STUDY
1.1 Before you read the text, answer these questions.
1. Do you prefer to study
A at school or college
B in a library
C at home?
2. Do you study best
A early in the morning
B during the day
C at night?
3. Do you prefer to work
A with friends
B with background music
C in silence?
1.2. Now complete the text with the correct form of the verbs in the box. There may be more than one possible answer so try to use each verb once only.
Even the most studious among you will probably have difficulty studying at some stage in your academic career. If or when this happens, the only way to (1) _____ this problem is to go back to basics. First, make sure you have a comfortable environment to (2) _____ in. Some students need to have a quiet space to themselves and can’t (3) _____ if there are too many distractions. Others need some sort of background noise, such as music or the company of friends. Whatever your personal preference is, you need to (4) _____ this first of all. Next, make sure you have all of the equipment or tools that you need. For example, if you are (5) _____ a geography course and you have to (6) _____ about countries and their capital cities then you will need to have your atlas to hand. If you’re (7) _____your maths homework then be sure to find your calculator, ruler, protractor and compass before you start. Perhaps you’re not preparing a homework assignment or project. but are trying to (8) _____ for an exam. If so, you need to know exactly what is on your curriculum. You should also (9) _____ your notes and make sure that you have a clear understanding of what your lecturers have (10) _____ you. Of course, people with a learning disorder such as dyslexia may need to work harder than others at their studies as they often struggle to read even relatively simple texts.
1.3 Now read the text again and find a word or phrase to match these definitions.
1. describes someone who studies a lot _____
2. things that stop you from working _____
3. a sound you can hear, but do not actively listen to _____
4. two different types of homework or school task _____ and _____
5. to study for an exam _____
6. another word for syllabus _____
7. to check your work _____
8. to do something with great difficulty _____
1.4 Underline the correct words in each sentence.
1. I would really like to learn about / study about the ancient Egyptians.
2. We need to find out / know where to buy the tickets for the concert.
3. I got into trouble at school because I didn’t know / find out my multiplication tables.
4. I did well in the test because I had known / learned how to spell all of the words on the list.
5. Excuse me, do you find out / know where the nearest post office is?
6. It was difficult for me to learn / study at home, because we didn’t have a lot of space.
7. I want to learn how / study how to drive a car.
8. I think you can only really learn from / learn with experience.
2.1 Replace the words in italics below with ONE word. Then listen to the recording and check your answers.
Teacher: Can you tell me about your early education?
Student:
Can you tell me about your early education?
Well, I went to 1a school for very young children from the age of four and I remember that I didn’t enjoy it very much at all. My 2from the age of 5 to 11 school was a little better, especially because my mum was a teacher in the school. She taught in the 3younger part of the school and she was actually my teacher in first 4level, but when I went up to the 5older part of the school I didn’t see very much of her. After that I was lucky enough to receive a 6chance to go to school without paying fees for a very good 7from age 11 to 18 school. My parents couldn’t have afforded to send me to a 8not free school so it was a really great opportunity for me. It was a 9only for one sex school, so there were no boys. I’m glad I didn’t go to a 10for boys and girls school because I think there are fewer distractions so everyone can just concentrate on their studies.
2.2 WORD BUILDING Complete the table.
2.3 Complete the sentences with suitable words from the table.
1. I’ve always wanted to go on an archaeological dig to try to find fossils and ancient artefacts.
2. Have you seen a copy of the a_____ plan for the new building?
3. My daughter is a l_____ ; she speaks six different languages.
4. The government has a good e_____policy. I’m sure the recession will be over soon.
5. I’m studying j_____ I’ve always wanted to be a political writer.
6. I’m not very familiar with the g_____ of that part of the world.
RESEARCH
3.1 You will hear part of a talk for students. Listen and complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Continuing your studies after graduation
Writing your dissertation
Important considerations:
- Many students struggle to find a research (1) _____
- Writing a (2) _____ is easier if you make the right choice.
You need to:
- Study the (3) _____
- Have a wide (4) _____ of your field of study.
- Establish what is (5) _____ in your field.
- Have a clear idea of the (6) _____ of your study.
- Consider whether there are any (7) ______ in existing research.
- Think about your (8). carefully.
- Ask about (9) _____from outside sources.
- Ask your (10) _____ to check your results.
3.2 Listen to the talk again and write synonyms for the words in italics in 3.1.
after graduation = postgraduate, …
4 PRONUNCIATION Mark the stress on these words. Then listen and check to see if you were correct. Practise saying the words.
Answer
1.2
1 overcome 2 study 3 concentrate / study 4 organise 5 taking / studying 6 learn 7 doing 8 revise 9 review 10 taught
1.3
1 studious 2 distractions 3 background noise 4 project, assignment 5 revise 6 curriculum 7 review 8 struggle
1.4
2 find out 3 know 4 learned 5 know 6 study 7 learn how 8 learn from
2.1
Other possible answers are in italics.
1 kindergarten / nursery
2 primary / elementary
3 junior
4 grade
5 senior
6 scholarship / grant
7 high / secondary (high school = US and Australia, secondary school = UK)
8 private / public (UK)
9 single-sex
10 mixed
2.3
2 architectural 3 linguist 4 economic 5 journalism 6 geography
3.1
1 topic 2 thesis 3 (current) literature 4 knowledge 5 relevant 6 limits / scope 7 controversies 8 financial resources 9 funding / a grant 10 tutor
3.2
dissertation = thesis, is easier = more straightforward, wide = broad, field of study = area of specialisation / research area, establish = ascertain, consider = ask yourself, think about = take into account, results = findings
4.
assignment, consideration, concentrate, controversy (UK) or controversy (US), conduct, distraction, dissertation. economist, educational, educated, research (n), thesis, theory, theoretical
