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 1 answers with clear explanations
These Cambridge IELTS 19 Academic Test 1 Reading answers explain all 40 questions. Review How tennis rackets have changed, The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean, The persistence and peril of misinformation.
Cambridge IELTS 19 Academic Test 1 Reading answer key
Use these cards for quick marking. Read the detailed explanations when an answer needs more review.
1. How tennis rackets have changed
Questions 1 to 132. The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean
Questions 14 to 263. The persistence and peril of misinformation
Questions 27 to 40Passage 1: How tennis rackets have changed
This passage explains how tennis rackets changed through strings, frames and player customisation. It shows how small equipment choices can affect professional performance.
Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.
Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.
Why: The passage does not give enough information to confirm or contradict this statement.
Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.
Why: The passage does not give enough information to confirm or contradict this statement.
Why: The passage gives information that supports this statement.
Why: The passage gives information that supports this statement.
Why: The answer is paint. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is topspin. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is training. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is intestines. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is weights. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is grips. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Passage 2: The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean
This passage traces piracy across the ancient Mediterranean world. It covers trade, slavery, Roman politics and attempts to control pirate activity.
Why: The detail belongs with Paragraph D.
Why: The detail belongs with Paragraph G.
Why: The detail belongs with Paragraph C.
Why: The detail belongs with Paragraph A.
Why: The detail belongs with Paragraph G.
Why: The detail belongs with Paragraph B.
Why: The passage supports option B: They managed to escape capture by the authorities because they knew the area so well..
Accepted alternative: D.
Why: The passage supports option D: They depended more on the sea for their livelihood than on farming..
Accepted alternative: B.
Why: The passage supports option C: Important officials were known to occasionally take part in piracy..
Accepted alternative: E.
Why: The passage supports option E: A favourable view of piracy is evident in certain ancient Greek texts..
Accepted alternative: C.
Why: The answer is grain. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is punishment. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is ransom. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Passage 3: The persistence and peril of misinformation
This passage examines why false information can remain persuasive. It also reviews methods used to correct misinformation and reduce its influence.
Why: Option D is supported by the passage: There may be a number of reasons for the spread of misinformation..
Why: Option A is supported by the passage: It may at some point provide us with a solution to misinformation..
Why: Option C is supported by the passage: outlining which issues connected with misinformation are significant today.
Why: Option D is supported by the passage: Regulation fails to prevent misinformation from appearing in the media..
Why: The detail belongs with frequent exposure.
Why: The detail belongs with different ideas.
Why: The detail belongs with mental operation.
Why: The detail belongs with additional evidence.
Why: The detail belongs with short period.
Why: The detail belongs with different locations.
Why: The writer clearly agrees with the idea in this statement.
Why: The writer does not express a clear view on this point.
Why: The writer presents a view that disagrees with this statement.
Why: The writer does not express a clear view on this point.
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 19 practice
Take the timed Reading test first. Then use this page to review every answer.
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