This post on IELTS Reading focuses on all the solutions for IELTS Cambridge 8 Test 3 Reading Passage 3 which is entitled ‘How does the biological clock tick?’. This is a targeted 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 gradual process and I sincerely hope this post can help you in your IELTS Reading preparation.

IELTS Cambridge 8 Test 3: AC Reading Module

Reading Passage 3:

The headline of the passage: How does the biological clock tick?

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: 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 27: Paragraph B   

Look at lines 1-6 first, the writer talks about the ageing of ‘dead’ products/ objects and that of organisms, “Our ‘dead’ products are ‘static’, closed systems. It is always the basic material which constitutes the object and which, in the natural course of things, is worn down and becomes ‘older’. Ageing in this case must occur according to the laws for a living organism, the result of this law is not inexorable in the same way. At least as long as a biological system has the ability to renew itself it could actually become older without ageing; .. .. .”  

Therefore, it can be clearly understood that dead objects are worn down and become older; for a living organism, becoming older can happen without ageing.

So, the answer is: ix (Fundamental differences in ageing of objects and organisms)

 

Question 28: Paragraph C  

The answer is in the last few lines of paragraph C, “.. .. . Because of changes in the genetic material (mutations) these have new characteristics and in the course of their individual lives they are tested for optimal or better adaptation to the environmental conditions. Immortality would disturb this system – it needs room for new and better life.. … .”

 The lines suggest that changes in genetic materials characterize them with new features and these new characteristics need to be tested so that organisms can adapt to the environment. If organisms don’t die, the expectation of new and better life becomes impossible.

So, the answer is: ii (Why dying is beneficial)

Question 29: Paragraph D

The answer can be found in the first few lines, “Every organism has a life span which is highly characteristic. There are striking differences in life span between different species, but within one species the parameter is relatively constant.”

Here, constant = stable, but = despite,

So, the answer is: vii (A stable life span despite improvements)

Question 30: Paragraph E  

In paragraph E, again, the first few lines provide us with the answer, “If a life span is a genetically determined biological characteristic, it is logically necessary to propose the existence of an internal clock, which in some way measures and controls the ageing process and which finally determines death as the last step in a fixed programme.”

This is the description of the biological clock.

So, the answer is: i (The biological clock)

Question 31: Paragraph F

Paragraph F mainly deals with the effect of energy consumption by organisms and animals, “Animals which save energy… . ..  .. live much longer than those which are always active”.

We find examples of what happens to different animals like crocodiles, tortoises, and birds which do not use much energy. Then we find comparisons between women and men who use different levels of energy.

So, the answer is: viii (Energy consumption)

Question 32: Paragraph G

The first line of paragraph G gives us the answer, “It follows from the above that sparing use of energy reserves should tend to extend life.”

Here, extend = prolong,

So, the answer is: iv (Prolonging your life)

Questions 33-36: (Completing notes)

[In this type of question, candidates are asked to complete different notes with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS 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.]

Question 33 & 34:

• Objects age in accordance with principles of 33. ________ and of 34. _________

Keywords for this question: objects, age, principles of,  

The answers lie in paragraph B. In lines 3-4, the writer talks about the ageing of objects, “. . .Ageing in this case (case of objects) must occur according to the laws of physical chemistry and thermodynamics.”

Here, the laws = principles,

So, the answers are:

33. physical chemistry
34. thermodynamics

Question 35: Through mutations, organisms can ________ better to the environment

Keywords for this question: through mutations, organisms, better, environment,   

In paragraph C, take a look at lines 6-8, “Because of changes in the genetic material (which means mutations) these (which means organisms) have new characteristics and in the course of their individual lives they are tested for optimal or better adaptation to the environmental conditions”.

Here, for the question, we cannot write ‘adaptation’ as our answer. The question has a modal verb ‘can’ for which our answer had to be a main verb. The verb for ‘adaptation’ is ‘adapt’.

So, the answer is: adapt

Question 36: ________ would pose a serious problem for the theory of evolution

Keywords for this question: pose a serious problem, theory of evolution,

In paragraph C, take a look at the last line: “Immortality would disturb this system – it needs room for new and better life. This is the basic problem of evolution”.

Here, disturb this system = pose a serious problem,

So, the answer is: Immortality   

Questions 37-40 (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 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 37: The wear and tear theory applies to both artificial objects and biological systems.

Keywords for this question: wear and tear theory, artificial objects and biological systems, 

In paragraph A line no. 3-4, the writer talks about ‘the wear and tear theory’, “. . .. products which are subjected to natural wear and tear during use.” Then, in the end of this paragraph, the writer raises a big question on whether the theory applies to both living things and artificial objects, “. . .But are the wear and tear and loss of function of technical objects and the death of living organisms really similar or comparable?”

Here, the raised question gives us the indication that the theory does not apply to both.

So, the answer is: NO

Question 38: In principle, it is possible for a biological system to become older without ageing.

Keywords for this question: principle, possible, biological system, become older without ageing,  

In paragraph B, take a look at lines 6-7, “ . . . . At least as long as a biological system has the ability to renew itself it could actually become older without ageing; … ..”

The sentence is a clear match with the question.

So, the answer is: YES

Question 39: Within seven years, about 90 per cent of a human body is replaced as new.

Keywords for this question: seven years, 90 per cent of human body, replaced as new,

In this passage, we don’t find any reference to seven years or 90 percent.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 40: Conserving energy may help to extend a human’s life.

Keywords for this question: conserving energy, extend, life,

In paragraph G, the very first lines give us the answer to this question, “It follows from the above that sparing use of energy reserves should tend to extend life.”

Here, conserving energy = sparing use of energy reserves,

The sentence is a clear match with the question.

So, the answer is: YES

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 8 Test 3 Reading Passage 1

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 8 Test 3 Reading Passage 2