IELTS Cambridge 9 Test 3 : ACADEMIC READING ANSWERS

Reading Passage 1: Attitudes to language

Questions 1-8: (TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN)

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

The statement in the question agrees with the information in the passage – TRUE
The statement in the question contradicts the information in the passage – FALSE
If there is no information on this – NOT GIVEN

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

Question 1: There are understandable reasons why arguments occur about language.

Keywords for the question: understandable reasons, arguments occur, language,

Let’s have a look at the first paragraph. In lines 2-4 the writer says, “Language belongs to everyone, so most people feel they have a right to hold an opinion about it. And when opinions differ, emotions can run high. Arguments can start . . .. . . .”.

The lines suggest that there are logics in favour of arguments about language.

So, the answer is: YES

Question 2: People feel more strongly about language education than about small difference in language usage.

Keywords for the question: more strongly, language education, small difference, language usage,

The last lines of paragraph no. 1 give us the answer. Here, the writer says, “Arguments can start as easily over minor points of usage as over major policies of linguistic education.”

The lines suggest that people feel as strongly about minor points (small differences) as they feel about linguistic education (language education). The feelings are equal for both.

So, the answer is: NO

Question 3: Our assessment of a person’s intelligence is affected by the way he or she uses language.

Keywords for the question: assessment, person’s intelligence, affected, uses language,

In lines 2-4 of paragraph no. 2, the writer says, “.. .. . . linguistic factors influence how we judge personality, intelligence, social status, educational standards, job aptitude, and many other areas of identity and social survival.”

Here, our assessment of a person’s intelligence = how we judge intelligence, affect = influence,

So, the answer is: YES

Question 4: Prescriptive grammar books cost a lot of money to buy in the 18th century.

Keywords for the question: prescriptive grammar books, cost a lot, 18th century,

We find the mention of the 18th century in paragraphs no. 4 and 5. However, we do not find the mention of grammar books being costly in 18th century.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 5: Prescriptivism still exists today.

Keywords for the question: prescriptivism, exists, today,

The answer can be found by studying two paragraphs. First, in paragraph no. 4, the writer talks about what is prescriptivism. “All the main languages have been studied prescriptively, especially in the 18 century approach to the writing of grammars and dictionaries…. . .. . Some usages are “prescribed”, to be learnt and followed accurately;. …. . .”

Then at the beginning of paragraph no. 5, the author says, ““These attitudes are still with us…”. So, the writer says that prescriptivism still exists.

So, the answer is: YES

Question 6: According to descriptivists, it is pointless to try to stop language change.

Keywords for the question: pointless, stop language change,

Take a look at lines 4-6 of paragraph no. 5, “… .. . it is the task of the grammarian to describe, not prescribe – to record the facts of linguistic diversity, and not to attempt the impossible tasks of evaluating language variation or halting language change.”

Here, attempt the impossible task means it is pointless to try, halting means stop.

So, the answer is: YES

Question 7: Descriptivism only appeared after the 18th century.

Keywords for the question: Descriptivism, after, 18th century,

In paragraph 5, the writer states, “This approach is summarised in the statement that it is the task of the grammarian to describe, not prescribe – to record the facts of linguistic diversity, and not to attempt the impossible tasks of evaluating language variation or halting language change. In the second half of the 18th century, we already find advocates of this view, such as Joseph Priestley, whose Rudiments of English Grammar (1761) insists that “the custom of speaking is the original and only just standard of any language”.”

So, these lines suggest that descriptivism appeared first in the 18th century.

So, the answer is: NO

Question 8: Both descriptivists and prescriptivists have been misrepresented.

Keywords for the question: descriptivists, prescriptivists, misrepresented,

Take a look at the last paragraph where the author says, “In our own time, the opposition between descriptivists and prescriptivists has often become extreme, with both sides painting unreal pictures of the other.”

Here, misrepresented = painting unreal pictures of the other,

So, the statement is true.

So, the answer is: YES

Questions 9-12: (Summary completion with list of words given in the box)

(In this kind of questions candidates are given a summary for one, two or three paragraphs with some fill in the blanks questions. As these are fill in the blanks or gaps, there is a condition of writing letters which represent the words listed in a box. Candidates need to find out the related paragraphs by correctly studying the keywords form the questions. Then, they should follow the steps of finding answers for fill in the gaps.)

The title of the summary: The language debate

According to 9. …………………….. there is only one correct form of language. Linguists who take this approach to language place great importance on grammatical 10. ……………………. .Conversely, the view of 11. ……………….…., such as Joseph Priestly, is that grammar should be based on 12. …………………….…. .

List of words: A. descriptivists, B. language experts, C. popular speech, D. formal language, E. evaluation, F. rules, G. modern linguists, H. prescriptivists, I. change,

Question 9: According to __________, there is only one correct form of language.

Keywords for the question: only one, correct form, language,

In the beginning of paragraph no. 3, the author mentions the view of prescriptivists, “. .. . . prescriptivism is the view that one variety of language has an inherently higher value than others, and that this ought to be imposed on the whole of the speech community.”

The lines suggest that people who believe in prescriptivism form the view that only one language is valued over all other languages and it has to be believed by everybody.

So, the answer is: H (prescriptivists)

Question 10: Linguists who take this approach to language place great importance on grammatical ___________.

Keywords for the question: place, great importance, grammatical,

Take a look closely at paragraph no. 4. Here, the writer says, “… . .. All the main languages have been studied prescriptively, especially in the 18th century approach to the writings of grammars and dictionaries….. . . . .. .The authoritarian nature of the approach is best characterised by its reliance on ‘rules’ of grammar.”

Here, this approach means the approach of the prescriptivists, place great importance means reliance on,

So, the answer is: F (rules)

Question 11 & 12: Conversely, the view of 11. ____________, such as Joseph Priestley, is that grammar should be based on 12. _____________.

Keywords for the question: view, Joseph Priestly, grammar should be, based on,

We can see the mention of the view of Joseph Priestly in paragraph no. 5. So, let’s take a look at this paragraph.

In paragraph no. 5, the writer says, “Nevertheless, there is an alternative point of view that is concerned less with standards than the facts of linguistic usage. This approach is summarised in the statement that it is the task of the grammarian to describe, not prescribe – to record the facts of linguistic diversity, and not to attempt the impossible tasks of evaluating language variation or halting language change. In the second half of the 18th century, we already find advocates of this view, such as Joseph Priestley, whose Rudiments of English Grammar (1761) insists that ‘the custom of speaking is the original and only just standard of any language’.”

Here, nevertheless = conversely, to describe, not prescribe, = the view of descriptivists, original and just standard = should be based on,

The custom of speaking means the way people should speak or most popular way of speaking / popular speech,

So, the answers are:

A (descriptivists)
C (popular speech)

Question 13: 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 found as the last question so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers for previous questions gives you a good idea about the title.]

What is the writer’s purpose in Reading passage 1?

a. to argue in favour of a particular approach to writing dictionaries and grammar books.

b. to present a historical account of differing views of language.

c. to describe the differences between spoken and written language.

d. to show how a certain view of language has been discredited

Keywords for the question: writer’s purpose,

The passage details about different views and approaches towards language and how they occurred and changed over the course of time. Firstly, we find the view of prescriptivists and then the other view of descriptivism.

Take a look at the last paragraph also. The last paragraph can be considered as the summary of what has been told in the previous paragraphs. Here, the writer says that we can see in present time the conflicting views between prescriptivists and descriptivists which have been a conflict between radical liberalism and elitist conservatism.

So, we can understand that the writer’s purpose in this passage is to present a historical account of differing views of language.

So, the answer is: B (to present a historical account of differing views of language.)

Reading Passage 2 : Tidal Power

Questions 14-17 (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 14: the location of the first test site

Keywords for the question: location, first test site,

The location of the first site is given in paragraph C where writer states, “The first station is expected to be installed off Lynmouth in Devon shortly to test the technology in a venture jointly funded by the department of Trade and Industry and the European Union.”

So, the answer is: C

Question 15: the way of bringing the power produced on one site back into Britain

Keywords for the question: bringing, power produced, site, back into Britain,

In paragraph E, the author mentions, “Dr Bahaj has done most work on the Alderney site, where there are powerful currents. The single undersea turbine farm would produce far more power than needed for the Channel Islands and most would be fed into the French Grid and be re-imported into Britain via the cable under the Channel.”

Here, re-imported into Britain = back into Britain,

So, the answer is: E

Question 16: a reference to a previous attempt by Britain to find an alternative source of energy

Keywords for the question: previous attempt, by Britain, find an alternative source,

In paragraph A, the writer says, “Unlike wind power, which Britain originally developed and then abandoned for 20 years allowing the Dutch to make it a major industry, undersea turbines could become a big export earner to island nations such as Japan and New Zealand”.

The lines indicate to the fact that the British made a previous attempt to use wind power as a sustainable and alternative source of energy, though they were not successful and they abandoned this attempt for 20 years.

So, the answer is: A

Question 17: mention of the possibility of applying technology from another industry

Keywords for the question: possibility, applying technology, another industry,

In paragraph C, we can see the mention of possible use of a technology, “The technology for dealing with the hostile saline environment under the sea has been developed in the North Sea oil industry and much is already known about .. . ….”

So, another industry which has used the technology is the North Sea oil industry.

So, the answer is: C

Questions 18-22: (Choosing options (claims) from given statements)

[In these questions candidates have to choose some options from the given statements. These questions will not follow any sequential orders so candidates need to apply their skills of skimming by reading the statements and finding the correct keywords. ]

Which FIVE of the following claims about tidal power are made by the writer?

In paragraph A, the writer talks about tidal power and says, “…. . . . . unlike wind, the tides are predictable and the power input is constant (A). This technology raises the prospect of Britain becoming self-sufficient in renewable energy and drastically reducing its carbon dioxide emissions (D). If tides, wind and wave power are all developed, Britain would be able to close gas, coal and nuclear power plants (E) and export renewable power to other parts of Europe (F).”

Again, in the end of paragraph C, the writer indicates that “The best sites are between islands or around heavily indented coasts where there are strong tidal currents. (J) ”

Here, reliable = predictable, cut down = reduce, plants = stations, a means of increasing national income = export earner,

So, the tides are predictable and the power input is constant = It is a more reliable source of energy than wind power (option A), drastically reducing its carbon dioxide emissions = It would cut down air pollution (option D), Britain would be able to close gas, coal and nuclear power plants = It would contribute to the closure of many existing power stations in Britain (option E), export renewable power to other parts of Europe = It could be a means of increasing national income (option F), The best sites are between islands or around heavily indented coasts where there are strong tidal currents = It is best produced in the vicinity of coastlines with particular features (option J).

So the answers are: (in any order)A, D, E, F, J,

Questions 23-26 (Labeling a diagram)

[In this type of question, candidates are asked to label a diagram with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage. Keywords are important to find answers correctly. Generally, this type of question maintains a sequence. However, we should not be surprised if the sequence is not maintained. Find the keywords in the passage and you are most likely to find the answers.]

An Undersea Turbine

Question 23: Whole tower can be raised for __________ and the extraction of seaweed from the blades

Keywords for this question: can be raised, extraction of seaweed,

Here, our main keyword is ‘extraction of seaweed’. We can find the mention of seaweed at the end of Section D. The writer says, “The towers will stick out of the water and be lit, to warn shipping, and also be designed to be lifted out of the water for maintenance and to clean seaweed from the blades.”

Here, lifted out = raised, clean seaweed = the extraction of seaweed,

So, the answer is: maintenance

Question 24: Sea life not in danger due to fact that blades are comparatively ____________ .

Keywords for this question: sea life, not in danger, blades are comparatively,

Here, our main keywords are sea life and not in danger which can be found in Section D, in the middle of the paragraph. “. . .. Fish and other creatures are thought unlikely to be at risk from the relatively slow-turning blades.”

Here, Fish and other creatures = sea life, unlikely to be at risk = not in danger, relatively = comparatively,

So, the answer is: slow / slow-turning

Questions 25 & 26: Air bubbles result from the _________ behind blades. This is known as __________.

Keywords for this question: air bubbles, result from, behind blades, known as,

Here, in these questions, the main keywords are air bubbles and result from which can be found in Section F. Let’s have a look there, “One technical difficulty is cavitation, where low pressure behind a turning blade causes air bubbles.”

Here, causes = result from,

So, the answers are:

low pressure
cavitation

Reading Passage 3 : Information theory – the big idea

Questions 27-32 (Identifying information):

Question 27: an explanation of the factors affecting the transmission of information.

Keywords for this question: factors affecting, transmission of information,

Paragraph D has the answer for this question. In lines 1-5 the writer says, “Noise usually means unwanted sounds which interfere with genuine information. Information theory generalises this idea via theorems that capture the effects of noise with mathematical precision. In particular, Shannon showed that noise sets a limit on the rate at which information can pass along communication channels while remaining error-free… .. .”

Here, transmission = pass along communication channels

So, the lines suggest that factors such as noise can affect transmission of information.

So, the answer is: D

Question 28: an example of how unnecessary information can be omitted

Keywords for this question: unnecessary information, omitted,

This question’s answer is found in paragraph F where the author talks about the solution of excluding unwanted information. In lines 1-4 the author states, “Shannon also laid the foundations of more efficient ways of storing information, by stripping out superfluous (redundant) bits from data which contributed little real information. As mobile phone text messages like ‘I CN C U’ show, it is often possible to leave out a lot of data without losing much meaning.”

Here, stripping out superfluous (redundant) bits from data & to leave out a lot of data means unnecessary data or information can be omitted.

So, the answer is: F

Question 29: a reference to Shannon’s attitude to fame

Keywords for this question: Shannon’s attitude, fame,

The answer lies in paragraph B where we find this line in the middle, “While at Bell Laboratories, Shannon developed information theory, but shunned the resulting acclaim.”

Here, shunned means turned away from. It means Shannon developed information theory but he avoided the fame he got from his invention. He disliked it.

So, the answer is: B

Question 30: details of a machine capable of interpreting incomplete information

Keywords for this question: machine, capable, interpreting, incomplete information,

Take a close look at paragraph E. Here, the writer says in lines 5-7, “Other codes have become part of everyday life – such as the Universal Product Code, or bar code, which uses a simple error-detecting system that ensures supermarket check-out lasers can read the price even on, say, a crumpled bag of crisps.”

Here, machine indicates to check-out lasers that can interpret (read) incomplete information (crumpled bag of crisps).

So, the answer is: E

Question 31: a detailed account of an incident involving information theory

Keywords for this question: detailed account, incident, information theory,

The answer can be found in paragraph A where we come to know about the problem faced by Voyager I which received instructions through a radio signal from the earth to use its spare parts to operate correctly. The whole paragraph is a detailed description of how NASA was able to send radio signals light years away to the Voyager I prove.

So, the answer is: A

Question 32: a reference to what Shannon initially intended to achieve in his research

Keywords for this question: Shannon, initially, intended to achieve, his research,

In paragraph C, the writer indicates, “He (Shannon) set out with an apparently simple aim: to pin down the precise meaning of the concept of ‘information’.”

Here, set out with an apparently simple aim = initially intended to achieve

So, the answer is: C

Questions 33-37: (Note completion)

Title of the note: The Voyager I Space Probe

Question 33-34: The probe transmitted pictures of both 33. _________ and _________, then left the 34. _________.

Keywords for this question: transmitted pictures, both, left,

As the word before question 33 is ‘both’, we can understand that the answers for question no. 33 will be same kind of things. If we look closely at paragraph A, we can find the description of Voyager I Space Probe’s mention. In lines 2-4, the writer says, “The space probe, Voyager I, launched in 1977, had sent back spectacular images of Jupiter and Saturn and then soared out of the Solar System on a one-way mission to the stars.”

Here, sent back = transmitted, images = pictures, soared out = left,

So, the answers are:

Jupiter, Saturn
Solar System

Question 35: Scientists feared that both the ________ and ________ were about to stop working.

Keywords for this question: Scientists, feared, both, about to stop working,

In paragraph A take a look at lines 5-7, “Sensors and circuits were on the brink of failing and NASA experts realised that they had to do something or lose contact with their probe forever.”

Here, on the brink of failing = about to stop working,

So, the answers are: sensors, circuits,

Special Note: remember, you cannot write sensors and circuits as your answers. It is because the word ‘and’ is already present in the question. In the IELTS listening and Reading Test, it is PROHIBITED to write any word/words which is/are already written in the question.

Question 36: The only hope was to tell the probe to replace them with __________ -but distance made communication with the probe difficult.

Keywords for this question: only hope, replace, distance, made communication, probe, difficult,

In paragraph A the writer talks about the solution of Voyager I problem. In lines 7-8 the author writes, “The solution was to get a message to Voyager I to instruct it to use spares to change the failing parts.”

Here, solution = the only hope, change = replace,

So, the answer is: spares

Question 37: A ________ was used to transmit the message at the speed of light.

Keywords for this question: transmit, message, speed of light

Take a look at the end of paragraph A. Here, the author says in lines 9-12, “By means of a radio dish belonging to NASA’s Deep Space Network, the message was sent out into the depths of space. Even traveling at the speed of light, it took over 11 hours to reach its target, far beyond the speed of Pluto.”

Here, the message was sent out = transmit the message,

So, a radio dish was used to send out message to Voyager I.

So, the answer is: radio dish

Questions 38-40: (TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN)

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

The statement in the question agrees with the information in the passage – TRUE
The statement in the question contradicts the information in the passage – FALSE

If there is no information on this – NOT GIVEN

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

Question 38: The concept of describing something as true or false was the starting point for Shannon in his attempt to send messages over distance.

Keywords for this question: describing, starting point, true or false, the starting point, Shannon,

In paragraph C, the writer states in lines 3-6, “He set out with an apparently simple aim: to pin down the precise meaning of the concept of ‘information’. The most basic form of information, Shannon argued, is whether something is true or false – which can be captured in the binary unit, or ‘bit’, of the form 1 or 0.”

Here, set out = the starting point,

The lines clearly agree with the statement.

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 39: The amount of information that can be sent in a given time period is determined with reference to the signal strength and noise level.

Keywords for this question: the amount of information, sent, the signal strength and noise level,

The answer is in paragraph D as Shannon showed that the rate told us how much information passed in a given period of time. “Shannon showed that noise sets a limit on the rate at which information can pass along communication channels while remaining error-free. This rate depends on the relative strengths of the signal and noise traveling down the communication channel, on its capacity (its ‘bandwidth’).”

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 40: Products have now been developed which can convey more information than Shannon had anticipated as possible.

Keywords for this question: convey more information, Shannon anticipated

Take a close look at the end of paragraph E, the writer says, “As recently as 1993, engineers made a major breakthrough by discovering so-called turbo codes – which come very close to Shannon’s ultimate limit for the maximum rate that data can be transmitted reliably, and now play a key role in the mobile videophone revolution.”

This means the products of the present time came close to what Shannon had anticipated, but could not convey more information. They could not exceed Shannon’s expectations.

So, the answer is: FALSE