Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic Reading Test 3: answers explained

Explanation for each answer

Passage 1 · Q1–13 Flying tortoises

1. Question 1

   Matching headings

   Question

   Paragraph A

   Answer

   v

   Location

   Paragraph A

   Sentence in the passage

   Some time after the Galápagos’s birth, around five million years ago, the islands were colonised by one or more tortoises from mainland South America.

   Explanation

   Section A describes how tortoises first arrived and spread across the Galápagos islands, adapting to different environments and evolving into various subspecies. The sentence 'Some time after the Galápagos's birth... the islands were colonised by one or more tortoises from mainland South America' and 'As these ancestral tortoises settled on the individual islands... giving rise to at least 14 different subspecies' clearly outline the populating of the islands by tortoises. Heading v, 'Tortoises populate the islands', directly reflects this process.

2. Question 2

   Matching headings

   Question

   Paragraph B

   Answer

   iii

   Location

   Paragraph B

   Sentence in the passage

   From the 17th century onwards, pirates took a few on board for food, but the arrival of whaling ships in the 1790s saw this exploitation grow exponentially.

   Explanation

   Section B details the various negative impacts humans had on the tortoise populations. It describes exploitation by pirates and whalers, settlers hunting tortoises and destroying habitat for agriculture, and the introduction of alien species that prey on tortoises or damage their environment. All these points describe 'developments to the disadvantage of tortoise populations', making Heading iii the most suitable.

3. Question 3

   Matching headings

   Question

   Paragraph C

   Answer

   viii

   Location

   Paragraph C

   Sentence in the passage

   In 1989, work began on a tortoise-breeding centre just outside the town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela, dedicated to protecting the island’s tortoise populations.

   Explanation

   Section C introduces the beginning of active conservation efforts for the Galápagos tortoise. The key sentence is: 'In 1989, work began on a tortoise-breeding centre ... dedicated to protecting the island's tortoise populations.' This directly indicates the start of a significant conservation project. The subsequent sentence mentions the success of the captive-breeding programme, which is part of this project.

4. Question 4

   Matching headings

   Question

   Paragraph D

   Answer

   i

   Location

   Paragraph D

   Sentence in the passage

   Captive-bred tortoises can’t be reintroduced into the wild until they’re at least five years old and weigh at least 4.5 kilograms, at which point their size and weight – and their hardened shells – are sufficient to protect them from predators.

   Explanation

   Section D discusses the constraints and challenges related to reintroducing captive-bred tortoises into the wild. It highlights two crucial time factors: they must be old/large enough (at least five years old and 4.5 kg) to survive predators, but not too large (too large to transport). This clearly emphasizes 'the importance of getting the timing right' for reintroduction, aligning perfectly with Heading i.

5. Question 5

   Matching headings

   Question

   Paragraph E

   Answer

   iv

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   For years, repatriation efforts were carried out in small numbers, with the tortoises carried on the backs of men over weeks of long, treacherous hikes along narrow trails.

   Explanation

   Section E marks a turning point from earlier, small-scale reintroduction efforts ('repatriation efforts were carried out in small numbers') to a significantly larger and more ambitious plan. It describes a meeting where individuals 'gathered ... to work out more ambitious reintroduction' using a helicopter to move a large number (300) of tortoises. This clearly represents 'Planning a bigger idea' for reintroduction.

6. Question 6

   Matching headings

   Question

   Paragraph F

   Answer

   vi

   Location

   Paragraph F

   Sentence in the passage

   This unprecedented effort was made possible by the owners of the 67-metre yacht While Cloud, who provided the Galápagos National Park with free use of their helicopter and its experienced pilot, as well as the logistical support of the yacht, its captain and crew.

   Explanation

   Section F describes the practical details and execution of the ambitious reintroduction plan developed in Section E. It mentions the provision of a yacht and helicopter, the design of a 'custom crate' for transport, volunteers preparing the tortoises, and park wardens clearing 'landing sites'. These actions collectively illustrate 'Carrying out a carefully prepared operation'.

7. Question 7

   Matching headings

   Question

   Paragraph G

   Answer

   ii

   Location

   Paragraph G

   Sentence in the passage

   Upon their release, the juvenile tortoises quickly spread out over their ancestral territory, investigating their new surroundings and feeding on the vegetation.

   Explanation

   Section G describes what happened after the young tortoises were released. The key event is the encounter between a 'tiny tortoise' (representative of the young, reintroduced population) and a 'fully grown giant who had been lumbering around the island for around a hundred years' (representative of the old, existing population). This meeting is explicitly called 'a powerful symbol of the regeneration of an ancient species'. The heading 'Young meets old' perfectly captures this symbolic encounter described in the section.

8. Question 8

   Note completion

   Question

   17th century: small numbers taken onto ships used by ______

   Answer

   pirates

   Location

   Paragraph B

   Sentence in the passage

   From the 17th century onwards, pirates took a few on board for food, but the arrival of whaling ships in the 1790s saw this exploitation grow exponentially.

   Explanation

   The question asks who took small numbers of tortoises onto their ships in the 17th century. Section B, the second sentence, states: 'From the 17th century onwards, pirates took a few on board for food'. This directly answers the question with 'pirates'. The answer is one word, fitting the word limit.

9. Question 9

   Note completion

   Question

   1790s: very large numbers taken onto whaling ships, kept for ______, and also used to produce …

   Answer

   food

   Location

   Paragraph B

   Sentence in the passage

   Relatively immobile and capable of surviving for months without food or water, the tortoises were taken on board these ships to act as food supplies during long ocean passages.

   Explanation

   The question asks what the tortoises were kept for on whaling ships in the 1790s. Section B, the third sentence, explains: 'Relatively immobile and capable of surviving for months without food or water, the tortoises were taken on board these ships to act as food supplies during long ocean passages.' This shows they were kept for 'food supplies', which can be shortened to 'food' to fit the ONE WORD ONLY limit.

10. Question 10

    Note completion

    Question

    1790s: very large numbers taken onto whaling ships, kept for …, and also used to produce ______

    Answer

    oil

    Location

    Paragraph B

    Sentence in the passage

    Sometimes, their bodies were processed into high-grade oil.

    Explanation

    The question asks what was produced from the tortoises on whaling ships in the 1790s. Section B, the fourth sentence, states: 'Sometimes, their bodies were processed into high-grade oil.' This indicates that 'oil' was produced. The answer 'oil' is one word, fitting the word limit.

11. Question 11

    Note completion

    Question

    Hunted by ______ on the islands

    Answer

    settlers

    Location

    Paragraph B

    Sentence in the passage

    This historical exploitation was then exacerbated when settlers came to the islands.

    Explanation

    The question asks who hunted tortoises on the islands. Section B, the sixth sentence, mentions that exploitation 'was then exacerbated when settlers came to the islands.' The following sentence clarifies what the 'They' (referring to the settlers) did: 'They hunted the tortoises and destroyed their habitat'. Therefore, the tortoises were hunted by 'settlers'. The answer 'settlers' is one word, fitting the word limit.

12. Question 12

    Note completion

    Question

    Habitat destruction: for the establishment of agriculture and by various ______ not native to the islands, which also fed on baby tortoises and tortoises’ …

    Answer

    species

    Location

    Paragraph B

    Sentence in the passage

    They also introduced alien species – ranging from cattle, pigs, goats, rats and dogs to plants and ants – that either prey on the eggs and young tortoises or damage or destroy their habitat.

    Explanation

    The question mentions habitat destruction by things 'not native to the islands' that also preyed on young tortoises and eggs. Section B, the last sentence, states: 'They also introduced alien species - ranging from cattle, pigs, goats, rats and dogs to plants and ants - that either prey on the eggs and young tortoises or damage or destroy their habitat.' The term 'alien species' fits the description. 'Species' is the key word needed to complete the sentence structure and fits the ONE WORD ONLY limit.

13. Question 13

    Note completion

    Question

    Habitat destruction: for the establishment of agriculture and by various … not native to the islands, which also fed on baby tortoises and tortoises’ ______

    Answer

    eggs

    Location

    Paragraph B

    Sentence in the passage

    They also introduced alien species – ranging from cattle, pigs, goats, rats and dogs to plants and ants – that either prey on the eggs and young tortoises or damage or destroy their habitat.

    Explanation

    The question asks what, in addition to baby tortoises, the introduced species fed on. Section B, the last sentence, says the introduced species 'either prey on the eggs and young tortoises or damage or destroy their habitat.' This shows they preyed on 'the eggs' and 'young tortoises'. The blank follows 'tortoises'', indicating a plural noun possessed by tortoises. 'Eggs' fits this description and the ONE WORD ONLY limit.

Passage 2 · Q14–26 The Intersection of Health Sciences and Geography

1. Question 14

   Matching information

   Question

   an acceptance that not all diseases can be totally eliminated

   Answer

   D

   Location

   Paragraph D

   Sentence in the passage

   While people will always be prone to illness, the study of how geography affects our health could lead to the eradication of certain illnesses, and the prevention of others in the future.

   Explanation

   The question asks for a reference indicating that not all diseases can be completely eliminated. The correct answer is Section D. According to the passage's structure (defined by sectionrange), Section D is the fourth paragraph of the passage. The fifth sentence of this paragraph states: 'While people will always be prone to illness, the study of how geography affects our health could lead to the eradication of certain illnesses, and the prevention of others in the future.' The phrase 'While people will always be prone to illness' accepts that some level of illness is inherent, implying not all diseases can be totally eliminated.

2. Question 15

   Matching information

   Question

   examples of physical conditions caused by human behaviour

   Answer

   C

   Location

   Paragraph C

   Sentence in the passage

   In many large cities, the wind is not strong enough to clear the air of the massive amounts of smog and pollution that cause asthma, lung problems, eyesight issues and more in the people who live there.

   Explanation

   The question asks for examples of physical conditions caused by human behaviour. The correct answer is Section C, which is the third paragraph of the passage. The second sentence of this paragraph mentions how 'massive amounts of smog and pollution that cause asthma, lung problems, eyesight issues and more' are present in large cities. The following sentence clarifies the cause: 'Part of the problem is, of course, the massive number of cars being driven, in addition to factories that run on coal power.' Driving cars and operating factories are human behaviours that cause the pollution, leading to the mentioned physical conditions.

3. Question 16

   Matching information

   Question

   a reference to classifying diseases on the basis of how far they extend geographically

   Answer

   F

   Location

   Paragraph F

   Sentence in the passage

   Researchers study the interactions between humans and their environment that could lead to illness (such as asthma in places with high levels of pollution) and work to create a clear way of categorizing illnesses, diseases and epidemics into local and global scales.

   Explanation

   The question asks for a reference to classifying diseases based on their geographical extent. The correct answer is Section F, the sixth paragraph. The first sentence of this paragraph states that researchers 'work to create a clear way of categorizing illnesses, diseases and epidemics into local and global scales.' Categorizing into 'local and global scales' directly relates to the geographical reach or extent of the diseases.

4. Question 17

   Matching information

   Question

   reasons why the level of access to healthcare can vary within a country

   Answer

   G

   Location

   Paragraph G

   Sentence in the passage

   In both developed and developing nations there is often a very large discrepancy between the options available to people in different social classes, income brackets, and levels of education.

   Explanation

   The question asks for reasons why healthcare access varies within a country. The correct answer is Section G, the seventh paragraph, which discusses the geography of healthcare provision. The third sentence mentions discrepancies in healthcare options based on 'different social classes, income brackets, and levels of education'. The fourth sentence provides an example of a physical barrier: 'it may be very difficult for people to get medical attention because there is a mountain between their village and the nearest hospital'. Both these points explain reasons for variation in healthcare access.

5. Question 18

   Matching information

   Question

   a description of health geography as a mixture of different academic fields

   Answer

   D

   Location

   Paragraph D

   Sentence in the passage

   Health geography is the combination of, on the one hand, knowledge regarding geography and methods used to analyse and interpret geographical information, and on the other, the study of health, diseases and healthcare practices around the world.

   Explanation

   The question asks for a description of health geography as a mix of different academic fields. The correct answer is Section D, the fourth paragraph. The third sentence explicitly defines health geography as 'the combination of... knowledge regarding geography... and... the study of health, diseases and healthcare practices around the world.' This clearly states that health geography blends elements from geography and health-related studies, describing it as a mixture of different fields.

6. Question 19

   Matching information

   Question

   a description of the type of area where a particular illness is rare

   Answer

   B

   Location

   Paragraph B

   Sentence in the passage

   Malaria is much less of a problem in high-altitude deserts, for instance.

   Explanation

   Section B uses malaria as its example. The disease thrives in warm, damp tropical zones where mosquitos breed, and it is much less of a problem in high-altitude deserts. So this is the part that describes the type of area where an illness is rare. Section C also names places, but only to describe pollution.

7. Question 20

   Sentence completion

   Question

   Certain disease have disappeared, thanks to better ______ and healthcare.

   Answer

   vaccinations

   Location

   Paragraph A

   Sentence in the passage

   While many diseases that affect humans have been eradicated due to improvements in vaccinations and the availability of healthcare, there are still areas around the world where certain health issues are more prevalent.

   Explanation

   The question states that some diseases have disappeared thanks to better [blank] and healthcare. The first sentence of the first paragraph (Section A) says: 'While many diseases that affect humans have been eradicated due to improvements in vaccinations and the availability of healthcare...'. 'Eradicated' is a synonym for 'disappeared'. The sentence lists 'improvements in vaccinations' and 'availability of healthcare' as the reasons. The blank follows 'better' and precedes 'and healthcare', matching the structure in the passage. 'Vaccinations' fits grammatically and adheres to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

8. Question 21

   Sentence completion

   Question

   Because there is more contact between people, ______ are losing their usefulness.

   Answer

   antibiotics

   Location

   Paragraph A

   Sentence in the passage

   As a result, super-viruses and other infections resistant to antibiotics are becoming more and more common.

   Explanation

   The question suggests that increased contact between people leads to something losing its usefulness. The third sentence of the first paragraph (Section A) states: 'As a result, super-viruses and other infections resistant to antibiotics are becoming more and more common.' The previous sentence (0,1) establishes that 'people come into contact with one another through travel and living closer and closer to each other'. The phrase 'resistant to antibiotics' means that antibiotics are becoming less effective or 'losing their usefulness' against these infections. 'Antibiotics' fits the blank and the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

9. Question 22

   Sentence completion

   Question

   Disease-causing ______ are most likely to be found in hot, damp regions.

   Answer

   mosquito(e)s

   Location

   Paragraph B

   Sentence in the passage

   Perhaps one of the most obvious examples of this idea is malaria-prone areas, which are usually tropical regions that foster a warm and damp environment in which the mosquitos that can give people this disease can grow.

   Explanation

   The question asks about disease-causing organisms found in hot, damp regions. The third sentence of the second paragraph (Section B) discusses malaria-prone areas: '...which are usually tropical regions that foster a warm and damp environment in which the mosquitos that can give people this disease can grow.' Tropical regions are hot and damp. The sentence identifies 'mosquitos' as organisms found there that 'can give people this disease' (cause disease). 'Mosquitos' fits the description and the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

10. Question 23

    Sentence completion

    Question

    One cause of pollution is ______ that burn a particular fuel.

    Answer

    factories

    Location

    Paragraph C

    Sentence in the passage

    Part of the problem is, of course, the massive number of cars being driven, in addition to factories that run on coal power.

    Explanation

    The question asks for a cause of pollution that burns a specific fuel. The third sentence of the third paragraph (Section C) discusses pollution: 'Part of the problem is, of course, the massive number of cars being driven, in addition to factories that run on coal power.' This sentence lists 'factories that run on coal power' as a cause of the pollution previously mentioned. 'Run on coal power' indicates burning a particular fuel ('coal'). 'Factories' fits the blank and the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

11. Question 24

    Sentence completion

    Question

    The growth of cities often has an impact on nearby ______

    Answer

    forests

    Location

    Paragraph C

    Sentence in the passage

    The rapid industrialisation of some countries in recent years has also led to the cutting down of forests to allow for the expansion of big cities, which makes it even harder to fight the pollution with the fresh air that is produced by plants.

    Explanation

    The question asks what nearby area is impacted by the growth of cities. The fourth sentence of the third paragraph (Section C) states: 'The rapid industrialisation of some countries in recent years has also led to the cutting down of forests to allow for the expansion of big cities...'. 'Expansion of big cities' is the growth of cities. This growth 'led to the cutting down of forests'. This indicates the impact on nearby forests. 'Forests' fits the blank and the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

12. Question 25

    Sentence completion

    Question

    ______ is one disease that is growing after having been eradicated.

    Answer

    Polio

    Location

    Paragraph D

    Sentence in the passage

    It is an increasingly important area of study in a world where diseases like polio are re-emerging, respiratory diseases continue to spread, and malaria-prone areas are still fighting to find a better cure.

    Explanation

    The question asks for a disease that is reappearing after being eradicated. The second sentence of the fourth paragraph (Section D) lists areas of study for health geography: 'It is an increasingly important area of study in a world where diseases like polio are re-emerging...'. 'Re-emerging' means appearing again after having disappeared (like being eradicated). The sentence gives 'polio' as an example of such a disease. 'Polio' fits the blank and the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

13. Question 26

    Sentence completion

    Question

    A physical barrier such as a ______ Can prevent people from reaching a hospital.

    Answer

    mountain

    Location

    Paragraph G

    Sentence in the passage

    Individuals working in the area of the geography of healthcare provision attempt to assess the levels of healthcare in the area (for instance, it may be very difficult for people to get medical attention because there is a mountain between their village and the nearest hospital).

    Explanation

    The question asks for an example of a physical barrier preventing access to a hospital. The fourth sentence of the seventh paragraph (Section G), which discusses healthcare provision, gives an example: '(for instance, it may be very difficult for people to get medical attention because there is a mountain between their village and the nearest hospital)'. A 'mountain' is a physical barrier that makes it difficult for people to 'get medical attention' at a 'hospital'. 'Mountain' fits the blank and the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

Passage 3 · Q27–40 Music and the emotions

1. Question 27

   Summary completion

   Question

   It was noted that the music stimulated the brain’s neurons to release a substance called ______ in two of the parts of the brain which are associated with feeling …

   Answer

   dopamine

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 2

   Sentence in the passage

   The first thing they discovered is that music triggers the production of dopamine – a chemical with a key role in setting people’s moods – by the neurons (nerve cells) in both the dorsal and ventral regions of the brain.

   Explanation

   The fill-in-the-blank question asks about the substance released by brain neurons in the Montreal study. The sixth sentence of the second paragraph states, 'The first thing they discovered is that music triggers the production of dopamine... by the neurons (nerve cells) in both the dorsal and ventral regions of the brain.' This directly identifies 'dopamine' as the substance released. The answer 'dopamine' is a single word, fitting the 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS' limit.

2. Question 28

   Summary completion

   Question

   It was noted that the music stimulated the brain’s neurons to release a substance called … in two of the parts of the brain which are associated with feeling ______

   Answer

   pleasure

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 2

   Sentence in the passage

   As these two regions have long been linked with the experience of pleasure, this finding isn’t particularly surprising.

   Explanation

   The blank asks what feeling is associated with the two brain regions (dorsal and ventral) where dopamine is released. The last sentence of the second paragraph states, 'As these two regions have long been linked with the experience of pleasure, this finding isn't particularly surprising.' This directly links these regions with 'pleasure'. The answer 'pleasure' is one word, fitting the 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS' limit.

3. Question 29

   Summary completion

   Question

   Researchers also observed that the neurons in the area of the brain called the ______ were particularly active just before the participants’ favourite moments in the music – the period known as the … Activity in this part of the brain is associated with the expectation of ‘reward’ stimuli such as …

   Answer

   caudate

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   What is rather more significant is the finding that the dopamine neurons in the caudate – a region of the brain involved in learning stimulus-response associations, and in anticipating food and other ‘reward’ stimuli – were at their most active around 15 seconds before the participants’ favourite moments in the music.

   Explanation

   The question asks for the name of the brain area where neurons were particularly active just before favourite musical moments. The first sentence of the third paragraph states, 'What is rather more significant is the finding that the dopamine neurons in the caudate... were at their most active around 15 seconds before the participants' favourite moments in the music.' This identifies 'caudate' as the area. 'Caudate' is a single word, fitting the word limit.

4. Question 30

   Summary completion

   Question

   Researchers also observed that the neurons in the area of the brain called the … were particularly active just before the participants’ favourite moments in the music – the period known as the ______ Activity in this part of the brain is associated with the expectation of ‘reward’ stimuli such as …

   Answer

   anticipatory phase

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   The researchers call this the ‘anticipatory phase’ and argue that the purpose of this activity is to help us predict the arrival of our favourite part.

   Explanation

   The question asks for the name given to the period just before the favourite moments in the music. The second sentence of the third paragraph states, 'The researchers call this the 'anticipatory phase' and argue that the purpose of this activity is to help us predict the arrival of our favourite part.' This names the period as the 'anticipatory phase'. This phrase consists of two words, fitting the 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS' limit.

5. Question 31

   Summary completion

   Question

   Researchers also observed that the neurons in the area of the brain called the … were particularly active just before the participants’ favourite moments in the music – the period known as the … Activity in this part of the brain is associated with the expectation of ‘reward’ stimuli such as ______

   Answer

   food

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   What is rather more significant is the finding that the dopamine neurons in the caudate – a region of the brain involved in learning stimulus-response associations, and in anticipating food and other ‘reward’ stimuli – were at their most active around 15 seconds before the participants’ favourite moments in the music.

   Explanation

   The question asks for an example of a 'reward' stimulus associated with caudate activity. The first sentence of the third paragraph describes the caudate as a region involved in 'anticipating food and other 'reward' stimuli'. 'Food' is given as a specific example of such a stimulus. 'Food' is one word, fitting the limit.

6. Question 32

   Multiple choice

   Question

   What point does the writer emphasise in the first paragraph?

   Answer

   B

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 1

   Sentence in the passage

   When listening to our favourite songs, our body betrays all the symptoms of emotional arousal.

   Explanation

   The question asks what the writer emphasizes in the first paragraph. After introducing the abstract nature of music and its deep impact, the paragraph extensively lists physiological responses to music: 'our body betrays all the symptoms of emotional arousal' (fourth sentence). It then details specific physical reactions: dilated pupils, increased pulse and blood pressure, lowered skin conductance, cerebellar activity, and blood redirection (fifth and sixth sentences). These examples highlight the intensity and variety of our physical responses. Option B accurately reflects this emphasis.

7. Question 33

   Multiple choice

   Question

   what view of the Montreal study does the writer express in the second paragraph?

   Answer

   C

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 2

   Sentence in the passage

   Because the scientists were combining methodologies (PET and fMRI), they were able to obtain an impressively exact and detailed portrait of music in the brain.

   Explanation

   The question asks about the writer's view of the Montreal study as expressed in the second paragraph. The fifth sentence of this paragraph states, 'Because the scientists were combining methodologies (PET and fMRI), they were able to obtain an impressively exact and detailed portrait of music in the brain.' The phrase 'impressively exact and detailed portrait' directly relates to the precision of the data obtained. Option C, 'It produced some remarkably precise data,' paraphrases this idea.

8. Question 34

   Multiple choice

   Question

   What does the writer find interesting about the results of the Montreal study?

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   What is rather more significant is the finding that the dopamine neurons in the caudate – a region of the brain involved in learning stimulus-response associations, and in anticipating food and other ‘reward’ stimuli – were at their most active around 15 seconds before the participants’ favourite moments in the music.

   Explanation

   The question asks what the writer finds interesting about the study's results. The first sentence of the third paragraph explicitly states, 'What is rather more significant is the finding that the dopamine neurons in the caudate... were at their most active around 15 seconds before the participants' favourite moments in the music.' The third, fourth, and sixth sentences of this paragraph dwell on this specific observation and pose questions about why this activity happens *before* the peak moment. This emphasis on the timing ('around 15 seconds before', 'period preceding', 'when the 'chills' have yet to arrive') indicates that the timing of the neural response is what the writer finds most interesting and significant. Option A captures this idea.

9. Question 35

   Multiple choice

   Question

   Why does the writer refer to Meyer’s work on music and emotion?

   Answer

   B

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 6

   Sentence in the passage

   It is this uncertainty that triggers the surge of dopamine in the caudate, as we struggle to figure out what will happen next.

   Explanation

   Meyer's analysis of Beethoven shows that music gains its emotional force from patterns that are set up and then withheld. The writer then says this uncertainty is what triggers the dopamine surge in the caudate, which is what the Montreal team measured. So Meyer is cited to back up their results, not to offer a new theory or to disagree.

10. Question 36

    Multiple choice

    Question

    According to Leonard Meyer, what causes the listener’s emotional response to music?

    Answer

    D

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 6

    Sentence in the passage

    According to Meyer, it is the suspenseful tension of music, arising out of our unfulfilled expectations, that is the source of the music’s feeling.

    Explanation

    The question asks what Meyer believed causes the emotional response to music. The sixth paragraph, attributed to Meyer's view, states that 'the suspenseful tension of music, arising out of our unfulfilled expectations, that is the source of the music's feeling' (first sentence). The paragraph also contrasts this with earlier theories focusing on 'connotative' meaning (reference to the real world). Meyer's 'embodied meaning' (third sentence) is said to arise from the 'patterns the symphony invokes and then ignores' (third sentence). The fifth paragraph, discussing Meyer's analysis of Beethoven, details how the composer manipulates rhythmic and harmonic patterns to create tension and anticipation, ultimately creating feeling not through external reference but through the music's own structure and its manipulation of listener expectations. Option D, 'the internal structure of the musical composition,' best captures this idea of tension and meaning arising from the way the music itself is put together and unfolds, rather than from external associations.

11. Question 37

    Matching sentence endings

    Question

    The Montreal researchers discovered that

    Answer

    F

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 3

    Sentence in the passage

    What is rather more significant is the finding that the dopamine neurons in the caudate – a region of the brain involved in learning stimulus-response associations, and in anticipating food and other ‘reward’ stimuli – were at their most active around 15 seconds before the participants’ favourite moments in the music.

    Explanation

    The sentence stem starts 'The Montreal researchers discovered that'. Option F completes this by stating 'neuron activity increases prior to key points in a musical piece'. This aligns directly with the finding in the third paragraph, where the first sentence says that dopamine neurons in the caudate 'were at their most active around 15 seconds before the participants' favourite moments in the music'. The favourite moments are 'key points', and being 'most active' indicates increased activity. The timing 'around 15 seconds before' signifies 'prior to'.

12. Question 38

    Matching sentence endings

    Question

    Many studies have demonstrated that

    Answer

    B

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 4

    Sentence in the passage

    Numerous studies, after all, have demonstrated that dopamine neurons quickly adapt to predictable rewards.

    Explanation

    The sentence stem starts 'Many studies have demonstrated that'. Option B, 'neuron activity decreases if outcomes become predictable,' completes this based on the fourth paragraph. The fourth sentence explicitly states, 'Numerous studies, after all, have demonstrated that dopamine neurons quickly adapt to predictable rewards.' 'Quickly adapt' in this context means their activity decreases because predictable rewards don't trigger excitement ('we don't get excited'). Option B is a paraphrase of this demonstrated finding.

13. Question 39

    Matching sentence endings

    Question

    Meyer’s analysis of Beethoven’s music shows that

    Answer

    E

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 5

    Sentence in the passage

    Meyer wanted to show how music is defined by its flirtation with – but not submission to – our expectations of order.

    Explanation

    The sentence stem is 'Meyer's analysis of Beethoven's music shows that'. Option E, 'emotive music delays giving listeners what they expect to hear,' completes this idea based on the fifth paragraph. Meyer's analysis, as described, shows how Beethoven 'carefully holds off repeating' a pattern (fourth sentence) and 'refuses to give us' the expected chord until the end (fifth and sixth sentences). This demonstrates that the music intentionally 'delays giving listeners what they expect to hear' in order to create feeling ('emotive music').

14. Question 40

    Matching sentence endings

    Question

    Earlier theories of music suggested that

    Answer

    C

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 6

    Sentence in the passage

    While earlier theories of music focused on the way a sound can refer to the real world of images and experiences – its ‘connotative’ meaning – Meyer argued that the emotions we find in music come from the unfolding events of the music itself.

    Explanation

    The sentence stem is 'Earlier theories of music suggested that'. Option C, 'emotive music can bring to mind actual pictures and events,' matches the description of earlier theories in the sixth paragraph. The second sentence states, 'While earlier theories of music focused on the way a sound can refer to the real world of images and experiences - its 'connotative' meaning...'. This shows that previous theories linked music's emotion to its ability to reference or bring to mind 'images and experiences' from the 'real world', which is synonymous with 'actual pictures and events'.