Exercises for T, F, NG

Ex1:
A Secret Well Kept Reading Passage
Political leaders in the days before the internet and 24-hour cable news were not
subjected to the intense media scrutiny that their modern counterparts face. It was
possible to rise to power and stay in office despite having skeletons in the closet
that would now see one disgraced in a scandal. One of the best examples of
keeping damaging secrets from the public was Canadian Prime Minister, Lyon
Mackenzie King, (almost always referred to as Mackenzie King).
Mackenzie King was born in 1874 with the proverbial silver spoon. He
accumulated five university degrees, including a PhD from Harvard in economics,
a subject he went on to teach at that institute. In addition to being a professor and
an economist, King was a lawyer and a journalist. He was also a civil servant and
was appointed as Canada's first Minister of Labour. He was elected to Parliament
as a Liberal and would go on to become Canada’s, and the Commonwealth's
longest-serving prime minister, serving for nearly 22 years.
Mackenzie King cut his political teeth as a labour negotiator. He was successful in
part because he mastered the art of conciliation. Conciliation, along with half
measures, would become his trademark. "Do nothing by halves that can be done by
quarters,” one detractor wrote of him. And so, King sought the middle ground in
order to keep the country’s many factions together. He would go out of his way to
avoid debate and was fond of saying "Parliament will decide," when pressed for an
answer. He was pudgy, plodding, wooden and cold, and his speeches were
slumber-inducing. Unloved, but practical and astute, he has been called Canada's
greatest prime minister. He created old age pensions, unemployment insurance, and
family allowance, and he left the country in much better shape than when he
inherited it.
Mackenzie King died in 1950, thus passing into the mildly-interesting annals of
Canadian history. Then, during the seventies, his diaries (all 30,000 pages of them)
were published, and millions of Canadian jaws dropped. It turns out that King, that
monotonous embodiment of Presbyterian morals, was a dedicated occultist who
communicated with the dead, including his mother (who he revered), former
President Roosevelt, Leonardo da Vinci, and his dogs. And he did this almost every
evening for the last 25 years of his life.
King used a Ouija board and owned a crystal ball. He read tea leaves. He employed
mediums and consulted a psychic. He visited palmists. He was a numerologist,
always sensitive to what the numbers 7 and 17 were attempting to reveal to him.
He thought that when he looked at the clock and found both hands in alignment,
someone from the other side must have been watching over him. King was careful
not to reveal any of his "psychical research" to the public, his departed mother
having warned him that people wouldn't understand.
(Adapted from a passage in "A Sort of Homecoming - In Search of Canada' by
Troy Parfitt)
Questions 1-7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading
passage?
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 in the passage
1. Mackenzie King came from a privileged background.
2. He taught economics at Harvard University.
3. Mackenzie King was known for his stubbornness and extreme political
views.
4. Mackenzie was not liked by his people and did nothing for their welfare.
5. His diaries were published when he was in his seventies.
6. He communicated with dead political leaders to get their advice on handling
problems.
7. He regarded seeing the hands of a clock together as an auspicious sign.
Ex2:
Have Researchers Created Synthetic Life at the J. Craig Venter Institute
Reading Passage
Researchers often insert a gene or two into an organism to make it do
something unique. For example, researchers inserted the insulin gene into
bacteria to make them produce human insulin. However, researchers at the J.
Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) in Rockville, MD, have now created organisms
that contain a completely synthetic genome. This synthetic genome was
designed by computer, resulting in the "first self-replica project species …
parent is a computer," as stated by Dr Venter, the lead scientist on this
project.
In essence, the JCVI scientists took the genome of one bacterial species,
M.mycoides, synthesised it from scratch, and then transplanted it into a
different bacterial species, M.capricolum. The DNA was synthesised as a
series of cassettes, or pieces, spanning roughly 1,080 bases (the chemical
units that make up DNA) each. These cassettes were then painstakingly
assembled together and slowly input into the M.capricolum species.
The JCVI researchers also included several "watermarks" in the synthetic
genome. Because DNA contains introns, which are non-expressed spans of
DNA, as well as exons, which are expressed spans of DNA, much of the
code can be altered without affecting the final organism. Also, the four bases
of the DNA code - A, C, G, and T- can combine into tripleTS to code for the
20 amino acids (the chemical units of which protein is composed), as well as
start and stop instructions for gene expression. These amino acids are
designated by single alphabetical letters; for example, tryptophan is
designated by the letter W. Thus, by using the amino acid "alphabet," the
JCVI researchers were able to insert sequences of DNA that
were specifically designed to spell out the names of the study authors,
project contributors, web addresses, and even include quotations from James
Joyce, and Richard Feynman. Such engineering helped clarify that the
M.capricolum genome is entirely synthetic and not a product of natural
bacterial growth and replication.
Over one million total bases were inserted into M.capricolum. The final
result was a bacterial cell that originated from M. capricolum, but behaved
 like and expressed the proteins of M.mycoides. This synthetic M.mycoides
bacterium was also able to self-replicate, fundamental quality of life.
The demonstration that completely synthetic genomes can be used to start
synthetic life promises other exciting discoveries and technologies. For
example, photosynthetic algae could be transplanted with genomes that
would enable these organisms to produce biofuel. In fact, the ExxonMobil
Research and Engineering Company has already worked out an agreement
with Synthetic Genomics, the company that helped fund the JCVI research
team, to start just such a project.
While some researchers agree that the technical feat of the JCVI team is
astounding, detractors point to the difficulty of creating more complicated
organisms from scratch. Other researchers point to the fact that some
biofuels are already being produced by microorganisms via the genetic
engineering of only a handful of genes. And Dr David Baltimore, a leading
geneticist at CalTech, has countered the significance of the work performed
by the JCVI research team, stating that its lead researcher, Dr Venter, ".. has
not created life, only mimicked it."
Questions 1-7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading
passage?
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 in the passage
1. DNA was also injected into animals.
2. Bacteria have been made to produce insulin.
3. The artificial genome is left with some signs to identify its creators.
4. Tryptophan is one example of an amino acid.
5. Production of biofuel from genetically altered algae will be a solution to
world energy problems.
6. The research team was financially supported by ExxonMobil.
7. There is no dispute regarding the importance of the achievement of the JCVI
team in creating a synthetic genome.
Ex3:
Coral Triangle Reading Passage
The Philippines is part of the so-called coral triangle, which spans eastern
Indonesia, parts of Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the
Solomon Islands. It covers an area that is equivalent to half of the entire
United States.
Although there are 1,000 marine protected areas (MPAs) within the country,
only 20 percent are functioning, the update said. MPAs are carefully selected
areas where human development and exploitation of natural resources are
regulated to protect species and habitats.
In the Philippines, coral reefs are important economic assets, contributing
more than US$1 billion annually to the economy. "Many local, coastal
communities do not understand or know what a coral reef actually is, how its
ecosystem interacts with them, and why it is so important for their villages
to preserve and conserve it," Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA
CoE) said in a statement.
Unknowingly, coral reefs – touted to be the tropical rainforest of the sea –
attract a diverse array of organisms in the ocean. They provide a source of
food and shelter for a large variety of species including fish, shellfish, fungi,
sponges, sea anemones, sea urchins, turtles and snails. A single reef can
support as many as 3,000 species of marine life. As fishing grounds, they are
thought to be 10 to 100 times as productive per unit area as the open sea. In
the Philippines, an estimated 10-15 percent of the total fisheries come from
coral reefs. Not only do coral reefs serve as home to marine fish species, but
they also supply compounds for medicines. The Aids drug AZT is based on
chemicals extracted from a reef sponge while more than half of all new
cancer drug research focuses on marine organisms.
Unfortunately, these beautiful coral reefs are now at serious risk from
degradation. According to scientists, 70 percent of the world's coral reefs
may be lost by 2050. In the Philippines, coral reefs have been slowly dying
over the past 30 years. The World Atlas of Coral Reefs, compiled by the
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), reported that 97 percent of
 reefs in the Philippines are under threat from destructive fishing techniques,
including cyanide poisoning, overfishing, or from deforestation and
urbanisation that result in harmful sediment spilling into the sea.
Last year, Reef Check, an international organisation assessing the health of
reefs in 82 countries, stated that only five percent of the country's coral reefs
are in excellent condition. These are the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park in
Palawan, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Apo Reef in Puerto Galera,
Mindoro, and Verde Island Passage off Batangas.
About 80-90 per cent of the incomes of small island communities come from
fisheries. "Coral reef fish yields range from 20 to 25 metric tons per square
kilometre per year for healthy reefs," said Angel C. Alcala, former
environment secretary. Alcala is known for his work in Apo Island, one of
the world-renowned community-run fish sanctuaries in the country. It even
earned him the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award. Rapid population
growth and the increasing human pressure on coastal resources have also
resulted in the massive degradation of the coral reefs. Robert Ginsburg, a
specialist on coral reefs working with the Rosenstiel School of Marine and
Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami, said human beings have a
lot to do with the rapid destruction of reefs. "In areas where people are using
the reefs or where there is a large population, there are significant declines in
coral reefs," he pointed out.
"Life in the Philippines is never far from the sea," wrote Joan Castro and
Leona D'Agnes in a new report. "Every Filipino lives within 45 miles of the
coast, and every day, more than 4,500 new residents are born." Estimates
show that if the present rapid population growth and declining trend in fish
production continue, only 10 kilograms of fish will be available per Filipino
per year by 2010, as opposed to 28.5 kilograms per year in 2003.
Questions 1- 8
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading
Passage?
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 Coral Triangle spreads over half of the United States.
2. The natural resources in twenty percent of the marine protected areas are
still exploited.
3. The Philippines' economy relies largely on coral reefs.
4. Coral reefs shelter a wider range of species compared to tropical rainforests.
5. Coral reefs make better fishing areas than the open sea.
6. All the coral reefs in the Philippines will be destroyed by 2050.
7. Experts consider humans as one key factor for the decreasing size of coral
reefs.
8. Available fish resources in the Philippines are expected to reduce by more
than 50% over a period of seven years.
Answers For practice Exercises
Here you will find the the answers for practice exercise 1,2 and 3.
A Secret Well Kept Reading Answers
(Note: The text in italics is from the reading passage and shows the location from
where the answer is taken or inferred. The text in the regular font explains the
answer in detail.)
1. True
Explanation: Paragraph 2 - Mackenzie King was born in 1874 with the proverbial
silver spoon.
2. True
Explanation: Paragraph 2 - He accumulated five university degrees, including a PhD
from Harvard in economics, a subject he went on to teach at that institute.
3. False
Explanation: Paragraph 3 - He was successful in part because he mastered the art of
conciliation… And so, King sought the middle ground in order to keep the country’s many
factions together.
4. False
 Explanation: Paragraph 3 - Unloved, but practical and astute, he has been called
Canada’s greatest prime minister. He created old age pensions, unemployment insurance,
and family allowance, and he left the country in much better shape than when he
inherited it.

The first part of the statement agrees with the information in the passage but the second
part contradicts the information.
5. False
Explanations: Paragraph 4 - Mackenzie King died in 1950,...Then, during the seventies,
his diaries (all 30,000 pages of them) were published, and millions of Canadian jaws
dropped.

King’s diaries were published after his death. The seventies means 1970s.
6. Not given
Explanation: Paragraph 4 mentions that King communicated with mentions that
communicated with the dead, including his mother (who he revered) and former
President Roosevelt but nothing is mentioned about the purpose of communication.
7. True
Explanation: Paragraph 5 - He thought that when he looked at the clock and found both
hands in alignment, someone from the other side must have been watching over him.
Have Researchers Created Synthetic Life at the J. Craig Venter Institutesummary
completion? Reading Answers
(Note: The text in italics is from the reading passage and shows the location from
where the answer is taken or inferred. The text in the regular font explains the
answer in detail.)
1. Not Given
Explanation: Paragraph 1 states that researchers often insert a gene or two into an
organ to make it do something unique, but there is no mention of whether that includes an
an or not.
2. True
Explanation: Paragraph 1 - For example, researchers inserted the insulin gene into
bacteria to make them produce human insulin.
3. True
Explanation: Paragraph 3 - The JCVI researchers also included several "watermarks"
in synthetic genome...Thus, by using the amino acid "alphabet," the JCVI researchers
 were to insert sequences of DNA that were specifically designed to spell out the names of
study authors, project contributors, …
4. True
Explanation: Paragraph 3 - These amino acids are designated by single alphabetical;
For example, tryptophan is designated by the letter W.
5. Not Given
Explanation: Paragraphs 5 and 6 give information about the production of biofuel from
genetically altered algae, but there is no mention regarding the world's energy problems.
6. False
Explanation: Paragraph 5 - In fact, the ExxonMobil Research and Engineering
Company has already worked out an agreement with Synthetic Genomics, the company
that helped fund the JCVI research team, to start just such a project.

Synthetic Genomics funded the research team. So, False.

7. False
Explanation: Paragraph 6 - And Dr David Baltimore, a leading geneticist at CalTech,
has countered the significance of the work performed by the JCVI research team, stating
that its lead researcher, Dr Venter, ".. has not created life, only mimicked it.”
Coral Triangle Reading Answers
(Note: The text in italics is from the reading passage and shows the location from
where the answer is taken or inferred. The text in the regular font explains the
answer in detail.)
1. False (h6)
Explanation: Paragraph 1- The Philippines is part of the so-called coral triangle, which
spans eastern Indonesia, parts of Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the
Solomon Islands. It covers an area that is equivalent to half of the entire United States.

The geographical location of the coral triangle is stated in the above lines taken from the
text, and it does not cover any part of the USA. The text mentions the USA to give an
idea about the size of the coral triangle.
2. False
Explanation: Paragraph 2- Although there are 1,000 marine protected areas (MPAs)
within the country, only 20 percent are functioning, the update said.
 According to the text, only 20 percent MPAs are being protected. The rest are being
exploited.
3. Not Given
Explanation: Though Paragraph 3 mentions that coral reefs are important economic
assets for the Philippines, it does not mention that it is the major contributor to the
Philippines’ economy.
4. Not Given
Explanation: Paragraph 4 mentions that coral reefs are considered as the tropical
rainforests of the sea, but there is no comparison regarding the range of species found.
5. True
Explanation: Paragraph 4- As fishing grounds, they are thought to be 10 to 100 times
as productive per unit area as the open sea.
6. Not Given
Explanation: Paragraph 5 mentions that 70 percent of the world's coral reefs may be
lost by 2050 and the Philippines’ coral reefs are also dying gradually. But there is no such
prediction for the Philippines.
7. True
Explanation: Paragraph 7- Robert Ginsburg, a specialist on coral reefs working with
the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami,
said human beings have a lot to do with the rapid destruction of reefs. "In areas where
people are using the reefs or where there is a large population, there are significant
declines in coral reefs," he pointed out.
8. True
Explanation: Paragraph 8- Estimates show that if the present rapid population growth
and declining trend in fish production continue, only 10 kilograms of fish will be
available per Filipino per year by 2010, as opposed to 28.5 kilograms per year in 2003.

Ex4:
Programmable plants
In electronics, even the most advanced computer is just a complex
arrangement of simple, modular parts that control specific functions; the
same integrated circuit might be found in an iPhone, or in an aircraft.
Biologists are creating this same modularity in – wait for it – plants, by
designing gene "circuits" that control specific plant characteristics – color,
size, resistance to drought, you name it.
 The relatively new, interdisciplinary field is synthetic biology – the design of
genetic circuits, just like in electronics, that control different functions and
can be easily placed in one organism or the next. Most of today's synthetic
biologists work with simple microorganisms, like E. coli or yeast.
A CSU team led by June Medford, professor of biology, and Ashok Prasad,
associate professor of chemical and biological engineering, is doing the
same thing, but in the much more complex biological world of plants.
TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN questions:
1. The scientists are using a technique from electronics to control specific plant properties.
TRUE
This is the first question, so answer to it should be somewhere in the first (or second)
paragraph. The first sentence of the first paragraph tells us about electronics, and then we
have:
Biologists are creating this same modularity in – wait for it – plants, by designing gene
"circuits" that control specific plant characteristics – color, size, resistance to drought,
you name it.
same modularity = same technique as in electronics
control specific plant characteristics = control specific plant properties
So this statement just summarizes the first paragraph. It is obviously true.
2. Some synthetic biologists work with genetic circuits of mammals.
NOT GIVEN
The second passage only tells us that
Most of today's synthetic biologists work with simple microorganisms, like E. coli or
yeast.
But we don't know anything about some biologists. Maybe some biologists work with
mammals, maybe not. So the answer is not given.
3. Most of synthetic biologists work with mammals.
FALSE
The word some from the previous question was changed to most of, and this completely
changed the meaning of the question! Now, this statement is clearly false as it contradicts
the text:
Most of today's synthetic biologists work with simple microorganisms, like E. coli or
yeast.
 This example shows how important is it to read the questions carefully, as one word can
drastically change the meaning of the whole question.
Note that the last paragraph was not used at all. This sometimes happens, so don't worry
if some of the paragraphs in your text don't contain any answers.
Ex5:

1. We can decide what to dream

2. Not all day dreams come true.
3. Day dreaming helps in formation of new ideas.
4. Day dreams may become dreams.
5. Issac Newton said that imagination is more important than knowledge
Ex6:

 The Thames Tunnel was the first tunnel ever built under a river.
 The Thames Tunnel was the Eighth Wonder of the World.
 The tunnel was used more by the middle and upper classes.
 People were able to travel by sea or land in those days.
 The aim of the tunnel was to turn a profit as a tourist attraction.
Ex7:

1. The controversy over the method used in the construction of the pyramids
has been solved by scientists.
2. It is possible that Ancient Egyptians could have lubricated paths to aid
transportation by sledge.
3. Sledges were dragged by animals not humans.
4. The Romans learned the techniques of moving huge stones from the Ancient
Egyptians.
5. The building work of the Ancient Egyptians is unrivalled.
Ex8:
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, stretching from about 500 nautical miles
off the coast of California, across the northern Pacific to near the coast of
Japan, a circular pattern of currents has corralled an enormous vortex of
floating garbage held there by swirling ocean currents. It has been described
as the world’s largest rubbish dump and it is starting to alarm scientists.
There are various sources of plastic litter entering our seas: shipping,
tourism, and fishing to name but a few; however, roughly 80 percent of the
debris, which ranges from bottles and cigarette lighters to toothbrushes and
packaging scraps, came first from the land.
The increasing rate of plastic pollution is alarming. The production of plastic
doubles every decade, and ever-increasing amounts of trash makes it way to
the seas—more than 6 million tons per year, according to the UN
Environment Program (this is the same programme that estimated every
square mile of ocean water contains approximately 46,000 pieces of
rubbish).
The plastic waste was discovered in 1997 by American sailor Charles
Moore, who discovered the floating mass of rubbish by chance after
returning home from a yacht race. He sailed through a vast congregation of
plastic has congregated into what is often referred to as the great Pacific
garbage patch. However, the term may be misleading as the “patch” is in
fact two massive, linked areas of circulating rubbish, says Dr Marcus
Eriksen, research director of the US-based Marine Research Foundation,
founded by Moore. In fact, when it was first identified in the media, there
was ‘the idea that it was an island of plastic garbage that you could almost
walk on. It is not quite like that. It is almost like a plastic soup.’ Dr Eriksen
says.
Moore, an oceanographer who has made the study of the patch his full-time
occupation, believes there is about 100 million tonnes of plastic circulating
in the northern Pacific – or about 2.5 per cent of all plastic items made since
1950.
Although many media and advocacy reports have suggested the patch
extends over an area greater than the continental US, recent research
sponsored by the National Science Foundation suggests the affected area
may be much smaller. This can be attributed to the fact that there is no
specific standard for determining the boundary between the “normal” and
“elevated” levels of pollutants and what constitutes being part of the patch. It
is generally accepted, however, that the high concentration of plastic is
approximately the size of Texas in the USA, and is growing every year.
The main problem is that generally, flotsam such as wood and paper in the
ocean would biodegraded. But modern plastics do not break down like other
oceanic debris, meaning objects half a century old have been found. Instead,
the plastic slowly photodegrades, becoming brittle and disintegrating, and
then entering the food chain. To make the situation worse, the small plastic
particles acted like a sponge to trap many dangerous man-made chemicals
that found their way into the ocean, like hydrocarbons and DDT, which is
then ingested by marine life which in turn is fished and ends up on sale for
human consumption.
Larger pieces of plastic are also a threat to birds, which mistake them for
food. Syringes, cigarette lighters and tooth brushes from the patch have all
been found inside sea bird carcasses. In addition, the larger piece of plastic
allows organisms and marine life to travel distances far greater than their
natural habitat would allow, meaning that delicate ecosystems are at risk.
As plastic breaks down it becomes heavier than the water, so there is not
only plastic floating on the surface, it is also in the column of water below
and sinking to the sea bed, again causing significant damage to the marine
life below.
Despite the environmental impact, there is still precious little being done to
curb the problem.

Are the following statements TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN according to

the text?
1. The great Pacific garbage patch was located intentionally.
2. The garbage patch is a singular, solid mass.
3. There are disagreements over the exact size of the patch.
4. The size of the patch is growing at an increasing rate per year.
5. Modern plastic biodegrades and does not affect marine life.
6. The plastic is not safe even when it sinks.
Ex9:
Every school 'needs dog as stress-buster' Every school should have a dog
or another pet to reduce stress in the classroom, says Sir Anthony Seldon.
The University of Buckingham vice-chancellor says it is "a powerfully
cost-effective way of helping children feel more secure at schools". Sir
Anthony was speaking at a conference about the need to improve young
people's sense of wellbeing. The University of Buckingham's Ultimate
Wellbeing in Education Conference examined how to respond to the
stresses and anxieties facing young people. Education Secretary Damian
Hinds told the conference that the relentless presence of social media
made growing up "more pressurised". He said this could be all-pervasive
for teenagers, making them compare their own experiences with the
“perfect lives” on social media. It could also normalise exposure to
harmful material on subjects like self-harm or eating disorders”. He also
reported that more schools seem to have “wellbeing dogs” and that he
believed having pets in schools can really help. Sir Anthony has been a
longstanding advocate of the need for schools to pay much more
attention to mental health. He told the conference that it was no longer
possible for schools to focus solely on academic achievement without
thinking about the emotional wellbeing of pupils. His campaigns have
helped to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health problems
in schools and on university campuses - and he has argued for more
recognition of the risks from drug use. The education secretary called for
more attention to be paid to ways of building up children's wellbeing,
such as teaching emotional resilience and a sense of ‘character’. But Sir
Anthony suggested another more low-tech approach to reducing anxiety -
the soothing presence of animals such as dogs. "The quickest and biggest
hit that we can make to improve mental health in our schools and to make
them feel safe for children, is to have at least one dog in every single
school in the country," said Sir Anthony. "Because children can relate to
animals when they are hurt and anxious and sad in a way that they can't
always with human beings. It will be a powerfully cost-effective way of
helping children feel more secure at schools”, he added. The education
secretary said that his visits to schools had certainly shown him how
common “wellbeing dogs” were becoming. "This is one of those things
that wasn't around when I was at school," said Mr Hinds. "I hadn't really
realised the incidence of it until I was education secretary”. He said that
he’d been surprised at the idea at first but saw for himself that many
children found the experience really uplifting, particularly those that have
different ways of expressing themselves and coming out of themselves.
 He did, however, stated that although the dogs can really help, there were
no plans for a "central dog policy".
1) Raising levels of literacy was the main theme of the conference.
2) Online platforms such as Facebook and Twitter can have a negative effect on
young people’s
lives.
3) There is evidence that the presence of pets in schools helps kids with mental
health issues.
4) The government minister may introduce a national scheme promoting wellbeing
dogs in
Schools
Notes on how I answered the questions
1) Having read the instructions and tried to understand the meaning of the statements, I now
focus in on the first statement.
1. Raising levels of literacy was the main theme of the conference.
The keyword I select to scan for is conference. I’m fairly sure I’ll find this or a synonym
because it has an article word in front of it (the) which makes it the subject of the sentence.
I will then need to search the text to see if ‘raising levels of literacy’ really was the main theme
of this conference.
I scan the first main paragraph and find ‘conference’ twice. I read both sentences that contain it
in detail.
Sir Anthony was speaking at a conference about the need to improve young people's sense of
wellbeing. The University of Buckingham's Ultimate Wellbeing in
Education Conference examined how to respond to the stresses and anxieties facing young
people.
It is very clear that the conference was about the wellbeing of the pupils, not their level of
literacy. The answer is therefore FALSE.

2) Next, I read the second statement and decide to scan for words connected to the internet as
this is what the statement is about.
2. Online platforms such as Facebook and Twitter can have a negative effect on young people’s
lives.
I continue scanning from the location of the last answer. Remember, the information will come in
order in the text.
I quickly spot the words ‘social media’ which appear twice. I read the two sentences in detail to
look for any matching words or phrases. I also see the word ‘teenagers’ which is a synonym of
‘young people’. This is another clue that there is a match of information.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds told the conference that the relentless presence of social
media made growing up "more pressurised". He said this could be all-pervasive for teenagers,
making them compare their own experiences with the “perfect lives” on social media.
However, I now need to decide if the specific information in the text matches that of the
statement.
The wording is very different but the text definitely states that social media, of which Facebook
and Twitter are a major part, can have a negative effect on young people’s lives.
So, the statement is TRUE.

3) Moving on to statement 3, I re-read it to ensure I understand the meaning and then choose my
keywords, in this case, ‘pets’ and ‘mental health’. I then scan for these.
3. There is evidence that the presence of pets in schools helps kids with mental health issues.
I easily find ‘mental health’ but there is no mention of 'pets' in this part of the text. I do, however,
spot the words ‘animals’ and ‘dog’ which might have been used to paraphrase ‘pets’.
I read in detail to get the meaning of the text.
But Sir Anthony suggested another more low-tech approach to reducing anxiety - the soothing
presence of animals such as dogs. "The quickest and biggest hit that we can make to
improve mental health in our schools and to make them feel safe for children, is to have at least
one dog in every single school in the country," said Sir Anthony. "Because children can relate
to animals when they are hurt and anxious and sad in a way that they can't always with human
beings. It will be a powerfully cost-effective way of helping children feel more secure at
schools”, he added.
It seems to match the information in the sentence but there is another very important keyword in
the statement that I need to consider – ‘evidence’. This means proof of the idea being suggested.
While the ideas match, there is no direct evidence stated so I mark the answer NOT GIVEN.
You can see why NG answers can be challenging.
4) Moving on to the last statement, I select ‘government minister’ and ‘national scheme’ as my
keywords and continue scanning the rest of the text for them. In this case, this means the final
paragraph.
4. The government minister may introduce a national scheme promoting wellbeing dogs in
schools.
I don’t find either of these phrases in the text so need to think about possible synonyms. Even if I
know little about politics, I can guess that the ‘education secretary’ is a ‘government minister’.
So that’s a start.
The education secretary said that his visits to schools had certainly shown him how common
‘wellbeing dogs’ were becoming. "This is one of those things that wasn't around when I was at
school," said Mr Hinds. "I hadn't really realised the incidence of it until I was education
secretary”. He said that he’d been surprised at the idea at first but saw for himself that many
children found the experience really uplifting, particularly those that have different ways of
expressing themselves and coming out of themselves. He did, however, stated that although the
dogs can really help, there were no plans for a "central dog policy".
I scan again looking out for any other words related to government and politics and in the final
sentence I also spot the word ‘policy’.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand what this word means. All that matters is that you can
work out from the context of the sentence that this word is probably relevant and indicates where
the answer is located.
I make an educated guess that a ‘central dog policy’ is a match for a ‘national scheme promoting
wellbeing dogs in schools’, and re-read the sentence to find my answer.
The sentence states that there are ‘no plans for a central dog policy’, so the answer is FALSE.

Ex9:
The Bristol international balloon fiesta
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is held annually in England. Teams from
the UK and other parts of the world bring their hot air balloons to the site and
participate in mass ascents where as many as 100 balloons may launch at a time.
The event was first held in 1979 and is now one of the largest in Europe. It is
common to have crowds of over 100,000 on each of the four days of the festival. It
takes place in a large country estate Ashton Court. Mass launches are made twice a
day, at 6am and 6pm, subject to weather conditions.
One popular attraction is the night glow, when balloons are inflated and glow to
music after dark. These are held on the opening Thursday night at approximately
9:30pm, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. There is another night glow
at the same time followed by the fireworks on the Saturday night. Some people see
these as the highlight of the fiesta.
The balloon makers Cameron Balloons are near to the fiesta site, in Bedminster,
and make many of the special shaped balloons, which have included Rupert the
Bear, The Scottish Piper, Bertie Bassett, the Tesco Trolley, Stuart the Minion, and
the BBC One Balloon. Many interestingly shaped balloons have also attended the
fiesta from abroad, over the years a UFO and a beaver have travelled from the
USA, a kiwi bird from New Zealand, and an upside down balloon from the
Netherlands.
In the past, the fiesta used to be held in the second week of September, but due to
cancellations of flights and the muddy ground because of bad weather, it has been
moved in the start of August. This has had a great effect as more flights manage to
fly; cancellations are now normally due to high winds.
In 2003, the weight of crowds returning from the Balloon Fiesta and Ashton Court
festival put such a great strain on the Clifton Suspension Bridge that it was decided
to close the bridge to all traffic, including pedestrians, during these events from
2004 onwards.

In recent years, the event has diversified to include small scale air displays,
attracting the likes of The Blades, Typhoon display team and the Red Arrows.
On 10 August 2013 the festival broke a balloon fiesta record after 74 balloons
landed in one field near the former Somerdale Factory in Keynsham. The record
was then broken a year later, when 90 balloons again landed in the former
Cadbury’s chocolate factory on 9 August.
1. The largest mass balloon ascent ever occurred at the Bristol International
Balloon Fiesta.
2. If the meteorological situation is acceptable, then more than one mass launch of
balloons can occur per day.
3. A night glow event takes place on each evening of the festival.
4. One company is responsible for all of the balloons at the festival.
5. The festival benefits from being moved to an earlier time in the year.
6. The decision to close the Clifton suspension bridge in 2003 was made by the
local traffic police.
7. Different kinds of events have been introduced at the festival in the recent years.
8. Since 2013 the festival has broken records every year.
Ex10:
The Benefits of Regular Exercise
Exercise is widely recognized as a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle,
offering a myriad of benefits for both physical and mental well-being.
Incorporating regular exercise into one's routine can lead to numerous positive
outcomes. In this article, we will explore some of the key advantages of engaging
in regular physical activity.
Improved Cardiovascular Health: Engaging in regular exercise is known to
enhance cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart and improving blood
circulation. This can significantly reduce the risk of heart diseases and related
issues.
Weight Management: Regular physical activity plays a vital role in weight
management. It helps burn calories, build muscle, and maintain a healthy body
weight, reducing the risk of obesity and its associated health problems.
Enhanced Mental Health: Exercise has a positive impact on mental health,
contributing to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. Physical activity stimulates
the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters.
Increased Energy Levels: Contrary to common belief, regular exercise boosts
energy levels. Engaging in physical activity helps improve overall endurance and
stamina, making daily tasks more manageable.
Better Sleep Quality: Those who engage in regular exercise often experience
improved sleep quality. Physical activity helps regulate sleep patterns and
promotes a more restful night's sleep.
Stronger Immune System: Regular exercise can contribute to a stronger immune
system, making the body more resilient to illnesses and infections. It enhances the
production of white blood cells, which play a crucial role in immune defense.
Enhanced Cognitive Function:
Exercise has been linked to improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of
cognitive decline. It promotes better concentration, memory, and overall brain
health.
Social Benefits: Participating in group exercises or team sports provides social
benefits, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie. This can positively
impact one's mental and emotional well-being.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: Regular physical activity is associated with a
lower risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and
osteoporosis. It contributes to overall health and longevity.
Improved Self-Esteem: Engaging in regular exercise often leads to improved self-
esteem and body image. Achieving fitness goals and maintaining an active lifestyle
can boost confidence and create a positive self-perception.
Regular exercise can have a positive impact on cardiovascular health.
Exercise plays a minimal role in weight management.
Physical activity has no effect on mental health.
Regular exercise is associated with increased energy levels.
Engaging in physical activity can negatively impact sleep quality.
Exercise has no influence on the immune system.
Cognitive function is not affected by regular exercise.
Group exercises and team sports have no social benefits.
Regular physical activity is linked to a higher risk of chronic diseases.
Improved self-esteem is one of the outcomes of regular exercise.
Ex10:
The Importance of Reading for Personal Development
In today's fast-paced world, where information is readily available at our fingertips,
the habit of reading holds significant importance for personal development.
Whether it's fiction or non-fiction, reading not only enhances our knowledge but
also nurtures critical thinking skills and empathy. In this article, we'll explore why
cultivating a reading habit is essential for one's growth and well-being.
Reading opens doors to diverse perspectives and cultures. Through books, readers
can explore different worlds, gain insights into various lifestyles, and develop a
broader understanding of humanity. This exposure fosters empathy by allowing
readers to see the world through the eyes of characters with different backgrounds
and experiences.
Moreover, reading is a powerful tool for expanding vocabulary and improving
language skills. Exposure to well-crafted sentences and varied writing styles
enhances communication skills, both written and verbal. Additionally, reading
promotes mental stimulation, keeping the brain active and engaged. Scientific
studies have shown that mentally stimulating activities, such as reading, may help
prevent cognitive decline as we age.
One of the unique aspects of reading is its ability to provide a sense of escapism.
Fictional stories transport readers to imaginary realms, offering a break from the
stresses of everyday life. This escape not only relaxes the mind but also helps in
reducing stress levels.
Furthermore, reading fosters a continuous learning mindset. With an abundance of
information available in books, readers have the opportunity to acquire new skills
and stay informed about a wide range of topics. This continual learning contributes
to personal and professional development.
In conclusion, the habit of reading is a valuable investment in personal growth. It
offers not only knowledge but also enhances empathy, language skills, mental
stimulation, and provides a means of escape. Cultivating a reading habit is a simple
yet powerful way to contribute to one's overall well-being and development.
Reading helps in developing critical thinking skills.
Exposure to different perspectives through reading can enhance empathy.
Reading does not contribute to improving language skills.
Fictional stories have no impact on reducing stress levels.
Mentally stimulating activities, including reading, may help prevent cognitive
decline.
Reading is not considered a valuable tool for continuous learning.
The article suggests that reading only benefits personal development and not
professional development.
The primary focus of the article is on non-fictional reading.
The article argues that reading is a complex and time-consuming activity
Escapism through reading is mentioned as a way to relax the mind.

Ex11:
The Impact of Technology on Modern Education
In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, technology plays a pivotal role in
shaping the way students learn and educators teach. This transformation has been
evident in various aspects of the educational system, from traditional classrooms to
online platforms. Let's explore the profound impact that technology has had on
modern education.
In recent years, technology has become an integral part of the educational
experience. Traditional classrooms have witnessed a significant shift towards
digital tools and online resources. Smartboards, tablets, and laptops are now
commonplace in many educational institutions, enhancing the learning
environment.
One of the key advantages of technology in education is its ability to provide
access to a vast amount of information. The internet has opened up a world of
knowledge, allowing students to explore diverse subjects and perspectives. Online
research, interactive simulations, and multimedia content have enriched the
learning process, making education more engaging and dynamic.
Furthermore, technology has facilitated the rise of distance learning and online
courses. Students can now pursue education from anywhere in the world, breaking
down geographical barriers. This flexibility has particularly benefited adult
learners, working professionals, and those who face challenges attending
traditional classes.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential drawbacks of technology
in education. Critics argue that excessive screen time may lead to diminished face-
to-face interactions and hinder the development of essential social skills.
Additionally, the digital divide poses a challenge, with some students lacking
access to necessary devices or reliable internet connections.
Despite these challenges, there is no denying the transformative impact of
technology on education. As the world continues to evolve, educators must adapt
to new tools and methodologies to prepare students for the demands of the 21st
century.
1. Technology has not significantly influenced the traditional classroom setting.
2. Digital tools like smartboards and laptops are rarely used in educational
institutions.
3. The internet has limited the availability of information for students.
Online courses and distance learning have become less popular in recent
years.
4. Flexibility in education, thanks to technology, is especially beneficial for
young students.
 5. Concerns about technology in education include the potential negative
impact on social skills.
6. Critics argue that the digital divide is not a significant challenge in
education.
7. The article suggests that technology has no drawbacks in the field of
education.
8. Some students face challenges in accessing technology due to a lack of
devices or internet connectivity.
9. The article concludes that educators need to adapt to new tools and
methodologies in the ever-changing world.
Ex12:
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the IT Industry
In recent years, the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has
significantly transformed the landscape of the Information Technology (IT)
industry. As AI technologies continue to evolve, their impact on various aspects of
IT is becoming more profound. From automation to enhanced decision-making
processes, the integration of AI has brought both challenges and opportunities to
the IT sector.
Artificial Intelligence, often referred to as machine intelligence, involves the
development of algorithms and models that enable machines to perform tasks that
traditionally required human intelligence. In the IT industry, AI is applied across a
spectrum of functions, ranging from data analysis and software development to
cybersecurity and customer service.
One of the notable impacts of AI in IT is the automation of repetitive tasks. AI-
powered systems can efficiently handle routine operations, freeing up human
resources to focus on more complex and creative aspects of their work. This has
led to increased efficiency and productivity within IT organizations.
Furthermore, AI plays a crucial role in data analytics. The ability of AI algorithms
to process vast amounts of data and derive meaningful insights has revolutionized
how IT professionals approach decision-making. The predictive analytics
capabilities of AI contribute to more informed and strategic business decisions.
However, the integration of AI in IT also presents challenges, such as concerns
about job displacement due to automation. As machines take over routine tasks,
there is a need for upskilling the workforce to ensure they can adapt to the
changing demands of the industry. Additionally, ethical considerations regarding
the use of AI and its potential biases are important aspects that IT professionals
must address.
1. AI has had a minimal impact on the IT industry.
2. Automation is one of the key impacts of AI in IT, leading to increased
efficiency.
3. AI is solely applied in data analytics within the IT sector.
4. The integration of AI in IT has not raised concerns about job displacement.
5. The primary role of AI in IT is to create a more creative workforce.
6. Predictive analytics is not a capability of AI in the IT industry.
7. The article suggests that the workforce in the IT industry does not need
upskilling due to AI.
8. Ethical considerations related to AI, such as biases, are not mentioned as
challenges in the article.
9. Traditional decision-making processes in IT have remained unchanged with
the advent of AI.
10.The article implies that the impact of AI in IT is exclusively positive.