Cambridge IELTS Academic 11 Reading Test 4 Answers with Explanation / IELTS Academic Reading: Research using twins , An introduction to film sound , This marvelous invention

READING PASSAGE 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on Reading Passage 1.

Research using twins

Answers	Keywords	Location	Explanation
1. FALSE	genetic causes, differences,  young skin	P1, lines 8-11	Any differences between them – one twin having younger looking skin, for example – must be due to environmental factors such as less time spent in the sun. ·         the differences are because of the environment, not for genetic causes.
2. NOT GIVEN	greater risk, illnesses	P2, L7-11	If identical twins are more similar to each other with respect to an ailment than fraternal twins are, then vulnerability to the disease must be rooted at least in part in heredity. ·         The sentence starts with ‘if’, which means the writer only compares identical twins with fraternal twins, he doesn’t make a comparison between twins and non-twins.
3. NOT GIVEN	Bouchard, advertised, newspapers	P3, 4	Nowhere in the paragraph we find any reference to advertisement in newspapers.
4. TRUE	Epigenetic processes, genetic, environmental	P6, L4	….nature and nurture are not the only elemental forces at work. According to  a recent field called  epigenetics, there is a third factor also in play, one that in some cases serves as a bridge between the environment and our genes. ·         genetic and environmental processes= nature and nurture
5. A	term, distinguish, characteristics	P4, L1	The idea of using twins to measure the influence of heredity dates back to 1875, when the English scientist Francis Galton first suggested the approach (and coined the phrase „nature and nurture‟) ·         invented=coined
6. C	epigenetics, increase our knowledge	P12, lines 1-3	Reed  adds,  the  latest  work  in  epigenetics  promises  to  take  our understanding even further. ·         study of epigenetics=work in epigenetics ·         increase our knowledge= take our understanding even further
7. B	mathematical method, measuring genetic influences	P5, L1	Bouchard  and  his  colleagues  used  this  mountain  of  data  to identify how far twins were affected by their genetic makeup. The key to their approach was a statistical concept called heritability. In broad terms, the heritability of a trait measures the extent to which differences among members of a population can be explained by differences in their genetics. ·         Here, statistical concept = mathematical method
8. A	pioneered, research, genetics, twins	P 4, L1-4	The  idea  of  using  twins  to  measure  the  influence  of heredity dates back to 1875, when the English scientist Francis Galton first suggested the approach (and coined the phrase “nature and nurture”) ·         pioneered=first suggested
9. B	research, lived apart	P4, L6-10	…  twin  studies  took  a  surprising  twist  in  the  1980s,  with  the arrival of studies into identical twins who had been separated at birth and reunited as adults. Over two decades 137 sets of twins eventually visited Thomas Bouchard‟s lab….” ·         lived apart= been separated at birth
10. D	influence, genes, creating internal	P 7, L1	Epigenetic  processes  are  chemical  reactions  tied  to  neither nature  nor  nurture  but  representing  what  researchers  have  called  a third  component.  These  reactions influence how our genetic code is expressed: how each gene is strengthened or weakened, even turned on of off, to build our bones, brains and all other parts of our bodies. ·         the activity of our genes = how our genetic code is expressed ·         organs = brains and all other parts of our bodies ·         create= build
11. B	influence, genes, creating internal	P 7, L1	Epigenetic  processes  are  chemical  reactions  tied  to  neither nature  nor  nurture  but  representing  what  researchers  have  called  a third  component.  These  reactions influence how our genetic code is expressed: how each gene is strengthened or weakened, even turned on of off, to build our bones, brains and all other parts of our bodies. ·         the activity of our genes = how our genetic code is expressed ·         organs = brains and all other parts of our bodies ·         create= build
12. E	uncovering a way, our genes can be affected	P9, L 1-5	One way the study of epigenetics is revolutionizing our understanding of biology is by revealing a mechanism by which the environment directly impacts our genes. ·         impact= affected ·         revealing= uncovering a way
13. F	pregnant rat, suffers stress	P9, L5-9	Studies  of  animals,  for  example,  have  shown  that  when  a  rat experiences  stress  during  pregnancy,  it  can  cause  epigenetic  changes  in  a  fetus  that  lead  to  behavioral problems as the rodent grows up

 

 

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14–26, which are based on Reading Passage 2 .

An introduction to film sound

Answers	Keywords	Location	Explanation
14. B		P1, L 1-4	Though  we  might  think  of  film  as  an  essentially  visual experience, we really cannot afford to underestimate the importance of film sound. ·         underestimate=overlook
15. A	Humphrey Bogart, exemplify	P2, L4-10	Often with film characterization, the audience perceives little or no difference between the character and the actor. Thus, for example, the actor Humphrey Bogart is the character Sam Spade; film personality and life personality seem to merge.” ·         merge = become one Humphrey Bogart is mentioned to exemplify the significance of the actor and the character appears to have similar personalities.
16. B		P3, L6-12	It  is  interesting  to  note  that  how  dialogue  is  use and the very amount of dialogue used varies widely  among  films.  For  example,  in  the  highly  successful  science-fiction  film  2001,  little  dialogue  was evident, and most of it was banal  and of little intrinsic interest.” ·          banal =dull or boring
17. D	suggest, Bringing Up Baby,	P4, L 1-8	The comedy Bringing Up Baby, on the other hand, presents practically non-stop dialogue delivered at breakneck speed. This use of dialogue underscores not only the dizzy quality of the character Katherine Hepburn, but also the absurdity of the film itself and thus its humor.” The dialogue in the film Bringing Up Baby highlights key elements of the film. ·         key elements = the absurdity of the humor of the film
18. C	click of a door, realistic sounds	P5, L 6-19	Synchronous sounds contribute to the realism of film and also help to create a particular atmosphere. For example, the ‘click’ of a door being opened may simply serve to  convince  the  audience  that  the  image  portrayed  is  real,  and  the  audience  may  only  subconsciously note the expected sound. However, if the ‘click’ of an opening door is part of an ominous action such as a burglary, the sound mixer may call attention to the ‘click’ with an increase in volume; this helps to engage the audience in a moment of suspense.” By using sound mixer realistic sounds can be modified by increasing the sound volume to make it more realistic.
19. TRUE	audiences, background music	P7, L 1	We are probably all familiar with background music in films, which has become so ubiquitous as to be noticeable in its absence. background sound or music has become an essential part of films ·         ubiquitous = ever-present
20. TRUE	anticipate, development		In addition, background music often foreshadows a change in mood. This means the background music can make the audience understand what changes are going to happen in a film. ·         anticipate=foreshadow
21. NOT GIVEN	more effect, some people than on others		Reference to ‘background music’ and its effects in both paragraphs no. 7 and 8. But we cannot find any comparison as to whether it has more or less effect on some people.
22. TRUE	audience, make certain connections	P8, L1-2	Background music may aid viewer understanding by linking scenes ·         help=aid ·         audience=viewer ·         make connections within a film = linking scenes
23. FALSE	audiences, aware, affecting	P last, L 6-9	The effects of sound are often largely subtle and often are noted  by only our subconscious minds. ·         subtle =delicate or faint or slight
24. C	response, different parts, controlled	P2, L1-4	The entire sound track consists of three essential ingredients: the human voice, sound effects and music. These three tracks must be mixed and balanced so as to produce the necessary emphases which in turn create desired effects. ·         combined appropriately=mixed and balanced.
25. A	feelings, motivation, clear	P2, line 1-4	As is the case with stage drama, dialogue serves to tell the story and expresses feelings and motivations of characters as well.
26. E	seems to be real person, than actor	P3, L1-3	When voice textures fit the performer’s physiognomy  and gestures, a whole and very realistic person emerges ·         actor=performer ·         appearance=physiognomy ·         moves=gestures ·         consistent with=fit

READING PASSAGE 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27–40, which are based on Reading Passage 3 .

This marvelous invention

Here’s the revised table from questions 27 to 40, in the format you requested:

Question No.	Answer	Keywords	Location	Explanation
27	vi	language, most important invention	Paragraph A	In paragraph A, the writer emphasizes that language is the most important invention, stating: “Of all mankind’s manifold creations, language must take pride of place.” and “Compared to language, all other inventions pale in significance.”
28	iv	incompatible characteristics, paradox	Paragraph B	In paragraph B, the writer describes language as having both extraordinary sophistication and ingenious simplicity. The paradox of language being mankind’s greatest invention yet never invented is central to the explanation.
29	ii	a few sounds, organised to convey meaning	Paragraph C	Paragraph C discusses how language can convey complex ideas using a limited set of sounds. The writer emphasizes that a few basic sounds can be organized to convey a vast range of meanings.
30	vii	universal ability, language	Paragraph D	Paragraph D explains that language is universal and accessible to everyone, from pre-modern foragers to post-modern philosophers, allowing all humans to connect and communicate effortlessly.
31	i	differences between languages, impressiveness	Paragraph E	In paragraph E, the writer highlights how foreign tongues, with their unique features, demonstrate the wonder of language's design. Differences in languages, like the example of a Turkish word, emphasize language's impressiveness.
32	v	absence of sound, meaningful	Paragraph F	In paragraph F, the writer states that even the absence of sound can be used to convey meaning, highlighting how silence can express something specific and meaningful.
33	E	material	Paragraph A	The writer compares the wheel's impact on material life to the impact of language, indicating that while the wheel has had a major effect, language's impact is far more fundamental.
34	G	fundamental	Paragraph A	The writer explains that language’s impact is fundamental, as everything we have ever achieved depends on language, making it more significant than other inventions like the wheel.
35	B	complex	Paragraph B	Paragraph B emphasizes that language is complex despite being composed of a small number of sounds, describing it as a tool of extraordinary sophistication based on ingenious simplicity.
36	F	easy	Paragraph D	In paragraph D, the writer notes that language appears easy to use because it runs smoothly, but this ease masks the sophisticated processes involved in its construction.
37	NO	human beings, present position, without language	Paragraph A	The writer clearly states that without language, humans could not have reached their current position, directly contradicting the claim that humans might have achieved their present position without language.
38	YES	Port-Royal grammarians, did justice	Paragraph B	The writer refers to the Port-Royal grammarians, describing how they eloquently celebrated the significance of language, suggesting they did justice to its nature.
39	NOT GIVEN	complex idea, clearly, sentence	Not referenced in the text	The text does not provide a direct statement comparing the clarity of expressing a complex idea in a sentence versus a single word, making this information unavailable.
40	YES	Sumerians, recording events	Paragraph F	The writer states that the Sumerians invented writing, enabling the documentation of history, indicating that they were responsible for starting the recording of events.