Book 16 IELTS Academic Reading Test 2 |

READING PASSAGE 1 : Questions 1-13

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?

In boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Most geoglyphs in England are located in a particular area of the country.

True False NG

2. There are more geoglyphs in the shape of a horse than any other creature.

True False NG

3. A recent dating of the Uffington White Horse indicates that people were mistaken about its age.

True False NG

4. Historians have come to an agreement about the origins of the Long Man of Wilmington.

True False NG

5. Geoglyphs were created by people placing white chalk on the hillside.

True False NG

6. Many geoglyphs in England are no longer visible.

True False NG

7. The shape of some geoglyphs has been altered over time.

True False NG

8. The fame of the Uffington White Horse is due to its size.

True False NG

Questions 9-13

Complete the summary below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.

The Uffington White Horse

The location of the Uffington White Horse:

– a distance of 2.5 km from Uffington village

– near an ancient road known as the 9.

– close to an ancient cemetery that has a number of burial mounds

Dating the Uffington White Horse:

– first reference to White Horse Hill appears in 10. from the 1070s

– horses shown on coins from the period 100 BCE – 1 BCE are similar in appearance

– according to analysis of the surrounding 11. , the Horse is Late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age

Possible reasons for creation of the Uffington White Horse:

– an emblem to indicate land ownership

– formed part of an ancient ritual

– was a representation of goddess Epona – associated with protection of horses and 12.

– was a representation of a Welsh goddess called 13.

READING PASSAGE 2 : Questions 14-26

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in boxes 14-16 on your answer sheet.

14. What point does the writer make about microbes in the first paragraph?

A. They adapt quickly to their environment.

B. The risk they pose has been exaggerated.

C. They are more plentiful in animal life than plant life.

D. They will continue to exist for longer than the human race.

15. In the second paragraph, the writer is impressed by the fact that

A. each species tends to have vastly different microbes.

B. some parts of the body contain relatively few microbes.

C. the average individual has more microbial cells than human ones.

D. scientists have limited understanding of how microbial cells behave.

16. What is the writer doing in the fifth paragraph?

A. explaining how a discovery was made

B. comparing scientists’ theories about microbes

C. describing confusion among scientists

D. giving details of how microbes cause disease

Questions 17-20

Complete the summary using the list of words, A-H, below.

Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 17-20 on your answer sheet.

We should be more tolerant of microbes

Yong’s book argues that we should be more tolerant of microbes. Many have a beneficial effect, and only a relatively small number lead to 17 . And although it is misleading to think of microbes as ‘friendly’, we should also stop thinking of them as the enemy. In fact, we should accept that our relationship with microbes is one based on 18. New research shows that microbes have numerous benefits for humans. Amongst other things, they aid digestion, remove poisons, produce vitamins, and may even help reduce obesity. However, there is a growing problem. Our poor 19, our overuse of antibiotics, and our excessive focus on 20 are upsetting the bacterial balance and may be contributing to the huge increase in allergies and immune system problems.

A. solution, B. partnership, C. destruction, D. exaggeration, E. cleanliness, F. regulations, G. illness, H. nutrition

Questions 21-26

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 2?

In boxes 21-26 on your answer sheet, write

YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

21. It is possible that using antibacterial products in the home fails to have the desired effect.

Yes No NG

22. It is a good idea to ensure that children come into contact with as few bacteria as possible.

Yes No NG

23. Yong’s book contains more case studies than are necessary.

Yes No NG

24. The case study about bacteria that prevent squid from being attacked may have limited appeal.

Yes No NG

25. Efforts to control dengue fever have been surprisingly successful

Yes No NG

26. Microbes that reduce the risk of infection have already been put inside the walls of some hospital wards.

Yes No NG

READING PASSAGE 3 : Questions 27-40

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in boxes 27-30 on your answer sheet.

27. What point does the writer make in the first paragraph?

A. Wisdom appears to be unique to the human race.

B. A basic assumption about wisdom may be wrong.

C. Concepts of wisdom may depend on the society we belong to.

D. There is still much to be discovered about the nature of wisdom.

28. What does Igor Grossmann suggest about the ability to make wise decisions?

A. It can vary greatly from one person to another.

B. Earlier research into it was based on unreliable data.

C. The importance of certain influences on it was underestimated.

D. Various branches of psychology define it according to their own criteria.

29. According to the third paragraph, Grossmann claims that the level of wisdom an individual shows

A. can be greater than they think it is.

B. will be different in different circumstances.

C. may be determined by particular aspects of their personality.

D. should develop over time as a result of their life experiences.

30. What is described in the fifth paragraph?

A. a difficulty encountered when attempting to reason wisely

B. an example of the type of person who is likely to reason wisely

C. a controversial view about the benefits of reasoning wisely

D. a recommended strategy that can help people to reason wisely

Questions 31-35

Complete the summary using the list of words, A-J, below.

Write the correct letter, A-J, in boxes 31-35 on your answer sheet.

The characteristics of wise reasoning

Igor Grossmann and colleagues have established four characteristics which enable us to make wise decisions. It is important to have a certain degree of 31 regarding the extent of our knowledge, and to take into account 32 which may not be the same as our own. We should also be able to take a broad 33 of any situation. Another key characteristic is being aware of the likelihood of alterations in the way that people relate to each other. Grossmann also believes that it is better to regard scenarios with 34. By avoiding the first-person perspective, we focus more on 35 and on other moral ideals, which in turn leads to wiser decision-making.

A. opinions, B. confidence, C. view, D. modesty, E. problems, F. objectivity, G. fairness, H. experiences, I. range, J. reasons

Questions 36-40

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 3?

In boxes 36-40 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

36. Students participating in the job prospects experiment could choose one of two perspectives to take.

True False NG

37. Participants in the couples experiment were aware that they were taking part in a study about wise reasoning.

True False NG

38. In the couples experiments, the length of the couples’ relationships had an impact on the results.

True False NG

39. In both experiments, the participants who looked at the situation from a more detached viewpoint tended to make wiser decisions.

True False NG

40. Grossmann believes that a person’s wisdom is determined by their intelligence to only a very limited extent.

True False NG

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