Reading Passage 1:Nutmeg – a valuable spice
Questions 1-4: Completing notes:
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to complete different notes with ONE WORD ONLY from the passage. Keywords are important to find answers correctly. Generally, this type of question maintains a sequence. However, we should not be surprised if the sequence is not maintained. Find the keywords in the passage and you are most likely to find the answers.]
Title of the note: The nutmeg tree and fruit
Question no. 1: the leaves of the tree are ________ in shape
Keywords for the question: leaves, shape,
For this question, we have to look at the first paragraph, as this paragraph describes the nutmeg tree and its fruit in detail. Let’s have a look. Lines 3-4 say, “ .. . . The tree is thickly branched with dense foliage of tough, dark green oval leaves, . .. .. .”
This means the shape of the nutmeg tree leaves is oval.
So, the answer is: oval
Question no. 2: the ________ surrounds the fruit and breaks open when the fruit is ripe
Keywords for the question: surrounds the fruit, breaks open, ripe,
Lines 5-6 of paragraph no. 1 say, “ . .. . The fruit is encased in a fleshy husk. When the fruit is ripe, this husk splits into two halves along a ridge running the length of the fruit. . .. .”
Here, encased in = surrounded by / covered in, splits into two halves = breaks open,
So, the answer is: husk
Question no. 3 & 4:
- the ________ is used to produce the spice nutmeg
Keywords for the question: used to produce, spice nutmeg,
- the covering known as the aril is used to produce ________
Keywords for the question: covering, known as the aril, used to produce,
The answers to these two questions can be found in the last few lines of paragraph no. 1. The writer of the passage says in lines 6-9, “ . .. . Inside is a purple-brown shiny seed, 2–3 cm long by about 2 cm across, surrounded by a lacy red or crimson covering called an ‘aril’. These are the sources of the two spices nutmeg and mace, the former being produced from the dried seed and the latter from the aril.”
Here, the former indicates to seed, the latter indicates to mace.
These lines suggest that the spice nutmeg is produced from the seed of the nutmeg tree. Also, the covering of the seed, which is known as ‘the aril’ is used to produce mace, which is another spice.
So, the answers are:
- seed
- mace
Questions 5-7: TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:
The statement in the question agrees with the information in the passage – TRUE
The statement in the question contradicts with the information in the passage – FALSE
If there is no information on this – NOT GIVEN
For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]
Question no. 5: In the Middle Ages, most Europeans knew where nutmeg was grown.
Keywords for the question: Middle Ages, most Europeans, knew, where, nutmeg, grown,
To find the answer to this question, we have to find the keyword ‘Middle Ages’. In the second paragraph, the first line contains the keyword ‘Middle Ages’. Let’s read there. “Nutmeg was a highly prized and costly ingredient in European cuisine in the Middle Ages, and was used as a flavouring, medicinal, and preservative agent. Throughout this period, the Arabs were the exclusive importers of the spice to Europe. They sold nutmeg for high prices to merchants based in Venice, but they never revealed the exact location of the source of this extremely valuable commodity. .. ..”
The lines suggest that the Arabs were the exclusive exporters of nutmeg to Europe. But they never revealed, or, told anyone about the location of this spice tree. So, most Europeans knew nothing about the location of the nutmeg tree.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 6: The VOC was the world’s first major trading company.
Keywords for the question: VOC, world’s first, major trading company,
We find out about the VOC in paragraph no. 4. Here, the writer says, “In 1602, Dutch merchants founded the VOC, a trading corporation better known as the Dutch East India Company. By 1617, the VOC was the richest commercial operation in the world. The company had 50,000 employees worldwide, with a private army of 30,000 men and a fleet of 200 ships. . .. .”
Here, the writer admits that by 1617, the VOC became the world’s richest commercially operating company. However, the paragraph contains no information on whether the VOC was the world’s first major trading company or not.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 7: Following the Treaty of Breda, the Dutch had control of all the islands where nutmeg grew.
Keywords for the question: Following, Treaty of Breda, the Dutch, control, all the islands, nutmeg grew,
We can find about the Treaty of Breda in paragraph no. 5. Have a close look at lines 11-17, “ . .. . After decades of fighting for control of this tiny island, the Dutch and British arrived at a compromise settlement, the Treaty of Breda, in 1667. Intent on securing their hold over every nutmeg-producing island, the Dutch offered a trade: if the British would give them the island of Run, they would in turn give Britain a distant and much less valuable island in North America. The British agreed. That other island was Manhattan, which is how New Amsterdam became New York. The Dutch now had a monopoly over the nutmeg trade which would last for another century.”
Here, we can find out that the British Empire signed the Treaty of Breda in 1667 with the Dutch and gave away the island of Run to the Dutch. After the signing of the treaty, the Dutch gained complete control, or, monopoly business of nutmeg of all the islands where nutmeg grew.
So, the answer is: TRUE
Questions 8-13: Completing table: ONE WORD ONLY
[In this type of question candidates need to fill in the gaps in a table with ONE WORD ONLY. Skimming and scanning, both reading skills are essential for this question-type.]
Question no. 8: Middle Ages: Nutmeg was brought to Europe by the _______
Keywords for the question: Middle Ages, Nutmeg, brought to Europe, by,
We’ve already looked at the information for question no. 5. Lines 1-3 of paragraph no. 2 says, “Nutmeg was a highly prized and costly ingredient in European cuisine in the Middle Ages, and was used as a flavouring, medicinal, and preservative agent. Throughout this period, the Arabs were the exclusive importers of the spice to Europe. .. .”
Here, exclusive importers of the spice to Europe = the spice brought to Europe by,
So, the answer is: Arabs
Question no. 9: 17th Century: Demand for nutmeg grew, as it was believed to be effective against the disease known as the _________
Keywords for the question: 17th Century, Demand, grew, believed, effective against, disease, known as,
Paragraph no. 4 begins with the year 1602, which indicates to the 17th Century.
In paragraph no. 4, take a look at lines 4-6, “ . .. . At the same time, thousands of people across Europe were dying of the plague, a highly contagious and deadly disease. Doctors were desperate for a way to stop the spread of this disease, and they decided nutmeg held the cure. Everybody wanted nutmeg, and many were willing to spare no expense to have it. .. ..”
Here, nutmeg held the cure = nutmeg was believed to be effective against plague.
So, the name of the disease was the plague.
So, the answer is: plague
Question no. 10: 17th Century: The Dutch – put ________ on nutmeg to avoid it being cultivated outside the islands.
Keywords for the question: 17th Century, the Dutch, put, on nutmeg, to avoid, being cultivated, outside the islands,
In paragraph no. 5, let’s take a look at lines 7-9, “ . .. In addition, all exported nutmeg was covered with lime to make sure there was no chance a fertile seed which could be grown elsewhere would leave the islands. . .. .”
Here, nutmeg was cover with lime = lime was put on nutmeg, make sure there was no chance a fertile seed which could be grown elsewhere = avoid it being cultivated outside the islands,
This means the Dutch used to put lime on nutmeg to make the seed of nutmeg infertile so that the cultivation of nutmeg could be avoided elsewhere.
So, the answer is: lime
Question no. 11: 17th Century: The Dutch – finally obtained the island of _______ from the British.
Keywords for the question: 17th Century, the Dutch, finally obtained, the island, from the British,
At the end of paragraph no. 5, the writer says in lines 9-15, “… .. . There was only one obstacle to Dutch domination. One of the Banda Islands, a sliver of land called Run, only 3 km long by less than 1 km wide, was under the control of the British. After decades of fighting for control of this tiny island, the Dutch and British arrived at a compromise settlement, the Treaty of Breda, in 1667. Intent on securing their hold over every nutmeg-producing island, the Dutch offered a trade: if the British would give them the island of Run, they would in turn give Britain a distant and much less valuable island in North America. The British agreed.”
Here, this account of history suggests that following the Treaty of Breda in 1667, the Dutch finally obtained the island of Run from the British.
So, the answer is: Run
Question no. 12: Late 18th Century: 1770 – nutmeg plants were secretly taken to _______
Keywords for the question: Late 18th Century, 1770, nutmeg plants, secretly taken to,
The first lines on paragraph no. 6 give us the answer to this question. The writer of the passage says here, “Then, in 1770, a Frenchman named Pierre Poivre successfully smuggled nutmeg plants to safety in Mauritius, an island off the coast of Africa. .. ..”
Here, smuggled = secretly taken,
So, the answer is: Mauritius
Question no. 13: Late 18th Century: 1778 – half the Banda Islands’ nutmeg plantations were destroyed by a ________.
Keywords for the question: Late 18th Century, 1778, half, Banda Islands’ nutmeg plantations, destroyed by a,
In paragraph no. 6, lines 3-4 say, “ . .. . Next, in 1778, a volcanic eruption in the Banda region caused a tsunami that wiped out half the nutmeg groves. .. ..”
Here, wiped out = were destroyed, nutmeg groves = nutmeg plantations,
Reading Passage 2: The headline of the passage: Driverless cars
Questions 14-19: 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 first. It’s because this question will not follow any sequence, and so it will surely kill your time. Rather, you should answer all the other questions of the passage 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: reference to the amount of time when a car is not in use
Keywords for the question: amount of time, car, not in use,
The answer to this question can be found in line no. 3 of paragraph C. The author says here, “ .. . .. At present, the average car spends more than 90 percent of its life parked. . ..”
Here, 90 percent of its life = amount of time, parked = car not in use,
So, the answer is: C
Question no. 15: mention of several advantages of driverless vehicles for individual road-users
Keywords for the question: several advantages, driverless vehicles, individual road-users,
Section B describes some advantages of driverless vehicles for the road-users.
In the first paragraph of section B, the author says in lines 3-5, “ . . .. . more than 90 percent of road collisions involve human error as a contributory factor, and it is the primary cause in the vast majority. Automation may help to reduce the incidence of this.”
Here, Automation = driverless vehicles,
This means driverless vehicles can reduce road collisions, or, road accidents.
Again, in the second paragraph of the same section, the author says in lines 1-4, “Another aim is to free the time people spend driving for other purposes. If the vehicle can do some or all of the driving, it may be possible to be productive, to socialise or simply to relax while automation systems have responsibility for safe control of the vehicle. . .. .”
This means driverless vehicles can save time that people spend driving for other productive works, or, relaxation.
So, the answer is: B
Question no. 16: reference to the opportunity of choosing the most appropriate vehicle for each trip
Keywords for the question: opportunity of choosing, most appropriate vehicle, each trip,
The first paragraph of section E says, “Automation may prompt other changes in vehicle manufacture. If we move to a model where consumers are tending not to own a single vehicle but to purchase access to a range of vehicles through a mobility provider, drivers will have the freedom to select one that best suits their needs for a particular journey, rather than making a compromise across all their requirements.”
The paragraph suggests that automation, or, driverless vehicles provide the opportunity to select appropriate vehicles for different trips.
So, the answer is: E
Question no. 17: an estimate of how long it will take to overcome a number of problems
Keywords for the question: estimate, how long, take to overcome, a number of problems,
The first two lines of section G give us the answer to this question. The author writes here, “It’s clear that there are many challenges that need to be addressed but, through robust and targeted research, these can most probably be conquered within the next 10 years. . . …”
Here, many challenges = a number of problems, within the next 10 years = how long it will take to overcome,
So, the answer is: G
Question no. 18: a suggestion that the use of driverless cars may have no effect on the number of vehicles manufactured
Keywords for the question: use of driverless cars, may have, no effect, number of vehicles, manufactured,
The second paragraph of section D says, “Modelling work by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute suggests automated vehicles might reduce vehicle ownership by 43 percent, but that vehicle’s average annual mileage would double as a result. As a consequence, each vehicle would be used more intensively, and might need replacing sooner. This faster rate of turnover may mean that vehicle production will not necessarily decrease.”
The paragraph, especially, the last lines, suggests that the use of automated vehicles, or, driverless cars may not affect the number of vehicles manufactured.
So, the answer is: D
Questions 19-22: 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 form the questions. Then, they should follow the steps of finding answers for fill in the gaps.]
Title of the summary: The impact of driverless cars
Question no. 19: Figures from the Transport Research Laboratory indicate that most motor accidents are partly due to __________, so the introduction of driverless vehicles will result in greater safety.
Keywords for the question: Figures, the Transport Research Laboratory, most motor accidents, partly due to, so, introduction of driverless vehicles, result in, greater safety,
The answer can be found in Section B, in the first paragraph. Look at these lines carefully, “ . .. . One frequently cited motive is safety; indeed, research at the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory has demonstrated that more than 90 percent of road collisions involve human error as a contributory factor, . . .. . .”
Here, more than 90 percent of road collisions = most motor accidents,
So, the answer is: human error
Question no. 20: In addition to the direct benefits of automation, it may bring other advantages. For example, schemes for __________ will be more workable, especially in towns and cities, resulting in fewer cars on the road.
Keywords for the question: in addition to, direct benefits, automation, other advantages, schemes, will be, more workable, especially, towns and cities, resulting in, fewer cars on the road,
The answer to this question can be found in section C. Here, in lines 3-7, the writer states, “ . .. . At present, the average car spends more than 90 percent of its life parked. Automation means that initiatives for car-sharing become much more viable, particularly in urban areas with significant travel demand. If a significant proportion of the population choose to use shared automated vehicles, mobility demand can be met by far fewer vehicles.”
Here, initiatives = schemes, much more viable = more workable, particularly in urban areas = especially in towns and cities, far fewer vehicles = fewer cars on the road,
So, the answer is: car sharing / car-sharing
Question no. 21: According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, there could be a 43 percent drop in _________ of cars.
Keywords for the question: University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, could be, 43 percent drop,
In section D, take a close look at paragraph no. 2. Here, the author of this passage writes in lines 1-2, “. .. Modelling work by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute suggests automated vehicles might reduce vehicle ownership by 43 percent, . .. . .”
Here, reduce = drop, vehicle = car,
So, the answer is: ownership
Question no. 22: However, this would mean that the yearly _______ of each car would, on average, be twice as high as it currently is. This would lead to a higher turnover of vehicles, and therefore no reduction in automotive manufacturing.
Keywords for the question: would mean, yearly, each car, on average, twice as high, would lead to, higher turnover, no reduction, automotive manufacturing,
Line no. 3 of paragraph no. 2 in section D says, “ . . .. but that vehicles’ average annual mileage would double as a result. .. .”
Here, but = however, annual = yearly, double = twice,
So, the answer is: mileage
Questions 23-26: Choosing TWO options from the given list
[In this kind of question, candidates have to choose two or three answers for each question from five or six options. The answers will not follow any sequential order as they are randomly spread in the text, so this question will be time-consuming. Skimming will come handy and previous reading of the text can come in use. Therefore, other questions should be done first before answering this question.]
Question no. 23 & 24: Which TWO benefits of automated vehicles does the writer mention?
Keywords for the question: TWO benefits, automated vehicles,
Section B of the passage talks in detail about the benefits of automation, or, driverless cars. Let’s have a look there again. In section B, let’s read the second paragraph. “Another aim is to free the time people spend driving for other purposes. If the vehicle can do some or all of the driving, it may be possible to be productive, to socialise or simply to relax while automation systems have responsibility for safe control of the vehicle. If the vehicle can do the driving, those who are challenged by existing mobility models – such as older or disabled travellers – may be able to enjoy significantly greater travel autonomy.”
Here, it may be possible to be productive, to socialise or simply to relax while automation systems have responsibility for safe control of the vehicle = Travellers could spend journeys doing something other than driving,
And,
those who are challenged by existing mobility models – such as older or disabled travellers – may be able to enjoy significantly greater travel autonomy = People who find driving physically difficult could travel independently,
So, the answers are:
- C (Travellers could spend journeys doing something other than driving.)
- D (People who find driving physically difficult could travel independently.)
Question no. 25 & 26: Which TWO challenges to automated vehicle development does the writer mention?
Keywords for the question: TWO challenges, automated vehicle development,
Section F discusses the challenges of automated vehicle development. Let’s read the section.
“There are a number of hurdles to overcome in delivering automated vehicles to our roads. These include the technical difficulties in ensuring that the vehicle works reliably in the infinite range of traffic, weather and road situations it might encounter, . .. . . . . . and the societal changes that may be required for communities to trust and accept automated vehicles as being a valuable part of the mobility landscape.”
Here, hurdles = challenges,
ensuring that the vehicle works reliably in the infinite range of traffic, weather and road situations it might encounter = getting automated vehicles to adapt to various different driving conditions,
And, the societal changes that may be required for communities to trust and accept automated vehicles = making sure the general public has confidence in automated vehicles,
So, the answers are:
- A (making sure the general public has confidence in automated vehicles)
- E (getting automated vehicles to adapt to various different driving conditions)
Reading Passage 3: What is exploration?
Questions 27-32: 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: The writer refers to visitors to New York to illustrate the point that –
Keywords for the question: visitors to New York
Look at the first lines of paragraph no. 1. The writer says, “. .. Our desire to discover, and then share that new-found knowledge, is part of what makes us human – . .. ..” And, that’s the main idea of the first paragraph.
Here, desire to discover = desire for exploration, part of what makes us human = intrinsic element of being human,
Then, the writer provides reference to visitors of New York to illustrate the point in the last line of the paragraph, “ . .. and a visitor negotiate the subways of New York.”
So, the answer is: A (exploration is an intrinsic element of being human.)
Question no. 28: According to the second paragraph, what is the writer’s view of explorers?
Keywords for the question: second paragraph, writer’s view of explorers,
In the second paragraph, the writer says in the beginning, “Over the years, we’ve come to think of explorers as a peculiar breed – different from the rest of us, different from those of us who are merely ‘well-travelled’, . . .. . a type of caveman more inclined to risk venturing out. .. .”
These lines suggest that we, the general public, have had considered explorers are a different type of human beings, who want to take the risk to go on dangerous adventures.
Then, in the next lines, the writer explains that this outlook about explorers is wrong and we all have the same urge. The writer says, “ . . . That, however, doesn’t take away from the fact that we all have this enquiring instinct, even today. . … ..”
Here, we all have this enquiring instinct = an urge that is common to everyone,
So, the answer is: C (They act on an urge that is common to everyone.)
Question no. 29: The writer refers to a description of Egdon Heath to suggest that –
Keywords for the question: Egdon Heath,
We find the reference of Egdon Heath in paragraph no. 3. In the first few lines, the writer says, “Thomas Hardy set some of his novels in Egdon Heath, a fictional area of uncultivated land, and used the landscape to suggest the desires and fears of his characters. . . .”
Here, desires and fears of his characters = people’s emotional states,
This means it was Hardy’s aim to study the emotional states of the characters of his novels, setting a fictional area.
So, the answer is: C (Hardy’s aim was to investigate people’s emotional states.)
Question no. 30: In the fourth paragraph, the writer refers to ‘a golden age’ to suggest that –
Keywords for the question: fourth paragraph, a golden age,
Lines 2-5 of paragraph no. 4 say, “ . .. . . But that still left me with another problem: the word ‘explorer’ has become associated with a past era. We think back to a golden age, as if exploration peaked somehow in the 19th Century – as if the process of discovery is now on the decline, . . .. ..”
Here, the phrase ‘as if’ has been used to signify that our thought about exploration (the process of discovery) being in decline is a wrong idea.
So, the answer is: D (we are wrong to think that exploration is no longer necessary.)
Question no. 31: In the sixth paragraph, when discussing the definition of exploration, the writer argues that –
Keywords for the question: sixth paragraph, definition of exploration, writer argues,
In the first few lines of paragraph no. 6, the writer says, “Each definition is slightly different – and tends to reflect the field of endeavour of each pioneer. It was the same whoever I asked: the prominent historian would say exploration was thing of the past, the cutting-edge scientist would say it was of present. And so on. They each set their own particular criteria; . . ..”
Here, reflect the field of endeavour of each pioneer & set their own criteria = relate exploration to their own professional interests,
So, the answer is: A (people tend to relate exploration to their own professional interests.)
Question no. 32: In the last paragraph, the writer explains that he is interested in –
Keywords for the question: last paragraph, interested in,
The writer expresses his interest in the last lines, “. . .. However, this is to disregard the role the human mind has in conveying remote places; and this is what interests me: how a fresh interpretation, even of a well-travelled route, can give its readers new insights.”
Here, well-travelled route = places that may be familiar,
So, the answer is: B (the human ability to cast new light on places that may be familiar.)
Questions 33-37: 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.]
All the answers in this question set can be found in paragraph no. 2 and 5, as the names of explorers, have been included in this paragraph only.
Question no. 33: He referred to the relevance of the form of transportation used.
Keywords for the question: relevance, form of transportation used,
The answer can be found in paragraph 5, in lines 7-9, “. . .. Wilfred Thesiger, who crossed Arabia’s empty quarters in 1946, and belongs to an era of unmechanised travel now lost to the rest of us, told me, “If I’d gone across by camel when I could have gone by car, it would have been a stunt.’. . .. .”
Here, the explorer provides a reference to camel which was the form of transportation used.
So, the answer is: E (Wilfred Thesiger)
Question no. 34: He described feelings on coming back home after a long journey.
Keywords for the question: feelings, coming back home, after, long journey,
In paragraph no. 2, the writer says in lines 4-8, “ . .. . Explorer and travel writer Peter Fleming talks of the moment when the explorer returns to the existence he has left behind with his loved ones. The traveller ‘who has for weeks or months seen himself only as a puny and irrelevant alien crawling laboriously over a country in which he has no roots and no background, suddenly encounters his other self, a relatively solid figure, with a place in the minds of certain people.”
Here, returns to the existence he has left behind with his loved ones = coming back home, for weeks or months = long journey,
This means Peter Fleming refers to the feelings of an explorer coming back home after a long time.
So, the answer is: A (Peter Fleming)
Question no. 35: He worked for the benefit of specific groups of people.
Keywords for the question: worked, benefit of specific group,
In paragraph no. 5, read the lines 5-6, “ . … Then Robin Handbury-Tenison, a campaigner on behalf of remote so-called ‘tribal’ peoples, said, . . .. .”
Here, on behalf of ….. ‘tribal people’ = done for another person’s benefit or support of ‘tribal’ people,
So, the answer is: D (Robin Handbury-Tenison)
Question no. 36: He did not consider learning about oneself an essential part of exploration.
Keywords for the question: did not consider, learning about oneself, essential part of exploration,
Lines 7-10 of paragraph no. 5 state, “ . . . Wilfred Thesiger, who crossed Arabia’s empty quarters in 1946, and belongs to an era of unmechanised travel now lost to the rest of us, told me, “If I’d gone across by camel when I could have gone by car, it would have been a stunt.’ To him, exploration meant bringing back information from a remote place regardless of any great self-discovery.”
Here, regardless of any great self-discovery = did not consider learning about oneself,
So, the answer is: E (Wilfred Thesiger)
Question no. 37: He defined exploration as being both unique and of value to others.
Keywords for the question: defined exploration, both, unique, of value to others,
The answer lies in the first lines of paragraph no. 5. The writer states here, “ . .. . Ran Fiennes, dubbed the ‘greatest living explorer’, said, ‘An explorer is someone who has done something that no human has done before – and also done something scientifically useful. . . .”
Here, something that no human has done before = unique, something scientifically useful = of value to others,
So, the answer is: B (Ran Fiennes)
Questions 38-40: 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: The writer’s own bias
Question no. 38: The writer has experience of a large number of ______, .. . . . .
Keywords for the question: the writer, experience, large number of,
The final paragraph of this passage starts with this statement, “I’d best declare my own bias. . ..” So, the answers for questions 38-40 should be here.
The writer says in lines 1-2, “ . .. . I’ve done a great many expeditions and each one was unique. .. ..”
Here, a great many = a large number of,
So, the answer is: (unique) expeditions
Question no. 39: . .. . . and was the first stranger that certain previously ______ people had encountered.
Keywords for the question: was, first stranger, certain, previously, people had encountered,
In the final paragraph, look at lines 2-3, “ . .. I’ve lived for months alone with isolated groups of people all around the world, even two ‘uncontacted tribes’. . …”
Here, the word ‘uncontacted’ gives us the hint that the writer was the first person ever contact with people of two tribes who remain isolated from the world.
So, the answer is: uncontacted / isolated
Question no. 40: He believes there is no need for further exploration of Earth’s ______, except to answer specific questions such as how buffalo eat.
Keywords for the question: believes, no need, further exploration, Earth’s,
Lines 7-8 of the final paragraph says, “ . .. .We know how the land surface of our planet lies; exploration of it is now down to the details – the habits of microbes, say, or the grazing behaviour of buffalo. . .”
Here, We know how = there is no need for further exploration,
So, the answer is: (land) surface
