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Cambridge IELTS 20 | Academic Reading
Academic Test 2 answers with clear explanations
These Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Test 2 Reading answers explain all 40 questions. Review manatees, procrastination research and the debate about robot umpires.
Complete the test before checking. You will learn more from a timed attempt. Record why each wrong answer looked attractive.
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Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Test 2 Reading answer key
Use these cards for quick marking. Read the detailed explanations when an answer needs more review.
1. Manatees
Questions 1 to 13
1tail
2flippers
3hairAlso: hairs
4seagrassesAlso: seagrass
5lips
6buoyancy
7TRUE
8NOT GIVEN
9FALSE
10NOT GIVEN
11TRUE
12NOT GIVEN
13TRUE
2. Procrastination
Questions 14 to 26
14B
15F
16B
17laziness
18anxious
19threats
20examsAlso: exam
21perfectionistsAlso: perfectionist
22guilt
23AAlso: C
24CAlso: A
25AAlso: E
26EAlso: A
3. Invasion of the Robot Umpires
Questions 27 to 40
27NO
28YES
29NOT GIVEN
30NO
31NOT GIVEN
32YES
33F
34D
35H
36B
37G
38B
39D
40C
Passage 1: Manatees
Passage 1 examines manatees, their physical features, diet and behaviour. It also covers threats, habitats and information used to identify these aquatic mammals.
Question types: Note completion, True, False, Not Given.
Review strategyUse the exact words from the passage for each note. For True, False, Not Given, separate contradiction from missing information.
1They look similar to dugongs, but have a differently shaped ____.tail
Why: The passage uses "tail" to complete this answer accurately.
2They need to use their ____ to help turn their bodies around in order to look sideways.flippers
Why: The passage uses "flippers" to complete this answer accurately.
3They sense vibrations in the water by means of ____ on their skin.hair
Why: The passage uses "hair" to complete this answer accurately.
Also accepted: hairs.
4They eat mainly aquatic vegetation, such as ____.seagrasses
Why: The passage uses "seagrasses" to complete this answer accurately.
Also accepted: seagrass.
5They grasp and pull up plants with their ____.lips
Why: The passage uses "lips" to complete this answer accurately.
6They may regulate the ____ of their bodies by using muscles of the diaphragm to store air internally.buoyancy
Why: The passage uses "buoyancy" to complete this answer accurately.
7West Indian manatees can be found in a variety of different aquatic habitats.TRUE
Why: The passage directly confirms the information in this statement.
8The Florida manatee lives in warmer waters than the Antillean manatee.NOT GIVEN
Why: The passage does not provide this specific information.
9The African manatee's range is limited to coastal waters between the West African countries of Mauritania and Angola.FALSE
Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.
10The extent of the loss of Amazonian manatees in the mid-twentieth century was only revealed many years later.NOT GIVEN
Why: The passage does not provide this specific information.
11It is predicted that West Indian manatee populations will fall in the coming decades.TRUE
Why: The passage directly confirms the information in this statement.
12The risk to manatees from entanglement and plastic consumption increased significantly in the period 2009-2020.NOT GIVEN
Why: The passage does not provide this specific information.
13There is some legislation in place which aims to reduce the likelihood of boat strikes on manatees in Florida.TRUE
Why: The passage directly confirms the information in this statement.
Passage 2: Procrastination
Passage 2 explores procrastination, its causes and its effects on work and wellbeing. It reviews research findings and practical ways to change delaying behaviour.
Review strategyTrack each researcher's view before matching. For paired choices, select both supported options and ignore attractive distractors.
14mention of false assumptions about why people procrastinateB
Why: The passage links this detail to Paragraph B.
15reference to the realisation that others also procrastinateF
Why: The passage links this detail to Paragraph F.
16neurological evidence of a link between procrastination and emotionB
Why: The passage links this detail to Paragraph B.
17Many people think that procrastination is the result of ____.laziness
Why: The passage uses "laziness" to complete this answer accurately.
18Tasks are most likely to be put off if they could damage our self-esteem or cause us to feel ____ when we think about them.anxious
Why: The passage uses "anxious" to complete this answer accurately.
19Brain regions associated with regulating emotions and identifying ____ differ in chronic procrastinators.threats
Why: The passage uses "threats" to complete this answer accurately.
20Getting ready to take ____ might be a typical example of an emotionally loaded task.exams
Why: The passage uses "exams" to complete this answer accurately.
Also accepted: exam.
21People likely to procrastinate tend to be either ____ or those with low self-esteem.perfectionists
Why: The passage uses "perfectionists" to complete this answer accurately.
Also accepted: perfectionist.
22Procrastination is often followed by a feeling of ____, which worsens our mood.guilt
Why: The passage uses "guilt" to complete this answer accurately.
23Which TWO comparisons between employees who often procrastinate and those who do not are mentioned in the text?A
Why: The passage directly supports answer A.
Also accepted: C.
24Which TWO comparisons between employees who often procrastinate and those who do not are mentioned in the text?C
Why: The passage directly supports answer C.
Also accepted: A.
25Which TWO recommendations for getting out of a cycle of procrastination does the writer give?A
Why: The passage directly supports answer A.
Also accepted: E.
26Which TWO recommendations for getting out of a cycle of procrastination does the writer give?E
Why: The passage directly supports answer E.
Also accepted: A.
Passage 3: Invasion of the Robot Umpires
Passage 3 examines automated decision systems in professional sport. It considers robot umpires, human judgement, accuracy and how technology changes competition.
Question types: Yes, No, Not Given, Matching features, Multiple choice.
Review strategyDistinguish the writer's opinions from reported facts. Check each named person or system before choosing an answer.
27When DeJesus first used ABS, he shared decision-making about strikes with it.NO
Why: The writer presents a view that contradicts this statement.
28MLB considered it necessary to amend the size of the strike zone when criticisms were received from players.YES
Why: The writer clearly agrees with the idea in this statement.
29MLB is keen to justify the money spent on improving the accuracy of ABS's calculations.NOT GIVEN
Why: The writer does not express a clear view on this point.
30The hundred-mile-an-hour fastball led to a more exciting style of play.NO
Why: The writer presents a view that contradicts this statement.
31The differing proposals for alterations to the baseball bat led to fierce debate on Sword's team.NOT GIVEN
Why: The writer does not express a clear view on this point.
32ABS makes changes to the shape of the strike zone feasible.YES
Why: The writer clearly agrees with the idea in this statement.
33Even after ABS was developed, MLB still wanted human umpires to shout out decisions as they had in their ____.F
Why: The passage links this detail to former roles.
34The umpire's job had, at one time, required a ____ about whether a ball was a strike.D
Why: The passage links this detail to subjective assessment.
35A ball is considered a strike when it crosses through a ____ extending approximately from the batter's knee to his chest.H
Why: The passage links this detail to perceived area.
36In the past, ____ over strike calls were not uncommon.B
Why: The passage links this detail to numerous disputes.
37During the first game DeJesus used ABS, strike calls were met with ____.G
Why: The passage links this detail to total silence.
38What does the writer suggest about ABS in the fifth paragraph?B
Why: Option B is the only choice supported by the passage.
39Morgan Sword says that the introduction of ABSD
Why: Option D is the only choice supported by the passage.
40Why does the writer include the views of Noe and Russo?C
Why: Option C is the only choice supported by the passage.
How to review your answers
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