This IELTS Reading post focuses on all the solutions for IELTS Cambridge 8 Test 1 Reading Passage 2 which is entitled ‘Air traffic control in the USA’. This is an aimed post for IELTS candidates who have great problems in finding answers for the Academic Reading module. This post can guide you the best to comprehend each Reading answer without facing much difficulty. Tracing IELTS Reading answers is a slow process and I sincerely hope this post can assist you in your IELTS Reading preparation.
IELTS Cambridge 8 Test 1: AC Reading Module
Reading Passage 2:
The headline of the passage: Air traffic control in the USA
Questions 14-17 (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: 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 14: Paragraph A
In the first lines of paragraph A the writer says, “An accident that occurred in the skies over the Grand Canyon in 1956 resulted in the establishment of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to regulate and oversee the operation of aircraft in the skies over the United States.”
Here, the lines suggest that the accident (disaster) in 1956 resulted (prompts) in the establishment of FAA.
So, the answer is: ii (Aviation disaster prompts action)
Question 15: Paragraph C
In paragraph C, take a look at lines 3-5 where the author says, “.. .. .. It was only after the creation of the FAA that full-scale regulation of America’s airspace took place, and this was fortuitous, for the advent of the jet engine suddenly resulted in a large number of very fast planes… .”
Here, fortuitous means chance, accidental or coincidental.
So, the answer is: iii (Two coincidental developments)
Question 16: Paragraph D
Take a close look at lines no. 3 and read this sentence, “. . .This is a very incomplete part of the picture.”
The line suggests that the role of ATC, as in many people’s thoughts, is a very incomplete picture/ oversimplified view.
So, the answer is: v (An oversimplified view)
Question 17: Paragraph E
In paragraph E, the writer details about setting a controlled airspace which is commonly known as altitude zones: “In general, from 365m above the ground and higher, the entire country is blanketed by controlled airspace. In certain areas, mainly near airports, controlled airspace extends down to 215m above the ground . . . … . In this way, the recreational pilot who simply wishes to go flying for a while without all the restrictions composed by the FAA has only to stay in uncontrolled airspace, below 365m, . .. ..”
Here, the lines clearly indicate that the writer is discussing here about setting altitude zones.
So, the answer is: iv (Setting altitude zones)
Question 18: Paragraph F
It is very easy to find out what the writer discusses in Paragraph F if we study the first few lines, “In good meteorological conditions, flying would be permitted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which suggests a strong reliance on visual cues to maintain an acceptable level of safety. Poor visibility necessitated a set of Instrumental Flight Rules (IFR)…”
Here, meteorological conditions = weather conditions,
So, the answer is: viii (Setting rules to weather conditions)
Question 19: Paragraph G
The first 3-4 lines of paragraph G indicates that the writer categorises open airspace in this paragraph. “Controlled airspace is divided into several types, designated by letters of the alphabet. Uncontrolled airspace is designated Class F, while controlled airspace below 5,490m above sea level and not in the vicinity of an airport is Class E. All airspace above 5,490m is designated Class A. .. . ..”
Here, Class F, Class E, and Class A are the different airspace categories.
So, the answer is: vii (Defining airspace categories)
Questions 20-26 (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 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 20: The FAA was created as a result of the introduction of the jet engine.
Keywords for this question: FAA, created, jet engine
The first lines of paragraph A give us the answer to this question. The writer says here, “An accident that occurred in the skies over the Grand Canyon in 1956 resulted in the establishment of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).”
This means the FAA was created as a result of an accident, not as a result of the introduction of the jet engine.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question 21: Air Traffic Control started after the Grand Canyon crash in 1956.
Keywords for this question: ATC, started, after Grand Canyon crash, 1956,
Paragraph B starts with this line, “Rudimentary air traffic control (ATC) existed well before the Grand Canyon disaster.”
The line clearly contradicts the question.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question 22: Beacons and flashing lights are still used by ATC today.
Keywords for this question: Beacons, flashing lights, still used,
In this passage, we find no mention of whether beacons and flashing lights are still used by ATC today. Beacons and flashing lights are referred to in paragraph B, but whether this system has been abandoned completely or is still used is not mentioned anywhere.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question 23: Some improvements were made in radio communication during World War II.
Keywords for this question: improvements, radio communication, World War II,
In paragraph C, the writer describes in lines 1-3 “In the 1940s, ATC centres could and did take advantage of the newly developed radar and improved radio communication brought about by the Second World War.”
The lines mean that there had been some improvements in radio communication during World War II.
So, the answer is: TRUE
Question 24: Class F airspace is airspace which is below 365m and not near airports.
Keywords for this question: Class F, below 365m, not near airports,
First, take a look at these lines from Paragraph E, “Elsewhere, in uncontrolled airspace, pilots are bound by fewer regulations. In this way, the recreational pilot who simply wishes to go flying for a while without all the restrictions composed by the FAA has only to stay in uncontrolled airspace, below 365m.”
The last paragraph details the categorisation of different airspace. Here in line no. 2 the writer says, “Uncontrolled airspace is designated Class F.”
So, this is clear that uncontrolled airspace is Class F which is below 365m and it is elsewhere, not in airports.
So, the answer is: TRUE
Question 25: All aircraft in Class E airspace must use IFR.
Keywords for this question: All, Class E, must use IFR,
In the last paragraph, Paragraph G, the writer says in lines 9-10, “The difference between Class E and A airspace is that in Class A, all operations are IFR . . …”
This means that aircraft in Class A airspace must use IFR, not Class E.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question 26: A pilot entering Class C airspace is flying over an average-sized city.
Keywords for this question: Class C, an average-sized city,
In the last paragraph, the writer states that in lines 13-15, “Three other types of airspace, Classes D, C and B, govern the vicinity of airports. These correspond roughly to small municipal, medium-sized metropolitan and major metropolitan airports respectively.” This means that Class C airspace indicates to medium-sized metropolitan airport areas.
Here, city = metropolitan and average-sized = medium-sized
So, the answer is: TRUE
Click here for solutions to Cambridge 8 Test 1 Reading Passage 1
Click here for solutions to Cambridge 8 Test 1 Reading Passage 3