Task | - Long reading ‘You are going to read about gossiping as a useful tool of communication. Read the text below and answer the I5 questions that follow. Paragraph 1 Gossiping certainly has had a bad press. The term is sometimes used to specifically refer to the spreading of dirt and misinformation. Certain newspapers carry “gossip columns’ that relate scandals and personal information. Indeed, to be labelled a ‘gossip’ is certainly far from complimentary and suggests a meddlesome, if not somewhat vindictive, personality at work who is not to be trusted with personal confidences, Undoubtedly the instigator of catty, idle chatter that fuels so many office and school rumours would be deservedly maligned. Such malicious gossip [s usually an individual's way of getting back at their enemies or advancing themselves and such behaviour is consi¢- tered destructive to all parties concerned. In adgition, stories of internet gossiping and bullying, tragically ending in the suicide of the victim of such gossip, are rife in the media. itis this type of gossip that has caused gossiping to be viewed so negatively Paragraph 2 Interestingly, the origin of the word ‘gossip’ originally bore no indication of the negative connotations that would later be attributed to the term. Deriving from the Old English for ‘godsibb’, meaning godparents, the term was used to describe close friends with social and religious obligations. It was only later In the 16% century that the word began to take on a more negative meaning, describing a woman who delighted in talking about others, The link between females and gossiping, in turn, originated from a time when women gave birth in front of a female-only gathering. At such occasions, social chatter would be part and parcel of the proceedings, resulting in the evolution ‘of the word ‘gossip’ to mean idle, female talk THA Paragraph 3 Still today, gossips are looked down upon by society, even if the gossip in question is a close friend. This stil holds true today, even if the gossip is a close friend. A study by Turner and colleagues showed that friends who passed on {gossip in a laboratory experiment lost their own friends’ respect and as a result perceived them as less trustworthy, afterwards. Furthermore, regardless of gossip type (positive versus negative) or relationship type [friend versus stranger) the gossipers were always rated as less trustworthy after sharing the gossip. Infact, so destructive is the action of gossiping perceived, that its effects have been likened to blackmail. Both gossip and blackmail involve the disclosure of a secret but with the latter, the individual has more control over the information as they have the ‘option of silencing the blackmailer with a bribe. With gossip there is no such recourse; the gossip exposes the secret without warning, Paragraph 4 However, recent studies would seem to suggest that gossiping is not all bad. In a recent study, undertaken by psy- chologists at the University of California, Berkeley, it was found that talking behind someone's back resulted in ‘meaningful social benefits. In one experiment, a participant acted as an observer between two game players. During the game, one of the players cheated, accumulating a score disproportionate to their playing skills and abil ty. The observer, hooked up to heart rate monitors, was shown to exhibit an increased heart rate as the ‘cheater ‘emerged as the triumphant ‘winner’. However, when permitted the opportunity, most participants sent a ‘gossip note’ to the next player cautioning them not to trust the cheater - an action that simultaneously worked to lower the participants’ heart rates. Additionally, such participants reported feeling happier afterwards than those pa ants not warning the other player. Paragraph 5 ‘The conclusions drawn from the study suggest that gossip can play an important role in maintaining social order, 2 purpose that may have had some evolutionary benefit. Willer suggests that as our human ancestors began to live i= larger groups, it became increasingly impractical to monitor the behaviour of all group members. This apparentiy gave rise to the evolution of linguistic practices, in particular, gossip, as @ means for sharing reputational information about the past behaviours of group members. Linguistic practices like gossip allowed group members to track one another's reputation as trustworthy interaction partners, even if they could not personally observe others’ behavicuy themselves. With reputational concerns foremost, group members were forced to keep selfish motives in check o Fisk ostracism,Succeed in TRINITY ISE Questions I-5 (one mark per question) The text on the previous page has 5 paragraphs |-5). Choose the best ttle for each paragraph from A-F below and write she letter (A-F) on the lines below. There is one more title than you need. 2. Paragraph 1 . ‘An unpleasant parallel 2. Paragraph 2. Doubtful advantages Acchange in meaning Gossipers feeling good 4. Paragraph 4 ‘Acommon perception Gossiping as a form of social control 3. Paragraph 3 .. 5. Paragraph 5 .. Questions 6-10 (one mark per question) Choose the 5 statements from AcH below that are TRUE according to the information given in the text on the previous sage. Write the letters of the TRUE statements on the lines below (in any order). Gossiping benefits the gossiper, alone. Self-promotion is often a reason for gossiping. Gossiping is a modern phenomenon. Alternative perceptions of gossiping are fairly recent. An individual who gossips is esteemed by society. Social control is established through gossiping. ing can be more devastating than blackmail. Physiological and psychological benefits are conferred on gossips. Questions 11-15 (one mark per question) Complete sentences 11-15 with a word, phrase or number from the text (maximum 3 words). Write the word, phrase ‘=r number on the lines below. . Most people believe that gossips are : by so ‘The original meaning of ‘gossip’ was devoid of the it has today. . A gossip is perceived as less by others. ‘Surprisingly, there may be for the gossip. Its likely that gossiping originated to uphold . a. 2. 3. bs.‘Succeed in TRINITY ISE lit Task 2 - Multi-text reading Je ths section there are 4 short texts for you to read and 15 questions for you to answer. ‘Questions 16-20 (one mark per question) Read questions 16-20 first and then read texts A, B, C and D below the questions. As you read each text, decide which tex each question refers to, Choose one letter A, B, C or D and write it on the lines below. You can use any letter more than once. Which text would be most useful for someone who: 46. questions societal values? 17. describes payment methods? 48, discusses spending potential? 439, shows changes in income overtime? 20. refers to practical issues? Unusual currencies In the modern world, card transactions are invariably favoured over cash. Portable and lightweight, cards are deemed ‘more convenient than bulky coinage. However, if we consider coins a hindrance, we should spare a thought for past civilisations where payment in ‘exchange for commodities was a far more complex affair. Historically, people have assigned monetary value to a diverse range of objects. Ancient currencies often came in many bizarre shapes, sizes and formats, ranging from the edible (salt, peppercorns) to the somewhat impractical (large immovable stones). Undoubtedly amongst the heaviest and most difficult to carry currencies in the ancient world were ‘Raj Stones’. These huge limestone rocks, weighing up to 8 tons, were legal tender in Micronesia from 500 AD. Their sheer enormity Prevented physical exchange, their ownership being secured by local knowledge instead, ‘Some of the more practical currencies, being portable, tended to double up as bodily ornaments. Lucky Lobi Snake charms adorned the necks of ancient Ghanaians. Made from cast iron, the serpent-shaped amulets acted as a form of currency whilst supposedly warding off danger. Similarly, inhabitants of the Democratic Republic of the Congo wore their currency, the ‘Katanga Cross’ around their necks as a decorative ornament. Another form of currency, that of squirrel furs, indisputably conferred good luck on Russian traders during the Middle ‘Ages. As squirrel fur became the currency of choice in Russia, the squirrel population declined. As a result, Russia was inadvertently spared the scourge of the Black Plague since squirrels carried the dreaded disease. ‘One of the most bizarre currency forms was probably the potato masher, traded by Bafian cultures occupying the ‘modern-day country of Cameroon. These were no mere culinary utensils but highly-prized items. Pasezesezess