This Academic IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to IELTS Cambridge 15 Reading Test 4 Reading Passage 1 entitled ‘The return of the huarango’. This is a target post for IELTS candidates who have huge problems finding out and understanding Reading Answers in the AC module. This post can help you the best to comprehend every Reading answer very easily. Finding out IELTS Reading answers is a steady process, and this post will assist you in this respect.
IELTS Cambridge 15 Test 4: AC Reading Module
Reading Passage 1: Questions 1-13
The headline of the passage: The return of the huarango
Questions 1-5: Completing notes:
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to complete different notes with ONE WORD ONLY from the passage. Keywords are important to find answers correctly. Generally, this type of question maintains a sequence. However, we should not be surprised if the sequence is not maintained. Find the keywords in the passage and you are most likely to find the answers.]
Title of the note: The importance of the huarango tree
Question no. 1: can access ________ deep below the surface
Keywords for the question: can access, deep, below, surface,
The first paragraph introduces us to the huarango tree. Here, take a close look at line no. 5, “ . .. . They stretch down 50-80 metres and, as well as sucking up water for the tree, they bring it into . .. .”
Here, they = huarango trees, sucking up = access, down 50-80 metres = deep below the surface,
So, the answer is: water
Question no. 2: was a crucial part of local inhabitants’ _______ a long time ago
Keywords for the question: crucial part, local inhabitants’, long time ago,
In paragraph no. 2, the writer of the passage explains the findings made by Dr. David Beresford-Jones, and in lines 2-3, the writer says, “ . .. He believes the huarango was the key to the ancient people’s diet and . .. ..”
Here, the key = crucial part, ancient = long time ago, people’s = local inhabitants’,
So, the answer is: diet
Question no. 3: helped people to survive periods of ________
Keywords for the question: helped, people, survive, periods of,
In lines 3-4 of paragraph no. 2, the writer says, “ . .. . because it could reach deep water sources, it allowed local people to withstand years of drought when their other crops failed. . .”
Here, allowed local people to withstand = helped people to survive, years of = periods of,
So, the answer is: drought
Question no. 4: prevents _____ of the soil
Keywords for the question: prevents, of the soil,
In lines 4-6 of paragraph no. 2, the writer says, “ . .. . But over the centuries huarango trees were gradually replaced with crops. Cutting down native woodland leads to erosion, as there is nothing to keep the soil in place. . .”
Here, the lines contain a reverse meaning and suggest that erosion started to occur as huarango trees were cut down and replaced with crops. This means huarango trees can prevent erosion of the soil.
So, the answer is: erosion
Question no. 5: prevents land from becoming a _______
Keywords for the question: prevents, land, from becoming,
The last lines of paragraph no. 2 say, “ . .. .. So, when the huarangos go, the land turns into a desert. … .”
Here, again, the lines contain a reverse meaning suggesting that huarango trees can prevent the land from becoming a desert.
So, the answer is: desert
Question 6-8: Completing table: NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
[In this type of question candidates need to fill in the gaps in a table with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS. Previewing, skimming, and scanning, these reading skills are essential for this question-type.]
Title of the table: Traditional uses of the huarango tree
Question no. 6:
| Part of tree | Traditional use |
| _____________ | fuel |
Keywords for the question: part of tree, traditional use, fuel,
In paragraph no. 3, the author says in line no. 3, “ .. . . while its branches were used for charcoal for cooking and heating, . .. .”
Here, charcoal for cooking and heating = fuel,
So, the answer is: its branches / huarango branches / the branches
Question no. 7:
| Part of tree | Traditional use |
| ________ and _______ | medicine |
Keywords for the question: part of tree, traditional use, medicine,
In paragraph no. 3, lines 2-3 say, “. . .. Its leaves and bark were used for herbal remedies, . .. .”
Here, herbal remedies = medicine,
So, the answer is: (in either order)
leaves (and) bark
Question no. 8:
| Part of tree | Traditional use |
| ____________ | construction |
Keywords for the question: part of tree, traditional use, construction,
In line no. 4 of paragraph no. 3, the author of the passage writes, “ . .. and its trunk was used to build houses. .. ..”
Here, build houses = construction,
So, the answer is: its trunk/ huarango trunk/ the trunk
Question 9-13: TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:
The statement in the question agrees with the information in the passage – TRUE
The statement in the question contradicts with the information in the passage – FALSE
If there is no information on this – NOT GIVEN
For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]
Question no. 9: Local families have told Whaley about some traditional uses of huarango products.
Keywords for the question: local families, told Whaley, traditional uses, huarango products,
Paragraph no. 4, 5, and 6 discuss how Whaley has inspired local people to restart planting using the huarango tree. However, nowhere we find information on whether local people have shared some traditional uses of huarango with Whaley.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 10: Farmer Alberto Benevides is now making a good profit from growing huarangos.
Keywords for the question: Farmer Alberto Benevides, now, making a good profit,
Let’s take a look at paragraph no. 6 where we find the name of Farmer Alberto Benevides. Here, in this paragraph, take a look at lines 4-5, “ . .. . His farm is relatively small and doesn’t yet provide him enough with enough to live on, but he hopes this will change. .. . .”
Here, doesn’t yet provide him enough with enough to live on = NOT making a good profit from growing,
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 11: Whaley needs the co-operation of farmers to help preserve the area’s wildlife.
Keywords for the question: Whaley, needs, co-operation of farmers, help preserve, wildlife,
In paragraph no. 7, lines 1-3 explain how wildlife like mammals and birds are being threatened by larger farms. Then, the writer says in lines 4-5, “ . .. In the hope of counteracting this, he’s persuading farmers to let him plant forest corridors on their land. …”
Here, In the hope of counteracting this, he’s persuading farmers means Whaley needs the co-operation of the local farmers to preserve the area’s wildlife.
So, the answer is: TRUE
Question no. 12: For Whaley’s project to succeed, it needs to be extended over a very large area.
Keywords for the question: Whaley’s project to succeed, needs to be extended, over a very large area,
In paragraph no. 8, have a close look at lines 2-4, “. .. . It’s not like a rainforest that needs to have this huge expanse. Life has always been confined to corridors and islands here. . . .”
Here, It’s not like a rainforest that needs to have this huge expanse means that Whaley’s project needs only a small amount of land (the corridors). It’s not like a rain forest.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 13: Whaley has plans to go to Africa to set up a similar project.
Keywords for the question: Whaley, plans, go to Africa, to set up, similar project,
In the final paragraph (paragraph no. 8), lines 6-8 say, “. . . ‘If we can do it here, in the most fragile system on Earth, then that’s a real message of hope for lots of places, including Africa, where there is drought and they just can’t afford to wait for rain.”
Here, the lines suggest that Whaley project can bring hope to different parts of the world like Africa where drought is a big problem. However, here we find no information about whether Whaley plans to go to Africa to set up another project like this one.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Click here for solutions to Cambridge 15 Test 4 Reading Passage 2
Click here for solutions to Cambridge 15 Test 4 Reading Passage 3
