IELTS Cambridge 6 Test 1: ACADEMIC READING ANSWERS

Reading Passage 1: AUSTRALIA’S SPORTING SUCCESS

Questions 1-7: 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. 1: A reference to the exchange of expertise between different sports

Keywords for the question: exchange, expertise, between different sports,

The answer can be found in paragraph B. At the beginning the writer says in lines 1-3, “. . .. .The AIS employs more than 100 sports scientists and doctors, and collaborates with scores of others in universities and research centres. AIS scientists work across a number of sports, .. .. .”

Here, collaborates = work together, scientists and doctors = experts, a number of sports = different sports, work across = exchange,

This sentence suggests that Australian sports scientists and doctors share their expertise across different sports.

So, the answer is: B

Question no. 2: An explanation of how visual imaging is employed in investigation

Keywords for the question: how, visual imaging, employed, investigation,  

In the middle of paragraph C the writer explains how the visual imaging works to help in the investigation. Read carefully lines 6-10, “ . .. . To demonstrate how the system works, Bruce Mason at AIS shows off the prototype of a 3D analysis tool for studying swimmers. A wire-frame model of a champion swimmer slices through the water, her arms moving in slow motion. Looking side-on, Mason measures the distance between strokes. From above, he analyses how her spine swivels. When fully developed, this system will enable him to build a biomechanical profile for coaches to use to help budding swimmers.”

Here, prototype of a 3D analysis tool = visual imaging tool,

So, the answer is: C

Question no. 3: A reason for narrowing the scope of research activity

Keywords for the question: reason, narrowing, scope, research activity,

At the end of paragraph B, Peter Fricker, chief of science at AIS explains why the scope of research activity needs to be narrowed. Read lines 5-7, “ .. .. . They all focus on one aim: winning.‘ We can’t waste our time looking at ethereal scientific questions that don’t help the coach work with an athlete and improve performance,’. … .”

Here, We can’t waste our time = we must narrow the scope of research activity,

So, the answer is: B

Question no. 4: How some AIS ideas have been reproduced

Keywords for the question: how, some AIS ideas, reproduced,

Paragraph F details about some AIS ideas that had been copied in different times, “ .. . . Some years ago, the AIS unveiled coolant-lined jackets for endurance athletes. At the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, these sliced as much as two per cent off cyclists’ and rowers’ times. Now everyone uses them. The same has happened to the ‘altitude tent’, developed by AIS to replicate the effect of altitude training at sea level.”

Here, Now everyone uses them = all other countries have copied them, replicate = copy / reproduced,

So, the answer is: F

Question no. 5: How obstacles to optimum achievement can be investigated

Keywords for the question: how, obstacles, optimum achievement, can be investigated,

The answer can be found in paragraph D where Bruce Mason at AIS explains how obstacles to highest achievement can be investigated. First, take a look at lines 1-4, “. .. . He points out the data on the swimmers in second and third place, which shows that the one who finished third actually swam faster. So why did he finish 35 hundredths of a second down? ‘His turn times were 44 hundredths of a second behind the other guy,’ says Mason. ‘If he can improve on his turns, he can do much better.’ . .. .”

Then take a look at lines 6-9, “ . .. . With the Cooperative Research Centre for Micro Technology in Melbourne, they are developing unobtrusive sensors that will be embedded in an athlete’s clothes or running shoes to monitor heart rate, sweating, heat production or any other factor that might have an impact on an athlete’s ability to run.”

These lines suggest the way of investigating the obstacles / obstructions to optimum / best achievement / result.

So, the answer is: D

Question no. 6: An overview of the funded support of athletes

Keywords for the question: overview, funded support, athletes,  

The answer is found in lines 5-7 of paragraph A, “ . .. . Another body, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), finances programmes of excellence in a total of 96 sports for thousands of sportsmen and women.”

Here, finances = funded support,

So, the answer is: A

Question no. 7: How performance requirements are calculated before an event

Keywords for the question: how, performance requirements, calculated, before, event,

The first few lines of paragraph E give us the answer, “ . .. .. Well before a championship, sports scientists and coaches start to prepare the athlete by developing a ‘competition model’, based on what they expect will be the winning times.”

Here, Well before a championship = before an event, prepare the athlete by developing a ‘competition model’ = performance requirements are calculated,

So, the answer is: E

Questions 8-11: 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. 8: cameras

Keywords for the question: cameras,

In paragraph C lines 11-14 say, “. .. . . Mason’s contribution to sport also includes the development of the SWAN (SWimming ANalysis) system now used in Australian national competitions. It collects images from digital cameras running at 50 frames a second and breaks down each part of a swimmer’s performance into factors that can be analysed individually – . …. .”

Here, It collects images from digital cameras means cameras are currently exclusively used by Australians.  

So, the answer is: A (are currently exclusively used by Australians)

Question no. 9: sensors  

Keywords for the question: sensors,

In paragraph D lines 6-9 talk about the use of sensors in the future, “. .. . With the Cooperative Research Centre for Micro Technology in Melbourne, they are developing unobtrusive sensors that will be embedded in an athlete’s clothes or running shoes to monitor heart rate, sweating, heat production or any other factor that might have an impact on an athlete’s ability to run.”

So, the answer is: B (will be used in the future by Australians)

Question no. 10: protein tests  

Keywords for the question: protein tests,

The answer to this question can also be found in paragraph D, “ … . . After years of experimentation, AIS and the University of Newcastle in New South Wales developed a test that measures how much of the immune-system protein immunoglobulin A is present in athletes’ saliva. If IgA levels suddenly fall below a certain level, training is eased or dropped altogether. Soon, IgA levels start rising again, and the danger passes. Since the tests were introduced, AIS athletes in all sports have been remarkably successful at staying healthy.” 

This means protein tests are currently used by AIS athletes (Australians).

So, the answer is: A (are currently exclusively used by Australians)

Question no. 11: altitude tents

Keywords for the question: altitude tents,

Take a look at these lines paragraph F, “. . .. Some years ago, the AIS unveiled coolant-lined jackets for endurance athletes. At the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, these sliced as much as two per cent off cyclists’ and rowers’ times. Now everyone uses them. The same has happened to the ‘altitude tent’, developed by AIS to replicate the effect of altitude training at sea level..”

Here, everyone uses them & The same has happened to mean that altitude tents are used by both Australians and their rivals.

So, the answer is: C (are currently used by both Australians and their rivals)

Questions 12-13: Short answer to open questions (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER)

[In this kind of questions candidates have to answer some questions, only with some conditions like NO MORE THAN THREE/TWO WORDS and/or A NUMBER or, ONE WORD ONLY. Each question has keywords which will lead to the answer. This question type generally follows a sequence.]

Question no. 12: What is produced to help an athlete plan their performance in an event?  

Keywords for the question: produced, help, athlete, plan, performance, event,

The answer can be found at the beginning of paragraph E, “.. .. Well before a championship, sports scientists and coaches start to prepare the athlete by developing a ‘competition model’, based on what they expect will be the winning times.”

Here, prepare = start to produced, Well before a championship & what they expect will be the winning times = plan their performance in an event,

So, the answer is: (a) competition model

Question no. 13: By how much did some cyclists’ performance improve at the 1996 Olympic Games?

Keywords for the question: how much, some cyclists’ performance, improve, 1996 Olympic Games,

The KEYPHRASE ‘how much’ indicates that the answer has to be a number. Take a look at paragraph F in lines 2-3, “ .. .. At the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, these sliced as much as two per cent off cyclists’ and rowers’ times.”

Here, sliced . . .. . off = performance improve by,

So, the answer is: (by) 2 per cent/ percent/ %

Reading Passage 2: DELIVERING THE GOODS

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 no. 14: a suggestion for improving trade in the future

Keywords for the question: suggestion, improving trade, in the future,

A special TIP: questions like this one where you have to find ‘a solution for the coming days / future’, you should take a look at the last two paragraphs. You will always find your answers there.

For this question, we have to go to the last paragraph and search for solutions or suggestions to improve trade in the future. Take a look at the last lines of paragraph I, “ .. . .. Bringing these barriers down would help the world’s economies grow even closer.”

Here, Bringing these barriers down = a suggestion, would help = indicates the future, the world’s economies grow even closer = improving trade,

So, the answer is: I

Question no. 15: the effects of the introduction of electronic delivery

Keywords for the question: effects, introduction of electronic delivery,

The answer can be found in paragraph F. Here, lines 2-5 say, “. . .. . Computer software can be ‘exported’ without ever loading it onto a ship, simply by transmitting it over telephone lines from one country to another, so freight rates and cargo-handling schedules become insignificant factors in deciding where to make the product. .. .. .”

Here, simply by transmitting it over telephone lines = electronic delivery, so freight rates and cargo-handling schedules become insignificant factors in deciding where to make the product = the effects,

So, the answer is: F

Question no. 16: the similar cost involved in transporting a product from abroad or from a local supplier

Keywords for the question: similar cost, transporting, product, from abroad, from a local supplier,  

The answer can be found in paragraph E. Take a look at these lines, “. . .. . Computer manufacturers in Japan or Texas will not face hugely bigger freight bills if they import drives from Singapore rather than purchasing them on the domestic market. , .. .. .”

Here, import drives from Singapore = transporting a product from abroad, domestic market = local supplier,

Also, Computer manufacturers in Japan or Texas will not face hugely bigger freight bills means that companies do not want to spend more money on products that are priced the same in a local or foreign market.

So, the answer is: E

Question no. 17: the weakening relationship between the value of goods and the cost of their delivery

Keywords for the question: weakening relationship, between, value of goods, the cost of their delivery,

The answer can be found in paragraph D. At the beginning the writer says in lines 1-2, “. . .. . Over time, however, world output has shifted into goods whose worth is unrelated to their size and weight., .. .. .”

Then the writer says again in the end, “. .. thanks to technological advances such as lightweight components, manufactured goods themselves have tended to become lighter and less bulky. As a result, less transportation is required for every dollar’s worth of imports or exports.”

Here, goods whose worth is unrelated to their size and weight = the price of some goods does not match with their size and weight,

Also, less transportation is required for every dollar’s worth of imports or exports = the relationship between value of goods and their transportation cost is becoming weak,

So, the answer is: D

Questions 18-22: 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 with 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 no. 18: International trade is increasing at a greater rate than the world economy.

Keywords for the question: international trade, increasing, greater rate, than, world economy,

The answer can be found in the first lines of paragraph A. The writer says, “International trade is growing at a startling pace. While the global economy has been expanding at a bit over 3% a year, the volume of trade has been rising at a compound annual rate of about twice that.”

Here, is growing = is increasing, global economy = world economy,

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question no. 19: Cheap labour guarantees effective trade conditions.

Keywords for the question: cheap labour, guarantees, effective trade conditions,

The answer can be found in paragraph B. At the end of the paragraph the writer says, “. . .. . Cheap labour may make Chinese clothing competitive in America, but if delays in shipment lie up working capital and cause winter coats to arrive in spring, trade may lose its advantages.”

Here, the writer means that cheap labour may work as a contributory factor but it cannot guarantee an effective trade condition; delivery in proper time guarantees that.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question no. 20: Japan imports more meat and steel than France.

Keywords for the question: Japan, imports, more meat and steel, than France,

We can find the words Japan, France, meat and steel, in paragraph C. However, we can’t find any comparison on the import of meat and steel between Japan and France.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question no. 21: Most countries continue to prefer to trade with nearby nations.

Keywords for the question: most countries, continue to prefer, trade, nearby nations,

The answer can be found at the very beginning of paragraph D. The author says in line no. 1, Countries still trade disproportionately with their geographic neighbours.”

Here, still trade = continue to prefer to trade, geographical neighbours = nearby nations,

The line is a clear match to the question.

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question no. 22: Small computer components are manufactured in Germany.

Keywords for the question: small computer components, manufactured, Germany,

Information about computer components is included in paragraph E. However, Germany is not mentioned in this paragraph. 

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Questions 23-26: Completing summary with list of words:

[In this type of question, candidates are asked to complete a summary with a list of words taken from the passage. Candidates must write the correct letter (not the words) as the answers. Keywords and synonyms are important to find answers correctly. Generally, this type of question maintains a sequence. Find the keywords in the passage and you are most likely to find the answers.]

Title of the summary: THE TRANSPORT REVOLUTION

Question no. 23: Modern cargo-handling methods have had a significant effect on ___________ as the business of moving freight around the world becomes increasingly streamlined.

Keywords for the question: modern cargo-handling methods, significant effect, moving freight, around the world, increasingly streamlined,  

The answer can be found in paragraph D. The writer says here, “. . .. Over time, however, world output has shifted into goods whose worth is unrelated to their size and weight. Today, it is finished manufactured products that dominate the flow of trade, and, thanks to technological advances such as lightweight components, manufactured goods themselves have tended to become lighter and less bulky. .”

Here, dominate = significant effect, streamlined = manufactured goods themselves have tended to become lighter and less bulky, technological advances = modern cargo-handling methods,

So, the answer is: G (trade)

Question no. 24: Manufacturers of computers, for instance, are able to import ___________ from overseas, rather than having to rely on a local supplier.

Keywords for the question: manufactures, computers, able to import, from overseas, than, rely on, local supplier,

The answer can be found in paragraphs D and E. In paragraph D, the writer talks about ‘lightweight components’ as manufactured goods. Then in paragraph E, the writer says, “ . . . Computer manufacturers in Japan or Texas will not face hugely bigger freight bills if they import drives from Singapore rather than purchasing them on the domestic market.”

Here, Computer manufacturers in Japan = manufacturers of computers, drives = components, Singapore = overseas, domestic market = local supplier,

So, the answer is: B (components)

Question no. 25: The introduction of __________ has meant that bulk cargo can be safely and efficiently moved over long distances.

Keywords for the question: introduction, meant, bulk cargo, safely, efficiently, moved, long distances, 

Here, bulk cargo means heavy or large goods transported from one place to other.

The author says in paragraph G, “ . .. .  Forty years ago, the process of exporting or importing involved a great many stages of handling, which risked portions of the shipment being damaged or stolen along the way. The invention of the container crane made it possible to load and unload containers without capsizing the ship and the adoption of standard container sizes allowed almost any box to be transported on any ship.”

Here, the invention of the container crane = the introduction of container ships with crane, without capsizing = safely and efficiently,

So, the answer is: C (container ships)

Question no. 26: While international shipping is now efficient, there is still a need for governments to reduce __________ in order to free up the domestic cargo sector.

Keywords for the question: international shipping, efficient, still a need, governments, reduce, in order to, free up, domestic cargo sector,   

The answer can be found in paragraph H where the writer talks about tariffs. The writer says here, “ . .. . The shipping container transformed ocean shipping into a highly efficient, intensely competitive business. But getting the cargo to and from the dock was a different story. National governments, by and large, kept a much firmer hand on truck and railroad tariffs than on charges for ocean freight. This started changing, however, in the mid-1970s, when America began to deregulate its transportation industry. First airlines, then road haulers and railways, were freed from restrictions on what they could carry, where they could haul it and what price they could charge. Big productivity gains resulted.”

Here, the writer explains how lowering truck and railroad tariffs can increase productivity and suggests that government should reduce tariffs.

So, the answer is: A (tariffs)

Reading Passage 3: Climate change and the Inuit

Questions 27-32: 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 which will be done for the candidates for their understanding of the task.

TIPS: 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. 27: Paragraph B

In paragraph B the writer mentions the reaction of the Inuit community to climate change. In lines 3-4 the writer says, “.. .. Nobody knows the Arctic as well as the locals, which is why they are not content simply to stand back and let outside experts tell them what’s happening.”

Here, they are not content means the Inuit people are not happy.

Again, in the last few lines, the writer mentions, “ .. . . they believe their best hope of survival in this changing environment lies in combining their ancestral knowledge with the best of modern science. This is a challenge in itself.”

So, the answer is: i (The reaction of the Inuit community to climate change)

Question no. 28: Paragraph C

Paragraph C highlights the harsh and challenging landscape of the polar desert known as the North Pole. Take a look at phrases and sentences like ‘vast, treeless polar desert’, ‘some idea of the hardships’, ‘Farming is out of the question and nature offers meagre pickings’, ‘The environment tested them to the limits’ etc.

So, the answer is: vi (A difficult landscape)

Question no. 29: Paragraph D

For this question, we have to go to the last part of Paragraph D. The writer explains here about the alternative sources of necessary supplies, “ . .. . Provisions available in local shops have to be flown into Nunavut on one of the most costly air networks in the world, or brought by supply ship during the few ice-free weeks of summer. It would cost a family around £7,000 a year to replace meat they obtained themselves through hunting with imported meat. ….. .”

Here, Provisions = essential supplies, imported meat = alternative sources of supplies,

So, the answer is: iii (Alternative sources of essential supplies)

Question no. 30: Paragraph E

The first lines of paragraph E says, “While the Inuit may not actually starve if hunting and trapping are curtailed by climate change, there has certainly been an impact on people’s health. . .. .”

Here, impact = negative effects, people’s health = well-being,  

So, the answer is: vii (Negative effects on well-being)

Question no. 31: Paragraph F

The first few lines of paragraph F gives us the answer to this question, “With so much at stake, the Inuit are determined to play a key role in teasing out the mysteries of climate change in the Arctic. Having survived there for centuries, they believe their wealth of traditional knowledge is vital to the task. And Western scientists are starting to draw on this wisdom,. .. ..”

Here, Western scientists are starting to draw on this wisdom = respect for limit opinion grows,

So, the answer is: iv (Respect for limit opinion grows)

Question no. 32: Paragraph G

In paragraph G, take a look at lines 2-5, “. .. . . Others, however, point out that the first weather stations in the far north date back just 50 years. There are still huge gaps in our environmental knowledge, and despite the scientific onslaught, many predictions are no more than best guesses. .. .. .”

Here, date back just 50 years, There are still huge gaps, many predictions are no more than best guesses all mean that the knowledge or understanding of climate change is limited.

So, the answer is: ii (Understanding of climate change remains limited)

Questions 33-40: Summary completion (with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS):

[In this kind of question candidates are given a summary for one, two or three paragraphs with some fill in the blanks questions. 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.]

Question no. 33: If you visit the Canadian Arctic, you immediately appreciate the problems faced by people for whom this is home. It would clearly be impossible for the people to engage in __________as a means of supporting themselves.

Keywords for the question: visit the Canadian Arctic, immediately appreciate, problems, would be clearly impossible, to engage in, means of supporting themselves,

The answer can be found at the beginning of paragraph C. The writer says here, The Canadian Arctic is a vast, treeless polar desert that’s covered with snow for most of the year. Venture into this terrain and you get some idea of the hardships facing anyone who calls this home. Farming is out of the question and nature offers meagre pickings. . .. .”

Here, Venture into this terrain = if you visit the Canadian Arctic, get some idea of the hardships = you immediately appreciate the problems, out of the question = clearly be impossible for the people to engage,

So, the answer is: farming

Question no. 34 & 35: For thousands of years they have had to rely on catching 34. _________ and 35. _________ as a means of sustenance.

Keywords for the question: thousands of years, rely on, catching, as a means of sustenance,   

The writer says in paragraph C in lines 4-5, “. .. .. Humans first settled in the Arctic a mere 4,500 years ago, surviving by exploiting sea mammals and fish. .. .. .”

Here, 4,500 years ago = thousands of years ago, surviving by exploiting = have had to rely on catching . .. . as a means of sustenance,

So, the answers are: (in any order)

sea mammals

fish

Question no. 36: The harsh surroundings saw many who tried to settle there pushed to their limits, although some were successful. The _________ people were an example of the latter and for them the environment did not prove unmanageable.

Keywords for the question: harsh surroundings, tried to settle, pushed to their limits, although, some, successful, example, latter, environment, did not prove unmanageable,   

The answer can be found at the end of paragraph C. The writer says here, “. . .. The environment tested them to the limits: sometimes the colonists were successful, sometimes they failed and vanished. But around a thousand years ago, one group emerged that was uniquely well adapted to cope with the Arctic environment. These Thule people moved in from Alaska, . .”

Here, tested them to the limits = many who tried to settle there pushed to their limits, one group emerged that was uniquely well adapted to cope with = some were successful, an example = these,

So, the answer is: Thule

Question no. 37: For the present inhabitants, life continues to be a struggle. The territory of Nunavut consists of little more than ice, rock and a few __________ .

Keywords for the question: present inhabitants, life, struggle, territory of Nunavut, consists of, little more than ice, rock, few,  

In the beginning of paragraph D, the author mentions, “. . .. Life for the descendants of the Thule people is still harsh. Nunavut is 1.9 million square kilometres of rock and ice, and a handful of islands around the North Pole.. .”

Here, the descendants of the Thule people = the present inhabitants, harsh = struggle, a handful of = a few,

So, the answer is: islands

Question no. 38 & 39: In recent years, many of them have been obliged to give up their 38. _________ lifestyle, but they continue to depend mainly on 39. _________ for their food and clothes.

Keywords for the question: recent years, have been obliged to give up, lifestyle, but, continue to, depend mainly on, for food and clothes,    

The answer can be found in paragraph D. The writer says here in lines 3-5, “. . .. Over the past 40 years, most have abandoned their nomadic ways and settled in the territory’s 28 isolated communities, but they still rely heavily on nature to provide food and clothing.. . .”

Here, Over the past 40 years = in recent years, most have abandoned = many of them have been obliged to give up, ways = lifestyle, still rely heavily on = but they continue to depend on,

So, the answers are:

• nomadic
• nature

Question no. 40: _________ produce is particularly expensive.

Keywords for the question: produce, particularly expensive,   

Again, the answer can be found in paragraph D. The author says here in lines 6-9, “. . .. Provisions available in local shops have to be flown into Nunavut on one of the costliest air networks in the world, or brought by supply ship during the few ice-free weeks of summer. It would cost a family around £7,000 a year to replace meat they obtained themselves through hunting with imported meat.. .”

Here, Provisions available in local shops have to be flown = supplies are imported, £7,000 a year = particularly expensive, 

So, the answer is: Imported (must use capital letter)