IELTS Cambridge 9 Test 4 : ACADEMIC READING ANSWERS

Reading Passage 1: The Life and Work of Marie Curie

Questions 1-6: (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 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 1: Marie Curie’s husband was a joint winner of both Marie’s Nobel Prizes.

Keywords for the question: husband, joint winner, both Nobel Prizes,

Let’s have a look at the first paragraph. In lines 5-8 the writer says, “With her husband, Pierre Curie, and Henri Becquerel, she (Marie) was awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize for Physics, and was then sole winner of the 1911 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.”

The lines suggest that Marie Curie shared her first Nobel Prize with her husband and Pierre Curie, and Henri Becquerel in 1903, but she won the 1911 Nobel Prize for Chemistry alone (sole winner).

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 2: Marie became interested in science when she was a child.

Keywords for the question: interested, science, child,

In paragraph no. 2 we find information about Marie Curie’s childhood. We can learn about the brilliance of her memory. But there is no information about her interest in science.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN  

Question 3:  Marie was able to attend the Sorbonne because of her sister’s financial contribution.

Keywords for the question: attend the Sorbonne, sister’s financial contribution,

In the end of paragraph no. 2, the writer says, “.. .. . . From her earnings, she was able to finance her sister Bronia’s medical studies in Paris, on the understanding that Bronia would, in turn, later help her to get an education.”

This means Marie financed her sister Bronia’s education and hoped that one day Bronia would be able to help in Marie’s education.

Then, in the next paragraph, the writer says, “In 1891, this promise was fulfilled and Marie went to Paris and began to study at the Sorbonne (the University of Paris).”

So, it is correct that Marie was able to attend the Sorbonne because her sister contributed to her financially.

So, the answer is: TRUE       

Question 4:  Marie stopped doing research for several years when her children were born.

Keywords for the question: stop doing research, children, born,

At the beginning of paragraph no. 6, the writer mentions, “The births of Marie’s two daughters, Irene and Eve, in 1897 and 1904 failed to interrupt her scientific work.”

So, it’s a false statement that Marie stopped doing her research for some years when her children were born.

So, the answer is: FALSE     

Question 5: Marie took over the teaching position her husband had held.

Keywords for the question: took over, teaching position, husband, held,

In paragraph no. 7, in lines 3-5, the writer says, “On May 13, 1906, she was appointed to the professorship that had been left vacant on her husband’s death, becoming the first woman to teach at the Sorbonne.”

So, the answer is: TRUE       

Question 6:  Marie’s sister Bronia studied the medical uses of radioactivity.

Keywords for the question: Bronia, studied, medical uses of radioactivity,

There is no mention in this passage on whether Bronia studied radioactivity or not.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Questions 7-13: (Completing notes with ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER):

In this type of question, candidates are asked to write only word and/or a number to complete some notes on the given topic. For this type of question, first skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word.

[TIPS: Here scanning technique will come handy. Target the keywords of the questions to find the answers. Remember to focus on Proper nouns, random Capital letters, numbers, special characters of text etc.]

Question 7: When uranium was discovered to be radioactive, Marie Curie found that the element called _________ had the same property.

Keywords for the question: uranium, radioactive, element, same property,

In paragraph no. 4, in lines 3-4, the writer says, “Marie decided to find out if the radioactivity discovered in uranium was to be found in other elements. She discovered that this was true for thorium.”

Here, this was true for = had the same property

So, the answer is: thorium    

Question 8:  Marie and Pierre Curie’s research into the radioactivity of the mineral known as _______ led to the discovery of two new elements.

Keywords for the question: radioactivity, mineral, known, the discovery of two new elements,

In paragraph no. 5, the writer says in lines 1-5, “Turning her attention to minerals, she found her interest drawn to pitchblende, a mineral whose radioactivity, superior to that of pure uranium, could be explained by the presence in the ore of small quantities of an unknown substance of very high activity. Pierre Curie joined her in the work that she had undertaken to resolve the problem, and that led to the discovery of the new elements, polonium and radium.”

So, it was the research of pitchblende which further progressed to the discovery of two new elements, polonium and radium.

So, the answer is: pitchblende          

Question 9: In 1911, Marie Curie received recognition for her work on the element ________.

Keywords for the question: In 1911, received recognition, element,

In paragraph no 7, in the last lines, the author says, “In 1911, she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for the isolation of a pure form of radium.”

Here, received recognition for = was awarded the Nobel Prize for

So, the answer is: radium  

Question 10: Marie and Irene Curie developed X-radiography which was used as a medical technique for ___________.

Keywords for the question: Irene, X-radiography, medical technique for,

In paragraph no. 8, in the beginning, the writer says, “During World War I, Marie Curie, with the help of her daughter Irene, devoted herself to the development of the use of X-radiography, including the mobile units which came to be known as ‘Litter Curies’, used for the treatment of wounded soldiers.”

Here, medical technique = treatment

So, the answer is: soldiers

Question 11: Marie Curie saw the importance of collecting radioactive material both for research and for cases of _________.

Keywords for the question: importance, collecting radioactive material, research,   

In paragraph no. 10, the writer indicates in the very beginning, “One of Marie Curie’s outstanding achievements was to have understood the need to accumulate intense radioactive sources, not only to treat illness but also to maintain an abundant supply for research.”

Here, saw the importance means understood the need, collect means accumulate,

It means that Marie Curie found out the importance of collecting or accumulating radioactive materials for research and treating illness.

So, the answer is: illness

Question 12: The radioactive material stocked in Paris contributed to the discoveries in the 1930s of the ________ and of what was known as artificial radioactivity.

Keywords for the question: radioactive material, Paris, discoveries in the 1930s, artificial radioactivity,   

In paragraph no. 10, the writer says that “The existence in Paris at the Radium Institute of a stock of 1.5 grams of radium made a decisive contribution to the success of the experiments undertaken in the years around 1930. This work prepared the way for the discovery of the neutron by Sir James Chadwick and, above all, for the discovery in 1934 by Irene and Frederic Joliet-Curie of artificial radioactivity.”

Here, made a decisive contribution means contributed to

So, the answer is: neutron

Question 13: During her research, Marie Curie was exposed to radiation and as a result, she suffered from _________.

Keywords for the question: exposed, radiation, suffered from,   

At the very end of paragraph no. 10, the author says, “A few months after this discovery, Marie Curie died as a result of leukaemia caused by exposure to radiation.”

This means that Marie Curie died suffering from leukaemia, as she was exposed to radiation when doing her research.

So, the answer is: leukaemia

Reading Passage 2: Young children’s sense of identity

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. 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 14: an account of the method used by researchers in a particular study

Keywords for the question: method used, researchers, particular study,    

In paragraph G, the writer gives reference to a particular study in lines 4-8, “In one experiment, Lewis and Brooks-Gunn (1979) dabbed some red power on the noses of children who were playing in front of a mirror, and then observed how often they touched their noses. The psychologists reasoned that if the children knew what they usually looked like, they would be surprised by the unusual red mark and would start touching it.”

Here, a particular study means one experiment

So, the answer is: G

Question 15: the role of imitation in developing a sense of identity

Keywords for the question: imitation, developing, sense of identity,  

Paragraph C talks about mimicry or imitation by little children. “Another powerful source of information for infants about the effects they can have on the world around them is provided when others mimic them. Many parents spend a lot of time, particularly in the early months, copying their infant’s vocalizations. . … However,  Lewis and Brooks-Gunn (1979) suggest that infants’ developing understanding that the movements they see in the mirror are contingent on their own, leads to a growing awareness that they are distinct from other people.”

Here, imitate and copying means mimic, developing a sense of identity means are distinct from other people

So, the answer is: C

Question 16: the age at which children can usually identify a static image of themselves

Keywords for the question: age, children, usually identify, static image, themselves,    

Again, take a look at paragraph G, the writer states in the beginning, “Lewis and Brooks-Gunn argued that an important developmental milestone is reached when children become able to recognise themselves visually without the support of seeing contingent movement. This recognition occurs around their second birthday.”

Here, identify a static image of themselves means recognise themselves visually without the support of seeing contingent movement

So, the answer is: G

Question 17: a reason for the limitations of scientific research into ‘self-as-subject’

Keywords for the question: reason, limitations, research, ‘self-as-subject’,

The answer is found in paragraph D. The author says here, “Empirical investigations of the self-as-subject in young children are, however, rather scarce because of difficulties of communication: even if young infants can reflect on their experience, they certainly cannot express this aspect of the self directly.”

Here, scarce and cannot express = limitations

So, the answer is: D

Question 18: reference to a possible link between culture and a particular form of behaviour

Keywords for the question: possible link, culture, particular, behaviour,

In paragraph H, the author says in the last lines, “Although it may be less marked in other societies, the link between the sense of ‘self’ and of ‘ownership’ is a notable feature of childhood in Western societies.”

These lines suggest that there is a possible link between special behaviour (of ‘self’ and of ‘ownership’) and culture (Western societies).

So, the answer is: H

Question 19: examples of the wide range of features that contribute to the sense of ‘self-as-object’

Keywords for the question: wide range of features, contribute, sense, ‘self-as-object’,

If we skim-read and go to paragraph E, we find the reference of ‘self-as-object’. So, we need to scan this paragraph. In lines 3-4 of the paragraph, the writer says, “This second step in the development of a full sense is what James called the ‘self-as-object’.”

Then, at the end of the paragraph, we find the wide range of features that contribute to this sense, “ . .. characteristics which derive their meaning from comparison or interaction with other people (such as trustworthiness, shyness, sporting ability).”

So, the answer is: E

Questions 20-23: (Matching research findings with the researchers)

[In this kind of question, the candidates have to match the statements which are stated by different researchers given in the list. Candidates must write the correct letter A, B, C, D or E; and not the correct name.]

Question 20: A sense of identity can never be formed without relationships with other people.

Keywords for the question: sense of identity, never be formed, without relationships, other people,

In paragraph F, the writer describes in lines 6-9, “Mead (1934) went even further: the self is essentially a social structure, and it arises in social experience  . . .. . . … it is impossible to conceive of a self-arising outside of social experience”

Here, relationships with other people means social experience

So, the answer is: D (Mead)

Question 21: A child’s awareness of self is related to a sense of mastery over things and people

Keywords for the question: awareness of self, mastery, things, people

In paragraph B, the writer says, “Cooley (1902) suggested that a sense of the self-as-subject was primarily concerned with being able to exercise power. He proposed that the earliest examples of this are in infant’s attempts to control physical objects, such as toys and his or her own limbs. This is followed by attempts to affect the behaviour of other people.”

Here, sense of the self-as-subject = awareness of self, control physical objects, such as toys and his or her own limbs = mastery over things,

So, the answer is: B (Cooley)

Question 22: At a certain age, children’s sense of identity leads to aggressive behaviour.

Keywords for the question: certain age, aggressive behaviour

In paragraph H, the writer states, “In the longitudinal study of groups of three or four children, Bronson (1975) found that the intensity of the frustration and anger in their disagreements increased sharply between the ages of 1 and 2 years.”

Here, aggressive behaviour = frustration and anger

So, the answer is: E (Bronson)

Question 23: Observing their own reflection contributes to children’s self awareness.

Keywords for the question: observing, reflection, self awareness

In paragraph C, the writer states, “However, Lewis and Brooks-Gunn suggest that infants’ developing understanding that the movements they see in the mirror are contingent on their own, leads to a growing awareness that they are distinct from other people.”

Here, movements in the mirror = reflection, see = observe, lead to = contribute to,

So, the answer is: C (Lewis and Brooks-Gunn)

Questions 24-26 (Completing summary)

[In this type of question, candidates are asked to complete a summary with ONE WORD ONLY from the passage. Keywords 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: How children acquire a sense of identity

Question 24: First, children come to realise that they can have an effect on the world around them, for example by handling objects, or causing the image to move when they face a _________.

Keywords for this question: effect on the world, handling objects, image, move, face

In paragraph C, the writer says in lines 4-5, “.. … .  …. young children enjoy looking in mirrors, where the movements they can see are dependent upon their own movements.”

The lines suggest that when young children look in the mirrors, they can cause the image to move by moving themselves.

So, the answer is: mirror  

Question 25: This aspect of self awareness is difficult to research directly, because of __________ problems.

Keywords for this question: difficult to research, problems,

We can find about ‘research difficulties’ in paragraph D. Here, in lines 4-7, the author writes, “Empirical investigations of the self-as-subject in young children are, however, rather scarce because of difficulties of communication: even if young infants can reflect on their experience, they certainly cannot express this aspect of the self directly.”

Here, investigations = research, difficult to research = rather scarce,

So, the answer is: communication  

Question 26: In Western societies at least, the development of self awareness is often linked to a sense of _____________, and can lead to disputes..

Keywords for this question: Western, self awareness, linked,

At the end of paragraph H, “Although it may be less marked in other societies, the link between the sense of ‘self’ and of ‘ownership’ is a notable feature of childhood in Western societies.”

Here, disputes means disagreement

So, the answers are: ownership   

Reading Passage 3: The Development of Museums

Questions 27-30   (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 27: Paragraph B

In paragraph B, the author first says in line no. 1, “Recently, attitudes towards history and the way it should be presented have altered.”  After that, he presents some fine examples of changes to museums in Britain (UK) and (America) US.

And then, he explains the fact that, though many of the historical theme parks and museums are successful in “ . .. . the re-enactment of historical events is increasingly popular, ….”, these developments have been criticized as an intolerable vulgarisation. However, the last lines say, “. . . but the success of many historical theme parks and similar locations suggest that the majority of public does not share this opinion.”

This means people have mixed views on the recent changes to museums.

So, the answer is: ii (Mixed views on current changes to museums)

Question 28: Paragraph C

In this paragraph, the author mentions in the first few lines, “In a related development, the sharp distinction between museum and heritage sites, on the one hand, and theme parks on the other, is gradually evaporating. They already borrow ideas and concepts from one another.”

These lines suggest that the major differences between historical parks (heritage sites) and museums are decreasing slowly, (the differences are becoming fewer.)

After that, he gives some evidence to support his idea.

Here, differences means distinction,

So, the answer is: vi (Fewer differences between public attractions)

Question 29: Paragraph D

This paragraph details the writer’s statement that museums and heritages are facing great competition and for that matter experts on museums and histories are under huge amounts of pressure. The reason is explained in these lines, “Museum and heritage experts do not have to invent stories and recreate historical environments to attract their visitors… .. . . However, exhibits must be both based on artifacts and facts as we know them and attractively presented. Those who are professionally engaged in the art of interpreting history must steer a narrow course between the demands of ‘evidence’ and ‘attractiveness’, especially given the increasing need in the heritage industry for income-generating activities.”

These lines clearly suggest that there is a huge commercial pressure on those people who operate museums.

Here, people in charge means those who are professionally engaged in the art of interpreting history,

So, the answer is: i (Commercial pressures on people in charge)

Question 30: Paragraph E

The answer to this question lies in the following statements found in paragraph E.

“. . . .. . in order to make everything in heritage more real, historical accuracy must be increasingly altered”. (lines 1-2).

“……… . : if they did not provide the interpretation, visitors would do it for themselves, based on their own ideas, misconceptions and prejudices. And no matter how exciting the result, it would contain a lot more bias than the presentations provided by experts”. (lines 8-10)

These lines suggest that interpretation of the facts related to the exhibits in the museums must be avoided so that visitors do not get biased.

So, the answer is: iii (Interpreting the facts to meet visitor expectations)

Questions 31-36: (Multiple Choice Questions)

[‘Multiple choice questions’ is a common type of question set in the IELTS Reading test. It is also found in the Listening test.  Most of the time, they come with four options but sometimes there are three options. Candidates need to work hard for this type of question because this may confuse them easily in passage 2 or passage 3. There will be long answers for each question, so they may kill valuable time. So, quick reading or skimming techniques might come in handy here.  Remember that answers in 3 options out of 4 will be very close. So, vocabulary power will help a lot to choose the best answer.

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 31: Compared with today’s museums, those of the past –

Keywords for this question: museums, past,

In the first paragraph, the writer points out in these lines, “Museums used to look – and some still do – much like storage rooms of objects  packed together in  showcases:  good  for scholars who wanted to  study the subtle differences in design, but not for the ordinary visitor, to whom it all looked alike.”

The lines suggest that back in the past museums were not mainly intended for the general people.

Here, the general people means the ordinary visitor

So, the answer is: B (were not primarily intended for the public)

Question 32: According to the writer, current trends in the heritage industry –

Keywords for this question: current trends, heritage industry,

In paragraph B, the author says, “On so-called heritage sites the re-enactment of historical events is increasingly popular, and computers will soon provide virtual reality experiences, which will present visitors with a vivid image of the period of their choice, in which they can themselves act as if part of the historical environment.”

Here, they can themselves act means personal involvement

The lines suggest that present trends in the heritage industry emphasize personal involvement.

So, the answer is: A (emphasize personal involvement)

Question 33: The writer says that museums, heritage sites and theme parks –

Keywords for this question: museums, heritage sites, theme parks,

In paragraph C, the writer mentions, “In a related development, the sharp distinction between museum and heritage sites on the one hand, and theme parks on the other, is gradually evaporating.”

This means that museums, heritage sites and theme parks are becoming harder to differentiate than before.

So, the answer is: D (are less easy to distinguish than before)

Question 34: The writer says that in preparing exhibits for museums, experts –

Keywords for this question: preparing exhibits, experts,

In paragraph D, the author describes, “Museum and heritage experts do not have to invent stories and recreate historical environments to attract their visitors: their assets are already in place. However, exhibits must be both based on artefacts and facts as we know them. Those who are professionally engaged in the art of interpreting history must steer a narrow course between the demands of ‘evidence’ and ‘attractiveness’.. …”

The lines suggest that experts must balance conflicting priorities in preparing exhibits for museums.

Here, balance = steer a narrow course between, conflicting priorities = evidence and attractiveness,

So, the answer is: D (have to balance conflicting priorities)

Question 35: In paragraph E, the writer suggests that some museum exhibits –

Keywords for this question: Paragraph E, museum exhibits,

The answer can be found in paragraph E, the writer says, “Such presentations tell us more about contemporary perceptions of the world than about our ancestors.”

This means that museum exhibits expose more about current beliefs than about the past.

Here, reveal means tell, present beliefs means contemporary perceptions, the past means our ancestors

So, the answer is: C (reveal more about present beliefs than about the past)

Question 36: The passage ends by noting that our view of history is biased because –

Keywords for this question: view of history, biased,

In the final paragraph of the passage, the writer says, “. . . . human bias is inevitable, but another source of bias in the representation of history has to do with the transitory nature of the materials themselves. The simple fact is that not everything from history survives the historical process. Castles, palaces and cathedrals have a longer lifespan than the dwellings of ordinary people.”

This means that we have a biased view that only long-lasting objects remain from the past.

So, the answer is: B (only very durable objects remain from the past)

Questions 37-40: (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 – TRUEThe statement in the question contradicts the information in the passage – FALSEIf 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 37: Consumers prefer theme parks which avoid serious issues.

Keywords for this question: prefer theme parks, avoid serious issues,

In paragraph D, the author says, “Theme parks are undergoing other changes, too, as they try to present more serious social and cultural issues, and move away from fantasy.  This development is in response to market forces… .. .”

The lines clearly show that museums are moving towards depicting serious issues.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 38: More people visit museums than theme parks.

Keywords for this question: more people visit, museums, theme parks,

In this passage, we do not find any comparison between museum visits and theme park visits.

In paragraph D, we find comments about competition in presenting more serious issues. The writer says, “… .. . . they are operating in a very competitive environment, where visitors make choices on how and where to spend their free time”.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 39: The boundaries of Leyden have changed little since the seventeenth century.

Keywords for this question: boundaries, Leyden, changed little,

In the last paragraph, the writer mentions, “In a town like Leyden in Holland, which in the seventeenth century was occupied by approximately the same number of inhabitants as today, people lived within the walled town, an area more than five times smaller than modern Leyden.”

Here, more than five times smaller contradicts the question where it says ‘have changed little. . . .”

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 40: Museums can give a false impression of how life used to be.

Keywords for this question: museums, give false impression,

In the last paragraph, the writer says, “. .. … the evidence in museums indicates that life was so much better in the past. This notion is induced by the bias in its representation in museums and heritage centres.”

This means that museums can give biased information about past lifestyles.

So, the answer is: TRUE