Cleaner, Abundant Fuels Attracting Record Investment

Renewable energy captured from the wind, sun, Earths heat, tides, and from small
dams is drawing record levels of investment as poor villagers and entire nations
alike seek clean, abundant ways to fuel economic growth. Global investment in
renewable energy set a new record of $30 billion in 2004, according to a new
report from the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21).
Technologies such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and small hydro now
provide 160 gigawatts of electricity generating capacity about four per cent of the
world total the report said. They are growing at rates of around 20-30 per cent
per year, however, compared to two or three per cent for oil and gas.

Renewable energy has become big business, said Eric Martinot, lead author of the
study, Renewables 2005: Global Status Report. Martinot, a senior fellow at the
Washington, DC-based think tank Worldwatch Institute and a lecturer at Tsinghua
University in Beijing, said renewable energy has attracted some of the worlds
largest companies, including General Electric, Siemens, Sharp, and Royal Dutch
Shell. The report estimated that nearly 40 million households worldwide heat their
water with solar collectors, most of them installed in the last five years. Altogether,
renewable energy industries provide 1.7 million jobs, most of them skilled and well
paid.

Martinot and 100-plus researchers in more than 20 countries assessed several

renewable technologies: small hydro (meaning small dams), modem biomass
(agricultural waste, for example), wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels such as
ethanol and biodiesel. These technologies now compete with conventional fuels in
four distinct markets: power generation, hot water and space heating,
transportation fuels, and rural (off-grid) energy supplies.

Renewable energy is gaining in popularity because it is considered to be in infinite

supply unlike oil, coal, and gas and because it involves little or no pollution
compared to those fossil fuels. Scientists blame the burning of fossil fuels for the
release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that stoke global climate
changes, which in turn are intensifying droughts in some parts of the world, floods
and storms in others, and the spread of tropical diseases to temperate zones.

Additionally, renewable energy could empower millions of poor and vulnerable

people who lack access to reliable, affordable, and clean modem energy services,
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said in a message to the Beijing International
Renewable Energy Conference, which opened Monday. Annan said that rising oil
prices have hit oil-importing developing countries especially hard and underscore
the need for alternative energy supplies. According to the REN21 report,
government support for renewable energy is growing rapidly. At least 48 countries
now have some type of renewable energy promotion policy, including 14 developing
countries. Typically, they include targets to ensure that renewable sources generate
5-30 per cent of energy use in a given country by around 2010-2012.

The renewable sectors prospects appeared to receive a further boost Monday,

when China announced it was raising its target for reliance on renewable energy
even as it acknowledged that coal would remain its primary source for electricity
for decades to come. Renewable energy should account for 15 per cent of national
consumption by 2020. China had previously aimed to get 10 per cent of its energy
from renewable sources by 2020.

Mandates for blending biofuels into vehicle fuels have been enacted in 20-plus
states and provinces worldwide as well as in three key countries Brazil, China,
and India the report said. Government leadership has ensured market success,
according to REN21, which is composed of representatives of governments and
non-governmental organisations. Market leaders in renewable energy in 2004
included Brawl in biofuels, China in solar hot water, Germany in solar electricity,
and Spain in wind power, the report said.

The fastest growing energy technology in the world is grid-connected solar

photovoltaic (PV), existing capacity of which blossomed by sixty per cent per year
from 2000-2004, to cover more than 400,000 rooftops in Japan, Germany, and
the United States, it found. Wind power came second, with generating capacity
growing by 28 per cent last year with almost seventeen gigawatts installed as of
 2004. Production of ethanol, biodiesel, and other biofuels exceeded 33 billion litres
in 2004, when ethanol displaced about three per cent of the 1,200 billion litres of
gasoline produced globally.

An estimated $500 million goes to developing countries each year as development

assistance for renewable energy projects, training, and market support, with the
German Development Finance Group (GDFG), the World Bank Group, and the
Global Environment Facility (GEF) providing the majority of these funds, and
dozens of other donors and programmes providing the rest, the report said. More
than 4.5 million green power consumers in Europe, the United States, Canada,
Australia, and Japan purchased renewable electricity in 2004, it added. Asia is seen
as a vast market for renewable energy as it seeks to meet growing demand for
power to feed rapid economic expansion amid runaway oil prices.

Questions 1 4

The text has 9 paragraphs (A I). Which paragraph contains each of the
following pieces of information?

1. Cases where the use of renewable fuels is in competition with non-renewable

ones
2. The membership of REN21
3. The rates at which the use of renewable fuels is growing faster than the use
of nonrenewable ones in the world
4. The sources of funding for renewable fuels in developing countries

Questions 5 8

Complete the following sentences using NO MORE THAN THREE

WORDS from the text for each gap.

5. Biomass technology can use _____________________.

5. Governments with renewable energy policies usually set

______________ for renewable energy use.

5. The most important source of energy for China in 2020 is expected to be

_______________.
5. Economic expansion and high oil prices mean that Asian countries are
________________ for renewable sources of energy.

Questions 9 13

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage
1? In boxes 9 -13 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the information in the text agrees with the statement

FALSE if the information in the text contradicts with the statement

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

9. Eric Martinot advises large companies on investing in renewable energy.

9. Eric Martinot has over 100 people working in his team.

9. Increases in oil prices hurt developing economies more than developed ones.

9. The use of solar power grew by 60% between the year 2000 and the year
2004.

9. Green power consumers only get part of their electricity from alternative
energy sources.

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14 26, which are based on
Reading Passage 2 below.

A GUIDE TO WOMENOMICS

In rich countries, girls now do better at school than boys, more women are getting
university degrees than men arc, and females arc filling most new jobs. Arguably,
women are now the most powerful engine of global growth. In 1950, only one third
of American women of working age had a paid job. Today two thirds do, and
women make up almost half of Americas workforce. Since 1950, mens
employment rate has slid by 12 percentage points, to 77%. In fact, almost
everywhere more women are employed and the percentage of men with jobs has
fallen although in some countries, the feminisation of the workplace still has far
to go: in Italy and Japan, womens share of jobs is still 40% or less.

The increase in female employment in developed countries has been aided by a big
shift in the type of jobs on offer. Manufacturing work, traditionally a male preserve,
has declined, while jobs in services have expanded. This has reduced the demand
for manual labour and put the sexes on a more equal footing. In the developing
world, too, more women now have paid jobs. In the emerging East Asian
economics, forever) 100 men in the labour force there are now 83 women, higher
even than the average in OECD countries. Women have been particularly
important to the success of Asias export industries, typically accounting for 60-
80% of jobs in many export sectors, such as textiles and clothing.

Of course, it is misleading to talk of womens entry into the workforce. Besides

formal employment, women have always worked in the home, looking after
children, cleaning or cooking, but because this is unpaid, it is not counted in the
official statistics. To some extent, the increase in female paid employment has
meant fewer hours of unpaid housework. However, the value of housework has
fallen by much less than the time spent on it, because of the increased productivity
afforded by dishwashers, washing machines and so forth. Paid nannies and
cleaners employed by working women now also do some work that used to belong
in the non-market economy.

The increase in female employment has also accounted for a big chunk of global
growth in recent decades. GDP growth can come from three sources: employing
more people; using more capital per worker, or an increase in the productivity of
labour and capital due to new technology. Since 1970, women have filled two new
jobs for every one taken by a man. Back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that
the employment of extra women has not only added more to GDP than new jobs for
men but has also chipped in more than either capital investment or increased
productivity. Carve up the worlds economic growth a different way and another
surprising conclusion emerges: over the past decade or so, the increased
employment of women in developed economies has contributed much more to
global growth. Women are becoming more important in the global marketplace not
just as workers, but also as consumers, entrepreneurs, managers and investors.
Women have traditionally done most of the household shopping, but now they have
more money of their own to spend. Surveys suggest that women make perhaps 80%
of consumers buying decisions from health care and homes to furniture and
food.

Womens share of the workforce has a limit. In America it has already stalled.
However, there will still be a lot of scope for women to become more productive as
they make better use of their qualifications. At school, girls consistently get better
grades and in most developed countries, well over half of all university degrees are
now being awarded to women. In America 140 women enrol in higher education
each year for every 100 men; in Sweden the number is as high as 150. (There are,
however, only 90 female Japanese students for every 100 males.) In years to come,
better educated women will take more of the top jobs. At present, for example, in
Britain more women than men train as doctors and lawyers, but relatively few arc
leading surgeons or partners in law firms. The main reason why women still get
paid less on average than men is not that they are paid less for the same
occupations, such as nursing and teaching. This pattern is likely to change.

Making better use of womens skills is not just a matter of fairness. Plenty of
studies suggest that it is good for business, too. Women account for only 7% of
directors on the worlds corporate boards 15% in America, but less than 1% in
Japan. Yet a study by Catalyst, a consultancy, found that American companies with
more women in senior management jobs earned a higher return on equity than
those with fewer women at the top. This might be because mixed teams of men and
women are better than single-sex groups at solving problems and spotting external
threats. Studies have also suggested that women are often better than men at
building teams and communicating.

In poor countries too, the underutilisation of women stunts economic growth. A

study last year by the World Economic Forum found a clear correlation between
sex equality (measured by economic participation, education, health and political
empowerment) and GDP per head. Correlation does not prove the direction of
causation. However, other studies also suggest that inequality between the sexes
harms long-term growth. In particular, there is strong evidence that educating girls
boosts prosperity. It is probably the single best investment that can be made in the
developing world. Not only are better educated women more productive, but they
raise healthier, better educated children. There is huge potential to raise income
 per head in developing countries, where fewer girls go to school than boys. More
than two thirds of the worlds illiterate adults arc women.

It is sometimes argued that it is short-sighted to get more women into paid

employment. The more women go out to work, it is said, the fewer children there
will be and the lower growth will be in the long run. Yet the facts suggest otherwise.
Data shows that countries with high female labour participation rates, such as
Sweden, tend to have the decline in fertility has been greatest in several countries
where female employment is low.

Questions 14 17

The text has 8 paragraphs (A H). Which paragraph does each of the following
headings best fit?

14. New producers, new consumers

14. More work, fewer children?

14. A better educated workforce

14. Women in new, expanding industries

Questions 18 22

According to the text, FIVE of the following statements are true. Write the
corresponding letters in answer boxes 18 to 22 in any order.

A. A higher percentage of Italian women have jobs than Japanese women.

B. More women than men work in Asias textile industries.

C. The value of housework is not included in official statistics.

D. Research shows that men make more purchasing decisions than women.

E. Most surgeons in Britain are women.

F. Firms with more women in senior management offer higher investment
returns.

G. Most illiterate people in the world are women.

H. Some people think that lower birth rates lead to lower economic growth.

Questions 23 26

According to the information given in the text, choose the correct answer or
answers from the choices given.

23. Since 1950, the percentage of

A. American women with jobs has increased.

B. American men with jobs has decreased.

C. Japanese and Italian women with jobs has remained stable.

24. Economics can get bigger by

A. increasing the size of the workforce.

B. giving shares to workers.

C. using more advanced technology.

25. Mixed teams of male and female managers are thought to be better at

A. building teams.

B. solving problems.

C. communicating.

26. Research by the World Economic Forum shows that

A. sex equality leads to higher GDP.

B. there is a connection between sex equality and GDP.

C. higher education leads to higher GDP.

READING PASSAGE 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27 40, which are based on
Reading Passage 3 below.

A LIBRARY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

A few years ago, at the height of the dotcom boom, it was widely assumed that a
publishing revolution, in which the printed word would be supplanted by the
computer screen, was just around the corner. It wasnt: for many, there is still little
to match the joy of cracking the spine of a good book and settling down for an hour
or two of reading. A recent flurry of activity by big technology companies
including Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Yahoo! suggests that the dream of
bringing books online is still very much alive.

The digitising of thousands of volumes of print is not without controversy. On

Thursday, November 3, Google, the worlds most popular search engine, posted a
first instalment of books on Google Print, an initiative first mooted a year ago. This
collaborative effort between Google and several of the worlds leading research
libraries aims to make many thousands of books available to be searched and read
online free of charge. Although the books included so far are not covered by
copyright, the plan has attracted the ire of publishers.

Five large book firms are suing Google for violating copyright on material that it
has scanned and, although out of print, is still protected by law. Google has said
that it will only publish short extracts from material under copyright unless given
express permission to publish more, but publishers are unconvinced. Ironically,
many publishers are collaborating with Google on a separate venture, Google Print
Publisher, which aims to give readers an online taste of books that are
commercially available. The searchable collection of extracts and book information
is intended to tempt readers to buy the complete books online or in print form.

Not to be outdone, Amazon, the worlds largest online retailer, has unveiled plans
for its own foray into the mass e-book market. The firm, which began ten years ago
as an online book retailer, now sells a vast array of goods. No doubt piqued that
Google, a relative newcomer, should impinge upon its central territory, Amazon
revealed on Thursday that it would introduce two new services. Amazon Pages will
allow customers to search for key terms in selected books and then buy and read
online whatever part they wish, from individual pages to chapters or complete
works. Amazon Upgrade will give customers online access to books they have
already purchased as hard copies. Customers are likely to have to pay around five
cents a page, with the bulk going to the publisher.

Microsoft, too, has joined the online-book bandwagon. At the end of October, the
software giant said it would spend around $200 million to digitise texts, starting
with 150,000 that are in the public domain, to avoid legal problems. It will do so in
collaboration with the Open Content Alliance, a consortium of libraries and
universities. (Yahoo! has pledged to make 18,000 books available online in
conjunction with the same organisation.) On Thursday, coincidentally the same day
as Google and Amazon announced their initiatives, Microsoft released details of a
deal with the British Library, the countrys main reference library, to digitise some
25 million pages; these will be made available through MSN Book Search, which
will be launched next year.

These companies are hoping for a return to the levels of interest in e-books seen
when Stephen King, a best-selling horror writer, published Riding the Bullet
exclusively on the Internet in 2000. Half a million copies were downloaded in the
first 48 hours after publication. This proved to be a high-water mark rather than a
taste of things to come. While buyers were reluctant to sit in front of a computer
screen to read the latest novels, dedicated e-book reading gadgets failed to catch
on. Barnes and Noble, a leading American bookshop chain, began selling e-books
with fanfare in 2000 but quietly pulled the plug in 2003 as interest faded.

The market for e-books is growing again, though from a tiny base. According to the
International Digital Publishing Forum, which collates figures from many of the
worlds top publishers, in the third quarter of 2004, worldwide sales were 25%
higher than the year before. Unfortunately, this only amounted to a paltry $3.2
million split between 23 publishers in an industry that made sales worth over $100
billion that year.

Both retailers and publishers reckon they will eventually be able to persuade
consumers to do a lot more of their reading on the web. Some even hope they can
become to online books what Apples iTunes is to online music. There are crucial
differences between downloading fiction and downloading funk. Online music was
driven from the bottom up: illegal filesharing services became wildly popular, and
legal firms later took over when the pirates were forced (by a wave of lawsuits) to
retreat; the legal providers are confident that more and more consumers will pay
small sums for music rather than remain beyond the law. The iPod music player
and its like have proved a fashionable and popular new way to listen to songs. The
book world has no equivalent.
So the commercial prospects for sellers of online books do not yet look very bright.
They may get a lift from some novel innovations. The ability to download mere
parts of books could help, for instance: sections of manuals, textbooks or cookery
books may tempt some customers; students may wish to download the relevant
sections of course books; or readers may want a taste of a book that they
subsequently buy in hard copy. The ability to download reading matter onto
increasingly ubiquitous hand-held electronic devices and 3G phones may further
encourage uptake. In Japan, the value of e-books (mainly manga comic books)
delivered to mobile phones has jumped, though it will be worth only around 6
billion ($51 million) in 2005, according to estimates.

Questions 27 30

For each question, only ONE of the choices is correct. Write the corresponding
letter in the appropriate box on your answer sheet.

27. A few years ago, it was widely thought that

A. people would read fewer paper books.

B. companies like Amazon would go bankrupt.

C. the dotcom boom would soon end.

28. Publishers are unhappy with Google because

A. Google is only publishing extracts, not complete books.

B. they think Google is in breach of copyright.

C. Google is co-operating with leading research libraries.

29. Amazon will

A sell books that previously only Google sold online.

B buy the copyright for many books it sells online.

C allow people to buy only parts that they want to read from books.
 30. It is clear that most readers, if given the choice, prefer

A. paper books.

B. reading from computer screens.

C. using dedicated e-book readers.

Questions 31 35

Complete the following sentences using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from
the text for each gap.

31. If companies publish books online that are not covered by copyright, they
avoid _______________.

31. The _________________ is very small but getting larger.

31. The ______________ expect that they will be able to convince more
people to read online.

31. The _____________ has nothing similar to an iPod.

31. In Japan, most of the publications sent to mobile phones are

_________________.

Questions 36 40

Do the statements on the next page agree with the information given in Reading
Passage 3? In boxes 36 40 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the information in the text agrees with the statement

FALSE if the information in the text contradicts with the statement

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

36. Books that are out of print are not covered by copyright law.

36. Amazon began by selling books online.

36. Microsoft signed a deal with the British Library on the same day as Google
and Amazon made their announcements.

36. Barnes and Noble published Riding the Bullet online.

36. The ability to sample a book online before buying it might help sales.

ANSWER KEY FOR IELTS READING PRACTICE TEST

Reading Passage 1. Questions 1 13

1. C
2. G
3. B
4. I
5. agricultural waste
6. targets
7. coal
8. a vast market
9. Not Given
10. Not Given
11. True
12. False
13. Not Given

Reading Passage 2. Questions 14 16

14. D

14. H

14. E

14. B

18 22. B C F G H (In Any Order)

 23. AB

23. AC

23. B

23. B

Reading Passage 3. Questions 27 40

27. A

27. B

27. C

27. A

27. legal problems

27. market for e-books

27. retails and publishers

27. book world

27. manga comic books

27. False

27. True

27. False

27. Not Given

27. True
 THE EVOLUTION OF LANGUAGE

A. Language everywhere changes over time; it has to. A central reason that
necessitates modification is to allow for developments in our world to be expressed.
For example, the technological revolution alone has been responsible for the
addition of a plethora of words to our vocabulary: hard drive, software, modem to
name just a few. The Japanese writing script katakana, which was originally
introduced in the 9th century as a means by which Buddhist monks could correctly
interpret Chinese pronunciations, is now most commonly used to embrace foreign
words for which there is no original Japanese character; pizza or hamburger for
example. Likewise the western worlds exposure to and familiarity with foreign
cultures now means that words such as sushi, nam bread and kebab, for example,
are used by diners on a regular basis.

B. However, expansion of our vocabulary is just one element involved in how and
why language evolves. Given the variation of dialects or regional accents present in
most language systems, it is clear that an individuals interpretation of what is
actually correct and commonly used will vary quite dramatically, since this
perception is based upon a combination of factors including the age, educational
level and region of the country a person is from. As we go about our daily lives and
interact with others from different backgrounds and experiences, the language we
hear is often taken on board and incorporated into the way in which we
communicate ourselves. Many phrases with American origins are now
commonplace in British English for example, due to the frequency with which they
are heard on television and in the movies.

C. Changes in language are often driven by the young and many such changes are
commonly considered by older people to be a disintegration of standards rather
than an evolution and an improvement. Lets consider an Americanism commonly
used by youngsters in all pans of the English speaking world. Used as an
alternative to Tom said it is now commonplace to hear Tom goes, the pay rise
was unacceptable. or, Tom was all, the pay rise was unacceptable.; much to the
horror of many traditionalists. However, this modification could also be considered
to be adding to and not detracting from our ability to communicate effectively. To
illustrate, lets consider the original phrase Tom said; it is used solely to show the
listener that we are reporting the words of Tom, while the modern variation, Tom
goes has literally the same meaning. However, if the speaker chooses instead to
use the latter phrase, Tom was all, they are also able to convey the message that
Tom had an emotional reaction to the situation they are reporting, therefore a
much more effective method of communicating information has been created,
some may say. However, should the now commonly used texting abbreviations
such as gr8t (great) and l8r (later) become permanent replacements of the
original words, it is likely that even the most liberal amongst us would be horrified.
D. Variations on language are usually more readily accepted into informal language
prior to them being absorbed for use in formal writing. Examples of words that we
now commonly use, but were once considered incorrect, are pea and hopefully.
Lets take pea; it derived from the word pease, which being an uncountable noun
has the same form regardless of whether one or more pease were being spoken
about. However, this was commonly overlooked and misunderstood, and through
error the singular form of the vegetable became pea. More recently hopefully was
considered by many to be an inappropriate alternative to I hope; at best only
accepted in informal use. The word hopefully is now fully acceptable in both
informal speech and formal writing.

E. Some people believe that traditional usages of language are always more
superior and refined than modern variations even when the reasons behind the
rule were dubious in the first place. For example, it was once seriously frowned
upon to split an infinitive in a sentence and even today it is considered
grammatically incorrect to do so. To demonstrate, lets consider the following
sentence: The examiner asked me to quietly leave the room; this was considered
incorrect as the word quietly splits the infinitive of the verb to leave. The origins
of this rule hail back to the 17th century when scholars believed that the English
language should be adapted to follow the rules of Latin; then considered the perfect
language. Since splitting infinitives in Latin is impossible, it was decided that
splitting infinitives in English, even though possible, was not acceptable, Given that
initial motivations behind the rule were questionable and the clarity of meaning of
the sentence is not compromised in the incorrect form, it could be argued that this
grammar rule is a prime example of an unnecessary sanction which is likely to be
abandoned in the future.

F. As language evolves, changes in grammar structures which would result in

confusion of the actual meaning of the sentences are unlikely; however, the
meanings of words are often modified or altered beyond recognition by different
generations and can be easily misinterpreted by other social groups. Take, for
example, the modern version of the word bad meaning great when used in
contemporary slang. Many slang words remain dated in the era in which they are
developed, for example words like to beef, meaning to complain (introduced in the
1920s) are not only dated but may not even be understood in a modern context,
while others such as guy become absorbed into mainstream language. Who knows
what future generations will add to the ever changing environment of
communication?

Questions 1 4

Reading Passage 1 has six paragraphs A-F.

 Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B, C, E and F from the list of
headings below.

Write the correct number i-viii in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

i. Historical acceptance of change

ii. The Generation Gap

iii. Influences on speech

iv. Ancient writing in Asia

v. Cultural evolution and its impact on language

vi. Slang expected in the future

vii. Questioning logic

viii. Lifespan of vocabulary

Example: Paragraph A; Answer: v

1. Paragraph B
2. Paragraph C

Example: Paragraph D; Answer: i

3. Paragraph E

3. Paragraph F

Questions 5 10

Do the following statements reflect the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 1?
 Write:

YES if the statement reflects the claims of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

Write the correct answer YES, NO or NOT GIVEN in boxes 5-10 on your answer
sheet.

5. If language were static, it would negatively affect our ability to incorporate

other cultures into our own way of life.

5. The language we grow up knowing and that we adopt through new

experiences have equal effects on the way we speak.

5. English used in Britain has changed more than American English over
recent years.

5. Some older variations of language are more expressive than more modern
forms.

5. All modern adaptations of language are suitable for mainstream use.

5. All word usage has changed over time due to misunderstandings of meaning.

Questions 11 13

Complete the summary of paragraphs E and F with the list of words A-H below.

Write the correct letter A-H in boxes 11-13 on your answer sheet.

Some grammar rules such as avoiding 11____________ are deeply entrenched in

history and were created by academics who wished to perfect the English language.
It is likely, however, since they do not impact on the 12______________ of the
sentence that such rules are likely to be 13______________ in the future. In the
same way, many contemporary words in common usage today are likely to become
defunct.

A. Slang
B. Split infinitives

C. Grammatically incorrect

D. Meaning

D. Recognition

F. Disregarded

G. Misinterpreted

H. Confusion

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-26, which are based on
Reading Passage 2 below.

WATER HYACINTH: BEAUTIFUL YET DESTRUCTIVE

A. Despite possessing vibrant purple flowers and being attractive to the eye, the
water hyacinth has often been referred to as the most problematic aquatic plant in
the worlds waters. Due to its aesthetic appeal, water hyacinth, which is native to
South America, has been distributed to many different regions and now thrives in
the southern states of the USA and many subtropical and tropical locations. It has
also been observed to be relatively tolerant of cooler climates and is routinely sold
as an ornamental plant for domestic use in a number of horticulture centres.

B. Though the hyacinth species is distinctive in appearance, another aquatic

floating plant water lettuce is sometimes mistakenly identified as water
hyacinth. Water lettuce, however, does not have the same attractive flowers, has
larger leaves and is less tolerant of cooler climates. Water hyacinth has rounded
waxy, green leaves which grow up to around 6 inches in width and floating leaf
stems which grow up to 12 inches in length. Flowers are typically between 2 to 3
inches in width and as many as 15 flowers, each purple on the outside and
containing a yellow centre, may grow from each plant.
C. Many of the problems associated with the water hyacinth are due to its
incredible growth and reproduction capabilities, which have made it difficult to
control and allow it to quickly dominate the environment in which it grows and
spreads. Its growth patterns are characterised by a rapid formation of an
impenetrable vegetation mass; botanists say that one plant can produce around
5000 seeds and in one study two plants were observed to produce 1200 plants in as
little as 4 months. Following natures usual pattern, water hyacinth seeds are
distributed outside of the immediate area by birds, fauna, wind and water currents,
facilitating growth in surrounding areas previously free of the plant.

D. Domination of environments by water hyacinth populations has a number of

negative implications. For humans, difficulties may be faced in getting boats
through areas of rivers and lakes where the plant is present and fishing and
swimming opportunities may be limited. However, the implications for the
ecosystem of the immediate environment may be of even greater concern. The
density of the mass of water hyacinth populations can prevent adequate amounts of
sunlight and oxygen reaching the water: as a result, significant numbers of fish may
die, other species of plant growing below water level are compromised and the
ecosystem of the immediate area can therefore become unbalanced. Furthermore,
the conditions created by the presence of water hyacinth, while detrimental to most
forms of life, are perfect for encouraging growth of deadly bacteria often found in
poorly oxygenated areas of water.

E. In the southern states of the USA, in Florida in particular, water hyacinth is now
under maintenance control. The plant population can be limited in a number of
ways: including use of herbicides, clearance equipment and bio-control insects.
However, efforts to minimise the population of water hyacinth need to be continual
and consistent; experts warning that unless control methods are upheld, the
problem can easily reoccur. Some say inattention for as little as a twelve month
period would allow numbers to quickly return to infestation level; hardly surprising
given that the species is known to be able to double in as little as 12 days.

F. Water hyacinth is thought to have been introduced into Africa in the 1800s; its
presence at Lake Kyoga was first identified in 1988 and at Lake Victoria in 1989. In
the mid 1990s, water hyacinth was estimated to dominate 10% of the latter lakes
waters. However, by 1998, the plant was almost completely eliminated from East
African waters; this being achieved predominantly by the use of bio-control insects,
in this case snout beetles, a type of weevil which feeds only on the water hyacinth
species of plant. Tens of thousands of the weevils were distributed throughout the
lake areas of East Africa, their habit of feeding on the leaves and laying their eggs in
the plants stalks eventually causing the plants to die and sink to the bottom of the
lake. In addition, the plant population was removed using mechanical clearing
equipment and by hand with the help of a machete.
 G. Despite earlier success, however, negative repercussions of human activity have
caused the return of water hyacinth to East African waters. Ugandas Lake Kyoga,
has recently once again experienced problems with infestation. Sewage and
agricultural waste making their way into the waterways and thereby creating an
excess of nutrients in the water have been the main contributing factors to the re-
emergence of water hyacinth. In addition, high levels of nitrogen in rainfall, which
enters the water cycle from the smoke created by wood burning cooking fires used
in the region, also serves as nutrition to the increasing plant population. Restriction
of human activity on lakes such as this, caused by the infestation of water hyacinth
has enormous implications; villages such as Kayago, which is in close proximity to
the lake, are often almost completely dependent on fishing activity for their
economy and food source.

H. While the infestation of water hyacinth in Lake Victoria at the time of writing
stands at 0.5%, far below the 10% level experienced in the middle of the 1990s,
experts fear that growth could once again become out of control. The main concern
is that, as a result of changing weather conditions, the activity of the snout beetle
weevils may be less effective than in the past. The region around Lake Victoria has
experienced an extended period of drought and while the water hyacinth is capable
of living and reproducing both in lakes and surrounding dry land, its predator, the
snout beetle can only survive on water. Plant populations growing in lakeside
locations are therefore under limited threat from the insect brought in to control
them and are consequently able to reproduce in relative freedom.

Questions 14 18

Reading Passage 2 has eight sections A-H.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct answer A-H in boxes 14-18 on your answer sheet.

14. Why the use of bio-control insects may be less successful than the first time.

14. The implications of reducing commitment to control of plant populations.

14. The problems water hyacinth causes other species of plants and animals.

14. How human activity has contributed to the problem

14. Reasons water hyacinth is found in many parts of the world

Questions 19 23
 Classify the following features as characteristics of

A. Water hyacinth

B. Water lettuce

C. Both water hyacinth and water lettuce

D. Neither water hyacinth or water lettuce

Write the correct letter A, B, C or D in boxes 19-23 on your answer sheet.

19. has aesthetically pleasing purple flowers.

19. does not thrive well in colder temperatures.

19. has leaves which are on average 2-3 inches in diameter.

19. is commonly found in water.

19. produces flowers made up of more than one colour.

Questions 24 26

Do the following statements agree with the information given in reading passage
2?

In boxes 24 26 on your answer sheet write:

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

24. Presence of dense water hyacinth populations can encourage the

development of certain harmful forms of life.
24. The current problem of dominance of water hyacinth on Lake Kyoga is less
serious than in the 1980s and early 1990s.

24. Sewage and waste created by farming have had more of an impact on the
return of the water hyacinth population in Uganda than nitrogen- rich air.

READING PASSAGE 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27-40, which are based on
Reading Passage 3 below.

PSYCHOMETRICS

A. Psychometrics involves psychological and educational assessment of the subject

by way of measuring attitudes, personality, abilities and knowledge. The field has
two primary focuses; the creation of measurement instruments and procedures and
development and enhancement of existing methodology employed.

B. The concept of psychometric testing, introduced long before the establishment

of IQ testing and other current methodologies, was first explored by Francis Galton
who developed the first testing procedures supposedly related to intelligence;
however, his measurement tools were in fact based upon physical and physiological
benchmarks rather than testing of the mind itself. Measurements included the
physical power, height and weight of subjects which were recorded and results used
to estimate the intelligence of subjects. While the approach was not successful, the
studies conducted by Galton were to influence the work of future researchers.
Approaches to measurement of intelligence, which is defined as the minds relative
ability to reason, think, conceptually plan, solve problems, understand and learn,
were later developed by pioneers such as Charles Spearman. Significant
contributions to its early development were also made by Wilhelm Wundt, L.L.
Thurstone, Ernst Heinrich Weber and Gustav Fechner.

C. The most well-known traditional approach to development of psychometric

instruments to measure intelligence is the Stanford-Binet IQ test, originally
developed by French psychologist Alfred Binet. Researchers define intelligence as
separate to other attributes such as personality, character, creativity and even
knowledge and wisdom for the purpose of their assessment. Intelligence testing
methods are not intended to determine a level of genetic intelligence separate from
and unaffected by the environment to which the individual has been exposed to in
life; rather to measure the intelligence of an individual apparent as a result of both
nature and nurture. Psychometrics is today a useful and widely used tool used for
measurement of abilities in academic areas such as reading, writing and
mathematics.
D. IQ tests are commonly used to test intelligence, though some believe that this
testing is unfair and not truly representative of the subjects intellect as individuals
may excel in different areas of reasoning. Psychologist Howard Gardner, working
on this assumption, introduced the concept of an individual cognitive profile in
1983 in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. He holds
that one child may perform excellently in one aspect, yet fail in another and that
their overall performance in a number of intellectual areas should be considered.
Gardner first identified seven different types of intelligence, these being; linguistic,
logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily- kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal and
intrapersonal. In 1999 after further research he added an 8th element to the
equation; naturalistic intelligence, and at the time of writing is investigating the
possibility of a 9th; this being existential intelligence.

E. The first intelligence as defined by Gardner in the Theory of Multiple

Intelligences, linguistic intelligence, relates to an individuals ability to process and
communicate written and spoken words. Such people are said to excel at reading,
writing, story-telling, learning a foreign language and the memorising of words and
dates. The logical-mathematical category is related to a persons ability to reason
logically, think scientifically, make deductions and perform wrell in mathematic
calculations. Spatial intelligence is related to vision and spatial judgement; such
individuals have been observed to have a strong visual memory and the potential to
excel in artistic subjects. Those exhibiting a leaning towards the third classification,
bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, often learn best by physically practising an action
rather than by reading or seeing.

F. Musical intelligence, as the name suggests, relates to ability in defining

differences in rhythm and tones; individuals possessing musical intelligence are
often able to sing, play musical instruments and compose music to a high standard.
Since a high level of audio-related ability exists, many in this category are said to
learn well in a lecture situation where they are required to listen attentively to
information. Interpersonal intelligence relates to an individuals ability to
communicate and empathise with others; typically extrovert, they learn well
through discussion, debate and interaction with others, The last of the 7 original
categories identified by Gardner, intrapersonal intelligence, fits the opposite
description of interpersonal intelligence; such individuals working best
independently. According to Gardner they are capable of high levels of self
reflection and are often perfectionists.

G. A number of psychometric experts, however, oppose Gardners views and have

reservations about the validity of his theories. Firstly, some detractors disagree
with the overall definition of intelligence used in Gardners theory. They hold that,
in fact, some categories such as interpersonal or intrapersonal intelligence relate
more to personality that cognitive performance. The more recently identified
naturalistic intelligence, which relates to an affinity to the natural world and an
ability to nurture and cultivate, has been dismissed completely by many as no more
than a hobby. Doubts have been raised that others, such as musical intelligence, are
in reality talents. A final criticism attached to the theory is that some believe that
the intelligences cannot be treated as separate entities as some individuals may
perform equally well in what could be considered diverse areas; linguistic and
logical-mathematical for example. Gardner however maintains that his theories are
sound, since an identifiable and separate part of the brain is responsible for
controlling aspects related to each of the different types of intelligence,

H. Despite the criticism received from some of his contemporaries, Gardners

theories are well respected and often applied in the world of education as a tool for
identifying childrens differing abilities and potential career paths. For Instance,
those showing linguistic capabilities are said to be ideal in roles including writing,
politics and teaching; logical mathematical thinkers suited to careers in science,
mathematics, law, medicine and philosophy. Those exhibiting spatial intelligence
are said to be suited to a career such as art, engineering or architecture; while
individuals with a leaning towards bodily- kinesthetic intelligence may excel in
areas such as athletics, dancing or craft-making. Strengths in the area of musical
intelligence are said to often lead to success as a singer, conductor or musician.
Those displaying strong interpersonal skills have been recognised as often making
effective politicians, managers, diplomats and social workers; while those showing
a dominant intrapersonal intelligence are said to be better suited to professions
involving more self reflection and lower levels of interaction with the outside world
such as writing, philosophy or theology.

Questions 27 31

Reading Passage 3 has eight paragraphs A-H. Which paragraph contains the
following information?

Write the correct letter A-H in boxes 27-31 on your answer sheet.

NB. You may use any letter more than once.

27. Physiological evidence from Gardner that his intelligence theories are sound.

28. Aims of intelligence testing

29. Initial failure in successful measurement

30. How high level social skills are linked and classified as interpersonal
intelligence.
 31. Differences in opinions on what constitutes talent or intelligence

Questions 32 37

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage
3?

In boxes 32-37 on your answer sheet write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this

32. Early studies into intelligence were misguided and have had no impact on
todays methods.

32. Research into IQ is designed to determine the level of intelligence an

individual is born with.

32. Howard Gardner has confirmed 9 different types of intelligence.

32. Spatial intelligence has been linked to creativity.

32. An individual may demonstrate high levels of intelligence in contradictory

areas.

32. Those demonstrating intrapersonal intelligence always make bad managers.

Questions 38 40

Choose the correct letter A, B, C, or D.

Write your answers in boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet.

38. Some believe that IQ tests do not correctly estimate an individuals

intelligence because

A. the tests are based on physical and physiological benchmarks.

 B. some people may perform badly on the day of the test.

C. while people may have weaknesses in one area they may have strengths in
others.

D. the tests do not accurately assess the persons ability to reason, think and
solve problems.

39. The intelligence, as classified by Gardner, relating to an ability to memorise

items seen is

A. linguistic intelligence.

B. logico-mathematica! intelligence.

C. spatial intelligence.

D. bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.

40. The harshest criticism of Gardners theory has been focussed towards

A. interpersonal intelligence.

B. intrapersonal intelligence.

C. musical intelligence.

D. naturalistic intelligence.

ANSWER KEY FOR IELTS READING PRACTICE TEST

1. iii

Paragraph B refers to region, age, education and other factors influence the way we
speak. Therefore, the best answer is influences on speech.

2. ii
Paragraph C refers to differences in speech and attitudes of different age groups.
Therefore, the best answer is the Generation Gap.

3. vii

Paragraph E questions how important or logical rules certain rules of grammar are
(such as not splitting infinitives). Therefore, the best answer is Questioning logic.

4. viii

Paragraph F refers to language such as to beef (now outdated) and guy(now part
of mainstream speech). The paragraph also says that words are often modifiedby
different generations. Therefore, the best answer is Lifespan of vocabulary.

5. YES

Foreign food used as an example.

6. NOT GIVEN

Both have an effect but does not specify which has more influence or whether they
are equal.

7. NOT GIVEN

No confirmation given, just that UK English has been influenced by American

media.

8. NOT GIVEN

Paragraph C only gives examples of where modern language can be more

expressive.

9. NO

The writer says texting language not suitable for mainstream use.

10. NO

The whole text talks about different reasons for language changing, stating that this
has happened for many reasons, not just misunderstandings.
11. B

split infinitives Paragraph E Scholars wanted to make English more like Latin.

12. D

Meaning Paragraph E where meaning is not affected language often changes.

13. F

disregarded Paragraph E another way of saying abandoned.

14. H

An extended period of drought and while the water hyacinth is capable of living and
reproducing both in lakes and surrounding dry land, its predator, the snout beetle
can only survive on water.

15. E

reproduces very quickly

16. D

Water hyacinth populations can prevent adequate amounts of sunlight and oxygen
reaching the water: as a result, significant numbers of fish may die, other species of
plant growing below water level are compromised and the ecosystem of the
immediate area can therefore become unbalanced.

17. C

Sewage, agricultural waste, smoke from fires etc

18. A

Native to South America but in North America and many regions due to beauty.

19. A

Water lettuce does not have same flowers.

20. B

Water lettuce less tolerant of cooler climates.

21. D

Water hyacinth has leaves up to 6 inches. Water lettuce has larger leaves. Therefore
neither of them have leaves 2-3 inches.

22. C

Another aquatic floating plant.

23. A

Paragraph B W hyacinth has purple and yellow flowers. Water lettuce does not
have the same flowers.

24. TRUE

encourages growth of deadly bacteria.

25. NOT GIVEN

The text only gives details for Lake Victoria.

26. TRUE

main contributing factors.

27. G

Separate parts of the brain control different intelligence.

28. C

Combination of nature and nurture.

29. B

Physical and physiological testing.

30. F

Interpersonal Intelligence relates to an individuals ability to communicate and

empathise with others.

31. C

Doubts raised about musical intelligence (being, in fact, a hobby).

32. FALSE

..were to influence work of future researchers.

33. FALSE

not intended to measure genetic intelligence separate from environmental

influence.

34. FALSE

Existential intelligence still under investigation.

35. TRUE

such individuals excel in artistic subjects.

36. TRUE

Individuals may perform equally well in diverse areas.

37. NOT GIVEN

They may be better suited to other areas but does not say they always make bad
managers.

38. C

Paragraph D may excel in different areas.

39. C
strong visual memory.

40. D

dismissed completely.

DEPRESSION

A. It is often more difficult for outsiders and non-sufferers to understand mental

rather than physical illness in others. While it may be easy for us to sympathise
with individuals living with the burden of a physical illness or disability, there is
often a stigma attached to being mentally ill, or a belief that such conditions only
exist in individuals who lack the strength of character to cope with the real world.
The pressures of modern life seem to have resulted in an increase in cases of
emotional disharmony and government initiatives in many countries have, of late,
focussed on increasing the general publics awareness and sympathy towards
sufferers of mental illness and related conditions.

B. Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, a state of extreme sadness or

despair, is said to affect up to almost 20% of the population at some point in their
lives prior to the age of 40. Studies have shown that this disorder is the leading
cause of disability in North America; in the UK almost 3 million people are said to
be diagnosed with some form of depression at any one time, and experts believe
that as many as a further 9 million other cases may go undiagnosed. World Health
Organisation projections indicate that clinical depression may become the second
most significant cause of disability on a global scale by 2020. However, such
figures are not unanimously supported, as some experts believe that the diagnostic
criteria used to identify the condition are not precise enough, leading to other
types of depression being wrongly classified as clinical.
C. Many of us may experience periods of low morale or mood and feelings of
dejection, as a natural human response to negative events in our lives such as
bereavement, redundancy or breakdown of a relationship. Some of us may even
experience periods of depression and low levels of motivation which have no
tangible reason or trigger. Clinical depression is classified as an on-going state of
negativity, with no tangible cause, where sufferers enter a spiral of persistent
negative thinking, often experiencing irritability, perpetual tiredness and
listlessness. Sufferers of clinical depression are said to be at higher risk of resorting
to drug abuse or even suicide attempts than the rest of the population.

D. Clinical depression is generally diagnosed when an individual is observed to

exhibit an excessively depressed mood and/or anhedonia an inability to
experience pleasure from positive experiences such as enjoying a meal or
pleasurable social interaction for a period of two weeks or more, in conjunction
with five or more additional recognised symptoms. These additional symptoms
may include overwhelming feelings of sadness; inability to sleep, or conversely,
excessive sleeping; feelings of guilt, nervousness, abandonment or fear; inability to
concentrate; interference with memory capabilities; fixation with death or extreme
change in eating habits and associated weight gain or loss.

E. Clinical depression was originally solely attributed to chemical imbalance in the

brain, and while anti-depressant drugs which work to optimise levels of feel good
chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine are still commonly prescribed today,
experts now believe that onset of depression may be caused by a number, and often
combination of, physiological and socio-psychological factors. Treatment
approaches vary quite dramatically from place to place and are often tailored to an
individuals particular situation; however, some variation of a combination of
medication and psychotherapy is most commonly used. The more controversial
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may also be used where initial approaches fail. In
extreme cases, where an individual exhibits behaviour which Indicates that they
may cause physical harm to themselves, psychiatric hospitalisation may be
necessary as a form of intensive therapy.

F. Some recent studies, such as those published by the Archives of General

Psychiatry, hold that around a quarter of diagnosed clinical depression cases
should actually be considered as significant but none-the-less ordinary sadness and
maladjustment to coping with trials in life, indicating that in such cases,
psychotherapy rather than treatment through medication is required. Recovery as a
result of psychotherapy tends, in most cases, to be a slower process than
improvements related to medication; however, improvements as a result of
psychological treatment, once achieved, have been observed in some individuals to
be more long term and sustainable than those attained through prescription drugs.
Various counselling approaches exist, though all focus on enhancing the subjects
ability to function on a personal and interpersonal level. Sessions involve
encouragement of an individual to view themselves and their relationships in a
 more positive manner, with the intention of helping patients to replace negative
thoughts with a more positive outlook.

G. It is apparent that susceptibility to depression can run in families. However, it

remains unclear as to whether this is truly an inherited genetic trait or whether
biological and environmental factors common to family members may be at the
root of the problem. In some cases, sufferers of depression may need to unlearn
certain behaviours and attitudes they have established in life and develop new
coping strategies designed to help them deal with problems they may encounter,
undoing patterns of destructive behaviour they may have observed in their role
models and acquired for themselves.

Questions 1 5

Reading Passage 1 has seven sections A-G.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letters A-G in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.

1. Details of treatment alternatives for worst case scenario depression.

2. Information regarding cases where drug treatment is inappropriate.
3. Details of how those diagnosed with depression may be more vulnerable
than other members of society,
4. Information about societys attitudes to depression and similar illnesses.
5. Information regarding why estimates of incidence of future growth in cases
may be overly exaggerated.

Questions 6 8

Choose THREE letters A-G.

Write your answers in boxes 6-8 on your answer sheet.

NB Your answers may be given in any order

Which THREE of the following statements are true of depression?

A. Governments have generally failed to take action to educate the general
public about the condition.

B. The highest reported number of cases are in the USA.

C. In Britain, it is likely that there are more individuals who live with the
condition without the help of a doctor than those being officially treated.

D. Clinical depression may be triggered by divorce.

E. Lethargy may be one of the symptoms of depression.

F. Prescribed pharmaceuticals have radically changed over recent years.

G. Approaches to treating depression are not universal.

Questions 9 13

Complete the summary of paragraphs F and G with the list of words A-L below.

Write the correct letter A-L in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.

Whilst recovery through counselling rather than medicine may be more

9________________ , results once achieved may have more
10________________ with some patients. Counselling sessions are geared
towards improving the subjects relationship with others and their own
11_______________, encouraging sufferers of depression to take on a more
12_______________ outlook. The extent to which genetic disposition and
sociological factors impact on state of mind is 13_________________. Many
people undergoing counselling therapy do so with the purpose of unlearning
negative behaviour and reactions.

A. gratifying B. longevity

C. ambition D. optimistic

E. pessimistic F. difficulty
G. inconclusive H. self-image

I. gradual J. unequivocal

K. immediate L. categorical

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 .minutes on Questions 14-27, which are based on
Reading Passage 2 below.

THE FACE OF MODERN MAN?

A. In response to the emergence of the metro-sexual male, In other words, an

urban, sophisticated man who is fashionable, well-groomed and unashamedly
committed to ensuring his appearance is the best it can be, a whole new industry
has developed. According to research conducted on behalf of a leading health and
beauty retailer in the UK, the market for male cosmetics and related products has
grown by 800% since the year 2000 and is expected to continue to increase
significantly. The male grooming products market has become the fastest growing
sector within the beauty and cosmetics industry, currently equivalent to around 1.5
billion pounds per annum.

B. Over the last decade, a large number of brands and companies catering for
enhancement of the male image have been successfully established, such
operations ranging from male-only spas, boutiques, personal hygiene products,
hair and skin care ranges, and male magazines with a strong leaning towards mens
fashion. Jamie Cawley, proprietor of a successful chain of London-based male
grooming boutiques, holds that his companys success in this highly competitive
market can be attributed to the exclusivity tactics they have employed, in that
their products and services are clearly defined as male- orientated and distinctly
separate to feminine products offered by other organisations. However, market
analyst, Kim Sawyer, believes that future growth in the market can also be achieved
through sale of unisex products marketed to both genders, this strategy becoming
increasingly easy to implement as mens interest in appearance and grooming has
become more of a social norm.

C. Traditionalists such as journalist Jim Howrard contend that the turn-around in

male attitudes which has led to the success of the industry would have been
inconceivable a decade ago, given the conventional male role, psyche and
obligation to exude masculinity; however, behavioural scientist Professor Ruth
Chesterton argues that the metro-sexual man of today is in fact a modern
incarnation of the dandy of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century.
British dandies of that period, who were often of middle class backgrounds but
imitated aristocratic lifestyles, were devoted to cultivation of their physical
appearance, development of a refined demeanour and hedonistic pursuits. In
France, she adds, dandyism, in contrast, was also strongly linked to political
ideology and embraced by youths wishing to clearly define themselves from
members of the working class revolutionary social groups of the period.

D. Over recent decades, according to sociologist Ben Cameron, gender roles for
both sexes have become less defined. According to research, he says, achievement
of status and success have become less important in younger generations of men,
as has the need to repress emotions. Cameron defines the traditional masculine
role within western societies hegemonic masculinity as an expectation that
males demonstrate physical strength and fitness, be decisive, self-assured, rational,
successful and in control. Meeting this list of criteria and avoiding situations of
demonstrating weakness, being overly emotional or in any way inferior, he says,
has placed a great deal of pressure on many members of the male population. So
restrictive can societys pressure to behave in a masculine fashion on males be,
Professor Chesterton states that in many situations men may respond in a way they
deem acceptable to society, given their perceived gender role, rather than giving
what they may actually consider to be the best and most objective response.

E. Jim Howard says that learning and acquiring gender identity makes up a huge
component of a childs socialisation and that a child who exhibits non-standard
behavioural characteristics often encounters social and self image difficulties due to
the adverse reactions of their peers. According to Kim Sawyer, media images and
messages also add to pressures associated with the male image, stating that even in
these modern and changing times, hegemonic masculinity is often idolised and
portrayed as the definitive male persona.

F. Whilst male stereotypes and ideals vary from culture to culture, according to
Professor Chesterton, a universal trait in stereotypical male behaviour is an
increased likelihood to take risks than is generally found in female behaviour
patterns. For this reason, she attributes such behaviour to the influence of genetic
predisposition as opposed to socially learned behaviour. Men, she says, are three
times more likely to die due to accident than females, a strong indication he says of
their greater willingness to involve themselves in precarious situations. Ben
Cameron also says that an attitude of invincibility is more dominant in males and is
a predominant factor in the trend for fewer medical checkups in males and late
diagnosis of chronic and terminal illness than in their more cautious and vigilant
female counterparts.

G. Jamie Cawley, however, remains optimistic that the metro-sexual culture will
continue and that what society accepts as the face of masculinity will continue to
 change. He attributes this to a male revolt against the strict confines of gender
roles, adding that such changes of attitudes have led and will continue to lead to
establishment of greater equality between the sexes.

Questions 14 18

Reading Passage 2 has seven paragraphs A-G.

Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B-D and F-G from the list of headings
below.

Write the correct number i to viii in boxes 14-18 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

i. Basis and predictions

ii. Revolution or recurrence?

iii. Servicing a growing demand

iv. The surfacing of a new phenomenon

v. A long-held mindset and its downsides

vi. Influence on minors

vii. Hereditary predilection

viii. Effects of external pressures

Example: Paragraph E; Answer: viii

14. Paragraph B

14. Paragraph C
14. Paragraph D

14. Paragraph F

14. Paragraph G

Questions 19 22

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage
2?

In boxes 19-22 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

19. Sales in the female health and beauty market have slightly declined over
recent years.

19. The rise of dandyism in England and France is attributed to similar factors.

19. Emotional reaction is contradictory to hegemonic masculine behaviour.

19. There is a correlation between mens belief that they are indestructible and
their decreased likelihood to seek medical advice.

Questions 23 27

Look at the following list of statements (Questions 23-27) based on changes in

male image and behavior.

Match each statement with the correct person A-E.

Write the correct letters A-E in boxes 23-27 on your answer sheet.

23. Male behaviour patterns have changed in a way that would have been
considered implausible in the past.
23. Traditional benchmarks of masculinity are often exacerbated by the press.

23. Metro-sexual culture has developed as a response to modern mens

dissatisfaction with traditional images.

23. The need to conform to societys expectations of male behaviour may impede
mens decision-making and judgement.

23. There is potential in a market which makes no differentiation between

products for males and females.

List of Contributors

A. Jamie Cawley

B. Kim Sawyer

C. Jim Howard

D. Professor Ruth Chesterton

E. Ben Cameron

READING PASSAGE 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 28-40, which are based on
Reading Passage 3 below.

CLINICAL TRIALS

A. The benefits of vitamins to our well-being are now familiar to most; however,
when the link between diets lacking in citrus fruits and the development of the
affliction scurvy in sailors was first discovered by James Lind in 1747, the concept
of vitamins was yet to be discovered. Scurvy, which causes softening of the gums,
oral bleeding and, in extreme cases, tooth loss, is now known to present as a result
of lack of Vitamin C in the diet. Additional symptoms include depression, liver
spots on the skin particularly arms and legs loss of colour in the face and
partial immobility; high incidence of the ailment aboard ships took an enormous
toll on the crews ability to complete essential tasks while at sea.
B. Suggestions that citrus fruit may lower the incidence or indeed prevent scurvy
had been made as early as 1600. It was Lind, however, who would conduct the first
clinical trial by studying the effect within scientific experimental parameters.
However, while the correlation between consuming citrus fruit and avoidance of
scurvy was established, the preventative properties were attributed to the presence
of acids in the fruit and not what would later be identified as vitamin content.

C. Linds subjects for his trial consisted of twelve sailors already exhibiting
symptoms of scurvy. These individuals were split into six groups; each pair
common diet. Pair 1 were rationed a daily quart of cider, pair 2 elixir of vitriol, pair
3 a given quantity of vinegar, pair 4 seawater, pair 5 oranges and a lemon and pair
6 barley water. Despite the trial having to be aborted after day five, when supplies
of fruit were depleted, the findings of the interventional study showed that only the
control group who were given fruit supplements showed any significant
improvement in their condition (one had, in fact, recovered to the extent that he
was fit enough to return to work). The immediate impact on sailors health and
incidence of scurvy on board ship was, however, limited as Lind and other
physicians remained convinced that the curative effect was acid based. Therefore,
while consumption of citrus fruit was recommended, it was often replaced by
cheaper acid supplements. The preventative Qualities of citrus fruit against scurvy
were not truly recognised until 1800, though throughout the latter part of the
1700s, lemon juice was increasingly administered as a cure for sailors already
afflicted.

D. Nowadays, the implementation of findings discovered in clinical trials into

mainstream medicine remains an arduous and lengthy process and the clinical
trials themselves represent only a small stage of the process of developing a new
drug from research stage to launch in the marketplace. On average, for every
thousand drugs conceived, only one of the thousand actually makes it to the stage
of clinical trial, other projects being abandoned for a variety of reasons. Stages
which need to be fulfilled prior to clinical trial where the treatment is actually
tested on human subjects -include discovery, purification, characterisation and
laboratory testing.

E. A new pharmaceutical for treatment of a disease such as cancer typically takes a

period of 6 years or more before reaching the stage of clinical trial. Since legislation
requires subjects participating in such trials to be monitored for a considerable
period of time so that side-effects and benefits can be assessed correctly, a further
eight years typically passes between the stage of a drug entering clinical trial and
being approved for general use. One of the greatest barriers to clinical trial
procedures is availability of subjects willing to participate, Criteria for selection is
rigorous and trials where subjects are required to be suffering from the disease in
question, experience tremendous recruitment difficulties as individuals already
vulnerable due to the effects of their condition, are often reluctant to potentially
put their health at higher levels of risk.
F. Clinical trials are conducted in line with a strict protocol and the stages of a trial
are generally defined by five distinct phases. A drug that is deemed safe and
effective enough to reach the end of stage three is most often, at that point,
approved for use in mainstream medicine. Phase 0 involves a first-in-human trial
(usually conducted using a small population often to fifteen subjects) with the
purpose of ascertaining that the drugs effect is, in fact, the same as predicted in
pre-clinical studies. If no concerns are raised, the drug then enters Phase 1 of trial
where a modest selection (usually between twenty and eighty subjects) of usually
healthy volunteers, is exposed to the drug. However, for HIV and cancer drugs, this
stage is conducted using patients suffering from the condition in question. There
are two main variations of Phase I testing, these being SAD (single ascending dose)
and MAD (multiple ascending dose). The former involves a single administration of
a drug at a pre-determined level to one group of subjects, and the second involves
administration of a pre-determined sequence of dosages.

G. Phases 0 and 1 are geared towards establishing the safety of a pharmaceutical

and once this has been confirmed, drugs pass into Phase II testing where, while
safety continues to be monitored, the drugs effectiveness is also assessed using a
larger group of subjects, ranging from twenty up to three hundred. In some trials,
Phase II is regarded as involving two sub-stages, in that Phase 11(a) may be
concerned with establishing optimum dosage levels and Phase 11(b) to evaluate
effectiveness. Phase III is the most expensive, time-consuming and complex stage
of the trial process, often involving as many as 3000 patients. At this stage, a new
drugs effectiveness is rigorously tested and compared to that of the best of the
existing alternatives already approved and in common use. Where research
indicates that a pharmaceutical has passed all requirements of Phases 0, I, II and
III, submissions to relevant regulatory and licensing bodies are then made.

H. The final phase of clinical testing, Phase IV, is conducted over a lengthy period
of time post-launch for general usage. This stage is, in essence, a safety net which
involves continued monitoring of the drug, its properties and side-effects through
which any long term adverse reactions, which remained undetected in the pre-
launch clinical testing time frame can be discovered. Identification of harmful
effects at this stage, on occasion, has led to withdrawal of a drug from the market;
for example, as was the case with cerivastin, a cholesterol-lowering drug, which was
later found to have an adverse effect on muscle reaction which, on occasion, had
fatal consequences.

Questions 28 31

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
 Write your answers in boxes 28-31 on your answer sheet.

28. In advanced cases of scurvy suffers may experience _______________

along with numerous other symptoms.

28. Fruit adds were mistakenly heralded as having ______________ in

incidents of scurvy prior to the identification of vitamins.

28. Linds subjects for the first clinical trial were seamen who were at the time of
______________ the condition in question.

28. All groups in Linds experiment were given a _____________ along with
specific rations which were varied for each control group.

Questions 32 35

Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D

Write your answers in boxes 32 35 on your answer sheet

32. The first clinical trial was conducted for only 5 days because

A. that period of time was the planned protocol.

B. the subjects in the relevant control group had already recovered.

C. resources fundamental to the experiment were used up.

D. those taking part in the trial were too sick to continue.

33. The impact of findings from the trial were not used to full potential because

A. Lind failed to recommend consumption of citrus fruit.

B. ineffective substitutes were often made available.

C. other physicians were unconvinced by his evidence.

D. the trial was not conducted over a long enough period to be valid.
34. One of the greatest hindrances to clinical testing today is

A. low volunteer rates.

B. the poor success rate.

C. the strict protocol.

D. shortage of laboratory staff.

35. Clinical testing for HIV and cancer drugs differs from usual procedures
because

A. the clinical trial phase is much longer.

B. the MAD instead of the SAD approach is used during Phase I.

C. subjects exhibiting no symptoms of the illness are not used.

D. effectiveness is more rigorously tested than safety.

Questions 36 40

Complete the flowchart

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 36-40 on your answer sheet.

Phases of Clinical Testing

Phase 0
10-15 subjects tested to confirm assumptions made in the 36____________ stages were accurate.

Phase I
 2 different approaches may be used. One involving one-off exposure to the drug the other involving a
37________________.

Phase II
May involve two sub-stages to establish 38________________ quantities and usefulness.

Phase III
The most 39______________ , protracted and costly of all stages. Submissions made post-

testing at this stage of all is agreeable.

Phase IV
Precautionary monitoring continues post-launch. Any serious issues uncovered can, on occasion,
result in 40________________.

ANSWER KEY FOR IELTS READING PRACTICE TEST

1. E

The more controversial electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may also be used where
initial approaches fail. In extreme cases, where an individual exhibits behaviour
which indicates that they may cause physical harm to themself, psychiatric
hospitalisation may be necessary as a form of intensive therapy.

2. F

Some recent studies, such as those published by the Archives of General

Psychiatry, hold that around a quarter of diagnosed clinical depression cases
should actually be considered as significant but none-the-less ordinary sadness and
maladjustment to coping with trials in life, indicating that in such cases,
psychotherapy rather than treatment through medication is required.
 3. C

Sufferers of clinical depression are said to be at higher risk of resorting to drug

abuse or even suicide attempts than the rest of the population.

4. A

there is often a stigma attached to being mentally ill, or a belief that such
conditions only exist in individuals who lack the strength of character to cope with
the real world.

5. B

However, such figures are not unanimously supported, as some experts believe
that the diagnostic criteria used to identify the condition are not precise enough,
leading to other types of depression being wrongly classified as clinical.

6. C or E or G

6. C or E or G

6. C or E or G

C Paragraph B: in the UK almost 3 million people are said to be diagnosed with

some form of depression at any one time, and experts believe that as many as a
further 9 million other cases may go undiagnosed.

E Paragraph C: sufferers enter a spiral of persistent negative thinking, often

experiencing irritability, perpetual tiredness and listlessness.

G Paragraph E: Treatment approaches vary quite dramatically from place to

place and are often tailored to an individuals particular situation

9. I (gradual in the question = slower in the text)

9. B (longevity in the question = long term / sustainable in the text)

9. H (self image in the question function on a personal level in the text)

9. D (optimistic in the question positive manner in the text)

9. G (inconclusive in the question unclear in the text)

F Some recent studies, such as those published by the Archives of General
Psychiatry, hold that around a quarter of diagnosed clinical depression cases
should actually be considered as significant but none-the-less ordinary sadness and
maladjustment to coping with trials in life, indicating that in such cases,
psychotherapy rather than treatment through medication is required. (Q9)
Recovery as a result of psychotherapy tends, in most cases, to be a slower process
than improvements related to medication; however, (Q10) improvements as a
result of psychological treatment, once achieved, have been observed in some
individuals to be more long term and sustainable than those attained through
prescription drugs. (Q11) Various counselling approaches exist, though all focus on
enhancing the subjects ability to function on a personal and interpersonal level.
Sessions involve (Q12) encouragement of an individual to view themselves and
their relationships in a more positive manner, with the intention of helping
patients to replace negative thoughts with a more positive outlook.

G It is apparent that susceptibility to depression can run in families. (Q13)

However, it remains unclear as to whether this is truly an inherited genetic trait or
whether biological and environmental factors common to family members may be
at the root of the problem. In some cases, sufferers of depression may need to
unlearn certain behaviours and attitudes they have established in life and develop
new coping strategies designed to help them deal with problems they may
encounter, undoing patterns of destructive behaviour they may have observed in
their role models and acquired for themselves.

14. iii

Servicing a growing demand. The paragraph focuses on how industry has

responded to metro-sexual demand for products.

15. ii

Revolution or recurrence? The paragraph focuses on whether metro-sexual

behaviour is previously unheard of (inconceivable) or similar to a past trend
dandyism.

16. v

A long-held mindset and its downsides. The paragraph focuses on traditional

attitudes i.e. hegemonic masculinity and its negative impacts.

17. vii

Hereditary predilection. The paragraph focuses on how genetics may affect male
attitudes across cultures.
18. i

Basis and predictions. The paragraph focuses on possible causes of the metro-
sexual culture and considers possible trends in the future.

19. Not Given

Paragraphs A and B refer to figures and growth in the male market, but no mention
is made of figures / sales in the female market.

20. False

Paragraph C: British dandies of that period, who were often of middle class
backgrounds but imitated aristocratic lifestyles, were devoted to cultivation of their
physical appearance, development of a refined demeanour and hedonistic pursuits.
In France, she adds, dandyism, in contrast, was also strongly linked to political
ideology and embraced by youths wishing to clearly define themselves from
members of the working class revolutionary social groups of the period.

21. True

Paragraph D: Cameron defines the traditional masculine role within western

societies hegemonic masculinity as an expectation that males demonstrate
physical strength and fitness, be decisive, self-assured, rational, successful and in
control. Meeting this list of criteria and avoiding situations of demonstrating
weakness, being overly emotional or in any way inferior, he says, has placed a
great deal of pressure on many members of the male population.

22. True

Paragraph F: Ben Cameron also says that an attitude of invincibility is more

dominant in males and is a predominant factor in the trend for fewer medical
checkups in males and late diagnosis of chronic and terminal illness than in their
more cautious and vigilant female counterparts.

23. C

Jim Howard: Paragraph C Traditionalists such as journalist Jim Howard

contend that the turn-around in male attitudes which has led to the success of the
industry would have been inconceivable a decade ago.

24. B
Kim Sawyer: Paragraph E According to Kim Sawyer, media images and messages
also add to pressures associated with the male image, stating that even in these
modern and changing times, hegemonic masculinity is often idolised and portrayed
as the definitive male persona.

25. A

Jamie Cawley: Paragraph C Jamie Cawleyattributes this to a male revolt

against the strict confines of gender roles.

26. D

Professor Ruth Chesterton: Paragraph D Professor Chesterton states that in

many situations men may respond in a way they deem acceptable to society, given
their perceived gender role, rather than giving what they may actually consider to
be the best and most objective response.

27. B

Kim Sawyer: Paragraph B Kim Sawyer, believes that future growth in the
market can also be achieved through sale of unisex products marketed to both
genders.

28. tooth loss

Paragraph A: Scurvy, which causes softening of the gums, oral bleeding and, in
extreme cases, tooth loss,

29. preventative properties

Paragraph B: while the correlation between consuming citrus fruit and avoidance
of scurvy was established, the preventative properties were attributed to the
presence of acids in the fruit and not what would later be identified as vitamin
content.

30. exhibiting symptoms

Paragraph C: Linds subjects for his trial consisted of twelve sailors already
exhibiting symptoms of scurvy.

31. common diet

Paragraph C: These individuals were split into six groups; each pair being given
exclusive acid-based supplements to what was otherwise a common diet.

32. C

Paragraph C the trial was aborted after day five, when supplies of fruit were
depleted.

33. B

Paragraph C while consumption of citrus fruit was recommended, it was often

replaced by cheaper acid supplements.

34. A

Paragraph E One of the greatest barriers to clinical trial procedures is availability

of subjects willing to participate.

35. C

Paragraph F usually healthy volunteers However, for HIV and cancer drugs,
this stage is conducted using patients suffering from the condition in question.

36. Pre-clinical

Paragraph F: Phase 0 involves a first-in-human trial (usually conducted using a

small population of ten to fifteen subjects) with the purpose of ascertaining that the
drugs effect is, in fact, the same as predicted in pre-clinical studies.

37. Sequence

Paragraph F: There are two main variations of Phase I testing, these being SAD
(single ascending dose) and MAD (multiple ascending dose). The former involves a
single administration of a drug at a pre-determined level to one group of subjects,
and the second involves administration of a pre-determined sequence of dosages.

38. Optimum

Paragraph G: Phase II is regarded as involving two sub-stages, in that Phase 11(a)

may be concerned with establishing optimum dosage levels and Phase 11(b) to
evaluate effectiveness.
39. Complex

Paragraph G: Phase III is the most expensive (costly), time-consuming

(protracted) and complex stage of the trial process.

40. withdrawal

Paragraph H: Identification of harmful effects at this stage, on occasion, has led to

withdrawal of a drug from the market.

REIKI

A. The spiritual practice of Reiki was first introduced in early 20th century in
Japan and continues to be used by its followers today with the intention of treating
physical, emotional and mental imbalances and consequent ill-health. The
principles of Reiki involve techniques employed by practitioners they say will
channel healing energy through the subjects body, and advocates hold that these
techniques can also be used for self-healing. The name of the practice itself stems
from two Japanese characters, pronounced rei which translates to unseen or
spiritual and ki meaning life force or energy.
B. According to Reiki philosophy, only by undergoing an attunement process
performed by a Reiki Master is an individual able to access, then channel this
positive energy within, this ability once established is considered to be enduring.
Once attuned, it is said that an individual has the ability to allow energy to flow to
weak or diseased areas of the body, so activating a natural healing process. Reiki
energy is considered to be intelligent energy in that it automatically flows to such
areas; for this reason, practitioners believe that diagnosis of a specific problem is
unnecessary beforehand and that the practice can be used as preventative medicine
and encourage healing prior to the onset of tangible symptoms. Since healing
initiated by Reiki treatment is entirely natural, many practitioners are confident
that it can be used alongside any other type of treatment without adverse affect;
however, others recommend that since the patient may undergo significant internal
improvement for certain ailments diabetes, for example careful monitoring is
required since such improvements may establish a need for an alteration in
medication requirements.

C. A whole body Reiki treatment session typically lasts between to 90 minutes.

The subject is required to lie down often on a treatment table clothed in
comfortable and loose fitting attire. Treatment may involve the practitioner placing
their hands on the recipient in a variety of positions; however, some therapists take
a non-touching approach, holding their hands a few centimeters away from the
body. Hands are usually held in one position for up to 5 minutes before moving on
to the next part of the body; between 12 and 20 hand positions are generally used.
Those who have undergone a Reiki treatment session often state that they
experienced a pleasant warmness in the area of focus and a feeling of contentment
and relaxation throughout the session.

D. The healing energy is said to originate in the universe itself and is not the
passing of personal energy from practitioner to patient; it is therefore thought to be
inexhaustible and the personal well-being of the practitioner uncompromised.
While some masters and teachers hold that subjects must be receptive to the
concept in order for energy to flow, others believe that the attitude of the patient is
of no consequence and that benefits will follow regardless; for this reason, those
following the latter school of thought say that since Reiki requires no conscious
belief it can also benefit the well-being of animals and plant life.

E. Controversy surrounds the practice of Reiki, some in opposition as they say that
Reiki may offer only a perceived improvement in health and therefore only a
placebo effect. Whilst the practice of Reiki itself is not necessarily considered
potentially harmful, some medical practitioners are concerned that its benefits may
be over-estimated by patients and that, as a result, they may ignore or bandon
conventional treatments. Others argue against the reliability of Reiki due to the
lack of regulation of practitioners, holding that patients may be left vulnerable to
illegitimate therapists who lack knowledge and skill. While Reiki is not connected
to any particular religious doctrine, some religious leaders oppose the practice for
spiritual reasons; however, others hold that the meditative principles involved in
treatment have enhanced their own ability to explore and embrace their own
particular religion.

F. Limited scientific studies in the authenticity of Reiki have been conducted.

During research conducted by the Institute of Neurological Studies at South
Glasgow University Hospital it was observed that there was a significant decrease
in heart rate and blood pressure amongst subjects receiving 30 minutes of Reiki
treatment as opposed to a group receiving placebo treatment of 30 minutes rest.
Since the test group consisted of a small number of subjects just 45 the research
recommendations concluded a requirement for further studies. A similarly small
preliminary study into the potential effects of Reiki on patients suffering mild
dementia, conducted in the USA, tentatively suggested that treatment had a
positive effect on the subjects memory abilities; however, research limitations
included insufficient analysis of potential placebo affects.

G. Other studies have also attempted to determine correlation between Reiki

treatment and improvement in cancer and stroke patients. Whilst investigations
into the first condition indicated a seemingly positive effect on degrees of fatigue,
pain and stress experienced by sufferers, the second project failed to reveal a link
between treatment and improvement in the subjects condition and rehabilitation.
Theories have been put forward that the benefits of energy treatments such as Reiki
may be scientifically attributed to the effect of electromagnetic fields; however, the
majority researchers agree that more extensive investigation is required.

Questions 1 3

Choose THREE letters A-H.

Write your answers in boxes 1- 3 on your answer sheet

N.B. Your answers may be given in any order

Which THREE of the following statements are true of Reiki?

A. Principles for self-healing differ to those used on others.

B. Attunement is said to have a permanent effect on the recipient.

C. Its preventative properties are more significant than cure.

 D. There are differences in opinion regarding its use with other therapies.

E. The treatment typically involves contact between the therapist and the patient.

F. The recipients own energy is the key to the philosophy.

G. Some therapists believe a pessimistic approach affects results.

H. It is only practiced on human subjects.

Questions 4 9

Reading Passage 1 has seven paragraphs A-G.

Which paragraph contains the following information? You can use each
paragraph more than once.

4. A scientific explanation of why Reiki may have positive effects.

4. An overview of the practicalities of how Reiki is performed.

4. The pre-requisite required to experience Reiki benefits.

4. When patients faith and expectations cause concern.

4. The immediate effects that can be experienced by recipients.

4. The safety of conducting therapy for practitioners.

Questions 10 13

According to the information in Reading Passage 1, classify the following

research findings into the benefits of Reiki as relating to

A. The Institute of Neurological Studies

B. Research conducted in the USA

C. Cancer research
 D. Stroke research

Write the correct letter A, B, C or D in boxes 10 13 your answer sheet

10. The groups comfort and quality of life appeared to improve.

10. No apparent links were identified.

10. Results were compared to a control group who did not receive Reiki
treatment

10. Recollection ability seemed to be enhanced.

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-27, which are based on
Reading Passage 2 below.

SCULPTURE

A. Sculpture, the practice of creating a three-dimensional object for artistic and

aesthetic purposes, dates back as far as prehistoric times. Since objects created are
intended to be enduring, traditionally sculptures have been forged from durable
materials such as bronze, stone, marble and jade; however, some branches of the
art also specialise in creating figurines of a more ephemeral nature, ice sculpture,
for example. The practice of sculpting in many countries has traditionally been
associated with religious philosophy; for example, in Asia many famous sculptures
are related to Hinduism or Buddhism.

B. In Africa, perhaps more than any other region in the world, three-dimensional
artwork is favoured and given more emphasis than two dimensional paintings.
Whilst some experts hold that the art of sculpture in the continent dates back to the
Nokcivilisation of Nigeria in 500 BC, this is disputed due to evidence of the arts
existence in Pharaonic Africa.

C. To the expert eye, African art is clearly defined by the region from which it is
from and easily identifiable from the differences in technique used and material
from which it is made. Figurines from the West African region are sculpted in two
distinctly different forms. The first is characterised by angular forms and features
with elongated bodies, such sculptures being traditionally used in religious rituals.
Conversely, the traditional wood statues of the Mande speaking culture possess
cylindrical arms and legs with broad, flat surfaces. Metal sculptures which hail
from the eastern regions of West Africa, are heralded by many as amongst the most
superior art forms ever crafted.

D. Central African sculpture may be a little more difficult to identify for the novice
observer as a wider variety of materials may be used, ranging from wood to ivory,
stone or metal. However, despite tills, the distinct style of usage of smooth lines
and circular forms still helps to define the origin of such works. In both Eastern
and Southern Africa, typically, art depicts a mixture of human and animal features.
Art from the former region Is usually created in the form of a pole carved in human
shape and topped with a human or animal image which has a strong connection
with death, burial and the spiritual world. Such creations are less recognised as art
in the traditional sense than those from other parts of Africa. In Southern Africa,
the human/animal hybrid representations are fashioned from clay, the oldest
known examples dating back to from between 400 and 600 A.D.

E. Although these distinct and defining regional differences in artistic expression

exist, there are also universal similarities which define African art as a whole.
Primarily a common characteristic is that focus is predominantly on representation
of the human form. A second common trait of African art is that it is often inspired
by a ceremonial or performance-related purpose; the meaning behind the art and
its purpose often intended to be interpreted in a different way depending on an
individuals age, gender or even social and educational status.

F. Throughout the African continent, artworks tend to be more abstract in nature

than intending to present a realistic and naturalistic portrayal of the subject in
question. Artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh and Gauguin are said to have been
influenced and inspired by African art. Its ability to stimulate emotional reaction
and imagination generated a great deal of interest from western artists at the
beginning of the 20th century. As a result, new European works began to emerge
which were of a more abstract nature than previously conceived. More
intellectually and emotionally stimulating art was born than had been seen before
in a culture which had traditionally faithfully represented and depicted the true and
exact form of its subjects.

G. The Modernism movement of the 20th century embraced innovation in

literature and art, its devotees wishing to move beyond realism in artistic
expression. The sculptor Henry Spencer Moore, born in 1898 in Yorkshire, was one
of the key players involved in introducing and developing his own particular style
of modernism to the British art world. He is best known for his abstract bronze
sculptures of the human form, many critics drawing parallels between the
undulating landscapes and hills of his home county Yorkshire and the shapes and
lines of his sculptures.
H. By the 1950s, Moores work was increasingly in demand and he began to secure
high profile commissions including an artwork for the UNESCO building in Paris.
By the end of Moores career, due to his popularity and the scale of the projects he
undertook, the sculptor was extremely affluent; however, a huge proportion of his
wealth was donated to the Henry Moore Foundation established with the aim of
supporting education and promotion of the arts. The foundation is a registered
charity and has continued to offer funding to a wide range of projects including
grants to arts institutions and bursaries and fellowships for students and artists
since Moores death in 1986.

Questions 14 17

Complete the summary

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 14-17 on your answer sheet.

In Africa, sculpture is more predominant and more highly 14______________

than canvas art, for example. In Asia, many prestigious works are connected to
15______________ values. Sculpture is an ancient art in which figurines are
created from materials which are, in the main, 16_____________ to ensure
longevity of the art form; however, though more 17____________, materials
such as ice are used in certain spheres.

Questions 18 22

Complete the table

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 18-22 on your answer sheet.

REGIONAL AFRICAN ART

Region Style Additional Information

 Eastern Africa
Subjects similar to the
Less sought-after than other
18_____________ area of
styles of African art.
the country.

Artwork representing
human & animal form Made from
Southern Africa
19________________

Style 1 Conventionally made for the

Sharp lines, long bodies purpose of
20________________
Western

Style 2
Africa Cylindrical, broad and flat Made by Mande speakers
lines crafted from
21_______________

Often more difficult to

Smooth lines & circular
Central Africa recognise due to the diversity of
forms
22_____________used.
Questions 23 27

Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from
the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 23-27 on your answer sheet.

23. Verification of art in which civilisation sheds doubt on the theory that
African art dates back to the Nok period?

23. What material is used for the African sculptures many consider to be the
best?

23. What ceremonial event are the creations from Eastern Africa connected
with?

23. Due to African influence, what did Western art become that allowed it to be
more intellectually and emotionally stimulating?
23. What did Moore most often depict which brought him the greatest
recognition?

READING PASSAGE 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 28 40, which are based on
Reading Passage 3 below.

GENEALOGY

A. Genealogy, the study of tracing family connections and relationships through

history so building a cohesive family tree, has become an increasingly popular
hobby from non-specialist enthusiasts over recent decades. The introduction of the
Internet has, in many ways, spurred interest levels since historical information has
been made far more accessible than previously. Experts warn, however, that
sources obtained from the internet must be considered with caution as they may
often contain inaccuracies, often advising novice genealogists to join a family
history society where they are able to learn useful skills from experienced
researchers.

B. Originally, prior to developing a more mainstream following, the practice of

genealogy focused on establishing the ancestral links of rulers and noblemen often
with the purpose of disputing or confirming the legitimacy of inherited rights to
wealth or position. More recently, genealogists are often interested in not only
where and when previous generations of families lived but also details of their
lifestyle and motivations, interpreting the effects of law, political restrictions,
immigration and the social conditions on an individuals or familys behaviour at
the given time. Genealogy searches may also result in location of living relatives
and consequently family reunions, in some cases helping to reunite family
members who had been separated in the past due to fostering/adoptlon, migration
or war.

C. In Australia, there has been a great deal of interest of late, from families wishing
to trace their links to the early settlers. As a result of the loss of the American
colonies in the 1700s, Britain was in need of an alternative destination for prisoners
who could not be accommodated in the countrys overcrowded penal facilities. In
1787, the First Fleet which consisted of a flotilla of ships carrying just over 1300
people (of which 753 were convicts or their children and the remainder marines,
officers and their family members) left Britains shores for Australia. On January
26, 1788 now celebrated as Australia Day the fleet landed at Sydney Cove and
the first steps to European settlement began.
D. Genealogy research has led to a shift in attitudes towards convict heritage
amongst contemporary Australian society, as family members have been able to
establish that their ancestors were, in fact, not hardened and dangerous criminals,
but had, in most cases, been harshly punished for minor crimes inspired by
desperation and dire economic circumstances. So dramatic has the shift in
attitudes been that having family connections to passengers on the First Fleet is
considered nothing less than prestigious. Convicts Margaret Dawson and Elizabeth
Thakery were amongst the first European women to ever set foot on Australian soil.
Details about the former, whose initial death sentence passed for stealing clothes
from her employer was commuted to deportation, and the latter expelled for
stealing handkerchiefs along with others of similar fate are now available on the
internet for eager descendants to track.

E. Although many of the deported convicts were forbidden to return to Britain,

others such as Dawson, were, in theory, expelled for a given term. In reality,
however, the costs of attempting to return to the mother country were well beyond
the means of the majority. Genealogists now attribute the successful early
development of Australia to such ex-convicts who decided to contribute fully to
society once their sentence had been served. Many rewards were available to
prisoners who displayed exemplary behaviour, including land grants of 30 acres or
more, tools for developing and farming the land and access to convict labour.
Genealogy studies also show that many former prisoners went on to hold powerful
positions in the newly forming Australia society, examples being Francis Greenway
a British architect expelled on conviction of fraud who went on to design many
of Sydneys most prominent colonial buildings, and Alexander Munro, transported
after stealing cheese at the age of 15, who would later build Australias first gas
works and hold the position of Town Mayor.

F. In North America, the Mormon Church, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah,
holds wo major genealogical databases, the International Genealogical Index and
the Ancestral File, which contain records of hundreds of million individuals who
lived between 1500 and 1900 in the United States, Canada and Europe. Resources
available to genealogy enthusiasts include the Salt Lake City based Family History
Library and more than 4000 branches where microfilms and microfiches can be
rented for research and the newer Family Search internet site which provides open
access to numerous databases and research sources. Such data sharing practices
are central and crucial to genealogical research and the internet has proven to be a
major tool in facilitating ease of transfer of information in formats suitable for use
in forums and via email. The global level of interest in and demand for such
information has proven so intense, that traffic load on release of sources such as
Family Search and the British Census for 1901 led to temporary collapse of the host
servers.

G. Experts advise that reliability of sources used for genealogical research should
be evaluated in light of four factors which may influence their accuracy, these being
the knowledge of the informant, the bias and mental state of the informant, the
passage of time and potential for compilation error. First, genealogists should
consider who the information was provided by and what he or she could be
ascertained to have known. For example, a census record alone is considered
unreliable as no named source for the information is likely to be found. A death
certificate signed by an identified doctor, however, can be accepted as more
reliable. In the case of bias or mental state, researchers are advised to consider that
even when information is given by what could be considered a reliable source, that
there may have been motivation to be untruthful continuing to claim a
government benefit or avoidance of taxation, for example.

H. Generally, data recorded at the same time or close to the event being researched
is considered to be more reliable than records written at a later point in time, as
while individuals may intend to give a true representation of events factual
information may be misrepresented due to lapses in memory and forgotten details.
Finally, sources may be classified as either original or derivative. The latter refers to
photocopies, transcriptions, abstracts, translations, extractions, and compilations
and has more room for error due to possible misinterpretations, typing errors or
loss of additional and crucial parts of the original documentation.

Questions 28 32

Reading Passage 3 has eight paragraphs A-H.

Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B and D-G from the list of headings
below.

Write the correct number i to ix in boxes 28 32 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

i. An Embarrassing Heritage

ii. Assessing Validity

iii. Diversity of Application

iv. Interpretation Errors

v. Past Usage
 vi. Useful Sources

vii. Australasian Importance

viii. Changing Viewpoints

ix. Significant Roles

Example: Paragraph C; Answer: vii

28. Paragraph B

28. Paragraph D

28. Paragraph E

28. Paragraph F

28. Paragraph G

Questions 33 36

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage
3?

In boxes 33 36 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

33. Early applications of genealogy focused on behaviour, movement and

settlement of populations.

33. The punishment of deportation was reserved for those who posed a serious
threat to British society.
33. Some ex-convicts chose to stay in Australia due to the opportunities it
presented.

33. Overwhelming interest in obtaining genealogical information has led to

technological difficulties.

Questions 37 40

Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D

Write your answers in boxes 37 40 on your answer sheet

37. Why has recreational genealogy become more popular?

A. Because it is now a fashionable hobby.

B. Because more people wish to trace missing relatives.

C. Because there are less political barriers.

D. Because it is no longer requires so much effort.

38. Whose original sentence for breaking the law was reduced?

A. Francis Greenway.

B. Margaret Dawson.

C. Alexander Munro.

D. Elizabeth Thakery.

39. What is fundamental to genealogical research?

A. Original records.

B. Electronic transfer.

C. Pooling of information.
D. The IG Index.

40. Why does census information need to be approached with caution?

A. Because it cannot easily be attributed to a particular individual.

B. Because it is often not validated by a physician.

C. Because administration practices in the past were unreliable.

D. Because informants may not have been truthful due to financial motivations.

ANSWER KEY FOR IELTS READING PRACTICE TEST

1 3. (any order) B, D and G

B Attunement is said to have a permanent effect on the recipient

Paragraph B attunement process this ability once established is considered to

be enduring

D There are differences in opinion regarding its use with other therapies.

Paragraph B many practitioners are confident that it can be used alongside any
other type of treatment without adverse affect; however, others recommend that
since the patient may undergo significant internal improvement for certain
ailments

G Some therapists believe a pessimistic approach affects results.

Paragraph D some masters and teachers hold that subjects must be receptive to
the concept in order for energy to flow

4. G

Theories have been put forward that the benefits of energy treatments such as
Reiki may be scientifically attributed to the effect of electromagnetic fields
5. C

Most of the paragraph refers to how Reiki is performed (the practicalities). The
subject is required to lie down often on a treatment table clothed in
comfortable and loose fitting attire. Treatment may involve the practitioner placing
their hands on the recipient in a variety of positions; however, some therapists take
a non-touching approach, holding their hands a few centimeters away from the
body. Hands are usually held in one position for up to 5 minutes before moving on
to the next part of the body; between 12 and 20 hand positions are generally used.

6. B

According to Reiki philosophy, only by undergoing an attunement process

performed by a Reiki Master is an individual able to access, then channel this
positive energy within

7. E

some medical practitioners are concerned that its benefits may be over-estimated
by patients and that, as a result, they may ignore or abandon conventional
treatments.

8. C

Those who have undergone a Reiki treatment session often state that they
experienced a pleasant warmness in the area of focus and a feeling of contentment
and relaxation throughout the session.

9. D

The healing energy is said to originate in the universe itself and is not the passing
of personal energy from practitioner to patient; it is therefore thought to be
inexhaustible and the personal well-being of the practitioner uncompromised.

10. C Cancer Research

Paragraph C: Other studies have also attempted to determine correlation between

Reiki treatment and improvement in cancer and stroke patients. Whilst
investigations into the first condition indicated a seemingly positive effect on
degrees of fatigue, pain and stress experienced by sufferers.

11. D Stroke
Paragraph C: Other studies have also attempted to determine correlation between
Reiki treatment and improvement in cancer and stroke patients. Whilst
investigations into the first condition indicated a seemingly positive effect on
degrees of fatigue, pain and stress experienced by sufferers, the second project
failed to reveal a link between treatment and improvement in the subjects.

12. A The Institute of Neurological Studies

Paragraph F: research conducted by the Institute of Neurological Studies at

South Glasgow University Hospital it was observed that there was a significant
decrease in heart rate and blood pressure amongst subjects receiving 30 minutes of
Reiki treatment as opposed to a group receiving placebo treatment of 30 minutes
rest.

13. B Research conducted in the USA

Paragraph F: conducted in the USA, tentatively suggested that treatment had a

positive effect on the subjects memory abilities

14. Favoured

Paragraph B: In Africa, perhaps more than any other region in the world, three-
dimensional artwork is favoured and given more emphasis than two dimensional
paintings.

15. Religious

Paragraph A: The practice of sculpting in many countries has traditionally been

associated with religious philosophy.

16. Durable

Paragraph A: traditionally sculptures have been forged from durable materials

such as bronze, stone, marble and jade

NOTE: Although enduring has the same meaning, it is not the correct answer
because in the passage this word refers to the sculptures, but the question was
asking for a description of the materials used.

17. Ephemeral
Paragraph A: however, some branches of the art also specialise in creating
figurines of a more ephemeral nature, ice sculpture, for example.1

NOTE: Ephemeral means short lived

18. Southern

Paragraph D: In both Eastern and Southern Africa, typically, art depicts a mixture
of human and animal features.

19. Clay

Paragraph D: In Southern Africa, the human/animal hybrid representations are

fashioned from clay.

20. Religious rituals

Paragraph C: Figurines from the West African region are sculpted in two distinctly
different forms. The first is characterised by angular forms and features with
elongated bodies, such sculptures being traditionally used in religious rituals.

21. Wood

Paragraph C: Conversely, the traditional wood statues of the Mande speaking

culture possess cylindrical arms and legs with broad, flat surfaces.

22. Materials

Paragraph D: Central African sculpture may be a little more difficult to identify for
the novice observer as a wider variety of materials may be used.

23. Pharaonic Africa

Paragraph B: Whilst some experts hold that the art of sculpture in the continent
dates back to the Nokcivilisation of Nigeria in 500 BC, this is disputed due to
evidence of the arts existence in Pharaonic Africa.

24. Metal

Paragraph C: Metal sculptures which hail from the eastern regions of West Africa,
are heralded by many as amongst the most superior art forms ever crafted.
 25. Burial

Paragraph D: In both Eastern and Southern Africa, typically, art depicts a mixture
of human and animal features. Art from the former region is usually created in the
form of a pole carved in human shape and topped with a human or animal image
which has a strong connection with death, burial and the spiritual world.

NOTE: The question refers to a ceremonial event neither death nor the reference
to the spiritual world is ceremonial events. This leaves only burial.

26. Abstract

Paragraph F: Throughout the African continent, artworks tend to be more abstract

in nature than intending to present a realistic and naturalistic portrayal of the
subject in question. Artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh and Gauguin are said to have
been influenced and inspired by African art. Its ability to stimulate emotional
reaction and imagination generated a great deal of interest from western artists at
the beginning of the 20th century. As a result, new European works began to
emerge which were of a more abstract nature than previously conceived.

27. the human form

Paragraph G: Henry Spencer Mooreis best known for his abstract bronze
sculptures of the human form.

28. iii Diversity of Application

The paragraph refers to the different reasons people search for information on
genealogy.

Originallyfocused on establishing the ancestral links of rulers and

noblemen
Where and when previous generations of families lived

details of their lifestyle and motivations, interpreting the effects of law,

political restrictions, immigration and the social conditions on an individuals or
familys behaviour at the given time.
location of living relatives and consequently family reunions

29. viii Changing Viewpoints

Genealogy research has led to a shift in attitudes towards convict heritage amongst
contemporary Australian society, as family members have been able to establish
that their ancestors were, in fact, not hardened and dangerous criminals, but had,
in most cases, been harshly punished for minor crimes inspired by desperation and
dire economic circumstances. So dramatic has the shift in attitudes been that
having family connections to passengers on the First Fleet is considered nothing
less than prestigious. Convicts Margaret Dawson and Elizabeth Thakery were
amongst the first European women to ever set foot on Australian soil. Details about
the former, whose initial death sentence passed for stealing clothes from her
employer was commuted to deportation, and the latter expelled for stealing
handkerchiefs along with others of similar fate are now available on the internet for
eager descendants to track.

30. ix Significant Roles

The paragraph refers to the contributions of convicts and some of the significant
people that remained in Australia.

Genealogists now attribute the successful early development of Australia to such

ex-convicts who decided to contribute fully to society once their sentence had been
servedFrancis Greenway a British architect expelled on conviction of fraud
who went on to design many of Sydneys most prominent colonial buildings, and
Alexander Munro, transported after stealing cheese at the age of 15, who would
later build Australias first gas works and hold the position of Town Mayor.

31. vi Useful Sources

This paragraph refers to the places where genealogy information is found.

32. ii Assessing Validity

This paragraph refers to how accuracy can vary depending on the source of
information and how researchers can evaluate it.

33. False

Paragraph B contradicts the statement as it says: Originally, prior to developing a

more mainstream following, the practice of genealogy focused on establishing the
ancestral links of rulers and noblemen often with the purpose of disputing or
confirming the legitimacy of inherited rights to wealth or position.

34. False

Paragraph B contradicts the statement as it says: family members have been able
to establish that their ancestors were, in fact, not hardened and dangerous
criminals, but had, in most cases, been harshly punished for minor crimes inspired
by desperation and dire economic circumstances.

35. Not Given

There is no information given on this we know from Paragraph E that a large

number of convicts stayed because they had no choice In reality, however, the costs
of attempting to return to the mother country were well beyond the means of the
majority., but the passage does not tell us whether others stayed for the
opportunities given.

36. True

Paragraph F states that The global level of interest in and demand for such
information has proven so intense, that traffic load on release of sources such as
Family Search and the British Census for 1901 led to temporary collapse of the host
servers

37. D

Paragraph A: The introduction of the internet has, in many ways, spurred interest
levels since historical information has been made far more accessible than
previously (therefore needing less effort)

38. B

Paragraph D: Convicts Margaret Dawson and Elizabeth Thakery were amongst the
first European women to ever set foot on Australian soil. Details about the former,
whose initial death sentence passed for stealing clothes from her employer was
commuted to deportation (her sentence was reduced).

39. C

Paragraph F: Such data sharing practices are central and crucial to genealogical
research (pooling = sharing)

40. A

Paragraph C: a census record alone is considered unreliable as no named source for

the information is likely to be found1 (therefore cannot be attributed to a particular
person).
 HOT AIR BALLOONING

The birth of the hot air balloon is largely contributed to the efforts of two
French brothers, Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier, who employed the fact that hot
air was lighter than cool air and using this, managed to lift a small silk balloon 32
metres into the air. The brothers went on to elevate a balloon into the air ten
thousand metres before it started to descend and then exploded. Arguably limited
success, but their work came to the eye of the French Science Academy as the
discovery of the properties of hot air balloons helped scientists to study weather
patterns and the atmosphere.

It was not until some considerable time later that a balloon was launched
that was capable of carrying passengers. Initial flights were trialled by animals, but
after the success of these voyages, two passengers, Jean Francois Pilatre and
Francois Laurent dArlendes, were sent up in a balloon which travelled across Paris
for 29 minutes. The men fuelled the fire in the centre of their wicker basket to keep
the balloon elevated and the trip across Paris was a great success.

The discovery of hydrogen-fuelled flights led to the death in 1785 of Pilatre,

a tragedy which caused a downfall in the popularity of hot air ballooning but an
increase in the popularity of hydrogen. Hot air ballooning lost further ground when
alternate modes of air travel were introduced but in the 1950s, ballooning
experienced something of a revival as a leisure activity and sport. Today there are
balloons of all shapes and sizes, with many unique designs.

In 1987, British entrepreneur Richard Branson crossed the Atlantic in a

balloon named Virgin Atlantic Flyer. At the time, this balloon was the largest ever
constructed at 65 thousand cubic metres, but four years later, he and Per
Lindstrand from Sweden flew nearly 8000 kilometres from Japan to Northern
Canada in their balloon the Virgin Pacific Flyer, which was nearly 10 thousand
cubic metres bigger and was the longest flight in a hot air balloon ever made. The
Pacific Flyer was designed to fly in the trans-oceanic jet streams and recorded the
highest ground speed for a manned balloon at 394 kilometres per hour.

There are now a wide variety of designs and equipment available, from
baskets with room for two people right up to 35 or more, separated compartments
and specially designed flame resistant fabrics, but the basic parts of the balloon
have remained relatively unchanged. There is a basket, commonly made of wicker,
inside which are stored the propane fuel tanks. Immediately above the basket and
partly wrapped around by the skirt are the burners, attached on suspension wires.
The balloon itself is made of strips of fabric called gores which run from the skirt to
 the top of the balloon; they are further broken into individual panels. This section
of the craft is referred to as the envelope. At the top of the envelope is a self closing
flap that allows hot air to escape at a controlled rate to slow ascents or cause the
balloon to descend descents. This is named the parachute valve, and is controlled
by the vent line the cable that runs the length of the envelope and hangs just
above the basket so the pilot can open and close the parachute valve.

At the mercy of prevailing wind currents, piloting a balloon takes a huge

amount of skill but the controls used are fairly straight forward. To lift a balloon the
pilot moves the control which releases propane. The pilot can control the speed of
the balloon by increasing or decreasing the flow of propane gas, but they cannot
control horizontal direction. As a result, balloons are often followed by ground
crew, who may have to pick up the pilot, passengers and balloon from any number
of landing sites. A pilot who wants to fly a hot air balloon must have his commercial
pilots license to fly and must have at least 35 hours of flight instruction. There are
no official safety requirements for passengers onboard, but they should know
whom theyre flying with and what qualifications they may have. For safety
reasons, hot air balloons dont fly in the rain because the heat in the balloon can
cause water to boil on top of the balloon and destroy the fabric.

One of the largest hot air balloon organisations is the Balloon Federation of
America. Founded in 1961, membership in the BFA attracts those with a fascination
with ballooning (or Lighter Than Air flight). With an active discussion forum,
meetings and displays all around the USA and beyond, the BFA runs on a number
of guiding principles, primarily that the future of ballooning is directly related to
the safety of enthusiasts. They run a number of training courses, from a novice who
is interested in getting a basic licence to pilot achievement courses. They even boast
of a balloon simulator, which although will not directly lead to a pilots license, it
can give participants a degree of the sensation enjoyed by professional balloon
pilots.

Questions 1 4

Do the following statements agree with the given in the reading passage?

In boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. The Montgolfier brothers were the first people to fly in a hot air balloon.
2. Hot air ballooning became less popular in the late eighteenth century.
3. The largest hot air balloon had a capacity of over 75000 cubic metres.
4. Membership of the BFA is only open to people in America.

Questions 5 7

Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS

AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 5- 7 on your answer sheet.

5. Who accompanied the entrepreneur on the longest balloon flight?

5. Who follows a hot air balloons flight to retrieve the craft when it lands?

5. What can give newcomers to the sport some idea of the feeling of flying a
balloon?

Questions 8 11

Label the diagram below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the
passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 8- 11 on your answer sheet.

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 12-23, which are based on
Reading Passage 2 below.

ILLEGAL DOWNLOADS

A. Downloading music from the internet has become a simple, fast and easy thing
to do. The correct or legal way of going about it seems to be ignored by those who
find it too costly. Illegal music downloads have reached an all time high, and a
recent survey of high school students revealed an estimated 3.6 billion songs being
downloaded per month. There are now endless possibilities available to the public
where music can be downloaded for free and people are choosing to take this route
even though it is illegal. iTunes Is one of the most well known sites where music
can be bought legally for just over 51 per track. So when it is this cheap why are
people still going to alternative unauthorized sites? Or is the legal route still
considered a costly way to go about it?

B. If you think that copying music results in simply a slap on the wrist, think twice.
Under government law, record companies are entitled to $750 to $30,000 per
infringement but the law allows the jury to increase that to as much as $150,000
per song if it finds the infringements were deliberate. The music industry has
threatened about 35,000 people with charges of copyright Infringement over the
past decade. In recent months there have been more cases of music piracy heading
to the courts. The industry estimates that more than a hundred of these cases
remain unsettled in court, with fewer than 10 offenders actively arguing the case
against them. The penalties for breaching the copyright act differ slightly
depending upon whether the infringing is for commercial or private financial gain,
with the latter punishment being far milder.

C. Nonetheless, the potential gain from illegal downloading versus the punitive
measures that can be taken are. In many cases, poles apart. Recently, an American
woman shared 27 illegally downloaded songs with her friends and was ordered to
pay $1.92 million to the record company for deliberate infringement of the
companies copyrights. More recently in America a 12 year old girl was sued for
downloading music illegally and could face a penalty of 1150,000 per song. The
order of payment from the courts to the American woman who shared the 27 tracks
with her friends has spurred controversy as the public disagree with the ordered
Infringement. The woman shared 27 songs at $1.99 per song, so should she be
liable to pay such a large and impossible amount?

D. It has also been noted that of all measures that can be taken, fining is actually
the least likely method of preventing further abuse. With driving, for example,
statistics have shown that those that repeatedly drive over the speed limit are not
discouraged by the loss of a sum of money, but this attitude quickly changed when
the penalty was possibly losing their driving licence or even spending time in
prison.

E. Being a difficult thing to police, the music industry has decided that it would be
much easier to go after the internet service provider than to try and track down
each individual case. The music industry feels internet piracy has decreased their
artists sales dramatically and is a danger to their business, although on the other
hand, online music sales promote individual tracks to be sold rather than albums,
therefore increasing the amount spent by the purchaser.

F. If there are so many issues around the downloading of music, you might wonder
why sales of MP3 players and CD burners are increasing rapidly The answer is
simple these devices do have a legitimate purpose defined as fair use. You can
choose to make your personal back-up copy to use in a MP3 player, or you may visit
one of many web sites, like iTunes, which offers music that you pay for as you
download. While some may wonder why you would pay for something that can be
had for free, those who do prefer to obey the copyright protection laws have
purchased over 150 million songs from the iTunes site alone.

G. Online music sales are a business just like any other and music companies are
fighting to salvage their industry. Cary Sherman, the President of RIAA (Recording
Industry Association of America), stated that when your product is being regularly
stolen, there comes a time when you have to take appropriate action. At the same
 time, the RIAA has offered amnesty to the illegal downloaded who decide to come
forward and agree to stop illegally downloading music over the Internet. People
who have already been sued are obviously not eligible for amnesty.

H. When high school students were asked how they felt about the business of
downloading illegally from the net they appeared to be divided on the issue. Some
seemed to think there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. Others felt that it
should be thought of as a serious crime like any other form of theft.

Questions 12 16

The reading passage has eight paragraphs, A-H.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Type the correct letter A-H in boxes 12-16.

12. The disparity between fines and costs

12. The potential costs of piracy to the defendant

12. The number of songs illegally obtained from the internet

12. Ambivalence towards the problem

12. A reprieve for illegal downloaders

Questions 17 20

Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS

AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 17 20 on your answer sheet.

17. The maximum fine that a record company can impose is

________________.

17. The penalty for breaking copyright laws is harsher when undertaken for
_______________ benefit.
17. The music industry targets each ________________ rather than each
specific person downloading illegally.

17. Appliances used in connection with illegal downloads are sold under the
term_______________.

Questions 21 23

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading
passage?

In boxes 21-23 on your answer sheet write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

21. Most people sued for illegal downloading actively fight back against the
record company.

21. Illegal downloading can be difficult to monitor and control.

21. High school students are responsible for illegally downloading the most
music.

READING PASSAGE 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 24 40, which are based on
Reading Passage 3 below.

A. The natural world is dominated by cycles that are constant and repeated the
moons rotation around the earth, the changing of the seasons, the changes
between night and day. It is these cycles or rhythms that in part control changes in
our metabolism, mood and behaviour, and even the patterns of our sleep.

B. The circadian rhythm is the cycle that indicates when to be awake and when to
be asleep. This is a daily cycle that is controlled by changes in amplitude (highs and
lows) of light and temperature. As day turns to night, the sun sets and it becomes
cooler. The triggers of less light and lower temperatures signal to the body that it is
time to slow and begin the pattern of sleep. Of course, there may be many hours
between sunset and the time people actually go to bed, but it is from this time that
we generally become increasingly less alert and reaction times can be noticeably
slower.

C. There are a number of factors that can affect our circadian rhythm. Working
night shifts, which requires people to act in contradiction to the bodys natural
rhythm, is perhaps the most damaging. Despite getting a good 8 hours sleep during
the day, night shift workers still tend to feel drowsy for at least some of the night.
This is the main factor for the increase in workplace accidents on this shift when
compared to the day shift. The seasons can also affect our natural rhythm, with
people having less energy during winter months when there is less sunlight and
warmth to stimulate the brain. International travel, notably when travelling in
excess of 4 hours, can also have a significant effect; in extreme cases, it can take up
to 7 days for your rhythm to reset due to this, a phenomenon referred to as jet lag.
A similar, although milder, effect can be felt in countries with daylight savings time,
when the clocks are moved forward and backward depending on the season.

D. There are some tips for helping your body work with your circadian rhythm.
First thing in the morning take a short walk outside or open all the curtains to get
as much light as possible through the eyes and into the brain. Lighting levels that
affect circadian rhythm in humans are higher than the levels usually used in
artificial lighting in homes. In addition to the strength of the light, wavelength (or
colour) of light is a factor, the best being that present in sunlight. Plan your work
and other activities around the highs and lows of your temperature rhythm. For
example, plan easier activities for first thing in the morning when youre not
operating at your physical best. Late morning is better for challenging tasks. After
lunch you may feel like nodding off. Take scheduled breaks. The best time to
exercise is in the late afternoon your body temperature reaches its daily high, it is
warmed up and stretched from spending your day at work. Avoid driving during
sleep times. Sleepy drivers should stop for a nap playing loud music or leaving
windows open is an overrated misconception. At night, close the blinds and
curtains and sleep in a dark room. If you work the night shift, use bright lights and
music in the workplace to keep your brain alert. Wear an eye mask to block out the
light when you want to go to sleep.

E. Every human in fact, most non-nocturnal animals follow the basic rules of
the circadian rhythm. However, we also have our own unique body clocks which
control the daily changes in how we think and feel, and oversee a number of our
personal characteristics such as sleep patterns. Your body clock dictates whether
you are a night owl, happy to work late into the night, an early bird who prefers the
morning or a humming bird, happy to work both ends of the day. Your body clock
determines not only your personal sleep patterns, but also whether or not you are
grumpy before you have your morning coffee, when and what you need to eat
throughout the day, whether you work better In the morning or the afternoon and
 the best time for you to do exercise. It also affects physical performance, such as
temperature, blood pressure, digestion, hormone levels and brain activity (such as
mood, behaviour, and alertness). Your body clock is what causes you to gain a few
kilograms in autumn and winter time and to make it easier to lose weight in spring
and summer.

F. Being aware of a few issues can help us maintain the best rhythms for our body
docks, but there are some tips and tools for that can help. Keeping to the same
bedtime routine and wake-up schedule, even on your days off, is particularly
important there should be no more than a few hours difference in the time you go
to bed. Avoiding interruptions to your sleep is also very important. If there is
intermittent, irregular noise, use a fan or any white noise device that generates
calming sounds. This is particularly important for night shift workers, for whom
daytime noises are generally louder; soft, background noise can help drown out
daytime activity noises. Eat small frequent meals to help stoke your metabolism.
This is not only helpful in weight maintenance, but reinforces the day phase of
your circadian clock. Eat most of your energy foods earlier in the day and avoid
eating a heavy meal near bedtime. Avoid all-nighters, like studying all night before
an assessment. Cutting back on sleep the night before may mean that you perform
less well. Reduce changes to your work shift, such as changing from night shift to
day shift. Avoid alcohol and cigarettes before sleep time. If you feel sleepy during
the day, take a short nap. Set an alarm so you sleep for no more than about 20
minutes. Anything more than just a catnap and you will enter into Stage 3 (deep
sleep) and find it harder to wake up from.

Questions 24 30

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading
passage?

In boxes 24-30 on your answer sheet write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

24. Our reactions are at their slowest at sunset.

24. There are more accidents on the night shift because workers tend to get less
sleep.
24. Limited air travel has minimal effect on the bodys circadian rhythm.

24. The circadian rhythm starts when light reaches the brain.

24. If a driver is tired, taking a short sleep, listening to music or winding down
the window are all equally effective measures for keeping awake.

24. Humans share the same trends with regards their body clocks.

24. Many people take a short rest just after eating lunch.

Questions 31 36

Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from
the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 31 36 on your answer sheet

31. As well as the intensity, what else is important in sunlight for our circadian
rhythm?

31. What specific part of the day is the body at its warmest?

31. What should night shift workers use to help them sleep?

31. What type of person works equally well in the morning and the evening?

31. What does our body clock make it easier to do after the winter?

31. What should you avoid before bed to help you get a good nights sleep?

Questions 37 40

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from Reading Passage 3 for each
answer.

Keep a good 37_______________ by following routines. Try to sleep and wake

at roughly the same times when working and on days off. Use
38______________ noise to help you sleep if there are external distractions.
Small and regular meals keep your 39_______________ operating at its best.
 Limit changes to your work shift, and if necessary take a short
40_____________ during the day.

ANSWER KEY FOR IELTS READING PRACTICE TEST

1. False

The Montgolfier brothers invented the balloon but Jean Francois Pilatre and
Francois Laurent dArlendes were the first to fly in one.

2. True

the death in 1785 of Pilatre, a tragedy which caused a downfall in the popularity
of hot air ballooning Hot air ballooning lost further ground when alternate modes
of air travel were introduced, but in the 1950s, ballooning experienced something
of a revival

3. False

65000 + nearly 10000 more = just under 75000 m3

4. Not Given

The BFA is American but no mention of membership restrictions

5. Per Lindstrand

British entrepreneur Richard Branson he and Per Lindstrand

6. The ground crew

As a result, balloons are often followed by ground crew, who may have to pick up
the pilot, passengers and balloon from any number of landing sites

7. Balloon simulator

They even boast of a balloon simulator, which can give participants a degree of
the sensation enjoyed by professional balloon pilots

8. Parachute valve see paragraph 5

8. Envelope see paragraph 5

8. Panels see paragraph 5

8. Gores see paragraph 5

8. Paragraph C

The paragraph begins with Nonetheless, the potential gain from illegal
downloading versus the punitive measures that can be taken are, in many cases,
poles apart.

13. Paragraph B

The first part of the paragraph refers to the fines that can be exacted on the people
illegally downloading (the defendant)

14. Paragraph A

Midway through the paragraph: an estimated 3.6 billion songs being downloaded
per month

15. Paragraph H

First sentence of the paragraph begins how they felt about the business of
downloading illegally from the net they appeared to be divided on the issue

16. Paragraph C

the RIAA has offered amnesty to the illegal downloaders who decide to come
forward and agree to stop illegally downloading music

17. $30,000

record companies are entitled to $750 to $30,000 per infringement but the law
allows the jury to increase that to as much as $150,000 per song

18. Commercial

The penalties for breaching the copyright act differ slightly depending upon
whether the infringing is for commercial or private financial gain, with the latter
punishment being far milder. (Paragraph B)
19. Internet service provider

the music industry has decided that it would be much easier to go after the internet
service provider than to try and track down each individual case.1 (paragraph E)

20. Fair use

sales of MP3 players and CD burners are increasing rapidlythese devices do

have a legitimate purpose defined as fair use (paragraph F)

21. False

The industry estimates that more than a hundred of these cases remain unsettled
in court, with fewer than 10 offenders actively arguing the case against them.
(paragraph B)

22. True

Being a difficult thing to police (paragraph E)

23. Not given

Paragraph A refers to a recent survey of high school students but does not specify
that they download the most.

24. FALSE

According to the text, sunset is the time that triggers the slowdown, and from this
time that we generally become increasingly less alert, which means that we
logically cant be at our slowest at sunset this is the point at which we begin to
slow, not the slowest point.

25. FALSE

despite getting a good 8 hours sleep during the day

26. TRUE

International travel, most notably when travelling in excess of 4 hours, can also
have a significant effect.

27. FALSE
Light entering the brain helps your body work with your circadian rhythm; it
doesnt start it.

28. FALSE

playing loud music or leaving windows open is an overrated misconception.

29. FALSE

They are unique

30. NOT GIVEN

Just says you may feel like nodding off

31. Wavelength / colour

Lighting levels that affect circadian rhythm in humans. In addition to the strength
of the light, wavelength (or colour) of light is a factor

32. Late afternoon

The best time to exercise is in the late afternoon your body temperature reaches
its daily high, it is warmed up and stretched from spending your day at work

33. An eye mask

If you work the night shiftWear an eye mask to block out the light when you want
to go to sleep.

34. A humming bird

a humming bird, happy to work both ends of the day

35. Lose weight

and to make it easier to lose weight in spring and summer (Note that the question
states After the winter)

36. Alcohol and cigarettes

Avoid alcohol and cigarettes before sleep time.

37. Rhythm

maintain the best rhythmsKeeping to the same bedtime routine

38. White

use a fan or any white noise device that generates calming sounds

39. Metabolism

Eat small frequent meals to help stoke your metabolism.

40. Nap / sleep

If you feel sleepy during the day, take a short nap

The Impact of the Potato

Jeff Chapman relates the story of history the most important vegetable

A The potato was first cultivated in South America between three and seven
thousand years ago, though scientists believe they may have grown wild in the
region as long as 13,000 years ago. The genetic patterns of potato distribution
indicate that the potato probably originated in the mountainous west-central
region of the continent.

B Early Spanish chroniclers who misused the Indian word batata (sweet potato) as
the name for the potato noted the importance of the tuber to the Incan Empire. The
Incas had learned to preserve the potato for storage by dehydrating and mashing
potatoes into a substance called Chuchu could be stored in a room for up to 10
years, providing excellent insurance against possible crop failures. As well as using
the food as a staple crop, the Incas thought potatoes made childbirth easier and
used it to treat injuries.

C The Spanish conquistadors first encountered the potato when they arrived in
Peru in 1532 in search of gold, and noted Inca miners eating chuchu. At the time
the Spaniards failed to realize that the potato represented a far more important
treasure than either silver or gold, but they did gradually begin to use potatoes as
basic rations aboard their ships. After the arrival of the potato in Spain in 1570 a
few Spanish farmers began to cultivate them on a small scale, mostly as food for
livestock.

D Throughout Europe, potatoes were regarded with suspicion, distaste and fear.
Generally considered to be unfit for human consumption, they were used only as
animal fodder and sustenance for the starving. In northern Europe, potatoes were
primarily grown in botanical gardens as an exotic novelty. Even peasants refused to
eat from a plant that produced ugly, misshapen tubers and that had come from a
heathen civilization. Some felt that the potato plants resemblance to plants in the
nightshade family hinted that it was the creation of witches or devils.

E In meat-loving England, farmers and urban workers regarded potatoes with

extreme distaste. In 1662, the Royal Society recommended the cultivation of the
tuber to the English government and the nation, but this recommendation had
little impact. Potatoes did not become a staple until, during the food shortages
associated with the Revolutionary Wars, the English government began to officially
encourage potato cultivation. In 1795, the Board of Agriculture issued a pamphlet
entitled Hints Respecting the Culture and Use of Potatoes this was followed
shortly by pro-potato editorials and potato recipes in The Times. Gradually, the
lower classes began to follow the lead of the upper classes.

F A similar pattern emerged across the English Channel in the Netherlands,

Belgium and France. While the potato slowly gained ground in eastern France
(where it was often the only crop remaining after marauding soldiers plundered
wheat fields and vineyards), it did not achieve widespread acceptance until the late
1700s. The peasants remained suspicious, in spite of a 1771 paper from the Facult
de Paris testifying that the potato was not harmful but beneficial. The people began
to overcome their distaste when the plant received the royal seal of approval: Louis
XVI began to sport a potato flower in his buttonhole, and Marie-Antoinette wore
the purple potato blossom in her hair.

G Frederick the Great of Prussia saw the potatos potential to help feed his nation
and lower the price of bread, but faced the challenge of overcoming the peoples
prejudice against the plant. When he issued a 1774 order for his subjects to grow
potatoes as protection against famine, the town of Kolberg replied: The things
have neither smell nor taste, not even the dogs will eat them, so what use are they
to us? Trying a less direct approach to encourage his subjects to begin planting
potatoes, Frederick used a bit of reverse psychology: he planted a royal field of
potato plants and stationed a heavy guard to protect this field from thieves. Nearby
peasants naturally assumed that anything worth guarding was worth stealing, and
so snuck into the field and snatched the plants for their home gardens. Of course,
this was entirely in line with Fredericks wishes.

H Historians debate whether the potato was primarily a cause or an effect of the
huge population boom in industrial-era England and Wales. Prior to 1800 the
English diet had consisted primarily of meat, supplemented by bread, butter and
cheese. Few vegetables were consumed, most vegetables being regarded as
nutritionally worthless and potentially harmful. This view began to change
gradually in the late 1700s. The Industrial Revolution was drawing an ever
increasing percentage of the populace into crowded cities, where only the richest
could afford homes with ovens or coal storage rooms, and people were working 12-
16 hour days which left them with little time or energy to prepare food. High
yielding, easily prepared potato crops were the obvious solution to Englands food
problems.

I Whereas most of their neighbors regarded the potato with suspicion and had to be
persuaded to use it by the upper classes, the Irish peasantry embraced the tuber
more passionately than anyone since the Incas. The potato was well suited to the
Irish the soil and climate, and its high yield suited the most important concern of
most Irish farmers: to feed their families.

J The most dramatic example of the potatos potential to alter population patterns
occurred in Ireland, where the potato had become a staple by 1800. The Irish
population doubled to eight million between 1780 and 1841 this without any
significant expansion of industry or reform of agricultural techniques beyond the
widespread cultivation of the potato. Though Irish landholding practices were
primitive in comparison with those of England, the potatos high yields allowed
even the poorest farmers to produce more healthy food than they needed with
scarcely any investment or hard labor. Even children could easily plant, harvest
and cook potatoes, which of course required no threshing, curing or grinding. The
abundance provided by potatoes greatly decreased infant mortality and encouraged
early marriage.

Questions 1-5

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage
1?

In boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet, write

YES if the statement is true

NO if the statement is false

NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage

1. The early Spanish called potato as the Incan name Chuchu.

2. The purposes of Spanish coming to Peru were to find out potatoes.

3. The Spanish believed that the potato has the same nutrients as other vegetables.

4. Peasants at that time did not like to eat potatoes because they were ugly.

5. The popularity of potatoes in the UK was due to food shortages during the war.

Questions 6-13

Complete the sentences below with NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND from the
passage 1 for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 6-13 on your answer sheet.

6. In Francepeople started to overcome their disgusting about potatoes because

the King put a potato ___________________ in his button hole.

7. Frederick realized the potential of potato but he had to handle the

______________________ against potatoes from ordinary people.

8. The King of Prussia adopted some _________________________

psychology to make people accept potatoes.

9. Before 1800 the English people preferred eating

_____________________________ with bread, butter and cheese.

10. The obvious way to deal with England food problems were high yielding potato
______________________
11. The Irish _____________________________and climate suited potatoes
well.

12. Between 1780 and 1841 based on the ___________________________

of the potatoes, the

Irish population doubled to eight million.

13. The potatos high yields help the poorest farmers to produce more healthy
food almost without _____________________

SECTION 2

Can we call it Art? (2)

Life-Casting and Art

Julian Bames explores the questions posed by Life-Casts, an exhibition of plaster

moulds of living people and objects which were originally used for scientific
purposes

A Art changes over time and our idea of what art is changes too. For example,
objects originally intended for devotional, ritualistic or re-creational purposes may
be recategorised as art by members of other later civilisations, such as our own,
which no longer respond to these purposes.

B What also happens is that techniques and crafts which would have been judged
inartistic at the time they were used are reassessed. Life-casting is an interesting
example of this. It involved making a plaster mould of a living person or thing. This
was complex, technical work, as Benjamin Robert Haydon discovered when he
poured 250 litres of plaster over his human model and nearly killed him. At the
time, the casts were used for medical research and, consequently, in the nineteenth
century life-casting was considered inferior to sculpture in the same way that, more
recently, photography was thought to be a lesser art than painting. Both were
viewed as unacceptable shortcuts by the senior 1 arts. Their virtues of speed and
unwavering realism also implied their limitations; they left little or no room for the
imagination.

C For many, life-casting was an insult to the sculptors creative genius. In an

infamous lawsuit of 1834, a moulder whose mask of the dying French emperor
Napoleon had been reproduced and sold without his permission was judged to have
no rights to the image. In other words, he was specifically held not to be an artist.
This judgement reflect the view of established members of the nineteenth-century
art world such as Rodin, who commented that life-casting happens fast but it
doesnt make Art. Some even feared that if too much nature was allowed in, it
would lead Art away from its proper course of the Ideal.

D The painter Gauguin, at the end of the nineteenth century, worried about future
developments in photography. If ever the process went into colour, what painter
would labour away at a likeness with a brush made from squirrel-tail? But painting
has proved robust. Photography has changed it, of course, just as the novel had to
reassess narrative after the arrival of the cinema. But the gap between the senior
and junior arts was always narrower than the traditionalists implied. Painters have
always used technical back-up such as studio assistants to do the boring bits, while
apparently lesser crafts involve great skill, thought, preparation and, depending on
how we define it imagination.

E Time changes our view in another way, too. Each new movement implies a
reassessment of what has gone before. What is done now alters what was done
before. In some cases this is merely self-serving, with the new art using the old to
justify itself. It seems to be saying, look at how all of that points to this! Arent we
clever to be the culmination of all that has gone before? But usually it is a matter of
re-alerting the sensibility, reminding us not to take things for granted. Take, for
example, the cast of the hand of a giant from a circus, made by an anonymous artist
around 1889, an item that would now sit happily in any commercial or public
gallery. The most significant impact of this piece is on the eye, in the contradiction
between unexpected size and verisimilitude. Next, the human element kicks in. you
note that the nails are dirt-encrusted, unless this is the casters decorative addition,
and the fingertips extend far beyond them. Then you take in the element of choice,
arrangement, art if you like, in the neat, pleated, buttoned sleeve-end that gives the
item balance and variation of texture. This is just a moulded hand, yet the part
stands utterly for the whole. It reminds us slyly, poignantly, of the full-size original

F But is it art? And, if so, why? These are old tediously repeated questions to which
artists have often responded, It is art because I am an artist and therefore what I
do is art. However, what doesnt work for literature works much better for art
works of art do float free of their creators intentions. Over time the reader does
become more powerful. Few of us can look at a medieval altarpiece as its painter
intended. We believe too little and aesthetically know too much, so we recreate and
find new fields of pleasure in the work. Equally, the lack of artistic intention of Paul
Richer and other forgotten craftsmen who brushed oil onto flesh, who moulded,
cast and decorated in the nineteenth century is now irrelevant. What counts is the
surviving object and our response to it. The tests are simple: does it interest the
eye, excite the brain, move the mind to reflection and involve the heart. It may, to
use the old dichotomy, be beautiful but it is rarely true to any significant depth.
One of the constant pleasures of art is its ability to come at us from an unexpected
angle and stop us short in wonder.

Questions 14-18

Reading Passage 2 has six paragraphs, A-F.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 14-18 on your answer sheet.

14. an example of a craftsmans unsuccessful claim to ownership of his work

15. an example of how trends in art can change attitudes to an earlier work

16. the original function of a particular type of art

17. ways of assessing whether or not an object is art

18. how artists deal with the less interesting aspects of their work

Questions 19-24

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage
2?

In boxes 19-24 on your answer sheet, write

YES if the statement is true

NO if the statement is false

NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage

19. Nineteenth-century sculptors admired the speed and realism of life-casting.

20. Rodin believed the quality of the life-casting would improve if a slower process
were used.
21. The importance of painting has decreased with the development of colour
photography.

22. Life-casting requires more skill than sculpture does.

23. New art encourages us to look at earlier work in a fresh way.

24. The intended meaning of a work of art can get lost over time.

Questions 25-26

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in boxes 25 and 26 on your answer sheet.

25. The most noticeable contrast in the cast of the gianfs hand is between the

A dirt and decoration

B size and realism

C choice and arrangement

D balance and texture

26. According to the writer, the importance of any artistic object lies in

A the artists intentions

B the artists beliefs

C the relevance it has to modem life

D the way we respond to it

SECTION 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27-40 which are based on
Reading Passage 3 below.

Honey bees in trouble

Can native pollinators fill the gap?

A Recently, ominous headlines have described a mysterious ailment, colony

collapse disorder(CCD) that is wiping out the honeybees that pollinate many
crops. Without honeybees, the story goes, fields will be sterile, economies will
collapse, and food will be scarce.

B But what few accounts acknowledge is that whats at risk is not itself a natural
state of affairs. For one thing, in the United States, where CCD was first reported
and has had its greatest impacts, honeybees are not a native species. Pollination in
modem agriculture isnt alchemy, its industry. The total number of hives involved
in the U.S. pollination industry has been somewhere between 2.5 million and 3
million in recent years. Meanwhile, American farmers began using large quantities
of organophosphate insecticides, planted large-scale crop monocultures, and
adopted clean farming practices that scrubbed native vegetation from field
margins and roadsides. These practices killed many native bees outrightthey re as
vulnerable to insecticides as any agricultural pestand made the agricultural
landscape inhospitable to those that remained. Concern about these practices and
their effects on pollinators isnt newin her 1962 ecological alarm cry Silent
Spring, Rachel Carson warned of a Fruitless Fall that could result from the
disappearance of insect pollinators.

C If that Fruitless Fall, has notyetoccurred, it may be largely thanks to the

honeybee, which farmers turned to as the ability of wild pollinators to service crops
declined. The honeybee has been semi-domesticated since the time of the ancient
Egyptians, but it wasnt just familiarity that determined this choice: the bees
biology is in many ways suited to the kind of agricultural system that was emerging.
For example, honeybee hives can be closed up and moved out of the way when
pesticides are applied to a field. The bees are generalist pollinators, so they can be
used to pollinate many different crops. And although they are not the most efficient
pollinator of every crop, honeybees have strength in numbers, with 20,000 to
100,000 bees living in a single hive. Without a doubt, if there was one bee you
wanted for agriculture, it would be the honeybee, says Jim Cane, of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. The honeybee, in other words, has become a crucial cog
in the modem system of industrial agriculture. That system delivers more food, and
more kinds of it, to more places, more cheaply than ever before. But that system is
also vulnerable, because making a farm field into the photosynthetic equivalent of a
factory floor, and pollination into a series of continent-long assembly lines, also
leaches out some of the resilience characteristic of natural ecosystems.

D Breno Freitas, an agronomist, pointed out that in nature such a high degree of
specialization usually is a very dangerous game: it works well while all the rest is in
equilibrium, but runs quickly to extinction at the least disbalance. In effect, by
developing an agricultural system that is heavily reliant on a single pollinator
species, we humans have become riskily overspecialized. And when the human-
honeybee relationship is disrupted, as it has been by colony collapse disorder, the
vulnerability of that agricultural system begins to become clear.

E In fact, a few wild bees are already being successfully managed for crop
pollination. The problem is trying to provide native bees in adequate numbers on
a reliable basis in a fairly short number of years in order to service the crop Jim
Cane says. Youre talking millions of flowers per acre in a two-to three-week time
frame, or less, for a lot of crops. On the other hand, native bees can be much more
efficient pollinators of certain crops than honeybees, so you dont need as many to
do the job. For example, about 750 blue orchard bees (Osmia lignaria) can pollinate
a hectare of apples or almonds, a task that would require roughly 50,000 to
150,000 honeybees. There are bee tinkerers engaged in similar work in many
comers of the world. In Brazil, Breno Freitas has found that Centris tarsata, the
native pollinator of wild cashew, can survive in commercial cashew orchards if
growers provide a source of floral oils, such as by interplanting their cashew trees
with Caribbean cherry.

F In certain places, native bees may already be doing more than theyre getting
credit for. Ecologist Rachael Winfree recently led a team that looked at pollination
of four summer crops (tomato, watermelon, peppers, and muskmelon) at 29 farms
in the region of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Winfirees team identified 54 species
of wild bees that visited these crops, and found that wild bees were the most
important pollinators in the system: even though managed honeybees were present
on many of the farms, wild bees were responsible for 62 percent of flower visits in
the study. In another study focusing specifically on watermelon, Winfree and her
colleagues calculated that native bees alone could provide sufficient pollination at
90 percent of the 23 farms studied. By contrast, honeybees alone could provide
sufficient pollination at only 78 percent of farms.

G The region I work in is not typical of the way most food is produced Winfree
admits. In the Delaware Valley, most farms and farm fields are relatively small,
each fanner typically grows a variety of crops, and farms are interspersed with
suburbs and other types of land use which means there are opportunities for
homeowners to get involved in bee conservation, too. The landscape is a bee-
friendly patchwork that provides a variety of nesting habitat and floral resources
distributed among different kinds of crops, weedy field margins, fallow fields,
suburban neighborhoods, and semi natural habitat like old woodlots, all at a
relatively small scale. In other words, pollinator-friendly farming practices would
not only aid pollination of agricultural crops, but also serve as a key element in the
over all conservation strategy for wild pollinators, and often aid other wild species
as well.

H Of course, not all farmers will be able to implement all of these practices. And
researchers are suggesting a shift to a kind of polyglot agricultural system. For
some small-scale farms, native bees may indeed be all thats needed. For larger
operations, a suite of managed beeswith honeybees filling the generalist role and
other, native bees pollinating specific cropscould be augmented by free
pollination services from resurgent wild pollinators. In other words, theyre saying,
we still have an opportunity to replace a risky monoculture with something diverse,
resilient, and robust.

Questions 27-30

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage
3? In boxes 27-30 on your answer sheet, write

YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

27. In the United States, farmers use honeybees in a large scale over the past few
years.

28. Cleaning farming practices would be harmful to farmers

29. The blue orchard bee is the most efficient pollinator among native bees for
every crop.

30. It is beneficial to other local creatures to protect native bees.

Questions 31-35

Choose the correct letter, A,B,C or D.

Write your answers in boxes 31-35 on your answer sheet.

31. The example of the Fruitless Fair underlines the writers point about

A needs for using pesticides.

B impacts of losing insect pollinators.

C vulnerabilities of native bees.

D benefits in building more pollination industries.

32. Why can honeybees adapt to the modem agricultural system?

A the honeybees can pollinated more crops efficiently

B The bees are semi-domesticated since ancient times.

C Honeybee hives can be protected away from pesticides.

D The ability of wild pollinators using to serve crops declines.

33. The writer mentions factories and assembly lines to illustrate

A one drawback of the industrialised agricultural system.

B a low cost in modem agriculture.

C the role of honeybees in pollination.

D what a high yield of industrial agriculture.

34. In the 6th paragraphWlnfrees experiment proves that

A honeybee can pollinate various crops.

B there are many types of wild bees as the pollinators.

C the wild bees can increase the yield to a higher percentage

D wild bees work more efficiently as a pollinator than honey bees in certain cases

35. What does the writer want to suggest in the last paragraph?

A the importance of honey bees in pollination

B adoption of different bees in various sizes of agricultural system

C the comparison between the intensive and the rarefied agricultural system

D the reason why farmers can rely on native pollinators

Questions 36-40

Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-F, below.

Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 36-40 on your answer sheet

36. Headline of colony collapse disorder states that

37. Viewpoints of Freitas manifest that

38. Examples of blue orchard bees have shown that

39. Centris tarsata is mentioned to exemplify that

40. One finding of the research in Delaware Valley is that

A. native pollinators can survive when a specific plant is supplied.

B. it would cause severe consequences both to commerce and agriculture.

C. honey bees cannot be bred.

D. some agricultural landscapes are favorable in supporting wild bees.

E. a large scale of honey bees are needed to pollinate.

F. an agricultural system is fragile when relying on a single pollinator

ANSWER KEYS

1 FALSE 2 FALSE 3 NOT GIVEN

4 TRUE 5 TRUE 6 Flower

7 Prejudice 8 Reverse 9 Meat

10 crops 11 Soil 12 Cultivation

13 Investment

14 C 15 E 16 B

17 F 18 D 19 NO

20 NO 21 NO 22 NOT GIVEN

23 NO 24 YES 25 B

26 D

27 YES 28 NOT GIVEN 29 NO

30 YES 31 B 32 C

33 A 34 D 35 B

36 B 37 F 38 E

39 A 40 D