IELTS Academic Reading 13

You are advised to spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27 - 40.

A.D.D. - Missing Out on Learning

Study requires a student's undivided attention. It is impossible to acquire a complex skill or
absorb information about a subject in class unless one learns to concentrate without undue
stress for long periods of time

Students with Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) are particularly deficient in this respect for
reasons which are now known to be microbiological and not behavioral, as was once
believed. Of course, being unable to concentrate, and incapable of pleasing the teacher and
oneself in the process, quickly leads to despondence and low self-esteem. This will naturally
induce behavioral problems. It is estimated that 3 - 5 % of all children suffer from Attention
Deficit Disorder. There are three main types of Attention Deficit Disorder: A.D.D. without
Hyperactivity, A.D.D. with Hyperactivity (A.D.H.D.), and Undifferentiated A.D.D.

The characteristics of a person with A.D.D. are as follows:

• has difficulty paying attention
• does not appear to listen
• is unable to carry out given instructions
• avoids or dislikes tasks which require sustained mental effort
• has difficulty with organization
• is easily distracted
• often loses things
• is forgetful in daily activities

Children with A.D.H.D. also exhibit excessive and inappropriate physical activity, such as
constant fidgeting and running about the room. This boisterousness often interferes with the
educational development of others. Undifferentiated A.D.D. sufferers exhibit some, but not
all, of the symptoms of each category.

It is important to base remedial action on an accurate diagnosis. Since A.D.D. is a

physiological disorder caused by some structural or chemically-based neurotransmitter
problem in the nervous system, it responds especially well to certain psycho stimulant drugs,
such as Ritalin. In use since 1953, the drug enhances the ability to structure and complete a
thought without being overwhelmed by non-related and distracting thought processes.
1
Psycho stimulants are the most widely used medications for persons with A.D.D. and
A.D.H.D. Recent findings have validated the use of stimulant medications, which work in
about 70 - 80% of A.H.D.D. children and adults (Wilens and Biederman, 1997). In fact, up to
90% of destructibility in A.D.D. sufferers can be removed by medication. The specific dose of

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 medicine varies for each child, but such drugs are not without side effects, which include
reduction in appetite, loss of weight, and problems with falling asleep.

Not all students who are inattentive in class have Attention Deficit Disorder. Many are simply
unwilling to commit themselves to the task at hand. Others might have a specific learning
disability (S.L.D.). However, those with A.D.D. have difficulty performing in school not usually
because they have trouble learning 1 , but because of poor organization, inattention,
compulsion and impulsiveness. This is brought about by an incompletely understood
phenomenon, in which the individual is, perhaps, best described as 'tuning out' for short to
long periods of time. The effect is analogous to the switching of channels on a television set.
The difference is that an A.D.D. sufferer is not 'in charge of the remote control'. The child
with A.D.D. is unavailable to learn - something else has involuntarily captured his or her
whole attention.

It is commonly thought that A.D.D. only affects children, and that they grow out of the
condition once they reach adolescence. It is now known that this is often not the case. Left
undiagnosed or untreated, children with all forms of A.D.D. risk a lifetime of failure to relate
effectively to others at home, school, college and at work. This brings significant emotional
disturbances into play, and is very likely to negatively affect self-esteem. Fortunately, early
identification of the problem, together with appropriate treatment, makes it possible for many
victims to overcome the substantial obstacles that A.D.D. places in the way of successful
learning.

1 approximately 15% of A.D.H.D. children do, however, have learning disabilities

Alternative Treatments for A.D.D. Evaluation

expensive

EEG Biofeedback trials flawed - (sample groups small,

no control groups)
Dietary intervention (removal of food
additives -preservatives, colorings etc.) ineffective

Sugar reduction (in A.D.H.D.) numerous studies disprove link

Correction of (supposed) inner-ear slightly effective (but only for small

disturbance percentage of children)

Correction of (supposed) yeast infection undocumented, unscientific studies

(Candida albicans)
inconsistent with current theory
Vitamin/mineral regimen for (supposed)
genetic abnormality lack of evidence

Body manipulations for (supposed) inconsistent with current theory

misalignment of two bones in the skull
lack of evidence
2
theory disproved in the 1970s

lack of evidence

inconsistent with current theory

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 Figure 1. Evaluations of Controversial Treatments for A.D.D.
Questions 27-29
You are advised to spend about 5 minutes on Questions 27-29.

Refer to Reading Passage 13 "A.D.D. - Missing Out On Learning", and decide which of the
answers best completes the following sentences. Write your answers in boxes 27 - 29 on
your Answer Sheet. The first one has been done for you as an example.

Example: The number of main types of A.D.D. is:

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4

Q. 27. Attention Deficit Disorder:

a) is a cause of behavioural problems

b) is very common in children
c) has difficulty paying attention
d) none of the above

Q. 28. Wilens and Biederman have shown that:

a) stimulant medications are useful

b) psychostimulants do not always work
c) hyperactive persons respond well to psychostimulants
d) all of the above

Q. 29. Children with A.D.D.:

a) have a specific learning disability

b) should not be given medication as a treatment
c) may be slightly affected by sugar intake
d) usually improve once they become teenagers

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 Questions 30-37
You are advised to spend about 10 minutes on Questions 30 - 37.
The following is a summary of Reading Passage 13.

Complete each gap in the text by choosing 30 - 37 on your Answer Sheet.

Write your answers in boxes. Note that there are more choices in the box than gaps.

You will not need to use all the choices given, but you may use a word, or phrase more than
once.

Attention Deficit Disorder is a neurobiological problem that affects 3 - 5% of all .....(Ex:). ......
Symptoms include inattentiveness and having difficulty getting (30) , as well as easily
becoming distracted. Sometimes, A.D.D. is accompanied by (31) In these cases, the sufferer
exhibits excessive physical activity. Psychostimulant drugs can be given to A.D.D. sufferers
to assist them with the (32) of desired thought processes, although they might cause (33)
Current theory states that medication is the only (34) that has a sound scientific basis. This
action should only be taken after an accurate diagnosis is made. Children with A.D.D. do not
necessarily have trouble learning; their problem is that they involuntarily (35) their attention
elsewhere. It is not only (36) that are affected by this condition. Failure to treat A.D.D. can
lead to lifelong emotional and behavioral problems. Early diagnosis and treatment, however,
are the key to (37) overcoming learning difficulties associated with A.D.D.

side effects successfully completion adults

medicine switch drug Ritalin

hyperactivity organized losing weight A.D.H.D.

children attention remedial action paying

Questions 38 - 40
You are advised to spend about 5 minutes on Questions 38 - 40.
Refer to Reading Passage 13, and decide which of the following pieces of advice is best
suited for child listed in the table below.

Write your answers in boxes 38 - 40 on your Answer Sheet.

ADVICE:
A current treatment ineffective - suggest increased dosage of Ritalin.
B supplement diet with large amounts of vitamins and minerals.
C probably not suffering from A.D.D. - suggest behavioral counseling.
D bone manipulation to realign bones in the skull.
4 E EEG Biofeedback to self-regulate the child's behavior.
F daily dose of Ritalin in place of expensive unproven treatment.

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 CHILD 1 CHILD 2 CHILD 3

Problems does not listen to given often forgets to do excessively active

instructions homework
unable to pay attention
loses interest easily sleeps in class
dislikes mental effort
cannot complete tasks disturbs other
students disturbs other students
quiet and withdrawn

Current EEG Feedback none diet contains no food

Treatment additives

low dose of Ritalin

Best Advice (38)……………. (39)……………… (40)……………..

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 Answer:
27. a 28. d 29. c 30. organised 31. hyperactivity 32. completion 33. side effects 34.
remedial action 35. switch 36. children 37. successfully 38. F 39. C 40. A

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