IELTS Reading 02-10-2019: Reading Passage 2 (General)

Read the information below, and answer questions 15-21.

A
Building Trades
(Including: Bricklaying, Building, Carpentry, Fire Protection, Floor & Wall Tiling, and Plumbing)

Building:
Part-time: 12 hours per week
Duration: 2 years
This course is for people wanting to acquire building skills for the residential construction industry.

You will study the social, environmental, and legal aspects of residential construction projects. Special focus will be on: quantities of materials, site safety, and computing. This course, along with Carpentry and Bricklaying, will give you the technical qualifications for a Builder’s Licence.

B
Child Studies
(Including: Children’s Services, Early Childhood Education & Care, and a Traineeship)

Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care:
Part-time: 21 hours per week (3 days)
Duration: 18 months

This course is for people wanting to become qualified childcare workers in day care centres.

You will develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes relevant to meet the intellectual, physical, and emotional needs of children in day care. Special focus will be on: occupational health and safety, ethical work practices, and legal issues. On completion of this diploma, graduates may apply for advanced standing at universities that offer Early Childhood courses.

Note: A police check will be carried out before applications are accepted. A criminal record involving violence or abuse seriously affects career prospects.

C
Real Estate
(Including: Agency Management, Marketing, and Property Services)
Property Services:
Full time: 35 hours per week
Duration: 4 months
This certificate, which is recognised nationally, provides learners with the skills and knowledge needed to market, sell, lease, and manage property within an agency. It is a pre-requisite for the diploma.

D
Screen & Digital Media
(Including: Film & TV Production, Interactive Digital Media, & Network Administration)
Film & TV Production:
Part-time: 21 hours per week (3 days)
Duration: 4 months

This certificate, a pre-requisite for the Diploma of Screen & Digital Media, introduces learners to the film and television industry. You will learn how to write a script, plan and produce a short pre-recorded programme segment, and work effectively as a production crewmember.

E
Outreach
A variety of courses chosen by learners from all Certificate I-II courses on offer at the college, as well as compulsory: Introductory Computing, First Aid, and English Language.

Flexible delivery options.

Outreach aims to remove barriers for people wanting to return to education. These barriers could be: income level, English-language ability, little previous education, geographic isolation, disability, or family commitments.

Questions 15-21
The text above has five sections: A-E. Which section, A-E, has the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-E, in boxes 15-21 on your answer sheet.

This course:
15. is fulltime.
16. lasts the longest.
17. takes the fewest hours to complete.
18. leads to a licence.
19. helps people who are disadvantaged.
20. is related to the entertainment industry.
21. once completed, can go towards a university course

Questions 22-27
The passage below has seven paragraphs: A-G. Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B-G from the list of headings below. Write the correct number, i-ix, in boxes 22-27 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings
i Older students sometimes resent the young
ii Worth the effort
iii More mature-aged students in developed countries
iv High academic achievement
v The dangers of unfinished studies
vi Why they exist
vii Oldies find friendship harder at university
viii Problems at home
ix Mature-aged students are great organisers

22. Paragraph B
23. Paragraph C
24. Paragraph D
25. Paragraph E
26. Paragraph F
27. Paragraph G

MATURE-AGED STUDENTS

A Only a generation ago, there were few tertiary students who had begun their studies when they were over the age of 21. It was virtually unheard of for people to start courses in their forties or fifties. These days, in all developed countries, not only are there large numbers of online learners who are mature-aged, but, on campus, mums and dads with their laptops and library books are also making an appearance. In some countries, China for example, university study still remains the preserve of the young. Population pressure means that providing education for those aged 18-24 is difficult enough. Only English-language and IT opportunities exist at private colleges for older people.

B There are four main reasons for this rise in mature-aged students. Firstly, universities have changed entry requirements as more courses have become fee-paying. If students can afford to pay, and meet the academic level, then it doesn’t matter how old they are. Secondly, the concept of a job for life is a thing of the past. Many people now have several careers. Life expectancy has reached 80 in at least 20 countries; retirement ages have risen accordingly. Therefore, retraining for longer working lives is essential. Lastly, there has been a general expansion of the education sector as the workforce needs to be better trained for a more competitive knowledge based world.

C Clearly there are advantages to undertaking study later in life. There is the increased likelihood of a higher salary after study, and enhanced self-esteem. But what are some of the difficulties mature-aged students face? The most glaring one is the visual fact that they’re not as attractive or energetic as all those young things lounging on quadrangle lawns. It’s unlikely that they will socialise with people the same age as their sons or daughters, and that could make university life rather lonely. Befriending other mature-aged students is a possibility, but perhaps they also seem too old.

D In lectures and tutorials, older learners may get tired more quickly, but research has proven they focus on their studies. They work harder, and generally perform better than younger students. Their life experiences and analytical powers are good study aids. When there are group assignments, older students may become annoyed, feeling they do all of the work while the youngsters are out partying or working at part-time jobs. Furthermore, younger students often feel the pressure of their peers more acutely. They may be scared to participate in tutorials, worried what those their own age think of them. This means older students contribute more to discussion. While tutors are certainly grateful for their efforts, the mature-aged students themselves may occasionally wish they are not in the spotlight so often.

E For most mature-aged students, juggling work, family, and other commitments is a tricky business. Their organisational skills are admirable. However, their children, partners, or workmates may resent the absence or distraction of the older student. The student may win a qualification, but he or she may have to fight other battles on the home front.

F Then there are the greatly discouraged mature-aged drop-outs. These people already feel they failed at the end of their schooling by not going on to university, and being unable to complete their studies a second time can cause considerable anxiety. Fortunately, statistics show there are not very many of these people. Completion rates for undergraduate and post-graduate courses, for mature-aged students, are high.

G It takes courage, determination, personal and financial sacrifice to complete studies at university. Despite these difficulties, large numbers of mature-aged men and women all over the world are succeeding.