SELF-STUDY TIPS & STUDY CENTRE COURSES - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 06 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
The text on page 119 has eight sections, A-H.
SELF-STUDY TIPS
A
However difficult you find it to arrange your time, it will pay off in the long run if you set aside a certain part of the day for studying - and stick to it. It is best to make a weekly allocation of your time, making sure that you have enough left for recreational activities or simply to be 'with' yourself: reading a novel or watching a television programme.
B
As part of your weekly schedule, it is also advisable to consider exactly what you have to do in that week, and make sure that you tackle the most significant tasks first, leaving the easier or less urgent areas of your work until later.
C
On a physical level, make sure that you have an area or space for studying. Don't do it just anywhere. If you always study in the same place, preferably a room of your own, you will find it easier to adjust mentally to the activity when you enter that area. You should have everything that you might need at hand.
D
Make sure that all the physical equipment that you use, such as a desk, chair etc. is at a good height for you. If you use a personal computer, there are plenty of guidelines available from the government on posture, angles, lighting and the like. Consult these and avoid the typical student aches and pains.
E
If you are doing a long essay or research paper which involves the use of library books or other articles, it helps to keep details of the titles and authors on small cards in a card box. It is also a good idea to log these alphabetically so that you can find them easily - rather like keeping telephone numbers. It's all too easy to read something and then forget where it came from.
F
Make use of equipment that is available to you. If you find a useful article in the library, it is best to make a copy of the relevant pages before you leave. Then, when you get back to your study, you can mark the article and make any comments that you have in the margin.
G
If you are working on a topic your teacher has set, but finding it hard to concentrate, it may be that you actually need to take your mind right off it for a period of time. 'Airing the mind' can work wonders sometimes. After a period away from the task, having not thought about it at all, you may return to it refreshed and full of ideas.
H
Similarly, it may help to discuss a topic with other people, especially if you feel that you have insufficient ideas, or too many disorganised ideas. Bring your topic up in conversations at meal times or with other students and see what they have to say. You don't want to copy their ideas but listening to what they think about something may well help you develop or refine your own thoughts.
______________
Read the text below and answer Questions 22-27.
STUDY CENTRE COURSES
A
From Paragraph to Essay
Of particular relevance to students who wish to improve their organisational skills and who feel that their final product is never clear enough.
Thursday 10-12
Kiran Singh
B
Communicate by Mail
Owing to the popularity of last term's course, this is a repeat. Requests for information, notification of personal details and enclosures will be looked at. Please note that this is not a business course.
Friday 2-4
Celia Rice
C
Source Material
How do you gather information for a project or paper? A practical course which looks at sources of information and how to use cataloguing systems.
Monday 10-11
Kiran Singh
D
Express Yourself
An advanced course suitable for students who are about to step into organisations where they may have to voice their opinions in various forums.
Monday 12-2
Dave Parrin
E
Media Use
Open to all students, this course focuses on the many ways we can profit linguistically from the radio and television. Use of video essential. Group projects form part of course.
Tuesday 9-11
Steve Ansell
F
The Short Story
A venture into the world of popular writers. One story is selected for adaptation into a short play and group performance. Pre-arranged groups welcome.
Thursday 11-1.30
Mrs Owen
G
Caught for Speeding
Open to all students. Simple eye exercises to help you skim and scan. How to be selective on the page. Using headings, topic sentences and paragraphs for easy access.
Wednesday 11-1
Mrs Owen
H
Quote Me if You Must
The do's and don'ts of using source material. How to incorporate it into your own work in an acceptable way. How not to plagiarise other people's articles, books etc.
Tuesday 9-10.30
Dr Johnson
I
The Job for Me
Finding it, applying for it and getting it. Where can it all go wrong? Written and oral course with simulation exercises using authentic newspaper advertisements.
Friday 10-11.30
Fabbeh Al-Hussein
J
Can I Help You?
Practical course for students who wish to improve their telephone skills. Breaks the ice for newcomers. No written skills required.
Wednesday 3-5
Mike Vas
K
The Customer is Always Right
An interesting angle - how do you reply to letters from customers? What tone is best and when? How do you achieve results?
Wednesday 11-1
Celia Rice
L
Tense about Tenses
For those who worry about their individual words - a look at tenses and other aspects of the language through poetry and song. Good voice helps but not essential!
Saturday 10-12
Steve Ansell
Questions
Questions 15–21 Matching Headings
The text on page 119 has eight sections, A-H.
Choose the correct heading for sections B-H from the list of headings below.
i. Consult your teacher
ii. Take a break
iii. Make a timetable
iv. Create a working space
v. Sit comfortably
vi. Study at home
vii. Talk about your work
viii. Photocopy important material
ix. Catalogue references
x. Use the library
xi. Prioritise your work
xii. Exercise regularly
Questions 22–27 Matching Information
Look at the twelve descriptions of courses, A-L, on page 120.
For which description are the following statements true?
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | xi | As part of your weekly schedule, it is also advisable to consider exactly what you have to do in that week, and make sure that you tackle the most significant tasks first, leaving the easier or less urgent areas of your work until later | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage suggests that when you look at your work for the week, you should do the most important jobs first and save the easy or less important jobs for a later time. Answer Explanation: The answer 'xi' means that you should decide which tasks are the most important and do them before the others. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'xi' because the text advises you to finish your 'most significant' (most important) tasks first and leave the 'less urgent' (not as important) tasks for later. This system of ordering your work by importance is the definition of prioritising. |
| Q16 | iv | On a physical level, make sure that you have an area or space for studying. Don't do it just anywhere | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells you to find a specific spot for your work instead of just studying in any random place. Answer Explanation: The answer iv means that Section C focuses on finding and setting up a specific place to do your schoolwork. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is iv because Section C describes the importance of having a dedicated spot to study rather than working in random locations. It mentions that having a specific 'area' or 'space' helps your mind get ready for learning and ensures you have everything you need nearby. The phrase 'area or space for studying' is a direct synonym for 'working space'. |
| Q17 | v | Make sure that all the physical equipment that you use, such as a desk, chair etc. is at a good height for you. If you use a personal computer, there are plenty of guidelines available from the government on posture, angles, lighting and the like. Consult these and avoid the typical student aches and pains | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that your desk and chair must be at the right height for you. It also says to follow advice on how to sit so your body does not hurt. Answer Explanation: The answer 'v' means the best title for Section D is 'Sit comfortably'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because Section D focuses on your physical setup while studying. It mentions that your desk and chair should be at a good height and that you should follow rules for 'posture' (how you sit). These tips help you avoid 'aches and pains', which means you will be able to sit without feeling sore or uncomfortable. |
| Q18 | ix | If you are doing a long essay or research paper which involves the use of library books or other articles, it helps to keep details of the titles and authors on small cards in a card box. It is also a good idea to log these alphabetically so that you can find them easily - rather like keeping telephone numbers | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage suggests that when you use books or articles for a big project, you should save the names of the books and who wrote them on small cards. It says you should put them in alphabetical order so you can find them quickly. Answer Explanation: The answer is heading ix, which is 'Catalogue references'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is ix because Section E advises students to keep a record of the books and articles they use for their research. It suggests writing down the 'titles and authors' on cards and organizing them 'alphabetically' so they are easy to find later. In English, to 'catalogue' means to make an organized list, and 'references' are the books or sources you use for information. |
| Q19 | viii | Make use of equipment that is available to you. If you find a useful article in the library, it is best to make a copy of the relevant pages before you leave | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells the student to use the tools at the library to create their own copies of important pages before they go home. Answer Explanation: The answer 'viii' suggests that you should use a machine to make paper copies of important articles or pages. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'viii' because Section F focuses on using equipment at the library to 'make a copy' of useful articles. This is a direct match for the heading 'Photocopy important material', as a photocopy is a type of copy made using a machine. The section explains that having these copies allows you to write notes or comments on the pages later. |
| Q20 | ii | If you are working on a topic your teacher has set, but finding it hard to concentrate, it may be that you actually need to take your mind right off it for a period of time. 'Airing the mind' can work wonders sometimes. After a period away from the task, having not thought about it at all, you may return to it refreshed and full of ideas | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you cannot pay attention to your work, you should stop thinking about it for a while. This rest helps your mind feel fresh so you can have new ideas when you go back to work. Answer Explanation: The answer is a heading that tells you to stop studying and rest for a short time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "ii. Take a break" because Section G explains that if you find it hard to focus on a task, you should stop working on it for a while. The text uses phrases like "take your mind right off it" and "period away from the task" to describe resting. It suggests that by doing this, you will feel "refreshed" when you start working again. |
| Q21 | vii | Similarly, it may help to discuss a topic with other people, especially if you feel that you have insufficient ideas, or too many disorganised ideas. Bring your topic up in conversations at meal times or with other students and see what they have to say | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage suggests that you should talk about your study topics with other people. It says you can do this during meals or with other students to see what they think, which can help you if you don't have enough ideas. Answer Explanation: The answer is heading vii, 'Talk about your work'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is vii because Section H explains how speaking with others about what you are studying can help you. It suggests having conversations with friends or other students to help organize your thoughts or get new ideas. The section uses 'discuss' and 'conversations' as keywords for 'talking' about your work. |
| Q22 | K | The Customer is Always RightAn interesting angle - how do you reply to letters from customers? What tone is best and when? How do you achieve results | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that this course focuses on responding to letters from customers, determining the best way to communicate with them, and finding effective ways to solve their problems. Answer Explanation: The answer is course K, which is a study module titled "The Customer is Always Right." Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is K because the description of this course specifically mentions learning how to respond to letters sent by customers. It covers choosing the right "tone" (the feeling or attitude in your writing) and how to "achieve results," which are necessary skills when handling a letter of complaint to ensure the customer becomes happy again. Additionally, the title "The Customer is Always Right" is a famous saying used in business to describe good customer service and complaint management. |
| Q23 | C | Source Material How do you gather information for a project or paper? A practical course which looks at sources of information and how to use cataloguing systems | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that this course, called 'Source Material,' focuses on how to find information and use the systems that organize that information, which is what you need to do in a library. Answer Explanation: The answer C refers to the course titled 'Source Material' as the correct choice for learning how to use libraries. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the description for this course mentions teaching students how to find information for projects and how to use 'cataloguing systems.' A cataloguing system is the specific method libraries use to organize books and resources so people can find them. Therefore, learning to use these systems is the main way to learn how to use a library. |
| Q24 | I | The Job for Me Finding it, applying for it and getting it. Where can it all go wrong? Written and oral course with simulation exercises using authentic newspaper advertisements | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage describes a class that teaches students how to search for work, apply for jobs, and successfully get hired by practicing speaking and acting out real-life situations. Answer Explanation: The answer is course I, which is titled 'The Job for Me'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is course I because it specifically focuses on 'getting' a job. Since an interview is the most important part of getting hired, a course that uses 'oral' practice and 'simulation exercises' (which are like pretend practice sessions) would help someone perform better in a real job interview. |
| Q25 | H | HQuote Me if You MustThe do's and don'ts of using source material. How to incorporate it into your own work in an acceptable way. How not to plagiarise other people's articles, books etc | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage describes a course that teaches the right way to use information from books and articles in your own writing. It shows you how to help yourself avoid copying others by accident. Answer Explanation: The answer is course H because it is the specific study session that teaches students how to properly credit the authors and books they use for their assignments. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is H because the course description for 'Quote Me if You Must' explains that it covers the 'do's and don'ts' of using 'source material' and teaches how to avoid 'plagiarsing' (which means using someone else's words as your own). This matches the phrase 'acknowledging your sources,' which means giving proper credit to the writers whose work you use. |
| Q26 | G | Simple eye exercises to help you skim and scan. How to be selective on the page. Using headings, topic sentences and paragraphs for easy access | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that this course uses exercises and special reading methods to help students find information quickly and use the layout of a text to understand it better. Answer Explanation: The answer G refers to the course titled 'Caught for Speeding,' which helps students read more effectively. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because the course description mentions specific reading techniques like 'skim and scan.' It also explains how to use 'headings,' 'topic sentences,' and 'paragraphs' to find information on a page more easily. These are all essential skills for improving how a person reads. |
| Q27 | L | For those who worry about their individual words - a look at tenses and other aspects of the language through poetry and song | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that this course helps students who have concerns about specific words by teaching them about tenses and other parts of the language using music and poems. Answer Explanation: The answer is option L, which refers to the course titled 'Tense about Tenses.' Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is L because the course description mentions 'tenses' and 'aspects of the language.' In English, tenses (like the past, present, and future) are the foundation of grammar. Therefore, a course looking at these topics is specifically designed to help students improve their grammar skills. |