Reading

UNIT 6:  Understanding argument

Some texts are completely factual, for example texts in an encyclopaedia, or factual reports or reviews. Many texts, however, contain some argument or opinion. At least one of the texts you will meet in the IELTS test will contain some detailed logical arguments and you will be tested on your ability to identify and understand these arguments as they are presented in the passage.

ARGUMENT OR FACT?

Skim through the following passage and highlight those areas which deal with arguments and those that simply present facts.




(1)  Why do you think this article was written?

(2)  What do you notice about the views presented in it?

(3)  What overall message is presented?

(4)  What would be a suitable sub-heading for the article?

Now look at the following multiple-choice question. This is one way in which you may be tested on your ability to identify the arguments presented in a text.

IELTS Reading

Questions 5-7

Which THREE of the following arguments are stated in the text?

A   -   Penguins are not afraid of people who behave calmly.

B   -   Penguins need better protection from tourists.

C   -   Not all penguins behave in the same way.

D   -   Tourists are not responsible for the fall in penguin numbers.

E   -   Penguins are harder to research when they have young.

MATCHING

Sometimes a matching exercise is used in IELTS to test your ability to identify and understand different arguments. It is used particularly when the text presents a number of arguments or theories from different sources.

• Read the following extract from an article on Australia's farming and highlight the different sources (people or organisations) quoted in the article.
• Select some of the arguments and see if you can paraphrase them.

• What is the writer's purpose in this article?
• How is the writer using the arguments?

IELTS Reading

Questions 8-15

Match the views (8-15) with the people listed in the box below.

NB You may have to use some people more than once.

(8)  Current conservation schemes are taking many problems into account.

(9)  Ordinary people will have to help pay for conservation.

(10)  Conserving land is too expensive for farmers.

(11)  The Government can encourage farmers to do what it wants them to do.

(12)  Australia should review its import/export practices.

(13)  More conservation funds should be put into practical projects.

(14)  Much of the land in Australia is still unspoilt.

(15)  Research is necessary to help solve conservation problems.