IELTS Cambridge 3 Test 1: ACADEMIC READING Answers

Reading Passage 1: THE ROCKET – FROM EAST TO WEST

Questions 1-4: List of headings

[In this question type, IELTS candidates are provided with a list of headings, usually identified with lower-case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc,). A heading will refer to the main idea of the paragraph or section of the text. Candidates must find out the equivalent heading to the correct paragraphs or sections, which are marked with alphabets A, B, C and so forth. Candidates need to write the appropriate Roman numerals in the boxes on their answer sheets. There will always be two or three more headings than there are paragraphs or sections. So, some of the headings will not be used. It is also likely that some paragraphs or sections may not be included in the task. Generally, the first paragraph is an example paragraph that will be done for the candidates for their understanding of the task.

Tips to answer this question: Don’t read the list of headings first. Have a quick look at the questions, and go straight to the first question and start reading the paragraph associated with it. Skimming is the best reading technique. You need not understand every word here. Just try to gather the gist of the sentences. That’s all. Read quickly, and don’t stop until you finish each sentence.]

Question no. 1: Paragraph B

The answer can be found in lines 1-5 of paragraph B. The writer says here, “The concept of the rocket, or rather the mechanism behind the idea of propelling an object into the air, has been around for well over two thousand years. However, it wasn’t until the discovery of the reaction principle, which was the key to space travel and so represents one of the great milestones in the history of scientific thought, that rocket technology was able to develop. . .. .”

Here, the bold lines suggest that until the discovery of the reaction principle, the two thousand year old concept of rocket remained undeveloped.

So, the answer is: iv (Undeveloped of centuries)

Question no. 2: Paragraph C

The answer can be found in the first half of paragraph C, “A simple analogy can help us to understand how a rocket operates. It is much like a machine gun mounted on the rear of a boat. In reaction to the backward discharge of bullets, the gun, and hence the boat, move forwards. A rocket motor’s ‘bullets’ are minute, high-speed particles produced by burning propellants in a suitable chamber. The reaction to the ejection of these small particles causes the rocket to move forwards.. .. . .”

Here, the lines clearly explain the reaction principle.

So, the answer is: i (How the reaction principle works)

Question no. 3: Paragraph D

The very first lines of paragraph D give us the answer. The writer says here, “The invention of rockets is linked inextricably with the invention of ‘black powder’. Most historians of technology credit the Chinese with its discovery. . .. ..”

Here, Most historians of technology credit the Chinese with its discovery = the first rockets were built by the Chinese,

So, the answer is: v (The first rockets)

Question no. 4: Paragraph E

In the first lines of paragraph E, the writer says, “It was not until the eighteenth century that Europe became seriously interested in the possibilities of using the rocket itself as a weapon of war . .. ..”

Here, as a weapon of war = military use,

Then, in lines 5-6, the writer says again, “ . .. but from far-away India, whose leaders had built up a corps of rocketeers and used rockets successfully against the British in the late eighteenth century. .. ..”

Here, used rockets successfully against the British = rockets for military use,

So, the answer is: vii (Rockets for military use)

Questions 5-6: Multiple choice questions

[This type of question asks you to choose a suitable answer from the options using the knowledge you gained from the passage. Generally, this question is set found as the last question set in most passages so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers for previous questions gives you a good idea about these questions.]

Question no. 5: The greatest outcome of the discovery of the reaction principle was that –

Keywords for the question: greatest outcome, discovery, reaction principle,

The answer can be found in paragraph A. Here, in lines 2-3, the writer says, “ . .. . However, it wasn’t until the discovery of the reaction principle, which was the key to space travel. .. ..”

Here, the key = greatest outcome/ became a reality,

So, the answer is: B (space travel became a reality)

Question no. 6: According to the text, the greatest progress in rocket technology was made –

Keywords for the question: greatest progress, rocket technology,

The answer can be located in paragraph F. Before that, in paragraph E, we find information about the progress made in rocket technology until mid-nineteenth century.

Then, in paragraph F, the first lines say, “Since then, there have been huge developments in rocket technology, . . . .”

Here, Since then = from the late nineteenth century,

And, then, look at the final lines of the paragraph, “ . .. . Who knows what it will be like in the future?

Here, what it will be like in the future indicates to the present and future development,

So, the answer is: D (from the late nineteenth century to the present day)

Questions 7-10: Classifying groups

[This type of question asks candidates to classify information from the given reading text. Candidates are given some groups from the text, and a list of options, which are listed as A, B, C etc. They must match the correct groups with the correct options.

N.B.: This question doesn’t follow any sequence. So, they should be answered after all other questions in the passage.]

Question no. 7: black powder

Keywords for the question: black powder, first invented by,

In paragraph D, the writer says in the beginning, “The invention of rockets is linked inextricably with the invention of ‘black powder’. Most historians of technology credit the Chinese with its discovery. . .. ..”

So, the answer is: A (the Chinese)

Question no. 8: rocket-propelled arrows for fighting

Keywords for the question: rocket-propelled arrows, first invented by,

In paragraph D, lines 7-9 say, “. . .. . By the thirteenth century, powder propelled fire arrows had become rather common. The Chinese relied on this type of technological development to produce incendiary projectiles of many sorts, … .. .”

Here, powder propelled fire arrows .. . .. projectiles = rocket-propelled arrows,

So, the answer is: A (the Chinese)

Question no. 9: rockets as war weapons

Keywords for the question: rockets, war weapons, first invented by,

In paragraph E, lines 4-6 say, “ . .. . The incentive for the more aggressive use of rockets came not from within the European continent but from far-away India, whose leaders had built up a corps of rocketeers and used rockets successfully against the British in the late eighteenth century. . .. .”

Here, used rockets successfully against the British = rockets as war weapons,

So, the answer is: B (the Indians)

Question no. 10: the rocket launcher

Keywords for the question: rocket launcher, first invented by,

In paragraph E, lines 14-15 say, “ . . .. . The Americans developed a rocket, complete with its own launcher, to use against the Mexicans in the mid-nineteenth century. .. ..”

Here, rocket, complete with its own launcher = the rocket launcher,

So, the answer is: E (the Americans)

Questions 11-14: Matching drawings with names

[This type of question asks candidates to classify names from the given reading text with some drawings. Candidates are given some names from the text, and a list of drawings, which are listed as A, B, C etc. They must match the correct names with the correct drawings.

N.B.: This question doesn’t follow any sequence. So, they should be answered after all other questions in the passage.]

Here are the drawings:

Question no. 11: The Chinese ‘basket of fire’

Keywords for the question: Chinese, basket of fire,

Let’s have a look at paragraph D. The writer says here in lines 10-13, “ .. .. . One such weapon was the ‘basket of fire’ or, as directly translated from Chinese, the ‘arrows like flying leopards’. The 0.7 metre-long arrows, each with a long tube of gunpowder attached near the point of each arrow, could be fired from a long, octagonal-shaped basket at the same time. .. . . .”

Here, picture B matches with 0.7 metre-long arrows and long, octagonal-shaped basket.

So, the answer is: B

Question no. 12: The Arab ‘egg which moves and burns’

Keywords for the question: Arab, egg, moves and burns,

Take a look at the end of paragraph D. The writer says here, “ . … … .. At a similar time, the Arabs had developed the ‘egg which moves and burns’. This ‘egg’ was apparently full of gunpowder and stabilised by a 1.5m tail. It was fired using two rockets attached to either side of this tail.”

Here, picture E matches with a 1.5m tail and two rockets attached to either side of this tail.

So, the answer is: E

Question no. 13: The Indian rocket

Keywords for the question: Indian rocket,

In paragraph E, the author of the text says in lines 7-9, “ .. .. . The Indian rockets used against the British were described by a British Captain serving in India as ‘an iron envelope about 200 millimetres long and 40 millimetres in diameter with sharp points at the top and a 3m-long bamboo guiding stick’.. .. . .”

Here, picture F matches with sharp points at the top and a 3m-long bamboo guiding stick’.

So, the answer is: F

Question no. 14: The British barrage rocket

Keywords for the question: British barrage rocket,

Again, in paragraph E, lines 9-14 say, “ .. .. . In the early nineteenth century the British began to experiment with incendiary barrage rockets. The British rocket differed from the Indian version in that it was completely encased in a stout, iron cylinder, terminating in a conical head, measuring one metre in diameter and having a stick almost five metres long and constructed in such a way that it could be firmly attached to the body of the rocket.. .. . .”

Here, picture G matches with encased in a stout, iron cylinder, one metre in diameter and a stick almost five metres long. So, the answer is: G

Reading Passage 2: Risks of Cigarette Smoke

Questions 15-17: Multiple choice questions

Question no. 15: According to information in the text, leukaemia and pneumonia –

Keywords for the question: leukaemia, pneumonia,

In paragraph no. 2, lines 1-5 say, “In addition to being responsible for more than 85 per cent of lung cancers, smoking is associated with cancers of, amongst others, the mouth, stomach and kidneys, and is thought to cause about 14 per cent of leukemia and cervical cancers. In 1990, smoking caused more than 84,000 deaths, mainly resulting from such problems as pneumonia, bronchitis and influenza. .. ..”

Here, smoking is associated = smoking is linked,

14 per cent of leukemia, 84,000 deaths and mainly resulting from = strongly linked,

So, these lines clearly suggest that cigarette smoking is directly and strongly linked to diseases such as leukaemia and pneumonia.

So, the answer is: B (are strongly linked to cigarette smoking)

Question no. 16: According to information in the text, intake of carbon monoxide –

Keywords for the question: intake, carbon monoxide,

Take a look at paragraph no. 7 where you can see the mention of carbon monoxide. Here, the writer says, “ . . .. . Carbon monoxide, for example, competes with oxygen in red blood cells and interferes with the blood’s ability to deliver life-giving oxygen to the heart. .. .. .”

Here, interferes = inhibits, the blood’s ability to deliver life-giving oxygen to the heart = the flow of oxygen to the heart,

So, the answer is: A (inhibits the flow of oxygen to the heart)

Question no. 17: According to information in the text, intake of nicotine encourages

Keywords for the question: intake, nicotine, encourages,

Again, in paragraph no. 7, the writer says in lines 4-6, “ . .. . .. Nicotine and other toxins in cigarette smoke

activate small blood cells called platelets, which increases the likelihood of blood clots, thereby affecting blood circulation throughout the body.”

Here, increases the likelihood of blood clots = encourages the formation of blood clots,

So, the answer is: C (formation of blood clots)

Questions 18-21: YES, NO, NOT GIVEN

In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:

The statement in the question matches with the claim of the writer in the text- YESThe statement in the question contradicts with the claim of the writer in the text- NOThe statement in the question has no clear connection with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN

[TIPS: For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]

Question no. 18: Thirty per cent of deaths in the United States are caused by smoking-related diseases.

Keywords for the question: Thirty per cent, deaths, United States, caused by, smoking-related diseases,

In paragraph no. 2, the writer says in lines 5-7, “ .. .. .. Smoking, it is believed, is responsible for 30 per cent of all deaths from cancer and clearly represents the most important preventable cause of cancer in countries like the United States today.”

Here, the lines suggest that 30% of deaths in the world (not US alone) are caused by smoking-related diseases.

So, the answer is: NO

Question no. 19: If one partner in a marriage smokes, the other is likely to take up smoking.

Keywords for the question: if, one partner, marriage, smokes, other, likely to, take up, smoking,

In paragraph no. 4, the writer mentions in lines 1-3, “As an illustration of the health risks, in the case of a married couple where one partner is a smoker and one a non-smoker, the latter is believed to have a 30 per cent higher risk of death from heart disease because of passive smoking. .. .. .”

Here, the lines suggest that if one partner in a marriage smokes, the other is at risk of death from heart disease because of passive-smoking. The lines don’t mention whether the other partner is likely to take up smoking.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question no. 20: Teenagers whose parents smoke are at risk of getting lung cancer at some time during their lives.

Keywords for the question: Teenagers, parents, smoke, at risk, getting lung cancer, some time during their lives,

The final lines of paragraph no. 4 say, “ . .. . It has been calculated that 17 per cent of cases of lung cancer can be attributed to high levels of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke during childhood and adolescence.”

Here, high levels of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke during childhood and adolescence = children and teenagers whose parents smoke are at risk of getting lung cancer,

So, the answer is: YES

Question no. 21: Opponents of smoking financed the UCSF study.

Keywords for the question: opponents, smoking, financed UCSF study,

The passage doesn’t say anything about who financed the UCSF study.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Questions 22-24: Completing/Matching sentences with correct endings:

[For this type of question, candidates need to match the beginning and ending of sentences. Candidates need to look for keywords in the sentence-beginnings and find the relative paragraphs and then sentences in the passage. Skimming and scanning, both reading skills are essential for this question-type.]

Question no. 22: Passive smoking …

Keywords for the question: passive smoking,

The first lines of paragraph no. 5 say, “A more recent study by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) has shown that second-hand cigarette smoke does more harm to non-smokers than to smokers. .. ..”

Here, second-hand cigarette smoke = passive smoking, does more harm to non-smokers than to smokers = is more harmful to non-smokers than to smokers,

So, the answer is: E (is more harmful to non-smokers than to smokers)

Question no. 23: Compared with a non-smoker, a smoker …

Keywords for the question: compared, non-smoker, a smoker,

In paragraph no. 5, the final lines say, “ . . . .. Leaving aside the philosophical question of whether anyone should have to breathe someone else’s cigarette smoke, the report suggests that the smoke experienced by many people in their daily lives is enough to produce substantial adverse effects on a person’s heart and lungs.”

Here, the lines suggest that the smoke experienced by many people (active smoking) may cause substantial adverse effects (various cancers) on person’s heart and lungs.

Here, the best match is option G. (Let me know if you think the answer can be a different one)

So, the answer is: G (is more likely to be at risk of contracting various cancers)

Question no. 24: The American Medical Association …

Keywords for the question: American Medical Association,

The answer lies in paragraph no. 6, in lines 3-4, “ . .. .. The American Medical Association represents about half of all US doctors and is a strong opponent of smoking. .. ..”

Here, a strong opponent of smoking = opposes smoking,

Also, in the previous lines, the writer says, “The report, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA), was based on the researchers’ own earlier research but also includes a review of studies over the past few years. . .. ..”

Here, The report, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association = The American Medical Association publishes research on the subject,

So, the answer is: H (opposes smoking and publishes research on the subject)

Questions 25-28: Classifying statements

[In this kind of questions, candidates are asked to classify different statements to different options and write the correct letters corresponding to the answers.]

Question no. 25: Smokers’ cardiovascular systems adapt to the intake of environmental smoke.

Keywords for the question: smokers’ cardiovascular systems, adapt to, intake, environmental smoke,

Have a close look at these lines of paragraph no. 7, “The report, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA), .. . . The study suggests that people who smoke cigarettes are continually damaging their cardiovascular system, which adapts in order to compensate for the effects of smoking. . .. .. .”

Here, The report = finding of the UCSF study (as we can find out in paragraph no. 6), people who smoke cigarettes = smokers, their cardiovascular system = smokers’ cardiovascular system, adapts in order to compensate for the effects of smoking = adapt to the intake of environmental smoke,

This is a finding of the UCSF study.

So, the answer is: A (a finding of the UCSF study)

Question no. 26: There is a philosophical question as to whether people should have to inhale others’ smoke.

Keywords for the question: philosophical question, whether, people, should have to, inhale, others’ smoke,

The answer can be found in paragraph no. 6, in the beginning, “ . . . . A more recent study by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) has shown that second-hand cigarette smoke does more harm to non-smokers than to smokers. Leaving aside the philosophical question of whether anyone should have to breathe someone else’s cigarette smoke, .. … .”

Here, whether anyone should have to breathe someone else’s cigarette smoke = whether people should have to inhale others’ smoke,

This is an opinion of the UCSF study.

So, the answer is: B (an opinion of the UCSF study)

Question no. 27: Smoke-free public places offer the best solution.

Keywords for the question: Smoke-free public places, offer, best solution,

In the final para, the writer says, “ . . .. The UCSF researchers maintain that the simplest and most cost-effective action is to establish smoke-free work places, schools and public places.”

Here, The UCSF researchers maintain = an opinion of the UCSF study,

the simplest and most cost-effective action = the best solution,

smoke-free work places, schools and public places = Smoke-free public places,

So, the answer is: B (an opinion of the UCSF study)

Question no. 28: The intake of side-stream smoke is more harmful than smoke exhaled by a smoker.

Keywords for the question: intake of side-stream smoke, more harmful, exhaled by, smoker,

In paragraph no. 3, we learn about the EPA report. Then, at the end of paragraph no. 4, the writer provides the finding of the EPA report, “ . .. .. It has been calculated that 17 per cent of cases of lung cancer can be attributed to high levels of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke during childhood and adolescence.”

Here, It has been calculated = the finding of the EPA report,

high levels of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke = The intake of side-stream smoke,

17 per cent of cases of lung cancer = more harmful than smoke exhaled by a smoker,

So, the answer is: C (a finding of the EPA report)

Reading Passage 3: THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Questions 29-33: List of headings:

[In this question type, IELTS candidates are provided with a list of headings, usually identified with lower-case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc,). A heading will refer to the main idea of the paragraph or section of the text. Candidates must find out the equivalent heading to the correct paragraphs or sections, which are marked with alphabets A, B, C, and so forth. Candidates need to write the appropriate Roman numerals in the boxes on their answer sheets. There will always be two or three more headings than there are paragraphs or sections. So, some of the headings will not be used. It is also likely that some paragraphs or sections may not be included in the task. Generally, the first paragraph is an example paragraph that will be done for the candidates for their understanding of the task.

Tips to answer this question: Don’t read the list of headings first. Have a quick look at the questions, and go straight to the first question and start reading the paragraph associated with it. Skimming is the best reading technique. You need not understand every word here. Just try to gather the gist of the sentences. That’s all. Read quickly, and don’t stop until you finish each sentence.]

Question no. 29: Paragraph C

Keywords for the question: experiment, Part 1, writer found, blind subjects,

Have a look at the first and last lines of Paragraph C.

The first lines say, “The myth of scientific method is that it is inductive: .. .. ..”

Then the last lines say, “ .. .. . However, the starting point of induction is an impossible one.”

Clearly, the paragraph explains the inductive method.

So, the answer is: iv (Explaining the inductive method)

Question no. 30: Paragraph D

In paragraph D, we find what role hypothesis plays in scientific research. Have a look at lines 9-11, “ . .. . Hypotheses provide the initiative and incentive for the inquiry and influence the method. .. .. .”

Here, Hypotheses provide = the role of hypothesis,

So, the answer is: vii (The role of hypotheses in scientific research)

Question no. 31: Paragraph E

First, take a look at the first few lines of paragraph E, “Hypotheses arise by guesswork, or by inspiration, but having been formulated they can and must be tested rigorously, using the appropriate methodology. .. ..”

Here, they can and must be tested rigorously indicates to the testing of hypotheses.

Then, in lines 11-13, the writer says again, “ .. .. . may be retained until such time as some further test shows it not to be correct. .. .. .”

So, the answer is: iii (The testing of hypotheses)

Question no. 32: Paragraph F

Look at the beginning of paragraph F, “So don’t worry if you have some idea of what your results will tell you before you even begin to collect data; .. .. ..”

Here, what your results will tell you before you even begin to collect data = Anticipating results before data is collected,

So, the answer is: v (Anticipating results before data is collected)

Question no. 33: Paragraph G

In paragraph G, the final lines say, “ . .. . ‘scientific method’ may more usefully be thought of as a way of writing up research rather than as a way of carrying it out.”

Here, more usefully be thought of as a way of writing up research = How research is done and how it is reported,

So, the answer is: vi (How research is done and how it is reported)

Questions 34-35: Identifying information

[This question asks you to find information from the passage and write the number of the paragraph (A, B, C or D … .. ) in the answer sheet. Now, if the question is given in the very first part of the question set, I’d request you not to answer them. It’s mainly because this question will not follow any sequence, and so it will surely kill your time. Rather, you should answer all the other questions first. And just like List of Headings, only read the first two lines or last two lines of the expected paragraph initially. If you find the answers, you need not read the middle part. If you don’t find answers yet, you can skim the middle part of the paragraph. Keywords will be a useful matter here.]

Question no. 34 & 35: In which TWO paragraphs in Reading Passage 3 does the writer give advice directly to the reader?

Keywords for the question: TWO paragraphs, give advice, directly, to the reader,

First, in paragraph B, the writer says in the beginning, “It is essential that you, . .. ..”

This is a piece of direct advice to the reader.

Then, in paragraph F, the writer says again in the beginning, “So don’t worry … . …”

This is another direct piece of advice to the reader.

So, the answers are: (in any order)

Questions 36-39: YES, NO, NOT GIVEN

In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:

The statement in the question matches with the claim of the writer in the text- YES
The statement in the question contradicts with the claim of the writer in the text- NO
The statement in the question has no clear connection with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN

[TIPS: For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]

Question no. 36: Popper says that the scientific method is hypothetico-deductive.

Keywords for the question: Popper, scientific method, hypothetico-deductive,

In paragraph A, have a look at lines 5-8, “ .. . … position taken by Karl Popper in The Logic of Scientific Discovery (1972, 3rd edition) that the nature of scientific method is hypothetico-deductive .. .. ..”

So, the answer is: YES

Question no. 37: If a prediction based on a hypothesis is fulfilled, then the hypothesis is confirmed as true.

Keywords for the question: if, prediction, hypothesis, fulfilled, is confirmed, as true,

Lines 9-13 in paragraph E say, “ . .. .. If the predictions turn out to be correct then your hypothesis has been supported and may be retained until such time as some further test shows it not to be correct. .. … ..”

Here,

If the predictions turn out to be correct = If a prediction based on a hypothesis is fulfilled,

may be retained until such time as some further test shows it not to be correct = the hypothesis is confirmed as true until some further tests shows it as incorrect,

So, the answer is: NO

Question no. 38: Many people carry out research in a mistaken way.

Keywords for the question: many people, carry out, research, mistaken way,

There is no mention of ‘many people carrying out research in a wrong or mistaken way’ in this passage.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question no. 39: The ‘scientific method’ is more a way of describing research than a way of doing it.

Keywords for the question: ‘scientific method’, more, way of describing, research, than, way of doing,

The answers can be found in the final lines of paragraph G, “ .. .. From this point of view, ‘scientific method’ may more usefully be thought of as a way of writing up research rather than as a way of carrying it out.”

Here,

may more usefully be thought of as a way of writing up research = The ‘scientific method’ is more a way of describing research,

than a way of doing it = than as a way of carrying it out,

So, the answer is: YES

Question no. 40: Choosing the main purpose

[This type of question asks you to choose ‘the main purpose’ from the options using the knowledge you gained from the passage. Generally, this question is set found as the last question set in most passages so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers for previous questions gives you a good idea about these questions.]

Question no. 40: Which of the following statements best describes the writer’s main purpose in Reading Passage 3?

Keywords for the question: best, describes, writer’s main purpose,

All the different paragraphs in this passage explain different conceptions ‘scientific method’ of research.

So, the best match is: D (to help Ph.D students by explaining different conceptions of the research process)