Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 2: answers explained

Explanation for each answer

Passage 1 · Q1–13 The Dead Sea Scrolls

1. Question 1

   Note completion

   Question

   heard a noise of breaking when one teenager threw a ______

   Answer

   rock

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 1

   Sentence in the passage

   One of these young shepherds tossed a rock into an opening on the side of a cliff and was surprised to hear a shattering sound.

   Explanation

   The question asks what the teenager threw into the opening that caused a breaking sound. The passage in the second sentence of the first paragraph states that 'One of these young shepherds tossed a rock into an opening on the side of a cliff and was surprised to hear a shattering sound.' This directly matches the information needed to complete the sentence. The word 'rock' is a single word, which aligns with the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

2. Question 2

   Note completion

   Question

   teenagers went into the ______ and found a number of containers made of …

   Answer

   cave

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 1

   Sentence in the passage

   He and his companions later entered the cave and stumbled across a collection of large clay jars, seven of which contained scrolls with writing on them.

   Explanation

   The question asks where the teenagers went and found containers. The passage, in the third sentence of the first paragraph, states: 'He and his companions later entered the cave and stumbled across a collection of large clay jars'. This indicates they went into the 'cave' and found 'clay jars'. 'Cave' is the single word needed to fill the blank, fitting the 'ONE WORD ONLY' requirement.

3. Question 3

   Note completion

   Question

   teenagers went into the … and found a number of containers made of ______

   Answer

   clay

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 1

   Sentence in the passage

   He and his companions later entered the cave and stumbled across a collection of large clay jars, seven of which contained scrolls with writing on them.

   Explanation

   The question asks what the containers found in the cave were made of. Following on from the previous blank, the third sentence of the first paragraph states: 'He and his companions later entered the cave and stumbled across a collection of large clay jars'. This clearly says the jars (containers) were made of 'clay'. 'Clay' is a single word, meeting the 'ONE WORD ONLY' restriction.

4. Question 4

   Note completion

   Question

   thought to have been written by group of people known as the ______

   Answer

   Essenes

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 2

   Sentence in the passage

   The area was known as Judea at that time, and the people are thought to have belonged to a group called the Essenes, a devout Jewish sect.

   Explanation

   The question asks for the name of the group of people thought to have written the scrolls. The third sentence of the second paragraph states that the people who inhabited the area (where the scrolls were found) 'are thought to have belonged to a group called the Essenes'. This directly provides the name of the group. 'Essenes' is a single word, fulfilling the 'ONE WORD ONLY' requirement.

5. Question 5

   Note completion

   Question

   written mainly in the ______ language

   Answer

   Hebrew

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   The majority of the texts on the Dead Sea Scrolls are in Hebrew, with some fragments written in an ancient version of its alphabet thought to have fallen out of use in the fifth century BCE.

   Explanation

   The question asks for the main language the scrolls are written in. The first sentence of the third paragraph states: 'The majority of the texts on the Dead Sea Scrolls are in Hebrew'. 'Majority' means 'mainly', and the language is specified as 'Hebrew'. 'Hebrew' is a single word, satisfying the 'ONE WORD ONLY' limit.

6. Question 6

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   The Bedouin teenagers who found the scrolls were disappointed by how little money they received for them.

   Answer

   NOT GIVEN

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 1

   Sentence in the passage

   The teenagers took the seven scrolls to a nearby town where they were sold for a small sum to a local antiquities dealer.

   Explanation

   The statement claims the teenagers were disappointed by the small amount of money they received. The passage, in the fourth sentence of the first paragraph, mentions that the scrolls 'were sold for a small sum'. However, it does not mention the teenagers' feelings or reaction to this sum. Whether they were disappointed, satisfied, or indifferent is not stated. Therefore, the information about their feelings is not given.

7. Question 7

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   There is agreement among academics about the origin of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

   Answer

   FALSE

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 2

   Sentence in the passage

   The origin of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were written around 2,000 years ago between 150 BCE and 70 CE, is still the subject of scholarly debate even today.

   Explanation

   The statement says there is agreement among academics about the origin of the scrolls. The first sentence of the second paragraph directly contradicts this, stating that the origin 'is still the subject of scholarly debate even today'. 'Scholarly debate' means there is disagreement or lack of consensus among academics. Therefore, the statement is false.

8. Question 8

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   Most of the books of the Bible written on the scrolls are incomplete.

   Answer

   TRUE

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 4

   Sentence in the passage

   The Dead Sea Scrolls include fragments from every book of the Old Testament of the Bible except for the Book of Esther.

   Explanation

   The statement says most biblical books on the scrolls are incomplete. The first sentence of the fourth paragraph states: 'The Dead Sea Scrolls include fragments from every book of the Old Testament of the Bible except for the Book of Esther.' The use of the word 'fragments' indicates that these parts are incomplete rather than whole books. The following sentence mentions that only one entire book (Isaiah) is preserved, reinforcing that the others are mostly fragments. Therefore, most of the biblical books are indeed incomplete.

9. Question 9

   True / False / Not Given

   Question

   The information on the Copper Scroll is written in an unusual way.

   Answer

   TRUE

   Location

   Passage 1, paragraph 5

   Sentence in the passage

   Using an unconventional vocabulary and odd spelling, it describes 64 underground hiding places that supposedly contain riches buried for safekeeping.

   Explanation

   The statement matches the description of the Copper Scroll's language: it uses unconventional vocabulary and odd spelling to list its hiding places. Unconventional and odd both mean unusual, and writing is exactly what is being described, so the statement agrees with the passage.

10. Question 10

    True / False / Not Given

    Question

    Mar Samuel was given some of the scrolls as a gift.

    Answer

    FALSE

    Location

    Passage 1, paragraph 6

    Sentence in the passage

    In 1948, a Syrian Orthodox archbishop known as Mar Samuel acquired four of the original seven scrolls from a Jerusalem shoemaker and part-time antiquity dealer, paying less than $100 for them.

    Explanation

    The statement says Mar Samuel was given scrolls as a gift. The passage, in the second sentence of the sixth paragraph, states that Mar Samuel 'acquired four of the original seven scrolls from a Jerusalem shoemaker and part-time antiquity dealer, paying less than $100 for them.' This clearly indicates he purchased the scrolls by 'paying' money, meaning they were bought, not given as a gift. Therefore, the statement is false.

11. Question 11

    True / False / Not Given

    Question

    In the early 1950s, a number of educational establishments in the US were keen to buy scrolls from Mar Samuel.

    Answer

    FALSE

    Location

    Passage 1, paragraph 6

    Sentence in the passage

    He then travelled to the United States and unsuccessfully offered them to a number of universities, including Yale.

    Explanation

    The statement claims US educational establishments were keen to buy scrolls from Mar Samuel. The passage, in the third sentence of the sixth paragraph, says that after travelling to the US, Mar Samuel 'unsuccessfully offered them to a number of universities, including Yale.' 'Unsuccessfully' indicates that these universities were not keen or willing to buy the scrolls from him. Therefore, the statement is false.

12. Question 12

    True / False / Not Given

    Question

    The scroll that was pieced together in 2017 contains information about annual occasions in the Qumran area 2,000 years ago.

    Answer

    TRUE

    Location

    Passage 1, paragraph 7

    Sentence in the passage

    The scroll names celebrations that indicate shifts in seasons and details two yearly religious events known from another Dead Sea Scroll.

    Explanation

    The statement says the scroll reassembled in 2017 contains information about annual occasions. The passage, in the fourth sentence of the seventh paragraph, describing the deciphered scroll, states: 'The scroll names celebrations that indicate shifts in seasons and details two yearly religious events known from another Dead Sea Scroll.' 'Celebrations that indicate shifts in seasons' and 'yearly religious events' are descriptions of annual occasions. The context is about a scroll written around 2,000 years ago by the Qumran community (as mentioned earlier in the passage and implied by the scroll's content providing insight into that community). Therefore, the statement is true.

13. Question 13

    True / False / Not Given

    Question

    Academics at the University of Haifa are currently researching how to decipher the final scroll.

    Answer

    NOT GIVEN

    Location

    Passage 1, paragraph 7

    Sentence in the passage

    Only one more known scroll remains untranslated.

    Explanation

    The statement claims Haifa academics are currently researching how to decipher the final scroll. The passage concludes by stating: 'Only one more known scroll remains untranslated.' This tells us that one scroll is left to be translated, but it does not state that academics at the University of Haifa (or any specific group) are currently researching how to decipher it. Their work on the previous scroll is mentioned earlier, but their current activity regarding the last one is not provided. Therefore, this information is not given.

Passage 2 · Q14–26 A second attempt at domesticating the tomato

1. Question 14

   Matching information

   Question

   a reference to a type of tomato that can resist a dangerous infection.

   Answer

   C

   Location

   Paragraph C

   Sentence in the passage

   In this way they managed to create a strain resistant to a common disease called bacterial spot race, which can devastate yields.

   Explanation

   Section C reports that the Chinese team produced a strain resistant to bacterial spot race, a disease that can devastate tomato yields. A tomato that withstands a dangerous infection is precisely what the item wants. Section A also names a disease, rust fungus, but that attacks wheat and is not linked to any tomato, so it cannot be the match.

2. Question 15

   Matching information

   Question

   an explanation of how problems can arise from focusing only on a certain type of tomato plant.

   Answer

   B

   Location

   Paragraph B

   Sentence in the passage

   But every time a single plant with a mutation is taken from a larger population for breeding, much genetic diversity is lost.

   Explanation

   The question asks for an explanation of problems arising from focusing on a certain type of tomato plant. The correct answer is Section B. According to the passage's structure (`sectionrange`), Section B comprises the 6th, 7th, and 8th paragraphs of the passage. The second paragraph within Section B (paragraph 7) discusses the traditional domestication process. It explains that 'every time a single plant with a mutation is taken from a larger population for breeding, much genetic diversity is lost' and that 'sometimes the desirable mutations come with less desirable traits'. It then gives the example that 'the tomato strains grown for supermarkets have lost much of their flavour'. This directly explains how problems (loss of genetic diversity, loss of desirable traits like flavour) arise from the traditional method of selecting and breeding from a limited population, which focuses on a certain type of plant with desired mutations.

3. Question 16

   Matching information

   Question

   a number of examples of plants that are not cultivated at present but could be useful as food sources.

   Answer

   E

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   The three teams already have their eye on other plants that could be ‘catapulted into the mainstream’, including foxtail, oat-grass and cowpea.

   Explanation

   Foxtail, oat-grass and cowpea are named in section E as wild plants the teams have their eye on, so several concrete examples of uncultivated plants with potential as food appear there. Section A speaks about 50,000 edible plants in general terms, without naming them, and the groundcherry in D is a single case rather than a number of examples.

4. Question 17

   Matching information

   Question

   a comparison between the early domestication of the tomato and more recent research

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Paragraph A

   Sentence in the passage

   It took at least 3,000 years for humans to learn how to domesticate the wild tomato and cultivate it for food.

   Explanation

   The question asks for a comparison between the early domestication of the tomato and recent research. The correct answer is Section A. According to the passage's structure (`sectionrange`), Section A comprises the first five paragraphs of the passage. The comparison is made in the very first paragraph (paragraph 1). The first sentence states: 'It took at least 3,000 years for humans to learn how to domesticate the wild tomato...'. The second sentence immediately follows with the comparison: 'Now two separate teams... have done it all over again in less than three years.' This directly compares the long duration of early domestication with the short duration of recent research.

5. Question 18

   Matching information

   Question

   a personal reaction to the flavour of a tomato that has been genetically edited

   Answer

   C

   Location

   Paragraph C

   Sentence in the passage

   ‘They are quite tasty,’ says Kudla.

   Explanation

   Kudla's verdict on the edited fruit is purely personal: he calls the tomatoes quite tasty, a little bit strong and very aromatic. That is one person's opinion of how the genetically edited tomato tastes, and it sits in the section on his team's work. Descriptions of fruit size, pigment and disease resistance elsewhere are about measurable traits, not a reaction to flavour.

6. Question 19

   Matching features

   Question

   Domestication of certain plants could allow them to adapt to future environmental challenges.

   Answer

   B

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   By choosing wild plants that are drought or heat tolerant, says Gao, we could create crops that will thrive even as the planet warms.

   Explanation

   Gao's idea is to choose wild plants that cope with drought or heat, so that the resulting crops keep thriving while the planet warms. Domesticating them would therefore prepare food supplies for a hotter future, which is the environmental challenge in the statement. Jones is not the speaker here, and Van Eck's comments concern fruit size and cost.

7. Question 20

   Matching features

   Question

   The idea of growing and eating unusual plants may not be accepted on a large scale.

   Answer

   D

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   But it will be hard for new foods to grow so popular with farmers and consumers that they become new staple crops, he thinks.

   Explanation

   Jones is the one who doubts the idea will go mainstream. He thinks it will be hard for new foods to become so popular with farmers and consumers that they turn into new staple crops. That is the same worry as unusual plants not being accepted on a large scale. Kudla and Gao are positive about the technique, so neither shares this doubt.

8. Question 21

   Matching features

   Question

   It is not advisable for the future direction of certain research to be made public.

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Paragraph E

   Sentence in the passage

   But Kudla didn’t want to reveal which species were in his team’s sights, because CRISPR has made the process so easy.

   Explanation

   Kudla keeps secret which species his team is working on, giving the reason that CRISPR has made the process so easy that anyone with the right skills could copy it. So he thinks publicising future research plans is unwise. The statement paraphrases that reluctance, and since he is named in the sentence, the answer is A.

9. Question 22

   Matching features

   Question

   Present efforts to domesticate one wild fruit are limited by the costs involved.

   Answer

   C

   Location

   Paragraph D

   Sentence in the passage

   But she adds that taking the work further would be expensive because of the need to pay for a licence for the CRISPR technology and get regulatory approval.

   Explanation

   Van Eck's work on the groundcherry could become a commercial crop, but she says going further would be costly: a licence for the CRISPR technology has to be paid for, and regulatory approval has to be obtained. So money is limiting the present effort to domesticate this fruit, which matches the statement and points to C.

10. Question 23

    Matching features

    Question

    Humans only make use of a small proportion of the plant food available on Earth.

    Answer

    A

    Location

    Paragraph A

    Sentence in the passage

    ‘There are 50,000 edible plants in the world, but 90 percent of our energy comes from just 15 crops.’

    Explanation

    Out of 50,000 edible plants, Kudla points out, only 15 crops supply 90 per cent of our energy. People therefore rely on a tiny share of the available plant foods, which is what the statement says. Gao also speaks in this section, but her comment concerns copying the domestication of crops such as rice and maize, not how little of the food supply we exploit.

11. Question 24

    Sentence completion

    Question

    An undesirable trait such as loss of ______ may be caused by a mutation in a tomato gene.

    Answer

    flavour / flavor

    Location

    Paragraph B

    Sentence in the passage

    For instance, the tomato strains grown for supermarkets have lost much of their flavour.

    Explanation

    The question asks what undesirable trait, specifically a loss, can result from a mutation in a tomato gene. The third sentence of the second paragraph in Section B (paragraph 7) states: 'For instance, the tomato strains grown for supermarkets have lost much of their flavour.' The previous sentences explain that during traditional breeding, desirable mutations can come with less desirable traits (sentence 2) and that this happens when a single mutated plant is used for breeding (sentence 1). This context indicates that 'loss of... flavour' is presented as an example of an undesirable trait caused by mutations/selection during domestication. 'Flavour' is one word, fitting the word limit. The blank requires a noun.

12. Question 25

    Sentence completion

    Question

    By modifying one gene in a tomato plant, researchers made the tomato three times its original ______

    Answer

    size

    Location

    Paragraph C

    Sentence in the passage

    For instance, they tripled the size of fruit by editing a gene called FRUIT WEIGHT, and increased the number of tomatoes per truss by editing another called MULTIFLORA.

    Explanation

    The gene named FRUIT WEIGHT was edited by Kudla's team and the result is a fruit three times bigger. The sentence says 'three times its original ...', and 'tripled the size of fruit' is the same idea. The gap needs a single noun that completes 'three times its original', and 'size' is the word used in the passage.

13. Question 26

    Sentence completion

    Question

    A type of tomato which was not badly affected by ______, and was rich in vitamin C, was produced by a team of researchers in China.

    Answer

    salt

    Location

    Paragraph C

    Sentence in the passage

    They also created another strain that is more salt tolerant – and has higher levels of vitamin C.

    Explanation

    The Chinese team made one strain that resists salt better and also contains more vitamin C. Being tolerant of something means it is not badly affected by it. Another Chinese strain resists bacterial spot race, but that strain is not linked to vitamin C, so the answer is salt.

Passage 3 · Q27–40 Insight or evolution?

1. Question 27

   Multiple choice

   Question

   The purpose of the first paragraph is to

   Answer

   D

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 1

   Sentence in the passage

   Scientific discovery is popularly believed to result from the sheer genius of such intellectual stars as naturalist Charles Darwin and theoretical physicist Albert Einstein.

   Explanation

   The first paragraph describes prevailing beliefs about scientific discovery, stating it is 'popularly believed' to come from genius (sentence 1) and that 'Conventional wisdom' emphasizes sudden insight (sentence 3). These phrases indicate that the paragraph is presenting common or widely held views about the topic before the writers presumably offer their own perspective. Therefore, the purpose is to outline a common assumption.

2. Question 28

   Multiple choice

   Question

   What are the writers doing in the second paragraph?

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 2

   Sentence in the passage

   However, we believe that it largely misrepresents the real nature of scientific discovery, as well as that of creativity and innovation in many other realms of human endeavor.

   Explanation

   Here the writers take the popular view of genius and sudden insight and say it largely misrepresents how discovery really works. Saying a belief gives a false picture is criticism of an opinion, so A fits. They do not defend that view, which rules out B and D, and they are not explaining a method yet.

3. Question 29

   Multiple choice

   Question

   In the third paragraph, what do the writers suggest about Darwin and Einstein?

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 3

   Sentence in the passage

   Setting aside such greats as Darwin and Einstein – whose monumental contributions are duly celebrated – we suggest that innovation is more a process of trial and error, where two steps forward may sometimes come with one step back, as well as one or more stops to the right or left.

   Explanation

   The third paragraph begins by stating, 'Setting aside such greats as Darwin and Einstein – whose monumental contributions are duly celebrated – we suggest that innovation is more a process of trial and error...'. By 'setting aside' these figures before presenting their general view of innovation, the writers imply that Darwin and Einstein, while acknowledged for their greatness, are being treated separately from the typical or general process of innovation that the writers want to describe. This positions them as figures whose widely celebrated monumental contributions are distinct from the 'more' common 'process of trial and error' they advocate, effectively presenting them as exceptions to the general rule or process they are about to detail.

4. Question 30

   Multiple choice

   Question

   John Nicholson is an example of a person whose idea

   Answer

   C

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 4

   Sentence in the passage

   Yet, amid his often fanciful theories and wild speculations, Nicholson also proposed a novel theory about the structure of atoms.

   Explanation

   The fourth paragraph discusses John Nicholson. It notes that despite his incorrect 'proto-elements' theory, he 'also proposed a novel theory about the structure of atoms' (sentence 4). The final sentence of the paragraph explicitly states that 'Niels Bohr... jumped off from this interesting idea to conceive his now-famous model of the atom.' This shows that Nicholson's idea served as a starting point or basis ('laid the foundations') for Bohr's significant advancement ('someone else’s breakthrough').

5. Question 31

   Multiple choice

   Question

   What is the key point of interest about the ‘acey-deucy’ stirrup placement?

   Answer

   A

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 6

   Sentence in the passage

   No. He suffered a leg injury, which left him unable to fully bend his left knee.

   Explanation

   The section about 'acey-deucy' stirrup placement (paragraph 6) describes the innovation and how it provides speed advantages. The key point highlighted by the writers is the origin of this placement. Sentences 5 and 6 ask if it was developed through 'methodical investigations' or foreseen advantages, and sentence 7 answers with a decisive 'No.' Sentence 8 then reveals the true, simple reason: 'He suffered a leg injury, which left him unable to fully bend his left knee.' This 'simple reason' is presented as the unexpected origin of the placement, fitting the writers' theme that innovations often arise not from genius planning but from other factors like accident or necessity.

6. Question 32

   Yes / No / Not Given

   Question

   Acknowledging people such as Plato or da Vinci as geniuses will help us understand the process by which great minds create new ideas.

   Answer

   NO

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 8

   Sentence in the passage

   The notions of insight, creativity and genius are often invoked, but they remain vague and of doubtful scientific utility, especially when one considers the diverse and enduring contributions of individuals such as Plato, Leonardo da Vinci, Shakespeare, Beethoven, Galileo, Newton, Kepler, Curie, Pasteur and Edison.

   Explanation

   The statement suggests that calling people like Plato or da Vinci 'geniuses' helps in understanding how great minds create new ideas. The passage discusses the concept of 'genius' in the eighth paragraph. The first sentence lists prominent figures, including Plato and Leonardo da Vinci, and then states that notions like 'genius' 'remain vague and of doubtful scientific utility' (sentence 1). The second sentence further clarifies that 'These notions merely label rather than explain the evolution of human innovations' (sentence 2). This directly contradicts the idea that acknowledging them as geniuses provides understanding of the creative process. Therefore, the answer is NO.

7. Question 33

   Yes / No / Not Given

   Question

   The Law of Effect was discovered at a time when psychologists were seeking a scientific reason why creativity occurs.

   Answer

   NOT GIVEN

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 9

   Sentence in the passage

   The Law of Effect was advanced by psychologist Edward Thorndike in 1898, some 40 years after Charles Darwin published his groundbreaking work on biological evolution, On the Origin of Species.

   Explanation

   The statement claims that the Law of Effect was discovered when psychologists were looking for a scientific reason for creativity. The passage mentions Edward Thorndike advanced the Law of Effect in 1898 and describes what the law states (paragraph 9, sentences 1-2). However, the passage does not provide any information about the broader context of psychological research at that time, specifically whether psychologists were actively seeking a scientific explanation for creativity when Thorndike proposed his law. Therefore, this information is not given.

8. Question 34

   Yes / No / Not Given

   Question

   The Law of Effect states that no planning is involved in the behaviour of organisms.

   Answer

   YES

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 9

   Sentence in the passage

   Just like Darwin’s Law of Natural Selection, the Law of Effect involves an entirely mechanical process of variation and selection, without any end objective in sight.

   Explanation

   The statement claims the Law of Effect says no planning is involved in organism behaviour. The passage describes the Law of Effect as holding that organisms repeat successful behaviours and avoid unsuccessful ones (paragraph 9, sentence 2). It then explicitly compares it to Darwin's Law of Natural Selection, stating both 'involve an entirely mechanical process of variation and selection, without any end objective in sight' (sentence 3). An 'entirely mechanical process... without any end objective in sight' implies an absence of conscious foresight, intention, or planning. Therefore, the passage supports the idea that the Law of Effect describes a process devoid of planning.

9. Question 35

   Yes / No / Not Given

   Question

   The Law of Effect sets out clear explanations about the sources of new ideas and behaviours.

   Answer

   NO

   Location

   Passage 3, paragraph 10

   Sentence in the passage

   Of course, the origin of human innovation demands much further study.

   Explanation

   The statement claims the Law of Effect clearly explains the sources of new ideas and behaviours. The passage discusses the Law of Effect and then notes in the subsequent paragraph (paragraph 10) that 'the origin of human innovation demands much further study' (sentence 1). More specifically, it states that 'the provenance of the raw material on which the Law of Effect operates is not as clearly known' as the source of genetic mutations (sentence 2). This directly contradicts the idea that the Law of Effect provides *clear* explanations about the sources of new ideas and behaviours, as the passage explicitly says the source (provenance) is *not* clearly known. Therefore, the answer is NO.

10. Question 36

    Yes / No / Not Given

    Question

    Many scientists are now turning away from the notion of intelligent design and genius.

    Answer

    NOT GIVEN

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 11

    Sentence in the passage

    The time seems right for abandoning the naïve notion of intelligent design and genius, and for scientifically exploring the true origins of creative behavior.

    Explanation

    The statement claims that *many scientists are now turning away* from the notion of intelligent design and genius. The final paragraph of the passage states that 'The time seems right for abandoning the naïve notion of intelligent design and genius...' (sentence 1). This reflects the writers' view and suggestion about what *should* happen or what is timely. However, the passage does not provide information about the actual current trend among *many scientists* – it doesn't say whether a large number of scientists are already abandoning these notions. Therefore, this specific claim about the actions of 'many scientists now' is not present in the text.

11. Question 37

    Summary completion

    Question

    The traditional view of scientific discovery is that breakthroughs happen when a single great mind has sudden ______ Although this can occur, it is not often the case.

    Answer

    F

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 1

    Sentence in the passage

    Conventional wisdom also places great weight on insight in promoting breakthrough scientific achievements, as if ideas spontaneously pop into someone’s head – fully formed and functional.

    Explanation

    The summary sentence describes the traditional view of scientific discovery where breakthroughs occur due to a single mind having sudden __________. The first paragraph describes the conventional view. Sentence 3 states that 'Conventional wisdom also places great weight on insight in promoting breakthrough scientific achievements, as if ideas spontaneously pop into someone’s head'. The idea of something 'spontaneously popping into someone’s head' is synonymous with sudden 'inspiration' or 'insight'. Looking at the options, 'inspiration' (F) fits the context of a sudden creative idea better than the other choices.

12. Question 38

    Summary completion

    Question

    In some cases, this process involves ______, such as Nicholson’s theory about proto-elements.

    Answer

    D

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 4

    Sentence in the passage

    These successes are all the more noteworthy given the fact that Nicholson was wrong about the presence of proto-elements: they do not actually exist.

    Explanation

    Nicholson's proto-elements make a good example of a wrong idea that still helped science: he was mistaken about their existence, yet his thinking about atom structure inspired Bohr. A word meaning errors fits the gap, 'mistakes', and the sentence says the process 'involves' them. 'Luck' is tempting, but it is used for the Post-It note later in the summary, and nothing suggests Nicholson was merely lucky.

13. Question 39

    Summary completion

    Question

    There is also often an element of ______, for example, the coincidence of ideas that led to the invention of the Post-It note.

    Answer

    E

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 7

    Sentence in the passage

    Plenty of other stories show that fresh advances can arise from error, misadventure, and also pure serendipity – a happy accident.

    Explanation

    The summary mentions that the process often includes an element of __________ , giving the Post-It note invention as an example of 'the coincidence of ideas'. The seventh paragraph describes the invention of the Post-It note. The first sentence of this paragraph states that advances can arise from 'error, misadventure, and also pure serendipity – a happy accident'. Serendipity, a happy accident, is synonymous with 'luck'. The story of Silver having a useless glue and Fry needing a specific type of bookmark (sentences 2 & 3) illustrates this serendipitous coincidence. Therefore, 'luck' (E) fits the description of an element present in the invention, exemplified by the Post-It note story.

14. Question 40

    Summary completion

    Question

    With both the Law of Natural Selection and the Law of Effect, there may be no clear ______ involved, but merely a process of variation and selection.

    Answer

    B

    Location

    Passage 3, paragraph 9

    Sentence in the passage

    Just like Darwin’s Law of Natural Selection, the Law of Effect involves an entirely mechanical process of variation and selection, without any end objective in sight.

    Explanation

    The summary sentence states that with both the Law of Natural Selection and the Law of Effect, there is no clear __________ involved, only variation and selection. The ninth paragraph compares the two laws. The third sentence states that both laws 'involve an entirely mechanical process of variation and selection, without any end objective in sight'. An 'end objective' is a clear 'goal'. Therefore, the lack of an 'end objective' means there are no clear 'goals' involved in these processes. 'Goals' (B) is the option that best fits the blank.