Reading 1.2 — Absolute Words in Paragraphs
Moving up from Reading 1.1
in Reading 1.1 you chose the correct word in a single sentence. In Reading 1.2 the absolute word is hidden inside a short reading paragraph. Your job is the same — find the word that is too strong — but now you must read carefully to locate it first.
Simple vocabulary · Short sentences · Hints provided
Paragraph 1
Weather changes every day. Some days are hot and sunny. Other days are cold and wet. In many countries, summer is usually the warmest season. Winter is often the coldest. Spring and autumn can be warm or cool.
Paragraph 2
Rain is important for plants and animals. Without rain, rivers can become very low. Farmers need rain to grow food. Too much rain can cause floods. Most farmers check the weather before they work outside.
Paragraph 3
Some people love hot weather. They enjoy going to the beach and sitting in the sun. Other people prefer cold weather. They like snow and winter sports. Weather can affect how people feel. Many people feel happier when the sun shines.
Paragraph 4
Today, scientists can often predict the weather a few days before it arrives. Weather forecasts are on TV, radio, and the internet. Forecasts are not always correct. Sometimes the weather is different from what was expected.
Your Score
Moderate vocabulary · Longer sentences · Subtle hints only
Paragraph 1
Dietary habits have changed considerably in many parts of the world over the past century. The widespread availability of processed foods has contributed to shifts in eating patterns, particularly in urban areas. While traditional diets based on locally grown produce were once common across most regions, they have been largely — though not entirely — replaced by convenience foods in a number of countries.
Paragraph 2
Nutritionists generally recommend a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean proteins. Most health organisations advise limiting the consumption of saturated fats, added sugars, and excessive salt. However, dietary needs can vary significantly between individuals, depending on age, health conditions, activity levels, and cultural background. What is considered a healthy diet for one person may not be equally appropriate for another.
Paragraph 3
The relationship between diet and chronic disease has been studied extensively. Research consistently suggests that diets high in ultra-processed foods are associated with an increased risk of conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, diet is only one of several factors that influence health outcomes — genetics, physical activity, stress, and sleep patterns also play significant roles.
Paragraph 4
In recent years, plant-based diets have attracted growing attention from both researchers and the general public. Proponents argue that reducing meat consumption can benefit both personal health and the environment. Critics, however, point out that not all plant-based diets are automatically nutritious, and that poorly planned vegan or vegetarian diets can result in deficiencies in certain nutrients, including vitamin B12 and iron.
Your Score
Advanced vocabulary · Complex sentences · No hints
Paragraph 1
The phenomenon of rapid urbanisation has fundamentally reshaped the demographic and physical landscapes of nations across the globe. Over the course of the twentieth century, the proportion of the world's population residing in urban centres rose from approximately fifteen per cent to nearly half, a trajectory that continues largely unabated in the developing world. This migration towards cities has been driven by a confluence of factors including the prospect of economic opportunity, access to education and healthcare, and the progressive mechanisation of agricultural labour, which has substantially diminished the demand for rural workers.
Paragraph 2
The infrastructural demands imposed by urban expansion are considerable, and municipalities frequently find themselves unable to keep pace with population growth. Inadequate provision of housing, sanitation, and transportation invariably exacerbates social inequalities, concentrating poverty in peripheral settlements that are often entirely absent from formal urban planning frameworks. While some administrations have pursued ambitious programmes of slum clearance and urban renewal, such initiatives have not universally succeeded in improving living standards, and in certain cases have displaced vulnerable communities without providing adequate alternative accommodation.
Paragraph 3
The environmental consequences of urban expansion are well documented, though their severity varies considerably depending on the governance frameworks and planning regulations in place. Urban heat islands, elevated air pollution, and the progressive erosion of green spaces are among the most consistently observed effects. However, it would be an oversimplification to characterise all cities as uniformly detrimental to environmental health; a number of urban centres have implemented comprehensive sustainability strategies that have demonstrably reduced per-capita carbon emissions relative to national averages.
Paragraph 4
Proponents of so-called smart city technologies maintain that the integration of digital infrastructure — including sensor networks, real-time data analytics, and automated transport systems — can substantially enhance the efficiency of urban management. Critics, however, caution that such technologies are not a panacea for the structural socioeconomic challenges that underpin urban inequality, and that an exclusive focus on technological solutions risks marginalising the communities whose needs are most acute. The evidence to date suggests that smart city initiatives tend to deliver measurable improvements in specific domains, such as energy management and traffic flow, without necessarily addressing the broader determinants of urban wellbeing.