Reading passage 1

Australia and the Great War, 1914 1918

Australias role in the First World War, or the Great War as it was known until 1939, is central to
the development of modern Australias vision of itself in the world. In many ways it has served to
create what is in some ways a second founding of the nation in the Gallipoli campaign and on the
battlefields of France and Belgium. The influence of the war experience in the First, and Second,
World War is evident in the way in which ANZAC day is, perhaps even more than Australia day,
the countrys national day.
When the war broke out in 1914, it was a certainty that, because of longstanding economic, family
and defense ties, Australia, along with New Zealand, would stand alongside Britain. The then
Prime Minister Andrew Fisher was quick to pledge the countrys support to the last man, the last
shilling. This was no idle promise and Australia paid a high price for their loyalty to their
colonizers. From a pre-war population of 5m, 417,000 enlisted in the armed forces, of which
324,000 served abroad. By the end of the war, Australia had lost 60,000 dead and 155,000 men had
been wounded. The economic price was also high. The national debt, which had stood at 6m in
1914, was 325m by the end of the war.
It is possible that the first shot of the war was fired in Australia, when a shot was fired across the
bow of the German merchant ship Pfalz as it tried to escape from Port Arthur only a few hour after
the declaration of war. In late 1914 the light cruiser HMAS Sydney sank the German warship
Emden off the west coast of the country. Also early in the war, Australian troops captured the
German radio transmitters in Rabaul and Nauru and conquered all of German New Guinea.
At first the Australian forces were intended only to defend Australia, but in 1915 the Australia
New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) departed for Europe. Their first stop was Egypt and it was
because they were so close that they were chosen to take part in the campaign to capture the
Gallipoli peninsula, the key to shipping into the Black Sea, from the Turks. The plan was for
British, French and Anzac forces to land on the peninsular at night at weak points in the Turkish
defense. However, strong winds blew the troops off course to better defended spots and in the
advantage was lost. What followed was months of bitter fighting in which 20,000 British and 7,000
ANZAC soldiers were killed and which ended in a successful withdrawal, but no gain for the
Allies. It was at this moment of history that Australia was propelled on to the world stage. From
this moment onward Australia began to think of itself as a country in its own right; as being separate to
Britain and no longer a colony.
Most of the ANZAC force was sent to Europe, but the Australian Light Horse remained to fight
Turkish forces in Palestine and Syria. They defended the Suez Canal and advanced through
Palestine and Syria. They also took part in what was one of the worlds last great cavalry charges
at Beersheba.
The main ANZAC force arrived in Europe in 1916. The ANZAC experience was similar to that of
the other participants in the war; a high death toll and little gain to be shown for it. Australian
forces were present at all the major battles of the war and sustained some terrible casualties. For
example, in 24 hours near Pozieres the 5th Division suffered 5,000 casualties. At the battle of
Bullecort, of the 3,000 men who advanced, 2339 were killed, wounded or captured.
By 1917 most of the officers were not professional soldiers. The most prominent example was
General Sir John Monash, who was an engineer by training. He commanded the allied forces at the
battle of Hamel so well that the general staff published the battle reports as a model. In August
1918, he commanded 200,000 troops on what way called Ludendorffs black day, a turning point
in the war. Monash was probably Australias greatest military figure.
Unlike in other armies in the war, the Australian soldiers were all volunteers. They were also more
individualistic and showed less respect for the rulebook than other soldiers. The relationship
between ranks was more democratic and officer had to win the respect of their troops. All in all,
they paid a high price for fighting in the war. Of the 324,000 soldiers who served overseas in the
war 215,000 were killed or wounded. This was the highest proportion of any of the countries in the
war and was probably due to the Australians fighting qualities, which meant that they were often
used on the frontline of the fighting.
At home, the war had a significant effect on the economy. Negative effects included the end of
British investment, the closure of many shipping lanes and the stockpiling of Australias main
export, wool. However, the isolation that resulted from the war meant that Australia had to make
some things that had previously been imported. This led to the development of new industries. In
addition, the BHP smelting company, which is now a major Australian company, saw a great
increase in demand for iron and steel. The needs of the war were stimulus for the beginning of full
industrialization in Australia.
At the signing of the treaty of Versailles, which marked the end of the war, Australia signed as a
separate country. This reflected the fact that, at the cost of 60,000 dead, Australia had finally
emerged from the shadow of Britain. The Great War was, perhaps, the beginning of modern
Australian history.

IELTS Reading Passages: Questions 1 7
Complete the sentences below (1 7) with words taken from the passage.
Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Write your numbers in boxes 1 7 on your answer sheet.
1. According to the passage Australias view of itself is directly related to its involvement in

2. Soon after the war had begun, Australias Prime Minister offered.
3. Australia had an early involvement in the war and it is even possible that they were responsible
for..
4. When combating the Turkish defense, the British, French and Anzac forces ended up attacking
stronger points than they had originally
intended because of
5. The outcome of the bitter fight with the Turks was significant for Australia because it enabled
them to take their place on
6. John Monash commanded the battle of Hamel so well that reports of the battle were published
in order to be used
7. The Great War marked the beginning of modern Australia. They had emerged as a separate
country and would no longer have to live under the

IELTS Reading Passages: Questions 8 12
Classify the following statements as representing
Yes Y opinions the writer would agree with
No N statements the writer would disagree with
Not Included NI facts not reported in the passage
Write the appropriate letters in boxes 8 12 on your answer sheet.
8. Australias national debt increased greatly as a result of the Great War.
9. Australia made a great contribution to the successful outcome of the First World War.




Australia and the Great War, 1914 1918
Australias role in the First World War, (1) or the Great War as it was known until 1939, is
central to the development of modern Australias vision of itself in the world. In many ways it
has served to create what is in some ways a second founding of the nation in the Gallipoli
campaign and on the battlefields of France and Belgium. The influence of the war experience in
the First, and Second, World War is evident in the way in which ANZAC day is, perhaps even
more than Australia day, the countrys national day.
When the war broke out in 1914, it was a certainty that, because of longstanding economic,
family and defense ties, Australia, along with New Zealand, would stand alongside Britain. The
then Prime Minister Andrew Fisher was quick to pledge (2) the countrys support to the last
man, the last shilling. This was no idle promise and Australia paid a high price for their loyalty
to their colonizers. From a pre-war population of 5m, 417,000 enlisted in the armed forces, of
which 324,000 served abroad. By the end of the war, Australia had lost 60,000 dead and 155,000
men had been wounded. The economic price was also high. (8) The national debt, which had
stood at 6m in 1914, was 325m by the end of the war.
It is possible that (3) the first shot of the war was fired in Australia, when a shot was fired
across the bow of the German merchant ship Pfalz as it tried to escape from Port Arthur only a
few hour after the declaration of war. In late 1914 the light cruiser HMAS Sydney sank the
German warship Emden off the west coast of the country. Also early in the war, Australian
troops captured the German radio transmitters in Rabaul and Nauru and conquered all of German
New Guinea.
At first the Australian forces were intended only to defend Australia, but in 1915 the Australia
New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) departed for Europe. Their first stop was Egypt and it was
because they were so close that they were chosen to take part in the campaign to capture the
Gallipoli peninsula, the key to shipping into the Black Sea, from the Turks. The plan was for
British, French and Anzac forces to land on the peninsular at night at weak points in the Turkish
defense. However, (4) strong winds blew the troops off course to better defended spots and in
the advantage was lost. What followed was months (10) of bitter fighting in which 20,000
British and 7,000 ANZAC soldiers were killed and which ended in a successful withdrawal,
but no gain for the Allies. It was at this moment of history that Australia was propelled on to (5)
the world stage. From this moment onward Australia began to think of itself as a country in its
own right; as being separate to Britain and no longer a colony.
Most of the ANZAC force was sent to Europe, but the Australian Light Horse remained to fight
Turkish forces in Palestine and Syria. They defended the Suez Canal and advanced through
Palestine and Syria. They also took part in what was one of the worlds last great cavalry charges
at Beersheba The main ANZAC force arrived in Europe in 1916. The ANZAC experience was similar to
that
of the other participants in the war; a high death toll and little gain to be shown for it. Australian
forces were present at all the major battles of the war and sustained some terrible casualties. For
example, in 24 hours near Pozieres the 5th Division suffered 5,000 casualties. At the battle of
Bullecort, of the 3,000 men who advanced, 2339 were killed, wounded or captured.
By 1917 most of the officers were not professional soldiers. The most prominent example was
General Sir John Monash, who was an engineer by training. He commanded the allied forces at
the battle of Hamel so well that the general staff published the battle reports (6) as a model. In
August 1918, he commanded 200,000 troops on what way called Ludendorffs black day, a
turning point in the war. Monash was probably Australias greatest military figure.
Unlike in other armies in the war, the Australian soldiers were all volunteers. (12) They were
also more individualistic and showed less respect for the rulebook than other soldiers. The
relationship between ranks was more democratic and officer had to win the respect of their
troops. All in all, they paid a high price for fighting in the war. (11) Of the 324,000 soldiers
who served overseas in the war 215,000 were killed or wounded. This was the highest
proportion of any of the countries in the war and was probably due to the Australians
fighting qualities, which meant that they were often used on the frontline of the fighting.
At home, the war had a significant effect on the economy. Negative effects included the end of
British investment, the closure of many shipping lanes and the stockpiling of Australias main
export, wool. However, the isolation that resulted from the war meant that Australia had to make
some things that had previously been imported. This led to the development of new industries. In
addition, the BHP smelting company, which is now a major Australian company, saw a great
increase in demand for iron and steel. The needs of the war were stimulus for the beginning of
full industrialization in Australia.
At the signing of the treaty of Versailles, which marked the end of the war, Australia signed as a
separate country. This reflected the fact that, at the cost of 60,000 dead, Australia had finally
emerged from the (7) shadow of Britain. The Great War was, perhaps, the beginning of modern
Australian history

IELTS Reading Passages: Questions 1 7 ANSWERS
1. According to the passage Australias view of itself is directly related to its involvement in the
Great War
2. Soon after the war had begun, Australias Prime Minister offered the countrys support
3. Australia had an early involvement in the war and it is even possible that they were responsible
for the first shot
4. When combating the Turkish defense, the British, French and Anzac forces ended up attacking
stronger points than they had originally intended because of strong winds
5. The outcome of the bitter fight with the Turks was significant for Australia because it enabled
them to take their place on the world stage
6. John Monash commanded the battle of Hamel so well that reports of the battle were published
in order to be used as a model
7. The Great War marked the beginning of modern Australia. They had emerged as a separate
country and would no longer have to live under the shadow of Britain
IELTS Reading Passages: Questions 1 7

Y opinions the writer agree with
N statements the writer would disagree with
NI facts not reported in the passage
Write the appropriate letters marked A C in boxes 8 12 on your answer sheet.
8. Australias national debt increased greatly as a result of the Great War. - Y
9. Australia made a great contribution to the successful outcome of the First World War. - NI
10. The British forces suffered a greater number of casualties than the Anzac forces during the
months of fighting with the Turkish. - Y
11. Overall, the British had a higher proportion of soldiers killed or injured than Australia. - N
12. Australian soldiers were disrespectful to their superiors. - N






Reading passage 2
Indian Marriages
Marriage is one of the oldest human institutions and this is as true in Indian culture as
anywhere else. In India marriage, called Kanyadana or donating a virgin, is thought of as
the greatest sacrifice that a father can make and for the groom as an obligation to perpetuate his
bloodline. Many people believe that a marriage is still binding after death.
In early times girls were thought to be ready for marriage after puberty and later even children
could be married. Divorce and remarriage were not always possible. By Medieval times
Marriage was compulsory for girls, who very often married between the ages of eight and nine.
Among those able to afford it, polygamy was common and rulers would often have one wife
from their own region and other minor wives from other areas. Now, divorce and remarriage is
possible and non-Muslim Indian men can only have one wife.
Although are many regional variations, some features of the Indian wedding ceremony are
similar throughout the country. In general weddings are very complicated events and involve
long negotiations about dowry payments prior to the event. After this has been decided a day is
chosen by asking an astrologer to find a lucky day. Preparations begin early because a marriage
is not only one of the highlights a persons life, but a large and complex social gathering to
organize.
The night before, the bride, her friends and female relatives gather together for a party called a
mehendi, where they paint each others hands and feet with Henna and dance and listen to
music. Her guests often give the bride advice about married life and tease her about her future
husband. Weddings are traditionally held at the brides home or in a temple, but parks, hotels
and marriage halls are becoming increasingly popular. On the day a wedding altar or
mandapa is built and covered in flowers. All of the wedding ceremony will be held in the
altar.
The clothing a couple wear on their wedding day varies between regions and ethnic groups.
Women most commonly wear a sari. The bride wears a lot of jewelry as this symbolizes the
prosperity she will bring to her new family. In the South wearing flowers is common. The
groom wears traditional costume or a suit. Turbans are also popular headgear.
The ceremony begins with a mixture of tumeric, sandlewood paste and oils being applied to the
couples face and arms. In the past this was done to the whole body, but now it is only symbolic, with only
a little being rubbed on. Then they are showered in flowers. After this they
perform the rituals that will make them man and wife. First they garland each other and then
take seven symbolic steps together representing seven gifts and seven promises.
Finally they say the vows and then they are legally married. The brides father or guardian
takes her hands and puts them in her husbands giving her to him. Now she is no longer a
member of her fathers family, but a member of her husbands. They then touch the feet of
their elders for luck.
After the wedding ceremony, the couple go to the grooms house. The bride should be careful
to enter the house right foot first for luck. In the evening and late into the night the families and
their guests celebrate with dancing, music and food.

IELTS Reading Passage - Questions:
Circle the correct answers A C.

1. In India weddings are
A a duty for the man to continue his family.
B thought to end at death.
C a duty for the father.
D seen as a benefit for the father.

2. Divorce and remarriage
A are only possible for non-Muslims.
B were sometimes not possible in the past.
C have always been possible.
D have only become possible in modern times.

3. Indian weddings
A are straightforward and brief.
B are thought to be lucky
C are intricate and time consuming.
D involve only the immediate family.

Complete the statements below. Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.
4. Before the wife-to-be is given recommendations about ____________________.
5. The wedding ceremony is conducted in a special ____________________.
6. The gold and jewels the bride wears represent ____________________ .
7. These days the materials applied prior to the ceremony are only ____________________..
8. After the wedding, the bride has left ____________________ and belongs to her husbands.
9. The new bride should go into her new house _____________________



























Indian Marriages
Marriage is one of the oldest human institutions and this is as true in Indian culture as anywhere
else. In India marriage, called Kanyadana or donating a virgin, is thought of as the greatest
sacrifice that a father can make (1) and for the groom as an obligation to perpetuate his
bloodline. Many people believe that a marriage is still binding after death.
In early times girls were thought to be ready for marriage after puberty and later even children
could be married. (2) Divorce and remarriage were not always possible. By Medieval times
Marriage was compulsory for girls, who very often married between the ages of eight and nine.
Among those able to afford it, polygamy was common and rulers would often have one wife
from their own region and other minor wives from other areas. Now, divorce and remarriage is
possible and non-Muslim Indian men can only have one wife.
Although are many regional variations, some features of the Indian wedding ceremony are
similar throughout the country. (3) In general weddings are very complicated events and
involve long negotiations about dowry payments prior to the event. After this has been decided
a day is chosen by asking an astrologer to find a lucky day. Preparations begin early because a
marriage is not only one of the highlights a persons life, but a large and complex social
gathering to organize.
The night before, the bride, her friends and female relatives gather together for a party called a
mehendi, where they paint each others hands and feet with Henna and dance and listen to
music. Her guests often give the bride advice (4) about married life and tease her about her
future husband.
Weddings are traditionally held at the brides home or in a temple, but parks, hotels and marriage
halls are becoming increasingly popular. On the day a wedding altar or (5) mandapa is built
and covered in flowers. All of the wedding ceremony will be held in the altar.
The clothing a couple wear on their wedding day varies between regions and ethnic groups.
Women most commonly wear a sari. The bride wears a lot of jewelry as this symbolizes the (6)
prosperity she will bring to her new family. In the South wearing flowers is common. The
groom wears traditional costume or a suit. Turbans are also popular headgear.
The ceremony begins with a mixture of turmeric, sandalwood paste and oils being applied to the
couples face and arms. In the past this was done to the whole body, but now it is only (7)
symbolic, with only a little being rubbed on. Then they are showered in flowers. After this they
perform the rituals that will make them man and wife. First they garland each other and then take
seven symbolic steps together representing seven gifts and seven promises.
Finally they say the vows and then they are legally married. The brides father or guardian takes
her hands and puts them in her husbands giving her to him. Now she is no longer a member of
(8) her fathers family, but a member of her husbands. They then touch the feet of their elders
for luck. After the wedding ceremony, the couple go to the grooms house. The bride should be
careful to enter the house (9 )right foot first for luck. In the evening and late into the night the
families and their guests celebrate with dancing, music and food.

ANSWERS
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. married life
5. wedding altar/mandapa
6. prosperity
7. symbolic
8. her fathers family
9. right foot first



















Reading passage 3
The Container Trade
The shipping container is one of the mainstays of international trade. The
globalised modern economy depends on the rapid and efficient movement of
goods that containerisation allows. In many ways it was the advent of the
container that allowed this globalised economy to develop.
Invented during World War two as an efficient method of moving equipment
to the front lines, there are now at any one time up to 15 million containers
being used to transport goods on land and sea or waiting to be filled at
factories and ports. They are vital in the supply chain and have allowed the
added efficiency of just in time inventory management, where companies
no longer keep large warehouses of stock or parts, but rely on the ability to
quickly order what they want from their suppliers. It is estimated that since
the 1980s the ratio of inventory to GDP in American business has fallen
from 25% to 15%. Altogether total business inventory in the US is estimated
at $1.5 trillion, without just in time management methods this might be as
much as $2.5 trillion. This means that companies rely more and more on the
prompt delivery of parts from their suppliers to fulfill orders. This is
particularly true of industries such as computer manufacture, which no longer
make all the parts of the products that bear their names, but instead out
source, often to suppliers half way around the world. American computer
manufacturers are, for example, increasingly dependent on Asian microchip
manufacturers in countries such as Taiwan and Thailand. An example of the
kind of problems any disruption to the supply chain causes came after the
September 11 attacks in the US. When the Canadian border was shut for just
two days causing chaos in the Detroit car industry, which relies on a regular
flow of parts from Canada.
There are three main flows of sea borne cargo: trans-Pacific, trans-Atlantic
and Europe-Far East. The trans-Pacific route is by far the largest flow. At 11
million TEU ( twenty foot equivalent units the standard measures of
container volume, even though most containers are now 40 foot, 13 metres,
long) a year. It is almost twice the volume of Europe-Far East trade and three
times the size of trans-Atlantic traffic. During the 1990s, during Americas
boom years, the trade grew enormously and this led to more and larger ships
being built. The container fleet grew by 12% in 2001. Until then, a container ship commonly carried 600
TEU, during the 1990s ships were being build
that could carry up to 8000 TEU. However after the 1990s there was a
dramatic fall off in trade. Trans-Pacific trade, for example, fell to 50% of its
1990s high.
This down turn is being handled by the shipping alliances which manage the
global trade. These large organizations are responsible for maintaining the
fleets and seeing that the flow of goods is uninterrupted. This is a job that
governments feel that the regular and reliable flow of trade is so important
that in many cases the shipping alliances are exempt from anti-trust and
monopoly laws. Their response has been to cut services, rest some of the
older ships and share the burden amongst themselves.
At first, containers reduced theft as it was more difficult for casual thieves to
get into the containers. However, criminal gangs soon saw the potential for
taking whole containers. This became a profitable crime as the average value
of a container grew to $500,000 by the 1980s. Criminals also benefited from
the convenience of containers when using them to transport drugs, illegal
immigrants or other illegal goods. Measures to combat this, including
stronger locks and preference schemes for shippers who have anti-theft
programmes, have had some success, but crime is a constant menace to the
container trade.
Increasingly, the huge number of containers and their self-contained and
enclosed nature has been raising worries about their possible use by terrorists.
In fact, possible terrorists have already been found hiding in containers. This
is particularly worrying considering that only 2% of containers are inspected.
Containers are also extremely difficult to track and monitor. This is because
they pass through so many countries and jurisdictions and because they can
travel on both land and sea. Each transaction involving a container can
involve as many as 25 different parties and generate between 30 and 40
documents. For a ship carrying 600 TEU this would result in approximately
4000 documents. The sheer scale of the information involved makes tracking
containers a daunting task. Screening them to determine the contents is
another solution that would take a great deal of effort because of the large
numbers of containers. Additionally, it might cause delays in delivery that
would disrupt international trade and industry out of proportion to the good
the searches do.
For the foreseeable future, there would seem to be no alternative to containers
and their use is bound to grow. They are one of the cornerstones of global
trade, but many yet cause problems their inventors never envisaged.

IELTS Reading Example: Questions 1 6
Choose the best TWO alternatives to complete the sentences.
Questions 1 and 2
Circle TWO letters A E.
The invention of containers
A resulted from the efficient movement of goods.
B led to more global trade.
C was initially for military purposes.
D came just in time for many managers.
E relied on the ability to receive orders quickly.
Questions 3 and 4
Circle TWO letters A E.
Containers are important because they
A prevent the need for companies to hold large amounts of stock.
B increase the amount of business inventory.
C make trade between countries on different sides of the world easier.
D regularly supply manufactures in Canada.
E reduce the amount of out sourcing needed by companies.
Questions 5 and 6
Circle TWO letters A E.
The Trans-Pacific trade route
A has more than double the amount of trade than that of the Europe-Far East trade route.
B had its container fleet increase by 12%.
C sparked the boom years of the 1990s.
D transports 11 million containers a year.
E has witnessed a substantial decrease in container trade.

IELTS Reading Example: Questions 7 10
Complete the table below.
Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the reading passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 7-10 on your answer sheet.
CAUSE EFFECT
a sharp fall in container trade
shipping alliances(7) old ships
originally difficult to get into containers
(8)
vast numbers of containers and they are
relatively secure
Might cause (9)
Containers must pass through many countries
and involve a vast amount of paperwork.
Containers are (10)

IELTS Reading Example: Questions 11 12
Complete the sentences below using words taken from the reading passage.
Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS fore each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 11 12 on your answer sheet.
11. It is not economically viable to conduct searches on a large amount of containers as it
would.
12. The inventors must never have imagined that containers would ..






IELTS Reading Example - ANSWERS
1. B - led to more global trade.
The globalised modern economy depends on the rapid and efficient movement of goods that
containerisation allows. In many ways it was the advent of the container that allowed this
globalised economy to develop.
2. C - was initially for military purposes.
Invented during World War two as an efficient method of moving equipment to the front lines
"front lines" = a military line formed by the most advanced tactical combat units
3. A - prevent the need for companies to hold large amounts of stock.
companies no longer keep large warehouses of stock or parts
4. E - make trade between countries on different sides of the world easier.
This means that companies rely more and more on the prompt delivery of parts from their
suppliers to fulfill orders. This is particularly true of industries such as computer manufacture,
which no longer make all the parts of the products that bear their names, but instead out
source, often to suppliers half way around the world.
5. B - had its container fleet increase by 12%.
The container fleet grew by 12% in 2001.
6. E - has witnessed a substantial decrease in container trade.
However after the 1990s there was a dramatic fall off in trade. Trans-Pacific trade, for example,
fell to 50% of its 1990s high.
7. rest some
Their response has been to cut services, rest some of the older ships and share the burden
amongst themselves.
8. reduced theft
At first, containers reduced theft as it was more difficult for casual thieves to get into the
containers.
9. use by terrorists
Increasingly, the huge number of containers and their self-contained and
enclosed nature has been raising worries about their possible use by terrorists.
10. difficult to track
Containers are also extremely difficult to track and monitor. This is because they pass through
so many countries and jurisdictions and because they can travel on both land and sea.
11. disrupt international trade
Additionally, it might cause delays in delivery that would disrupt international trade and
industry out of proportion to the good the searches do.
12. cause problems
They are one of the cornerstones of global trade, but many yet cause problems their inventors
never envisaged.