IELTS Cambridge 11 Test 3 : ACADEMIC READING MODULE

Reading Passage 1:The Story of Silk

Questions 1-9:            (Completing notes with ONE WORD ONLY)

In this type of question, candidates are asked to write only one word/ no more than two words to complete notes on the given topic. For this type of question, first, skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word.

Question 1: Around 3000 BC, according to legend:

• silkworm cocoon fell into emperor’s wife’s __________

Keywords for the question: 3000 BC, fell into, emperor’s wife

We find the mention of 3000 BC in paragraph no. 1. So, we should try to locate the answer from here. The answer to this question can be found in paragraph no. 1 lines 14-17 where, the author writes, “It just so happened that while she was sipping some tea, one of the cocoons that she had collected landed in the hot tea and started to unravel into a fine thread.”

So, the answer is: tea

Question 2: – emperor’s wife invented a ______ to pull out silk fibres

Keywords for the question: emperor’s wife, invented, pull out silk fibres

The answer can be found in paragraph no. 1 lines 21-24. Here, the author writes, “She also devised a special reel to draw the fibres from the cocoon into a single thread so that they would be strong enough to be woven into fabric.” This means that the emperor’s wife devised or invented a reel to draw out or pull out silk fibres.

So, the answer is: reel                        

Question 3: Only _______ were allowed to produce silk

Keywords for the question: only, were allowed to produce

Paragraph no. 2 contains the answer to this question at the very beginning. Here, in lines 1-2, the author says, “Originally, silkworm farming was solely restricted to women and .. .. . .”. Here, the phrase solely restricted to women means that only women were allowed to farm silk.

So, the answer is: women                  

Question 4: Only _______ were allowed to wear silk

Keywords for the question: only, allowed to wear

In paragraph no. 2 lines 6-7 say, “…. . . only royalty were entitled to have clothes made of silk.” This clearly means that only royalty were allowed to wear silk clothes.

So, the answer is: royalty      

Question 5: Silk used as a form of _______

• g. farmer’s taxes consisted partly of silk

Keywords for the question: silk used, form of, farmer’s taxes  

To locate this answer, we need to find the keywords farmer’s taxes and it can be found in lines 15-16 of paragraph no. 2. So, we need to look for the answer a few lines ahead because ‘farmer’s taxes’ is an example here. In lines 12-16, the writer says, “… . .. .silk was so prized that it was also used as a unit of currency. Government officials were paid their salary in silk, and farmers paid their taxes in grain and silk.”

So, the answer is: currency  

Question 6: Silk used for many purposes

• g. evidence found of _____ made from silk around 168 AD

Keywords for the question: 168 AD, many purposes, evidence

The answer can be found at the end of paragraph 2. Here, in lines 20-23, the writer mentions, “The earliest indication of silk paper being used was discovered in the tomb of a noble who is estimated to have died around 168 AD.” So, it can be understood that paper made from silk was found around 168 AD.

So, the answer is: paper  

Question 7: Merchants use Silk Road to take silk westward and bring back _______ and precious metals.

Keywords for the question: Merchants, Silk Road, bring back, precious metals

In paragraph no. 3, the author talks about trading of silk through Silk Road. In lines 3-5 of the paragraph, the author writes, “…. now known as the Silk Road, taking silk westward and bringing gold, silver and wool to the East.” So, the merchants took silk westward and traded them for precious metals like gold and silver and for wool.

So, the answer is: wool

Question 8: 550 AD: ______ hide silkworm eggs in canes and take them to Constantinople.

Keywords for the question: 550 AD, hide, eggs, canes, Constantinople

Answer to this question can be found in the middle of paragraph no. 4 where we can find the reference to Constantinople. Here, in lines 10-14, the writer says, “According to another legend, monks working for  the Byzantine emperor  Justinian smuggled silkworm eggs to Constantinople in 550 AD, concealed inside hollow bamboo walking canes.”

So, the answer is: monks

Question 9: 20th century: ______ and other manmade fibres cause decline in silk production.

Keywords for the question: 20th century, manmade fibre, cause decline,

To find the answer to this question, we need to locate the keywords ‘20th century’ and ‘decline in silk production’ which is found in the last paragraph. Here, the writer says in lines 7-8, “Then in the twentieth century, new manmade fibres, such as nylon, started to be used in what had traditionally been silk products, such as stockings and parachutes.” So, it can be understood that nylon was a man-made fibre.

So, the answer is: nylon

Question 10-13                        (TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN):

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

The statement in the question matches with the account in the text- TRUE

The statement in the question contradicts with the account in the text- FALSE

The statement in the question has no clear connection with the account in the text- 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 10: Gold was the most valuable material transported along the Silk Road.

Keywords for the question: gold, most valuable material

In paragraph 3, the writer mentions in lines 1-8, “Demand for this exotic fabric eventually created the lucrative trade route now known as the Silk Road, taking silk westward and bringing gold, silver and wool to the East. It was named the Silk Road after its most precious commodity, which was considered to be worth more than gold.” So, it can be safely guessed that gold is not the most valuable material, it’s silk.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 11: Most tradesmen only went along certain sections of the Silk Road.

Keywords for the question: tradesmen, certain sections

In paragraph 3, the writer indicates that “The Silk Road stretched over 6,000 kilometers from Eastern China to the Mediterranean Sea .. .. . . Few merchants traveled the entire route; goods were handled mostly by a series of middlemen.”  This clearly means that the journey through Silk Road was long enough for merchants to travel along; therefore, they only travelled along certain sections.

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 12: The Byzantines spread the practice of silk production across the West.

Keywords for the question: The Byzantines, spread  

In paragraph 4, from line 3, the writer mentions, “The Byzantines were as secretive as the Chinese, however, and for many centuries the weaving and trading of silk fabric was a strict imperial monopoly. Then in the seventh century, the Arabs conquered Persia, capturing their magnificent silks in the process. Silk production thus spread through Africa, Sicily and Spain as the Arabs swept through these lands.” Therefore, it was the the Arabs, not the Byzantines, who spread the practice of silk production across the West.

So the answer is: FALSE

Question 13: Silk yarn makes up the majority of silk currently exported from China.

Keywords for the question: silk yarn, the majority, exported, China

In the last paragraph, the writer says, “.. .. .in more recent decades, China has gradually recaptured its position as the world’s biggest producer and exporter of silk and silk yarn.” So, it is unclear from the lines whether silk yarn makes up the majority of silk currently exported from China, we only make out that both silk and silk yarn are exported, but there is no information on which product makes up the majority of silk exported from China.

So the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Reading Passage 2: Great Migrations

Questions 14-18: 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 – TRUEThe statement in the question contradicts with the information in the passage – FALSEIf 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 14: Local gulls and migrating arctic terns behave in the same way when offered food.

Keywords for the question: local gulls, migrating arctic terns, behave, same way, offered food,

In paragraph no. 2, the first few lines indicate the answer, “An arctic tern, on its 20,000 km flight from the extreme south of South America to the Arctic circle, will take no notice of a nice smelly herring offered from a bird-watcher’s boat along the way. While local gulls will dive voraciously for such handouts, the tern flies on. .. ..”

The lines suggest that local gulls will be attracted to food offered while arctic terns will not pay attention to food when migrating; they behave differently.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 15: Experts’ definitions of migration tend to vary according to their area of study.

Keywords for the question: experts’ definitions, migration, tend to vary, area of study,

In paragraph no. 4, take a look at the first few lines, “But migration is a complex issue, and biologists define it differently, depending in part on what sorts of animals they study. .. .”

Here,biologists = experts, define = definitions, differently = vary, depending in = according to, what sorts of animals they study = their area of study,

So, the answer is: TRUE  

Question 16: Very few experts agree that the movement of aphids can be considered migration.

Keywords for the question: very few experts, agree, movement, aphids, can be considered, migration,

We find the mention of aphids’ movement in paragraph no. 5, “But daily vertical movements by zooplankton in the ocean – upward by night to seek food, downward by day to escape predators – can also be considered migration. So can the movement of aphids when, having depleted the young leaves on one food plant, their offspring then fly onward to a different host plant, with no one aphid ever returning to where it started.”

However, no comparison has been made on experts’ opinion about aphids’ movement considered as migration.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 17: Aphids’ journeys are affected by changes in the light that they perceive.

Keywords for the question: Aphids’ journey, affected, changes, light, they perceive,

In paragraph no. 6, the answer to this question can be traced in lines 6-11, “ . .. . They allow for the fact that, for example, aphids will become sensitive to blue light (from the sky) when it’s time for takeoff on their big journey, and sensitive to yellow light (reflected from tender young leaves) when it’s appropriate to land. .. .”

Here, when it’s time for takeoff on their big journey = aphids’ journey, will become sensitive to blue light & sensitive to yellow light = affected by changes in the light,

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 18: Dingle’s aim is to distinguish between the migratory behaviours of different species.

Keywords for the question: Dingle’s aim, distinguish, migratory behaviours, different species,

In paragraph no. 6, the answer is found in the last few lines “.. .. The value of his definition, Dingle argues, is that it focuses attention on what the phenomenon of wildebeest migration shares with the phenomenon of the aphids, and therefore helps guide researchers towards understanding how evolution has produced them all. ..”  

This means the aim of Dingle is to focus attention on the similarities between wildebeest migration and aphid migration, not to distinguish the migratory behaviours of different species. 

So, the answer is: FALSE  

Questions 19-22: Completing/Matching sentences with correct endings

[For this type of question, candidates need to match the beginning and end 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 19: According to Dingle, migratory routes are likely to –

Keywords for the question: Dingle, migratory routes, likely to,

Take a look at lines 8-13 of paragraph no. 1, “ . .. . The biologist Hugh Dingle has identified five characteristics that apply, in varying degrees and combinations, to all migrations. They are prolonged movements that carry animals outside familiar habitats; they tend to be linear, . .. .”

Here, tend to = likely to, linear = follow a straight line,

So, the answer is: G (follow a straight line.)

Question 20: To prepare for migration, animals are likely to –

Keywords for the question: prepare, migration, animals, likely to,

Again, in paragraph no. 1 at lines 14-16, the writer says, “ . .. .  they involve special behaviours concerning preparation (such as overfeeding) and arrival; .. .”

Here, preparation = to prepare for migration, overfeeding = eat more than they need,   

So, the answer is: C (eat more than they need for immediate purposes.)

Question 21: During migration, animals are unlikely to –

Keywords for this question:during, migration, animals, unlikely to,

In paragraph no. 1, the writer mentions in lines 17-22, “ .. . And one more: migrating animals maintain an intense attentiveness to the greater mission, which keeps them undistracted by temptations and undeterred by challenges that would turn other animals aside.”

Here, undeterred = unlikely to be discouraged, challenges = difficulties,

So, the answer is: A (be discouraged by difficulties.)

Question 22: Arctic terns illustrate migrating animals’ ability to –

Keywords for this question:Arctic terns, illustrate, migrating animals’ ability,   

The answer is in lines 1-5 of paragraph no. 2, “An arctic tern, on its 20,000 km flight from the extreme south of South America to the Arctic circle, will take no notice of a nice smelly herring offered from a bird-watcher’s boat along the way. . .. .”

Here, will take no notice of = ignore, nice smelly herring (food) = distractions,

So, the answer is: E (ignore distractions.)

Question 23-26: Summary completion with ONE word only

[In this kind of question 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 ONE, TWO or THREE words for each answer. 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 to fill in the gaps.]

Title of the summary: The migration of pronghorns

Question 23: Pronghorns rely on their eyesight and _________ to avoid predators. 

Keywords for this question:Pronghorns, rely on, eyesight, to avoid, predators,    

Let’s take a look at paragraph no. 7 (where the writer talks about the Pronghorns) in lines 24-25, “ .. . Pronghorn, dependent on distance vision and speed to keep safe from predators, .. . .”

Here, dependent on = rely on, vision = eyesight, keep safe = avoid,

So, the answer is: speed  

Question 24: One particular population’s summer habitat is a national park, and their winter home is on the _________ where they go to avoid the danger presented by the snow at that time of year.

Keywords for this answer: one particular population’s summer habitat, national park, winter home, where, go, avoid, danger, snow,

The answer can be found in paragraph no. 7 in lines 6-12, “ .. . One population, which spends the summer in the mountainous Grand Teton National Park of the western USA, follows a narrow route from its summer range in the mountains, across a river, and down onto the plains. Here they wait out the frozen months, feeding mainly on sagebrush blown clear of snow.  … .”

Here, One population = one particular population, spends the summer = summer habitat, Grand Teton National Park = national park, they wait out the frozen months = their winter home, 

So, the answer is: plains  

Question 25: However, their route between these two areas contains three ________.

Keywords for this answer: their route, these two area, contains, three,

In paragraph no. 7, lines 13-16 say, “. ..  . These pronghorn are notable for the invariance of their migration route and the severity of its constriction at three bottlenecks. .. . .”

Here, route = migration route,

So, the answers are: bottlenecks

Question 26: One problem is the construction of new homes in a narrow __________ of land on the pronghorns’ route.

Keywords for this answer: one problem, construction of new homes, narrow, land, pronghorns’ route, 

Take a close look at the last few lines of paragraph no. 7, “ . .. At one of the bottlenecks, forested hills rise to form a V, leaving a corridor of open ground only about 150 metres wide, filled with private homes. Increasing development is leading toward a crisis for the pronghorn, threatening to choke off their passageway.”

Here, a crisis = one problem, Increasing development = construction of new homes, only about 150 metres wide = narrow, So, the answers are: corridor/passageway

Reading Passage 3:Preface to ‘How the other half thinks: Adventures in mathematical reasoning

Questions 27-34:  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 27: a reference to books that assume a lack of mathematical knowledge

Keywords for this question: books, assume, lack of mathematical knowledge,   

In section D, the first lines say, “Other scientists have written books to explain their fields to non-scientists, but have necessarily had to omit the mathematics, . .. ..”

Here, had to omit the mathematics = had to exclude the subject of mathematics thinking that the readers might have a lack of knowledge in mathematics,

So, the answer is: D

Question 28: the way in which this is not a typical book about mathematics

Keywords for this question: the way, not, typical book, about mathematics,

In section B, take a look at the last lines of the first paragraph and the first lines of the second paragraph,
“. . . I want to reveal not only some of the fascinating discoveries, but, more importantly, the reasoning behind them.

In that respect, this book differs from most books on mathematics written for the general public.”

Here, this book differs from most books on mathematics = not a typical book about mathematics.

The lines suggest that this particular book is not typically a book on mathematics.

So, the answer is: B

Question 29: personal examples of being helped by mathematics

Keywords for this question: personal examples, being helped, by mathematics,

Section G has three paragraphs and paragraphs no. 1 and 2 deal with examples provided in favour of mathematics by a physician and a lawyer.

In the first paragraph, it says, “A physician wrote, ‘The discipline of analytical thought process [in mathematics] prepared me extremely well for medical school. . .. ..”

In the second paragraph, we find another example from the experience of a lawyer.

So, the answer is: G

Question 30: examples of people who each had abilities that seemed incompatible

Keywords for this question: examples, people, each had abilities, seemed incompatible,

Take a look at the last few lines of Section C, “ .. . . To illustrate our human potential, I cite a structural engineer who is an artist, an electrical engineer who is an opera singer, an opera singer who published mathematical research, and a mathematician who publishes short stories.”

Here, we can find the examples of different people having abilities that seem quite incompatible or mismatched.

So, the answer is: C

Question 31: mention of different focuses of books about mathematics

Keywords for this question: different focuses of books, about mathematics,

Section B has two paragraphs and the second paragraph says, “In that respect, this book differs from most books on mathematics written for the general public. Some present the lives of colorful mathematicians. Others describe important applications of mathematics. Yet others go into mathematical procedures, but assume that the reader is adept in using algebra.”

Here, we can learn from these lines that books about mathematics have different focuses.

So, the answer is: B

Question 32: a contrast between reading this book and reading other kinds of publication

Keywords for this question:  contrast, reading this book, reading other kinds of publication,

In Section E, look at lines 4-5, “ . .. . . You will turn these pages much more slowly than when reading a novel or a newspaper. .. .”

Here, a novel or a newspaper = other kinds of publication,

So, the answer is: E

Question 33: a claim that the whole of the book is accessible to everybody

Keywords for this question: claim, the whole of the book, accessible, everybody,

Section A of the passage contains two paragraphs.

In the first paragraph, the writer says in lines 6-7, “ . . .. Each of the eight chapters in this book illustrates this phenomenon. Anyone can understand every step in the reasoning.”

Then, in the second paragraph, the writer says again, “ . .. . . Thus all readers will have the chance to participate in a mathematical experience, to appreciate the beauty of mathematics, and to become familiar with its logical, yet intuitive, style of thinking.”

These lines suggest that the complete book is accessible to anyone.

So, the answer is: A

Question 34: a reference to different categories of intended readers of this book

Keywords for this question: different categories, intended readers, of this book,

In section F the author talks about categories of readers who can enjoy this book. “ .. . As I wrote, I kept in mind two types of readers: those who enjoyed mathematics until they were turned off by an unpleasant episode, usually around fifth grade, and mathematics aficionados, who will find much that is new throughout the book. This book also serves readers who simply want to sharpen their analytical skills . ….”

So, the answer is: F

Questions 35-40: Completing sentences with ONE WORD ONLY

[In this type of question, candidates are asked to write ONE WORD ONLY to complete sentences on the given topic. For this type of question, first, skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word.

TIPS: Here scanning technique will come in handy. Target the keywords of the questions to find the answers. Remember to focus on Proper nouns, random Capital letters, numbers, special characters of text etc.]

Question 35: Some areas of both music and mathematics are suitable for someone who is a ___________.

Keywords for this question: some areas, both music and mathematics, suitable for,

Take a look at lines 1-2 in section A, as the writer says, “Occasionally, in some difficult musical compositions, there are beautiful, but easy parts – parts so simple a beginner could play them. So it is with mathematics as well.

Here, easy parts – parts so simple = suitable for someone,

So, the answer is: beginner

Question 36: It is sometimes possible to understand advanced mathematics using no more than a limited knowledge of ___________.

Keywords for this question: sometimes possible, understand, advanced mathematics, using, no more than, limited knowledge,

In section A, lines 3-6 say, “ . … .. There are some discoveries in advanced mathematics that do not depend on specialized knowledge, not even on algebra, geometry, or trigonometry. Instead, they may involve, at most, a little arithmetic, such as ‘the sum of two odd numbers is even’, and common sense. … … .”

Here, at most, a little = no more than a limited knowledge of,

 So, the answer is: arithmetic

Question 37: The writer intends to show that mathematics requires _________ thinking, as well as analytical skills.

Keywords for this question: the writer, intends to show, mathematics, requires, thinking, analytical skills,

The answer can be found in section C lines 3-4, “ . .. . As the chapters will illustrate, mathematics is not restricted to the analytical and numerical; intuition plays a significant role.”

Here, the writer means that in addition to analytical skills, mathematics requires or needs intuition, or intuitive thinking.

So, the answer is: intuitive

Question 38: Some books written by _________ have had to leave out the mathematics that is central to their theories.

Keywords for this question: some books, written by, had to leave out, mathematics, central to their theories,

To find the answer to this question, we have to go to section D. Here, in lines 1-2, the author writes, “Other scientists have written books to explain their fields to non-scientists, but have necessarily had to omit the mathematics, although it provides the foundation of their theories. . .. .”

Here, had to omit = have had to leave out, provides the foundation = central,

So, the answer is: scientists  

Question 39: The writer advises non-mathematical readers to perform __________ while reading.

Keywords for this question: the writer, advices, non-mathematical readers, perform, while reading,

In section E, the author says, “Still, the non-mathematical reader can go far in understanding mathematical reasoning.  . .. . .. . . . . . It may help to have a pencil and paper ready to check claims and carry out experiments.”  

Here, carry out = perform,

So, the answer is: experiments  

Question 40: A lawyer found that studying __________ helped even more than other areas of mathematics in the study of law.

Keywords for this question: lawyer, found, studying, helped, more than other areas, mathematics, study of law,

In Section G, paragraph no. 2, the writer mentions a lawyer, “A lawyer made the same point, “Although I had no background in law – not even one political science course — I did well at one of the best law schools. I attribute much of my success there to having learned, through the study of mathematics, and, in particular, theorems, how to analyze complicated principles. . ..”

Here, I did well at one of the best law schools = helped even more than other areas of mathematics,

So, the answer is: theorems