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 19 Academic Test 4 Reading answers explain all 40 questions. Review The impact of climate change on butterflies in Britain, Deep-sea mining, The Unselfish Gene.
Cambridge IELTS 19 Academic Test 4 Reading answer key
Use these cards for quick marking. Read the detailed explanations when an answer needs more review.
1. The impact of climate change on butterflies in Britain
Questions 1 to 132. Deep-sea mining
Questions 14 to 263. The Unselfish Gene
Questions 27 to 40Passage 1: The impact of climate change on butterflies in Britain
This passage studies how climate change affects British butterflies. It considers habitats, temperature shifts and the future survival of different species.
Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.
Why: The passage gives information that supports 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 gives information that supports this statement.
Why: The answer is colonies. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is spring. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is endangered. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is habitat. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Accepted alternative: habitats.
Why: The answer is Europe. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is southern. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is diet. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Passage 2: Deep-sea mining
This passage examines proposals to mine minerals from the deep ocean. It weighs resource demand against environmental risks and scientific uncertainty.
Why: The detail belongs with Paragraph C.
Why: The detail belongs with Paragraph F.
Why: The detail belongs with Paragraph E.
Why: The detail belongs with Paragraph D.
Why: The detail belongs with Mike Johnston.
Why: The detail belongs with Julie Hunter, Julian Aguon and Pradeep Singh.
Why: The detail belongs with Professor Mat Upton.
Why: The detail belongs with Verena Tunnicliffe.
Why: The detail belongs with Julie Hunter, Julian Aguon and Pradeep Singh.
Why: The detail belongs with Dr Jon Copley.
Why: The answer is waste. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is machinery. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is caution. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Passage 3: The Unselfish Gene
This passage explores ideas linked to genes, cooperation and human behaviour. It reviews how scientists explain apparently unselfish actions.
Why: Option C is supported by the passage: describing a commonly held belief about people’s behaviour.
Why: Option C is supported by the passage: It presented a view that was in line with the attitudes of its time..
Why: Option B is supported by the passage: Supplies of natural resources were probably relatively plentiful..
Why: Option A is supported by the passage: selfishness is a relatively recent development in human societies..
Why: The answer is egalitarianism. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is status. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is hunting. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is domineering. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The answer is autonomy. It completes the detail and follows the stated word limit.
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 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.
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.
This study guide uses IELTSBeacon verified test data. Complete the Reading test before checking the answers and explanations.