This Academic IELTS Reading post deals with all the solutions for Cambridge 11 Reading Test 3 Passage 3 which is titled ‘Preface to ‘How the other half thinks: Adventures in mathematical reasoning’. This is another intended post for candidates who have the most difficulties in finding and understanding IELTS Reading Answers. This post can simply guide you the best to figure out every Reading answer without trouble. Finding IELTS Reading answers is a gradual custom and I hope this post can assist you in this topic.

IELTS AC Reading: Cambridge 11 Test 3

Reading Passage 3:

The headline of the passage: Preface to ‘How the other half thinks: Adventures in mathematical reasoning

Questions 27-34:  Identifying information:

[This question asks you to find information from the passage and write the number of the paragraph (A, B, C or D … .. ) in the answer sheet. Now, if the question is given in the very first part of the question set, I’d request you not to answer them. It’s mainly because this question will not follow any sequence, and so it will surely kill your time. Rather, you should answer all the other questions first. And just like List of Headings, only read the first two lines or last two lines of the expected paragraph initially. If you find the answers, you need not read the middle part. If you don’t find answers yet, you can skim the middle part of the paragraph. Keywords will be a useful matter here.]

Question 27: a reference to books that assume a lack of mathematical knowledge

Keywords for this question: books, assume, lack of mathematical knowledge,   

In section D, the first lines say, “Other scientists have written books to explain their fields to non-scientists, but have necessarily had to omit the mathematics, . .. ..”

Here, had to omit the mathematics = had to exclude the subject of mathematics thinking that the readers might have a lack of knowledge in mathematics,

So, the answer is: D

Question 28: the way in which this is not a typical book about mathematics

Keywords for this question: the way, not, typical book, about mathematics,

In section B, take a look at the last lines of the first paragraph and the first lines of the second paragraph,
“. . . I want to reveal not only some of the fascinating discoveries, but, more importantly, the reasoning behind them.

In that respect, this book differs from most books on mathematics written for the general public.”

Here, this book differs from most books on mathematics = not a typical book about mathematics.

The lines suggest that this particular book is not typically a book on mathematics.

So, the answer is: B

Question 29: personal examples of being helped by mathematics

Keywords for this question: personal examples, being helped, by mathematics,

Section G has three paragraphs and paragraphs no. 1 and 2 deal with examples provided in favour of mathematics by a physician and a lawyer.

In the first paragraph, it says, “A physician wrote, ‘The discipline of analytical thought process [in mathematics] prepared me extremely well for medical school. . .. ..”

In the second paragraph, we find another example from the experience of a lawyer.

So, the answer is: G

Question 30: examples of people who each had abilities that seemed incompatible

Keywords for this question: examples, people, each had abilities, seemed incompatible,

Take a look at the last few lines of Section C, “ .. . . To illustrate our human potential, I cite a structural engineer who is an artist, an electrical engineer who is an opera singer, an opera singer who published mathematical research, and a mathematician who publishes short stories.”

Here, we can find the examples of different people having abilities that seem quite incompatible or mismatched.

So, the answer is: C

Question 31: mention of different focuses of books about mathematics

Keywords for this question: different focuses of books, about mathematics,

Section B has two paragraphs and the second paragraph says, “In that respect, this book differs from most books on mathematics written for the general public. Some present the lives of colorful mathematicians. Others describe important applications of mathematics. Yet others go into mathematical procedures, but assume that the reader is adept in using algebra.”

Here, we can learn from these lines that books about mathematics have different focuses.

So, the answer is: B

Question 32: a contrast between reading this book and reading other kinds of publication

Keywords for this question:  contrast, reading this book, reading other kinds of publication,

In Section E, look at lines 4-5, “ . .. . . You will turn these pages much more slowly than when reading a novel or a newspaper. .. .”

Here, a novel or a newspaper = other kinds of publication,

So, the answer is: E

Question 33: a claim that the whole of the book is accessible to everybody

Keywords for this question: claim, the whole of the book, accessible, everybody,

Section A of the passage contains two paragraphs.

In the first paragraph, the writer says in lines 6-7, “ . . .. Each of the eight chapters in this book illustrates this phenomenon. Anyone can understand every step in the reasoning.”

Then, in the second paragraph, the writer says again, “ . .. . . Thus all readers will have the chance to participate in a mathematical experience, to appreciate the beauty of mathematics, and to become familiar with its logical, yet intuitive, style of thinking.”

These lines suggest that the complete book is accessible to anyone.

So, the answer is: A

Question 34: a reference to different categories of intended readers of this book

Keywords for this question: different categories, intended readers, of this book,

In section F the author talks about categories of readers who can enjoy this book. “ .. . As I wrote, I kept in mind two types of readers: those who enjoyed mathematics until they were turned off by an unpleasant episode, usually around fifth grade, and mathematics aficionados, who will find much that is new throughout the book. This book also serves readers who simply want to sharpen their analytical skills . ….”

So, the answer is: F

Questions 35-40: Completing sentences with ONE WORD ONLY

[In this type of question, candidates are asked to write ONE WORD ONLY to complete sentences on the given topic. For this type of question, first, skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word.

TIPS: Here scanning technique will come in handy. Target the keywords of the questions to find the answers. Remember to focus on Proper nouns, random Capital letters, numbers, special characters of text etc.]

Question 35: Some areas of both music and mathematics are suitable for someone who is a ___________.

Keywords for this question: some areas, both music and mathematics, suitable for,

Take a look at lines 1-2 in section A, as the writer says, “Occasionally, in some difficult musical compositions, there are beautiful, but easy parts – parts so simple a beginner could play them. So it is with mathematics as well.

Here, easy parts – parts so simple = suitable for someone,

So, the answer is: beginner

Question 36: It is sometimes possible to understand advanced mathematics using no more than a limited knowledge of ___________.

Keywords for this question: sometimes possible, understand, advanced mathematics, using, no more than, limited knowledge,

In section A, lines 3-6 say, “ . … .. There are some discoveries in advanced mathematics that do not depend on specialized knowledge, not even on algebra, geometry, or trigonometry. Instead, they may involve, at most, a little arithmetic, such as ‘the sum of two odd numbers is even’, and common sense. … … .”

Here, at most, a little = no more than a limited knowledge of,

 So, the answer is: arithmetic

Question 37: The writer intends to show that mathematics requires _________ thinking, as well as analytical skills.

Keywords for this question: the writer, intends to show, mathematics, requires, thinking, analytical skills,

The answer can be found in section C lines 3-4, “ . .. . As the chapters will illustrate, mathematics is not restricted to the analytical and numerical; intuition plays a significant role.”

Here, the writer means that in addition to analytical skills, mathematics requires or needs intuition, or intuitive thinking.

So, the answer is: intuitive

Question 38: Some books written by _________ have had to leave out the mathematics that is central to their theories.

Keywords for this question: some books, written by, had to leave out, mathematics, central to their theories,

To find the answer to this question, we have to go to section D. Here, in lines 1-2, the author writes, “Other scientists have written books to explain their fields to non-scientists, but have necessarily had to omit the mathematics, although it provides the foundation of their theories. . .. .”

Here, had to omit = have had to leave out, provides the foundation = central,

So, the answer is: scientists  

Question 39: The writer advises non-mathematical readers to perform __________ while reading.

Keywords for this question: the writer, advices, non-mathematical readers, perform, while reading,

In section E, the author says, “Still, the non-mathematical reader can go far in understanding mathematical reasoning.  . .. . .. . . . . . It may help to have a pencil and paper ready to check claims and carry out experiments.”  

Here, carry out = perform,

So, the answer is: experiments  

Question 40: A lawyer found that studying __________ helped even more than other areas of mathematics in the study of law.

Keywords for this question: lawyer, found, studying, helped, more than other areas, mathematics, study of law,

In Section G, paragraph no. 2, the writer mentions a lawyer, “A lawyer made the same point, “Although I had no background in law – not even one political science course — I did well at one of the best law schools. I attribute much of my success there to having learned, through the study of mathematics, and, in particular, theorems, how to analyze complicated principles. . ..”

Here, I did well at one of the best law schools = helped even more than other areas of mathematics,

So, the answer is: theorems   

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 11 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 1

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 11 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 2