IELTS Reading Practice Test
The Magic of Kefir
A
A. The shepherds of the North Caucasus region of Europe were only trying to transport milk the best way they knew how – in leather pouches strapped to the side of donkeys – when they made a significant discovery. A fermentation process would sometimes inadvertently occur enroute, and when the pouches were opened up on arrival they would no longer contain milk but rather a pungent, effervescent, low- alcoholic substance instead. This unexpected development was a blessing in disguise. The new drink – which acquired the name kefir – turned out to be health tonic, a naturally-preserved dairy product and a tasty addition to our culinary repertoire.
B
B. Although their exact origin remains a mystery, we do know that yeast-based kefir grains have always been at the root of the kefir phenomenon. These grains are capable of a remarkable feat: in contradistinction to most other items you might find in a grocery store, they actually expand and propagate with use. This is because the grains, which are granular to the touch and bear a slight resemblance to cauliflower rosettes, house active cultures that feed on lactose when added to milk. Consequently, a bigger problem for most kefir drinkers is not where to source new kefir grains, but what to do with the ones they already have!
C
C. The great thing about kefir is that it does not require a manufacturing line in order to be produced. Grains can be simply thrown in with a batch of milk for ripening to begin. The mixture then requires a cool, dark place to live and grow, with periodic unsettling to prevent clumping (Caucasus inhabitants began storing the concoction in animal-skin satchels on the back of doors – every time someone entered the room the mixture would get lightly shaken). After about 24 hours the yeast cultures in the grains have multiplied and devoured most of the milk sugars, and the final product is then ready for human consumption.
D
D. Nothing compares to a person’s first encounter with kefir. The smooth, uniform consistency rolls over the tongue in a manner akin to liquefied yogurt. The sharp, tart pungency of unsweetened yogurt is there too, but there is also a slight hint of effervescence, something most users will have previously associated only with mineral waters, soda or beer. Kefir also comes with a subtle aroma of yeast, and depending on the type of milk and ripening conditions, ethanol content can reach up to two or three percent – about on par with a decent lager – although you can expect around 0.8 to one per cent for a typical day-old preparation. This can bring out a tiny edge of alcohol in the kefir’s flavour.
E
E. Although it has prevailed largely as a fermented milk drink, over the years kefir has acquired a number of other uses. Many bakers use it instead of starter yeast in the preparation of sourdough, and the tangy flavour also makes kefir an ideal buttermilk substitute in pancakes. Kefir also accompanies sour cream as one of the main ingredients in cold beetroot soup and can be used in lieu of regular cow’s milk on granola or cereal. As a way to keep their digestive systems fine-tuned, athletes sometimes combine kefir with yoghurt in protein shakes.
F
F. Associated for centuries with pictures of Slavic babushkas clutching a shawl in one hand and a cup of kefir in the other, the unassuming beverage has become a minor celebrity of the nascent health food movement in the contemporary West. Every day, more studies pour out supporting the benefits of a diet high in probiotics . This trend toward consuming probiotics has engulfed the leisure classes in these countries to the point that it is poised to become, according to some commentators, “the next multivitamin”. These days the word kefir is consequently more likely to bring to mind glamorous, yoga mat-toting women from Los Angeles than austere visions of blustery Eastern Europe.
G
G. Kefir’s rise in popularity has encouraged producers to take short cuts or alter the production process. Some home users have omitted the ripening and culturation process while commercial dealers often add thickeners, stabilisers and sweeteners. But the beauty of kefir is that, at its healthiest and tastiest, it is a remarkably affordable, uncluttered process, as any accidental invention is bound to be. All that is necessary are some grains, milk and a little bit of patience. A return to the unadulterated kefir-making of old is in everyone’s interest.

Question 1 - 7

The Reading passage has seven paragraph A-G.
Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of heading below.

1
Paragraph A
VIII
A fortunate accident
2
Paragraph B
III
The gift that keeps on giving
3
Paragraph C
VII
Making kefir
4
Paragraph D
I
A unique sensory experience
5
Paragraph E
VI
Culinary applications
6
Paragraph F
IX
Kefir gets an image makeover
7
Paragraph G
II
Getting back to basics
1
Paragraph A
VIII
A fortunate accident

ĐÁP ÁN & GIẢI THÍCH CÂU 1

Locate
Simplify & Connection

Simplified

  1.  The shepherds were only trying to transport milk the best way they knew how [phần giữa 2 dấu gạch là giải thích thêm không cần đọc] when they made a significant discovery .

  2.  A fermentation process would sometimes occur and when the pouches were opened up on arrival they would no longer contain milk but a substance instead .

  3.  This unexpected development was a blessing in disguise . 

  4.  The new drink turned out to be health tonic, a dairy product and a tasty addition to our culinary repertoire .

Connection →  “A significant discovery” được đề cập ở câu một được giải thích rõ hơn ở những câu tiếp theo: nó là “the new drink" (một thức uống mới), “a substance" (một loại chất) và “unexpected development" (một phát hiện không ngờ tới)

Giải thích chi tiết

Skimming/ scanning cross Nếu chỉ skim/scan từ khoá giống nhau giữa đoạn văn và list of headings, thí sinh rất dễ chọn những heading như: iv Variations in alcohol content Thí sinh dễ chọn heading này vì thấy cụm “alcoholic substance" rất giống với “alcohol content" trong heading. Tuy nhiên, không chọn được heading này vì heading đề cập tới “variations" (sự đa dạng, khác biệt) trong thành phần alcohol, nhưng đoạn này lại chẳng đi sâu vào alcohol hay thành phần của nó, mà chỉ đề cập tới alcohol trong đúng 1 cụm mà thôi. x Ways to improve taste Một vài thí sinh hay chọn nhầm câu này vì thấy từ “tasty" xuất hiện trong câu cuối cùng của đoạn. Tuy nhiên, câu này vẫn chưa phải đáp án đúng. (Muốn biết tại sao chưa đúng thì cùng nhìn thử bài giải bằng Linearthinking nhé) Linearthinking check Để làm đúng Matching Heading, cần áp dụng Linearthinking qua hai bước Simplify + Read Connection Simplify + Read connection (1) + (2) + (3) The shepherds discovered a new substance while transporting milk. (4) Nói về tầm quan trọng của new substance (=new drink) này => Main idea: Shepherds tình cờ phát hiện new drink khi đang vận chuyển milk và phát hiện này rất quan trọng

So với list of heading: Chọn heading viii. A fortunate accident (Một phát hiện tình cờ may mắn) smiley18 Paraphrasing: Accident (Phát hiện tình cờ) = Discovered a new substance while transporting milk Fortunate = Tầm quan trọng của phát hiện này (health tonic, dairy product, tasty addition…) 

Lưu ý
  • Nội dung giải thích được viết bởi DOL IELTS Đình Lực - Học Viện Tiếng Anh Tư Duy đầu tiên tại Việt Nam
  • Đề được viết bởi nhà xuất bản lớn gồm Cambridge và Oxford
The Magic of Kefir

The Magic of Kefir

The Magic of Kefir

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