Ready for IELTS, Unit 3, Reading

Teachers note
- Go through the What to expect in the exam and the Dont forget advice
with the students.
Expand on the points regarding patterns in texts, and give examples of what is
meant by cause and effect, etc.
This is very important as understanding this concept can help students to use
the lexical cues given in the text to indicate these patterns.
go through sth to look at or examine something carefully, especially in order to
find something
I always start the day by going through my email.
She went through the company's accounts, looking for evidence of fraud.
expand on/upon sth to say more about something and add some details
Could you expand on that point, please?
regarding prep concerning somebody/something; about somebody/something
She has said nothing regarding your request.
Call me if you have any problems regarding your work.
pattern the regular way in which something happens or is done
changing patterns of behaviour
an irregular sleeping pattern
concept an idea or a principle that is connected with something abstract
concept (of something) the concept of social class
concept (that) the concept that everyone should have equality of
opportunity
lexical adj [usually before noun] (linguistics) connected with the words of a
language
lexical items (= words and phrases)
- Encourage students to make a habit of first looking at the multiple-choice
questions with the alternative headings before reading the text.
This encourages them away from the vertical-linear approach to texts and
questions.
Give the students time limits for each step so they become aware of the time
they will have in the exam.
Remind them of the technique of underlining key words in the questions.
heading the subject of each section of a speech or piece of writing
The company's aims can be grouped under three main headings.
linear adj going from one thing to another in a single series of stages
Students do not always progress in a linear fashion.
The author abandons the conventions of linear narrative and normal
chronology.
approach [countable] a way of dealing with somebody/something; a way of doing
or thinking about something such as a problem or a task
She took the wrong approach in her dealings with them.
 approach to something The school has decided to adopt a different
approach to discipline.
What to expect in the exam
unique adj very special or unusual
a unique talent
The preview offers a unique opportunity to see the show without the crowds.
pattern the regular way in which something happens or is done
changing patterns of behaviour
an irregular sleeping pattern
argument [countable] a reason or set of reasons that somebody uses to show that
something is true or correct
Her main argument was a moral one.
argument for/against something There are strong arguments for and
against euthanasia.
argument that His argument was that public spending must be reduced.
come across sb/sth [no passive] to meet or find somebody/something by chance
I came across children sleeping under bridges.
She came across some old photographs in a drawer
content [singular] the subject matter of a book, speech, programme, etc.
Your tone of voice is as important as the content of what you have to say.
The content of the course depends on what the students would like to study.
Dont forget
ride a large machine at a funfair or amusement park that you ride on for fun or
excitement; an occasion when you go on one of these
The rides are free. a roller coaster ride
amusement park a large park which has a lot of things that you can ride and play
on and many different activities to enjoy
fairground an outdoor area where a fair with entertainments is held
How to go about it
go about sth to start working on something
SYNONYM TACKLE
You're not going about the job in the right way.
go about doing something How should I go about finding a job?
Questions 1-6
Teachers note
- Do the questions in groups, starting with 1-6
Go over the answers focussing on the links between the words in the questions
and the text.
Show synonyms, e.g. impact, auditory effect, inner ear.
Compare this type of question with matching paragraph headings.
There are two types of phrases: referring to a specific piece of information in a
paragraph and summarizing a whole paragraph.
go over sth to examine or check something carefully
Go over your work before you hand it in.
 link a relationship between two or more people, countries or organizations
link (with something) to establish trade links with Asia
link (between A and B) Social customs provide a vital link between
generations.
auditory adj (specialist) connected with hearing
auditory stimuli
Answers
1D 2H
onlooker a person who watches something that is happening but is not involved in
it
SYNONYM BYSTANDER
A crowd of onlookers gathered at the scene of the crash.
3B
ride a large machine at a funfair or amusement park that you ride on for fun or
excitement; an occasion when you go on one of these
The rides are free. a roller coaster ride
4H
various adj several different
SYNONYM DIVERSE
Tents come in various shapes and sizes.
She took the job for various reasons.
apparatus [uncountable] the tools or other pieces of equipment that are needed for
a particular activity or task
a piece of laboratory apparatus
Firefighters needed breathing apparatus to enter the burning house.
employ something (formal) to use something such as a skill, method, etc. for a
particular purpose
He criticized the repressive methods employed by the country's government.
The police had to employ force to enter the building.
monitor something | monitor what, how, etc to watch and check something
over a period of time in order to see how it develops, so that you can make any
necessary changes
SYNONYM TRACK
Each student's progress is closely monitored.
5F
thrilling adj exciting and enjoyable
a thrilling experience/finish
ride a large machine at a funfair or amusement park that you ride on for fun or
excitement; an occasion when you go on one of these
The rides are free. a roller coaster ride
6I
amusement park a large park which has a lot of things that you can ride and play
on and many different activities to enjoy
Extension
 After students have finished the reading test, ask them to focus on the phrases
in questions 1-6 and decide whether they refer to part of or the whole of the
paragraph.
Point out the general category noun in the question like impact.
Ask them to write the words in their vocabulary records and add to the list as
they go through the course.
They could look back at the headings in the reading passage in Unit 1 and add
general category nouns from there as well.
Ask if any of them are the same, or if there are any synonyms of general
category nouns.
Point out that they will meet these words again in all components of IELTS
exam.
category a group of people or things with particular features in common
SYNONYM CLASS
Students over 25 fall into a different category.
The results can be divided into three main categories.
component one of several parts of which something is made
the components of a machine the car component industry
Key components of the governments plan are
Trust is a vital component in any relationship.
Questions 7-12
Teachers note
- Do the same as for questions 1-6 with the TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN
questions, eliciting the differences.
Check them carefully, ensuring full comprehension before moving on.
comprehension [uncountable] the ability to understand
speech and comprehension
His behaviour was completely beyond comprehension (= impossible to
understand).
agree [intransitive] to be the same as something
SYNONYM TALLY
The figures do not agree.
agree with something Your account of the accident does not agree with
hers.
contradict something | contradict each other (of statements or pieces of
evidence) to be so different from each other that one of them must be wrong
The two stories contradict each other.
This version of events was contradicted by eye-witness reports.
Answers
7 NOT GIVEN Paragraph A: Computer games and fairground rides are mentioned
but there is no comparison.
thrill a strong feeling of excitement or pleasure; an experience that gives you this
feeling
 thrill (to do something) It gave me a big thrill to meet my favourite author
in person.
thrill (of doing something) the thrill of catching a really big fish
fairground an outdoor area where a fair with entertainments is held
ride a large machine at a funfair or amusement park that you ride on for fun or
excitement; an occasion when you go on one of these
The rides are free. a roller coaster ride
8 TRUE Paragraph D: the brain struggles to make sense of conflicting and changing
signals from the person.
sense [countable] a feeling about something important
He felt an overwhelming sense of loss.
a strong sense of purpose/identity/duty, etc.
I had the sense that he was worried about something.
struggle [intransitive] to try very hard to do something when it is difficult or when
there are a lot of problems
struggle (for something) a country struggling for independence
struggle to do something They struggled just to pay their bills.
make sense of sth to understand something that is difficult or has no clear meaning
I cant make sense of that painting.
conflict (with something) if two ideas, beliefs, stories, etc. conflict, it is not
possible for them to exist together or for them both to be true
SYNONYM CLASH conflicting emotions/interests/loyalties
These results conflict with earlier findings.
9 NOT GIVEN Paragraph F: The number does not tell you how many people are
involved.Always watch out for words of quantity like all/a few/little/most and make
sure they match the meaning in the text.
involved (in something) [not before noun] taking part in something; being part of
something or connected with something
to be/become/get involved in politics
We need to examine all the costs involved in the project first.
We'll make our decision and contact the people involved.
watch out for sb/sth to be careful of something
Watch out for the stairsthey're steep.
match (something) if two things match or if one thing matches another, they are
the same or very similar
Her fingerprints match those found at the scene of the crime.
As a couple they are not very well matched (= they are not very suitable for
each other).
simulator sickness is a form of motion sickness which can occur after extended
exposure to virtual reality content. It is also commonly experienced by pilots
undergoing flight simulator training for extended periods of time.
simulator a piece of equipment that artificially creates a particular set of conditions
in order to train somebody to deal with a situation that they may experience in
reality
 a flight simulator
10 FALSE Paragraph G:The human body cannot tolerate much more of a G-force
than the latest rollercoasters.
roller coaster a track at a fairground that goes up and down very steep slopes and
that people ride on in a small train for fun and excitement
a roller-coaster ride
G-force the force of gravity
11 NOT GIVEN Paragraph H: The text does not mention anything about the balance
of men and women.
12 TRUE Paragraph I: Equally, the next generation ... to distinguish terror from
titillation.
ride a large machine at a funfair or amusement park that you ride on for fun or
excitement; an occasion when you go on one of these
The rides are free. a roller coaster ride
adapt [intransitive, transitive] to change your behaviour in order to deal more
successfully with a new situation
SYNONYM ADJUST
It's amazing how soon you adapt.
The organisms were forced to adapt in order to survive.
adapt to something We have had to adapt quickly to the new system.
adapt yourself to something It took him a while to adapt himself to his
new surroundings.
equally adv used to introduce another phrase or idea that adds to and is as
important as what you have just said
I'm trying to do what is best, but equally I've got to consider the cost.
sense something (not used in the progressive tenses) to discover and record
something
equipment that senses the presence of toxic gases
nauseous adj feeling as if you want to vomit
She felt dizzy and nauseous.
wind down wound,wound (of a piece of machinery) to go slowly and then stop
accordingly adv in a way that is appropriate to what has been done or said in a
particular situation
We have to discover his plans and act accordingly.
in short in a few words
His novels belong to a great but vanished age.
They are, in short, old-fashioned.
terror [uncountable, singular] a feeling of extreme fear
a feeling of sheer/pure terror
Her eyes were wild with terror.
People fled from the explosion in terror.
She lives in terror of (= is constantly afraid of) losing her job.
 titillation [uncountable] (often disapproving) the action of interesting or exciting
somebody, especially in a sexual way / s kch ng, s kch thch (nht l v tnh
dc)
newspaper stories that are intended for titillation, not information
Question 13
Teachers note
- Do question 13 with the class.
After doing questions 1-12 they should be able to answer this without further
referral to the text.
referral (to somebody/something) U C the act of sending somebody who needs
professional help to a person or place that can provide it
illnesses requiring referral to hospitals
to make a referral
Answer 13 B
roller coaster a track at a fairground that goes up and down very steep slopes and
that people ride on in a small train for fun and excitement
a roller-coaster ride
fairground an outdoor area where a fair with entertainments is held
thrilling adj exciting and enjoyable
a thrilling experience/finish
efficacy [uncountable] (formal) the ability of something to produce the results that
are wanted
SYNONYM EFFECTIVENESS
to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment
fair (British English also funfair) (North American English also carnival) a type
of entertainment in a field or park at which people can ride on large machines and
play games to win prizes
Let's take the kids to the fair. all the fun of the fair
ride a large machine at a funfair or amusement park that you ride on for fun or
excitement; an occasion when you go on one of these
The rides are free. a roller coaster ride
cope [intransitive] to deal successfully with something difficult
SYNONYM MANAGE
I got to the stage where I wasn't coping any more.
cope with something He wasn't able to cope with the stresses and strains
of the job.
Reacting to the text
Teachers note
- Students discuss the questions in small groups.
extreme adj not ordinary or usual; serious or severe
Children will be removed from their parents only in extreme
circumstances.
Don't go doing anything extreme like leaving the country.