Table of Contents
BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 475
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 475 – PASSAGE – 1
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – 475
READING PASSAGE – 1
TREADING THE FOREIGN PATH
A. It is that time of the year when lakhs of Indian students leave their country to realise their dreams of earning a foreign degree. For scores of students every year, the decision to study abroad is an important decision as foreign education involves huge investment of time, money and effort. For some, it could involve spending the lifetime savings of their parents. While a right decision can take student’s career to great heights, one wrong move can set him behind not only by huge amount of money and a few wasted years, but also a career setback.
For decades, foreign universities have been an integral part of India’s higher education, According to the reports, 104,522 Students are studying in the US followed by over 97,000 in Australia, 25,905 in the UK and over 6,040 in New Zealand. The global education Digest 2009 compiled by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has thrown up a noteworthy finding that after China, India is the second country in the world to send the highest number of students pursuing higher education away from home. However, of late, there have been instances of institutions shutting shops overnight and jeopardizing the future of thousands of students.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
B. Thousands of Indian students studying in Australia, for instance, have been left stranded, with the sudden collapse of the some of the colleges in the past few months.
Education experts called on Australia to overhaul the international student sector as reports emerge of some of the private colleges allegedly taking under-the-counter payments for certificates, bogus work references and residency visas in July this year. International students represent a significant revenue source and are major purchasers of Australian education services. In 2007-08, revenue sourced from Australian exported education services totaled $14.2 billion, with 96 per cent generated from international students studying in Australia.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
In the UK, the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee estimated that there could be as many as 2,000 privately funded “fake” colleges. Most of these “fake colleges” are fly-by-night operators which courses that are in sync with PR. Britain’s Further Education Minister Kevin Brennan, too, expressed concern over the trend of fake colleges that were damaging the UK’s reputation as a centre for education.”(Bogus colleges) do have the potential to have a negative impact on the country’s reputation for education which is very high,” The Telegraph quoted Brennan, as saying.
C. Students need to understand that overseas education and permanent residency (PR) are two very different things and it is dangerous for students to mix them for short-term gains.
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Many Indian students choose education as a path for migration or permanent residency thereby putting money and their careers at stake. Some students are being misguided by fly-by-night immigration consultants who suggest admissions in not so credible colleges. This is merely to secure permanent residency. Some students pay thousands of dollars for courses like hair-dressing after believing some “unscrupulous” agents who tell them that they would get permanent residency in Australia as that particular course is regarded as a high-skilled subject. But permanent residency rules are subject to change and if that happens, students lose not only the chance to get PR but also their precious time and an opportunity to build a viable career.
D. Students aspiring to go abroad should bear in mind that permanent residency will yield only temporary gains. Only those students who consider education as an investment stand to gain in the long-term, while the rest will be left behind with a weak bank balance and sour memories. Thus it is important to be sure that the university/college/institution where one is applying has a certain standing and is recognised within the home country. Choosing a course with a focus on PR could prove detrimental.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
E. Selection of the right kind of institution plays a very important role in the whole process. Selecting a good and accredited school ensures future prospects of recruitment and also the value of your degree. There are several criteria to choose an institution. For some it could be the American Dream, Australian adventure or London lure. For others, the reputation of the university, study programmes, size of the institution, cost effectiveness, placement opportunities and so on.
Broadly, there are two types of institutions: one that need money to impart education and the other who impart education to make money. Following are the questions one should ask to differentiate between the two and make the right choice.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
There are a lot of complexities involved in the whole process of studying abroad. Before enrolling in a foreign institution, it is essential’ for the students to find out as much as they can about the accreditor and the institutions it accredits, as well as the recognition process of the foreign education ministry.
F. Last but not the least is hiring a good overseas education consultant. A genuine educational consultant will not mislead the gullible students. On the contrary, they will play a vital role in helping students to decide on the school they want to attend, and also the right course.
A good higher education consultant would not only help you accomplish the task but also see that it is being accomplished in the right direction. The aspiring students should check the credentials of the consultant before placing their trust in him. The right overseas education consultant will make things easier for the aspiring students.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
Questions 1-6
Reading passage 1 has six sections, A-F.
Choose the correct heading for each section A-F from the list of headings given below.
Write the correct number, i-ix, in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet.
1. Paragraph A
2. Paragraph B
3. Paragraph C
4. Paragraph D
5. Paragraph E
6. Paragraph F
IELTS Academic Reading Test
i. Concerns regarding fake colleges
ii. Focus on study; not PR
iii. Selecting the right institution
iv. Education cannot guarantee PR
v. India- a major source of international students
vi. Why do students select Australia
vii. Role of immigration consultants
viii. Income from international students
ix. How to get PR
IELTS Academic Reading Test
Questions 7-13
Complete the summary using the list of words, A-L, below.
Many Indian students studying in Australia and UK have been left hapless by the unexpected 7……………. of some colleges recently. International students are an important source of 8………….. for Australia. In UK, authorities fear such fake colleges could damage the 9…………….. of the country as a place of international education.
It is dangerous for students to take 10……………. as a shortcut to 11…………….. as the rules of PR are subject to change at any time. Thus, you may lose both time and the 12……………. to make a good career. While PR offers only 13……………….. advantages, education benefits in the long term.
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A. opportunity
B. closure
C. career
D. short term
E. decision
I. income
F. fake
G. reputation
H. realization
J. potential
K. education
L. PR
IELTS Academic Reading Test
IELTS Academic Reading Test
ANSWERS
1. V
2. I
3. IV
4. II
5. III
6. VII
7. B
8. I
9. G
10. K
11. L
12. A
13. D
IELTS Academic Reading Test