Purposes of Language Study Reading Answer

Jan 31, 2023

Purposes of Language Study Reading Answer is an academic reading topic and a detailed assessment of the importance and perspectives of studying language. The given IELTS topic has originated from the book named “Cambridge IELTS 10 Student's Book with Answers”. The topic named Purposes of Language Study Reading Answer comes with 13 different wide range of questions. Three different types of questions are included in this topic, like, choose the correct heading, True/False/Not Given, and complete the following sentences. The candidates should thoroughly read the IELTS reading passage to recognize the synonyms and identify the keywords and answer the questions below. IELTS reading practice papers can be taken into consideration by the candidates in order to score a good score in the reading section in which similar topics like Purposes of Language Study Reading Answer has been included.

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Section 1

Read the passage to answer the following questions

Purposes of Language Study Reading Answer

The Report of the Inquiry by the Senate of the Australian Parliament into a national language policy in Australia proposed five purposes for studying a language other than English in Australian schools.

POINT ONE

The first point relates to what might be termed the more strictly utilitarian reasons for language learning: the acquisition of fluency in a language other than English for the purpose of direct communication. The communication in question may be of an informal nature, such as that which occurs during overseas travel, or between members of different groups within Australian society in a variety of social situations.

In large measure, however, this language learning objective relates to the rote of languages other than English in various fields of employment, such as interpreting and translating, international trade, diplomacy and defence.

Professor M. Halliday, a witness to the Inquiry, cautioned against placing too heavy an emphasis on utilitarian goals, stating that 'one should not be too restricted to the practical arguments which are in a sense dishonest if you say to someone: "if you spend all this time learning a language you will immediately be able to go and find a use for it".

The Committee agrees that, taken in isolation, practical arguments tend to give an incomplete picture of the value of language learning. In the early school years, for example, utilitarian objectives may well be less important than they are at tertiary level where employment considerations exert a strong influence.

POINT TWO

The second purpose concerns the link between a language and the cultural context from which it emerges. Many submissions stressed the value of the language learning experience as a means of understanding other cultures, and hence of developing sensitive and tolerant cross-cultural attitudes. This proposition is applied to cultures both within Australia and overseas. Thus, it is argued that language study can contribute in important ways both to harmonious community relationships within Australia, and to an understanding of the cultural values of other countries.

It is also contended that language provides the key to major historical cultures, such as the civilisations of classical antiquity which have exerted a profound influence on the Western tradition.

In the course of hearings, Dr David Ingram of the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations referred to evidence which lends some empirical support to the claim that the experience of language learning fosters the development of a better understanding of other cultures. The Committee does not find the proposition difficult to accept. It believes, however, that the measure of success achieved is likely to be largely dependent on the teaching methodology adopted, and the degree of teacher commitment to the goal of cultural awareness and sensitivity.

POINT THREE

The third objective relates to the role of language learning is the maintenance of ethnic languages and cultures within Australia. It was argued in submissions that a central element in Australia's policy of multiculturalism is a recognition of the value of the cultural heritages of the different groups within Australian society. Since language and culture are inextricably intertwined, the preservation of cultural heritages necessarily entails the retention of the languages associated with them.

In the case of Aboriginal communities this issue takes on a special note of urgency since, in many instances, Aboriginal cultures and languages are on the verge of disappearing completely. The objective in this context, therefore, is not simply to assist in the maintenance of a cultural and linguistic heritage but to aid in preserving that heritage from extinction.

POINT FOUR

Prominent amongst the purposes of language learning described in submissions was the fourth point: the development of the general cognitive and linguistic capacities of students. The educational outcomes at stake here were described in a number of ways. Professor M. Halliday, for example, spoke of language learning as an educational exercise of the first importance, as a development of thinking. Another submission referred to the development of 'a sharpened, more critical awareness of the nature and mechanism of language Professor Clyne pointed to research conducted particularly in Canada which, he states, 'suggests that bilinguals are superior to monolinguals in logical thought and conceptual development, verbal intelligence and divergent thinking

POINT FIVE

Finally, several submissions spoke of the role of language learning is the general development of personality. To a large extent, this objective builds upon and sums up aspects of those already covered. The possibility of direct communication with speakers of another language, for example, offers the opportunity for a broadening of personal horizons. A similar outcome may be expected from the encounter with another culture made possible through language study.

Where the language concerned is the child's mother tongue, either the language of a migrant group or an Aboriginal language, an additional factor emerges. In this context, it is argued, language study contributes significantly to the development of individual self esteem, since the introduction of the language into the school encourages children of that language background to value it and appreciate it as an asset. As a result, their estimation of their family's value as well as of their own worth is likely to rise.

The Committee believes that submissions have been correct in drawing attention to these personal development issues. Naturally, the benefits of language learning in question here are less easy to quantify than those involved in the objectives previously discussed. Nonetheless, the Committee believes that, if appropriately taught, languages can play an important part in assisting young people to establish their identity, and develop their individual and social personalities.

Section 2

Questions 28-32

Reading Passage proposes five points for the Purpose of Language Study. Choose the correct heading for each of the five points from the list of headings below.

List of Headings

Maintenance of ethnic languages and outlines as part of Australia's policy of multiculturalism
Tolerance and acceptance of other races and cultures through language classes
Successful communication witn non-English speaking people both within Australia and overseas
A better appreciation of the multicultural nature of Australian society
Developing a better understanding of other cultures
Developing better cognitive and general linguistic abilities in students
Assessment whether bilinguals are superior to monolinguals
Developing the personality of students and sense of individual identity
The prevention of Aboriginal languages disappearing

Question 28. Point One

Answer: iii
Supporting sentence: The communication in question may be of an informal nature, such as that which occurs during overseas travel
Keyword : communication, informal, overseas, travel
Keyword location: paragraph 2, lines 3-5
Explanation: The third to fifth lines of paragraph 2 suggests about the utilitarian reasons for language learning. The communication in question could be casual. For instance, the communication which occurs during international travel. It could also be between members of different groups within Australian culture in a range of social circumstances.

Question 29. Point Two

Answer: v
Supporting sentence: experience of language learning fosters the development of a better understanding of other cultures.
Keyword : experience, language, better, cultures
Keyword location: paragraph 8, lines 3-4
Explanation: The third and fourth lines of paragraph 8 explains about the link between a language and the cultural context from which it originated. Dr. David Ingram cited research that provides some empirical support. It is for the idea that studying a language helps people build a greater awareness of various cultures. The proposal is not difficult for the Committee to accept.

Question 30. Point Three

Answer: i
Supporting sentence: Australia's policy of multiculturalism is a recognition of the value of the cultural heritages of the different groups within Australian society.
Keyword : Australia's, multiculturalism, cultural, heritages
Keyword location: paragraph 9, lines 2-4
Explanation: The second and fourth lines of paragraph 9 implies about maintaining the ethnicity and tradition of a language. The third goal refers to the function of language acquisition in preserving ethnic languages and cultures in Australia. The value of the cultural heritage of the various communities was asserted in comments as a key component of Australia's multiculturalism policy.

Question 31. Point Four

Answer: vi
Supporting sentence: the development of the general cognitive and linguistic capacities of students.
Keyword : development, cognitive, linguistic, students
Keyword location: paragraph 11, lines 1-2
Explanation: The first two lines of paragraph 11 explains about the sole purpose for learning about a language. The fourth point stood out among the reasons of language acquisition indicated in submissions. It is about the growth of kids' general verbal and cognitive abilities. There are various ways to explain the educational results that are at stake.

Question 32. Point Five

Answer: viii
Supporting sentence: Finally, several submissions spoke of the role of language learning is the general development of personality.
Keyword : submissions, language, development, personality
Keyword location: paragraph 12, lines 1-2
Explanation: The first two lines of paragraph 12 says about the role of language in the development of a personality. Moreover, some entries discussed the significance of language learning in overall personality development. This goal largely expands on and recaps the topics previously discussed.

Questions 33-37

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage ?

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN If there is no information on this

Question 33. Fluency skills in a language other than English are acquired for the purpose of communicating in informal settings.

Answer: TRUE
Supporting sentence: the acquisition of fluency in a language other than English for the purpose of direct communication.
Keyword : acquisition, fluency, language, communication
Keyword location: paragraph 2, lines 2-3
Explanation: Lines 2-3 of paragraph 2 explains about the more purely practical motives for learning a language. It is the development of fluency for the purpose of direct conversation in a language other than English. Thus, it is a TRUE statement.

Question 34. There is evidence which suggests that language learning does not necessarily promote a better understanding of cultures.

Answer: FALSE
Supporting sentence: It is also contended that language provides the key to major historical cultures
Keyword : contended, language, historical, cultures
Keyword location: paragraph 7, lines 1-2
Explanation: The first two lines of paragraph 7 states that many contributions emphasised the importance of language study as a means of understanding other cultures. It is further said that language offers the key to important historical cultures. The classical antiquity civilizations that had a significant impact on Western tradition. Thus, the above statement can be regarded as a FALSE one.

Question 35. Learning a second language produces greater tolerance, better understanding of others and acceptance of difference.

Answer: NOT GIVEN
Explanation: There is not any pertinent information in order to give validation to the above statement. Hence, the above statement can be regarded as an invalid one.

Question 36. Preserving a culture involves retaining the language associated with it.

Answer: TRUE
Supporting sentence: the preservation of cultural heritages necessarily entails the retention of the languages associated with them.
Keyword : preservation, cultural, heritages, languages
Keyword location: paragraph 9, lines 5-6
Explanation: The fifth lines of paragraph 9 implies that language and culture are intricately linked. The retention of the languages connected to cultural heritages is a necessity for their preservation. Thus, the above statement can be regarded as a TRUE one.

Question 37. Learning a language facilitates a child's communication with family members of non-English speaking backgrounds.

Answer: NOT GIVEN
Explanation: The passage says about the inclusion of the language into the school promotes youngsters of that language background to value and appreciate it as an asset. Although, no justified sentence regarding the above statement has been provided in the passage. Therefore, it is an invalid statement.

Questions 38-40

Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

Understanding of other cultures whether within Australia or overseas is one of the benefits gained through (38)..........

Ability to study one's background language at school seemingly raises an individuaľs (39)...........

Provided they are competently taught, languages can help to form the (40)............ of individuals and develop their personalities.

Question 38:

Answer: language learning
Supporting sentence: This proposition is applied to cultures both within Australia and overseas.
Keyword : proposition, cultures, Australia, overseas
Keyword location: paragraph 6, lines 2-5
Explanation: The second to fifth lines of paragraph 6 implies that many contributions emphasized the importance of the language learning experience. They have emphasized it in comprehending other cultures. Both Australian and international cultures are considered when applying this claim.

Question 39:

Answer: self-esteem/worth
Supporting sentence: As a result, their estimation of their family's value as well as of their own worth is likely to rise.
Keyword : estimation, family's value, worth, rise
Keyword location: paragraph 13, lines 5-6
Explanation: The fifth to sixth lines of paragraph 13 explains that language study has a considerable impact on the development of an individual's self-esteem. Children from that language background are encouraged to value the language through its introduction into the classroom. They are prone to increase both their estimation of their own worth and the value of their family.

Question 40:

Answer: identity
Supporting sentence: languages can play an important part in assisting young people to establish their identity
Keyword : languages, important, establish, identity
Keyword location: paragraph 14, lines 4-5
Explanation: Lines 4-5 of paragraph 14 states that dvantages of language acquisition in question here are more difficult to measure. It is difficult more than those included in the aforementioned goals. The Committee is of the opinion that, when taught properly, languages may play a significant role in helping young people build their identities. It also assist in forming their personal and social identities.