| Saying something in another way | What I'm trying to say is... In other words... To put it another way... What I mean is... Perhaps I should make that clearer by saying... |
| Agreeing with an opinion | Yes, I agree... That's my view exactly. I would tend to agree with that. I couldn't agree more. |
| Disagreeing with an opinion | No, I disagree. I'm afraid I disagree. I see things rather differently myself. I wouldn't say that is necessarily true. I tend to disagree. I'm not so sure about that. |
| Partially agreeing with an opinion | I don't entirely agree. It is true that......however... That is partly true, but... I agree with that to an extent. However... |
| Getting asked an opinion (by the examiner) | What do you think? What's your view / opinion? What are your views on...? How do you feel about...? |
| Saying your opinion could vary according to the situation | That depends... I think it really depends... That depends on how you look at it. |
| Asking for clarification (part 3 only) | Could you please explain what ...(word)... means? Sorry, I don't understand the question. Could you explain? Sorry, I'm afraid I didn't understand the question. Sorry, can I just clarify what you mean. Are you asking me ...(say what you believe you have been asked)... |
| Asking for repetition | Sorry, would you mind repeating the question? Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat the question? |
| Summing up | So all in all... To sum up... To conclude... |
Some people think that children should not be allowed to watch anything they like on television because some programmes can negatively affect their behaviour. What do you think?
Describe an important event in your life.
You should say:
- When it happened
- Who you were with
- What happened
And explain why you feel it was important.
Describe an important event in your life.
Questions 21 - 22
Choose the correct letter A, B or C.
21 What is the problem that the students are having with the project?
A The readings are too difficult
B The readings are not interesting
C The project is taking too long
22 When can extensions be granted?
A Problems with planning
B Illness or accidents
C Scheduling issues
Questions 23-27
What main problem do the students suggest each company has. Match the company to the problem. The first has been done for you.
Choose your answers from the box and write the letters A–G next to questions 23–27.
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23. Princeton Windows
24. MK Cars
25. Lakeside Golf
26. Bryson's Meats
27. Mojo's Music Shop
Questions 28-30
Which opinion does each person express about Mojo's Music?
Choose your answers from the box and write the letters A-F next to questions 28-30.
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28. Sarah
29. John
30. Neil
El Nino
The weather phenomenon called El Nino was first recorded in the 1500s when fishermen in South America noticed that near Christmas some years the water was noticeably warmer than others. They named this El Nino, or the infant, as it happened near the celebration of the birth of Christ.
Only in recent years has there been any serious investigations into the causes and results of El Nino. The 1997 – 1998 El Nino was the first to be studied extensively. Scientists from France, Japan, Korea and Taiwan combined the various readings they had from satellite and surface measurements of wind speeds and water temperatures to make the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean Array. This combined information allowed them to see the overall patterns of an El Nino and helped them predict when one was starting.
Weather pattern rely heavily on the operation of the “planetary heat engine”. Essentially, this means that because the sun is closest to the equator the seawater in that region is the warmest. The warm water evaporates and forms clouds, which move toward the poles powered by their heat. These atmospheric loops, which move heat from the tropics to the poles, are called “connective cells”. Without this process the equatorial regions would be hotter than they are and the north and south would be much colder.
The wind in the central Pacific tends to blow from the east. This pushes water from South America towards Australia and Indonesia. As a result, sea levels have been found to be up to 60 centimetres higher in the west. The water that is pushed westward from the South American coast is replaced by colder water, which has a high nutrient level that consequently attracts fish. This makes the waters off Peru and Ecuador good fishing grounds.
An El Nino happens when the winds weaken and sea levels drop. The warmer water moves east and less water evaporates to form clouds. The results of this are twofold. The warmer water in the east reduces the number of fish and the lack of rain causes droughts. This can cause problems such as the forest fires that have plagued Indonesia and Australia in recent years. Additionally, El Nino is thought to be one of the causes of hurricanes that have devastated Central and North West America.
As the population has increased the effects of changing weather have had a greater impact. People are living in places, often in areas more likely to be affected by adverse weather, than they ever did before and in increased densities. This means that natural disasters affect more people. Natural resources are being used closer to their limits, so small changes in their availability can cause disruption. For example, in the past, South American fishermen could make a profit even during an EL Nino, but modern industrial fishing needs larger fish stocks to be profitable.
Knowing when an El Nino is developing allows people to make plans to lessen its negative effects. The system of buoys and satellites monitoring the Pacific allows scientists to predict the start of the 12 to 18 month El Nino cycle. As a result people can prepare. For example, in North East Brazil during the 1987 El Nino, farmers only got 15% of their normal grain harvest, but in 1992, when the government advised them to plant fast maturing plants, they got 82%.
The question of whether El Nino has been strengthened by global warming is unanswered. The National Centre for Atmospheric research believes that El Nino could be responsible for the increased temperatures in North America by changing the jet stream. Global warming may not be the direct cause. However, global warming may cause the local warming changes that cause El Nino and change atmospheric circulation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests that global warming may increase El Nino effects by increasing temperatures and increasing water evaporation over land leading to floods.
El Nino is only one factor in the complex inter-relations that cause weather patterns, but it appears to be a major factor. By monitoring the phenomenon, we can limit its effects and avoid disasters and droughts.
687 words
Reading Passage Questions
Questions 1 – 2
Complete each of the following statements with words or phrases taken from the text.
Use NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS.
- The first extensive study of the El Nino phenomenon took place from _______________.
- The system used to track variations in weather conditions is called _______________.
Questions 3 – 6
Label the diagram showing the “Planetary Heat engine.”
USE NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
Questions 7 – 9
Which THREE of the following are effects of El Nino?
A There are more clouds.
B The level of the sea goes down.
C There is a lack of rain.
D Fewer fish for fishermen to catch.
E There are plagues in Australia and Indonesia.
F There are more strong storms.
Questions 10 – 12
Choose the appropriate answer to each question.
10. Why is El Nino more noticeable now than in previous times?
A There are small changes in natural resources.
B Industrial fishing.
C People are now living in more dangerous areas than those of the past.
D South American fishermen cannot make a profit during an El Nino.
11. What is the benefit of monitoring the weather in the Pacific?
A Scientists can prevent El Ninos.
B The length of an El Nino is reduced by six months.
C Farmers will harvest more grain.
D Provisions can be taken in advance against the El Nino.
12. In what way is there a definite link between El Nino and global warming?
B By inducing local warming changes.
C Increasing rain and causing floods.
D None of the above.
Identify the Topic - Practice
Animal research
Animals
The benefits of computers
Computers in businesses, hospitals, crime detection, and flying.
Information technology and work
Information technology
Animal cruelty
Blood sports
Satisfying human needs
Animals and humans
The Earth
Deforestation
Studying abroad
Studying
Natural environments
Alternatives to zoos
Youth crime
Criminal activity
Increases in crime
'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
Computer technology
- To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable?
Scientific research
- 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?
Computer dependency
- In what ways has information technology changed work and working practices in the past 10 years?
Working practices
- 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.
Blood sports and uncivilized activity
- 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.
Animal rights
- 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?
Death of the world
- 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?
Living in a different culture
- 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.
Keeping animals in zoos
- 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.
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