All answers on this page include the question number, correct answer and a brief explanation of where to find it in the passage or audio. Use these alongside the original Cambridge IELTS books for the best practice experience.
Test 3 Academic Reading Answers with Clear Explanations
Review all 40 Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 3 answers. Find the supporting passage evidence, understand misleading options and check the word limits before your next timed attempt.
Cambridge IELTS 16 Test 3 Academic Reading Answer Key
Use the key for quick marking, then read the explanations below. A slash separates accepted alternative forms. Where two letters are required, enter both letters across the two question numbers, in either order.
Passage 1: Roman shipbuilding and navigation
Questions 1 to 13Passage 2: Climate change reveals ancient artefacts in Norway’s glaciers
Questions 14 to 26Passage 3: Plant “thermometer” triggers springtime growth by measuring night-time heat
Questions 27 to 40Passage 1: Roman shipbuilding and navigation
Questions 1-13. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
1The Romans’ shipbuilding skills were passed on to the Greeks and the Egyptians.FALSE
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 2
Why: The passage explains that the Romans were not traditionally sailors but mostly land-based people, who learned to build ships from the people that they conquered, namely the Greeks and the Egyptians. That conflicts with the statement rather than merely omitting information, so the answer is FALSE.
2Skilled craftsmen were needed for the mortise and tenon method of fixing planks.NOT GIVEN
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 3
Why: The passage discusses the related point - starting from the 6th century BCE, they were fixed using a method called mortise and tenon, whereby one plank locked into another without the need for stitching - but it does not provide the specific comparison or fact in the statement. The answer is therefore NOT GIVEN.
3The later practice used by Mediterranean shipbuilders involved building the hull before the frame.FALSE
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 3
Why: The passage explains that then in the first centuries of the current era, Mediterranean shipbuilders shifted to another shipbuilding method, still in use today, which consisted of building the frame first and then proceeding.... That conflicts with the statement rather than merely omitting information, so the answer is FALSE.
4The Romans called the Mediterranean Sea Mare Nostrum because they dominated its use.TRUE
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 4
Why: The passage explains that eventually, Rome’s navy became the largest and most powerful in the Mediterranean, and the Romans had control over what they therefore called Mare Nostrum meaning ‘our sea’. This directly agrees with the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
5Most rowers on ships were people from the Roman army.TRUE
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 5
Why: The passage explains that the trireme was superseded by larger ships with even more rowers. This directly agrees with the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
6Warships were designed so that they were ____ and moved quickly.lightweight
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 4
Why: The passage states that warships were built to be lightweight and very speedy. The wording and grammar of the gap require lightweight; it also fits the printed word limit.
7A battering ram made of ____ was included in the design.bronze
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 4
Why: The passage states that they had a bronze battering ram, which was used to pierce the timber hulls or break the oars of enemy vessels. The wording and grammar of the gap require bronze; it also fits the printed word limit.
8Warships, such as the trireme, had rowers on three different ____.levels
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 5
Why: The passage states that it had rowers in the top, middle and lower levels, and approximately 50 rowers in each bank. The wording and grammar of the gap require levels; it also fits the printed word limit.
9Merchant ships had a broad ____ that lay far below the surface of the sea.hull
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 6
Why: The passage states that unlike warships, their V-shaped hull was deep underwater, meaning that they could not sail too close to the coast. The wording and grammar of the gap require hull; it also fits the printed word limit.
10They had both square and ____ sails.triangular
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 6
Why: The passage states that they had from one to three masts with large square sails and a small triangular sail at the bow. The wording and grammar of the gap require triangular; it also fits the printed word limit.
11On merchant ships and warships, ____ was used to ensure rowers moved their oars in and out of the water at the same time.music
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 6
Why: The passage states that in order to assist them, music would be played on an instrument, and oars would then keep time with this. The wording and grammar of the gap require music; it also fits the printed word limit.
12Quantities of agricultural goods such as ____ were transported by merchant ships to two main ports in Italy.grain
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 7
Why: The passage states that grain from Egypt’s Nile valley). The wording and grammar of the gap require grain; it also fits the printed word limit.
13The ships were pulled to the shore by ____.towboats
Where to Look: Passage 1, paragraph 7
Why: The passage states that large merchant ships would approach the destination port and, just like today, be intercepted by a number of towboats that would drag them to the quay. The wording and grammar of the gap require towboats; it also fits the printed word limit.
Passage 2: Climate change reveals ancient artefacts in Norway’s glaciers
Questions 14-26. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
14an explanation for weapons being left behind in the mountainsD
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 6
Why: The key idea in the passage is they found that some periods had produced lots of artefacts, which indicates that people had been pretty active in the mountains during those times. This matches D, while the other choices do not express the same point.
15a reference to the physical difficulties involved in an archaeological expeditionC
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 3
Why: The key idea in the passage is organic materials like textiles and hides are relatively rare finds at archaeological sites. This matches C, while the other choices do not express the same point.
16an explanation of why less food may have been availableF
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 8
Why: The key idea in the passage is business must have been good for hunters. This matches F, while the other choices do not express the same point.
17a reference to the possibility of future archaeological discoveriesH
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 9
Why: The key idea in the passage is in fact, archaeological finds from that period are rare all over Norway. This matches H, while the other choices do not express the same point.
18examples of items that would have been tradedG
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 5
Why: The key idea in the passage is other items could have been used by hunters traversing the high mountain passes of Oppland: all-purpose items like tools, skis, and horse tack. This matches G, while the other choices do not express the same point.
19a reference to the pressure archaeologists are under to work quicklyB
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 2
Why: The key idea in the passage is and those artefacts have provided archaeologists with some surprising insights into how ancient Norwegians made their livings. This matches B, while the other choices do not express the same point.
20Organic materials such as animal skins and textiles have little protection against ____, which means that they decay relatively quickly.microorganisms / micro-organisms
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 3
Why: The passage states that this is because unless they’re protected from the microorganisms that cause decay, they tend not to last long. The wording and grammar of the gap require microorganisms / micro-organisms; it also fits the printed word limit.
21In the past, there were trade routes through these mountains and ____ gathered there in the summer months.reindeer
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 4
Why: The passage states that reindeer once congregated on these icy patches in the later summer months to escape biting insects, and from the late Stone Age, hunters followed. The wording and grammar of the gap require reindeer; it also fits the printed word limit.
22They gathered there to avoid being attacked by ____ on lower ground.insects
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 4
Why: The passage states that reindeer once congregated on these icy patches in the later summer months to escape biting insects, and from the late Stone Age, hunters followed. The wording and grammar of the gap require insects; it also fits the printed word limit.
23Which TWO of the following statements does the writer make about the discoveries of Barrett’s team?B + C (Either Order)
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 7
Why: The relevant section links the two required ideas to Hunters went into the mountains even during periods of extreme cold. / The number of artefacts from certain time periods was relatively low.. The surrounding detail - Oppland’s mountains present daunting terrain and in periods of extreme cold, glaciers could block the higher mountain passes and make travel in the upper reaches of the mountains extremely difficult - supports these choices; the remaining options describe different or unsupported points. Enter the two answers in either order.
24Which TWO of the following statements does the writer make about the discoveries of Barrett’s team?B + C (Either Order)
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 7
Why: The relevant section links the two required ideas to The number of artefacts from certain time periods was relatively low. / Hunters went into the mountains even during periods of extreme cold.. The surrounding detail - Oppland’s mountains present daunting terrain and in periods of extreme cold, glaciers could block the higher mountain passes and make travel in the upper reaches of the mountains extremely difficult - supports these choices; the remaining options describe different or unsupported points. Enter the two answers in either order.
25Which TWO of the following statements does the writer make about the Viking Age?A + C (Either Order)
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 8
Why: The relevant section links the two required ideas to Hunters at this time benefited from an increased demand for goods. / Vikings did not rely on ships alone to transport goods.. The surrounding detail - Although we usually think of ships when we think of Scandinavian expansion, these recent discoveries show that plenty of goods travelled on overland routes, like the mountain passes of Oppland - supports these choices; the remaining options describe different or unsupported points. Enter the two answers in either order.
26Which TWO of the following statements does the writer make about the Viking Age?A + C (Either Order)
Where to Look: Passage 2, paragraph 8
Why: The relevant section links the two required ideas to Vikings did not rely on ships alone to transport goods. / Hunters at this time benefited from an increased demand for goods.. The surrounding detail - Although we usually think of ships when we think of Scandinavian expansion, these recent discoveries show that plenty of goods travelled on overland routes, like the mountain passes of Oppland - supports these choices; the remaining options describe different or unsupported points. Enter the two answers in either order.
Passage 3: Plant “thermometer” triggers springtime growth by measuring night-time heat
Questions 27-40. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
27The Cambridge scientists’ discovery of the “thermometer molecule” caused surprise among other scientists.NOT GIVEN
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 3
Why: The passage discusses the related point - an international team of scientists led by the University of Cambridge has discovered that the “thermometer” molecule in plants enables them to develop according to seasonal temperature changes - but it does not provide the specific comparison or fact in the statement. The answer is therefore NOT GIVEN.
28The target for agricultural production by 2050 could be missed.TRUE
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 6
Why: The passage explains that “It is estimated that agricultural yields will need to double by 2050, but climate change is a major threat to achieving this. This directly agrees with the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
29Wheat and rice suffer from a rise in temperatures.TRUE
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 6
Why: The passage explains that key crops such as wheat and rice are sensitive to high temperatures. This directly agrees with the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
30It may be possible to develop crops that require less water.NOT GIVEN
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 2
Why: The passage discusses the related point - scientists say the discovery could help breed crops that are more resilient to the temperatures expected to result from climate change - but it does not provide the specific comparison or fact in the statement. The answer is therefore NOT GIVEN.
31Plants grow faster in sunlight than in shade.FALSE
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 7
Why: The passage explains that if a plant finds itself in shade, phytochromes are quickly inactivated - enabling it to grow faster to find sunlight again. That conflicts with the statement rather than merely omitting information, so the answer is FALSE.
32Phytochromes change their state at the same speed day and night.FALSE
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 3
Why: The passage explains that researchers have revealed that molecules called phytochromes - used by plants to detect light during the day - actually change their function in darkness to become cellular temperature gauges that.... That conflicts with the statement rather than merely omitting information, so the answer is FALSE.
33mention of specialists who can make use of the research findingsH
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 10
Why: The key idea in the passage is the new findings are the culmination of twelve years of research involving scientists from Germany, Argentina and the US, as well as the Cambridge team. This matches H, while the other choices do not express the same point.
34a reference to a potential benefit of the research findingsD
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 10
Why: The key idea in the passage is the new findings are the culmination of twelve years of research involving scientists from Germany, Argentina and the US, as well as the Cambridge team. This matches D, while the other choices do not express the same point.
35scientific support for a traditional sayingG
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 8
Why: The key idea in the passage is this is why plants are slower to grow in winter. This matches G, while the other choices do not express the same point.
36a reference to people traditionally making plans based on plant behaviourC
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 8
Why: The key idea in the passage is warm temperatures accelerate dark reversion, so that phytochromes rapidly reach an inactive state and detach themselves from the plant’s DNA - allowing genes to be expressed and plant growth to.... This matches C, while the other choices do not express the same point.
37a reference to where the research has been reportedA
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 10
Why: The key idea in the passage is the new findings are the culmination of twelve years of research involving scientists from Germany, Argentina and the US, as well as the Cambridge team. This matches A, while the other choices do not express the same point.
38Daffodils are likely to flower early in response to ____ weather.warm winter / warm
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 9
Why: The passage states that other species, such as daffodils, have considerable temperature sensitivity, and can flower months in advance during a warm winter. The wording and grammar of the gap require warm winter / warm; it also fits the printed word limit.
39If ash trees come into leaf before oak trees, the weather in ____ will probably be wet.summer
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 9
Why: The passage states that a warmer spring, and consequently a higher likeliness of a hot summer, will result in oak leafing before ash. The wording and grammar of the gap require summer; it also fits the printed word limit.
40The research was carried out using a particular species of ____.mustard plant / mustard plants / mustard
Where to Look: Passage 3, paragraph 10
Why: The passage states that the work was done in a model system, using a mustard plant called Arabidopsis, but Wigge says the phytochrome genes necessary for temperature sensing are found in crop plants as.... The wording and grammar of the gap require mustard plant / mustard plants / mustard; it also fits the printed word limit.
Using This Reading Answer Key
Is This the Academic or General Training Test?
This page covers Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 3. Academic and GT Reading use different texts and answer keys, so check the track before marking.
How Should I Review a Wrong Answer?
Return to the evidence location and compare the exact meaning, not just matching words. Check spelling and word limits. For NOT GIVEN, identify the information the text does not supply.
How Do I Estimate My Band?
Count one mark for each correct answer, then consult the Reading Band Score Guide. Academic and GT use different raw-score conversions, and an estimate is not an official IELTS result.
What to Do After Marking
Group your errors by misunderstanding, distractors, spelling and instructions. Review the difficult section, then try another complete test to check whether your accuracy improves.