IELTS Academic Reading Sample 13 - A.D.D. Missing Out on Learning

You are advised to spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27 - 40.

A.D.D. - Missing Out on Learning

Study requires a student's undivided attention. It is impossible to acquire a complex skill or absorb information about a subject in class unless one learns to concentrate without undue stress for long periods of time.IELTS Academic reading sample 13 Students with Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) are particularly deficient in this respect for reasons which are now known to be microbiological and not behavioral, as was once believed. Of course, being unable to concentrate, and incapable of pleasing the teacher and oneself in the process, quickly leads to despondence and low self-esteem. This will naturally induce behavioral problems. It is estimated that 3 - 5 % of all children suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder. There are three main types of Attention Deficit Disorder: A.D.D. without Hyperactivity, A.D.D. with Hyperactivity (A.D.H.D.), and Undifferentiated A.D.D.

The characteristics of a person with A.D.D. are as follows:
• has difficulty paying attention
• does not appear to listen
• is unable to carry out given instructions
• avoids or dislikes tasks which require sustained mental effort
• has difficulty with organization
• is easily distracted
• often loses things
• is forgetful in daily activities

Children with A.D.H.D. also exhibit excessive and inappropriate physical activity, such as constant fidgeting and running about the room. This boisterousness often interferes with the educational development of others. Undifferentiated A.D.D. sufferers exhibit some, but not all, of the symptoms of each category.

It is important to base remedial action on an accurate diagnosis. Since A.D.D. is a physiological disorder caused by some structural or chemically-based neurotransmitter problem in the nervous system, it responds especially well to certain psycho stimulant drugs, such as Ritalin. In use since 1953, the drug enhances the ability to structure and complete a thought without being overwhelmed by non-related and distracting thought processes.

Psycho stimulants are the most widely used medications for persons with A.D.D. and A.D.H.D. Recent findings have validated the use of stimulant medications, which work in about 70 - 80% of A.H.D.D. children and adults (Wilens and Biederman, 1997). In fact, up to 90% of destructibility in A.D.D. sufferers can be removed by medication. The specific dose of medicine varies for each child, but such drugs are not without side effects, which include reduction in appetite, loss of weight, and problems with falling asleep.

Not all students who are inattentive in class have Attention Deficit Disorder. Many are simply unwilling to commit themselves to the task at hand. Others might have a specific learning disability (S.L.D.). However, those with A.D.D. have difficulty performing in school not usually because they have trouble learning 1 , but because of poor organization, inattention, compulsion and impulsiveness. This is brought about by an incompletely understood phenomenon, in which the individual is, perhaps, best described as 'tuning out' for short to long periods of time. The effect is analogous to the switching of channels on a television set. The difference is that an A.D.D. sufferer is not 'in charge of the remote control'. The child with A.D.D. is unavailable to learn - something else has involuntarily captured his or her whole attention.

It is commonly thought that A.D.D. only affects children, and that they grow out of the condition once they reach adolescence. It is now known that this is often not the case. Left undiagnosed or untreated, children with all forms of A.D.D. risk a lifetime of failure to relate effectively to others at home, school, college and at work. This brings significant emotional disturbances into play, and is very likely to negatively affect self-esteem. Fortunately, early identification of the problem, together with appropriate treatment, makes it possible for many victims to overcome the substantial obstacles that A.D.D. places in the way of successful learning.

1 approximately 15% of A.D.H.D. children do, however, have learning disabilities

Alternative Treatments for A.D.D.

Evaluation

 
  • EEG Biofeedback
  • Dietary intervention (removal of food additives -preservatives, colorings etc.)
  • Sugar reduction (in A.D.H.D.)
  • Correction of (supposed) inner-ear disturbance
  • Correction of (supposed) yeast infection (Candida albicans)
  • Vitamin/mineral regimen for (supposed) genetic abnormality
  • Body manipulations for (supposed) misalignment of two bones in the skull
  • expensive
  • trials flawed - (sample groups small, no  control groups)
  • ineffective
  • numerous studies disprove link.
  • slightly effective (but only for a small percentage of children)
  •  undocumented, unscientific studies
  •  inconsistent with current theory
  •  lack of evidence
  •  inconsistent with current theory
  •  lack of evidence
  •  theory disproved in the 1970s
  •  lack of evidence
  •  inconsistent with current theory
Figure 1. Evaluations of Controversial Treatments for A.D.D.


Questions 27-29
You are advised to spend about 5 minutes on Questions 27-29.

Refer to Reading Passage 13 "A.D.D. - Missing Out On Learning", and decide which of the  answers best completes the following sentences. Write your answers in boxes 27 - 29 on your Answer Sheet. The first one has been done for you as an example.

Example: The number of main types of A.D.D. is:
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4

Q. 27. Attention Deficit Disorder:

a)  is a cause of behavioural problems
b)  is very common in children
c)  has difficulty paying attention
d)  none of the above

Q. 28. Wilens and Biederman have shown that:

a) stimulant medications are useful
b) psychostimulants do not always work
c) hyperactive persons respond well to psychostimulants
d) all of the above

Q. 29. Children with A.D.D.:

a) have a specific learning disability
b) should not be given medication as a treatment
c) may be slightly affected by sugar intake
d) usually improve once they become teenagers

Academic Reading sample 13 image 2

Questions 30-37
You are advised to spend about 10 minutes on Questions 30 - 37.
The following is a summary of Reading Passage 13.

Complete each gap in the text by choosing 30 - 37 on your Answer Sheet.
Write your answers in boxes. Note that there are more choices in the box than gaps.

You will not need to use all the choices given, but you may use a word, or phrase more than once.

Attention Deficit Disorder is a neurobiological problem that affects 3 - 5% of all .....(Ex:). ...... Symptoms include inattentiveness and having difficulty getting (30) , as well as easily becoming distracted. Sometimes, A.D.D. is accompanied by (31) In these cases, the sufferer exhibits excessive physical activity. Psychostimulant drugs can be given to A.D.D. sufferers to assist them with the (32) of desired thought processes, although they might cause (33) Current theory states that medication is the only (34) that has a sound scientific basis. This action should only be taken after an accurate diagnosis is made. Children with A.D.D. do not necessarily have trouble learning; their problem is that they involuntarily (35) their attention elsewhere. It is not only (36) that are affected by this condition. Failure to treat A.D.D. can lead to lifelong emotional and behavioral problems. Early diagnosis and treatment, however, are the key to (37) overcoming learning difficulties associated with A.D.D.

side effects              successfully           completion             adults

medicine                 switch                     drug                      Ritalin

hyperactivity            organized                losing weight          A.D.H.D.

children                   attention                 remedial action        paying

Questions 38 - 40
You are advised to spend about 5 minutes on Questions 38 - 40.
Refer to Reading Passage 13, and decide which of the following pieces of advice is best suited for child listed in the table below.

Write your answers in boxes 38 - 40 on your Answer Sheet.

ADVICE:
A     current treatment ineffective - suggest increased dosage of Ritalin.
B     supplement diet with large amounts of vitamins and minerals.
C     probably not suffering from A.D.D. - suggest behavioral counseling.
D     bone manipulation to realign bones in the skull.
E     EEG Biofeedback to self-regulate the child's behavior.
F     daily dose of Ritalin in place of expensive unproven treatment.

 

  CHILD 1

  CHILD 2

  CHILD 3

Problems

  • does not listen to given instructions
  • loses interest easily
  • cannot complete tasks
  • quiet and withdrawn
  • often forgets to do homework
  • sleeps in class
  • disturbs other students
  • excessively active
  • unable to pay attention
  • dislikes mental effort
  • disturbs other students

Current Treatment

  • EEG Feedback
  • none
  • diet contains no food additives
  • low dose of Ritalin

Best Advice

   (38)…………….

   (39)………………

   (40)……………..

Click the button to Show/ Hide Answers

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.91 (56 Votes)

Veronika
Q. 27: definitely not 'A' because "reasons which are now known to be microbiological and not behavioural, as was once believed".

Q. 29: not 'D' because: "It is commonly thought that A.D.D. only affects children and that they grow out of the condition once they reach adolescence. It is now known that this is often not the case."

The answer is here: "Many are simply unwilling to commit themselves to the task at hand. Others might have a specific learning disability (S.L.D.)"

T
Q. 27 is "A" because "Of course, being unable to concentrate, and incapable of pleasing the teacher and oneself in the process, quickly leads to despondence and low self-esteem. This will naturally induce behavioural problems". Her "Induce" means "cause". Hence, it is a cause of behavioural problems.

The answer can't be "C" because A.D.D. doesn‘t have difficulty paying attention, but rather a person suffering from A.D.D does.

Elizaveta
Hi, I partially agree with you, but I understand this paragraph in another way. "Students with A.D.D. are particularly deficient in this respect for reasons which are now known to be not behavioural, as was once believed." It means answer A is incorrect.

Then "Of course, being unable to concentrate, and incapable of pleasing the teacher and oneself in the process, quickly leads to despondence and low self-esteem." And because of this inability behavioural problems are caused. "This will naturally induce behavioural problems."

Arturo
Hello there and thank you for your great IELTS Website. It helps me a lot to prepare for my upcoming IELTS Exam.
Nobel
See the table: 38. EEG Biofeedback is expensive.39. See the second last paragraph.40. Dietary intervention is ineffective.
Pari
Can anyone explain the answers to questions 38-40?
Zihadi
I do not understand why is the answer to question 27 is 'A'. I have been thinking that it is just 'C', as it stated: "Students with Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) are particularly deficient in this respect for reasons which are now known to be microbiological and not behavioral, as was once believed." Can someone help me? Thanks.
Jose Antonio
I do not understand why is the answer to question 28 'd'. I have been thinking that it is just 'a'. Can someone help me? Thanks.
Saz
The answer is D because at the end of sentence ADHD is also mentioned. So, the 'D' covers all possible symptoms of ADHD.
Alexander Baby
Anybody got from 38 - 40? I didn't get how those answers came. Please explain, I think probably this section's answers need an explanation.... Ohh good it's kind of puzzle... Man.
Khadija
The answer is definitely 'A', as the paragraph quotes the cause as microbiological , not the consequence. The consequences are behavioural problems in children. Option 'C' is wrong because the statement is a grammatical misfit.
Tiago
Yeah, but in front of it says that recent studies disprove the link.
Sunny Zaman
Answering through starring at the screen is quite disturbing as paying attention is a bit difficult. Maybe the paper-based exam will solve many problems...
Kiran
My test is on 7th January. I m not able to give any answer of any reading passage from this website. Don't know what I should do to improve my reading skills!!!
DR George
Wrong, it is A, because C is about patient symptoms not disease criteria as is the question. A is about a disease, C is about the patient, the question is about the disease.
DR George
The question is A.D.D. So it cannot be ‘Has difficulty paying attention’. That is the patient, not the diseases. So it is a cause of a behavioural problem. However, medically speaking it is delicate and difficult to answer.
Diana Mousa
Is the answer right? I answered as # Candid, The choice is 'C' NOT 'A'.
Can
In the passage, it is obviously said the cause of A.D.D. is microbiological , not behavioural. In the question 27, the choice 'A' says 'the cause'. So in my opinion, the answer must be C. Because the passage indicates that 'as a result of' A.D.D., behavioural problems can be induced.
Nura
It's vivid that the answer for Q. 27 is not a "which are now known to be microbiological and not behavioral"
Nastaran
Yes I agree! It was like as an intelligent questions!!!
Feri
In the battle of alternative treatments "sugar reduction".
Alya
This reading passage isn't easy at all. Lots of tricky questions are there!!
Shun
For 27, 'c' has difficulty paying attention→ for A.D.D. Look at the noun within the question again.
Shun
However, those with A.D.D. have difficulty performing in school not usually because they have trouble learning 1, but because of poor organization, inattention, compulsion and impulsiveness. and also within the table, alternative treatments for A.D.D. mentions about sugar reduction.
Jess
Why the answer to the question 29 is 'A' instead of 'C'? The passage states that adds are now known to be microbiological and not behavioral.
Andrey
Nice question. I don't understand it either :(
Malvika
Why the answer to 29 is 'C'? Where in the passage is the evidence to support it?
Bhaskar
Read the 1st paragraph at last sentence - ''This will naturally induce behavioural problems.''27 is "A" only.
Linchi
The answer of 27 might be correct: A) is a "cause" of behavioural problems. Because-> "Children with A.D.H.D. also exhibit excessive and inappropriate physical activity" and "Undifferentiate d A.D.D. sufferers exhibit some". About question 29, the essay indicates that.
Prajwal G
The answer to the question 28 must be "c" and 29 must be "a". Please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks in advance IELTS Mentor team.
Jo
I agree with you too :(
Eminent
Sorry, but I don't understand, why the answer to the question no. 27 is 'A' and answer to Q. 29 is 'C'. Maybe, it's conversely?
Motaz
The 'ADD' are known to be microbiological and not behavioural.
Ikalantar
Answer of 30 should be 'children'.
Sara
IELTS is not easy. Only students comprehension and analytical skills are important. Constant practice and confidence are needed for the IELTS. Review your study and practice harder since the test fee is not that cheap.
TN
Print it.
Tn
Print it either on your printer or in pdf format on your computer. That's it.
Liza
It is very helpful material.
Mark Aurther
Could you please add the answer to this Essay question/ topic? Thanks for the great website. 8)