A c a d e m ic M o d u le — P ra ctice Test 2

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14—

2 6 which are based on
Reading Passage 2 below.

Dyslexia
Dyslexia, also referred to as “specific reading disability,” predominantly
affects a person’s ability to read and write. Dyslexics have difficulty connecting
visual symbols (i.e., letters) with their corresponding sounds. Many people
who suffer from dyslexia also have trouble with enunciation, organization,1
and short-term memory. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in
children. It is not related to intellectual ability, vision, or access to education.
Approximately 5-10 percent of school-age children in North America suffer
from the condition, with each case varying in severity. Children are generally
diagnosed with dyslexia during the elementary school years when they are
learning how to read and spell.
Determining the definite cause of dyslexia is a difficult task since studies of
the morphology of the brain are generally conducted in an autopsy. One
hypothesis suggests that dyslexic children suffer from “strabismus,” the ten­
dency of the eyes to focus on two different points. W hen reading, for example,
one eye focuses on the beginning of the word and the other focuses on the end.
This theory could explain why dyslexics have difficulty reading. Many dyslexic
children read letters and words backwards, often mistaking a b for a d or read­
ing was instead of saw. These reversals are normal for children under the age of
six, but indicate a problem if they persist beyond the early elementary grades.
Neurological research points to tiny flaws in the dyslexic brain called ectopias
and microgyria. These flaws alter the structure of the cortex, the area of the
brain that is responsible for connecting visual and audio processing. Genetic
research, often in the form of twins studies, shows that dyslexia may be passed
on in families.
Though most children are not diagnosed with dyslexia until they enter the
school system, there are some early signs of the disability. Toddlers who talk
much later than average, have difficulty learning new words, or do not under­
stand the concept of rhyming may develop other dyslexic symptoms. As chil­
dren begin school, teachers are trained to look for warning signs, such as an
inability to recognize2 letters or spaces between words on a page or difficulty
following instructions given with more than one command at a time.
Properly screening children for dyslexia is important since other factors can
limit reading abilities, including vision or hearing impairment, anxiety, or
other neurological problems.

1British: organisation
2British: recognise
 54 A c a d e m ic M odule

Dyslexia is a type of learning disorder that can often be compensated for with
therapy and motivational techniques. Phonological training, which involves
identifying and separating sound patterns, is the most common form of therapy
used in the school system. Depending on the severity of the disorder, dyslexic
children are pulled from regular classroom activities in order to work one-on-one
with a language specialist. Studies have shown that activity in the right tem­
poroparietal cortex tends to increase after sufficient phonological training.
Improvements in visual focus can sometimes be achieved when students are given
an eye patch to wear while they learn to read. Encouraging children to use many
senses while reading also has proven benefits. Some teachers find that having stu­
dents listen to a book on tape before reading the text can help with information
processing as well.
Though it is properly classified as a learning disability, dyslexia is commonly
mistaken for a behavioral1 disorder. Dyslexic children often exhibit behavior
that seems abnormal but is caused by frustration at their own inability to per­
form at the same level as their peers. Some studies show that attention deficit
disorder co-occurs with dyslexia in up to 50 percent of cases. In general, behav­
ioral problems decline as dyslexic students are diagnosed and begin to receive
Academic Module-Practice Tes

treatment.
Other learning disabilities are neurologically linked to dyslexia, including
dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia. People who suffer from dyscalculia can
usually perform difficult mathematical tasks, but have trouble with formulas or
basic addition and subtraction. Dysgraphia prevents people from writing in an
organized manner. Dyspraxia impedes the performance of routine tasks that
involve balance and fine motor skills.
The earlier children are diagnosed with dyslexia, the more likely they are to
overcome their disabilities and progress to adult reading levels. Many studies
show that children who are diagnosed after grade three have a much lower
chance of eliminating the symptoms of dyslexia. Some dyslexics, especially
those who are not diagnosed as children, naturally develop their own coping
mechanisms such as an increased visual memory. In some instances, dyslexics
develop keen spatial and visual abilities that prepare them for very specialized
careers.

1British: behavioural
2British: specialised
 A c a d e m ic M o dule— P ractice Test 2 55

Questions 14—2 0
Do the following statements agree with the information in the readingpassage? On
lines 14—20 on your answer sheet write:

YES if the statement agrees with the informatior

NO if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this in the pas*

14 Dyslexia is a disorder related to intelligence.

15 Dyslexia is usually diagnosed during a child’s first years of school.
16 People with dyslexia often read in reverse. J
17 There is a tendency for dyslexia between twins.

Academic Module-Practice Test 2

18 Scientists are looking for a drug treatment for dyslexia.
19 Dyslexia in children is often accompanied by behavioral problems.
20 People with dysgraphia have difficulty with math.

Questions 2 1 -2 3
Which o f the following are signs o f dyslexia mentioned in the passage? Choose
THREE answers from the list below and write the correct letters, A —F, on lines
21—23 on your answer sheet.

A learning to talk at a later than normal age

B trouble with new vocabulary
C leaving big spaces between words
D problems following directions
E difficulty turning the pages of a book
F inability to give commands

Which ofthe following are treatmentsfor dyslexia mentioned in the passage? Choose
THREE answers from the list below and write the correct letter, A -F, on lines
24—2 6 on your answer sheet.

A using special computers

B learning to identify sounds
C wearing eyeglasses
D attending a special school
E covering one eye while reading
F listening to tapes