05 OCTOBER
2024 IELTS EXAM REVIEW
WRITING TASK 2
Nowadays people use bicycles less as a form of transport. Why is this the case?
What can we do to encourage people to use bicycles more?
WRITING TASK 1
The charts below show the percentage of workers in three sectors across four
countries in 1980 and 2010.
READING
EASY TO MODERATE
LISTENING
EASY
11 CUE CARDS IN 1 JUMBO CUE CARD STORY
LIST OF CUE CARDS COVERED
- Describe a person you know who has chosen a career in the
medical field (Rahul as a neurologist)
- Describe a person who likes to read a lot (Rahul’s room
filled with books)
- Describe an occasion when you helped a family
member/relative (Helping Rahul after his accident)
- Describe a person who likes to make things by hand (Rahul
making wooden toys)
- Describe a time that you showed something new to others
(Rahul showing how to make toys)
- Describe a person who has strong opinions (Rahul's views
in conversations)
- Describe someone else’s room you enjoy spending time in
(Rahul’s room with books and music)
- Describe a person who thinks music is important (Rahul
enjoying music to relax)
- Describe a person who likes to buy goods with low prices
(Rahul buying a stethoscope on sale)
- Describe a picture/photograph of you that you like (School
event photo with Rahul)
- Describe a person who inspired you to do something
interesting (Rahul inspiring personal milestones)
JUMBO
SAMPLE ANSWER
Sample Answer:
There’s someone I know who’s had a significant impact on my
life—my childhood friend Rahul. He’s not only chosen a career in the medical
field as a neurologist, but he’s also a person who inspires everyone around him
with his passion and creativity. He’s the kind of person who is always full of
interesting ideas and strong opinions about things, which I find really
engaging.
One particular memory I have is when I helped Rahul after he
met with an accident during his final year of medical school. He was unable to
complete his assignments, so I stepped in to assist him. It was a stressful
time, but I was happy to help him with his research and writing, knowing how
much it meant for his career. He’s always been determined, and seeing him
graduate and become a doctor made me incredibly proud. In fact, this experience
encouraged me to pursue my own goals, as his encouragement was invaluable.
Aside from his dedication to medicine, Rahul has an artistic
side as well. He loves to make things by hand, especially wooden toys, which he
learned from his father, who is a skilled carpenter. I remember visiting his
workshop once, and he showed me how to make a miniature wooden truck, which was
fascinating. He has a way of introducing others to new hobbies and ideas, and
I’ve always admired that about him.
When I think about Rahul, I also recall the times we spent
together at his house. His room is a place where I feel really comfortable.
It's filled with books, music, and art—things that reflect his eclectic
personality. In fact, he’s also a music lover and believes that music is
essential for relaxation. Whenever I visit him, we usually listen to his
favorite tracks while discussing everything from medicine to politics. He
always has these strong opinions that make our conversations engaging and
insightful.
Interestingly, Rahul is also quite savvy when it comes to
shopping. He’s the type of person who enjoys finding good deals and buying
things at low prices. I remember him sharing with me the news that he bought a
high-end stethoscope on sale, and he was thrilled with his purchase. It’s one
of those things that shows how practical he is, even when it comes to personal
items.
Finally, I must mention that there’s a photograph of the two
of us from one of our school events that I really like. It reminds me of how
much we’ve grown since those days—he’s now a successful doctor, and I’ve
achieved my own milestones, thanks in part to his inspiration and encouragement.
He’s not just a friend; he’s someone who pushes me to be the best version of
myself.
Vocabulary:
1. Influence – the capacity to have an effect on the
behavior or character of someone.
2. Admire – to regard with respect or warm approval.
3. Go-to person – a reliable source for advice or help.
4. Strong opinions – firm and assertive beliefs or
judgments.
5. Valuable insights – important and useful understanding or
knowledge.
6. Guidance – advice or information to solve problems or
make decisions.
7. Health issues – medical conditions affecting well-being.
8. Avid reader – someone who reads a lot with enthusiasm.
9. Cozy – comfortable and warm, often used to describe
spaces.
10. Ideal – considered perfect or most suitable.
11. Atmosphere – the mood or feeling of a place.
12. Serenity – the state of being calm, peaceful, and
untroubled.
13. Unwind – to relax after a period of work or tension.
14. Hustle and bustle – busy and noisy activity.
15. Classical music – a traditional form of music, often
relaxing and calming.
16. Perseverance – continued effort to achieve something
despite difficulties.
17. Contributing to society – offering help, work, or ideas
that benefit the community.
18. Inspired – to be motivated or influenced by someone or
something.
19. Determination – firmness of purpose; resolve.
Phrases:
1. Look up to – to admire or respect someone.
2. Go through – to experience something, especially
difficult situations.
3. Set up – to arrange or organize something.
4. Appreciative of the help – grateful for assistance.
5. Flip through – to look quickly through pages of a book.
6. Go-to place – a location you frequently visit or prefer.
7. Keep pursuing your passions – continue following your
interests with determination.
8. Step in to help – to intervene to provide assistance.
The Pioneer Anomaly
READING PASSAGE
You should spend about 20 minutes on Question 14-28 which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.
The Pioneer Anomaly
A
It's been more than four decades of incessant theorising and perplexed head-scratching for scientists, engineers and astronomy fans across the globe, but thanks to a recent study published in the journal Physical Review Letter, we finally have some answers to what has been causing the deceleration of NASA's Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft-otherwise known as the "Pioneer Anomaly".
B
Pioneer 10 and 11 were launched in 1972 and 1973 respectively and were the first spacecraft to travel beyond the solar system's main asteroid belt. Their claim to fame, however, changed the moment they skirted past Jupiter and began their journey towards Saturn, as it was at that point-by then already the early 1980sthat scientists and navigators discovered something had gone terribly awry: the two spacecraft seemed to be slowing down.
C
As Bruce Betts of The Planetary Society explains, the scientists involved in the project had anticipated most of the slowing down due to "the gravitational pull of the Sun and other massive objects in the solar system". In fact, when the deceleration was first observed, it was so small that it was dismissed as an insignificant, temporary phenomenon, and attributed to the effect of dribbles of leftover propellant still in the fuel lines after controllers had cut off the propellant. It would take until 1998 for a group of scientists led by John Anderson of Jet Propulsion Laboratory 0PL) to confirm that, even at 13 kilometres from the sun, the two Pioneer spacecraft were still losing speed at a rate of approximately 300 inches per day squared (0.9 nanometres per second squared). The first theories of what might be the cause followed soon thereafter.
D
The late 1990s were an important time for the field of astrophysics, with the Hubble Space Telescope observations of distant supernovae having only in 1998 confirmed that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate. Anderson et al's confirmation of the Pioneer Anomaly the same year seemed to offer a demonstration of the very same phenomenon of expansion within our own solar system-a theory that plenty of scientists quickly embraced. Others yet ascribed the deceleration to dark matter, while some suggested the spacecraft, as Toth and Turyshev put it, might've "unearthed the first evidence of extra dimensions". The possibility that a new law of physics directly contradicting Einstein's general theory of relativity might be to blame was also considered.
E
In 2004, Turyshev decided to get to the bottom of the Pioneer anomaly. Since the two spacecraft had stopped communicating with earth (Pioneer 11 first in 1995, and Pioneer 10 less than a decade later in 2003), all he could depend on were old communications and data; so, with the monetary aid of the Planetary Society and its eager, dedicated members, he began to gather the data from a number of different sources. There were two types of data that he needed to procure for his research: the "housekeeping data" engineers had used in order to monitor spacecraft operation, and Doppler data.
F
The data came in all sorts of forms: some were in digitised files offered by JPL navigators (a lucky find, as punch cards were still the preferred method of data storage back in the 1970s), while others were in magnetic tapes accidentally discovered under a staircase in JPL. All in all, there were more than 43 gigabytes of data-an admirable result, considering that at the time the two Pioneer spacecraft were launched there had been no formal requirement that NASA archive any of the records collected, and it had only been due to sheer luck and a former Pioneer team member's diligence that any telemetry data had been saved at all.
G
Once all the data had been collected, the formidable task of going through the volumes of information began. It was neither quick nor easy, and it required the assistance of a variety of people, including JPL engineers and retired TRW engineers who had worked on the Pioneer project, who had to consult with each other in order to interpret old blueprints and reconstruct the probes' 3D structure. In the end, however, the team's perseverance paid off, and Turyshev's suspicions-which had initiated the study-were confirmed: it was the electrical subsystems and the decay of plutonium in the Pioneer power sources that were to blame for the spacecraft's bizarre trajectory-more specifically the heat they emitted. This was corroborated by the discovery that other spacecraft with different designs had not been affected in the way Pioneer 10 and 11 had.
As Turyshev said, speaking of the study, "the story is finding its conclusion because it turns out that standard physics prevail. While of course, it would've been exciting to discover a new kind of physics, we did solve a mystery."
Questions 14-20
The reading passage has seven sections, A-G.
Which section contains the following information?
Write the correct letter A-G, in boxes 14-20 on your answer sheet.
14 The contemporary context of John Anderson's study
15 How Turyshev's study was conducted
16 A description of the journey of the Pioneer aircraft
17 How data was normally cached at the time of the Pioneer launch
18 Why Turyshev's study couldn't rely on new information
19 The name of a scientific publication
20 The original theories for the Pioneer anomaly
Questions 21-25
Complete each sentence with the correct ending A-H below.
Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 21-25 on your answer sheet.
A played a pivotal role in Turyshev's study.
B coincided with another scientific breakthrough in its field.
C leftover propellant had been expected to cause issues.
D contradicted contemporary theories about the Pioneer spacecraft.
E ceased communication later than its predecessor.
F was inspected by former TRW engineers to confirm its authenticity.
G exceeded all expectations in terms of quantity.
H external factors had been taken into account in the planning stage.
21 NASA's Pioneer 10 spacecraft
22 The Planetary Society
23 Some of the spacecraft's deceleration was not a surprise because
24 John Anderson's study
25 The data Turyshev used in his study
Questions 26-28
Choose THREE letters A-H.
Write your answers in boxes 26-28 on your answer sheet.
NB Your answers may be given in any order.
Which THREE of the following statements are true of Turshev's study?
A Former Pioneer team members were recruited to help to understand the data.
B It was an initiative by the Planetary Society that instigated it.
C It provided us with the first proof of extra dimensions.
D It identified calefaction caused by the Pioneer design as the culprit behind the anomaly.
E Parts of the Pioneer spacecraft were recreated to help with the study.
F The analysis stage of the study was particularly time-consuming.
G It proved that spacecraft with a design similar to the Pioneer 10 and 11 faced similar issues.
H Turyshev was unhappy with the result of his investigation.
ANSWER
14. D
15. G
16. B
17. F
18. E
19. A
20. C
21. E
22. A
23. H
24. B
25. G
26. A
27. D
28. F
READING PASSAGE 3
You should spend about 20 minutes on Question 28-40 which are based on Reading Passage 3 below.
Company Innovation
A
In a shabby office in downtown Manhattan, a group of 30 AI (artificial intelligence) programmers from Umagic are attempting to mimic the brains of a famous sexologist, a celebrated dietitian, a popular fitness coach and a bunch of other specialists, Umagic Systems is an up-and-coming firm, which sets up websites that enable their clients to seek advice from the virtual versions of those figures. The users put in all the information regarding themselves and their objectives; then it’s Umagic’s job to give advice, that a star expert would give. Even though the neuroses of American consumers have always been a marketing focus, the future of Umagic is difficult to predict (who knows what it’ll be like in ten years? Asking a computer about your sex life might be either normal or crazy). However, companies such, as Umagic1 are starting .to intimidate major American firms, because these young companies regard the half-crazy ‘creative’ ideas as the portal lo their triumph m the future.
B
Innovation has established itself as the catchword of American business management Enterprises have realised that they are running out of things that can be outsourced or re-engineered (worryingly, by their competitors too) Winners of today’s American business tend to be companies with innovative powers such as Dell, Amazon and Wal-Mart, which have come up with concepts or goods that have reshaped their industries.
C
According to a new book by two consultants from Arthur D. Little, during the last 15 years, the top 20% of firms in Fortune magazine’s annual innovation survey have attained twice as much the shareholder returns as their peers. The desperate search for new ideas is the hormone for a large part of today’s merger boom. The same goes for the money spent on licensing and purchasing others’ intellectual property. Based on the statistics from Pasadena-based Patent & Licence Exchange, trade volume in intangible assets in America has gone up from $15 billion in 1990 to $100 billion in 1998, with small firms and individuals taking up an increasing share of the rewards.
D
And that terrifies big companies: it appears that innovation works incompatible with them. Some major famous companies that are always known for ‘innovative ideas’, such as 3M, Procter & Gamble, and Rubbermaid, have recently had dry spells. Peter Chernin, who runs the Fox TV and film empire for News Corporation, points out that ‘In the management of creativity, size is your enemy.’ It’s impossible for someone who’s managing 20 movies to be as involved as someone doing 5. Therefore, he has tried to divide the studio into smaller parts, disregarding the risk of higher expenses.
E
Nowadays, ideas are more likely to prosper outside big companies. In the old days, when a brilliant scientist came up with an idea and wanted to make money out of it, he would take it to a big company first. But now, with all these cheap venture capital around, he would probably want to commercialise it by himself. So far, Umagic has already raised $5m and is on its way to another $25m. Even in the case of capital-intensive businesses like pharmaceuticals, entrepreneurs have the option to conduct early-stage research and sell out to the big firms when they’re faced with costly, risky clinical trials. Approximately 1/3 of drug firms’ total revenue is now from licensed-in technology.
F
Some of the major enterprises such as General Electric and Cisco have been impressively triumphant when it comes to snatching and incorporating small companies’ scores. However, other grants are concerned about the money they have to spend and the way to keep those geniuses who generated the idea. It is the dream of everyone to develop more ideas within their organisations Procter & Gamble is currently switching their entire business focus from countries to products; one of the goals is to get the whole company to accept the innovations. In other places, the craving for innovation has caused a frenzy lor intrapreneurship’ transferring power and establishing internal idea-workshops and tracking inventory so that the talents will stay.
G
Some people don't believe that this kind of restructuring is sufficient. Clayton Christensen argues in new book that big firms’ many advantages, such as taking care of their existing customers, can get in the way of innovative behaviour that is necessary for handling disruptive technologies That’s why there’s been the trend of cannibalisation, which brings about businesses that will confront and jeopardise the existing ones. For example, Bank One has set up Wingspan, which is an online bank that in fact compete, with its actual branches.
H
There’s no denying that innovation is a big deal. However, do major firms have to be this pessimistic? According to a recent survey of the to 50 innovations in America by Industry Week, ide as are equally likely to come from both big and small companies. Big companies can adopt new ideas when they are mature enough and the risks and rewards have become more quantifiable.
Questions 28-33
Reading Passage 3 has nine paragraphs, A-I.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-I, in boxes 28-33 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
28 an approach to retain the best employees
29 safeguarding expenses on innovative ideas
30 a certain counter-effect produced by integrating outside firms
31 an example of three famous American companies’ innovation
32 an example of one company changing its focus
33 an example of a company resolving financial difficulties itself
Questions 34-37
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 3?
In boxes 34-37 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE if the statement is true
FALSE if the statement is false
NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage
34 Umagic is the most successful innovative company in this new field.
35 Amazon and Wal-Mart exchanged their innovation experience.
36 New ideas’ holders had already been known to take it to small companies in the past.
37 IBM failed to understand Umagic’s proposal of a new idea.
Questions 38-40
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet.
38 What is the author’s opinion on innovation in paragraph C?
A It only works for big companies.
B Fortune magazine has a globally huge influence.
C It is becoming increasingly important.
D Its effects on American companies are more evident.
39 What is Peter Chernin’s point of view on innovation?
A Small companies are more innovative than big ones.
B Film industry needs more innovation than other industries.
C We need to cut the cost when risks occur.
D New ideas are more likely going to big companies.
40 What is the author’s opinion on innovation at the end of this passage?
A Umagic success lies on the accidental ‘virtual expert’.
B Innovation is easy and straightforward.
C IBM sets a good example on innovation.
D The author’s attitude is uncertain on innovation.
ANSWER
28. F
29. C
30. G
31. B
32. F
33. E
34. FALSE
35. NOT GIVEN
36. FALSE
37. TRUE
38. C
39. A
40. D
