READING 1

You are what you speak

1 ‘You are what you eat’ is a common expression said by those hoping to encourage people

to eat healthy foods so that they can have healthier bodies. The argument is that the foods

we eat are, ultimately, going to dictate our level of health. Instead of considering the impact

of the food that goes into our mouths, let us consider the words that come out. ‘You are what

you speak’ – could this idea be true? Let us explore some of the ways that language and

language learning can influence who you are.

2 From a linguistic perspective, the language that we speak can influence how we engage in

different situations. For example, some languages assign blame to people more readily than

others. So, when an item gets broken, the speaker might say, ‘Sophia broke it!’ However, in

some languages, the passive voice is used more commonly, and the speaker would say, ‘It

was broken.’ In this sense, the language you know might shape how you see conflict: did it

just happen, or is there someone to blame?

3 What about those who speak multiple languages?

4 Many people consider the cognitive perspective of multilingual speakers. People who

speak multiple languages are said to have better memories, as well as more sophisticated

critical-thinking skills. Currently, there are researchers who are hypothesising that learning

an additional language can keep your mind sharper for longer: there are three parts of the

brain that might last longer if used for language learning. So, as a language learner you

might also have a better memory and a longer-lasting brain!

5 Language learning might be good for the brain, but if you have no one to speak it with, is it

worthless? If you have grown up in a place where most people speak only one language,

learning another language might seem like a waste of time. However, learning a language

can lead to future opportunities where you might meet other people who speak the same

language. Maybe this is through going to a university with a more diverse population,

meeting people in an online community, or even embracing an opportunity to study abroad!

Learning a language is not just for the present moment: it is an investment in the future.
6 Language and culture cannot be separated. Think of your own home language and how it

is changing every day. New words and ideas based on current issues and trends in slang

words are just a few ways that language and culture are connected. By learning a language

and exploring that language, you are engaging with culture. It’s not a guarantee, but if you

allow yourself to learn more about the culture and the people from those places where your

newly acquired language is spoken, you might also develop more understanding and

empathy for people. In this way, a language-learning you is a more culturally aware and

more empathetic version of you!

7 So, what do you think? Are you what you speak?

Author: Michelle Ratering

Exam tip
● As you have one hour to complete reading the comprehension, try to spend no more

than 20 minutes on each text.

● Reply only using words as they appear in the text in every single task. Paraphrasing,

synonyms and providing your own opinion will not be accepted.

● If you are asked to respond using a word or a phrase from the text, make sure you

do not copy the whole sentence.

● Some extracts will have more words than others. For extracts with fewer words, it is a

good idea to annotate the text before tackling the questions. Is there new or

unfamiliar vocabulary? Focus on putting ideas expressed in the text into your own

words to understand the overall message

Questions
1. Choose the three true statements.
[3 marks]
A. The author thinks that learning a language is only beneficial because of brain
development.

B. The author is trying to persuade the audience to consider the benefits of language
learning.

C. This article is about the potential risks of learning a language.

D. This article encourages people to think about how the language they know and the
languages that they learn can shape their thinking.

E. This article discourages people from being monolingual.

F. The author of this article thinks that the language you speak can shape the way your
brain works.

What do the following words mean? Choose the correct meanings from
A-G. You can find these words in the text in bold.
2. dictate (paragraph 1)
[1 mark]
3. cognitive (paragraph 4)
[1 mark]
4. sophisticated (paragraph 4)
[1 mark]
5. engaging (paragraph 6)
[1 mark]
6. acquired (paragraph 6)
[1 mark]
A. mental

B. dominate

C. marrying

D. lost

E. obtained

F. advanced

G. participating

Answer the questions below. Write a full sentence for each answer.
7. Give one argument that the author makes about language and language
learning.
[1 mark]
8. In what ways does language change every day? Give one example.
READING 2

The style of you

1 It's 6:15 a.m. and your alarm rings. It's time for school. You get out of bed, stumble to the
bathroom, wash your face, brush your teeth, and move to your closet, where you decide to
wear… Well, what will you wear?

2 It's a decision people make every day. While some might choose their clothes while in a
sleep haze of morning autopilot, others carefully select each element of their ensemble.
For many people, the clothing that they choose to wear is not just protection against the
sun and rain. Instead, it's an opportunity for self-expression, and the chance to send a
message to other people about who they are and what they are interested in.

3 While fashion shifts at a notoriously fast pace, some looks are iconic. These fashion
trends may not be popular anymore, but their labels often immediately conjure images of
that style. If you think of the goth or punk fashion styles popular within the past quarter
century, you might think of brightly coloured hair, dark clothes, and the particular musical
groups favored by this subculture. While hippies were an American trend in the 1960s and
70s, their political cause has mostly faded into the background as most people think of
bell-bottom jeans, tie dye shirts, Volkswagen vans and the peace sign.

4 Recent fashion trends blend together mainstream fashion from the past as well as new
trends of today, such as the VSCO girl trend that featured 1980s scrunchie hair ties and a
popular water bottle style. With increased communication between countries via social
media, trends spread quickly from country to country, and what used to be location-based
fashion trends are now globally recognised.

5 So, what's all the fuss about fashion? Why is so much attention given to the clothing that
people wear? For many people, especially those who are teenagers, there are not that
many decisions that they are free to make. Every day might bring the same schedule, the
same expectations, and the same pressures. For those who are looking to control part of
their life, fashion offers itself as an outlet. Even for students who are required to wear a
school uniform, after school and on the weekend, their clothing choices offer a potential
freedom.

6 Fashion can represent an individual's interests, and therefore can act as a signal of their
subgroup. Athletes might choose to wear athletic wear, cheerleaders might wear their
uniforms, and students who are a part of clubs or other extracurricular activities can show
their affiliation by wearing their group's t-shirt. When people see these individuals, they
recognise them not only as an individual, but as a part of a group. So, instead of seeing a
person and knowing nothing about them but their name, fashion offers a quick label. Oh,
there's Marco! He is on the soccer team – he is wearing the team jacket!

7 In a similar way, fashion is a form of self-expression. Many people spend a lot of time
trying to curate a particular look, also called an "aesthetic." In order to accomplish this, it's
not uncommon for people to spend time looking for good deals on the most popular style
and brand of shoes, or to scroll through popular "influencer" accounts for inspiration. Some
people even search vintage shops, looking for "throwback" fashion, or make their own
clothing and accessories.

8 To some, clothing is just a social requirement. To others, clothing is a social identity.

Either way, even this difference puts these people into two different subgroups.

9 So, it's 6:15 a.m. and your alarm rings. It's time for school. You go to your closet and
have to decide – what group will you belong to today?

What do the following words mean? Choose the correct meanings from the
box below (A-I). You can find these words in the text in bold.
1. haze (paragraph 2)
2. notoriously (paragraph 3)
3. iconic (paragraph 3)
4. conjure (paragraph 3)
5. affiliation (paragraph 6)
6. curate (paragraph 7)
 A. disturbing
B. collect
C.recognisable
D. opposing
E. blur
F. lost
G. well-known
H. connection
I. summon

Choose the correct answer.

7. Which of the following phrases could be a title for this article, at spot
[–1–]?
[1
mark]
a. Fashion is Essential
b. Fast Fashion is an Environmental Disaster
c. Trending Now: Your Personality, Your Clothes
d. Fashion is Your Friend
The following statements from the text are either true or false. Choose the
correct option and justify your response using words as they appear in the
text. Please note that you need to complete both parts (true/false and
justification) in order to get one mark per statement.
8. Fashion is worthless because it is always changing. [1
mark]
True or false?______

Justification:

9. Fashion offers people the opportunity to express themselves. [1

mark]
True or false?______
 Justification:

10. Fashion trends can spread quickly on social media. [1

mark]
True or false?______

Justification:

READING 3
“Thunder” Strikes: Jordin Tootoo Makes History as the First Inuit
Hockey Player in the NHL

1 In 2001, Jordin John Kudluk Tootoo made history by becoming the first
hockey player of Inuit descent to play in the National Hockey League
(NHL). Jordin’s Inuit name, Kudluk, translates as Thunder, and many of
his fans describe him as a lightning flash when he skates across the ice.
2 The Inuit are an Indigenous people who have lived in the northern
regions of Canada for the past 5000 years. Their homeland is known as
Nunavut (NOO-na-vutt), which refers to the land, water and ice in the
Arctic region. Jordin grew up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, where he was born
on 2 February 1983. From an early age, he spent time with his family
hunting, fishing and camping. Traditionally, Inuit communities were
nomadic. Although they have settled in modern times, there is still a
scarcity of fresh food like fruit, vegetables, and milk in the Arctic. Like
many other Inuit families, the Tootoo’s continue to hunt and gather food
from the land, including seals, caribou, fish and berries.
3 At age 13, Jordin left home to attend a school with a strong hockey
program. In Inuit tradition, family is among the highest priorities, so it was
difficult for Jordin’s parents to support his dream of becoming a
professional hockey player knowing it would take him away from his
community. “Think about it,” long-time family friend Jim Ramsey says.
“You are asking them to give up four or five things they value most,
including family, culture, the people and the land.” Jordin’s father had also
played competitive hockey in Manitoba as a young man, and he
appreciated the value of training and learning to live in another culture.
4 Jordin admits that it was challenging to live away from home as a
teenager. He often felt like an outsider and was bullied for being
Indigenous. Jordin says that growing up among the harsh conditions in the
Arctic helped him develop the mental and physical toughness he needed to
persevere in hockey and life. He fought back against the bullies, who
eventually left him alone. Jordin identifies honesty and resilience as
important character traits that have helped him overcome adversity. He
says, “When you’re able to talk about [your struggles], it releases
negativity and you become more comfortable in your own skin.”
5 After playing 13 seasons in the NHL, Jordin retired in 2018. These days,
Jordin is known for giving back to his community and encouraging Inuit
youth to maintain their culture. Most importantly, Jordin tells Inuit youth
that they should value connections: connections to the land, to their family,
and to themselves. Jordin’s story inspires Inuit youth to find harmony
between traditional cultural values and modern lifestyle.
Exam tip
● Familiarise yourself with the command terms that are outlined in the IB English B

Subject Guide.

● The following command terms are often used in examination questions: analyse,

demonstrate, describe, evaluate, examine, identify, present, and state.

● Paying attention to the command terms used in examination questions can help you

to present your answer in a specific way.

Questions
Answer the following questions. Write down your answers in full
sentences using correct grammar and punctuation.
1. Explain what makes Jordin Tootoo’s career in the National Hockey
League historical.
 [1 mark]
2. According to Jordin Tootoo, what was difficult about living away from
home?
[1 mark]
3. How did growing up in the Arctic help Jordin “persevere” in hockey
and life?
[1 mark]
4. Identify three specific “connections” Jordin Tootoo thinks Inuit youth
should value.
[1 mark]
The following statements are either true or false. Write true or false for
each statement, then write a justification for your answer using words as
they appear in the text.
5. It was difficult for Jordin Tootoo’s parents to support his hockey
dreams.
[1 mark]
6. Jordin Tootoo’s father does not think there is value in training and living
in another culture.