Reading Passage 1 has six paragraphs A-F.
Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B, C, E and F from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number i-viii in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet.
List of Headings | |
i | Historical acceptance of change |
ii | The Generation Gap |
iii | Influences on speech |
iv | Ancient writing in Asia |
v | Cultural evolution and its impact on language |
vi | Slang expected in the future |
vii | Questioning logic |
viii | Lifespan of vocabulary |
Example: Paragraph A; Answer: v
1 Paragraph B
2 Paragraph C
Example: Paragraph D; Answer: i
3 Paragraph E
4 Paragraph F
Keywords in Questions | Similar words in Passage |
Paragraph B | Given the variation of dialects or regional accents present in most language systems, it is clear that an individual’s interpretation of what is actually correct and commonly used will vary quite dramatically, since this perception is based upon a combination of factors including the age, educational level and region of the country a person is from |
+ To find our suitable heading of this passage, we should skim the content and identify the main subject. + We can find the main idea of this passage from the sentence “Given the variation of dialects …… a person is from”. We can understand this sentence as following: under different expressions of language (variation of dialects or regional accents), an individual’s understanding about speech (what is actually correct and commonly used) will be different. + Moreover, we can take a look to following sentences and find that main issue mentioned in this this passage is that the language changes in various background/expression (or how language is influenced). So we choose answer iii – Influences on speech as answer of this question |
Keywords in Questions | Similar words in Passage |
Paragraph C | Changes in language are often driven by the young and many such changes are commonly considered by older people to be a disintegration of standards rather than an evolution and an improvement |
+ After skimming paragraph C, we can see that the sentence “Changes in language are often [...] rather than an evolution and an improvement” contains the main idea of this passage (as other sentences are almost examples of this idea). + This sentence indicates about how young and older people react with changes in language. While the young aim at changes in language, the older people seems to have negative assess about this issue. So from above information, we can reason out that there is a gap in thinking of young and old people. This helps us identify ii. The Generation Gap is the suitable heading for this passage |
Keywords in Questions | Similar words in Passage |
Paragraph E | + ‘The examiner asked me to quietly leave the room’; this was considered incorrect as the word ‘quietly’ splits the infinitive of the verb ‘to leave’ + Given that initial motivations behind the rule were questionable and the clarity of meaning of the sentence is not compromised in the ‘incorrect’ form, it could be argued that this grammar rule is a prime example of an unnecessary sanction which is likely to be abandoned in the future. |
+ This passage mainly mentions about logicality of some people’s opinion on traditional and modern usage of language. + From the text, we can see that there is an example of usage that is not acceptable in traditional usage (this was considered incorrect). Following this example is information about the reason why it was not accepted. However, the last sentence indicates that the origin of this reason (initial motivations behind the rule) is questionable and is likely to be abandoned in the future. From above analysis, we can confirm that answer vii. Questioning logic is suitable heading of this paragraph |
Keywords in Questions | Similar words in Passage |
Paragraph F | + the meanings of words are often modified or altered beyond recognition by different generations and can be easily misinterpreted by other social groups + Who knows what future generations will add to the ever changing environment of communication? |
+ The key sentences of this paragraph are “the meanings of [...] by other social groups” and “Who knows what….environment of communication?” + These sentences mention that vocabulary are modified or altered beyond recognition by different generations and can be easily misinterpreted by other social groups, (1st sentence) and also wonder about future development of language. This helps us think about how vocabulary are developed until now and in the future, or lifespan of vocabulary. So we choose answer viii. Lifespan of vocabulary for this question. |
Do the following statements reflect the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 1? Write:
YES | if the statement agrees with the views of the writer |
NO | if the statement contradicts the views of the writer |
NOT GIVEN | if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this |
Write the correct answer YES, NO or NOT GIVEN in boxes 5-10 on your answer sheet.
5 If language were static, it would negatively affect our ability to incorporate other cultures into our own way of life.
6 The language we grow up knowing and that we adopt through new experiences have equal effects on the way we speak.
7 English used in Britain has changed more than American English over recent years.
8 Some older variations of language are more expressive than more modern forms.
9 All modern adaptations of language are suitable for mainstream use.
10 All word usage has changed over time due to misunderstandings of meaning.
Keywords in Questions | Similar words in Passage |
If language were static, it would negatively affect our ability to incorporate other cultures into our own way of life | + Language everywhere changes over time; it has to. A central reason that necessitates modification is to allow for developments in our world to be expressed + Likewise the western world’s exposure to and familiarity with foreign cultures now means that words such as sushi, nam bread and kebab, for example, are used by diners on a regular basis. |
+ This Q5 indicates that if language is not changed (language were static), our connection ability with the world (our ability to incorporate other cultures) will be negatively affected. So we can understand that Language need changes + We can find answer from the 1st and 2nd sentence of paragraph A. In theses sentences, it is stated that language has to changes over time, and the reason is because this change help the developments in our world to be expressed. So main idea of this sentence is also Language need changes + Moreover, we can see from the last sentence of this paragraph, this is an example for how changing in language help western world’s incorporate other cultures. From above analyses, we can conclude that the statement reflects the claims of the writer. Hence, the correct answer is YES. |
Complete the summary of paragraphs E and F with the list of words A-H below.
Write the correct letter A-H in boxes 11-13 on your answer sheet.
Some grammar rules such as avoiding 11 are deeply entrenched in history and were created by academics who wished to perfect the English language.
It is likely, however, since they do not impact on the 12 of the sentence that such rules are likely to be 13 in the future. In the same way, many contemporary words in common usage today are likely to become defunct.
A | Slang |
B | Split infinitives |
C | Grammatically incorrect |
D | Meaning |
E | Recognition |
F | Disregarded |
G | Misinterpreted |
H | Confusion |
Keywords in Questions | Similar words in Passage |
Q11: Some grammar rules such as avoiding _______ are deeply entrenched in history and were created by academics who wished to perfect the English language | it was once seriously frowned upon to split an infinitive in a sentence and even today it is considered grammatically incorrect to do so |
+ We can see the phrase seriously frowned upon in the text and the clause “Some grammar rules such as avoiding _______ are deeply entrenched” of the question have same meaning about some rules that is difficult to be changed and accepted. + In the text, the rules mentioned is split an infinitive so we should fill answer B. Split infinitive into this space. |
Keywords in Questions | Similar words in Passage |
Q12: It is likely, however, since they do not impact on the ________ of the sentence | the clarity of meaning of the sentence is not compromised in the ‘incorrect’ form |
+ The answer should be a Noun. + In the text, it is stated that “meaning of the sentence is not compromised in the ‘incorrect’ form”. This also means ‘incorrect’ forms of rule do not impact the meaning of the sentence. So we can conclude that D. Meaning is the missing word of this question |
Keywords in Questions | Similar words in Passage |
Q13: such rules are likely to be ______ in the future | This grammar rule is a prime example of an unnecessary sanction which is likely to be abandoned in the future. |
+ We found the answer from the last sentence of paragraph E. In this sentence, it is said that this grammar rule is unnecessary sanction and is likely to be abandoned in the future. So abandoned is the missing word for this question. From the list of words in question, only answer F. Disregarded has same meaning as abandoned so we choose F for Q13. |
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on Reading Passage 1 below.
A. Language everywhere changes over time; it has to. A central reason that necessitates modification is to allow for developments in our world to be expressed. For example, the technological revolution alone has been responsible for the addition of a plethora of words to our vocabulary: hard drive, software, modem to name just a few. The Japanese writing script katakana, which was originally introduced in the 9th century as a means by which Buddhist monks could correctly interpret Chinese pronunciations, is now most commonly used to embrace foreign words for which there is no original Japanese character; pizza or hamburger for example. Likewise the western world’s exposure to and familiarity with foreign cultures now means that words such as sushi, nam bread and kebab, for example, are used by diners on a regular basis.
B. However, expansion of our vocabulary is just one element involved in how and why language evolves. Given the variation of dialects or regional accents present in most language systems, it is clear that an individual’s interpretation of what is actually correct and commonly used will vary quite dramatically, since this perception is based upon a combination of factors including the age, educational level and region of the country a person is from. As we go about our daily lives and interact with others from different backgrounds and experiences, the language we hear is often taken on board and incorporated into the way in which we communicate ourselves. Many phrases with American origins are now commonplace in British English for example, due to the frequency with which they are heard on television and in the movies.
C. Changes in language are often driven by the young and many such changes are commonly considered by older people to be a disintegration of standards rather than an evolution and an improvement. Let’s consider an Americanism commonly used by youngsters in all pans of the English speaking world. Used as an alternative to “Tom said…” it is now commonplace to hear “Tom goes, the pay rise was unacceptable.” or, “Tom was all, the pay rise was unacceptable.”; much to the horror of many traditionalists. However, this modification could also be considered to be adding to and not detracting from our ability to communicate effectively. To illustrate, let’s consider the original phrase “Tom said”; it is used solely to show’ the listener that we are reporting the words of Tom, while the modern variation, “Tom goes” has literally the same meaning. However, if the speaker chooses instead to use the latter phrase, “Tom was all”, they are also able to convey the message that Tom had an emotional reaction to the situation they are reporting, therefore a much more effective method of communicating information has been created, some may say. However, should the now’ commonly used texting abbreviations such as ‘gr8t’ (great) and ‘l8r’ (later) become permanent replacements of the original words, it is likely that even the most liberal amongst us would be horrified.
D. Variations on language are usually more readily accepted into informal language prior to them being absorbed for use in formal writing. Examples of words that we now commonly use, but were once considered incorrect, are ‘pea’ and ‘hopefully’. Let’s take pea; it derived from the word ‘pease’, which being an uncountable noun has the same form regardless of whether one or more pease were being spoken about. However, this was commonly overlooked and misunderstood, and through error the singular form of the vegetable became ‘pea’. More recently ‘hopefully’ was considered by many to be an inappropriate alternative to ‘I hope’; at best only accepted in informal use. The word hopefully is now’ fully acceptable in both informal speech and formal writing.
E. Some people believe that traditional usages of language are always more superior and refined than modern variations even when the reasons behind the rule were dubious in the first place. For example, it was once seriously frowned upon to split an infinitive in a sentence and even today it is considered grammatically incorrect to do so. To demonstrate, let’s consider the following sentence: ‘The examiner asked me to quietly leave the room’; this was considered incorrect as the word ‘quietly’ splits the infinitive of the verb ‘to leave’. The origins of this rule hail back to the 17th century when scholars believed that the English language should be adapted to follow the rules of Latin; then considered the perfect language. Since splitting infinitives in Latin is impossible, it was decided that splitting infinitives in English, even though possible, was not acceptable, Given that initial motivations behind the rule were questionable and the clarity of meaning of the sentence is not compromised in the ‘incorrect’ form, it could be argued that this grammar rule is a prime example of an unnecessary sanction which is likely to be abandoned in the future.
F. As language evolves, changes in grammar structures which would result in confusion of the actual meaning of the sentences are unlikely; however, the meanings of words are often modified or altered beyond recognition by different generations and can be easily misinterpreted by other social groups. Take, for example, the modern version of the word ‘bad’ meaning ‘great’ when used in contemporary slang. Many slang words remain dated in the era in which they are developed, for example words like ‘to beef, meaning to complain (introduced in the 1920’s) are not only dated but may not even be understood in a modern context, while others such as ‘guy’ become absorbed into mainstream language. Who knows what future generations will add to the ever changing environment of communication?
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Great thanks to volunteer Pham Hoa who has contributed these explanations and markings.
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