Purposes Of Language Study Reading Answers

Feb 3, 2023

Purposes Of Language Study Reading Answers 13 questions that are to be answered in 40 minutes. IELTS topic- Purposes Of Language Study Reading Answers deals with a thesis based on language. Purposes Of Language Study IELTS reading question type has three kinds of questions. That is choosing the correct answer, writing the correct answer and identifying whether a statement can correspond to the passage. Purposes Of Language Study Reading Answers help students to prepare for IELTS exams. Candidates need to skim through the passage for the best answer. They can also refer to IELTS Reading practice papers.

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Section 1

Read the passage to answer the following questions

Purposes Of Language Study Reading Answers

PURPOSES OF LANGUAGE STUDY: THE AUSTRALIAN SENATE INQUIRY INTO A NATIONAL LANGUAGE POLICY

The Report of the Inquiry by the Senate of the Australian Parliament into a national language policy in Australia proposed 1ve 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 1nd 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 1rst 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 selfesteem, 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

Solution and Explanation

Questions 28-32

Reading Passage 3 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. Write the correct number, i-ix, in boxes 28-32 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

i Maintenance of ethnic languages and outlines as part of Australia's policy of multiculturalism

ii Tolerance and acceptance of other races and cultures through language classes

iii Successful communication with non-English speaking people both within Australia and overseas

iv A better appreciation of the multicultural nature of Australian society

v Developing a better understanding of other cultures

vi Developing better cognitive and general linguistic abilities in students

vii Assessment whether bilinguals are superior to monolinguals

viii Developing the personality of students and sense of individual identity

ix The prevention of Aboriginal languages disappearing

Point One

Answer: iii Successful communication with non-English speaking people both within Australia and overseas
Explanation: From the three paragraphs of Point One, it can be understood that learning other languages apart from English can establish successful interaction with non-English speakers both inside and outside of Australia. Therefore option iii is the suitable answer.

Point Two

Answer: v Developing a better understanding of other cultures
Supporting Sentence: 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.
Keywords: value, language learning experience, understanding other cultures
Keywords Location: Paragraph 4, lines 2-4
Explanation: Point two states that numerous submissions emphasised the importance of language learning as a way to understand other cultures and, as a result, to cultivate sensitive and tolerant cross-cultural attitudes. Therefore option v is the suitable answer.

Point Three

Answer: i Maintenance of ethnic languages and outlines as part of Australia's policy of multiculturalism
Supporting Sentence: The third objective relates to the role of language learning is the maintenance of ethnic languages and cultures within Australia.
Keywords: third objective, role of language learning, ethnic languages and cultures
Keyword Location: Paragraph 7, lines 1-2
Explanation: The preservation of ethnic languages and cultures within Australia is the third point that relates to the function of language learning. Therefore option i is the suitable answer.

Point Four

Answer: vi Developing better cognitive and general linguistic abilities in students
Supporting Sentence: 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.
Keywords: development, general cognitive and linguistic, capacities of students.
Keyword Location: Paragraph 8, lines 2
Explanation: The fourth point talks about the growth of students' general cognitive and linguistic abilities. They were prominent among the goals of language learning that were discussed in submissions. Therefore option vi is the suitable answer.

Point Five

Answer: viii Developing the personality of students and sense of individual identity
Supporting Sentence: Finally, several submissions spoke of the role of language learning is the general development of personality
Keywords: role of language learning, general development of personality
Keyword Location: Paragraph 9, lines 1-2
Explanation: The final point states that several submissions discussed how learning a language contributes to general personality development. Therefore option viii is the suitable answer.

Questions 33-37

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 3?

In boxes 33-37 on your answer sheet, write

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

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

Answer: TRUE
Supporting Sentence: The communication in question may be of an informal nature
Keywords: communication, informal nature
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, line 3
Explanation: It follows from Point 1 that learning a language other than English fluently is done so that one can communicate in social or informal situations. Therefore the given statement is true.

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

Answer: FALSE
Supporting Sentence: Many submissions stressed the value of the language learning experience as a means of understanding other cultures
Keywords: language learning experience, understanding other cultures
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, lines 2-3
Explanation: Point 2 clearly states that numerous submissions emphasised the importance of language learning as a way to understand other cultures. The given statement contradicts this information and is therefore false.

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

Answer: NOT GIVE
Explanation: The given statement has information that was not given in the passage.

Preserving a culture involves retaining the language associated with it.

Answer: TRUE
Supporting Sentence: 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.
Keywords: language learning experience, understanding other cultures, developing, cross-cultural attitudes
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, lines 2-4
Explanation: From point 2, it follows that keeping a culture alive also means keeping its language alive. Therefore the given statement is true.

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

Answer: NOT GIVEN
Explanation: The given statement has information that was not given in the passage.

Questions 38-40

Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet.

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

Answer: language learning
Supporting Sentence: 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.
Keywords: acquisition of fluency, language other than English
Keyword Location: First paragraph, lines 1-3
Explanation: From the first point, it can be understood that one of the advantages of language learning is being able to understand other cultures, whether they are in Australia or elsewhere. Therefore language learning is the answer.

Ability to study one’s background language at school seemingly raises an individual's 39

Answer: selfesteem
Supporting Sentence: it is argued, language study contributes significantly to the development of individual selfesteem, since the introduction of the language into the school encourages children of that language background to value it
Keywords: language study, contributes significantly, development of individual selfesteem, introduction of the language, school
Keyword Location: Paragraph 9, lines 8-10
Explanation: The fifth point states that language study significantly contributes to the growth of personal self-esteem because the inclusion of the language in the classroom encourages students from that language background to value it. Therefore selfesteem is the answer.

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

Answer: identity
Supporting Sentence: if appropriately taught, languages can play an important part in assisting young people to establish their identity, and develop their individual and social personalities.
Keywords: languages can play, an important part, assisting young people, establish their identity
Keyword Location: Last paragraph, last three lines
Explanation: When taught properly, languages can be a valuable tool for helping young people form their identity and shape their social and individual personalities. Therefore identity is the answer.

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