Exam information | Completing tables and flow charts
In the exam, you may be given a table or a flow chart (a series of steps linked by arrows) with
gaps in it.You will need to read a passage to find the missing information.The answers may
be in one particular section of the text, but are unlikely to be in the same order as the gaps.
You will be told how many words from the text you should use, e.g. no more than two
words and/or a number, one word only.
Exam tip
Scanning is a very useful technique, because it saves time. It means that you move your
eyes down the text quickly to find specific information, e.g. places, names, phrases,
without reading everything properly and ignoring information you do not need
The following four exercises help you practise scanning. They all refer to the text opposite.
1. Use the organization of the text to help you. Look at the text quickly to decide which
paragraph(s) you would need to read properly If you only wanted to find out about the
reasons why people choose to study abroad.
Paragraph number(s):
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2. Scan the text to find names of countries, people and organizations. Copy and complete the
table.
Exam tip
Use the text style or formatting to help you find the areas in the text that you are looking
for, e.g . uppercase letters, numbers, italics, bold print, quotation marks and other visual
information.
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4. Scan the text quickly to answer the following questions.
1. Which paragraph(s) give(s) somebody's opinion?
paragraphs 2 and 3 - the quotation marks
help to find this answer.
2. What does somebody really want people to understand?
that it was a choice (something he wanted
to do), and not a necessity (something he
needed to do). The italics make it clear that
he wants to emphasize this.
3. Which two paragraphs talk about the country that is the most welcoming to overseas students?
paragraphs 1 and 4 - in the first paragraph,
it mentions most welcoming and talks about
Germany as the country at the top of the
list. In paragraph 4, the uppercase letter
of Germany, is easy to spot and the word
winner appears very near
4. Which paragraph gives examples to explain what an internationalization approach is?
paragraph 4 - internationalization is printed
in italics.
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5. How did you find the answers without reading properly?
Is it better to go abroad to study?
Student-friendly places
The British Council has named the universities that are most welcoming to overseas students. As
you would expect, English-speaking countries such as Australia, the UK and the US have made the
top 10, but the number one may be a surprise: Germany. Two Far Eastern countries, i.e. China and
Malaysia, made it to the top 5, ranking higher than the US, Japan, Russia, Nigeria and Brazil.
The benefits of studying abroad
Russell Howe, a Scot who is currently studying a Business degree at Stellinga International College
in the Netherlands, previously also studied in India (which came 11th on the list). 'People often ask
me why I needed to travel, because British universities have a good reputation elsewhere in the
world. But this is not something I needed to do, but something I really wanted to do. I have learnt
different ways of looking at things, but I also found out how much we all have in common, wherever
we are from. All of this will be useful in my future career.'
Russell is not the only international student in his department. Business and administrative courses
are the most popular with international students, followed by engineering and technology, social
studies, creative arts and design, medicine-related topics and law. Manal, a student at the Faculty
of Art and Design at Stellinga, says she has similar reasons to Russell, but there is more: 'I wanted
to broaden my understanding of the world. I have enhanced my language skills: I am more fluent in
English and have also taken a level 1 Dutch evening class. One of my modules is about European
art, and I believe that I am benefiting more from studying this in Europe than anywhere else. I
have managed to visit other countries in my holidays, and really feel that this whole experience is
developing my global perspective. I also hope that I have made lasting friendships and contacts.'
Enabling student access
What is it that makes these countries student-friendly? Well, all of them make it easy for international
students to apply, and provide ongoing support once they are there. They also offer good quality
degrees, which are valued highly in other countries too. The fact that Germany came out as winner is
probably due to the country's efforts towards internationalization. One aspect of. this is that the country
welcomes foreign students by charging them the same fees as home students, meaning that in some
universities overseas students study for free. Many classes are conducted in English, and so are most
leaflets, making it easier for international students to keep informed and take part in student life.
Apart from the financial reasons already mentioned, this type of educational internationalization can
help with the quality of research in these universities, through e.g. networking, team work and the
sharing of skills. For students, it is a valuable addition to their skills and experience at a time when
jobs are not easy to find.
Glossary
British Council: an organization that connects people worldwide with learning opportunities and creative ideas from
the UK.
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