The terror of terrorism Reading Answers

Aug 5, 2024

The terror of terrorism Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The terror of terrorism Reading Answers have a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the questions, you have to choose the correct section for the given statement. In the next section, you have to fill in the blanks with the correct answer.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers, which feature topics such as The terror of terrorism Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Section 1

THE TERROR OF TERRORISM

Terrorism has become one of the most important news items these days. Newspapers, Magazines, Weblogs, everywhere there is a spurt of articles related to terrorism. Though a lot is being written and discussed about this topic, I feel that most of discussions lack truth and clarity. In most of the countries, the big media houses continue to carry out their government's vision of terrorism, whereas most of the discussions on other small forums are driven by opinions rather than facts. Arguments are made based on emotions and affiliations, rather than on rationality. The human society has been constantly evolving. We have come a long way from the Stone Age (when man was a predator) to the diplomatic world of today (where violence is a crime). Human beings have assumed different roles through these different ages; predators, agrarians, barbarians. In today's society, use of any kind of violence against fellow human beings (very few people have same compassion for the non-human lives) is socially and politically unacceptable. Despite a strong social disapproval, violence and wars still occur in different part of the world, for different motives. It is important to understand how these kinds of violence and wars are different from terrorism.

Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. At present, there is no internationally acceptable definition of terrorism. The common definitions of terrorism refer only to those acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for an ideological goal (as opposed to a lone attack), and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants. The only general characteristic of terrorism generally agreed upon is that terrorism involves violence and the threat of violence. However, the criterion of violence alone does not produce a useful definition, as it includes many acts not usually considered terrorism: war, riot, organised crime, or even a simple assault. The attack was carried out in such a way as to maximise the severity and length of the psychological impact. Each act of terrorism is a "performance" devised to have an impact on many large audiences. Terrorists also attack national symbols, to show power and to attempt to shake the foundation of the country or society they are opposed to. This may negatively affect the ruling government, while increasing the prestige of the given terrorist organisation and/or ideology behind a terrorist act

Something many terrorist attacks have in common is a political purpose. Terrorism is a political tactic, like letter-writing or protesting which is used by activists when they believe that no other means will effect the kind of change they desire. The change is desired so badly that failure to achieve change is seen as a worse outcome than the deaths of civilians. It is commonly held that the distinctive nature of terrorism lies in its intentional and specific selection of civilians as direct targets. Specifically, the criminal intent is shown when babies, children, mothers and the elderly are murdered, or injured and put in harm's way. Terrorists almost invariably pretend to be non-combatants, hide among such non-combatants, fight from vantage points in the midst of non-combatants, and (when they can), strive to mislead and provoke the government soldiers into attacking other people, so that the government will be blamed. When an enemy is identifiable as a combatant, the word "terrorism" is rarely used. Some official (notably government) definitions of terrorism add a criterion of illegitimacy or unlawfulness to distinguish between actions authorised by a government (and thus "lawful") and those of other actors, including individuals and small groups. Using this criterion, actions that would otherwise qualify as terrorism would not be considered terrorism if they were government sanctioned. For example, firebombing a city, which is designed to affect civilian support for a cause, would not be considered terrorism if it were authorised by a government. This criterion is inherently problematic and is not universally accepted, because it denies the existence of state terrorism. The same act may or may not be classed as terrorism depending on whether its sponsorship is traced to a "legitimate" government. "Legitimacy" and "lawfulness" are subjective, depending on the perspective of one government or another; and it diverges from the historically accepted meaning and origin of the term.

Questions 14-16

Reading passage 2 has three marked sections, A-C. Choose the correct heading for each

section A-C.

Section A

Answer: III

Supporting statement: “..........the big media houses continue to carry out their government's vision of terrorism, whereas most of the discussions on other small forums are driven by opinions rather than facts........”

Keywords: terrorism, ages

Keyword Location: para A, lines 3-8

Explanation: This section discusses how the perception and discussion of terrorism have evolved over time, contrasting the past with present societal attitudes towards violence and terrorism. Hence III is correct.

Section B

Answer: IV

Supporting statement: “........Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. At present, there is no internationally acceptable definition of terrorism... The only general characteristic..........”

Keywords: what, terrorism

Keyword Location: para B, lines 1-7

Explanation: This section provides a definition and the general characteristics of terrorism, explaining what terrorism is. Hence IV is correct answer.

Section C

Answer: II

Supporting statement: “........Something many terrorist attacks have in common is a political purpose... The distinctive nature of terrorism lies in its intentional and specific selection of civilians as direct targets...........”

Keywords: characteristics, terrorism

Keyword Location: para C, lines 1-7

Explanation: This section highlights specific characteristics of terrorism, including political purposes, targeting civilians, and the tactics used by terrorists. The correct answer is II.

Government approved terrorism
Characteristics of terrorism

ili. Attitude towards terrorism over ages

What is terrorism?
Tendency to target civilians
National symbols-the primary target

Questions 17-21

Which of the following are mentioned as the characteristics of terrorism in reading passage?

Write the correct letters, A-H.

Is government sanctioned
Violence or threat of violence is involved
Religious extremism is always involved
Terrorists always prefer to stay away from common people
Terrorists tend to avoid nationally important things and places
Intentionally tries to create long-term tear in the minds of people
Intentionally aims common citizens
Is always motivated by an ideology

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “.........The only general characteristic of terrorism generally agreed upon is that terrorism involves violence and the threat of violence.........”

Keywords: violence, threat

Keyword Location: para B, line 6

Explanation: Violence or the threat of violence is identified as a general characteristic of terrorism. Hence B is the correct answer.

Answer: F

Supporting statement: “........The attack was carried out in such a way as to maximise the severity and length of the psychological impact..........”

Keywords: term, fear

Keyword Location: para B, line 10

Explanation: Terrorist attacks are designed to create a long-lasting psychological impact, which is a characteristic of terrorism. Hence F is the correct answer.

Answer: H

Supporting statement: “........The common definitions of terrorism refer only to those acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for an ideological goal..........”

Keywords: ideology, goal

Keyword Location: para B, line 3

Explanation: Terrorism is often driven by ideological goals, making it a key characteristic Hence H is the correct answer.

Answer: G

Supporting statement: “..........It is commonly held that the distinctive nature of terrorism lies in its intentional and specific selection of civilians as direct targets.........”

Keywords:civilians, targets

Keyword Location: para C, line 4

Explanation: The intentional targeting of civilians is a defining characteristic of terrorism. Hence G is the correct answer.

Answer: A

Supporting statement: “.......Some official (notably government) definitions of terrorism add a criterion of illegitimacy or unlawfulness to distinguish between actions authorised by a government (and thus 'lawful') and those of other actors........”

Keywords: government, sanctioned

Keyword Location: para C, lines 8-10

Explanation: The passage discusses how some definitions of terrorism include a criterion of being government sanctioned, affecting whether an act is considered terrorism. Hence A is the correct answer.

Questions 22-26

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage 2?

In boxes 22-26 of your answer sheet, write

YES - if the statement agrees with the views of the writer

NO - if the statement contradicts the views of the writer

NOT GIVEN - if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

Most discussions on terrorism are dishonest.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “.........I feel that most of discussions lack truth and clarity... In most of the countries, the big media houses continue to carry out their government's vision of terrorism.........”

Keywords: discussions, dishonest

Keyword Location: para A, lines 2-3

Explanation: The writer believes that most discussions on terrorism lack truth and clarity, indicating dishonesty. Hence the statement is correct.

Terrorism is defined in different ways in different places.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “.........At present, there is no internationally acceptable definition of terrorism... Some official (notably government) definitions of terrorism add a criterion of illegitimacy or unlawfulness..........”

Keywords: defined, different

Keyword Location: para B, line 2

Explanation: The text indicates that there is no universally accepted definition of terrorism, with different places having varying definitions. Hence the statement is correct.

Terrorists do not intend to make long-term impact in the minds of target audience.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “.........The attack was carried out in such a way as to maximise the severity and length of the psychological impact.........”

Keywords: term, impact

Keyword Location: para B, line 10

Explanation: The writer states that terrorist attacks are designed to create a long-term psychological impact, contradicting the statement.

In most cases, terrorism is used as a last resort.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “........Terrorism is a political tactic... used by activists when they believe that no other means will effect the kind of change they desire...........”

Keywords: resort, terrorism

Keyword Location: para C, lines 1-2

Explanation: The writer suggests that terrorism is used by activists when they believe no other methods will achieve their desired change, indicating it is a last resort.

Terrorists encourage non-combatants to attack government soldiers.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The text does not provide any information about terrorists encouraging non-combatants to attack government soldiers, making it impossible to determine the writer's view on this statement.

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