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Easy Reading 1

The document is a compilation of exercises focused on reading comprehension, particularly emphasizing the value of friendship among teenagers and the differences in friendship definitions in online versus real-life contexts. It also discusses the impact of social factors on health and body image, alongside the benefits of studying abroad. The exercises include multiple-choice questions and short answer formats to assess understanding of the texts provided.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
23 views46 pages

Easy Reading 1

The document is a compilation of exercises focused on reading comprehension, particularly emphasizing the value of friendship among teenagers and the differences in friendship definitions in online versus real-life contexts. It also discusses the impact of social factors on health and body image, alongside the benefits of studying abroad. The exercises include multiple-choice questions and short answer formats to assess understanding of the texts provided.

Uploaded by

nhungnh.sapp
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

IELTS Shine

66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN

EASY READING 1

TỔNG HỢP NHIỀU DẠNG BÀI

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
0
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
MỤC LỤC

EXERCISE 1 3
EXERCISE 2 4
EXERCISE 3 6
EXERCISE 4 6
EXERCISE 5 8
EXERCISE 6 9
EXERCISE 7 11
EXERCISE 8 12
EXERCISE 9 14
EXERCISE 10 16
EXERCISE 11 17
EXERCISE 12 18
EXERCISE 13 19
EXERCISE 14 21
EXERCISE 15 23
EXERCISE 16 25
EXERCISE 17 27
EXERCISE 18 28
EXERCISE 19 30
EXERCISE 20 31
EXERCISE 21 33
EXERCISE 22 33
EXERCISE 23 34
EXERCISE 24 35
EXERCISE 25 37
EXERCISE 26 39
EXERCISE 27 39
ANSWER KEY 41

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
1
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
EXERCISE 1

Read the following text then look at the questions.

THE VALUE OF FRIENDSHIP


Recent research into the world of teenagers has suggested that they value friendship above
everything else. Children aged between 12 and 15 were asked what was important to them. Their
answers included possessions such as money and computer gadgets but also relationships with
people. The teenagers questioned said that friends were the most important to them, more even
than family, or boyfriends and girlfriends.

We wanted to find out more about the results of this research so we asked our readers what they
thought about the value of friendship. Here are some examples of what they said about their friends:

Ben, 15:
Every time I have a fight with my parents, I need some time on my own. But after that, the first thing
I do is meet up with my friends. After playing football for a while, or skateboarding, I usually feel
much happier again.

Rory, 13
When I moved to a village in the countryside, I thought that it would be the end of my friendships.
But my old friends have kept in touch and they come and visit in the holidays. There's a lake nearby,
so we often go sailing, water-skiing or windsurfing. And I have made some new friends here too, at
school, and since I joined the rugby club.

Carlos, 11
Last year, I broke my arm on a skiing holiday. Unfortunately, it was my left arm and I am lefthanded.
My school friends all helped and copied their notes for me. It seems that our readers value their
friendships very highly. From what they told us, they spend a lot of time with their friends, just
hanging out, or sharing hobbies and interests. They seem to need their friends for advice, help,
chats, and for having fun. Clearly, friends make each other feel better. Looking at what our readers
told us, the results of the recent research are not really surprising.

Now answer these multiple-choice questions. Choose the appropriate letter a,


b, c or d.
1. To teenagers, money is ...
a not important. c as important as relationships with people.
b as important as computer gadgets. d less important than friendships.

2. Why are Ben, Rory and Carlos mentioned in the article?


a They know why teenagers value friendship. c They read magazines.
b They gave information about themselves. d They are teenage boys.

3. Which of the following best describes Ben?


a He often has fights. c He is happier than his friends
“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
2
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
b He likes being alone. d He likes some sports.

4. What do we know about the lake that Rory visits?


a It is near the school. c It is used by a lot of people who do water sports
b It is near his home. d It is in a village.

5. Carlos mentions that he is left-handed because ...


a it makes skiing harder.
b it makes it worse that he broke the arm he uses most.
c it is an interesting fact about himself and he was talking about his left arm.
d it is very unfortunate when you break your left arm.

6. The answers to the recent research and the answers from the readers ...
a were surprising. c were similar
b were the same. d were both about sport

EXERCISE 2

Read the following text then look at the questions.

It is said that most people have no more than 30 friends at any given time, and 400 over the whole
of their lives. However, on social networking sites, most users have about 150 friends. If these
numbers are correct, then friendship means different things in different situations.

One of the reasons for having more online friends than real friends at a certain point in time is that
online friendships do not require much time and energy: it is easy to accept friendships and keep
them forever. Another possibility is that it is difficult to say 'no' when somebody asks us to be their
friend online, even if we feel we don't really know them. The fact that they ask us suggests that they
do consider us a friend, which is a nice feeling. Alternatively, they may be 'collectors' of online friends
and just want to use us to get a higher number of friends and appear to be popular.

Online friendships are quite easy, but in the real world decisions about friendships are harder to
make. There are no rules about friendship. There are no guidelines about how to make friends, how
to keep friendships going, and how to finish friendships if we want to move on. People have very
different opinions about this: some people would die for their friends and they value them more than
family. Others say that friends are temporary, only there to help each other until they are no longer
needed. If people with such different views become friends, this can lead to problems.

Because of these different definitions of friendship, it is easy to be unhappy about our friendships.
We may want them to be deeper or closer, or we may want to have more friends in our lives.
Sometimes we simply do not have the time to develop our friendships, or we fear we have left it too
late in life to start. If we move to another country or city, we have to find ways to make new friends
again.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
3
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
This dissatisfaction shows us how important friendships are for most of us. We should not think
that it could be too late to build friendships. We also need to understand that the need to be around
other people is one that is shared by many. Therefore, we should not be too frightened about
starting to talk to people who in the future may become our friends: it is likely that they too would
like to get closer to us. Remember what people say: strangers are friends we have not met yet.

Questions 1 - 6
Choose the appropriate letters a, b, c or d.
1. How many friends do the majority of people probably have?
a 30 real friends or fewer
b a minimum of 30 real friends
c 150 internet friends
d 400 internet friends over the course of their lives

2. It is difficult...
a to believe the numbers about friendship.
b to keep your friends happy.
c to trust what you read on social networking sites.
d to give a definition of 'friendship'.

3. Friendship means ...


a different things to different people.
b dying for your friends if you need to.
c helping each other until it is no longer necessary.
d accepting people with different views.

4. Sometimes people worry because ...


a they think that they have too many friends.
b they spend too much time with friends.
c they think they are too old to make friends.
d there are no guidelines about friendship.

5. Most of us...
a are dissatisfied with our friends. b build friendships late in life.
c are frightened to talk to strangers. d need to be with others.

6. What does 'Strangers are friends we have not met yet' mean?
a We have not met strangers before. b Strangers are also our friends.
c We should not talk to strangers. d Strangers may become our friends.

EXERCISE 3

Read the following text then look at the questions.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
4
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
Illness is defined in a variety of ways, which depend on a number of factors. One of these factors is
age differences. Older people tend to accept as 'normal' a range of pains and physical limitations
which younger people would define as symptoms of some illness or disability. As we age, we
gradually redefine health and accept greater levels of physical discomfort. In Blaxter's (1990)
national survey of health definitions, she found that young people tend to define health in terms of
physical fitness, but gradually, as people age, health comes to be defined more in terms of being
able to cope with everyday tasks. She found examples of older people with really serious arthritis,
who nevertheless defined themselves as healthy, as they were still able to carry out a limited range
of routine activities.

Now scan the text and answer questions 1-3, using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each
answer.
1. Why do some people accept pain as a part of life?
......................................................................................................
2. What did Blaxter want to find out about?
......................................................................................................
3. What does the text say about how older people define health?
......................................................................................................

EXERCISE 4

Read the following text then look at the questions.

THE BODY
The concept of 'the body' is closely related to the ideas of 'illness' and 'health'.

All of us exist in 'bodies' of different shapes, heights, colours and physical abilities. The main reasons
for the differences are genetic, and the fact that people's bodies change as they age. However, a
huge range of research indicates that there are social factors too.

Poorer people are more likely to eat 'unhealthy' foods, to smoke cigarettes and to be employed in
repetitive, physically difficult work or the opposite: boring, inactive employment. Moreover, their
housing conditions and neighbourhoods tend to be worse. All of these factors impact upon the
condition of a person's health: the physical shapes of bodies are strongly influenced by social
factors.

These social factors are also closely linked to emotional wellbeing. People with low or no incomes
are more likely to have mental health problems. It is not clear, however, whether poverty causes
mental illness, or whether it is the other way around. For example, certain people with mental health
issues may be at risk of becoming homeless, just as a person who is homeless may have an
increased risk of illnesses such as depression.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
5
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
There are other types of social factors too. Bodies are young or old, short or tall, big or small, weak
or strong. Whether these judgments matter and whether they are positive or negative depends on
the cultural and historical context. The culture - and media - of different societies promote very
different valuations of body shapes. What is considered as attractive or ugly, normal or abnormal
varies enormously. Currently, for example, in rich societies the idea of slimness is highly valued, but
historically this was different. In most societies the ideal body shape for a woman was a 'full figure'
with a noticeable belly, while in middle-aged men, a large stomach indicated that they were
financially successful in life. In many traditional African and Pacific island cultures, for example, a
large body shape was a sign of success and a shape to be
aimed at.

It is easy for people to feel undervalued because of factors they have no power to change, for
example, their age and height. Equally, they can feel pressured into making changes to their
appearance when there is a choice, which in extreme cases can lead to obsessions with weight loss
and fitness regimes.

Sociologists, then, are suggesting that we should not just view bodies and minds in biological terms,
but also in social terms. The physical body and what we seek to do with it change over time and
society. This has important implications for medicine and ideas of health. Thus, the idea of people
being 'obese' is physically related to large amounts of processed food, together with lack of exercise,
and is therefore a medical issue. However, it has also become a mental health issue and social
problem as a result of people coming to define this particular body shape as 'wrong' and unhealthy.

Questions 1 - 10
Using NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS for each, answer the following questions.

1. In what ways do our bodies physically differ?


......................................................................................................
2. Why do our bodies differ physically?
......................................................................................................
3. What types of jobs are poor people likely to have?
......................................................................................................
4. What aspects of poor people's living environments are not good?
......................................................................................................
5. What influences how groups of people value bodies?
......................................................................................................
6. What have wealthy cultures changed their opinion about?
......................................................................................................
7. In the past, what part of the body could indicate that people were rich?
......................................................................................................

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
6
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
8. According to sociology, in what ways should we think about the body?
......................................................................................................
9. Which two physical factors contribute to whether people are obese or not?
......................................................................................................
10. What does society say that being obese is?
......................................................................................................

EXERCISE 5

Read the following text then look at the questions.

IS IT BETTER TO GO ABROAD TO STUDY?


Student-friendly places
The British Council has named the universities that are most welcoming to overseas students. As
you would expect, English-speaking countries such as Australia, the UK and the US have made the
top 10, but the number one may be a surprise: Germany. Two Far Eastern countries, i.e. China and
Malaysia, made it to the top 5, ranking higher than the US, Japan, Russia, Nigeria and Brazil.

The benefits of studying abroad


Russell Howe, a Scot who is currently studying a Business degree at Stellinga International College
in the Netherlands, previously also studied in India (which came 11th on the list). 'People often ask
me why I needed to travel, because British universities have a good reputation elsewhere in the
world. But this is not something I needed to do, but something I really wanted to do. I have learnt
different ways of looking at things, but I also found out how much we all have in common, wherever
we are from. All of this will be useful in my future career.'

Russell is not the only international student in his department. Business and administrative courses
are the most popular with international students, followed by engineering and technology, social
studies, creative arts and design, medicine-related topics and law. Manal, a student at the Faculty
of Art and Design at Stellinga, says she has similar reasons to Russell, but there is more: 'I wanted
to broaden my understanding of the world. I have enhanced my language skills: I am more fluent in
English and have also taken a level 1 Dutch evening class. One of my modules is about European
art, and I believe that I am benefiting more from studying this in Europe than anywhere else. I have
managed to visit other countries in my holidays, and really feel that this whole experience is
developing my global perspective. I also hope that I have made lasting friendships and contacts.'

Enabling student access


What is it that makes these countries student-friendly? Well, all of them make it easy for international
students to apply, and provide ongoing support once they are there. They also offer good quality
degrees, which are valued highly in other countries too. The fact that Germany came out as winner
is probably due to the country's efforts towards internationalization. One aspect of this is that the
country welcomes foreign students by charging them the same fees as home students, meaning
that in some universities overseas students study for free. Many classes are conducted in English,
“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
7
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
and so are most leaflets, making it easier for international students to keep informed and take part
in student life.

Apart from the financial reasons already mentioned, this type of educational internationalization can
help with the quality of research in these universities, through e.g. networking, teamwork and the
sharing of skills. For students, it is a valuable addition to their skills and experience at a time when
jobs are not easy to find.

Scan the text quickly to answer the following questions.


1. Which paragraph(s) give(s) somebody's opinion?
2. What does somebody really want people to understand?
3. Which two paragraphs talk about the country that is the most welcoming to overseas
students?
4. Which paragraph gives examples to explain what an internationalization approach is?

EXERCISE 6

Read the following text then look at the questions.

APPLYING TO STELLINGA COLLEGE


Why Stellinga?
Thank you for your interest in Stellinga International College. As an international student, we are
sure you will find our university college an exciting place to study, with like-minded and ambitious
individuals.

Preparing and submitting your application


We have tried to make the application process as easy as possible for you, but there are a number
of procedures you must follow.

All our courses are taught in English, so first of all you will probably need to submit proof of your
English language ability. We require an IELTS score of 6.5 or another test result which is equivalent
(see appendix). You will also have to send us your secondary school diploma, so that we can
evaluate it. If you have the International Baccalaureate or a Dutch VWO diploma, you don't need to
provide English language test results.

We will also require a personal statement. This is a text of up to 1000 words in which you introduce
yourself, explain your interest in our college, and why you want to study your chosen course.

If you are from outside the European Union (EU), it is important that you have an entrance visa
before you come to study in the Netherlands, but we will apply for this for you.

We now only accept online applications, so please ensure that you have all your documents ready
to upload before you begin. Any documents that are not in English originally will also need to be
translated and the translations also uploaded.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
8
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
You will need a passport photograph; a copy of your passport; copies of all your certificates,
diplomas, etc.; your proof of language ability (see above); and your personal statement in English.

What happens next?


Your application will then be considered. If your initial application is successful, you will be invited
for an interview. This will be conducted in English via Skype, over the phone or on site, depending
on whether you can come and visit us. You will talk to two or three members of staff for up to 30
minutes, and will be asked to elaborate on your application documents and your personal statement.
We aim to inform you of our decision in writing, within 4 weeks. There are several possible outcomes:
you may not have been successful; you may be offered a place at the college or you may be offered
a place on the waiting list. You will need to reply to any offers within two weeks, otherwise your place
may be offered to somebody else.
Good luck with your application.

The required documents:

Evidence of language ability IELTS 6.5 or (1).......................................................

Evidence of studies (2) ............................................................................,


Dutch VWO diploma, or other secondary school diploma

Information about motivation (3) ...................................................... with a maximum


length of (4) ......................................................

Proof of identity (5) ................................. ................ and passport photo

Other (6) .................................................... if originals are in a


foreign language

The online application process for people outside the EU:

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
9
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN

EXERCISE 7

Exam tip

Timing is very important in the IELTS exam, as you will have to answer 40 questions about three
reading passages in one hour. In this type of exam question, you will be looking for detailed
information, so you will need to use your scanning skills. Try to get used to scanning and working
as fast as you can

Scan the text below for the following words, or their (near) synonyms. Try to find them all,
or as many as you can, in less than 90 seconds. They are in the same order.

1 parts 6 a very large amount 11 transfer


2 typical 7 coat (verb) 12 surround
“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
10
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
3 crystal 8 exceptional 13 following
4 include 9 corrode 14 material
5 circuits 10 tiny 15 folded

Mobile phone components


An average basic mobile phone contains a circuit board, an antenna, a liquid crystal display, a
keyboard, a microphone, a speaker and a battery.

Mobile metals Mobiles contain many different metals:


● Copper is used for electrical circuits because it is a good electrical conductor.
● Silver is used in switches on the circuit boards and in the phone buttons because it is an
even better electrical conductor. It lasts for millions of on/off cycles.
● Gold is used to plate the surfaces of the circuit board and the connectors. It is an excellent
electrical conductor and does not corrode.
● Tantalum is used in the electronic components. It enables scientists to make mobiles very
small.
Your mobile is also likely to contain palladium, platinum, aluminium and iron.

Electrical conductivity
Metals conduct electrical currents well. Non-metals usually make good insulators. In a mobile,
electrical insulators surround the circuit.

Smart mobiles
The next generation of mobile could be made from 'smart' fabric. These types of fabric react to
something in the environment and change. A smart fabric mobile could be folded and put in your
pocket without breaking.

EXERCISE 8

Read the following text then look at the questions.

Cupcakes are made from a mixture of ingredients. Different flavoured cupcakes have different
mixtures. The icing used to decorate the cakes contains sugar, water, colouring and flavouring.
Water and sugar are different types of compounds. These compounds are made from elements.

Elements, compounds and mixtures


Chemical substances occur in three types.
● Elements - these contain one type of atom only. They cannot be chemically broken down into
simpler substances.
● Compounds - these contain two or more different elements bonded together. A chemical
reaction is needed to break up a compound. This will involve energy.
● Mixtures - these may contain two or more elements and/or compounds. They are mixed in
any proportion and can be separated out.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
11
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
When a baker mixes the flour, sugar, fat, eggs, flavouring and colour together to make cupcakes,
he or she is making a mixture. The icing sugar, water and colour make a different mixture. The sugar
and water are compounds.

The compound water is made from the elements hydrogen and oxygen. Sugar contains the elements
hydrogen, oxygen and carbon.

In this unit, we will be looking at flavourings, the substances that are added to food or drink to give
it a particular taste. They are added because people would probably refuse to eat certain products
without them. Margarine and ice cream, for example, would have unacceptable tastes, whereas
certain jellies, some other sweets, and meat replacement products would have little or no taste.

Natural flavours are those found in nature. Those from vegetable sources include vanilla, strawberry,
lemon and nuts. An example of an animal source is beef flavouring, added for example to chips.
Essential oils and fruit juices can also be used to flavour foods. They are sourced in nature and
obtained through physical processes such as distillation and fermentation.

Some animal flavours, such as bacon and beef flavour in crisps, are vegetarian because they are
artificial rather than made from animal sources.

There are also nature-identical flavourings. An example is vanillin, which is often produced cheaply
from lignin, a polymer, rather than from vanilla pods. These flavourings are chemically identical to
natural flavourings, but have been produced chemically rather than naturally, e.g. by a process of
chemical extraction. The human body does not notice the difference as their molecules are identical
to natural ones.

Artificial flavourings consist of chemically synthesized compounds which have no source


whatsoever in nature. Although the word natural has positive connotations, some natural flavours
may have contaminated sources, which are harmful. Artificial flavours undergo strict testing because
they are subject to laws (e.g. The European Flavouring Regulation (1334/2008) and may therefore
be purer and safer. Using natural flavourings is also more expensive and may be considered a waste
at a time when we are trying to preserve nature.

Questions 1 - 5
Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS OR NUMBERS from
the text for each answer.

1. A compound cannot be separated without energy and a ..........................................................


2. Although mixtures consist of a combination of elements and compounds, it is possible for
these to be ..........................................................
3. If flavourings were not added, people would probably ........................................................ to
consume margarine.
4. Flavours can only be described as natural if they have a natural
...................................................
5. Vanillin is chemically produced, but ........................................................ in chemical
composition to a natural flavouring.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
12
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
EXERCISE 9

Read the following text then look at the questions.

THE BEACH, A NATURAL TREASURE TROVE


Nature walks can be fun, energizing and educational at the same time. In Part One, we will look at
what we can find on a marine walk. In Part Two, we will discuss our fascinating forests.

First of all, when you are walking on the beach you may be able to spot tracks. Birds and crabs
leave footprints behind, especially in wet sand. On sandy beaches you will also be able to find
interesting holes, made by crabs that were digging for food in the mud.

You may also come across jellyfish, as these are often washed up on the beach by the tides. They
have no eyes, ears, heart or head and are mostly made of water. They look like a bag with arms,
which are called tentacles. These contain poison, which helps them catch food. Even when they are
out of the water or in pieces the tentacles may sting you, so they are best left alone.

Other animals you may find are coral and barnacles. The latter are marine animals that are related
to crabs and lobsters and live in shallow waters. They like to attach themselves to hard materials,
so you are likely to find them stuck to a piece of wood.

You may also see what look like small gelatinous blobs but are actually fish or worm eggs.

If you are lucky, you may find a fossil. In essence, this is an animal that died and got buried in a sea
bed. They are likely to look like a piece of rock with an imprint of an animal skeleton. Their history is
very interesting.

For an animal to become fossilized, it has to be buried in mud, sand or soil. If an animal dies but is
not buried, it is more likely to rot away, be swept away by wind or water, and/or be eaten by another
animal. Over millions of years, the animal remains become buried deeper and deeper; the mud,
sand or soil compresses and slowly becomes rock. Their bone or shell starts to crystallize, because
of surrounding minerals and chemicals. Ideally, the temperature stays relatively constant throughout
this process. Sometimes the fossil dissolves completely and just leaves an imprint. At other times,
waves, tides and currents slowly make the rocks erode, which allows the animal remains to break
off, ready for you to find.

What you will definitely find a beach are shells. These were once the homes of animals such as
snails, barnacles and mussels, consisting of a hard layer that the animal created for protection as
part of its body. After the animal has died, its soft parts have rotted or have been eaten by other
animals, such as crabs. What is left is a beautiful seashell for you to admire and take home if you
wish.

Using NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS from the passage, complete each gap in the diagram.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
13
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN

EXERCISE 10

Read the following text then look at the questions.

THE MANY USES OF MORINGA TREE


The Moringa tree, Saragwa, or Drumstick tree, is relatively unknown in the West, despite the fact
that it is incredibly useful. Miriam Tayne reports about its culinary, medicinal and other uses.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
14
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN

The Moringa tree is a relatively small tree that typically grows to between three and ten metres tall.
Its flowers are creamy-coloured and have been compared to small orchids. The plant has long and
round green pods that can grow to 30 cms and which look a bit like drumsticks, hence the tree's
common name. The pods consist of three parts, which contain round, dark brown seeds. Planting
needs to be done in sandy or muddy soil, using these seeds or tree cuttings. The plant does not
tolerate frost but thrives in hot climates. It is very common in South and South-east Asia, Africa and
America.

The leaves are reputed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, so are used for eye
and ear infections, fevers, etc. They are also held against the forehead to reduce headaches, or
made into tea to treat stomach complaints. As they contain a lot of iron they have been used for the
treatment of anaemia, a medical condition in which there are too few red cells in the blood, causing
tiredness. The plant also contains many other nutrients, such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium,
and vitamins A and C.

The ground-up seeds are commonly used to treat certain skin infections, but can be used for much
more. Ground seeds can be mixed with salt or oils to apply to the body to treat cramp, back ache
and forms of arthritis, a medical condition in which the joints are swollen and painful. The oil, called
Ben oil because it contains behenic acid, is also used as a hair treatment or a perfume, and to deter
mosquitoes and treat their bites. The byproducts of the oil manufacturing process are used for
fertilization and water purification.

The roots work in exactly the same way as the seeds, but are much stronger, so are not used as
often. They have additional uses for heart and circulation problems, whereas the gum is sometimes
used to treat asthma. The bark has quite a pleasant taste and is sometimes eaten to encourage
digestion.

The plant's main use is as food: for livestock, and for human beings, because it contains high
concentrations of fibre and protein. The drumsticks are eaten in soup and/or as green beans, often
in combination with shrimp (see picture), whereas the seeds are eaten like peas, or roasted. The
leaves are eaten fresh or cooked in similar ways to spinach. Chopped, they are used as a garnish
on soups and salads. They are often pickled or dried so that they are always available to use in
sauces, stir-fries, soups and in sweet and sour or spicy curries.

Like every other part of the tree, its flowers are not just decorative but also functional. They taste a
bit like wild mushrooms and are considered a delicacy. They are used to make tea to treat the
common cold, mixed with honey to make cough medicine, and made into juice to be drunk during
breastfeeding as it is said to increase milk flow.

There is not a part of the tree that is not used. The Moringa tree is probably the most beneficial tree
in the world.

Using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage, complete each gap in the diagram.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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EXERCISE 11

Read the following text then look at the questions.

In all communication, whether this is verbal or non-verbal, a sender transfers a message to a


receiver, choosing a certain medium. The receiver uses the message clues and the context, and
decodes it to understand it. This is often followed by a new message in return, and so the
communication process continues.

Although this procedure is always the same, it can take many different forms depending on the type
of communication. For example, in non-verbal communication (as opposed to written and spoken

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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communication, which are both verbal), the code used could be gestures, body language, eye
contact and facial expressions, such as a smile.

Communication is extremely important in the business world. It is likely that in this context both
informal and formal styles will be used. If we take the example of meetings, we might say that they
are often conducted in quite a relaxed way, with participants using first names and informal
language. However, as soon as the meeting is official, careful records, called minutes, will be kept,
following a predetermined format which is standard across many business situations. Layout is one
aspect of a formal style. Content will also be dictated to some extent by the level of formality. Annual
business reports must include certain types of information to be legal, e.g. financial information, but
even a simple letter would not function as it should without the use of somebody's title (e.g. M r or
Ms). Language is another aspect which needs to be taken into account. Formal, written
communication needs to be clear and to the point, without spelling or grammar mistakes, and in a
formal register (e.g. D ear..., instead of Hi). Not following these important rules would have a
negative effect in any business context.

Use no more than TWO words from the text each time.

Types of communication:

1. …………………….. verbal

2. ……………………..

3. ……………………..

Summary:
It is important to follow the rules when communicating in writing, especially if you are in (4)
....................................environment. There are three areas which are important:
(5)..................................... content and language. The language needs to be formal and there should
be no (6)......................................You cannot choose to include exactly what you like, for example
financial information must be included in your business's (7)......................................It also needs to
look good on the page, with everything written in a (8)....................................format.

EXERCISE 12

Complete summaries A and B with words from the corresponding passages below. Use NO
MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.

Summary A
There should be a small number of (1) .............................. at meetings and there needs to be a
(2) ........................................ for any meeting, which will include a clear agenda. During the
meeting there needs to be good (3) ..................................... management and clarity about what
the meeting should hopefully (4)............................... At the end, there should be a summary and
agreement about (5).............................action.

Passage A

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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Managers need a range of communication skills to carry out their jobs effectively. They need to be
able to articulate their ideas and vision and to convey enthusiasm. Good managers may, at times,
need to be able to argue points cogently and to persuade people to their point of view. However,
good managers appreciate that communication is a two-way process, and that listening is an
important element of communication. Listening to the views of others can help to test ideas as well
as to develop new products and methods of production.

The most common forum in which managers are required to communicate are meetings. It is
important for managers to plan for meetings, whether with a single person or with a group. Managers
should not invite too many participants to keep numbers to a minimum. They should have a clear
agenda for discussion and should exercise tight time controls to prevent meetings dragging on.
Managers should enter each meeting with a clear idea of what they want it to achieve. At the end of
a meeting it is good practice to summarize what has been agreed and what needs to happen in the
future.

Summary B
Working with other people is not always easy, but it is (6) .............................. for the role of
managers that they have interpersonal skills that are (7)................................ Their (8)
..............................may need encouragement and help with (9)............................... and solving
problems between colleagues.

Passage B
Communication skills should not be taken for granted. Many managers require training in written
and oral communication skills and many businesses would benefit from employing managers who
speak at least one other language.

Interpersonal skills are also necessary if a manager is to work successfully with other people. If
managers lack interpersonal skills, then they are likely to be of limited effectiveness in their role.
Managers with effective interpersonal skills can motivate others and can co-ordinate the work of
their employees. To do this, managers may need to coach and encourage employees as well as
solving disputes and, perhaps more importantly, preventing conflict.

EXERCISE 13

Read the following text then look at the questions.

A
The business sections of the media tend to focus on large, traditional companies. By definition,
these are high-profile businesses - the companies that are quoted in the leading share price indices.
However, most economists agree that smaller businesses, particularly new and developing small
businesses, are central to the long-term success of any economy. They argue that the industries of
the future will originate in the small business sector. That is why the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe describes SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises, with less than 250
employees) as 'the engine of economic development'.
B
In the UK, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that the total number of businesses,
including small companies, partnerships and sole traders, rose by 260,000 in 2004 to 4.3 million

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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(source: [Link]). This is up from the previous year and represents the best figures ever
recorded.
C
This is a success for government policy. Successive UK governments have sought to encourage
small business start-ups. Behind the policy is a belief that small businesses contribute to a stronger
economic base, and that they have the ability to thrive in a competitive global business environment.
D
The government also encourages small businesses because they are:
● a source of employment
● flexible and innovative
● responsive to gaps in the market
● able to accommodate people with a passion for a product who might not thrive in a large
corporation.

Business planning
E
Policy makers recognize that it is not sufficient to simply encourage an enterprise culture. If new
entrepreneurs are to succeed, if new businesses are to thrive, then it is important that they
appreciate the central role of planning. A business plan is the basis of new business development,
and it encourages an entrepreneur to think ahead and plan, as far as possible, for the business to
be successful.
F
Writing a business plan will not in itself ensure that a business survives. However, it is an invaluable
exercise, forcing entrepreneurs to go through planning steps to make sure their business
propositions are viable. A business plan draws on concepts, skills and knowledge, including:
● doing market research to make sure that planned products and services meet customer
needs
● understanding the market by analysing competitors' products, services and prices
● setting clear business aims and objectives
● finding sufficient capital to meet the business's short-term and long-term needs
● deciding on the most suitable structure and form of ownership for the business

Glossary
• share price indices: plural of 'share price index': a system by which (the speed of) changes in the
value of share prices is recorded and measured
• sole trader: a person who owns their own business and does not have a partner or any
shareholders.

Question 1 - 3:
What are the following paragraphs about? Choose a, b or c.

1. paragraph A
a the media b large companies c smaller businesses

2. paragraph D
“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
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a the reasons why small companies are better than larger ones
b the reasons why the government wants more small businesses
c a list of good points about small companies

3. paragraph E
a the role of policy makers
b the importance of business planning
c tips on improving your business

Question 4 - 6:
Underline the key words in these questions and then look for the answers in the text.

1. Which paragraph mentions statistics?


2. In paragraph A, which word indicates that the text will not be about large businesses?
3. In paragraph C, which sentence explains why new and developing small businesses are
crucial to the success of the economy?

EXERCISE 14

Read the following text then look at the questions.

Setting up in business
A
It takes a considerable commitment to set up and run a small business. Owners must be able to do
all the tasks necessary to run the business or have sufficient funds to buy in appropriate external
help, and even then they must be able to check the quality of the service they are receiving.
B
Anyone planning to start a business must be realistic about what can be achieved, and in what time
frame. Entrepreneurs often work extremely long hours, not just during 'trading' hours, but also after
hours doing all the associated paperwork. If entrepreneurs overwork, they will find it difficult to make
good decisions and will lack the energy to analyse and evaluate marketing and finance data. If an
entrepreneur becomes over tired and over anxious, they can undermine their businesses by giving
the impression that things are bad and the business is just about to close down.
C
Many organizations provide support networks for entrepreneurs running small businesses. These
networks provide training and access to experienced business mentors for little or no charge. The
Business Link network, funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, is one source of this kind
of support. If entrepreneurs are under 30 years of age, the Prince's Trust also provides training and
mentoring for business start-ups. There are various other privately run business networking groups
which can be both fun and mutually supportive.
D
Owners need to consider four key issues: training, leadership and team development, delegation
and management systems.
E

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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Investment in training is necessary to ensure that staff have the skills to do their jobs efficiently and
they can meet the requirements of current legislation such as health and safety. Staff may also need
training to develop skills to meet internationally recognized quality standards for products and
service delivery. Research shows that small and medium-sized firms often find it very difficult to
organize effective training.
F
Ideally, workplace teams should be happy, creative working groups of individuals who support each
other, work to each other's strengths and work towards the business's goals. This might require the
owners to undertake self-assessment and target-setting reviews to ensure that the business is
staying focused on its objectives. Team development can be fostered by organizing events such as
team lunches and days out walking together.
G
Owners should delegate and employ appropriate people to do the tasks that they cannot do or do
not have time to do. By freeing themselves from some of the easier day-to-day tasks of the business,
owners can spend their time monitoring the overall business and thinking about where the business
should be going. Certainly if the owners are passionate about the business, they need time to step
back and focus on the long-term goals and vision of the organization. They also need time to
network, to build up sales leads and to explore further investment opportunities for the business.
H
In time, owners need to be able to let go of control of some aspects of the business and to develop
more formal management systems. This is probably the most difficult task for any entrepreneur.
Many entrepreneurs find it very difficult to trust paid employees to run their businesses.
I
At this stage in their development, without outside help and guidance, many businesses simply
reach their 'natural' capacity and they do not develop or grow any further. Entrepreneurs need to
decide whether they want to keep their business small - so that they retain control of all decisions -
or whether they want to go on growing their business and therefore accept that this will necessarily
change their role in the business.

Questions 1-6
The passage below has nine paragraphs A-l. Which paragraphs mention the following
information? You may use any letter more than once.

1. B
physical and mental problems that a business owner can face ...........
F
2. leadership and team improvement ideas ..........
3. the advantage of not expanding in business I...........
4. individuals and larger groups that are available to help people who are new to business
5. the reasons why the more basic jobs in a small company should not be not be carried out by
employers G...........
6. external reasons why companies should try to keep their employees' knowledge and
F
expertise up-to-date ...........

EXERCISE 15

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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The following text has been divided into four parts. For each part, choose the best sentence
ending from a number of options.

1. Human rights ...


a are about having everything you need and want.
b apply especially to people with disabilities.
c are about rights and also about freedoms.

2. Human rights ...


a not before World War 11.
b are less important when there is a war.
c are now an international issue.

3. According to the Universal Declaration, it is an issue of fairness to be ...


a accepted everywhere in public. b educated. c equal treatment.

4. The European Charter of Fundamental Rights ...


a resulted in social and technological changes.
b included information about rights related to new technology.
c replaced older declarations of human rights.

5. If you are under 18 ...


a there should be economic, cultural and other rights.
b you should obey the rules of the 1991 convention.
c you have over 40 rights.

Human rights are ideas about what everyone is entitled to. Basic human rights include the
right to life, and the right to food and clean drinking water. Others include the right to vote
and to freedom of expression. In the UK, most people have their basic human rights met
most of the time. However, in some countries people's freedoms may be limited. Also, in
the UK, there are still areas of human rights that some people believe could be improved,
such as the rights of people with disabilities.

The modern idea of human rights was developed after the Second World War, during which many
people's rights were violated. On a large scale, these human rights abuses are known as war
crimes. As a result, the United Nations (UN) was formed to provide a place for nations to resolve
conflicts peacefully. It was set up by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which
consisted of 30 articles describing the basic rights of every person, and was signed in 1948 by
48 countries.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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The first section of the Universal Declaration states: All human beings are born free and equal in
dignity and rights.'

Key rights relating to being 'born free' include freedom of speech and of movement, the right to a
fair trial, and freedom from torture and from hunger.

Key rights relating to 'being equal' include a right to an education, and the right to be treated
equally, without discrimination, in all areas of public life.
The Universal Declaration was designed as a safeguard to protect the human rights of people
around the world.

A legal basis for human rights


The European Convention of Human Rights was drawn up in 1963, giving a legal framework for
human rights in the UK and other European countries. Here, people can complain to the
European Court of Human Rights (or ECHR), based in Strasbourg, France. In 1998, the
European Union (EU) decided to update the list of human rights, to take account of changes in
society and technology. The result was the European Charter of Fundamental Rights (2000).
This included some newer human rights:

The right to a private life, including a right to privacy and to confidentiality of letters
and emails.
The right to limits on working hours and to have annual paid holiday.
The right to respect the integrity of human beings, including a ban on financial gain
from the human body. This includes the sale of human organs and the cloning of human
beings.
The right to data protection, which means that if a company holds data on you, you
can ask where it got the information and what it is.
People aged 17 and under
For children and young people there is The United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the
Child (UNCRC), which covers economic, social, cultural and political rights. The UK agreed to
obey the rules of the convention in 1991, which means that every child in the UK, without
exception, has certain rights that he or she is entitled to, more than 40 in total. Here are some
examples:

the right to life, survival and development


the right to have their views respected, and to have their best interests considered at
all times
the right to a name and nationality, freedom of expression, and access to information
concerning them
the right to education, leisure, culture and the arts
EXERCISE 16

Read the following text then look at the questions.

Participating in the school community


“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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It is important that students' feelings, opinions and suggestions are listened to, taken into account,
and that the right action is taken. There are a number of ways that this can be achieved, i.e. school
councils, year councils and peer mentoring.

School councils
Most schools have a school council which exists to let the teachers and head teacher know what
students' opinions are on a range of school issues. The school council usually consists of two or
three elected representatives from each year group.
A school council might meet once or twice a month to discuss issues such as the dress code, the
use of social areas, charity fundraising and bullying.

Year councils
Because school councils are sometimes dominated by older students, some schools have
introduced year councils. The aim of a year council is to give students the opportunity to express
opinions on matters of importance to that particular year group. The following is an example of the
rules relating to a school's council for year 8 (pupils aged 12-13).

1. The council's purpose is to act as a forum for discussion of school issues relevant to Year 8,
and to let the teachers and head teacher know what student opinion is on these issues. The
council will also take responsibility for cooperating with year staff in the organization of one
social event per term for Year 8.
2. Membership of the council will consist of three representatives from each class, elected on a
termly basis.
3. Meetings will be held once a fortnight. The council members will elect a chair to control the
meetings and a secretary who will be responsible for circulating the agenda for each meeting
and taking and circulating minutes of meetings.
4. The class representatives will be responsible for giving a report of the council's meetings to
their class. Agenda and minutes of meetings will be put up in each classroom.
5. The Year 8 council will elect two of its members to be members of the school council, with
responsibility for raising issues on behalf of Year 8 students at school council meetings.
6. The chair, secretary and school council representatives will be responsible for taking up
matters raised at council meetings with the year head and other teachers, and for reporting
back on such matters to the Year 8 council.
7. The head of year will attend all council meetings as an observer and both they and the other
year staff will be available as required to offer support and advice to council members and to
assist in the settlement of disputes.

Peer mentoring
There are other ways in which students' voices can be heard. One of the most popular schemes
involves peer mentoring. Those who express an interest receive training to become mentors so that
they are better equipped to help others. This starts from primary school age, when the mentors may
get involved in issues related to conflict resolution. At secondary school and at university, mentors
are likely to deal with a larger variety of issues, such as educational and health-related matters.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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The underlying belief in schemes like these is that being heard by your peers can be more effective
and helpful as fellow students may have more time and understanding than teachers or others in
authority.

Questions 1-5
Complete each sentence with the correct ending A-l.

G
1. Students' views are likely to be taken seriously if there are ................
2. Rules related to uniform are most likely to be discussed at H
................
3. Year councils may get involved in ...............
E
D
4. In the Year 8 council that is mentioned, teachers make sure that students are …………...
5. Those in power are ...............
E

A bullying and fundraising.


B more likely to bully others.
C not always the best listeners.
D not left on their own.
E organizing events.
F representative from the different year groups.
G school and year councils as well as peer mentoring schemes.
H school councils.
I teachers and parents of older students

EXERCISE 17

Read the following text then look at the questions.

WARLEY WOODS COMMUNITY TRUST


Welcome to our third newsletter of the year!
A
Our main activity for March is our Walk for the Woods fundraising event on Saturday, 17th March,
starting any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. In recognition of locally born Jack Judge, who wrote
the song 'It's a long way to Tipperary' 100 years ago, we will be walking the distance between Warley
Woods and Tipperary. It is indeed a long way—260 miles—so we need a lot of people to do a lot of
1 mile laps round the Woods. The more people that you can get to sponsor you, the more money
we can raise to help look after our beautiful woodland. Sponsor forms are available from the shop
at the Woods or on our website.
B
Lots of new trees have gone in recently. The Sunday volunteers planted two beeches and an oak in
the meadow last week. This was thanks to a grant from the Big Tree Plant and to Lisa and Gordon
Whitaker whose friends gave money for the big trees instead of wedding presents. Thanks to
everyone who took part including Lisa and Gordon and South Staffordshire pic who dug the big
holes for us. (There is a DVD of one of the volunteers falling in—or was he pushed?)

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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C
There were 15 volunteers at the Oral History Training Day which was led very ably by Julia Letts.
Lots of issues were discussed and ideas considered. The group will be meeting again and will have
the opportunity to do some practice interviews before starting to interview the local people who have
offered to tell their stories. We are happy to hear from others who would like to be interviewed about
their memories of the Woods for the project. If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact
Viv Cole at the office. This project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
D
We already have sponsors for two of our events this year. Derek Spires, a local estate agent, is
sponsoring Theatre in the Woods which this year is Much Ado About Nothing and will take place on
Thursday, 14th June. Also, Companion Care Vets are sponsoring the Picnic. We are still looking for
a sponsor for the All about Dogs event on 9th September, so if you, or any company you know,
would like to do this, please get in touch with the office.
E
The trustees have been giving some thought to ways of minimizing future damage to the fountain,
and have decided to contact a specialist local firm to see what can be done about the graffiti.
F
There was a huge response to the Forest Schools activities held at half term. These will be held
again during the Easter holidays on the following dates: 4th, 5th and 11th April from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. for over 8s. On 12th April from 10 a.m. to 12 noon there will be a Teddy Bears' Picnic for the
under 8s. All sessions must be booked in advance and forms are available at the shop or office.
G
Finally, don't forget the Easter Egg Roll on Bank Holiday Monday, 9th April, starting at 11 a.m. Bring
your £1.00 entry money and your own hard-boiled and decorated egg to roll down the hill in the
woods. The first past the finishing line will win a massive chocolate egg! This year, due to popular
demand, there will also be an Adults' Easter Egg Roll following the children's competition. We look
forward to seeing you all soon, at one of our many events!

Question 1 - 6:
Look at the newsletter on the next page. Choose one or two words from each paragraph (A-
G) to describe what the paragraph is about. The first one has been done for you.

A fundraising (walk) 4 E ........................................................


1 B ........................................ 5 F .........................................................
2 C ........................................ 6 G .........................................................
3 D ........................................

Question 7 - 13:
How many of the paragraphs mention the following? Write the letters A-G.

7 dogs ............................ 11 activities that involve food ..........................


8 money ............................. 12 people who live(d) locally ...........................
9 problems in the community ……………….. 13 volunteers.............................

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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10 activities for children.............................
EXERCISE 18

Read the following text then look at the questions.

The importance of community


'Community' is not a concept that is easy to define. In this essay, I will examine what transforms
individuals into a community, and discuss some different types. I will also look at what all
communities have in common, the benefits they offer and draw conclusions about their increasing
importance.

The word 'community' may trigger images of traditional communities in the developing world, where
large families live together. Elderly parents live with their children and grandchildren in one house.
Parents have relative freedom: if they leave the house there is always someone left behind to look
after their children. If it is their own parents who need to support, their older children can take care
of this. We may also imagine the neighbours as people who are happy to help out whenever it is
needed. The stereotypical view is that of a village, where people have little but can feel very rich
because everyone takes responsibility for the welfare of the others.

At the other end of the spectrum, there are other types of communities: ultramodern ones, where
the community members are unlikely to have actually met each other. These are online
communities, where people blog or chat about particular issues that are important to them. They
come across others on websites and may develop a relationship there with like-minded people,
discussing the same topics. The view is often that these are artificial bonds between people who
are, in effect, still isolated strangers.

In reality, of course, this is not true, as the connections are real. Moreover, there are many types of
communities in between these extremes: people who join sports and leisure clubs, who sign up with
voluntary, political, religious or other organizations, who attend events such as coffee mornings (e.g.
fundraising circles, mother and baby groups), or who take part in group discussions in their local
area. They may be campaigning about issues or simply getting together for companionship and
support. Human beings are social by nature, so it should not be a surprise that we organize
ourselves in groups. However, there is more going on: these groups provide something that we
cannot achieve on our own. The main benefit of being part of a larger group is strength in numbers.
For example, we can access and share more information, we can take part in team sports, we can
complain and campaign more effectively and even if we are just having a chat, online or in person,
we can feel supported in whatever we do.

The stereotypical views of the happy village and the isolated computer users may not be completely
true, but what we do know is that whatever forms communities take, what defines them is the sense
of identity and security that they provide for their members: the knowledge that there are people
who we have something in common with and who can be relied on to be there when we need each
other.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
27
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Questions 1-9: Match each item 1 - 9 with the correct group A-D. You can use any letter more
than once.

1. people feel safe here ...........


2. these exist in different forms ...........
3. people support each other ...........
4. it is difficult to say exactly what they are ...........
5. they have a lot to offer their members ...........
6. people can do things on a bigger scale ...........
7. the members meet up in person ...........
8. people are prepared to take on other people's responsibilities ...........
9. people are strangers ...........

This is true for:


A all communities
B online communities
C traditional communities
D none of the mentioned communities

EXERCISE 19

Read the following paragraphs about British castles. Choose the best heading from the
options.

Paragraph 1
Beaumaris castle is an impressive castle, built by King Edward I. It is considered one of the most
beautiful medieval castles in Wales, probably because of its symmetrical shapes, but its purpose
was military, the pretty geometrical shapes being rings of defense. Work started as early as 1295,
but although it was done at a fast speed, it was never completed because of lack of money.

a Beaumaris: a castle of contrasts


b Beaumaris: a typical medieval castle
c Beaumaris: the oldest Welsh castle

Paragraph 2
Scotland is right to be proud of Edinburgh castle. It dominates the city of Edinburgh from high up on
its rock. The history of Castle Rock goes back all the way to the late Bronze Age (900 BC), when
there were already people living there. In the middle ages it became a royal castle, and this lasted
until the 17th century. In the 18th century it became an army base, but it is now mainly known as a
visitor attraction.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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a Is Edinburgh the oldest castle in Britain?
b Edinburgh Castle: Scotland's pride and joy
c Edinburgh Castle and its many roles

EXERCISE 20

Read the following text then look at the questions.

Is this the end of traditional British playground pastimes?


Section A
A survey has suggested that traditional pastimes are increasingly being banned at break times in
primary schools. Number one on the list is chasing game British Bulldog, followed by leapfrog and
conkers.
Section B
Despite its name, British Bulldog is a game that does not involve animals, and is played all over the
world in a number of variations. In its basic form it involves runners trying to get to the other side of
the playground without being caught by the chaser, the 'bulldog'. If caught, they become a bulldog
too, until there is only one person left: the winner of the game. 'Conkers' on the other hand, is
genuinely British, as it is a game that was invented in England. The players bring their own 'conker':
a horse chestnut attached to a thick piece of string that goes through the middle of the nut and is
knotted underneath. Players pair up, wrap the string around one of their hands and try up to three
times to hit the other person's conker by swinging their hand back and forth. They take this in turns
until one of the conkers is destroyed. That could be the end of the game, or the winner could go on
to 'fight' others. There are different types of scoring methods in place. The game is also played
outside the school playground, with a world championship taking place in England every year.
Section C
It will come as no surprise that people have had accidents resulting in a broken arm or leg while
playing British Bulldog, or by simply walking across the playground when a game is taking place! It
is also not difficult to imagine that many conker players manage to hit their opponent's hand rather
than their conker. Horse chestnuts are very hard and being hit with one hurts, as many school
children will - proudly - tell you.
Section D
This whole situation is not new. In the past, we have also heard stories about the banning of kiss
chase and of musical chairs. There is also anecdotal evidence that some schools ban marbles, and
even hopscotch, duck-duck-goose and skipping. The main reason for forbidding these games is
again fear of injury. Sometimes the justifications are stranger and perhaps not actually true. For
example, kiss chase, a chase game where the person who has been caught receives a kiss before
becoming the chaser, may pass on germs. And conkers might also be a problem for children with
nut allergies.

Section E

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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Sporting activities are also becoming rarer on the playground, often because there is a lack of staff
available to supervise them. Apart from banning these, there are also more original solutions, such
as allowing students to play touch rugby only - a form of rugby where tackles are not allowed, and
playing football with a soft ball rather than the traditional leather one. Having said that, these
activities are often not popular with the kids, and this may discourage them from playing at all.

Section F
Your comments:
● This is just ridiculous! Illnesses and injuries are part of growing up! Sean, Watford
● I used to play all these games, and more. I think I split my lip once when I fell over during a
circle game, but so what? It can't compete with the hours of fun I had with my friends.
Susan, Bournemouth
● I don't think it's wrong to question whether we should allow violent games in schools. After
all, violence should not be tolerated in an educational environment. Perhaps this is something
that could lead to healthy group discussions involving teachers and pupils about rules and
behaviour, but in my opinion this should not result in a ban of healthy running games such as
circle, tag or chase games. Otherwise all PE. and sports activities should also be banned on
health and safety grounds, which would be mad: it's just not necessary to do any of this.
Kiran, Cardiff
● Let's ban active playground activities. Let's keep the kids inside the classrooms during break
times and pay extra staff to stay indoors to supervise them and keep them safe. Let's watch
them become very fat and very boring adults! A. Watson, Sheffield
● Allowing children to play games that involve the occasional risk, such as British Bulldog,
teaches them to make intelligent decisions about their safety. Mohammed, Scotland
● I blame lawyers and society: we always feel somebody should be to blame if anything goes
wrong, so we can sue them for a lot of money. Alison, London

Glossary
• leapfrog: a game that children play, in which a child bends over, while others jump over their back.
• a horse chestnut: the nut of a horse chestnut tree (a large tree which has leaves with several
pointed parts and shiny reddish-brown nuts)
• marbles: a children's game played with small balls, usually made of coloured glass, in which you
roll a ball along the ground and try to hit an opponent's ball

Question 1 - 6:
The reading passage has five sections, A-F.
Choose the correct heading for sections A-F from the list of numbered headings below.
Write the correct number i-x next to sections A-F.
List of headings Sections

i the disappearance of traditional playground sports 1. Section A: ………………..

ii the disappearance of classic playground games 2. Section B: ………………..

iii the dangers of the playground 3. Section C: ………………..

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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iv the best traditional games in Britain 4. Section D: ………………..

v possible explanations for the bans 5. Section E: ………………..

vi not a very British bulldog 6. Section F: ………………..

vii no real support for the bans

viii differing opinions about the bans

ix different ways of playing

x a closer look at some traditional games

EXERCISE 21

Do the sentences on the left provide answers to the questions on the right? Put a tick when
they do, or write NOT GIVEN if they don’t. Use only the information in the statements.

Sentences Questions !"#$"%&'"()*+%

Fingerprints have been 1. Do we have computers that help us


found that date back determine how old fingerprints are?
thousands of years to the
time of the ancient 2. Did the ancient Egyptians live
Egyptians. thousands of years ago?

In 1910, Edmond Locard set 3. Is Edmond Locard French?


up what is thought to be the
first police crime laboratory 4. Is Lyons in France?
in Lyons in France.

DNA fingerprinting was first 5. Was DNA fingerprinting technically


used in the 1980s when it possible in 1990?
was used as evidence to
convict murderer Colin 6. Did Colin Pitchfork commit murder?
Pitchfork.

EXERCISE 22

Read the statements below and write TRUE if the text next to it confirms the information,
FALSE if it contradicts the information, or NOT GIVEN if there is not enough information.

Text Statements TRUE/ FALSE/


NOT GIVEN

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The Scenes of Crime Officers 1. SOCO means Scenes of Crimes


(SOCOs) that seal off (= stop Officer.
people from entering), record
and collect evidence from 2. Recording and collecting evidence
crime scenes are people is important police work.
employed by police forces but
not police officers themselves. 3. SOCOs analyze evidence from
crime scenes.

SOCOs are called to crime 4. SOCOs have a difficult job to do.


scenes at any time of the day
or night, and may have to 5. SOCOs work regular hours.
remain there for days or even
weeks so that every piece of
evidence is collected. 6. After a crime, the SOCO's work
continues until the crime is solved.

SOCOs are called to crime 7. SOCOs need to be able to take


scenes at any time of the day photographs.
or night, and may have to
remain there for days or even 8. After a crime, the crime is
weeks so that every piece of sometimes 'reconstructed' by actors.
evidence is collected.
9. SOCOs have to record and
investigate crime scenes.

EXERCISE 23

Read the text below and decide whether the statements are TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN

Crime-fighting technology: a necessity?


Crime-fighting technology is getting more sophisticated and rightly so. The police need to be
equipped for the 21st century. In Britain we've already got the world's biggest DNA database. By
next year, the state will have access to the genetic data of 4.25m people: one British-based person
in 14. Hundreds of thousands of those on the database will never have been charged with a crime.
1. True or False? Most people in Britain are on the British DNA database.

Britain is also reported to have more than four million CCTV (closed circuit television) [Link]
is a continuing debate about the effectiveness of CCTV. Some evidence suggests that it is helpful
in reducing shoplifting and car crime. It has also been used to successfully identify terrorists and
murderers. However, many claim that better lighting is just as effective to prevent crime, and that
cameras could displace crime. An internal police report said that only one crime was solved for every
1,000 cameras in London in 2007. In short, there is conflicting evidence about the effectiveness of
cameras, so it is likely that the debate will continue.
2. True or False? CCTV has helped solve some small and large crimes.

Professor Mike Press, who has spent the past decade studying how design can contribute to crime
reduction, said that, in order for CCTV to have any effect, it must be used in a targeted way.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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3. True, False or Not Given? Mike Press has been studying the link between design and the
amount of crime for ten years.

Most schemes that simply record city centres continually - often not being watched - do not produce
results. CCTV can also have the opposite effect of that intended, by giving citizens a false sense of
security and encouraging them to be careless with property and personal safety.
4. True or False? CCTV can make people feel safe, which can put them in more danger.

Professor Press said: 'All the evidence suggests that CCTV alone makes no positive impact on
crime reduction and prevention at all. The weight of evidence would suggest the investment is more
or less a waste of money unless you have lots of other things in place.' He believes that much of the
increase is driven by the marketing efforts of security companies who promote the crime-reducing
benefits of their products. He described it as a 'lazy approach to crime prevention' and said that
authorities should instead be focusing on how to alter the environment to reduce crime.
5. True or False? Professor Press believes that CCTV can help reduce crime but only if there
are also changes to the environment.

But in reality, this is not what is happening. Instead, police are considering using more technology
in the future. Police forces have recently begun experimenting with cameras in their helmets. The
footage will be stored on police computers, along with the footage from thousands of CCTV cameras
and millions of pictures from number plate recognition cameras used increasingly to check up on
motorists.
6. True, False or Not Given? The police are already using more technology than before.

EXERCISE 24

Read the following text then look at the questions.

Investigating a crime scene


Assessing the scene
On arrival, the police officer's first job is to carry out an initial assessment of the scene. If they are
at first unsure whether or not a crime has taken place, it's best to assume that it has. Valuable time
and evidence in the investigation could be lost otherwise. First they must deal with anyone at the
scene needing medical help. Any other people present at the scene must be kept apart, as they may
be eyewitnesses or suspects. Witnesses at crime scenes are not allowed to talk to each other. A
person's perception of what happened can get distorted during conversation.

The police officer then calls for a Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO).

Preserving the scene


When the SOCO arrives at the crime scene, they put on a full protective body suit, gloves, a mask,
and plastic overshoes. Without this, the SOCO's skin cells, hair, fibres, fingerprints or shoeprints
could be added to the crime scene.

Recording the scene


“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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The SOCO must produce a permanent record of the crime scene, using detailed written notes,
sketches, photographs and videos. It is essential that the original position of items at the scene is
recorded. Some biological and chemical evidence may quickly deteriorate. Other evidence may be
very fragile, and might be destroyed as the SOCO tries to recover it. Other evidence from the scene
of crime will be sent to the forensic lab for analysis.

Photographing the scene


When photographing a crime scene, the SOCO follows four rules:
1. Photograph the whole crime scene.
2. Photograph each item at the scene before doing anything to it.
3. Add a scale and photograph the item again.
4. After collecting trace evidence from the item, or removing it for analysis, photograph the same
part of the crime scene again.

The search for evidence


Any evidence at the crime scene may turn out to be important at some stage in the investigation, so
it's important that the team's search is thorough and systematic.
● Some of the evidence, such as a cigarette butt, may be immediately obvious to the SOCO.
● Some of the evidence, such as fibres, may be present in very small amounts. This is called
trace evidence.
● Other evidence, such as fingerprints, may be invisible to the naked eye, and special
techniques are needed to reveal it.
● Some evidence may have been damaged, for example burnt. Special procedures are then
needed.

Storing the evidence P2


Each item of evidence must be packaged separately, labelled and sealed before it is stored. Small
items, such as hairs, fibres, glass fragments and paint, are put into plastic bags or bottles and
sealed. Clothing and shoes are put into paper sacks. Evidence must be stored in secure facilities.
Most types of evidence are kept in cool, dry rooms. Biological samples are refrigerated or frozen to
prevent their decay.
Using the evidence in a criminal investigation
SOCOs must always use standard methods to process evidence. Only then will it provide valid
information that can be used, or be admissible, in court. If fingerprint and DNA evidence are absent,
incomplete or damaged, other types of evidence may be very important in solving the crime. The
way in which the SOCO team searches for, collects, packages and stores such evidence is important
in preserving it. Badly preserved evidence may not provide useful information for the investigation
and may not be admissible in court.

Questions 1 - 8
Do the following statements agree with the information in the text? Write:
TRUE if the text confirms the statement
FALSE if the text contradicts the statement
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to know from the text

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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Statements:
1. The police may ask the people who are at the crime scene to wait together until they can talk
to them.........................
2. SOCOs are not normally first at a crime scene.........................
3. Sometimes hair, skin cells, etc. from a SOCO are left at the crime scene, even though they
wear protection to try to stop this.........................
4. Every item at a crime scene is photographed five times.........................
5. Fibres are an example of trace evidence.........................
6. If evidence is burnt, it cannot be dealt with.........................
7. A SOCOs job is to help get good evidence to court.........................
8. SOCOs may have to go to court to provide evidence.........................

EXERCISE 25

Exam information: Yes/No/Not Given


In the exam, you may be asked to demonstrate that you understand the points of view
expressed in a text. You will be given a list of statements which each represents an opinion.
You have to read the text to find out if the writer expresses these opinions or not. If the writer
shares the opinion in the statement, your answer will be YES. If the writer contradicts the
statement, your answer will be NO. If it is impossible to know from the text what the writer's
opinion is about that subject, your answer will be NOT GIVEN. The information in the text will
be in the same order as the list of statements.

Read the texts and the statements that follow them. Write YES if the opinion is expressed in
the text (=the writer agrees) and NO if the writer disagrees.
Britain never used to have armed police, but when major events are being held, such as the recent
London Olympics, there is a visible presence of armed police in train stations. Do people using
public transport feel reassured when they see armed police? Possibly. But most of them, especially
visitors to the UK, may feel that there is something to worry about, especially as they would expect
British police not to be armed. And if we think about it, the police, armed or not, cannot protect us
from bombers. But what the police can, and sometimes does do, is make mistakes, and these are
always worse when there are firearms involved. So in the end, arming police may do more harm
than good.

1. Most travellers feel protected when they see armed police in train stations ................
2. Even police with guns cannot protect us from bombers .................
3. The police might shoot somebody by accident ..................
4. It is better not to have armed police in Britain .................

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
35
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Instead of complaining about roadworks, the cost of petrol, the price of cars, etc. we need to think
about other options. And I don’t mean car sharing or building more motorways. I say we try to save
our environment by campaigning for better bus and train networks and for different types of
transport, such as trams.

5. We should complain about car-related problems ................


6. The environment is not really in danger ................
7. Public transport needs to be improved ................

The rise in fuel prices is a very worrying trend. Here are just some examples of the consequences.
Elderly people cannot afford to heat their houses, people lose their jobs because they can no longer
afford to commute to work, or because they are made redundant from their jobs in transport-based
businesses such as airlines. Self-employed people often rely on their own transport for work, e.g.
delivery people, florists and taxi drivers, so they may be forced to close their business. The prices
of some food and raw materials also increase as a direct result of the cost of oil, e.g. the prices of
beef and cotton. Against all of that, there is one possible advantage: car manufacturers are
employing more people to design fuel-efficient cars, which will benefit the environment. But surely,
this is not enough. What we need is international cooperation and political goodwill, to reduce fuel
prices and/ or financially support those who are being affected.

8. We need to be concerned about the increase in the price of fuel .............


9. There are more problems caused by increasing fuel prices than the ones mentioned in the
passage .............
10. The price of beef is closely related to the price of oil .............
11. The rise of fuel prices is not a big problem as the environment is benefitting from it.............
12. If we cannot lower the price of fuel then we need more money so that people can cope with
it .............

EXERCISE 26

,##-"./0-"/1"123"124$5"6/77/83"49"3:3$0473";<=">$3"123"?#@@#A498"#6494#97"49"123"13:1"B!C"#$"/$3"123D"

%&'"()*+%E

1. Old people may die because they cannot keep warm.........................


2. There is more unemployment when fuel prices rise.........................
3. People who deliver goods may use their personal vehicles to do this.........................
4. The price of corn and corn-based foods are related to the price of oil.........................

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
36
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5. There already exist some fuel-efficient cars.........................
6. Politicians are not working hard enough now to solve fuel price problems.........................

EXERCISE 27

Read the following text then look at the questions.

Schoolchildren in China learn that the opening of the East-West trading route popularly known as
the silk road occurred in 139 B.C. when Zhang Qian, the Chinese ambassador-adventurer, travelled
westward across the Pamirs, a mountain range in Central Asia. He was the first known Chinese
person to do so. The term 'silk road' was actually first used late in the nineteenth century by a
German geographer, Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen (1833-1905). Silk was not the only material
that passed along these routes. Other goods are known to have included ceramics, glass, precious
gems and livestock.

However, there are reasons to think that these roads were being used centuries, probably even
millennia, earlier than Zhang's expedition. In Roman times, Pliny the Elder reported a 'stone tower'
which he said existed on the Pamir Plateau where goods had been traditionally exchanged between
traders from the East and the West. In the early second century, MaesTitianus, an ancient
RomanMacedonian traveller, actually reported reaching this famous Stone Tower, but its exact
location remains uncertain. According to one theory, it was atTashkurgan in the Pamirs. (The word
'Tashkurgan' actually means 'stone tower' or 'stone fortress' in the Uyghur language.) Scholars
today, however, believe that its location was probably somewhere in the Alay Valley. Whatever the
truth about the Stone Tower may be, it seems likely that some form of trade was taking place in this
region millennia before more formal recorded trade took place.

On the other hand, it is difficult to believe that people in those times were able to travel such huge
distances. Travelling from West to East, the trader first had to cross the Pamir Plateau, through the
20,000-foot-high mountains. If the weather in the mountains had been kind and the journey
undertaken in the right season, the eastward bound traveller would then finally arrive at the Kashgar,
a logical place for trade and rest, where they could exchange horses or camels and then start on
the return journey back over the mountains before the winter snows started.
It is unlikely that in these earlier times traders or travellers would have continued further eastwards
from Kashgar, as they would have had to go round theTaklamakan Desert. Going through it was not
an option as its name suggests: it literally means 'Go in and you won't come out'. Beyond this desert,
there still would have remained eight hundred miles of a dangerous journey before they would have
found the first true signs of Chinese civilization.

Questions 1 - 12
Do the statements agree with the views of the writer? Write:

YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer


NO if the statement contradicts what the writer thinks
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to know what the writer's point of view is

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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1. Another name for the East-West trading route is 'silk road'.........................


2. Zhang Qian is admired by Chinese schoolchildren.........................
3. Zhang Qian was a Chinese adventurer.........................
4. At least one German used the silk road in the 19th century.........................
5. Silk was the main material to be traded on this route...........................
6. The silk road was used for trade in natural materials, man-made materials and animals.
7. We know that Zhang Qian was the first person to use the silk road.........................
8. The Romans may well have used the silk road.........................
9. The reports about a 'stone tower' provide evidence that the Romans used the silk road.
10. Kashgar is a welcoming city.........................
11. People who go in the Taklaman desert never come back out...............................
12. The journey from West to East was so long and difficult that the travellers probably did not
go all the way to China.........................

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
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ANSWER KEY

Exercise 1:
1. d 2. b 3. d

4. b 5. b 6. c

Exercise 2:
1. a 2. d 3. a

4. c 5. d 6. d

Exercise 3:
1. they are older
2. health definitions
3. ability to cope

Exercise 4:
1. shapes, heights, colours, abilities
2. genetics, ageing social factors
3. physically difficult or inactive
4. housing (conditions) and neighbourhoods
5. culture and media
6. the idea of slimness/ ideal body shape
7. belly or stomach
8. biologically and socially
9. exercise and food
10. wrong and unhealthy

Exercise 5:
1. paragraphs 2 and 3 - the quotation marks help to find this answer.
2. that it was a choice (something he wanted to do), and not a necessity (something he
needed to do). The italics make it clear that he wants to emphasize this.
3. paragraphs 1 and 4 - in the first paragraph, it mentions most welcoming and talks about
Germany as the country at the top of the list. In paragraph 4, the uppercase letter of
Germany, is easy to spot and the word winner appears very near.
4. paragraph 4 - internationalization is printed in italics.

Exercise 6:
1. equivalent 2. International Baccalaureate 3. personal statement
4. 1000 words 5. passport 6. translations
7. interview 8. on site 9. phone
10. successful 11. waiting list
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Exercise 7:
Mobile phone components [1 parts] An average [2 typical] basic mobile phone contains a circuit
board, an antenna, a liquid crystal [3] display, a keyboard, a microphone, a speaker and a battery.

Mobile metals
Mobiles contain [4 include] many different metals:
● Copper is used for electrical circuits [5] because it is a good electrical conductor.
● Silver is used in switches on the circuit boards and in the phone buttons because it is an even
better electrical conductor. It lasts for millions [6 a very large amount] of on/off cycles.
● Gold is used to plate [7 coat] the surfaces of the circuit board and the connectors. It is an
excellent [8 exceptional] electrical conductor and does not corrode [9].
● Tantalum is used in the electronic components. It enables scientists to make mobiles very
small [10 tiny]. Your mobile is also likely to contain palladium, platinum, aluminium and iron.

Electrical conductivity
Metals conduct [11 transfer] electrical currents well. Non-metals usually make good insulators. In a
mobile, electrical insulators surround [12] the circuit.

Smart mobiles
The next [13 following] generation of mobile could be made from ‘smart' fabric [14 material]. These
types of fabric react to something in the environment and change. A
smart fabric mobile could be folded [15] and put in your pocket without breaking.

Exercise 8:
1. chemical reaction
2. separated (out)
3. refuse
4. source
5. Identical

Exercise 9:
1. mud, sand or soil 2. deeper (and deeper) 3. rock
4. (start to) crystallize 5. process 6. waves, tides and currents
7. break off

Exercise 10:
1. drumsticks 2. (green) pods 3. green beans
4. nutrient 5. pickled/ dried 6. dried/pickled
7. spinach 8. skin infections 9. joints
10. digestion 11. pleasant 12. milk flow
13. delicacy

Exercise 11:
1. spoken
“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
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2. written
3. non-verbal
4. business
5. layout
6. mistakes
7. (annual) report
8. standard/predetermined

Exercise 12:
Summary A:
1 participants
2 plan
3 time
4 achieve
5 future
Summary B:
6 necessary
7 effective
8 employees
9 preventing

Exercise 13:
Question 1: c - the paragraph starts talking about large companies, and the attention that the media
gives it, but this is just background information which serves as a contrast to the important
information about small businesses that follows..
The topic sentence is: However; most economists agree that smaller businesses, particularly new
and developing small businesses, are crucial to the long-term success of any economy.
Question 2: b
The topic sentence is: The government also encourages small businesses because they are: ...
(The whole paragraph is an extended sentence.)
Question 3: b
The topic sentence is: If new entrepreneurs are to succeed, if new businesses are to thrive, then it
is important that they appreciate the central role of planning.
Question 4: Which paragraph mentions statistics? B
Question 5: In paragraph A, which word indicates that the text will not be about large businesses?
However
Question 6: In paragraph C, which sentence explains why new and developing small businesses
are crucial to the success of the economy? Behind the policy is a belief that small businesses
contribute to a stronger economic base, and that they have the ability to thrive in a
competitive global business environment.

Exercise 14:
1. B 2. F 3. I 4. C 5. G 6. E

Exercise 15:
“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
41
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
1. c - a is wrong because the idea of ‘want’ is not in the text, b is wrong: people with disabilities
are mentioned because their right may need to improve, but that does not mean that the
rights apply to them more than other people.
2. c - a is wrong because the sentence is not grammatical, b is wrong because war does not
make human rights less important; war means that people often do not receive their human
rights.
3. b - a is wrong because the right to be treated equally in all areas of public life does not have
the same meaning as 'accepted everywhere in public’. Sentence c is not grammatical.
4. b - a is wrong because it is the other way around: changes in society and technology resulted
in the charter, c is wrong because declarations were updated, not replaced.
5. c - a is wrong: the convention covers these rights, but ‘should’ is not correct, b is wrong: the
UK has agreed to follow these rules, which means that they are giving rights to this age group

Exercise 16:
1. G (see introductory paragraph)
2. H (‘dress code’ refers to ‘uniform’)
3. E (see point 1 under ‘Year councils’)
4. D (see point 7 under ‘Year councils’)
5. C (see last paragraph)

Exercise 17:
Question 1 - 6: Suggested answers:
1. B new trees
2. C Oral History / History project / training day
3. D (events’) sponsors / sponsoring
4. E fountain damage / graffiti damage / minimizing damage
5. F Forest Schools / Schools activities
6. G Egg Roll / Easter competition / Egg competition
Question 7 - 13:
7. D
8. A, B, D (sponsoring), G
9. E
10. F, G
11. D, F, G
12. A, D
13. B, C

Exercise 18:
1. A - paragraph 6: whatever forms communities take ... sense ...of security
2. A - paragraph 4: there are many types of communities in between these extremes, paragraph
6: whatever forms communities take
3. A - paragraph 5: these groups... larger group... we can feel supported
4. A - paragraph 1: 'Community’ is not a concept that is easy to define; paragraph 6: the
stereotypical views ... may not be completely true... whatever forms communities take ...

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
42
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
5. A - paragraphs 4 and 5: many examples provided, and these groups provide something that
we cannot achieve on our own ... feel supported in whatever we do
6. A - paragraph 5: these groups provide something that we cannot achieve on our own
7. C - paragraph 3: ... members are unlikely to have actually met each other. These are online
communities...
8. C - paragraph 2: always someone... look after their children... neighbours ...happy to help
out... everyone takes responsibility for the welfare of the others
9. D - paragraph 4: In reality, of course, this is not true, as the connections are real

Exercise 19:
Paragraph 1: a Beaumaris: a castle of contrasts (beautiful, but actually military, built fast but not
finished), b is incorrect: we know it is medieval, but we do not know if it is typical of the style, c is
incorrect: we know that it is old and Welsh, but we do not know if it is the oldest one
Paragraph 2: c Edinburgh Castle and its many roles - a is incorrect: this question is not really asked
or answered, although clearly there is a suggestion that it is a very old castle (all the way back to
...). b is incorrect: the fact that Scotland is proud is mentioned, but the paragraph does not develop
this point.

Exercise 20:
Section A: ii Section B: x Section C: iii
Section D: v Section E: i Section F: vii

Exercise 21:
1. NOT GIVEN - you may know that this is true, or be able to guess it, but the sentence does
not mention that computers were used to date the fingerprints.
2. ! - date back thousands of years to the time of the ancient Egyptians
3. NOT GIVEN - he probably is, as he seems to have a French name, and he set up a laboratory
in France, but this is not actually stated
4. ! - Lyons in France

5. ! - we know that it is technically possible in 1990 as the sentence says that it was already
possible in the 1980s - we do not need to use our own knowledge or guess
6. ! - somebody who is convicted for murder has been found guilty of murder

Exercise 22:
1. TRUE - the abbreviation is given in brackets after the phrase that has the same meaning
2. NOT GIVEN - it may seem obvious to most people that recording and collecting evidence is
important police work, but the statement does not mention that it is important
3. NOT GIVEN - the text only says that they record and collect evidence
4. NOT GIVEN - you may feel that being available day and night and remaining at work for
weeks is difficult, but this is not in the text
5. FALSE
6. NOT GIVEN - this is unlikely, but all we know is that they stay until all the evidence is collected
7. TRUE
“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
43
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
8. NOT GIVEN - reconstructions are mentioned, but we do not know if these involve actors
9. TRUE

Exercise 23:
1. False - only 1 in 14
2. True - it is ‘helpful’ in solving small (shoplifting and car crime) and larger crimes (terrorism
and murder are both mentioned)
3. True - a decade is a period of ten years
4. True - false sense of security, careless
5. True - CCTV alone makes no positive impact... unless you have lots of other things in place
... should ...be focusing on how to alter the environment
6. True - have recently begun experimenting with cameras in their helmets

Exercise 24:
1. FALSE - they are kept apart, not together
2. TRUE - a police officer will arrive first
3. NOT GIVEN - we know that they try to avoid this from happening but we don’t know if it
sometimes does
4. FALSE - it is photographed four times
5. TRUE
6. NOT GIVEN - there is a suggestion that special procedures may be able to save some burnt
evidence but we cannot be sure that this is what ‘special procedures’ refers to
7. TRUE - SOCOs ...standard methods ... provide valid information that can be used, or be
admissible, in court... The way in which the SOCO team searches for, collects, packages and
stores such evidence is important in preserving it…
8. NOT GIVEN

Exercise 25:
Paragraph 1
1. NO - people feel reassured... ? Possibly. But most o f them, especially visitors to the UK, may
feel that there is something to worry about...
2. YES - the police, armed or not, cannot protect us from bombers
3. YES - ... police ... sometimes... make mistakes... worse when there are firearms involved
4. YES - arming police may do more harm than good
Paragraph 2
5. NO - instead of complaining...
6. NO - try to save our environment
7. YES - try... campaigning for better bus and train networks and ... trams
Paragraph 3
8. YES - the rise in fuel prices is a very worrying trend
9. YES - Here are just some examples of the consequences
10. YES - The prices of food ... also increase as a direct result o f the cost of oil, e.g.... beef
11. NO - it is true that the environment may benefit: there is one possible advantage ... but...
surely, this is not enough

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
44
IELTS Shine
66 Trần Đại Nghĩa, HN & 72 Thụy Khuê, HN
12. YES - What we need is ... to reduce fuel prices and/or financially support those who are being
affected

Exercise 26:
1. NOT GIVEN
2. ! — people lose their jobs because they can no longer afford to commute to work
3. ! - ... rely on their own transport for work, e.g. delivery people
4. NOT GIVEN - only the prices of some foods are related to the price of oil, we know about
cotton but not about corn
5. ! - according to the text, they do not exist yet: employing more people to design fuel efficient
cars, which will benefit…
6. NOT GIVEN - saying that we need ... political goodwill ...to reduce fuel prices is not the same
as saying that politicians are not working hard enough
Exercise 27:
1. YES - popularly known as the silk road
2. NOT GIVEN - this is likely, but not stated in the text
3. YES - Zhang Qian, the Chinese ambassador adventurer
4. NOT GIVEN - this is likely, but we do not know that the person who used the name first also
used the road
5. NOT GIVEN - this is likely because of its name, but the text does not say it is the main material
6. YES - examples are given of natural materials, e.g. gems; man-made materials, e.g. glass,
and animals: livestock is mentioned
7. NO - the text says that he was the first Chinese person to do so, but that it is not certain that
others did not go hundreds of years earlier, e.g. the Romans
8. YES - may well expresses a probability, but not absolute certainty
9. NO - the writer suggests that this is not evidence as its exact location remains uncertain and
that the truth about the tower is unknown: Whatever the truth about the Stone Tower may be
...
10. NOT GIVEN - The city would have been a welcome sight for travellers, and they would
probably have been welcome because they were doing trade, but none of this is said in the
text
11. NOT GIVEN - this is what the name suggests, but this is just a name, and not necessarily a
fact
12. YES - It is unlikely that in these earlier times traders or travellers would have continued further
eastwards from Kashgar,... there still would have remained eight hundred miles of a
dangerous journey before they would have found the first true signs of Chinese civilization.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-
45

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