Cambridge IELTS Academic 19 Reading Test 2 Answers with Explanation

Reading Passage 1

The Industrial Revolution in Britain

Britain’s Industrial Revolution
Steam Power
  1. In Watt and Boulton’s steam engine, the movement of the…………piston…………… was linked to a gear system.

Piston: 2nd Paragraph’s 6th to 8th line. Watt later worked with the English manufacturer Matthew Boulton………………….to…………………………..to produced rotary motion.

Explanation:– The engine invented by Watt and Boulton was operated by forward and backward movement of the piston, and the gear mechanism(system) connected with it produced rotary motion.    

  1. A greater supply of …………coal…………… was required to power steam engine.

Coal:- 3rd paragraph’s first three lines. The demand for coal, which was relatively cheap energy source,………………………….to………………………but also steam-powered transportation.

Explanation:– A good amount coal was needed to power steam engines in factories and transportation. 

Textile industry

  1. Before the industrial revolution, spinners and weavers worked at home and in ………workshops………………

workshops:- 4th paragraph from near the end of the first line to 4th line. but prior to the Industrial Revolution, the British textile business………………….to………………….weavers and dyers.

Explanation:– Prior(before) Industrial Revolution, textile works like weaving, spinning and dying were done by people in homes and workshops in Britain   

  1. Not as much ………labour……………… was needed to produce cloth once the spinning jenny and power loom were invented.

Labour:- 4th paragraph, 4th line to line 6.  Starting in mid 1700s,………………….to………………. little labour was required to produce clothes.

Explanation:– Spinning jenny made spinning yarn and power loom made weaving cloth easier and reduced the requirement of labour in these tasks.

Iron Industry

  1. Smelting of iron ore with coke resulted in material that was better ………quality………………

quality:- 5th paragraph’s 3rd and 4th lines. This method (smelting) was cheaper and produced metals that were of a higher quality.

Explanation:– Clearly given, needs no explanation.

  1. Demand for iron increased with the growth of the ………railways………………

railways:- 5th paragraph, 3rd line to last line. This method was cheaper………………… to …………………expansion of the railways from the 1830s.

Explanation:– Britain’s iron and steel demand grew in response to the Napoleonic Wars and the expansion of the railways from the 1830s. It is easy to get confused and write “wars” as the answer instead of “railways.” However, you should pay attention to synonyms in the question and paragraph. If you look closely, the synonym of “expansion,” which is “growth,” is used in the question. So, the correct answer is “railways.”

Urbanisation

  1. The new cities were dirty, crowded and lacked sufficient ………sanitation………………

Sanitation:- 7th paragraph’s last three lines. This rapid urbanisation brought significant challenges, as overcrowded cities suffered from pollution and inadequate sanitation.

Explanation:– Inadequate = Lacking the quality or quantity required.

Sanitation = the provision of clean drinking water and adequate sewage disposal.

True / False / Not Given

       8. Britain’s canal network grew rapidly so that more goods could be transported around the country.

Not Given

Explanation:- Some of you might think the answer should be False or True after reading the last two lines of the third paragraph: “In addition, steam-powered boats and ships were widely used to carry goods along Britain’s canals as well as across the Atlantic.” However, the answer is Not Given because the mention of canals does not necessarily indicate a discussion about the expansion of the canal network. The question specifically refers to the rapid expansion of the canal network, which is not addressed anywhere in the paragraph.

 

       9. Costs in the iron industry rose when the technique of smelting iron ore with coke was introduced.

False:- 5th paragraph’s first 4 lines. The British iron industry also underwent…………..to………….. of a higher quality.

Explanation:- Smelting of iron ore with coke made iron and steel production cheaper not expensive. So, the answer is False.

 

       10. Samuel Morse’s communication system was more reliable than that developed by William Cooke and Charles Wheatstone.

Not Given.

Explanation:- The information related to this question is given in the 6th paragraph. But, no comparison was made between the inventions of UK inventors (William Cooke and Charles Wheatstone) and US inventors (Samuel Moore). So the answer is Not Given.

 

       11. The economic benefits of industrialisation were limited to certain sectors of society.

True:- 8th paragraph’s first three lines. Although industrialisation increased………to……….poor people continued to struggle.

Explanation:- Industrialisation improved the living standards of only middle and upper classes (sectors of society), not the poor. You can read further in the 8th paragraph that British weavers and textile workers also against industrialisation, which means they were negatively affected by Industrialisation. Therefore, the answer is True.      

 

       12. Some skilled weavers believed that the introduction of the new textile machines would lead to job losses.

True:- 8th paragraph from line 5 to 8. A group of British workers…………to……………robbing them of their livelihood.

Explanation:– British weaver and textile workers, who spent years in learning these spinning and weaving skills, feared that unskilled machine operators would take over their jobs and they will become jobless. So, the answer is true.       

 

       13. There was some sympathy among local people for the Luddites who were arrested near Huddersfield.

Not Given.

Explanation:- No such information is given in the paragraph.

Reading Passage 2

Athletes and Stress

Which paragraph contains the following information?

       14. reference to two chemical compounds which impact on performance.

D:- D paragraph’s first three lines. Our challenge and threat responses……..to…….. stress hormones.

Explanation:- Adrenaline and cortisol are two stress hormones (chemical compounds) that affect athletes’ performance, as discussed in paragraph D. To understand how they impact athletes, you should read the entire paragraph.

 

       15. examples of strategies for minimising the effects of stress

F:- Almost the whole F paragraph.

Explanation:- Strategies for minimising the effects of stress in F paragraph are:-

  1. Promote positive stress response through language (think of motivating words) used by themselves and from their parents and coaches.
  2. Seeing higher heart rate as excitement instead of nerves(a person’s steadiness, courage, and sense of purpose when facing a demanding situation).
  3. Visualising performing well.
  4. Recreating competitive pressure during raining.

 

       16. how a sportsperson accounted for their own experience of stress

A:- A paragraph’s first 4 lines. It isn’t easy being a professional athlete………….to………….2021 Wimbledon tournament.

Explanation:- British tennis player Emma Raducanu shared her experience in a social media post, discussing the increased physical demands and psychological (mental) pressure she faced after withdrawing (giving up) from the Wimbledon tournament in 2021.

Account = A description of an event or experience.

 

       17. study results indicating links between stress responses and performance

C:- C paragraph’s 6th and 7th line. Research shows that the challenge states lead to good performance, while threat states lead to poorer performance.

Explanation:-  A positive stress response is known as a challenge state, in which a person performs well, whereas a negative stress response, called a threat state, leads to poor performance.

 

       18. mention of people who can influence how athletes perceive their stress responses

F:- F paragraph’s 2nd and third line. Positive stress responses can be promoted through the language that they and others – such as coaches and parents – use.

Explanation:- Coaches and parents (people who can influence athletes) can promote a positive stress response by using encouraging and supportive language.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

       19. Performance stress involves many demands on the athlete, for example, coping with the possible risk off …………injury……………..

injury:- B paragraph from 5th line to line 8. These demands include the high level of physical and mental effort required to succeed, and also the athlete’s concerns about the difficulty of the event, their chance of succeeding, and any potential (possible) danger such as injury. 

 

       20. Cortisol can cause tennis players to produce fewer good …………serves……………..

serves:- D paragraph’s last three lines. In tennis players, cortisol has been associated with more unsuccessful serves and greater anxiety.

 

       21. Psychologists can help athletes to view their physiological responses as the effect of a positive feeling such as…………excitement……………..

excitement:- F paragraph 3rd line to 5th line. Psychologists can also help athletes change how they see their physiological responses- such as helping them see a higher heart rate as excitement, rather than nerves.

 

       22. ……………Visualisation……………. is an example of a psychological technique which can reduce an athlete’s stress responses.

Visualisation:- F paragraph from line 5 to 7. Developing psychological skills, such as visualisation can also help decrease physiological responses to threat.

Questions 23 and 24
Choose TWO letters, A-E.

Which TWO facts about Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal from the Wimbledon tournament are mentioned in the text?

    A  the stage at which she dropped out of the tournament

    B  symptoms of her performance stress at the tournament

    C  measures which she had taken to manage her stress levels

    D  aspects of the Wimbledon tournament which increased her stress levels

    E  reactions to her social media posts about her experience at Wimbledon

B(symptoms of her performance stress at the tournament). A paragraph’s 5th and 6th line.  Though the young player had been doing well in the tournament, she began having difficulty regulating her breathing and heart rate during a match.

Explanation:- The symptoms of her performance stress during a tournament match included difficulty in regulating her breathing and heart rate.

D(aspects of the Wimbledon tournament which increased her stress levels). C paragraph from 8th line to last line. So in Emma Raducanu’s case,………………..to…………….. the resources to tackle them.

Explanation:- The aspects of the Wimbledon tournament that increased her stress levels included a much larger audience, higher expectations, and facing a more skilful opponent. However, she lacked the resources to cope with these challenges.

Questions 25 and 26
Choose TWO letters, A-E.

Which TWO facts about anxiety are mentioned in Paragraph E of the text?

    A  the factors which determine how severe it may be

    B  how long it takes for its effects to become apparent

    C  which of its symptoms is most frequently encountered

    D  the types of athletes who are most likely to suffer from it

    E  the harm that can result if athletes experience it too often

A(the factors which determine how severe it may be):- Paragraph E from 5th line to 7th line. The intensity with which a person experiences anxiety depends on the demands and resources they have.

Explanation:- The severity (intensity) of anxiety a person experiences depends on two factors: the demands they face and the resources they have to meet those demands.

E (the harm that can result if athletes experience it too often):- E paragraph’s last three lines. Negative stress responses………….to…………heart disease and depression.

Explanation:- Frequent (too often) occurrences of anxiety among athletes can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease and depression. These are two major harms caused by anxiety.

Reading Passage 3

Athletes and Stress

An inquiry into existence of the gifted Child

Maryam Mirzakhani
  1. Maryam Mirzakhani is regarded as ………H…………… in the field of mathematics

H (unique):- 1st paragraph’s first five lines.  Let us start by looking ………………to…………… of a Nobel prize.

Explanation:- She was the only women (unique- no one else) to win the Fields Medal. When someone is not like anyone, it means they are unique. Maryam Mirzakhani was unique to win Fields Medal in mathematics.      

 

  1. However, maths held little………A…………… for her as a child

A (appeal):- First paragraph’s line 11 to 13. She went to a highly selective girls’ school but maths wasn’t her interest – reading was.

Explanation:- She was interested in reading not maths. Appeal is a synonym of interest.    

 

  1. in fact her performance was below average until she was …………C………… by a difficult puzzle that one of her sibling showed her.

C (Intrigued):- First paragraph’s last 7 lines. As for maths, she did……….to…………and she was hooked.

Explanation:- Intrigue = Fascinate. When her elder brother shared a famous math puzzle from a magazine with her, she became intrigued by mathematics.

 

  1. Later, as a professional mathematician, she had an inquiring mind and proved herself to be …………B………… when things did not get smoothly.

B (determined):- 2nd paragraph’s first three lines. In adult life it is clear that she was curious, excited by what she did and also resolute in the face of setbacks.

Explanation:- She was curious (inquiring mind), and excited by what she did and during setbacks (when things were not smooth), she was resolute (determined).  

 

  1. She said she got the greatest …………J………… from making ground-breaking discoveries and

J (satisfaction):-  2nd paragraph, 4th line to 7th line. Of course, the most………… to ………..something new.

Explanation:- You can translate the meaning of “enjoyment of understanding something new” as satisfaction.

 

  1. in fact she was responsible for some extremely…………I………… mathematical studies.

I (Innovative):- 2nd paragraph’s last three lines. That trail took her to the heights of original research into mathematics.

Explanation:- Innovative = of an idea featuring new methods that are advanced and original. She did original research into mathematics. So the best option is innovative. 

Yes/ No / Not Given
  1. Many people who ended up winning prestigious intellectual prizes only reached an average standard when young.

YES:- 3rd paragraph’s 2nd and 3rd line.  Most Nobel prize winners were unexceptional in childhood.

Explanation:- The meaning of this line is that most of the Nobel prize winners were normal performers (not exceptional or average standard) in their childhood. So the answer is YES.    

 

  1. Einstein’s failures as a young man were due to his lack of confidence.

NOT GIVEN

Explanation:- No such information is given in the passage.

 

  1. It is difficult to reach agreement on whether some children are actually born gifted.

YES:- the whole 5th paragraph. While the jury is out on giftedness being innate……..

Explanation:- The opening lines of this paragraph suggest that the people (such as the jury or panel) discussing the idea of being ‘gifted’ by birth could not reach a clear agreement. They found it difficult to decide whether people are truly born gifted.

 

  1. Einstein was upset by the public’s view of his life’s work.

NOT GIVEN

Explanation:- No such information is given in the passage.

 

  1. Einstein put his success down to the speed at which he dealt with scientific questions.

NO:- Last paragraph’s last three lines. Most people say it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character.

Explanation:- According to Einstein, it is character—not speed of work or any other trait—that makes a scientist great

Questions 38-40
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
  1. What does Eyre believe is needed for children to equal ‘gifted’ standards?

          A    strict discipline from the teaching staff
          B    assistance from their peers in the classroom
          C    the development of a spirit of inquiry towards their studies
          D    the determination to surpass everyone else’s achievements

         C (the development of a spirit of inquiry towards their studies):- 6th paragraph from line 4 to 11. the latest neuroscience and psychological research ………………. to …………….. curiosity, persistence and hard work.

Explanation:- curiosity = a desire to learn something or spirit of inquiry. Children can perform at the same level as gifted and talented individuals if they develop the right attitude, such as a strong desire to learn, persistence, and a commitment to hard work in their studies.

  1. What is the result of Ericsson’s research?

          A    Very gifted students do not need to work on improving memory skills.
          B    Being born with a special gift is not the key factor in becoming expert.
          C    Including time for physical exercise is crucial in raising performance.
          D    10,000 hours of relevant and demanding work will create a genius.

B (Being born with a special gift is not the key factor in becoming expert):- The whole 7th paragraph.

Explanation:- According to Ericsson’s research, talent by birth is not the key to performance. Instead, consistent practice and dedicating time to activities can help individuals reach the same level of excellence as talented or gifted children.

 

  1. In the penultimate paragraph, it is stated the key to some deprived children’s success is

          A    a regular and nourishing diet at home.
          B    the loving support of more than one parent.
          C    a community which has well-funded facilities for learning.
          D    the guidance of someone who recognises the benefits of learning.

D (the guidance of someone who recognises the benefits of learning):-  Second-last paragraph from 12th line to the end of this paragraph.

Explanation:- The key to the success of deprived children lies in the guidance of an adult, or adults, in their lives who value and support education. These adults encourage the children to work hard, listen to teachers, and keep trying.

If there is any confusion in any question, feel free to let us know in the comment section.

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