mm,
mm, II suppose
suppose II should
should have done.
And, of course,
course, computers
themselves, both personal
computers themselves,
and
and industrial!
industrial! Good! So
So let's
lets have
have aa look
look at your
conclusion
conclusion - so you believe
believe that
that on balance,
balance, given
given a
favourable
favourable business
business climate,
climate, and a well educated,
high-skilled
high-skilled workforce, there's
theres no reason why IT
should
should destroy
destroy jobs.

J:
J:
L:
L:

Questions
Questions 24-27
L:

Good.
Good. Let's
Lets move on then.
Right.
Right.

L:
L:

So, in the first paragraph you describe


describe three reasons
reasons for
people's
peoples fears: IT is
is more pervasive in its impact
impact than
the effect of steam
steam power or electricity,
electricity, affecting
affecting service
service
industries
industries as well
well as
as traditional
traditional manufacturing.
manufacturing. Second,
IT Is
is being
being Introduced
introduced faster than earlier
earlier new
new
technologies
technologies and
and thirdly,
thirdly, ..
... that It
it makes
makes It
it
possible
possible for
for jobs
jobs to be easily
easily moved from one place
to another.
another. Could
Could you have
have described
described any
any other
other
reservations?
reservations?

J:

Well, II suppose
suppose II could
could have said that the richer
richer industrial
economies
economies fear
fear the easy
easy transfer
transfer of their
their jobs
jobs to poorer
poorer
and,
and, therefore,
therefore, cheaper
cheaper economies,
economies, but II felt it was too
restricted
restricted a fear. You could
could also
also blame the media
media for
for
their coverage
coverage of large
large job
job losses
losses at big firms without
without
publicising
publicising small
small business
business creation.

L:

II see - fair
fair enough.
enough. So then you continue
continue with two
paragraphs
paragraphs saying
saying why
why people need
need not be afraid.
afraid. II
see
see you
you start
start with
with the historic
historic evidence,
evidence, that over the
past
past 200 years
years of huge
huge technological
technological advance,
advance,
employment
employment and
and real
real Incomes
incomes In
in rich
rich Industrial
industrial
countries have
have risen fairly
fairly continuously,
continuously,

J:
L:
L:

Yes
....
Y
es....
and
and you illustrate
illustrate it by an OECD
OECD chart. Then you state that
although
although jobs
jobs am
are destroyed
destroyed by
by new
new technology,
technology, new
new
ones
ones are constantly
constantly being
being created which
which offset
offset the
losses - i liked
liked your
your example
example here: that as blacksmiths
blacksmiths
and
and coachmen
coachmen disappeared,
disappeared, mechanics, drivers
drivers and
car
car salesmen took
took their
their place.
place.

24.

bb

25.
25. b

26. a

bl

27. b

This part of Section 3 is more difficult


difficult than any
any of the
previous
previous Questions 1-23.
1-23. The nature of the questions
has begun
begun to change.
change. Instead
Instead of just giving
giving information
straight from the conversation, you are being asked to
summarise what is being said. Also the detail is quite
quite
close together, so you
you need
need to be very quick.

154

'favourable
favourable business
business climate'.
climate.
Mmm
Mmm well I11I mean an environment
environment where there
there aren't
arent
too
too many
many restrictions, rules
rules and regulations
regulations like
like
protectionism
protectionism over goods
goods and
and restrictions
restrictions on work
practices
practices and,
and, perhaps,
perhaps, minimum
minimum wage
wage levels
levels that are
too
too high.
high.

J:
J:

J:
J:

Yes.
Yes.
You haven't
havent ah explained
explained what you mean by a

L:

II see. Weil,
thought through
Well, you've
youve certainly
certainly thought
through the
the issues,
but they
they are complex
complex and
and perhaps
perhaps you could
could have
gone
gone into
into them rather
rather more
more deeply.
deeply. However, as
as II said
at the
the beginning,
beginning, you're
youre good
good and clear
clear about
about your
points,
points, so I've
Ive marked
marked iti t ..............

28. C

29. D

30. A

This sub-section
sub-section is testing
testing understanding
understanding of points in the
conversation

11

Practice Test
Test 11
Practice

411

Section 4
Section

Questions
Questions 31-37
Good
Good afternoon,
afternoon, and welcome
welcome to everybody.
everybody. My
My name
name is
is Dr
Paulette
Paulette Southfield
Southfield and
and II specialise
specialise in
in European
European product
product
design
design in the
the Department
Department of Product
Product and Furniture
Furniture Design.
Design. ItIt
has
has fallen
fallen on me to kick
kick off your
your first
first term with the introductory
introductory
lecture. And
And after
after much
much thought
thought looking
looking for
for aa fancy title, II
decided
decided to call my talk
talk today, simply:
simply: What
What is
is design
design for?
What is
is design
design for? is
is one
one of the
the most important
important questions
questions that
we seek to answer
answer in this
this department. After all,
all, an electric
electric kettle
kettle
is no
no more than
than aa vessel
vessel with aa heating
heating element,
element, a chair
chair - no
more than a seat
seat and back
back with enough
enough legs
legs for
for support,
support, and a
motor
motor car
car no more
more than
than a box
box with seats, four
four wheels
wheels and an
engine.
engine. But, we ail
all know
know that
that a kettle
kettle can pour
pour badly
badly and
and be
awkward
awkward to handle,
handle, a chair
chair uncomfortable and ugly to look
look at
and
and a car
car unreliable
unreliable and unattractive.
unattractive. The
The answer
answer to my
question is, of course, implicit
implicit in
in these
these examples:
examples: good
good design
design
makes
makes for efficient
efficient products, like an efficient
efficient kettle, maybe
maybe
cordless
cordless and
and manageable
manageable by
by arthritic
arthritic or
or elderly
elderly hands;
hands; a well
designed
designed chair is
is comfortable
comfortable and an inviting
inviting asset
asset to our
our
living-rooms
living-rooms and a carefully
carefully designed
designed car combines
combines maximum
maximum

A book for IELTS

Key
K ey to Listening
L is te n in g Practice
P ra c tic e Tests
T ests

Now
N ow if anyone
an yon e would like to ask any
an y questions, or raise any
further points

safety.
safety, comfort
com fort and elegance
ele g an ce. The
T h e conclusion we
w e can draw from
from
this is that tne roie of design
oesign - to paraphrase
para p h ras e Terence
T e re n c e Conran
C onran
-- rs
is to
to ensure
ensure that
that things
things do
do the
the job
job they
th ey were
w ere intended
intended to do
do
that
that they
they are
are well
well made
m ade and
and etncrent
efficient and
and that
that they
they are
are pleasing
pleasing
to use and to look at.
at.

38. D
D

There
T h ere are. however.
how ever, other reasons for the importance
im portance oi
of design
design
Advertising and the media fuel the acquisitive nature of
consumerism
consum erism but, together with greater
grea ter choice.
choice, tney encourage
a more
m ore discerning approach
ap proach from tne
tn e pubuc
public wno can compare
com pare
the qualities of one product with those
th ose of another.
another. The
T h e aesthetic
appeal of a bold new table lamp
lam p can be weighed
w eighed against tne
cnarms
cnarm s of a dozen others - while the choice of a new personal
stereo may
m ay involve its stylish
styiish apoearance
a p p e a ra n c e as much as us
its
efficient function.
function.
31.
31.
32.
32.
33.
33.

|
I Practice
Practice Test
Test 2

European product design


design
introductory
introductory lecture
design

|
Section
Section 11 {

I'd
Id like
like 10
to send
send some
so m e flowers
flow ers and
and some
som e chocolates
chocolates.

SA

Ok.
O k, I'll
Ill Just
just get the com ...
... outer on ...
... Right.
Right. Can
C a n II Just
just
take
ta ke your details"
details?

rw .

Yes.
Y es, certainly
certainly.
Your
Y our name?
nam e?

C:

.;.,gela
A ngela :..ove
Love.

ca

Angela
A ngela Love
Love. Ario
And your
your aocress?
ad aress?

cn

144a
1 4 4 a Orcnaro
O rcnara Heights.
Heights. Marsh
M arsh Dnve.
Drive, Edr:ibu,gh
Edinburgh.

SA

R1gnt.
Rignt, And tne costcooe?
postcode'7
A'1
Ah. I1don't
d o n t Know
Know . rm
i'm )USt
just staying here for a while

C
C.
St\
SA

OrOh ItIt ooesn't


d o esn t matter
m atter. Wnat
W h a t .., What
W h a t exacnv
exactly rs
is 11
it you'd
yo ud like
like
to
to se-ic
send?

Q-

SA
SA:
f' .
C:

Questions
Questions 38-41
And
And yet
yet there
th ere is
is another
an oth er reason
reason for
for the
the enhanced
en h an ced role
role of
of the
the
designer in today's
to d ays world of rapidly
rapidly advancing
advancing technology.
technology. As
As
the life cycle of every product
product grows ever
ever shorter, the
th e
designer has
has to be working
working on an
an updated model as
as soon
as the latest one is
is off
off the drawing board. Nowhere
N ow h ere is this
more
m ore evident
evident than
than in
in the
the design
design of
of motor
m otor cars.
cars. The
T h e same
sam e
technological
technological advance
ad van ce has
has also
also made
m ade a
a huge
huge impact
im pact in
in the
the field
field
of
of medicine
m e d ic in e and
a n d here
h e re the
th e designer
d e s ig n e r is
is involved
in v o lv e d in the
development
development of new
new equipment, from
from the endoscope, the
increasingly
increasingly sophisticated
sophisticated dentist's
dentists chair
chair and
and the robotic
hospital
hospital 'porter',
porter, to the artificial
artificial hip
hip replacement and
and other
prostheses.
Finally,
Finally, we
w e should
should not
not forget
forget the
the role
role of
of design
design in
in the
the marketing
m arketing
wars.
As manufacturers battle to enhance
wars. As
enhance the desirability
desirability
of their
their products
products over
over those of their
their competitors.
competitors, the
the
talents,
talents, imagination
imagination and training
training of their
their designers are
are
paramount. A proper appreciatron
appreciation of this fac:or
factor can even be
significant
significant for national ecooorrues
econo m ies arid
and the1:
their export rnarxets
m arkets.

Anm.
Anm . a bouauet
bouauet of flowers
Ano
Ana now
how much would you nke
like 10
10 scene?
spend?

C
C:

30
Anv
Any oarncutar
particular flowers?
flo w ers9
I1oon't
do nt Know mmm
m m m . something
som ething exotic
exotic oerhaos.
perhaps.

SA
SA'
SA
SA

OK
OK. Ano
A na you
you wanted
w an ted a
a oox
oox of
of chocolates?
ch o co lates7

C
C.
SA
SA:
n.
C
^.

Yea"'
Y eah .
To
T o what
w n at value?
vaiue?

SA
SA:

Right
Right. 25.
2 5 . And
And the
the chocolates
chocolates, what
w h at would
would you
you like
like ah
ah
dark
dark, white.
white, milK.
milk, uoueurs.
lidueurs, or
or a
a mixture?
mixture?

C
C:

Well, a mixture,
mixture, I1suppose.
suppose, but
but no liqueurs.
liqueurs. And more
more
white
white chocolates
chocolates than
than the
the others.

SA.
SA:

l'il
I'll Just
just wnte
write this on the order form: mixture
m ixture - mostly
white:no
w hite/no lioueurs.
liqueurs.

That's
T h at's It.
it.

SA:

And
And these
th ese are
are to
to go
go within
within Edinburgh?
Edinburgh?

Oh.
Oh. say
say 25
2 5

C:
C:

No.
No, they're
th eyre to
to go
go to
to Cardiff
Cardiff, in
in Wales
W ales.

SA
SA:

c
;:

There'll
T h e re ll be a delivery
delivery' charge
ch arge of 19
1 9 for both
bofh items.
items, I'm
Im
ar-aio
a fraid.
For
For ootn,
doth, not
not ea~~
each?

SA
SA:

Yes
s r,g.,t
Y es Ttia!
T h a ts
right.

Ii would
would like
like to
to end
end thoJgh.
though, with
with a
a few
few words
words on
on thi:;
the retanonsrno
relationship
between
mat eius.ve
b e tw een gooo
good des1gr
design ar?'.l
an a that
elusive facto
factor - cJalit,
quality ::,(
of hie
life If
we
w e start by agreeiPf;
agreeing tna'.
that living
living is more
m ore tr.arc
than rust
just ex,snr:g
existing we

IELTS
IELTS

C
C:

S.A
SA:

You can see that after the introduction.


introduction, the amount
amount of oeteueo
detailed
information
information in the speech has tncreeseo.
increased. Tne tvoe
type of cnecsuu;
checking
in the /Jstening
listening has changed
changed from seetna
seeing tt
if .vou
you unoerstena
understand
specific
spe cific oomts
po in ts to unaerstenamc
un de rsta nd ing ctiunxs
chunks of
o f mtotmettor
inform ation
Compare
Compare this with the basic tntotmeuon
information cnec
checK tn
in Sect,on
Section 11 o'
cf
the Test.
Test. Again, 11
it is not important
important that
that you unaerstena
understano ever\
even
piece of
o f information
inform ation but that you unoetsteno
understand the overall
meaning.

A book for

41. C
41.

Questions 1-4

efficient
efficient products
intended to
to (do)
advertisingladverts
m e d ia
advertising/adverts (and) the
the media
efficient
efficient function
function

must admit
admit that
that 11vir.g
liv in g with
with everyda~
everyday things
tn in g s mat
m a t are
a re
aesthetically
aesthetically pleasing
p le a s in g as
a s well
weli as effective.
e ffe c tiv e , ennances
e n h a n c e s that
th a t
quality.
quality. Most of us react against things w~1cr
which aEare coa-se
coarse, teeble
feeble
or pretentious.
pretentious, but are orawn
draw n towards
to w ards trunqs
things wnicrwhich e+coov
em body
efficiency.
efficiency, 1maginat10~
im agination arid
an d style
style, ir.
in tr.e
the woros
w ords o'
of Frencr,
French
designer, Roger
R og er Tallon.
Tailon, aesign
design rs
is first and
and foremost an attitude.

40.B
4 0 .B

Tne
The answers nere are more dlff1cult
difficult as they paraohrase
paraphrase
eno
and summarise pans
parts of tne lecture. Comoare
Compare this with
questions 34-37 where
where tne
the summaries
summaries were
were in
in me
the
speech.
soeech

You car.
can see that
that the first three answers (31-331
(31-33:
are fairly
fairly straightforward
straightforward and give a very broad
summary
summary of the lecture.
34.
34.
35.
35.
36.
37.
37.

39.
39. A

1. A

2
2

---- -------------------------------------------1
4.
3. D
0
4. C
C j|
~-

D
D

Questions 5-10
|
j

S~.
SA:

A'l'J
wcu O you
A
na n::)'11
how would
you 'iKe
like to
to pay
pay. ~&da;r?
m adam ?

C
C:

By Switch
Switch CCard.
may.
By
ard, ifif II m
ay.

155
155

Key to Listening
Listening Practice
Practice Tests

SA:
C:
C:
SA:

Of course,
course, that's
thats fine.
fine. And the
the number?
number?
It's
Its 569 000
569 000

C:
C:
SA:

212 897

C:
C:

884
884 223
223

11

Practice Test
Test 2
Practice

Section 2
2
Section

212 897

SA:
SA:

884
884 223
223

C:
C:

7.

SA:
SA:

7.

SA:

Can
Can II just
just check
check that?
that? 569 000 212 897 884
884 223
223 7.
7.

C:
C:

Yes,
Yes, that's
thats it.

SA:
SA:

So,
74.
So, the total amount
amount to be debited
debited is
is 74.

C:
SA:
SA:

OK.
OK.
And to whom
whom would
would you like them
them sent?
sent?

C:
C:

To Mrs
Mrs Easter
Easter

SA:

That's
Thats E
E A SS TTEERR?
?

C:
C:

Yes.
Yes.

SA:
SA:

And the
the address?
address?

C:

27

SA:
SA:

27

C:

Rowntree
Rowntree Road
Road

Questions
Questions 11-13
11-13
Good
Good afternoon,
afternoon, my
my name is
is Mick
Mick Clarke
Clarke and I'm
Im the
the sports
sports rep
from
from the
the Students'
Students Union.
Union. As
As well
well as these
these talks
talks on the
the university
university
sports
sports facilities,
facilities, information
information will be put
put up on notice-boards
notice-boards all
all
over
over the
the campus.
campus, so
so you
you will definitely
definitely all
ali know
know where
where to find
find
us.
us.
Well,
Well, as you
you have probably
probably realised
realised the
the university
university is
is spread
spread all
over
over the place
place and
and the sports
sports facilities
facilities are,
are, I'm
Im afraid,
afraid, no
different.
different. If you
you look
look at
at the
the map
map here
here on
on the screen,
screen, you'll
youll see
see
we we
we are here
here on
on Thames
Thames Street
Street opposite
opposite the city
city Library.
Library, IfIf
you look
look down
down at the
the bottom
bottom of this map
map on the
the right
right you'll
youll see
Burse
Burse Road.
Road. On
On the
the left
left of the
the police
police station,
station, between
between the
the
shopping
shopping complex
complex and
and the theatre,
theatre, and
and the
the Phoenix
Phoenix theatre,
theatre, is
the
the university
university sports
sports complex.
complex.

11.
11. B

Is that
that R
RO
OW
WN
N TT R
R Double
Double E.
Is
E.
C:
Yes.
That's
it.
Cardiff.
C:
Yes. Thats it. Cardiff.
SA:
SA: Cardiff.
Cardiff.
C:
CA13
C:
CA13 8YU.
8YU.
SA:
SA: CA13 8YU.
8YU. And did
did you
you want any message
message to go with
the flowers
flowers and
and chocolates?
chocolates?
C:
Yes,
C:
Yes, mmm,
mmm, Congratulations on passing
passing your
yo u r test! Just

12.
12. A

13. A

This is just a test


test of basic
basic information.

SA:
SA:

let me know when you're


youre out on the road! Love Angie.
Angie.
SA:
SA:

Someone's
Someones just
just passed
passed their
their driving
driving test,
test, then.
then.

C:

Yes,
Yes, my
my mother.
mother.

SA:
Your mother?
mother?
SA: Your
C:
SA:
SA:
C:
C:
SA:
C:
C:
SA:
SA:
C:
C:
SA:
C:
C:
SA:
SA:
C:
C:
SA:
C:
C:

Yeah, its
it's her
her sixth
sixth attempt.
attempt.
Yeah,
Oh, right;
right; that
that is
is aa cause
cause for
for celebration!
Oh,
celebration!
Yes.
Yes.
And, when
when would
would you like them
them delivered?
delivered?
The day
day after
after tomorrow,
tomorrow, between
between 99 and
and 11
11 am.
am.
The
That's
ih inin the
Thats the
the 117th
the morning
morning between
between 9 and
and 11.
11.1I just
just
need
need to
to take
take a daytime
daytime contact
contact number.
number.
I'll
Ill give
give you my
my mobile
mobile number;
number; it's
its 0963
0963 371
371 555
0963 317
317
0963
No 371
371 555
555
No
371
this for
371 555.
555. I'll
Ill arrange
arrange this
for you
you now.
now.
OK,
thank you.
you.
OK, thank
Thank
Thank you.
you. Good-bye.
Good-bye. Have
Have a nice
nice day.
You too. Good-bye.
Good-bye.

Questions
Questions 14-17
14-17
The
The complex
complex is arranged
arranged over
over four
four floors;
floors; two
two above
above ground
ground and
and
two
two below.
below. The
The buildings
buildings were
were just
just completed
completed iast
iast year
year funded
funded
by an
an anonymous
anonymous donor.
donor. The swimming
swimming pool
pool is
is on the lower
lower
ground
ground floor
floor and
and we are
are very
very lucky
lucky in that
that a full-sized
full-sized Olympic
Olympic
pool
pool is
is to be
be built
built by
by the
the end
end of
of this
this academic
academic year
year along
along
with
with a new
new sauna.
sauna. In
In addition,
addition, there
there are aa number
number of other
other
facilities,
facilities, including
including various
various courts,
courts, and
and II would
would strongly
strongly advise
advise
you
you to book
book well
well in advance
advance ifif you
you want
want to use
use any
any of these
these
courts,
courts, as they
they are
are very
very much
much in demand.
demand. Mm,
Mm, We have,
have, full
changing
changing facilities,
facilities, three
three large
large halls
halls for
for aerobics
aerobics and other
other
classes,
classes, three
three squash
squash courts,
courts, and
and two
two badminton
badminton courts.
courts. And
two
two other
other exciting
exciting developments
developments in
in the
the pipeline
pipeline are
are a
state-of-the-art
state-of-the-art gym
gym and
and an
an ice-skating
ice-skating rink.
rink. There
There are
are also
also
courts
courts for
for playing
playing softball
softball and
and basketball.
basketball. And
And there
there is,
is, of course,
course,
a cafeteria,
cafeteria, which
which is run by
by the Students'
Students Union,
Union, so the
the prices
prices
are
are reasonable.
reasonable. A welcome
welcome addition
addition is the
the bar,
bar, which
which is
is due
due
to open
open shortly.
shortly.
14. D

15. F

16. G

KI

17. K

You need
need to be careful
careful here. We do not
not always
always talk
talk about
about
the future
future by using the Simple
Simple Future. This is a good test
of
of comprehension. Notice the different ways the speaker
speaker
talks about
about the developments:
developments: is to be built/is in the
pipeline; is due to open
open shortly.

Questions
Questions 18-20
5.
6.

212 897

7.

Rowntree
Rowntree Road
Road

8.
8.

passing
passing your
your test
test

Easter
Easter

9.

17th/seventeenth
17th/seventeenth

10.
10.

9 [and]
[and] 11/
11/ nine
nine [and]
[and] eleven
eleven

Just like the first section in Test


Test 1.
1. The exercises
exercises are testing
your ability to extract
extract basic information
information from a simple
simple
dialogue.
dialogue.

156

For
For outdoor
outdoor sports,
sports, I'm
Im afraid,
afraid, we have
have to go further
further afield.
afield. The
university
university grounds
grounds for
for rugby,
rugby, football,
football, hockey
hockey and
and cricket
cricket are on
on
the
the edge
edge of the
the city
city centre
centre In
in the
the southwest,
southwest, on
on the
the north
north
bank
bank of the
the river
river as you can see
see from
from this
this map.
map. The rowing
and canoeing
canoeing clubs,
clubs, which
which are
are very
very popular,
popular, also
also run from
from there.
there.
The
The only
only bus that
that goes
goes to the
the university
university sports
sports fields
fields directly
directly
from
from here
here is the 553; no
no sorry,
sorry, it's
its the
the 53.
53. ItIt is
is fortunately
fortunately very
very
frequent
frequent and
and runs
runs late
late into the night;
night; the last
last buses
buses either
either way
way
are around
around 12.30.
12.30. But
But there
there is also
also aa mini-bus
mini-bus service,
service, which
which is
is
pretty
pretty frequent
frequent and
and reliable,
reliable, and
and the times
times are
are posted
posted at the
Students'
Students Union office.
office.

A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Key
Key to
to Listening
Listening Practice
Practice Tests
Tests

want to join
join up for any
any of the
the clubs,
clubs, you just
just have to see
If you want
the reps
reps on the stalls at the
the different
different Societies'
Societies stalls outside.
the

21.
21.

Anyway, thanks
thanks for
for taking
taking the time to
to come
come in
in and listen and II
every success whether
whether you decide
decide to take up some
wish you every
sport or not.
form of sport
18.
18. B
B

19. D
D

20.
A
20. A

22.

travel
travel abroad
abroad
44th/fourth
1h/fourth

23.
24.
24.

top five/5
five/5 students
students
top
end
end of May
May

25.
25.

twenty-five/25
twenty-flve/25

26.
26.

two/2

relating to the conditions


conditions tor
for the award
award
The information relating
comes in quick succession.
succession. You need
need to learn to practise
comes
quickly as you
you listen.
processing information quickly

Practice Test
Test 22
11 Practice

Section 3
3
Section

11
Questions
Questions 27-30

Questions 21-26
Questions
L = Dr Warner;
Sandra; D
D = Derek
Derek
L
Warner; S = Sandra;
Knock
Knock

L:
L:

Come in!
in! ........ ah
ah Sandra
Sandraand
and Derek.
Derek. Come
Come in,in, come
come in.in.
Come

S:
S:

Good morning, Dr Warner.


Good morning, Sandra.
Good morning, Dr Warner. Good morning, Dr Warner.
Good morning Derek.
Good morning Derek.
We know you're
youre busy,
busy, but
but have
have you got
got aa moment?
Yes,
Yes, for
forthe
themoment,
moment, Im
I'mfree.
free.What
Whatcan
canI Ido
dofor
foryou?
you?
Wejust
justwanted
wanted totoask
askyour
youradvice
advice about
aboutapplying
applyingfor
for
We
awards
Oh,
Oh,right.
right.Ah.
Ah. Which
Whichawards
awardsare
areyou
youinterested
interested in?
in?
Well,
Im
interested
in
the
FBT
Award
for
a
grant
Well, I'm interested in the FBT Award for a grantto
to

L:
L:
D:

L:
L:
D:
D:

L:
L:
S:
S:

L:
L:
D:

Good morning, Dr Warner.

S:
S:

And I'd
Id like to apply
apply for
for the
the Bisiker
Bisiker Travel Award
Award for a
research grant
grant iin
Entomology in
in Jordan.
Jordan.
research
n Entomology

L:

Ah. You
You do
do know
know that you
you have
have to satisfy
satisfy a number
Okay. Ah.
of criteria
ble for each
criteria to be
be eligi
eligible
each award.
award.

L:

D:
D:
L:
L:
D:
D:

Yesss...
Yesss ...
The book
book isishere
here somewhere....
somewhere .... Right,
Right, here
here ititis.
is. Ah.
Ah. For
For
The
you Derek,
... Ah.
Derek,...
Ah. Let's
Lets see,
see, The FBT Award.
Award. Mmm.
The
The conditions
conditions for that
that are
are ...
... You
You have
have to be in
in your
your
fourth
fourth year,
y e a r,...
... as you are.
Okay.
You
You have to be
be a British
British or
or Commonwealth
Commonwealth citizen.
citizen. So
you're
youre okay on that one,
one, as well.
well.
Yes.
Yes.

L:
L:

And you
you have
haveto
tocome
come in
inthe
the top
top five
five students
students inin
And
your
your year
year in
in your
your Finals.
Finals.

D:
D:

Ahh. Right.
Right. Well,
Well, obviously,
obviously, that
that II won't
wont know
know until
until I've
Ive
taken
taken my
my exams.
exams.
No, but you
you should
should put
put in
in the
the application
application now, as
as the
the
No,
deadline
deadline is
is the
the end
end of
of June,
June, no
no sorry
sorry it's
its May
May ...... and
that's
thats before
before the exams
exams even start.
start. So they
they expect
expect you
to
to tell them afterwards.
afterwards.
And
And are
are there
there any
any other
other criteria?
criteria?
Let's see.
see. Mmm
Mmm ...... Well,
Well, ititsays
sayshere
hereyou
youhave
havetotobe
be
Lets

L:

D:
D:
L:
L:

under 25 years
years of age at
at the
the end
end of
of your
your final
final year.
year.
under
Are
Are you?
you?

D:
D:
L:
L:
D:
D:
L:
L:

And Sandra ...

S:

Yes.
Yes.

L:
L:

The Blslker
Bisiker Award
Award is a lot
lot stricter,
stricter, as It's
its for
for a much
much
larger
larger sum
sum of
of money.
money. And
And you
you must
must realise
realise that
that the
the
competition Is
is very
very stiff
stiff indeed.
indeed.
competition

S:
S:

Yes, I've
Ive heard it's
its not
not easy
easy to get
get one as there
there are only
only
three per
per year.
year,
three

L:
L:

youre right. Unlike the FBT


FBT award, for which
which there
Yes, you're
are10 bursaries.
bursaries. The
The first
first thing
thing you have
have to
to know
know is
is that
application
application is
is by
by way
way of a 5,000
5,000 word
word summary
summary
outlining
outlining how
how you
you intend
intend to use
use the
the money;
money; of
course,
course, accompanied
accompanied by
by a covering
covering one
one page
page form
form
with all
all your
your personal
personal details.
details.
with

S:
S:

Yes,
Yes, II know
know about
about that,
that, but
but what
what II wanted
wanted to know
know is
is
whether there
there are
are examples
examples of other
other applications
applications II can
whether
look at.
look

L:
L:

Ah. The
The summary
summary has
has to
to be very
very
Well, not really. Ah.
much
much an
an original
original piece
piece and
and that
that II cannot
cannot emphasise
emphasise
enough. IfIf there
there are any
any signs
signs of itit having
having been copied,
copied,
enough.
then
then ......

S:
S:

see, but
but will
will you
you be
be able
able to
to read
read itit through
through for
for me?
me?
II see,
Oh
Oh II dont
don't see
see why
why not.
not.
Oh that's
thats alright,
alright, then.
then. What
What do you
you think
think my
my chances
chances are
of my getting
getting one
one of the
the grants?
grants?
It's
Its difficult
difficult to say. Ah.
Ah. There's
Theres usually
usually about
about 20 to 30
people
people applying
applying every
every year.
year.
And this
this year?
year?
And
Well, Id
I'd imagine
imagine its
it's about
aboutthe
thesame.
same.
Well,
Who
Whodecides?
decides?
Well, there is a panel
panel of five trustees
trustees and once you have
submitted everything
everything ......
submitted
Mhmm
Mhmm
to the Departmental
Departmental secretary,
secretary, they each receive
receive a copy
of
of your
your full application.
application.
But do
do you
you think
think II stand
stand aa chance?
But
it's not easy to say; its
it's up to the Trustees.
Well, as I said its
Okay.
Okay.

Good morning, Sandra.

travel abroad.
abroad.
travel

S:
S:

L:
L:

I Iwont
won't be
be25
25until
untilSeptember
September 27th.
2ih. So
Sothats
that's okay.
okay.
need any
any referees?
And do II need
Yes, Ah,
Ah, two.
two. And
And II am
amhappy
happy to
todo
doone
one for
for you
you and
and ......
Yes,
was also
alsothinking
thinking ofofasking
asking Dr
DrJameson.
Jameson.
I Iwas
Yes, Im
I'm sure
sure hell
he'll gladly
gladly do
doone
one for
for you.
you.
Yes,

A book
book for
for IELTS

L:
L:
S:
S:
L:
L:

S:
S:
L:
L:

S:
S:

L:
S:
S:
L:
L:
S:
S:
L:
L:

S:
S:
L:

Another thing
thing that
that I Iwould
would stress
stress isisthat
that the
the
Another
applications
applications must
must be typed,
typed, very
very tidy
tidy and
and properly
properly
bound.
bound.

S:
S:

With
With aa ring
ringbinder?
binder?
Yes ...... There
There have
havebeen
beencomplaints
complaints inin previous
previous years
years
Yes
about
about the
the lack
lack of care
care taken
taken in completing
completing the forms
forms
and essays. Ah. This
This applies
applies to
to you
you too,
too, Derek.
Derek.
Yes.
Yes. Well,
Well, its
it's only
only fair;
fair; after
after all
allwe
we are
are asking
asking for
for help.
help.
Yes.
Yes. IsIsthere
there anything
anything else
else II can
can help
help you
you with
with while
while
youre here Sandra?
Sandra?
you're

L:
L:

D:
D:
L:
L:

157

Key to Listening Practice


Practice Tests
S:
S:

No. Thank
you very
very much for all your help.
No.
Thank you
help.
Derek?
No. And thank
thank you for your
your help.
help.

L:
L:
D:
D:

27. 0
D

28. B
28.

29. A

Questions 37-40

30.
30. o
D

This
This change
change raises
raises two profound
profound questions
questions - one social and one
economic
economic - and
and it is these
these that II propose
propose to examine
examine here
here today.
today.

At the
the end
end II intend
intend to share
share with
with you a few
few thoughts
thoughts on how we
can help
help to make the lives
lives of those
those in the third
third age,
age, more fulfilling
fulfilling
and rewarding.

Questions
Questions 27
27 and 28 check
check basic
basic detail regarding
regarding the
award
award Sandra is applying
applying for. The next
next questions
questions check
check
your
your interpretation
interpretation of the function/meaning
function/meaning of what
what the
lecturer
lecturer says. We would
would advise
advise you
you for
for all
all parts
parts of the
/EL TS test, not
IELTS
not just the listening, to study
study modal
modal verbs,
verbs, e.g.
to have to, should, may
may etc, and
and complex
complex tenses. You need
need
to understand
understand more than just the simple tenses like the
Simple Present
Present Simple Future, Simple
Simple Past
Past etc. Compare
Questions
17 in Section
off this Test.
Questions 14
14 -17
Section 2 o

Practice Test
Test 2
11 Practice

41

Section 4
Section

Questions 31-36
Thank
Thank you for inviting me here to speak
speak to you today
today at your
your
department
department of Social Sciences.
Sciences. As I'm
Im sure
sure you already
already know,
know,
the title of my talk,
talk, Europe
Europe goes
goes grey, relates to
to the marked
marked
demographic
demographic change
change which has taken place in
in Europe
Europe since
since
the
Just aa few
showing the projected
the 1960s.
1960s. Just
few statistics
statistics showing
projected trends
trends will
will
illustrate
illustrate this.
this.
By
By the
the year
year 2029,
2029, almost
almost one
one in
in four
four of
of the population
population of
the
the UK
UK will be over
over the
the present
present retirement
retirement age of 60 years
years for
women
women and 65
65 for men.
men. By
By the
the year
year 2020,
2020, Italy,
Italy, for
for example,
example,
will
will have
have both
both the
the oldest
oldest population
population with
with 23.2%
23.2% aged
aged 65 and
and
over,
time, the lowest
over, and at the same time,
lowest fertility
fertility rate.
rate. Furthermore,
Furthermore,
aa 1997
1997 report
report from
from the
the UK Office
Office for National
National Statistics
Statistics notes
that
that since
since 1950,
1950, the number
number of centenarians
centenarians has
has increased
increased at
the
the rate
rate of
of Just
just under
under 7%
7% a year
year - faster
faster than for
for most other
other
age groups-and
groups - and will
will continue
continue to do
do so
so into
into the
the next
next century.
century.
The main reasons
reasons for
for the generally
generally increased
increased life-span
life-span are
self-evident.
self-evident. These
These are,
are, simply,
simply, a better
better diet,
diet, better
better housing
housing and
above
above all,
all, the
the ever-improving
ever-improving standard
standard of
of health
health care.
care.
The social
social reasons
reasons for
for the changed
changed demographic
demographic profile
profile of
Europe
Europe - that
that is, the increasing
increasing proportion
proportion of the elderly, relative
relative
to the
the middle
middle and steadily
steadily diminishing
diminishing young
young generations
generations - are,
of course, the
the falling
falling birth rate,
rate, as aa result
result of widespread
widespread birth
birth
control
control and
and the
the education
education and increasing
increasing participation
participation of
women
women in
in the workforce.
workforce.
31.
32.
32.

[marked]
[marked] demographic
demographic change
change
twenty-five/25
twenty-five/25

33.
33.
34.
34.

Italy
Italy
Just
just under
under 7
ever-improving
ever-improving standard
standard
(widespread)
(widespread) birth
birth control
control

35.
35.
36.
36.

Firstly,
the elderly
Firstly, we need to recognise
recognise that
that the
elderly are not
not a
homogeneous
homogeneous group.
group. They
They can range from
from a fit, active
active and
independent
independent 85-year-old,
85-year-old, to a 65-year-old
65-year-old with
with rapidly
rapidly
advancing
advancing Alzheimer's
Alzheimers disease.
disease, to a retired
retired 55-year-old
55-year-old with
both a dependent
dependent parent
parent and still dependent
dependent student
student children.
children.
The social aspect
aspect II referred
referred to earlier
earlier is, of course,
course, the big
question:
question: who will care for
for the elderly?
elderly? The
The question
question is a
complex
complex one
one and I would
would like to illustrate
illustrate this
this by making
making a few
comparisons
In earlier
comparisons with
with the past. In
earlier times,
times, large
large extended
extended
families
the same
families living
living in
in the
same area,
area, were
were the
the norm.
norm. This
This meant
meant
the
sharing of care
the sharing
care for
for the
the grandparents'
grandparents generation
generation was
was
usual.
usual. Now,
Now, however,
however, the mobility
mobility of the
the population
population
combined
combined with
with smaller
smaller families
families often
often means
means there
there are,
are, quite
quite
simply,
simply, no
no family
family members
members to take
take care
care of an
an older
older person.
person.
The breakdown
breakdown of traditional
traditional family
family structures
structures and
and the increase
increase
in
in divorce
divorce has
has exacerbated
exacerbated this.
this.
The
The other
other big question,
question, the economic
economic one,
one, involves
involves the
increasing
increasing cost
cost of adjustment
adjustment to this situation,
situation, and how
how the
burden
burden of this
this cost
cost can
can most
most equitably
equitably be shared
shared between,
between, on
on
the
the one hand,
hand, the elderly
elderly and
and their
their families
families and,
and, on
on the other,
other,
the
the relatively
relatively smaller
smaller number
number of people
people of working
working age whose
whose
tax contributions
contributions have
have to be used
used to fund
fund pensions
pensions and services
services
for
for an increasingly
increasingly elderly
elderly population
population as well as all the other
other
demands
demands on the
the public
public purse.
The
The questions
questions raised
raised by
by this
this demographic
demographic change
change are
exercising
exercising Governments
Governments all over
over Europe,
Europe, and
and there
there is
naturally,
naturally, widespread
widespread debate
debate about
about how
how best
best to help
help
financially
financially those
those who
who can
can remain
remain independent,
independent, while
while
supporting
that they
supporting those
those who cannot, and
and ensuring
ensuring that
they continue
continue
aa sometimes
sometimes failing
failing life,
life, with dignity.
dignity.
II promised
promised to finish with a few
few thoughts
thoughts about
about how we might
come
come closer
closer to achieving
achieving this.
this. More
More imaginative
imaginative use is
is being
made
made of existing
existing property
property by adapting
adapting it for
for elderly,
elderly, often less
able
able people,
people, and their
their needs
needs are
are now
now being kept in mind by
planners,
planners, Local Authorities
Authorities and transport
transport providers.
providers. But not
forgetting
forgetting the cry -where
- where does the money
money come
come from -we
- we need
need
radically
radically to rethink
rethink the arrangements
arrangements for
for funding
funding pensions
pensions and
younger
younger people's
peoples planning
planning for
for retirement.
retirement. Innovative
Innovative
Insurance
insurance schemes
schemes should
should be developed
developed to assist
assist people
people
In
in providing
providing for
for the
the future,
future, and financial
financial institutions
institutions ought
ought to
be thinking
thinking about
about these.
these.
So II will close by repeating
repeating that II believe
believe we should
should do everything
everything
to enable
enable the elderly
elderly to live meaningful
meaningful and rewarding
rewarding lives. After
After
all, we will
will be in the same
same situation,
situation, all too
too soon.
soon.
Thank
Thank you,
you, and II would
would welcome
welcome any questions
questions or comments
comments
from the
the floor.
floor.

37. C
The information
information comes thick
thick and
and fast
fast in this lecture.
lecture. The
questions
q u e s tio n s relating
re la tin g to the Projections
P ro je c tio n s are fairly
fa irly
straightforward.
straightforward. However, you need
need to be able to process
process
the information rapidly. The layout
layout of
of the question
question prepares
prepares
you for
for the information need
need to fill 35, but
but for
for 36 you have
to be on the alert
alert as it is the first one in the sequence.
sequence. If
you find it difficult to catch the answer
answer to 36 at the first
attempt,
attempt, listen
listen several
several times
times and
and try
try to catch
catch the
information.
information. Again,
Again, remember
remember that
that you
you do not need
need to
understand
understand everything
everything that
that is being
being said.

158

38. C

39. B

40. A
40.

These questions
questions are much more difficult than the earlier
part
part of this section, because
because they are analysing
analysing much
much larger
larger
chunks
chunks of text. The two tests so far, it is hoped, show
show you
how
TS exam becomes
how the listening
listening test
test in the /EL
IELTS
becomes
progressively
progressively more difficult.
difficult.

A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Key to Listening Practice Tests

11

Practice Test 3
Practice

Section 11 1
Section

Questions
Questions 1-7
PGS = postgraduate
postgraduate student; UGS = undergraduate
undergraduate student
student
PGS: I'm
Im a research student
student in the
the Social
Social Sciences
department
department
UGS:
UGS: Yes?

PGS: Would you mind if II ask


ask you a few
few questions
questions to help
help me
me
PGS:
complete
complete this questionnaire?
questionnaire?

PGS: And
And basketball?
PGS:
UGS:
UGS: Usually
Usually twice a month.
PGS:
PGS: Basketball,
Basketball, twice a month.
month. Right.
Right. And how
how often do
you play
play football?

UGS: I'd
Id say at least twice
twice a week.
week.
UGS:
PGS: So about
about 88 times
times a month.
month. Do you go to the
the gym?
gym?

No.
UGS: No.
PGS:
PGS: Right. And do you belong
belong to any
any clubs?
clubs?
the Film
Film Club and
and Amateur Dramatics.
Dramatics.
UGS: Ah, the
UGS:
PGS: The
The Film
Film Club,
Club, how
how often do you go?
go?

UGS: Not as often as I'd


Id like.
like. II went loads
loads last year, but this
UGS:
year II don't
dont seem
seem to
to have much
much time.
But how often?
often? Say once
once a fortnight?
fortnight?
PGS: But

UGS: Mmm
...
Mmm ,, well
w ell...

UGS:
UGS: More
More like once a month.

undergraduate?
PGS: Are you an undergraduate?

PGS: Right
Right one
one to two times per
per month.
month. And amateur
amateur
PGS:
dramatics?
dramatics?

UGS:
UGS: Yes. I'm
Im in
in my
my second
second year. Is this going
going to take long?
long?
PGS:
PGS: Well,
Well, no it shouldn't.
shouldnt. Do
Do you mind?
mind?
UGS:
UGS: No
No .. Not
Not ifi f ...
... if it's
its quick. What
What time is it now?

UGS:
UGS: Actually, at least
least once per
per week.
week. And if we're
were rehearsing
it could be aa couple
couple of nights
nights and all day
day Saturday
Saturday and
Sunday as well.

PGS: It's
Its ten to 11
11..

PGS: Shall we say


say 6 to 8 times
times a month
month then?
then?

UGS I've
Ive a lecture at 11.15.
11.15.
UGS
PGS:
PGS: Well,
Well, it shouldn't
shouldnt take more
more than five
five minutes.

UGS: Mmmm,
Mmmm, it's
its more
more like 9 or 10 times.

UGS:
UGS: Oh, that's
thats OK,
OK, then.

1.
1.

Oriental
Oriental Studies
Studies

PGS:
PGS: Right, off we go.
go. Ah, you're
youre in your second
second year, right.
Well,
Well, the questionnaire
questionnaire is anonymous,
anonymous, so II don't
dont need
your name,
name, but II do need some
some other details.

2.

nineteen/19
nineteen/19

3.
4.

Benbradagh
Benbradagh

UGS:OK.
UGS: OK.
PGS:
PGS: Which faculty
faculty are you in?
UGS:
UGS: Humanities.

right; you're
youre in the Hunter
Hunter Building.
Building.
PGS: Oh right;

Squash
Squash

5.

6.
7.

(The)
(The) Film
Film Club
D

UGS: That's
Thats right.
PGS:
PGS: And what
what are you studying?
studying?
and Oriental
Oriental Studies.
UGS: Chinese and
PGS: Chinese
Chinese and Oriental Studies. Oh, right. And what age
are you?

Questions
Questions 8-1
8-10O

UGS:
UGS: I've
Ive Just
just turned 19.
19.

PGS: And how


how much do you spend on socialising
socialising per
per week?

PGS: Do you live on the campus?


campus?

UGS: II don't
dont know.

UGS:
UGS: Yeah.
Yeah. I'm
Im in
in one of the
the students'
students flats,
flats, so II don't
dont have
travelling.
much travelling.

UGS:
UGS: Oh, II suppose II must spend
spend 25%.

PGS: Ok. And which


which block are you in?

PGS: Is
Is that typical of your
your friends
friends as well?

UGS: Benbradagh.
Benbradagh.

UGS: II think
...
think so.
so. We
We stick
stick to the
the university,
university, so it's
its cheaper
cheaper...
and
and the
the sports facilities
facilities are
are cheap
cheap as well and the
the bar,
of course, is subsidised.

PGS:
PGS: How
How do you spell that?

UGS: B
B E N for
for Nobody
Nobody B again
again R A D
again; then
then G
G for
UGS:
DA
A again;
grow; and
and H.
... grow;
... bradagh.
bradagh. What's
Whats that named
named after?
PGS: Ben ...
UGS: It's
UGS:
Its a mountain
mountain in Ireland.
Ireland.
PGS:
PGS: Oh,
Oh, right. You'
You re quite a bit out. it's
Its on the
the edge of the
campus
campus next to the sports
sports complex.
complex.
UGS: No. That's
UGS:
Thats Mount Bures House. We're
Were on the opposite
campus next to the Student Union
Union building,
side of the campus
Cornwall House.
Cornwall
PGS:
PGS: Oh, yes. II just
just need to ask you aa few social questions, if
II may.
UGS: Mhmm.
Mhmm.
PGS:
PGS: Do
Do you
you play
play any sport?
sport?
Squash, basketball and football.
UGS: Yeah. Squash,
PGS:
PGS: How often do you play
play squash?
squash?
UGS:
UGS: Usually
Usually once
once a week.
PGS:
PGS: So, say 3 to 5 times
times a month.
UGS: Yeah.
Yeah.

A
A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

PGS: Say 5%,


5%, 20%, 30%
30% of your income?
income?

PGS: And books, how much do reckon


reckon you
you spend?
spend?
UGS: Mmm.
Mmm. Not more than 10%. II borrow
borrow most of the books
from the
the library, when II can get hold of them.
them.
PGS: Right.
PGS: And what about
accommodation and
and food?
about accommodation
UGS: I'd
Id say 50%.
50%.

what about
about the
the rest of
of your money?
PGS: And what
UGS:
UGS: Well,
Well, it goes on small
small luxurles
luxuries ...
... very small. What's
Whats
this for anyway?
anyway?

PGS: It's
Its part of
of a study
study on the change
change in students'
students spending
patterns, as they
they progress
progress from
from first year
year to
postgraduate
postgraduate level.
level.
UGS: Oh right.
PGS: II wish you luck.
UGS:
UGS: Thanks.
Thanks.
PGS: And thanks for your
your help.
help.
PGS: No
No problem.
problem. Oh,
Oh, look
look at the time
time II must
must get a move on.
on.
See you!

159
159

Key to Listening
Listening Practice
Practice Tests

Questions
Questions 17-20
8.
9.

B
B

10.

The listening
listening is testing your
your ability
ability to extract
extract simple
information from
from a dialogue.

Practice Test
Test 3
3
11 Practice

Section 2
2
Section

II

Questions 11-16
Hello!
Hello! And welcome
welcome to this week's
weeks edition
edition of Science Tomorrow
Tomorrow
Today, my
my name
name is Bertie Jackson
Jackson and today
today we are
are going
going to
look
look at three
three totally
totally unrelated
unrelated topics.
topics.

And
And now
now for something
something quite
quite different:
different: how
how can
can chickens
chickens provide
provide
not only
only that
that delicious
delicious breakfast
breakfast egg,
egg, but
but also
also the
the power
power to cook
it? The answer
answer lies
lies in that plentiful
plentiful by-product
by-product of the chicken
chicken
farm, namely,
namely, chicken
chicken dung.
dung. An enterprising
enterprising British
British company
company
has
has proved
proved that
that 'green'
green solutions
solutions to the
the electric
electric power
power needs
needs of
communities
communities can be profitable.
profitable. In
In fact, there
there are
are already
already three,
yes
yes three
three dung-fired
dung-fired power
power stations
stations in
in use
use in Britain,
Britain, which have
attracted
attracted attention
attention from
from other
other European
European countries
countries and several
several
projects in
in different
different places
places are
are already
already at the
the advanced planning
planning
stage.
stage. 'We
We first believed
believed that the
the only
only use
use for our
our dung
dung was to
make
make electricity,'
electricity, says
says the British
British company's
companys owner,
owner, 'but
but after
after
burning
burning it for
for power,
power, we
we are left with
with a residue
residue rich
rich in
in potash and
and
phosphate,
phosphate, but
but nitrogen-free.
nitrogen-free. This
This provides
provides aa far
far more
more
marketable
marketable fertiliser
fertiliser which
which we
we can sell as
as well as the
the electricity
electricity
we produce'.
produce. In
In many
many countries,
countries, agricultural
agricultural waste
waste is
is even
even
more
more of a problem
problem than industrial
industrial waste,
waste, polluting
polluting even
even the
the sea
sea
where rivers
rivers have
have carried
carried nitrogen
nitrogen and
and other
other agricultural
agricultural waste
waste
to estuaries
estuaries and inshore
inshore waters. By
By burning
burning dung
dung and
and producing
cheap electric
electric power
power in
in the process,
process, however,
however, this
this company
company is
is
solving
solving two problems
problems in
in one
one go.

First,
First, is it a Hovercraft
Hovercraft or
or is it a plane?

That's
Thats all for
for today.
today.

The Hoverplane,
Hoverplane, a cross between
between aa boat and
and a plane
plane with
with
elements
elements of the
the Hovercraft
Hovercraft and Catamaran,
Catamaran, is under
under trial
trial at the
moment. The
The plane-like
plane-like wings
wings allow
allow the craft to take
take off
off in aa short
short
distance,
distance, and a flexible
flexible skirt
skirt allows
allows it to operate
operate over
over water
water like
a Hovercraft, moving
moving on a cushion
cushion of air.

Next
Next week:
week: It's
Its Chips with everythingeverything - a new
new use
use for
for microchips;
microchips;
robots
robots for
for fixing
fixing bridges
bridges overnight;
overnight; hand-held
hand-held lasers
lasers for
for instant
instant
blood tests
tests and the
the first commercial
commercial fully-operational
fully-operational satellite
satellite for
for
tracking
tracking shifts
shifts in climate.
climate.

The
The greatest
greatest potential
potential for
for this craft
craft is as a ferry, travelling
travelling
between
between one
one and two metres
metres above
above the
the water
water at up to
to 250
kilometres
kilometres per
per hour.
hour. Its advantages
advantages are
are those
those of safety
safety and
efficiency
efficiency - safety
safety as
as it avoids
avoids hitting
hitting floating
floating or submerged
submerged
debris
debris and
and efficiency
efficiency as it can travel
travel at
at five times
times the speed,
speed, but
but
at one
one fifth
fifth of the fuel cost
cost of a normal
normal ferry.
ferry. And
And plans
plans are
being drawn up for
for aa large
large version,
version, big
big enough
enough to carry
carry 150
passengers
passengers and
and freight
freight for
for 2,000
2,000 kilometres
kilometres at over
over 300
kilometres
kilometres per
per hour.
hour. Since
Since the Hover
Hover plane
plane can carry
carry a 50%
50%
greater
greater payload
payload than
than a similar
similar sized
sized aircraft.
aircraft, but
but with
with a 30%
lower
lower fuel consumption,
consumption, and
and it needs
needs neither
neither special
special ports
ports nor
runways,
runways, the craft
craft should
should be
be an attractive economic
economic proposition
proposition
for operators
operators and promises
promises to be aa popular
popular ferry in
in the
the 21st
21st
century.
century.

Goodbye.
Goodbye.

Our
Our second item is bad news for the criminal,
criminal, but should provide
provide
a reassuringly
reassuringly secure
secure communication
communication system
system for
for the
the
overworked
overworked policeman.
policeman. At present,
present, aa criminal
criminal with
with a radio
scanner
scanner can
can detect police
police presence
presence in the area
area that he, or
indeed
indeed she,
she, is operating
operating in.
in. This
This is now
now about
about to change.
change. A new
computer-based
computer-based system
system will soon replace
replace most radio traffic
traffic with
digital
digital text
text messages.
messages. These
These messages
messages will
will be imperceptible,
imperceptible,
and
and will allow
allow officers
officers to cover
cover more jobs as they
they pick
pick up and
answer
answer text
text messages
messages rather
rather than waiting
waiting for
for an operator
operator to
spell
spell out
out commands.
commands. What's
Whats more,
more, ifif the
the initial
initial trial is
is successful,
successful,
the system
system may
may be upgraded
upgraded so that even maps
maps can
can be sent
sent to
police
police cars allowing
allowing pursuits
pursuits to be
be visually
visually co-ordinated.
co-ordinated. Will this
this
spell
spell the
the end of the
the high-speed
high-speed car
car chase?
chase?

I'll
Ill be
be back next
next week.
week.

17.

[plentiful] by-product
by-product
[plentiful]

18.

three/3
three/3

19.

agricultural
agricultural waste
waste

20.

electric
electric power/
power/ electricity
electricity

Students find this type of question


question rather
rather difficult, because
because
they
they have to read the summary
summary and
and listen at the same
same time.
The
The summary
summary paraphrases the talk
talk and so the words
words that
are written down
down are not
not exactly
exactly the same
same as those you
you
hear. You need to practise
practise this type
type of question as much
as
as you
you can.

Practice Test
Test 3
3
11 Practice

Section 3
Sectlon31

Questions 21-23

Sarah; T = Terry
Terry
D = Dave; S = Sarah;
11.

250 kllometres/kms
kilometres/kms

12.

fifth/5th
fifth/5th

13.

150 passengers
passengers

14.

police
police presence
presence

15.
16.

D:
D:
S:
S:

Hi Sarah.
Sarah. That
That was
was actually
actually quite
quite exciting,
wasn't
it? it?
Hi
exciting,
wasnt
You really
really think so,
so, Dave? Im
I'm completely
completely worn
worn out. IfIf II
You
have
have to take
take in another
another piece
piece of information,
information, my
my head's
heads
going
going to explode.
explode.

digital
digital text
text messages
messages

D:
D:

was good,
good, though.
though.
ItIt was

maps
maps

S:
S:

have to
to admit
admit itit was,
was, mmm,
mmm,
II have
And itit was
was challenging.
challenging.
And

D:
The answers
answers for
for the first three questions
questions in this sub-section
sub-section
are easier than Questions
Questions 14-16. The vocabulary
vocabulary in the
part
part about
about the Police Communication
Communication System
System is more
difficult.
difficult.

16 0
150

S:
S:

Challenging?
Challenging? The last
last tutorial?
tutorial? It makes
makes me think II
learned
learned absolutely
absolutely nothing
nothing at school.
school. II understood
understood
nearly
nearly all
all of It,
it, but
but a few bits
bits I'm
Im not sure
sure I got at
at all.
all.
Reading is
is reading
reading and
and that's
thats that.

D:
D:

Well, it is and it isn't,


isnt, you know.
know.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Practice Tests
Key to Listening Practice
S:
D:
T:
T:

S:
D:
D:
T:
T:
D:
D:
T:
D:

S:
S:

We
We all
all read
read in
in the
the same
same way.
way.
No,
No. we
we dont!
don't!
What
What are
are you
you two
two arguing
arguing about?
about?
Oh,
Oh, its
it's Terry.
Terry. Hi.
Hi.
Reading!
Reading!
Reading?
Reading?
Yes,
Yes, reading.
reading.
It's
Its not exactly a sexy subject to be arguing about. Is it
Dave,
Dave?
don't know;
know; II find
find itit quite
quite exciting,
exciting, really.
really.
II dont
You
You would!
would!

S:
T:
T:
D:
D:
T:
T:
S:
T:
T:
D:
D:
T:
S:

D:

We've
Weve Just
just been to this tutorial
tutorial on
on study skills
skills as part
of the English Literature course
course and Sarah's
Sarahs found it
difficult to follow.

T:
T:

S:

No,
some things
No, Dave.
Dave. That's
That's not
not true.
true. Its
It's just
justthere
there were
were some
Im not so sure about
about or more importantly
importantly sure
sure
that I'm
whether they're
theyre important
important or not.
whether
Well,
Well, what
whatwas
was the
the problem?
problem?
Well,
going
Well, when
when II read
read II just
just read
read and
and Dr
Dr Pratt
Pratt was
was going
on on
different techniques
techniques that
that we need to
about all these different
develop and hone.

S:

T:
S:
S:

21. D

22. C

Al

23. A
23.

T:
T:
S:
S:
T:
T:

S:
T:

D:
Questions 24-30
Questions
T:
S:
S:
T:
S:
S:
T:

Mmm.
Mmm.How
Howdo
doyou
youread
readthen,
then, Sarah?
Sarah?
I Ijust
justread
readas
asI Isaid;
said;like
likeeveryone
everyoneelse.
else. I Iread
readeach
eachword
wordas
as
it comes.
How
Howmany
manypages
pagesdo
doyou
youread
readininan
anhour?
hour?
About
Abouttwenty-five/thirty?
twenty-five/thirty?
And
Andwhat
whatabout
aboutyou,
you, Dave?
Dave?

D:
D:

Sixty/maybe
Sixty/maybeseventy.
seventy.

S.
S:

Sixty
Sixtyto
toseventy!
seventy!

T:

Thats
That'snot
notaalot.
lot.
S: How
Howmany
manydo
doyou
youread,
read,then,
then,Terry?
Terry?
T:
depends. About
About120...
120 ...
ItItdepends.
S/D: What?
SID:
What?
S: Oh,
Oh,come
comeon,
on,Terry.
Terry.
Yeah
T:
Yeahand
and I'm
I'm not
notunusual.
unusual. One
Oneof
ofmy
myfriends,
friends, doing
doing
Medieval European
European history, Arnold,
Arnold, he reads about
Medieval
160 an hour.
D: But
Butdoes
doeshe
heremember
rememberititall?
all?
Yeah,
T:
Yeah, IIthink
thinkso,
so,Dave.
Dave.
S:
getthrough
through only
only one
onebook
bookaaweek!
week!
S: I Iget
D: Me
Metoo.
too.What
Whatabout
about you,
you,Terry?
Terry?
At
T:
Atthe
the moment
moment3.3.
S:
And your
yourfriend
friend Arnold?
Arnold?
And
Twenty.
T:
Twenty.
S:
Twenty!
Twenty!
T:
Yes, but it doesn't
doesnt matter at the moment. What matters,
suit the
is that you develop your reading speed to suit
circumstances. You could still stick to your reading
circumstances.
speed of 25 pages an hour for leisure
leisure purposes, but
double your
your reading speed for say reading journals or
double
Im scanning a text
text for specific
academic texts. If I'm
just whizz through.
through. Then
Then when II find
information, II can just
what II want, I'll
Ill read through that particular part very
very
slowly.

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

S:
S:
S:

T:
D:
D:

T:

Mm.
With forty to fifty or more books to get through in a term
cant afford
afford to read every
every word.
you can't

Have
Have you
you always
always read
read like
like that?
that?
No,
No, its
it's only
only since
since Ive
I've been
been here.
here.
II find
find this
this all
all very
verydepressing.
depressing. How
How did
did you
you do
do ititthen?
then?
In
Inthe
the first
first week
week of
of term,
term, in
in the
the first
first year,
year,we
we had
had aa tutorial
tutorial
reading.
on reading.
From
From Dr
Dr Pratt.
Pratt.
Yes, and
and II felt
felt so
so inadequate
inadequateafter
after the
the class.
class.
Yes,
Well,
Well, what
whatdid
did he
he tell
tell you?
you?
He
Hejust
just gave
gave us
us aa few
few basic
basic strategies
strategies on
on reading
reading and and
two years
years he's
hes been nurturing
nurturing us, so
then over the last two
now work
work very
very efficiently.
efficiently.
that we all now
So
So hes
he's your
your tutor
tutortoo.
too. You
You can
can tell
tell us
us then
then what
what he
he
means when he talks
talks about
about learning
learning to read the
content words
words only.
content
obviously just the first step. IfIf you read
Well, this is obviously
slows you down.
every a, the, to, from, was etc. it really slows
Yeah?
Yeah?
look at the
the nouns, verbs,
But if you train your eye to look
adverbs and adjectives
adverbs
Assuming you
you know
know what
whatthey
they are!
are!
Assuming
Well,
Well, then
then the
the big
big words.
words. Then
Then you
you automatically
automatically
increase your speed.
Yeah,
Yeah, that
that makes
makes sense.
sense.
Mmmm.
Mmmm.
think I'm
Im going off to the
the library to start. Thanks
Right. II think
for the tutorial!
Anytime. Im
I'm off
off to
to the
the sports
sports centre.
centre.
Anytime.
By the way, what was your reading speed per hour
came here?
when you first came
Twenty-five.
Twenty-five.
24.

60/70 or sixty
sixty to seventy
6ono

25.
26.

160
one/1

27.

three/3

28.

suit
suit the circumstances
circumstances

29.

inadequate
so Inadequate

30.

twenty-flve/25
twenty-five/25

Section 3 contains no surprises. However,


The listening in Section
need
completing the table may cause some problems. You need
question as much as you can
to practise doing this kind of question
IELTS
books and
and listening
listening practice for foreign
in other /EL
TS books
students.
language students.

Practice Test
Test 3
3
11 Practice

Section 4
4 11
Section

Questions 31-34
Questions
and thanks for coming
coming for the
Good afternoon to you all again, and
second lecture in the
the series
series Drama
Drama after Graduating. For those
of you who weren't
werent here last week, my name
name is
is Jennifer
McKenzie-Davies and II am one of those lucky
lucky ones
ones - an actress
with aa job!
161
161

Key to Listening
Listening Practice Tests

I'm
Im going
going to talk
talk to you today
today about
about the difficulties
difficulties actors
actors and
actresses
actresses face finding
finding work; not that
that any
any of
of you
you need
need reminding!
reminding!
It's
Its a jungle
jungle out there
there and you've
youve gotto
got to be very hungry
hungry to survive.
survive.
Are
you're going
Are you
you hungry?
hungry? Well,
Well, I'm
Im afraid
afraid youre
going to have to be,
be,
because
because if you aren't
arent you might
might as
as well pack
pack your
your bags
bags and
forget
forget all about
about acting
acting as a career.
career. And
And not just
just hungry;
hungry; but
but
also
also resolute
resolute in
in getting
getting what
what you
you want.
want. And,
And, of course,
course,
persistent.
persistent. Not
Not to mention
mention gifted!
gifted!
Between
and 90 percent of you
Between 80 and
you will
will be
be out
out of work
work at
at any
any
one
one time.
time. You
You are joining
joining a group
group of people
people whose
whose average
average
time
time in
in employment
employment is 12 weeks
weeks a year
year for
for men,
men, and 7 weeks
weeks
for
for women.
women. Why
Why do we do
do it? We must
must be mad!
mad! And
And yet,
yet, there
there
are
are thousands
thousands more
more waiting
waiting to take
take our
our places, if we
we fail.

31.
32.
32.
33.
34.

C
C
B
D
C

obviously
obviously that
that there
there are
are more
more people
people chasing
chasing the
the same
same number
number
of
of jobs.
jobs.
But even
even before
before you start
start worrying
worrying about
about Equity
Equity Cards
Cards and your
your
agent,
agent, you've
youve got to establish
establish yourself
yourself with
with photographs:
photographs:
eye-catching
eye-catching and
and professional
professional black
black and
and white
white photos
photos small
small postcard
postcard size
size for your
your publicity
publicity and CVs.
CVs. There
There will be
several
several sessions
sessions devoted
devoted to choosing
choosing the
the right
right photos
photos that
that will
show
show you off
off the
the way you
you are
are most
most likely
likely to be cast,
cast, and also
also
what
what to put in your
your CV
CV and,
and, more
more importantly
importantly with some
some of you,
you,
what not
not to include.
include. So
So you see
see it's
its not
not an easy
easy road
road to fame
fame
and
and fortune.
fortune.
This
This has just
just been
been an introduction
introduction to the
the trials
trials and
and tribulations
tribulations
of actors
actors looking
looking for
for work.
work. Next
Next week,
week, we'll
well make
make aa start
start on CVs.
But now
now it's
its time
time for
for a ten-minute
ten-minute tea
tea break,
break, followed
followed by aa
question
question and
and answer
answer session.
session.

35.
35.

The answers to the questions in this sub-section follow very


very
closely after
after one
one another. It is not the detail
detail itself, which
makes
makes the speech
speech difficult to understand,
understand, but, again, the
speed
speed of
o f processing
processing the information.
information. If you are aiming
aiming for
a high
high grade, you
you should be able to cope with this.

live performance
performance

36.
36.

bestspeeches
best speeches

37.

well
well nigh
nigh impossible
impossible

38.
39.

same
same number
number of jobs
jobs

40.

small
small postcard
postcard

eye-catching
eye-catching and
and professional
professional

The testing in this


this part
part of the speech is very different from
the first
first section. You have to listen very carefully
carefully tor
for the
information.
information. The task is made easier
easier for
for you, however, by
the headings in the notes in the exercise.
exercise.

Questions 35-40
Still hungry?
hungry? Good,
Good, 'cos
cos this
this is
is where
where the
the interesting
interesting bit
bit starts,
starts,
now
now we've
weve got the stats
stats out of
of the way.
way.
First
First of all,
all, where
where do
do you look
look for work?
work? Well,
Well, there's
theres The
The
Stagedoor,
Stagedoor, the weekly
weekly newspaper
newspaper which occasionally
occasionally has a
couple
couple of decent
decent jobs
jobs in it.
it. And then there's
theres the
the weekly
weekly list of
jobs
jobs called
called TCR,
TCR, but you need
need to
to subscribe
subscribe to that with friends
friends
- it's
its very
very expensive,
expensive, especially
especially if you're
youre out
out of work
work - about
about
20, no sorry
25, for
sorry 25,
for five
five weeks.
weeks. Then,
Then, there's
theres your agent.
You'll
Youll discover
discover sooner
sooner or
or later
later that
that you need an agent
agent if you want
want
to have
have access
access to the best work
work available.
available. But how do you
you get
an agent?
agent?
Well,
Well, unless
unless you're
youre really
really very lucky
lucky and get taken on
on by an
an
agent
agent who
who just
just likes
likes the
the look
look of you, you have
have to get an agent
to
to see
see you
you in a live
live performance.
performance. This
This could
could be aa good
good part in
aa play
play which
which shows
shows off
off your talents,
talents, or a film
film role, or just
just aa
show-reel
best speeches.
speeches. II must
must say,
say, II
show-reel of you performing
performing your
your best
don't
dont really
really know
know which
which is harder:
harder: getting
getting the part without
without an
agent
agent in
in the first
first place or
or getting
getting an agent
agent interested
interested enough
enough to
come
come and
and see you; in other
other words,
words, a real Catch 22 situation.
situation. A
word of warning:
warning: they
they don't
dont usually
usually travel
travel more
more than aa few
few
hundred
hundred yards
yards from
from their
their office
office!I They're
Theyre supposed
supposed to be
be working
working
for
for you,
you, but they
they actually
actually behave
behave like it's
its the other
other way
way round.
round.
As for
for show-reels,
show-reels, if you want
want them
them to look at yours,
yours, you
you really
really
need to tie
tie them
them to aa chair
chair and
and force
force them
them to watch.
watch.

You may find it difficult


difficult to get work
work without
without an agent,
agent, but
but it'll
itll be
well
well nigh
nigh impossible
impossible without
without an Equity
Equity card.
card. Fortunately,
Fortunately,
things
things have
have changed.
changed. In
In the
the past,
past, drama
drama school students
students leaving
here in
in July
July had what
what was
was known
known as aa Registered
Registered Graduate
Graduate
Equity
Equity Card.
Card. This
This gave
gave you
you 2 years
years to
to get an Equity
Equity contract
contract for
workwork - not that
that easy
easy without
without experience,
experience, an agent
agent or aa full Equity
Equity
Card.
But, even when
Card. But,
when you got
got your
your first job paid at Equity
Equity rates,
rates,
you received
received only
only a provisional
provisional Equity
Equity Card.
Card. The
The Union
Union was
quite
quite strict about
about membership,
membership, but
but the
the alternative
alternative was
was much
much
harder
harder and less
less likely
likely to result
result in success.
success. This
This provisional
provisional card
could
could become
become aa full one only
only after
after 30 weeks
weeks of
of work.
work. Without
Without
it you could
could forget
forget the
the West
West End theatres,
theatres, top tours
tours and
and work
work in
in
television.
television.
Now, however,
however, things
things are a bit easier.
easier. After
After you finish
finish from here,
here,
you automatically
automatically get
get your
your Equity
Equity card.
card. The
The downside
downside of this
this is
is
162

11 Practice Test 4

Section
Section 11

11

Questions 1-5

A = Travel
Travel agent;
agent; S = Student
Student
A:
A:

Good morning.
morning. Can
Can II help
help you?
you?
Good

S:

Hello
Hello - yes,
yes, well,
well, II just want
want some
some information
information actually.
actually.
I'm
Im trying
trying to
to work out
out aa trip
trip at the
the end
end of the
the summer
summer
holidays
holidays

A:
A:

A:
A:

Yes.
Yes.
I'm a student
And I wonder if you could help me? Im
studying
studying Arabic
Arabic and I'm
Im heading
heading for Alexandria
Alexandria in
in
Egypt
Egypt to do
do my
my language
language year
year abroad
abroad out
out at the
university
university there.
there.
Right.
Right. II just
just need
need to get
get a few preliminary
preliminary details.
details. I'll
Ill put
everything
everything on
on the
the computer
computer as we
we go
go along.
along.
Okay.
Okay.
First, when
when do
do you
you want
want to
to leave?
leave?
First,
have to
to be
be there
there by
by 27th
27th September,
September, and
and Id
I'd like
like to
to
II have
leave
leave about
about a month
month beforehand
beforehand so II can
can do
do some
some
sightseeing
sightseeing on
on the
the way.
way.
So ...
... lets
let's say
say you
you want
want to
to leave
leave on
on 27th
27th August.
August.
So
was planning
planning to
to leave
leave around
around the
the 20th.
201h.
!I was
the 20th of August.
August. Okay.
Okay. Thats
That's aa Sunday.
Sunday.
the

S:
S:

I'd rather
rather leave
leave on
on the
the Monday.
Monday. Right,
Right, the
the 21st
2151then.
I'd
then.

A:

So the
the 21st.
211. And
And did
did you
you want
want to
to fly?
fly?
So

S:
S:

Mmmm, II dont
don't really
really want
want to
to have
have to
to fly
fly ah
ah straight
straight
Mmmm,
there;
...
there; actually
actually...

S:

A:
S:
S:
A:
A:
S:
S:

A:
A:
S:
S:

zo"

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Key
Key to
to Listening
Listening Practice
Practice Tests
Tests

A:
A:
S:
S:
A:
A:
S:
S:
A:
A:
S:
S:
A:
A:

S:
S:

Yes?
Yes?
I'd like
like to
to go
go by
by train
train and
and ferry
ferry to
to Paris.
Paris.
Id
What about going
going through
through the
the channel
channel tunnel?
What
mm, I dont
don't like
like the
the idea of
of going
going through
through
Well, mm,

A:
A:

tunnels.
tunnels. It scares
scares me.

S:
S:

Oh, its
it's just
just like
like catching
catching the
the London
London Underground!
Underground!
Oh,
never catch
catch the
the underground.
underground.
II never
The ferry trains are pretty
pretty frequent,
frequent, so you
you won't
wont have to
worry
worry about
about that
that part of the
the journey.
journey. And where
where to,
to,
after Paris?
Paris?
Vienna.

A:
A:

Oh,
Oh, oh,
oh, by the way,
way, have
have checked
checked the
the visa
visa requirements
requirements
for each
each country?
country?

S:
S:

Oh, I Ihadnt
hadn't thought
thought of
ofthat.
that.
Oh,

A:

Right. Can
Can I Itake
takeaafew
fewpersonal
personal details?
details?
Right.
Okay.
Okay.
Your name?
name?
Your
It's James
JamesWeston
Weston thats
that's W
W--ee--ss--1t--oo--n.n.
Its
Right.
Fine!
OK,
then.
And
daytime telephone
telephone number?
Right. Fine! OK, then. And aadaytime
number?
It's 0181
0181 889
8894269.
4269.
Its
havelogged
loggedall
allthese
these details
details on
onthe
thecomputer.
computer. I'll just
I Ihave
Ill just
give
give you the
the reference.
reference. It's
Its IAMIFUR2.
IAMIFUR2.
IAMIFUR2.
IAMIFUR2.
Youjust
just quote
quote this
this reference
reference when
when you
you come
come inin again
You
againoror
telephone.
telephone. Then
Then itit will
will speed
speed things
things up
up a bit.
bit.
Okay thanks.
thanks.
Okay

S:
S:
A:
A:
S:
A:
A:
S:
S:

1.
1. C

A:
A:

2.
2. C
3.A
3. A

S:
S:

4.8
4. B
6.

5. A

7.

8.
9.
10.

Questions
Questions 6-1
6-10O
A:
A:

From Paris
Paris to
to Vienna,
Vienna, by
by plane
plane or
or train?
train?
From

S:
S:

Train. Id
I'd like
like to
to travel
travel overnight,
overnight, so
so Id
I'd like
like aa sleeper,
sleeper,
Train.
ifif possible.
possible.

A:
A:

Right,
sleeper to Vienna
Vienna from Paris.
Right, a sleeper
Paris. Right:
Right: there's
theres an
early morning
morning train to Vienna,
Vienna, the
the 7.50,
7.50, but that won't
wont
work because
because you want an over-night
over-night train.
train. But then,
then,
there's
theres one at 17.49.
17.49.

S:
S:

Right.
Right.

A:
A:

and youre
you're lucky,
lucky, because
because they leave from the Gare de
l'IEst,
Est, which is right
right next to the Gare
Gare du Nord station,
station,
where
where the
the ferry train comes
comes in.
in.

S:
S:

Brilliant.
Brilliant.
So, that
that gets
gets in
in to
to Vienna
Vienna at
at 8.35
8.35 the
the next
next morning.
morning. You
You
So,
see that bit of the journey
journey alone
alone costs,
costs, er,
er, let me see ...
...
141.80.
Is that
that with
with the
the student
student discount?
discount?
Is
Yes.Andthen?
Yes.
And then?
I'd like
like to
to spend
spend some
some time
time in
in Vienna;
Vienna;about
about a a
week
Id
week
perhaps, before going on to Athens.
Athens.
Train again?
again?
Train
Well,
of going
going by
Well, no.
no. II was
was thinking
thinking of
by plane
plane via

A:
A:

S:
S:
A:
A:
S:
S:
A:
A:
S:
S:

Budapest
Budapest and
and stopping
stopping off
off there
there for
for a couple
couple of
days.
days.
A:
A:

S:
S:
A:
S:
S:
A:
A:

S:
S:
A:
S:
A:

S:
S:

You do
do realise
realise that
that its
it's going
going to
to cost
cost you
you aa lot
lot more
more going
going
You
part of the
the way
way by plane
plane and part by train.
train. It would
would work
out
out a lot cheaper
cheaper if you did it all by train
train or flew direct.
How much
much are
are we
we talking
talking about?
about?
How
Probably about
about at
at least
least 250
250 more.
more.
Probably
As much
much as
as that.
that.
As
Well, yes.
yes. Youll
You'll probably
probably have
have to
toget
geta ascheduled
scheduled
Well,
flight
flight from
from Budapest
Budapest to Athens
Athens and that's
thats going to
cost
cost a lot more than by
by train.
train.
Well,
let's
see
when
we
add all
all up
up at
at the
the end.
end.
Well, lets see when we add
And the
the last
last leg
leg of
of the
the trip
trip from
from Athens?
Athens?
And
want to
to go
go from
from Piraeus
Piraeus by
by ferry.
ferry.
II want
see. Okay.
Okay. Now
Now Im
I'm almost
almost certain
certain theres
there's aa ferry
ferry
II see.
service
service to Alexandria
Alexandria from Piraeus,
Piraeus, but I'll
Ill have to
check
check ... Mmmm.
Mmmm. The computer's
computers not giving
giving me
anything.
anything.
Can II think this
this over? Im
I'm maybe
maybe making
making it more
complicated
complicated than itit really
really is.
is.

H
H
B
B
F

cC
IAMIFUR2
IAMIFUR2

Be careful with
with questions 6 - 99..
If you
you find it difficult
difficult listen several times.
times.

11

Practice Test 4

Section 2
2
Section

lI

Questions
Questions 11-16
Welcome
Welcome and indeed
indeed welcome
welcome every
every Friday
Friday afternoon
afternoon at 2.15
2.15
to Post-bag,
Post-bag, your
your chance
chance as listeners
listeners to let us know
know what
what you
think
think about
about our
our programmes
programmes and current
current issues.
This
This week
week our
our Post-bag has been virtually
virtually overflowing
overflowing -- not that
we are complaining,
complaining, mind you! Many
Many of you,
you, in fact,
fact, a staggering
staggering
4,373
4,373 of you to be precise,
precise, have completed
completed Radio
Radio South's
Souths
listener phone-in
phone-in survey. Some
Some general
general points:
points: 83% of you think
think
that the radio station has improved
improved over
over the past year;
year; and only
7%
7% that it has got worse.
worse. Most of
of you think
think that the radio station
provides
provides an excellent
excellent service! That's
Thats a big
big thumbs
thumbs up for
for Radio
South.
South. Some
Some more
more statistics:
statistics: a rather
rather disappointing
disappointing 64%
64% of you
did not like the start of the new
new international
international radio soap
soap that
began
began on Wednesday
Wednesday evenings
evenings last month. Many of you said
that
that itit was
was too
too vulgar
vulgar and puerile,
puerile, with no plot,
plot, no excitement!
excitement!
And only 17%
17% said they
they liked it.
We passed on
on your
your messages
messages to the
the producer
producer and he
he said that
he had received
received a number
number of letters
letters and countless
countless phone
phone calls,
saying how
how innovative
innovative and modern the plot was. In fact,
fact, those
figures
figures for
for those listening had more
more than doubled
doubled for the
the second
programme! We'll
Well have
have to wait
wait and see how
how this one develops!
And for
for 87%
87% of you,
you, the new starting
starting time
time of 5 am
am for the
Wake-up
Wake-up show
show went
went down
down really
really well! Only
Only a small
small disapproval
disapproval
rating for
for this one; in fact,
fact, only
only 3%. Many
Many of you
you said the earlier
earlier
time is
is a real
real hit!
hit!
Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, The
The Wine
Wine Show
Show has not
not gone
gone down well at all.
ItIt had a 15%
15% approval
approval rating and 25%
25% who
who did not like it and
60%
60% don't
dont knows!
knows! Sadly,
Sadly, the
the main
main comment
comment was that the
programme
programme is downright
downright boring.
boring. Maybe, wine's
wines going out of
fashion.
fashion.
The full survey
survey will
will be published
published next month
month and itit is free
free on
on
request!
request!
And
And now
now to our
our weekly
weekly letters slot.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

163

Key to Listening
Listening Practice
Practice Tests
Dr:
11.

83/
83/ eighty-three
eighty-three

L:

12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

7/seven
7/ seven

Dr:

3/three
3 / three
a real hit
Wine
Wine Show
downright
downright boring
boring

Questions
Questions 17-20
17-20

F:
F:

Well,
... you
W
e ll,...
you know
know I have two teenage
teenage daughters
daughters and
I'm
Im a single
single parent.

Dr:
Dr:

Yes?

F:
F:

Well, mm, I'm


Im finding
finding it less and less easy
easy to study
study as a
mature
mature student
student and
and have aa teenage
teenage family.
family. The girls
girls
have been playing
playing me up.

Dr:

And
Andwhat
whatexactly
exactly do
doyou
you mean
mean by
bythat?
that?
Kimberly,
the
eldest,
has
a
boyfriend
and she's
Kimberly, the eldest, has a boyfriend and
shes taken
takentoto
staying
staying out later
later and later. And
And she's
shes becoming
becoming difficult
difficult
to control. And the
the younger
younger one,
one, who's
whos fourteen,
fourteen,
misses
misses Kimberly,
Kimberly, because
because they
they were
were always
always together.

F:
Sharon
Sharon from Tasmania
Tasmania has written
written in to say
say that
that she has tried
to get
get through
through on the telephone
telephone to our
our new
new Message
Message Line to
leave
leave a message
message on the Voicebox,
Voicebox, but
but she
she finds
finds it too
too
complicated.
complicated. She
She says,
says, and II quote:
quote: Every
Every time
time II press
press aa number
number
after
after the
the main
main menu
menu the
the line won't
wont accept
accept my message.
message. It is so
frustrating.
frustrating. Maybe
Maybe your
your Voicebox
Voicebox should
should come
come with a health
warning!
warning! Well,
Well, II can tell you that
that you're
youre not the
the first
first person to
have
have complained
complained about
about this; in fact, we had 67
67 letters
letters this
this past
week
week alone
alone and
and complaints
complaints have
have been going
going up at the rate
of 10%
we're now
10% a week
week recently.
recently. And were
now looking into
into the
the
problem.
problem.
On aa more cheerful
cheerful note, Mary
Mary from Sydney,
Sydney, Australia,
Australia, wrote
wrote in
in
to say
say how
how refreshing
refreshing and
and cheerful
cheerful she
she found
found our
our station.
station. She
says
says the
the music
music and
and the
the morning
morning Wake-up
Wake-up show
show she finds
finds really
invigorating.
invigorating. We've
Weve had lots of
of similar
similar letters
letters from
from all around
around
South-east
South-east Asia saying
saying the
the same
same thing:
thing: from
from Terry
Terry in Auckland,
Auckland,
New Zealand,
Zealand, Yuko
Yuko in Japan
Japan and Ahmed
Ahmed in
in Indonesia.
Indonesia. Robyn
Robyn
in Australia
Australia says it's
its really an excellent
excellent new
new contribution
contribution to the
radio scene
scene in the
the area
area and encourages
encourages us to keep
keep going.
going. Thank
Thank
you
you Robyn
Robyn for
for your
your support.
support.
Pangaporn
wants to know
Pangaporn from
from Thailand
Thailand wants
know if there
there are
are any
any plans
to repeat
repeat the
the English
English language
language programme,
programme, English Worldwide,
Worldwide,
on Sunday
Sunday mornings
mornings at 9 am
am or
or whether
whether we
we are
are going
going to expand
expand
the
the programme.
programme. We've
Weve had
had so many
many letters
letters over
over the
the past
past week
week
about
about English Worldwide;
Worldwide-, it appears
appears to be hugely
hugely popular. Since
it started
started 55 weeks
weeks ago, the number
number of people
people tuning
tuning in has
grown tenfold.
tenfold. There
There are no plans
plans at the
the moment
moment to increase
increase
the
the 2-hour
2-hour slot
slot on Friday
Friday morning,
morning, but
but if numbers
numbers keep
increasing
increasing at the
the rate they
they are we may
may have to.
Many of you have asked
asked when
when we are becoming
becoming aa 24-hour
24-hour
service.
service. The
The answer
answer is as soon
soon as we can. We now broadcast
broadcast
19 hours a day and
and hope
hope to be
be on air
air 24 hours
hours a day
day within
within the
the
next six
six months.
months.

Dr:

11

18. C
18.

BI

19. A

20. B

Im letting
letting them
them down by doing
doing this
and I feel as if I'm
course.
course. They
They don't
dont have aa father
father and
and all they've
theyve got is
me. II just
just don't
dont know
know what
what to do.
do.

Dr:
Dr:

is aa difficult
difficult situation
one.
ItIt is
situationthis
thisone.
My mum
mum did
did the
the same
same thing,
My
thing, went
wentback
backto
tostudying
studyingwhen
when
II was 16 and II think
think at the time
time II got
got really
really jealous
jealous ......

S:
L:
L:

Ofwhat?
what?
Of
the course!
course!
the
L:
the course?
course?
the
S:
Well,
S:
Well, it wasn't
wasnt just
just the
the course.
course. It was the other
other people
people and
the fact that
that my mum's
mums time
time was
was taken up by
by other
other
things
things and people.
people. At the
the time
time II did not like it at all!
F:
That's
F:
Thats the problem
problem here, II think.
Dr:
And what
what happened,
happened, Stevie?
Stevie?
Dr: And
S:
Well, II started
started playing
playing up to attract
attract attention
attention and ...... doing
some
some pretty
pretty stupid
stupid things,
things, in fact
fact really
really stupid
stupid things.
L:
Like what?
what? Oh,
Oh, go
go on,
on, tell
tell us!
us!
L:
Like
S:
No! Anyway,
Anyway, my
my mum
mum sat
sat my
my brother
brother and
and me
me down
down and
and
No!
told
told us how
how important
important the
the course
course was
was for her and
and us
and
and why
why she hadn't
hadnt been
been able
able to do
do it before.
S:
S:

F:
S:
S:

L:
S:
S:

F:
S:

164

job, so that she didn


't have
didnt
have to give us any pocket
pocket
money.
money.
Dr:

Ah, well, Farilla, maybe


maybe you
you should
should try the same
approach.
approach.

F:

II think
think II might just give
give it a try. Thanks
Thanks Stevie.
You're
Youre a star.

Dr:

And what
what about
about you,
you, then
then Stevie?
Stevie?

22.A
22. A

23. D

24. C

25.D
25. D

11
Questions
Questions 26-30
26-30

Dr: = Dr Goldfinch;
Goldfinch; F = Farilla
Farilla:: L: = Lorraine:
Lorraine: S
Dr:

And did
did she?
she?
And
Of course
course not, Lorraine!
Lorraine! We
We felt pretty
pretty stupid. After
After that
that we
helped out
out more
more and both
both of us got a job,
job, a small

21. B

Questions
Questions 21-25
21-25

And?
And?
Well,
Well, she said that, even though
though it had cost
cost her
her a lot of
money
money and
and she
she was
was having
having to
to work
work part-time
part-time to
to keep
everything
everything going,
going, she
she was
was prepared
prepared to give
give it up.

Section 3

Practice Test 4

Mhmmand
and
Mhmm

F:

And
And now
now it's
its over
over to Marco, who's
whos going
going to look
look at the
the latest
latest
cinema
cinema and video
video releases
releases

17.
17. D

And What about


about you Lorraine?
Yes,I I think
thinkso
so
Yes,
Okay. Right.
Right.Anything
Anything for
forthis
thisweek?
week? Lorraine?
Lorraine? No? No?
Okay.
Okay. Farilla?
Farilla?

= Stevie.
= Stevie.

This is
is our
our third
third and
and last
last group
group tutorial
tutorialofofthe
theterm.
term.Have
Have
This
you
you been finding
finding them
them of any
any use?
Oh yes.
yes. II get
get aa lot
lot out
out of
of them.
them.
Oh
Me too.
too.
Me

S:
S:

I've
Ive got
got a rather
rather more
more mundane
mundane problem,
problem, well, maybe, not
that mundane.
mundane.

Dr:
Dr:

Mhm.

S:
S:
L:

II had to type a paper


paper for a seminar
seminar for this Friday
Friday and II
had
had everything
everything almost ready
ready and
and ....
and

S:

My laptop
laptop crashed
crashed ...
...

A
A book for IELTS
IELTS

Key
Key to
to Listening
Listening Practice
Practice Tests
Tests

Dr:
S:
S:
L:
L:
S:
S:
L:
L:
F:
F:
L:
L:
Dr:
Dr:

Haven't
Havent you got
got a copy on disk?
disk?
No, II ...
...
No,
You're crazy.
Youre
crazy. This isn't
isnt the first time it's
its happened
happened to you;
haven't
havent you
you learnt
learnt by now?
II know,
know, II know,
know, but
but that
that doesn't
doesnt help me at the moment,
moment,
does it?
it?
You just
just dont
don't listen,
listen. do
do you?
you?
You
Leave him
him alone,
alone, Lorraine.
Lorraine. Youre
You're not
not exactly
exactly helping,
helping, are
are
Leave
you?
...
II ...
II think
right. There's
point in
think Farilla is
is right.
Theres no point
in crying over spilt
milk.
milk.

F:
F:

Have you
you aa rough
rough copy?
copy?
Have

S:
S:

Yes, but
but
Yes,
You can
can type
type itit in
in again,
again,
You
I'm very
very slow
slow and
and Im
I'm not
not going
going to
to get
get itit done
done in
in time.
time.
Im
II also have
have to get OHPs
OHPs together
together as well.
well. They were
were on
the
the computer
computer and it was
was just
just as II was
was printing them
them out
that the machine
machine went. II also
also have
have to hand
hand aa typed up
summary
summary in
in 2000 words,
words, bound
bound as well,
well, to Dr
Johnson
Johnson the
the day
day before.
before. And on top of that
that II have
have to
hand in the
hand
the full
full paper
paper at the end
end of the
the seminar.
seminar. As it
goes
goes towards
towards my final
final grade
grade and a credit
credit is
is taken
taken off
for
for handing
handing papers
papers in
in late,
late, II have to do it. And it's
its
Tuesday
Tuesday now, so II haven't
havent really
really got much
much time.
time. II
nearly didn't
nearly
didnt come
come today.
today.
Don't worry,
worry, Stevie,
Stevie, Ill
I'll help
help you
you do
do it,
it, ifif you
you want;
want; we
Dont
we
can
can start
start straight
straight after
after the
the tutorial.
tutorial.
you, Farilla?!?
Farilla?!?
Will you,
Yes.
Yes,
You should
should let
let him
him do
do itit himself!
himself!
You
Now
Lorraine,
Now Lorraine,
He helped
helped me,
me, so
so II dont
don't see
see why
why II shouldnt
shouldn't help
help him.
He
him. You
You
could
when
could lend a hand
hand too, you
you know. You don't
dont know
know when
you might
might need
need help.
help.
... II ...
...
II ...
It's okay,
okay. Farilla.
Farilla. We
We can
can do
do itit together.
together.
Its
two people
people sorted.
sorted. Now
Now what about
about you Lorraine?
Lorraine?
Well, two

F:
F:
S:
S:

F:
F:
S:
S:
F:
F:

L:
Dr:
Dr:
F:
F:

L:
L:
S:
S:
Dr:
Dr:

11

26.

(seminar)
(seminar) paper
paper

27.

crashed
crashed

28.

rough
rough copy
copy

29.

(2000 word)
word) summary
summary

30.

a credit
credit

Practice Test 4

Section 411
4
Section

Questions 31-37
And how
how did it all start?
start? Many
Many times
times II have been asked
asked how
someone
someone becomes
becomes aa journalist;
journalist; and how
how II myself
myself became
became aa
music
music critic.
critic. There
There is
is no set path.
path. After
After doing
doing an
an MA in
in music,
music, II
worked
worked in
in a London
London bookshop
bookshop for
for aa couple
couple of months,
months, then
then as
as
a sub-editor
sub-editor for
for an educational
educational publication.
publication. After
After II left
left that,
that,
like many
many of my colleagues,
colleagues, II wrote
wrote freelance
freelance features
features for
for
various
various newspapers
newspapers and
and magazines
magazines in the
the music
music world.
world. My
My
counterparts
counterparts on other
other newspapers
newspapers made
made their entry
entry to music
music
criticism
criticism by
by totally
totally different
different routes.
routes. Some
Some took
took courses
courses in
in
journalism;
journalism; some wrote features
features which
which they then sent
sent round
newspapers
newspapers and journals
journals until
until they were
were published;
published; while
while others
others

A book for IELTS


IELTS

took
took some
some less
less orthodox
orthodox steps.
steps. After
After aa couple
couple of
of years
years
freelancing,
freelancing, rather
rather than
than moving
moving into
into the
the editorial
editorial field
field in
in
journalism,
journalism, II was
was given
given the
the rare opportunity
opportunity to
to become
become a music
music
critic
critic on
on a national
national newspaper.
newspaper, on a retainer.
retainer. For those
those of you
who
who don't
dont know
know what
what it is.
is, aa retainer
retainer is aa fixed
fixed yearly sum paid
paid
for aa certain
certain number
number of,
of, in
in my case, concert
concert reviews.
reviews. Cheap
Cheap
labour
labour with the prestige
prestige thrown
thrown in
in by way of compensation!
compensation!
To
To many,
many, the
the work
work of a music
music critic
critic is glamorous,
glamorous, and, in some
respects,
respects, II have to admit,
admit, itit is.
is. II have the
the rare chance
chance to meet
meet
interesting
interesting people,
people, but
but like any
any other
other profession
profession itit has its
downside.
downside. The concert-going
concert-going public
public do not seem
seem to be able
able to
take on board
board the fact
fact that when
when II am reviewing
reviewing aa concert,
concert, II am
working.
working. At concerts,
concerts, people have
have the
the habit
habit of descending
descending on
on
me like vultures
vultures to talk
talk music;
music; would
would they
they appreciate
appreciate it if II
pounced
pounced upon them
them at work
work to
to enthuse
enthuse about
about accountancy,
accountancy,
obscure
obscure legal
legal matters?
matters? II think
think not!
not! And
And also
also itit can
can be
be aa very
very
lonely
lonely profession;
profession; working
working on your
your own for
for days, weeks
sometimes,
sometimes, without
without human
human contact
contact except
except by
by telephone
telephone or
computer.
computer. Another
Another drawback
drawback is having
having to write
write reviews
reviews to
deadlines
deadlines on a daily
daily basis.
basis. And despite
despite what
what many
many people
believe,
believe, the salary
salary is not
not that
that good
good uniess
uniess you occupy
occupy one
one of
the prestigious
prestigious posts
posts on a national paper.
paper.
Yet.
Yet, it is not
not all negative!
negative! The
The travel,
travel, II must
must say,
say, II do enjoy
tremendously.
tremendously. On the street
street near my flat,
flat, II was
was once
once stopped
and asked
asked to help
help complete
complete aa survey.
survey. Washing
Washing machine,
machine,
madam?
madam? No.
No. Microwave?
Microwave? No.
No. Television?
Television? Just. And how
how many
many
times
times do you go abroad
abroad per
per year,
year, madam?
madam? About once every
every
ten days! II never
never tire of seeing
seeing new
new places,
places, or indeed
indeed of revisiting
old friends.
friends. The States
States II visit about
about three
three times
times aa year
year on
average;
average; other
other countries
countries in
in Europe
Europe about
about ten
ten to
to 12 times
times a
year.
year. With about
about six of these
these being
being the
the Scandinavian
Scandinavian countries.
countries.
The rest
rest of the trips tend
tend to be
be one-off
one-off special
special journeys
journeys to
exciting
exciting places
places like
like Greenland,
Greenland, Japan,
Japan, Nova Scotia,
Scotia, Iceland,
Iceland, the
Pacific Islands,
Islands, etc.
31.1
3 1 .1

32.
32. C

33. G

35.
35. E

36.
36. H

37.C
37. C

34.C
34. C

Questions 38-40
And what is the role of the
the music
music critic today? Listening
Listening has
always
always been a talent:
talent: now
now it is
is a rare
rare and
and fragile
fragile one.
one. The
The
journalist
journalist Michael
Michael lgnatieff
Ignatieff has
has recently
recently presented
presented us
us in the
the
United
United Kingdom
Kingdom with a provocative
provocative television
television series
series on
on the
three-minute
three-minute culture.
culture. Three
Three minutes,
minutes, he
he says, is just
just about
about as
long as the average
average person
person can
can concentrate.
concentrate. There
There is
is such
such aa
wash of music
music around us
us which
which threatens
threatens to become
become aa tidal
wave.
wave. Audiences
Audiences coming
coming out
out of London's
Londons Festival
Festival Hall and
setting
setting out for
for the
the journey
journey home,
home, put
put on
on their
their Sony
Sony Walkmans
Walkmans
with their
their overcoats;
overcoats; avid
avid festival-goers,
festival-goers, likely
likely to be
be hearing
hearing
three
three or four
four recitals
recitals aa day, pack
pack their
their cassette
cassette tapes
tapes and CDs
CDs
in
in their
their luggage
luggage in order
order not
not to have
have to endure
endure silence
silence in their
their
hotel rooms.
rooms.
The critic's
critics job is to foster
foster the
the talent
talent of discriminating
discriminating listening
listening
against
against all
all odds. People
People have aa real
real inferiority
inferiority complex
complex when
when it
comes
comes to trusting
trusting their
their own
own ears. Friends
Friends and acquaintances
acquaintances
often expect
expect me to
to tell
tell them
them what
what they
they should
should think
think after
after a
concert.
concert. But ifif II don't,
dont, then someone
someone else
else surely
surely will.
will. A critic's
critics
responses
responses or
or pointers
pointers can, at least,
least, perhaps
perhaps act as disinterested
disinterested
touchstones
touchstones amongst
amongst the
the babble
babble of hype
hype and market
market forces.
forces.
38.
38. 3/three-minute
3/three-minute culture/
culture/ average
average person's
persons concentration
concentration
39. discriminating
discriminating listening
40.
40. touchstone
touchstone
Note how
how the level of difficulty as regards
regards the content of the
speech
speech increases
increases in this section. Again, rememberthat you
do not
not have
have to understand
understand everything
everything to complete the
tasks.

165
165

Reading Exercises
Exercises

Key to Exercises I --21


22

A book for IELTS


IELTS

167
167

Key to Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises

Exercise 11
11 Exercise

1.

A
A

11

Sentence
Sentence 2 contains
contains the
the function
function of the
the building
described.
described.

B Sentence
Sentence 44 describes
describes the
the physical
physical structure.
C

Sentence
Sentence 3 contains
contains information
information on the location
location
of
of the building.
building.

Information
Information on the history
history of the
the building
building is in
in
Sentence
Sentence 1.1.

2.
2. The
The reason is that each phrase
phrase relates
relates to the
the information
information
in one
one sentence
sentence only. Each
Each phrase
phrase summarises
summarises only
only one
sentence,
sentence, not
nof the whole
whole paragraph.
paragraph.
3.
3. The writer
writer wrote
wrote the
the paragraph:
paragraph: to describe
describe the Mussenden
temple. The
The answer
answer A gives
gives you
you the
the purpose
purpose for writing
writing
the paragraph.
paragraph. B only
only gives
gives you the
the writer's
writers purpose
purpose for
writing
writing the last sentence.
sentence. The
The text
text contains
contains no informinform
ation
ation about
about whether
whether Frederick
Frederick Hervey
Hervey was
was mad
mad or not.
The writer
writer only
only states
states that
that Hervey
Hervey was
was enigmatic.
enigmatic.
Therefore,
Therefore, C is not possible
possible as an answer.
answer. As for
for D, it
only
only describes
describes the
the writer's
writers purpose
purpose in writing
writing the second
second
sentence. It is clear
clear that
that only
only A states
states why the
the writer
wrote
wrote the whole
whole paragraph,
paragraph, rather
rather than
than just the
the parts of
of it.
4.

buildinglfolly/libraryltemplelstructure
building/folly/library/temple/structure
The word library
library is probably
probably the
the main
main one. Read the
organisation
organisation of the
the second
second sentence.
sentence.

5.

The synonyms
synonyms are used to develop
develop the
the text
text and reflect
reflect
different
different qualities
qualities throughout
throughout the paragraph.
paragraph. The
The writer
writer
uses
uses the different
different synonyms
synonyms to bind the text
text together
together and
to express
express the different
different qualities
qualities of the
the building in each
sentence:
sentence: folly, an
an act of madness;
madness; temple
temple as tribute
tribute to
Mrs Mussenden;
Mussenden; and then
then the main
main focus, library.

6.

information
information about
about the
the buildings
buildings (i.e.
(i.e. its location
location and
appearance).
appearance). Notice
Notice how
how you can bring
bring the first
first two
sentences
sentences into one
one unit and
and the
the latter
latter two again into
into one
unit. You can
can then add these
these two
two together
together to give
give you
you the
title
title of the
the passage.
passage.

ItIt is descriptive.
descriptive. Note
Note that the
the paragraph
paragraph is a list of
information:

12. The
The information
information has
has been
been put
put in
in aa different
different order.
order. The
The
most
most important
important information
information in
in the
the original
original text is:
is: The
The
library
library was
was built
built in
in honour
honour of Mrs
Mrs Mussenden
Mussenden The
other
other information
information given
given by
by the
the writer
writer is subsidiary
subsidiary to this
this
main
... ,
main point.
point. The
The information
information contained
contained in the
the phrases:
phrases:...,
completed
... by the enigmatic
completed in
in 1785,
1785,...
enigmatic Frederick
Frederick
Hervey,
... , the
Hervey, Earl
Earl of Bristol
Bristol and
and Bishop
Bishop of Derry,
D erry,...,
Earl's
s extra.
Earls cousin
cousin iis
extra. Note
Note the
the commas
commas around
around the
phrase, completed
completed In
in 1785,
1785, and
and the
the comma
comma and full
fuil stop
around
around ..
...,, the Earl's
Earls cousin.
cousin, to mark
mark off this
this information
information
from the
the main
main text. You can understand
understand the
the first
first sentence
sentence
in this
this explanation
explanation without
without difficulty,
difficulty, but you cannot
cannot
understand
understand the
the additional
additional information
information on its
its own.
own. It adds
to the text,
text, but by the
the organisation
organisation in the
the sentence
sentence the
writer
writer shows
shows that
that it is
is additional,
additional, not
not central.
You need, therefore,
therefore, to
to understand
understand the
the hierarchy
hierarchy of
information
information within a sentence
sentence and
and within
within a text. You need
need
to recognise
recognise what
what information
information in
in a text is
is important
important and
and
what
what is really
really just
just additional
additional or background
background information.
information.
See Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 12 and
and 13.
13.
In the
the sentence
sentence in the
the exercise, the
the information
information was
was
reorganised
reorganised with the
the main information
information being:
being: was
completed
completed in 1785.

Exercise 22 __
11 Exerc_ise
L...__

7.

The
The most appropriate
appropriate title
title is C:
C: The Mussenden
Mussenden Temple.
The title
title reflects
reflects the
the purpose
purpose of
of the author
author in writing
writing the
paragraph.
paragraph. (See
(See 3 above)
above) and is a summary
summary of all the
the
information in the
the paragraph.
paragraph. The other
other titles
titles refer
refer only
only to
parts
parts of the text
text and
and cannot,
cannot, therefore,
therefore, act as
as summaries
of the whole
whole paragraph.
paragraph.

In
TS exam,
In the
the IEL
IELTS
exam, exercises
exercises where
where you have
have to give aa
title
title or
or heading
heading to
to aa paragraph
paragraph are quite
quite common.
common. ItIt is a
type of exercise
exercise which
which many
many candidates
candidates find rather
difficult. You
You can see the
the title
title here
here is
is the sum
sum of the
the four
four
sentences
sentences i.e.
i.e. the function of the building,
building, the physical
physical
structure
structure of the library, the location
location of the building
building and the
history
history of the building.
building.
8. The
The first sentence
sentence gives
gives background
background information
information against
against
which the writer
writer describes
describes the
the function
function of the
the building
building in
the second.
9.

The
The function
function of the
the third
third sentence
sentence is to describe
describe the
the
geographical
geographical location.
location. Into
Into this
this setting
setting fits
fits the physical
physical
appearance
appearance in the fourth sentence.
sentence.

10.
10. Between
Between the second
second and third sentences.
sentences. See
See the
answers to 8 and
and 9 above.
11.
11. The
The first
first two sentences
sentences give
give non-physical
non-physical information
information
about
ts background
about the
the building
building (i.e. iits
background history and
function).
function). The last
last two sentences
sentences give
give physical

168
168

Answer: False.
False. The
The paragraph
paragraph talks
talks about
about drivers
drivers and
and the
the
Answer:
opinion
opinion they have
have of
of themselves,
themselves, not their
their opinion
opinion of
other
other matters
matters or people.
people. The
The text
text then
then goes
goes on to talk
talk
about
about the
the results
results of
of this
this arrogance.
arrogance. Candidates
Candidates often
read too
too quickly
quickly and do
do not look
look carefully enough
enough at the
the
exact
exact meaning
meaning of the
the important
important words in a text. So be
careful!

The building was completed


completed in 1785
1785
The
The building
building was erected by Frederick
Frederick Hervey
Hervey
Frederick
Frederick Hervey
Hervey was enigmatic
enigmatic
Frederick
Frederick Hervey
Hervey was Earl of Bristol
Frederick
Frederick Hervey
Hervey was Bishop of Derry
Derry
and so on.
on. There is no argument, nor opinion
opinion in the
the
paragraph.
paragraph. Learning to
to recognise the different
different types
types of
paragraphs
paragraphs and texts
texts is another
another important aspect
aspect of
learning
learning to read
read the
the meaning
meaning and
and organisation
organisation of
of a text.
See
See Reading
Reading Exercises 5 and
and 10-13.
10-13.

_____.I

bb Answer:
Answer: False.
False. The
The second
second sentence
sentence gives
gives you
you the
the focus
focus
of
of the
the paragraph:
paragraph: the
the general
general effect
effect of
of drivers'
drivers having
having aa
high opinion
opinion of themselves.
themselves.
c

Answer:
Answer: False. The
The paragraph
paragraph contains
contains two
two examples
examples
which
which illustrate
illustrate drivers'
drivers high
high opinion
opinion of themselves.
themselves. The
The
last sentence
sentence is aa comparison
comparison of a similar
similar situation
situation
outside
outside motoring.
motoring.

dd

Answer: True.
True. The second
second sentence
sentence states
states a general
consequence
consequence of the
the first
first sentence.
sentence. In
In this
this way, it leads
leads
the
the reader
reader from
from the
the general
general statement
statement in the first
first
sentence
sentence to the
the specific
specific examples
examples in sentences
sentences 33 to
to 55
and helps
helps the text
text to move
move smoothly
smoothly from
from general
general
statement
statement to
to focus, to example.
example. ItIt is
is in this
this sense
sense aa
transition
transition sentence.
sentence. See
See e below.
below.

Answer: True.
True. You
You could
could remove
remove the
the second
second sentence
sentence
and put
put For
For example,
example, at the
the beginning
beginning of
of sentence
sentence 3.
3.
The paragraph,
paragraph, however,
however, reads
reads much
much better
better with
with the
sentence
sentence than
than without
without it, as
as it helps
helps to
to direct
direct the reader
through
through the
the text.

Answer: False.
False. As we
we have
have seen
seen the
the organisation
organisation of the
paragraph
paragraph is:
General
General
statement
statement

Result
Result

example
example + example
example + analogous
analogous
example
example

You can look


look at the
the text
text in another
another way.
way. Sentence
Sentence 2 is
is aa
general
general effect
effect of
of the
the problem
problem which
which is mentioned
mentioned in the
the

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Key
Key to
to Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises

first sentence. Sentences


Sentences 3, and 4 are
are specific
specific examples
of effects:
problem!
problem/
cause

sentences
sentences only, it would be True. The writer does
does not
think
think that this
this is
is the best way
way to deal with pent-up anger:
the first three
not to do.
three sentences
sentences are examples of what
what not
Against
Against this
this background,
background, the writer then
then gives his
his opinion
opinion
about how to deal with the situation. Recognising
Recognising the
about
purpose or reason why
why a paragraph
paragraph has been written
written is
purpose
important
important for working out the organisation
organisation and then the
title of a piece of text.

general specific
specific ++ specific
specific ++ analogous
analogous
general
effect
effect
effect
example
effect
example

examples are examples of the


You can see that the examples
effects of the problem/ cause
cause in the
the first sentence. The
effects
therefore, basically
basically one of cause and effect.
paragraph is, therefore,

in the paragraph
paragraph could
could be linked
Note that the sentences in
information
together with the word and. You could put the information
into a list:
Drivers often have an over-inflated opinion
opinion of their own
driving
driving abilities
abilities and
and think that most
most other
other people on the
road fall well below their own high standards and
and some
take it upon themselves to show
show their
their fellow
fellow road
road users
how to drive
...
drive and
and car
car drivers
drivers commonly
commonly...
You can see that
that it would
would be very
very difficult to extract
information
information from large chunks
chunks of text like this. Hence, the
need for sentences.
It is in effect.
effect, therefore, a list or and paragraph.
paragraph. Look back
at the text in Exercise 11 and you will see that
that it is also
also a
list paragraph.
g

Answer: False.
False. The text does not need any more text
markers. The meaning of the sentences is
is obvious.
obvious. Part
text,
of the problem that students have when they read a text.
is the fact that there are no text-markers.
text-markers. You can write a
rs
without obvious
obvious or overt
overt markers.
markers.
paragraph as here without

organisation in
in this
this paragraph
paragraph is
is quite common
The type of organisation
more on paragraph types
types see
in written texts. For more
1.
Reading Exercises 4 -1
-11.
d

Answer:
Answer: True. The text reads
reads from particular (specific) to
general.

writer thinks
thinks against the
Answer: True. ItIt states what the writer
previous background. The word But shows
shows that the
the writer
is making a contrasting statement about
about the previous
examples of how
how people deal with frustration.
frustration. The word
surely shows that he is making aa fairly strong statement.

Answer:
Answer: False. Note the
the difference between the
the paragraph
paragraph
first three
three
in this exercise and the previous two texts. The first
sentences could
could be connected by and. Between the first
sentences
sentences and the
the fourth sentence the connection
three sentences
fourth and
and fifth sentences
sentences the
is also and. Between the fourth
connection is
is but. This is, therefore, a but paragraph.

Read
Read the text again and:
i)i) insert the word then in the
the second sentence
sentence after
after Some.
Some.
ii) insert the phrase
phrase For example, at the beginning of the
third sentence.
Moreover, at the beginning
beginning of the
iii) insert the phrase Moreover,
fourth
fourth sentence.

similar situation/
situation/ For
iv) insert the phrase Similarly (i.e. a similar
example,) at the
the beginning
beginning of the fifth sentence.

text is
is then more obvious: then =
The organisation
organisation of the text
effect; example =
= example of effect. The academic texts
that you need to be able to read for the IEL
TS will in
IELTS
many cases not have these
these obvious or overt markers. So
you need to learn to read and summarise each sentence
instantly. This comes with practice.
h

Answer:
Answer: True. The paragraph, in fact, answers
answers the
question:
question: What is the effect
effect of drivers'
drivers high opinion of
themselves? The writer then wrote the paragraph to
answer this
this question!

Answer: True. It is
is important to look
look at the direction of the
or topic
topic sentence,
text up to and away from the focus or
when you want to work out the overall meaning of the
paragraph is
paragraph. Remember the meaning of the paragraph
sentences ...
... and
the sum of the meaning of the sentences
That something else is the direction
direction of
something else. That
the paragraph as in (f) and (h) above. The statement
made in the focus sentence
sentence is supported
supported by examples
examples of
the consequences of drivers'
drivers opinion of themselves;

hence, the
the title.
title.
hence,

-------

Exercise 3
3
11 Exercise

Note also
also that it is
is impossible
impossible to work
work out the organisation
organisation
of the paragraph
paragraph and the title by reading the first and last
sentences.
sentences.

II

Answer: False.
False. Only two of the titles are
are suitable. Title (i)
Answer:
covers only the background information (specific
examples)
examples) in
in the first three sentences
sentences and the general
statement in the
the fourth. It does
does not take into account
account the
the
fifth sentence. Title
Title (ii),
(ii), The best way to relieve
frustration,
frustration, is also unacceptable. The purpose of the
paragraph was to show that the best
best way
way to deal with
frustration is to control it, not relieve
relieve it.
it. Title
Title (iii) reflects
the purpose
purpose and direction of the paragraph (see a toe).
to e).
Note the difference between this
this title and the previous
one: the title
title reflects
reflects the purpose and focus of the
paragraph
paragraph and, thus,
thus, it appears to be focusing on one
piece of information only.
only. Yet, it is a good title. Title (iv) is
suitable, because the word deal covers both relieving
and controlling.

Exercise 4
Exerclse4

II

11

'- --------------------'
a

Answer:
Answer: False. The first sentence is an example of how
people relieve
relieve their frustrations.

Answer: False.
False. The purpose
purpose of the paragraph is to show
the best way to deal with frustrating situations: the last
sentence. In the first three sentences, the writer gives
examples of how people relieve their frustrations. If the
statement in the exercise referred to these three

book tor
for IELTS
A book

Answer: True. The paragraph is one of subjective


argumenVopinion.
argument/opinion. The writer has set out to show
show that the
way that
that people normally get rid of their frustrations is
wrong
wrong and against this background
background he proposes
proposes his own
three sentences
sentences are, in fact, a
solution. Note that the first three
concession i.e. Although we tend
tend to take out our
our pent-up
concession
emotions on other
other people
people by (Sentences
(Sentences 13),
1-3), I believe a
better
better way
w a y ....
.... The writer
writer puts what
what other
other people
people do
do first.
against this background
background he puts his own opinion.
Then, against
first three sentences
sentences contain specific
specific examples of
The first
how people get rid of their
their frustration. The
The fourth acts as
how
a summary
summary of the
the previous
previous examples giving specific
specific
examples to support a generalisation. Note that you
sentence at the beginning.
beginning. Then you
could put the fourth sentence
would be arguing
arguing from the general
general to the
the specific

1. Answer: (i) G, (ii) L, (iii) A, (iv) K, (v) H, (vi) M,


M , (vii)
(vii) E
1.
The writer gives examples to explain
explain the focus in the first
sentence. The focus here is not so clear, perhaps.
perhaps, as the
following:
Let us look
look at the different
different types
types of thinker. Some thinkers.
thinkers
content to
t o ...
...
The phrase different
different types of thinker
thinker is
is much clearer, but
sentence of a paragraph, if there
do not expect the focus sentence
is one, to be so obvious, or overt.
169
169

Key to Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises

2.

description,
description, where
where the
the writer
writer has
has woven
woven aa list of
information
information into
into aa text. The
The paragraph
paragraph in Exercise
Exercise 22 is
is
one
one of cause
cause and effect. In
In Exercise
Exercise 3, the
the text is
is
organised
organised around
around the
the principle
principle of concession/contrast
with
with opinion.
opinion. Exercise
Exercise 4 also
also contains
contains a list
list of
information.
information. As you read,
read, you should
should look
look out
out for
for different
different
types
types of paragraphs.
paragraphs. Then gradually
gradually you can recognise
recognise
them
them easily.
easily.

Answer
Answer:: A. See
See 33 below.

3. This is
is an example
example paragraph.
paragraph. Note the
the examples
examples are part
of an explanation.
explanation.

4. Answer:
Answer: No.
No. It is aa but paragraph.
paragraph. First.
First, the writer
writer lists
examples,
examples, which
which could all be joined
joined by and (Sentences
(Sentences
(ii), (iii)
(iii) and
and (iv)).
(iv)). The
The information
information in this
this list then
then forms
forms the
background
background for the
the more important
important information,
information, which
comes in
in the text
text after
after the word however
however.. In
In Sentence
Sentence
(vi), the writer gives
gives another
another example
example and a warning.
warning,
Then,
Then, in the last
last sentence,
sentence, he develops
develops the information in
Sentence (vi) to
to make aa conclusion
conclusion and
and to give
give you the
title.

Reading
Reading is
is very
very much like writing:
writing: in both, you need to
know
know in
in which
which direction you
you are going.
going. For reading,
reading, you
you
have to follow
follow the signs
signs the writer
writer gives
gives you
you to extract
extract the
the
full meaning. In
In writing,
writing, the burden
burden is upon
upon you to give
the
the signs
signs so that the reader
reader can
can follow
follow you; and so that
you
you can follow
follow yourself!
yourself!

The first
first three sentences
sentences describe
describe the
the situation
situation and
and the
the last
sentence
sentence describes
describes the implications/repercussions/
implications/repercussions/
consequences.
consequences. The fourth
fourth sentence
sentence acts as aa marker
marker
between
between the
the problem
problem and the
the consequences
consequences in
in the last
last
sentence.
sentence. The
The sentence
sentence summarises
summarises the
the repercussions
repercussions
before they
they are mentioned;
mentioned; itit predicts
predicts the
the text which
which rsis
coming.
coming.

See
See the
the answer
answer for
for (a)
(a) above.
above.

We said
said above
above that
that the
the text
text in the
the exercise
exercise is an example
paragraph.
paragraph. It is
is also a paragraph
paragraph that argues
argues from
particular
particular to general.
general. Sentences
Sentences (ii) - (v) give
give specific
specific
information
information from
from which
which the
the writer
writer draws
draws a general
general
conclusion.
conclusion.
5.

It is similar
similar to the
the text in Reading
Reading Exercise
Exercise 2,
2, but
but notice
notice
the
the difference! The
The Examples in 22 are also effects.
effects. The
paragraph
paragraph here is also
also similar
similar to the
the text
text in
in Reading
Exercise 3 where
where the
the writer
writer lists specific
specific examples
examples and
and
arranges
arranges them
them inside
inside aa concession
concession (see
(see 3c).
3c).

Paragraph
Paragraph 2
a

It is
is an explanation
explanation paragraph. The
The writer
writer explains
explains how
failure
failure and
and success
success are linked
linked to each other.

ItIt is
is aa but
but paragraph.
paragraph. Notice
Notice how the word
word Instead
Instead marks
marks
and divides
divides the text.

The
The following
following are false:

rs in the first sentence.


sentence.
The focus of the paragraph is
The paragraph
paragraph is
is similar
similar in organisation to
to the text in
The
in
Exercise
Exercise 3,
3, but not
not the
the same. The
The information
information in
in
Exercise
Exercise 33 is arranged
arranged around
around aa concession/contrast.
concession/contrast,
here there
there is just
just aa contrast.
contrast.
e The
The last
last sentence.
sentence.
Answer: (iii).
(iii). When
When you
you are
are trying
trying to
to work
work out
out the
the title
f Answer:
titlefor
foraa
paragraph
paragraph the
the first
first thing
thing you
you should
should do
do is ask yourself:
yourself:
why
why did
did the
the writer
writer write
write the
the paragraph?
paragraph? You
You can see that
that
(i)
(i) is
is not
not suitable
suitable because
because the
the paragraph
paragraph shows
shows you
you how
how
failure
failure and
and success
success are linked.
linked. As you
you have
have seen,
seen, the
focus
focus of
of the
the paragraph
paragraph is in
in the
the first
first sentence
sentence and the
rest of
of the paragraph
paragraph explains
explains the
the focus.
focus. The
The last
sentence
sentence in
in the
the paragraph
paragraph acts as
as aa conclusion.
conclusion. Note
Note
that
that in
in this
this case,
case, you
you can work
work out
out the title
title from reading
the first and
and last
last sentence.
sentence. Compare
Compare this
this with the other
other
paragraphs
paragraphs you
you have
have read
read so
so far.
far. The other
other two
two titles
titles are
purely
purely distracters.
distracters.

The
ptive. Look at the
The paragraph
paragraph is
is not
not descri
descriptive.
the text
text in the
the first
exercise
exercise in this
this section.
section.

This
This is
is not the
the reason why the
the author
author wrote the
the passage.
passage.
The statement
statement refers only to the first
first three
three sentences.
sentences.
Statement
Statement a) gives
gives you the
the answer.
answer.

6.

d
d

The answer
answer is
is No. See Reading
Reading Exercise 2 g.
g.

7. From
From the
the last two sentences.
sentences. The
The title
title comes
comes from the
reason
reason why
why the
the writer
writer wrote the
the paragraph:
paragraph: to show
show
which thinkers
thinkers are the dangerous
dangerous ones.

Exercise 5
5
11 Exercise

11

Paragraph
Paragraph 11

Answer
A nsw er:: (iv).
(iv). This is the only
only alternative
alternative which
which answers
answers
the question
question in f) above.
Title
Title (i) is
is almost
almost correct,
correct, but
but it talks only
only about
about failure
failure and
not about
about its connection with
with success.
success. Titles
Titles (ii)
(ii) and (iii)
(iii)
are obviously
obviously wrong.
wrong.

d The
The sentence
The repercussions
are grave
is the is the
sentence
The repercussions
are grave
transition sentence
sentence in the
the paragraph.
paragraph. ItIt links
links the situation
situation
described
described in the first
first three
three sentences
sentences with the
consequences
consequences or repercussions
repercussions in the last
last sentence.
sentence.
h The
The focus is in the fourth sentence.
focus is in the fourth sentence.
j

11 Exercise 6

The first first


two two
are good
summaries
of the
as they
The
are good
summaries
of text,
the text,
as they
reflect
reflect the
the writer's
writers purpose
purpose in writing
writing the
the paragraph.
paragraph. The
The
last title covers only
only the information
information in the
the first three
three
sentences.
sentences.

The following
following are
are true:
a The first three
three sentences
sentences act
act as aa background
background for the
more important
important information in the
the last two
two sentences.
sentences. The
text is directed
directed towards the conclusion
conclusion that too
too much
information
information affects
affects people's
peoples ability
ability to
to work.
work. Note
Note how
how the
last two
two sentences
sentences depend
depend on the first three. Note also
also
the
the dramatic
dramatic effect of the fourth
fourth sentence. The
The shortness
shortness
of the sentence
sentence brings
brings you up short
short and makes
makes you
notice
notice it.
e All of
of the
the information
information in the
the passage can be
be connected
connected by
f

170

and.
Compare
Compare the organisation
organisation of this
this paragraph
paragraph with the
previous
previous exercises.
exercises. In Exercise
Exercise 1,1, the text
text is
is a

11

You can see


see that
that each
each sentence
sentence has different
different layers
layers of
meaning.
meaning.
1.
1.

Answer:
Answer: C.
C. Sentence
Sentence 11 gives
gives the
the topic
topic of the
the paragraph
paragraph
and helps
helps you organise
organise your
your reading.
reading. It does
does this
this by
asking
asking aa question,
question, which
which then
then obviously
obviously has
has to
to be
answered.
answered.

2.

Answer:
Answer: J.
J. The second
second sentence
sentence answers
answers the
the question
question in
the
the first
first sentence
sentence describing
describing the
the situation
situation as it is
is now.
now. ItIt
thus
thus provides
provides some
some background
background information,
information, however
however
brief.
brief. The
The sentence
sentence contrasts
contrasts the fact
fact that
that writing
writing and
and
numeracy
numeracy are taught
taught badly,
badly, but thinking
thinking is not
not taught
taught at
all.
all. Note
Note how
how the sentence expresses
expresses all of the meanings
meanings
at the
the same
same time.

3.

Answer:
Answer: E. This
This sentence
sentence gives
gives more
more general background
background
information
information and states
states aa problem
problem as
as regards
regards education
education in
in
general,
general, not
not just thinking.
thinking. It gives
gives more detail
detail about
about the
the

A
A book
book for IELTS

Key
Key to
to Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises

Look
Look at the title: A case for
for trolley
trolley buses and
and trams. IIIt is
easy to
to make
make the mistake
mistake of reading
reading the
the first
first sentence
sentence of
the paragraph
paragraph and thinking
thinking that
that the
the writer
writer is presenting
presenting
arguments against
against the
the introduction
introduction of
of trolley
trolley buses and
arguments
The writer
writer agrees
agrees that
that the
the arguments
arguments against
against are
trams. The
strong (Sentence
(Sentence 6) and uses
uses this
this as
as background
background
strong
information to present
present aa statement
statement about
about the
the strength
strength of
the argument
argument for.

information in
in the second
second sentence
sentence and explains
explains why the
information
that the
art of thinking is not taught. Note, in particular, that
sentence
sentence states
states a problem.
The sentence
sentence can have other
other meanings, which are not
mentioned here. ItIt could
could also be stating a reason, i.e.
mentioned
why
why thinking
thinking is
is not taught.
4.

5.

Answer:: A. This
This sentence
sentence is similar
similar to the previous one.
one.
Answer
The writer
writer is expanding further
further and
and explains
explains why
why thinking
The
that this
this sentence
sentence is also
also stating a
is not taught. Note that
reason again and making aa criticism.

organisation of this
this paragraph
paragraph may
may at first
first sight
sight appear
The organisation
to
to be unpredictable
unpredictable and is of a type that
that can confuse
confuse
readers. The
The writer
writer presents
presents the opposite
opposite view
view to
to his
only to
to knock
knock it down. IfIf you
you look
look carefully
carefully enough
enough
own, only
you will see
see he goes
goes from
from negative
negative to positive, then vice
versa. This
This is quite
quite aa common
common type
type of organisation.
organisation.

Answer: B. The writer


writer is now
now moving
moving back
back to the
the central
theme
theme of the
the paragraph:
paragraph: teaching
teaching thinking. The
The sentence
is
is again a criticism
criticism and, therefore,
therefore, an opinion.
opinion. This
sentence is aa particularly
particularly good
good example
example of meaning
sentence
operating
operating at different
different levels.

that the
the functions
functions are basically
basically the
the same
same as
You can see that
other paragraphs
paragraphs you
you looked at.
other

sentences 3 and 44 give


give background
background information
information
Note how sentences
to the
the main focus of the paragraph.
6.

You may
may now have begun to
to realise
realise that
that sentences
sentences have aa
limited number
number of functions,
functions, but that
that each
each sentence
sentence can
have different
different functions.
functions. A writer
writer can also
also put the
the
functions
functions in aa different
different order. The
The repetition of the
the same
words
words within
within a passage
passage is considered
considered bad English.
English. The
repetition of exactly
exactly the
the same
same structure
structure in
in every
every
paragraph is also
also bad.
bad. So you
you can see why
why aa writer
writer
paragraph
vary the organisation,
organisation, even
even if only
only slightly.
needs to vary
Sometimes, the
the organisation
organisation is varied
varied by keeping the
same
same structure
structure between
between paragraphs, but giving
giving the
the
sentences
sentences in aa paragraph
paragraph extra
extra functions
functions (see Reading
Exercises 4-6).
4-6). Note
Note the
the multi-purpose
multi-purpose aspect of
Sentence
Sentence 77 above!

Answer
Answer:: H. This
This sentence
sentence has many
many different
different functions.
writer is making a proposal
proposal in the
the form of a wish. He
The writer
is making aa criticism and aa complaint, and he is also
being
also believes
believes that his
his proposal
proposal would
would
bei
ng sarcastic. He also
solve the problem.
problem.
You can see, from this sentence
sentence and from 5 above,
above, what
the implications
implications are if you are not able
able to read meaning.
Look at the following
following sentence:
Look
regrettable that
that thinking
thinking skills are not
To the author, it is regrettable
being
being taught.
The
The sentence
sentence paraphrases
paraphrases part of the information
information in
sentence
sentence 6. Where
Where is the word regrettable? So think
think
about
about the
the meaning
meaning of aa text!

7.

Answer: F.
F. The sentence
sentence contains
contains the result or
or developdevelop
ment of the
the proposal in the
the previous
previous sentence! Note that
the result is simultaneously
simultaneously hypothetical
hypothetical and certain, that
is,
ding the proposal
is, provi
providing
proposal is taken up.

8.

Answer: D. The statement


statement concludes
concludes the
the paragraph.

If you bear this in mind


mind as you
you read,
read, you will learn not to
treat each reading passage
passage as
as something
something new.
new. You
You can
approach
approach it with an understanding
understanding of structure, and
and with
this skill you
you can bring every
every passage
passage under
under your
your control.
this

11

Note that this is a problem/solution type


type of paragraph.
Look at the following summary
summary of the text:

Focus/present situation/present
situation/present situation-general
situation-general
problem/reformulation
of
problem /reform ulation o f problem/
problem /
specific problem/
p ro b lem / solution/proposal/
solution/proposal/
result/conclusion

Exercise e8
Exercise

11

Passage 11
Sentence 11 is the
the focus
focus sentence.
sentence. It is an organising
organising
sentence.
Sentence 2 is describing
describing aa suggestion. Note
Note that
that it is not
suggestion.
making aa suggestion.

Exercise 7
7
11 Exercise

11

functions listed below


below are not suitable.
The functions

Sentence 4 is stating aa probability,


probability, aa real implication
implication and aa
contrast.

paragraph
paragraph

Sentence 5 expresses
expresses aa reason, aa result and aa hypothetical
hypothetical
implication. It is also
also stating
stating aa probability.
probability.

stating an advantage;
advantage; stating
stating the
the main argument
argument for;
making a criticism
criticism

Sentence
Sentence 7 is an objective
objective conclusion.
conclusion.

1. stating
stating a disadvantage;
disadvantage; stating
stating the focus
focus of the
the
2.

Sentence
Sentence 3 is aa result, a development, aa hypothetical
hypothetical
implication.
implication. Note that this
this sentence
sentence functions
functions as a
concession
concession or an although
although clause.

3.
3.

stating an argument
argument for; making a proposal

4.

stating aa disadvantage; stating a reservation

Sentence
Sentence 6 expresses
expresses aa reservation.

Passage 2

5. stating
stating a subjective
subjective argument
argument against; giving an opinion;
stating aa reservation

6. summarising
summarising the disadvantages
disadvantages
7.

stating an argument
argument for; stating an opinion; stating
stating a
tentative
tentative result based
based on aa condition
condition
The functions
functions which remain after
after you remove those
those in the
Key above act as summaries
summaries of the
the sentences
sentences they
they relate
to. The sum of the functions
functions gives
gives you the meaning of the
paragraph.

The last sentence


sentence tells you why the
the author
author wrote
wrote the
paragraph:
paragraph: to support
support the
the use of trolley
trolley buses
buses and trams.

A
A book for IELTS

Sentence 11 is the
the focus
focus sentence.
sentence. It is an organising
organising
sentence.
Sentence 2 is making
making aa suggestion;
suggestion; note the writer
writer says
should
should Initiate.
initiate. Note that
that the
the sentence
sentence is making, not
describing,
describing, a suggestion.
suggestion.
Sentence
Sentence 3 is stating
stating a fact. It is also
also aa result
result and a
development.
development. It expresses
expresses aa reservation.
reservation. Note that
that this
sentence functions
functions as a concession
concession or an although
although
sentence
clause.

implication and aa contrast.


contrast.
Sentence 4 is aa result, aa real implication
171

Key to Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises
Sentence
Sentence 5 expresses
expresses a reason,
reason, a result
result and
and aa real
implication. Note that
that it is not
not stating
stating aa probability:
probability: 'will
will
implication.
certainly',
certainly, but a certainty.
certainty.

11

Exercise 11

11

Sentence
Sentence 6 expresses
expresses a reservation.
reservation.
Sentence
Sentence 7 is
is a subjective
subjective conclusion.
conclusion. It is,
is, therefore,
therefore,
expressing
expressing an opinion
opinion

Note how
how similar,
similar, and yet
yet how
how different,
different, the
the paragraphs
paragraphs are.
are. The
The
first
first paragraph describes
describes a proposal
proposal and
and gives the implications.
implications.
ItIt is objective.
objective. The
The paragraph is basically
basically one of
of recomrecom
mendation and
and resulVimplication.
result/implication.

The
The paragraph
paragraph is
is very
very similar
similar in content
content to Exercise
Exercise 7, but
but you
can
can see
see that it goes in
in aa totally
totally different
different direction.
direction. If you
you read
read the
the
title and then
then read a few
few of the
the phrases
phrases in the
the first sentence.
sentence, you
you
have
have an
an idea
idea of what is coming:
coming: rather
rather out-moded forms
forms of
transport;
transport; mistakenly.
mistakenly. As you
you go through
through the text, you can see
that the
the writer is using negative language
language to convince
convince you of his
view
view here:

'The
The second
second paragraph
paragraph is different
different in that
that it makes
makes aa proposal;
proposal;
it does
does not just
just describe
describe it, and
and gives
gives the
the implications.
implications. It is also
also
subjective.
subjective. The paragraph
paragraph is
is basically
basically one
one of recommendation
recommendation
and resulVimplication.
result/implication. However,
However, the
the implications
implications are real this
this
time, and the
the writer
writer is stating
stating an opinion.
opinion.

Trolley
Trolley buses
buses and
and trams, rather
rather out-moded
out-moded forms
forms of
transport,
transport, are mistakenly
mistakenly being hailed
hailed as the answer
answer to
the ills afflicting
afflicting modem
modem transport
transport systems.
systems. A vast
swathe
swathe of
of South
South London
London from
from Tooting
Tooting on the Northern
Line
Line to Croydon
Croydon is being
being churned
churned up to build
build a new tram
system.
system. Motorists
Motorists obviously
obviously don't
dont like
like it, because
because the
roads are in the process
being ripped
process of being
ripped up
up in preparation
preparation
tramlines being
being laid.
laid. When the trams are finally
finally
for the tramlines
up and running.
running, most
most people
people will be against
against the
the idea,
because the system
system will lead
lead to more one-way
one-way systems,
systems,
thus
thus hindering
hindering their
their freedom
freedom of movement
movement and most
most
certainly
certainly increasing
increasing the congestion
congestion that it was designed
designed
to get rid of. Then,
Then, when
when the problems
problems start
start arising,
arising,
they
they will have
have to start
start dismantling
dismantling the
the whole
whole network
network
again
again at
at great
great inconvenience
inconvenience to the motoring
motoring public!
public!

Note Sentence
Sentence 33 in the
the second
second paragraph.
paragraph. It is expressing
expressing aa
reservation. This
This is not possible
possible in Paragraph
Paragraph 11!!
reservation.

11

Exercise 9
Exercise
9

11

(i)
(i) Cloning's
Clonings bright
bright future
1.
1. C, 2. B,
B, 3. A, 4. B, 5.
5. C,
C, 6. A, 7.
7. C, 8.
8. A
(ii) The unacceptable
unacceptable face of cloning
cloning

Much
Much of
of the
the detail
detail is the same,
same, but
but by changing
changing a few elements
elements
the direction
direction and purpose
purpose of the text changes
changes dramatically.
dramatically.

1.8,2.A,3.
1. B, 2. A, 3. 8,4.C,5.A,6.B,
B, 4. C, 5. A, 6. B, 7.8,8.C
7. B, 8. C
(iii)
(iii) The dangers
dangers of cloning
cloning
1.A,2.C,3.C,4.A,5.8,6.C,7.A,8.B
1. A, 2. C, 3. C, 4. A, 5, B, 6. C, 7. A, 8. B
You should
should repeat
repeat this
this exercise
exercise many
many times.
times. Try
Try to find and read
the
the paragraph
paragraph for
for each
each title
title and, as you
you do so, block
block out
out the
ideas from the other
other titles. The
The three
three paragraphs
paragraphs add up
up to aa
short
short article
article on cloning.
cloning. As
As you have
have seen
seen in this exercise
exercise and
the previous
previous one,
one, the
the similarity
similarity of
of the
the subject
subject matter
matter in a text
can cause
cause problems.
problems. If you are aware
aware of this,
this, you
you can
can tackle
tackle the
problem.
problem.
Note:
Note: You should
should be able
able to read the paragraphs
paragraphs by
predicting
predicting the
the function
function of
of the
the next
next sentence.
sentence. Try
Try title
title (ii)
and think
think of
of reasons
reasons why
why cloning
cloning is unacceptable.
You will then
then see
see how
how easily
easily the other
other two
two alternatives
alternatives
do not fit in!

.___I

Exercise 10
Ex_erc_ise_10

_____,11

If you did
did not
not predict
predict the content
content exactly, it does
does not matter.
matter. The
main
main thing
thing is
is that
that you got part of the answer
answer and
and understood
understood the
technique.
technique. Leave
Leave the
the exercise
exercise for
for a while
while and try
try it again and
see what
what happens.
happens.
The sequence
sequence of functions
functions is:

a criticism; background
background information/
an
an example; a result/ consequence; a result/
consequence;
consequence; a result/
result/ a criticism/ a conclusion.

Exercise 12
._ I Ex_erc_ise_12

______.I

1.
1. Answer:
Answer: E. Look at
at the following
following plan
plan of the organisation
organisation
of the meaning
meaning of the paragraph.
paragraph. Compare
Compare the list in
Passage
O. When
Passage 11 in Exercise
Exercise 110.
When you are
are able
able to
recognise
recognise paragraph
paragraph types it helps
helps you
you to read with
organisation
organisation and
and hence
hence more
more efficiently.
efficiently.

General subject
subject
General
You can see that
that the
the paragraph
paragraph contains
contains a list of examples
examples to
show
show how life is moving
moving at a faster
faster pace
pace or
or rate. Sentences
Sentences 5,
5,
6, 8, 9 and 10 give
give examples.
examples. Note, however,
however, the fact that
that there
there
are no specific
specific words
words to state
state that they
they are
are examples.
examples. Sentence
Sentence
7 is aa result
result of Sentence
Sentence 6. The
The last two
two sentences
sentences are the
conclusion
conclusion of the paragraph.
paragraph.
Sentence
Sentence 8 is a general
general example;
example; the
the next
next two
two sentences
sentences give
give
you more
more specific
specific information.
information.
Microwaves.
Microwaves, computers,
computers, trains
trains and
and planes
planes are
are quite
quite common
common
examples.
examples.

172

Focus
Focus

Segregation at secondary
secondary level
Segregation

Problems
Problems

Specific examples

Problem 1:
1: difficulty functioning
socially as adults
Problem
Problem 2: misconceptions
re sex
sex

Problem 3: difficulty with the

opposite sex
sex

Expansion
Expansion
/ S ' /
girls/romantic
girls/romantic nero
nero /
boys/alluring goddess

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Key to Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises

You can see from


from the scheme
scheme above the text is dealing
with only one aspect
aspect of segregation. Compare this with
the list of problems in
in the
the first paragraph. You can
can see
that one of the problems from the first paragraph
paragraph has
been turned
turned into a separate paragraph.

You can see from


from the scheme above that the paragraph is
not a description of segregation of boys and girls at
secondary level. The paragraph is
is basically
basically a list or and
paragraph, which contains examples
examples of problems.
problems. The
author wrote the paragraph to show that segregation at
this
this level causes a number
number of problems.
The problems are also consequences, implications
implications or the
negative effects of segregation. So you can see here
here
again that there are different
different levels of meanings when
sentences
sentences are placed together
together in
in a text. Compare
Compare the
texts in the previous reading exercises in
in this section.
This, obviously, is of great importance, if the IEL
TS exam
IELTS
is
is based on testing
testing meaning.

4. Answer: C.
Now let us look at the paragraph in another
another way.
Change
Change causes problems, not least because
because it upsets
people's
peoples routine and makes them
them feel uneasy.
uneasy. A good
example
example is the
the introduction of technology
technology in the
workplace. The
The Luddite
Luddite in all of us comes out as we are
faced with adapting to the onslaught
onslaught of technological
change
change at work. In
In the
the early 19th century,
century, the Luddites
revolted against
against the introduction
introduction of what
what was
was new
new
technology
technology in their
their time by breaking
breaking machinery
machinery which
replaced workers. The pace of change
change today
today is much
faster, and thereby
thereby more unsettling.
unsettling. Thousands of
workers
workers in factories
factories have been replaced
replaced by computers
computers
and robots; now voice
voice recognition
recognition programmes
programmes threaten
to replace secretaries;
secretaries; computerised
computerised switchboards
switchboards
receptionists
receptionists and computer
computer video
video packages
packages instructors
instructors
and teachers. What
What area
area of life
life is safe from the
advance of machines?

The only heading


heading which summarises all the information we
have here adequately is E.
E. Note that the
the distracters H
H
and L relate
relate only
only to part of the text i.e.
i.e. Problem 2.
2.

Answer: K

General
General subject
subject

Segregation
Segregation at secondary
secondary level
level

Argument
Argument against
against

Unnatural
Unnatural to some
some

Explanation
Explanation

Segregation
Segregation not
not a realistic
environment

Focus
Focus
Supporting
Supporting argument
argument

Segregated
Segregated schools
schools better
better
Girls held back
back by immature
boys

You can see that


that there
there is a thread
thread which runs through
through the
text. Sometimes, it is difficult
difficult in another
another language
language to
to see
that thread, because
because there
there is a lot of background
background
information which
which fills in the detail. The
The text in bold
bold above
is the foreground
foreground information
information in the paragraph, which
gives you the meaning
meaning of the paragraph
paragraph and
and hence
hence the
title.

You can see from the above list that the writer
writer starts with
the opposite opinion to her own (see the paragraph
paragraph in
in
Reading
Reading Exercise 7). So it is easy to misread the
direction of the paragraph. However, the word mistakenly
should give you aa clue to the direction in which
which the
the text is
going: This is the viewpoint
viewpoint of other
other people;
people; mine is the
opposite
opposite and I am going to show
show it to you.
you.
Note that the information
information is basically the
the same
same as that in
the previous
previous paragraph. However, because
because the
the writer
writer has
decided
decided to use it in a different
different way, the end result is
different. The
The writer
writer could
could have put the focus
focus at the
beginning
beginning and could have
have arranged
arranged the information
information in a
different way.
way. However, remember
remember what
what we
we said in the
Key
Key to Reading
Reading Exercise 7 about
about the need to
to avoid
repetition of the structure
structure of paragraphs.
Is
Is this an and
and paragraph?
paragraph? The
The answer
answer is no; iiit is a
basically a but
but paragraph. In the first two sentences, the
writer presents
presents an argument
argument which opposes
opposes her own.
She then knocks this argument
argument down
down by presenting
presenting her
own opinion, which is the
the opposite.
opposite. This
This relationship
relationship in
the text is like that between
between the general
general information
information you
have in
in an introduction
introduction with a general statement
statement and
focus. The
The first two sentences
sentences provide the background
background for
the focus of the paragraph: the writer's
writers opinion.
Some
Some may be tempted
tempted to put F as
as the answer, but
nowhere
nowhere does it mention that
that the paragraph
paragraph is the main
main
argument,
argument, and the
the writer is for
for segregation.
segregation.
Answer: L
As you are reading, always
always ask yourself why
why the author
wrote
wrote the paragraph. The author
author wrote it to show that
segregation at this level is unnatural.
unnatural. The main aspect he
deals with
with is misconceptions about
about sex:
Level
Level 11
Level2
Level 2
Level
Level 3
Level 4
Level4
~"
Girls/romantic hero
Level
Level 5

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Segregation at
atsecondary
secondary level
level
Segregation
Not exactly
exactlynatural
natural
Not
Misconceptions re
resex
sex
Misconceptions
Boys/alluring goddess
goddess
The opposite in co-ea
co-ed schools
schools

If you are able


able to read a text
text and just
just use the foreground
foreground
information as stepping
stepping stones, you can read much faster
faster
and more
more efficiently. Obviously,
Obviously, the more competent
competent you
are at doing
TS exam
doing this
this in the
the IEL
IELTS
exam the
the higher
higher your
your grade
will be in
in reading.
Note that A is not a suitable
suitable title, because
because it is only
only a
summary
summary of part of the paragraph
paragraph (the historical exam
exam
pie).
ple). The
The same
same applies
applies to
to I,I, which
which is only
only a summary
summary of
the
the modern
modern day example
example of the
the text. Title
Title D is unacceptunaccept
able, because
because the
the paragraph
paragraph is talking
talking about
about the
unsettling effect
effect of the introduction
introduction of new technology.
Title D summarises
summarises only
only part of the text. Note also
also that
title D applies
applies only
only to the
the Historical example, and the
the
Modern example
example applies
applies both to factory
factory and office
workers. So it does
does not cover
cover the meaning
meaning of the whole
whole
paragraph.
5.

Answer: B. Note again


again how
how the
the diagram
diagram below shows
shows you
the
the thread of meaning of the theme
theme of the paragraph.
Technological change
change

-------

Belief
ii destroys jobs/ unfounded
BelieHUtestroys
unfounded

~ Example
Historical
Example

I
Luddites
Luddites

--------

Modern Day
Day Example
Example
Modern

Computers
Computers

>

No reason to fear
fear technology

As you can
can see, title
title B summarises
summarises the paragraph. As
As in
paragraph
paragraph 4 above, A and
and Dare
D are not suitable
suitable titles,
because they are summaries
summaries only
only of parts
parts of the
paragraph. The same again
again applies
applies to I, which
which is aa
summary
summary only of the modern
modern day
day example
example in the
the text.
Note again
again how
how the same
same background
background information
information can be
used to support
support different
different foreground
foreground information.

173

Key to Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises

11

Exercise 13
13
Exercise

11

1. Heading:
Heading: Hooked on change
The theme is
is developed
developed by
by the
the following:
Change
Change
Yet, there are people who seem to thrive on
change, enjoying
enjoying the constant flow of challenges.
a situation
situation in which
which a certain type of person
person
flourishes.
flourishes.
change
change is like
like a drug.
They become
become addicted

Now
Now go back to the paragraph
paragraph and read it,
it, looking for the
words and
phrases above. You may
and phrases
may want
want to underline
underline
the text with
with a pencil or put a box
box around
around them.
them. Can
Can you
you
see that
that the rest of
of the text provides
provides background
background
information
information for the foreground
foreground information
information above? This
This is
is
a slightly
slightly different way of looking at paragraph headings
headings
from the
the previous
previous exercise.

2. Heading: Welcome to new technology


technology
The
The theme
theme is developed
developed by the following:
following:
But
But the belief that
that it destroys
destroys people's
peoples jobs and
and
lives
lives is totally unfounded.
It is now
now clear,
clear, however,
however, that, far from destroying
destroying
work,
work, many
many more
more jobs have
have been
been created in
factories
Witness the development
development of 'silicon
silicon valleys'
valleys
throughout
throughout the world.
world.

The advances In
The
in the field of technology
technology
should,
should, therefore, be embraced with open
arms rather than feared.
feared.

Now
Now go back
back to the
the paragraph
paragraph and
and read it, looking
looking for the
the
words and phrases above. You can see
see how
how the thread
of
of information
information is very different from the previous
previous
paragraph.
paragraph. Nearly
Nearly all of the
the first half of the paragraph
paragraph is
is
devoted
devoted to providing
providing background
background information to the
foreground
foreground information above. The
The writer
writer uses
uses the
background
background information
information as a setting
setting for the point
point he
he
wishes to
to make in the
the paragraph.
paragraph. He then
then draws
draws a
conclusion in the
the last sentence (in bold above).
above). For more
details
details as to the difference
difference between the foreground
foreground and
background information,
information, look
look at the
the previous exercise.
exercise.

3. Heading: The North/South driving divide


The theme is
is developed
developed by the following:
following:
standards
standards of driving seem to deteriorate markedly
markedly
as you travel
travel down the country.
A much more calm and relaxed
relaxed manner
manner of driving
driving
is noticeable to those visitors to Northern
Northern cities
in areas like the South-east
South-east and London
London
down the M1
M1 from the North,
the nearer you approach
approach London.
In the two to three
three hours
hours drive South, the journey
journey
changes from a pleasant drive to a mad
aggressive rush
rush as the traffic
traffic hurtles towards
London.
Is this
this yet another example
example of the differences
differences
between the North and
and South?
This paragraph has
has a very obvious
obvious thread running
running through
it right
right from the beginning.
beginning. Note
Note here the conclusion
conclusion in
the last sentence,
sentence, which is
is drawn
drawn from
from the total of the

174

information
information in
in the first part
part of the
the text. Note
Note how
how the
summary
summary or purpose
purpose of
of the
the paragraph
paragraph provides
provides the
heading.
heading. Compare
Compare this
this with the
the rest of
of the texts
texts in the
exercise.
exercise.

4. Heading:
Heading: Peace
Peace at the wheel
Now,
Now, it is
is hoped that
that you can see
see the thread
thread through
through the
the
paragraph
paragraph which gives
gives the
the heading
heading easily:
easily:

how
how much
much more
more relaxing
A calm and relaxed manner of
o f driving
There does not seem to be the same
same mad rush
and lack of respect
respect for other
other road
road users
users
and
and feel
feel the traffic gradually slow down,
The tension at the wheel
wheel subsides; a car journey
journey
pleasant drive
drive at a
changes into a very pleasant
respectable pace.
Now
Now go back to the paragraph and
and read it,
it, looking
looking for the
the
words and
and phrases
phrases above.
above.

5. Heading: The stupidity


stupidity of ageism
Look at the theme
theme as it runs
runs through
through the text below.
below.

Age discrimination
discrimination is rife
rife among the business
community. The
oily inherent
The ffolly
inherent in this
this process is
nothing
nothing less than
than a criminal act. It does not seem to
have
have dawned
dawned on employers that the workplace is
changing.
changing. The number
number of
o f people dealing with
knowledge
knowledge compared with manual workers is
increasing. In the near future, we may find
companies
companies clamouring
clamouring over
over each other
other to attract
old people as the demographic
demographic make-up
make-up of
o f the
working
working population
population changes.
changes. Some companies
companies
already
already have a policy of
o f employing older people in
their stores
stores and
and they
they have seen a marked tum
turn
around
around in sales. Could this possibly have
something
something to do with a thing called
called experience?
You can see
see from the
the text
text above
above how
how the foreground
information stands
stands out against the background
background detail. The
background
background detail sets off
off the main
main or foreground
information.
information. It is not
not advisable
advisable to mark
mark your
your book
book with a
highlighter
highlighter pen, but you could
could make
make a photocopy
photocopy of the
texts in
in this
this exercise and mark
mark the
the foreground
foreground information
information
in pencil.
pencil. This will show
show you how
how the information
information stands
stands
out, if you know
know where
where to look
look for it.
Being
Being able to recognise
recognise the
the thread of meaning
meaning in aa text and
to distinguish
distinguish between background
background and foreground
foreground
information is
is crucial to reading fast and efficiently.
efficiently.

6. Heading: The need for legislation to protect


protect older
people
Look
Look at
at the theme
theme as it runs
runs through
through the
the text below.
below.

Age
Age is commonly used as a criterion to prevent
people from
from entering
entering a job and, indeed, to rid an
establishment
establishment of
o f excess personnel. Young people are
seen as being fitter physically and
and mentally, and
and as
costing less. The
The experience
experience of
o f older
older people
people is
overlooked. A dose
dose of
o f ageism
ageism is needed here, but
but
ageism
ageism where
where there is discrimination in favour
favour of
old
old people. Some
Some companies
companies already
already have a policy
of
o f employing
employing older people in their stores and
and have
seen a marked tum
turn around
around in sales.
sales. So, perhaps
perhaps
there is a case
av our of
case for
for legislating inf
in favour
o f old
people in the workplace.
workplace.

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Key to Reading Exercises


Exercises
The foreground
foreground information
information to give
give you the paragraph
heading stands
stands out again.

This is an even more economical


economical way
way of reading.
reading. You are
here reading
reading the meaning
meaning of chunks
chunks of texts. This
This is
exactly what you have already
already been doing in
in Reading
Reading
Exercises
Exercises 1-13.
1-13. A good way
way of developing
developing this technique
is now to go back and read the
the earlier
earlier exercises
exercises in the
section.
section. As you read, summarise
summarise the texts, as in the
exercise you have just
just read. You will then be able
able to read
the organisation,
organisation, meaning
meaning and
and words
words much more
more
efficiently.

You should
should repeat Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 1-13 as often as
you can in order
order to absorb
absorb the mechanisms
mechanisms they
they contain.
contain.
The information that is contained
contained in
in them is
is of much less
importance
importance than the skills they aim to teach.
teach. And never
be afraid of using the Key
Key to help
help you at all times. When
you feel comfortable
comfortable with the exercises,
exercises, then repeat them
them
without
without using
using the Key.
5.
5.

11 Exercise 14

11

1.
1. The
The highlighted
highlighted words
words are nouns,
nouns, verbs, adverbs
adverbs and
adjectives. In other
other words, all the 'content'
content words are kept
and all the small words are left
left out. As in
in speech, the big
words carry the stress in the sentence.
sentence. They
They act as the
stepping
stones through
stepping stones
through the text and allow
allow you to skim
the surface of the text.
2.

The gaps between the stepping


stepping stones
stones are larger, so you
have to run through
through the text
text more quickly!
quickly! You can
increase your
your reading speed
speed by first reading the text as in
number
then, as you become
number 11 above
above and then,
become more
confident,
confident, you can decrease
decrease the number of words
words you
read as in
in number
number 2.
2.

firm solution/proposal

b. Problem

tentative solution/proposal
solution/proposal
tentative

c. Problem

consequence
consequence

d. Statement
Statement

Reformulation/explanation
Reformulation/explanation

6.
6. The words
words are in bold below.

This shows, say many teachers, that standards


standards of
of
English for
fo r many secondary
secondary school pupils and
university students have declined over recent years.
The answer
answer is, obviously, that the teaching of
of
grammar
grammar should
should be made compulsory
compulsory in secondary
school and on relevant
relevant teacher
teacher training courses.

The minimum
minimum number
number of words you need in
in order
order to have
a summary
summary of the texts are given below.

(a)
(a) Participation
Participation in the Euro, the new European
European
currency, hinged
whether the criteria set out in
hinged on whether
the Maastricht
Maastricht Treaty were adhered to strictly.
Several
Several countries
countries would like to have seen some of
of
the qualifying conditions relaxed, but that did not
happen, as the banks were against
against any slackening
of
o f monetary
monetary control. What remains to be seen is
whether
whether the governments concerned
concerned can stick to the
stringent monetary
monetary goals they have set themselves.
(b) The swingeing
swingeing cuts
cuts introduced
introduced by the governgovern
ment have created quite a fracas,
fracas, but many people
believe that they are necessary
necessary for
fo r the future health
of
o f the country. The main target areas appear to be
spending on welfare,
welfare, defence
defence and
and the road network.
network.

a. Problem

Notice how the information


information is similar,
similar, yet the meaning
relationship
relationship is
is different.
different. It shows
shows you how important
important it is
to be able to read meaning
meaning and
and recognise
recognise the information
in
in a text.

You can see that in number 2 you effectively


effectively have
have a
summary
summary of the text.
3.

The answers
answers are as follows:

Note how the words


words in
in bold summarise
summarise the
the text.
text. More
More
importantly
importantly note how much you do not need
need to read to
extract the information.
information.
You can practise these techniques
techniques with any text. You could
could
spend ten to fifteen minutes
minutes a day reading
reading newspaper
articles.
articles. Underline
Underline the stepping stones
stones in
in one article, or in
in
another
another underline
underline only
only the main words as here. Then go
through
through the same
same texts and as you read give each
sentence
sentence a name which shows
shows its relationship
relationship with the
sentences
sentences around
around it. Over a period of time you will be
able to train your eye to do all three at the same
same time.
This
This is obviously
obviously a very
very efficient
efficient way of reading.
reading.

11 Exercise 15

11

(c) One member


member of
o f the public, a Gladys C Roach,

who took part in the survey,


survey, stated
stated that she felt
felt it
was dangerous to shop
shop in the department store as it
was so full of
o f tempting food. She added that she
always had to make sure that she went there to shop
only on a full stomach. Otherwise, she would
would spend
a fortune.
Read the texts
texts above
above several times. As you
you do so, look
look
at the words in
in bold,
bold, but also see the other
other words. When
you are doing a listening
listening exercise,
exercise, you can hear all the
words,
words, but you do not usually
usually listen to all of them.
them. Try to
develop this
this skill with reading.
4.

The answers are as follows:


follows:

a. cause
cause

implication/result/
result/ consequence
consequence
implication/

b,
b. statement
statement
c. cause
cause

clarification/ expansion/
expansion! explanation
explanation
clarification/
effect! implication/
implication!consequence
consequence
effect/

d. concession
concession

contrast
contrast

e. action/cause implication/
implication! result/
result/ consequence
consequence

A book for IELTS


IELTS

1.

a the launch
launch of the anti-smoking
anti-smoking campaign
campaign will fail
miserably.
miserably.
b (in males) the amount
amount of deep
deep sleep
sleep declines
declines with age, thus
thu
leading
leading to a reduction
reduction in the body's
bodys rejuvenation
rejuvenation process.
process,
c

Scumbling,
Scumbling, is
is a simple, but subtle
subtle technique.
technique.

2.a
2.a
New
A car

New
New
was driving slowly along a road.

Old
It
Old
The car

New
turned
turned into the drive of
o f a large white
house.
New
stopped just short of
o f the front door,
door,

Old
but the driver

New
New
did not get out.

175
175

Key to Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises

'-------~II

New
Herfirst
first acting break
break
in a major film
film

Old
This

New
was
was doing a voice-over
in a spy film.
film.
New
led to a string of
o f similar jobs
jobs
doing work on adverts.
adverts.

c
New
Mr Maguire

Old
Hisforecasts

Old
They

New
made a number
number of
o f predictions
predictions for
fo r the
future
future of
o ffurther
further education in the
the UK.
New
are seriously
seriously flawed.
flawed.
New
are much too optimistic
optimistic to be credible.
credible.

New
A woman with
a manic grin

New
entered
entered a building.
building.

Old

New
collapsed. When the dust settled,
settled,
New
New
walked into another building.
New
was now even more hideous.
hideous.

The building

Old
she
New
Her grin
e

New
The government's
governments
version of
o f events

New
was not believed by anyone.
anyone.

Old

New
was seen by most people
people
as a cover-up.
cover-up.
New
serves to illustrate the fears
fears
people
people have of
o f politicians'
politicians
inclir.ation
inclination to abuse power.

It

Old
The whole affair
affair

Exercise
Exercise 16

11

1.
2.
3.
4.

comfortably.
comfortably.
connecting/connection.
connecting/connection.
modernise the company.
company.
the rubbish
rubbish pit.

5. soon
soon run into
into trouble
trouble

foolproof
6. foolproof
the Italian
Italian Renaissance.
Renaissance.
7. the
8. rise in crime
crime

9. most
most pressing
pressing aspects.
aspects.
10. sides
sides of an argument.
argument.
The words in the original
original texts have
have not
not been given so you
you
will not be tempted
tempted to concentrate on them!
them!

....._I

__.I I

Exercise 17
Ex_erc_ise_11

1. Sentences
Sentences aa and
and b do not mean the
the same. The first
first
sentence only says that
that the man
man bit into
into the dog's
dogs ear.
ear. ItIt
does
does not say
say he
he bit it off. Notice
Notice also
also ear/ears!

2. A common
common confusion among
among students.
students. Sentence
Sentence a means
that Joseph
Joseph was smoking
smoking and he stopped.
stopped. Sentence
Sentence bb
means that Joseph
Joseph was doing
doing something
something and he stopped
stopped
in
in order
order to smoke.
smoke. Note that the infinitive
infinitive is
is connected
with the future
future (I want to go home;
home; II would like to help
help
you)
you) and the -ing
-ing form here
here with past experience. The
The
sentences
sentences do
do not
not have
have the
the same meaning.
3.

The
The sentences
sentences do not have the same meaning.
meaning.

4. The sentences
sentences do
do not have the
the same meaning.
meaning. The word
should indicates that the
the sentence
sentence is
is a suggestion,
suggestion,
proposal etc; in Sentence b the
the phrase
phrase It is necessary
necessary
does
does not
not convey
convey the
the same
same meaning.
meaning.

5. This
This is
is an interesting
interesting one. The
The sentences
sentences have the same
3.

Block 1: According
According to the statistics
statistics available on
homelessness,
Block
Block 2: what drives young people awayfrom
from home is
Block 3: the threat of
o f violencefrom
from those within the
household.
Note how
how the answer
answer makes the
the information
information in the three
blocks
blocks above
above more accessible.
accessible.
4.

(a) Answer
Answer:: Mavis.
Mavis.
(b) Answer
Answer:: Brother
Brother and sister.
sister.

5.

Answer: The rules


rules were laid down
down by Mrs Cartlebury.
Notice
Notice how easy
easy it is
is to extract
extract the
the information
information from the
the
text. A good
good way to train yourself
yourself is to
to filter
filter the
the
information
information and discard
discard what
what is not
not usetul
useful for your
your
answer. Here
Here all the other
other names
names but Cartlebury
Cartlebury are
irrelevant.
irrelevant. Reading
Reading is
is also about learning
learning about how
how not
to look
look at every
every piece of information
information as equal.
equal.

176

meaning
meaning and
and paraphrase
paraphrase each other. However, the
phrase A variety
variety of has
has two
two meanings,
meanings, namely:
namely: (i)
(i) various
various
and (ii) a group/type
group/type of. If, in aa text, the phrase
phrase A variety
ofin
of in Sentence
Sentence bb had only meaning (ii),
(ii), there is
is a strong
possibility
possibility that
that it might
might not paraphrase
paraphrase sentence
sentence a!
Meaning
Meaning and words
words are not
not the
the same!

Answer
Answer:: Statistics
Statistics show that
that the threat
threat of violence
violence drives
drives
young people
people away
away from home.
home.

6.
6.

The sentences
sentences have
have the same
same meaning.

7. Although
Sentence bis
b is a paraphrase
paraphrase of Sentence
Sentence a,
Although Sentence
Sentence a does
does not paraphrase
paraphrase Sentence b!
b\ Note
Note that
there
there are two pieces
pieces of information in Sentence
Sentence a going
going
to rain and soon
soon.. Sentence
Sentence b only
only focuses
focuses on the
the first
piece of
of information;
information; not both
both!! This
This is
is identical
identical to the
the first
example
example in the exercise. Remember,
Remember, in the
the reading
reading tests,
to read primarily
primarily from the sentence
sentence in the exercise to the
text. Remember
Remember that the sentence in the exercise
exercise may
be testing a discrete
discrete point in a text,
text, not
not a large
large chunk. In
In
this pair
pair of sentences,
sentences, you can see clearly
clearly how
how narrow
narrow
this point
point can be.
be.

8. This pair
pair of sentences
sentences is rather
rather interesting, as it illustrates
illustrates
clearly
TS. Sentclearly the problem
problem candidates
candidates have with
with IEL
IELTS.
Sent
ence a has the
the same
same meaning
meaning generally
generally as Sentence b.
Sentence
Sentence a summarises
summarises Sentence
Sentence band
b and is
is aa good
good
example
example of
of a paraphrase
paraphrase as aa summary. However,
Sentence
Sentence b does
does not summarise
summarise Sentence a. This
This
obviously
obviously confuses students,
students, because
because they
they expect the
meaning
meaning to be exact
exact in both directions!
directions!

A
A book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Key
Key to Reading Exercises
and c have the same
same meaning,
meaning, because
because superficially
superficially they
deal with the
the same idea. Note that
that sentence
sentence 2 can
can refer
to either
either good
good or bad fortune,
fortune, but c to only
only bad fortune. In
the exam, you need to
to be careful
careful about
about jumping to
conclusions too
too quickly.

Remember some sentences


sentences in the test exercises
exercises may have
exactly
exactly the same meaning
meaning as the information
information in the text,
as in 66 above.
9.

The sentences
sentences do not have the same
same meaning
meaning as
as each
other. A final contract
contract and What was approved
approved in the end
end
do not mean
mean the same thing.

1 O. Note the difference


10.
difference between the
the sentences:
secondary/primary. So the meaning
meaning is not the
the same.
11.
They
are
the
same.
Note
how
different
the
words are!
11. They
12. The sentences
sentences have the same meaning
meaning and they also
paraphrase each other. This one is difficult.
difficult. The first
sentence means that, roughly speaking,
speaking, there is, say, aa
5% chance
chance that
that the accused did not commit the
the murder
and,
and, say, a 95% chance
chance that he
he did.
did. The second
sentence means that there
there is, say, a 95%
95% chance that he
did commit
commit the murder
murder and, say, aa 5% chance
chance that
that he
didn't.
didnt.
13.
13. The sentences
sentences don't
dont have the same meaning.
meaning. The
The phrase,
Everyone
Everyone is aware
aware is the opposite of the phrase, It is not
widely appreciated. Moreover,
Moreover, the
the phrase
phrase got better
better does
not tell you the extent
extent of the
the improvement.
improvement. So you cannot
say whether
whether it is
is significant
significant or not.
14. The two sentences
sentences have the
the same meaning and also
paraphrase each other. Note, however, that Sentence
Sentence b
can mean either
either that
that he may be more than 65 years of
age or lless
ess than 65 years old.
15. The two sentences
sentences have the same meaning
meaning and
and parapara
phrase each other. Note the word priceless. Students
Students
often confuse
confuse the meaning
meaning of words like this, e.g.
e.g. valuevalue
less, limitless, powerless and so on.
on. Check
Check their
their meaning
in a dictionary.
dictionary.
Note:
Note: You can see the difficulty that meaning
meaning can
cause. Basically,
Basically, an exercise sentence may have the
same meaning
meaning as a sentence
sentence in a reading passage.
However, the sentences in the test exercises may also
paraphrase or summarise discrete points
points of
o f information
in the text. In this instance, the summary
summary does not need
to contain all of
o f the information
information as in some of
o f the
examples above. So, remember that your analysis does
not work both ways. This causes a lot of
o f confusionfor
students, because a paraphrase
paraphrase is often
often explained
explained as
just a word
just
word or phrase
phrase with the same meaning.
A paraphrase
paraphrase has basically
basically two main
main forms:
it
is
a
phrase,
sentence
or

sentence expression
expression with the
same
same meaning,
meaning, which you can use to replace
another
another phrase etc.
aa summary
summary of the meaning of a piece of text.

3.

Answer: g. Note e is
is not correct,
correct, because
because it says
says that it is
completely
completely unknown. Sentence
Sentence 3, however,
however, says that it is
not
not completely
completely obvious.
obvious. Note that
that I is also
also not correct. It
has the
the opposite idea of Sentence
Sentence 4: compare
previous/second.

5. Answer: n.
n. Note the distracter d.
d.
8. Answe
r:
o.
The
distracter
h
is
the
Answer:
distracter
the opposite
opposite of Sentence
Sentence 8.
9.
9.

Answer:
Answer: k. Compare 12,
12, which,
which, at first glance, has the
same meaning as both.
both. Sentence
Sentence 12,
12, however,
expresses
expresses an opinion
opinion about
about what
what happened:
happened: it criticises
the
the government
government (should
(should have acted).
acted). The
The other
other two
two
sentences
sentences describe
describe the fact that
that the
the government
government was
criticised!
criticised!

110.
O. Answ
er: b. Note the distracter
Answer:
distracter p.
14. Answer: a.

Ii

19
Exercise 19

1.
1. Jj small (healthy)
(healthy)
p big loss
loss (healthy
(healthy profit)
[not h: publishing
publishing does
does not turn
turn the
the statement into
into a
contradiction.]
contradiction.]
2.

II crawled slowly
slowly by (sped past).
[not I:i: slightly
slightly covered, because
because this
this has the same
same meaning
flecked.]

3. t old (new).
[not m: hampered
hampered and hindered
hindered mean the same
same thing.]
4. g deplorable
deplorable (commendable}.
(commendable).
5.

a duplic
ity (honesty)
duplicity
c atypical
atypical (typical)
(typical)

6. e (not sanguine
sanguine enough
enough)) too optimistic
r pessimistic
pessimistic (optimistic).
(optimistic).
7. o true (apocryphal).
8. f As he lay
lay dying (In
(In the very
very middle
middle of his life)
9. There are no contradictions
contradictions for this sentence.
sentence.

A summary
summary states a larger
larger text in a shorter
shorter form.
In
In both cases, the substitute
substitute sentence
sentence etc. in the exercise
uses
uses different
different words, expressions,
expressions, or the same
same words in
another
another way,
way, but carries
carries the
the same meaning as particular
points of information in the original
original text.

Ii

20
11 Exercise 20

1.
1.

Answe
r: J. Because
Answer:
Because Sentence G is a question many
many
students
students may be tempted
tempted to put it as
as an answer.
However, this question does
does not have the same meaning
as the original
original text. The question
question in the
the text indicates
indicates that
there is aa difference: What
... ? The question in G
W hat...
G asks
whether
whether there is aa difference.

2.

Answer
Answer:: L. Notice
Notice how Sentence
Sentence A talks about
information
information not
not knowledge.

18
Exercise 18

Eight
Eight of the sentences have
have matching
matching texts with the same
meaning.
meaning.
1.
1. Answer: m. Note thatj
that j is not
not suitable
suitable because it talks
about
about the future
future Project
Project not
not the future
future of the Project. Also
the time scale is
is different.
2. Answer
Answer:: f. It was the speed of the change
change that surprised
surprised
the government,
government, not the reversal of their fortunes.
fortunes. Soc
So c is
not
not correct. At aa first glance, many students think
think that
that 2

A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

3.
4.

Answer
Answer:: P. The distracter here
here is
is Sentence
Sentence M.
M.
Answer
Answer:: H. Sentence
Sentence D
D is
is obviously
obviously wrong.
5. Answer
Answer:: I.
I. Sentence K
K covers the information in
in
Sentences
Sentences 5 and 6.
6.
6.

Answer: C. Sentence
Sentence K covers the
the information in
Sentences
Sentences 5 and 6
177

Key
Key to Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises

7.

Answer:
Answer: N.

8.
8.
9.
9.

Answe
r: E.
Answer:
Answe
r: a.
Answer:
Q. The
The distracter
distracter here
here is sentence
sentence F. It is wrong,
wrong,
because
because limited
limited is the opposite
opposite of endless.

7. aa Yes.
Yes.
b Not
NotGlven.
Given,

politicians
politicians about
about animals
animals becoming
becoming extinct.
extinct. Note address
address
here means
means to tackle/deal with.
with.

Note that
that B is not
not aa sentence
sentence and cannot
cannot replace
replace
sentence
sentence 1.1. It is aa title
title for
for the whole
whole passage! Note also
that O is not suitable
suitable as aa paraphrase
paraphrase of any
any of the
sentences as it summarises
summarises Sentences
Sentences 11- 5.
sentences

Exercise 21
Ex_erc_ise_21

.__I

____.I

b Yes.
Yes.
No. It is only
only recently
recently that
that they
they have been
been looking
looking at
the problem; they
they have
have definitely
definitely not
not been
been fighting
fighting
against
against it.

9. aa Not
NotGiven.
Given.Most
Most people
people would
wouldbebeamazed,
amazed, (if(if
they
they
realised
realised ...
...)) clearly
clearly means
means that people
people are
are not amazed.
amazed.
Also
Also the
the text
text does
does not mention
mention gardeners;
gardeners; nor
nor does
does it tell
you whether
whether they
they are
are amazed
amazed or surprised.

b Not Given. You


You can perhaps
perhaps guess
guess that
that it is
is irnposimpos
sible
sible to count
count the
the different
different types
types of insect
insect life in aa garden,
but
but the
the text
text does
does not tell you
you that
that this
this is the
the case!

1.
1. a

Not
Not Given. To find something
something rewarding
rewarding means
means to find
something
something satisfying.
satisfying. So the statement does
does not give any
information about
about how much money
money lecturers
lecturers are paid.
paid.

b No. Notice
Notice the
the original
original sentence
sentence says
says Many not

Not Given. We
We do not
not know
know from the
the text
text whether
whether all
houses
houses were heated in the
the past. All we
we can say
say is that
that an
unspecified
unspecified number
number were not
not heated
heated adequately.

c Not
Not Given. The sentence
sentence does
does not tell you whether
whether
the
the majority
majority of lecturers
lecturers get
get satisfaction
satisfaction from their work.
It does not
not say what proportion
proportion of the total Many
represents.

b Not Given. The text


text does
does not say
say whether
whether our
our lives
lives are
better
better now
now compared
compared with
with the
the past.

c Yes. Two
Two things
things today
today are
are better
better than
than they
they used to
be: to name
name but
but two.

2. a

Not Given. The sentence


sentence states
states that
that computers
computers are
expensive
expensive (despite
(despite the cost), but
but does
does not say
say whether
whether
they
they are becoming
becoming more
more expensive,
expensive, becoming
becoming cheaper
cheaper
or whether
whether the
the cost is
is static.

b Yes. See despite


despite their cost.
cost.

No. If computers are gaining


gaining in popularity, then
then they
they
must have been less popular
popular in the
the past
past than they
they are
now.

3. aa Not
Not Given.
Given. The
The sentence
sentence on'y
ony tells
tells you
you that the
the
number
number is
is increasing, but does
does not
not tell you what
what
proportion
total this
proportion of the total
this represents.
People are
are becoming more affluent.
Yes. People

NotGiven.
Given. The
The sentence
sentence does
does not
not mention
mention anything
anything
Not
about
about the cost
cost of cars.

4. aa Yes.
Yes. Schools
Schools have
have been
been getting
getting better.
better.
b

No. The sentence


sentence contradicts
contradicts the original
original text.
text,

Not Given. This


This sentence
sentence means
means that
that educational
educational
standards were
were unsatisfactory before
before and now
now they
they have
improved. The sentence
sentence also
also implies
implies that they
they were
unsatisfactory
unsatisfactory before
before and are
are still unsatisfactory.
unsatisfactory. The
original
original sentence
sentence does
does not
not tell you
you about the
the
'satisfactory/unsatisfactory'
satisfactory/unsatisfactory state
state of the
the educational
educational
standards
standards before.
before.

5. a

Yes. Unemployment
Unemployment does
does affect
affect the
the male/female
male/female roles
and
and hence
hence the
the way
way families
families operate.

b Not Given. The original


original sentence
sentence says
says nothing
nothing about
about
the
the relationship
relationship between
between family members
members where
where the
woman
woman has a job, and men
men and women
women usually
usually having
traditional roles.
roles.

c No. Unemployment
Unemployment does
does affect
affect the role of a man in the
family.
6. a

Not Given. There


There is no mention
mention of
of the government's
governments
desire either way.

b No. If the hazards


hazards are well publicised
publicised it means
means that
that
they
they are
are well known. IfIf you had the
the word
word widely
widely rather
than well in the original,
original, you
you would
would not know ifif the
the
publicity
publicity had been successful
successful or not.
Note
Note that if the original
original sentence
sentence had said
said publicised
publicised well,
you
you would
would not know
know whether
whether the
the publicity
publicity had reached
many
many people. You
You would
would only
only know
know that the publicity
publicity
material
material was
was good, or that
that it had been well
well handled.
handled.
c

178
178

Yes.

Yes. This
This one
one is
is obvious.
obvious.

10. a

A//
All lecturers.
lecturers.

Not
NotGiven.
Given.

8. aa Not
NotGiven.
Given. There
There is no
no mention
mentionofofpeople
peoplewriting
writingtoto

11

22
Exercise 22

11

1.
1. a

Yes. Notice
Notice how
how the sentence
sentence summarises
summarises the
information
information in the
the last two
two sentences.

b Not Given. The text


text doesn't
doesnt mention anything
anything about
about
this at
at all.

c Not
Not Given. The
The text
text does
does not quantify the
the number
number of
people.
2. a

Not
Not Given. The text.does
text, does not tell you anything
anything about
about
part-time students.
students.

b Not Given. The author


author thinks
thinks that
that financial
financial support
support from
parents is
is a possibility
possibility for
for some
some students, not
not all
students. However,
However, note
note the
the text does
does not say whether
whether
the
the parental financial
financial support
support is easily
easily available.
available. The
The
information
information in the statement
statement is therefore not
not given.

Yes. See the first


first two
two sentences.
sentences.

3. a

Not Given. The text


text says
says that
that the
the young
young and
and fit throw
throw
themselves
themselves with
with enthusiasm
enthusiasm into
into ....
.... However, it does
does not
say whether
whether the activities
activities mentioned
mentioned should
should be attempted
only
only by
by young people. In
In other
other words it does
does not
not tell you
what
what the
the author
author thinks.
thinks.
b Yes
the physical challenges many such activities
Yes........the
activities
involve.

No. Look at the opening sentence.


No.

4. a

Not Given.
Given. There
There is no mention of
of highrise
Not
high-rise flats
flats in
the text.

in

b Not Given. There


There is no mention
mention of the information
information in this
this
statement
statement in the
the text.

c Not Given.
Given. The text
text does
does not tell you how
how people
people
died.
5. aa

Yes. See the end of the text.


text.
Yes.

b No. The
The text
text says: that
that all
all students
students encounter throughout
their academic
academic career.
career.

No. The
The text
text says
says many
many theories.
theories.
No.

A
A book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Reading
Tests

A book tor
IELTS
for IELTS

179
179

Key to Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

Test 1

Passage 11
Passage

11

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 1-6
1.
1. Answer:
Answer: distinct
distinct races.
races. It is better
better to have both words,
words, but it would
would also
also be possible
possible to have
have the word
word races
races
on its own.
2.
3 & 4, you need to be care2. Answer:
Answer: albas.
albas. The
The clue is in the example,
example, Alba x semiplena, For Questions
Questions 2,
2 ,3
care
ful. The
The temptation
temptation is to put the names
names of the roses in the order
order that they
they occur
occur in the second
second paragraph,
paragraph, i.e.
gallicas,
gallicas, albas and damasks.
damasks. Doing that
that would
would not test
test whether
whether you can find your
your way
way round
round the text! In
In fact,
you need to use the other
other information
information given at 5 and
and 6 to help you work
work out
out the
the names
names in Questions
Questions 2-4.
2-4.
3.
3. Answer:
Answer: damasks.
damasks. The
The clue
clue lies in the phrase Origin
Origin obscure.
obscure.
4. Answer:
Answer: gallicas.
gallicas. The
The marker
marker here is 13th
13th Century.
Century.
5. Answer:
Answer: (highly)
(highly) scented
scented petals.
petals. You can
can have two
two words
words here
here and leave
leave out the words
words in the
the brackets.
6. Answer:
Answer: recorded.
recorded.
This
This exercise
exercise is a summary
summary of the second
second paragraph.
paragraph. It is basically
basically checking
checking whether
whether you understand
understand the organisation
organisation
of the paragraph,
paragraph, i.e. it is a classification
classification paragraph
paragraph with information
information about
about different
different types
types of roses.
roses. The
The technique
technique you
need to use here is one of basic
basic skimming
skimming and scanning.
scanning. As you are reading
reading the paragraph,
paragraph, you should
should scan or look out
for
for organisational
organisational features:
features: the writer
writer organises
organises the paragraph
paragraph around the phrases: diversity
diversity and
and antiquity
antiquity and three
three
distinct
distinct races:
races:

Before examining
examining the cultural
cultural advantages
advantages of shrub roses,
roses, mention
mention should be made of their
their
diversity
and
antiquity.
There
are
three
distinct
races
of
rose,
which
can
be
traced
diversity and antiquity. There
three distinct races
traced
back to the Middle Ages, the gallicas,
gallicas, the albas,
albas, and
and the damasks.
damasks. Gallica
Gallica roses
roses were
first recorded
recorded in the 13th century, and
and probably
probably the most famous of all, Gallica
Gallica officinalis,
officinalis,
is among the flowers depicted
depicted on the famous Ghent
Ghent Altarpiece,
Altarpiece, painted by the Flemish
Flemish artist
artist
Jan
Jan Van Eyck in the 14th century.
century. Another
Another gallica, Rosa
Rosa mundi,
mundi, with its characteristic
characteristic red
and
and white
white petals
petals has been cultivated
cultivated for at least six centuries.
centuries. Albas
Albas too have a long history.
history.
Alba
semiplena
is
the
world's
oldest
'working'
rose
and
is
still
grown
in
the
Kazanluk
Alba semiplena
worlds
working5
still
Kazanluk region
of Bulgaria
Bulgaria for its highly scented petals,
petals, which are
are harvested each June
June to make
make the
perfume,
perfume, attar
attar of roses. Damasks,
Damasks, as the name
name implies, were thought to have
have come from
Damascus.
Damascus. Their
Their origin is more obscure, but they
they are
are certainly
certainly related
related to wild roses still
growing in parts of the Middle East
East and
and Iran. There
There are
are in cultivation
cultivation more recently
recently
introduced
hybrid musks,
introduced varieties
varieties of roses too, such as Bourbons, hybrid
musks, and hybrid
hybrid perpetuals
as well as rugosas,
rugosas, which originate
originate in the Far East.
You can see how the words
words in bold type
type help you to read. The
The writer
writer wanted
wanted to present
present the information
information in a way
way that
makes
makes the detail easily accessible.
accessible. The phrase
phrase diversity
diversity and
and antiquity
antiquity is the first
first stage
stage of the process
process of organisation;
organisation;
the phrase is the focus
focus of the paragraph,
paragraph, not cultural
cultural advantages.
advantages. The
The phrase
phrase three
three distinct
distinct races
races then gives
gives the
the writer
writer
a peg on which
which to hang the next layer
layer of details:
details: gallicas,
gallicas, albas
albas and
and damasks.
damasks. At the next
next stage,
stage, under
under each
each of the
three
three headings, he organises
organises detail about
about the antiquity
antiquity and
and diversity
diversity of each
each type of rose. The words
words in bold, therefore,
therefore,
summarise
summarise the paragraph
paragraph for
for you. So, if you are able
able to train
train yourself
yourself to read the organisation
organisation of a text, you can scan
more efficiently
organisation of the text rather
efficiently and learn to look from the top down onto the organisation
rather than from
from the bottom
bottom up. Most
people, and not just
just students,
students, are so caught
caught up in the detail, that
that they
they read a text as if they
they were
were drowning.
drowning. So, to prevent
prevent
a text
text from drowning
drowning you, learn to skim the surface
surface information
information and dip into the detail when
when you
you need to. This
This applies
applies to
all reading
reading and is a strategy
strategy you should
should train
train yourself
yourself to develop.
Another
Another strategy
strategy to help you read this
this text
text is to learn to read the organisation
organisation of the question.
question. If you look at the diagram
diagram
for
for Questions
Questions 1-6,
16, you can see that
that the structure
structure of question
question number
number 11 gives
gives you a clue
clue to the
the organisation
organisation of the
exercise: There
... , namely:
There are
are...,
namely: The
The question
question is asking you to classify
classify the central
central information
information in the paragraph,
paragraph, or reduce
it to a list. It is checking
checking whether
whether you understand
understand the organisation
organisation or skeleton of this
this type of text.
Note that the second
second paragraph
paragraph is a digression
digression from the main focus
focus of the text: cultural
cultural advantages
advantages as mentioned
mentioned in
paragraph
paragraph 1. See also the first
first sentence
sentence of paragraph
paragraph 2 and again the first
first sentence
sentence of paragraph
paragraph 3.
3.
Note how
how the organising
organising words:
words: diversity
diversity and
and antiquity,
antiquity, three
three distinct
distinct races,
races, gallicas,
gallicas, albas
albas and
and damasks
damasks do not
stand
stand out
out in the second
second paragraph.
paragraph. They
They are hidden by the detail until you are able to recognise
recognise their
their importance
importance as
organising
paragraph. Once
organising words
words within
within the paragraph.
Once you highlight
highlight them, the organisation
organisation jumps
jumps out at you, as above.
above. Now go
back to the original
original passage
passage in the exercise
exercise and
and skim the
the surface
surface of the text to see if you can pick out the organising
organising
words.
words. You may have to do it several
several times
times to feel comfortable
comfortable with
with it. Then try
try it on other
other parts
parts of this
this text
text and other
other
passages.
passages. (See also Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 10-12.)
10-12.)
180

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Key to Reading Tests

Question
section test:
Question type.
type. The questions
questions in this section
-

whether
specific
information.
whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotoscan a text
scanfor
a text
for specific
information.
whether
the organisation.
whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotoskim a text
skimtoa recognise
text to recognise
the organisation.

whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotoskim a text
skimtoa recognise
text to recognise
a specific
of organisation
i.e.
classification.
whether
a specific
type of type
organisation
i.e. classification.
whether
whetheryou
youcan
cananalyse
analyseaatext
textfrom
fromthe
thetop
topdown
downwithout
withoutbeing
beingdragged
draggeddown by
bydetail
detail which
which
is irrelevant
irrelevant to the question.
question.
whether
whether you can
can summarise
summarise a text.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 7-13
7-13
7. Answer:
Answer: benefit. You need a noun
noun here; beneficial
beneficial (adjective) does not work.
work. The word advantage
advantage does
not
not work here either. The word advantage
advantage appears
appears in the original text,
text, but you cannot
cannot use it. If the text read
features which are an advantage
advantage to
to...,
acceptable.
'...and
... and soils, features
.. .', it would be acceptable.
8.
8. Answer:
Answer: area
area available.
available. You
You need
need to be careful here.
here. The answer
answer is a paraphrase
paraphrase of the
the word space
space in the
original
original text.
text. Spacing
Spacing is to do with the arranging of the layout of the plants.
plants.
9.
9. Answer:
Answer: Most.
Most. This is a translation
translation of the
the majority
majority of
of in
in the passage, but the word majority
majority alone does not
fit here. IfIf you use
use the word majority,
majority, the text should read:
read: The
The majority
majority of.
10. Answer:
you read
Answer: blossom.
blossom. The
Theword
word isisaaparaphrase
paraphraseofofthe
theword
wordflower
flowerininthe
thetext.
text. A difficult
difficultone.
one.IfIf you
readthe
the
sentence,
sentence, you can see that
that a verb is
is needed here for
for the text
text to make sense. This
This sentence
sentence is a paraphrase
paraphrase
of the first part of the second sentence
sentence in
in the fourth paragraph.
paragraph. The word spread
spread fits grammatically
grammatically in the
sentence itself,
itself, but
but the sentence
sentence is not then a paraphrase
paraphrase of the original text: the passage
passage does not say that
the
the roses
roses spread.
spread. The word
word spread
spread in the passage
passage refers to the extent, diameter,
diameter, circumference
circumference of the rose
bush,
bush, as it grows.
grows.
11. Answer:
Answer: in
in the end.
end. This
This phrase paraphrases
paraphrases the word eventually
eventually in
in the original text. The word also does
not
not work
work here. The
The sentence
sentence does not give
give additional
additional information (also). The sentence
sentence states
states a fact (In fact)
about what happens
happens when shrub roses are not cut back regularly.
regularly. It is,
is, therefore,
therefore, also a development
development of the
phrase
phrase without
without having
having to
to be
be cut back.
back. Compare
Compare the original text.
12. Answer:
twototothree
three
Answer: across.
across.The
The phrase
phrase up
upto
tothree
threemetres
metresacross
acrossparaphrases
paraphraseswith
witha spread
spread of
oftwo
metres. The word
word circumference
circumference would not work
work here as you would
would need to say 'in
in circumference'.
circumference. The
same would apply to the word 'diameter',
diameter, if it were in the list.
13. Answer:
Answer:dictates.
dictates.This
Thissentence
sentencesummarises
summarisesthe
thepenultimate
penultimateparagraph.
paragraph.
Note that this exercise
your understanding
exercise tests
tests your
understanding of a section of text. It checks
checks whether
whether you are able to understand
understand a
paraphrase
paraphrase of the text and again tests
tests if you can dip into the organisation
organisation for
for detail. The exercise
exercise is basically
basically organised
around the cultural
cultural advantages
advantages first mentioned
mentioned in the first paragraph.
paragraph.
Note
Note that in the exam
exam you may have a summary, as in
in 7-13,
7-13, where
where there is no Wordlist.
Wordlist. Then
Then you
you will have to take
take the
words
Practice Test
Test 2, Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 2 and Practice
Practice Test
Test 3,
3, Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 1.
words from the text. See Practice

Question
Question type.
type. The questions
questions in this section test:
-

whether you can summarise


whether
summarise a text.
whether you
whether
you are able to scan a text for specific
specific information.
information.
whether you
whether
you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words and ideas.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 14
14 and
and 15
15
14. Answer:
Answer: B. IfIf you look at the
the penultimate
penultimate paragraph,
paragraph, you
you can see that the writer
writer is
is talking
talking about
about shrub
roses.
roses. It is
is not clear
clear whether
whether the
the phrase
phrase of
of all
all in
in probably
probably the
the most
most intensely
intensely fragrant
fragrant rose
rose of all
all refers to
shrub roses or
or all roses.
roses. The writer
writer of the article didn't
didnt know
know when
when he was asked!
15. Answer:
Answer: D.
D. The first reaction for many students
students is to give A
A as the answer.
answer. The sentence
sentence then would mean
mean
that 'all
all shrub roses have a short
short but spectacular flowering
flowering season'.
season. The
The word many
many in the text shows
shows you
you
that
that there
there are
are other
other flowering
flowering seasons.
seasons. Like A, alternatives
alternatives B and C, each
each only
only covers
covers one group of shrub
shrub
roses.
roses.

A book for
tor IELTS
IELTS

181
181

Key to Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

Question
Question type. The
The questions
questions in this section test:
-

whether
whether you are able to scan a text
text for specific
specific information.
information.
whether
whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words
words and ideas.
whether
whether you are able
able to understand
understand specific
specific points
points in the text.

Summary of questions
questions
Notice that
that you
you had two
two summarising
summarising sections
sections and a section
section looking
looking at specific
specific points. Why?
Why? The
The
reason is because
because the texts
texts lend themselves
themselves to this type of question.
question. Therefore,
Therefore, as you read the other
other
passages
passages in this
this book, and
and elsewhere,
elsewhere, you can try
try to
to predict
predict what
what type
type of questions
questions would
would test
test the way
the passage
passage is written.
written. Of course,
course, the questions
questions in this
this reading
reading passage
passage could
could be replaced
replaced by others,
others,
but they
they might not have been able to test
test your
your understanding
understanding of the text
text quite
quite so well. Could
Could you
replace Questions
Questions 1-6 with Yes,
Yes, No, Not
Not Given
Given questions?
questions?

Test 1

Passage 2

11

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 16 and
and 17
16. Answer:
Answer: 80. The answer
answer is at the end of the fourth
fourth paragraph. You simply
simply need to scan
scan the text
text for the
words
words Lex
Lex Report
Report and also
also for a percentage.
percentage.
17.
17. Answer: 90. The
The answer is at the beginning
beginning of the fifth paragraph. Again
Again like
like number
number 16, you simply
simply need to
scan the text for
for the words
words RAC
RAC Survey
Survey and also for
for aa percentage.
percentage.
These
These two
two questions
questions are particularly
particularly easy
easy as you just
just have
have to scan the text for references
references to particular
particular items. The
The questions
questions
do not ask you to analyse
analyse any particular
particular part of the text.

Question
Question type.
type. The
The questions
questions in this section
section test:
- whether
whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotoscan
scanfor
forspecific
specificinformation.
information.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 18-23
18-23
18. Answer: Yes.
Yes. The answer
answer to this question
question is in the
the seventh
seventh paragraph:
paragraph:
The
The 1991 Road Traffic Act takes a very dim view indeed of dangerous
dangerous and careless
careless driving
driving and, as with
assaults, provides
provides stiff custodial sentences
sentences for those guilty of such crimes. To date, however,
however, there
there is no such
such
offence
offence in
in the
the statute
statute books
books known
known as 'Road
Road Rage'.
Rage. There
There can be assaults
assaults or criminal
criminal damage
damage followed
followed or
preceded
preceded by dangerous driving, but no offence
offence that
that incorporates
incorporates both
both - a change
change in the law which
which the public
are crying
crying out for in the face of increasing
increasing anarchy
anarchy on the roads.
The
The statement
statement in the exercise
exercise is basically
basically a paraphrase
paraphrase of the text in italics.
italics. When
When you are scanning,
scanning, you need to look
out
out for references
references to Road Rage
Rage and information
information about
about whether
whether it breaks
breaks the law, violates
violates the law,
law, or is
is a violation
violation of the
law.
law. To do the first
first is not easy, because
because the phrase
phrase 'Road
Road Rage'
Rage occurs
occurs many
many times
times in the passage.
passage. To scan for the latter
is
is even more difficult, because
because you are
are searching
searching for an idea
idea that
that appears
appears in another
another form. It is like seeing
seeing a person whom
whom
you do not know very
very well out of context
context or wearing
wearing different
different clothes.
clothes. It is sometimes
sometimes difficult
difficult to recognise
recognise them.
Scanning
Scanning a text
text for
for ideas
ideas in the form
form of a paraphrase
paraphrase rather than specific
specific words
words or phrases
phrases requires
requires an advanced
advanced level
of vocabulary
vocabulary and flexibility
flexibility in English.
English. If you are aware
aware of the need to develop
develop this
this skill, it will help
help you in doing not just
just
this type of exercise,
exercise, but many
many of the other
other exercises
exercises you have
have to deal with in the IELTS exam.
19. Answer:
Answer: Yes.
Yes. The answer
answer to this question
question is in the second
second paragraph:
paragraph:
A psychologist,
psychologist, employed
employed by the Royal Automobile
Automobile Club (RAC) defines
defines 'Road
Road Rage',
Rage, thus: 'unchecked
unchecked
behaviour
behaviour designed
designed to cause harm to another
another road user;
user; behaviour
behaviour which is not normally
normally in the behavioural
behavioural
repertoire
repertoire of the person. 'Road
Road Rage'
Rage is an altering of an individual's
individuals personality whilst
whilst driving
driving caused
caused by
a process
process of
o f dehumanisation.
dehumanisation. This
This dehumanisation
dehumanisation is caused
caused by road
road use frustrations
frustrations and an
an artificial
artificial
sense
sense of
o f insulation,
insulation, protection
protection and
and empowerment
empowerment provided
provided by the
the car.
car. This leads the person
person to behave
behave in a
way designed
designed to cause
cause harm or endanger
endanger other
other road users.'
users.
Note that again
again you have to scan the text
text to find information
information relating
relating to the psychologist
psychologist and
and then
then the idea of cars
cars making
drivers
drivers feel artificially
artificially safe.
182

A
A book
book tor
for IELTS
IELTS

Key to Reading
Reading Tests
Note
Note that
that the statement
statement in the exercise
exercise does
does not
not check
check whether
whether the text mentions
mentions the idea
idea of empowerment.
empowerment. It is checking
checking
only the discreet
discreet point about
about an artificial
artificial sense
sense of insulation,
protection. Some students
students may
may want to put No
No as the
only
Insulation, protection.
answer
answer here,
here, because
because the
the statement
statement in
in the exercise
exercise does not cover the idea of empowerment.
empowerment. The statement
statement is,
is,
however, a paraphrase
paraphrase of only
only part of the statement
statement in
in the text.

Answer: Not
Not Given.
Given. The
The writer
writer mentions
mentions that he
he is
is a motorcycle
motorcycle instructor,
instructor, (The
(The end of paragraph
paragraph 3), but
20. Answer:
nowhere
nowhere in
in the passage does he say that
that he thinks
thinks motorcycling
motorcycling is
is exciting
exciting or safe.
safe.
21. Answer:
Answer: Not
Not Given.
Given. The
The answer
answer is
is in the fourth paragraph:
paragraph:
21.
The report states that a survey carried out by Lex confirms that up to 80% of motorists have been the victims
victims
of road rage and that driver confrontation
confrontation is on the increase.

The statement
statement in the exercise
exercise is almost a paraphrase
paraphrase of the text. The words is
is rising
rising mean the same as Is
is on
on the
the
increase.
increase. This statement
statement is
is different
different from the Not
Not Given
Given in
in number
number 20 above.
above. In
In number
number 20,
20, there was
was no reference as
to whether
whether motorcycling is
is exciting
exciting or safe.
Here the text mentions
is on
.. .ts rising).
mentions driver
driver confrontation
confrontation (conflicts
(conflicts between drivers); is
on the
the increase
increase (the incidence
incidence...is
rising).
The sentence
sentence in
in the exercise,
exercise, however, qualifies
qualifies the increase by saying it is rising
rising rapidly.
rapidly. The text itself does not give
you any
you
any information
information about
about the quality,
quality, e.g.
e.g. rate/size,
rate/size, of the increase.
increase. It is important
important to note here that the exercise
exercise asks
you
is any information
information about
about the statement
statement in
in the original text. You,
You, therefore,
therefore, have to look at the
you to decide if there is
statement
statement as a whole.
Students often ask
ask how they can change
change a statement
statement to make the answer
answer Yes
Yes or No.
No. To make
make the statement
statement in
in the
Students
exercise into No you would have to make
make the statement contradict
contradict or disagree
disagree with the original text. You could do this
exercise
by
by finding an opposite
opposite word for one of the words
words in the sentence.
sentence. The most obvious one is rise.
rise. If you
you remove the word
rapidly
rapidly from the sentence
sentence and change rising
rising to diminishing
diminishing or decreasing,
decreasing, then the answer
answer would be No:
The Lex Report states that the incidence
incidence of conflicts between drivers is decreasing.

To make
make the answer
answer Yes,
Yes, then all you have to do is
is remove the word rapidly
rapidly from the exercise
exercise sentence:
Report states that the incidence of conflicts between drivers is rising.
The Lex Report
You would also have a No answer
answer ifif you had a word
You
word in
in the original
original text
text which contradicted
contradicted rapidly,
rapidly, e.g. slowly.
slowly.

Answer: Not
Not Given.
Given. See the
the first sentence
sentence of paragraph 5. The writer
writer mentions
mentions that the RAC has much
much to
22 Answer:
say about it ('Road
(Road Rage'),
Rage), i.e.
i.e. it talks about the quantity
quantity of the survey,
survey, but the writer
writer does not talk about the
quality i.e. whether
whether the survey
survey is
is thorough,
thorough, or otherwise.
otherwise.
quality
Answer: No. The
The answer
answer is at the end of the first paragraph:
paragraph:
23. Answer:
To many people the term 'Road
Road Rage'
Rage describes a relatively modem concept
concept of drivers 'getting
getting worked up
due to some incident
incident whilst
whilst on the road and resorting to physical violence
violence or damage to property'.
property. Most
people would say that this has only
only really become a problem in the last five years or so. It has certainly
become of great media
motoring for
media interest in recent times, but
but it has, in fact, been part of motoring
for quite some time
now.

bold states
states what
what the writer
writer thinks,
thinks, while the first sentence
sentence states
states what many
many people
people think,
The latter part of the text in bold
not the writer.
writer.
not
Note that the questions
questions are
are not
not in the sequence
sequence that
that the information
information appears in
in the text. Do not
not always expect
expect the
questions
questions to be in order.
help with
with this
this type of question,
question, see Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 18-22.
18-22.
For help

Question type.
type. The questions
questions in
in this section
section test:
-

whether you
youare
whether
are able
able to
to scan
scan for
for specific
specific information.
information.

whether
can recognise
recognise an
an idea
idea which
which is
is expressed
expressed in
in another
whether you
youcan
anotherway.
way.

whether
can recognise
recognise aa paraphrase.
paraphrase.
whether you
youcan
whether
are able
able to
to analyse
analyse aa small
small part
part of
of aa text
text and
whether you
youare
and not
not allow
allow the
theinformation
informationaround
arounditittoto
interfere with your
your analysis.
analysis.
interfere
whether
whether you
you are able
able to juggle
juggle several
several pieces
pieces of information
information at the same
same time.
time.

QUESTIONS 24-27
24-27
QUESTIONS
24. Answer:
Answer: uphill
uphill struggle.
struggle. You
You need to scan
scan the
the text for
for the word professionals.
professionals. See the fourth paragraph
paragraph
from the
the end.

A book for IELTS

183

Key to Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

25. Answer:
Answer: Stiffer
Stiffer penalties/Stiffer
penalties/Stiffer sentencing.
sentencing. The first
first answer
answer is in
in the third
third paragraph
paragraph from
from the end. The
sentence
sentence is a simple
simple paraphrase
paraphrase and again you scan the text for
for the word
word courts.
courts. For Stiffer
Stiffer sentencing
sentencing
see the last sentence
sentence of the text.
26. Answer:
Answer: male
male preserve.
preserve. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 9. The
The sentence
sentence is a paraphrase
paraphrase of the words
words in bold
below:
Most of us probably
probably imagine
imagine violence on the road to be an entirely male preserve,
preserve, as men are naturally more
competitive and aggressive, especially
especially when it comes to driving.
driving.
It is a little bit more difficult
difficult to scan the text for
for the information
information here, as it is an idea that
that you are looking
looking for rather
rather than a
specific
specific marker
marker like a word or phrase
phrase as in 24 or 25.
27. Answer:
Answer: interest
interest and
and reporting.
reporting. The
The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 8. To find the answer,
answer, you scan the text for
for the
words
words Association
Association of Chief
Chief Police
Police Officers.
Officers. The
The phrase
phrase causing
causing unnecessary
unnecessary anxiety
anxiety does not fit in
here, because
because to fit the phrase
phrase into the blank
blank space
space you would
would have to make
make the word media
media into a noun
and put an article in front
sentence, media
front of it: the media.
media. In
In the exercise
exercise sentence,
media is an adjective
adjective and is the clue to
answer. The
The text
text says:
the answer.
There have been suggestions
Association that media
media interest
interest and
and reporting
reporting are, in fact,
fact, creating
creating
There
suggestions from the Association
the problem
problem by causing unnecessary
unnecessary anxiety in the minds of the motoring
motoring public in a direct
direct analogy
analogy with fear
of crime.
The sentence
exercise is a paraphrase
sentence in the exercise
paraphrase of the text in italics. The
The phrase
phrase causing
causing unnecessary
unnecessary anxiety
anxiety tells you
problem is
is created,
created, whereas
whereas media
media interest
interest and
reporting tells
tells you what
what the Association
Association think
think are responsible
responsible
how the problem
and reporting
for creating
creating driver
driver confrontation.
confrontation.
that as in the previous
previous section the questions
questions are not in the order
order that the information
information appears
appears in the text.
Note that

Question type. The


The questions
questions in
in this section
section test:
- whether
whether you
you are
areable
abletotoscan
scanfor
forspecific
specificinformation.
information.
expressedininanother
anotherway.
way.
- whether
whether you
you can
can recognise
recogniseinformation
informationor
oran
anidea
ideawhich
whichisexpressed
- whether
whether you
you can
can recognise
recogniseaaparaphrase.
paraphrase.
- whether
whether you
you are
areable
abletotoanalyse
analyse aasmall
small part
partof
ofaatext
textand
andnot
notallow
allowthe information
information around
around it to
interfere
interfere with your
your analysis.
analysis.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 28 and
and 29
28. Answer:
Answer: C. The
The answer
answer to this question
question is in paragraph
paragraph 9. The alternative
alternative is a paraphrase
paraphrase of the text:
Women can be more aggressive in cars than they ever would be when they're
Women
theyre walking
walking along the street.

Alternative A is not correct,


correct, because
because the text
text does not say that cars make all women
women stronger.
stronger. It says:
Alternative
stronger than they really are.
It makes some women feel stronger

As for
for B, 'can'
can contains
contains the idea of 'sometimes',
sometimes, not 'frequently'.
frequently. Answer
Answer Dis
D is wrong,
wrong, because
because the opposite
opposite is
possibly
possibly true:
...
you could
...you
could even argue that smaller or weaker people, who might be victims when they are out of their cars,
often feel they can even things up a bit
bit when they are behind
behind the wheel.
wheel.
Remember
Remember the text is talking
talking about women
women here.
here.

Answer: B. The
The answer
answer is in the last paragraph.
paragraph. The
The inclination
inclination for many students
students is to give D as the answer.
29. Answer:
This is a value judgement,
judgement, as it implies
implies that you have a standard
standard against
against which
which to measure
measure the writer's
writers
statement in the last paragraph.
paragraph. If you choose
choose too
too pessimistic,
pessimistic, you are judging
judging the statement
statement against
against your
your
statement
own opinion.
opinion. The question
question asks you to summarise
summarise the writer's
writers view;
view; you are not expected
expected to give your
your own
opinion
opinion unless
unless you are asked
asked to do so.
C is wrong
wrong because
because the text
text does not indicate
indicate whether
whether the author
author is depressed
depressed about
about the situation
situation or not.
A is obviously
obviously wrong.
wrong.

Question type. The


The questions
questions in this section
section test:
are able
able to
to scan
scan for
for specific
specific information.
information.
- whether
whether you
youare
can recognise
recognise information
information or
or an
an idea
idea which
which is
is expressed
expressed in
in another
another way.
way.
- whether
whether you
youcan
- whether
whether you
you can
can recognise
recogniseaaparaphrase.
paraphrase.
- whether
whether you
you are
are able
ableto
toanalyse
analyse aasmall
small part
partof
ofaatext
textand
and not allow the information
information around
around ititto
to
interfere
interfere with your
your analysis.
analysis.

184

A book for
for IELTS

Key to Reading
Reading Tests

Passage3

11

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 30-33
30-33
30. Answer: x.
x. The
The answer
answer to this question is in paragraph D. The
The marker
marker in the text to look
look for
for is the effigy
effigy of
Queen
Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth 1.
1. There
There are two distracters here.
here. Number vi is not correct, because
because the text says the
effigy was
was dismissed
dismissed (considered) as a poor copy
copy (replica),
(replica), not that it was a poor copy. Distracter ii is
wrong, because
because the effigy was not completely
completely restored.
restored.
31. Answer:
Answer: iv. The
The answer
answer to this question
question is in
in paragraph
paragraph C. The marker in the text to look for is the
the name
name of
the church. Note that
that iv summarises
summarises the idea of how suitable the replacement for St Peter's
Peters was as argued
in the first three sentences
sentences of the paragraph. The distracter
distracter here is
is i; the text says that it was not regarded
regarded
in
then
then as
as an
an act of vandalism.
vandalism.
32. Answer:
Answer: vii. The answer
answer to this question is in paragraph E.You need to look in
in the text for a reference to a
comprehensive
assessment of the past or the same idea expressed
comprehensive assessment
expressed in another
another way. The complete
complete sentence
is a summary
summary of the last paragraph. The distracter
distracter here is viii;
viii; note that
that it is not the validity
validity of the works, but
the
... the physical reality of the works
the restoration
restoration work
work...the
works exhibited
exhibited that is being compared.
compared.
33. Answer: v. The answer
answer to this question is in paragraph B.
B. The marker
marker in
in the text to look for
for is the word
restoration
restoration and references
references to its meaning, which occurs
occurs at the beginning
beginning of paragraphs
paragraphs B
B and C.
C. The clues
here are in the words
words 'modern'
modern and 'narrow;
narrow; paragraph B
B gives
gives the modern
modern meaning
meaning and paragraph C
gives
gives you the 'wider'
wider meaning.
meaning.
The difficulty
difficulty in this exercise
exercise is that the first part of all the sentences
sentences ends in
in a verb, with three
three ending
ending in was
was and
and one
with is. This
This means that you cannot
cannot just try to fit the two parts together
together by looking
looking at the grammar.
grammar. You have
have to understand
understand
the meaning of the text that they summarise.
summarise.

Question
Question type.
type. The questions
questions in
in this section test:
- whether
whether you are able to scan a text
text for
for specific
specific information.
expressed in
- whether
whether you can recognise information or an idea which is expressed
in another
another way.
- whether
whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase.
- whether
whether you are able to analyse
analyse a small part of a text and not allow the information
information around itit to
interfere with your
your analysis.
- whether
whether you are able to summarise
summarise a text.

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 34-36
34-36
34. Answer:
Answer: A. The
The answer
answer to this question
question is in paragraph B:

...
with the campaign
.... This programme
...with
campaign of comprehensive
comprehensive repair
repair....
programme of work, covering
covering the entire
entire
building
building both inside and out...
The distracters C
C and D
D are obviously
obviously wrong, which leaves
leaves B.
B. The
The word conscientiously
conscientiously does not mean
the same
same as self-consciously.
self-consciously.
35. Answer:
Answer: C.
C. The answer
answer to this question is in the second sentence
sentence of paragraph A. Notice
Notice the
the word but in
the sentence,
sentence, which shows you that a contrast
contrast is about to be made
made with the transformation
transformation and change
change just
mentioned.
36. Answer:
Answer: B The answer
answer to this
this question is in paragraph D, the last sentence. This
This question
question also relates
relates to
number
number 33. It shows you that
that the writer supports the idea of the wider
wider meaning
meaning of restoration.

Question
Question type:
type: The questions
questions in this section
section test:
-

whether
whether you are able
able to scan a text for
for specific
specific information.
information.
whether
whether you can
can recognise
recognise information
information or an idea which is expressed
expressed in another
another way.

whether you can recognise


recognise a paraphrase.
whether
whether
whether you are able to analyse
analyse a small part of a text and not allow
allow the information
information around it to
interfere with your
your analysis.
analysis.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

185
185

Key to Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 37-40
37-40
37. Answer: iv.
iv. You need to
to read each
each paragraph
paragraph to extract
extract the central
central meaning.
meaning. In
In other
other words,
words, you need to
work out why the author
author wrote
wrote the
the paragraph
paragraph (See Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 11
11 and
and 12) and to find
find the direction
direction
of the
the paragraph
paragraph (See
(See Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 6-10).
6-10). If we
we look
look at the organisation,
organisation, we
we can
can see, the first
first two
sentences
sentences deal with the change
change the Abbey
Abbey has experienced
experienced over
over the
the past
past 900
900 years:
years: transformed/change
transformed/change
and change.
change. The
The second
second sentence
sentence also
also mentions
mentions a permanent
permanent aspect
aspect of the building
building during
during the period: the
fact that
that the Abbey
Abbey has not lost its identity. These
These first
first two sentences
sentences provide
provide the
the background
background information
information to
the focus
focus of the
the paragraph
paragraph in the third sentence.
sentence. Here the
the theme
theme of change
change is taken
taken up again:
again: this process
process
of change
change deserves
. This
deserves chronicling
chronicling.
This sentence
sentence is in effect
effect the
the foreground
foreground information
information or most
most important
important
information
information in the
the paragraph
paragraph (See Reading
Reading Exercises 10-12).
10-12). It is as if all the other
other details
details in the paragraph
paragraph
dance
around this
dance around
this point. The
The fourth and fifth sentences
sentences describe
describe elements
elements of change.
change. The
The last
last sentence
sentence
concludes
concludes the paragraph
paragraph by repeating
repeating the
the theme
theme in the third sentence,
sentence, i.e. the foreground
foreground information
information of the
paragraph.
paragraph.

1. cr,d 2.
Change CMK 900

The main purpose


purpose of the paragraph
paragraph
is to show
show that
that the
the changes
changes that
that have
have
taken
taken place
place in
in the
the Abbey
Abbey are worth
worth
telling
telling or deserve
deserve chronicling:
chronicling:

','90/S + Identity

3.

3-worth
Change
worth
rec01dlng
recording

4.
Restatement
of sentence 3

\lI

V
f

I
\V

4. 4.
Elements
Elements
ofchange
of change

You see you need


need to read meaning
meaning not just
just words!
38. Answe
r: v.
Answer:
v. Again, you need to
to ask
ask yourself
yourself why
why the author
author wrote
wrote the paragraph.
paragraph. He wrote
wrote it to explain
explain what
what
restoration
... repair) at the end of
restoration means
means by
by giving
giving the example
example of the
the Abbey's
Abbeys repair
repair scheme
scheme (campaign
(campaign of
of...repair)
the seventeenth
seventeenth century,
century, which
which was
was all-embracing
all-embracing (comprehensive)
(comprehensive) and unusual
unusual (exceptional)
(exceptional) for
for its time.
time.
The
The title neatly
neatly summarises
summarises the
the paragraph.
paragraph. Notice how
how the
the information
information is built
built up: the phrase
phrase campaign
campaign of
comprehensive
comprehensive repair
repair in the first
first sentence.
sentence. Then
Then the
the point is taken
taken up again
again in the
the second
second sentence
sentence and
expanded.
expanded.
When
When you first
first look at this
this reading
reading passage, you
you see
see that
that the paragraphs
paragraphs have letters
letters at
at the beginning.
beginning. This
indicates
indicates that
that there is likely
likely to be a question
question on paragraph
paragraph headings.
headings. As you are
are reading
reading a passage
passage for
for the
first
first time
time write down a brief
brief heading
heading of your
your own.
own. Then
Then when
when you do the
the exercise
exercise you can compare
compare what
what you
have written
written with the exercise.
39. Answer:
Answer: vi. The
The focus
focus of the paragraph
paragraph is in the
the phrase
phrase but respecting
respecting the meaning
meaning and
and ethos
ethos of the
building,
building, which
which occurs
occurs at the
the end of the first
first sentence.
sentence. The
The next sentence
sentence gives
gives a good
good example
example of this, i.e.
St Peter's
Peters in Rome. The
The last sentence
sentence then
then states
states how
how the Abbey
Abbey was
was restored,
restored, but its meaning
meaning was
was kept.
So the heading
heading reflects
reflects why
why the author
author wrote
wrote the
the paragraph.
paragraph.
40. Answer:
Answer: ii. This
This is an easy
easy one. The
The word
word example
example occurs
occurs in the
the first
first sentence,
sentence, giving
giving the focus
focus of the whole
whole
paragraph.
paragraph. Many students
students attempt
attempt all questions
questions in the
the order
order they
they occur
occur on the question
question paper. This
This means
means
that they
they waste
waste a lot of time on the questions
questions that
that they
they cannot
cannot do. You
You could
could give
give a title
title to this
this question
question
easily
easily and then
then attempt
attempt the
the more
more difficult
difficult ones.
Remember
Remember it is not enough
enough to just
just to
to read the first
first and last sentence
sentence of a paragraph
paragraph to work
work out a heading.
heading.
Question
Question type. The
The questions
questions in this
this section
section test:

186
18 6

whether
whether you
you are able to scan
scan a text
text and knit together
together the information.
information.

whether
whether you
you can summarise
summarise information
information or
or an idea.

whether
whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase.
paraphrase.

whether
whether you are
are able
able to analyse
analyse a small
small part
part of a text
text and not allow
allow the information
information around
around it to
interfere
interfere with
with your
your analysis.
analysis.

A
A book for IELTS
IELTS

Key
Key to
to Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

Test 2

Passage 11

11

Questions 1-3
1 -3
1. Answer:
Answer: substituting
substituting (some)
(some) words.
words. The answer is in the third
third sentence
sentence of the first
first paragraph. The
sentence
sentence in the exercise
exercise checks
checks whether
whether you understand what the writer
writer means
means by translating,
translating, i.e.
i.e. that it is
not just
just a matter of replacing words in one
one language for words in another
another language. It is more than that: it is
about translating
translating sense.
Note that in the text,
text, it says
says substituting
substituting one
one set of words
words for another. In the exercise,
exercise, you can use only
only a
maximum of three
three words,
words, so the word word
wordss summarises
summarises one
one set of words.
Note that you cannot
cannot say 'substitution
substitution of words'
words here, because
because you would
would need to have the definite article,
article,
the. You would then have four
four words.
2. Answer:
Answer: a purpose. The answer
answer is in the first sentence
sentence of the second paragraph. The sentence
sentence here is
is a
summary
summary or paraphrase
paraphrase of the paragraph.
paragraph. In
In that sense, it is like a paragraph
paragraph heading.
heading. The phrase
phrase whether
whether
... or instructive
instructive covers the different
different types of text, the purpose of which the translator
translator must consider.
consider.
Note you cannot have 'its
its purpose'
purpose because
because of the latter half of the sentence: that the translato
translatorr ...
. . . Nor
can you have 'the
the purpose'.
purpose.
3. Answer: (very) sparse.
sparse. The answer
answer is in the first sentence
sentence of the fourth
fourth paragraph. Two
Two types of reader
reader are
covered
covered in the fourth
fourth paragraph: readers with good knowledge and sparse
sparse knowledge.
knowledge. IfIf you remove the
word only from the statement
statement in the exercise, you could have both good
good and (very)
(very) sparse. With only
only,, you
can have only
only the latter.
Questi
on type. The
Question
The questions
questions in this section test:
- whether
whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotoscan
scanfor
forspecific
specificinformation.
information.
- whether
inanother
anotherway.
way.
whetheryou
youcan
canrecognise
recogniseinformation
informationororananidea
ideawhich
whichisisexpressed
expressedin
- whether
whetheryou
youcan
canrecognise
recognisea aparaphrase.
paraphrase.
information around
- whether
whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotoanalyse
analysea asmall
smallpart
partofofa atext
textand
andnot allow theinformation
around ititto
to interfere
interfere
with your analysis.

Questions 4-6
4 -6
4. Answer:
Answer: B. This is a paraphrase
paraphrase of the information in the second sentence
sentence of the
the fourth paragraph:
paragraph:
It has been said that everything
everything is translatable
translatable 'on
on condition
condition that
that the two languages belong
belong to cultures
cultures that
have reached
reached a comparable
comparable degree
degree of development'.
development.

A
A is not correct, because
because the text talks
talks about the development
development of cultures, not of languages.
languages. C
C is
is not correct,

5.

because
because the reference
reference in the
the text is to the reader being up-to-date
up-to-date with the requisite
requisite technical
technical
knowledge
knowledge.. The reader
reader being up-to-date
up-to-date in this way
way is incidental to the cultures
cultures being
being of the
the same level of
development.
development. The question
question posed by the writer here is an afterthought
afterthought to the main part
part of the sentence.
sentence. D
D is
not correct, because
because the text
text mentions that the translator has to balance
balance the writer's
writers and the reader's
readers
expectations; it does
does not talk
talk about
about the translator's.
translators.
Answer
Answer:: A. The answer
answer is
is in the third sentence
sentence of the fifth paragraph:
paragraph:
However, this
this is not to ignore
ignore the fact that there might well be instances
instances in which a text - awkwardly
awkwardly written
in the original - could be made more
more accessible
accessible by the translator.

Answer
Answer A gives
gives you a paraphrase
paraphrase of the text. B is not correct, because
because the
the writer
writer says it would
would be wrong
wrong to
over-simplify an erudite piece
piece of prose. So, making something
something overly
overly simple
simple is not advised. C
C and D
D are
not correct, because
because the writer
writer advises
advises against
against making an amusing
amusing text ponderous.
6. Answer:
Answer: A. The answer is in the first sentence
sentence of the sixth paragraph. Notice the writer's
writers paraphrase
paraphrase of the
word styl
e: how she says it. Compare
style:
Compare this with the paraphrase
paraphrase of the word style in the multiple choice
choice i.e.
the way
way in
in which a writer says something
something.. Alternatives
Alternatives B,
B, C and D are not correct,
correct, because
because they
they are not
aspects
aspects which
which are stated
stated as being important
important when translating. Allusions
Allusions and subliminal
subliminal messages
messages (B and C)
are examples
examples of what makes up style. They
They provide information
information which is subordinate
subordinate to A. Alternative
Alternative D
D is
wrong, because the text compares
compares the translator's
translators job to doing aa jigsaw
jigsaw puzzle,
puzzle, because
because she has to solve
solve
appropriately the problems a text
text represents. The text
text does not say that it is important.

A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

187
187

Key to Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

Question
Question type. The questions
questions in this
this section
section test:
- whether
whether you are able
able to scan
scan a text
text for specific
specific information.
information.
whether
you
can
recognise
a
paraphrase
of
words
- whether
can recognise paraphrase words and ideas.
ideas.
- whether
whether you
you are able
able to understand
understand and analyse
analyse specific
specific points
points in the
the text.

Questions
Questions 7-10
7 -1 0
7-10.
7-10. Answer:
Answer: AIC/D/F
A/C/D/F (in any
any order).
A is mentioned
mentioned in paragraph
paragraph 2, the first
first sentence
sentence of the
the paragraph:
paragraph: considers
considers the purpose
purpose of
of the
the said
said text.
text.
C
C is mentioned
mentioned in paragraph
paragraph 5. A
A translation
translation should
should .
. . . mirror
mirror that
that of
of the
the original,
original, but the
the translator
translator also
also
has
has to make
make a judgement
judgement about
about making
making a text
text clearer,
clearer, or more accessible
accessible ...
. . . It is
is a question
question of
of
judgement'.
judgement. (See
(See number
number 5 above
above and 13 below). Dis
D is mentioned
mentioned in the
the first
first sentence
sentence of paragraph
paragraph 3:
3 : ...
...
needs
to
consider
who
the
readers
of
the
translated
text
will
be.
F
is
mentioned
in
paragraph
4
in
the
needs to consider who the readers of the translated text will be.
mentioned paragraph
last sentence.
sentence.
If you
you look at the
the last few
few words
words in the first
first paragraph
paragraph you
you can
can see
see how
how the
the writer
writer organised
organised the text: ' and
and
asked
asked herself
herself a number
number of questions'.
questions. The
The judgements
judgements that
that the translator
translator has to
to make
make as she answers
answers the
questions
questions help
help organise
organise the text. A
A is like a summary
summary of paragraph
paragraph 2; C summarises
summarises paragraph
paragraph 5; D
D
summarises
summarises paragraphs
paragraphs 3 and 4; and F relates
relates again
again to paragraph
paragraph 4.
4. The
The judgements
judgements are, therefore,
therefore, like
headings
headings that summarise
summarise the
the main body
body of the
the text.
As regards
regards the distracter
distracter B, 'a
a poem'
poem is mentioned
mentioned in the first
first sentence
sentence of paragraph
paragraph 6, but nothing
nothing is
is said
about
about whether
whether a translator
translator has to decide
decide if poetry
poetry is important
important or not. As
As for
for E, it is incorrect,
incorrect, because
because the
the
translator
translator does
does not have
have to make a judgement
judgement about
about this.
this. In
In paragraph
paragraph 7, it says: The
The target
target language,
language, for
for
the
the best
best results,
results, should
should be her
her mother-tongue
mother-tongue ...
. . meaning
meaning that
that translating
translating is best
best done
done 'into'
into the
the mother
mother
tongue.
tongue. Moreover,
Moreover, the writer
writer is not putting
putting this
this forward
forward as a point
point on which
which a decision
decision needs
needs to
to be made.
made, Itit is
is
important
important to read the options
options carefully
carefully to make
make sure that
that they
they contain
contain exactly
exactly the same
same information
information as
as the
text.
text.
G
G is not mentioned
mentioned in
in the text
text and His
H is wrong.
wrong. See
See paragraph
paragraph 5: itit would
would be
be wrong
wrong to oversimplify.
oversimplify. The
The
decision,
decision, in any case,
case, would
would be whether
whether to simplify
simplify rather
rather than
than 'oversimplify'.
oversimplify.

Question
Question type.The questions
questions in this
this section
section test:
- whether
whether you are able to scan a text for
for specific
specific information.
information.
whether
you
can
recognise
a
paraphrase
of
words
- whether
recognise paraphrase words and ideas.
ideas.
- whether
whether you
you are able
able to understand
understand and analyse
analyse specific
specific points
points in the text.
- whether
whether you
you can recognise
recognise the
the function
function of points
points in
in a text.
- whether
whether you
you are able
able to summarise
summarise a text.

Questions
Questions 11-14
11.
11. Answer:
Answer: culture
culture and
and truth.
truth. The answer
answer is in
in the fourth
fourth sentence
sentence in paragraph
paragraph 1.1.
12.
12.

Answer:
Answer: certain
certain characteristics/the
characteristics/the same
same expectations.
expectations. The answer
answer is in
in paragraph
paragraph 3. Note that
that both
answers
answers are possible.
possible.

13.

Answer:
Answer: style
style and
and register.
register. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 5.
5. This
This question
question asks
asks you about
about the focus
focus of the
fifth paragraph.
paragraph. Compare
Compare C in
in questions
questions 7-10 above.
above. Notice
Notice how
how questions
questions 5,
5, 7-10 and 13 examine
examine
different
different aspects
aspects of the
the information
information in paragraph
paragraph 5.

14.

Answer:
Answer: the whole
whole text.
text. This
This question
question takes
takes you back
back to paragraph
paragraph 1, the last sentence.
sentence.
In short
short answer
answer questions
questions such as these,
these, the
the important
important thing
thing to remember
remember is to
to scan the text
text and look
look for
for the
clues
clues you
you have
have been
been given
given in
in the question:
question: words
words or phrases
phrases that
that often appear
appear in
in the same
same or similar
similar form
form in
the
the text.

Question type. The


The questions
questions in this
this section
section test:
188
188

whether
whether you
whether
whether you
whether
whether you
whether
whether you
you

are able
able to scan a text for
for specific
specific information.
information.
can recognise
recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words
words and ideas.
are able to understand
understand and analyse
analyse specific
specific points
points in the
the text.
text.
can recognise
recognise the function
function of points
points in
in a text.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Key to Reading
Reading Tests

Test 2

Passage 2
Passage2

11

Questions
Questions 15-20
15. Answer:
Answer: offshoot.
offshoot. The
The answer
answer here is in
in paragraph
paragraph 0,
D, in the first
first sentence.
sentence. The
The word
word offshoot
offshoot is a
paraphrase of the word branch
branch in
in the text. The distracter here is the word
word offspring,
offspring, which does
does not mean
paraphrase
the same as branch.
branch.
Answer: in
in vogue.
vogue. The answer
answer here is in
in paragraph A:
A: For
For the past
past few
few years
years one
one of
of the buzz
buzz terms
terms__
16. Answer:
....
paragraph then shows
shows how fashionable/common
fashionable/common combinatorial
combinatorial chemistry
chemistry is.
The rest of the paragraph
appearing. The information
information for this part
part of the summary
summary is again in paragraph
paragraph A.
A. There
There is no
17. Answer:
Answer: appearing.
particular
particular word there which
which the word appearing
appearing paraphrases.
paraphrases.
18. Answer:
Answer: follow
follow religiously.
religiously. The answer
answer here is in paragraph B:
B: These
These reviews
reviews all
all have
have the
the same
same format.
format.
And then the paragraph
paragraph describes
describes the repeated
repeated formula
formula of the paragraph.
paragraph. Note that
that the word religiously
religiously
faithfully/exactly here.
here. The distracter
distracter usually
usually follow
follow does not paraphrase
paraphrase exactly
exactly the meaning of the
the
means faithfully/exactly
phrase
phrase quoted
quoted above.
above.
19.

Answer:
Answer: Once.
Once. The answer
answer here is in
in paragraph E: After
After the development
development of
of solid
solid phase
phase peptide
peptide
synthesis
.... The word
wordOnce
Once isisaaparaphrase
paraphrase of
ofthe
theword
wordAfter.
After.
synthesis___The

Answer: limitless.
limitless. The answer
answer here is in paragraph
paragraph E, in the last sentence:
sentence: The
The numbers
numbers of
of possible
possible
20. Answer:
sequences
sequences are
are truly
truly innumerable!
innumerable!
Question
Question type.
type. The
The questions
questions in
in this section test:
- -whether
-whether you are able
able to scan a text for specific
specific information.
information.
- whether
whether you are able
able to scan
scan a text to recognise
recognise the organisation.
organisation.
- whether
whether you can analyse
analyse a text from the top down without
without being dragged
dragged down
down by
by detail which
which is
is
irrelevant to
to the question.
question.
irrelevant
- whether
whether you can summarise
summarise a text.

Questions 21-25
Questions
All the answers
answers to complete
complete the flow chart
chart are found in paragraphs
paragraphs II and J.
J. This
This summary
summary covers
covers a much smaller
smaller part
All
of the text than the previous
previous exercise
exercise and is more precise.
21.
21. Answer:
Answer: (polypropylene)
(polypropylene) mesh
mesh sacs.
sacs.
22. Answer:
to change
change the
the words
here slightly
slightly to
to
Answer: thermal
thermal sealing/being
sealing/being thermally
thermally sealed.
sealed. Note
Note that
that you
you have
haveto
wordshere
The diagram already
already mentions the fact
fact that
that the
the sacs
sacsare
you
are
fit the wording of the chart. The
are closed,
closed, and
and you
are
say here how that happens.
being asked to say
23.
23. Answer:
Answer: resin
resin beads.
beads. Note that here you are being asked to state what the solid
solid supports
supports are, or are
made of.
of.
Answer: pot to pot.
pot. Note that
that you cannot
cannot use the word reagent
reagent here; you are only
only allowed
allowed to use three
24. Answer:
words.
words. Note also that
that the word pot on its own is
is not enough.
enough.
25. Answer:
Answer: characterised
characterised and
and purified.
purified.
section tests
tests the same
same skills as Questions
Questions 15-20.
Note that this section
Question
Question type.
type. The questions
questions in
in this section test:
- whether
whether you are able to scan a text for specific
specific information.
information.
- whether
whether you are able to scan a text to recognise
recognise the organisation.
organisation.
- whether
whether you can analyse
analyse a text from the top down without
without being dragged
dragged down by detail which is
irrelevant
irrelevant to the question.
question.
- whether
whether you can summarise
summarise a text.

Questions
Questions 26-28
The answers
answers to this section
section are found in paragraph
paragraph B.
B. Note that
that the sections
sections are not in the order
order in which the information
information
appears
appears in
in the passage.
passage.
26. Answer:
Answer: F.
F. Description
Description Bis
B is not
not possible,
possible, because
because the
the first
first director
director mentioned
mentioned in
in the
the original
original text
text is
is not
not
26.
directly involved
involved in
in research: a person
person who has
has not worked
worked at
at the bench
bench for
for years
years----directly
.

A book
book for IELTS

189

Key to Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

27. Answer:
Answer: E. The distracter
distracter here is A. The text
text does
does not say
say that the second
second contributor
contributor is typically
typically a director
director
of a technology
technology business
business park
park , but a director
director whose
whose company
company is situated
situated In
in a new
new business
business park.
park.
28.
28. Answer:
Answer: C. The
The distracter
distracter for
for this one
one is D.
D. The
The original
original text
text does not say
say whether
whether the third
third category
category of
contributor
contributor is an amateur
amateur or not. The
The text
text also says
says that the
the chemist
chemist can
can probably
probably synthesise
synthesise a few
thousand
thousand compounds
compounds per
per week;
week; not that
that they
they do.
Note that
that the details
details in
in the exercise
exercise and the text are very
very similar.
similar. This
This means
means that
that you
you have to jump
jump back
back and
forth between
between the two as you juggle
juggle the information.
information.

Question
Question type.
type. The questions
questions in this section
section test:
-

whether
whether you are able
able to scan a text
text for specific
specific information.
information.
whether
whether you are able to scan a text
text to recognise
recognise the organisation.
organisation.
whether
whether you can analyse
analyse a text from
from the top down without
without being dragged
dragged down
down by detail
detail which
which is
irrelevant
irrelevant to
to the question.
question.
whether
whether you can summarise
summarise a text.
whether
whether you able to juggle
juggle bits of information
information between
between the text and the exercise
exercise at the same
same time.
time.

Questions 29
'

29. Answer:
Answer: A.
A. The answer
answer to this
this question
question is in paragraph
paragraph C.
C. It is important
important to read
read the multiple
multiple choice
choice
answers
answers here very
very carefully,
carefully, as you are juggling
juggling lots of small
small pieces
pieces of information
information within
within a short
short area of text.
If you then
then answer
answer the question
question too quickly,
quickly, you can easily
easily match the wrong
wrong bits of information.
information.

Question
Question type:
type: The
The question
question in
in this section
section tests:
tests:
-

whether
whether you are able
able to scan
scan a text
text for
for specific
specific information.
information.
whether
whether you
you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words
words and ideas.
ideas.
whether
whether you
you are able
able to understand
understand specific
specific points
points in the text.

Test 2

Passage 3
Passage

11

Questions 30
30. Answer:
Answer: C. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph six. A is not correct, because
because four-wheelfour-wheel- drive vehicles
vehicles are listed
among
among essential
essential travelling
travelling companions
companions (the last paragraph).
paragraph). The text does
does not say
say that
that they
they connect
connect
towns.
towns. B
B is not correct,
correct, because
because the writer
writer was
was referring
referring to the earliest
earliest travellers
travellers to Iceland
Iceland (also
(also in the
the last
paragraph).
paragraph). Dis
D is not correct,
correct, because
because the
the text
text does not say
say that
that the entire
entire island
island is connected
connected or served
served by
by a
fleet of coaches.
coaches.
Note that the question
question refers
refers to the
the end of the text.
text.

ouestton
Question type: The
The question
question in this
this section
section tests:
- whether
whether you are able to
to scan a text
text for
for specific
specific information.
information.
whether
you
can
recognise
a
paraphrase
of
words
- whether
recognise paraphrase words and ideas.
ideas.
- whether
whether you are able
able to
to understand
understand specific
specific points
points in
in the text.
Questions 31-36
3 1-36
31. Answer:
Answer: Yes.
Yes. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 2 in the third sentence.
sentence. The statement
statement is a paraphrase
paraphrase of the
phrase:
phrase:..... . landscape
landscape is
is constantly
constantly being
being carved
carved ...
...
32. Answer:
Answer: No.
No. The
The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 3.
3. At the end of paragraph 2, the writer
writer mentions
mentions that
that Iceland
Iceland was
a Danish colony.
colony. Then
Then in
in the next paragraph
paragraph it states
states that
that the
the island
island gained
gained full independence
independence in 1944. So
Iceland
Iceland is no longer
longer a colony
colony of Denmark.
Denmark.
33.
33. Answer:
Answer: No.
No. The answer
answer is
is in paragraph
paragraph 2.
2. There
There is a double
double negative
negative in the
the statement;
statement; not dissimilar
dissimilar =
the same,
same, but the text
text says that
that Iceland and Scandinavian
Scandinavian countries
countries are not similar,
similar, so the statement
statement
contradicts
contradicts the information
information given in
in the text. It is very
very important
important to check
check negative
negative statements
statements carefully,
carefully,
especially
especially when
when there
there are double
double negatives
negatives such as this.
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Tests

34.
34. Answer: Yes. The answer
answer is in the last sentence
sentence of paragraph
paragraph 1:
1:

.... . . those who


who recoil in horror
horror at the bleak lava fields which surround its airport
airport may never
never return.
35. Answer: Not Given. The
The answer
answer is in paragraph 1.1. In the text, it talks
talks about
about those once Intoxicated
intoxicated
by iti t ...
. . .,, but we do not know if those are the majority or not; the text
text does
does not say how many
many people.
36. Answer: Not Given. The text nowhere
nowhere states whether
whether the author
author of the article
article is
is intoxicated
intoxicated by Iceland or
not. The writer
writer is talking about the reactions of other people. She starts
starts with a quote
quote from the poet W.H.
Auden
Auden and goes on to describe
describe the reactions of other
other people to Iceland, but we do not know
know what the writer
thinks about
about Iceland.
Note how the questions
questions in this section jump
jump around the text.

Question type. The


The questions
questions in this section test:
- whether
whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotoscan
scanfor
forspecific
specificinformation.
information.
whether
you
can
recognise
an
idea
which
is
whether you can recognise an idea which isexpressed
expressedininanother
anotherway
wayor
oraaparaphrase.
paraphrase.
- whether
whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotoanalyse
analysea asmall
smallpart
partofofa atext
textand
andnot
not allow
allow the
the information
information around
around itit to
to interfere
interfere
with your
your analysis.
Questions
Questions 37-39
37-39
37. Answer: flourishing
flourishing and (internationally)
(internationally) respected. The answer
answer is in the
the first sentence
sentence of the fourth
paragraph. You need to scan the text for the words
words movie business/film
business/film industry.
38. Answer:
Answer: (the) geysers. The answer
answer is in the second sentence
sentence of the third paragraph.
paragraph. In this case, it is not
possible
possible to give any
any more information
information about the geysers
geysers without exceeding
exceeding the word limit given.
39. Answer:
Answer: (a) sense of danger. The answer
answer is in the second sentence
sentence of the fourth
fourth paragraph.
paragraph. As soon as
you find
find Icelandic art by scanning
scanning the text, it is easy to find the answer
answer required.
Note the exercise asks for
for a maximum
maximum of FOUR words. In the exam, always read the instructions
instructions in each
exercise. Do not assume
assume that they are the same as the books you read as you were preparing
preparing for the exam.
Note that, in this section, you have to jump
jump around the text
text to find the answer
answer to the
the questions.

Question type. The


The questions in this
this section test:
- whether
whether you are able to scan for
for specific
specific information.
- whether
whether you can
can recognise
recognise information or an idea which is expressed
expressed in another
another way.
- whether
whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase.
- whether
whether you are able to analyse
analyse a small part of a text and not allow
allow the information
information around
around it to interfere
with your analysis.
Questions
Questions 40 & 41
40. Answer: limit
limit damage.
damage. The answer
answer is in the last sentence
sentence of the fourth
fourth paragraph.
paragraph. Be careful
careful about the
grammar
grammar in this type of gapfill. It is not possible to write damage limitation,
limitation, as a noun does not fit the
grammar
grammar of the sentence. A verb
verb is needed here. Remember
Remember that
that the exact
exact words
words you need do not always
always
appear
appear in the text; particularly
particularly where filling gaps in a text is concerned,
concerned, you may have to change
change the form
form of
some words.

41.
41. Answer: protecting
protecting and developing.
developing. The answer
answer is in the second sentence
sentence of the fifth paragraph. Note the
change in the form of the verbs. Note you cannot
cannot use nouns here, as you would
would have to write: the
protection
protection and development of.
Question type. The questions
questions in this
this section test:
-

whether
whether you are able to scan for specific
specific information.
whether
whether you can recognise
recognise information
information or an idea which is expressed
expressed in another
another way.
whether
you
can
recognise
a
paraphrase.
whether
whether
whether you are able to analyse
analyse a small part of a text and not allow
allow the information
information around
around it to interfere
interfere
with your
your analysis.

The answers
answers to questions
questions in some of the reading texts in the IELTS exam may
may be like those above;
not always one after
after the other.

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Questions
Questions 1-5
1 -5
1. Answer: xii. Remember
Remember to ask
ask yourself
yourself why
why the writer
writer wrote
wrote this
this paragraph.
paragraph. The
The paragraph
paragraph explains
explains what
the Alexander
Alexander technique
technique is about. The key words
words here are: It is a technique
technique for the elimination
elimination of
o f ...
...
habits of 'misuse',
misuse, which
which are described
described as having
having negative
negative effects.
effects.
2.
2. Answer: x. Again,
Again, why did the author
author write the
the paragraph?
paragraph? She wrote
wrote it to show
show how
how the Alexander
Alexander
Technique
Technique teaches
teaches people
people how to 'use'
use themselves
themselves better. This
This applies
applies to everyone
everyone (all), both able-bodied
able-bodied
and disabled
disabled people alike.
3. Answer:
Answer: iv. The
The author
author wrote
wrote the paragraph
paragraph to show
show how the Alexander
Alexander Technique
Technique is adapted
adapted to suit
suit
different
different disabilities.
disabilities. The
The text gives
gives two examples
examples of how
how the approach
approach varies
varies according
according to the particular
particular
problem:
The approach
approach and what
what results
results can be expected
expected to vary
vary greatly
greatly depending
depending directly
directly on eliminating
eliminating tension
tension
habits
habits that
that have developed
developed to compensate
compensate for the loss of disability.
disability. For the stroke
stroke patient
patient,, especially
especially if
lessons
lessons are commenced
commenced early after
after the stroke, the Alexander
Alexander Technique
Technique can play an important
important role in
rehabilitation
blind person, the work
work is likely to focus
focus on eliminating
eliminating insecurity
insecurity
rehabilitation and mobility
mobility retraining.
retraining. With a blind
leading
leading to stiff
stiff and overcautious
overcautious walking,
walking, balancing
balancing difficulties
difficulties and poor
poor head poise.
poise.
4. Answer:
Answer: Ii.
ii. The author
author wrote
wrote this paragraph
paragraph to show
show the connection
connection between
between tension
tension and everyday
everyday
activities
activities (daily routine):
routine):
Working
Working with the disabled
disabled pupil, the Alexander
Alexander teacher
teacher can offer help with everyday
everyday activities,
activities, things
things that
the average
average person
person takes
takes for
for granted,
granted, such
such as
as the ability
ability to brush one's
ones teeth, shave,
shave, tie one's
ones shoelaces
shoelaces or
cut
compensatory tension
cut a slice of bread.
bread. By looking at compensatory
tension patterns, the teacher
teacher can,
can, in many instances,
instances, help
the disabled
disabled person find a new
new means
means whereby
whereby they can perform
perform these
these everyday
everyday tasks.
5. Answer:
Answer: viii. The
The paragraph
paragraph is about
about helping
helping carers
carers to help
help the people they
they are looking
looking after:
In this respect,
respect, the lessons
lessons may
may extend
extend to include
include the disabled
disabled person's
persons carer
carer ....
The rest of the paragraph
paragraph then
then deals
deals with
with this point.
Question
Question type. The questions
questions in this
this section
section test:
whether you
you are
are able
able to
to scan
scan aatext
text and
and knit
knittogether
together the information.
information.
whether
whether you
you can
can summarise
summarise information
information or
or an
an idea.
idea.
whether
whether you
you can
can recognise
recognise aa paraphrase.
paraphrase.
whether
whether you
you are
are able
ableto
to analyse
analyse aasmall
small part
part of
ofaatext
text and
and not
whether
notallow
allowthe
the
information around
around ititto
tointerfere
interferewith
with your
your analysis.
analysis.
information

For more details


37-40 in Reading
details about this type of exercise
exercise look at Questions
Questions 37-40
Reading Test
Test 1.
1. Compare
Compare the
differences
differences in the paragraphs
paragraphs in this text and the exercise
exercise in Test 1. Can you see any difference
difference in the
the type
of paragraph?
paragraph? Look at Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 10-13.
10-13.

Questions
Questions 6-14
6 -1 4
In
In this type of exercise,
exercise, you should
should always
always check
check that
that the form of the words
words fit the sentence
sentence structure of the
summary.
summary.
6. Answer:
Answer: re-educated
re-educated.. This
This is the only
only word
word which
which fits the blank space
space here.
here. The
The word
word re-education
re-education occurs
occurs
in the first
first sentence
sentence of the text,
text, but to fit the grammar
grammar you need to change
change the form of the word.
word.
7. Answer:
/ reflexes. The
Answer: reflex
reflex mechanisms
mechanisms/
The words
words occur
occur in the first sentence
sentence of paragraph
paragraph B. The
The first
first
answer
answer given is the better
better of the two.
8. Answer
. The answer
Answer:: in harmony/harmoniously
harmony/harmoniously.
answer is in the second
second paragraph,
paragraph, the third
third sentence.
sentence. The
adjective
adjective harmonious
harmonious (paragraph
(paragraph A)
A) does not work
work here, because
because you need an adverb
adverb (harmoniously)
(harmoniously) or
or
an adverbial
adverbial phrase.
9. Answer
eliminated. The
Answer:: eliminated.
The word
word elimination
elimination occurs
occurs in paragraph
paragraph A and
and eliminating
eliminating in paragraph
paragraph D.
D. You
need to change
change the form of the word here to fit the grammar
grammar of the summary.
10. Answer
Answer:: use.
use. The
The Alexander
Alexander technique
technique is about
about better
better 'use'
use of ourselves.
ourselves. See paragraph
paragraph B.
11. Answer
throughout the text.
Answer:: the disabled.
disabled. See the
the title of the article and throughout
12. Answer
:
requirements/disability.
For
the
answer,
you
need to jump
Answer: requirements/disability.
answer,
jump to the latter
latter part of paragraph
paragraph G.
G. Again
Again
you need to change
change the form of the word
word here to fit the grammar
grammar of the text.
text. The
The verb
verb require
require needs to be
changed
changed to make
make itit into a noun.
noun. You may put disability
disability here as well,
well, but it is repetitive.
repetitive.
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13. Answer:
Answer: factors.
factors. The text mentions the word factors
factors in paragraph G, the first sentence.
sentence. The word effects
effects
is
is not suitable,
suitable, because
because it would
would not summarise
summarise the text in paragraph G.
G.
14. Answer:
Answer: a challenge/challenging.
challenge/challenging. The answer is in the last sentence
sentence of paragraph
paragraph G. Note that this
exercise
exercise tests
tests your
your understanding
understanding of the whole text. It checks whether
whether you are able to understand
understand a
paraphrase
paraphrase and again tests if you can dip into the organisation
organisation for detail. The exercise
exercise is basically
basically organised
around
around the main points covered
covered by the writer.
In
Test 1, you had a similar
In Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 11 Practice
Practice Test
similar summary
summary with a Word
Word List. In the exam, you may
have either. It is better, therefore, to practise both types of exercise.
Question
Question type. The questions
questions in
in this section test:
- whether
whether you can summarise
summarise a text.
- whether
whether you are able to scan a text for
for specific
specific information.
- whether
whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase of words and ideas.
- whether
whether you are able to scan a text to recognise the organisation.
organisation.

Question
Question 15
15
15. Answer:
Answer: Not
Not Given.
Given. In paragraph D, it says:
For the stroke patient, especially
especially if lessons are commenced
commenced early
early after
after the stroke, the Alexander
Alexander Technique
Technique
can play an important role in rehabilitation and mobility retraining.
retraining.
The
Important role,
role, but it does
The text tells you the Technique
Technique can
can play
play an
an important
does not give information
information about the
success
success rate of the Technique
Technique with stroke patients.
Question
Question type.
type. The question
question in this section tests:
- whether
whether you are able to scan for specific
specific information.
information.
- whether
whether you can recognise
recognise an idea which is expressed
expressed in
in another
another way
way or a paraphrase.
paraphrase.
- whether
whether you are able to analyse
analyse a small part of a text and not allow
allow the information
information around it to
interfere with your analysis.

Test 3

Passage
Passage 2

11
Questions
16-19
Questions 16-19
In these short answer
answer questions,
questions, the answers
answers do not need to be full sentences.
sentences. All you have to do is
is find the
necessary
necessary information,
information, usually
usually a short phrase, in the text.
16. Answer:
Answer: science
science and
and technology.
technology. The answer
answer is in
in the first sentence
sentence of the second
second paragraph:
paragraph:
History may well dub the 1900s The Century
technology forged
forged a
Century of Change - the era when
when science
science and
and technology
permanent
permanent partnership
partnership and unleashed the first products
products of their
their unique alliance
alliance on a largely
largely illiterate,
earthbound
earthbound civilisation.
civilisation.
17. Answer:
Answer: measurement.
measurement. The answer
answer is in the second sentence of the third paragraph.
paragraph.
Even if you do not know the word elusive,
elusive, all you have to do is
is scan the text
text for the phrase speed
speed of
change
and
the
volume
of
knowledge.
What
the
two
things
have
in
common
is
the
fact
that
they could o.Q1
change and
of knowledge.
common
nol
be measured, i.e.
i.e. measurement
measurement was elusive:
elusive: they defied
defied measurement.
measurement.
18. Answer:
stress. The answer
Answer: rampant
rampant stress.
answer is in the penultimate
penultimate sentence
sentence of the third paragraph.
Note that Inexorable
inexorable change
change and cut-throat
cut-throat competition
competition are not the main contributory
contributory factors
factors here. They
They
cause the stress which
which management
management consultants
consultants are then called in to address.
address. Hence, the growth in their
business.
19. Answer:
Answer: benefit.
benefit. The
The answer
answer is in the third sentence of the fourth paragraph.
paragraph. The text
text reads:
reads: Progress
Progress
Implies
implies change
change with
with benefit.
benefit. This means that change
change does not have benefit. Note that you do not have to
write change
change with
with benefit
benefit as the word
word change
change is already
already in the question.
question.
Question
Question type. The questions
questions in this section test:
- whether
whether you are able to scan for specific
specific information.
information.
another way
- whether
whether you can recognise an idea which is expressed
expressed in
in another
way or recognise
recognise a paraphrase.
paraphrase.

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IELTS

193

Key to Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

whether
whether you are able to analyse
analyse a small part of a text and not allow
allow the information
information around
around it to interfere
interfere
with
with your
your analysis.
analysis.

Questions 20-23
20.
20. Answer: B. The
The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 4, the fourth
fourth sentence:
sentence:
It reflects action
action taken only
only after
after management
management has
has considered
considered relevant
relevant past
past experiences,
experiences, current
current priorities
priorities
and
and future objectives.
A and C are too limited in their
their reference
reference to only
only one
one time.
time. D is not specific
specific enough,
enough, as itit does
does not include
include
current
current priorities.
priorities.
21.
21. Answer:
Answer: B. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 4, the
the fifth sentence:
sentence:
Change
change's sake
Change for
for changes
sake may
may reflect
reflect the response
response of a novice
novice manager
manager
The phrase Change
Change for change's
changes sake
sake shows
shows that
that the novice
novice manager
manager carries
carries out change
change without
without having
any particular
particular reason for
for doing
doing so. A is not the
the right answer,
answer, as
as change
change for
for change's
changes sake
sake does
does not mean
any
always
always changing.
changing. There
There is no reference
reference in the
the text
text to how
how often
often changes
changes are made.
made. C is not correct,
correct, as the
text says
says that
that change
change without
without benefit
benefit leads to low staff
staff morale,
morale, not that the latter
latter is something
something that
that managers
managers
want to increase. D is not the right answer, because
because an
an advisory
advisory committee
committee are not colleagues,
colleagues, i.e.
i.e. people
people
want
you work with.
22.
answer is in
22. Answer: A. The answer
in paragraph
paragraph 5, the third
third sentence:
sentence:
Many
Many in the worldwide audience
audience viewed
viewed and
and listened
listened from
from the comfort
comfort of their
their homes.
B
B Is
is not
not correct, because
because it is the
the other
other way
way round! C is not correct,
correct, because
because it was
was the astronauts
astronauts that joked,
not people
people in general. D is not correct,
correct, because
because the text
text does
does not compare
compare science
science fiction
fiction and Christmas
Christmas in
the sense that one became
became like the other. The text
text means
means that
that they
they had similar
similar characteristics.
characteristics.
23. Answer:
Answer: C. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 6:
that such accidents, although
although unfortunate,
unfortunate, were also inevitable.
A is not correct,
correct, because
because the text
text says
says that
that it was
was the
the second
second moon expedition
expedition that
that showed
showed that
that nothing
nothing is
is
exciting
exciting anymore,
anymore, not the space
space shuttle
shuttle explosion.
explosion. Bis
B is not correct,
correct, because
because there is no reference
reference in the
the text
to TV.
TV. D is not correct,
correct, because
because the text
text says
says that
that the astronauts
astronauts knew
knew the
the risks,
risks, but this
this does not mean
mean that
they were
were to blame.

Question
Question type.
type. The questions
questions in this
this section
section test:
-

whether
youyou
are are
ableable
to scan
a text
for specific
information.
whether
to scan
a text
for specific
information.
whether
whetheryou
youcan
canrecognise
recogniseaaparaphrase
paraphraseofofwords
wordsand
andideas.
ideas.
whether
whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotounderstand
understandspecific
specificpoints
pointsininthe
thetext.
text.

Questions 24-28
I

These
These questions
questions are a variation
variation on the Yes/
Yes/ No/
No/ Not
Not Given
Given format.
format. In the exam,
exam, itit is
is very
very important
important that
that you
read the instructions
instructions carefully
carefully and
and that
that you write
write the appropriate
appropriate letter
letter on your
your answer
answer sheet.
sheet.
24. Answer:
Answer: C. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 7:
...
. . . computer-based
computer-based programmes
programmes are
are replacing
replacing textbooks, blackboards
blackboards and
and tutors.
Note that
that the exercise
exercise is only
only asking
asking about
about teachers
teachers (tutors);
(tutors); it is not asking
asking about
about textbooks
textbooks and
blackboards
blackboards as well.
25. Answer:
Answer: F. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 8:
...
. . . will open the door
door to a future
future filled
filled with a kaleidoscope
kaleidoscope of scientific and
and technical
technical wizardry.
The
The vocabulary
vocabulary here may be a problem, but the tense
tense is clear.

26. Answer:
Answer: NG.
NG. The
The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 7:
Factors such
such as the need
need for
for skilled
skilled and
and costly
costly support
support services
services are
are rarely
rarely discussed.
In
In the text, there is no time
time reference
reference regarding
regarding this development,
development, even when
when it is discussed.
discussed.
27. Answer:
Answer: C.
C. The answer
answer is in
in paragraph
paragraph 7:
The principles
principles of learning
learning are
are established:
established: the way
way they
they may
may be
be best
best used
used in different
different settings
settings and
and the results
results
evaluated
evaluated will vary
vary with client
client needs.
The
The answer
answer here is tricky.
tricky. The will
will here is not the
the will
will of the future,
future, but has basically
basically the same
same meaning
meaning as
the
the Present
Present Simple
Simple i.e. every
every time
time it happens.
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Reading Tests
28. Answer:
C. The answer
Answer: C.
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 9: The time has come to .... . . (i.e. now).

Question type. The


The questions
questions in
in this section test:
-

whether
whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotoscan
scanfor
forspecific
specificinformation.
information.
whether
paraphrase.
whetheryou
youcan
canrecognise
recogniseananidea
ideawhich
whichisisexpressed
expressedininanother
anotherway
wayor
oraa paraphrase.
whether
whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotoanalyse
analysea asmall
smallpart
partofofa atext
textand
andnot
notallow
allowthe
theinformation
informationaround
around ititto
to interfere
interfere
with your
your analysis.

Test 3

Passage 3

Questions 29-32
When
When matching opinions,
opinions, statements
statements or topics to people it is important
important to scan
scan the text
text to find
find the name of
the person.
answer you are looking for will then be easy to locate.
person. The answer
29. Answer:
Answer: C. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 0.
D. The sentence
sentence in the
the exercise is a paraphrase
paraphrase of the information
information
in the last two sentences of the paragraph:
paragraph:
However,
However, one point
point that is well understood
understood is that a national
national minimum
minimum wage could cause
cause a run of
differential-maintaining
differential-maintaining pay claims. The fact that
that the beneficiaries
beneficiaries of a minimum wage usually lack
lack
bargaining power
power (Lucas 1995) and
and that they
they are
are unlikely to be
be a 'reference
reference group'
group for any
any sector of
organised
organised labour,
labour, takes the edge off this argument.
30. Answer:
Answer: 0.
D. The
The answer
answer is in
in paragraph
paragraph B.
B. The sentence
sentence is
is a paraphrase
paraphrase of the findings
findings of Card &
& Krueger
in the third sentence:
A review
review of such
such studies
studies by Card and
and Krueger
Krueger (1995) concluded
concluded that
that minimum wages had
had no
no effect on
employment.
31.
31. Answer:
Answer: B. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph C. The sentence
sentence in the exercise
exercise is
is a paraphrase
paraphrase of the information
information
in
in the last sentence
sentence of the
the paragraph:
Certain types of service industry, for example, can show
show positive
positive employment
employment effects (Alpert 1986).
32.
Answer:
A.
The
answer
is
in
paragraph
B.
Note
the
sentence
in
the
exercise
32. Answer:
answer in paragraph B.
sentence
exercise uses
uses a negative to paraphrase
paraphrase
the information in the text. Remember
Remember here that you are scanning
scanning for
for an idea rather
rather than
than just specific
specific words:
you
you are not scanning
scanning for the words
words does
does not
not have
have a positive
positive effect
effect as
as regards
regards teenagers, but the idea
idea
that the
the minimum
minimum wage has a negative effect as regards
regards teenagers. So be
be careful
careful about just scanning
scanning for
specific words.

Question
Question type.
type. The questions
questions in this section test:
- whether
whether you are able to
to scan a text for specific information.
information.
- whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words and ideas.

Questions 33-39
33. Answer:
Answer: low
low paid
paid workers. The answer
answer is in
in paragraph
paragraph 0.
D. You can
can scan the text here
here for the words save/
saving
saving and benefits.
benefits.
34. Answer: 'bad'
bad employers.
employers. The answer
answer is in
in paragraph D. You can scan the text here
here for
for the word
subsidise/ subsidy.
subsidise/
subsidy.
35. Answer: certain/
certain/ some
some service
service industries.
industries. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph C Note how
how this answer
answer is
connected with 31
31 above. In 31,
31, your
your ability to find the source of the information was
was being
being checked.
checked. Here
Here itit
is your
your ability to see how
how this information fits into the summary
summary that is being tested.
tested.
36. Answer:
Answer: development
development of training.
training. The answer
answer is in paragraph 0.
D. Note
Note you
you have
have to change
change the form of the
words:
words: develop to development
development and add the preposition
preposition of. Note that you cannot use the phrases better
market functioning/
functioning/ more
more competitive
competitive conditions
conditions (in
(in the same
same paragraph),
paragraph), as they do not fit the grammar
grammar
of the text;
text; you would have to leave
leave out the word the in the diagram.
diagram. Note also the word even in the diagram
diagram
and where it occurs
occurs in
in the text.
Note the division here in the organisation
organisation of the information. In
In 33 to
to 36 above, the information relates
relates
basically to the positive aspects
aspects of a minimum wage. The details that you
you are looking for in 37 to 39 are
about the negative
negative effects.
effects.

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37. Answer
Answer:: differentials.
differentials. The
The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph D.

38. Answer:
Answer: out of business.
business. The
The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph C.
C.
39. Answer
Answer:: teenagers
teenagers.. The
The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph B.
B. Note how
how this
this particular
particular question
question is testing
testing different
different
details
details re teenagers
teenagers to that
that tested
tested in number
number 32 above.
The
The specific
specific references
references within
within each
each paragraph
paragraph have
have been omitted
omitted on purpose.
purpose. This
This will give you
you extra
extra
practice
practice in scanning
scanning a text
text for
for information.
information.
When
When completing
completing diagrams
diagrams it is important
important first
first to look carefully
carefully at the diagram
diagram so
so that
that you understand
understand what
what
kind of information
information is missing
missing in each case. It is also
also important
important to look
look carefully
carefully at the diagram
diagram itself,
particularly
particularly the directions
directions of arrows
arrows and other
other connections
connections between
between the various
various parts
parts or boxes. As in
questions
29
to
32
you
will
need
to
scan
the
text
to
find
the
information
given
in
the
diagram,
questions
to
text
information given in
diagram, and
and then
then look
around
around this
this to
to locate
locate the answer
answer required.
required.
Remember
Remember also to pay attention
attention to the word limit set.
Question
Question type. The
The questions
questions in this section
section test:
- whether
whether you can summarise
summarise a text.
- whether
whether you are able to scan a text
text for specific
specific information.
information.
- whether
whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words
words and ideas.
- whether
whether you are able to
to scan a text to recognise
recognise the organisation.
organisation.

Questions
Questions 40-42
40-42
40. Answer:
Answer: B. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph D:
Critics
Critics of the minimum
minimum wage
wage would, of course, argue
argue that
that it only
only benefits
benefits people
people who have
have a job.
job.

A
A is not correct,
correct, because
because the cost of services
services is not referred
referred to directly,
directly, although
although service
service
industries
are
(paragraph
C):
industries
(paragraph
...
. . . but, more
more importantly,
importantly, showing
showing the strategic
strategic processes
processes which
which managers
managers use
use to cope
cope with
with an imposed
imposed
rise
rise In
in the price
price of
o f labour.
C and D
D are
are not mentioned
mentioned as being effects
effects of the minimum
minimum wage.
41. Answer: D.
D. The
The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph E:
E : ...
. . . they are best executed
executed through
through local
local rather than national
national
government.
government, (fiscal counterbalance
counterbalance =
= adjustments
adjustments in taxation).
taxation). A is obviously
obviously then
then not correct.
correct. B and C are
not correct,
correct, because
because the type
type of taxation
taxation is not specified
specified in the text.
42. Answer:
Answer: C. The
The answer
answer is again
again in paragraph
paragraph C:
the dearth
dearth of studies
studies based
based on local
local labour
labour markets
markets and
and on those
those of specific
specific industries.
industries.
Even if you do not know
know the meaning
meaning of the word dearth,
dearth, you can work
work out that
that it has a negative
negative meaning
meaning by
the reference
reference to a criticism.
criticism. A, B and D are all obviously
obviously incorrect.
incorrect.
Question
Question type. The
The questions
questions in this
this section
section test:
- whether
whether you are able to scan
scan a text for specific
specific information.
information.
- whether
whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words
words and ideas.
- whether
whether you are able to understand
understand specific
specific points
points in the
the text.

196

A
A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

Key to Reading
Reading Tests

Test 4

Passage 1

Questions 1-7
'

The
The answers
answers to the questions
questions in this
this section
section relate only
only to paragraph
paragraph 2.
2.
1. Answer:
protostars.
Answer: protostars.
2. Answer:
Answer: plasma.
plasma.
3. Answer:
Answer: nuclear
nuclear fusion.
fusion.
4. Answer:
Answer: helium.
helium.
5.
Answer: a red
5. Answer:
red giant.
giant,
6.
Answer: maintain
6. Answer:
maintain (mechanical)
(mechanical) equilibrium.
equilibrium.
7. Answer:
Answer: the
the Main
Main Sequence.
Sequence.
Be careful about
about the numbers
numbers here!
here!
Question
Question type. The
The questions
questions in
in this
this section
section test:
test:
- whether
whether you can
can summarise
summarise a text.
- whether
whether you are able to scan a text for
for specific
specific information.
information.
- whether
whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words and ideas.
ideas.
whether
you
are
able
to
scan
a
text
to
recognise
the
organisation.
- whether you
able
recognise
organisation.

Questions 8-11
8-11
8. Answer:
Answer: C. The answer
answer to this question
question is in
in paragraph 3:
... , so that they
they are squashed
squashed into closer
closer proximity with each other, until
until a limit
limit is reached
reached where they
they resist
resist
any
any further
further compression.
compression. This phenomenon
phenomenon is called
called degeneracy, and
and is a manifestation
manifestation of the Pauli
Pauli
Exclusion
Exclusion Principle.
So A
A is
is incorrect.
incorrect. B
B is
is wrong, because:
The temperature
temperature is so great
great that degeneracy
degeneracy cannot
cannot then be maintained
maintained..... .
(See the end of the third paragraph).
paragraph). D
D is wrong,
wrong, because
because degeneracy
degeneracy happens
happens to all stars.
9. Answer:
C.
The
answer
is
in
the
first
sentence
of
paragraph
3:
The
Pauli
Answer: C. The answer
first
paragraph 3:
Pauli Exclusion
Exclusion Principle states
states that no
two identical
identical particles
particles can occupy
occupy the same
same quantum
quantum state. A
A is obviously
obviously a distracter;
distracter; the
the Principle does
does not
say anything
anything about stars
stars being the same or different.
different. Alternative
Alternative B
B is
is not true. The
The author
author uses the example
example
of low
low mass stars to illustrate
illustrate the Principle and the phenomenon
phenomenon of degeneracy
degeneracy (See the
the third sentence
sentence in
the third paragraph
paragraph and the
the subsequent
subsequent text).
text). D
D is wrong, because:
.... . . this pressure
pressure .... . . remains
remains constant
constant while the temperature
temperature continues
continues to increase.
10. Answer:
Answer: B.
B. The answer
answer is
is in
in the first
first sentence
sentence of the
the penultimate
penultimate paragraph.
paragraph. Alternative
Alternative A
A is not correct,
correct,
because the statement
statement applies
applies to all stars. C is
is not correct, as it again happens
happens to all stars. As
As regards D,
only
only smaller
smaller stars undergo
undergo a helium flash (See the first sentence
sentence of paragraph
paragraph 4).
11. Answer:
Answer: C.
C. The answer
answer is in the first
first paragraph: Their
Theirjourney
journey along
along the evolutionary
evolutionary path, and
and ultimate
ultimate fate
at stellar
stellar death, is determined
determined by their
their initial
initial mass,
mass,..... . So
So it is their
their mass when
when they are
are first
first formed (their
(their
initial
initial mass},
mass), which affects
affects their
their development
development throughout
throughout their
their lives.
Note the answers
answers to the questions
questions are not in
in the same order
order as the information
information occurs
occurs in the
the passage.
Question
Question type.
type. The questions
questions in
in this section test:
whether
you
are
able
to
scan
a text for
- whether
for specific information.
information.
- whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words
words and ideas.
- whether you are able to understand and analyse specific
specific points in
in the text.

Questions 12-14
I

You can answer


answer the questions
questions in this
this section
section simply
simply by scanning
scanning the text to
to find the
the references
references to
to the different
different solar
solar
masses.
masses.
12. Answer:
Answer:white
whitedwarfs.
dwarfs. See
Seethe
thebeginning
beginningofofthe
thefifth
fifthparagraph.
paragraph.

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Key to Reading
Reading Tests
Tests
13.
13.

Answer:
Answer: neutron
neutron stars
stars.. See paragraph
paragraph 6.

14. Answer:
Answer: Black
Black Holes. See the penultimate
penultimate paragraph.
paragraph.
Question
Question type.
type. The
The questions
questions in this section
section test:
- whether
whether you are able to scan a text for specific
specific information.
- whether
whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words
words and ideas.
- whether
you
are
able
to
understand
and
analyse
whether
understand
analyse specific
specific points in the text.

Test 4

Passage 2
Passage2

11

Questions
Questions 15-20
As you read the passage
passage for
for the first time, you should try to write
write down beside
beside the
the paragraph
paragraph a quick
quick heading
heading of your
your
own.
own. You should
should try,
try, however,
however, not to spend a lot of time doing this. If you cannot
cannot think
think of a title immediately, you
you should
should
continue
paragraphs are
continue reading. When
When you come to do the exercise,
exercise, you will also find that some
some paragraphs
are easier
easier to do than others,
so do them first.
For each
each of the paragraphs,
paragraphs, ask yourself
yourself the same question: why
why did the writer
writer write
write the paragraph?
paragraph? See also Reading
Reading
Passage
Passage 3, Practice
Practice Test
Test 11 and
and Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 1, Practice
Practice Test 3. Please also
also see Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 10-13.
10-13.
If there
there is an example,
example, cross it from
from the list before you do the exercise.
exercise. You then reduce
reduce the
the number
number of alternatives
alternatives you
have to look
look at.

15. Answer:
Answer: iv.
iv. The writer
writer wrote
wrote this paragraph
paragraph as an introduction.
introduction. The purpose
purpose of the paragraph
paragraph is to show
show
what
what envy
envy means.
means. Note that xiii
xiii is not acceptable, because
because it refers
refers to only
only part of the paragraph
paragraph i.e.
i.e. the
second sentence,
sentence, and not the whole
whole paragraph.
paragraph.
Always
Always remember
remember that
that the title is a brief summary
summary of the whole
whole paragraph
paragraph and reference
reference to part of the
paragraph
paragraph is not acceptable.
acceptable. If you have problems
problems with
with this
this look
look at Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 10-13.
10-13.
16. Answer: vii.
vii. The paragraph
paragraph talks
talks about (a) the Swahili in Coastal
Coastal East Africa, (b) their
their views
views about
about envy and
(c) how the Swahili
Swahili deal with
with envy: they try to convince
convince people
people that there
there is no reason
reason to envy
envy someone
someone
else's
elses success.
success. Note that
that (a) and (b) lead up to the focus
focus of the paragraph.
paragraph.
This
This title
title is also
also a paraphrase
paraphrase of the title of the whole
whole article.
article. The distracter
distracter here is (x).
17. Answer:
Answer: xiv.
xiv. Note that
that the paragraph
paragraph is about
about the Evil Eye and the fact that
that it is a universal
universal or global
phenomenon.
phenomenon. The
The paragraph
paragraph mentions
mentions some parts
parts of the
the world where
where pendants
pendants depicting
depicting the Evil Eye are
worn
worn to protect
protect the wearer against
against Envy. It does
does not say
say that
that the wearing
wearing of the pendant
pendant is a global
global remedy.
It says that
that the Evil Eye is universal, but the text only refers to parts of Europe
Europe where
where the wearing
wearing of a
pendant
pendant is a way of repelling
repelling envy.
envy. So Iii
iii is not acceptable.
acceptable. Note
Note also how
how v refers
refers to only
only part of the text.
18. Answer:
Answer: Ii.
ii. This is an easy
easy one as the paragraph
paragraph is devoted
devoted to a particular
particular example
example of envy. The
The first
first few
sentences
sentences are only
only by way
way of introduction.
introduction.
19. Answer: ix.
ix. Note that
that the paragraph
paragraph is not limited to poor
poor societies.
societies. The
The example
example given at the end of the
paragraph
paragraph could
could happen
happen in rich as well as poor societies.
The writer
writer is saying
saying that
that the idea of limited
limited good holds true for both poor
poor and rich societies.
societies. It does not matter
matter
that the main part of the paragraph
paragraph talks about
about poor
poor societies.
societies. If you, therefore,
therefore, choose
choose xv as your
your answer,
you are only summarising
summarising part of the paragraph,
paragraph, i.e. poor
poor societies.
societies.
It is a common
common mistake
mistake for
for students
students to choose
choose a title which
which covers
covers part
part of a paragraph
paragraph - you need to be able
to hold all the parts
of
the
paragraph
together
to
arrive
at
the
correct
title.
Compare
parts
paragraph together
correct
Compare number
number 15 above.

20. Answer
Answer:: xii.
xii. It is tempting
tempting to put i as the answer, but again it is only a summary
summary of part of the text, sentences
sentences
2 and 3. The paragraph
paragraph also talks
talks about
about what envy
envy is and in this sense
sense it is similar
similar to paragraph
paragraph A. However,
the paragraph
paragraph talks
talks about
about something
something more than what
what envy
envy is iv; it talks
talks about
about envy
envy as
as opposed
opposed to other
feelings,
feelings, namely: jealousy, love, and
and gratitude
gratitude and ambition.
ambition.
Question
Question type. The questions
questions in this section test:
whether
whether you are able to scan a text
text and knit together
together the information.
whether
whether you can summarise
summarise information
information or an idea.
whether
whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase.

198

whether
whether you are able
able to analyse
analyse a small part of a text
text and not allow
allow the information
information around
around it to interfere
with your
your analysis.

A
A book for IELTS
IELTS

Key to Reading Tests

Questions
Questions 21-24
'

You can answer


ways. You can look
answer the questions
questions in this section
section in two ways.
look for the Concepts,
Concepts, or you can look
fact, when
for the names.
names. In fact,
when you look through the questions before you read through
through the passage
passage for the first
time, you should automatically
time,
automatically notice that you are going
going to have to match names with theories
theories and give titles
to paragraphs.
paragraphs. As you read,
read, therefore, you should mark the names in some way. Our advice is to put a light
box in
in pencil around each name as you read. Then it will be easy
easy to identify
identify the names
names and match them with
the concepts.
Note that one of the people
people mentioned
mentioned in
in the passage does not occur
occur in the exercise.
21. Answer:
Answer: v. The answer
answer is in
in paragraph C. You just
just have to scan the text for
for the name and then check
check the
paraphrases
paraphrases against
against the concepts in
in the exercise. You can also scan the text for the idea, but this is more
difficult,
difficult, as you are trying
trying to match an idea that is expressed
expressed in
in a different
different way, even if just slightly. Note how
the previous exercise can help you with this particular
particular answer. The heading for paragraph
paragraph C tells you what is
in
in that paragraph. It shows
shows you the value of being able to summarise
summarise a chunk
chunk of text and see the
organisation. You then know where to find it quickly.
As in
in all tests, if you can find the principles
principles which govern the testing,
testing, then you have a greater
greater chance of
succeeding in that test.
22. Answer:
Answer: i. The answer
answer is in paragraph F.
F. The same methods apply here as for 21
21 above.
above. Notice again how
the previous exercise
exercise helps you around the text. Read the paragraph heading, then the first
first sentence
sentence of the
paragraph and then the name attached to the Concept.
Concept. Did you do this exercise
exercise without
without reference
reference to the
information you gathered
gathered as you did the previous
previous exercise?
23. Answer:
vii.
The
answer
is
in
paragraph
G. Note here how the information
Answer:
answer
information you gathered
gathered in the previous
exercise is still able to help you. While you were looking for a heading for
for paragraph
paragraph G, did you consider
consider the
heading (i) as a possibility?
possibility? If you looked at it, you then might have remembered
remembered it, when you came
came to do this
exercise.
This exercise
exercise gives
gives you a clear example of how information is organised
organised in an extended
extended piece of text. You
should, as you read generally, always look for markers that help you organise
organise your reading
reading of a text: here it
is themes,
themes, which are more difficult, as they require you to collect together
together larger chunks
chunks of information (See
Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 10-13);
10-13); and names which act like pegs to hang information
information on. Look at the other
passages
passages in
in this book and read them for the organisation. Do you remember
remember Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 1-5?
1-5? Also
look back at the Key to Questions
1 6 in Practice
1 Reading
Questions 1Practice Test
Test 1
Reading Passage
Passage 1.
24. Answer:
Answer: ii. The answer
answer is in paragraph D. Notice the inter-relationship
inter-relationship between
between the spread of envy and
illness.
Question
Question type. The questions
questions in this section test:
- whether
whether you are able to scan a text for specific
specific information.
- whether
whether you can recognise
recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words and ideas.

Questions
Questions 25-28
25-28
25. Answer:
Answer: More
More fortunate/
fortunate/ Successful/
Successful/ Powerful/
Powerful/ Prosperous. For the first
first answer
answer see the dictionary
dictionary
definition in
in paragraph
paragraph A. Compare this with the distracter
distracter heading for
for this paragraph
paragraph in
in the first set of
questions for this text. For the second, see the last sentence
sentence of paragraph
paragraph B. For the word Powerful
Powerful see the
last sentence
sentence of paragraph
paragraph E.
E. For Prosperous
Prosperous see the word prosper
prosper Paragraph
Paragraph A.
26. Answer:
Answer: source of harm.
harm. See the second sentence
sentence of paragraph C.
27. Answer:
Answer: dangerous
dangerous pastime.
pastime. The
The answer
answer is at the beginning of paragraph
paragraph B.
28. Answer:
Answer: minimise
minimise personal
personal success.
success. The answer
answer is again at the beginning of paragraph
paragraph B.
Question
Question type. The questions
questions in this section test:
scan
a textafor
specific
information.
- whether
whetheryou are
youable
are to
able
to scan
text
for specific
information.
- whether
information
or an or
idea
is expressed
in another
way.way.
whetheryou can
yourecognise
can recognise
information
an which
idea which
is expressed
inanother
whether
you
are
able
to
analyse
a
small
part
of
a
text
and
not
allow
the
information
around
it to interfere
whether
you are able to analyse a small part of a text and not allow the information
around
it to interfere
with
with your analysis.

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

199

Key to Reading
Reading Tests
Tests

Test 4

Passage 3
Passage

Questions
Q uestions 29-33
I

29. Answer: C. The


The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 5.
5. The condition
condition that needs to
to be met
met is
is in the
the first
first sentence
sentence and the
result or implication
implication is in
in the last
last sentence
sentence of the paragraph:
paragraph:
If you, or a colleague,
colleague, have a problem
problem with some aspect of work
work share it with everyone in the
tea-room. One
One of your colleagues
colleagues will,
will, doubtless,
doubtless, have had similar difficulties
difficulties in the past and will have
have found
found
tea-room.
a ridiculously
ridiculously simple
simple solution.
solution. To your
your surprise,
surprise, you
you will discover
discover he is more
more than happy
happy to share
share his
experience
experience and answers
answers with
with you over a cup of tea. Both of you will then go back
back to your desks with
added commitment
commitment and make a positive
positive contribution
contribution to the work of the group.
group.
Note how the
the sentence
sentence in the exercise
exercise summarises
summarises the two parts
parts of the
the text, and
and the paragraph.
paragraph. Notice
Notice the
clues:
... / If
clues: Provided
Provided...
I f ...
. . . both give
give you a condition,
condition, which
which is followed
followed by a result/implication:
result/implication:..... . will work
harder
... i will
....
h a r d...e rI w
l l then go
go back
back----30. Answer: F. The
The answer
answer is
is in
in paragraph
paragraph 7.
7.

Who
Who will be trained? Keen,
Keen, eager,
eager, people:
people: the raw recruits.
recruits. Released from
from the Inhibitions
inhibitions of the office
environment
environment In
in the relaxed atmosphere of a tea-room, they have the confidence
confidence to ask dumb
questions. This is, in fact,
fact, the best place to find solutions
solutions to problems;
problems; and conduct
conduct training.
training. In the
tearoom, old hands,
hands, freed temporarily
temporarily from the modern technologies
technologies they often do not fully understand,
understand,
will Invariably
invariably offer advice.
advice.
Note again
again how the exercise
exercise sentence
sentence summarises
summarises the text.
text. The
The sentence
sentence paraphrases
paraphrases the information
information to
show
show you the underlying
underlying meaning/
meaning/ organisation
organisation of the text in
in bold:
bold: a condition
condition followed
followed by an implication.
31.
31. Answer: G.
G. The
The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 4.
4.

What
What will the Boss
Boss say, however?
however? If he has any
any sense,
sense, he will also come and Join
join you. Perhaps,
Perhaps, he
supports
supports another
another team?
team? You
You can discuss
discuss the merits
merits of the players
players and show him how competently
competently you can
present
present a case.
case. He will realise that the tearoom is an ideal place for informal
informal meetings with his staff,
where any
any number
number of day-to-day problems
problems can be sorted
sorted out over a cup of tea, and where
where anyone
anyone who
who
needs
needs a tender warning
warning about something
something can
can be quietly given
given it without
without the march
march to 'The
The Office'
Office......
....
Again
Again the meaning
meaning is made
made clearer/
clearer/ summarised
summarised by the sentence
sentence in the exercise.
exercise.
32.
32. Answer: A. The answer
answer is in the last paragraph.
paragraph.

But let us say we allow staff to enjoy


enjoy staggered breaks. The
The morning
morning coffee
coffee is between
between 10.00 and 11.00.
Lunch
Lunch is sometime
sometime between
between 12.00
12.00 and 2.00. Afternoon
Afternoon tea is between
between 3.00 and 4.00.
4.00. The tea-room can
then be used by time-conscious
time-conscious executives to have their meetings. And since
since the room is required
for refreshment,
..
refreshment, these meetings must
must never overrun,
overrun, unless they are scheduled
scheduled after afternoon
afternoon tea
tea...
Who wants
wants to work late anyway?
anyway?
Note the phrase
phrase let us say we allow
allow staff
staff to enjoy = IfIf we allow
allow .. Note
Note also
also the
the implication
implication in
in the text is
expressed
expressed by:
by: ...
. . . can
can then be used
used by ... ; ... . must never
never over-run
over-run ...
...
33. Answer: D.
D. The answer
answer is in
in paragraph
paragraph 4:

.... . . can be quietly


quietly given it without
without the march
march to 'The
The Office'.
Office. If, as a consequence,
consequence, the communication
communication
process
process improves,
improves, the boss
boss may even dispense
dispense with a layer
layer of middle management 'twixt
twixt you and
himself. He will then
then no longer need to have
have expensive
expensive 'Off Site
Site Meetings'
Meetings where
where his
his middle
middle managers
managers
experience
experience 'Free
Free Expression'.
Expression. He can spend some
some of the savings
savings on light refreshments
refreshments for his
his staff to enjoy!
enjoy!
Note how
how the conditions
conditions and implications summarise
summarise the main points
points in the text. The writer
writer is trying
trying to
convince
convince the reader
reader of the
the merits
merits of having
having a tea-room. He
He sets
sets out
out to show
show that,
that, if certain
certain conditions
conditions are
met, there
there will
will be a number
number of implications for the workplace.
workplace.
Note that
that the conditions
conditions are in a different
different order
order to what they
they are in the text.
Note
Note how
how the text lends
lends itself to
to this
this kind of summary
summary rather
rather than
than a gap-fill exercise.
exercise.

Question
Question type. The
The questions
questions in this section
section test:
-

200
200

whether
whether you
you can summarise
summarise a text.
text.
whether
whether you are able
able to
to scan a text for specific
specific information.
information.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Key to Reading Tests

whether you can recognise


recognise a paraphrase
paraphrase of words and ideas.
whether
whether you are able to scan a text to recognise the organisation.
whether

Questions
Questions 34-38
34. Answer:
Answer: Not
Not Given.
Given. The
The text says at the end of paragraph 4:
He can spend
spend some
some of the savings
savings on light refreshments
refreshments for his staff to enjoy!
enjoy!

nowhere in
in the text does the writer say that a variety of snacks
snacks should
should be
be provided in
in
However, nowhere
tea-rooms. The statement
statement in the exercise is stating an opinion about all tea-rooms,
tea-rooms, whereas
whereas the text is
tea-rooms.
giving
the boss gets rid of a layer of management.
giving an implication, if/7the
management. They
They are not talking
talking about the same
thing, even though
though the ideas are similar!
35. Answer:
Answer: Yes. The answer
answer is in
in paragraph 1:
but how
how do they
they manage
manage to make one packet
packet of chocolate
chocolate digestives
digestives last
last one whole week?
36.
36. Answer:
Answer: Yes. The answer
answer is in
in paragraph 3, in the first sentence.
37. Answer:
Answer: No. The answer
answer is in paragraph
paragraph 66 in
in the second sentence:
normal people
people in their
their everyday
everyday lives, but there are
They are normal
38. Answer:
Answer: Yes. The answer
answer is in paragraph 7:
in the relaxed
relaxed atmosphere
atmosphere of a tea-room, they have the confidence
confidence to ask
ask dumb
dumb questions.
Look at Reading
Reading Exercises
Exercises 17-22 and the Key to Practice
Practice Test
Test 11 Reading
Reading Passage
Passage 2.

Question type. The


Thequestions
questionsininthis
thissection
sectiontest:
test:
- whether
whetheryou
youare
areable
abletotoscan
scanforforspecific
specificinformation
informationand
andideas.
ideas.
- whether
whetheryou
youcan
canrecognise
recogniseananidea
ideawhich
whichisisexpressed
expressedininanother
another way.
way.
whether
you
can
recognise
a
paraphrase.
whether you can recognise a paraphrase.

Questions
Questions 39-42
39. Answer:
Answer: damned
damned few.
few. The answer
answer is in
in paragraph 2
40. Answer:
Answer: light
light refreshments.
refreshments. The answer
answer is in paragraph 4 in the last sentence.
sentence. See number
number 34 above.
41. Answer:
Answer: cringe.
cringe. The answer
answer is in
in the penultimate sentence
sentence of paragraph
paragraph 8.
42. Answer:
Answer: modern
modern technologies.
technologies. The answer
answer is in
in paragraph 7.

type. The questions


questions in
in this section test:
Question type.
- whether
whether you
you are
areable
abletotoscan
scanfor
forspecific
specificinformation.
information.
- whether
whether you
you can
canrecognise
recogniseinformation
informationororan
anidea
ideawhich
whichis
is expressed
expressed in
in another
another way.
way.
whether
you
can
recognise
a
paraphrase.
- whether youcan recognise a paraphrase.
are able
able to
to analyse a small
small part
part of
of a text and
and not allow the information around it to interfere
- whether
whetheryou
youare
with your analysis.

A book tor
for IELTS

201

Key to
Section on Writing

A book for IELTS


IELTS

203
203

Key
Key to Section
Section on Writing

Section on Writing - Graphs and


and Diagrams
Diagrams for Task 11
Exercise
Exercise 11
1.

The data in the


chart
canchart
be divided
threeinto
categories
just like the
at the beginning
of the exercise.
The threeThe three
The
data
in the
can beinto
dividod
three categories
justexample
like the example
at the beginning
of the exercise.
main
main groups
groups are physical,
physical, mental,
mental, and
and 'other'
other i.e. the
the activity
activity does
does not fit exactly
exactly into
into either
either of the
the other
other two
two categories.
categories. The
physical
physical group
group can be further
further sub-divided
sub-divided into two types: light exercise
exercise i.e.
i.e. 'Walking',
Walking, 'Playing
Playing with children'
children and
and heavy
heavy
exercise:
exercise: 'DIV',
DIY, 'Visiting
Visiting a sports
sports centre',
centre, 'Gardening'.
Gardening. The
The 'other'
other1group
group includes
includes 'Evening
Evening classes'
classes and 'Voluntary
Voluntary work'.
work.
Note
Note that
that 'Playing
Playing with children'
children and 'Gardening'
Gardening could
could come
come into
into either
either the
the heavy
heavy or
or light
light work
work category.
category.

2.

You can see can


that see
the that
information
on the chart
is presented
in a different
way fromway
Figure
but the1, activities
are the same.
You
the information
on the
chart is presented
in a different
from1,Figure
but the activities
are the same.
So they
they can be divided
divided into the
the same
same categories.
categories. Now
Now that
that you can see
see the
the data
data in
in categories,
categories, it is easy
easy to compare
compare across
across
the
the charts.
charts. For example,
example, you can compare
compare Gardening
Gardening in both charts
charts under
under physical
physical activity
activity and, say, Walking
Walking and
and see
see the
the
differences.
differences.

3.

You can group


You
group the
the information
information in this
this chart
chart in
in several
several ways: team
team sports
sports and
and individual
individual sports;
sports; sports
sports that
that can
can be
be played
played anywhere
anywhere
and sports
sports that
that require
require special conditions
conditions e.g.
e.g. hang-gliding;
hang-gliding; and
and cost: expensive
expensive sports
sports like
like sub-aqua
sub-aqua and
and cheap
cheap sports
sports like
football.
football. You can also
also describe
describe the data
data across
across the
the three
three categories
categories just
just mentioned!
mentioned!

4.
4.

Atfirst
firstsight,
sight, the
the data
data ininthe
thegraph
graph isisdifficult
difficult totoanalyse.
analyse. InInthe
theprevious
previous bar
barcharts,
charts, the
theinformation
information isisneatly
neatly packaged
packaged ininblocks
blocks
At
and
and because
because of the number
number of items, they
they are easy
easy to
to classify.
classify. The
The appearance
appearance of the
the line graphs
graphs is more
more complex.
complex. They
They go
through
through one
one another
another and it is difficult
difficult to see
see patterns,
patterns, but the
the patterns
patterns and organisation
organisation are
are there,
there, nonetheless.
nonetheless.
The first
first obvious
obvious pattern
pattern is that
that the
the value
value of two
two of the
the companies
companies goes
goes up and the
the third
third down.
down. Grouping
Grouping the
the former
former two
two
together,
together, you can see
see that
that the
the trend
trend for the Berk Corporation
Corporation is steadily
steadily upwards,
upwards, while
while that
that for
for F&B Enterprises
Enterprises is more
irregular. The pattern
pattern for the former
former can be divided
divided into two
two parts: a sharp
sharp rise in share
share price within
within the first
first year
year and
and a half
half
followed
followed by aa period
period of
of relative
relative stability.
stability. Each of
of these
these two
two periods
periods can
can then
then be subdivided.
subdivided. For
For example,
example, the
the price
price for
for the
first
first period
period increases
increases slightly
slightly and
and then
then it rockets.
rockets. Can you divide
divide the
the line for
for the
the Berk
Berk Corporation?
Corporation? Look
Look for
for gradual
gradual and
sharp
sharp rises.
Note also how the price
price appreciation
appreciation for
for SPQF
SPQF LTD in the first year
year partly mirrors
mirrorsthat
thatfor
forthe
theBerk
BerkCorporation
Corporationand
andhow
howthe
the
rise and fall are
are repeated
repeated with
with the decline
decline in
in the
the third
third year
year dividing
dividing into
into two
two sections:
sections: aa dramatic
dramatic plunge
plunge followed
followed by
by aa more
more
gradual
gradual decline.
You can see that
that the same
same principle
principle of patterns
patterns applies
applies between
between the
the graphs
graphs and
and within
within sections
sections of the
the graphs.

5.
5.

You can
can divide
divide the items
items into
into two
two groups:
groups: beef
rise. Within
the larger
group group
You
beef versus
versus the
the other
other three,
three, i.e.
i.e. fall andfallrelative
and relative
rise. Within
the larger
there is aa difference
difference in
in the consumption
consumption between
between poultry
poultry and the
the other
other two.
There
There is another
another pattern.
pattern. The
The total amount
amount of protein
protein consumed
consumed over
over the
the period
period declines
declines steadily.
steadily. Add the
the totals at the
the
beginning
beginning and at several
several points
points in the middle
middle and then at
at the end.
You may
may be able
able to see more
more patterns
patterns than are mentioned
mentioned here. If you can, then that
that is very
very good. Hopefully,
Hopefully, you can
can see
that once
once you find aa framework
framework within
within which to work,
work, it is easier
easier to write
write about
about the
the information.
information.

Exercise
Exercise 2
A

4, 6,
6, 8,
8, 12
12
4,

Note the different


different words
words to describe
describe the 'fall':
fall: collapse,
collapse, plummet,
plummet, fall steeply
steeply and plunge.
plunge. The
The verb
verb 'fall'
fall by
by itself
itself does
does not describe
completely
completely enough
enough the drama
drama of the
the graph.
B
B 3,7,17;

C 1,11,16;

D
D 9,15;
9,15;

E
E 14;

F 2;
2;

G 10,18;
10,18;

H 5,13

See a/so
also Exercise
Exercise 8.
Exercise
Exercise 3: The
The correct
correct chart
chart is D.
Exercise
Exercise 4

204
204

A
A book for
for IELTS

Key
Key to
to Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing
Exercise 5
Compare
Compare your answer
answer with the
the line
line graph
graph below.
400 jT

J.:
f

S
~

::r

---- -

r-------------------f

325
300 .
275~
250

225
200
175+--r~--;.---,.--~,:----dl-150

Months of
of th
the yeu
year
Months

Now
Now you can try to describe
describe the
the line graph
graph above
above and check
check your answer
answer with the
the model in the exercise!
exercise!

Exercise 6

1.1.

The relationship
relationship between
between coal
coal and
and natural
natural gas.
gas. This
This isiscalled
called an
an inverse
inverse relationship.
relationship.
The

2.

Other main
main features
features are:
are:
Other
The rise in natural gas, which
which first
first overtakes
overtakes coal in mid 1992
1992 and then petroleum
petroleum for
for part
part of 1995.

minor peaks in coal at the


the end of/beginning of 1993/1994
1993/1994 with corresponding
corresponding dips
dips in the consumption
consumption of of
The minor
nuclear
nuclear and hydro-electricity.
The relative stability of the consumption
consumption of petroleum over
over the period.
The slight increase in the use of Nuclear and hydro-electricity.
The amount of energy
energy consumed
consumed at the
the beginning
beginning of the period is not much different
different from
from that at the end. So over
over the
period the amount
amount of energy
energy consumed
consumed is relatively
relatively constant.
Rises in
in one energy
energy source
source are
are mirrored by falls in
in another, e.g.
e.g. coal/gas, coal/nuclear
coal/nuclear and hydro-electricity.
hydro-electricity.

3.

You can
can divide
divide the
the energy
energy sources
sources into
into two
two types,
types, fossil:
fossil: petroleum,
petroleum, coal,
coal, natural
natural gas
gas and
and
You
non-fossil: nuclear and hydro-electricity.

4.
4.

Look for
for aa pattern.
pattern. Nuclear
Nuclear and
and hydro-electricity
hydro-electricity is
is below
below the
the line,
line, coal
coal above, above,
and so and
on. so on.
Look

5.
5.

No,
No, not
not unless
unless you
you are
are asked
asked to
to do
do so.
so.

6.

The Present
Present Simple
Simple and
and the
the Simple
Simple Past.
Past. You
You use
use the
the Present
Present Simple
Simple when
graph as
as you
you are
are
The
when you
you are
are describing
describing the
the graph
looking at it. Remember
like aa fact:
fact: Water
Water boils
boils
Remember that the information
information on the
the graph remains the same.
same. ItItdoesn't
doesntchange.
change. ItIt is
islike
at 100
100 degrees
degrees Centigrade. See the answer
answer to number 2 above. You can use the
the Simple
Simple Past by way
way of contrast to talk
talk
about the dates. In the middle
middle of 1992, coal was overtaken by natural gas and
and then in 1995
1995 natural
natural gas
gas outstripped
outstripped
petroleum to become
become the main source of energy.
petroleum

7.

Consumption can
can be
be divided
divided into
into two
two parts:
parts: the
the relative
relative stability
stability of
of 1992/93
1992/93 and
and the
the more
more erratic
erratic behaviour
behaviour in
Consumption
in the
the
subsequent years.

8.

Consumption: use,
use, usage;
usage; the amount
amount consumed
consumed
Consumption:
Fall:
Fall: decline, drop. (Not: fall down).
down).
Rise: increase, climb, go up (Not: rise up).

Exercise 7
Look at the corrected
corrected text below. The changes
changes are in
in bold.
1.1.

Thegraph
graph shows
showsthe
the energy
energy consumptionfrom
consumptionfromfossil
fossiland
andnon-fossil
non-fossil fuels
fuels in
Inthe
the UK
UK ininmillion
milliontonnes
tonnes of
ofoil/coal
oil/coal equivalent
equivalent from
The
from
1992
1992 to 1995.
I995.

2.

strikingfeature
featureof
ofthe
thegraph
graph isisthe
the rise
riseininthe
the use
useof
ofnatural
naturalgas.
gas.Gas
Gasconsumption
consumption was
wassteadily
steadily upwards,
upwards,overtaking
overtakingcoal
coal
AAstriking
towards the end of 1992
1992 and finally
finally outstripping
outstripping petroleum
petroleum in 1995 to become, for a period, the
the second most common
energy
energy source.

3.
3.

This increase
increase coincided
coincided with
with aadrop
drop in
inthe
the use
use of
ofcoal
coal during
during the
the period
period 1992
1992 to
to 1995.
1995. At
Atthe
the beginning
beginningof
of 1992,
1992, coal
coal
This
consumption stood at approximately
approximately 65 million tonnes. In
In the first
first quarter of 1992,
1992, there was a brief, steady climb and,
consumption

A book for IELTS

205

Key to Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing

from then until


t, was
until the
the beginning
beginning of
of the
the third quarter
quarter in 1995, the
the trend
trend was
was markedly
markedly down.
down. The
The fall, at firs
first,
was quite
quite steep.
From
From the end of 1993,
1993, consumption
consumption was
was steady
steady with
with two
two minor peaks at the end
end of
of 1993
1993 and 1994,
1994, which
which corresponded
with two dips
dips in the
the use of nuclear
nuclear and hydro-electricity.
hydro-electricity. Then from
from the beginning
beginning of 1995 coal consumption
consumption resumed
resumed its
decline.
decline.
4.

As can be seen, petroleum


petroleum was
was the
the main
main source
source of energy
energy throughout
throughout the
the period with
with little
little or no
no change
change in
in the amount
amount
consumed
consumed.. The
The use
use of non-fossil
non-fossil sources
sources of energy,
energy, i.e. nuclear
nuclear and hydro-electricity,
hydro-electricity, over
over the period increased
increased gradually
gradually
with no dramatic rises or
or falls.
falls.

5.

Despite
shown on
onthe
thegraph
graph was
Despite the
the variations,
variations, the
the overall amount
amount of energy
energy consumed
consumed during
during the period shown
waslittle
littlechanged
changed
at
at the end of 1995.
1995.
Note:
Some of you
you will be
be surprised
surprised to learn
learn the text
text above
above is too
too long.
long. It contains
contains 245
245 words,
words, when
when the exam
exam only
only requires
requires
at least 150.
150. You could
could remove
remove about
about 60 or
or 70
70 words
words quite
quite easily.
easily.
The
The changes
changes in the
the text above
above include
include avoidance
avoidance of repetition. Look
Look at paragraph
paragraph 2 and check
check for synonyms
synonyms of words
words
like
like rise
rise and
and fall. For example
example the last
last word
word in
in paragraph 3 has been
been changed
changed to decline
decline to avoid
avoid the
the repetition of the
word
word fall.
fall.
The above text
sources into
fossil i.e.
i.e. petroleum,
petroleum,
text is not the only
only answer.
answer. You could
could divide
divide the
the four
four energy
energysources
into two
two groups:
groups:fossil
natural
natural gas and
and coal;
coal; and non-fossil,
non-fossil, nuclear
nuclear and
and hydro-electricity.
hydro-electricity.

does not
not contain
contain all of
of the
the information
information contained
contained in
in the
the graph.
graph. Look
Look at the
the comprehension
comprehension questions
questions in Exercise
Exercise 6.
The text does
Note
Note the complex
complex sentence
sentence in
in paragraph
paragraph 2:
Gas consumption
consumption was steadily
steadily upwards,
upwards, overtaking
overtaking coal towards
towards the
the end of 1992 and finally
finally outstripping
outstripping petroleum
petroleum
in 1995
1995 to become, for aa period,
period, the second
second most
most common
common energy
energy source.
source.
Note the
the change
change from
from popular
popular to common
common in paragraph
paragraph 2.
2.
Exerci
se 8
Exercise
1.

Answer:

FandC
F and C

2.
2.

Answer:
Answer:

Mand
M and LL

3.
3.

Answer:
Answer:

Kand N
N

4.

Answer:
Answer:

Eand
E and D
D

5.
5.

Answer:
Answer:

Band
Band K

6.

Answer:
Answer:

Kand
K and C/M/P

7.

Answer:
Answer:

Hand
H and O

B.
8.

Answer:
Answer:

G and II

9.

Answer:

J and II

10.

Answer:

C/M/P and
and F

Exercise
Exercise 9
In
In each case
case below,
below, where
where there
there are
are two
two possibilities
possibilities the
the first answer
answer is
is the better
better one.
1.1.

m
m
ee

as can
can be
be seen
seen from
from the
the chart
chart
as
inthe
the chart
chart
in

9.
9.

h
x

declined further
further
declined
went down
down
went

2.

rr
0o

double the
the estimate
estimate for
for the
the period
period
double
which is
is twice
twice as
as much
much as
as the
the estimated
estimated figures
figures
which

10.
10.

j
a

3.
3.

ss
k

before picking
picking up
up
before
before they
they went
went up
up
before

November saw
saw aa noticeable
noticeable turnaround
turnaround
November
in November
November the
the number
number of
of shoppers
shoppers
in
increased
increased again
again

11.
11.

yy

zz

outstripping projections
projections by
by aa wide
outstripping
wide margin
margin
doing better
better than
than expected
expected
doing

during which
which time
time they
they did
did better
better than
than the
the
during
figures
figures predicted
predicted
outperforming the
the figures
figures predicted
predicted
outperforming

5.
5.

t
v

proved
proved
were
were

12.
12.

uu

hitting aa peak
peak
hitting

13.
13.

6.
6.

being
being

q
w

reveal aa marked
marked shift
shift
reveal
show that
that there
there was
was aa change
change
show

7.

c
p

those
those
they were
were
they

14.
14.

d
b

experienced aa hefty
hefty fall
fall
experienced
fell by
by aa large
large amount
amount
fell

4.
4.

B.
8.

I
n

206

forecast for
for the
the period
period
forecast
which were
were predicted
predicted for
for the
the period
period
which

Note the
ce between
the differen
difference
between 4 and 11.
11.

A
A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Key
Key to
to Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing
Exercise 10
Read the version below.
The prediction
prediction is that European Internet
Internet music
music sales will go up a lot over
over the period which the graph
graph covers. They will rise
erratically at first and will then leap in two stages
stages to reach a high of $3900
$3900 million in 2012, before
before going up to a new
new peak of
$8000
$8000 million at the end
end of 2014. Album sales, on the other
other hand,
hand, which will
will climb at first
first until the end
end of 2006, are then set
to drop steadily
steadily throughout the next five years, before they bottom out and
and end the period
period a lot below
below $1000
$1000 million.
million.
With European
European cinema
cinema attendances, there are two diverging forecasts. The first estimate is for numbers
numbers to rise steadily
steadily
between
between the year 2003
2003 and 2008, and
and increase from just below 900 million visitors to 1200
1200 and
and the biggest
biggest jump in cinema
people is projected
projected to be in the year 2008. But, the second
second forecast is different.
different. The projection for the first three years
years of the
period
period shows a rise, but after
after that cinema attendances
attendances will fall to below 400
400 million
million people.
You can see that the above
above version is not as good as the original. Most students
students at a high grade
grade will
will write a text somewhere
somewhere
between the two versions! Read the two texts several times
times so that you can see the difference
difference clearly.

Exercise 11
7. A
A comparison
comparison of
of the
the borrowings
borrowings for
for 1996 and
and 1997 shows
shows that
that they
they (9)
(9) fall
fall into
into three
three categories.
categories. (12)
(12) On
On the
the one
one
hand, those
those for fiction and the other category
category fell, (13) the former by 50% from 30% of borrowings
borrowings to 15%
15% and (8) the
latter again by 50% from ten per cent to five per cent.
6. By
By contrast, borrowings
borrowings of
of children's
childrens books, romance
romance and
and sci-ti
sci-fi all rose
rose (14) by
by varying
varying degrees.
degrees. Children's
Childrens increased
increased by
by
several percentage points, (4) whereas books
books taken out from
from the
the romance section rose by 50% between
between the two years.
years. The
number of books borrowed
,however, went
borrowed by those reading science-fiction
science-fiction (10)
(1 0 ),however,
went up threefold.
3. In
In the third
third category
category come
come non-fiction
non-fiction and
and crime, neither
neither of
of which
which saw
saw any
any rise.
rise.
The contents
contents of the library
library are (1)
(1) in no way reflected by the books that are taken out in either
either of the
the years. (2) For
example,
example, sci-ti
sci-fi books
books make up five
five per cent of the books in the library, while
while in
in both years
years borrowings exceed this amount,
by three
three times
times as we have seen
seen in 1997. Take non-fiction (5) as another example. Landings
Lendings in both years stand at five per
cent, (11) whereas 20 per cent
cent of the books fall into this category.

Exercise
Exercise 12
1. Blank
7.g
7.g
13.
13. Blank
Blank

2.d
2. d
8. h
14.
14. i

3.j
3- j
9.a
9. a
15.b
15. b

4. ff
10.e
10. e

5. Blank
11.c
11. c

6. Blank
Blank
12. Blank
Blank

Exercise 13
Exercise
The sentences below
below contain the corrections. Can you find
find them?
them?
1.1.

There was
was aa sharp
sharp decrease
decrease in
in the
the number
number of
of people
people attending
attending the
the theatre
theatre over
over the
the period.
period.
There

2.
2.

The increase
increase in
in the
the incidence
incidence of
of petty
petty crime
crime has
has continued
continued in
in spite
spite of
of the
the measures
measures introduced.
introduced.
The

3.

The charts
charts indicate
indicate that
that the
the price
price of
of the
the various
various types
types of
of cars
cars fell
fell considerably.
considerably.
The

4.

was predicted
predicted that
that industrial
industrial production
production in
in Western
Western countries
countries will/would
wilVwould level
level out,
out, while
while that
that in
in the
the so-called
so-called Tiger
Tiger economies
economies
ItIt was
will/would rise in the early '90s.
90s.

5.

The price
price of
of computers
computers has
has been
been dramatically
dramatically reduced over
over the period.
period.
The

6.

Asregards
regardsnoise
noisepollution,
pollution,aafairly
fairlybig
bigrise
rise ininthe
thenumber
numberof
ofcomplaints
complaintswas
wasrecorded
recordedfor
for 1997.
1997.
As

7.

Ascan
canbe
beseen,
seen,the
the rate
rateofofincrease
increase slowed
slowedover
overthe
thelast
lastfive
fiveyears
yearsofofthe
theperiod.
period.
As

8.

In 1974,
1974, its
its output
output began
began to
to stage
stage aa gradual
gradual recovery.
recovery.
In

9.

Between February
February and
and May,
May, the
the income
income was
was fairly
fairly erratic.
erratic.
Between

10.
10.

is estimated
estimated that
that the
the number
number of
of cars
cars on
on the
the road
road will
will plunge
plunge when
when road
road pricing
pricing is
is introduced.
introduced.
ItIt is

11.
11.

Sales hit aa peak


peak in
in late
late summer
summer and
and then
then fell
fell back
back in
in the
the subsequent
subsequent months.
months.
Sales

12.
12.

significant changes in sales from


from 1973
1973 to
to 1976.
There were, according to the graph, no significant

13.
13.

The rate
rateof
ofinflation
inflation dropped
dropped slowly,
slowly, but
but surely,
surely, ininthe
theearly
early 80s.
'80s.
The

14.
14.

The main
maincharacteristic
characteristicof
ofthe
the bar
barchart
chart isisthe
the large
large drop
drop inin male
male students
students applying.
applying. The birth rate
The
raterose
rosequite
quite
slowly
slowly over
over the
the period.

15.
15.

The birth rate rose quite slowly over the period.

1976.

Exercise 14
1.1.bb
12.e,
h,n,p
12. e, h,
n,

A book
book for IELTS
IELTS

5.a,e,h,n,o
5. a, e, h, n, o
13.e,n p
13. e, n

6. e, h n
14.
14. d

8. i n8.i
17.
17.f,f, m

9.
9. e,
e, h,h,j,j, n,n, o;
o; not
not qq
18. f, m m18.f,m

207

Key to Section
Section on Writing
Writing
Exercise
Exercise 15
15
1.1.

fall down. Students often user this instead of fall. A person


person or a house, for example, falls down.

2.

Has declined;
declined; has
has dropped;
dropped; has
has been
been reduced;
reduced; has
has been
been dropped;
dropped; has
has gone
gone down;
down; has
has decreased.
decreased. These
These simple
simple verbs
verbs cause
cause aa
Has
lot of confusion.
confusion. You
You can
can divide
divide the
the verbs
verbs in the
the list into three
three types: (i) decline,
decline, go down,
down, fall, subside,
subside, deteriorate.
deteriorate. AU
All of
these
these verbs
verbs are intransitive
intransitive i.e. thay
they do not take
take an object,
object, and so you cannot
cannot use
use them
them in the
the passive.
passive, (ii) reduce.
reduce. This
This verb
verb
needs an object
object when
when it is active
active i.e. it is transitive.
transitive. Therefore,
Therefore, you can
can use it in the
the passive.
passive, (iii) drop,
drop, decrease
decrease and slow
slow
down.
down. These
These verbs
verbs are both transitive
transitive and
and intransitive.
intransitive. You can, therefore,
therefore, use
use them
them in the
the active
active and
and passive:
passive: they
they dropped
dropped
the price; the
the price
price has dropped
dropped and
and the price
price has been
been dropped.
dropped. You cannot
cannot use
use the
the verb
verb reduce
reduce in the
the same
same way!

3.

The
The second
second one
one is the
the correct
correct answer.
answer. Dip and dramatically
dramatically do not go
go together.
together.

4.

a) you
you need
need to
to use
use falling
falling instead
instead of
of dropping.
dropping.
a)
b) cost of
of living
c) plummet
plummet is the wrong
wrong word
word here; you cannot
cannot use the
the word
word plummet
plummet as a noun. You
You need
need to
to use aa noun
noun like fall.
d) deterioration
deterioration is the
the wrong
wrong word.
word. The
The word
word deterioration
deterioration usually
usually relates
relates to quality
quality rather
rather than
than numbers
number s ,, e.g.
e.g. the
the situation
situation
deteriorated;
deteriorated; the value
value of
of the
the dollar
dollar deteriorated
deteriorated against
against the
the euro.
euro. You would
would have
have to use fall, decrease
decrease etc.
e) diminution
diminution is the
the wrong
wrong word; should
should be a word
word like decrease,
decrease, fall etc.
f) You should
should use trend
trend rather
rather than
than tendency.
tendency.

5.

Whereas/Whilst
Whereas/Whilst

6.

To be
be erratic;
erratic; to
to go
go up
up and
and down;
down; to
to be
be volatile;
volatile; to
to be
be unstable;
unstable; to
to go
go through
through aa period
period of
of instability;
instability; to
to go
go through
through an
an erratic
erratic
To
period; to experience
experience a period
period of instability/volatility.
instability/volatility.

7.

There was
was no
no change
change in
in the
the birth
birth rate
rate over
over the
the period.
period. Note
Note the
the change
change from
from verb
verb to
to noun.
noun. Try
Try to
to vary
vary your
your writing
writing like
like this.
this. ItIt
There
makes
makes it less
less repetitive.
repetitive. You can express
express stability
stability as
as follows:
follows: to remain
remain stable,
stable, to be stable,
stable, experience/go
experience/go through
through a period
of stability,
stability, not to fluctuate,
fluctuate,

8.

Deteriorate and
and decline.
decline. For
For deteriorate
deteriorate see
see 4d
4d above;
above; note
note that
that value
value etc
etc can
can plunge
plunge etc,
etc, but
but the
the word
word deteriorate
deteriorate cannot
cannot
Deteriorate
interchange
interchange with the other
other words
words in all situations.
situations. As
As for decline,
decline, it is neutral
neutral in that
that it does
does not really
really indicate
indicate the quality
quality of
the
the fall; the other
other words
words relate to aa sharp
sharp fall.

9.

You could
could use
use the
the following
following phrases
phrases as
as synonyms:
synonyms: the
the teenage
teenage crime
crime rate;
rate; crime
crime rate
rate among
among teenagers;
teenagers; teenage
teenage crime
crime
You
rates; the
the number
number of crimes
crimes committed
committed by teenagers;
teenagers; the
the number
number of crimes
crimes committed
committed by young
young people
people in their
their teens.
teens.

10.

Regarding;
concerned; when it comes
comes to ________;; Turning
Turning to; In the
Regarding; With
With regard
regard to; Concerning;
Concerning; As for; Where
Where______ is concerned;
case
case of; To
To turn
turn to.
to. These
These words
words and phrases
phrases are
are important,
important, because
because they
they help connect
connect information.
information. They
They are especially
especially
helpful, when
when you describe
describe charts
charts or when
when you are referring
referring to
to items
items in a list, e.g. in
in an essay
essay title
title because
because they
they point
point to the
the
items.

11.

Illustrates; plots.
plots.
Illustrates;

Exercise
Exercise 16
16
11..

Possible answers
answers are
are as
as follows:
follows:
Possible
After
After that, the information
information is collated
collated and
and sent out electronically
electronically to other
other agents.
agents.
At the next stage, the information
information is collated
collated and
and sent
sent out
out electronically
electronically to other
other agents.
agents.
The
The next step/stage
step/stage is to collate
collate the information
information and send
send it out electronically
electronically to other
other agents.
Subsequennv,
Subsequently, the information
information is collated
collated and
and sent
sent out electronically
electronically to other
other agents.
agents.
The information
information is then
then collated
collated and sent
sent out
out electronically
electronically to other
other agents.
Following
Following that,
that, the
the information
information is collated
collated and sent
sent out electronically
electronically to
to other
other agents.
agents.

2.

characteristic, feature,
feature, aspect.
aspect. Note
Note that
that the
the word
word aspect
aspect is
is not
not always
always aa synonym
synonym for
for the
the first
first two
two words.
words.
characteristic,

3.

The number
number of
of companies
companies who
who registered
registered approval
approval of
of the
the new
new currency
currency rose
rose with
with an
an increase
increase of
of more
more than
than 35%.
35%.
The
Or
Or rose by 35%

4.

... in
in the
the first
first three
three months
months followed
followed by
by aa steady
steady decline
decline ...
...
...

5.

Both are
are correct.
correct. At
At first
first sight,
sight, the
the second
second sentence
sentence appears
appears incorrect,
incorrect, but
but itit is
is possible
possible for
for the
the management
management of
of the
the
Both
cinema
cinema to
to have
have increased
increased attendance.
attendance. The
The agent
agent is not mentioned.
mentioned.

6.

You would
would normally
normally say
say rise(s)
'rise(s) or
or fall(s).
fall(s)'.
You

7.
7.

The word
word prophesy
prophesy does
does not
not fit
fit in
in here.
here.
The

8.

forecast that
that the
the number
number of
of people
people on
on waiting
waiting lists
lists will
will rise
rise steadily
steadily in
in the
the coming
coming years.
years.
ItIt isisforecast

9.
9.

No. ItIt sounds


sounds odd,
odd, because
because you
you have
have projected
projected and
and in
in the
the coming
coming years,
years, both
both referring
referring to
to the
the future.
future. ItIt is
is probably
probably better
better to
to
No.
leave
leave out the
the word
word projected.
projected.

10.
10.

The word
word interesting
interesting makes
makes the
the statement
statement subjective.
subjective. The word significant
The
significant is more neutral.

11.

The fall
fall in
in investment
investment in
in science
science is
is almost
almost the
the same
sameas
asthat
thatfor
fortraining.
training.
The
The
The fall in investment
investment in
in science
science is not that
that different
different from
from that
that for training.
training.
The
The fall in investment
investment in
in science
science almost
almost exactly
exactly mirrors
mirrors that
that for
for training.
training.
The
The fall
fall in investment
investment in science
science is
is mirrored
mirrored by that for training.
training.

208
208

A
A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Key
Key to
to Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing

12.
12.

Allof
ofthe
thesentences
sentencesdepend
depend on
onthe
the emphasis
emphasis you
youwish
wishto
toput
put on
onthe
theparticular
particularparts
partsof
ofthe
the information
information Sentence
Sentenceaaisis
All
the alternatives
alternatives given.
probably the simplest of the

13.
13.

notas
asbig/large/great
big/large/greatas
asthat
thatfor
forscience.
science.
.... ..isisnot

Exercise 17
Reconstructed text.
The
n the table relating to passenger
The data iin
passenger death
death rates by mode
mode of land transport in Great
Great Britain between
between 1981 and 1993
can be divided
divided into three categories.
The first group, consisting of cars, vans
vans and bicycles
bicycles experienced
experienced a significant
significant reduction
reduction in the rate
rate of road death
death over
over the
period
period under study. For example,
example, death
death among
among the car and van users declined by more than
than half, falling from
from 6.1
6.1 per
per billion
passenger kilometres
kilometres to 3.0
3.0 and 3.8
3.8 to 1.7, respectively.
respectively. Cycling, however, despite
despite a significant decrease from
from 56.9
56.9 per
billion to
to 41.3,
41.3, remained
remained the second
second most
most dangerous
dangerous type of land transport.
In the second
and 1993. Motorcycling
second category, comprising
comprising motorcycles
motorcycles and rail, the
the rate dropped
dropped slightly
slightly between
between 1981 and
Motorcycling
was
was the most dangerous
dangerous type
type of transport, averaging
averaging more than twice
twice as
as many
many fatalities as
as cycling, and
and more
more than
than twenty
twenty
times as high as
as cars.
Regarding
under review.
review.
Regarding the third group,
group, buses
buses and coaches,
coaches, the road death rate almost
almost trebled
trebled over the period
periodunder
Nevertheless, buses and coaches
coaches were
were still the second safest
safest type
type of vehicular
vehicular transport.
Exercise 18
As (17) can be seen from the
the maps, the
the area
area of Barton Bingham
Bingham (6) changed significantly between 1937
1937 and
and 1995.The
1995.The
road bisecting the area (16) was straightened and on both sides various developments (7) took
took place. On the north
north side,
the manor
manor house (8) was converted into a health farm and part
part of the surrounding scrubland and
and adjacent woodland
woodland
(1) became a golf course. The
The area immediately
immediately adjacent
adjacent to
to the
the road (3)
(3) gave way to
to housing
housing along
along its entire
entire length.
On the south side of the road,
road, a railway
railway station
station (5) was constructed
constructed in 1990, which (15) was connected by a minor
minor road to
the main
main thoroughfare. In 1991,
1991, the disused railway line (10) was reopened, with a bridge
bridge (4) being built
built across
across the
the road.
In
In the scrubland to the east of the
the lake, a leisure complex
complex (11) was completed and opened in 1993. In addition, the area
area of
agricultural land
land which (2) existed in 1937 (13) was
was halved to
to make way for the construction
construction of a new hospital
hospital and a car
also with
with road access to the main highway. A farmhouse (14)
(14) was built
built on the
the remaining
remaining agricultural
agricultural land. Next to
park both also
the agricul
tural land, the marshes that (12) were there
agricultural
there in 1937, (9) were turned
turned over to a wildfowl sanctuary.
Notes
Note the different words
words which are used to avoid repeating the
the word change:
change: convert,
convert, become, turn over
over to, give way to.
Note that you cannot replace 3 with 9. This is
is not just
just because 99 is in the plural.
plural. The expression
expression 'give
give way
way to'
to has the
the idea
that the land was surrendered to something
something bad or
or negative. The expression tum
turn over to is
is suitable
suitable in both cases.
Now
Now try to write
write a description of the changes
changes in the maps without
without looking at the text
text in the
the exercise.
Exercise 19
The sequence of texts
texts is:

I, d, o, a, j,j, k, c, i,i, b, g

Sentences
Sentences e, f,f, h, m, n, are
are distracters.
Note that the language
language in the diagram
diagram is in
in the present simple. This is like looking
looking at a graph
graph and describing
describing the
the graph
graph as a
picture. You are concerned
concerned here with the
the sequence
sequence of the
the events not the
the time.
When you write the description
description and add the dates
dates the
the tense has to be the simple
simple past, because the
the text
text is describing a
specific
specific sequence
sequence of events in the past. For practice, you could try to write a description of
of how
how a documentary
documentary is made
rather than how
how a specific documentary
documentary was
was made. Compare the language here
here with the language
language in the
the next
next 5 exercises.
exercises.
Exercise 20 :: The suggested answer
answer is:
To create a daily newspaper
newspaper the necessary
necessary material is taken
taken from two sources,
sources, timber
timber and
and recycled paper, and then passed
through a series
series of machines.
Trees are cut down to provide
provide timber. In the first machine, the bark
bark is removed
removed and then the timber is chopped
chopped up into
into small
pieces. These chippings
chippings are put into a mechanical
mechanical refiner,
refiner, and
and subsequently a hydrapulper
hydrapulper where they
they are mixed
mixed with water
and
and made into a pulp.
pulp. At the next stage, the pulp
pulp is put into a blend chest
chest where it is mixed
mixed with pulp
pulp from recycled
recycled paper.
paper.
This
This mixture
mixture is then refined,
refined, cleaned
cleaned and
and screened, before going into a large piece
piece of machinery
machinery where
where it is made into rolls
of paper.
Once the newspaper has been printed,
printed, it is distributed.
distributed. After the reader has finished with the paper,
paper, it is recycled. The
recycling process
process first involves
involves the paper
paper being
being put into a hydrapulper
hydrapulper to tum
turn it into a pulp. A de-inking
de-in king cell
cell then extracts the
ink. After that.
that, the solution
solution is put into the blend
blend chest:
chest: and the whole process
process is repeated.
Note that the tense is used is mainly the present simple and most of the verbs
verbs are in the passive. Compare
Compare the
the tenses in Ex. 19.
19.

A book for IELTS

209

Key to Section
Section on Writing
Writing

Section
Section on Writing - Essay Writing
W riting for Task
Task 2
Exercise 21

1. B;

2.
2. F;

3. C;
C;

4. K;

5.0;
5 .0 ;

6. P;

3. E;
E;

4. None. You
You could
could adapt
adapt A;

7. H

8.J
8. J

9.N
9. N

10.R
10. R

Exercise:
Exercise: 22

1.1. A;

2. B, C,
C, D, H;
H;

6. D;
D;

7.
7. B,C;
B, C;

8. G;

9.
9. B, C, D, H;
H;

5. None. Again
Again you could adapt
adapt A;
10.FF
10.

Exercise 23
1.
1.

Answer: D/N.
DIN. The
The question
question in the
the focus
focus means:
means: what
what is your opinion?
opinion? Note
Note that
that the
the general
general subject in the
the essay title
title is
Answer:
presented
presented in such a way
way that
that it gives
gives you two sides
sides of an issue.
issue. If you
you think
think about
about it, it is difficult to
to give
give an opinion
opinion about
about
something
something unless
unless it has an element
element of
of controversy
controversy and at least
least two
two sides
sides to
to it. Would you ever
ever have
have a question
question like: Water
boils at 10d'C
100?C at sea level. Where do you
you stand
stand on this matter?/
matter?/ To what extent
extent do you agree?
agree? etc.

2.

Answer: D/N.
D/N. See
See number
number 11 above.
above.
Answer:

3.

Answer: G. Some people make


make the mistake of writing about the
the disadvantages
disadvantages and the advantages.
advantages. A danger can be a
Answer:
disadvantage,
disadvantage, but a disadvantage
disadvantage may
may not be a danger!
danger! Moreover,
Moreover, you
you are usually
usually asked
asked to write about advantages
advantages and
disadvantages,
disadvantages, not disadvantages
disadvantages and
and .... Note also
also that
that the
the question
question has
has two elements to
to the
the focus: dangers
dangers and
and
advantages.
advantages. Note how the explanation
explanation gives
gives you synonyms
synonyms for these
these words.
words.

4.

Answer: H.
H. Be
Be careful
careful when
when you
you are
are reading
reading the essay
essay title. ItIt is easy
easy to miss
miss the
the word
word not
not here.
here. The
The focus
focus has
has one
one element
Answer:
and note
disadvantage.
note the synonym for disadvantage.

5.

Answer: F.
F. Note
Note the
the focus
focus has
has two
two elements:
elements: problems
problems and
and opinion.
opinion.
Answer:

6.

Answer: L.
L. You
You are
are being
being asked
asked aa question
question here,
here, which
which requires
requires you
you to
to give
give aa Yes/No
Yes/No answer:
answer: your
your opinion.
opinion.
Answer:

7.

Answer: B.
B. There
There are
are two
two elements
elements to
to the
the focus
focus here:
here: dangers
dangers and
and your
your opinion.
opinion. Note
Note the
the synonym
synonym for
for dangers.
Answer:
dangers.

8.

Answer: M.
M. Note
Note the
the question
question two
two elements
elements in
in the
the focus:
focus: opinion
opinion and
and reservations.
reservations.
Answer:

9.

Answer: J. There are three


three elements to the focus: arguments
arguments for,
for, against and
and opinion.
Answer:

10.

Answer: C. You are being


being asked a question
question which
which requires
requires you to answer
answer yes
yes or no, hence
hence your opinion.
opinion. The word should
here
here also
also indicates
indicates that
that your
your opinion
opinion is required.
required. Note how the two questions
questions mirror
mirror both
both sides
sides of
of the
the issue
issue as
as presented
presented in
the
the general
general subject. When
When you give your
your opinion
opinion it is possible
possible to give your
your views
views 100%
100% on
on one
one side; 60%
60% on
on one
one side, 40%
on the
the other;
other; and so on. There
There are
are different
different ways
ways of
of asking you for your
your opinion
opinion as we
we have
have seen here: What
What is your
opinion?
opinion? Where
Where do you stand?
stand? Do you feel ? Should
Should ? Or
Or should
should ? To what
what extent
extent do you
you agree?
agree? How
How far do you agree?
They
They are
are basically
basically all the same,
same, but
but the
the last two
two just
just point out to
to you that
that there
there is
is a range
range of
of opinion
opinion i.e. you can give your
opinion
opinion 100%, 60%/40% and
and so on.
on. The
The question
question is helping
helping you! Note
Note also
also the exam
exam cannot
cannot always
always ask:
ask:.. What is
is your
opinion!

Exercise 24
Version B
B is obviously
obviously the
the better
better of the
the two. Version A is too short; it contains
contains only
only 167
167 words.
words. Version B
B contains 299 words.
words.
The
The text in bold is the
the text which
which has
has been omitted in Version A.
1.
1.

many countries,
countries, aacharge
charge is levied for
for entrance to museums
museums and art galleries, but, in some instances,
instances, entrance is free.
free.
InInmany

2.

Where aa charge
charge is,
Is, in
In fact,
fact, levied, the argument is
Is that the
the up-keep
up-keep of
of such institutions is not cheap
cheap and while the
Where
tax-payer might
might be
be expected to provide
provide some
some funds, it is only
only fair
fair that
that some
some contribution should come
come by way of
of an
entrance fee or, at least,
least, a voluntary
voluntary contribution.
contribution. An exception is usually
usually made
made for
for certain categories
categories of people, like the
unemployed,
unemployed, the elderly, the disabled, school
school children and students, on the grounds
grounds of
of financial
financial hardship.

3.

Personally, however,
however,I I believe
believethat,
that, ififpeople
people are
aremade
made to
topay
payto
tovisit
visit museums
museums and
and art
artgalleries,
galleries, then
then this
this isis effectively
effectively aa
Personally,
tax on education.
education. People
People should be encouraged
encouraged to
to visit
visit such institutions,
institutions, as they contain a wealth of
of material relating
relating not
only
only to
to the history
history and culture
culture of their own countries, but
but also of other civilisations. They can, of course, obtain
Information
information from books
books films etc, but this Is
is nothing
nothing to seeing the real objects.
objects.

4.

Moreover, children
children who
who have
have visited
visited aamuseum
museum or
oraagallery
gallery with
with their
theirschool
school may
may not
not be
be able
able to
to go
go again
again with
with their
their parents,
parents,
Moreover,
If
So aafee,
fee, in
in my
myopinion,
opinion, would
would act
act as
asaadeterrent
deterrent to
to people
peoplewanting
wanting to
tovisit
visit aa museum.
museum.
if there Is
is an entrance fee.
fee. So

5.

Often people
people want
want to
tospend
spend maybe
maybe only
only half
half an
an hour
hour in
in aa museum
museum rather
rather than
than spending
spending aa long
long time
time to
to justify
justify paying
paying aafee.
fee.
Often
This
This would
would deter many people, myself Included,
included, from visiting
visiting museums.
museums. Having
Having said this, however, I am
am not
against
against voluntary
voluntary charges or people being encouraged to make
make donations.

6.

So,all
ali in
In all,
all, my
my personal
personal view
view is
Is that
that people
people should
should not
not have
have pay
pay to
to visit
visit museums
museums and
and art
art galleries.
galleries.
So,

Paragraph
Paragraph 2. You can
can see that
that Version A has 3 extra
extra pieces
pieces of text: the first
first two
two phrases
phrases frame
frame the
the argument
argument in
in a much better
better way
and
and the third
third piece
piece of text gives
gives examples.

210

A book
book for
for IELTS
IELTS

Key
Key to
to Section
Section on
on Writing
Writing

Paragraph
Paragraph 3. There are two extra pieces of text here. The first one
one clearly
clearly highlights
highlights that
that this is the writer's
writers opinion. The second
second text
provides
provides further
further evidence
evidence for
for the writer's
writers opinion/
opinion/ argument.
Paragraph
Paragraph 4. The additional text provides
provides further
further evidence
evidence and highlights
highlights the writer's
writers opinon.
Paragraph 5. Again, the additional
additional text provides
provides further
further evidence.

If you go back and read Version


Version A again, you will now see
see that it is superficial and lacks
lacks evidence.
evidence.
Moreover
writer's opinions
Moreover it does not frame
frame the writers
opinions well.

Section on Writi
ng - Writin
g Tests
Writing
Writing
TEST 11
Writing
Writing Task
Task 11
Model answer: 163 words
words
It is estimated
estimated that
that UK yearly
yearly private car sales will increase over
over the period
period covered
covered by the chart, rising in two stages
stages to
reach a high of almost
almost three and
and a half million by the year 2014, from a starting point
point of 1.5
1.5 million
million in 2003. The sale of
company
company cars, by contrast, will barely
barely change over the period, climbing from just under
under 250,000
250,000 cars in 2003
2003 to just under
500,000
500,000 in the year 2014. The only year where sales are expected
expected to exceed the 500,000
500,000 mark
mark is 2010.
As regards motorcycle
motorcycle sales in the UK, the predicted
predicted trend
trend is steadily
steadily upwards
upwards with yearly
yearly sales
sales rising
rising from just over 150,000 in
2003
2003 to approximately
approximately 400,000
400,000 units in 2014.
2014. Between 2003
2003 and
and 2005
2005 the increase in sales
sales is expected
expected to be fairly steep,
steep,
followed
followed by a moderate
moderate rise over
over the next
next five years. Then,
Then, after
after 2011 sales are set
set to accelerate
accelerate at much the same
same pace
thefirst two years of the period.

Writing
Writing Task 2
Model answer:
answer: 319 words
The use of prisons as a means to combat crime has always
always been a matter of debate and
and is becoming
becoming more so as prison
prison
populations
populations increase, and crimes become
become more violent.
Some people believe that prisons
prisons are merely
merely a breeding ground
ground for criminals, and
and are, therefore,
therefore, not
not doing
doing the job
job they are
supposed to do. They point
point to the incidence
incidence of re-offending
re-offending among
among former prison
prison in-mates and the rise in the seriousness
seriousness of
crimes committed
minor
committed by re-offenders
re-offenders as evidence
evidence for their
their case. They
They maintain
maintain that young
young people
people enter
enter prison
prison for
for minor
offences and
and come out equipped
equipped with the skills to commit
commit more serious
serious crimes. For
For this group
group the prison
prison process
process is
not working.
Others are of the opinion
opinion that
that prisons
prisons are not harsh enough. They argue that
that prisoners
prisoners lead a life of luxury
luxury inside at the
expense of the taxpayer, quoting
quoting estimates
estimates of the high cost of keeping
keeping people
people inside compared
compared with staying
staying in luxury
luxury hotels.
Another
Another argument put forward
forward is that, for many
many criminals, prisons
prisons are a soft
soft option, as they are often released
released after serving
only a small
small portion of their sentence
sentence to ease the over-crowding
over-crowding in jails. Prisons are, therefore, not
not seen as a deterrent.
I am
am personally
personally inclined
inclined to
to agree
agree with
with the
the latter
latter viewpoint.
viewpoint. II feel
feel that,
that, to
to make
make penal
penal institutions
institutions more
more effective,
effective, the
the regime
regime
needs
needs to be much harsher than at present, with no sentence
sentence remission. It is unrealistic
unrealistic to think that this would
would be a panacea
for all the ills of prisons. However, at the same
same time, this increased harshness should be coupled with an attack
attack on the
causes behind crime. Poverty
behind criminal
Poverty is often quoted
quoted as a factor
factor behind
criminal activity as is a lack
lack of education,
education, but there are rich
criminals
criminals as well as well-educated
well-educated ones. By generally
generally improving
improving the standard
standard of living
living and the quality
quality of life for everyone,
and at the same time making
making prisons very harsh regimes, such institutions will become effective.
effective.

TEST 2
TEST
Writing
Writing Task 11
Model answer: 198
198 words
The charts show
show the answers
answers to two questions as part of a public
public survey on mobile
mobile phones.
phones. The first bar chart
chart reveals that
the disapproval
disapproval rating for mobile
mobile phones
phones is higher
higher among females than males by quite a large margin, 70 per cent for the
former as against
against 45 for males. Compared
Compared to the public
public as a whole, women object
object more to mobile phones. As far as the
'Yes'
'Yes responses
responses are concerned,
concerned, men outstrip women by more than 50 per cent. The difference
difference is smaller
smaller when it comes
comes to
the 'Don't
'Dont know'
know replies, but with males again being higher
higher in this category.
category.
In answer to the second
second question in the survey, a large percentage of both men and
and women feel
feel that mobile phones
phones could
could
damage
damage the health
health of their
their children, roughly
roughly 45% and
and 55% respectively. As
/4s in answer to the first
first question, women's
womens attitude
to mobile phones
phones is more negative
negative than the general
general public
public in the All category. For
For both men and
and women, the 'No'
No replies
make up just under
under 30% in answer
answer to this question with men exceeding
exceeding women. As
/4s tor
for the 'Don't
Dont know'
know responses, for
women it is approximately 20%, while tor
for men the figure is higher,
higher, at about
about 27%.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

211
211

Key to Section
Section on Writing
Writing

Writing
Writing Task
Task 2
Modal answer: 319 words
Mercy killing is a highly
highly contentious issue, giving rise to strong
strong emotions on both sides
sides of the debate.
Mercy
Some people
people believe that
that ending the suffering
suffering of fellow
fellow human
human beings
beings is an act
act of mercy
mercy and
and as such should
should be enshrined
enshrined in
law. Admittedly, there are instances
instances where people
people are experiencing appalling suffering
suffering and
and the only
only way out
out seems to be to
end
end that suffering.
suffering. However, are we as human
human beings
beings able to decide when the life of another
another person
person should
should be ended?
ended?
Surely not!
not! That would
would be presumptuous
presumptuous in the extreme. And
And who is to guarantee
guarantee that people will not be murdered
murdered in the
name
euthanasia so that
name of euthanasia
that someone
someone can have access
access to their personal
personal wealth.
Whilst I am prepared
prepared to admit
admit that
that the arguments
arguments put forward
forward by advocates
advocates of euthanasia
euthanasia are forceful, I personally
personally feel
feel that
that
it is totally unacceptable
unacceptable to take another
another person's
persons life.
life. Doctors
Doctors are bound
bound by oath to preserve the life
life of their fellow
fellow human
human
and as such should
should not be forced
forced into a situation where they are legally
legally bound to terminate a life.
beings and
And what about the possibility
possibility of a mistake being made
made and
and the wrong person
person being killed? The advocates of euthanasia
euthanasia
will no doubt
doubt say
say that
that there will be safeguards
safeguards to guarantee
guarantee that
that this will not
not happen.
happen. But there
there is a whole catalogue
catalogue of
human error that
that flies in the face of this argument: babies
babies have been
been switched,
switched, people
people given
given the wrong doses of medicine,
wrong limbs removed. The list is endless. There is also the possibility
possibility that
that a cure could
could become
become available
available just as, or just
person has been killed.
after, a person
Once we have embarked
embarked upon the slippery slope
slope of euthanasia, who knows
knows where it might
might lead. There are some
some things in
life that are best left
left well alone and, in my
my opinion, this is one of them. Once we start
start who knows
knows where it might lead
lead to.

TEST 3
Writing
Writing Task
Task 11
Model
Model Answer: 164
164 words
As can be seen from the maps, the area ot
of Laguna Beach
Beach witnessed considerable
considerable change
change over
over the 40-year
40-year
period
period from 1950
1950 to 1990.
In 1950,
1950, there were only
only a few beach
beach huts at the back
back of the beach
beach between
between the sand
sand dunes
dunes and
and the woodland, but, by
1970,
1970, these had
had been replaced
replaced by villas. By 1990, the villas themselves,
themselves, in tum,
turn, had given way to a hotel
hotel with an adjacent
adjacent
swimming-pool. The dunes, which occupied the area on the western side of the beach, remained
remained until
until 1970. Then between
1970
1970 and 1990, they
they were replaced
replaced with landscaped
landscaped gardens.
To the east
east of the beach, the track which originally led
led to the beach
beach huts became
became a main road. The woodland,
woodland, which in 1950
covered
covered the area south of the track, had
had been cleared
cleared by 1970
1970 to make
make way
way for a caravan
caravan park. This, in turn, had
had been
converted
park by 1990, and, in addition,
converted into a car
carpark
addition, a surfing
surfing school appeared
appeared on the beach
beach itself.
Writing Task
Task 2
Writing
Model answer:
answer: 345 words
words
Stress and
and stress-related
stress-related illnesses seem to be an unavoidable
unavoidable consequence
consequence of the life most
most of us now
now lead. There are,
of course, many
many forces
forces at play
play here.
The main
main contributing
contributing factor is the growing complexity of the modem
modern world, which is compounded
compounded by the undoubted
undoubted speed
speed of
change that
that pervades all aspects of our lives. Not very long ago people
people were guaranteed
guaranteed a job for life, but this is now
now no
longer
longer the case. In fact, people
people may
may be obliged to change
change career
career more than once in their life-times. The root
root cause
cause here is
the pace
pace at which technology is developing. Furthermore, the use of computers now
now means
means that we have to work faster and
are at the same
same time expected
expected to be more accurate. The speed
speed of development
development also means that we are constantly living in a
state of change, having
having to update
update more and
and more frequently.
Another
Another cause is population growth, which puts
puts more
more pressure
pressure on our immediate
immediate environment.
environment. For
For example, the roads
roads and
public
public transport are becoming more
more crowded and
and there are ever
ever longer
longer queues for
for hospitals
hospitals and
and other
other services. As
resources become
become more scarce.
scarce, they
they also become
become more expensive,
expensive, which adds to the pressure. The easy
easy availability
availability of
goods
goods puts
puts enormous
enormous pressure on everyone, but especially
especially families
families with children.
children. Of course, the media
media only serves to
compound the problem
problem with the constant
constant barrage
barrage of advertising directed
directed at the public.
Although
Although there are
are many factors behind
behind the stress
stress in our lives, and
and they are continuing
continuing to grow, there
there are several courses of
action
action open to everyone. The most
most important
important of these is education. Health services could, for
for example, embark
embark upon a
massive
massive stress-awareness
stress-awareness campaign
campaign to make
make individuals
individuals and
and families aware
aware of some of the contributing factors. This would
increase
increase people's
peoples threshold of coping
coping with and managing
managing stress. Employers
Employers could also be involved by running
running relaxation
classes
classes and
and making
making work
work less stressful
stressful for their
their employees, and themselves.
themselves.
The problem
problem is there and
and is growing, but
but solutions are available
available and
and as in all previous situations,
situations, human
human beings have the
capacity to adapt
adapt and
and survive.

212
212

A book for IELTS

Speaking
Section

A book
IELTS
A book
for for
IELTS

213
213

Key
Key to
to Speaking
Speaking Section
Section

Exercise 1
Topic
Topic Card
Card EE

Topic
Topic Card
Card A
A

was
was 21
21

e,
e, c,
c, g,
g, d,
d, f, a,
a, bb
Topic
Topic Card
Card B
B

Sierra
Sierra Leone/
Leone/ West
West Africa
Africa

by
by myself
myself

wood/river/Ireland
wood/river/l reland

so
so different/countryside/people/
different/countryside/people/ food/pace
food/pace of
of life
life

child/family
child/family visit
visit

beautiful/stunning
beautiful/stunning

keep
keep secret/special
secret/special friends
friends

magical,
magical, peaceful,
peaceful,

met
met good
good friends.
friends.

Topic
Topic Card
Card FF
day
day left
left secondary
secondary school
school

Topic
Topic Card
Card C
C

became
became adult
adult

parents
parents took
took me
me out
out

teacher
teacher

shopping/dinner
shopping/dinner

secondary
secondary school
school
patient/caring/good
patient/caring/good teacher
teacher
learnt
learnt aa lot/strong/knowledgeable
lot/strong/knowledgeable

hope
hope so-first
so-first big
big job
job etc
etc

Topic
Topic Card
Card G
G
vegetable
vegetable curry/rice
curry/rice

Topic
Topic Card
Card D
D

twice
twice aa week
week

noise
noise

vegetables,
spices etc
vegetables, spices
etc

always
always annoying
annoying

make
make it myself/restaurant
myself/restaurant

stops
stops concentration
concentration

reminds
reminds me
me of
of home
home

use
use earplugs/get
earplugs/get angry
angry

irritating/selfishness
irritating/selfishness of
of those
those making
making noise
noise

Exercise 2
2
11 Exercise

11

1.1. G. 2.
2. C 3. F 4.
4. D 5. E
E 6.
6. A 7. II 8.
8. H 9.
9. B

Exercise 3
I.__I Exer_cise3

11

B.
C.10
D.
E. 3
F.9
B. 77
C.
10
D.88
E. 3F.9
G.5
H.2
I. 1.1
1
J.4
G. 5
H. 2
J. 4
You can see that
that the oral exam is unpredictable. As was
was mentioned in the Introduction
Introduction to the Speaking
Speaking Section, students
students
often prepare
prepare for
for the exam by learning
learning mini-speeches
mini-speeches by heart. Then, when
when they
they are asked
asked a question
question which
which they are
not prepared
prepared for, they
they cannot
cannot handle
handle the situation.

A.6
A. 6

So to prepare
prepare for the Oral, it is better
better just to speak
speak with friends
friends or in class.

11

Exercise 4

214

11
A. v

B.v
B. v

C.i
C. i

D.
D. v

E.
E. i

F.
F. i

H.i
H. i

I. iii

J. i

K.vi
K. vi

L. iii

M.vii
M. vii

G.ii
G. ii

A book for IELTS


IELTS

Key to Speaking
Speaking Section

Exercise 5: Put meaning into your future

1. (a), (c),
(c), and (d) 2. (a) and (b) 3.
3. (a).
(a), (c), and (d) 4.
4. (a),
(a), (c), and (d) 5. All the alternatives
alternatives are correct.
correct.
6. (a)
(a) and
and (c)
(c) 7.
7. (a)
(a) and
and (c)
(c) 8.
8. (a),
(a), (b)
(b) and
and (c)
(c)9.9. (a)
(a)and
and (c)
(c) 10.
10. (b)
(b)and
and (d)
(d) 11.
11. (a)
(a) 12.
12. (d)
(d) 13.
13. (b),
(b), (c)
(c)and
and (d)
(d)
14. (a),
(a), (b)
(b) and
and (d)
(d)

Appendix:
Appendix: Seeing the future
future
Example 1.

II am having a party
Now

~~~-----C'-----------------------__________ I

I ___________________

The tense is the Present


Present Continuous. Why? Because (i) the writer/speaker has made an arrangement
arrangement before Now; (ii)
(ii)
the arrangement
arrangement is true at the time of writing/speaking;
writing/speaking; and (iii)
(iii) the event will take place at a fixed time in
in the future
future (near
(near
or distant)
Example
Example 2

I'llIllhave
havefinished
finisheduniversity
universityby
by
Now----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
No,w-----------------,

__________ *
----*--------------------------

The tense is the Future Perfect Simple.


Simple. This
This is a combination
combination of the Simple
Simple Future
Future and the Present
Present Perfect and therefore
therefore
combines
combines the two elements
elements of these two tenses.
tenses. You can use the tense to show
show that
that something
something will have happened
happened
before a particular point of time in the future.
future.
Example
Example 3

I'll be
studying
at university.
Ill be
studying
at university.

----*---_
_______ * _____
Now

I
__ __._
Fl.....-1 ]i__________

--------------------------------- 1

The
The tense
tense is the Future Continuous.
Continuous. Like IIII above this is a combined
combined tense.
tense. It combines
combines the future
future and
and the
the idea
idea of
continuous
continuous action. You use it for an activity
activity which
which will be in progress
progress around a certain point of time in the future.
Example
Example 4

Now
Now

First, II spend a year working in an English speaking country;


___________________ j

___
J__ ' _]
_____ t* _____J7n___________
Now

______

Nt~ow

J _____r rI _il
then, II go
go back
back home[_
home.
then,

This is the Present Simple. It is used when


when you want
want to show
show that
that the events in the future
future are fixed
fixed like part of a time-table.
time-table.

Example
Example 5

Now
Now

m_l

-~If

I'm
Im going to start
start working once II finish
finish university.

]1
_______

The going to Future. You use this future


future when
when you want to show that
that you intend to do something
something which is based
based on
present
present information.
information. For example, your
your nose may be ticklish and you feel you are going
going to sneeze.
sneeze. You might
might say: I'm
Im
going to sneeze.
sneeze. In the end,
end, however, you may not sneeze.
sneeze. You
You could not say
say here: I'm
Im sneezing.
Example
Example 6

I'll
Ill become
become a doctor!
Now ___________
Now-----.

__
______tt

L1_____________

This
This is the Simple
Simple Future.
Future. You use this
this tense
tense to show
show that you are making a simple
simple prediction.
prediction. When
When you use the Simple
Simple
Future, you show that you are not planning
planning your action. Your decision is spontaneous.

A book for IELTS


IELTS

215
215

Key to Speaking
Speaking Section
Section

Another
Another example
example is the following
following exchange:
exchange:
A: I've
Ive got a headache.
headache.
B: Oh, I'll
Ill get
get you
you an aspirin.
aspirin.
B
B does not really have time
time to think
think when
when making
making the response.
response. It is spontaneous.
spontaneous.
There
There are of course
course other
other ways
ways of expressing
expressing the Future
Future in English,
English, but these
these are the most common
common forms
forms that
that you are
likely
likely to use as you are speaking
speaking in the
the final
final section
section of the oral exam.
Other
Other forms
forms you may want
want to look up:

216
216

It's
Its likely
likely that
that
It's
Its probable
probable that
I'll
Ill probably
probably be
II may
may
II might
might
II might
might just
just
II may
may well
There's
Theres a chance
chance II will/
will/ might
might
If all goes
goes well,

A book for IELTS


IELTS

A book for IELTS


This is a self-study publication with two audio-cassettes for
students preparing for the Academic Module of the International
English Language Test System (IELTS) which is administered by the
British Council, the University of Cambridge Local Examinations
Syndicate (UCLES) and by I ELTS Australia.
The book covers the four sections of the IELTS exam: listening,
reading, writing and speaking. Special features of the book are: the
reading exercises, the detailed Keys for these exercises, the wide
range of exercises to help you prepare for Writing Task 1 , and the
detailed Key for the Reading Tests. The second edition incorporates
additional material to cover changes made to the Speaking module of
the IELTS examination in July 2001.
The publication may also be used as a course book, or as a
supplement to a course book.

Second Edition

Additional copies can be obtained from:

Ors B A & G M Haddock


lntelliGene
Woodlands, Ford, Midlothian EH37 5RE, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1875 320063


Fax:+44(0)

1875320276

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