Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Reading Test 2: answers explained

Explanation for each answer

Passage 1 · Q1–13 Could urban engineers learn from dance?

1. Question 1

   Matching information

   Question

   reference to an appealing way of using dance that the writer is not proposing

   Answer

   B

   Location

   Paragraph B

   Sentence in the passage

   That is not to suggest everyone should dance their way to work, however healthy and happy it might make us, but rather that the techniques used by choreographers to experiment with and design movement in dance could provide engineers with tools to stimulate new ideas in city-making.

   Explanation

   The question asks for a reference to an appealing way of using dance that the writer is not proposing. The correct answer is Section B. According to the passage's structure (defined by sectionrange), Section B comprises the second paragraph of the passage. The specific reference is found in the second sentence of this paragraph, which states: 'That is not to suggest everyone should dance their way to work, however healthy and happy it might make us...'. This acknowledges that dancing to work might be appealing ('healthy and happy') but clarifies that this is not what the writer is proposing.

2. Question 2

   Matching information

   Question

   an example of a contrast between past and present approaches to building

   Answer

   C

   Location

   Paragraph C

   Sentence in the passage

   Whereas medieval builders improvised and adapted construction through their intimate knowledge of materials and personal experience of the conditions on a site, building designs are now conceived and stored in media technologies that detach the designer from the physical and social realities they are creating.

   Explanation

   The question asks for an example of a contrast between past and present building approaches. The correct answer is Section C. According to the passage's structure, Section C comprises the third paragraph. The first sentence of this paragraph provides a clear contrast: 'Whereas medieval builders improvised and adapted construction through their intimate knowledge of materials and personal experience..., building designs are now conceived and stored in media technologies...'. This explicitly contrasts the historical approach with the modern one.

3. Question 3

   Matching information

   Question

   mention of an objective of both dance and engineering

   Answer

   F

   Location

   Paragraph F

   Sentence in the passage

   Yet it shares with engineering the aim of designing patterns of movement within limitations of space.

   Explanation

   The question asks for a mention of a shared objective between dance and engineering. The correct answer is Section F. According to the passage's structure, Section F comprises the sixth paragraph. The fourth sentence of this paragraph explicitly states a shared aim: 'Yet it [choreography] shares with engineering the aim of designing patterns of movement within limitations of space.'

4. Question 4

   Matching information

   Question

   reference to an unforeseen problem arising from ignoring the climate

   Answer

   D

   Location

   Paragraph D

   Sentence in the passage

   They failed to take into account that purpose-built street cafés could not operate in the hot sun without the protective awnings common in older buildings, and would need energy-consuming air conditioning instead, or that its giant car park would feel so unwelcoming that it would put people off getting out of their cars.

   Explanation

   The question asks for a reference to an unforeseen problem resulting from not considering the climate. The correct answer is Section D. According to the passage's structure, Section D comprises the fourth paragraph. This paragraph discusses the Peachtree Center development. The fourth sentence explains an issue: 'They failed to take into account that purpose-built street cafés could not operate in the hot sun without the protective awnings... and would need energy-consuming air conditioning instead...'. This describes a problem (needing air conditioning) that arose because the designers ignored the local climate ('hot sun') and traditional solutions ('protective awnings').

5. Question 5

   Matching information

   Question

   why some measures intended to help people are being reversed

   Answer

   E

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   As a result, many are now being removed, causing disruption, cost, and waste.

   Explanation

   The question asks why measures intended to help people are being reversed. The correct answer is Section E. According to the passage's structure, Section E comprises the fifth paragraph. This paragraph discusses guard rails, introduced for 'pedestrian safety'. The sentences leading up to the end of the paragraph explain the negative consequences of these guard rails: they make crossings feel longer, introduce psychological barriers, impact the least mobile, encourage dangerous crossings, divide communities, and decrease healthy transport opportunities. The final sentence then states, 'As a result, many are now being removed...'. The preceding sentences explain the reasons why these measures (guard rails) are being reversed (removed).

6. Question 6

   Matching information

   Question

   reference to how transport has an impact on human lives

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Paragraph A

   Sentence in the passage

   The ways we travel affect our physical and mental health, our social lives, our access to work and culture, and the air we breathe.

   Explanation

   The question asks for a reference to how transport affects human lives. The correct answer is Section A. According to the passage's structure, Section A comprises the first two paragraphs. The specific reference is found in the fourth sentence of the first paragraph. This sentence explicitly states how travel ('The ways we travel') impacts various aspects of human life: 'affect our physical and mental health, our social lives, our access to work and culture, and the air we breathe.'

7. Question 7

   Summary completion

   Question

   Guard rails were introduced on British roads to improve the ______ of pedestrians, while ensuring that the movement of … is not disrupted.

   Answer

   safety

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   The guard rails that will be familiar to anyone who has attempted to cross a British road, for example, were an engineering solution to pedestrian safety based on models that prioritise the smooth flow of traffic.

   Explanation

   The question asks what guard rails were introduced to improve regarding pedestrians. Section E discusses guard rails. The fourth sentence of paragraph 5 states, 'The guard rails... were an engineering solution to pedestrian safety...'. This indicates that the guard rails were intended to improve 'safety' for pedestrians. The blank requires a noun, and 'safety' fits grammatically and semantically. The answer 'safety' is one word, adhering to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

8. Question 8

   Summary completion

   Question

   Guard rails were introduced on British roads to improve the … of pedestrians, while ensuring that the movement of ______ is not disrupted.

   Answer

   traffic

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   The guard rails that will be familiar to anyone who has attempted to cross a British road, for example, were an engineering solution to pedestrian safety based on models that prioritise the smooth flow of traffic.

   Explanation

   The question asks what movement is not disrupted by the guard rails, in addition to improving pedestrian safety. Section E discusses guard rails. The fourth sentence of paragraph 5 states that the guard rails were 'based on models that prioritise the smooth flow of traffic.' This shows that a goal was to ensure the 'smooth flow' of 'traffic'. Therefore, the movement of 'traffic' is what is not disrupted (or prioritised to not be disrupted). The blank requires a noun, and 'traffic' fits. The answer 'traffic' is one word, adhering to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

9. Question 9

   Summary completion

   Question

   Pedestrians are led to access points, and encouraged to cross one ______ at a time.

   Answer

   carriageway

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   On wide major roads, they often guide pedestrians to specific crossing points and slow down their progress across the road by using staggered access points divide the crossing into two – one for each carriageway.

   Explanation

   The question describes how guard rails guide pedestrians and how crossings are divided. Section E continues to discuss guard rails. The fifth sentence of paragraph 5 describes the process: 'On wide major roads, they often guide pedestrians to specific crossing points and slow down their progress across the road by using staggered access points divide the crossing into two – one for each carriageway.' This explains that the crossing is divided into two parts, 'one for each carriageway'. This means pedestrians are encouraged to cross one 'carriageway' at a time. The blank requires a noun. The answer 'carriageway' is one word, adhering to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

10. Question 10

    Summary completion

    Question

    An unintended effect is to create psychological difficulties in crossing the road, particularly for less ______ people.

    Answer

    mobile

    Location

    Paragraph E

    Sentence in the passage

    In doing so they make crossings feel longer, introducing psychological barriers greatly impacting those that are the least mobile, and encouraging others to make dangerous crossings to get around the guard rails.

    Explanation

    The question mentions unintended psychological difficulties caused by guard rails, particularly affecting a certain group of people. Section E discusses the unintended consequences. The sixth sentence of paragraph 5 states that the psychological barriers are 'greatly impacting those that are the least mobile'. This indicates that people who are 'less mobile' are particularly affected. The blank requires an adjective describing people, and 'mobile' fits. The answer 'mobile' is one word, adhering to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

11. Question 11

    Summary completion

    Question

    Another result is that some people cross the road in a ______ way.

    Answer

    dangerous

    Location

    Paragraph E

    Sentence in the passage

    In doing so they make crossings feel longer, introducing psychological barriers greatly impacting those that are the least mobile, and encouraging others to make dangerous crossings to get around the guard rails.

    Explanation

    The question mentions another negative result: how some people cross the road. Section E discusses the consequences of guard rails. The sixth sentence of paragraph 5 continues by stating that the barriers encourage 'others to make dangerous crossings to get around the guard rails'. This means some people cross in a 'dangerous' way. The blank requires an adjective describing the way people cross, and 'dangerous' fits. The answer 'dangerous' is one word, adhering to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

12. Question 12

    Summary completion

    Question

    The guard rails separate ______, and make it more difficult to introduce forms of transport that are …

    Answer

    communities

    Location

    Paragraph E

    Sentence in the passage

    These barriers don’t just make it harder to cross the road: they divide communities and decrease opportunities for healthy transport.

    Explanation

    The question lists further negative effects of guard rails, stating they separate something. Section E discusses the impact. The seventh sentence of paragraph 5 states: 'These barriers don’t just make it harder to cross the road: they divide communities and decrease opportunities for healthy transport.' This indicates that the guard rails ('these barriers') 'divide communities'. The blank requires a plural noun, and 'communities' fits. The answer 'communities' is one word, adhering to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

13. Question 13

    Summary completion

    Question

    The guard rails separate …, and make it more difficult to introduce forms of transport that are ______

    Answer

    healthy

    Location

    Paragraph E

    Sentence in the passage

    These barriers don’t just make it harder to cross the road: they divide communities and decrease opportunities for healthy transport.

    Explanation

    The question states that guard rails make it more difficult to introduce a certain type of transport. Section E discusses the negative impacts. The seventh sentence of paragraph 5 states: 'These barriers don’t just make it harder to cross the road: they divide communities and decrease opportunities for healthy transport.' This means the guard rails decrease opportunities for 'healthy transport'. Making it more difficult to introduce healthy transport aligns with decreasing opportunities for it. The blank requires an adjective describing transport, and 'healthy' fits. The answer 'healthy' is one word, adhering to the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

Passage 2 · Q14–26 Should we try to bring extinct species back to life?

1. Question 14

   Matching information

   Question

   a reference to how further disappearance of multiple species could be avoided.

   Answer

   F

   Location

   Paragraph F

   Sentence in the passage

   She prefers to focus the debate on how this emerging technology could be used to fully understand why various species went extinct in the first place, and therefore how we could use it to make genetic modifications which could prevent mass extinctions in the future.

   Explanation

   The question asks which section mentions how further disappearance of multiple species could be avoided. Section F contains the statement by Beth Shapiro: 'how we could use it to make genetic modifications which could prevent mass extinctions in the future.' The term 'mass extinctions' refers to the widespread disappearance of multiple species. Section F corresponds to the sixth paragraph of the passage.

2. Question 15

   Matching information

   Question

   explanation of a way of reproducing an extinct animal using the DNA of only that species

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Paragraph A

   Sentence in the passage

   The basic premise involves using cloning technology to turn the DNA of extinct animals into a fertilised embryo, which is carried by the nearest relative still in existence – in this case, the abundant band-tailed pigeon – before being born as a living, breathing animal.

   Explanation

   The question asks for an explanation of reproducing an extinct animal using its DNA. Section A corresponds to the first paragraph of the passage. The fifth sentence of this paragraph explains the 'basic premise' of de-extinction: 'The basic premise involves using cloning technology to turn the DNA of extinct animals into a fertilised embryo, which is carried by the nearest relative still in existence...'. While it mentions a relative is needed for carrying the embryo, the core reproduction method described involves using 'the DNA of extinct animals' through cloning, which fits the description of using 'only that species' DNA in terms of the genetic material itself.

3. Question 16

   Matching information

   Question

   reference to a habitat which has suffered following the extinction of a species

   Answer

   D

   Location

   Paragraph D

   Sentence in the passage

   Since the disappearance of this key species, ecosystems in the eastern US have suffered, as the lack of disturbance caused by thousands of passenger pigeons wrecking trees and branches means there has been minimal need for regrowth.

   Explanation

   The question asks for a reference to a habitat that has suffered after a species became extinct. Section D corresponds to the fourth paragraph of the passage. The fourth sentence of this paragraph states: 'Since the disappearance of this key species [passenger pigeon], ecosystems in the eastern US have suffered...'. It goes on to explain how the lack of the passenger pigeon's activity has left the forests 'stagnant', describing the suffering of the habitat.

4. Question 17

   Matching information

   Question

   mention of the exact point at which a particular species became extinct

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Paragraph A

   Sentence in the passage

   Sadly, the passenger pigeon’s existence came to an end on 1 September 1914, when the last living specimen died at Cincinnati Zoo.

   Explanation

   The question asks for the exact point in time when a species became extinct. Section A corresponds to the first paragraph of the passage. The third sentence of this paragraph provides this specific detail for the passenger pigeon: 'Sadly, the passenger pigeon’s existence came to an end on 1 September 1914, when the last living specimen died at Cincinnati Zoo.' This gives the exact date and location.

5. Question 18

   Summary completion

   Question

   Professor George Church and his team are trying to identify the ______ which enabled mammoths to live in the tundra.

   Answer

   genetic traits

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   By pinpointing which genetic traits made it possible for mammoths to survive the icy climate of the tundra, the project’s goal is to return mammoths, or a mammoth-like species, to the area.

   Explanation

   Church's team is looking at what let woolly mammoths cope with the icy tundra. They are pinpointing the genetic traits behind that survival, with the goal of returning mammoths or similar animals to the area. The answer is two words, genetic traits, which stays within the limit.

6. Question 19

   Summary completion

   Question

   According to Church, introducing Asian elephants to the tundra would involve certain physical adaptations to minimise ______ To survive in the tundra, the species would need to have the mammoth-like features of thicker hair, … of a reduced size and more …

   Answer

   heat loss

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   Necessary adaptations would include smaller ears, thicker hair, and extra insulating fat, all for the purpose of reducing heat loss in the tundra, and all traits found in the now extinct woolly mammoth.’

   Explanation

   The question asks what physical adaptations would minimise if Asian elephants were introduced to the tundra, according to Church. The fifth sentence of the fifth paragraph lists the necessary adaptations ('smaller ears, thicker hair, and extra insulating fat') and states they are 'all for the purpose of reducing heat loss in the tundra'. 'Reducing heat loss' is paraphrased as 'minimise heat loss'. The answer 'heat loss' is two words, fitting the word limit, and is a noun phrase.

7. Question 20

   Summary completion

   Question

   According to Church, introducing Asian elephants to the tundra would involve certain physical adaptations to minimise … To survive in the tundra, the species would need to have the mammoth-like features of thicker hair, ______ of a reduced size and more …

   Answer

   ears

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   Necessary adaptations would include smaller ears, thicker hair, and extra insulating fat, all for the purpose of reducing heat loss in the tundra, and all traits found in the now extinct woolly mammoth.’

   Explanation

   The question lists features needed for survival in the tundra, mentioning thicker hair and something of a reduced size, followed by another feature. The fifth sentence of the fifth paragraph lists these features as 'smaller ears, thicker hair, and extra insulating fat'. 'Smaller ears' corresponds to 'ears of a reduced size'. The answer 'ears' is one word, fitting the 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS' limit, and is a noun.

8. Question 21

   Summary completion

   Question

   According to Church, introducing Asian elephants to the tundra would involve certain physical adaptations to minimise … To survive in the tundra, the species would need to have the mammoth-like features of thicker hair, … of a reduced size and more ______

   Answer

   (insulating) fat

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   Necessary adaptations would include smaller ears, thicker hair, and extra insulating fat, all for the purpose of reducing heat loss in the tundra, and all traits found in the now extinct woolly mammoth.’

   Explanation

   The question lists features needed for survival in the tundra: thicker hair, ears of reduced size, and something else. The fifth sentence of the fifth paragraph lists 'smaller ears, thicker hair, and extra insulating fat'. 'Extra insulating fat' is the remaining feature. The blank is preceded by 'more', indicating a noun phrase. 'Insulating fat' consists of two words, fitting the 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS' limit, and is a noun phrase.

9. Question 22

   Summary completion

   Question

   Repopulating the tundra with mammoths or Asian elephant/mammoth hybrids would also have an impact on the environment, which could help to reduce temperatures and decrease ______

   Answer

   (carbon) emissions

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   This repopulation of the tundra and boreal forests of Eurasia and North America with large mammals could also be a useful factor in reducing carbon emissions – elephants punch holes through snow and knock down trees, which encourages grass growth.

   Explanation

   The question states that repopulating the tundra could reduce temperatures and decrease something else. The sixth sentence of the fifth paragraph discusses the environmental impact of repopulating the tundra with large mammals: 'This repopulation... could also be a useful factor in reducing carbon emissions...'. 'Reducing carbon emissions' matches 'decrease __________'. The answer 'carbon emissions' consists of two words, fitting the word limit, and is a noun phrase.

10. Question 23

    Matching features

    Question

    Reintroducing an extinct species to its original habitat could improve the health of a particular species living there.

    Answer

    B

    Location

    Paragraph B

    Sentence in the passage

    He points out that in the decades since the thylacine went extinct, there has been a spread in a ‘dangerously debilitating’ facial tumour syndrome which threatens the existence of the Tasmanian devils, the island’s other notorious resident.

    Explanation

    The question asks which person is associated with the idea that reintroducing an extinct species could improve the health of a living species. Section B is about the Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) and quotes Michael Archer. The third sentence of Section B mentions the facial tumour syndrome affecting Tasmanian devils. The fourth sentence states 'Thylacines would have prevented this spread...'. The final sentence, attributed to Archer's perspective, says 'The return of thylacines to Tasmania could help to ensure that devils are never again subjected to risks of this kind'. This directly links the return of the extinct thylacine to the improved health and safety ('ensure that devils are never again subjected to risks') of the Tasmanian devil.

11. Question 24

    Matching features

    Question

    It is important to concentrate on the causes of an animal’s extinction.

    Answer

    C

    Location

    Paragraph F

    Sentence in the passage

    She prefers to focus the debate on how this emerging technology could be used to fully understand why various species went extinct in the first place, and therefore how we could use it to make genetic modifications which could prevent mass extinctions in the future.

    Explanation

    The question asks which person believes it's important to focus on the causes of extinction. Section F quotes Beth Shapiro. The third sentence of Section F states that she 'prefers to focus the debate on how this emerging technology could be used to fully understand why various species went extinct in the first place'. 'Understand why various species went extinct in the first place' is a direct match for 'concentrate on the causes of an animal’s extinction'.

12. Question 25

    Matching features

    Question

    A species brought back from extinction could have an important beneficial impact on the vegetation of its habitat.

    Answer

    A

    Location

    Paragraph D

    Sentence in the passage

    Since the disappearance of this key species, ecosystems in the eastern US have suffered, as the lack of disturbance caused by thousands of passenger pigeons wrecking trees and branches means there has been minimal need for regrowth.

    Explanation

    The question asks which person links a de-extinct species to a beneficial impact on vegetation. Section D discusses the passenger pigeon project led by Ben Novak. The fourth and fifth sentences describe how the lack of passenger pigeons caused forests to become 'stagnant' and reduced the need for 'regrowth' and 'regenerate the forest'. The final sentence of the paragraph states, 'According to Novak, a hybridized band-tailed pigeon... could, in theory, re-establish that forest disturbance...'. Re-establishing the disturbance (like breaking trees and branches, as mentioned earlier) promotes regrowth and regeneration, which is a beneficial impact on the vegetation.

13. Question 26

    Matching features

    Question

    Our current efforts at preserving biodiversity are insufficient.

    Answer

    C

    Location

    Paragraph F

    Sentence in the passage

    ‘I would also say there’s an incredible moral hazard to not do anything at all,’ she continues.

    Explanation

    The question asks which person states that current preservation efforts are not enough. Section F quotes Beth Shapiro. The fifth sentence of Section F states: '‘We know that what we are doing today is not enough...’. 'What we are doing today' refers to current efforts at preserving biodiversity, and 'not enough' is equivalent to 'insufficient'.

Passage 3 · Q27–40 Having a laugh

1. Question 27

   Multiple choice

   Question

   When referring to laughter in the first paragraphs, the writer emphasises

   Answer

   C

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 1

   Sentence in the passage

   Like other human emotions and expressions, laughter and humour psychological scientists with rich resources for studying human psychology, ranging from the development of language to the neuroscience of social perception.

   Explanation

   The question asks what the writer emphasises about laughter in the first paragraphs. The third sentence of the first paragraph explicitly states that 'laughter and humour psychological scientists with rich resources for studying human psychology, ranging from the development of language to the neuroscience of social perception.' This highlights the importance and 'value' of laughter and humour as tools for 'scientific research' (studying human psychology and perception).

2. Question 28

   Multiple choice

   Question

   What does the writer suggest about Charley Douglass?

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 2

   Sentence in the passage

   These were intended to help people at home feel like they were in a social situation, such as a crowded theatre.

   Explanation

   The passage discusses Charley Douglass in the second paragraph. The fourth sentence of this paragraph states that his 'laugh tracks' were intended 'to help people at home feel like they were in a social situation, such as a crowded theatre.' This suggests Douglass recognised that the experience of enjoying humour is enhanced when people feel they are part of a group or 'social situation,' which is the core idea behind option A.

3. Question 29

   Multiple choice

   Question

   What makes the Santa Cruz study particularly significant?

   Answer

   B

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   On average, the results were remarkably consistent: worldwide, people’s guesses were correct approximately 60% of the time.

   Explanation

   What stands out is how consistent the answers were: listeners from 24 very different societies, from New Guinea tribes to city-dwellers, guessed friends or strangers correctly about 60% of the time worldwide. The number of disciplines in the team and the range of laughers are mentioned but are not what makes it significant.

4. Question 30

   Multiple choice

   Question

   Which of the following happened in the San Diego study?

   Answer

   B

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 4

   Sentence in the passage

   Meanwhile, low-status individuals were more likely to change their laughter based on their position of power; that is, the newcomers produced more dominant laughs when they were in the ‘powerful’ role of teasers.

   Explanation

   In the fraternity experiment each group had two newcomers and two older members, and everyone took a turn being teased. The newcomers therefore ended up in the powerful teasing role at times, so the participants swapped roles. Nothing suggests anyone was upset or unable to laugh, and the men were already in the same fraternity.

5. Question 31

   Multiple choice

   Question

   In the fifth paragraph, what did the results of the San Diego study suggest?

   Answer

   D

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 5

   Sentence in the passage

   However, high-status individuals were rated as high-status whether they produced their natural dominant laugh or tried to do a submissive one.

   Explanation

   The fifth paragraph discusses the results when volunteers listened to the laughs and estimated social status. The final sentence states: 'However, high-status individuals were rated as high-status whether they produced their natural dominant laugh or tried to do a submissive one.' This indicates that the perception of high status based on laughter was consistent for high-status individuals, regardless of whether they produced a dominant or attempted submissive laugh. While not explicitly saying 'always,' the finding implies a strong and consistent association between high status and being perceived as high status through laughter, supporting the idea that high-status individuals are consistently identifiable by their way of laughing (dominant laughter is their 'natural' way, and even trying submissive didn't change the perception). The previous sentence (4,3) also notes that low-status individuals were only rated higher when displaying a dominant laugh, highlighting a difference in how status is perceived through laughter for the two groups.

6. Question 32

   Summary completion

   Question

   In one study at Australian National University, randomly chosen groups of participants were shown one of three videos, each designed to generate a different kind of ______ When all participants were then given a deliberately frustrating task to do, it was found that those who had watched the … video persisted with the task for longer and tried harder to accomplish the task than either of the other two groups.

   Answer

   F

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 6

   Sentence in the passage

   The students then were randomly assigned to watch a video clip eliciting either humour, contentment, or neutral feelings.

   Explanation

   The summary sentence describes the setup of the study at Australian National University, mentioning that participants were shown videos designed to generate a different kind of '__________'. The fifth sentence of the sixth paragraph states that participants were assigned to watch video clips 'eliciting either humour, contentment, or neutral feelings.' Humour, contentment, and neutral feelings are all types of 'emotion'. Therefore, 'emotion' is the correct word to fill the blank.

7. Question 33

   Summary completion

   Question

   In one study at Australian National University, randomly chosen groups of participants were shown one of three videos, each designed to generate a different kind of … When all participants were then given a deliberately frustrating task to do, it was found that those who had watched the ______ video persisted with the task for longer and tried harder to accomplish the task than either of the other two groups.

   Answer

   H

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 7

   Sentence in the passage

   Students who had watched the Mr. Bean video ended up spending significantly more time working on the task, making twice as many predictions as the other two groups.

   Explanation

   The summary sentence describes the results of the study, stating that those who watched the '__________' video persisted longer on the frustrating task. The fourth sentence of the seventh paragraph explicitly states that 'Students who had watched the Mr. Bean video ended up spending significantly more time working on the task...' The sixth sentence of the sixth paragraph mentions that the 'Mr. Bean' clip was a 'BBC comedy'. An 'amusing' video is a type of comedy video. Therefore, 'amusing' is the correct option to describe the video that led to greater persistence.

8. Question 34

   Summary completion

   Question

   A second study in which participants were asked to perform a particularly ______ task produced similar results.

   Answer

   C

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 8

   Sentence in the passage

   Again, participants who watched the humorous video spent significantly more time working on this tedious task and completed more questions correctly than did the students in either of the other groups.

   Explanation

   The summary sentence refers to a second study where participants performed a 'particularly __________' task and produced similar results to the first study. The second study is described in the eighth paragraph. The second sentence states that participants who watched the humorous video spent more time working on 'this tedious task'. 'Tedious' means boring or tiresome. Therefore, 'boring' is the correct word to fill the blank, as it is a synonym for 'tedious'.

9. Question 35

   Summary completion

   Question

   According to researchers David Cheng and Lu Wang, these findings suggest that humour not only reduces ______ and helps build social connections but it may also have a … Effect on the body and mind.

   Answer

   D

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 9

   Sentence in the passage

   ‘Although humour has been found to help relieve stress and facilitate social relationships, traditional view of task performance implies that individuals should avoid things such as humour that may distract them from the accomplishment of task goals,’ Cheng and Wang conclude.

   Explanation

   The summary sentence quotes Cheng and Wang on the benefits of humour, stating it not only reduces '__________' and helps build social connections. The first sentence of the ninth paragraph (quoting Cheng and Wang) states: 'Although humour has been found to help relieve stress and facilitate social relationships...' 'Relieve stress' is equivalent to reducing 'anxiety'. Therefore, 'anxiety' is the correct option.

10. Question 36

    Summary completion

    Question

    According to researchers David Cheng and Lu Wang, these findings suggest that humour not only reduces … and helps build social connections but it may also have a ______ Effect on the body and mind.

    Answer

    E

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 9

    Sentence in the passage

    ‘We suggest that humour is not only enjoyable but more importantly, energising.’

    Explanation

    The summary sentence concludes the quote from Cheng and Wang, suggesting humour may also have a '__________' effect on the body and mind. The second sentence of the ninth paragraph, also quoting Cheng and Wang, states: '‘We suggest that humour is not only enjoyable but more importantly, energising.’' 'Energising' means providing energy or stimulating. Therefore, 'stimulating' is the correct option, as it is a synonym for 'energising' and fits the context of an effect on the body and mind.

11. Question 37

    Yes / No / Not Given

    Question

    Participants in the Santa Cruz study were more accurate at identifying the laughs of friends than those of strangers.

    Answer

    NOT GIVEN

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 3

    Sentence in the passage

    Participants were asked whether they thought the people laughing were friends or strangers.

    Explanation

    The statement claims participants were more accurate at identifying friends' laughs compared to strangers' laughs. The third paragraph describes the Santa Cruz study. It states that participants were asked if the laughers were friends or strangers (third sentence) and that overall accuracy was about 60% (fourth sentence). However, the passage does not provide a breakdown of the accuracy based on whether the laughers were friends or strangers. It only gives the overall accuracy rate for distinguishing between the two. Therefore, the information needed to confirm or contradict this specific comparison is not present.

12. Question 38

    Yes / No / Not Given

    Question

    The researchers in the San Diego study were correct in their predictions regarding the behaviour of the high-status individuals.

    Answer

    YES

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 4

    Sentence in the passage

    Analysis revealed that, as expected, high-status individuals produced more dominant laughs and fewer submissive laughs relative to the low-status individuals.

    Explanation

    The statement claims the researchers' predictions about high-status individuals' behaviour in the San Diego study were correct. The fourth paragraph describes the San Diego study. The fourth sentence states: 'Analysis revealed that, as expected, high-status individuals produced more dominant laughs and fewer submissive laughs relative to the low-status individuals.' The phrase 'as expected' indicates that the results matched the researchers' predictions regarding the laughter behaviour of the high-status individuals. Therefore, the statement is true (YES).

13. Question 39

    Yes / No / Not Given

    Question

    The participants in the Australian National University study were given a fixed amount of time to complete the task focusing on employee profiles.

    Answer

    NO

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 7

    Sentence in the passage

    Participants were allowed to quit the task at any point.

    Explanation

    The statement says participants in the Australian National University study (the first one) were given a fixed amount of time for the employee profiles task. The seventh paragraph describes this task. The third sentence of this paragraph states: 'Participants were allowed to quit the task at any point.' This directly contradicts the idea of a 'fixed amount of time'. Participants could stop whenever they wanted, indicating the time was not fixed. Therefore, the statement is false (NO).

14. Question 40

    Yes / No / Not Given

    Question

    Cheng and Wang’s conclusions were in line with established notions regarding task performance.

    Answer

    NO

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 9

    Sentence in the passage

    ‘Although humour has been found to help relieve stress and facilitate social relationships, traditional view of task performance implies that individuals should avoid things such as humour that may distract them from the accomplishment of task goals,’ Cheng and Wang conclude.

    Explanation

    The statement claims Cheng and Wang's conclusions align with established notions about task performance. The ninth paragraph presents Cheng and Wang's conclusions. The first sentence mentions that the 'traditional view of task performance implies that individuals should avoid things such as humour that may distract them from the accomplishment of task goals'. This describes the 'established notions'. The second sentence then presents Cheng and Wang's contrasting suggestion: '‘We suggest that humour is not only enjoyable but more importantly, energising.’' Their finding that humour increases persistence on tedious tasks (from the previous paragraphs) and their conclusion that it is 'energising' goes against the 'traditional view' that humour should be avoided as a distraction. Therefore, their conclusions are NOT in line with established notions, making the statement false (NO).