Learning to be bilingual
Read Learning to be bilingual and check the IELTS Reading answers. Few people would consider mastering more than one language a bad idea. Consequently, parents who speak different languages from each other are generally keen for their children to learn both. They understand that the family setting…
Passage preview
Few people would consider mastering more than one language a bad idea. Consequently, parents who speak different languages from each other are generally keen for their children to learn both. They understand that the family setting they create is central to this, and seek ways to ensure their children thrive bilingually.
Vocabulary from this passage
12 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- appease verb
To pacify or placate someone by acceding to their demands or showing specific cooperative behaviors
Switching to the mother's native language was often used as a method to appease her during disagreements.
- behavioural repertoire noun
The entire range of behaviors, skills, or techniques that a person is capable of using
Children adopted a broader behavioural repertoire, using language as a strategic tool for emotional bonding.
- defiance noun
Open resistance or bold disobedience toward authority or established rules and expectations
Refusing to communicate in a specific language served as a powerful means of defiance for the children.
- elementary grasp noun
A basic or fundamental understanding of a subject or a limited ability in a skill
Fathers in the study often possessed only an elementary grasp of their partner's native language.
- honorific adjective
A title or grammatical form used to convey social status, respect, or emotional attachment
The girl incorporated Japanese honorific titles into her negotiation to emphasize her emotional relationship with her brother.
- inhibit verb
To hinder, restrain, or prevent an action or process from happening or developing freely
Rigid adherence to the OPOL approach might actually inhibit the bilingual skills of both parents and children.
- linguistic adjective
Relating to language or the scientific study of the structure and use of language
Strictly policing consistency in language use could potentially inhibit a child's natural linguistic development.
- obligation noun
A duty or commitment; an act to which someone is bound by social or moral ties
The shift in language reminded the brother of his cultural obligation to care for his sister.
- perception noun
The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted by an individual
The study examined the children's perception of the link between a specific language and motherhood.
- received wisdom noun
Beliefs or opinions that are generally accepted by the public or experts as being correct
New research suggests that the received wisdom regarding the avoidance of language mixing is a myth.
- simultaneously adverb
At the same time; occurring or operating at the same moment in time
The OPOL strategy involves each parent using their native language so children learn both simultaneously.
- thrive verb
To grow, develop, or be successful; to flourish within a specific social or academic environment
Parents seek various strategies to ensure their children can thrive bilingually in a multicultural society.
Answers with explanations
- 27. B
The question asks what the writer says about parents with different languages. The text states that these parents "understand that the family setting they create is **central to this**" (learning languages). This aligns perfectly with option B, stating that they **realise the importance of their role**.
- 28. C
The term 'received wisdom' refers to the prior paragraph's point: the belief that "mixing languages should always be avoided" in the OPOL approach. The writer explicitly calls this belief "a myth." This supports option C, which states that **one generally accepted principle of OPOL is incorrect**.
- 29. A
Because English was the primary language in the home, the Japanese mothers deliberately had to "carve out additional space" to teach Japanese. This means they **compensated** for the fact that English was dominant, supporting option A.
- 30. D
The text explains that the children adopted a "broader behavioural repertoire than that which is **usually associated with a language**"—such as using Japanese strategically to appease their mother or show defiance. This supports option D: they **used language in a way that is uncommon**.
- 31. D
The passage explains that parents find it problematic to continually correct their children when mixing languages because the parents "are **bilingual themselves** – so they understand". This directly points to option D: parents are **less likely to do it if they speak both languages**.
- 32. D
The writer introduces the 'ice cream' example explicitly to illustrate a situation where language "**cannot readily be categorised as either one language or the other**." This maps perfectly to option D: it may be **difficult to distinguish which language** a bilingual child is using.
- 33. H
The blank requires a noun reflecting the brother's negative reaction. The text mentions "firm **rejections** by her brother". "Refusal" (Option H) is a direct synonym for rejection and fits the sentence structure perfectly.
- 34. C
The blank needs a noun describing the methods the girl used to convince her brother. The text notes she used her "communicative **repertoire**" (shifting tone, politeness, and language). "Strategies" (Option C) best describes these deliberate tactics.
- 35. A
The summary states she expressed this gently and politely. The text states she "rephrased the **question** by using various polite forms." Asking a question politely to get something is a "request" (Option A).
- 36. E
The summary says she reminded him of his duty to her as a brother. The text refers to an "assumed **obligation to care** on the part of the brother." "Responsibility" (Option E) is a direct synonym for obligation.
- 37. YES
The statement claims that even monolingual people adapt their communication. The passage confirms this, stating, "**Whether bilingual or not**, we all constantly select from our repertoire anything that will best serve our purpose," directly supporting the claim. Answer: YES.
- 38. NOT GIVEN
The text extensively discusses the OPOL approach, how parents use it, and how children react to it. However, the text never mentions or predicts whether the children currently growing up in OPOL families "will go on to use this approach with their own children" in the future. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 39. NO
The statement claims OPOL is favoured because it encourages parents to switch languages. The passage states exactly the opposite: the popularity of OPOL rests on the message that "it should be applied **consistently**" (meaning parents stick to one language and avoid switching). Answer: NO.
- 40. NOT GIVEN
The text discusses how bilingual children actively mix and adapt languages, viewing it as a demonstration of flexibility and interpersonal skills. However, it completely lacks any information on whether these children "eventually develop a preference for one of the languages" later on. Answer: NOT GIVEN.