Remember: consistent practice under timed conditions, thorough review of answer explanations, and active vocabulary building are the keys to achieving your target IELTS Reading score.
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | | :--- | :--- | | Hocus-pocus | Deception or trickery; something that appears magical but is not real. | | Warrant | To justify or deserve (e.g., “warrants investigation”). | | Placebo | An inactive substance or treatment given to a control group in medical research. | | Scathing | Severely critical. | | Watertight demonstration | A completely convincing, irrefutable proof. | | Predatory (as in “preying on”) | Exploiting or taking advantage of vulnerable people. |
Check the word limit instructions carefully (e.g., "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS"). Determine what part of speech (noun, verb, adjective) is grammatically required for each blank before looking at the passage. Use scanning techniques to find the specific paragraph where the summarized information resides. Proven Strategies for a Top Score | | Placebo | An inactive substance or
This passage examines the science of placebo effects in alternative medicine, quoting Professor Edzard Ernst that “complementary practitioners are miles better at producing non-specific effects and good therapeutic relationships.”
: It posits that the body possesses an innate ability to heal itself. Therapies like reflexology and acupuncture are designed to "kick-start" and accelerate this natural process rather than acting as a "cure-all" or panacea. | | Predatory (as in “preying on”) |
A: While most established IELTS preparation websites provide accurate answers, it's always wise to cross-reference answers from multiple sources and use your own judgment based on the passage content.
Based on the "Complementary and Alternative Medicine" passage (commonly labeled as ), here is a comprehensive answer key with vocabulary and reasoning locators: Remember: consistent practice under timed conditions
6. The resurgence of CM in the West since the 1970s is partly due to dissatisfaction with __________.
— The passage presents both supporters and skeptics of complementary medicine, and questions often test your ability to distinguish between different viewpoints.
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