IELTS writing practice

CHARITY FUN RUN

Dear Supporter,
I am writing to invite you to join us for our Annual Fun Run which will be held this year on Sunday 18th August. The run starts from the school grounds and participants are able to choose to take part in a 2, 5 or 10 kilometre run.
Last year we raised a total of $15,450 which was donated to the children’s hospital and this year we expect to raise over $16,000. This year, we are raising money which will be used to develop the village recreational centre.
To confirm your registration, email ielts-practice@edu.com or telephone 010000 5345678. As soon as you are registered you simply start collecting your sponsors and come along on the day!
Further instructions are found below, please read them carefully.
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday 18th August,
D. Jackson
Fun Run Co-ordinator
Thanks in advance for your support!
Moorfields School Fun Run

START TIMES

10 Kilometre Run – 8am
5 Kilometre Run – 8.30am
2 Kilometre Run – 9am

ROUTE MAPS

Details are available on our website www.moorfieldsschool.com and will also be available on the day from school reception. All routes will be signposted and there will be marshals stationed along the routes providing cold drinks for runners. If you feel ill or need assistance at any time during the run, please let one of the marshals know and they will be able to help you.

WHAT TO WEAR

Shorts and tee-shirts should be fine; however, we recommend you bring a light raincoat in case of bad weather. Comfortable running shoes are a must! Please avoid wearing new trainers on the day to avoid foot problems.

PARKING

The school car park behind C-block (the language department) will be open on the day. Drive in through the main gates then turn right. Westhill Leisure Centre (across the road from the school) will also allow runners to park their cars there on the day.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE RUN?

There will be a number of entertainers including face-painting and the school band. Food and drink stalls will be available. There will also be a prize-giving event for runners who finish 1st and 2nd in each of the runs and two cinema tickets are available for the best fancy dress if you are interested in running in a special costume!

We expect the whole day to finish at around 4pm.
Tour Details

A. Learn more about Maori culture, food, dance, performing arts and the internationally famous Haka. The tour involves lectures on Maori traditions an etiquette; particularly customs for welcoming to and visiting a marae – the meeting house of Maori tribes. Experience an authentic cultural show in one of the country’s best-known Maori performance venues.

B. Whether your motivation is to be eco-friendly or simply to enjoy the great outdoors and keep fit while on holiday, our cycling tours of NZ can cater to your needs. Coaches are on hand to transport the group from A to B where distances are far and discounts on wine tours and quad bike tours are also available.

C. Ornithologists unite for this spectacular trip which focuses on the wide variety of species that share our home. Visit the nesting areas of our native birds and the north island gannet colony of Muriwai. Guest lecturers will also give an insight into the now extinct species – the Great Moa – the largest bird ever known to have lived on our shores.

D. This tour is a must for appreciators of the outdoors and lovers of what is known in New Zealand as 'tramping'. Ideal for those who prefer to make their own way, not reliant on transport! See some of the most beautiful countryside Aotearoa (Maori for New Zealand) has to offer. A reasonable fitness level is required though no steep paths or climbing is involved.

E. An education programme which focuses on lectures and field trips based our the natural world. Visit the Auckland museum to see the informative display of animals and plants of New Zealand. Guest speakers include professors and researchers from our most prominent universities.

F. Where two oceans meet; experience the beauty of nature, the expanse of the land and endless beaches and coastline. Often described as the ‘winterless north’ due to the mild climate, we offer a variety of trips year round.

G. The centre of the north island offers many opportunities to experience naturally occurring thermal phenomenon such as the hot pools, mud pools, and geysers in national parks alive with sub-terranean activity. The tour is three days in duration and accommodation in Rotorua is provided for our clients.

H. Travelling by luxury, air-conditioned tour bus, we partake in some of the best food and beverages New Zealand has to offer. Visit 5 of the country’s largest exporting vineyards and take advantage of the discount pricing available to our clients.

I. We take you to spots inaccessible to regular vehicles. Small group sizes. Plenty of off road travel but made as comfortable as possible in our custom made jeeps. Optional walking tours each day or just relaxation if preferred at our breath-taking picnic stops. N.B. We will soon also be offering excursions in the northern tip of the North island.

CHILDCARE SOLUTIONS
NANNYING POSITIONS WORLDWIDE

Are you a qualified nanny and have at least 1 year’s post-qualification experience looking after children?
We can help you find a suitable employment position in one of 16 destination countries.
No registration fee applies for job applicants.
What do our services include?
• An online ‘matching service’ which allows you to post your CV and we will contact you if any families are interested in offering you a position.
• We conduct interviews on behalf of our clients at one of our 4 offices in the U.K.
• Arrangement of a return flight, the cost of which will be covered by your employer.
• Many positions also include medical insurance for the length of your contract.
• Arrangement of full employment contracts between you and your new employer prior to leaving the UK.
• A visa assistance service is available for countries where visas are required (additional costs apply)
You are also entitled to:
• On-going support throughout your contract in the unlikely event of experiencing difficulties
• Access to our ‘Nannies Abroad’ online network and discussion forum.
• Access to an agency staff member via our 24-hour emergency contact facility.
Call us for more information on 000-000-0000
About us
Childcare Solutions was established in 1985 by three qualified nannies who returned to the UK after 5 year’s working overseas. We understand that the opportunity to work abroad appeals to many; however, due to language barriers and safety concerns we realise that many experienced professionals are dissuaded from going ahead with their dream.
Through our established partnerships with sister organisations in 16 countries worldwide, we are able to match child care professionals with appropriate families across the globe.
We have different sized families and different lengths of contract available, so contact us today and let us know what type of work, in which location you are looking for.
Additional requirements to register with Childcare Solutions.
You must:
Be 18 years of age or older
Be able to provide evidence of a clear criminal record in the UK and any other country you have resided in for more than 6 months.
Provide 2 references (at least one from a former position)*
*Where pre-written references are provided we will contact your referees personally to reconfirm.
Provide evidence of qualifications
Be enthusiastic, reliable, flexible and hard-working!
So call us today and let us assist you in fulfilling your career goals overseas.
Language Express Student Prospectus
Contents Page

A. About Language Express
B. Entry Requirements for Language Students
C. Entry Requirements for Business Students
D. Course Commencement
E. Orientation for New Students
F. Unique Opportunities
G. International Links
H. Additional Academic Support
I. The Facilities
J. Examinations and Graduation
K. Social Activities
L. The Student Council
M. Reiki

N. A. The spiritual practice of Reiki was first introduced in early 20th century Japan and continues to be used by its followers today with the intention of treating physical, emotional and mental imbalances and consequent ill-health. The principles of Reiki involve techniques employed by practitioners they say will channel healing energy through the subject’s body, and advocates hold that these techniques can also be used for self-healing. The name of the practice itself stems from two Japanese characters, pronounced ‘rei’ which translates to ‘unseen’ or ‘spiritual’ and ‘ki’ meaning ‘life force’ or energy’.

O. B. According to Reiki philosophy, only by undergoing an attunement process performed by a Reiki Master is an individual able to access, then channel this positive energy within, this ability once established is considered to be enduring. Once attuned, it is said that an individual has the ability to allow energy to flow to weak or diseased areas of the body, so activating a natural healing process. Reiki energy is considered to be ‘intelligent energy’ in that it automatically flows to such areas; for this reason, practitioners believe that diagnosis of a specific problem is unnecessary beforehand and that the practice can be used as preventative medicine and encourage healing prior to the onset of tangible symptoms. Since healing initiated by Reiki treatment is entirely natural, many practitioners are confident that it can be used alongside any other type of treatment with out adverse affect; however, others recommend that since the patient may undergo significant internal improvement for certain ailments – diabetes, for example - careful monitoring is required since such improvements may establish a need for an alteration in medication requirements.

P. C. A ‘whole body’ Reiki treatment session typically lasts between 45 to 90 minutes. The subject is required to lie down – often on a treatment table – clothed in comfortable and loose fitting attire. Treatment may involve the practitioner placing their hands on the recipient in a variety of positions; however, some therapists take a non-touching approach, holding their hands a few centimeters away from the body. Hands are usually held in one position for up to 5 minutes before moving on to the next part of the body; between 12 and 20 hand positions are generally used. Those who have undergone a Reiki treatment session often state that they experienced a pleasant warmness in the area of focus and a feeling of contentment and relaxation throughout the session.

Q. D. The healing energy is said to originate in the universe itself and is not the passing of personal energy from practitioner to patient; it is therefore thought to be inexhaustible and the personal well-being of the practitioner uncompromised. While some masters and teachers hold that subjects must be receptive to the concept in order for energy to flow, others believe that the attitude of the patient is of no consequence and that benefits will follow regardless; for this reason, those following the latter school of thought say that since Reiki requires no conscious belief it can also benefit the well-being of animals and plant life.

R. E. Controversy surrounds the practice of Reiki, some in opposition as they say that Reiki may offer only a perceived improvement in health and therefore only a ‘placebo’ effect. Whilst the practice of Reiki itself is not necessarily considered potentially harmful, some medical practitioners are concerned that its benefits may be over-estimated by patients and that, as a result, they may ignore or abandon conventional treatments. Others argue against the reliability of Reiki due to the lack of regulation of practitioners, holding that patients may be left vulnerable to illegitimate therapists who lack knowledge and skill. While Reiki is not connected to any particular religious doctrine, some religious leaders oppose the practice for spiritual reasons; however, others hold that the meditative principles involved in treatment have enhanced their own ability to explore and embrace their own particular religion.

S. F. Limited scientific studies in the authenticity of Reiki have been conducted. During research conducted by the Institute of Neurological Studies at South Glasgow University Hospital it was observed that there was a significant decrease in heart rate and blood pressure amongst subjects receiving 30 minutes of Reiki treatment as opposed to a group receiving placebo treatment of 30 minutes rest. Since the test group consisted of a small number of subjects – just 45 – the research recommendations concluded a requirement for further studies. A similarly small preliminary study into the potential effects of Reiki on patients suffering mild dementia, conducted in the USA, tentatively suggested that treatment had a positive effect on the subjects’ memory abilities; however, research limitations included insufficient analysis of potential placebo affects.

T. G. Other studies have also attempted to determine correlation between Reiki treatment and improvement in cancer and stroke patients. Whilst investigations into the first condition indicated a seemingly positive effect on degrees of fatigue, pain and stress experienced by sufferers, the second project failed to reveal a link between treatment and improvement in the subjects’ condition and rehabilitation. Theories have been put forward that the benefits of energy treatments such as Reiki may be scientifically attributed to the effect of electromagnetic fields; however, the majority researchers agree that more extensive investigation is required.

Questions:

Questions 1-7

Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet.

1. How many different lengths of route are there?
2. To whom was the money raised in last year's event given to?
3. How much money do the organisers expect to raise this year?
4. What refreshment will be available from the officials stationed along the route?
5. What do all runners have to wear on the day?
6. Where can participants leave their cars if they do not park at the school?
7. What prize can the runner wearing the best costume win?

Questions 8-14

Choose the correct title for each tour from the list of tour names below.
Write the correct number i-xi in boxes 8-14 on your answer sheet.
List of tours
i. Wine Lovers Explore
ii. Hiking in NZ
iii. 4-wheel drive South Island Extravaganza
iv. The Traditional Culture of Rotorua
v. Aotearoa on two-wheels
vi. An introduction to New Zealand Birdlife
vii. The History of the Moa
viii. Flora and Fauna Education tour
ix. Thermal Wonderland tour
x. Northern Exposure
xi. Come Scale the Peaks!

EXAMPLE Tour A iv

8 Tour B
9 Tour C
10 Tour D
11 Tour E

EXAMPLE Tour F x

12 Tour G
13 Tour H
14 Tour I

Questions 15-20

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the advertisement?
In boxes 15-20 on your answer sheet write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

15. Applicants are required to attend an interview with the family interested in offering a work position.
16. Childcare Solutions pays for flights for nannies placed in positions overseas.
17. Costs of visas vary depending on destination.
18. The organisation was set up by experienced childcare workers.
19. Nannies are employed for a minimum of 6 months.
20. The organisation requires recommendations from two previous employers.

Questions 21-27

Each of the short paragraphs below (21-27) gives information about an education institution called Language Express.
Read each paragraph and choose which of the chapter headings in the prospectus, A-L, would contain this information.

Write the correct letter A-L in boxes 21-27 on your answer sheet.

21. Language Express provides students with access to a state-of-the-art computer laboratory, extensive library, comfortable and tranquil private study area and Language Support Tutors in the Learning Support Centre. Should you be experiencing any difficulties with your course, make an appointment with a tutor and they will be able to offer you one-to-one advice and help you plan a study schedule and access resources to assist you in meeting your learning goals.

22. Members are elected by their peers at the beginning of each academic year. They are on hand to communicate between the student body and academic and management staff of the school. Their role is to keep us informed of any requests or complaints from our students that may not be raised on an individual level. Members often also recommend social activities and are active in ensuring that everyone also enjoys their recreation time.

23. As far as we are aware, we are the only institution in our city that has such extensive links with industry. We are able to place our students in work experience positions during semester breaks which provide you with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience which will differentiate you from other applicants and help you to secure the employment position you deserve.

24. Language Express was established in 1990 and cooperates with 10 other prestigious education institutions in various countries. Graduates from our business programmes are able to cross-credit their courses into a number of nominated courses on offer at our sister institutions. Our goal is to provide quality education to our students and to assist them in achieving their goals.

25. Students of any level can join our classes; we offer instruction from beginner to advanced level. During Orientation, one of the first priorities is to arrange a test for our students so that we know which class is most suitable for them. Our weekly tests will allow you to measure your progress for yourself. Many of our students go on to enrol in one of our professional qualification courses; but whatever your interest or goals we can help you fulfil your potential.
26. Several courses are assessed purely via assignments and presentations; however, should your course involve a final test, they are held two weeks after lectures finish - this means you have a two week period in which to prepare and revise. Graduation ceremonies are held twice a year; the largest being in April and smaller ceremony in November for students who successfully finish at the end of Semester 2.
27. Semester start dates for business courses vary slightly from year to year (dates for this year and the following year are found on our website). There are three semesters each year (though students may decide to study for only two terms and take a summer school holiday). The language school intake is more flexible and students are able to begin their course on any Monday apart from in December when the institution closes for a three week holiday.

Questions 28-30

Choose THREE letters A-H

Write your answers in boxes 28 - 30 on your answer sheet.
N.B. Your answers may be given in any order
Which THREE of the following statements are true of Reiki?
A. Principles for self-healing differ to those used on others.
B. Attunement is said to have a permanent effect on the recipient
C. Its preventative properties are more significant than cure.
D. There are differences in opinion regarding its use with other therapies.
E. The treatment typically involves contact between the therapist and the patient.
F. The recipient's own energy is the key to the philosophy.
G. Some therapists believe a pessimistic approach affects results.
H. It is only practiced on human subjects.

Questions 31-36

Reading Passage 3 has seven paragraphs A-G.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
31. A scientific explanation of why Reiki may have positive effects.
32. An overview of the practicalities of how Reiki is performed.
33. The pre-requisite required to experience Reiki benefits.
34. When patients faith and expectations cause concern.
35. The immediate effects that can be experienced by recipients.
36. The safety of conducting therapy for practitioners.

________________________________________

Questions 37-40

According to the information in the reading passage, classify the following research findings into the benefits of Reiki as relating to
A. The Institute of Neurological Studies
B. Research conducted in the USA
C. Cancer research
D. Stroke research

Write the correct letter A, B, C or D in boxes 37 - 40 on your answer sheet.

37. The groups' comfort and quality of life appeared to improve.
38. No apparent links were identified.
39. Results were compared to a control group who did not receive Reiki treatment
40. Recollection ability seemed to be enhanced.