IELTS Cambridge 15 Test 2: ACADEMIC Reading Module

Reading Passage 1: Could urban engineers learn from dance?

Questions 1-6: 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: reference to an appealing way of using dance that the writer is not proposing

Keywords for the question: appealing way, using dance, writer not proposing,

The answer can be found in the first line of paragraph B, “Dance might hold some of the answers. That is not to suggest everyone should dance their way to work, however healthy and happy it might make us, … . .”

Here, That is not to suggest = the writer is not proposing, healthy and happy it might make us = an appealing way,  

So, the answer is: B

Question no. 2: an example of a contrast between past and present approaches to building

Keywords for the question: example, contrast, past and present approaches, building,

Lines 1-4 of paragraph C say, “Whereas medieval builders improvised and adapted construction through their intimate knowledge of materials and personal experience of the conditions on a site, building designs are now convinced and stored in media technologies that detach the designer from the physical and social realities they are creating. … . ..”

Here, medieval = past builders, building designs are now = building designs of present time,

The word ‘Whereas’ at the beginning of the sentence indicates that the writer is showing a comparison here.

So, the answer is: C

Question no. 3: mention of an objective of both dance and engineering

Keywords for the question: an objective, both, dance, engineering,  

In lines 2-6 of paragraph F, the writer mentions, “ .. . . In order to bring about fundamental changes to the ways we use our cities, engineering will need to develop a richer understanding of why people move in certain ways, and how this movement affects them. Choreography may not seem an obvious choice for tackling this problem. Yet it shares with engineering the aim of designing patterns of movement within limitations of space. .. ..” 

Here, it shares with engineering = an objective of both dance and engineering,

So, the answer is: F

Question no. 4: reference to an unforeseen problem arising from ignoring the climate

Keywords for the question: an unforeseen problem, arising from, ignoring the climate,

Read the middle part of paragraph D. In lines 5-7, the writer states, “ . .. . They failed to take into account that purpose-build street cafés could not operate in the hot sun without the protective awnings common in older buildings,  .. . .”  

Here, They failed to take into account = ignoring, purpose-build street cafés could not operate = unforeseen problem, the hot sun = the climate,

So, the answer is: D

Question no. 5: why some measures intended to help people are being reversed

Keywords for the question: why, measures, intended to help people, reversed,

In paragraph E, lines 1-4 say, “The same is true in transport engineering, which uses models to predict and shape the way people move through the city. Again, these models are necessary, but they are built on specific world views in which certain forms of efficiency and safety are considered and other experiences of the city ignored. Designs that seem logical in models appear counter-intuitive in the actual experience of their users. … ..”

Here, appear counter-intuitive = appear to reverse,  

These lines clearly suggest that some measures which may seem logical in models may become illogical when appear in the actual experience.

So, the answer is: E

Question no. 6: reference to how transport has an impact on human lives

Keywords for the question: how, transport has, impact,  human lives,

Lines 5-7 in paragraph A talks about the impact of transport in human lives. The writer says here, “. .. . The ways we travel affect our physical and mental health, our social lives, our access to work and culture, and the air we breathe. .. ..” 

Here, The ways we travel = transports, affect = has an impact,

So, the answer is: A

Questions 7-13: Summary completion

[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.]

Title of the summary: Guard rails

The summary of the title indicates that we have to look for the answers in paragraph E.

Question no. 7 & 8: Guard rails were introduced on British roads to improve the 7. _______ of pedestrians, while ensuring that the movement of 8. ______ is not disrupted.

Keywords for the question: guard rails, introduced, British roads, improve, pedestrians, ensuring, movement of, not disrupted, 

In lines 5-7 of paragraph E, the author of the passage says, “ . . . The guard rails that will be familiar to anyone who has attempted to cross a British road, for example, we an engineering solution to pedestrian safety based on models that prioritise the smooth flow of traffic. . .. .”

Here, solution = improve, smooth flow = movement . .. . not disrupted,

So, the answers are:

• safety
• traffic

Question no. 9: Pedestrians are led to access points, and encouraged to cross one ______ at a time.

Keywords for the question: pedestrians, led to access points, encouraged, cross, one, at a time,  

In paragraph E, the author states in lines 8-10, “ . . . On wide major roads, they often guide pedestrians to specific crossing points and slow down their progress across the road by using staggered access points to divide the crossing into two – one for each carriageway.  . . .”

Here, they often guide pedestrians . ..  . using staggered access points = pedestrians are led to access points, one for each carriageway = one carriageway at a time, 

So, the answer is: carriageway  

Question no. 10: An unintended effect is to create psychological difficulties in crossing the road, particularly for less _______ people.

Keywords for the question: unintended effect, create, psychological difficulties, crossing the road, particularly, less, people,  

If we look at paragraph E, we can see that the writer says in lines 10-11, “. .. .. . In doing so they make crossings feel longer, introducing psychological barriers greatly impacting those that are the least mobile, . … . .”

Here, they make crossings feel longer = An unintended effect, introducing = create, psychological barriers = psychological difficulties, the least = less,

So, the answer is: mobile  

Question no. 11: Another result is that some people cross the road, in a ______ way.

Keywords for the question: another result, some people, cross the road, way,

Lines 11-12 of paragraph E say, “ . . . and encouraging others to make dangerous crossings to get around the guard rails. . .. .”

Here, and = Another result, others = some people, crossings = cross the road,

So, the answer is: dangerous

Question no. 12: The guard rails separate _______, . .. . .   

Keywords for the question: guard rails, separate,  

In paragraph E, the writer says in lines 12-13, “ . .. These barriers don’t just make it harder to cross the road: they divide communities .. .. .”

Here, These barriers = The guard rails, divide = separate,  

So, the answer is: communities 

Question no. 13:  . . . .and make it more difficult to introduce forms of transport that are _______.

Keywords for the question: make, more difficult, introduce, forms of transport,  

Lines 13-14 in paragraph E say, “. … and decrease opportunities for healthy transport, . .. .. .”

Here, make it more difficult = decrease, opportunities = introduce,

So, the answer is: healthy

Reading Passage 2:Should we try to bring extinct species back to life?

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 reference to how further disappearance of multiple species could be avoided  

Keywords for the question: how, further disappearance, multiple species, could be avoided,    

Look at the question again. It sounds like a solution to the problem of disappearing of multiple species. We should look at the last paragraph for the solution. Let’s read there.

In paragraph F, in lines 5-8, the author explains the thoughts of Beth Shapiro, “ .. . . explains Shapiro. She prefers to focus the debate on how this emerging technology could be used to fully understand why various species went extinct in the first place, and therefore how we could use it to make genetic modifications which could prevent mass extinctions in the future. … .”

Here, make genetic modifications which could prevent mass extinctions in the future = how further disappearance of multiple species could be avoided,

So, the answer is: F

Question no. 15: explanation of a way of reproducing an extinct animal using the DNA of only that species  

Keywords for the question: way of reproducing, an extinct animal, using, DNA, only that species,    

In paragraph A, the author talks about the passenger pigeon which have become extinct recently.

Then, the author states in lines 5-10, “ . .. . Geneticist Ben Novak is lead researcher on an ambitious project which now aims to bring the bird back to life through a process known as ‘de-extinction’. The basic premise involves using cloning technology to turn the DNA of extinct animals into a fertilised embryo, which is carried by the nearest relative still in existence – in this case, the abundant band-tailed pigeon – before being born as a living, breathing animal. .. .. .”

Here, we find a clear explanation of how Ben Novak is leading research to bring back the passenger pigeon to life again using cloning technology on a relative species, the band-tailed pigeon.

So, the answer is: A

Question no. 16: reference to a habitat which has suffered following the extinction of a species

Keywords for the question: habitat, suffered, following, extinction of a species,    

The answer to this question can be found in lines 6-11 in paragraph D, “ . .. Since the disappearance of this key species, ecosystem in the eastern US have suffered, as the lack of disturbance caused by thousands of passenger pigeons wrecking trees and branches means there has been minimal need for regrowth. This has left forests stagnant and therefore unwelcoming to the plants and animals which evolved to help regenerate the forest after a disturbance. . .. .”

Here, this key species = passenger pigeons, stagnant = inactive,

So, the answer is: D

Question no. 17: mention of the exact point at which a particular species became extinct

Keywords for the question: the exact point, a particular species, became extinct,  

Lines 3-5 of paragraph A say, “ . .. . Sadly, the passenger pigeon’s existence came to an end on 1 September 1914, when the last living specimen died at Cincinnati Zoo. . ..”

Here, 1 September 1914= the exact point, the last living specimen died = a particular species became extinct,

So, the answer is: A

Questions 18-22: Summary completion

[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 from the questions. Then, they should follow the steps of finding answers for fill in the gaps.]

Title of the summary: The woolly mammoth revival project

The title of the summary tells us that the answers to this question type can be found in Paragraph E.

Question no. 18: Professor George Church and his team are trying to identify the __________ which enabled mammoths to live in the tundra. The findings could help preserve the mammoth’s close relative, the endangered Asian elephant.

Keywords for the question: Professor George Church and his team, trying to identify, enabled mammoths, live in the tundra,

In paragraph E, take a look at lines 2-7, where the writer says, “ . . . George Church, professor at Harvard Medical School and leader of the Woolly Mammoth Revival Project, has been focusing on cold resistance, the main way in which the extinct woolly mammoth and its nearest living relative, the Asian elephant, differ. By pinpointing which genetic traits made it possible for mammoths to survive the icy climate of the tundra, the project’s goal is to return mammoths, or a mammoth-like species to the area. .. . .” 

Here, pinpointing = identifying,

So, these lines indicate that by identifying the genetic traits of the mammoths which lived in the tundra, it might be possible to bring them or, a mammoth-like species back to the area. 

So, the answer is: genetic traits

Question no. 19: According to Church, introducing Asian elephants to the tundra would involve certain physical adaptations to minimise _________ .

Keywords for the question: According to Church, introducing Asian elephants, the tundra, would involve, certain physical adaptations, minimise,

Questions no. 20 & 21: To survive in the tundra, the species would need to have the mammoth-like features of thicker hair, 20.  ________ of a reduced size and more 21. ________.

Keywords for the question: to survive, tundra, the species, would need, mammoth-like features, thicker hair, of reduced size, more,   

In paragraph E, lines 9-11 provide us the answers to these three questions. Let’s read the lines, “ . . . Necessary adaptations would include smaller ears, thicker hair, and extra insulating fat, all for the purpose of reducing heat loss in the tundra, and all the traits found in the now-extinct woolly mammoth. . ..”.

Here, Necessary adaptations = To survive in the tundra, the species would need to have the mammoth-like features,

reducing = minimise,

So, the answer to question 19 is: heat loss

Again, smaller = of a reduced size,

So, the answer to question 20 is: ears  

And, extra = more,

So, the answer to question 21 is: (insulating) fat

Question no. 22: Repopulating the tundra with mammoths or Asian elephant/mammoth hybrids would also have an impact on the environment, which could help to reduce temperatures and decrease _________.    

Keywords for the question: Repopulating the tundra, mammoths or Asian elephant/mammoth hybrids, impact, environment, could help, reduce temperatures, decrease,

The last few lines of paragraph E give us the answer to this question. The writer says here, “ . . .  . This repopulation of the tundra and boreal forests of Eurasia and North America with large mammals could also be a useful factor in reducing carbon emissions – elephants punch holes through snow and knock down trees, which encourages grass growth. This grass growth would reduce temperatures, and mitigate emissions from melting permafrost.”

Here, This repopulation of the tundra = Repopulating the tundra, reducing/mitigate = decrease,

So, the answer is: (carbon) emissions    

Questions 23-26: Matching statements with list of people:

[In this type of question, candidates need to relate statements that are given by or link to people in the passage. 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 no. 23: Reintroducing an extinct species to its original habitat could improve the health of a particular species living there.

Keywords for the question: Reintroducing an extinct species, its original habitat, could improve, health, particular species, living there,

The answer can be found in lines 4-11 of paragraph B. Here, we find comments made by Michael Archer, “ .. . . . explains Michael Archer, of the University of New South Wales. He points out that in the decades since the thylacine went extinct, there has been a spread in a ‘dangerously debilitating’ facial tumour syndrome which threatens the existence of the Tasmanian devils, the island’s other notorious resident. Thylacines would have prevented this spread because they would have killed significant numbers of Tasmanian devils. . . .. . The return of thylacines to Tasmania could help to ensure that devils are never again subjected to risks of this kind.”

Here, thylacine = Tasmanian Tiger (explained in the first line of paragraph B), The return of thylacines = reintroducing an extinct species, Tasmania = its original habitat, Thylacines would have prevented this spread = improve the health of Tasmanian devils (a particular species),

So, the answer is: B (Michael Archer)   

Question no. 24: It is important to concentrate on the causes of an animal’s extinction.  

Keywords for the question: important to concentrate, causes, an animal’s extinction,  

The answer can be found in paragraph F. In this paragraph, the writer says in lines 5-8, “. . .. explains Shapiro. She prefers to focus the debate on how this emerging technology could be used to fully understand why various species went extinct in the first place.  .. .. .”

Here, focus the debate on = concentrate on, why various species went extinct = the causes of an animal’s extinction,

So, the answer is: C (Beth Shapiro)

Question no. 25: A species brought back from extinction could have an important beneficial impact on the vegetation of its habitat.

Keywords for the question: a species, brought back from extinction, important beneficial impact, vegetation, its habitat,

Take a look at the last half of paragraph D. The author of the passage says here, “ . . .. Since the disappearance of this key species, ecosystems in the eastern US have suffered, as the lack of disturbance caused by thousands of passenger pigeons wrecking trees and branches means there has been minimal need for regrowth. This had left forests stagnant and therefore unwelcoming to the plants and animals which evolved to help regenerate the forest after a disturbance.  According to Novak, a hybridized band-tailed pigeon, with the added nesting habits of a passenger pigeon, could, in theory, re-establish that forest disturbance, . . .. . .”  

Here, hybridized band-tailed pigeon = A species brought back from extinction, plants = vegetation,

Here, in these lines, Ben Novak suggests that due to the disturbance created in the forests by the extinct species, plants usually used to grow better. Now, as many species have gone extinct, there is no need for regrowth of trees and branches, and so, the forests have become stagnant or inactive. If there is a chance of bringing back the passenger pigeon (through its hybrid version of band-tailed pigeon), that lost forest disturbance could return, which means that it will have an impact on the plants (vegetations) and animals.  

So, the answer is: A (Ben Novak)

Question no. 26: Our current efforts at preserving biodiversity are insufficient.

Keywords for the question: current efforts, preserving biodiversity, insufficient,

First, take a look at the phrase ‘bringing extinct animals back’ in the first line of paragraph F, which is synonymous to ‘preserving biodiversity’.

The very last lines of the final paragraph (paragraph F) give us the answer to this question. The author gives reference to the comments made by Beth Shapiro, “ . . . . ‘We know that what we are doing today is not enough, and we have to be willing to take some calculated and measured risks.’ ”  

Here, we are doing today = our current efforts, not enough = insufficient,

So, the answer is: C (Beth Shapiro)

Reading Passage 3: Having a laugh    

Questions 27-31: Multiple choice questions

[This type of question asks you to choose a suitable answer from the options using the knowledge you gained from the passage. Generally, this question is found as the last question so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers to previous questions gives you a good idea about the title.]

Question no. 27: When referring to laughter in the first paragraph, the writer emphasises –

Keywords for the question: laughter, first paragraph, emphasises, 

In the first paragraph, take a close look at lines 3-5, “ . .. .. Like other human emotions and expressions, laughter and humour provide psychological scientists with rich resources for studying human psychology, ranging from the development of language to the neuroscience of social perception.”

Here, laughter and humour provide psychological scientists with rich resources = the value of laughter in scientific research,

So, the answer is: C (its value to scientific research.)

Question no. 28: What does the writer suggest about Charley Douglass?  

Keywords for the question: suggest about, Charley Douglass,

Paragraph no. 2 highlights what sound engineer Charley Douglass found while recording laughter. Take a look at lines 2-5, “ . .. . Back in 1950, US sound engineer Charley Douglass hated dealing with the unpredictable laughter of live audiences, so started recording his own ‘laugh tracks’. These were intended to help people at home feel like they were in a social situation, such as a crowded theatre. . .. .”

Here, These were intended to help = the sound engineer understood the importance, people at home feel like they were in a social situation = enjoying humour in a group setting,

So, the answer is: A (He understood the importance of enjoying humour in a group setting.)

Question no. 29: What makes the Santa Cruz study particularly significant?  

Keywords for the question: the Santa Cruz study, particularly significant,    

The answer can be found in the very last lines of paragraph no. 3 where the author presents the results or findings of the Santa Cruz Study. The author says in lines 3-7, “. .. . then played these recordings to listeners from 24 diverse societies,  . .. . .. . On average, the results were remarkably consistent: worldwide, people’s guesses were correct approximately 60% of the time.” 

Here, 24 diverse societies = wide range of cultures, results were remarkably consistent = similar results,

So, the answer is: B (the similar results produced by a wide range of cultures.)

Question no. 30: Which of the following happened in the San Diego study?   

Keywords for the question: happened, San Diego study,     

The answer is in paragraph no. 4. Read lines 8-9 where the writer explains what the participants did, “ . .. . Laughter was recorded as each student took a turn at being by the others, involving the use of mildly insulting nicknames. . . .”  

Here, each student took a turn at being by the others = participants exchanged roles,

So, the answer is: B (Participants exchanged roles.)

Question no. 31: In the fifth paragraph, what did the results of the San Diego study suggest?  

Keywords for the question: fifth paragraph, results, the San Diego study, suggest,

The writer explains the results of the San Diego study in paragraph no. 5, in lines 5-9, “ .. . . Thus, by strategically displaying more dominant laughter when the context allows, low-status individuals may achieve higher status in the eyes of others.’ However, high-status individuals were rated as high-status whether they produced their natural dominant laugh or tried to do a submissive one.”  

Here, high-status individuals were rated as high-status whether they produced their natural dominant laugh or tried to do a submissive one = High-status individuals can always be identified by their way of laughing,  

So, the answer is: D (High-status individuals can always be identified by their way of laughing.)

Questions 32-36: 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 benefits of humour

Question no. 32: In one study at Australian National University, randomly chosen group of participants were shown one of three videos, each designed to generate a different kind of __________.

Keywords for the question: study at Australian National University, randomly chosen, group of participants, shown, one of three videos, each designed, generate, different kind of,

Let’s read the sixth paragraph to find this answer as this particular paragraph talks to the study at Australian National University. Here, in this paragraph, lines 6-8 say, “ . .. The students then were randomly assigned to watch a video clip eliciting either humour, contentment, or neutral feelings. Some watched a clip of the BBC comedy Mr. Bean, others a relaxing scene with dolphins swimming in the ocean, and others a factual video about the management profession.”  

Here, Some watched a clip of the BBC comedy Mr. Bean, others a relaxing scene with dolphins swimming in the ocean, and others a factual video about the management profession = participants were shown one of three videos, either humour, contentment, or neutral feelings = emotion,

So, the answer is: F (emotion)

Question no. 33: When aasll participants were then given a deliberately frustrating task to do, it was found that those who had watched the _________ video persisted with the task for longer and tried harder to accomplish the task than either of the other two groups.

Keywords for the question: all participants, deliberately frustrating task, found, those, watched, persisted with the task, longer, tried harder, accomplish, either of, the other two groups,

The answer can be traced in paragraph no. 7, “The students then completed a task requiring persistence in which they were asked to guess the potential performance of employees based on provided profiles, and were told that making 10 correct assessments in a row would lead to a win. However, the software was programmed such that it was nearly impossible to achieve 10 consecutive correct answers. Participants were allowed to quit the task at any point. Students who had watched the Mr. Bean video ended up spending significantly more time working on the task, making twice as many predictions as the other two groups.”

Here, a task requiring persistence = a deliberately frustrating task (as the task requires perseverance), Mr. Bean video = amusing video, ended up spending significantly more time working = persisted with the task for longer, making twice as many predictions as the other two groups = tried harder to accomplish the task than either of the other two groups,

So, the answer is: H (amusing)

Question no. 34: A second study in which participants were asked to perform a particularly ________ task produced similar results.

Keywords for the question: second study, participants, asked to perform, particularly, task, produced, similar results,  

In paragraph no. 8, the author mentions the second study. The author says here, “Cheng and Wang then replicated these results in a second study, during which they had participants complete long multiplication questions by hand. Again, participants who watched the humorous video spent significantly more time working on this tedious task and completed more questions correctly than did the students in either of the other groups.” 

Here, participants complete long multiplication questions by hand = participants were asked to perform a particularly boring task, tedious task boring task, participants who watched the humorous video . .. . .. completed more questions correctly = produced similar results,

So, the answer is: C (boring)

Questions no. 35 & 36: According to researchers David Cheng and Lu Wang, these findings suggest that humour not only reduces 35. ________ and helps build social connections but it may also have a 36. ________ effect on the body and mind. 

Keywords for the question: David Cheng, Lu Wang, humour, reduces, helps build, social connections, may also have, effect, body and mind,  

The answers to the questions can be found in the final paragraph where we can find the comments made by Cheng and Wang. Take a close look here at lines 1-2, “ ‘Although humour has been found to help relieve stress and facilitate social relationships,  .. . . ..”

Here, relieve = reduces, stress = anxiety, facilitate social relationships = helps build social connections,

Then, read the last lines, “ . . . We suggest that humour is not only enjoyable but more importantly, energizing.”

Here, energizing = may also have a stimulating effect on the body and mind,

So, the answers are:

• D (anxiety)
• E (stimulating)

Questions 37-40: YES, NO, NOT GIVEN

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

The statement in the question matches with the claim of the writer in the text- YES
The statement in the question contradicts with the claim of the writer in the text- NO
The statement in the question has no clear connection with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN]

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

Question no. 37: Participants in the Santa Cruz study were more accurate at identifying the laughs of friends than those of strangers.

Keywords for the question: Participants in the Santa Cruz study, more accurate, identifying, laughs of friends, than, strangers,

We have found the discussion on the Santa Cruz study in paragraph no. 3. In this paragraph, take a look at lines 5-7, “. … Participants were asked whether they thought the people laughing were friends or strangers. On average, the results were remarkably consistent: worldwide, people’s guesses were correct approximately 60% of the time.”

Here, the lines don’t clarify where the participants were accurate (whether they identified more laughs of friends or of strangers). The results of the study just show that the participants were accurate by 60%.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question no. 38: The researchers in the San Diego study were correct in their predictions regarding the behaviour of the high-status individuals.

Keywords for the question: researchers, San Diego study, correct, predictions, behaviour, high-status individuals,

In lines 9-11 of paragraph no. 4, the writer talks about the predicted results of San Diego study, “ .. . Analysis revealed that, as expected, high-status individuals produced more dominant laughs and fewer submissive laughs relative to the low-status individuals. . .. .”

Here, as expected = as predicted,

This means the researchers were correct in their predictions about high-status individuals.

So, the answer is: YES

Question no. 39: The participants in the Australian National University study were given a fixed amount of time to complete the task focusing on employee profiles.

Keywords for the question: participants, Australian National University study, given, fixed amount of time, complete the task, focusing on, employee profiles, 

We find about the task focusing on employee profiles in the Australian National University study in paragraph no. 7. Take a look at lines 4-5 here, “ . .. Participants were allowed to quit the task at any point. . .. .”

This means that there was no fixed time to complete the task.  

So, the answer is: NO

Question no. 40: Cheng and Wang’s conclusions were in line with established notions regarding task performance.

Keywords for the question: Cheng and Wang’s conclusions, in line with established notions, task performance,     

In the final paragraph, the author mentions in lines 1-3, “ ‘Although, humour has been found to help relieve stress and facilitate social relationships, the traditional view of task performance implies that individuals should avoid things such as humour that may distract them from the accomplishment of the task goals.’ .. .”

Here, the traditional view = established notions,

This means Cheng and Wang’s conclusions (humour help relieve stress and build social relationships) were not in line with established notions regarding task performance (individuals should avoid things such as humour).

So, the answer is: NO