Reading 84 Introduction In the IELTS Academic Reading module there are three passages which are from various sources like books, journals, magazines and newspapers. The passages do not require specialist knowledge for you to understand them. At least one of the three passages contains a detailed logical argument. ‘The question types used are: + choosing suitable paragraph headings from a list «identification of information nsing “Trie/Palse/Not Given’ questions * identification of writer's views/claims using “Ye/No(Not Given’ questions « multiple-chaiee * short-answer * sentence completion + notes/summary/flow-chartitable completion * Tabelling a diagram + classification + matching have one hour to answer 40 questions, which is about 90 seconds for each ‘question. This means that you need to learn to move around the reading passage and. the questions quickly. In the exam there is no time to ‘study’ the reading passages. In order to be as fast as possible there are three important strategies that you need to learn: ‘+ scanning and skimming - these are reading skills that you need to employ at different times to answer various types of questions + understanding the different questions types ‘+ understanding when to leave questions you cannot do initially, move on and come back later Scanning a text ‘You can use scanning to look for words and paraphrases of words. How. words does not matter, and if you scan from left to right itis difficult to s from reading. Try the following methods, using a pen or pencil to guide your eye. 1. Scan from the bottom up through the text, looking left to right or right to left. 1 “Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text 2. Scan ina zigzag from left to right. 2 Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text\Text Text Text TextReady for Reading 3. Scan ina zigzag from right to left. 3 Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text\Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Below is an extract from a reading passage. Scan the paragraphs for the words below. ‘linear 2 sacred elite 4 symbolic 5 complicated THE BRONZE AGE: KIX. DYNASTY The Brnae Age lat Cissa refer Wo the period between about 2000 and 771 BC, when bronze was produced on a massive sale for weapons andrritual objects used by the ruling elite Traditional Chinese histories, written in later conturies, speak of a series of ancient rulers who invented agriculture, writing, and the arts of government. The last ofthese legendary rulers, Yu, is credited with controlling floods and founding the Xia dynasty. Yu also cast nine sacred bronze vessels that became symbolic of the right to rule, and these were passed on to subsequent dynasties. While the accountin the traditional histories is linear, with states following one another in a logical progression, the archaeological record reveals a more complicated picture of Bronze Age China. Archaeological investigation has confirmed much of the legendary history of the dynasty following the Xia ~the Shang ~but the existence of Xia itself is still debated. Today Chinese scholars generally identify Xia with the Erlitou culture, but debate continues on whether zriitou represents an early stage of the Sha ing dynasty, or whether iis enurely unique. In any ‘event, new prototypes emerged at Erlitou ~in architecture, bronze vessels tomb structures, ‘and weapons that greatly influenced material culture in the Shang and subsequent Zhou dynasties Skimming a text ‘Skimming involves moving over the text quickly without engaging deeply in order to get ‘a general understanding. Work in pairs. Read alternate sentences in the text above only using the nouns and verbs and see how much you can understand,Ready for Reading 86 Understanding ‘True/False/Not Given’ statements “True/False/Not Given’ statements are used to check if statements agree with information in the reading passage. 11 Work in pairs. Without looking back at the extract on page 85, underline the words which you think are the most important to help you understand the meaning in the “Truc/False/Not Given’ sentences 1-10 below. Use the list a-J to help you identify the important words. verbs to do with cause and effect, for example, /ead to, bring about 'b restricting words, for example, only ‘quantities, for example, all, majority, litle adjectives that quality, for oxamplo, particular inevitable, mistaken, higher adverbs that quality, for example, largely slightly numbers ‘negative’ verbs, for example, ignore fail verbs/phrases that indicate doubt, for example, suggest: Itis suggested .. zyerte ao comparisons verbs to do with linking, for example, connect, link 4 The Bronze Age in China lasted more than a thousand years. 2 Bronze was used more for weapons than for ritual objects, 3. According to later Chinese histories, ancient rulers were only interested in the ‘administrative side of leadership. 4 Yuis said to have established the Xia dynasty. 5 Ten sacred vessels were made by Yu. 16 The sucteu vessels were destroyed at the end of each dynasty. 7 The Chinese Bronze Age was a simpler period than discoveries show. 8 Allof the legendary history of the Xia has been substantiated by archaeology. 9 The Xia are connected with the Erlitou culture. 40 The Erlitou culture had an impact on the Zhou. 2. Scan the text to locate the information in statements 1-10 and decide whether they are ‘true, false’ or ‘not given’. Understanding ‘Yes/No/Not Given’ statements “Yes/No/Not Given’ statements are used to check if statements agree with the claims or ‘views of the writer in the reading passage ~ ie. does the writer make a judgement about information in the reading passage? Checking clams 1s similar to checking information. Look at the TrusiFalve/Not statements above. All of the statements can be classed as claims, but only statement 7 Could be classed as an opinion or view. For example. statement 1 cannot be an opinion ‘because itis either a statement of fact or a claim. The same applies to statement 2 and soon, You can put It isa fact that or I claim that in front of all these statements, but you Cannot say [believe that before the statements, because i is not a matter of opinion. you say: / believe that water boils at 100 degrees centigrade? It is a claim until itis proven.Ready for Reading 11 Work in pairs. Look at the extract and statements 1-9 below. The words underlined highlight the views expressed in the statements. These words can occur in statements checking the views of the writer. Decide what the function of the words underlined is in each sentence, THROUGH THE LIBRARY DOORS ‘There are different ways to encourage people, both adults and children, to read. Some adults are clearly intimidated by the environment of libraries and bookshops in a way that children are not. Therefore, making libraries more appealing by creating an inviting environment that is modern and relaxing is likely to appeal to both young people and adults, even those who would not 1iortually use y other than books such as a coffee shop, computers, DVD lending facilities and a wide range of magazines and newspapers will also entice people through the library doors. Once in, there is then a chance that some may look at books as people have a tendency to browse just as they might do in a supermarket or other shop. So maybe there isa place for teaching library managers marketing skills. This, however, may be a step too far for some people. Nevertheless, if the aim is to encourage people to read, then any solution is worth a try Starting young and using the young to attract the old is the long-term approach. Bookshops and libraries in the UK organize reading groups for young children, discussion groups, lectures and chess clubs, all of which are worthwhile activities for attracting readers. Reading groups for children have the added benefit of attracting ‘adults who may not read themselves, but who may start browsing while they are ‘waiting for their children, Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the extract above? Write YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer No if the statement contradicts the views of the writer NOT GIVEN _ fit is impossible to say what the writer thinks of this, Itis easier for children to go into libraries than some adult members of the public. ‘The boat way to attract poople into libraries ie by making them more wolooming Libraries should be allowed to sell books and magazines. Poopll fond te browae when they ontor any largo building Marketing kills could be taught to those who run libraries. There ie.a chance that teaching marking ckille to managore willbo unpopular. Having reading clubs for children in libraries is an effective measure Discussion groups ar of tle use in encouraging people to visit libraries. Reading clubs are better suited to book shops than libraries. 2. Answer questions 1-9. 87You should spend about 20 minutes on questions 1-13, which are based on the reading ‘passage on page 89. PERUECICEN Questions 1-6 ‘The reading passage has eight paragraphs A-H. Choose the correct headings for paragraphs B and D-H from the list of headings below. List of Headings (Organizations observing coastal change and their specific duties (il) The importance of geoscientists in coastal management Gil) The link between research and funding “Iv. The complexity of making decisions about coastal defences Sites that are of special interest vi Acontrast between engineered and natural defence techniques vii The role played by the Environment Agency in preventing flooding vill The methods employed to check coastal change “The need for an integrated approach to coastal management Factors leading to coastal erosion ‘management plans forthe coastline operate 4Ready for Reading The Impact of Coastal Erosion ‘A There i litle doubt that rates of coastal change will escalate with enhanced rates of sea level rise and increasing storminess, both of which are associated with global warming, These changes are likely to have a significant impact on coastal populations and infrastructure. Sea lovele are oxpoctod to rice significantly over the next century, largely as a result cf the melting of ice sheets and thermal expansion of the oceans. Global warming will also change ‘ocean currents, world weather patterns, winds, coastal currents, waves and storms. The increase in the frequency and size of the latter, which have an ‘enormous influence on coastal change and near-shore sediment transport, will have a major impact on the form of UK coasts. B Geological, archaeological and historical records are sed to establish the nature of past coastal change. Monitoring of coastal change is also undertaken sing a broad range of techniques including airborne laser ranging technology (LIDAR) and digital aerial photogrammetry. These techniques are used to determine coastal topography, coastal erosion, {and shoreline position with high accuracy. The bathymetry of offshore areas is determined by several ‘geophysical techniques including side-scan sonar { mmul-beam surveys. In the UK geoacientits are widely involved in projects that address past coastal ‘change and monitor how coasts are changing today. The principal aim of many of these studies is to understand the natural processes that govern coastal ‘change in order to predict the patterns and rates of future coastal evolution. © A broad range of decision-makers, including coastal zone planners, government and authorities require accurate and well-researched information in managing the coastal zone. Much one impetus. ‘and funding for such research is derived from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). D Some agencies have particular responsibilities for monitoring particular aspects of coastal change. For instance, the Environment Agency has responsibilties {or flooding in England and Wales. Three national agencies (English Nature, the Conservancy Council {for Scotiand and the Countryside Council for Wales) are responsible for preserving flora, fauna and ‘geological features, including those along the coast. ‘The best examples of wildlife habitats, geological features and landforms are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI: there are about {6500 of these covering about 9% of the UK land area). Many surveys are carried out by the Ordnance ‘Survey, the Hydrographic Office or the British Geological Survey. Other monitoring schemes are run. by other government research institutes, universities and local government. Some funding for UK coastal projects is derived from the European Union. Much of thio research on coaetal change forme the basis for integrated coastal zone management on a local, national and international level. in the UK, Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) are required for coastal management. Each of the SMPS is required to consider coastal change and issues such ‘as sediment transport in the near-shore zone. Most 89oe Ready, for Reading ‘SMPs consider distinct parts ofthe coast, such as ‘complete estuaries or sections of coastin which near- ‘shore sediment is largely ‘contained’ within a coastal cell, or behaves in a consistent manner. SMPs broadly recommend, in Scientific and technical terms, where: the process of erosion can be checked: the line can bbe holc:'managad ratrnat'af the coastiine isthe only ‘option. Such evaluation is important given the high costs of coastal defences, which can only escalate in future years. F Currently about 44% of the English and Welsh coast Je protocted hy enme form af caastal defence. Difficult decisions will need to be made to determine how this. H. percentage will change in response to the increased rates of coastal erosion caused by sea-level rise. “These decisions cannot be made without widespread ‘consultation and will need to balance the ‘socio-economic needs of developers, landowners and residents with coastal protection and environmental (groups. Furthermore, they will need to take aspects of European legislation (e.g, the Habitats Directive) that have beon incorporated into British law, into consideration. G Coastal managers have to consider not only which parts of the coast they should attempt to defend, ‘but also which type of defence is most appropriate, Locally it willbe best to defend coastal areas using traditional constructions, such as sea-walls, dykes, ‘groynes and breakwaters. Such engineered ‘hard’ structures are expensive and may only result in enhanced coastal erosion on adjacent coasts. ‘The alternative approach is to work with natural processes and create ‘sot’ engineered solutions, e.g. by encouraging accumulation of sediments in selected areas. For example, sediments accumulating Imestuarine salt marslies protect te estuaries and associated human infrastructure from erosion, storm ‘surges and coastal floodina. ‘Whatever approach is used, no section of coast ‘should be studied or managed in isolation. The ‘whole picture must be understood, in regard to ‘changes in the past, the present position and how any coastal management scheme willbe affected by future changes. The best and most sustainable ‘options probably le in an integrated coastal zone ‘management approach. These may contain multiple response strategies that can be modified for diferent ‘socio-economic factors and environmental conditions, working with natural processes rather than against them, Geoscientists have a key role to playin ‘providing the foundations for such mariagement. Don't forget! ‘© Locate the information inthe text. Questions 7-9 Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D. 7 Coastal change will accelerate as ‘A. coastal populations increase. various events in the oceans occur. sea levels gradually fall D the oceans cool down. “Read the stem and underline any words that you think willbe paraphrased, tor example, ‘accelerate in question 7. Ths will hep you locate the information inthe text. “+ Read each alternative 930 complete sentence by combining it with the etem. {8 Methods like LIDAR are employed to ‘A confirm the shape of the coastline of the past. | B halt the spread of coastal erosion to neighbouring aroae. provide data on off-shore areas of the coastline. D establish the shape of the coastline with great precision, 9 Some national agencioe havo ‘A coastal and inland responsibilities for conservation. B only inland preservation responsibilities, © charge of designating SSSI. D a duty to monitor coastal and inland flooding,Prec e Questions 10-13 ‘Complete the summary of paragraphs F-H below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer, twill not be easy to decide how much of the coastline will have some form of protection in years to come. Any decision will need to be taken after 10 . taking into account the needs of local people and agencies. 11 ........ need to look at the parts of the coast which they ought to {ry and protect and the most suitable defence. Local answers will involve the use of 12 ‘such as breakwaters, but these ‘hard!’ structures are not cheap and may only cause coastal ‘erosion on nearby areas. Alternatively, methods like encouraging the build up of sediments in certain places may be the answer. In any case, no stretch of the coastline should be dealt with in 3