This Academic IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to IELTS Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS Test 5 Reading Passage 3 which is titled ‘Science in Space’. This is a targeted post for IELTS candidates who have big problems finding and understanding Reading answers in the Academic module. This post can guide you properly 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 5: AC Reading Module

Reading Passage 3: Questions 27-40

The headline of the passage: Science in Space

Questions 27-30: 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. This question type generally follows a sequence. So, scanning skill is effective here.]

Question no. 27: What does the writer state about the ISS in the first paragraph?

Keywords for the question: ISS, first paragraph,    

In the first paragraph, have a close look at the first six lines, “A premier, world-class laboratory in low Earth orbit. That was how the National Aeronautics and Space Administration agency (NASA) sold the International Space Station (ISS) to the US Congress in 2001. Today no one can doubt the agency’s technological ambition. . . .. .. .”

Here, no one can doubt the agency’s technological ambition = a great example of technological achievement,

So, the answer is: B (It is a great example of technological achievement.)

Question no. 28: What are we told about Satoshi Iwase’s experimental machine?

Keywords for the question: Satoshi Iwase’s experimental machine,

If you look at paragraph no. 2, the writer describes the design of the experimental machine designed by Satoshi Iwase in the final few lines. Here in lines 16-19 the writer mentions, “ . .. . .. .. This is where Iwase comes in. He leads a team designing a centrifuge for humans. In their preliminary design, an astronaut is strapped into the seat of a machine that resembles an exercise bike. . .. . . .. . ..” 

Here, designing a centrifuge = designing the experimental machine,
resembles an exercise bike = based on conventional exercise equipment,

So, the answer is: A (It is based on conventional exercise equipment.)

Question no. 29: The writer refers to the Hubble Space Telescope in order to –

Keywords for the question: the Hubble Space Telescope,

The answer to this question can be found in paragraph no. 5, in lines 7-15, where the writer mentions the Hubble Space Telescope. Let’s read there, “ .. . .. . . One of CASIS’s roles is to convince public and private investors that science on the station is worth the spend because judged solely by the number of papers published, the ISS certainly seems poor value: research on the station has generated about 3,100 papers since 1998. The Hubble Space Telescope, meanwhile, has produced more than 11,300 papers in just over 20 years, yet it cost less than one-tenth of the price of the space station.”

Here, the ISS certainly seems poor value = the ISS is not given proper value that it deserves,

research on the station has generated about 3,100 papers since 1998 = the ISS has generated a good number of papers on space research,

These lines suggest that the Hubble Space Telescope is just a telescope and it produced more than 11,300 papers in just over 20 years; whereas the ISS or the International Space Station should be given bigger priority as it has already produced about 3100 papers. 

So, the answer is: B (highlight the need to promote the ISS in a positive way.)  

Question no. 30: In the sixth paragraph, we are told that CASIS has –

Keywords for the question: comparison, construction of Homer’s poems, another art form,   

In paragraph no. 6, the writer says in lines 5-11, “ . . .. . . . . CASIS has examined more than 100 previous microgravity experiments to identify promising research themes. From this, it has opted to focus on life science and medical research, and recently called for proposals for experiments on muscle wasting, osteoporosis and the immune system. .. . . .. .”

Here, recently called for proposals for experiments on muscle wasting, osteoporosis and the immune system = invited researchers to suggest certain health-based projects,

So, the answer is: D (invited researchers to suggest certain health-based projects.)   

Questions 31-35: Matching statements with the correct researchers

[In this type of question, candidates need to relate statements that are given by or link 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. 31: The ISS should be available for business-related ventures.

Keywords for the question: ISS, should be available for, business-related ventures,  

In lines 15-17 of paragraph no. 6, the writer mentions the comment made by Mark Uhran, “ . . . . .. . Investment from outside organisations is vital, says Uhran, and a balance between academic and commercial research will help attract this.”

Here, Investment from outside organisations is vital = the ISS should be encouraged to accept business-related ventures,

So, the answer is: C (Mark Uhran)   

Question no. 32: There is general ignorance about what kinds of projects are possible on the ISS.

Keywords for the question: general ignorance, what kinds of projects are possible, ISS,   

In paragraph no. 7, the writer of the text says, “ . . … .. . The station needs to attract cutting-edge research, yet many scientists seem to have little idea what goes on aboard it. Jeanne DiFrancesco at ProOrbis conducted more than 200 interviews with people from organisations with potential interests in low gravity studies. Some were aware of the ISS but they didn’t know what’s going on up there, she says. ‘Others know there’s science, but they don’t know what kind.”

Here, Others know there’s science, but they don’t know what kind = general ignorance about the kinds of projects that are possible on the ISS,

So, the answer is: D (Jeanne DiFrancesco)

Question no. 33: The process of getting accepted projects onto the ISS should be speeded up.

Keywords for the question: process, getting accepted projects, onto the ISS, should be speeded up,    

The answer to this question is found in paragraph no. 4. Here, the writer says in lines 5-14, “ . . .. . . . Lengthy delays like this are one of the key challenges for NASA, according to an April 2011   report from the US National Academy of Sciences. Its authors said they were ‘deeply concerned’ about the state of NASA’s science research, and made a number of recommendations. Besides suggesting that the agency reduces the time between approving experiments and sending them into space, it also recommended setting clearer research priorities..”

Here, Lengthy delays = it takes too much time for the projects to get accepted,

suggesting that the agency reduces the time between approving experiments and sending them into space = the process of getting accepted projects should be speeded up,

So, the answer is: B (Authors of the US National Academy of Sciences report)

Question no. 34: Some achievements of the ISS are underrated.

Keywords for the question: some achievements, ISS, underrated,    

Have a look at the first few lines of paragraph no. 6. Here, the writer says, “ . . .. . . . Yet Mark Uhran, assistant associate administrator for the ISS, refutes the criticism that the station hasn’t done any useful research. . .. . . . . . ”

Here, refutes the criticism that the station hasn’t done any useful research = Uhran doesn’t think it is correct to criticize the ISS because he believes that the ISS is doing better research, but it doesn’t get the proper appreciation. This means it’s achievement is underrated.  

So, the answer is: C (Mark Uhran)

Question no. 35: To properly assess new space technology, there has to be an absence of gravity.

Keywords for the question: properly assess, new space technology, has to be, absence of gravity,

Paragraph no. 3 gives us the answer to this question. Here, the writer talks about the issue of gravity. Take a look at the final few lines, “ . . . . .. The only way to test this is in weightlessness, and the only time we have to do that is on the space station,’ says Laurence Young, a space medicine expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.”

Here, The only way to test this = To properly assess new space technology, weightlessness = absence of gravity,

So, the answer is: A (Laurence Young)

Questions 37-39: Completing summary with a list of words

[In this type of question, candidates are asked to complete a summary with a list of words taken from the passage. Candidates must write the correct letter (not the words) as the answers. Keywords and synonyms are important to find answers correctly. Generally, this type of question maintains a sequence. Find the keywords in the passage and you are most likely to find the answers.]

The headline of the summary: The influence of commercial space flight on the ISS

We find a discussion about commercial space flight on the International Space Station in the final Paragraph. So, all the answers have to be in this paragraph.

Question no. 36: According to Alan Stern, private space companies could affect the future of ISS. He believes they could change its image; firstly because sending food and equipment there would be more ________ if a commercial craft were used, . . … .. .. .

Keywords for the question: Alan Stern, private space companies, could affect the future of ISS,  they could change its image, firstly, because, sending food and equipment there, would be more, if, a commercial craft were used,      

Let’s take a look at the first few lines of paragraph no. 8. The writer says here, “According to Alan Stern, planetary scientist, the biggest public relations boost for the ISS may come from the privately funded space flight industry. Companies like SpaceX could help NASA and its partners when it comes to resupplying the ISS, as it suggests it can reduce launch costs by two-thirds. .. . . .”

Here, privately funded space flight industry = sending food and equipment there . .. . . . commercial craft,

reduce launch costs by two-thirds = economical,

So, the answer is: H (economical)

Question no. 37: and secondly, because commercial flights might make the whole idea of space exploration seem ________ to ordinary people.      

Keywords for the question: secondly, because, commercial flights, might make, whole idea of space exploration, seem, ordinary people,  

The answer can be found in lines 9-12 of paragraph 8, where the writer says, “ . . .. . . .They might not come close to the ISS’s orbit, yet Stern believes they will revolutionise the way we, the public, see space. Soon everyone will be dreaming of interplanetary travel again, he predicts. .. .. .. .. .”

Here, the public = ordinary people, Soon everyone will be dreaming of interplanetary travel again = space exploration seem real to ordinary people,

So, the answer is: D (real)

Question no. 38: Another point is that as the demand for space flight increases, there is a chance of them becoming more __________.

Keywords for the question: another point, demand for space flight, increases, chance of them becoming more,

The answer can be found in lines 16-18 of paragraph no. 8, “ .. . .. This demand for low-cost space flight could eventually lead to a service running on a more frequent basis, . . . .. .”

Here, This demand for low-cost space flight = as the demand for space flight increases, could eventually lead to = there is a chance, on a more frequent basis = regular,

So, the answer is: F (regular)   

Question no. 39: And by working on a commercial flight first, scientists would be more __________ if an ISS position came up.     

Keywords for the question: by working on a commercial flight, first, scientists, would be more, if, an ISS position, came up, 

The final lines of paragraph no. 8 says, “ . . … .. . giving researchers the chance to test their ideas before submitting a proposal for experiments on the ISS. Getting flight experience should help them win a slot on the station,”

Here, researchers = scientists, Getting flight experience should help them win a slot on the station = scientists would be more suitable,

So, the answer is: G (suitable)  

Question no. 40: Multiple choice questions (Identifying the main purpose/aim/title of the passage)

[This type of question asks you to choose a suitable answer from the options that shows the main aim/purpose/title using the knowledge you gained from the passage. Generally, this question is found as the last question so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers to previous questions gives you a good idea about the title.]

Question no. 40: The writer’s purpose in writing this article is to –

Keywords for the question: writer’s purpose, writing this article,

Solving all the answers in this passage, we get a clear idea about the suggestions made to make the International Space Station more effective. We get suggestions like investing more money in ISS research projects, attracting cutting-edge researches, starting commercial flights etc.  

So, the answer is: B (illustrate how the ISS could become more effective.)

© All the texts with inverted commas used in this post are taken from Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS Test 5

Click here for solutions to Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS Academic Test 5 Reading passage 1

Click here for solutions to Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS Academic Test 5 Reading passage 2