This Academic IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to IELTS Reading Test 4 Reading Passage 3 which is titled ‘Attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence’. This is a targeted post for IELTS candidates who have big problems finding out 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.

IELTS Test 4: AC Reading Module

Reading Passage 3: Questions 27-40

The title of the passage: Attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence

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 which will be done for the candidates for their understanding of the task.

Tips to answer this question: Don’t read the list of headings first. Have a quick look at the questions, and go straight to the first question and start reading the paragraph associated with it. 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: Section A

Section A contains three paragraphs.

The first paragraph describes the prediction accuracy of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Then, in the second paragraph, lines 1-2 say, “Many decisions in our lives require a good forecast, and AI is almost always better at forecasting than we are. . .. .”

Here, AI is almost always better at forecasting than we are = The superiority of AI projections over those made by humans,

So, the answer is: iii (The superiority of AI projections over those made by humans)

Question no. 28: Section B

Section B contains two large paragraphs.

In the first paragraph, take a look at the first few lines, as the writer says here, “Take the case of Watson for Oncology, one of technology giant IBM’s supercomputer programs. Their attempt to promote this program to cancer doctors was a PR disaster. . .. . .”

Here, Watson for Oncology = an AI innovation by IBM, PR disaster or Public Relations disaster = widespread mistrust,

Then, in the following few lines, the writer describes the mistrust in detail.

So, the answer is: vi (Widespread distrust of an AI innovation)

Question no. 29: Section C

Section C contains two paragraphs.

In the first paragraph, take a close look at lines 2-5, where the writer explains why we have more faith in human judgement than in AI, “ . . .. .. . Trust in other people is often based on our understanding of how others think and having experience of their reliability. This helps create a psychological feeling of safety. AI, on the other hand, is still fairly new and unfamiliar to most people. .. .. .”

Here, create a psychological feeling of safety = one of the main reasons why we have more faith in human judgement than in AI,

So, the answer is: ii (Reasons why we have more faith in human judgement than in AI)

Question no. 30: Section D

Section D contains two paragraphs.

In the first paragraph, lines 3-6 say, “ . . … .. It was found that, regardless of whether the film they watched depicted AI in a positive or negative light, simply watching a cinematic vision of our technological future polarised the participants’ attitudes. Optimists became more extreme in their enthusiasm for AI and sceptics became even more guarded.”

Here, polarised the participants’ attitudes = divergence of attitudes towards AI, Optimists became more extreme & sceptics became even more guarded = an increasing divergence,

So, the answer is: i (An increasing divergence of attitudes towards AI)

Question no. 31: Section E

Section E contains two paragraphs.

Take a look at line no. 1 in paragraph no. 1, “Fortunately, we already have some ideas about how to improve trust in AI. . .. ..”

Here, how to improve trust in AI = encouraging openness about how AI functions,

Then, in the following lines and in the following paragraph the writer explains in detail how we can encourage openness or improve trust about the functions of AI. 

So, the answer is: vii (Encouraging openness about how AI functions)

Question no. 32: Section F

Section F contains two paragraphs.

The first lines of the first paragraph give us the answer to this question. Here, the writer says, “Research suggests that allowing people some control over AI decision-making could also improve trust and enable AI to learn from human experience. .. … .”

Here, allowing people some control over AI decision-making = involving users in AI processes, improve trust and enable AI to learn from human experience = the advantages,

So, the answer is: v (The advantages of involving users in AI processes)

Questions 33-35: Multiple-choice questions

[This type of question asks you to choose a suitable answer from the options using the knowledge you gained from the passage. Generally, this question is set found as the last question set in most passages so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers for previous questions gives you a good idea about these questions.]

Question no. 33: What is the writer doing in Section A?  

Keywords for the question: the writer doing, Section A,   

Section A contains two paragraphs.

The first paragraph explains how AI can help us.

Then, in the second paragraph, the author of the text says in lines 2-3, “ . …. . . . Yet for all these technological advances, we still seem to deeply lack confidence in AI predictions. .. .. ..”

Here, we still seem to deeply lack confidence in AI predictions = the existence of a problem,

So, the answer is: C (highlighting the existence of a problem.)  

Question no. 34: According to Section C, why might some people be reluctant to accept AI?  

Keywords for the question: Section C, why, some people, reluctant, accept AI,       

Section C contains two paragraphs which explain the reasons why we have more faith in human judgement than in AI.

Here, first take a look at lines 1-2 in the first paragraph, “This is just one example of people’s lack of confidence in AI and their reluctance to accept what AI has to offer. .. . .”

Here, their reluctance to accept what AI has to offer = some people might be reluctance to accept AI,

Then, in the final lines of the same paragraph, the author says, “ . . .. . AI’s decision-making process is usually too difficult for most people to comprehend.  . .. ..”  

Here, usually too difficult = AI’s complexity, for most people to comprehend = people are at a disadvantage,

So, the answer is: B (Its complexity makes them feel that they are at a disadvantage.)

Question no. 35: What does the writer say about the media in Section C of the text?   

Keywords for the question: writer say, about the media, Section C,     

In section C, in lines 3-5, the author says, “ . . .. . Embarrassing AI failures receive a disproportionate amount of media attention, emphasising the message that we cannot rely on technology. .. .. .. .”

Here, we cannot rely on technology = leads the public to be mistrustful of AI,

So, the answer is: A (It leads the public to be mistrustful of AI.)

Questions 36-40: YES, NO, NOT GIVEN

[In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:

The statement in the question matches the claim of the writer in the text- YES
The statement in the question contradicts with the claim of the writer in the text- NO
The statement in the question has no clear connection with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN

TIPS: For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]

Question no. 36: Subjective depictions of AI in sci-fi films make people change their opinions about automation.  

Keywords for the question: Subjective depictions, AI, sci-fi films, change, opinions, automation,

In section D, first, take a look at the first lines of paragraph no. 1. It says here, “Feelings about AI run deep. In a recent experiment, people from a range of backgrounds were given various sci-fi films about AI to watch and then asked questions about automation in everyday life. .. . . .”

Then, in the same paragraph, the final lines say, “ . . .. . Optimists became more extreme in their enthusiasm for AI and sceptics became even more guarded.” 

Here, these lines suggest that subjective depictions of AI in sci-fi films DO NOT make people change their opinions about automation.

So, the answer is: NO

Question no. 37: Portrayals of AI in media and entertainment are likely to become more positive.

Keywords for the question: Portrayals of AI, media and entertainment, likely to become, more positive,

We find information about media and entertainment portrayals of AI in sections C and D. However, there is NO INFORMATION regarding it is likely to become more or less positive or negative.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question no. 38: Rejection of the possibilities of AI may have a negative effect on many people’s lives.  

Keywords for the question: Rejections, possibilities of AI, may have, negative effect, many people’s lives,        

The final lines of the second paragraph in section D give us the answer to this question. Here, the writer says, “ . . . .. More pertinently, refusing to accept the advantages offered by AI could place a large group of people at a serious disadvantage.”

Here, refusing to accept the advantages offered by AI = Rejection of the possibilities of AI, could place a large group of people at a serious disadvantage = may have a negative effect on many people’s lives,

So, the answer is: YES

Question no. 39: Familiarity with AI has very little impact on people’s attitudes to the technology.   

Keywords for the question: Familiarity with AI, very little impact, people’s attitudes, technology,

In section E, lines 2-3 in the first paragraph say, “ . . .. . . Simply having previous experience with AI can significantly improve people’s opinions about the technology,  . .. . ..”

Here, having previous experience with AI = Familiarity with AI, significantly improve people’s opinions about the technology = has GREAT impact on people’s attitudes to the technology,

So, the answer is: NO  

Question no. 40: AI applications which users are able to modify are more likely to gain consumer approval.

Keywords for the question: AI applications, users, able to modify, more likely, gain consumer approval, 

In section F, in the first paragraph, the first few lines say, “Research suggests that allowing people some control over AI decision-making could also improve trust and enable AI to learn from human experience. .. .. ..”

Here, allowing people some control over AI decision-making = AI applications which users are able to modify, improve trust = more likely to gain consumer approval,

So, the answer is: YES

Click here for solutions to Test 4 Passage 1: Roman Tunnels

Click here for solutions to Test 4 Passage 2: Changes in reading habits