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- IELTS Reading Summary Completion
- IELTS Reading Matching Heading Question
- IELTS Reading Multiple Choice Questions
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IELTS Reading Passage: Jargon
Jargon
A. Jargon is identified as a loaded word. One glossary defines it, tidily and neutrally, as ‘the technical vocabulary or idiom of a special activity or group’, but this feeling is nearly covered by another: ‘obscure and often pretentious language marked by a roundabout way of expression and use of long words’. For most people, it is this second thought that comes in their mind when they hear the word jargon. Jargon is said to be a poor use of language, something to be evaded at all costs. No one always uses it in good terms. Neither does one normally admit to using it individually: It is a widely held belief that jargon is only used by other people.
B. The actual fact, however, is that everybody uses jargon. It is important for various jobs and occupations that make up society. All jobs have their own account of jargon, which laborers learn as they grow their skill. All pastimes need proficiency in jargon. Each civilization or society assembles its jargon. The occurrence turns out to be universal and helpful. It is the jargon component which, in an occupation, can encourage economy and value of utterance and thus help make life uncomplicated for the workers. It is also the major semantic component that implies professional awareness (‘know-how’) and social togetherness (‘shop-talk’).
C. When we have learned to use it, jargon is something we willingly take happiness in, even if the subject place is minibikes, unite, cricket, baseball or computers. It can add pace, diversity and hilarity to speech – as when, with a major event imminent, we might slip into NASA- speak, and talk about the preliminary, all systems go, and take off. We relish the reciprocal showing-off which stems from an effortless use of terminology, and we enjoy the in-jokes which shared semantic expertise allows. Moreover, we are envious of this understanding. We are fast to degrade anyone who attempts to be part of our class aside from being prepared to take on its jargon.
D. If jargon is so crucial, a bit of our lives, why then has it had a bad name? The major reason is the way jargon can be excluded as well as incorporated. We may not be too worried if we meet with an impassable wall of jargon when the subject matter has little applications to our daily lives, as in the case of hydrology, or linguistics. But when the topic is one where we think is relevant to us and we have a right to know, and the speaker uses words which are complicated to understand, then we begin to complain, and if we feel that the obfuscation is intentional act, we unreservedly censure, tag it gobbledegook and publicly showing contempt upon it.
E. No area is an exception, but the profession of advertising, politics and defense have been mainly criticized not long ago by the numerous campaigns for plain English. In these realm, the area to which people are ready to use jargon to conceal actuality, is an immediate source of amusement and terror. A lie is a lie, which can be provisionally concealed by calling it an ‘inoperative statement’ or ‘an instance of plausible deniability’. Nor can an explosion of a nuclear plant be subdued for a long time with expressions such as ‘ energetic disassembly’, ‘ abnormal evaluation’ or, ‘plant transient’.
F. We should look into ourselves as we condemn the confusing jargon. Sometimes, we could ‘slip into’ jargon, aside from understanding that our own readers or listeners do not realize. It is also appealingly easy to slip some jargon into our utterance, to assure that others do not understand. And it is just as uncomplicated to begin using jargon which we individually don’t realize. The incentive to do such seemingly contrary things is not tough to grasp. People like to be ‘in’ to be a part of an intellectual or elite group; and the use of jargon, even if it can be understandable or not, is a way to be a member in the group. Jargon, also, can be an idle way into a group or an uncomplicated way to hide inadequacies and uncertainties: when terminology slips allegedly from the tongue, it is not crucial for the brain to keep up. Actually some people have developed this skill to higher levels. And unquestionably, faced with an awkward or difficult question, and to say something that should be accepted publicly, slipping into jargon becomes an easy way out, and can soon become a bad habit.
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IELTS Reading Questions: Jargon
Questions 1-6
- Jargon reading passage has six paragraphs, A-F.
- Choose the correct heading for each paragraph A-F from the list below.
List of Headings
i. The benefits of simple language
ii. A necessary tool
iii. A lasting way of concealing disasters
iv. The worst offenders
v. A deceptively attractive option
vi. Differing interpretations
vii. Publicizing new word
viii. Feeling shut out
ix. Playing with words
1. Paragraph A
2. Paragraph B
3. Paragraph C
4. Paragraph D
5. Paragraph E
6. Paragraph F
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Questions 7 – 12
- Complete the summary using the list of words A – L below
The Upside of Jargon
Jargon plays a useful part in many aspects of life including leisure. For example, when people take up pastimes they need to develop a good 7 …………………of the relevant jargon. During the discussion of these or other areas of interest, a conversation can become more exciting and an element of an 8………………………can be introduced by the use of shared jargon.Jargon is particularly helpful in the workplace. It leads to more 9……………….in the way colleagues communicate during work hours. Taking part in 10………………….. during moments of relaxation can also help them to bond better.It is interesting that members of a group, whether social or professional, often demonstrate a certain 11…………………………..towards the particular linguistic characteristics of their subject area and tend to regard new people who do not wish to learn the Jargon with 12…………………
A. judgment
B. jokes
C. shop-talk
D. efficiency
E. know-how
F. command
G. contempt
H. feeling
I. possessiveness
J. pleasure
K. fear
L. humor
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Question 13
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D
13 Which of the following statements would the writer agree with?
A. Jargon thoroughly deserves the bad reputation it has gained.
B. Jargon should not be encouraged accept in the workplace.
C. Jargon should not be used if the intention is to exclude others.
D. Everyday life would be very much better without jargon.
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Jargon Reading Answers
1 . vi
2 . ii
3 . ix
4 . viii
5 . iv
6 . v
7 . F
8 . L
9 . D
10 . C
11 . I
12 . G
13 . C
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