Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Reading Test 4: answers explained

Explanation for each answer

Passage 1 · Q1–13 Cutty Sark: the fastest sailing ship of all time

1. Question 1

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   Clippers were originally intended to be used as passenger ships.

   Answer

   FALSE

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 2

   Sentence in the passage

   The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers.

   Explanation

   The statement claims clippers were *originally* intended for passenger transport. The second paragraph states that clippers were "three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers." This indicates their primary purpose was carrying goods, and carrying passengers was a secondary function ('although some also took passengers'). This contradicts the idea that they were *originally intended* as passenger ships, making the statement FALSE.

2. Question 2

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   Cutty Sark was given the name of a character in a poem.

   Answer

   FALSE

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   Tam, a farmer, is chased by a witch called Nannie, who is wearing a ‘cutty sark’ – an old Scottish name for a short nightdress.

   Explanation

   The statement says Cutty Sark was named after a *character* in a poem. The third paragraph explains the name's origin: it comes from the poem Tam O'Shanter, where a witch named Nannie wears a 'cutty sark'. The passage explicitly states 'cutty sark' is "an old Scottish name for a short nightdress". So, the ship was named after the *garment* the character wore, not the character herself. This contradicts the statement, making it FALSE.

3. Question 3

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   The contract between John Willis and Scott & Linton favoured Willis.

   Answer

   TRUE

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 4

   Sentence in the passage

   To carry out construction, Willis chose a new shipbuilding firm, Scott & Linton, and ensured that the contrast with them put him in a very strong position.

   Explanation

   The statement says the contract between John Willis and Scott & Linton favoured Willis. The fourth paragraph states that John Willis chose Scott & Linton for construction and "ensured that the contract with them put him in a very strong position." This directly supports the idea that the contract favoured Willis, making the statement TRUE.

4. Question 4

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   John Willis wanted Cutty Sark to be the fastest tea clipper travelling between the UK and China.

   Answer

   TRUE

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 5

   Sentence in the passage

   Willis’s company was active in the tea trade between China and Britain, where speed could bring shipowners both profits and prestige, so Cutty Sark was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship.

   Explanation

   The statement claims John Willis wanted Cutty Sark to be the fastest tea clipper on the UK-China route. The fifth paragraph mentions Willis's company was in the "tea trade between China and Britain" and that "speed could bring shipowners both profits and prestige". It then explicitly states that Cutty Sark "was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship." This confirms Willis's desire for the ship to be the fastest for that specific trade route, making the statement TRUE.

5. Question 5

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   Despite storm damage, Cutty Sark beat Thermopylae back to London.

   Answer

   FALSE

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 5

   Sentence in the passage

   Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae.

   Explanation

   The statement claims Cutty Sark beat Thermopylae back to London despite damage. The fifth paragraph describes a race with a rival clipper, Thermopylae. Cutty Sark gained a lead, but then her rudder was severely damaged in stormy seas. After attempts to repair it, the paragraph concludes by stating, "Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae." This clearly shows that Cutty Sark arrived *after*, not *before*, Thermopylae, directly contradicting the statement and making it FALSE.

6. Question 6

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   The opening of the Suez Canal meant that steam ships could travel between Britain and China faster than clippers.

   Answer

   TRUE

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 6

   Sentence in the passage

   While steam ships could make use of the quick, direct route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the canal was of no use to sailing ships, which needed the much stronger winds of the oceans, and so had to sail a far greater distance.

   Explanation

   The statement claims the Suez Canal allowed steam ships to travel faster than clippers between Britain and China. The sixth paragraph discusses the impact of the Suez Canal's opening. It explains that steam ships could use the "quick, direct route", while sailing ships (clippers) could not and had to sail a "far greater distance" for strong winds. The paragraph concludes by stating, "Steam ships reduced the journey time between Britain and China by approximately two months." This clearly indicates that using the canal made the journey significantly faster for steam ships compared to the route clippers had to take, supporting the statement and making it TRUE.

7. Question 7

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   Steam ships sometimes used the ocean route to travel between London and China.

   Answer

   NOT GIVEN

   Explanation

   The statement suggests steam ships sometimes used the longer ocean route (like clippers) between London and China. The passage discusses the Suez Canal's advantage for steam ships, allowing them a quicker, direct route. It contrasts this with sailing ships needing the ocean route for winds. However, the passage does not provide any information about whether steam ships ever chose to use the longer ocean route instead of the Suez Canal. Therefore, the statement is NOT GIVEN.

8. Question 8

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   Captain Woodget put Cutty Sark at risk of hitting an iceberg.

   Answer

   TRUE

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 8

   Sentence in the passage

   As a sailing ship, Cutty Sark depended on the strong trade winds of the southern hemisphere, and Woodget took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America.

   Explanation

   The statement claims Captain Woodget put Cutty Sark at risk of hitting an iceberg. The eighth paragraph, discussing Captain Richard Woodget, states that he "took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America." The phrase 'dangerously close to icebergs' directly supports the idea that he put the ship at risk of hitting one, making the statement TRUE.

9. Question 9

   Sentence completion

   Question

   After 1880, Cutty Sark carried ______ as its main cargo during its most successful time.

   Answer

   wool

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 7

   Sentence in the passage

   This marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark’s working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain.

   Explanation

   The question asks about the main cargo of Cutty Sark during its most successful period, after 1880. The seventh paragraph mentions that by 1878, Cutty Sark was carrying miscellaneous cargo. However, it then states that in 1880, a change in captaincy "marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark's working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain." This sentence explicitly identifies 'wool' as the cargo transported during this successful period. The answer 'wool' is one word, fitting the word limit. The blank requires a noun.

10. Question 10

    Sentence completion

    Question

    As a captain and ______, Woodget was very skilled.

    Answer

    navigator

    Location

    Passage 1, paragraph 8

    Sentence in the passage

    The ship’s next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator, who got the best out of both his ship and his crew.

    Explanation

    The question asks for another role or skill of Captain Woodget besides being a captain. The eighth paragraph begins by introducing Richard Woodget and states, "The ship's next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator...". This directly provides 'navigator' as a skilled role held by Woodget. The answer 'navigator' is one word, fitting the word limit. The blank requires a noun.

11. Question 11

    Sentence completion

    Question

    Ferreira went to Falmouth to repair damage that a ______ had caused.

    Answer

    gale

    Location

    Passage 1, paragraph 10

    Sentence in the passage

    Badly damaged in a gale in 1922, she was put into Falmouth harbor in southwest England, for repairs.

    Explanation

    The question asks what caused the damage that led the ship, then named Ferreira, to go to Falmouth for repairs. The tenth paragraph mentions that in 1922, the ship (which had been renamed Ferreira in the previous paragraph) was "Badly damaged in a gale..." and was then "put into Falmouth harbor... for repairs." This clearly identifies a 'gale' as the cause of the damage. The answer 'gale' is one word, fitting the word limit. The blank requires a noun.

12. Question 12

    Sentence completion

    Question

    Between 1923 and 1954, Cutty Sark was used for ______

    Answer

    training

    Location

    Passage 1, paragraph 11

    Sentence in the passage

    Dowman used Cutty Sark as a training ship, and she continued in this role after his death.

    Explanation

    After Captain Dowman bought the ship back in 1923, he used her to train sailors, and she kept that job after his death until she went on display in 1954. The gap needs a single word for her use over those years, and the passage gives training.

13. Question 13

    Sentence completion

    Question

    Cutty Sark has twice been damaged by ______ in the 21st century.

    Answer

    fire

    Location

    Passage 1, paragraph 11

    Sentence in the passage

    The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014, but now Cutty Sark attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year.

    Explanation

    The question asks what damaged Cutty Sark twice in the 21st century. The eleventh paragraph mentions events after 1954, leading to the final sentence: "The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014...". Both 2007 and 2014 are in the 21st century (2001-2100). The sentence explicitly states the damage was caused by 'fire', twice. The answer 'fire' is one word, fitting the word limit. The blank requires a noun.

Passage 2 · Q14–26 SAVING THE SOIL

1. Question 14

   Summary completion

   Question

   Healthy soil contains a large variety of bacteria and other microorganisms, as well as plant remains and ______ It provides us with food and also with antibiotics, and its function in storing … has a significant effect on the climate.

   Answer

   minerals

   Location

   Paragraph B

   Sentence in the passage

   A single gram of healthy soil might contain 100 million bacteria, as well as other microorganisms such as viruses and fungi, living amid decomposing plants and various minerals.

   Explanation

   The question asks what healthy soil contains, in addition to bacteria, microorganisms, and plant remains. The third sentence of the second paragraph states that a single gram of healthy soil contains '100 million bacteria, as well as other microorganisms such as viruses and fungi, living amid decomposing plants and various minerals.' This sentence lists the components of healthy soil, matching the items mentioned in the question and adding 'minerals' as the missing element. The answer 'minerals' is one word, fitting the word limit.

2. Question 15

   Summary completion

   Question

   Healthy soil contains a large variety of bacteria and other microorganisms, as well as plant remains and … It provides us with food and also with antibiotics, and its function in storing ______ has a significant effect on the climate.

   Answer

   carbon

   Location

   Paragraph B

   Sentence in the passage

   Soil is also an ally against climate change: as microorganisms within soil digest dead animals and plants, they lock in their carbon content, holding three times the amount of carbon as does the entire atmosphere.

   Explanation

   The question asks what soil stores that has a significant effect on the climate. The second sentence of the third paragraph discusses soil as an ally against climate change: 'as microorganisms within soil digest dead animals and plants, they lock in their carbon content, holding three times the amount of carbon as does the entire atmosphere.' This sentence explains that soil's role in storing 'carbon' (carbon content) is directly related to its effect on the climate. The answer 'carbon' is one word, fitting the word limit.

3. Question 16

   Summary completion

   Question

   In addition, it prevents damage to property and infrastructure because it holds ______

   Answer

   water

   Location

   Paragraph B

   Sentence in the passage

   Soils also store water, preventing flood damage: in the UK, damage to buildings, roads and bridges from floods caused by soil degradation costs £233 million every year.

   Explanation

   The question states that soil prevents damage to property and infrastructure and asks what it holds. The third sentence of the third paragraph says: 'Soils also store water, preventing flood damage: in the UK, damage to buildings, roads and bridges from floods caused by soil degradation costs £233 million every year.' This sentence directly states that soil stores 'water', which prevents 'flood damage', which in turn causes damage to 'buildings, roads and bridges' (property and infrastructure). The answer 'water' is one word, fitting the word limit.

4. Question 17

   Summary completion

   Question

   The main factor contributing to soil degradation is the ______ carried out by humans.

   Answer

   agriculture

   Location

   Paragraph C

   Sentence in the passage

   Agriculture is by far the biggest problem.

   Explanation

   The question asks about the main factor contributing to soil degradation. The first sentence of the fifth paragraph states: 'Agriculture is by far the biggest problem.' This sentence identifies 'agriculture' as the most significant cause ('biggest problem') of soil degradation. The rest of the paragraph goes on to explain how agricultural practices lead to soil degradation. The answer 'agriculture' is one word, fitting the word limit.

5. Question 18

   Matching sentence endings

   Question

   Nutrients contained in the unused parts of harvested crops

   Answer

   C

   Location

   Paragraph C

   Sentence in the passage

   Humans tend not to return unused parts of harvested crops directly to the soil to enrich it, meaning that the soil gradually becomes less fertile.

   Explanation

   The sentence stem discusses nutrients in unused parts of harvested crops. Option C, 'may not be put back into the soil,' accurately completes the sentence based on the passage. The third sentence of the fifth paragraph states: 'Humans tend not to return unused parts of harvested crops directly to the soil to enrich it, meaning that the soil gradually becomes less fertile.' This directly corresponds to the idea that nutrients in these parts are often not returned to the soil.

6. Question 19

   Matching sentence endings

   Question

   Synthetic fertilisers produced with Haber-Bosch process

   Answer

   E

   Location

   Paragraph D

   Sentence in the passage

   Chemical fertilisers can release polluting nitrous oxide into the atmosphere and excess is often washed away with the rain, releasing nitrogen into rivers.

   Explanation

   The sentence stem is about synthetic fertilisers made with the Haber-Bosch process. Option E, 'may cause damage to different aspects of the environment,' is supported by the seventh paragraph. This paragraph describes the negative environmental impacts of these fertilisers, mentioning that they 'can release polluting nitrous oxide into the atmosphere' and that excess 'is often washed away with the rain, releasing nitrogen into rivers'. It also states that they 'hurts the soil itself'. These are damages to different aspects of the environment (air, water, and soil).

7. Question 20

   Matching sentence endings

   Question

   Addition of a mixture developed by Pius Floris to the soil

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   When they applied Floris’s mix to the desert-like test plots, a good crop of plants emerged that were not just healthy at the surface, but had roots strong enough to pierce dirt as hard as rock.

   Explanation

   The sentence stem concerns the mixture developed by Pius Floris. Option A, 'may improve the number and quality of plants growing there,' is supported by the eighth paragraph. This paragraph describes an experiment where Floris's mix was applied to degraded soil. The result was 'a good crop of plants emerged that were not just healthy at the surface, but had roots strong enough...' The contrasting control plots, using traditional fertilisers, produced only 'few plants... [that] were small and weak'. This demonstrates that the mixture improved both the number and quality of the plants.

8. Question 21

   Matching sentence endings

   Question

   The idea of zero net soil degradation

   Answer

   D

   Location

   Paragraph G

   Sentence in the passage

   Chasek and her colleagues have proposed a goal of ‘zero net land degradation’.

   Explanation

   The sentence stem refers to the idea of zero net soil degradation. Option D, 'may help governments to be more aware of soil-related issues,' is supported by the tenth paragraph. Pamela Chasek suggests that scientists need ways of presenting the problem that 'bring it home to governments and the wider public'. She proposes 'zero net land degradation' as an 'easily understood target that can help shape expectations and encourage action.' This implies it helps raise awareness and prompts action, which aligns with making governments 'more aware' and taking action on 'soil-related issues'.

9. Question 22

   Matching information

   Question

   a reference to one person’s motivation for a soil-improvement project

   Answer

   E

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   He came to realise that the best way to ensure his trees flourished was to take care of the soil, and has developed a cocktail of beneficial bacteria, fungi and humus* to do this.

   Explanation

   The question asks for the location of a reference to one person's motivation for a soil-improvement project. The correct answer is Section E. According to the passage's structure (`sectionrange`), Section E comprises the eighth paragraph of the passage (global index 7). The second sentence of this paragraph (global index 7, sentence 1) mentions Pius Floris and states his motivation: 'He came to realise that the best way to ensure his trees flourished was to take care of the soil, and has developed a cocktail...' This clearly explains why he started his soil-improvement project.

10. Question 23

    Matching information

    Question

    an explanation of how soil stayed healthy before the development of farming

    Answer

    C

    Location

    Paragraph C

    Sentence in the passage

    In the wild, when plants grow they remove nutrients from the soil, but then when the plants die and decay these nutrients are returned directly to the soil.

    Explanation

    Section C explains the natural cycle: wild plants take nutrients from the soil while growing, and these return when the plants die and rot. Soil is therefore refreshed without human help. Only afterwards does the section describe how farming broke this pattern, so it is the one that covers the healthy past.

11. Question 24

    Matching information

    Question

    examples of different ways of collecting information on soil degradation

    Answer

    F

    Location

    Paragraph F

    Sentence in the passage

    Researchers from nine countries are working together to create a map linked to a database that can be fed measurements from field surveys, drone surveys, satellite imagery, lad analyses and so on to provide real-time data on the state of the soil.

    Explanation

    Section F mentions the UN project that feeds a database from several sources: field surveys, drone surveys, satellite images and laboratory analyses. These are different ways of gathering information on the state of the soil, so F is right. Other sections discuss fertilisers or policy goals, not data collection.

12. Question 25

    Matching information

    Question

    a suggestion for a way of keeping some types of soil safe in the near future

    Answer

    G

    Location

    Paragraph G

    Sentence in the passage

    Several researchers are agitating for the immediate creation of protected zones for endangered soils.

    Explanation

    The question asks for a suggestion for keeping some soil types safe in the near future. The correct answer is Section G. According to the passage's structure (`sectionrange`), Section G comprises the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth paragraphs (global indices 10, 11, and 12). The second sentence of the eleventh paragraph (global index 10, sentence 1) states: 'Several researchers are agitating for the immediate creation of protected zones for endangered soils.' Creating 'protected zones' is a clear suggestion for keeping certain soils safe 'immediately' (in the near future).

13. Question 26

    Matching information

    Question

    a reason why it is difficult to provide an overview of soil degradation

    Answer

    F

    Location

    Paragraph F

    Sentence in the passage

    For one thing, there is no agreed international system for classifying soil.

    Explanation

    A global picture of soil damage is hard to build because countries do not classify soil in the same way. The writer notes that no agreed international system exists, and the UN project is an attempt to unify the approaches. That obstacle is the reason requested here, found in section F.

Passage 3 · Q27–40 Book Review

1. Question 27

   Multiple choice

   Question

   What is the reviewer’s attitude to advocates of positive psychology?

   Answer

   D

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 2

   Sentence in the passage

   Those who think in this way are oblivious to the vast philosophical literature in which the meaning and value of happiness have been explored and questioned, and write as if nothing of any importance had been thought on the subject until it came to their attention.

   Explanation

   The reviewer's attitude towards advocates of positive psychology is clearly critical. The second paragraph states that those who think in this way 'are oblivious to the vast philosophical literature' and 'write as if nothing of any importance had been thought on the subject'. It further describes them as 'illiterate in the history of ideas'. These strong terms indicate the reviewer believes these advocates lack knowledge or are ignorant of the significant philosophical history related to happiness, which they should be considering. Therefore, option D accurately reflects this negative attitude.

2. Question 28

   Multiple choice

   Question

   The reviewer refers to the Greek philosopher Aristotle in order to suggest that happiness

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 2

   Sentence in the passage

   The Greek philosopher Aristotle may have identified happiness with self-realisation in the 4th century BC, and thinkers throughout the ages may have struggled to reconcile the pursuit of happiness with other human values, but for Bentham all this was mere metaphysics or fiction.

   Explanation

   In the second paragraph, the reviewer mentions Aristotle, who 'identified happiness with self-realisation'. This is immediately contrasted with Bentham's view that happiness is merely 'pleasure and the absence of pain'. By presenting Aristotle's different concept of happiness (self-realisation), the reviewer is suggesting that there are other, more complex, ways of understanding happiness beyond just physical pleasure and lack of pain, which is the narrow definition adopted by Bentham and the positive psychology advocates he criticizes. Therefore, option A is supported.

3. Question 29

   Multiple choice

   Question

   According to Davies, Bentham’s suggestion for linking the price of goods to happiness was significant because

   Answer

   B

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 4

   Sentence in the passage

   By associating money so closely to inner experience, Davies writes, Bentham ‘set the stage for the entangling of psychological research and capitalism that would shape the business practices of the twentieth century’.

   Explanation

   The question asks about the significance of Bentham's idea to use money as a measure of happiness, according to Davies. The last sentence of the fourth paragraph quotes Davies: By associating money with 'inner experience' (psychology/happiness), Bentham 'set the stage for the entangling of psychological research and capitalism that would shape the business practices of the twentieth century'. This shows that Bentham's idea was significant because it created a link between psychological states (inner experience/happiness) and economic activity/capitalism (represented by money and business practices). This aligns with option B, establishing a connection between work (implicitly tied to capitalism/business) and psychology.

4. Question 30

   Summary completion

   Question

   In the 1970s he suggested a type of technology to improve ______ for different Government departments.

   Answer

   F

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   In the 1790s, he wrote to the Home Office suggesting that the departments of government be linked together through a set of ‘conversation tubes’, and to the Bank of England with a design for a printing device that could produce unforgeable banknotes.

   Explanation

   The summary sentence mentions Bentham suggested technology in the '1970s' (note: the passage says '1790s', which is a minor discrepancy but the location is correct based on the surrounding details) to improve something for government departments. The fifth sentence of the third paragraph states that in the '1790s, he wrote to the Home Office suggesting that the departments of government be linked together through a set of \'conversation tubes\''. 'Conversation tubes' are a technology designed to facilitate speaking between locations, which improves 'communication' between departments. Option F, 'communication', fits the context.

5. Question 31

   Summary completion

   Question

   He developed a new way of printing banknotes to increase ______ and also designed a method for the … of food.

   Answer

   B

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   In the 1790s, he wrote to the Home Office suggesting that the departments of government be linked together through a set of ‘conversation tubes’, and to the Bank of England with a design for a printing device that could produce unforgeable banknotes.

   Explanation

   The summary mentions Bentham developed a new way of printing banknotes to increase something. The fifth sentence of the third paragraph also mentions Bentham writing 'to the Bank of England with a design for a printing device that could produce unforgeable banknotes'. Producing 'unforgeable' banknotes directly relates to increasing their 'security' against counterfeiting. Option B, 'security', fits this description.

6. Question 32

   Summary completion

   Question

   He developed a new way of printing banknotes to increase … and also designed a method for the ______ of food.

   Answer

   G

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   He drew up plans for a ‘frigidarium’ to keep provisions such as meat, fish, fruit and vegetables fresh.

   Explanation

   The summary sentence also mentions Bentham designed a method for something related to food. The sixth sentence of the third paragraph states, 'He drew up plans for a \'frigidarium\' to keep provisions such as meat, fish, fruit and vegetables fresh.' Keeping food 'fresh' is synonymous with 'preservation'. Option G, 'preservation', is the correct fit.

7. Question 33

   Summary completion

   Question

   He also drew up plans for a prison which allowed the ______ of prisoners at al times, and believed the same design could be used for other institutions as well.

   Answer

   E

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   His celebrated design for a prison to be known as a ‘Panopticon’, in which prisoners would be kept in solitary confinement while being visible at all times to the guards, was very nearly adopted.

   Explanation

   The summary sentence mentions Bentham's plan for a prison that allowed something of prisoners at all times. The seventh sentence of the third paragraph describes the 'Panopticon' prison design 'in which prisoners would be kept in solitary confinement while being visible at all times to the guards'. Being 'visible at all times' means they were constantly under 'observation' or being watched. Option E, 'observation', fits this description.

8. Question 34

   Summary completion

   Question

   When researching happiness, he investigated possibilities for its ______, and suggested some methods of doing this.

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 4

   Sentence in the passage

   If happiness is to be regarded as a science, it has to be measured, and Bentham suggested two ways in which this might be done.

   Explanation

   The summary sentence states that when researching happiness, Bentham investigated possibilities for its something and suggested methods. The second sentence of the fourth paragraph explicitly states, 'If happiness is to be regarded as a science, it has to be measured, and Bentham suggested two ways in which this might be done.' This directly matches the summary's description of investigating possibilities for the 'measurement' of happiness and suggesting methods for it. Option A, 'measurement', is the correct answer.

9. Question 35

   Yes / No / Not Given

   Question

   One strength of The Happiness Industry is its discussion of the relationship between psychology and economics.

   Answer

   YES

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 5

   Sentence in the passage

   We learn much that is interesting about how economic problems are being redefined and treated as psychological maladies.

   Explanation

   The statement claims that a strength of the book 'The Happiness Industry' is its discussion of the link between psychology and economics. The fifth paragraph, which summarises the book's content, states, 'We learn much that is interesting about how economic problems are being redefined and treated as psychological maladies' and also how the belief in measuring inner experience ('psychology') has 'informed management studies and advertising' ('economics'/business). This directly confirms that the book discusses the relationship between psychology (inner experience, psychological maladies) and economics/business (economic problems, management studies, advertising), presenting this as interesting information learned from the book. Therefore, the answer is YES.

10. Question 36

    Yes / No / Not Given

    Question

    It is more difficult to measure some emotions than others.

    Answer

    NOT GIVEN

    Explanation

    The passage discusses the measurement of happiness and inner experience in general, and it mentions Bentham's suggestions (pulse rate, money) and the belief that these experiences can be objectively measured. However, the passage does not provide any information comparing the difficulty of measuring different types of emotions. It does not state whether some emotions are inherently harder or easier to quantify than others. Therefore, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

11. Question 37

    Yes / No / Not Given

    Question

    Watson’s ideas on behaviourism were supported by research on humans he carried out before 1915.

    Answer

    NO

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 5

    Sentence in the passage

    When he became president of the American Psychological Association in 1915, he ‘had never even studied a single human being’: his research had been confined to experiments on white rats.

    Explanation

    The statement claims that Watson's ideas were supported by research on humans before 1915. The fifth paragraph discusses J B Watson and his behaviourism. It explicitly states that when he became president of the American Psychological Association in 1915, he 'had never even studied a single human being'. It clarifies that 'his research had been confined to experiments on white rats'. This directly contradicts the idea that his pre-1915 research supported his ideas based on human studies. Therefore, the answer is NO.

12. Question 38

    Yes / No / Not Given

    Question

    Watson’s ideas have been most influential on governments outside America.

    Answer

    NOT GIVEN

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 5

    Sentence in the passage

    Yet Watson’s reductive model is now widely applied, with ‘behaviour change’ becoming the goal of governments: in Britain, a ‘Behaviour Insights Team’ has been established by the government to study how people can be encouraged, at minimum cost to the public purse, to live in what are considered to be socially desirable ways.

    Explanation

    The statement claims that Watson's ideas have been MOST influential on governments outside America. The fifth paragraph does state that Watson's model is 'now widely applied, with \'behaviour change\' becoming the goal of governments'. It gives a specific example of this influence in Britain, mentioning the 'Behaviour Insights Team'. However, the passage does not provide information about the extent of influence of Watson's ideas on governments within America or compare the level of influence between American and non-American governments. Therefore, it is impossible to confirm if the influence is 'most' significant outside America. The answer is NOT GIVEN.

13. Question 39

    Yes / No / Not Given

    Question

    The need for happiness is linked to industrialisation.

    Answer

    YES

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 6

    Sentence in the passage

    Modern industrial societies appear to need the possibility of ever-increasing happiness to motivate them in their labours.

    Explanation

    The statement suggests a link between the need for happiness and industrialisation. The first sentence of the sixth paragraph explicitly states, 'Modern industrial societies appear to need the possibility of ever-increasing happiness to motivate them in their labours.' This sentence directly connects the characteristic of being a 'modern industrial society' with the 'need' for increasing happiness, specifically as a motivator for 'labours' (work, typically associated with industrial societies). This confirms the link between the need for happiness and industrialisation presented in the statement. Therefore, the answer is YES.

14. Question 40

    Yes / No / Not Given

    Question

    A main aim of government should be to increase the happiness of the population.

    Answer

    NO

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 6

    Sentence in the passage

    But whatever its intellectual pedigree, the idea that governments should be responsible for promoting happiness is always a threat to human freedom.

    Explanation

    Whether a government should make its people happier is exactly the idea the reviewer rejects. He calls the underlying way of thinking crude and simple-minded, and closes by warning that expecting governments to promote happiness is always a danger to human freedom. Layard holds the view in the statement, but the writer does not share it, so his position is opposed to it and the answer is NO.