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MODEL TEST - GENERAL TRAINING IELTS
(Time: 90 minutes)
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Section 1
Script:
You will hear a science student enquiring about English courses at a University language centre Student: Hi, I’ve come to ask about the English courses you run for international students. Administrator: Oh right - I assume you’re a student at the university? Student: Yes, I’ve just started. Administrator: OK. Well, we’ve got a range of courses. It depends what you think you need. And how much. Urn - we can’t run everything at the same time though so. for example, in this first term we are just doing a writing course. Student: I see. That sounds quite useful. What else is there? Administrator: Um, some of the courses only run for single terms and we tend to focus on what students have difficulty with. That means we don’t usually do speaking courses but next term you can do listening. That’ll help you with lectures and things. Our provision is all based on what the majority of our international students need. Student: So is everything term-based - there’s nothing that you run all year? Administrator: Well, let’s have a look. Yes. there is a class for vocabulary and grammar every term. That’s for everybody but it’s split into three or four levels. Student: And what about in the holidays? Administrator: We don’t do anything during the winter or spring break but over the summer there’s just general classes because that’s what most students want - a bit of everything. Student: OK. Quite a variety then. I’ll have a think about what I really need because I haven’t got much time. Do you have about twenty students in each class - the same as our Science seminars? Administrator: We try to keep it at about twelve and certainly not more than fifteen. It’s important for language classes. They’re very different from your normal courses. Student: Right - and how much are the classes? Administrator: The rate varies depending on how many hours you attend but you shouldn’t have to pay - usually the department will fund you and even sort out which classes you need. Student: Brilliant! It would be quite useful for me to have a certificate to take back to my country. Do you put us in for exams? Administrator: Yes. But we don’t like them to clash with your main course exams in June, so we run them in May. That leaves you time for revision. Student: Do I have to sign up for something now? I’m not quite sure what I want. Administrator: Classes haven’t quite started vet so you’ve got time to decide what you do. All we insist is that you sign up before week five. That gives you about three weeks to decide. Student: OK. Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer. Courses Available | * writing in first term * (1)….. in second term * (2)….. throughout the year * (3)….. during long vacation * Class sizes: (4)….. maximum Course costs often paid by the (5)….. Exams available in (6)….. Must enrol by (7)….. |
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listening
department
general classes
week five
May 7 / 7th of May
vocabulary and grammar / vocabulary, grammar / grammar and vocabulary
15 / fifteen
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Script:
Administrator: Then, when you’ve made up your mind, you need to come back here to the administration office to enrol.Student: What do I need to bring with me when I enrol? My identity card, I guess? Administrator: Yes, or your passport. Then you’ll be given a registration form which you’ll have to show to the teacher when you have your first class. Student: OK. And should I ask my tutor about which classes I should do then? Administrator: Yes, then you get a note from him and give that to the desk when you register. Student: Can I use the computers here as well? Administrator: Yes, you’ll be given a password when you go to your first class, so remember to bring a disk with you to save your work on as you won’t be allowed to save it on the hard drive. Student: OK. Will I need anything else? Dictionary? Administrator: We’ve got loads of those here that you can borrow, but you’ll need a notebook as we don’t provide paper or files. Student: OK. Thanks.
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1. Which THREE items does the student need to bring to the first class?
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Explain:
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Section 2
Script:
You will hear part of a radio program about the opening of a new local sport shop. Andrew: Now we go to Jane who is going to tell us about what’s happening in town this weekend. Jane: Right, thanks Andrew, and now on to what’s new, and do we really need yet another sports shop in Bradcaster? Well, most of you probably know Sports World - the branch of a Danish sports goods company that opened a few years ago - it’s attracted a lot of custom, and so the company has now decided to open another branch in the area. It’s going to be in the shopping centre to the west of Bradcaster, so that will be good news for all of you who’ve found the original shop in the north of the town hard to get to. I was invited to a special preview and I can promise you, this is the ultimate in sports retailing. The whole place has been given a new minimalist look with the company’s signature colours of black and red. The first three floors have a huge range of sports clothing as well as equipment, and on the top floor there’s a cafe and a book and DVD section. You’ll find all the well-known names as well as some less well-known ones. If they haven’t got exactly what you want in stock they promise to get it for you in ten days. Unlike the other store, where it can take up to fourteen days. They cover all the major sports, including football, tennis and swimming, but they particularly focus on running and they claim to have the widest range of equipment in the country. As well as that, a whole section of the third floor is devoted to sports baas including the latest designs from the States - if you can’t find what you want here, it doesn’t exist! Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer. SPORTS WORLD | - a new (1).......... of an international sports goods company - located in the shopping centre to the (2).......... of Bradcaster - has sports (3).......... and equipment on floors 1-3 - can get you any item within (4).......... days - shop specialises in equipment for (5).......... - has a special section which just sells (6).......... |
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west
branch
running
bags
10 / ten
clothing
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Script:
Jane: The shop will be open from 9.00 am this Saturday and if you go along to the opening then you’ll have the chance to meet the national 400 metres running champion Paul King, who’s coming along to open the shop, and he will be staying around until about midday to chat to any fans who want to meet him and sign autographs. Then there will be a whole range of special attractions all weekend. There will be free tickets for local sporting events for the first 50 customers, and also a special competition open to all. Just answer fifteen out of twenty sports questions correctly to win a signed copy of Paul King’s DVD ‘Spring Tips’, while the first person to get all the questions correct gets a year’s free membership of the Bradcaster Gym. All entrants will receive a special Sports calendar with details of all Bradcaster fixtures in the coming year. One of the special opening offers is a fitness test - a complete review of your cardiac fitness and muscle tone, actually done in the shop by qualified staff. This would normally cost £30.00 but is available at half price for this month only. There are only a limited number of places available for this, so to make a booking phone 560341. In addition, if you open an account you get lots more special offers including the chance to try out equipment at special open evenings ... Choose correct answer choices for the following questions.
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1. A champion athlete will be in the shop
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Explain:
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2. The first person to answer 20 quiz questions correctly will win
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Explain:
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3. Which TWO pieces of information does the speaker give about the fitness test?
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Explain:
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Section 3
Script:
You will hear two students Sharon and Xiao Li talking to their tutor about the presentation they gave the previous week. Tutor: So. Sharon and Xiao Li, in your presentation last week you were talking about the digital divide - the gap between those who can effectively use communication tools such as the Internet, and those who can't. And you compared the situation here in Northern Ireland with South-East China. Right, so I asked you to do some sell evaluation, watching the video of your presentation and thinking about the three main criteria you're assessed by - content, structure and technique. What do you think was the strongest feature of the presentation, when you watched it? Sharon? Sharon: Well. I was surprised actually, because I felt quite nervous but, when I watched the video, it didn't show as much as I expected. Tutor: So which of the criteria would that come under? Sharon: Er, confidence? Tutor: That’s not actually one of the criteria as such Xiao Li? Xiao Li: Technique? It's body language and eye contact, isn't it. Well, I didn't think I looked all that confident, but I think, that our technique was generally good like the way we designed and used the Powerpoint slides. Tutor: Mmm. So you both feel happiest about that side of the presentation? OK, now on the negative side, what would you change if you could do it again? Xiao Li: Well, at first I'd thought that the introduction was going to be the problem but actually I think that was OK. We defined our terms and identified key issues It was more towards the end... the conclusion wasn't too bad but the problem was the questions, we hadn’t really expected there'd be any so we hadn't thought about them that much. Tutor: Uhuh OK. Anything else? Sharon: Well, like Xiao Li says, I thought the conclusion was OK, but when I watched us on the video I thought the section on solutions seemed rather weak. Tutor: Mmm. Can you think why? Sharon: Well, we explained what people are doing about the digital divide in China and Northern Ireland but I suppose we didn't really evaluate any of the projects or ideas, it was just a list. And that was what people were asking us about at the end, mostly. Answer the questions below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
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the solutions/their solutions
the technique/their technique
questions/the questions/students' questions/answering the questions/answering students' questions
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Script:
Tutor: OK. Now, I also asked you to get some peer evaluation, from the other students. Sharon: Yes, er, well, people said it was interesting, like the fact that in China the Internet was used more for shopping than in Northern Ireland. They said sometimes it was a bit hard to understand because we were talking quite fast... but we didn't think so when we watched the video. Tutor: No, it’s a bit different though, because you know all this information already. Mmm. If you're hearing it for the first time, you need more time to process it ... that's why signposting the structure and organisation of the talk is important. Xiao Li: That seemed OK, no one mentioned that as a problem. Some people said that we could have had more on the slides… like some of the other groups had nearly everything they said written up on the visuals as well, but other people said the slides were good, they had just the key point... Tutor: Yes. Sharon: And most people said we had quite good eye contact and body language. They all pointed out we'd over run... they all said we were five minutes over but we timed it afterwards on the video and it was only three minutes. Xiao Li: We were a bit unsure about the background reading at first, but I think we did as much as we could in the time... anyway, no one commented on that under content, but one thing that did come out was that they liked the fact we'd done research on both Northern Ireland and China most other people had just based their research on one country. We managed to get quite a lot of data from the Internet, although we had to do our own analysis and we did our own surveys as well in both countries. So the class gave us best feedback for content but it was all OK. Tutor: Right. Well, that's quite similar to the feedback I'm giving you I was very impressed by the amount of work you'd done and by your research methodology... so, actually, I’m giving you full marks for content, five. The structure of the presentation was good, but not quite as good as the content, so. I gave that four, and the same for technique. So, well done. Xiao Li/Sharon: Thank you. Tutor: Now, the next stage is to write up your report. So, just a few pointers for you here. First of all, in your presentation think your ending was rather abrupt - you suddenly just stopped talking. It wasn't a big problem but think about your dosing sentences in your report - you want to round it off well. One thing I forgot to mention earlier was that I felt a very strong point was that after you'd given your results, you explained then limitations. Xiao Li: The fact that we didn't have a very reliable sample in terms of age in China? Tutor: Yes, that section. So don't forget to include that. And you had some excellent charts and diagrams, but maybe you could flesh out the literature review a bit. I can give you some ideas for that later on if you want. OK, is there anything else you want to ask? Xiao Li/Sharon: No... Thank you. / Thanks. Complete the sentences below. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
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limitations
literature
end/ending
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Script:
Tutor: OK. Now, I also asked you to get some peer evaluation, from the other students. Sharon: Yes, er, well, people said it was interesting, like the fact that in China the Internet was used more for shopping than in Northern Ireland. They said sometimes it was a bit hard to understand because we were talking quite fast... but we didn't think so when we watched the video. Tutor: No, it’s a bit different though, because you know all this information already. Mmm. If you're hearing it for the first time, you need more time to process it ... that's why signposting the structure and organisation of the talk is important. Xiao Li: That seemed OK, no one mentioned that as a problem. Some people said that we could have had more on the slides… like some of the other groups had nearly everything they said written up on the visuals as well, but other people said the slides were good, they had just the key point... Tutor: Yes. Sharon: And most people said we had quite good eye contact and body language. They all pointed out we'd over run... they all said we were five minutes over but we timed it afterwards on the video and it was only three minutes. Xiao Li: We were a bit unsure about the background reading at first, but I think we did as much as we could in the time... anyway, no one commented on that under content, but one thing that did come out was that they liked the fact we'd done research on both Northern Ireland and China most other people had just based their research on one country. We managed to get quite a lot of data from the Internet, although we had to do our own analysis and we did our own surveys as well in both countries. So the class gave us best feedback for content but it was all OK. Tutor: Right. Well, that's quite similar to the feedback I'm giving you I was very impressed by the amount of work you'd done and by your research methodology... so, actually, I’m giving you full marks for content, five. The structure of the presentation was good, but not quite as good as the content, so. I gave that four, and the same for technique. So, well done. Xiao Li/Sharon: Thank you. Tutor: Now, the next stage is to write up your report. So, just a few pointers for you here. First of all, in your presentation think your ending was rather abrupt - you suddenly just stopped talking. It wasn't a big problem but think about your dosing sentences in your report - you want to round it off well. One thing I forgot to mention earlier was that I felt a very strong point was that after you'd given your results, you explained then limitations. Xiao Li: The fact that we didn't have a very reliable sample in terms of age in China? Tutor: Yes, that section. So don't forget to include that. And you had some excellent charts and diagrams, but maybe you could flesh out the literature review a bit. I can give you some ideas for that later on if you want. OK, is there anything else you want to ask? Xiao Li/Sharon: No... Thank you. / Thanks. Choose the correct answer.
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1. Look at three bar charts above. Which bar chart represents the marks given by the tutor? ................
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Explain:
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2. Sharon and Xiao Li were surprised when the class said ................
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Explain:
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3. The class gave Sharon and Xiao Li conflicting feedback on their................
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Explain:
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4. The class thought that the presentation was different from the others because ................
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Explain:
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Section 4
Script:
You will hear a lecturer giving a lecture on university programs. Welcome to this session of the Business School’s careers advice program for prospective students. Tonight, I’d like to introduce Ms Amanda Tan, who has worked for several years now as a careers consultant. Ms Tan herself has a business degree and worked for a major multinational company as the Australasian Human Resources Manager, so I think you can take it that tonight you’ll be getting some very helpful information. Ms Amanda Tan. Thank you Mr Morrell. I’m very pleased to be able to talk to you this evening and perhaps help some of you make the right decisions about your future study and careers. Tonight the two areas I will cover are Business Studies and Information Technology, and I’ll begin with business. I suppose many of you are here because you already figure that while many sectors in the general economy may be declining, the business sector seems to be continually expanding and employment prospects here are many and varied. In fact, they are so varied that we can only cover a fraction tonight, and of the many specialisations we only have time for a quick look at IT. While there are many areas you can study in business, you should know that the four fundamental subjects in a business course are commerce, economics, finance and law. Obviously these fundamental areas will have most appeal for those of you who like a focus on theoretical research and analysis and their application. You will find a satisfying career in mainstream business as financial advisers who use these applications to advise clients on investment or merger activities. (5 seconds) Those of you who really like number crunching as we say will most likely take to accounting, going on to specialise in a particular area of industry, such as banking, insurance, retail, mining or manufacturing or you may prefer to work in government, for example in taxation. Now I know not everyone is that keen on number crunching, but you’d still like a career in business. Well there are plenty of openings for you still. If you enjoy working with people, I can assure you that my own career in human resources management was a truly rewarding one with a multitude of exciting moments. And if you’re intrigued by the politics of it all, you could go into industrial relations. Then if you have a bent for broader planning and strategic analysis the area for you would be marketing. (5 seconds) Now some of you might be wondering where information technology fits in to all this. I would say that today, none of the career paths I’ve mentioned tonight would be possible without some knowledge of IT. Most companies want IT people who have the kind of expertise that can be applied to a competitive business environment. This means that employers recognise the need to support continual, on-the-job training to ensure their IT professionals remain at the forefront. So if you are looking for a career that will continue to challenge throughout a lifetime, an IT business combination is perfect. So let’s take a look at some of the IT fields you might go into and their relevance for a career in business. Systems analysts might work with systems designers to take complex concepts either in business or in other fields and translate those concepts into clear workable solutions. Within this broad area there are a number of specific applications including systems application, systems design and systems operation. And of course, depending on where your interests take you, you might choose to work with either hardware or software. Right now, choosing the ‘soft’ option so to speak is pretty smart. You certainly won’t have trouble finding a well-paid job. In fact, employers say they have trouble finding good software engineers. A recent survey suggests that in Australia alone there are over 20 000 unfilled IT jobs, many for software specialists, and that starting salaries are likely well over $30 000 a year. A good degree in this area will be broad ranging and will include areas such as design and development processes, quality assessment, testing and configuration and even project management. That’s about all we have time for tonight, though I could probably answer one or two quick questions is anyone has any. Yes, the woman wearing the red scarf in the back there... Complete the notes. Write NO MORE THAN ONE NUMBER OR THREE WORDS for each answer. BUSINESS SCHOOL-CAREERS ADVICE SESSION | PRESENTER Ms Amanda Tan Ms Tan has a business degree and worked as a (1)….. for many years. BUSINESS STUDIES General economy declining but business sector (2)….. Main subjects in business: commerce (3)….., (4)….. and law. Possible careers in mainstream business: • Financial advisers who advise clients on (5)….. • Accountants work with numbers a lot: several specialisations in industry e.g., (6)….. or government e.g., (7)….. • Work with people — human resources or with focus on politics, (8)….., and on planning and strategic analysis (9)….. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Because of competitive business environment and a need to be up to date, employers support (10)….. training. This career offers a lifetime challenge. In area of (11)….. analysis, design, application, operation. Could work with either hardware or software. Huge number of IT jobs in Australia with starting salary around (12)…..$, per annum. |
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banking / insurance / retail / mining / manufacturing
expanding / growing
economics / finance
marketing
$30,000 / 30,000
on-the-job / on the job / continuing / continual
finance / economics
taxation
industrial relations
investment / merger activities
systems
Human Resources Manager / human resources manager / careers consultant
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Passage 1
The following table gives information about immunisation. IMMUNISATION CALENDAR | AGE | DISEASE | VACCINE | 2 months | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | DTPw* | | Poliomyelitis | OPV-Sabin vaccine | | Hib | Hib vaccine (HbOC or PRP-OMP)** | 4 months | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | DTPw* | | Poliomyelitis | OPV-Sabin vaccine | | Hib | Hib vaccine (HbOC or PRP-OMP)** | 6 months | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | DTPw* | | Poliomyelitis | OPV-Sabin vaccine | | Hib (HbOC schedule only) | Hib vaccine (HbOC) | 12 months | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | MMR | | Hib (PRP-OMP schedule only) | Hib vaccine (PRP-OMP) | 18 months | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, | DTPa or DTPw | | Hib (HbOC schedule only) | Hib vaccine (HbOC) | Prior to school—4-5 years (+) | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | DTPa or DTPw | | Poliomyelitis | OPV-Sabin vaccine | (+) Attendance for these booster injections is essential. * DTP is the abbreviation for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, commonly referred to by the trade name “Triple Antigen” ** Abbreviations for haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) vaccines: HbOC is “HibTITER”; PRP-OMP is “PedvaxHIB”. HbOC (‘HibTITER’) is given at two, four, six and 18 months. PRP-OMP (PedvaxHIB) is given at two, four and 12 months.
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the table, answer the following questions.
Answer the questions by choosing the correct answer.
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1. Which of the following would be an appropriate schedule for Type b influenza?
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Explain:
2,4,6 and 18 months. This answer is also found in the same section as the answer to question 2. There are two possible schedules given for Type b influenza: HbOC at 2,4,6 and 18 months or PRP-OMP at 2,4 and 12 months. A, C and D do not describe either of these schedules. |
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2. The symbol (+) indicates
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Explain:
booster injections are necessary. Symbols such as t or an * refer you to an explanatory note, usually found at the bottom of the page or below a chart or table. They do not refer you to the information within the text. . |
Questions and Answers about Immunisation (A) For polio, Sabin oral vaccine is given by mouth-a few drops of pleasantly flavoured syrup on a spoon. For diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough a combined vaccine (triple antigen) is given by injection-a quick prick from the needle, over in a few seconds. Measles and rubella vaccine are also given by injection. (B) There are sometimes mild side effects to the triple antigen vaccine. These may include some local redness, tenderness and swelling at the site of the injection during the 48-hour period which follows it. There may also be slight nausea, fretfulness and feverishness. Major reactions are extremely rare. Possible reactions to measles immunisation include fever, rash and a stuffy nose about 5-12 days after the injection. These symptoms last about 2-3 days, do not cause much discomfort and normally do not require treatment. The child is not infective to others. (C) A full course of immunisation will still give protection when completed, even if it does not strictly follow the Health Commission's recommended schedule. (D) Although two months is the recommended starting age, immunisation will be equally effective if commenced in older children. The early start is advised because whooping cough is most serious in young babies. Immunisation can still ensure protection for children over eight years and adults, provided the vaccine appropriate to their age is used. | (E) If a child has diarrhoea, Sabin oral vaccine should not be given. If a child vomits within two hours of taking Sabin oral vaccine, the dose should be repeated. Before you have your child immunised, please tell the doctor if your child: • Is suffering from any sickness or allergy; • Has had a severe reaction to a previous immunisation such as persistent screaming or persistent vomiting, or collapse, or convulsions, or fever exceeding 29.5°C; • Has ever had fits, or if other members of the family have had an illness of the nervous system or convulsions; • Has had a blood transfusion or an injection of gamma globulin in the last three months; • Is under treatment with a cortisone-like drug. (F) For some children the Hepatitis B vaccine may also be recommended. Please consult your doctor for advice. (G) • Your doctor, or • Your local council, or • Community Health Centres in some Health Regions | The text about immunisation gives the answers to questions commonly asked by parents. There are 7 sections A-G. Choose the most suitable heading for each section from the list below. NB: There are more headings than sections so you will not use all of them. You may use any of the headings more than once.
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1. Section A
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Explain:
Section A describes how immunisation is done, the process. |
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2. Section B
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Explain:
Section B describes some possible side effects or reactions to vaccines. |
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3. Section C
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Explain:
Section C tells you that an interruption to the normal schedule will not reduce the effectiveness of the vaccination. |
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4. Section D
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Explain:
Section D tells you that ‘immunisation will be equally effective if commenced in older children.' |
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5. Section E
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Explain:
Section E tells you what information the doctor needs before giving immunisation-in other words, the precautions necessary. |
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6. Section G
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Explain:
Section G tells you where to go for immunisation. |
Choose the appropriate answer.
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1. The vaccine for which illness comes in the form of a syrup?
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Explain:
This answer is found in the first sentence. The rest of this paragraph tells you that tetanus, diphtheria and measles vaccines are all given by injection. |
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2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a possible side effect of the DTP vaccine?
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Explain:
This instruction requires you to choose a possible side effect of the DTP vaccine (the triple antigen vaccine) NOT given in the passage. That means three of the four answers, redness, nausea and fever, ARE given in section B, which deals with reactions to vaccines. |
Passage 2
Job Interview Success When you apply for a job, the impression you create during the interview is just as important as the skills and background you bring to the table. The following suggestions will help you prepare for a successful interview. Before You Leave Home Dress appropriately. This means the attire you choose should be the same as what you would wear for work once you are hired. Conservative colors2 and styles always convey a more trustworthy image. Rehearse the interview at home. Think of questions that you will probably be asked, and prepare answers for them. This will help you be calm when you are at the actual interview. Don’t be late for your interview. The best way to avoid this problem is to decide ahead of time how you want to get there. If by bus or subway, check the schedules the day before. If by car, plan your route carefully and figure out how long it will take. Careful planning will ensure that you will make a good impression by arriving on time. During the Interview Speak clearly. Look the interviewer in the eye when speaking and use clear, confident tones. Do not speak too quickly or nervously. Rather, pronounce your words carefully and pause when searching for ideas. Speaking with a firm, clear voice is one of the best ways to give an impression of self-assurance. Ask questions. Do not be afraid to do this. It will not make you appear unprepared or stupid. On the contrary, asking the right questions shows that you are knowledgeable about the company and conveys the impression that you are interested and enthusiastic. Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.
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the schedule/the schedules
calm
conservative
on time
voice
the right questions/question
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Five Reasons Your Business Needs a Website All businesses, large or small, need a website. Here are several reasons a website can help a company of any size improve its business. A A website is the most important tool a business has for maintaining contact with customers. The website gives customers a way to know what services or products you sell and how to contact you. By offering an e-newsletter sign-up on your website, customers can stay informed about events related to your business and your products, and you save on printing costs. A link to your blog keeps customers up-to-date on what is happening with your business, and keeps them coming back. B A website allows you to expand your customer base beyond your immediate community, and even to other countries. Anyone in the world can have access to your services and products through your website, at no extra cost. C No matter what the size of your business, it is not hard to afford a website. It is easy to set up, and it does not have to break your budget. There are templates available if you want to create a website yourself. Or, you can hire a Web designer for a more professional look. Depending on what you need, using the services of a professional does not necessarily cost huge amounts of money. The hosting fees you pay to keep your website up and running are minimal. D You can save on expenses by keeping your website simple. Even just a few pages can be enough to provide your customers with the necessary information to keep them interested in what your business has to offer. A large website with lots of pages is not always necessary. The most essential facts to include in any website—your business name and location, your products, and your contact information—can be contained on just one page. E Your website can be a place for your customers to buy your products. You may still do most of your selling at your physical place of business, but the website is another opportunity to sell, and you can reach more customers this way, too. The text contains five sections, A—E. In which section can information about the following be found? You may use any option more than once.
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1. finding international customers
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Explain:
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2. the cost of maintaining a website
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Explain:
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3. ways to communicate with customers
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Explain:
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4. selling your products online
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Explain:
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5. the size of your website
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Explain:
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6. website design
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Explain:
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7. the most important information to include
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Explain:
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Passage 3
Green Energy As energy prices rise and the effects of greenhouse gas emissions become more widespread, people everywhere are becoming increasingly concerned about using fossil fuels. More and more people are turning to so-called “green technologies” as a way to reduce dependence on non renewable fossil fuels. The ideal alternative energy source would be sustainable (the supply will not be exhausted), clean (no emissions), and reliable. The three most popular alternative energy sourcesare geothermal power, solar power, and wind power. Since geothermal energy taps heat from the earth, its resources range from water found just below the surface of the earth, to hot water and hot rock found a fewmiles below the surface, to even deeper rock of extremely high temperatures. In aprocess similar to drilling for oil, wells as deep as a mile or more can be drilled into underground reservoirs to tap steam and hot water that are used to run turbines andcreate energy. Power companies can then transmit this energy over power lines. Geothermal power on a smaller scale can be used for heating and coolinghouses or commercial buildings. Geothermal heat pumps, also known asground-source heat pumps, rely on the fact that the earth beneath the surfaceremains at a relatively constant temperature throughout the year. Like a cave, theground is warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler in the summer. The geothermal heat pump transfers the heat stored in the earth into the building during the winter, and transfers it out of the building and into the ground during the summer. The ground, in other words, acts as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer. While geothermal heat pumps are an emissions-free and reliable source of energy, the biggest disadvantage is that such systems are expensive to install. Solar energy has come a long way from the clunky boxes of the 1970s. Today, solar energy is commonly collected by sleek and efficient photovoltaic (PV)panels. The photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity and are made of semiconductors such as crystalline silicon or other thin-film materials. The benefitsof solar power vary according to how much exposure a given building has to thesun. However, one does not need to live in the desert to take advantage of solar power. Cloudy Germany is the worldwide leader in the use of solar power. Solar power is not as pricey as geothermal power, but having a panel professionally installed can still be costly. Some enterprising home-owners reduce the initial costs by purchasing inexpensive kits and setting up the system on their own. The biggest disadvantage of a solar power system is its dependence on the amount of sunlight collected, but some cutting-edge panels can generate energy even in the rain. Wind power is created when wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Most wind turbines convert the wind’s kinetic energy into mechanical power. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft connected to a generator. Agenerator then converts this mechanical power into electricity. A group of wind turbines can produce electricity and feed it into the utility grid, where it is sent through transmission lines to homes and businesses. Like solar and geothermal energy, wind is a renewable resource that produces no emissions. Small wind energy systems can be used by homes, farms, or communities. Such systems can be connected to the larger electrical grid or used for stand-alone energy generation—a particularly attractive option for anyone living far from power company lines. A grid-connected wind turbine can reduce one’s reliance onthe power company for electricity . If the turbine cannot deliver the needed energy, the power company then makes up the difference. However, in order to take advantage of wind energy, a turbine must be in an area with average wind speed of at least 10 miles an hour, and such systems can be very expensive. Whether a given home or business uses wind, solar, or geothermal power depends on a variety of economic and environmental factors. However, expertsagree that investing in alternative energy now—whether by individuals or power companies—will pay dividends in the future.
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