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.
Academic Test 4 answers with clear explanations
These Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Test 4 Reading answers explain all 40 questions. Review Green roofs, The growth mindset, and Alfred Wegener: science, exploration and the theory of continental drift.
Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Test 4 Reading answer key
Use these cards for quick marking. Read the detailed explanations when an answer needs more review.
1. Green roofs
Questions 1 to 132. The growth mindset
Questions 14 to 263. Alfred Wegener: science, exploration and the theory of continental drift
Questions 27 to 40Passage 1: Green roofs
This passage explains how green roofs can support modern cities. It covers water storage, energy use, urban wildlife, food production and the need for location-specific design.
Why: The detail appears in Paragraph D. That paragraph contains the information described in the question.
Why: The detail appears in Paragraph C. That paragraph contains the information described in the question.
Why: The detail appears in Paragraph E. That paragraph contains the information described in the question.
Why: The detail appears in Paragraph B. That paragraph contains the information described in the question.
Why: The detail appears in Paragraph D. That paragraph contains the information described in the question.
Why: The passage uses "energy." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "food." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "gardening." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "obesity." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: Option C refers to "greater water-storage capacity." This is one of the two ideas supported by the passage. The paired answer may appear in either box. Accepted alternative: D.
Why: Option D refers to "ability to cultivate more plant types." This is one of the two ideas supported by the passage. The paired answer may appear in either box. Accepted alternative: C.
Why: Option A refers to "to provide habitats for a wide range of species." This is one of the two ideas supported by the passage. The paired answer may appear in either box. Accepted alternative: D.
Why: Option D refers to "to generate power from a sustainable source." This is one of the two ideas supported by the passage. The paired answer may appear in either box. Accepted alternative: A.
Passage 2: The growth mindset
This passage reviews the growth mindset idea in education. It compares popular classroom messages with research on effort, ability, teaching quality and student results.
Why: Option B says "when ideas about the nature of intelligence began to shift." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: Option C says "have confidence in their potential to succeed.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: Option D says "are afraid to push themselves beyond what they see as their limitations.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: The detail matches C, "Andrew Gelman." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches B, "Carol Dweck." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches A, "Alfred Binet." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches E, "David Yeager and Gregory Walton." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches B, "Carol Dweck." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches D, "Timothy Bates." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
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.
Why: The writer clearly agrees with the idea in this statement. The answer is YES.
Passage 3: Alfred Wegener: science, exploration and the theory of continental drift
This passage reviews a book about Alfred Wegener and continental drift. It covers his scientific work, polar exploration and the debate surrounding his theory.
Why: The writer clearly agrees with the idea in this statement. The answer is YES.
Why: The writer does not express a clear view on this point. The answer is NOT GIVEN.
Why: The writer presents a view that disagrees with this statement. The answer is NO.
Why: The writer presents a view that disagrees with this statement. The answer is NO.
Why: The correct choice is I, which means "biographer’s perspective." This phrase completes the idea and matches the passage.
Why: The correct choice is F, which means "professional interests." This phrase completes the idea and matches the passage.
Why: The correct choice is A, which means "modest fame." This phrase completes the idea and matches the passage.
Why: The correct choice is C, which means "record-breaking achievement." This phrase completes the idea and matches the passage.
Why: The correct choice is H, which means "hazardous exploration." This phrase completes the idea and matches the passage.
Why: The correct choice is E, which means "select group." This phrase completes the idea and matches the passage.
Why: Option B says "explaining why it is desirable to read the whole book." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: Option A says "He was not a particularly ambitious person.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: Option D says "They are easier subjects to write about than Wegener.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
Why: Option C says "People have little control over many aspects of their lives.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.
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
Take the timed Reading test first. Then use this page to review every answer.
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