Reading Passage 1:Case Study: Tourism New Zealand website
Questions 1-7 (Completing table with ONE WORD ONLY):
In this type of question, candidates are asked to write only one word to complete 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: allowed businesses to ______ information regularly.
Keywords for these answers: database, allowed businesses, information, regularly,
In paragraph no. 2, we find the mention of the word ‘database’ in the third line. Here, lines 8 & 9, the writer mentions, “In addition, because participating businesses were able to update the details they gave on a regular basis….”.
Here, details = information
So, the answer is: update
Question 2: provided a country-wide evaluation of businesses, including their impact on the _________.
Keywords for this answer: database, country-wide evaluation, impact on
The last line of paragraph no. 2 has the answer. Here, the writer suggests, “As part of this, the effect of each business on the environment was considered.”
Here, effect = impact
So, the answer is: environment
Question 3: e.g. an interview with a former sports __________.
Keywords for this answer: special features, interview, a former sports
The answer can be found in paragraph 3, lines 1-3. The words ‘interview’ and ‘former’ are formed in line number 2. The writer says, “.. .. . One of the most popular was an interview with former New Zealand All Blacks rugby captain Tana Umaga.”
Here, rugby = sports
So, the answer is: captain
Question 4: and an interactive tour of various locations used in ________.
Keywords for this answer: interactive tour, various locations
The answer is in paragraph 3, lines 4-5. The lines say, “…… was an interactive journey through a number of locations chosen for blockbuster films …… ..”.
Here, journey = tour,
A number of locations = various locations,
Chosen for = used in,
So, the answer is: films
Question 5: varied depending on the __________.
Keywords for these answers: driving routes, varied, depending on
Paragraph 3, lines 8-9 has the answer to this question. The lines say, “…. . .the site catalogued the most popular driving routes in the country, highlighting different routes according to the season….. . .”.
Here, different = varied,
according to = depending on,
So, the answers are: season
Question 6: including a map showing selected places, details of public transport and local _______.
Keywords for this answer: travel planner, a map, public transport, local
The answer lies in paragraph no. 4, line 4. The paragraph begins with ‘travel planner’. In the subsequent lines, we can find the mention of ‘public transport’. In line no. 4 it says, “… . There were also links to accommodation in the area.”
Here, the phrase ‘in the area’ can be replaced with the word ‘local’.
So, the answer is: accommodation
Question 7: travellers could send a link to their ________.
Keywords for this answer: ‘Your Words’, travellers, send, link to,
The answer is in paragraph no. 4. ‘Your Words’ is the name of a section of the website www.newzealand.com. We can see that the phrase ‘Your Words’ is present in line 6 of paragraph 4. So, we need to read lines 6 & 7 to find the answer.
The author says, “ ….. . . The website also had a ‘Your Words’ section where anyone could submit a blog of their New Zealand travels for possible inclusion on the website.”
Here, anyone could submit = travellers could send a link to
So, the answer is: blog
Questions 8-13: (TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN)
In this type of question, candidates must find out whether:
The statement in the question matches with the account in the text- TRUE
The statement contradicts the account in the text- FALSE
There is no clear connection of the statement with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN
Question 8: The website www.newzealand.com aimed to provide ready-made itineraries and packages for travel companies and individual tourists.
Keywords for this answer: the website, aimed, itineraries, travel packages
To find the answer to this question, look for the word’s itineraries and travel packages. The answer is in Paragraph 6. Here, lines 1 and 2 say, “The website was set up to allow both individuals and travel organizations to create itineraries and travel packages to suit their own needs and interests.”
This means that the aim of the website was to allow individuals and travel organizations to do their work on their own, the website did not provide any ready-made itineraries and travel packages.
The statement clearly contradicts the text.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question 9: It was found that most visitors started searching on the website by geographical location.
Keywords for this answer: started searching, geographical location
The answer is not anywhere in the passage. The question is about starting the search in the website.
In paragraph 6 line 3, the author says, “…… visitors can search for activities not solely by geographical locations, but also by the particular nature of the activity.” However, nowhere it says anything about starting the search.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question 10: According to research, 26% of visitor satisfaction is related to their accommodation.
Keywords for this answer: 26%, visitor satisfaction, accommodation
** Special answer-finding technique:
There is a number in the question (26%).
If the answer is TRUE, 26% has to be in the text.
For FALSE, the number will be different; or, the number will be 26% (but it will be related to other matters).
If the number is still 26%, yet it doesn’t match with other keywords, the answer will be NOT GIVEN.
The answer is in lines 4, 5 & 6 of paragraph no. 6. Here, the writer says, “This is important as research shows that activities are the key driver of visitor satisfaction, contributing 74% to visitor satisfaction, while transport and accommodation account for the remaining 26%.”
Here, the lines clearly contradict the question. Transportation and accommodation account for 26%. Visitor satisfaction accounts for 74%. If only accommodation accounted for 26%, we could write TRUE.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question 11: Visitors to New Zealand like to become involved in the local culture.
Keywords for this answer: like to, involved, local nature
The answer lies in lines 7-9 of paragraph 6. The author says, “…. It has also been found that visitors enjoy cultural activities most when they are interactive, such as visiting a marae (meeting ground) to learn more about traditional life.”
It means that visitors like to engage in local culture.
So, the answer is: TRUE
Question 12: Visitors like staying in small hotels in New Zealand rather than in larger ones.
Keywords for this answer: like staying, small hotels
In paragraphs 6 & 7, there is no mention of staying in hotels. There is no comparison between small and large hotels also.
So the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question 13: Many visitors feel it is unlikely that they will return to New Zealand after their visit.
Keywords for this answer: feel, unlikely, will return, after their visit
The answer is in paragraph 7. Here, lines 4 and 5 states, “Because of the long-haul flight, most visitors stay for longer (average 20 days) and want to see as much of the country as possible on what is often seen as a once-in-a-lifetime visit.”
Here, the phrase ‘often seen as a once-in-a-lifetime visit’ means that there is a very low possibility that the visit will happen again.
So the answer is: TRUE
Reading Passage 2:Why being bored is stimulating – and useful, too
Questions 14-19: (List of headings)
Follow the same rules of finding answers for the List of Headings and check the first and last few lines of each paragraph. Most of the time, the answer is there for you containing some synonymous words, which match with the lists of headings. If you cannot find the answers in the first and last few lines, you may need to check the middle of the paragraphs. (This we did in other tests too.)
Question 14: Paragraph A
For this question, check line 3 of Paragraph A. The line says, “But defining boredom so that it can be studied in the lab has proved difficult.”
Let’s analyse the sentence here. The phrase ‘has proved difficult’ in the sentence means that there is a problem with the science to define boredom.
So, the answer is: iv (Problems with a scientific approach to boredom)
Question 15: Paragraph B
The answer is in lines 1-3 of the paragraph. Here, the writer says, “By asking people about their experiences of boredom, Thomas Goetz and his team at the University of Konstanz in Germany have recently identified five distinct types: indifferent, calibrating, searching, reactant and apathetic. These can be plotted … … .”
So, we can gather from these lines that there is an explanation of how a team of scientists has classified the feelings of boredom.
So, the answer is: vi (Creating a system of classification for feelings of boredom)
Question 16: Paragraph C
In lines 2 and 3 of Paragraph C, we can find a sentence about the finding of psychologist Sandi Mann of the University of Central Lancashire. “Mann has found that being bored makes us more creative.” This means that boredom can result in something good (productive outcomes).
So, the answer is: i (The productive outcomes that may result from boredom)
Question 17: Paragraph D
We can get the answer having a quick look in lines 6-7 of paragraph D. The lines say, “… . .. But even if boredom has evolved to help us survive, it can still be toxic if allowed to fester.” The word ‘toxic’ here means poisonous or extremely bad or dangerous.
So, the answer is: v (A potential danger arising from boredom)
Question 18: Paragraph E
We can get an idea of what paragraph E talks about by reading the first 2-3 lines. Here the writer says, “Eastwood’s team is now trying to explore why the ‘attention system’ fails. It’s early days but they think that at least some of it comes down to personality. Boredom proneness has been linked with a variety of traits.” From these lines, we can gather that the researchers or scientists are working on the identification of people who are most prone to or most affected by boredom.
So, the answer is: viii (Identifying those most affected by boredom)
Question 19: Paragraph F
The first and second lines of paragraph F talk about a new theory about boredom – “…. that our over-connected lifestyles might even be a new source of boredom.” Then, in lines 4-5, the writer provides a possible treatment for this new source of boredom – “…. So instead of seeking yet more mental stimulation, perhaps we should leave our phones alone, and use boredom to motivate us to engage with the world in a more meaningful way . .. …”.
So, the answer is: iii (A new explanation and a new cure for boredom)
Question 20-23: (Matching names of people with their ideas or 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 20: Peter Toohey
In paragraph A, we find an idea shared by Peter Toohey. Look at the last lines – “If disgust protects humans from infection, boredom may protect them, from ‘infectious’ social situations .. . ..” It means boredom may help us to avoid an unpleasant situation. Here, infectious means displeasing/unpleasant.
So, the answer is: E (Boredom may encourage us to avoid an unpleasant experience)
Question 21: Thomas Goetz
There are two references for Thomas Goetz in this passage – in paragraphs B & E. So, we need to look at paragraph B first. In the first few lines, we can see that Goetz and his team have identified five types of boredom and when you read further, in lines 7-8, the writer states, “Of the five types, the most damaging is ‘reactant’ boredom with its explosive combination of high arousal and negative emotion.”
So, the answer is: B (One sort of boredom is worse than all the others)
Question 22: John Eastwood
Again, there are two references to John Eastwood in paragraphs D & E. So, we need to look at paragraph D first. If we don’t find the answer there, we can have a look at paragraph E. In paragraph D, lines 7-9 say, “For Eastwood, the central feature of boredom is a failure to put our ‘attention system’ into gear. This causes an inability to focus on anything which makes time seem to go painfully slowly.” The lines indicate that if anyone tries and cannot focus on anything (attention system failure), this may give a bad feeling that the time has slowed down which may make anyone more and more irritated.
So, the answer is: D (Trying to cope with boredom can increase its negative effects)
Question 23: Francoise Wemelsfelder
There is only one reference to Wemelsfelder and that’s in Paragraph F, the very last one. Take a careful look lines 1-2, “Psychologist Francoise Wemelsfelder speculates that our over-connected lifestyles might even be a new source of boredom.” This clearly indicates that our present lifestyle may inspire boredom.
So, the answer is: A (The way we live today may encourage boredom)
Questions 24-26: (Completing summary with ONE WORD ONLY):
Question 24: For John Eastwood, the central feature of boredom is that people cannot ________, due to failure in what he calls the ‘attention system’,.. .. . . .
Keywords for this answer: central feature, people cannot
The question starts with the name of John Eastwood. So, we simply need to go to paragraph D and start looking for answers there. In line 7, we can see the phrase ‘central feature’. So, we can read this line – “For Eastwood, the central feature of boredom is a failure to put our ‘attention system’ into gear. This causes an inability to focus on anything.” Here, inability = cannot
So, the answer is: focus
Question 25: His team suggests that those for whom ______ is an important aim in life may have problems in coping with boredom, …. . . ..
Keywords for this answer: suggests, important aim in life, may have problems
In paragraph E, lines 3-4 say, “People who are motivated by pleasure seem to suffer particularly badly.”
This means people who depend on pleasure, may have problems coping with pleasure.
So, the answer is: pleasure
Question 26: …. whereas those who have the characteristic of ______ can generally cope with it.
Keywords for this answer: characteristic, generally cope with it
This answer needs some understanding. In lines 4 and 5, we see – “Other personality traits (characteristics), such as curiosity, are associated with a high boredom threshold.” Here, the word ‘threshold’ means the point where something changes or turns into something else. So, high boredom threshold means where boredom changes completely/ tendency to not get bored quickly. Thus, it further means people with curiosity can cope with boredom.
So, the answer is: curiosity
Reading Passage 3:Artificial Artists
Questions 27-31: (Multiple Choice Questions)
‘Multiple choice questions’ is a common type of question set in the IELTS Reading test. It is also found in the Listening test. Most of the time, they come with four options but sometimes there are three options. Candidates need to work hard for this type of questions because this may confuse them easily in passage 2 or passage 3. There will be long answers for each question, so they may kill valuable time. So, quick reading or skimming technique might come handy here. Remember that answers in 3 options out of 4 will be very close. So, vocabulary power will help a lot to choose the best answer.
TIP: 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 27: What is the writer suggesting about computer-produced works in the first paragraph?
Keywords for this answer: computer-produced works, first paragraph
In the first paragraph, the answer to this question can be guessed from line 1.
In line 1 the writer of the passage says, “The Painting Fool is one of a growing number of computer programs which, so their makers claim, possess creative talents.” Here, the phrase one of a growing number is a clear indication that the number of computer programs is on the rise. So, great progress has been made here.
So, the answer is: B (A great deal of progress has already been attained in this field.)
Question 28: According to Geraint Wiggins, why are many people worried by computer art?
Keywords for this answer: Geraint Wiggins, worried by computer art
The answer to this question can be found in line 5 of paragraph 2. Here the writer says, “…. It scares a lot of people. They are worried that it is taking something special away from what it means to be human.”
Many of you (IELTS candidates) may think that the answer would be D (It will lead to a deterioration in human ability). But the answer cannot be it because the answer is in future form (..will lead..), while the lines in the text are in present form. Answer A and B are ruled out because there is no comparison on any aesthetic power between computer or human art and the line does not say anywhere that computer art may overtake or supersede human art.
But answer C (It undermines a fundamental human ability) has a close relationship with the line. The line indicates to the fact that people are worried that machines like computer may have the powers which are found generally in humans. Thus, computer art can undermine or make human quality weaker.
So, the answer is: C (It undermines a fundamental human ability)
Question 29: What is a key difference between Aaron and the Painting Fool?
Keywords for this answer: key difference, Aaron, Painting Fool
The answer is in lines 2-5 of paragraph 4. Here, the author mentions some amazing and interesting features of the computer program named the Painting Fool – such as “only need minimal direction”, “can come up with its own concepts”, “runs its own web searches”, “trawls through social media sites”, “beginning to display a kind of imagination”, “creating pictures from scratch”. All these features or characteristics indicate that The Painting Fool is different from Aaron in its source of subject for painting.
So, the answer is: C (the source of its subject matter)
Question 30: What point does Simon Colton make in the fourth paragraph?
Keywords for this answer: fourth paragraph, Simon Colton
For this question, answer A is ruled out because there is no reference to anything childish and simplistic. There are also no points on whether people should apply the same concepts of creativity to all forms of art. So, answer B is also wrong. Take a close look at lines 7-8, where the author says, “….. Colton agrees that such reactions arise from people’s double standards towards software-produced and human-produced art.” Here, the phrase ‘double-standard’ matches with the phrase in answer D ‘different criteria’.
So, the answer is: D (People tend to judge computer art and human art according to different criteria)
Question 31: The writer refers to the paintings of a chair as an example of computer art which –
Keywords for this answer: paintings of a chair
In lines 12-14 of paragraph no. 4, we find the reference of the painting of a chair. “Some of the Painting Fool’s paintings of a chair came out in black and white, thanks to a technical glitch. This gives the work an eerie, ghostlike quality.” It means that though there was a glitch or problem in the program, it created an excellent black and white feature in the painting which was very attractive/striking/spooky (eerie, ghostlike quality).
So, the answer is: A (achieves a particularly striking effect)
Questions 32-37 (Completing sentence with given list of Ideas)
Here, candidates have to complete sentences with a list of ideas. It is just like completing sentences. Candidates need to check the keywords from the question parts and try to match those keywords with the information given in the passage.
Question 32: Simon Colton says it is important to consider long-term view when –
Keywords for this answer: Simon Colton, important, long-term view
The answer is in the first two lines of paragraph 5. Here, the writer says, “Researchers like Colton don’t believe it is right to measure machine creativity directly to that of humans who ‘have had millennia to develop our skills.’ These lines clearly indicate that we should not be so direct or so quick to compare machine creativity with human creativity because humans have had developed their skills in several millennia (thousand years) to become as creative as they are now, but machines have evolved only recently and more time is necessary to understand what machines can create.
So, the answer is: D (comparing the artistic achievements of humans and computers)
Question 33: David Cope’s EMI software surprised people by –
Keywords for this answer: David Cope’s EMI, surprised people
We find the mention of David Cope’s EMI software in lines 4-5 of paragraph 5. Then, in lines 7-8, we can find the answer. Here, the writer states, “Audiences were moved to experts into thinking they were hearing genuine Bach.” It means the audience was so moved by their experience of listening to machine-created music that they failed to distinguish (to find the difference) between machine-created music and human-created music.”
So, the answer is: A (generating work that was virtually indistinguishable from that of humans)
Question 34: Geraint Wiggins criticized Cope for not –
Keywords for this answer: Geraint Wiggins, criticized, Cope
We can see a criticism made by Geraint Wiggins about Cope’s EMI software in paragraph 5, lines 9-11. The author states, “Some, such as Wiggins, have blasted Cope’s work as pseudoscience, and condemned him for his deliberately vague explanation of how the software worked.” It means Wiggins does not like Cope’s work because it is pseudoscience (a kind of scientific work which is not what it claims to be) and Cope’s explanations about the work are vague (unclear/elusive).
So, the answer is: E (revealing the technical details of his program)
Question 35: Douglas Hofstadter claimed that EMI was –
Keywords for this answer: Douglas Hofstadter, claimed, EMI
The answer is in lines 11-12 of paragraph 5. The lines say, “…. Meanwhile, Douglas Hofstadter of Indiana University said EMI created replicas which still rely completely on the original artist’s creative impulses.”
So, the answer is: C (producing work entirely dependent on the imagination of its creator)
Question 36: Audiences who had listened to EMI’s music became angry after –
Keywords for this answer: Audiences, listened, EMI’s music, angry
The answer lies in lines 13-14 of paragraph 5. Here, the author states, “When audiences found out the truth, they were often outraged with Cope, and one music lover even tried to punch him.” This means when audiences found out that they actually listened to music that a machine created, they were outraged or became angry at the creator of the program.
So, the answer is: G (discovering that it was the product of a computer program)
Question 37: The participants in David Moffat’s study had to assess music without –
Keywords for this answer: participants, David Moffat’s study, assess music without
To find the answer to this question, we must find David Moffat first. In paragraph no. 6, we find the name in line no. 2. The next lines give us clues to the answer. Here, in lines 3-4, the writer says, “He asked both expert musicians and non-experts to assess six compositions. The participants weren’t told beforehand whether the tunes were composed by humans or computers”. This means the listeners were not given information about the original composer until they listened to the music.
So, the answer is: B (knowing whether it was the work of humans or software)
Questions 38-40: (YES, NO, 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- YES
The statement in the question contradicts the account in the text- NO
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 38: Moffat’s research may help explain people’s reactions to EMI.
Keywords for this answer: Moffat’s research, help, explain, reactions, EMI
We had to read the first half of paragraph 6 for question no. 37 before. Here, we learned that Moffat’s study was giving listeners six music compositions without telling them who the composers were. Now, the last half of the paragraph tells us how people might react to this. “People who thought the composer was a computer tended to dislike the piece more than those who believed it was human. This was true even among the experts, .. . .”
So, the result of the experiment helps to understand people’s reactions.
So, the answer is: YES
Question 39: The non-experts in Moffat’s study all responded in a predictable way.
Keywords for this answer: non-experts, Moffat’s study, all responded, predictable way
There is no reference as to whether there was any predictable way to respond by non-experts in Moffat’s study.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question 40: Justin Kruger’s findings cast doubt on Paul Bloom’s theory about people’s prejudice towards computer art.
Keywords for this answer: Justin Kruger’s findings, cast doubt, Paul Bloom’s theory
The last paragraph’s lines 1-5 give us the answer. Though we find here two views of Justin Kruger and Paul Bloom, these two views actually approve or support each other.
Paul Bloom’s theory says, “…. . . .. part of the pleasure we get from art stems….. .” This matches with Justin Kruger’s experiments, “… . . have shown that people’s enjoyment of an artwork increases.”
There is another clue: In Paul Bloom’s suggestion, there is a mention of ‘the creative process’.
This also matches with Justin Kruger’s findings where we can see the mention of “more time and effort was needed to create it”.
Thus, the two findings do not cast any doubt. Rather, one supports the other.
So, the answer is: NO
