In order to understand a reading passage, you need to understand the
context of a passage. You need to have a clue about the topic. When you
pick up a paper to read, you scan the headlines and choose an arti¬cle
that interests you. The clues in the newspaper (headlines, graphics,
photos) catch your eye and give you a context.
A passage on the IELTS is given to you; you did not choose to read it. There are few clues. You do not know what it is about. It may or may not interest you. Yet in order to understand it, you need some clues to help you understand the passage. Without the clues, you will not understand it very well. To score welt on the IELTS, you should determine what you know and what you need to know.
When you look at a passage, you must make some predictions about the passage.
What is the passage about?
What is the main idea?
Who are the characters?
When are things taking place?
Where is it happening?
Why is it important?
You wanr to know who, what, when, where, and why.
In this section you will learn how the following can give you the answers to: Who? What? When? Where? and Why?
Using the first paragraph
Using the topic sentences Using specific details
Using the questions and answers
2. Topic Sentence. A child's. upbringing does not seem to be part of the cause of the disorder, though stress can make the symptoms stronger.
Questions to Ask Yourself
• the disorder present at birth?
• Are there outside factors involved?
• What leads parents to seek treatment?
3. Topic Sentence. Research on OCR sufferers has found certain physiological trends.
Questions to Ask Yourself
• What part of the body does it affect?
• What are some common trends?
• What can parents look for?
A passage on the IELTS is given to you; you did not choose to read it. There are few clues. You do not know what it is about. It may or may not interest you. Yet in order to understand it, you need some clues to help you understand the passage. Without the clues, you will not understand it very well. To score welt on the IELTS, you should determine what you know and what you need to know.
When you look at a passage, you must make some predictions about the passage.
What is the passage about?
What is the main idea?
Who are the characters?
When are things taking place?
Where is it happening?
Why is it important?
You wanr to know who, what, when, where, and why.
In this section you will learn how the following can give you the answers to: Who? What? When? Where? and Why?
Using the first paragraph
Using the topic sentences Using specific details
Using the questions and answers
Using the First Paragraph to Make Predictions
The first paragraphs of a passage can help you make predictions about the context of a passage.
The first paragraph often contains
the topic sentence (a summary of the main idea of the passage)
a definition of the topic
the author's opinion
clues to the organization of the passage
a definition of the topic
the author's opinion
clues to the organization of the passage
If
you understand the first paragraph, you will understand the topic, the
author's opinion (if any), and where to look for information within the
passage.
Read this first paragraph of a passage on the illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCR) is clinically diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. This
disorder affects up to 4 percent of adults and children. People who
suffer from this debilitat¬ing disorder have distressing and obsessive
thoughts, which usually cause them to perform repetitive behaviors' such
as counting silently or washing their hands. Though OCR suffer¬ers
understand that their obsessions are unrealistic, they find it stressful
to put these intru¬sive thoughts out of their minds. Those who suffer
from obsessive-compulsive disorder develop strict behavioral' patterns
that become extremely time-consuming and begin to interfere with daily
routines. Many people with OCR delay seeking treatment because they are
ashamed of their own thoughts and behavior.
Topic SentenceObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is clinically diagnosed as an anxiety disorder.
Definition of TopicPeople who suffer from this debilitating disorder have distressing and obsessive thoughts, which usually cause them to perform repetitive behaviors.
Author's OpinionNone given.
Organizational CluesThe author may discuss
Definition of TopicPeople who suffer from this debilitating disorder have distressing and obsessive thoughts, which usually cause them to perform repetitive behaviors.
Author's OpinionNone given.
Organizational CluesThe author may discuss
• Obsessive behavior,
• Stress of sufferers, and/or
• Treatment
• Stress of sufferers, and/or
• Treatment
 | PRACTICE 1 |
| Read these introductory paragraphs to other passages. Make predictions about the topics using these first paragraphs. |
1.
The spread of wildfire is a natural phenomenon that occurs throughout
the world and is especially common in forested areas of North America,
Australia, and Europe. Locations that receive plenty of rainfall but
also experience periods of intense heat or drought are particularly
susceptible to wildfires. As plant matter dries out, it becomes brittle
and highly flammable. In this way, many wildfires are seasonal, ignited
by natural causes, most specifically lightning. However, human
carelessness and vandalism also account for thousands of wildfires
around the globe each year. To gain a clear understanding of how
wildfires spread, it is necessary to analyze what it takes to both
create and control these fires.
2.
The term "bird brain" has long been a common means of expressing doubts
about a person's intelligence. In reality, birds may actually be a
great deal more intelligent than humans have given them credit for. For a
long time, scientists considered birds to be of lesser intelligence
because the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that humans and other
animals use for intelligence, is relatively small in size. Now
scientists understand that birds actually use a different part of their
brain, the hyperstriatum, for intelligence. Observations of different
species of birds, both in the wild and in captivity, have shown a great
deal of evidence of high levels of avian intelligence.
3.
In 1834, a little girl was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She
would grow up to become one of the richest women in the world. Per name
was Petty Green, but she was known to many as the Witch of Wall Street.
| Answer Key |
1. Topic Sentence.
The spread of wildfire is a natural phenomenon that occurs throughout
the world and is especially common in forested areas of North America,
Australia, and Europe.
Definition of Topic. Locations that receive plenty of rainfall but also experience periods of intense heat or drought are particularly susceptible to wildfires.
Author's Opinion. None given.
Organizational Clues. Author may discuss
• How wildfires start
• How to control wildfires
• Wildfires as a global problem
Definition of Topic. Locations that receive plenty of rainfall but also experience periods of intense heat or drought are particularly susceptible to wildfires.
Author's Opinion. None given.
Organizational Clues. Author may discuss
• How wildfires start
• How to control wildfires
• Wildfires as a global problem
2. Topic Sentence. In reality, birds may actually be a great deaf more intelligent than humans have given them credit for.
Definition of Topic. For a tong time, scientists considered birds to be of lesser intelligence because the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that humans and other animals use for intelligence, is relatively small in size.
Author's Opinion. None given.
Organizational Clues. Author may discuss
• Misunderstandings about the intelligence of birds . The anatomy of a bird's brain
• Evidence of avian intelligence
Definition of Topic. For a tong time, scientists considered birds to be of lesser intelligence because the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that humans and other animals use for intelligence, is relatively small in size.
Author's Opinion. None given.
Organizational Clues. Author may discuss
• Misunderstandings about the intelligence of birds . The anatomy of a bird's brain
• Evidence of avian intelligence
3. Topic Sentence. She would grow up to become one of the richest women in the world.
Definition of Topic. Per name was Petty Green, but she was known to many as the Witch of Wall Street. Author's Opinion. None given.
Organizational Clues. Author may discuss
• Petty Green's early years
• How Petty Green got rich
• Why Petty Green had a nickname
Definition of Topic. Per name was Petty Green, but she was known to many as the Witch of Wall Street. Author's Opinion. None given.
Organizational Clues. Author may discuss
• Petty Green's early years
• How Petty Green got rich
• Why Petty Green had a nickname
Using the Topic Sentence to Make Predictions
Every
paragraph has a key sentence called a topic sentence. This topic
sentence explains what a paragraph about. It is the general idea of a
paragraph. If you understand the general idea, you can look for the
specific details which support the idea.
Read the second paragraph of the passage on OCR. The first sentence happens to be the topic sentence.
OCR
sufferers experience worries that are both unreasonable and excessive
and that act as a constant source of internal stress. Fear of dirt and
contamination are very common obsessive thoughts. The obsession with
orderliness and symmetry is also common. In other cases, persistent
thoughts are centered on doubts, such as whether or not a door is locked
or a stove is turned off. Impulses, such as the urge to swear in public
or to pull a fire alarm, are other types of OCR symptoms. In order to
be diagnosed with OCR, a sufferer must exhibit obsessions and/or
compulsions that take up a considerable amount of time (at least one
hour per day).
Topic SentenceOCR sufferers experience worries that are both unreasonable and excessive and that act as a constant source of internal stress.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Questions to Ask Yourself
• What are unreasonable worries?
• What are excessive worries?
• What are excessive worries?
 | PRACTICE 2 |
| Read these paragraphs. Underline the topic sentence. Ask one or two questions about the Topic sentence. |
1.
To combat excessive thoughts and impulses, most OCR sufferers perform
certain repetitive rituals that they believe will relieve their anxiety.
These compulsions can be either mental or behavioral in nature. Common
rituals include excessive checking, washing, counting, and praying. Over
time, OCR sufferers attach strict rules to their compulsions. For
example, a woman who is obsessed with cleanliness might wash her hands
three times before having a meal in order to get the thought of the
dirty dishes or silverware out of her mind. However, in many cases, the
compulsions aren't related to the obsession at all. A man obsessed with
the image of dead animals might count silently up to 500 or touch a
specific chair over and over in order to block the images. Holding onto
objects that would normally be discarded, such as newspapers and empty
containers, is another common compulsion.
2.
OCR symptoms generally begin between the age of 10 and 24 and continue
indefinitely until a person seeks treatment. A child's upbringing does
not seem to be part of the cause of the disorder, though stress can make
the symptoms stronger. The underlying causes of OCR have been
researched greatly and point to a number of different genetic factors.
While studies show that OCR and its related anxiety disorders are often
passed down through families, the specific symptoms for each family
member are rarely the same. For example, a mother who is obsessed with
order may have a son who can't stop thinking about a single word or
number.
3.
Research on OCR sufferers has found certain physiological trends. In
particular, many studies show an overactivity of blood circulation in
certain areas of the brain. As a result of this increase in blood flow,
the serotoninergic system, which regulates emotions, is unable to
function effectively. Studies have also shown that OCR sufferers have
less serotonin than the average person. This type of abnormality is also
observed in Tourette syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactive
Disorder. People who developed tics as children are found to be more
susceptible to OCR as well. Many reports of OCR point to infections that
can trigger the disorder, namely streptococcal infections. It is
believed that a case of childhood strep throat can elicit a response
from the immune system that produces certain neuropsychlatric disorders,
such as OCR.
| Answer Key |
1. Topic Sentence.
To combat excessive thoughts and impulses, most OCR sufferers perform
certain repet-itive rituals that they believe will relieve their
anxiety.
Questions to Ask Yourself
• What types of rituals do they perform?
• How does this help them?
Questions to Ask Yourself
• What types of rituals do they perform?
• How does this help them?
2. Topic Sentence. A child's. upbringing does not seem to be part of the cause of the disorder, though stress can make the symptoms stronger.
Questions to Ask Yourself
• the disorder present at birth?
• Are there outside factors involved?
• What leads parents to seek treatment?
3. Topic Sentence. Research on OCR sufferers has found certain physiological trends.
Questions to Ask Yourself
• What part of the body does it affect?
• What are some common trends?
• What can parents look for?
