This Academic IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to IELTS Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS Test 7 Reading Passage 3 which is titled ‘WANT TO BE FRIENDS?’. This is a targeted post for IELTS candidates who have big problems finding and understanding Reading Answers in the AC module. This post can guide you to the best to understand every Reading answer without much trouble. Finding out IELTS Reading answers is a steady process, and this post will assist you in this respect.

Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS Test 7: AC Reading Module

Reading Passage 3: Questions 27-40

The headline of the passage: WANT TO BE FRIENDS?

Questions 27-32: List of headings

[In this question type, IELTS candidates are provided with a list of headings, usually identified with lower-case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc,). A heading will refer to the main idea of the paragraph or section of the text. Candidates must find out the equivalent heading to the correct paragraphs or sections, which are marked with alphabets A, B, C, and so forth. Candidates need to write the appropriate Roman numerals in the boxes on their answer sheets. There will always be two or three more headings than there are paragraphs or sections. So, some of the headings will not be used. It is also likely that some paragraphs or sections may not be included in the task. Generally, the first paragraph is an example paragraph that will be done for the candidates for their understanding of the task.

TIPS: Skimming is the best reading technique. You need not understand every word here. Just try to gather the gist of the sentences. That’s all. Read quickly and don’t stop until you finish each sentence.]

Question no. 27: Paragraph B

In paragraph B, take a look at lines 6-13, “ … . . .  …  . ‘We’re already seeing changes,’ she says. For example, many people now turn to their online social networks ahead of sources such as newspapers and television for trusted and relevant news or information. What they hear could well be inaccurate, but the change is happening nonetheless. . . . .. .. .”

Here, already seeing changes & the change is happening nonetheless = a shift,

many people now turn to their online social networks ahead of sources such as newspapers and television for trusted and relevant news or information = shift in our fact-finding habits,

So, the answer is: i (A shift in our fact-finding habits)

Question no. 28: Paragraph C

If you look at the first half of paragraph C, the writer asks a question which indicates that he/she is doubtful about the value of online socialising. Read lines 1-8, “But are these vast networks really that relevant to us on a personal level? Robin Dunbar, an evolutionary anthropologist at the University of Oxford, believes that our primate brains place a cap on the number of genuine social relationships we can actually cope with: roughly 150. … . . .. . ..” 

Here, But are these vast networks really that relevant to us on a personal level? = Doubts about the value of online socialising,

Then, in the following lines, the writer explains his/her doubts.

So, the answer is: x (Doubts about the value of online socialising)

Question no. 29: Paragraph D

In paragraph D the writer of the passage talks in detail about how to become popular (how to be liked more). First, have a close look at lines 3-7, where the writer talks about an experiment, “ . . .. .. . In an experiment at Cornell University, psychologist Jeff Hancock asked participants to try to encourage other participants to like them via instant messaging conversation. .. . .. .”

Here, participants to try to encourage other participants to like them via instant messaging conversation = the way to be liked / become popular,

Then he explains how this particular way helps a person to become popular.

At the end of the paragraph, look at final lines, “ . . .. . …  Hancock concluded that people who use these sites to keep updated on the activities of their acquaintances are more likely to be liked in subsequent social interactions.”

So, the answer is: ii (How to be popular)  

Question no. 30: Paragraph E

In paragraph E, read the first few lines “Online social networking may also have tangible effects on our well-being. Nicole Ellison of Michigan State University found that the frequency of networking site use correlates with greater self-esteem. . .. . . .. .”

Here, Online social networking may also have tangible effects on our well-being & the frequency of networking site use correlates with greater self-esteem = The emotional benefits of online networking,

The writer also talks about the emotional benefits in lines 12-14, “ . . .. . People are readily sharing personal feelings and experiences to a wider circle than they might once have done. .. .. .”

So, the answer is: vii (The emotional benefits of online networking)   

Question no. 31: Paragraph F

In paragraph F the writer talks about how social media is influencing us to share our personal life with everyone. Take a look at these lines, “ . .. .. .. . Increased visibility also means our various social spheres – family, work, friends – are merging, and so we will have to prepare for new societal norms. ‘We’ll have to learn how to live a more transparent life,’ he says. .. .. .. .”

Here, our various social spheres – family, work, friends – are merging, = our personal information is getting attention,

We’ll have to learn how to live a more transparent life = we have to share personal information more and more,

So, the answer is: iii (More personal information being known)   

Question no. 32: Paragraph G

In paragraph G, the writer of the text says in the final lines, “ . . … .. . While Kearns warns that the setting was artificial, he says it’s possible that greater persuasive power could lie with well-connected individuals in the everyday online world too.”

Here, greater persuasive power = influence,

well-connected individuals = knowledge,

could lie with = connection / link,

So, the answer is: v (The link between knowledge and influence)

Questions 33-36: Matching statements with the correct researchers

[In this type of question, candidates need to relate statements that are given by or links to some researchers in the passage. The rules for finding answers to this sort of question are simple. Just find the name of the researchers and read it carefully. Then, give a quick look to check whether there is another statement or idea provided by the same researchers in the text. If there is, check the reference carefully and decide your answer. Remember, the questions may not follow any sequential order.]

Question no. 33: People who network widely may be more able to exert pressure on others.

Keywords for the question: network widely, may be, more able, exert pressure, on others,     

The answer to this question is found in paragraph G. Here, the writer explains the experiment conducted by Michael Kearns of the University of Pennsylvania along with the result. Michael Kearns challenged 30 participants to get to a rapid decision in an online game between two colours and in the final lines of the paragraph, the writer gives the result, “ . . .. . . . While Kearns warns that the setting was artificial, he says it’s possible that greater persuasive power could lie with well-connected individuals in the everyday online world too.”

Here, well-connected individuals = people who network widely,

greater persuasive power = may be more able to exert pressure on others,

So, the answer is: F (Michael Kearns)

Question no. 34: We have become more willing to confide in an extensive number of people.  

Keywords for the question: have become more willing, confide in, extensive number of people,     

Have a look at lines 2-11 of paragraph E. Here, the writer says, “ . . .. . . . Nicole Ellison of Michigan State University found that the frequency of networking site use correlates with greater self-esteem. Support and affirmation from the weak ties could be the explanation, says Ellison. ‘Asking your close friends for help or advice is nothing new, but we are seeing a lowering of barriers among acquaintances,’ she says. .. .. .. .”

Here, we are seeing a lowering of barriers among acquaintances = we have become more willing to share information with our acquaintances/ more willing to confide in an extensive number of people,

So, the answer is: E (Nicole Ellison)

Question no. 35: There is a limit to how many meaningful relationships we can maintain.  

Keywords for the question: limit, how many, meaningful relationships, we can maintain,  

In paragraph C, lines 2-8 say, “ .. .. .. .. . Robin Dunbar, an evolutionary anthropologist at the University of Oxford, believes that our primate brains place a cap on the number of genuine social relationships we can actually cope with: roughly 150. .. . . .”

Here, our primate brains place a cap on the number of genuine social relationships we can actually cope with: roughly 150 = a limit to how many meaningful relationships we can maintain,

So, the answer is: C (Robin Dunbar)

Question no. 36: There is a social advantage in knowing about the lives of our online contacts.  

Keywords for the question: social advantage, knowing, lives of, online contacts,        

Read the first lines of paragraph D, “Nonetheless, there is evidence that online networking can transform our daily interactions. In an experiment at Cornell University, psychologist Jeff Hancock asked participants to try to encourage other participants to like them via instant messaging conversation. .. .. .”

Now, have a look at the final lines also, “ . .. . . . Hancock concluded that people who use these sites to keep updated on the activities of their acquaintances are more likely to be liked in subsequent social interactions.”

Here, online networking can transform our daily interactions = social advantage,

people who use these sites to keep updated on the activities of their acquaintances = knowing about the lives of our online contacts,

more likely to be liked in subsequent social interactions = advantage,

So, the answer is: D (Jeff Hancock)

Questions 37-40: Choosing TWO options from given list

[In this kind of question candidates must choose two or three answers for each question from five or six options. The answers will not follow any sequential order as they are randomly spread in the text, so this question will be time-consuming. Skimming will come handy and previous reading of the text can come in use. Therefore, other questions should be done first before answering this question.]

Questions no. 37 & 38: Which TWO of these advantages of online social networking are mentioned in Reading Passage 3? 

Keywords for the questions: TWO, advantages, online social networking,    

For the first answer we must look at lines 13-18 of paragraph A. Here, the writer says, “ . .. .. . . . Granovetter’s research showed that a significant percentage of people get their jobs as a result of recommendations or advice provided by a weak tie. Today our number of weak-tie contacts has exploded via online social networking. .. . . . .”

Here, Today our number of weak-tie contacts has exploded via online social networking = Online socialising is an efficient way of keeping in touch with a lot of people, (answer B)

Then, take a look at lines 12-18 of paragraph E, “ . . .. . . . People are readily sharing personal feelings and experiences to a wider circle than they might once have done. Sandy Pentland at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology agrees. The ability to broadcast to our social group means we need never feel alone,’ he says. .. . .. . .”

Here, The ability to broadcast to our social group means we need never feel alone = It can be reassuring to be part of an online social network, (answer E)

So, the answers are:

B (Online socialising is an efficient way of keeping in touch with a lot of people.)

E (It can be reassuring to be part of an online social network.)

Questions no. 39 & 40: Which TWO of these disadvantages of online social networking are mentioned in Reading Passage 3? 

Keywords for the questions: TWO, disadvantages, online social networking,   

For the first answer we need to look at lines 7-11 of paragraph B, “ . .. .. . . For example, many people now turn to their online social networks ahead of sources such as newspapers and television for trusted and relevant news or information. What they hear could well be inaccurate, .. . . … .”

Here, What they hear could well be inaccurate = Information from online social contacts may be unreliable, (answer A)

Then, take a look at paragraph F, “ . .. . . .. . Henry Holzman, also at MIT, who studies the interface between online social networking and the real world, points out that increased visibility also means our various social spheres – family, work, friends – are merging, and so we will have to prepare for new societal norms. ‘Well have to learn how to live a more transparent life,’ he says. ‘We may have to give up some ability to show very limited glimpses of ourselves to others.’”

Here, Well have to learn how to live a more transparent life & We may have to give up some ability to show very limited glimpses of ourselves to others = Using social networking sites may result in a lack of privacy,

So, the answers are:

A (Information from online social contacts may be unreliable.)

E (Using social networking sites may result in a lack of privacy.)

© All the texts with inverted commas used in this post are taken from Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS Test 7

Click here for solutions to Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS Test 7 Reading Passage 1

Click here for solutions to Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS Test 7 Reading Passage 2