Homework · Day 3
Summary Cloze · Distractor Analysis
What you'll do tonight
- Complete a 10-blank summary cloze — half the words given, half from memory.
- Analyse two MCQs: identify why each distractor is tempting.
- Self-check, then submit by email.
Exercise 1 — Summary cloze (50% given, 50% missing)
Read the passage. Then complete the summary — five words are given to you (in brackets), five you need to scan and identify yourself. Use grammar clues.
Coffee originated in Ethiopia, where legend says a goatherd named Kaldi discovered its energising effects around the 9th century. It spread first to the Arabian Peninsula, where coffeehouses became centres of intellectual exchange in cities like Mecca by the 1500s. European traders brought coffee to Italy in the early 17th century, and within decades it had reached cafés in London, Paris, and Vienna. Today, coffee is the second-most traded commodity in the world after oil, with annual consumption exceeding 10 billion kilograms. However, climate change threatens production: rising temperatures could reduce suitable growing areas by 50% by 2050, according to recent studies.
Coffee was first 1. [discovered] in 2. , supposedly by a man called Kaldi in the 9th 3. [century]. It then moved to the 4. , where it became central to intellectual life. By the 5. [17th] century, European 6. had introduced it to Italy, and shortly after to other European 7. . Coffee is currently the second-largest 8. [commodity] traded globally. However, climate change may 9. growing areas by half by 10. [2050].
2 Ethiopia · 4 Arabian Peninsula · 6 traders · 7 cafés (or cities) · 9 reduce (or cut)
Note how 2 and 4 follow articles/structure that signal a proper noun, while 6 needs a plural noun, and 9 needs a verb that fits "may ___".
Exercise 2 — Distractor analysis
For each question, identify the correct answer and explain why each wrong option is tempting.
The honeybee is responsible for pollinating roughly one-third of all food crops globally. In recent decades, populations have declined sharply due to a combination of factors, including pesticide use, habitat loss, and parasitic mites. Some scientists also point to climate change as a contributing pressure, though its precise effect is debated. Conservation programs in Europe and North America have shown modest success, but recovery is slow.
Question 1. Which is the main cause of honeybee population decline?
A Pesticides exclusively · B A combination of several pressures · C Climate change only · D Parasitic mites alone
Correct:
Why A is tempting:
Why C is tempting:
Why D is tempting:
Question 2. What does the passage say about conservation programs?
A They have completely solved the problem · B They have failed entirely · C They have produced some, limited results · D They are only in Asia
Correct:
Why A is tempting:
Why B is tempting:
Why D is tempting:
Question 1: B.
- A — "exclusively" is an extreme. Pesticides are mentioned but as one of several factors.
- C — "only" is absolute. Climate change is mentioned as a contributing pressure, with debated effect.
- D — "alone" is absolute. Mites are listed alongside other factors, not as the sole cause.
Question 2: C.
- A — "completely solved" exaggerates "modest success".
- B — "entirely failed" contradicts "modest success". Opposite trap.
- D — Passage explicitly mentions Europe and North America. "Only in Asia" is directly contradicted.
Free practice resources
Extra free practice for tonight — each link opens in a new tab. These are free online resources (no purchase needed); a few may ask you to create a free account.
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Multiple Choice Reading Practice →
IELTS Liz
Distractor identification in MCQs + answer key. ~15 min, free.
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Reading: Summary Exercise →
IELTS Liz
Summary cloze completion + answers. ~15 min, free.
Ready to submit?
Submit your cloze answers and distractor reasoning by email.