ielts_trainer_2_academic_six_practice_tests

v One academic who is campaigning for screens to
be redesigned
• y one: so, not two or three, etc.
• y academic: so, not someone working in industry
• y campaigning: so, someone who is trying to
change things
• y screens to be redesigned: so, a modification to
the design of screens
vi The way the eye gathers information and
transmits it to the brain
• y the way: so, how something happens
• y the eye gathers information: so, the process by
which the eye collects information
• y transmits it to the brain: so, the process by
which information goes from eye to brain
Useful strategy: identifying words with a similar
meaning
1 1 B Our company = Here at Household Electronics
spent large sums of money = invested heavily
cannot find any evidence = shows no connection
between
our products = the screens we manufacture
harmful to health = headaches, eye problems or
other such issues
A is wrong because Olivia Downey works at a
laboratory, not a company, and her research has
found some evidence that screens may cause
health problems.
2 A The results of the research = the findings
not reliable = invalid
sample = subjects
the study = the experiment
too small = so few
B is wrong because Professor Lannighan explains
why a small sample size was used, but does not
mention the results of the research.
3 A possible to change = be able to alter
public opinion = the views of ordinary people
but it will only happen = If
facts and statistics = data
widely available = broad range of different media
B is wrong because Mei Tan is talking about a past
event, not a future possibility.
4 B The research done so far = the studies to date
encouraging = some very positive results
too early = until more work has been completed
firm conclusions = know for sure
66
A is wrong because Marie Dubois talks about a
‘variety of results’, not ‘encouraging’ results, and
she speculates that future research may require
an ‘alternative approach’.
Useful strategy: identifying what type of information
is missing
1 2 • on the screen itself: so, not in the room around
the screen
• y colour combination: so, this is a colour or shade
• y a strong contrast: so, this must be contrasting
with white
3 • regular breaks: so, this must be something you
do on a break
• y stretch: so, this must be a body part you can
stretch
• y reduce fatigue: so, this activity must help
reduce tiredness
4 • having: so, this is something you have or own
• y properly designed: so, this is something that
can be designed well or badly
• y posture: so, this must relate to how you stand
or sit
5 • glasses or contact lenses: so, this must relate to
these items
• y correct: so, this must be something that can be
incorrect
• y optometrist: so, this must relate to the work of
an optometrist
2 1 light (‘black’ might be tempting but it would not
distract the eye)
2 black (‘yellow’ might be tempting but it would not
provide a contrast)
3 shoulders (‘head’ might be tempting but you
cannot stretch it)
4 workstation (‘glasses’ might be tempting but
doesn’t fit the grammar)
5 prescription (‘examination’ might be tempting but
doesn’t fit the grammar)
Exam Practice
Questions 14–19
14 Paragraph A iv
• y The headings refer to a ‘number of criticisms’.
Three criticisms are identified in paragraph A:
Dr Fischer’s; the fact that no-one could agree
on a definition; and the ethics of filming
without consent. These criticisms apply to all
documentaries in the 20 th century.