Reading Passage 1:The return of the huarango
Questions 1-5: Completing notes:
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to complete different notes with ONE WORD ONLY from the passage. Keywords are important to find answers correctly. Generally, this type of question maintains a sequence. However, we should not be surprised if the sequence is not maintained. Find the keywords in the passage and you are most likely to find the answers.]
Title of the note: The importance of the huarango tree
Question no. 1: can access ________ deep below the surface
Keywords for the question: can access, deep, below, surface,
The first paragraph introduces us to the huarango tree. Here, take a close look at line no. 5, “ . .. . They stretch down 50-80 metres and, as well as sucking up water for the tree, they bring it into . .. .”
Here, they = huarango trees, sucking up = access, down 50-80 metres = deep below the surface,
So, the answer is: water
Question no. 2: was a crucial part of local inhabitants’ _______ a long time ago
Keywords for the question: crucial part, local inhabitants’, long time ago,
In paragraph no. 2, the writer of the passage explains the findings made by Dr. David Beresford-Jones, and in lines 2-3, the writer says, “ . .. He believes the huarango was the key to the ancient people’s diet and . .. ..”
Here, the key = crucial part, ancient = long time ago, people’s = local inhabitants’,
So, the answer is: diet
Question no. 3: helped people to survive periods of ________
Keywords for the question: helped, people, survive, periods of,
In lines 3-4 of paragraph no. 2, the writer says, “ . .. . because it could reach deep water sources, it allowed local people to withstand years of drought when their other crops failed. . .”
Here, allowed local people to withstand = helped people to survive, years of = periods of,
So, the answer is: drought
Question no. 4: prevents _____ of the soil
Keywords for the question: prevents, of the soil,
In lines 4-6 of paragraph no. 2, the writer says, “ . .. . But over the centuries huarango trees were gradually replaced with crops. Cutting down native woodland leads to erosion, as there is nothing to keep the soil in place. . .”
Here, the lines contain a reverse meaning and suggest that erosion started to occur as huarango trees were cut down and replaced with crops. This means huarango trees can prevent erosion of the soil.
So, the answer is: erosion
Question no. 5: prevents land from becoming a _______
Keywords for the question: prevents, land, from becoming,
The last lines of paragraph no. 2 say, “ . .. .. So, when the huarangos go, the land turns into a desert. … .”
Here, again, the lines contain a reverse meaning suggesting that huarango trees can prevent the land from becoming a desert.
So, the answer is: desert
Question 6-8: Completing table: NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
[In this type of question candidates need to fill in the gaps in a table with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS. Previewing, skimming, and scanning, these reading skills are essential for this question-type.]
Title of the table: Traditional uses of the huarango tree
Question no. 6:
| Part of tree | Traditional use |
| _____________ | fuel |
Keywords for the question: part of tree, traditional use, fuel,
In paragraph no. 3, the author says in line no. 3, “ .. . . while its branches were used for charcoal for cooking and heating, . .. .”
Here, charcoal for cooking and heating = fuel,
So, the answer is: its branches / huarango branches / the branches
Question no. 7:
| Part of tree | Traditional use |
| ________ and _______ | medicine |
Keywords for the question: part of tree, traditional use, medicine,
In paragraph no. 3, lines 2-3 say, “. . .. Its leaves and bark were used for herbal remedies, . .. .”
Here, herbal remedies = medicine,
So, the answer is: (in either order)
leaves (and) bark
Question no. 8:
| Part of tree | Traditional use |
| ____________ | construction |
Keywords for the question: part of tree, traditional use, construction,
In line no. 4 of paragraph no. 3, the author of the passage writes, “ . .. and its trunk was used to build houses. .. ..”
Here, build houses = construction,
So, the answer is: its trunk/ huarango trunk/ the trunk
Question 9-13: TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:
The statement in the question agrees with the information in the passage – TRUE
The statement in the question contradicts with the information in the passage – FALSE
If there is no information on this – NOT GIVEN
For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]
Question no. 9: Local families have told Whaley about some traditional uses of huarango products.
Keywords for the question: local families, told Whaley, traditional uses, huarango products,
Paragraph no. 4, 5, and 6 discuss how Whaley has inspired local people to restart planting using the huarango tree. However, nowhere we find information on whether local people have shared some traditional uses of huarango with Whaley.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 10: Farmer Alberto Benevides is now making a good profit from growing huarangos.
Keywords for the question: Farmer Alberto Benevides, now, making a good profit,
Let’s take a look at paragraph no. 6 where we find the name of Farmer Alberto Benevides. Here, in this paragraph, take a look at lines 4-5, “ . .. . His farm is relatively small and doesn’t yet provide him enough with enough to live on, but he hopes this will change. .. . .”
Here, doesn’t yet provide him enough with enough to live on = NOT making a good profit from growing,
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 11: Whaley needs the co-operation of farmers to help preserve the area’s wildlife.
Keywords for the question: Whaley, needs, co-operation of farmers, help preserve, wildlife,
In paragraph no. 7, lines 1-3 explain how wildlife like mammals and birds are being threatened by larger farms. Then, the writer says in lines 4-5, “ . .. In the hope of counteracting this, he’s persuading farmers to let him plant forest corridors on their land. …”
Here, In the hope of counteracting this, he’s persuading farmers means Whaley needs the co-operation of the local farmers to preserve the area’s wildlife.
So, the answer is: TRUE
Question no. 12: For Whaley’s project to succeed, it needs to be extended over a very large area.
Keywords for the question: Whaley’s project to succeed, needs to be extended, over a very large area,
In paragraph no. 8, have a close look at lines 2-4, “. .. . It’s not like a rainforest that needs to have this huge expanse. Life has always been confined to corridors and islands here. . . .”
Here, It’s not like a rainforest that needs to have this huge expanse means that Whaley’s project needs only a small amount of land (the corridors). It’s not like a rain forest.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 13: Whaley has plans to go to Africa to set up a similar project.
Keywords for the question: Whaley, plans, go to Africa, to set up, similar project,
In the final paragraph (paragraph no. 8), lines 6-8 say, “. . . ‘If we can do it here, in the most fragile system on Earth, then that’s a real message of hope for lots of places, including Africa, where there is drought and they just can’t afford to wait for rain.”
Here, the lines suggest that Whaley project can bring hope to different parts of the world like Africa where drought is a big problem. However, here we find no information about whether Whaley plans to go to Africa to set up another project like this one.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Reading Passage 2: The headline of the passage: Silbo Gomero – the whistle ‘language’ of the Canary Islands
Questions 14-19: TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:
The statement in the question agrees with the information in the passage – TRUE
The statement in the question contradicts with the information in the passage – FALSE
If there is no information on this – NOT GIVEN
For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]
Question no. 14: La Gomera is the most mountainous of all the Canary Islands.
Keywords for the question: La Gomera, most mountainous, all the Canary Islands,
In the first paragraph, the author of the text says in the beginning, “La Gomera is one of the Canary Islands situated in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa. This small volcanic island is mountainous, with steep rocky slopes and deep, wooded ravines, rising to 1,487 metres at its highest peak. .. .”
Here, we find the word mountainous; however, there is no comparison with other islands.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 15: Silbo is only appropriate for short and simple messages.
Keywords for the question: Silbo, only appropriate, short, simple messages,
The answer can be found in paragraph no. 5. Here, take a look at lines 4-5, “ .. .. ‘In daily life they use whistles to communicate short commands, but any Spanish sentence could be whistled.’.. .. .”
Here, the lines suggest that Silbo is not only appropriate for short messages but also for long Spanish sentences.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 16: In the brain-activity study, silbadores and non-whistlers produced different results.
Keywords for the question: brain-activity study, silbadores and non-whistlers, produced, different results,
The answer can be found in lines 2-7 of paragraph no. 6, where the results of the experiments on brain-activity in silbadores and non-whistlers have been shown.
Here, the author says, “ . . . Results showed the left temporal lobe of the brain, which is usually associated with spoken language, was engaged during the processing of Silbo. . . .. . . . . When the experiments were repeated with non-whistlers, however, activation was observed in all areas of the brain.”
Here, the lines suggest that results were different for silbadores and non-whistlers.
So, the answer is: TRUE
Questions no. 17: The Spanish introduced Silbo to the islands in the 15th Century.
Keywords for the question: The Spanish, introduced Silbo, 15th Century,
The answer can be found in paragraph no. 8. In the first few lines, the writer says, “Carreiras says the origins of Silbo Gomero remain obscure, but that indigenous Canary Islanders, who were of North African origin, already had a whistled language when Spain conquered the volcanic islands on the 15th Century. .. . .”
Here, these lines suggest that when the Spanish arrived in the Canary Islands to conquer, a whistled language had already been used by the islanders.
This means the Spanish did not introduce Silbo to the islands.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 18: There is precise data available regarding all of the whistle languages in existence today.
Keywords for the question: precise data, available, all of the whistle languages, in existence, today,
In paragraph no. 8, lines 5-6 say, “ . .. There are thought to be as many as 70 whistled languages still in use, though only 12 have been described and studied scientifically. .. ..”
Here, only 12 have been described and studied scientifically = precise data available regarding 12 whistled languages, not all whistled languages,
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 19: The children of Gomera now learn Silbo.
Keywords for the question: children of Gomera, now learn, Silbo,
In paragraph no. 9 (the final paragraph) the writer says in line no. 4, “ . .. . Since 1999, Silbo Gomero has been taught in all of the island’s elementary schools. . . .”
Here, been taught in all of the island’s elementary schools = children of Gomera now learn this language,
So, the answer is: TRUE
Questions 20-26: Completing notes
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to complete different notes with ONE WORD ONLY from the passage. Keywords are important to find answers correctly. Generally, this type of question maintains a sequence. However, we should not be surprised if the sequence is not maintained. Find the keywords in the passage and you are most likely to find the answers.]
The title of the summary: Silbo Gomero
Question no. 20:
high- and low-frequency tones represent different sounds in Spanish __________
Keywords for the question: produced, high- and low-frequency tones, different sounds, Spanish,
The answer can be found in paragraph no. 4 in lines 1-2, “Silbo is a substitute for Spanish, with individual words recoded into whistles which have high- and low-frequency tones. … ..”
Here, recoded into whistles = represented into different sounds,
So, the answer is: words
Question no. 21:
pitch of whistle is controlled using silbador’s ___________
Keywords for the question: produced, pitch of whistle, controlled, using, silbador’s,
In paragraph no. 4, lines 2-3 say, “ . .. A whistler – or silbador – puts a finger in his or her mouth to increase the whistle’s pitch, .. .. .”
Here, to increase the whistle’s pitch = pitch of whistle is controlled, puts = using,
So, the answer is: finger
Question no. 22:
________ is changed with a cupped hand
Keywords for the question: produced, changed with, cupped hand,
Again, in paragraph no. 4, line no. 3 say, “.. . . while the other hand can be cupped to adjust the direction of the sound. . … .”
Here, the other hand can be cupped = a cupped hand, the process is speeded up = can expand suddenly,
So, the answer is: direction
Question no. 23:
in everyday use for the transmission of brief ___________
Keywords for the question: everyday use, transmission, brief,
In paragraph no. 5, line no. 4 says, “ . .. ‘In daily life they use whistles to communicate short commands, . .. .”
Here, In daily life they use = in everyday use, to communicate = for the transmission, short = brief,
So, the answer is: commands
Question no. 24:
can relay essential information quickly, e.g. to inform people about ________
Keywords for the question: can relay, essential information, quickly, inform people about,
Again, in paragraph no. 5, lines 5-6 say, “ . .. Siblo has proved particularly useful when fires have occurred on the island and rapid communication across large areas has been vital.”
Here, rapid communication across large areas has been vital = can relay essential information quickly,
So, the answer is: fires
Question no. 25:
future under threat because of new ________
Keywords for the question: future, under threat, because, new,
In the final paragraph of the passage, in lines 1-3, the author says, “But with modern communication technology now widely available, researchers say whistled languages like Silbo are threatened with extinction. .. . “
Here, threatened with extinction = future of languages like Silbo under threat, modern = new,
So, the answer is: technology
Question no. 26:
Canaries’ authorities hoping to receive a UNESCO ________ to help preserve it
Keywords for the question: Canaries’ authorities, hoping to receive, UNESCO, help preserve,
In lines 5-7 of the final paragraph, the author of the passage says, “ … . In addition, locals are seeking assistance from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). ‘The local authorities are trying to get an award from the organization to declare [Silbo Gomero] as something that should be preserved for humanity,’ Carreiras adds.”
Here, The local authorities = Canaries’ authorities, trying to get = hoping to receive, the organization = UNESCO,
So, the answer is: award
Reading Passage 3: The title of the passage: Environmental practices of big businesses
Questions 27-31: Completing a summary with a list of words:
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to complete a summary with a list of words taken from the passage. Candidates must write the correct letters (not the words) which are given in the box under the questions as the answers. Keywords and synonyms are important to find answers correctly. Generally, this type of question maintains a sequence. Find the keywords in the passage and you are most likely to find the answers.]
Title of the summary: Big businesses
Question no. 27: Many big businesses today are prepared to harm people and the environment in order to make money, and they appear to have no _________.
Keywords for the question: many big businesses, prepared to harm, people, the environment, in order to, make money, appear to have, no,
Take a look at lines 1-3 in paragraph no. 1, “The environmental practices of big businesses are shaped by a fundamental fact that for many of us offend our sense of justice. Depending on the circumstances, a business may maximize the amount of money it makes, at least in the short term, by damaging the environment and hurting people. .. ..”
Here, damaging the environment and hurting people = harm people and the environment, maximize the amount of money = make money, offend our sense of justice & may maximize the amount of money . .. . by damaging the environment . .. = have no moral standards,
So, the answer is: D (moral standards)
Questions no. 28, 29, 30, 31:
Lack of 28. _______ by governments and lack of public 29. ______ can lead to environmental problems such as 30. ________ or the destruction of 31. ________.
Keywords for the question: lack of, by governments, lack of public, can lead to, environmental problems, destruction,
Answers to these questions can be found by studying lines 4-9 of paragraph no. 1.
Here, the writer says, “ . . .. That is still the case today for fishermen in an unmanaged fishery without quotas (overfishing), and for international logging companies with short-term leases on tropical rainforest land (destruction of trees) in places with corrupt officials and unsophisticated landowners. When government regulation if effective, and when the public is environmentally aware, environmentally clean big businesses may out-complete dirty ones, but the reverse is likely to be true if government regulation is ineffective (lack of control by governments) and if the public doesn’t care (lack of public involvement).”
Here, candidates need to be careful to find the answers because all the answers given in the box with the questions are synonyms.
Moreover, in the text, the answers are set in a tricky way.
First, consider the lines, “ . .. . That is still the case today for fishermen in an unmanaged fishery without quotas (overfishing), and for international logging companies with short-term leases on tropical rainforest land (destruction of trees) in places with corrupt officials and unsophisticated landowners. . . ..”
Here, we find the answers for questions no. 30 and 31. It’s because the writer has explained the results of big businesses without control or supervision.
Then, in the following lines of the paragraph, the writer mentions, “ . . . When government regulation if effective, and when the public is environmentally aware, environmentally clean big businesses may out-complete dirty ones, but the reverse is likely to be true if government regulation is ineffective (lack of control by governments) and if the public doesn’t care (lack of public involvement).”
These lines explain what happens when the government is aware and when it is not aware. In the last lines, the word ‘reverse’ is used to explain ‘the results when the government is not aware’.
Here, we find the answers for questions no. 28 and 29. It’s because the writer has explained the reasons why big businesses are causing environmental problems.
So, the answers are:
- E (control)
- F (involvement)
- H (overfishing)
- B (trees)
Questions 32-34: Multiple choice questions
[This type of question asks you to choose a suitable answer from the options using the knowledge you gained from the passage. Generally, this question is set found as the last question set in most passages so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers to previous questions gives you a good idea about these questions.]
Question no. 32: The main idea of the third paragraph is that environmental damages
Keywords for the question: main idea, third paragraph, environmental damages,
In the third paragraph, the writer explains how the general public can prevent environmental damages. Take a look at these lines, “ . .. . In the long run, it is the public, either directly or through its publications, that has the power to make such destructive policies unprofitable and illegal, and to make sustainable environmental policies profitable.”
Here, make such destructive policies unprofitable and illegal, and to make sustainable environmental policies profitable = environmental damages could be prevented,
The public = ordinary people,
So, the answer is: C (could be prevented by the action of ordinary people.)
Question no. 33: In the fourth paragraph, the writer describes ways in which the public can
Keywords for the question: fourth paragraph, ways, in which, public can,
The first lines of paragraph no. 4 present the main idea with an example, “The public can do that by suing businesses for harming them, as happened after the Exxon Valdez disaster, in which over 40,000m3 of oil were spilled off the coast of Alaska. . ..”
Here, do that by suing businesses for harming them = influence the environmental policies,
Then, in the next lines of the paragraph, the writer shows more ways how the public can influence the environmental policies of big and small businesses and governments.
So, the answer is: D (influence the environmental policies of businesses and governments.)
Question no. 34: What pressure was exerted by big businesses in the case of the disease BSE?
Keywords for the question: pressure, exerted by, big businesses, disease BSE,
We can see the reference for the disease BSE in paragraph no. 5. Here, take a look at lines 2-8, “ . .. For instance, after the US public became concerned about the spread of a disease known as BSE, which was transmitted to humans through infected meat, the US government’s Food and Drug Administration introduced rules demanding that the meat industry abandon practices associated with the risk of the disease spreading. But for five years, the meat packers refused to follow these, claiming that they would be too expensive to obey. However, when a major fast-food company then made the same demands after customer purchases of its hamburgers plummeted, the meat industry complied within weeks. . …”
Here, when a major fast-food company then made the same demands after customer purchases of its hamburgers plummeted, the meat industry complied within weeks = A fast-food company forced their meat suppliers to follow the law,
So, the answer is: B (A fast-food company forced their meat suppliers to follow the law.)
Questions 35-39: YES, NO, NOT GIVEN:
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:
The statement in the question matches with the claim of the writer in the text- YES
The statement in the question contradicts with the claim of the writer in the text- NO
The statement in the question has no clear connection with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN
TIPS: For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]
Question no. 35: The public should be prepared to fund good environmental practices.
Keywords for the question: the public, should be prepared, fund, good environmental practices,
In paragraph no. 6, take a close look at lines 2-3, “ .. . . I also believe that the public must accept the necessity for higher prices for products to cover the added costs, if any, of sound environmental practices. . .. .”
Here, the public must accept = the public should be prepared, higher prices for products = fund, sound environmental practices = good environmental practices,
So, the answer is: YES
Question no. 36: There is a contrast between the moral principles of different businesses.
Keywords for the question: contrast between, moral principles, different businesses,
In paragraph no. 6, the writer says in lines 4-9, “. . . My views may seem to ignore the belief that businesses should act in accordance with moral principles even if this leads to a reduction in their profits. But I think we must recognize that, throughout human history, in all politically complex human societies, government regulation has arisen precisely because it was found that not only did moral principles need to be made explicit, they also needed to be enforced.”
Here, these lines talk about why moral principles are important in business practices. However, we do not find any comparison between the moral principles of different businesses.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 37: It is important to make a clear distinction between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
Keywords for the question: important, to make, clear distinction, between, acceptable, unacceptable, behaviour,
In the first lines (lines 1-3) of the final paragraph, the author of the passage says, “To me, the conclusion that the public had the ultimate responsibility for the behaviour of even the biggest businesses is empowering and hopeful, rather than disappointing. My conclusion is not a moralistic one about who is right or wrong, admirable, or selfish, a good guy or a bad guy. . ..”
Here, not a moralistic one about who is right or wrong, admirable, or selfish, a good guy or a bad guy = NO clear distinction between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour,
So, the answer is: NO
Question no. 38: The public have successfully influenced businesses in the past.
Keywords for the question: the public, successfully influenced, businesses, in the past,
In the final paragraph, lines 3-6 say, “ .. . In the past, businesses have changed when the public came to expect and require different behaviour, to reward businesses for behaviour that the public wanted, and to make things difficult for businesses practicing behaviours that the public didn’t want. .. ..”
Here, businesses have changed when the public came to expect and require different behaviour = the public have successfully influenced businesses,
So, the answer is: YES
Question no. 39: In the future, businesses will show more concern for the environment.
Keywords for the question: future, businesses, will show, more concern, for, environment,
Lines 6-7 in the final paragraph say, “ . .. . I predict that in the future, just as in the past, changes in public attitudes will be essential for changes in businesses’ environmental practices.”
Here, the writer talks about what the effects of public attitudes will be for different changes in the environmental practices of big businesses. We don’t find any information regarding concern shown by businesses for the environment.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 40: Multiple choice questions
[This type of question asks you to choose a suitable answer from the options using the knowledge you gained from the passage. Generally, this question is set found as the last question set in most passages so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers to previous questions gives you a good idea about these questions.]
What would be the best subheading for this passage?
Keywords for the question: best subheading,
The overall idea of the passage is the fact that both big businesses and the general public are to blame for the damage caused in the environment. We can’t just blindly blame big businesses for the damage alone.
So, the answer is: D (Are big businesses to blame for the damage they cause the environment?)
