BEST IELTS General Reading Test 124

Table of Contents

GENERAL READING TEST 124 – PASSAGE – 3

GENERAL READING TEST – 124

READING PASSAGE – 3

Globalization in a Changing Chinese Landscape

Section A

It can be argued that all countries in the global community have experienced resounding change throughout history. However, China continues to provide intriguing case studies and examples of social change, due to its fair share of changing government systems that have come into power throughout its rich history. From corrupt dynasties to a People’s Republic, China is not foreign to the concept of modifying its form of government. Something new that China has begun to investigate, however, is the process of globalization. The concept of globalization is best understood by social scientists as the process by which organizations begin to develop influence on the larger, international scale. Along with globalization comes the process of modernization, which could pose difficulties for a country heavily rooted in traditions and customs. While there are advantages of becoming more involved in the global community, disadvantages have also arisen, posing challenges to this new change.

Section B

In China’s case, the concept of modernization is difficult to balance with its rich traditional history. How does a country that has been known for being quite closed-off from the rest of the world “open up” and branch off into the global community? Moreover, how should such a country expect its citizens to become accustomed to a new way of life? Scholars have spent time analyzing these questions and projecting possible outcomes based on history and current societal trends. One such scholar is Michael Meyer, the author of The Last Days of Old Beijing, who has been exploring China’s quest towards globalization throughout the past two decades. The progression of the storyline in The Last Days of Old Beijing, as well as its introduction of characters, both play an important part in the reader’s understanding of China’s progression with globalization.

Section C

Although Meyer’s planning of the chapters in his book may have been merely coincidence, the structure is uncannily connected to China’s progression towards globalization, in that it showcases the country’s initial government structures and finishes with its modern outlook. For the reader, the book is not only a reminder of China’s past history, but also serves as a symbol of China’s past merging with the approaching future of modernization. The author examines what, exactly, these intentions of modernization are, and how the country expects its citizens to implement these plans. In addition, a substantial review of the country’s failures and how they unfolded in front of the global community plays an imperative part in assessing China’s ability to transform itself.

Section D

China has experienced quite a few setbacks while developing a new image for itself and integrating with the international community. In 2005, for instance, China struggled to balance the economy with its environmental impacts. An explosion of a chemical factory in Jilin, located in the northeast area of the country, caused troubles for not only China’s economy, but also for that of Russia, since the chemicals in the Songhua River flowed into the Amur River in Russia. This is just one example of China’s failure in producing a positive image for itself within the international community. These setbacks, however, should also serve as a reminder to the global community when it comes to understanding the pressure that China has been faced with in terms of managing its reputation over time.

Section E

Perhaps one of the most pivotal and memorable shifts in China’s society occured in 2007, when the country was faced with a large amount of pressure when hosting the Olympic Games. When the Chinese government knew that it had been selected to host the Olympics, officials swiftly called for changes in how Beijing operated on a daily basis. An analysis of routine activities in the city resulted in attempts to make it appear more accepting and modern to the international community. This result impacted the global image of China and had an effect on its ordinary citizens who were not affiliated with the Olympic games. Not only were shopping malls, apartments, and roads replacing the hutongs, but English was slowly replacing the Chinese language. Officials wanted citizens to be familiar with the English language, and had high hopes for teaching it to older citizens, police officers, and children in order to best accommodate international guests, athletes, and tourists.

Section F

In addition to Meyer’s work and countless other published works, a notable book has dramatically shaped the ways in which people are able to understand China through literature. In the book, City Between Worlds: My Hong Kong, author Leo Ou-fan Lee discusses that “a person (or a whole city) should never be trapped in one identity, since all of us now have ‘multiple identities’”. After more than a decade since Beijing hosted the Olympic games, this idea tends to be the overarching theme for present-day China. Although China has introduced Western aspects into their own culture, such as the English language and the addition of large chain stores such as Wal-Mart, it still wishes to embrace its culture.

Questions 29-34

The reading passage has six sections, A-F.

Choose the correct heading for sections A-F from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number i-x in boxes 29-34 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

i. Questioning Progression

ii. Revamping and Replacing in Preparation

iii. World Influence on Style

iv. Experiencing Hurdles

v. Direct Effects of War

vi. Facing Financial Burdens

vii. Exploring Globalization

viii. Government Regulations

ix. China’s Various Cultural Faces

x. Balancing Modernity with History

29. Section A

30. Section B

31. Section C

32. Section D

33. Section E

34. Section F

Questions 35-40

Complete the summary using the list of words, A-H, below.

A. problems

B. representation

C. celebration

D. features

E. modifications

F. fire

G. eruption

H. residents

China has faced a large amount of (35)……….. as a unique country in the global community. Due to a well-publicized (36)…………. in Jilin and other problems, it was obvious that China was having a difficult time creating a favourable (37)…………. of itself. Thus, it makes sense that (38)………… demanded by the government were made in preparation for the Olympics. One example of this was having certain (39)…………. of the country learn English. However, some believe that despite the introduction of Western (40)…………. . China still wants to embrace its own culture.

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