Strictly English Ielts Reading Answers

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

1. According to the text, the “strictly English” approach requires answers to be based on:

2. What example is given to illustrate a mistake in “True/False/Not Given” questions?

3. What do proponents of the method admit about its limitations?

Read this sentence from a passage: "The experiment failed because the temperature was not maintained."

Passage (short):

“Urban beekeeping has grown 45% in London since 2020. However, critics argue that rooftop hives may compete with wild pollinators for limited forage.”

Questions & Answers:

For centuries, English has been a language in flux, absorbing vocabulary from every corner of the globe. However, a growing movement of linguistic purists argues that the integrity of the English language is under siege. They advocate for a return to 'Strictly English'—a standardised form of the language that adheres to traditional grammar rules, eschews foreign loanwords where native alternatives exist, and resists the rapid evolution of internet slang.

The 'Strictly English' movement finds its roots in the 18th century, a time when writers like Jonathan Swift sought to establish an English Academy, similar to the Académie Française in France, to 'ascertain' and fix the language. Swift and his contemporaries feared that without a governing body, English would degrade into a chaotic dialect, unfit for serious intellectual discourse. While the proposed academy never materialised, the sentiment lingered. Today, this preservationist instinct is championed by organisations such as the Queen’s English Society (QES), which campaigns for higher standards of written and spoken English in public life.

Proponents of Strictly English argue that linguistic clarity is the primary casualty of modern linguistic trends. They point to the erosion of the subjunctive mood, the confusion of 'less' and 'fewer', and the misuse of apostrophes as signs of a decline in educational standards. John Sutherland, a prominent supporter, argues that language is the architecture of thought; if the structure is unsound, the thought becomes muddled. From this perspective, strict rules are not arbitrary constraints but necessary scaffolding for clear communication. They contend that a standardised English allows for intelligibility across different regions and social classes, acting as a unifying force in an increasingly fragmented society. strictly english ielts reading answers

However, linguists and lexicographers largely view the Strictly English philosophy as not only unrealistic but potentially harmful. Professor David Crystal, a leading authority on the English language, argues that English has never been 'strict'. Its strength lies in its adaptability. Unlike French, which has historically imposed top-down regulations to protect its purity, English has always been a bottom-up language, shaped by the common people rather than academicians. Crystal notes that many of the rules purists defend—such as the prohibition against splitting infinitives—are arbitrary impositions from Latin grammar that do not fit the Germanic structure of English.

Furthermore, critics argue that the movement is often tinged with elitism. The 'Strictly English' ideal typically reflects the dialect of the educated upper-middle class in the south of England. By framing deviations from this standard as 'incorrect' or 'sloppy', proponents risk marginalising regional dialects and non-native speakers who bring valuable linguistic diversity to the table. In the digital age, the speed at which language evolves has accelerated. Words like 'selfie' and phrases like 'because [noun]' have entered mainstream usage not out of ignorance, but out of utility and creativity.

Despite the backlash from the linguistic community, the Strictly English movement retains a stronghold in education and publishing. Style guides like The Economist’s or Strunk and White’s serve as bibles for writers who value concision and traditional syntax. There is a pragmatic argument to be made: in a global economy, a standardised form of English facilitates international business. While 'Singlish' (Singaporean English) or 'Hinglish' (Hindi-English) may be effective in local contexts, international diplomacy and science generally require a neutral, standardised medium.

The debate ultimately centres on the purpose of language. Is it a museum piece to be preserved behind glass, or a living organism that must grow to survive? The purists see themselves as guardians of heritage; the descriptivists see themselves as observers of reality. For now, English continues to evolve, paying little heed to those who wish to strictly police its boundaries.

Many students scan for the exact keyword from the question in the text. When they find it, they assume they are correct. This is a classic mistake. The correct strictly English answer is rarely next to the exact keyword. Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D

Example:

Paragraph:
“Despite advances in solar technology, adoption rates remain low in cloudy regions due to efficiency drops.”

Heading options:
i. Global solar trends
ii. Climatic limits on solar efficiency
iii. Cost of solar panels

Correct answer: ii

Here, "strictly English" means contextual collocation. Even if a word from the list fits semantically, it must also fit collocation (words that naturally go together). Paragraph: “Despite advances in solar technology