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 3 answers with clear explanations
These Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Test 3 Reading answers explain all 40 questions. Review frozen food, coral reef conservation and ideas about humans and robots.
Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Test 3 Reading answer key
Use these cards for quick marking. Read the detailed explanations when an answer needs more review.
1. Frozen Food
Questions 1 to 132. Can the planet's coral reefs be saved?
Questions 14 to 263. Robots and us
Questions 27 to 40Passage 1: Frozen Food
Passage 1 traces the development of frozen food and the systems that made it practical. It covers preservation, transport, business decisions and changing consumer demand.
Question types: Note completion, True, False, Not Given.
Why: The passage uses "potatoes" to complete this answer accurately.
Why: The passage uses "butter" to complete this answer accurately.
Why: The passage uses "meat" to complete this answer accurately.
Why: The passage uses "crystals" to complete this answer accurately.
Why: The passage uses "cellophane" to complete this answer accurately.
Why: The passage uses "tin" to complete this answer accurately.
Why: The passage uses "refrigerator" to complete this answer accurately.
Why: The passage does not provide this specific information.
Why: The passage directly confirms the information in this statement.
Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.
Why: The passage directly confirms the information in this statement.
Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.
Why: The passage does not provide this specific information.
Passage 2: Can the planet's coral reefs be saved?
Passage 2 examines threats to coral reefs and possible methods for protecting them. It reviews scientific projects, restoration approaches and questions about long-term survival.
Question types: Matching headings, Multiple selection, Sentence completion.
Why: The paragraph mainly focuses on "Promoting hope".
Why: The paragraph mainly focuses on "Two clear mutual goals".
Why: The paragraph mainly focuses on "Disagreement about the accuracy of a certain phrase".
Why: The paragraph mainly focuses on "A warning of further trouble ahead".
Why: The paragraph mainly focuses on "Working to lessen the problems".
Why: The paragraph mainly focuses on "Cooperation beneath the waves".
Why: The passage directly supports answer C.
Also accepted: E.
Why: The passage directly supports answer E.
Also accepted: C.
Why: The passage directly supports answer B.
Also accepted: D.
Why: The passage directly supports answer D.
Also accepted: B.
Why: The passage uses "tentacles" to complete this answer accurately.
Why: The passage uses "protection" to complete this answer accurately.
Why: The passage uses "algae" to complete this answer accurately.
Passage 3: Robots and us
Passage 3 explores relationships between humans and robots. It considers intelligence, social behaviour, design choices and different views about future interaction.
Question types: Matching features, Multiple choice.
Why: The passage links this detail to Martin Rees.
Why: The passage links this detail to Kathleen Richardson.
Why: The passage links this detail to Daniel Wolpert.
Why: The passage links this detail to Martin Rees.
Why: The passage links this detail to Daniel Wolpert.
Why: The passage links this detail to Martin Rees.
Why: The passage links this detail to Kathleen Richardson.
Why: The passage links this detail to changes made to other planets for our own benefit..
Why: The passage links this detail to advances made in machine intelligence so far..
Why: The passage links this detail to the harm already done by artificial intelligence..
Why: Option B is the only choice supported by the passage.
Why: Option C is the only choice supported by the passage.
Why: Option B is the only choice supported by the passage.
Why: Option C is the only choice supported by the passage.
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 20 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.