Ea 15 Days’ Practice for Reading Deng He Gang © Consolidating Your English Ability © Improving Your English Reading Skill © Providing General Knowledge © Developing Your Test-Taking Skill NHA XUAT BAN TONG HOP Cong ty TNHH THANH PHO HO CHE MEH Nhan Tri Viét& MAM aa station.com Ad i avs Wracrice for IELTS Reading Deng He Gang NTV NHA xUAT BAN TONG HOP Cong ty TNHH THANH PHO HO CHI MINH Nhan Tri Viet‘ MAM i mamstation.com EWORD ed a great deal to prepare for your actual exam. You have also variety of materials, and have familiarised yourself with the format of the book, therefore, does not aim at loading you with more practice materials on You have certainly prac been exposed to IELTS test. Th I but it will sum up the main points so as to enable you to work out an effective plan to finally achieve your desired band score in the actual test you are taking, I. Six features of the IELTS test 1, Communicative Testing The first feature of the IELTS test is communicative testing. The purpose of this test is, indeed, designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. It aims at testing candidates’ language use, not language knowledge. Compare the items in the table below: Focus of non-communicative testing + Use of verbal and non-verbal communication | Knowledge of vocabulary and grammar « Understanding meanings of lexical items in | + Understanding literal meanings of lexial contexts | items: + Applying understanding into reali tasks such as | + Testing individual skills role-play in speaking, completing a table in reading « Integrating receptive with produetive skills + Focussing only on receptive skills 2. The Third Generation Testing As far as testing is concerned, the format of tests has resulted from the way language is taught and learnt. In reality, English language testing has so far gone through three stages: the first stage lasted from the beginning of the 20" century to prior World War I when the tests of this period focussed mainly on translating from and into the target language. Then, the second stage started from post World War II and continues up to the present time. The gen- eral trend of testing in this period concentrated on objective tests (typically the TOEFL test which is primarily popular in the US). Next came the third stage with the IELTS test which was introduced in 1989 (mainly popular in the UK and Australia) and was, in fact, the fruit of the Communicative Language Teaching that came into existence in the 1970s. Nowadays, the Communicative Language Teaching and its test format have widely been recognised by the majority of language instructors and candidates. This kind of testis, generally, becoming more and more popular. www.nhantriviet.com 5MAM® mamstation.com 3, Task-based Teste In the IELTS test, candidates are required to perform tasks which are similar to those j “real life”, Each task is given with clear and specific “directions” by examiners. : 4. Questions in Group Communicative testing results in a variety of question types. Discrete-point tests are not given in the IELTS test, but questions in various forms aiming at checking global and detailed understanding, summary /chart/table completion, are frequently tested. Task-based testing and questions in group are combined to form a series of communicative activities which require candidates to decide appropriate strategies and to use the four skills in order to do the test well. 5. A Variety of Question Types The IELTS test consists of a variety of question types, which is the most noticeable compared with the question types in such tests as TOEFL, GRE, or TOEIC. For example, multiple- choice questions are suitable for testing detailed comprehension whereas matching exercises aim at testing vocabulary or the main ideas of a listening or reading passage; the aim of gap- filling tasks is to check candidates’ ability of organising the information in a systematic way, etc, With such tasks, candidates need to thoroughly understand what is required of them by carefully reading “directions” given. Types of tasks in the IELTS test: eed Writing Seo ern 1, Short-Answer Questions | 1, Multiple choice 1. Letters (General 1. Giving information 2. Gap-Filling Questions 2. Gap filling: Form/ | Training Module) 2. Stating opinion 3, Multiple-Choice Questions | _ Note/Summary/Table/ 2. Chart/Graph/ 8. Explaining/ 4, Classification Questions | Sentence ‘Table/Diagram Suggesting 5. True/False/Not Given 3. Matching words/ descriptions 4, Describing Questions phrases/sentences/ (Academic Module) | 5, Comparing/ 6, Sentence-Completion with pictures 3, Essays: Contrasting - Cause and effect Analysing 1. Matching Questions 5. True/False | 7, Likes/Dislikes 8, Diagram/Table/Flow Chart-Completion | | Questions 4. Short answers | - Opinion 6, Synthesising/ Questions | |All the materials used in the IE some kind of pressure. immigration purposes, IELTS modules: Listening | 4 sections; 40 questions 30 minutes Reading 3 sections; 40 questions 3 long texts 1 hour Writing 2 tasks 1 hour Speaking 3 sections | 11 - 14 minutes Both Academic and General Training modules try to reflect real-life « whether a candidate would survive in English-speaking social and acadern For example, Section 2 of the Speaking, test asks candidates to tall, after J en ation, for I to 2 minutes on a given general topic. This would test General Traini to see if they could give a “work-related presentation” to fellow work colleagues and test Academic candidates if they could give a “university style presentation” to fellow students It tests whether candidates have the English language capability to perform these tases The IELTS test has two forms: the Academic Module and the General Training : The module that you take depends on the purpose that you are taking it for. Generally speak- ing, the Academic Module is for those who are trying to gain entry into undergrad postgraduate education courses or for professional purposes. The General Training Module is for those who wish to join some kinds of vocational training courses, secondary schools or for TS test are authentic. 2 ie “These tables help you to understand more clearly about the format and timing of the two 4 sections; 40 questions 0 minutes 2 sections; 40 questions 3 long tents 1 hour 2 tasks 4 sections 11 - 14 minates | wwnenhantrivietcom Listening | Social English occurs in Section 1 and Section 2 of the Listening test whereas academic English is used in Sections 3 and 4. The Listening testis the nme for bth the Academie sod General Training modules. Cans} dates will listen to a recording and answer a series of questions. The recording will be played ONCE only. The Listening testis in four sections with 10 questions in each (ie. a total of 40 questions) and will last for 30 minutes with an extra 10 minutes at the end for candidates to transfer answers to their answer sheets.MAM with 40 questions based on 1 reading text | per section (i.e, 8 reading texts). The length | of the test will be between 2,000 and 2,760 nals, books and newspapers. Texts are for an undergraduate or postgraduate readership | but assume NO specialist knowledge of the subject, All reading passage topics will be of general academic interest. At least one text ‘ill contain a logical argument, One text may include a diagram, graph or illustration. If mamstatien.com Reading | The A [:hour test in 3 sections words, Texts are taken from magazines, jour- ‘The Reading testis a L-hour est in 3 sg | with 40 questions based on 1 readin per section, The length of the test wit} tween 2,000 and 2,750 word, In this mad texts are taken from notices, advertisemen | official documents, booklets, newspeper, jy | struction manuals, leaflets, timetables, books and magazines. ee first section is concerned with soi) survival in an English-speaking county, The second section is concerned with survival iy an education, training or welfare context, The beta. there are any words or terms of a specialist technical nature, which candidates would not be expected to know, a short glossary will be third section tests candidates’ abilities with a longer, more complex text. provided. | Writing | The Writing test is of 1-hour duration. Candi- | The Writing testis of I-hour duration. Cand. dates are required to do 2 tasks. dates are required to do 2 tasks. Task 1 asks candidates to describe factual n- | Task 1 requires candidates to write a leter formation presented in pictorial form(s). The | in response to a given situation, Candidates | pictorial form(s) could be a line graph, a bar | must write a minimum of 150 words. chart iechart table ora picture deserib- | n4sk » asks candidates to write an essay on ing a proces. There coud be a combination | 5 general topi, Candidates must write a min. of these input forms. Candidates must write | imum of 260 words, | ¢ minimum of 150 words. ‘Task 2 asks candidates to write an essay on a general academic topic. Candidates must write a minimum of 250 words. Speaking | The Speaking testis the same for both the Academie and General Training modules, The test | is conducted with 1 examiner and 1 candidate, The Speaking test is recorded and divided into 3 sections. Section 1 begins with some general introductory questions, Ths is followed by some questions on personal information similar to the type of questions one would ask when meeting someone | for the first time. Finally, the examiner will ask a series of questions on topics of general interest. (4 —5 minutes) | Section 2 is a monologue by the candidate. The examiner will give the candidate a card with & | subject and a few guiding questions on it, The candidate must talk for 1 to 2 minutes on this subject excluding an optional 1 minute's preparation for his talk. After this talk, the examinet will ask 1 or 2 brief questions in order to finish off the section. (3 - 4 minutes) Section 3 is a discussion. The examiner will ask some more questions generally related to the subject spoken about in Section 2, These questions will be more demanding and require som critical analysis on the part ofthe candidate, (4-5 minutes) at www.nhalII, What you should do in the last stage of your preparation for the IELTS test In this critical period, you have supposedly accumulated adequate knowledge of vocabu- lary items and grammar points. Also, your skills of English have considerably improved after a long time of practice. In addition, you have grasped the key features of the IELTS test, your job now is to train your test-doing strategies and enhance your communicative competence. You should know how to allocate the time allowed, how to use appropriate strategies and exploit your strengths to the utmost when taking the test to achieve your desired band score. A series of 15 DAYS’ PRACTICE FOR IELTS guidebooks designed by IELTS gurus who have written and taught IELTS courses since this kind of test came into being in 1989 are regarded as indispensable materials on your path to success. In this series, the speaking and writing materials are edited by Sheila Crowe, an Irish expert to whom we would like to show our appreciation and thanks. Besides, an English examiner named Donald Crawford deserves our gratitude for some of his sample writings with which he has provided us. Lastly, we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to specialists and colleagues whose great contributions certainly bring about the birth of these rewarding books.Day 1 An Overview on the IELTS Reading Testa Wr tihitea. aeeeennees " Lessons from the Titanic ene 9 Day 2 Overview Questions ares tee 1, Signs of Success situbasias) 2. A Stubborn, Taxing Problem... 25 | 8. Tea Times..... 4, Mary Wollstonecraft... rGlass\e ca eee = eae Day 3 Exercises on Overview Questions ....... 36 | 1, From Black Box to Blite Box ....0..... 36 2. Fat of the Land .......... me 39 | 8. A Modest Undertaking ...0nus00mn 4, Leisure Time ... 5. The History of Writing... , 6, Historical Thermometers w..cccson 1. Parenting and Responsibility 8, What Isa Din0$8U2? soos 58 | Oj Huds Modayh tntsnirGa coats a 62 Day 4 Detail Questions (1): Short-Answer/ Gap Filling /Multiple-Choice/ Classification QUEStIONS sacs, 64 | 1. The 5,000-mile National Cycle | Network : ooo | 2 Environmental Impact of Mining on People Eee et 3. Where Are the Jobs? .. 4. The Blueberries of Mars 5. Another Intelligence?...... 8, Recycling Britain... Day 5 Exercises on Detail Questions (1) Day 7 Exercises on Detail Questions (2) 7. Things Fall Apart... |. Mobile Telecommunications ... In or Out? ae The Brain and Intelligence ....... UNICEF, Malnutrition and Micronutrients .. é Social Impact of Mining Under Water ...cnsnese Government in Aboriginal Societies oe Of Ducks and Duck Eggs ...... Day 6 Detail Questions (2): True/ False/ Not Given /Sentence-Completion/ Matching Questions . The Creation Myth .... ; A New Menace from an Old Enemy The Politics of Pessimism... Recycling Plastics ...... Asbestos Inhalation ... | | Pronunciation and Physiognomy Prosecuting Corporate Fraud Where's the Lawyer? . ~ ‘Turning up the Heat in the Greenhouse 130 Why Women Have to Work How Fire Leapt to Life Circadian Rhythms of a DayDay 8 Day Day I 7, Homeopathy |, Warnings to Be Ignored ... awd Progressive Test 1. a 139 . JUSt RELAX ..seeensesen 142 Rees Cntr 147 Viewpoint Questions «0.0m 152 Too Few Women at the Top Is Not Just. a Science Problem .. Pubs 153 Left out or Left behind 156 Before Disaster Strikes ... sienssstinnes 159) A Constitution for Burope wn 162 Beware the Natives and Their Norms... 165 Exercises on Viewpoint Questions .. 169 . We're Patently Going Mad...... 169 . Free Lunch for All. 12 Risk Management for the Masses... 174 Playing with Fire... 177 . The Siren Song of the Outsider ....... 180 , Weapons of Mass Salvation «02... 184 Summary Questions .... 188. Sports and Recreation 189 The Greenhouse Effect isl . The Changing Nature of Careers ...... 193 Automobiles vs. Public Transport... 195 . Paper Recycling ...... ele) Exercises on Summary Questions ..... 201 Locked Doors, Open Access 201 Fermented Foods for Babies 204 Political Parties in the UK «cu. 207 . What Happens When Lightning Strikes an Airplane?..... : 209 . Domestic Pets in New Urban Areas ... 212 }. The Tourist Industry ....... 214 27 www.nhantrivieticom Day 13 mamstation.com oN 4 39 i 1L Graphic Questions ... 20 Numeracy Centre ... i 20 2. Information for Students at the Language and Culture Centre (LCC)... m 3. Reaching for the Sky alte an 4, Garbage in, Garbage oUt 0... 228 5. Destination for International English Students nigga Day 14 Exercises on Graphic Questions ..... 235 1, Fashion and Society oncom 235 2, Hazardous Compound Helps to Preserve Crumbling Books 238 3, The Dam That Changed dusts 242 4, Did Tea and Beer Bring about Industrialisation?...... 244 5, The Beam-operated Traffic syateaal 247 6. Hemp Revival 250 Day 15 Progressive Test 2 en Antl 1. The Peacemakers 253 2, Team-based Learning....... 256 3. Jupiter's Bruises sour teat 200) Answer Key occur 063}MAM®) mamstation.com Day] An Oxee¥iew on the IELTS Reading Test I. IELTS Reading ‘You need to select either the General Training Module or the Academic Module. The differ- ence between the two modules lies in the Reading and Writing tests. The Listening and Speaking tests are the same for both. In terms of reading, the main difference between the Academic and General Training mod- ules lies in the content of the passages. The General Training Module includes easier texts from social, academic, and work contexts. The Academic Module includes more advanced texts, at an undergraduate or graduate level, from academic sources. Yet, the Academic and General Reading Modules are also similar in many ways. Both last one hour, contain 3 passages and 40 questions, and are scored in the same way. Remember that in the IELTS Reading test (unlike in the IELTS Listening test), no extra time is given to transfer your answers onto your answer sheet. Hence, it is very important that you keep an eye on the time and timely transfer your answers onto your answer sheet as you complete each reading section. In fact, most candidates have found the Reading test the most difficult. One of the reasons is unfamiliarity with the topics; some topics are quite strange. The second reason is there is a time limit and the three reading passages are quite long. They are neither of the same diffi- culty nor of the same subject matter; often the difficulty level increases from reading passage 1 to reading passage 3. However, the IELTS Reading test is not that difficult. If you know the right approach, you can easily score the maximum in it. The first thing you are advised to do is to go through the reading test paper quickly. Just skim through all the passages in about a minute to find out which passage appears to be the easiest one and which appears to be the difficult one, and of course begin with the easiest one. Second, read the questions before beginning reading. This will help you skip the unneces- sary portions of the reading passage and concentrate more on the significant areas, Further, look out for the topic sentence that gives the main theme of the passage. Underline the key phrases that seem to be more important so that you can get back to them easily when needed. www.nhantriviet.com an15 Days’ Practice Lets MAM IL Outlining aMbefgcde strategy for the IELTS Reading test 1, Work out an effective study plan You should apply the following suggestions to solve the questions in le the key words in the QUESTIONS like dates ave an idea of the type of the Reading test; (1) Read the questions FIRST and circl names, places, etc. This should be done so that you can hi information you will be looking for and when you are reading the passage, these key words will ring a bell. ve to read the instructions to be sure of what jg (2) Read the instructions carefully. You ha therefore, just as important as finding the required. Understanding the instructions is, right answer in the passage. (3) Read the first paragraph and glance through the questions and think if you can answer any question. (4) Read the remaining paragraphs and do the same. (5) While reading the paragraphs, circle the key words in them. (6) Note that all the questions in ONE PARTICULAR SET are in a sequence and in order, and so is the information in the paragraphs. (7) Do at least one hour of reading daily in a quiet place and try to read 6 pages. (8) Practise doing the tasks in each reading passage for about 20 minutes. ‘Applying these suggestions coupled with acting on the 15 days’ schedule recommended in this book will certainly lead you to great success. 2, Learn the exam. Know the types of questions in the IELTS Reading test ‘The IELTS Reading test consists of 40 questions spread over three reading passages. Each reading passage is followed by some questions. These questions could be of different types Look at the table on the next page which sums up the types of questions in the IELTS Reading test. 2 www.nhante jet.coM |