Reading Passage 1:
Questions 1-5: 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: the location of the first cinema
Keywords for the question: location, first cinema,
In paragraph A, read these lines carefully, “The Lumière Brothers opened their Cinematographe, at 14 Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, to 100 paying customers over 100 years ago, on December 8, 1985. Before the eyes of the stunned, thrilled audience, photographs came to life and moved across a flat screen.”
The following paragraphs (especially paragraph C) gives indication that 14 Boulevard des Capucines in Paris was the first location in the world to show a cinema.
So, the answer is: A
Question no. 2: how cinema came to focus on stories
Keywords for the question: how, cinema, focus on stories,
The first few lines of paragraph I indicate the answer as the writer explains here, “Cinema might, for example, have become primarily a documentary form. Or it might have developed like television -as a strange noisy transfer of music, information and narrative. But what happened was that it became, overwhelmingly, a medium for telling stories.
So, the answer is: I
Question no. 3: the speed with which cinema has changed
Keywords for the question: speed, cinema, changed,
Skim paragraph J to find how fast cinema has changed, “And it has all happened so quickly. Almost unbelievably, it is a mere 100 years since that train arrived and the audience screamed and fled, convinced by the dangerous reality of what they saw, and, perhaps, suddenly aware that the world could never be the same again -that, maybe, it could be better, brighter, more astonishing, more real than reality.”
Here, it is a mere 100 years mean that cinema has progressed very fast during 100 years.
So, the answer is: J
Question no. 4: how cinema teaches us about other cultures
Keywords for the question: how, cinema, teaches, other cultures,
The answer can be found in lines 1-6 of paragraph E. The writer says here, “One effect of this realism was to educate the world about itself. For cinema makes the world smaller. Long before people travelled to America or anywhere else, they knew what other places looked like; they knew how other people worked and lived. . .. .. .”
Here, they knew what other places looked like; they knew how other people worked and lived = cinema teaches us about other cultures,
So, the answer is: E
Question no. 5: the attraction of actors in films
Keywords for the question: attraction, actors, films,
The first lines of paragraph G give us the answer, “The ‘star’ was another natural consequence of cinema. The cinema star was effectively born in 1910. Film personalities have such an immediate presence that inevitably, they become super-real. .. ..”
Here, Film personalities = actors, an immediate presence = attractions,
So, the answer is: G
Question 6-9: 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. 6: It is important to understand how the first audiences reacted to the cinema.
Keywords for the question: important, understand, how, first audiences, reacted to, cinema,
The answer is found in lines 4-9 of paragraph B, “ . .. . But it is worth trying, for to understand the initial shock of those images is to understand the extraordinary power and magic of cinema, the unique, hypnotic quality that has made films the most dynamic, effective art form of the 20th century.”
Here, it is worth trying = it is important, the initial shock of those images = how the first audiences reacted to the cinema,
So, the answer is: YES
Question no. 7: The Lumiere Brothers’ film about the train was one of the greatest films ever made.
Keywords for the question: Lumiere Brothers’ film, train, one of, greatest films ever made,
Paragraph C gives a detailed explanation of The Lumiere Brothers’ film about the train. Here, these lines may confuse you, “ . .. Yet the Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky, one of the greatest of all film artists, described the film as a ‘work of genius’.”
You need to read the question again; it asks about the film, not the film artists.
In this passage, there is no information about whether this film is one of the greatest films ever made or not.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 8: Cinema presents a biased view of other countries.
Keywords for the question: cinema, presents, biased view, other countries,
In paragraph E we find the information that cinema can make us aware about other countries. So, we can guess that the answer to this question should be found in the same paragraph. However, it does not say anywhere that cinema gives a biased view of other countries.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 9: Storylines were important in very early cinema.
Keywords for the question: storylines, important, very early cinema,
In paragraph D H lines 5-7 say, “ . .. . All that mattered at first was the wonder of movement. … . .”
Here, All that mattered at first = all that was important in very early cinema,
So, it was the wonder of movement, not the storylines.
So, the answer is: NO
Questions 11-13: 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. 10: The writer refers to the film of the train in order to demonstrate –
Keywords for the question: the film of train, to demonstrate,
Take a look at these lines paragraph C where the writer talks about the film about the moving train presented by the Lumiere Brothers, “. . .. ‘As the train approached,’ wrote Tarkovsky, ’panic started in the theatre: people jumped and ran away. That was the moment when cinema was born. The frightened audience could not accept that they were watching a mere picture.. … .”
Clearly, the writer explains the impact of the early films as mass people reacted with astonishment.
So, the answer is: B (the impact of early films)
Question no. 11: In Tarkovsky’s opinion, the attraction of the cinema is that it –
Keywords for the question: Tarkovsky’s opinion, attraction, cinema, it,
Take a look at lines 7-9 in paragraph D, “. . .. For Tarkovsky, the key to that magic dynamic image of the real flow of events. . ..”
Here, that magic dynamic image = attraction of the cinema, real flow of events = passing of time,
So, the answer is: C (illustrates the passing of time)
Question no. 12: When cinema first began, people thought that –
Keywords for the question: when, cinema, first begun, people, thought,
The answer can be found in paragraph H as the author says here, “.. .. When the Lumiere Brothers and other pioneers began showing off this new invention, it was by no means obvious how it would be used. All that mattered at first was the wonder of movement. Indeed, some said that, once this novelty had worn off, cinema would fade away. .. . .”
Here, by no means obvious = the future was uncertain,
So, the answer is: D (its future was uncertain)
Question no. 13: What is the best title for this passage?
Keywords for the question: best title,
During answering all the 12 questions, we have found out that the passage highlights the introduction, the development and different impacts of the cinema. Only two paragraphs in this passage talk about stars/ film artists, the dominance of Hollywood and a short comparison between cinema and novels. The best choice from the four options has to be ‘The power of the big screen (cinema)’.
So, the answer is: D (The power of the big screen)
Reading Passage 2: Motivating Employees under Adverse Conditions
Questions 14-18: List of headings:
[In this question type, IELTS candidates are provided with a list of headings, usually identified with lower-case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc,). A heading will refer to the main idea of the paragraph or section of the text. Candidates must find out the equivalent heading to the correct paragraphs or sections, which are marked with alphabets A, B, C and so forth. Candidates need to write the appropriate Roman numerals in the boxes on their answer sheets. There will always be two or three more headings than there are paragraphs or sections. So, some of the headings will not be used. It is also likely that some paragraphs or sections may not be included in the task. Generally, the first paragraph is an example paragraph that will be done for the candidates for their understanding of the task.
TIPS: 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 no. 14: Key Point Two
Take a close look at the first lines of Key Point Two, “The literature on goal-setting theory suggests that managers should ensure that all employees have specific goals and receive comments on how well they are doing in those goals.”
Here, all employees have specific goals = establish targets, receive comments on how well they are doing in those goals = give feedbacks,
So, the answer is: vii (Establish targets and give feedback)
Question no. 15: Key Point Three
The answer can be found in lines 1-4 of Key Point Three. Here, the writer says, “Regardless of whether goals are achievable or well within management’s perceptions of the employee’s ability, if employees see them as unachievable they will reduce their effort. Managers must be sure, therefore, that employees feel confident that their efforts can lead to performance goals. .. .. .”
Here, if employees see them as unachievable they will reduce their effort = targets should not be unrealistic,
So, the answer is: iii (Ensure targets are realistic)
Question no. 16: Key Point Four
The answer can be found in lines 1-3 of Key Point Four. Take a look at these lines, “Since employees have different needs, what acts as a reinforcement for one may not for another. Managers could use their knowledge of each employee to personalise the rewards over which they have control. .. .. .”
Here, personalise the rewards over which they have control = match rewards to individuals,
So, the answer is: ii (Match rewards to individuals)
Question no. 17: Key Point Five
The answer can be found in the very first sentence of Key Point Five. The writer says here, “Managers need to make rewards contingent on performance. . .. .. ”
Here, performance = achievement, contingent = reliant/linked,
So, the answer is: iv (Link rewards to achievement)
Question no. 18: Key Point Six
The answer can be found in the first lines of Key Point Six. The author says here, “The way rewards are distributed should be transparent so that employees perceive that rewards or outcomes are equitable and equal to the inputs given. .. ..”
Here, The way rewards are distributed = reward system, transparent = fair,
So, the answer is: i (Ensure the reward system is fair)
Questions 19-24: 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. 19: A shrinking organisation tends to lose its less skilled employees rather than its more skilled employees.
Keywords for the question: shrinking organisation, tends to lose, less skilled employees, than, more skilled employees,
The answer can be found in the ‘THE CHALLENGE’ section in the first paragraph. The writer says here, “. . .. . When an organization is shrinking, the best and most mobile workers are prone to leave voluntarily. …they are the ones….with the highest skills and experience.”
Here, the lines clearly suggest that the less skilled workers have a lower chance to lose their jobs than the highly skilled ones.
Here, most mobile workers = more skilled workers,
So, the answer is: NO
Question no. 20: It is easier to manage a small business than a large business.
Keywords for the question: easier to manage, small business, than, large business,
In ‘KEY POINT ONE’, small and large businesses are mentioned but we do not find any comparison on managing them.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 21: High achievers are well suited to team work.
Keywords for the question: high achievers, well suited, team work,
The answer can be found in ‘KEY POINT ONE’, in lines 7-8. The author says here, “ . .. . High achievers will do best when the job provides moderately challenging goals and where there is independence and feedback.”
Here, where there is independence = not teamwork but work with freedom,
The line clearly contradicts the question.
So, the answer is: NO
Question no. 22: Some employees can feel manipulated when asked to participate in goal-setting.
Keywords for the question: some employees, can feel, manipulated, asked to participate, goal-setting,
The last few lines of ‘KEY POINT TWO’ provide us with the answer to this question as the author explains here, “ . .. . If participation and the culture are incongruous, employees are likely to perceive the participation process as manipulative and be negatively affected by it.”
Here, manipulative = manipulated,
So, the answer is: YES
Question no. 23: The staff appraisal process should be designed by employees.
Keywords for the question: staff appraisal process, should be, designed, by employees,
‘KEY POINT THREE’ mentions about ‘staff appraisal process’. Take a look at the last lines, “. .. . For managers, this means that employees must have the capability of doing the job and must regard the appraisal process as valid.”
However, it’s not mentioned whether the process should be designed by employees or managers.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 24: Employees’ earnings should be disclosed to everyone within the organisation.
Keywords for the question: employees’ earnings, should be disclosed, to everyone, within, organisation,
In ‘KEY POINT FIVE’ the writer mentions employees’ earnings. Here, in lines 5-6, the writer says, “ . .. . Eliminating the secrecy surrounding pay by openly communicating everyone’s remuneration, publicising performance bonuses and allocating annual salary increases in a lump sum … .. . . . make rewards more visible and potentially more motivating.”
Here, make rewards more visible = should be disclosed to everyone,
So, the answer is: YES
Questions 25-27: Matching places/names/groups from list of descriptions:
[The rules for finding answers to this sort of question are simple. Just find the name of the person/places/groups, read around it carefully and try to match with the given list of descriptions. 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 will not follow any sequential order. Do the reverse method when the statements are in questions]
Question no. 25: high achievers
Keywords for the question: high achievers,
We find points made about high achievers in ‘KEY POINT ONE’ where the writer mentions where and why we should select high achievers. Then, in ‘KEY POINT TWO’ in lines 3-4, the writer says, “ . .. . For those with high achievement needs, typically a minority in any organisation, the existence of external goals is less important because high achievers are already internally motivated. .. . .”
Here, For those with high achievement needs = high achievers, the existence of external goals is less important = they have less need of external goals.
So, the answer is: B (They have less need of external goals.)
Question no. 26: clerical workers
Keywords for the question: clerical workers,
The answer can be found in ‘KEY POINT SIX’ in lines 7-8, “ . . .. the clerical workers considered factors such as quality of work performed and job knowledge near the top of their list, . .. .”
Here, quality of work performed = quality of their work, the top of their list = important,
So, the answer is: C (They think that the quality of their work is important.)
Question no. 27: production workers
Keywords for the question: production workers,
In ‘KEY POINT SIX’, take a look at line no. 13, “.. .. . For example, production workers rated advancement very highly, . .. ..”
Here, advancement = promotion, very highly = to be important,
So, the answer is: A (They judge promotion to be important.)
Reading Passage 3: The Search for the Anti-aging Pill
Questions 27-32: 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. 28: Studies show drugs available today can delay the process of growing old.
Keywords for the question: studies show, drugs available today, delay, process, growing old,
Take a look at the first sentence of the first paragraph where the writer says, “As researchers on aging noted recently, no treatment on the market today has been proved to slow human aging . .. . .”
Here, no treatment = drugs available, slow human aging = delay to process of growing old,
So, the answer is: NO
Question no. 29: There is scientific evidence that eating fewer calories may extend human life.
Keywords for the question: scientific evidence, eating fewer calories, may extend, human life,
In the first paragraph, the writer says in lines 3-5, “ . .. . But one intervention, consumption of a low-calorie* yet nutritionally balanced diet, works incredibly well in a broad range of animals, increasing longevity and prolonging good health. … .. .”
Here, consumption of a low-calorie .. .. .. balanced diet = eating fewer calories, prolonging good health = may extend human life,
So, the answer is: YES
Question no. 30: Not many people are likely to find a caloric-restricted diet attractive.
Keywords for the question: not many people, likely, find, caloric-restricted diet, attractive,
Lines 2-3 of paragraph no. 2 says, “ . .. . . Few mortals could stick to that harsh a regimen, especially for years on end.. . .. .”
Here, Few mortals = not many people, that harsh a regimen = calorie-restricted diet, could stick = likely to find . .. attractive,
So, the answer is: YES
Question no. 31: Diet-related diseases are common in older people.
Keywords for the question: diet-related diseases, common, older people,
Lines 6-7 talks about some common diet-related diseases, “ . .. . . age-related disorders (such as diabetes, arteriosclerosis, heart disease and cancer) …. . .”
However, we don’t find any comment on whether diet-related diseases are common in older people.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 32: In experiments, rats who ate what they wanted, led shorter lives than rats on a low-calorie diet.
Keywords for the question: experiments, rats, ate, what they wanted, led, shorter lives, than, low-calorie-diet,
Have a look at paragraph no. 3 (in the The benefits of caloric restriction section) where the author talks about the results of the experiment done on rats, “ . .. . they found that rats fed a low-calorie diet lived longer on average than free-feeding rats and also had a reduced incidence of conditions that become increasingly common in old age. .. .. .”
Here, rats fed a low-calorie diet lived longer = rats which ate what they wanted did not live longer compared to rats which ate a low-calorie diet,
So, the answer is: YES
Questions 33-37: Classifying groups
[This type of question asks candidates to classify information from the given reading text. Candidates are given some groups from the text, and a list of options, which are listed as A, B, C etc. They must match the correct groups with the correct options.
N.B.: This question doesn’t follow any sequence. So, they should be answered after all other questions in the passage.]
Question no. 33: Monkeys were less likely to become diabetic.
Keywords for the question: monkeys, less likely, become diabetic,
Paragraphs no. 5 and 6 talk about experiments on monkeys. Here, in paragraph no. 6, the writer says in lines 3-4, “The calorie-restricted animals . .. . .. .. .. .. they have more normal blood glucose levels (pointing to a reduced risk for diabetes, which is marked by unusually high blood glucose levels). .. .. ..”
Here, pointing to a reduced risk for diabetes = less likely to become diabetic,
So, the answer is: A (caloric-restricted monkeys)
Question no. 34: Monkeys experienced more chronic disease.
Keywords for the question: monkeys, more, chronic disease,
The writer says in paragraph no. 6 in lines 4-6, “.. .. … . it has recently been shown that rhesus monkeys kept on caloric-restricted diets for an extended time (nearly 15 years) have less chronic disease. … .. .”
The lines suggest that monkeys kept on calorie-restricted diet experienced less chronic disease compared to control monkeys.
So, the answer is: B (control monkeys)
Question no. 35: Monkeys have been shown to experience a longer than average life span.
Keywords for the question: monkeys, shown to experience, longer, than average life span,
The writer says in paragraph no. in lines 6-8, “. .. .. They and the other monkeys must be followed still longer, however, to know whether low-calorie intake can increase both average and maximum life spans in monkeys.. .. .. .”
Here, must be followed still longer = result is pending, maximum life spans = longer than average life span,
So, the answer is: C (neither caloric-restricted monkeys nor control monkeys)
Question no. 36: Monkeys enjoyed a reduced chance of heart disease.
Keywords for the question: monkeys, enjoyed, reduced chance, heart disease,
The answer can be found at the beginning of paragraph no. 6. The writer says here, “The caloric-restricted animals also look better on indicators of risk for age-related diseases. For example, they have lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels (signifying a decreased likelihood of heart disease) . .”
Here, a decreased likelihood of heart disease = a reduced chance of heart disease,
So, the answer is: A (caloric-restricted monkeys)
Question no. 37: Monkeys produced greater quantities of insulin.
Keywords for the question: monkeys, produced, greater quantities, insulin,
In paragraph no. 5, the author mentions, “. . .. calorie-restricted monkeys have lower body temperatures and levels of the pancreatic hormone insulin. … … .”
This means the level of insulin is greater in control monkeys.
So, the answer is: B (control monkeys)
Questions 38-40: Completing FLOW-CHART with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS:
In this type of question, candidates are asked to write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS to complete some notes on the given flow-chart. 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.]
Title of the flow-chart: How a calorie-restriction mimetic works
All the answers are found in the last section (How a prototype caloric-restriction mimetic works).
Question no. 38:
| CR mimetic |
| ↓ |
| less __________ is processed |
Keywords for the question: CR mimetic, less, processed,
The answer can be found in paragraph no. 8 in lines 2-3. The writer says here, “. . .. calorie restriction minimizes the amount of glucose entering cells and decreases ATP generation. .. . .”
Here, minimizes the amount of glucose = less glucose is processed,
So, the answer is: glucose
Question no. 39 & 40:
| production of ATP is decreased | |
| ↙ | ↘ |
| Theory 1: | Theory 2: |
| cells less damaged by disease because fewer __________ are emitted | cells focus on ____________ because food is in short supply |
Keywords for the question: production of ATP, decreased, Theory 1, cells, damaged, disease, fewer, omitted, Theory 2, cells, focus on, food, short supply,
The answers can be found in paragraph no.6.
The writer says first in lines 7-9, “. . .. One possibility relates to the ATP-making machinery’s emission of free radicals, which are thought to contribute to aging and to such age-related diseases as cancer by damaging cells. Reduced operation of the machinery should limit their production and thereby constrain the damage… . .”
Here, One possibility = theory 1, Reduced operation of the machinery = fewer free radicals are emitted,
So, the answer for q. 39 is free radicals.
Then, the writer says, “ . .. .. Another hypothesis suggests that decreased processing of glucose could indicate to cells that food is scarce (even if it isn’t) and induce them to shift into an anti-aging mode that emphasizes preservation of the organism over such ‘luxuries’ as growth and reproduction.”
Here, Another hypothesis = theory 2, food is scarce = food is in short supply, emphasizes = focus on,
So, the answer for q. 40 is preservation.
So, the answers are:
- free radicals
- preservation
