V5 / 6 reading lesson VWO exam 2017 2 text 3: The case for the cyberdefence

• Engels leesvaardigheid
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5,6

V5/V6: Reading lesson

Before we start:

I'd like to focus on some sign words that will appear in this text.

Answer the following questions about which sign words fit best in the gap sentence:

We were unable to get funding and _______ had to abandon the project.

1. moreover
2. still
3. therefore
4. likewise

 'Therefore' means "for that reason" (daarom), so that fits best in this sentence.

When they arrived at Malaga airport it was hot, _________ that it was only the end of April.

1. for all
2. however
3. admittedly
4. despite the fact

All of the options were sign words and phrases indicating a contrast ("tegenstelling"), but 'despite the fact' was the only one that fitted grammatically in this sentence.

This jacket is completely waterproof, _________ light and comfortable.

1. yet
2. while
3. whereas
4. besides

'While' and 'whereas' also indicate a contrast ("tegenstelling"), but 'yet' fits best. (in Dutch: "en toch")

The jacket is completely waterproof so you might expect it to be heavy or uncomfortable to wear, but it's not.

Text 3 (VWO 2017-2):

"The case for the cyberdefense"

First have a look at what kind of text this is.

What kind of text is this, and what do you expect it to be about?

Question 4:

Q4: What is the function of paragraphs 1 and 2?

Read the question and the options, and then read paragraphs 1 and 2.

Can a "sign word" help you in choosing the right answer?

Now answer question 4:

1. to emphasise that cyberattacks ...
2. to illustrate that education about ...
3. to introduce the problems ...
4. to point out the cybertactics deployed ...

What exactly is the NHS?

"It refers to the Government-funded medical and health care services that everyone living in the UK can use without being asked to pay the full cost of the service."

(Source: https://fullfact.org/health/what-is-the-nhs/)

So basically it's the health care system in the UK.

(kan handig zijn om te weten voor examenteksten)

Correct answer 4A:

The answer to this question can be found here:

"It is crucial, therefore, that governments and companies take steps now to combat this problem."

The question was 'what is the function of par. 1 and 2?'

Words like 'crucial', 'therefore' and 'now' make clear that there is an urgent problem that needs to be addressed.

What exactly is the NHS?

"It refers to the Government-funded medical and health care services that everyone living in the UK can use without being asked to pay the full cost of the service."

(Source: https://fullfact.org/health/what-is-the-nhs/)

So basically it's the health care system in the UK.

(kan handig zijn om te weten voor examenteksten)

“That puts a premium on defence.” (paragraph 4)

Q5: What is the underlying reason?

Read question 5 and the options A-B-C, and mark paragraph 4.

Question: Do you also need to mark paragraph 3? Why?

Your answer to question 5:

1. Considerable difficulty is experienced...
2. Internal political dissension makes...
3. The military response required would...

Answer 5A:

"Considerable difficulty is experienced in identifying the enemy to be targeted."

--> Par 4: You can say that cyberattacks are 'an act of war' and then think you can threaten whoever did it, but this won't work, because the attackers can remain anonymous (so you can't "identify" them). So threats are useless ("empty words").

Why is answer 5C not correct?

"The military response required would entail disproportionate collateral damage."

This might be something you could conclude for yourself, and perhaps this is true, but the text doesn't mention collateral damage.

*Always make sure that you can prove your answer with the text.

Question 6:

How does paragraph 7 relate to the rest of the article?

*Also read par. 5 and 6.

Your answer to question 6:

1. It concludes the main line of argument.
2. It downplays the main line of argument.
3. It ridicules the main line of argument.
4. It summarises the main line of argument.

Answer 6B:

It downplays the main line of argument.

--> The main line of argument was that governments and companies should co-operate in order to fight cybercrime. The last paragraph says that you can co-operate all you want, but in the end the people ("staff") who use these systems can still make mistakes.

The sign word "however" can help you here. It indicates a contrast to what was said before. If the answer had been A or D, you would have expected a different type of sign word. 

How useful was this reading practice for you?

Very useful

reasonably useful

not very useful

Please explain the answer you gave?

Final question: Do you think you will study the sign word list before the reading test / your final English exam?

Definitely

If I have time

I don't think so