Investing in the Future
Read Investing in the Future and check the IELTS Reading answers. The founding and development of many universities has been dependent on philanthropy. This has been true from some of the oldest universities such as Bologna, Oxford and Cambridge in the twelfth century, to relative newcomers like th…
Passage preview
The founding and development of many universities has been dependent on philanthropy. This has been true from some of the oldest universities such as Bologna, Oxford and Cambridge in the twelfth century, to relative newcomers like the universities of Harvard and Yale in the seventeenth century. Wealthy merchants gave young institutions money, land, libraries and rare items. Their belief in the value of higher learning is echoed by the growing number of philanthropists whose gifts have helped transform the University of Auckland, the largest university in New Zealand.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- alumni noun
The former students of a particular school, college, or university, often considered as a group
The university remains in close contact with its alumni to encourage networking and donations.
- centenary noun
The hundredth anniversary of a significant event or the celebration of such an anniversary
The city organized a grand parade to commemorate the centenary of its independence.
- devise verb
To plan or invent a complex procedure, system, or mechanism by careful thought
The committee worked for months to devise a new method for managing university resources.
- discontinue verb
To cease or stop doing, providing, or making something, especially something that has been happening regularly
The government decided to discontinue the funding for the project due to budget constraints.
- exceptional adjective
Unusually good or outstanding; deviating from the norm in a way that is superior or remarkable
The student’s academic performance was truly exceptional, earning her multiple scholarships and awards.
- fellowship noun
A status or financial grant awarded to a graduate student or scholar to support their research
He was awarded a prestigious research fellowship to study ancient civilizations in the Mediterranean.
- philanthropy noun
The desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed by the generous donation of money to good causes
The university's expansion was made possible through the sustained philanthropy of local business leaders.
- rivalry noun
A situation in which people, businesses, or organizations compete for the same thing or superiority
The intense rivalry between the two tech giants led to rapid innovation in the industry.
- strategic plan noun
A document used to communicate organizational goals and the actions needed to achieve them
The new fundraising campaign must align with the long-term strategic plan of the institution.
- transformative effect noun
A complete and fundamental change in the nature or appearance of something, usually for the better
High-quality research can have a transformative effect on the economic development of a nation.
Answers with explanations
- 1. FALSE
The statement claims Harvard and Yale were the **first universities** to benefit. However, the text explicitly describes them as **relative newcomers** compared to older institutions like **Bologna, Oxford and Cambridge**, which benefited much earlier in the twelfth century. Answer: FALSE.
- 2. NOT GIVEN
The passage clearly states that **wealthy merchants gave** various items to **young institutions**. However, there is absolutely no mention of whether these merchants actually **attended** the specific universities they donated to. The text does not provide this personal connection. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 2-3: silence
2: The passage clearly states that **wealthy merchants gave** various items to **young institutions**. However, there is absolutely no mention of whether these merchants actually **attended** the specific universities they donated to. The text does not provide this personal connection. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
3: The text explicitly states that in **1884**, Mr Justice Gillies became the **original philanthropist** for the University of Auckland by giving $3,000. The word 'original' confirms this was indeed the **first gift**, perfectly matching the claim in the statement. Answer: TRUE.
- 3. TRUE
The text explicitly states that in **1884**, Mr Justice Gillies became the **original philanthropist** for the University of Auckland by giving $3,000. The word 'original' confirms this was indeed the **first gift**, perfectly matching the claim in the statement. Answer: TRUE.
- 3-4: FALSE
3: The text explicitly states that in **1884**, Mr Justice Gillies became the **original philanthropist** for the University of Auckland by giving $3,000. The word 'original' confirms this was indeed the **first gift**, perfectly matching the claim in the statement. Answer: TRUE.
4: The statement claims Otago received **larger gifts**. The text directly contradicts this by stating that Gillies' gift to Auckland was **more generous** than the donations **regularly given** to the University of Otago. Therefore, Auckland received the larger gift in this comparison. Answer: FALSE.
- 4. FALSE
The statement claims Otago received **larger gifts**. The text directly contradicts this by stating that Gillies' gift to Auckland was **more generous** than the donations **regularly given** to the University of Otago. Therefore, Auckland received the larger gift in this comparison. Answer: FALSE.
- 5. TRUE
The passage notes that the **state** (which represents the **government**) was determined to see the engineering school **discontinued** (which means to **close** it). This perfectly aligns with the statement's claim about the government's intentions in the 1930s. Answer: TRUE.
- 6. NOT GIVEN
While the text confirms that Samuel Crookes successfully **raised over $6,500**, it only mentions he was a **former lecturer**. It gives absolutely no information about what his career path was after raising the money, so we do not know if he returned to **academic life**. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 7. TRUE
The text states that the **strongest candidates** (meaning the **best lecturers**) tended to be **recruited** to **Britain and Australia** because of uncompetitive salaries in Auckland. This confirms they actively chose those overseas locations over working in Auckland. Answer: TRUE.
- 8. FALSE
The statement claims a **single philanthropist** was responsible. The text directly contradicts this assertion by clearly stating the Medical School attracted gifts from an **unusually wide range of donors**, showing it was a collective effort rather than a single individual. Answer: FALSE.
- 9. centenary
The blank requires a singular noun denoting a specific historical event or milestone. The text states Henry Cooper raised funds to **celebrate** the University's **centenary**. This grammatically fits and perfectly matches the context of marking a major occasion.
- 10. staff
The blank requires a noun representing what the University is investing its money into. The text explains the focus is on generating funds specifically to **recruit, support and retain** the very best **staff**. This directly matches the concept of organizational investment.
- 11. overseas
The blank requires an adverb or noun describing a geographic location. The text mentions targeting **alumni** (which means **graduates**) who are **now living overseas**. This matches the requirement for describing where these specific individuals are located.
- 12. recorded
The blank requires a past participle verb following the auxiliary 'had not been'. The text explicitly states that **considerable giving** (meaning **donations**) has **not been previously recorded** by their Advancement Office, which grammatically and logically fits the gap.
- 13. target
The blank requires a singular noun related to a financial goal. The passage states that the **campaign target** was being **increased**, indicating a new financial milestone has been set for the university's fund-raising efforts.