18.01.2021

 https://www.englishpage.com/articles/articles_25.htm

      

Choose the correct letter A, B or C.

11. Each day, pandas need to eat:

A  Very little nutrition

B  12-38 kg of bamboo

C  330 pounds of bamboo

12. If pandas are cared for away from the wild, they can live for approximately:

A  6 months

B  14-20 years

C  30 years

 

Questions 13-14

Choose TWO letters A-E.

Select two things that are endangering pandas:

A  Public awareness

B  Ecotourism

C  Poaching

D  Other wildlife

E  Building of roads and railroads

 

Questions 15-16

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND / OR A NUMBER.

15. What proportion of the panda population in China is protected by reserves?

16. What did the WWF create which encouraged people to support pandas?

 

Questions 17 - 20

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

 

Reasons that pandas may not be worth saving:

They are extremely (17)  to look after

They have a diet that is not (18) 

They get sick easily and are hard to breed

Reasons that pandas should not be allowed to die out:

They are in danger because (19)  are damaging the forests

We should protect their homes because other animals live there

The number of pandas in the wild is (20)  so they will not become extinct

  

 

 

 

   

Indian Marriages

Marriage is one of the oldest human institutions and this is as true in Indian culture as anywhere else. In India marriage, called “Kanyadana" or “donating a virgin”, is thought of as the greatest sacrifice that a father can make and for the groom as an obligation to perpetuate his bloodline. Many people believe that a marriage is still binding after death.

In early times girls were thought to be ready for marriage after puberty and later even children could be married. Divorce and remarriage were not always possible. By Medieval times Marriage was compulsory for girls, who very often married between the ages of eight and nine. Among those able to afford it, polygamy was common and rulers would often have one wife from their own region and other minor wives from other areas. Now, divorce and remarriage is possible and non-Muslim Indian men can only have one wife.

Although are many regional variations, some features of the Indian wedding ceremony are similar throughout the country. In general weddings are very complicated events and involve long negotiations about dowry payments prior to the event. After this has been decided a day is chosen by asking an astrologer to find a lucky day. Preparations begin early because a marriage is not only one of the highlights a person’s life, but a large and complex social gathering to organize.

The night before, the bride, her friends and female relatives gather together for a party called a “mehendi”, where they paint each other’s hands and feet with Henna and dance and listen to music. Her guests often give the bride advice about married life and tease her about her future husband. Weddings are traditionally held at the bride’s home or in a temple, but parks, hotels and marriage halls are becoming increasingly popular. On the day a wedding altar or “mandapa” is built and covered in flowers. All of the wedding ceremony will be held in the altar.

The clothing a couple wear on their wedding day varies between regions and ethnic groups. Women most commonly wear a sari. The bride wears a lot of jewelry as this symbolizes the prosperity she will bring to her new family. In the South wearing flowers is common. The groom wears traditional costume or a suit. Turbans are also popular headgear.

The ceremony begins with a mixture of tumeric, sandlewood paste and oils being applied to the couples face and arms. In the past this was done to the whole body, but now it is only symbolic, with only a little being rubbed on. Then they are showered in flowers. After this they perform the rituals that will make them man and wife. First they garland each other and then take seven symbolic steps together representing seven gifts and seven promises.

Finally they say the vows and then they are legally married. The bride’s father or guardian takes her hands and puts them in her husband’s giving her to him. Now she is no longer a member of her father’s family, but a member of her husband’s. They then touch the feet of their elders for luck.

After the wedding ceremony, the couple go to the groom’s house. The bride should be careful to enter the house right foot first for luck. In the evening and late into the night the families and their guests celebrate with dancing, music and food.

568 words

IELTS Reading Passage - Questions:

Circle the correct answers A – D.

1.   In India weddings are …

A         a duty for the man to continue his family.
B         thought to end at death.
C         a duty for the father.
D         seen asa benefit for the father.

2.   Divorce and remarriage …

A         are only possible for non-Muslims.
B         were sometimes not possible in the past.
C         have always been possible.
D         have only become possible in modern times.

3.   Indian weddings …

A         are straightforward and brief.
B         are thought to be lucky
C         are intricate and time consuming.
D         involve only the immediate family.

 

Complete the statements below. Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

4. The evening prior to the wedding, the wife-to-be is given recommendations about ____________________.


5. The wedding ceremony is conducted in a special ____________________.


6. The gold and jewels the bride wears represent ____________________ .


7. These days, the materials applied to the face and arms at the start of the ceremony are just ____________________..


8. After the wedding, the bride has left ____________________ and belongs to her husband’s.


9. It is important that the new bride goes into the new house with her _____________________.

 

Identify the Topic - Practice

10. 'Telecommuting' refers to workers doing their jobs from home for part of each week and communicating with their office using computer technology. Telecommuting is growing in many countries and is expected to be common for most office workers in the coming decades. How do you think society will be affected by the growth of telecommuting? Working from home

    Telecommuting

11. Computer technology

    ---

12. To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable?
Animal research

Animals

13. Scientific research

    ---

14. We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in businesses, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will they be used for in the future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?
The benefits of computers

Computers in businesses, hospitals, crime detection, and flying.

15. Computer dependency

    ---

16. In what ways has information technology changed work and working practices in the past 10 years?
Information technology and work

Information technology

17. Working practices

    ---

18. Blood sports have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops it is increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed. All blood sports should be banned. Discuss the main arguments for this statement and give your own opinion.
Animal cruelty

Blood sports

19. Blood sports and uncivilized activity

    ---

20. A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and that they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans must employ animals to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and research. Discuss the arguments in favour of both these positions and state your own position on the issue.
Satisfying human needs

Animals and humans

21. Animal rights

    ---

22. Forests are the lungs of the earth. Destruction of the world's forests amounts to death of the world we currently know. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The Earth

Deforestation

23. Death of the world

    ---

24. The idea of going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many people. But while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay home because of the difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and studying in a different culture. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement?
Studying abroad

Studying

25. Living in a different culture

    ---

26. Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but not poor alternatives to a natural environment. Discuss some of the arguments for and/or against keeping animals in zoos.
Natural environments

Alternatives to zoos

27. Keeping animals in zoos

    ---

28. Many countries are currently witnessing an increase in criminal activity among young people. Discuss reasons for this phenomenon and suggest ways to deal with the problem.
Youth crime

Criminal activity

Increases in crime