CAMBRIDGE IELTS 9 – TEST 3 (READING)
PASSAGE 1: Attitudes to Language
Q1. There are understandable reasons why arguments occur about language.
Answer: YES
Keywords: understandable reasons, arguments, opinions
Explanation:
The passage states that “Language belongs to everyone… opinions differ… arguments can start.”
This shows arguments happen because people feel ownership and have different views. Hence, there are logical reasons.
Q2. People feel more strongly about language education than small differences in usage.
Answer: NO
Keywords: more strongly, minor vs major
Explanation:
The text says arguments occur “as easily over minor points… as over major policies.”
This means both are equally important, not one stronger than the other.
Q3. Our assessment of intelligence is affected by language use.
Answer: YES
Keywords: assessment, intelligence, language
Explanation:
The passage states language influences how we judge “intelligence, personality, social status.”
So language directly affects how we assess intelligence.
Q4. Prescriptive grammar books were expensive in the 18th century.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
Keywords: cost, grammar books
Explanation:
Although the 18th century is mentioned, there is no information about cost, so the answer is NOT GIVEN.
Q5. Prescriptivism still exists today.
Answer: YES
Keywords: still exists
Explanation:
The text clearly states “These attitudes are still with us.”
So prescriptivism continues today.
Q6. Descriptivists think stopping language change is pointless.
Answer: YES
Keywords: impossible, stop change
Explanation:
The passage says stopping language change is an “impossible task.”
Impossible = pointless.
Q7. Descriptivism only appeared after the 18th century.
Answer: NO
Keywords: 18th century
Explanation:
The passage mentions descriptivism already existed in the 18th century, so it did not appear after.
Q8. Both descriptivists and prescriptivists have been misrepresented.
Answer: YES
Keywords: misrepresented, unreal pictures
Explanation:
The text says both sides have “painted unreal pictures of each other.”
This means both are misrepresented.
Q9. According to ______, there is only one correct form of language.
Answer: H (prescriptivists)
Keywords: one correct form
Explanation:
Prescriptivists believe one variety of language is superior and should be followed by everyone.
Q10. Importance on grammatical ______.
Answer: F (rules)
Keywords: grammar rules
Explanation:
Prescriptivists rely heavily on rules of grammar, emphasizing correctness.
Q11. View of ______ (Joseph Priestley).
Answer: A (descriptivists)
Q12. Grammar based on ______.
Answer: C (popular speech)
Keywords: describe, real usage
Explanation:
Descriptivists believe grammar should reflect actual usage, meaning everyday or popular speech.
Q13. Writer’s purpose
Answer: B
Keywords: purpose, historical views
Explanation:
The passage explains different approaches to language over time, not arguing one side.
PASSAGE 2: Tidal Power
Q14. Location of the first test site
Answer: C
Keywords: Lynmouth, Devon
Explanation:
Paragraph C clearly mentions the first test site location.
Q15. Bringing power back into Britain
Answer: E
Keywords: re-imported, cable
Explanation:
Electricity is sent to France and then returned to Britain via an underwater cable.
Q16. Previous attempt by Britain
Answer: A
Keywords: wind power
Explanation:
Britain previously developed wind power but abandoned it.
Q17. Technology from another industry
Answer: C
Keywords: oil industry
Explanation:
Technology used in tidal power comes from the North Sea oil industry.
Q18–22. Claims about tidal power
Answers: A, D, E, F, J
Keywords: predictable, reduce pollution, export
Explanation:
The passage states:
- tides are predictable → reliable
- reduce carbon emissions → less pollution
- close power plants
- export energy
- best near coasts
Q23. Tower can be raised for ______
Answer: maintenance
Keywords: raised, clean seaweed
Explanation:
The tower is lifted out for maintenance and cleaning.
Q24. Blades are comparatively ______
Answer: slow / slow-turning
Keywords: not dangerous
Explanation:
Slow movement means sea life is not at risk.
Q25. Air bubbles result from ______
Answer: low pressure
Explanation:
Low pressure behind blades creates bubbles.
Q26. This is known as ______
Answer: cavitation
Explanation:
The process of bubble formation is called cavitation.
PASSAGE 3: Information Theory
Q27. Factors affecting transmission of information
Answer: D
Keywords: noise, transmission
Explanation:
Noise limits how much information can be transmitted accurately.
Q28. Example of omitting unnecessary information
Answer: F
Keywords: remove redundant data
Explanation:
Text messages show how unnecessary information can be removed.
Q29. Shannon’s attitude to fame
Answer: B
Keywords: avoided fame
Explanation:
Shannon shunned fame, meaning he did not like recognition.
Q30. Machine interpreting incomplete information
Answer: E
Keywords: barcode, scanner
Explanation:
Machines can read damaged barcodes, showing interpretation of incomplete data.
Q31. Incident involving information theory
Answer: A
Keywords: Voyager
Explanation:
Voyager example shows real-life use of information theory.
Q32. Shannon’s original aim
Answer: C
Keywords: define information
Explanation:
He wanted to define the concept of “information”.
Q33–34. Pictures transmitted
Answers: Jupiter, Saturn
Keywords: images
Explanation:
Voyager sent images of these planets.
Q34. Left the ______
Answer: Solar System
Q35. About to stop working
Answer: sensors, circuits
Explanation:
Both were failing.
Q36. Replace with ______
Answer: spares
Q37. Message sent using ______
Answer: radio dish
Q38. True/False
Answer: TRUE
Explanation:
Shannon started with binary concept (true/false).
Q39. True/False
Answer: TRUE
Explanation:
Information depends on signal strength and noise.
Q40. True/False
Answer: FALSE
Explanation:
Modern systems approach but do not exceed Shannon’s limit.