Review all 40 Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Test 3 Reading answers with explanations. The texts cover Materials to take us beyond concrete, The steam car and The case for mixed-ability classes, with matching features, summary completion and matching headings among the principal question types.
Academic Test 3 answers with clear explanations
These Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Test 3 Reading answers explain all 40 questions. Review Materials to take us beyond concrete, The steam car, and The case for mixed-ability classes.
Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Test 3 Reading answer key
Use these cards for quick marking. Read the detailed explanations when an answer needs more review.
1. Materials to take us beyond concrete
Questions 1 to 132. The steam car
Questions 14 to 263. The case for mixed-ability classes
Questions 27 to 40Passage 1: Materials to take us beyond concrete
This passage examines why concrete creates major environmental costs. It reviews alternative building materials, including wood, bioplastics and other lower-carbon options.
Why: The detail matches G, "Section G." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches D, "Section D." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches C, "Section C." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches F, "Section F." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The passage uses "architects." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "moisture." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "layers." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "speed." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The detail matches C, "Anna Surgenor." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches A, "Chris Cheeseman." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches B, "Markus Mannström." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches D, "Felix Preston and Johanna Lehne." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches A, "Chris Cheeseman." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Passage 2: The steam car
This passage follows the successes and failures of the Doble brothers' steam cars. It explains their engineering improvements, business problems and competition from petrol vehicles.
Why: Heading iii, "Good and bad aspects of steam technology are passed on," gives the best summary of the paragraph's main purpose.
Why: Heading viii, "A better option than the steam car arises," gives the best summary of the paragraph's main purpose.
Why: Heading v, "Further improvements lead to commercial orders," gives the best summary of the paragraph's main purpose.
Why: Heading vi, "Positive publicity at last for this quiet, clean, fast vehicle," gives the best summary of the paragraph's main purpose.
Why: Heading vii, "A disappointing outcome for customers," gives the best summary of the paragraph's main purpose.
Why: Heading i, "A period in cold conditions before the technology is assessed," gives the best summary of the paragraph's main purpose.
Why: Heading iv, "A possible solution to the issues of today," gives the best summary of the paragraph's main purpose.
Why: Option A says "Its success was short-lived.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: Option C says "needed several attempts to achieve a competitive model.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: Option B says "raised financial capital.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: The passage uses "speed." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "fifty." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit. Accepted alternative: 50.
Why: The passage uses "strict." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Passage 3: The case for mixed-ability classes
This passage examines mixed-ability teaching and academic streaming in schools. It reviews research on pupil achievement, expectations and the effects of placing students in ability groups.
Why: Option B says "how a teacher handles a range of learning needs.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: Option A says "It has a very broad appeal.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: Option C says "students not achieving their full potential." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: Option C says "the assistance given to a student in their initial stages of learning." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: The correct choice is H, which means "higher achievements." This phrase completes the idea and matches the passage.
Why: The correct choice is D, which means "bottom sets." This phrase completes the idea and matches the passage.
Why: The correct choice is F, which means "disadvantaged backgrounds." This phrase completes the idea and matches the passage.
Why: The correct choice is E, which means "brightest pupils." This phrase completes the idea and matches the passage.
Why: The correct choice is B, which means "lower expectations." This phrase completes the idea and matches the passage.
Why: The writer presents a view that disagrees with this statement. The answer is NO.
Why: The writer does not express a clear view on this point. The answer is NOT GIVEN.
Why: The writer clearly agrees with the idea in this statement. The answer is YES.
Why: The writer presents a view that disagrees with this statement. The answer is NO.
Why: The writer does not express a clear view on this point. The answer is NOT GIVEN.
How to review your answers
- Mark all 40 answers before reading the explanations.
- Group mistakes by question type and reading passage.
- Find the exact sentence that proves each correct answer.
- Retake the test after reviewing your weakest question type.
Continue your Cambridge IELTS 18 practice
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