Talk Icon

Practice 100+ speaking topics!

Star rating icon

4.2

1M+ Installs

Get App

leap-scholar-logo
hamburger-menu

Why are Finland's Schools Successful Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

updated at

Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

The Why Are Finland's Schools Successful reading passage explains the peculiarities of the Finnish school system. It describes the interesting and effective policies adopted by the government of Finland to make its system more inclusive and beneficial for its citizens. 
 

The Reading passage contains 13 questions and is part of the IELTS Academic Reading test. It is sourced from Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS, Test 6: Reading Passage 1. 
 

The passages for the IELTS Academic Reading test are extracted from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.

On this page

Arrow right
Slider image

1. Why are Finland's Schools Successful Reading Passage

Read the given passage and answer Questions 1-13. 

Slider image

2. Why are Finland's Schools Successful Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Why are Finland's Schools Successful.

More for you

Boost your IELTS Reading score

Book Free Reading class arrow right

See how to score 8+ in Speaking. 

Get proven strategies to ace your IELTS Speaking test.

Learn More arrow right
3/3
1.

Why are Finland's Schools Successful Reading Passage

 

General Information

  • Read Instructions: Understand each question before answering.
  • Manage Time: Spend about 20 minutes per passage.
  • Skim and Scan: Quickly get the main idea and find specific information.
  • Highlight Key Info: Underline essential words or phrases.
  • Answer All Questions: Attempt every question; no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and grammar.
  • Transfer Answers Clearly: Write answers neatly on the answer sheet.
  • Don’t Dwell: Move on if stuck and return later.
  • Review: If time allows, review your answers.

 

 

 

 

Why are Finland's Schools Successful?

 

 

The country’s achievements in education have other nations doing their homework.

 

Paragraph A: Kari Louhivuori, the head of Kirkkojarvi Comprehensive School in Espoo (a district in the western part of Helsinki), made the rather audacious choice to try it by Finnish standards. Perhaps one of his students, who was an immigrant studying in 6th grade, was not able to cope with his classmates despite the hard work his tutors were putting in. Because of this, the head of the school decided to keep the students off the classes for one year. The result was astonishing: the nation's standard of all the curricular activities like reading, math, and scientific literacy standards had enhanced; all of this was due to the efforts of the excellent teachers, who take every step to help their students. Louhivori personally chooses Besart as his student for a particular year. Besart studied physics, economics, and mathematics, and in his spare time, he would read novels, which he could choose from Louhivori’s huge stack behind his desk. He became an avid reader and devoured many books. By the end of the year, he was able to recognise his capability of learning.
 

Paragraph B: The account of a single child who saved sheds light on Finland's outstanding academic accomplishments. Although its educational system started to alter 4 decades ago, the tutors were ignorant of how well it had performed until the early 2000s. The highest-ranked global readers among the adolescents were from Finland, this was reported by PISA data. On more than 40 websites all around the world, a 15-year-old takes a standardised PISA exam. They became mathematical kings after around 3 years. Finland ranked first among the 57 nations that participated in this science competition in the year 2006. The nation came second in the world in science, 3rd globally in reading, and 6th in maths in the latest PISA scores.
 

Paragraph C: The higher authorities in the US have introduced competitiveness in government schools as an attempt to enhance academic performance. Bill Gates, a respected businessman, is among a group of philanthropists and a stock market investor who has recently put money into private schools, the number of which has spiked up in a decade. Even President Obama thought that competition was the solution. One way to tackle this situation is to make it compulsory for teachers to evaluate through exams and other methods to get government subsidies, which are unacceptable in Finland.  A Helsinki administrator with 24 years of classroom experience, Timo Heikkinen, alleged that instructors "would their clothes." "If you just measure the numbers, you miss the human side."
 

Paragraph D: Standardised tests are not mandatory for students in Finland, except for exams taken after high school. Not a single student, organisation, or region competes with one another. Finland’s public funds are usually utilised to support and help the education system grow. Federal officials, including national and sub-national representatives, are administered by academicians rather than businessmen or politicians, or any other such authorities. The nation has to give targets to every school, moreover, recruit teachers with the same qualifications. Hence, the area where a child grows up hardly matters as the facilities given to all the institutions are the same.
 

Paragraph E: It is almost impossible for a student would come to school with an empty stomach. Finland offers up to 3 years of leave to the mother after she delivers a child, subsidised childcare for families, and all five new preschools with socialising emphasis. Additionally, the government provides caregivers of all the children a monthly stipend for each child up to the age of 17 years, which is roughly 70 kilograms. Institutes provide free counselling, food, and if required, travel services are also proffered.
 

Paragraph F: Finland’s institutions were not frequently marvellous during the early 20th century. Elite education was only available to the wealthy. The daring decision to emphasise public schools as the best method for growing the economy and overcoming the Great Depression was adopted by the Finnish senate in 1963. School systems were combined into a single system of comprehensives for students from the adolescent age. The teachers from throughout the nation developed an education level that offered recommendations rather than guidelines for just about any of them to follow. Along with Swedish, which is the second official language, children start learning language skills at the age of nine. The fair use of tech equipment ensured that all the instructors had an equal distribution of teaching resources to assist student learning. Higher education institutes developed together with schools from standard 10 to 12. The second significant decision was made in 1979 when it was mandated that all teachers finish a 5 year Master’s degree, a government-funded degree program in principles and application. From that moment on, doctors and lawyers virtually treated teachers with respect. Applicants began flooding into teaching programs, not because the compensation was so fantastic, but rather because independence and esteem made the world desirable. Louhivuori underlines that because we enjoy our work, we have an incentive to succeed.

2.

Why are Finland's Schools Successful Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Why are Finland's Schools Successful.

Questions and Answers 1-6
  • The reading passage has six paragraphs: A-F.
  • Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.
  • Write the correct number, i-ix, on your reading answer sheet for questions 1-6.

 

List of Headings
 

i.  A business-model approach to education

ii. The reforms that impacted education in Finland

ii.  Educational challenges of the future

iv.  Ways in which equality is maintained in the Finnish education system

v.  The benefits of the introduction of testing

vi.  An approach that helped a young learner

vii.  Statistical proof of education success

viii.  Support for families working and living in Finland

ix.  The impact of the education system on Finland’s economy
 

  1. Paragraph A
  2. Paragraph B
  3. Paragraph C
  4. Paragraph D
  5. Paragraph E
  6. Paragraph F

 

Why are Finland's Schools Successful Reading Answers with Explanation 1-6

 

Question Type: Matching Headings

  • Note: The Matching Heading Task of the IELTS Reading Test will provide you with a list of headings. Each of these headings is supposed to be matched with the paragraphs of the passage. Read each passage, find their core idea and match them with the most appropriate heading.

 

The Matching Heading question type assesses your ability to grasp the central idea of a text and how you differentiate it from supporting ideas. 
 

How to Answer Matching Heading Task: 
 

  • Read the given headings and underline their keywords
  • Skim through the passage for the keywords
  • Read the paragraph and identify its main point
  • Match it with the given set of headings
     

Now check out the answers: 


 

1. vi - An approach that helped a young learner

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph A: Louhivori personally chooses Besart as his student for a particular year. Besart studied physics, economics, and mathematics, and in his spare time, he would read novels, which he could choose from Louhivori’s huge stack behind his desk. He became an avid reader and devoured many books. By the end of the year, he was able to recognise his capability of learning.
 

Explanation: The passage explains the advantages of Finland’s school system. According to the introductory paragraph of the passage, the new technique helped the new student, Besart, to recognise his learning abilities. So, the heading An Approach that Helped a Young Learner matches paragraph A.

 

2. vi - Statistical proof of education success

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B: The highest-ranked global readers among the adolescents were from Finland, this was reported by PISA data. On more than 40 websites all around the world, a 15-year-old takes a standardised PISA exam. They became mathematical kings after around 3 years. Finland ranked first among the 57 nations that participated in this science competition in the year 2006. The nation came second in the world in science3rd globally in reading, and 6th in maths in the latest PISA scores.
 

Explanation: The above-given lines provide evidence to claim the success rate of Finland’s school system. The system has helped the country to remain on the front line in several fields. This includes higher ranks in science competitions and competitive test scores. So, the heading statistical proof of education success matches paragraph B.

 

3. i. A business-model approach to education

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C: The higher authorities in the US have introduced competitiveness in government schools in an attempt to enhance academic performance. Bill Gates, a respected businessman, is among a group of philanthropists and a stock market investor who has recently put money into private schools, the number of which has spiked up in a decade. Even President Obama thought that competition was the solution.
 

Explanation: The paragraph compares the Finnish school system with the United States. According to the passage, the US adopted a business-model approach to education that emphasises more competition. So, the heading A Business-model Approach to Education matches paragraph C.


 

4. iv. Ways in which equality is maintained in the Finnish education system

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph D: Federal officials, including national and sub-national representatives, are administered by academicians rather than businessmen or politicians, or any other such authorities. The nation has to give targets to every school, moreover, recruit teachers with the same qualifications. Hence, the area where a child grows up hardly matters as the facilities given to all the institutions are the same.


Explanation: The exceptional schooling system in Finland allocates equal and fair facilities to all schools. Businessmen or politicians do not administer the schools. This ensures that students from all backgrounds get equal access to education.

 

5. viii. Support for families working and living in Finland

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph E: It is almost impossible for a student would come to school with an empty stomach. Finland offers up to 3 years of leave to the mother after she delivers a child, subsidised childcare for families, and all five new preschools with socialising emphasis. Additionally, the government provides caregivers of all the children a monthly stipend for each child up to the age of 17 years, which is roughly 70 kilograms. Institutes provide free counselling food, and if required, travel services are also proffered.
 

Explanation: The above-mentioned paragraph explains the different measures adopted by the Finnish government to support families working and living in the country. It provides numerous subsidies, monthly stipend plans and free services to its people. So, the heading support for families working and living in Finland matches paragraph E.

 

6. ii. The reforms that impacted education in Finland

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F: The daring decision to emphasise public schools as the best method for growing the economy and overcoming the Great Depression was adopted by the Finnish senate in 1963. School systems were combined into a single system of comprehensives for students from the adolescent age. The teachers from throughout the nation developed an education level that offered recommendations rather than guidelines for just about any of them to follow. Along with Swedish, which is the second official language, children start learning language skills at the age of nine. The fair use of tech equipment ensured that all the instructors had an equal distribution of teaching resources to assist student learning. Higher education institutes developed together with schools from standard 10 to 12. The second significant decision was made in 1979 when it was mandated that all teachers finish a 5 year Master’s degree, a government-funded degree program in principles and application. 
 

Explanation: The final paragraph of the passage explains how Finland’s government changed its school system. It emphasised public schools and allocated equal resources to all the institutions. Moreover, it also ensured the quality of tutors. So, the heading ‘the reforms that impacted education in Finland' matches paragraph F.

Questions and Answers 7-13
  • Complete the notes below.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN ONE WORD from the text for each answer.
  • Write your answers in boxes 7-13 on your answer sheet.

 

The School System in Finland

 

PISA Tests 
 

In the most recent tests, Finland’s top subject was 7. ……………………..
 

History
 

1963:
 

  •  A new school system was needed to improve Finland’s 8. ………………………….
  •  Schools followed 9. ………………………….that were created partly by teachers.
  • Young pupils had to study an additional 10. ………………………….
  • All teachers were given the same 11. …………………………. to use.
     

1979:
 

  • Teachers had to get a 12. …………………………. but they did not have to pay for this.
  • Applicants were attracted to the 13. ………………………….that teaching received.

 

Why are Finland's Schools Successful Reading Answers with Explanation 7-13

 

Question Type: Note Completion

  • Note: The Note Completion task provides you with an incomplete note on the passage. You are supposed to complete the note with appropriate words from the passage.

 

How to Answer Sentence Completion Task:

 

  • Read the incomplete note and check out the spaces where you are supposed to fill in the information
  • Scan the given passage and locate where the information given in the (question) sentence is mentioned.
  • Look out for keywords or their synonyms
  • Read the part and find appropriate words to fill in the blanks

 

Now check out the answers:


 

7. Science

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B: Finland ranked first among the 57 nations that participated in this science competition in the year 2006. The nation came second in the world in science, 3rd globally in reading, and 6th in maths in the latest PISA scores.
 

Explanation: The statistical data provided in the passage denotes that science is the top subject in Finland. The country ranked first in science competitions and remains the second in the world in the field of science. 


 

8. Economy

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F:  The daring decision to emphasise public schools as the best method for growing the economy and overcoming the Great Depression was adopted by the Finnish senate in 1963.


Explanation: The passage explains the historical conditions that influenced Finland to adopt its new school system. According to the passage, the country adopted it as a measure to cope with the Great Depression of the 1960s. It was a measure to enhance the growth of its economy.

 

9. Guidelines

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F: The teachers from throughout the nation developed an education level that offered recommendations rather than guidelines for just about any of them to follow. 

 

Explanation: The passage explains that the new policy introduced certain recommendations to improve the country's education system. They were mostly suggestions, and individual teachers partly adopted the guidelines.


 

10. Language

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F: Along with Swedish, which is the second official language, children start learning language skills at the age of nine. 
 

Explanation: The new system introduced language classes at a younger age. In addition to Swedish, young students also learned other languages. 


 

11. Equipment

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F: The fair use of tech equipment ensured that all the instructors had an equal distribution of teaching resources to assist student learning. 
 

Explanation: To ensure equal and fair distribution of resources, the government provided equipment and other technical support to all the country's instructors. 


 

12. Master’s

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F: The second significant decision was made in 1979 when it was mandated that all teachers finish a 5 year Master’s degree, a government-funded degree program in principles and application. 
 

Explanation: The new policy required all instructors to get a master’s degree before starting their teaching career. The Finnish government will fund this course. 


 

13. Respect

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F:  Applicants began flooding into teaching programs, not because the compensation was so fantastic, but rather because independence and esteem made the world desirable. 
 

Explanation: The new policy not only improved the quality of Finland’s education system but also increased the social esteem of teachers. The profession is now extremely respected in the country.

 

Learn More: All About IELTS!
 

Embarking on an exciting journey to study abroad? Kickstart your preparations early with the right assistance. Make sure you get the latest updates and guidance for your plan ahead. Connect with our experts now. 

ielts logo

Get the IELTS Prep App

Star rating icon

4.2

1M+ Installs

app download banner image

Get the app link on your phone

+91

Or download app from

google play storeapp store

Next Up

IELTS Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Reading Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Speaking Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Writing Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Listening Practice Test

Read Now Read now

Top Reading Samples with Answers

IELTS Important Information

Read More about IELTS Practice Test

IELTS Accepting Universities

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in India

IELTS Accepting Countries

FAQs

Q. How do you study for the IELTS Reading test?

A. There is no fixed method to study for your IELTS Reading exam. However, to crack any test, you must ensure proper preparation time. Constant practice can help you ace the test. Adopt a proper study plan and strategise it according to your time and topics. You can get IELTS Reading training from Leap’s IELTS experts.

Q. What are some good books to prepare for the IELTS Reading test?

A. The IELTS Reading test requires proper preparation. Some of the good texts you can prefer are 

 

  • Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic by Cambridge University Press
  • IELTS Superpack by Barron's Educational Series
  • Road to IELTS
  • Focus on the IELTS Foundation
  • Mometrix IELTS Books for General Academic Training
Q. Is writing answers in capital letters compulsory for the IELTS Reading test?

A. No, writing your answers in capital or upper case letters is not compulsory. You can write your answers using either upper case or lower case letters. Capital letters can make your answers more readable if you have clumsy handwriting. However, it is recommended not to mix them in your answers. Either write all your answers in capital letters or small letters.

Q. What are the question types in the IELTS Reading test?

A. The different question types in the IELTS Reading test are
 

  • Matching Information
  • True or False Questions
  • Table Completion
  • Identifying information
  • Multiple Choice Questions
  • Matching Questions
  • Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling Questions
  • Form/Note/Table/Flowchart/Summary Completion Questions
  • Sentence Completion Questions
  • Short-Answer Questions
Q. What is the duration of the IELTS Reading test?

A. The duration of the IELTS reading test is 60 minutes. Within this one hour, you are supposed to cover all the three sections. IELTS experts recommend completing each section within a maximum time of 20 minutes. This is to ensure proper coverage of the test. Make sure you reserve some time in the end for proofreading.

Q. Will I be able to reread the passages while answering the questions in my IELTS Reading test?

A. Yes, you can review the passages again while answering the questions. However, do not read the entire passage over and over again. This might take too much time. Read it once initially; later, you can skim and scan it for information. Underlining keywords while reading the passage will help you locate them easily.

Q. What is the passing score for the IELTS Reading test?

A. There is no passing or failing score for the IELTS test. Your IELTS score is measured on a scale of 0-9. Zero is the lowest test score, and 9 remains the highest score you can achieve. The general cut-off for most foreign universities is between 6 and 6.5. Getting a score below 5 will reduce the number of universities you can opt for.

Q. When should I arrive at my IELTS Exam Centre?

A. Try to reach your IELTS exam centre at least one hour before the starting time. This ensures you have time to sit and cool off before starting the test. Make sure you reach the exam centre before the gate closing time. Verify the location of your test centre at least a day before the actual test.

Q. How should I practice for my IELTS Reading test?

A. Before starting your preparation, learn the pattern of your test. Check how many questions there are and what the task types and relevant topics are. Then, gather essential materials to start your preparation. Once you start learning, measure your progress through sample tests and mock papers. Analyse yourself and make amendments.

Q. Do spelling errors affect my IELTS Reading test score?

A. Yes, spelling mistakes can reduce your IELTS Reading test score. Since the IELTS is a language proficiency test, it is important to ensure your answers are correct both in terms of accuracy and in terms of language. Check the spelling, grammar, vocabulary and punctuation.

Q. Which is the toughest module in the IELTS exam?

A. The toughness of the module can be subjective and varies depending on the test taker’s language proficiency and aptitude. The IELTS Writing module is generally considered more difficult than the other three modules. Although there are two tasks to achieve, finding proper time and coverage of information within the given time can be tricky. Start your preparation early to ensure you cover all the topics before your test.

Q. How long should I prepare for the IELTS Reading test?

A. The necessary preparation time for your IELTS Reading test can vary depending on your current level, daily time available for study and concentration levels. Generally, a 6-8 week preparation time is recommended for your IELTS test. You can spare 1-2 weeks for your Reading test.