IELTS Cambridge 13 Test 3: ACADEMIC Reading Module

Reading Passage 1:The coconut palm

Questions 1-8 (Completing notes/table with ONE WORD ONLY):

In this type of question, candidates are asked to write only one word to complete a note or a table 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 1: timber for houses and the making of  ______ 

Keywords for this question: trunk, 30 metres, making houses,

To find the answer to this question, we need to locate the keyword ‘trunk’ which can be found in paragraph no. 2, line no. 3. Here, the author writes, “ … . The coconut palm has a smooth, slender, grey trunk, up to 30 metres tall. This is an important source of timber for building houses, and is increasingly being used as a replacement for endangered hardwoods in the furniture construction industry.” So, the lines say that the trunk of a coconut tree is used not only in making the timbers for houses but also in making furniture.

So, the answer is:        furniture

Question 2: stems provide sap, used as a drink or a source of  _________

Keywords for this question: flowers, top of trunk, sap, used as drink,

The answer to this question is in line 8-10 of paragraph no. 2. The author writes about the coconut flowers, “…. . Immature coconut flowers are tightly clustered together among the leaves at the top of the trunk. The flower stems may be tapped for their sap to produce a drink, and the sap can also be reduced by boiling to produce a type of sugar used for cooking.” So, the lines say that the sap of coconut flowers can be used as a drink or as a source of sugar.

So, the answer is:        sugar              

Question 3: used for  __________ etc.  

Keywords for this question: fruits, middle layer (coir fibres),

Paragraph no 3 talks about the fruit of coconut trees. The answer can be found in paragraph no. 3, lines 3-5. The lines say, “….. The thick fibrous middle layer produces coconut fibre, ‘coir’, which has numerous uses and is particularly important in manufacturing ropes.” This means the thick fibre of coconut palm produces ‘coir’ which is used to manufacture ropes.

So, the answer is: ropes                     

Question 4: a source of ________

Keywords for this question: inner layer (shell)

In paragraph no. 3, lines 5-6 talk about the innermost layer of coconut fruits, “ ….  The woody innermost layer, the shell, with its three prominent ‘eyes’ surrounds the seed. An important product obtained from the shell is charcoal, which is widely used… . .. .”

So, the answer is: charcoal                

Question 5: (when halved) for _________ 

Keywords for this question: fruits, inner layer (shell), when halved

The last lines of paragraph no. 3 have the answer to this question. Here, in lines 7-8, the author states, “.. . .. When broken in half, the shells are also used as bowls in many parts of Asia.”

Here, when broken in half = when halved.

So, the answers are:     bowls

Question 6: a source of _______ for other plants.

Keywords for this question:  coconut water,

We can find the reference to coconut water in lines 2-3 of paragraph no. 4, “…. …is a sweetish liquid, coconut water, which is enjoyed as a drink, but also provides the hormones which encourage other plants to grow more rapidly and produce higher yields.” So, the coconut water is not only used as a drink, but also other plants use the hormones of it for rapid growth.

So, the answer is: hormones

Question 7: oil and milk for cooking and ________

Keywords for this question:  fruits, coconut flesh, oil, milk, cooking

In paragraph no. 4, the reference to coconut flesh can be found in line 5. Lines 5-7 says, “…. .. . Dried coconut flesh, ‘copra’, is made into coconut oil and coconut milk, which are widely used in cooking in different parts of the world, as well as in cosmetics.” So, coconut flesh is used in cooking and as cosmetics.

So, the answer is: cosmetics

Question 8: glycerine (an ingredient in ________ )  

Keywords for this question: coconut flesh, glycerine, ingredient

The answer to this question can be found in lines 7-9 of paragraph no. 4. Here, the writer says, “.. . . A derivative of coconut fat, glycerine, acquired strategic importance in a quite different sphere, as Alfred Nobel introduced the world to this nitroglycerine-based invention: dynamite.”  So, glycerine is a key ingredient of dynamite.

So, the answer is: dynamite

Questions 9-13: (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 the account in the text- FALSE
or, 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 9: Coconut seeds need shade in order to germinate.

Keywords for this question: coconut seeds, shade, to germinate

The answer lies in lines 4-6 of paragraph no. 5 where the author says, “Literally cast onto desert island shores with little more sand to grow in and exposed to the full glare of the tropical sun, coconut seeds are able to germinate and root.” The line clearly contradicts with the statement and confirms that coconut seeds do not need shade (exposed to the full glare of the tropical sun) to germinate.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 10: Coconuts were probably transported to Asia from America in the 16^th century.

Keywords for this question: probably transported, Asia to America, 16^th century

The answer lies in lines 4-6 of paragraph no. 6 where the author says, “… .. .. 16^th century trade and human migration patterns reveal that Arab traders and European sailors are likely to have moved coconuts from South and Southeast Asia to Africa and then across the Atlantic to east coast of America.” These lines suggest that the possibility of transporting coconuts in the 16^th century was not from Asia to America, rather from Asia to Africa and then to America.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 11: Coconuts found on the west coast of America were a different type from those found on the east coast. 

Keywords for this question: west coast of America, different type from, east coast

We find the reference to the east and west coast of America in the final paragraph or paragraph no. 6. But, there is no comparison found between the coconut varieties found in these parts anywhere in the paragraph.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 12: All the coconuts found in Asia are cultivated varieties.   

Keywords for this question: all the coconuts, Asia, cultivated varieties

The answer is found in lines 10-12 where the writer says, “In Asia, there is a large degree of coconut diversity and evidence of millennia of human use – but there are no relatives growing in the wild.” These lines suggest that the there were no wild varieties in Asia, they were all cultivated.”

So the answer is: TRUE

Question 13: Coconuts are cultivated in different ways in America and the Pacific. 

Keywords for this question: cultivated, in different ways, America and the Pacific  

There is no definite mention of how coconuts are cultivated in the final paragraph or paragraph no. 6.

So the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Reading Passage 2:How baby talk gives infant brains a boost

Questions 14-17: (Matching references with researchers)

(In this type of question, candidates need to relate references which are given by or links to researchers in the passage. This question is similar to matching names with statements. The rules for finding answers to this sort of question are simple. Just find the name of the person and read around it carefully. Then, give a quick look to check whether there is another statement or idea provided by the same person in the text. If there is, check the reference carefully and decide your answer. Remember, the questions may not follow any sequential order.)

Question 14: the importance of adults giving babies individual attention when talking to them

Keywords for this question:individual attention

The reference of individual attention is found in paragraph no. D lines 10-11 where the writer includes the quotes of Narián Ramirez-Esparza. “….. says Narián Ramirez-Esparza of the University of Connecticut. ‘We also found that it really matters whether you use baby talk in a one-to-one context,’ she adds.”

Here,one-to-one context = individual attention

So, the answer is: B (Narián Ramirez-Esparza)

Question 15: the connection between what babies hear and their own efforts to create speech

Keywords for this question:what babies hear, their own efforts to create speech

The answer is in Paragraph F, lines 8-11. The writer includes the comment of Patricia Kuhl. “Finding activation in motor areas of the  brain when infants are simply listening is significant, because it means the baby brain in engaged in trying to talk back right from the start, and suggests that seven-month-olds’ brains are already trying to figure out how to make the right movements that will produce words,” says co-author Patricia Kuhl.”

So, the answer is: C (Patricia Kuhl)

Question 16: the advantage for the baby of having two parents each speaking in a different way

Keywords for this question:advantage, having two parents, each speaking, different way

The answer can be found in lines 10-12 of Paragraph C. Here, the writer gives reference to Mark VanDam’s  comments about both parents’ speaking with the baby which clarifies the answer for us. “The idea is that a kid gets to practice a certain kind of speech with mom and another kind of speech with dad, so the kid then has a wider repertoire of kinds of speech to practice,’ says VanDam.’

So, the answer is: A (Mark VanDam)

Question 17: the connection between the amount of baby talk babies hear and how much vocalising they do themselves

Keywords for this question:amount of baby talk, babies hear, how much vocalising, themselves

In Paragraph D, lines 7-9 give us information about the amount of baby talk that babies hear. Here, the writer gives account of Narián Ramirez-Esparza, “…. . Those children who listened to a lot of baby talk were talking more than the babies that listened to more adult talk or standard speech,” says Nairán Ramírez-Esparza of the University of Connecticut.”

So, the answer is: B (Narián Ramirez-Esparza)

Question 18-23: (Summary completion with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

(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 no more than ONE, TWO or THREE words for each answer and candidates must maintain this condition. 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 is:  Research into how parents talk to babies

Question 18: Researchers at Washington State University used _________, together with specialised computer programs,

Keywords for this question:Washington State University, specialised computer programs

The answer is in lines 2-3 of paragraph C. Here the writer says, “… . ..Mark VanDam of Washington State University at Spokane and colleagues equipped parents with recording devices and speech-recognition software to study the way they interacted with their youngsters during a normal day.”

Here, speech recognition software = specialised computer programs

So, the answer is: recording devices

Question 19: The study reveals that _________ tended not to modify their ordinary speech patterns when interacting with their babies.

Keywords for this question:tended to modify, ordinary speech, interacting with babies

In Paragraph C, lines 6-8 say, “But we found that dads aren’t doing the same thing. Dads didn’t raise their pitch or fundamental frequency when they talked to kids.” Here, the lines mean that dads don’t have the tendency to modify their speech the way moms did.

So, the answer is: dads  

Question 20: According to an idea known as __________, they may use a more adult type of speech to prepare infants for the language they will hear outside the family home.    

Keywords for this question:idea known as, more adult type of speech, prepare infants

In Paragraph C, lines 8-10 say, “. . .. Their role may be rooted in what is called the bridge hypothesis, which dates back to 1975. It suggests that fathers use less familial language to provide their children with a bridge to the kind of speech they’ll hear in public.”  Here, bridge hypothesis indicates that fathers use adult type of language more which is less familiar to infants or children.

So, the answer is: bridge hypothesis

Question 21: . … .. . ‘normal’ language from the other expands the baby’s _________ of types of speech which they can practise.

Keywords for this question:‘normal’ language, other, expands, types of speech  

In Paragraph C lines 11-12, the author says, “The idea is that a kid gets to practice a certain kind of speech with mom and another kind of speech with dad, so the kid then has a wider repertoire of kinds of speech to practice,’ says VanDam.”

Here, wider = expands, kinds of speech = types of speech

So, the answer is: repertoire  

Question 22: ….. the University of Connecticut recorded speech and sound using special __________ that the babies were equipped with. 

Keywords for this question:University of Connecticut recorded speech and sound, special

The answer is in line 3 of Paragraph D. Here, the writer says, “ ….. the University of Connecticut collected thousands of 30-second conversations between parents and their babies, fitting 26 children with audio-recording vests that captured language and sound during a typical eight-hour day.” This clearly indicates that the babies were equipped with audio-recording vests.

So, the answer is: (audio-recording) vests

Question 23: … … .. at the age two, they found that those who had heard a lot of baby talk in infancy had a much larger ________ than those who had not.

Keywords for this question:at the age two, who heard, a lot of baby talk in infancy, much larger  

We find the reference of hearing a lot of baby talk in Paragraph D. Here, in lines 5-7, the writer mentions, “.. . .. And when researchers saw the same babies at age two, they found that frequent baby talk had dramatically boosted vocabulary, regardless of socioeconomic status.”

Here, boosted = larger

So, the answer is: vocabulary

Question 24-26 : (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. For this passage, first answer question 4- 13. After finishing with these questions, come to question 1-3. 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.]

Question 24: a reference to a change which occurs in babies’ brain activity before the end of their first year

Keywords for this answer: change, occurs, babies’ brain activity, before, end of first year

In paragraph F, lines 7-11 say, “Finding activation in motor areas of the brain when infants are simply listening is significant, because it means the baby brain is engaged in trying to talk back right from the start, and suggests that seven-month-olds’ brains are already trying to figure out how to make the right movements that will produce words,’
Here, activation = change; seven-month-olds’ brains = before the end of their first year

So, the answer is: F

Question 25: an example of what some parents do for their baby’s benefit before birth

Keywords for this answer: some parents do, before birth

Answer to this question can be found in Paragraph A. Here, in lines 2-4, the writer says, “Most babies start developing their hearing while still in the womb, prompting some hopeful parents to play classical music to their pregnant bellies.”
Here, still in the womb = before birth

So, the answer is: A

Question 26: a mention of babies’ preference for the sounds that other babies make

Keywords for this answer: babies’ preference, sounds that other babies make    

The answer to this question is found in Paragraph E, lines 5-7, where the writer says, “ …found that babies seem to like listening to each other rather than to adults – which may be why baby talk is such a universal tool among parents.”

Here, the writer means that a baby likes to listen to another baby rather than listening to adults.

*each other = baby to baby   

So, the answer is: E

Reading Passage 3:Whatever happened to the Harappan Civilisation?

Questions 27-31:  (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. For this passage, first answer question 4- 13. After finishing with these questions, come to question 1-3. 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.]

Question 27: proposed explanations for the decline of the Harappan Civilization

Keywords for this question: proposed explanations, decline

The answer is in lines 1-3 of paragraph C. The writer says here, “Some have claimed that major glacier-fed rivers changed their course, dramatically affecting the water supply and agriculture; or the city could not cope with an increasing population, they exhausted their resource base, the trading economy broke down or they succumbed to invasion and conflict….”  Here, some have claimed = proposed explanations

So, the answer is: C

Question 28: reference to a present-day application of some archeological research findings

Keywords for this question: present-day application, archeological research findings

In the last paragraph or Paragraph H, we find the reference to a present-day application of some archeological research findings. Our answer is in lines 2-4 of paragraph H. Here, the writer of the passage gives the quote of Petrie: “By investigating responses to environmental pressures and threats, we can learn from the past to engage with the public, and the relevant governmental and administrative bodies, to be more proactive in issues such as…”. These lines suggest that their investigating technique is a modern or present-day application.

So, the answer is: H

Question 29: a difference between the Harappan Civilization and another culture of the same period

Keywords for this question: difference, the Harappan Civilization, another culture of the same period

The answer is in the first paragraph or paragraph A. Here, in lines 2-3 we find the reference of the Harappan Civilization and in lines 5-7 we find reference of Egyptian Civilization. “…..But their lack of self-imagery – at a time when the Egyptians were carving and painting representations of themselves all over the temples – is only part of the mystery.”

So, the answer is: A

Question 30: a description of some features of Harappan urban design

Keywords for this question: description, features, urban design

The answer to this question lies in paragraph B, where we find the comments of Dr. Cameron Petrie of the University of Cambridge. “… . . As population increased, cities were built that had great baths, craft workshops, palaces and halls laid out in distinct sectors. Houses were arranged in blocks, with wide main streets and narrow alleyways, and many had their own wells and drainage systems.”

These lines indicate directly to the city-design of civilization.

So, the answer is: B

Question 31: reference to the discovery of errors made by previous archaeologists

Keywords for this question: discovery, errors, previous archeologists

In paragraph D, the author gives reference to the faults done by previous archeologists. Look at lines 7-8, “…. They realized that any attempt to use the existing data were likely to be fundamentally flawed.”

Here, flawed = with errors or mistakes

So, the answer is: D

Questions 32-37 : (Summary completion with NO MORE THAN ONE WORD)

(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 no more than ONE, TWO or THREE words for each answer and candidates must maintain this condition. 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.)

Question 32: By collection the _______ of snails and analyzing them,

Keywords for this question: collection, snails

The answer can be found in line 5 of Paragraph E where we find the words gathered and snails. Look at the line, “…the researchers gathered shells of Melanoides tuberculate snails from the sediments of an ancient lake…”

Here, gathered = collection

So, the answer is: shells

Question 33: they discovered evidence of a change in water levels in a _______ in the region.

Keywords for this question: discovered evidence, change, water levels,  

The answer is in lines 8-10 of Paragraph E. Here, the author writes, “But we have observed that there was an abrupt change about 4,100 years ago, when the amount of evaporation from the lake exceeded the rainfall – indicative of a drought.” Here, we can see that the evidence of water-level change was found in a lake.

So, the answer is: lake  

Question 34: This occurred when there was less _________ than evaporation, and suggests that there was an extended period of drought.

Keywords for this question: less, evaporation, drought  

The answer to this question is also found in lines 8-10 of Paragraph E. Here, the author mentions, “But we have observed that there was an abrupt change about 4,100 years ago, when the amount of evaporation from the lake exceeded the rainfall – indicative of a drought.” Here, it says that evaporation exceeded rainfall, which in an alternative way, means that rainfall was less than evaporation.

So, the answer is: rainfall

Question 35: Petrie and Singh’s team are using archeological records to look at _________ from five millennia ago,

Keywords for this question: Petrie and Singh’s, archeological records, five millennia ago  

Lines 1-4 of paragraph G contain the answer to this question. Here, the author talks about Petrie and Singh’s teamwork, “Petrie and Singh’s team is now examining archaeological records and trying to understand details of how people led their lives in the region five millennia ago. They are analysing grains cultivated at the time…’
Here, analyse means look at and at the time means five millennia ago

So, the answer is: grains

Question 36: They are also examining objects including _________, so as to find out about links between inhabitants of different parts of the region and whether these changed over time.

Keywords for this question: examining objects, links between inhabitants, different parts of the region

The answer is the lines 6-7 of paragraph G. “They are also looking at whether the types of pottery used, and other aspects of their material culture, were distinctive to specific regions or more similar across large areas… .” The lines mean that the archeologists are examining pottery.

So, the answer is: pottery

Questions 37-40 (Matching references with researchers)

(In this type of question, candidates need to relate references which are given by or links to researchers in the passage. This question is similar to matching names with statements. The rules for finding answers to this sort of question are simple. Just find the name of the person and read around it carefully. Then, give a quick look to check whether there is another statement or idea provided by the same person in the text. If there is, check the reference carefully and decide your answer. Remember, the questions may not follow any sequential order.)

Question 37: Finding further information about changes to environmental conditions in the region is vital.

Keywords for this question: changes to environmental conditions, vital

The answer is found in lines 5-8 of paragraph F. The author talks here of the quotes of Dr. Rabindanath Singh, “Considering the vast area of the Harappan Civilisation with its variable weather systems, it is essential that we obtain more climate data from areas close to the two great cities at Mohenjodaro and Harappa and also from the Indian Punjab.” Here, variable weather conditions = changes in environmental conditions, essential = vital

So, the answer is: B (Dr. Rabindanath Singh)

Question 38: Examining previous patterns of behaviour may have long-term benefits.

Keywords for this question: previous patterns of behaviour, long-term benefits  

Take a look at Paragraph H where Cameron Petrie’s quote is: “By investigating responses to environmental pressures and threats, we can learn from the past to engage with the public, and the relevant governmental and administrative bodies, to be more proactive in issues such as…”

Here, previous = the past, long term benefits = to be more protective

So, the answer is: A (Cameron Petrie)

Question 39: Rough calculations indicate the approximate length of a period of water shortage.

Keywords for this question: rough calculations, water shortage

Answer to this question can be found in paragraph E. Paragraph E, David Hodell comments, “… We estimate that the weakening of the Indian summer monsoon climate lasted about 200 years before recovering to the previous condition… . ..”

Here, estimate = rough calculations; lasted about 200 years = the approximate length of water shortage  

So, the answer is: D (David Hodell)

Question 40: Information about the decline of the Harappan Civilization has been lacking.

Keywords for this question: decline, lacking

The writer opens Paragraph B with the quote of Cameron Patrie, “.. .. There is plenty of archaeological evidence to tell us about the rise of the Harappan Civilization, but relatively little about its fall.”

Here, relatively little = lacking; fall = decline

So, the answer is: A (Cameron Petrie)