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IELTS Academic Reading ‘A Book Review’ Answers

Updated On Oct 05, 2023

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IELTS Academic Reading ‘A Book Review’ Answers

Recent IELTS Reading Test with Answers - Free PDF

The Academic passage ‘A Book Review’ is a reading passage that appeared in an IELTS Test.

Since questions get repeated in the IELTS exam, these passages are ideal for practice. If you want more practice, try taking an IELTS reading practice test.

A Book Review

The answers with explanations are given below

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‘Book Review’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM- 13

Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named ‘Book Review’, which is from the Cambridge 13 book. The Questions that have been asked are ‘MCQs’, Blanks and Yes/No/Not Given. You will find the locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords( highlighted and underlined ) and justifications.

READING PASSAGE 3: Book Review

Questions 27-29

Choose the correct letter, A , B , C or D .

Write the correct letter in boxes 27-29 on your answer sheet.

27 What is the reviewer’s attitude to advocates of positive psychology?

A They are wrong to reject the ideas of Bentham.

B They are over-influenced by their study of Bentham’s theories.

C They have a fresh new approach to ideas on human happiness.

D They are ignorant about the ideas they should be considering.

Location: 2 nd paragraph

Explanation: Though the main keyword ‘positive psychology’ is there in the first line of the paragraph. But the reference of attitudes to advocates is there in the second paragraph. ‘and write as if nothing of any importance had been thought on the subject until it came to their attention.’ and write as if nothing of any importance had been thought on the subject until it came to their attention. Here, ‘nothing of any importance’ means they are ignorant.

28 The reviewer refers to the Greek philosopher Aristotle in order to suggest that happiness

A may not be just pleasure and the absence of pain.

B should not be the main goal of humans.

C is not something that should be fought for.

D is not just an abstract concept.

Explanation: The main keyword ‘Greek philosopher’’ helps to locate the answer in the 5 th line of the paragraph. ‘For Bentham it was obvious that the human good consists of pleasure and the absence of pain. The Greek philosopher Aristotle may have identified happiness with self-realisation…’Here, Aristotle believe that happiness may be identified by self-realisation. Thus, this makes an answer very clear.

29 According to Davies, Bentham’s suggestion for linking the price of goods to happiness was significant because

A it was the first successful way of assessing happiness.

B it established a connection between work and psychology.

C it was the first successful example of psychological research.

D it involved consideration of the rights of consumers.

Location: 5 th paragraph

Explanation: The main keyword ‘Davies, Bentham’s’ helps to locate the answer in the last line of the paragraph. ‘. By associating money so closely to inner experience, Davies writes, Bentham ‘set the stage for the entangling of psychological research and capitalism that would shape the business practices of the twentieth century’. Here, ‘money’ was associated with ‘work’. Thus, this established a connection between work and energy.

Questions 30-34

Complete the summary using the list of words A-G below.

Write the correct letter, A-G , in boxes 30-34 on your answer sheet.

Jeremy Bentham

Jeremy Bentham was active in other areas besides philosophy. In the 1790s he suggested a type of technology to improve 30 ……………………… for different Government departments.

Location: 3 rd paragraph

Explanation: The main keyword ‘1790s’ helps to locate the answer in the last line of the paragraph. ‘. In the 1790s, he wrote to the Home Office suggesting that the departments of government be linked together through a set of ‘conversation tubes…’Here, ‘linked together’ means communication was set through conversation tubes.

He developed a new way of printing banknotes to increase 31 …………………………

Explanation: The main keyword ‘banknotes’ helps to locate the answer in the middle line of the paragraph. ‘to the Bank of England with a design for a printing device that could produce unforgeable banknotes…’Thus, the answer is ‘security’

and also designed a method for the 32 …………………………. of food.

Explanation: The location of the answer is in the last third line of the paragraph. ‘He drew up plans for a ‘frigidarium’ to keep provisions such as meat, fish, fruit and vegetables fresh…’Here, this line indicates that this method was designed for preservation of food. Thus, the answer is G.

He also drew up plans for a prison which allowed the 33 …………………………. of prisoners at all times, and believed the same design could be used for other institutions as well.

Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second last line of the paragraph. ‘His celebrated design for a prison to be known as a ‘Panopticon’, in which prisoners would be kept in solitary confinement while being visible at all times to the guards…’Here, ‘while being visible’ means ‘observation’ Thus, the answer is E.

When researching happiness, he investigated possibilities for its 34 ……………………….., and suggested some methods of doing this.

Location: 4 th paragraph

Explanation: The location of the answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘. If happiness is to be regarded as a science, it has to be measured, and Bentham suggested two ways…’Thus, some methods were suggested for measurement.

A measurement B security C implementation D profits E observation F communication G preservation

Questions 35-40

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 3?

In boxes 35-40 on your answer sheet, write

YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

35 One strength of The Happiness Industry is its discussion of the relationship between psychology and economics.

Explanation: The main keyword ‘The Happiness Industry’ helps to locate the answer in the second line of the paragraph. ‘We learn much that is interesting about how economic problems are being redefined and treated as psychological maladies’ .Thus, the question statement is same as the passage statement.

Answer: Yes

36 It is more difficult to measure some emotions than others.

Explanation: The location of the answer is in the third line of the paragraph. ‘In addition, Davies shows how the belief that inner of pleasure and displeasure can be objectively…’Here, pleasure and displeasure are emotions. But there is no information related to difficulty of measuring emotions. Thus, no information available.

Answer: Not Given

37 Watson’s ideas on behaviourism were supported by research on humans he carried out before 1915.

Explanation: The main keyword ‘1915’ helps to locate the answer in the seventh line of the paragraph. ‘in 1915, he ‘had never even studied a single human being’: his research had been confined to experiments on white rats…’Here, the writer says, his experiments were on rats not on humans. Hence, the answer is clear.

38 Watson’s ideas have been most influential on governments outside America.

Explanation: The main keyword ‘Watson ideas’ of the question is in the second last line of the paragraph. But there is no information about the impact of Watson ideas on government outside the USA. Thus, no information available.

39 The need for happiness is linked to industrialization.

Location: 6 th paragraph

Explanation: The location of the answer is in the first line of the paragraph. ‘Modern industrial societies appear to need the possibility of ever-increasing happiness to motivate them in their labours…’Thus, this statement is same as the passage statement.

40 A main aim of government should be to increase the happiness of the population.

Explanation: The answer to this question is in the last line of the paragraph. ‘the idea that governments should be responsible for promoting happiness is always a threat to human freedom…’Here, this was just an idea not an aim.Hence, the answer is No.

‘Saving the Soil’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM- 13

My Journey of Getting 6.5 Band in IELTS!! Books and Study material I followed | Daljit’s Story. Click here

Book Review: IELTS Reading Answers

IELTS Academic Test – Passage 12: Book Review reading with answers explanation, location and pdf. This IELTS reading paragraph has been taken from our huge collection of Academic & General Training (GT) Reading practice test PDFs.

Book Review

The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold Us Well-Being

– By William Davies

‘Happiness is the ultimate goal because it is self-evidently good. If we are asked why happiness matters we can give no further external reason. It just obviously does matter.’ This pronouncement by Richard Layard, an economist and advocate of ‘positive psychology’, summarises the beliefs of many people today. For Layard and others like him, it is obvious that the purpose of government is to promote a state of collective well-being. The only question is how to achieve it, and here positive psychology – a supposed science that not only identifies what makes people happy but also allows their happiness to be measured – can show the way. Equipped with this science, they say, governments can secure happiness in society in a way they never could in the past.

It is an astonishingly crude and simple-minded way of thinking, and for that very reason increasingly popular. Those who think in this way are oblivious to the vast philosophical literature in which the meaning and value of happiness have been explored and questioned, and write as if nothing of any importance had been thought on the subject until it came to their attention. It was the philosopher Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) who was more than anyone else responsible for the development of this way of thinking. For Bentham it was obvious that the human good consists of pleasure and the absence of pain. The Greek philosopher Aristotle may have identified happiness with self-realisation in the 4th century BC, and thinkers throughout the ages may have struggled to reconcile the pursuit of happiness with other human values, but for Bentham all this was mere metaphysics or fiction. Without knowing anything much of him or the school of moral theory he established – since they are by education and intellectual conviction illiterate in the history of ideas – our advocates of positive psychology follow in his tracks in rejecting as outmoded and irrelevant pretty much the entirety of ethical reflection on human happiness to date.

But as William Davies notes in his recent book The Happiness Industry , the view that happiness is the only self-evident good is actually a way of limiting moral inquiry. One of the virtues of this rich, lucid and arresting book is that it places the current cult of happiness in a well-defined historical framework. Rightly, Davies his story with Bentham, noting that he was far more than a philosopher. Davies writes, ‘Bentham’s activities were those which we might now associate with a public sector management consultant’. In the 1790s, he wrote to the Home Office suggesting that the departments of government be linked together through a set of ‘conversation tubes’, and to the Bank of England with a design for a printing device that could produce unforgeable banknotes. He drew up plans for a ‘frigidarium’ to keep provisions such as meat, fish, fruit and vegetables fresh. His celebrated design for a prison to be known as a ‘Panopticon’, in which prisoners would be kept in solitary confinement while being visible at all times to the guards, was very nearly adopted. (Surprisingly, Davies does not discuss the fact that Bentham meant his Panopticon not just as a model prison but also as an instrument of control that could be applied to schools and factories.)

Bentham was also a pioneer of the ‘science of happiness’. If happiness is to be regarded as a science, it has to be measured, and Bentham suggested two ways in which this might be done. Viewing happiness as a complex of pleasurable sensations, he suggested that it might be quantified by measuring the human pulse rate. Alternatively, money could be used as the standard for quantification: if two different goods have the same price, it can be claimed that they produce the same quantity of pleasure in the consumer. Bentham was more attracted by the latter measure. By associating money so closely to inner experience, Davies writes, Bentham ‘set the stage for the entangling of psychological research and capitalism that would shape the business practices of the twentieth century’.

The Happiness Industry describes how the project of a science of happiness has become integral to capitalism. We learn much that is interesting about how economic problems are being redefined and treated as psychological maladies. In addition, Davies shows how the belief that inner of pleasure and displeasure can be objectively measured has informed management studies and advertising. The tendency of thinkers such as J B Watson, the founder of behaviourism*, was that human beings could be shaped, or manipulated, by policymakers and managers. Watson had no factual basis for his view of human action. When he became president of the American Psychological Association in 1915, he ‘had never even studied a single human being’: his research had been confined to experiments on white rats. Yet Watson’s reductive model is now widely applied, with ‘behaviour change’ becoming the goal of governments: in Britain, a ‘Behaviour Insights Team’ has been established by the government to study how people can be encouraged, at minimum cost to the public purse, to live in what are considered to be socially desirable ways.

Modern industrial societies appear to need the possibility of ever-increasing happiness to motivate them in their labours. But whatever its intellectual pedigree, the idea that governments should be responsible for promoting happiness is always a threat to human freedom.

———————– * ‘behaviourism’: a branch of psychology which is concerned with observable behaviour

Questions 27-29

Choose the correct letter, A , B , C or D .

Write the correct letter in boxes 27-29 on your answer sheet.

27. What is the reviewer’s attitude to advocates of positive psychology?

A ) They are wrong to reject the ideas of Bentham.

B ) They are over-influenced by their study of Bentham’s theories.

C ) They have a fresh new approach to ideas on human happiness.

D ) They are ignorant about the ideas they should be considering.

28. The reviewer refers to the Greek philosopher Aristotle in order to suggest that happiness

A ) may not be just pleasure and the absence of pain.

B ) should not be the main goal of humans.

C ) is not something that should be fought for.

D ) is not just an abstract concept.

29. According to Davies, Bentham’s suggestion for linking the price of goods to happiness was significant because

A ) it was the first successful way of assessing happiness.

B ) it established a connection between work and psychology.

C ) it was the first successful example of psychological research.

D ) it involved consideration of the rights of consumers.

Questions 30-34

Complete the summary using the list of words A-G below.

Write the correct letter, A-G , in boxes 30-34 on your answer sheet.

Jeremy Bentham

Jeremy Bentham was active in other areas besides philosophy. In the 1970s he suggested a type of technology to improve 30 ……………………… for different Government departments. He developed a new way of printing banknotes to increase 31 ………………………… and also designed a method for the 32 …………………………. of food. He also drew up plans for a prison which allowed the 33 …………………………. of prisoners at al times, and believed the same design could be used for other institutions as well. When researching happiness, he investigated possibilities for its 34 ……………………….., and suggested some methods of doing this.

A measurement B security C implementation D profits E observation F communication G preservation

Questions 35-40

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 3?

In boxes 35-40 on your answer sheet, write

YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

35 . One strength of The Happiness Industry is its discussion of the relationship between psychology and economics.

36 . It is more difficult to measure some emotions than others.

37 . Watson’s ideas on behaviourism were supported by research on humans he carried out before 1915.

38 . Watson’s ideas have been most influential on governments outside America.

39 . The need for happiness is linked to industrialisation.

40 . A main aim of government should be to increase the happiness of the population.

________________

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Book Review Answers

Check out Book Review reading answers below with explanations and locations given in the text.

36. NOT GIVEN

38. NOT GIVEN

1 thought on “Book Review: IELTS Reading Answers”

Good afternoon, I’d like a copy of the “Book Review” pdf. And if possible material related to writing book reviews. Thank you so very much, Teacher Gis

Book Review Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

Updated on Mar 08, 2024, 06:58

Welcome to this IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test for Book Review Reading Answers. In this test, you can practice your reading skills and test your comprehension abilities through a book review passage.

The test will include a set of three types of questions: multiple-choice, summary completion, and yes/no/not given. You will have 18-20 minutes to answer questions based on the passage and receive general instructions before beginning the test.

On this page

1. Book Review Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below.

2. Book Review Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Book Review.

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Book Review Reading Passage

You will have 60 minutes to complete the entire reading test.
The test consists of three reading passages with a total of 40 questions.
The texts may be taken from books, magazines, journals, or newspapers.
You will receive an answer sheet and should write your answers on it.
The questions will be in different formats, such as multiple-choice, matching, sentence completion, and summary completion.
The reading passages will increase in difficulty as you progress through the test.
You cannot bring any electronic devices, including mobile phones, into the test room.

Book Review

The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold Us Well-Being By William Davies

Paragraph 1

Richard Layard, an economist and advocate of "positive psychology," has summarised the ideologies and faith of various people nowadays in his proclamation that "happiness is the ultimate goal because it is self-evidently good. If we are asked why happiness matters, we can give no further external reason. It is just evident that it matters." For Layard and others like him, the goal of government is to foster an environment of shared prosperity. The only issue is how to attain it, and here, positive psychology—a purported science that not only detects what makes individuals happy but also lets their happiness be quantified—may indicate the way. With the guidance of this study, governments, as per theorists, are currently more capable than ever before of ensuring harmony in society.

Paragraph 2

It is an incredibly primitive and simplistic style of thinking, yet it is rising in popularity due to this. The huge philosophical literature that has studied and challenged the meaning and worth of happiness is neglected by those who embrace this mindset, and they write as if no significant ideas had been studied on the subject prior to their realisation. The emergence of this method of thinking was due in large part to the work of philosopher Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832). For Bentham, it was apparent that happiness and the lack of misery constitute the human good. In the 4th century BC, the Greek philosopher Aristotle connected happiness with self-realisation, and scholars throughout the years attempted to combine the goal of happiness with other human virtues, although all of this was just metaphysics or fiction to Bentham. Modern proponents of positive psychology follow in his footsteps, condemning as obsolete and unnecessary almost the entire ethical reflection on human pleasure to date, despite knowing nothing about him or the school of moral theory he founded—as they are ignorant in the history of ideas due to education and philosophical conviction.

Paragraph 3

However, as William Davies points out in his new book, The Happiness Industry, assuming that happiness is the prime self-evident good restricts moral analysis. This rich, clear, and compelling book's ability to contextualise the modern cult of happiness inside a precisely defined historical context is one of its many merits. Davies was correct in his assessment of Bentham, recognising that he was significantly more than just a philosopher. According to Davies, Bentham engaged in activities that modern-day management consultants serving the public sector may partake in. In the 1790s, he addressed letters to the Bank of England with a model for a printing machine that could generate unforgeable banknotes and to the Home Office with a suggestion that the government's various departments be interlinked by a system of "conversation tubes." To preserve food like meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables, he designed a "frigidarium." His renowned plan for a jail known as a "Panopticon," in which inmates would be confined in solitary while always being monitored by the guards, came extremely close to being implemented. (Interestingly, Davies does not address the fact that Bentham envisioned his Panopticon to serve as a model for both a jail and a control mechanism that could be utilised in both schools and factories.)

Paragraph 4

Bentham also established the "science of happiness." If happiness is to be considered a science, then it must be quantified. Bentham presented two methods for measuring happiness. He proposed that pleasure might be measured by taking the average heart rate of a person and seeing happiness as a complex of pleasant emotions. As an alternative, the value of money might be used as the criterion for quantification. If the cost of two distinct products is the same, it can be stated that both give the customer the same amount of happiness. The latter attribute grabbed Bentham's eye more. According to Davies, Bentham "established the foundation for the combination of psychological study and capitalism, which would influence the activities of the twentieth century" by associating money so intimately with inner experience.

Paragraph 5

In the book The Happiness Industry, it is explained how the pursuit of a science of pleasure has merged with business. We learn a lot of interesting information on the redefining and treatment of economic concerns as psychological conditions. Additionally, Davies demonstrates how management studies and advertising have been influenced by the idea that inner joy and dissatisfaction can be assessed objectively. The inclination of philosophers like J. B. Watson, the pioneer of behaviourism*, was that managers and politicians could mould or influence people. Watson's theories on human nature were not backed by any facts. He had only conducted studies on white rats when he was appointed president of the American Psychological Association in 1915. He had "never really examined a fellow human being." The government in Britain has founded a "Behaviour Insights Team" to research how individuals might be motivated to live in ways that are thought to be socially desirable while incurring the lowest expenses to the public purse. However, Watson's reductive model has already been extensively adopted.

Paragraph 6

To keep people motivated in their work, modern industrial nations seem to require the potential for ever-increasing happiness. But regardless of its conceptual heritage, the theory that authorities ought to be in charge of fostering happiness is always hazardous to people's freedom.

* behaviourism: a field of psychology in which the focus is on observable behaviour

Book Review Reading Questions and Answers

Questions and answers 1-3.

Choose the correct letter A, B, C, or D.
Write the correct letter in the boxes 1-3 on your answer sheet

1. The critic mentions the Greek philosopher Aristotle to state that happiness ______.

is not something that should be fought for.
may not be just pleasure and the absence of pain.
is not just an abstract concept.
should not be the main goal of humans.

2. In Davies' opinion, the suggestion that was given by Bentham’s to link the prices to happiness was remarkable because _____.

It established a connection between work and psychology.
It involved consideration of the rights of consumers.
It was the first successful way of assessing happiness.
It was the first successful example of psychological research.

3. What is the reviewer’s opinion on the proponents of positive psychology?

They have a fresh new approach to ideas on human happiness.
They are wrong to reject the ideas of Bentham.
They are ignorant about the ideas they should be considering.
They are over-influenced by their study of Bentham’s theories.

Book Review Reading Answers with Explanations

Type of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (one answer)

This is the typical MCQ type. You just need to select one answer out of the 4 options.

Multiple Choice Questions (one answer)
You just need to select one answer out of the 4 options.

How to best answer the questions

Skim through the questions and identify the keywords
Use the elimination method and recognise options that include inaccurate or false information as per the given passage
Match each option with the passage and choose an answer most accurately supported by the information in the passage.
Cross-check your answers and finalise them

From paragraph 2: ‘In the 4th century BC, the Greek philosopher Aristotle connected happiness with self-realisation, and scholars throughout the years attempted to combine the goal of happiness with other human virtues, although all of this was just metaphysics or fiction to Bentham.’

Explanation:

According to the paragraph, Aristotle and Bentham had different views on happiness. Aristotle believed that happiness couldn't be reduced to just pleasure and the absence of misery, while Bentham thought that happiness was simply the absence of pain and the presence of pleasure. It's fascinating to see how different philosophers have defined happiness throughout history.

From paragraph 4: ‘If the cost of two distinct products is the same, it can be stated that both give the customer the same amount of happiness.’

Explanation

As per the reference, Davies describes Bentham's theory that happiness should be quantified and connected to business and psychology. Bentham believed that if two items had the same price, the happiness received from both would be equal. Bentham's ideas paved the way for modern-day management consultants, as he engaged in activities similar to theirs, such as designing a system of "conversation tubes" and a printing machine for unforgeable banknotes.

From paragraph 2: ‘It is an incredibly primitive and simplistic style of thinking, yet it is rising in popularity due to this.’

As explained by the paragraph, the idea of happiness had been very simple and surprisingly unpleasant, yet it was quite famous. Moreover, it is argued that these advocates are unaware of the real meaning and value of happiness explained by research before their acceptance.

Questions and Answers 4-8

Complete the summary using the list of words A-G below.
Write the correct letter, A-G , in the boxes 4-8 on your answer sheet.

Jeremy Bentham

Jeremy Bentham was active in other areas besides philosophy. In the 1970s he suggested a type of technology to improve 4…………. for different Government departments. He developed a new way of printing banknotes to increase 5…………. and also designed a method for the 6……….. of food. He also drew up plans for a prison which allowed the 7…………. of prisoners at all times and believed the same design could be used for other institutions as well. When researching happiness, he investigated possibilities for its 8………… and suggested some methods of doing this.

communication
preservation
implementation
measurement
observation
Summary Completion (selecting from a list of words or phrases)
Go through the summary, focusing on the missing information
Identify keywords that can help you find answers
Use a method of elimination while going through the list of words/phrases
Review and finalise your answers

From paragraph 3: ‘ In the 1790s, he addressed letters to the Bank of England with a model for a printing machine that could generate unforgeable banknotes and to the Home Office with a suggestion that the government's various departments be interlinked by a system of "conversation tubes."’

According to the passage it is stated that Bentham suggested a system of "conversation tubes" to interlink the government's various departments and enhance communication between them. This was one of his many innovative ideas that aimed to improve the efficiency of government operations.

From paragraph 3: ‘In the 1790s, he addressed letters to the Bank of England with a model for a printing machine that could generate unforgeable banknotes and to the Home Office with a suggestion that the government's various departments be interlinked by a system of "conversation tubes."’

As per the passage, Bentham proposed a design for a printing machine that could generate unforgeable banknotes for the Bank of England, which would increase security as the notes could not be duplicated.

From paragraph 3: ‘His renowned plan for a jail known as a "Panopticon," in which inmates would be confined in solitary while always being monitored by the guards, came extremely close to being implemented.’

Bentham's celebrated design for a prison, known as the 'Panopticon,' allowed for constant surveillance of prisoners. The design ensured that inmates were confined in cells that could be viewed from all sides by the jailer, making it an innovative and effective approach to prison management.

From paragraph 4: ‘Bentham also established the "science of happiness." If happiness is to be considered a science, then it must be quantified.’

Bentham is credited with establishing the "science of happiness," he believed that if happiness was considered a science, it must be quantifiable. This shows his vision and forward-thinking approach to happiness as a measurable concept.

Questions and Answers 9-14

YES if the statement agrees with the information
NO if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

9. Industrialisation is connected to the requirement of happiness.

10. Prior to 1915, Watson conducted study on people that supported his theories of behaviourism.

11. Government’s main objective should be to increase the population’s happiness.

12. The Happiness Industry’s strength is the discussion of the connection between psychology and commerce.

13. The theories by Watson had immense influence on the governments outside America.

14. Certain emotions are more challenging to measure than others.

Book Review Reading Answers with E xplanations

Identifying Information or True/False/Not Given

How to best answer the question

Read the given question statements carefully and note down the keywords
With the help of the keywords, locate them in the passage, which will help you decide whether the given statement is yes or no .
Your answer will not be given if the information is not in the passage .

From paragraph 6: ‘To keep people motivated in their work, modern industrial nations seem to require the potential for ever-increasing happiness.’

It is mentioned in the book review that modern industrial nations require the potential for ever-increasing happiness to keep people motivated in their work. The need for happiness is also linked to the corporate world as it is necessary to motivate the workers. Therefore, the answer is yes .

From paragraph 5: ‘He had only conducted studies on white rats when he was appointed president of the American Psychological Association in 1915.’

As per the given statement, Watson's theories on human nature lacked factual evidence. When he was appointed as the president of the American Psychological Association in 1915, he had only conducted studies on white rats. Therefore, the answer is no .

From paragraph 6: ‘But regardless of its conceptual heritage, the theory that authorities ought to be in charge of fostering happiness is always hazardous to people's freedom.’

The answer is no because the author of this text is advocating against the idea of the government being responsible for promoting happiness among its citizens. The author believes that this approach could potentially harm people's freedom and, therefore, should be avoided. The author seems to suggest that this idea is risky and should not be pursued.

From paragraph 5: ‘In the book The Happiness Industry, it is explained how the pursuit of a science of pleasure has merged with business.’

The author agrees with the idea presented in the book "The Happiness Industry" that the pursuit of science to increase pleasure and happiness has merged with business, and economic issues have been redefined as psychological problems and treated as such. Therefore, the answer is yes .

From paragraphs 1 to 6: ‘Richard Layard, an economist and advocate…….. happiness is always hazardous to people's freedom.’

The answer is not given because there is no information in the passage that theories of Watson had an influence outside of America. Instead, his ideas regarding behaviour change were applied by the American government. So, the concept of behaviour change remains an important consideration in many different fields today.

The passage does not provide specific information on the measurement of a variety of emotions or how they should be measured. Though there is little information regarding the measurement of emotions in paragraph 5, it does not go into detail on the methodology or tools used for this measurement. Hence, the answer is not given .

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The Development of Travel Under the Ocean Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Q. What are some common mistakes to avoid in the IELTS Reading test?

A. Common mistakes to avoid in the IELTS Reading test are spending too much time on a single question, not reading instructions carefully, focusing on details, not skimming the passage first, not using context clues, not checking answers, and trying to memorize the passage.

Q. How can I improve my reading speed for the IELTS Reading test?

A. To improve your reading speed for the IELTS Reading test, practice regularly, skim and scan, focus on main ideas, predict answers, increase vocabulary, read regularly, use a timer, take breaks, and avoid reading when tired.

Q. What are some effective reading strategies for the IELTS Reading test?

A. Effective reading strategies for the IELTS Reading test include skimming and scanning, previewing questions, highlighting keywords, reading actively, managing time, staying focused, using context clues, avoiding overthinking, and checking answers.

Q. Can I use a highlighter or take notes during the IELTS Reading test?

A. For the paper-based IELTS Reading test, you can use a pencil to take notes and underline important information in the passage. You are not allowed to use a highlighter, pen or any other type of writing instrument. For the computer-based IELTS Reading test, you can use the highlighter and note-taking feature on the computer to take notes and highlight important information.

Q. How can I manage my time effectively during the IELTS Reading test?

A. To manage your time effectively during the IELTS Reading test, pace yourself, preview the questions, skim and scan, manage difficult questions, avoid overthinking, and check your answers. Remember to take breaks during the test and avoid rushing through the questions. Practice these strategies before the test to get a hold of managing your time accordingly.

Q. What are some good sources for practice materials for the IELTS Reading test?

A. Good sources for IELTS Reading practice materials include official IELTS practice materials, Cambridge IELTS books, online courses, IELTS preparation books, and IELTS preparation websites. Practice regularly with materials that suit your level.

Q. What are the criteria for determining the IELTS Reading score?

A. The IELTS Reading test is scored on a scale of 0-9 based on four criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each criterion is given a band score from 0-9, and the scores are averaged to give an overall score. The overall score is then rounded up or down to the nearest 0.5.

Q. Are spelling mistakes penalised for the IELTS Reading test?

A. Spelling mistakes are penalised in the IELTS Reading test. If you spell a word incorrectly, you will lose marks for that question, even if your answer is otherwise correct. Therefore, it is important to double-check your spelling before moving on to the next question. If you are unsure of the spelling of a word, try to write it in a way that looks correct or use synonyms to avoid spelling errors.

Q. Is grammar necessary for the IELTS Reading test?

A. While the IELTS Reading test primarily assesses your reading comprehension skills, grammar is still an important aspect of the test. The test assesses your ability to understand and use grammar structures in context, as well as your ability to communicate effectively in writing. In addition, the Grammatical Range and Accuracy criterion is one of the four criteria used to determine your overall score in the IELTS Reading test.

Q. Can I retake the IELTS Reading test alone?

A. No, you cannot retake the IELTS Reading test alone. The IELTS test assesses all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking), and you must take all four tests together. If you want to retake the Reading test, you will need to retake the entire IELTS test. It is important to note that your scores are valid for two years from the date of your test, and you cannot choose to retake only one section of the test to improve your score.

Q. What are good tips/practices for IELTS Reading preparation?

A. Good tips for IELTS Reading preparation include familiarising yourself with the test format, reading widely, practicing regularly, using a timer, building vocabulary, taking notes, reviewing grammar rules, focusing on main ideas, and double-checking your answers.

Book Review - IELTS Reading Answers

Book review - ielts reading passage, book review - question and answers.

The "Book Review" passage of the IELTS reading section includes a reading passage related to task 2 with three distinct question types, appropriate answers, and explanations. By utilising this practice exam, you can evaluate your performance, correct your mistakes, and devise a plan to complete the reading test in the allocated time. So, let’s begin with the blog!

The reading test has 60 minutes to finish. To complete the 1–14 questions in this section, allow yourself 20 minutes. Before answering the questions, thoroughly read the passage. Book Review IELTS reading answers are provided for you to compare with your responses and assess your performance.

Book Review

The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold Us Well-Being By William Davies

Richard Layard, an economist and advocate of "positive psychology," has summarised the ideologies and faith of various people nowadays in his proclamation that "happiness is the ultimate goal because it is self-evidently good. If we are asked why happiness matters, we can give no further external reason. It is just evident that it matters." For Layard and others like him, the goal of government is to foster an environment of shared prosperity. The only issue is how to attain it, and here positive psychology—a purported science that not only detects what makes individuals happy but also lets their happiness be quantified - may indicate the way. With the guidance of this study, governments, as per theorists, are currently more capable than ever before of ensuring harmony in society.

It is an incredibly primitive and simplistic style of thinking, yet it is rising in popularity due to this. The huge philosophical literature that has studied and challenged the meaning and worth of happiness is neglected by those who embrace this mind-set, and they write as if no significant ideas had been studied on the subject prior to their realisation. The emergence of this method of thinking was due in large part to the work of philosopher Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832). For Bentham, it was apparent that happiness and the lack of misery constitute the human good. In the 4th century BC, the Greek philosopher Aristotle connected happiness with self-realisation, and scholars throughout the years attempted to combine the goal of happiness with other human virtues, although all of this was just metaphysics or fiction to Bentham. Modern proponents of positive psychology follow in his footsteps, condemning as obsolete and unnecessary almost the entire ethical reflection on human pleasure to date, despite knowing nothing about him or the school of moral theory he founded—as they are ignorant in the history of ideas due to education and philosophical conviction.

Also read: What is the IELTS Vocabulary?

Bentham also established the "science of happiness." If happiness is to be considered a science, then it must be quantified. Bentham presented two methods for measuring happiness. He proposed that pleasure might be measured by taking the average heart rate of a person and seeing happiness as a complex of pleasant emotions. As an alternative, the value of money might be used as the criterion for quantification: if the cost of two distinct products is the same, it can be stated that both give the customer the same amount of happiness. The latter attribute grabbed Bentham's eye more. According to Davies, Bentham "established the foundation for the combination of psychological study and capitalism, which would influence the activities of the twentieth century," by associating money so intimately with inner experience.

* behaviourism: a field of psychology in which focus is on observable behaviour

Also checkout: 15 Best IELTS Preparation books in 2024

Questions 1-3

Choose the correct letter, A,B,C or D.

Write the correct letter in the boxes 1-3 on your answer sheet.

1. The critic mentions the Greek philosopher Aristotle, to state that happiness ______.

Is not something that should be fought for.

May not be just pleasure and the absence of pain.

Is not just an abstract concept.

Should not be the main goal of humans.

2. In Davies' opinion, the suggestion that was given by Bentham’s to link the prices to happiness was remarkable because _____.

It established a connection between work and psychology.

It involved consideration of the rights of consumers.

It was the first successful way of assessing happiness.

It was the first successful example of psychological research.

3. What is the reviewer’s opinion on the proponents of positive psychology?

They have a fresh new approach to ideas on human happiness.

They are wrong to reject the ideas of Bentham.

They are ignorant about the ideas they should be considering.

They are over-influenced by their study of Bentham’s theories.

Answer 1: B

Explanation 1: According to the 2nd paragraph, 6th line, For Bentham, it was apparent that happiness and the lack of misery constitute the human good. In the 4th century BC, the Greek philosopher Aristotle connected happiness……….. This was just metaphysics or fiction to Bentham. These lines discuss Bentham's belief that happiness is solely about pleasure and lacks pain. On the other hand, Aristotle held the opposite view, contending that happiness is more complex than mere contentment and absence of suffering. Thus, the correct option is B.

Answer 2: A

Explanation 2: In the 5th line of the 4th paragraph, the beliefs put forward by Jeremy Bentham are described by author Davies. There was also a link made between the costs and happiness. He clarifies Bentham's theory, according to which "the joy received from both of them would be equal if the price of two items is the same." He says that Bentham was the first to establish the link between psychology and business. Thus, the response is yes.

Answer 3: C

Explanation 3: In the 1st line of the 2nd paragraph, they have clarified that this specific concept of happiness was quite well-known despite being incredibly basic and impolite. It is further said that these proponents frequently exhibit obliviousness, which is the tendency to reject the research's explanation of the literal meaning and worth of happiness before they even acknowledge the concept.

Also read: Preface to how the other half thinks - IELTS Reading Answers

Questions 4-8

Complete the summary using the list of words A-G below.

Write the correct letter, A-G, in the boxes 4-8 on your answer sheet.

Jeremy Bentham

Jeremy Bentham was active in other areas besides philosophy. In the 1970s he suggested a type of technology to improve 4…………. for different Government departments. He developed a new way of printing banknotes to increase 5…………. and also designed a method for the 6……….. of food. He also drew up plans for a prison which allowed the 7…………. of prisoners at all times, and believed the same design could be used for other institutions as well. When researching happiness, he investigated possibilities for its 8………… and suggested some methods of doing this.

communication

preservation

implementation

measurement

observation

Answer 4: B

Explanation 4: In the 8th line of the 3rd paragraph, in the 1790s, he addressed letters to the Bank of England with a model for a printing machine that could generate unforgeable banknotes and to the Home Office with a suggestion that the government's various departments be interlinked by a system of "conversation tubes."

Answer 5: C

Explanation 5: According to the 8th line of the 3rd paragraph, he suggested the Bank of England develop a printing press that could create unforgeable banknotes. In other words, since the notes wouldn't be copied, the security will be enhanced. Security is the solution as a result.

Answer 6: D

Explanation 6: In the 12th line of the 3rd paragraph, “To preserve food like meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables, he designed a "frigidarium." This statement suggests that he had prepared strategies and techniques for preserving perishable foods. Thus, option D—preservation—is the correct response.

Answer 7: G

Explanation 7: According to the 13th line of the 3rd paragraph, This line describes how Bentham designed a prison called ‘Panopticon’, a celebrated design. He had built it so the jailer could see the inmates from every angle when confined in a cell. Thus, option G, observation, is the correct response.

Answer 8: F

Explanation 8: In the 1st line, 4th paragraph, “Bentham also established the "science of happiness." If happiness is to be considered a science, then it must be quantified.” the author claims to be the father of the science of happiness and holds the view that anything that might be deemed scientific could potentially be measured. Therefore, F is the correct option.

Also read: Is passing the IELTS reading test too tough?

Questions 9-14

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in the Reading Passage?

In the boxes 9-14 on your answer sheet, write

YES if the statement agrees the claims of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the write thinks about this

9. Industrialisation is connected to the requirement of happiness.

10. Prior to 1915, Watson conducted study on people that supported his theories of behaviourism.

11. Government’s main objective should be to increase the population’s happiness.

12. The Happiness Industry’s strength is the discussion of the connection between psychology and commerce.

13. The theories by Watson had immense influence on the governments outside America.

14. Certain emotions are more challenging to measure than others.

Answer 9: Yes

Explanation 9: According to the 1st line, 6th paragraph, “To keep people motivated in their work, modern industrial nations seem to require the potential for ever-increasing happiness.” It is said that happiness is necessary to inspire employees, and it is related to the business sector. The answer is true since the statement and the passage's line are consistent.

Answer 10: No

Explanation 10: According to the 5th paragraph, 8th line, “Watson's theories on human nature were not backed by any facts. He had only conducted studies on white rats when he was appointed president of the American Psychological Association in 1915.” All of the rats he experimented on were white. As a result, the assertion does not agree. So, the answer is no.

Answer 11: No

Explanation 11: According to the 2nd line of the 6th paragraph, “But regardless of its conceptual heritage, the theory that authorities ought to be in charge of fostering happiness is always hazardous to people's freedom.” The author believes that people's freedom is in jeopardy if the government decides to enhance individuals' happiness. He disagrees with the notion that it should be the goal of the state.

Answer 12: Yes

Explanation 12: In the 1st line of the 5th paragraph, “In the book The Happiness Industry, it is explained how the pursuit of a science of pleasure has merged with business. We learn a lot of interesting information on the redefining and treatment of economic concerns as psychological conditions.” The assertion is consistent with the scripture. Therefore, the answer is yes.

Answer 13: Not Given

Explanation 13: The passage's 5th paragraph explains how the governments adopted many of Watson's concepts in an effort to effect "behaviour change." It does not mention their influence or that only governments outside of America have accepted it, though.

Answer 14: Not Given

Explanation 14: In Paragraph 5th, the topic of measuring emotions is brought up, but no details are given about how or even where different emotions should be measured. As a result, no response is provided.

Also Check: What's the right study plan for IELTS preparation?

In conclusion, we would like to say that consistent practice with various reading passage types can improve your comprehension of the text's actual content and quicken your reading pace, which will improve your exam results.

If you want to get further details on how to prepare for IELTS or, particularly, the IELTS Reading section, you can contact the Prepare IELTS exam (PI) expert counsellors for additional guidance. Our team of education experts is dedicated to providing you with the best test material and guidance to ace the IELTS exam . You can get a one-on-one counselling session and an IELTS online practice test via our platform. Contact us at [email protected] or call us at +91 9773398388 for further queries.

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Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Reading Test 4 with Answers

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Reading Passage 1 You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13 which are based on Reading Passage 1 below.

Cutty Sark: the fastest sailing ship of all time

The nineteenth century was a period of great technological development in Britain, and for shipping the major changes were from wind to steam power, and from wood to iron and steel.

The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers. From the 1840s until 1869, when the Suez Canal opened and steam propulsion was replacing sail, clippers dominated world trade. Although many were built, only one has survived more or less intact: Cutty Sark , now on display in Greenwich, southeast London.

Cutty Sark ’s unusual name comes from the poem Tam O’Shanter by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Tam, a farmer, is chased by a witch called Nannie, who is wearing a ‘ cutty sark ’ – an old Scottish name for a short nightdress. The witch is depicted in Cutty Sark ’s figurehead – the carving of a woman typically at the front of old sailing ships. In legend, and in Burns’s poem, witches cannot cross water, so this was a rather strange choice of name for a ship.

Cutty Sark was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869, for a shipping company owned by John Willis. To carry out construction, Willis chose a new shipbuilding firm, Scott & Linton, and ensured that the contrast with them put him in a very strong position. In the end, the firm was forced out of business, and the ship was finished by a competitor.

Willis’s company was active in the tea trade between China and Britain, where speed could bring shipowners both profits and prestige, so Cutty Sark was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship. On her maiden voyage, in 1870, she set sail from London, carrying large amounts of goods to China. She returned laden with tea, making the journey back to London in four months. However, Cutty Sark never lived up to the high expectations of her owner, as a result of bad winds and various misfortunes. On one occasion, in 1872, the ship and a rival clipper, Thermopylae , left port in China on the same day. Crossing the Indian Ocean, Cutty Sark gained a lead of over 400 miles, but then her rudder was severely damaged in stormy seas, making her impossible to steer. The ship’s crew had the daunting task of repairing the rudder at sea, and only succeeded at the second attempt. Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae.

Steam ships posed a growing threat to clippers, as their speed and cargo capacity increased. In addition, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the same year that Cutty Sark was launched, had a serious impact. While steam ships could make use of the quick, direct route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the canal was of no use to sailing ships, which needed the much stronger winds of the oceans, and so had to sail a far greater distance. Steam ships reduced the journey time between Britain and China by approximately two months.

By 1878, tea traders weren’t interested in Cutty Sark , and instead, she took on the much less prestigious work of carrying any cargo between any two ports in the world. In 1880, violence aboard the ship led ultimately to the replacement of the captain with an incompetent drunkard who stole the crew’s wages. He was suspended from service, and a new captain appointed. This marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark ’s working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain. One such journey took just under 12 weeks, beating every other ship sailing that year by around a month.

The ship’s next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator, who got the best out of both his ship and his crew. As a sailing ship, Cutty Sark depended on the strong trade winds of the southern hemisphere, and Woodget took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America. His gamble paid off, though, and the ship was the fastest vessel in the wool trade for ten years.

As competition from steam ships increased in the 1890s, and Cutty Sark approached the end of her life expectancy, she became less profitable. She was sold to a Portuguese firm, which renamed her Ferreira. For the next 25 years, she again carried miscellaneous cargoes around the world.

Badly damaged in a gale in 1922, she was put into Falmouth harbor in southwest England, for repairs. Wilfred Dowman, a retired sea captain who owned a training vessel, recognised her and tried to buy her, but without success. She returned to Portugal and was sold to another Portuguese company. Dowman was determined, however, and offered a high price: this was accepted, and the ship returned to Falmouth the following year and had her original name restored.

Dowman used Cutty Sark as a training ship, and she continued in this role after his death. When she was no longer required, in 1954, she was transferred to dry dock at Greenwich to go on public display. The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014, but now Cutty Sark attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year.

Questions 1-8

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?

In boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information FALSE if the statement contradicts the information NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1 Clippers were originally intended to be used as passenger ships.

2 Cutty Sark was given the name of a character in a poem.

3 The contract between John Willis and Scott & Linton favoured Willis.

4 John Willis wanted Cutty Sark to be the fastest tea clipper travelling between the UK and China.

5 Despite storm damage, Cutty Sark beat Thermopylae back to London.

6 The opening of the Suez Canal meant that steam ships could travel between Britain and China faster than clippers.

7 Steam ships sometimes used the ocean route to travel between London and China.

8 Captain Woodget put Cutty Sark at risk of hitting an iceberg.

Questions 9-13

Complete the sentences below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.

9 After 1880, Cutty Sark carried ………………………… as its main cargo during its most successful time.

10 As a captain and …………………………., Woodget was very skilled.

11 Ferreira went to Falmouth to repair damage that a …………………………. had caused.

12 Between 1923 and 1954, Cutty Sark was used for …………………………..

13 Cutty Sark has twice been damaged by ………………………… in the 21st century.

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-26 which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.

SAVING THE SOIL

More than a third of the Earth’s top layer is at risk. Is there hope for our planet’s most precious resource?

More than a third of the world’s soil is endangered, according to a recent UN report. If we don’t slow the decline, all farmable soil could be gone in 60 years. Since soil grows 95% of our food, and sustains human life in other more surprising ways, that is a huge problem.

Peter Groffman, from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York, points out that soil scientists have been warning about the degradation of the world’s soil for decades. At the same time, our understanding of its importance to humans has grown. A single gram of healthy soil might contain 100 million bacteria, as well as other microorganisms such as viruses and fungi, living amid decomposing plants and various minerals.

That means soils do not just grow our food, but are the source of nearly all our existing antibiotics, and could be our best hope in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Soil is also an ally against climate change: as microorganisms within soil digest dead animals and plants, they lock in their carbon content, holding three times the amount of carbon as does the entire atmosphere. Soils also store water, preventing flood damage: in the UK, damage to buildings, roads and bridges from floods caused by soil degradation costs £233 million every year.

If the soil loses its ability to perform these functions, the human race could be in big trouble. The danger is not that the soil will disappear completely, but that the microorganisms that give it its special properties will be lost. And once this has happened, it may take the soil thousands of years to recover.

Agriculture is by far the biggest problem. In the wild, when plants grow they remove nutrients from the soil, but then when the plants die and decay these nutrients are returned directly to the soil. Humans tend not to return unused parts of harvested crops directly to the soil to enrich it, meaning that the soil gradually becomes less fertile. In the past we developed strategies to get around the problem, such as regularly varying the types of crops grown, or leaving fields uncultivated for a season.

But these practices became inconvenient as populations grew and agriculture had to be run on more commercial lines. A solution came in the early 20 th century with the Haber-Bosch process for manufacturing ammonium nitrate. Farmers have been putting this synthetic fertiliser on their fields ever since.

But over the past few decades, it has become clear this wasn’t such a bright idea. Chemical fertilisers can release polluting nitrous oxide into the atmosphere and excess is often washed away with the rain, releasing nitrogen into rivers. More recently, we have found that indiscriminate use of fertilisers hurts the soil itself, turning it acidic and salty, and degrading the soil they are supposed to nourish.

One of the people looking for a solution to his problem is Pius Floris, who started out running a tree-care business in the Netherlands, and now advises some of the world’s top soil scientists. He came to realise that the best way to ensure his trees flourished was to take care of the soil, and has developed a cocktail of beneficial bacteria, fungi and humus* to do this. Researchers at the University of Valladolid in Spain recently used this cocktail on soils destroyed by years of fertiliser overuse. When they applied Floris’s mix to the desert-like test plots, a good crop of plants emerged that were not just healthy at the surface, but had roots strong enough to pierce dirt as hard as rock. The few plants that grew in the control plots, fed with traditional fertilisers, were small and weak

However, measures like this are not enough to solve the global soil degradation problem. To assess our options on a global scale we first need an accurate picture of what types of soil are out there, and the problems they face. That’s not easy. For one thing, there is no agreed international system for classifying soil. In an attempt to unify the different approaches, the UN has created the Global Soil Map project. Researchers from nine countries are working together to create a map linked to a database that can be fed measurements from field surveys, drone surveys, satellite imagery, lad analyses and so on to provide real-time data on the state of the soil. Within the next four years, they aim to have mapped soils worldwide to a depth of 100 metres, with the results freely accessible to all.

But this is only a first step. We need ways of presenting the problem that bring it home to governments and the wider public, says Pamela Chasek at the International Institute for Sustainable Development, in Winnipeg, Canada. ‘Most scientists don’t speak language that policy-makers can understand, and vice versa.’ Chasek and her colleagues have proposed a goal of ‘zero net land degradation’. Like the idea of carbon neutrality, it is an easily understood target that can help shape expectations and encourage action.

For soils on the brink, that may be too late. Several researchers are agitating for the immediate creation of protected zones for endangered soils. One difficulty here is defining what these areas should conserve: areas where the greatest soil diversity is present? Or areas of unspoilt soils that could act as a future benchmark of quality?

Whatever we do, if we want our soils to survive, we need to take action now.

Questions 14-17

Complete the summary below. Write ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 14-17 on your answer sheet.

Why soil degradation could be a disaster for humans

Healthy soil contains a large variety of bacteria and other microorganisms, as well as plant remains and 14 ……………………….. It provides us with food and also with antibiotics, and its function in storing 15 …………………………. has a significant effect on the climate. In addition, it prevents damage to property and infrastructure because it holds 16 ……………………………

If these microorganisms are lost, soil may lose its special properties. The main factor contributing to soil degradation is the 17 ………………………….. carried out by humans.

Questions 18-21

Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-F , below. Write the correct letter, A-F , in boxes 18-21 on your answer sheet.

18 Nutrients contained in the unused parts of harvested crops

19 Synthetic fertilisers produced with Haber-Bosch process

20 Addition of a mixture developed by Pius Floris to the soil

21 The idea of zero net soil degradation

A may improve the number and quality of plants growing there.

B may contain data from up to nine countries.

C may not be put back into the soil.

D may help governments to be more aware of soil-related issues.

E may cause damage to different aspects of the environment.

F may be better for use at a global level.

Questions 22-26

Reading Passage 2 has seven paragraphs, A-G .

Which section contains the following information?

Write the correct letter, A-G , in boxes 22-26 on your answer sheet.

NB You may use any letter more than once.

22 a reference to one person’s motivation for a soil-improvement project

23 an explanation of how soil stayed healthy before the development of farming

24 examples of different ways of collecting information on soil degradation

25 a suggestion for a way of keeping some types of soil safe in the near future

26 a reason why it is difficult to provide an overview of soil degradation

READING PASSAGE 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27-40 which are based on Reading Passage 3 below.

Book Review

The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold Us Well-Being

By William Davies

‘Happiness is the ultimate goal because it is self-evidently good. If we are asked why happiness matters we can give no further external reason. It just obviously does matter.’ This pronouncement by Richard Layard, an economist and advocate of ‘positive psychology’, summarizes the beliefs of many people today. For Layard and others like him, it is obvious that the purpose of government is to promote a state of collective well-being. The only question is how to achieve it, and here positive psychology – a supposed science that not only identifies what makes people happy but also allows their happiness to be measured – can show the way. Equipped with this science, they say, governments can secure happiness in society in a way they never could in the past.

The Happiness Industry describes how the project of a science of happiness has become integral to capitalism. We learn much that is interesting about how economic problems are being redefined and treated as psychological maladies. In addition, Davies shows how the belief that inner of pleasure and displeasure can be objectively measured has informed management studies and advertising. The tendency of thinkers such as J B Watson, the founder of behaviorism*, was that human beings could be shaped, or manipulated, by policymakers and managers. Watson had no factual basis for his view of human action. When he became president of the American Psychological Association in 1915, he ‘had never even studied a single human being’: his research had been confined to experiments on white rats. Yet Watson’s reductive model is now widely applied, with ‘behavior change’ becoming the goal of governments: in Britain, a ‘Behaviour Insights Team’ has been established by the government to study how people can be encouraged, at minimum cost to the public purse, to live in what are considered to be socially desirable ways.

———————– * ‘behaviorism’: a branch of psychology which is concerned with observable behaviour

Questions 27-29

Choose the correct letter, A , B , C or D .

Write the correct letter in boxes 27-29 on your answer sheet.

27 What is the reviewer’s attitude to advocates of positive psychology?

A They are wrong to reject the ideas of Bentham. B They are over-influenced by their study of Bentham’s theories. C They have a fresh new approach to ideas on human happiness. D They are ignorant about the ideas they should be considering.

28 The reviewer refers to the Greek philosopher Aristotle in order to suggest that happiness

A may not be just pleasure and the absence of pain. B should not be the main goal of humans. C is not something that should be fought for. D is not just an abstract concept.

29 According to Davies, Bentham’s suggestion for linking the price of goods to happiness was significant because

A it was the first successful way of assessing happiness. B it established a connection between work and psychology. C it was the first successful example of psychological research. D it involved consideration of the rights of consumers.

Questions 30-34

Complete the summary using the list of words A-G below.

Write the correct letter, A-G , in boxes 30-34 on your answer sheet.

Jeremy Bentham

A measurement B security C implementation D profits E observation F communication G preservation

Questions 35-40

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 3?

In boxes 35-40 on your answer sheet, write

YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

35 One strength of The Happiness Industry is its discussion of the relationship between psychology and economics.

36 It is more difficult to measure some emotions than others.

37 Watson’s ideas on behaviorism were supported by research on humans he carried out before 1915.

38 Watson’s ideas have been most influential on governments outside America.

39 The need for happiness is linked to industrialization.

40 A main aim of government should be to increase the happiness of the population.

Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Reading Test 4 Answers

1. FALSE 2. FALSE 3. TRUE 4. TRUE 5. FALSE 6. TRUE 7. NOT GIVEN 8. TRUE 9. wool 10. navigator 11. gale 12. training 13. fire 14. minerals 15. carbon 16. water 17. agriculture 18. C 19. E 20. A 21. D 22. E 23. C 24. F 25. G 26. F 27. D 28. A 29. B 30. F 31. B 32. G 33. E 34. A 35. YES 36. NOT GIVEN 37. NO 38. NOT GIVEN 39. YES 40. NO

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Crafting an Insightful Book Review: IELTS Reading Passage With Questions & Answers

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Updated on 09 February, 2024

upGrad Abroad Team

Upgrad abroad editorial team.

Introduction:

Book reviews are an essential component of literary criticism, offering readers a nuanced perspective on a text's content, style, and impact. For IELTS aspirants, understanding how to dissect a book review is crucial, as it tests one's ability to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate complex written material. The following passage is designed to simulate the IELTS reading test, providing insight into the structure and elements of a book review.

Answers with explanations:, ielts reading exam tips:, download e-books for ielts preparation.

When delving into 'The Labyrinth of Solitude' by Octavio Paz, one must prepare to navigate through the intricate corridors of Mexican identity. Paz's seminal work is not merely a book but a journey into the soul of a nation. The author weaves historical, psychological, and philosophical threads to create a tapestry that portrays Mexico's quest for identity.

The narrative begins with an exploration of the Mexican psyche, dissecting the influence of the Spanish conquest and the subsequent periods of political upheaval. Paz argues that these events have left an indelible mark on the collective Mexican consciousness, leading to a sense of solitude that permeates the nation's culture.

As the reader progresses through the chapters, they encounter a profound analysis of traditions such as the Day of the Dead. Paz uses these cultural phenomena to illustrate the dichotomy between Mexican intimacy with death and their celebration of life.

The eloquence of Paz's prose is matched by his deep understanding of Mexican history and culture. He does not shy away from critiquing the aspects that have hindered Mexico's development, such as the tendency towards authoritarianism and the challenges of modernization.

In concluding, 'The Labyrinth of Solitude' stands as a monumental work that challenges the reader to consider the complexities of Mexican culture. It is a book that invites introspection and provides a reflective mirror for Mexico and, by extension, the world.

Q1. What is the primary focus of 'The Labyrinth of Solitude' by Octavio Paz?

A. The history of the Spanish conquest

B. Mexican food and cuisine

C. The search for Mexican identity

D. Modernization of Mexican cities

Q2. Which cultural event does Paz analyze to discuss the Mexican approach to life and death?

A. The Day of the Dead

B. The Festival of Lights

C. Christmas

D. The Running of the Bulls

Q3. According to the passage, how does Paz view the events that have shaped Mexican culture?

A. As unimportant

B. As solely positive

C. As detrimental to progress

D. As leaving a deep impact

Q4. Fill in the blank: Octavio Paz uses ________ phenomena to highlight the contrasts in Mexican culture.

A. culinary

B. cultural

D. political

Q5. True or False: The author of the passage believes that Octavio Paz has a superficial understanding of Mexican history.

Q6. Which aspect of Mexican culture is critiqued by Paz in the book?

A. The vibrant street art

B. The authoritarian tendencies

C. The popular music industry

D. The fashion and textile design

Q7. The passage describes 'The Labyrinth of Solitude' as which of the following?

A. A journey

B. A short story

D. An essay

Q8. Fill in the blank: Paz's prose is described as being both eloquent and ________.

B. insightful

C. simplistic

D. humorous

Q9. True or False: The book review suggests that 'The Labyrinth of Solitude' is an easy read with a light-hearted tone.

Q10. What does the passage imply about the book's impact on readers?

A. It is forgettable

B. It encourages introspection

C. It is primarily entertaining

D. It is outdated

A1. C. The search for Mexican identity

Explanation: The passage emphasizes that Paz's work explores the depths of Mexican identity, influenced by historical and cultural events.

A2. A. The Day of the Dead

Explanation: The review specifically mentions the Day of the Dead as an example Paz uses to discuss life and death in Mexican culture.

A3. D. As leaving a deep impact

Explanation: Paz views the events like the Spanish conquest as leaving an indelible mark on the Mexican psyche, contributing to a national sense of solitude.

A4. B. cultural

Explanation: The passage refers to cultural phenomena, particularly the Day of the Dead, to illustrate the dichotomy in Mexican culture.

A5. B. False

Explanation: The passage commends Paz's deep understanding of Mexican history and culture, contrary to the idea of it being superficial.

A6. B. The authoritarian tendencies

Explanation: Paz critiques certain aspects of Mexican culture, including authoritarianism, which hinders the country's development.

A7. A. A journey

Explanation: The book is metaphorically described as a journey into the soul of Mexico, rather than a literal journey, which aligns more with a novel or a story.

A8. B. insightful

Explanation: Alongside being eloquent, the passage praises Paz's prose for its deep insights into Mexican history and culture.

A9. B. False

Explanation: The passage describes the work as monumental, challenging, and reflective, indicating a complex and serious tone rather than light-hearted.

A10. B. It encourages introspection

Explanation: The review concludes by saying the book invites introspection and acts as a reflective mirror, suggesting its profound impact on readers.

Tip 1: Focus on Keywords

When reading passages, identify and underline keywords or phrases that capture the main ideas or themes.

Tip 2: Understand the Question Types

Familiarize yourself with different types of questions (e.g., multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blanks) and practice them regularly.

Tip 3: Don't Overlook Context

Pay attention to the context surrounding fill-in-the-blank spaces or the statements for true/false questions, as it can influence the answer.

Tip 4: Practice Skimming and Scanning

Develop the ability to quickly skim for general understanding and scan for specific information.

Tip 5: Manage Your Time

Allocate time for each question and passage. Practice pacing yourself to ensure you have enough time to read and review your answers.

We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education process for all. Our diverse experience as journalists, content writers, editors, content strategists, and marketers helps create the most relevant and authentic blogs for our readers.

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GT Reading Test 45 Section 3 - A Book Review

Gt reading mock test 45:, section 3: questions 28-40, gt reading sample - " a book review – dog will have his day ", a book review – dog will have his day by fred, vargas (translated by sian reynolds), questions 28-36, questions 37-40.

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EATS, SHOOTS AND LEAVES A Book Review Reading Questions and Answers

The Blog post contains the following IELTS Reading Questions:

IELTS Reading Matching Features
IELTS Reading Summary Completion
IELTS Reading Multiple Choice Questions

Stay informed and prepared for success – Explore our comprehensive Reading Test Info page to get valuable insights, exam format details, and expert tips for mastering the IELTS Reading section .

IELTS Reading passage – EATS, SHOOTS AND LEAVES A Book Review

EATS, SHOOTS AND LEAVES A Book Review

The title of Fats, Shoots and Leaves refers to a famously misplaced comma in a wildlife manual that ended up suggesting a panda rather violently “eats, shoots and leaves” instead of eating shoots and leaves. The author of this book, journalist Lynne Truss, is something akin to a militant linguist, dedicating this “zero tolerance” manifesto on grammar to the striking Bolshevik printers of St. Petersburg who, in demanding the same remuneration for punctuation as they received for letters, ended up setting in motion the first Russian Revolution.

Some of the book involves humorous attacks on erroneous punctuation. There is the confused Shakespearian thespian who inadvertently turns a frantic plea: “Go, get him surgeons!” into the cheerful encouragement of “Go get him, surgeons!” Street and shop signs have a ubiquitous presence. A bakery declares “FRESH DONUT’S SOLD HERE” and a florist curiously announces that “Pansy’s here!” (Is she?). The shameless title of a Hollywood film Two Weeks Notice is reeled in for criticism – “Would they similarly call it One Weeks Notice?’’, Truss enquires – and sometimes, as in the case of signs promoting “ANTIQUE’S” and “Potatoe’s” – one questions whether we are bearing witness to new depths of grammar ignorance, or a postmodern caricature of atrocious punctuation.

Eats, Shoots and Leaves is not just a piece of comedy and ridicule, however, and Truss has plenty to offer on the question of proper grammar usage. If you have ever wondered whether it is acceptable to simply use an “em dash”1 in place of a comma – the verdict from Truss is that you can. “The dash is less formal than the semicolon, which makes it more attractive,” she suggests. “It enhances conversational tone; and … it is capable of quite subtle effects.” The author concludes, with characteristic wry condescension, that the em dash’s popularity largely rests on people knowing it is almost impossible to use incorrectly. Truss is a personal champion of the semicolon, a historically contentious punctuation mark elsewhere maligned by novelist Kurt Vonnegut Jr., as a “transvestite hermaphrodite representing absolutely nothing”. Coming to the semicolon’s defence, Truss suggests that while it can certainly be Overused, she refers to the dying words of one 20th century writer: “I should have used fewer semicolons, the semicolon can perform the role of a kind of Special Policeman in the event of comma fights.”

Truss has come under criticism on two broad points. The first argument criticises the legitimacy of her authority as a punctuation autocrat. Louis Menand, writing in the New Yorker, details Eats, Shoots and Leaves’ numerous grammatical and punctuation sins: a comma-free non-restrictive clause; a superfluous ellipsis; a misplaced apostrophe; a misused parenthesis; two misused semicolons; an erroneous hyphen in the word “abuzz”, and so on. In fact, as Menand notes, half the semicolons in the Truss book are spuriously deployed because they stem from the author’s open flouting of the rule that semicolons must only connect two independent clauses. “Why would a person not just vague about the rules but disinclined to follow them bother to produce a guide to punctuation?” Menand inquires. Ultimately, he holds Truss accused of producing a book that pleases those who “just need to vent” and concludes that Eats, Shoots and Leaves is actually a tirade against the decline of language and print that disguises itself, thinly and poorly, as some kind of a style manual.

Linguist David Chrystal has criticised what he describes as a “linguistic purism” coursing through Truss’ book. Linguistic purism is the notion that one variety of language is somehow more pure than others, with this sense of purity often based on an idealised historical point in the language’s development, but sometimes simply in reference to an abstract ideal. In The Fight for English: How Language Pundits Ate, Shot and Left, Chrystal – a former colleague of Truss – condemns the no-holds-barred approach to punctuation and grammar. “Zero tolerance does not allow for flexibility,” he argues. “It is prescriptivism taken to extremes. It suggests that language is in a state where all the rules are established with 100 per cent certainty. The suggestion is false. We do not know what all the rules of punctuation are. And no rule of punctuation is followed by all of the people all of the time.”

Other detractors of Truss’ “prescriptivism” are careful to disassociate needless purism from robust and sensible criticism, an oppositional stance they call descriptivism. “Don’t ever imagine,” Geoffrey K. Pullum on the Language Log emphasises, “that I think all honest attempts at using English are just as good as any others. Bad writing needs to be fixed. But let’s make sure we fix the right things.” In other words, we do not require a dogmatic approach to clean up misused language. Charles Gaulke concurs, noting that his opposition to “prescriptivism” does not require contending with the existence of standards themselves, but questioning whether our standards should determine what works, or whether what works should determine our standards.

Ultimately, it is unlikely the purists and pedagogues will ever make absolute peace with those who see language as a fluid, creative process within which everyone has a role to play. Both sides can learn to live in a sort of contentious harmony, however. Creativity typically involves extending, adapting and critiquing the status quo, and revising and reviving old traditions while constructing new ones. Rules must exist in order for this process to take place, if only for them to be broken. On the flip side, rules have an important role to play in guiding our language into forms that can be accessed by people across all manner of differences, so it is vital to acknowledge the extent to which they can be democratic, rather than merely autocratic in function. Nevertheless, all the regulations in the world cannot stem the natural spring of language, which bursts through rivets and snakes around the dams that linguistic authorities may try to put in place. We should celebrate rather than curse these inevitable tensions.

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Question: Clippers were originally intended to be used as passenger ships

Key words: clippers, originally, passenger

At the beginning of paragraph 2, we find the statement: “The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport goods around the world, although some also took passengers ”.

So, clippers were built/used originally to transport goods, not to carry passengers.

– ships = vessels

The statement is FALSE.

Question: Cutty Sark was given the name of a character in a poem

Key words: name, character, poem

In paragraph 3, the writer explains how the ship was given its name: “Cutty Sark’s unusual name comes from the poem Tam O’Shanter by the Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Tam, a farmer, is chased by a witch called Nannie, who is wearing a ‘cutty sark’ – an oldScottish name for a short nightdress ”.

A cutty sark, therefore, is a short nightdress, not the name of a character in the poem. It was a piece of clothing worn by the witch in the poem.

Question: The contract between John Willis and Scott & Linton favoured Willis

Key words: contract, Willis, Scott & Linton

In paragraph 4, we find the key words: “To carry out construction, Willis chose a new shipbuilding firm, Scott & Linton, and ensured that the contract with them put him in a very strong position . In the end, the firm was forced out of business…”

To be ‘in a strong position’ means that the contract gave Willis an advantage in the business deal. In other words, the contract favoured Willis so much, that the shipbuilding company had to close before the ship was finished.

– favoured ~ put in a very strong position

The statement is TRUE.

Question: John Willis wanted Cutty Sark to be the fastest tea clipper travelling between the UK and China

Key words: Willis, fastest, UK, China

At the beginning of paragraph 5, we find some of the key words: Willis, Britain (the UK) and China. “Willis’s company was active in the tea trade between China and Britain, where speed could bring ship owners both profits and prestige, so Cutty Sark was designed to make the journey more quickly than any other ship ”.

So the idea of Willis was that Cutty Sark would transport the tea between China and the UK faster than any other ship.

– the fastest tea clipper ~ more quickly than any other ship.

Question: Despite storm damage, Cutty Sark beat Thermopylae back to London

Key words: storm damage, beat Thermopylae , London

We need to find information on the race from China to London between these tea clippers. At the end of paragraph 5, we learn that: “…in 1872, the ship and a rival clipper, Thermopylae, left port in China on the same day…”

Although Cutty Sark gained a lead, she was damaged: “…but then her rudder was severely damaged in stormy seas… Cutty Sark reached London a week after Thermopylae ”.

Cutty Sark was damaged by a storm, so she only reached London after Thermopylae.

Question: The opening of the Suez Canal meant that steam ships could travel between Britain and China faster than clippers

Key words: Suez Canal, steam ships, faster

The key words are found at the beginning of paragraph 6: “Steam ships posed a growing threat to clippers, as their speed and cargo capacity increased. In addition, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869…had a serious impact ”.

The writer then explains why only steam ships could make use of the Suez Canal, and this meant that the steam ships could make the journey faster than clippers, using this short route: “ Steam ships reduced the journey time between Britain and China by approximately two months ”.

– travel faster ~ reduced the journey time

7. NOT GIVEN

Question: Steam ships sometimes used the ocean route to travel between London and China

Key words: ocean route, London and China

Although the writer says in paragraph 6 that only steam ships were able to use the Suez Canal, there is no information whether steam ships sometimes chose to make the journey between London and China using the longer ocean route.

The statement is NOT GIVEN .

Question: Captain Woodget put Cutty Sark at risk of hitting an iceberg

Key words: Captain Woodget, risk, iceberg

Captain Woodget is mentioned in paragraph 8. An excellent navigator, he took Cutty Sark on a route travelling a long way south to take advantage of the winds: “…Woodget took her further south than any previous captain, bringing her dangerously close to icebergs off the southern tip of South America. His gamble paid off , though, and the ship was the fastest vessel in the wool trade for ten years”.

So, Woodget took a risk by travelling this southern route, close to icebergs. However, he was successful.

– risk = gamble

– put Cutty Sark at risk of hitting an iceberg ~ bringing her dangerously close to icebergs

Question: After 1880, Cutty Sark carried ………….. as its main cargo during its most successful time

Key words: 1880, cargo, most successful

Looking for the key words, we find these in paragraph 7. In 1880, two captains of the ship lost their jobs. Then, a new captain was appointed: “This marked a turnaround and the beginning of the most successful period in Cutty Sark’s working life, transporting wool from Australia to Britain”.

Thus, after 1880 the ship had its most successful period, carrying wool.

– carry = transport

– time ~ period

The answer is wool.

10. navigator

Question: As a captain and ……………… , Woodget was very skilled

Key words: captain, Woodget, skilled

The key words are in paragraph 8: “The ship’s next captain, Richard Woodget, was an excellent navigator, who got the best out of both his ship and his crew”.

The writer, therefore, tells us that Woodget was a good captain and a skilled navigator.

The answer is navigator.

Question: Ferreira went to Falmouth to repair damage that a ………… had caused

Key words: Ferreira, Falmouth, repair

In paragraph 9, we find a reference to the Ferreira . The Cutty Sark “…was sold to a Portuguese firm, which renamed her Ferreira ”.

In paragraph 10, we learn what caused the damage: “ Badly damaged in a gale in 1922, she was put into Falmouth harbour, in southwest England, for repairs ”.

A gale (= a strong, stormy wind) damaged the ship.

The answer is gale.

12. training

Question: Between 1923 and 1954, Cutty Sark was used for …………….

Key words: 1923, 1954, used

In paragraph 10, we learn that the ship returned to Falmouth one year after it was repaired: “…the ship returned to Falmouth the following year (= 1923) and had her original name restored”.

Then in paragraph 11, we learn what happened between 1923 and 1954. The new owner, a man named Dowman: “… used Cutty Sark as a training ship, and she continued in this role after his death. When she was no longer required, in 1954 , she was transferred to dry dock at Greenwich to go on public display”.

So, between these years, the ship was used for training.

The answer is training.

Question: Cutty Sark has twice been damaged by ……………. in the 21st century

Key words: twice, damaged, 21st century

In the final paragraph, we find the most recent information about the ship in the 21st century: “ The ship suffered from fire in 2007, and again, less seriously, in 2014 ….”

– damaged by ~ suffered from

The answer is fire.

14. minerals

Question: Healthy soil contains a large variety of bacteria and other microorganisms, as well as plant remains and……………

Key words: healthy, bacteria, microorganisms, plant remains

We need to find information on the contents of healthy soil, using the key words. We find these words in the first part of paragraph B: “ A single gram of healthy soil might contain 100 million bacteria, as well as other microorganisms such as viruses and fungi, living amid decomposing plants and various minerals ”.

Thus, we have a list of the things which healthy soil contains – bacteria, microorganisms, plant remains and minerals.

– plant remains = decomposing plants

The answer is minerals.

Question: It provides us with food and also with antibiotics, and its function in storing …………… has a significant effect on the climate.

Key words: food, antibiotics, storing, climate

The second part of paragraph B gives us the answer: “…soils do not just grow our food , but are the source of nearly all our existing antibiotics , and could be our best hope in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Soil is also an ally against climate change: as microorganisms within soil digest dead animals and plants, they lock in their carbon content , holding three times the amount of carbon as does the entire atmosphere”.

In other words, soil holds carbon, preventing its release into the atmosphere and so helping to prevent global warming.

– provides us with ~ are the source of

– store = lock in

– a significant effect on the climate ~ an ally against climate change.

The answer is carbon.

Question: In addition, it prevents damage to property and infrastructure because it holds …………….

Key words: prevents, damage, property and infrastructure, holds

Continuing to look for key words in paragraph B, we find the answer: “Soils also store water, preventing flood damage: in the UK, damage to buildings, roads and bridges from floods caused by soil degradation costs £233 million every year”.

Soils hold water. This reduces the problem of flooding and the damage which is caused by flooding.

– hold = store

– buildings, roads and bridges ~ property and infrastructure

The answer is water.

17. agriculture

Question: The main factor contributing to soil degradation is the ……………… carried out by humans

Key words: main factor, degradation, humans

We find the answer in paragraph C: “ Agriculture is by far the biggest problem ……Humans tend not to return unused parts of harvested crops directly to the soil to enrich it, meaning that the soil gradually becomes less fertile ”.

So, agriculture is the biggest problem. The way that it is practiced/carried out means that the soil becomes less fertile.

– main factor ~ biggest problem

– soil degradation ~ the soil gradually becomes less fertile

The answer is agriculture.

Question: Nutrients contained in the unused parts of harvested crops

Key words: nutrients, unused, harvested crops

We find these key words in the second part of paragraph C: “…when the plants die and decay these nutrients are returned directly to the soil. Humans tend not to return unused parts of harvested crops directly to the soil to enrich it, meaning that the soil gradually becomes less fertile”.

Ending C gives us the following sentence: ‘Nutrients contained in the unused parts of harvested crops may not be put back into the soil ’.

– may not be put back ~ tend not to return

Therefore, the answer is C .

Question: Synthetic fertilisers produced with the Haber-Bosch process

Key words: synthetic fertilisers, Haber-Bosch

Paragraph D contains these key words: “A solution came in the early 20th century with the Haber-Bosch process for manufacturing ammonium nitrate. Farmers have been putting this synthetic fertiliser on their fields ever since.”

Continuing to read, we find out the problems of using these synthetic fertilisers: “Chemical fertilisers can release polluting nitrous oxide into the atmosphere and excess is often washed away with rain, releasing nitrogen into rivers. More recently, we have found that indiscriminate use of fertilisers hurts the soil itself, turning it acidic and salty…”

Ending E gives us the following sentence: ‘Synthetic fertilisers produced with the Haber-Bosch process may cause damage to different aspects of the environment ’. These different aspects are the atmosphere, rivers and the soil.

– damage =hurt

The answer is E.

Question: Addition of a mixture developed by Pius Floris to the soil

Key words: addition, mixture, Pius Floris

The name Pius Floris is mentioned in paragraph E. He “…developed a cocktail of beneficial bacteria, fungi and humus”.

Researchers then “…used this cocktail on soils destroyed by years of fertiliser overuse. When they applied Floris’s mix to the desert-like plots, a good crop of plants emerged that were not just healthy at the surface, but had roots strong enough to pierce dirt as hard as rock. The few plants that grew in the control plots, fed with traditional fertilisers, were small and weak”.

Ending A gives us the following sentence: ‘Addition of a mixture developed by Pius Floris to the soil may improve the number and quality of plants growing there ’.

This is exactly what took place on the plots (= the soil) to which Floris’s mixture/mix was added – more plants grew there, and the plants were stronger.

– mixture = cocktail

The answer is A.

Question: The idea of zero net soil degradation

Key words: idea, zero, degradation

In paragraph G, we find a reference to ‘zero net land degradation’. It is a goal which policymakers can easily understand, like “…the idea of carbon neutrality”. Scientists have therefore proposed this goal to “…shape expectations and encourage action”: “We need ways of presenting the problem that bring it home to governments and the wider public’, says Pamela Chasek at the International Institute for Sustainable Development, in Winnipeg, Canada”.

Ending D gives us the following sentence: ‘The idea of zero net soil degradation may help governments to be more aware of soil-related issues ”.

– be more aware of soil-related issues ~ bring the problem home to governments

The answer is D .

Question: A reference to one person’s motivation for a soil-improvement project

Key words: motivation, soil-improvement project

In paragraph E, Pius Floris is mentioned. His motivation to improve the soil came from “…running a tree-care business in the Netherlands”. The writer tells us that: “He came to realise that the best way to ensure his trees flourished was to take care of the soil , and has developed a cocktail of beneficial bacteria, fungi and humus to do this”.

Therefore, the ‘one person’ referred to is Pius Floris.

The answer is E .

Question: An explanation of how soil stayed healthy before the development of farming

Key words: explanation, soil, healthy, before, farming

We find the answer in paragraph C: “Humans tend not to return unused parts of harvested crops directly to the soil to enrich it, meaning that the soil gradually becomes less fertile. In the past we developed strategies to get around the problem, such as regularly varying the types of crops grown, or leaving fields uncultivated for a season ”.

So, two different strategies are described to explain how – before farming became very developed – the problem of keeping the soil healthy was solved.

The answer is C .

Question: Examples of different ways of collecting information on soil degradation

Key words: ways, collecting information, soil degradation

In paragraph F, we learn that: “…the UN has created the Global Soil Map Project. Researchers from nine countries are working together to create a map linked to a database that can be fed measurements from field surveys, drone surveys, satellite imagery, lab analyses and so on to provide real-time data on the state of the soil ”.

Several different ways of collecting information (measurements) are given as examples of ways to determine the state of the soil, and how much it has been degraded.

– information ~ real-time data

The answer is F .

Question: A suggestion for a way of keeping some types of soil safe in the near future

Key words: soil, safe, near future

In the final paragraph, we find the following statement: “Several researchers are agitating for the immediate creation of protected zones for endangered soils ”.

The suggestion of the researchers is to keep some soil types safe by creating protected zones.

– keeping some types of soil safe ~ creation of protected zones

– the near future = immediate

The answer is G.

Question: A reason why it is difficult to provide an overview of soil degradation

Key words: difficult, overview, soil degradation

We find the answer in paragraph F: “To assess our options on a global scale we first need an accurate picture of what types of soil are out there, and the problems they face. That’s not easy. For one thing, there is no agreed international system for classifying soil ”.

Therefore, we need to have an accurate picture of soil types and the dangers to them. The reason that is difficult is that we have no agreed way of doing this.

– overview = accurate picture

– difficult ~ not easy

– a reason ~ for one thing

Question: What is the reviewer’s attitude to advocates of positive psychology?

Key words: attitude, advocates, positive psychology

In paragraph 1, the reviewer introduces the beliefs of the ‘advocates of positive psychology’. At the beginning of paragraph 2, we find the reviewer’s opinion of these beliefs: “It is an astonishingly crude and simple-minded way of thinking, and for that very reason increasingly popular. Those who think in this way are oblivious to the vast philosophical literature in which the meaning and value of happiness have been explored , and write as if nothing of any importance had been thought on the subject until it came to their attention”.

The attitude of the reviewer is that advocates of positive philosophy are completely ignorant of all that has been thought and written about happiness by earlier thinkers.

– ignorant about = oblivious to

The answer is D.

Question: The reviewer refers to the Greek philosopher Aristotle in order to suggest that happiness

Key words: Greek, Aristotle

Also in paragraph 2, we find a reference to Aristotle: “ For Bentham it was obvious that the human good consists of pleasure and the absence of pain. The Greek philosopher Aristotle may have identified happiness with self-realisation in the 4th century BC and thinkers throughout the ages may have struggled to reconcile the pursuit of happiness with other human values”.

Thus, the reviewer, contrasts the views of Bentham with those of Aristotle. For Aristotle, happiness was not simply the experience of pleasure and the absence of pain – it also consisted of ideas such as self-realisation.

Question: According to Davies, Bentham’s suggestion for linking the price of goods to happiness was significant because

Key words: linking, price, significant

In paragraph 4, Davies writes about Bentham’s views on the connection between price and pleasure/happiness: “…if two different goods have the same price, it can be concluded that they produce the same quantity of pleasure in the consumer… By associating money so closely to inner experience, Davies writes, Bentham ‘ set the stage for the entangling of psychological research and capitalism that would shape the business practices of the twentieth century ”.

– linking the price of goods to happiness ~ associating money so closely to inner experience

– linking = associating

– a connection between work and psychology ~ the entangling of psychological research and capitalism

– work ~ capitalism/business

– was significant ~ set the stage for

The answer is B.

Question: In the 1790s he suggested a type of technology to improve ………….. for different government departments.

Key words: 1790s, technology, improve, government departments

In paragraph 3, Davies writes about Bentham’s active interest in other areas, outside philosophy. “ In the 1790s, he wrote to the Home Office suggesting that the departments of government be linked together through a set of ‘conversation tubes ’….”

In other words, these ‘conversation tubes’ would ‘link together’ government departments, and improve communication between them.

– conversation ~ communication

Question: He developed a new way of printing banknotes to increase………..

Key words: printing banknotes, increase.

The reference to ‘printing’ and ‘banknotes’ is also in paragraph 3. Bentham suggested a design to the Bank of England: “… for a printing device that could produce unforgeable banknotes ”.

If banknotes cannot be forged, then the purpose is to make them more difficult to copy by criminals. This will increase security.

The answer is B .

Question: …and also designed a method for the ……………… of food.

Key words: method, food

In paragraph 3, we learn that Bentham “…drew up plans for a ‘frigidarium’ to keep provisions such as meat, fish, fruit and vegetables fresh ”.

Thus, in order to keep food fresh, the frigidarium was designed to preserve food in cold storage.

– designed ~ drew up plans

– food = provisions

The answer is G .

Question: He also drew up plans for a prison which allowed the …………… of prisoners at all times, and believed the same design could be used for other institutions as well.

Key words: prison, same design, other institutions

The writer continues in paragraph 3: “His celebrated design for a prison to be known as a ‘Panopticon’, in which prisoners would be kept in solitary confinement while being visible at all times to the guards , was very nearly adopted”. The writer tells us that this ‘Panopticon’ was also designed as an instrument of control that could be used in schools and factories, not only prisons. As the prisoners were visible to the guards, the guards would be able to observe the prisoners at all times. The word required is ‘observable’.

Question: When researching happiness, he investigated possibilities for its …………. , and suggested some methods of doing this.

Key words: researching, possibilities, methods

At the beginning of paragraph 4, the writer tells us: “Bentham was also a pioneer of the ‘science of happiness’. If happiness is to be regarded as a science, it has to be measured, and Bentham suggested two ways in which this might be done ”.

– possibilities ~ ways in which this might be done

– methods = ways

Thus, Bentham suggested ways in which to measure happiness. The word required is ‘measurement’.

The answer is A .

Question: One strength of The Happiness Industry is its discussion of the relationship between psychology and economics

Key words: strength, relationship, psychology and economics

At the beginning of paragraph 5, we are told about this book in terms of psychology and economics: “ The Happiness Industry describes how the project of a science of happiness has become integral to capitalism. We learn much that is interesting about how economic problems are being redefined and treated as psychological maladies ”.

So, this book discusses how, in capitalist societies, an attempt has been made to consider economic problems as simply psychological problems. The book is interesting because it shows how this has been done by writers trying to make a ‘science of happiness’. In other words, this is one strong point of the book.

The answer is YES.

36. NOT GIVEN

Question: It is more difficult to measure some emotions than others

Key words: more difficult, measure, emotions

The only reference in the passage to measurement and emotions is in paragraph 5. Here, we only learn that: “In addition, Davies shows how the belief that inner states of pleasure and displeasure can be objectively measured has informed management studies and advertising”.

There is no information about the measurement of different emotions and how such measurements can be compared.

– emotions = inner states

The answer is NOT GIVEN.

Question: Watson’s ideas on behaviourism were supported by research on humans he carried out before 1915.

Key words: Watson, behaviourism, humans, before 1915.

The ideas of Watson are discussed in paragraph 5. “The tendency of thinkers such as J.B. Watson, the founder of behaviourism, was that human beings could be shaped, or manipulated, by policymakers and managers. Watson had no basis for his view of human action. When he became president of the American Psychological Association in 1915 he ‘had never even studied a single human being’: his research had been confined to experiments on white rats ”.

Thus, before 1915, Watson had conducted no research on humans, only on white rats.

The answer is NO.

38. NOT GIVEN

Question: Watson’s ideas have been most influential on governments outside America

Key words: Watson, influential, outside America

The influence of Watson’s ideas are discussed in paragraph 5. “…Watson’s reductive model is now widely applied, with ‘behaviour change’ becoming the goal of governments”.

Although the writer then continues, giving the example of Britain, there is no reference to Watson’s ideas becoming most influential on governments outside America – we only know that his ideas are ‘widely applied’.

The answer is NOT GIVEN .

Question: The need for happiness is linked to industrialisation

Key words: need, linked, industrialisation

In the last paragraph, the writer states: “ Modern industrial societies appear to need the possibility of ever-increasing happiness to motivate them in their labours ”.

Thus, the need for more and more happiness is linked to industrial societies and motivation to work.

– industrialisation ~ industrial societies

Question: A main aim of government should be to increase the happiness of the population

Key words: aim, government, increase, population

It is stated in the last paragraph that: “…whatever its intellectual pedigree, the idea that governments should be responsible for promoting happiness is always a threat to human freedom ”.

The writer believes that if governments take responsibility for increasing the happiness of the population, then people will lose their freedom. The writer is definitely against this aim.

– increase the happiness ~ promoting happiness

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Book review on Musicophilia

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Exam Review

Norman M. Weinberger reviews the latest work of Oliver Sacks on music.

Music and the brain are both endlessly fascinating subjects, and as a neuroscientist specialising in auditory learning and memory, I find them especially intriguing. So I had high expectations of Musicophilia, the latest offering from neurologist and prolific author Oliver Sacks. And I confess to feeling a little guilty reporting that my reactions to the book are mixed.

Sacks himself is the best part of Musicophilia. He richly documents his own life in the book and reveals highly personal experiences. The photograph of him on the cover of the book-which shows him wearing headphones, eyes closed, clearly enchanted as he listens to Alfred Brendel perform Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata-makes a positive impression that is borne out by the contents of the book. Sacks’ voice throughout is steady and erudite but never pontifical. He is neither self-conscious nor self-promoting.

The preface gives a good idea of what the book will deliver. In it, Sacks explains that he wants to convey the insights gleaned from the “enormous and rapidly growing body of work on the neural underpinnings of musical perception and imagery, and the complex and often bizarre disorders to which these are prone.” He also stresses the importance of “the simple art of observation” and “the richness of the human context.” He wants to combine “observation and description with the latest in technology,” he says, and to imaginatively enter into the experience of his patients and subjects. The reader can see that Sacks, who has been practicing neurology for 40 years, is torn between the “old-fashioned” path of observation and the new-fangled, high-tech approach: He knows that he needs to take heed of the latter, but his heart lies with the former.

The book consists mainly of detailed descriptions of cases, most of them involving patients whom Sacks has seen in his practice. Brief discussions of contemporary neuroscientific reports are sprinkled liberally throughout the text. Part, “Haunted by Music,” begins with the strange case of Tony Cicoria, a nonmusical, middle-aged surgeon who was consumed by a love of music after being hit by lightning. He suddenly began to crave listening to piano music, which he had never cared for in the past. He started to play the piano and then to compose music, which arose spontaneously in his mind in a “torrent” of notes. How could this happen? Was the cause psychological? (He had had a near-death experience when the lightning struck him.) Or was it the direct result of a change in the auditory regions of his cerebral cortex? Electroencephalography (EEG) showed his brain waves to be normal in the mid-1990s, just after his trauma and subsequent “conversion” to music. There are now more sensitive tests, but Cicoria, has declined to undergo them; he does not want to delve into the causes of his musicality. What a shame!

Part II, “A Range of Musicality,” covers a wider variety of topics, but unfortunately, some of the chapters offer little or nothing that is new. For example, chapter 13, which is five pages long, merely notes that the blind often has better hearing than the sighted. The most interesting chapters are those that present the strangest cases. Chapter 8 is about “amusia,” an inability to hear sounds like music, and “dysharmonia,” a highly specific impairment of the ability to hear harmony, with the ability to understand melody left intact. Such specific “dissociations” are found throughout the cases Sacks recounts.

To Sacks’s credit, part III, “Memory, Movement and Music,” brings us into the underappreciated realm of music therapy. Chapter 16 explains how “melodic intonation therapy” is being used to help expressive aphasic patients (those unable to express their thoughts verbally following a stroke or other cerebral incident) once again become capable of fluent speech. In chapter 20, Sacks demonstrates the near-miraculous power of music to animate Parkinson’s patients and other people with severe movement disorders, even those who are frozen into odd postures. Scientists cannot yet explain how music achieves this effect

To readers who are unfamiliar with neuroscience and music behavior, Musicophilia may be something of a revelation. But the book will not satisfy those seeking the causes and implications of the phenomena Sacks describes. For one thing, Sacks appears to be more at ease discussing patients than discussing experiments. And he tends to be rather uncritical in accepting scientific findings and theories.

It’s true that the causes of music-brain oddities remain poorly understood. However, Sacks could have done more to draw out some of the implications of the careful observations that he and other neurologists have made and of the treatments that have been successful. For example, he might have noted that the many specific dissociations among components of music comprehension, such as loss of the ability to perceive harmony but not melody, indicate that there is no music center in the brain. Because many people who read the book are likely to believe in the brain localisation of all mental functions, this was a missed educational opportunity.

Another conclusion one could draw is that there seem to be no “cures” for neurological problems involving music. A drug can alleviate a symptom in one patient and aggravate it in another or can have both positive and negative effects in the same patient. Treatments mentioned seem to be almost exclusively antiepileptic medications, which “damp down” the excitability of the brain in general; their effectiveness varies widely.

Finally, in many of the cases described here the patient with music-brain symptoms is reported to have “normal” EEG results. Although Sacks recognises the existence of new technologies, among them far more sensitive ways to analyze brain waves than the standard neurological EEG test, he does not call for their use. In fact, although he exhibits the greatest compassion for patients, he conveys no sense of urgency about the pursuit of new avenues in the diagnosis and treatment of music-brain disorders. This absence echoes the book’s preface, in which Sacks expresses fear that “the simple art of observation may be lost” if we rely too much on new technologies. He does call for both approaches, though, and we can only hope that the neurological community will respond.

Questions 1-4

Choose the correct letter, A , B , C or D .

Write your answers in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet.

1. Why does the writer have a mixed feeling about the book?

A The guilty feeling made him so.

B The writer expected it to be better than it was.

C Sacks failed to include his personal stories in the book.

D This is the only book written by Sacks. Answer: B

2. What is the best part of the book?

A the photo of Sacks listening to music

B the tone of voice of the book

C the autobiographical description in the book

D the description of Sacks’ wealth Answer: C

3. In the preface, what did Sacks try to achieve?

A make a herald introduction of the research work and technique applied

B give a detailed description of various musical disorders

C explain why he needs to do away with the simple observation

D explain why he needs to do away with the simple observation Answer: A

4. What is disappointing about Tony Cicoria’s case?

A He refuses to have further tests.

B He can’t determine the cause of his sudden musicality.

C He nearly died because of the lightening.

D His brain waves were too normal to show anything. Answer: A

Questions 5-10

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage?

In boxes 5-10 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the views of the writer

FALSE if the statement contradicts with the views of the writer

NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

5 TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN It is difficult to give a well-reputable writer a less than totally favorable review. Answer: YES

6 TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata is a good treatment for musical disorders. Answer: NOT GIVEN

7 TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN Sacks believes technological methods is of little importance compared with traditional observation when studying his patients. Answer: NO

8 TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN It is difficult to understand why music therapy is undervalued Answer: NOT GIVEN

9 TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN Sacks held little skepticism when borrowing other theories and findings in describing reasons and notion for phenomena he depicts in the book. Answer: YES

10 TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN Sacks is in a rush to use new testing methods to do treatment for patients. Answer: NO

Questions 11-14

Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-F , below.

Write the correct letter, A-F , in boxes 11-14 on your answer sheet.

11 A B C D E F The content covered dissociations in understanding between harmony and melody Answer: F

12 A B C D E F The study of treating musical disorders Answer: B

13 A B C D E F The EEG scans of Sacks’ patients Answer: A

14 A B C D E F Sacks believes testing based on new technologies Answer: D

A show no music-brain disorders.

B indicates that medication can have varied results.

C is key for the neurological community to unravel the mysteries.

D should not be used in isolation.

E indicate that not everyone can receive a good education.

F show a misconception that there is a function centre localized in the brain

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IELTS General Training Reading: Cambridge 9 Test A; complete test with top solutions and best explanations

This General Training IELTS Reading post deals with a complete solution package for IELTS Cambridge 9 Reading Test A . This is a targeted post for candidates who have major problems in searching for and understanding Reading Answers. This post can guide you the best to understand every Reading answer easily and without much difficulty. Finding IELTS Reading answers is a step-by-step process and I hope this post can help you in this respect.

IELTS Cambridge 9 Test A: GT Reading Module

Section 1: no title.

Questions 1-6 (Matching Advertisements with job descriptions):

[In this type of questions candidates are asked to match the questions (job descriptions) with the given job advertisements (Marked A, B, C, D etc.). Candidates have to write the correct letter for each answer. Here, having a close look at different numbers and important information will do the trick to find the answers.

Question 1: a person with two small children who wants a few hours a week of unskilled work in the early mornings.

Keywords for this question: two small children, a few hours a week, unskilled work, early mornings,

Take a look at advertisement D:

IELTS General Training Reading: Cambridge 9 Test A; complete test with top solutions and best explanations

Here in this advertisement, we can see some important points. Let’s have a look:

Cleaner = unskilled work, finish work before the offices open = in the early mornings,

Therefore, this job fits perfectly for person in question no. 1.

So, the answer is: D

Question 2: a person with no experience or qualifications who is looking for a short term full-time job, Monday to Friday.

Keywords for this question: no experience, qualifications, short term, full-time, Monday to Friday,

Take a look at advertisement C:

Here in this advertisement, we can find out some important points. Let’s have a look:

Former qualifications not as important = no experience or qualifications, Hours: 8.30 – 5.00 Mon-Fri = full-time job, Monday to Friday, from January till July = short term,

Therefore, this job is a perfect match for person in question no. 2.

So, the answer is: C

Question 3: a lively student with no experience, who cannot work on weekdays.

Keywords for this question: lively student, no experience, cannot work, weekdays,

Take a look at advertisement A:

Energy and enthusiasm = lively, no experience = experience not essential, Sat & Sun only = cannot work on weekdays,

Therefore, this job is a perfect match for person in question no. 3.

So, the answer is: A

Question 4: a person with more than 20 years’ experience in catering who would like to run a business.

Keywords for this question: 20 years’ experience, catering, run a business,

Take a look at advertisement G:

Ideal for very experienced person = person with more than 20 years’ experience, Catering = Restaurant, To-let = place to run a business,

Therefore, this job is a perfect match for person in question no. 4.

So, the answer is: G

Question 5: a catering college graduate who is now looking for his first full-time job.

Keywords for this question: catering college graduate, first full-time job,

Let’s take a look at advertisement F:

FULL-TIME COOK = catering college graduate. .. . full-time job, new and exciting café venture = first .. .. job,

Therefore, this job is a perfect match for the new catering graduate in question no. 5.

So, the answer is: F

Question 6: a person with many years’ experience working in hotels who is now looking for well-paid part-time employment in a hotel.

Keywords for this question: many years’ experience, hotels, well-paid, part-time, employment, hotel,

Let’s take a look at advertisement B:

applicants with experience = with many years’ experience, Excellent wages = well-paid, part-time silver service waiter/waitress = working in hotels . . . .. . part-time employment,

Therefore, this job is a perfect match for the person in question no. 6.

So, the answer is: B

Questions 7-14:

The headline of the passage: INTERCITY Sleeper between London and Scotland

Questions 7-14 (Identifying information from different options in the passage)

This question asks you to find information from the passage and write the number of the train tickets (A, B, C or D … .. ) in the answer sheet. This question will not follow any sequence, and so it will surely kill your time if you are not very good in speed reading. You should always quickly read the first two lines or last two lines of the expected paragraph initially. If you find the answers, you need not read the middle part. If you don’t find answers yet, you can skim the middle part of the paragraph.

Question 7: There are advantages if you book a journey with a friend.

Keywords for this question: advantages, journey with a friend,

So, these are descriptions for train travels as you can see from the picture. For this question your KEYWORDS are ‘advantages’ if you make this ‘journey with a friend’ . What you need to do here is this – you look quickly through all the ticket information and find out anything that relates to an ‘advantage’ which includes ‘two people’.

Now if you look closely at ticket number F-Special , you will find out a sentence there, “Special is an inclusive return travel package for two people . . .. . It can mean savings for both of you … .”

Here, two people = journey with a friend, savings for both of you = advantages,

So, the answer is: F

Question 8: You cannot use this on a Friday.

Keywords for this question: cannot use, on Friday,

Read the first line of this ticket information C-SuperSaver, “Available right up to the day of travel and valid any day except these peak days: all Fridays , also 18-20 December, 31 March and 28 May. .. ..”

Here, except . .. . . . all Fridays = cannot use on Friday.

So, the answer is: C

Question 9: This can be used without restriction.

Ticket number G-Standard says, “Not the cheapest option but available up to the time of travel and valid for all trains and at all times. ”

Keywords for this question: can be used, without restriction,

Here, valid for all trains and at all times means that this train service can be used without restriction.

So, the answer is: G

Question 10: This can only be booked up to 7 days before departure.

Keywords for this question : only be booked, up to 7 days, before departure,

In the description of ticket number B-Apex we can see, “ … . Great value sleeper travel available by booking at least a week before outward travel.”

We know that a week means 7 days and departure means outward travel .

Question 11: It’s the cheapest ticket available but there is a restriction on departure time.

Keywords for this question: cheapest ticket, restriction on departure time,

From the description of ticket number A-SuperApex we come to know that the price is £59 and if we look at all other ticket description we will find out that this ticket is the cheapest . Now, take a look at the first line of the description, “ Only available for travel after 9am .” So, we can see a restriction on departure time.

So, the answer is: A

Question 12: If you decide not to travel after you have bought the ticket, you cannot get your money back.

Keywords for this question : decide not to travel after …… bought the ticket, cannot get …. money back,

Take a look at the last line of the description, “… .. . This ticket is non-refundable unless the service is cancelled .”

This means if the train service authority decides to cancel the service , only then you will get your money back. So, passengers’ decision will not work here to demand a refund.

So the answer is: A

Question 13: This is not available if you’re travelling out on a Monday and back the next day.

Keywords for this question: not available, travelling, on a Monday and back the next day,

The ticket description E-Solo includes this information, “.. .. . The journey must include a Saturday night away .” Therefore, if passengers wish to take this service, they are bound to include Saturday in their journey. Thus, a Monday trip with return on the next day is not valid here.

So the answer is: E

Question 14: You cannot use this ticket for departures between midnight and 10am.

Keywords for this question: cannot use, departures between, midnight and 10am,

In the description of the ticket D-Saver , take a careful look at this line, “ . .. . Your ticket allows standard class travel on any train between 10 am and midnight .” So, the information is completely opposite to the description given in the question. That means a passenger cannot use this particular ticket for departures between midnight and 10am.

So the answer is: D

The headline of the passage: FORMAL DRESS CODE FOR COMPANY EMPLOYEES

Questions 15-21: (Completing sentences with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS):

In this type of question, candidates are asked to write maximum two words to complete sentences on the given topic. For this type of question, first, skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word.

[ TIPS: Here scanning technique will come in handy. Target the keywords of the questions to find the answers. Remember to focus on Proper nouns, random Capital letters, numbers, special characters of text etc.]

Question 15: Aim of formal dress code: to present a ________ to clients

Keywords for this question: aim. Formal dress code, present, to clients,

In the opening paragraph of the text, the writer mentions about the objective of establishing the formal dress code, “At TransitEuropean, the company’s objective in establishing a formal dress code is to enable our employees to project the professional image that is in keeping with the needs of our clients and customers . . .”

This means the objective or aim of the formal dress code is to present a professional image to the clients.

So, the answer is: professional image

Question 16: State of clothes: they must be __________ and in good condition

Keywords for this question: state of clothes, must be, good condition,

The answer is in the second paragraph entitled ‘Formal Dress Code Guidelines’, where line no. 2-3 says, “. . .. Alternatively a jacket may be worn with appropriate accessories. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. Clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled . … .. .”

Here, never wrinkled = in good condition,

So, the answer is: pressed

Question 17: Accessories: ties, scarves, belts and jewellery may be worn

these must be _________ and not brightly coloured

Keywords for this question: Accessories, must be, not brightly coloured,

As our main keyword is Accessories, we should look at paragraph no. 4 entitled ‘Accessories and Jewellery’. Here, this is written, “The wearing of ties, scarves, belts and jewellery is encouraged, provided they are tasteful . Items which are flashy should be avoided .”

Here, Items which are flashy should be avoided = these must not be brightly coloured

So, the answer is: tasteful

Question 18: Make up: avoid wearing too much make up and perfume

these sometimes cause __________

Keywords for this question: Make up, avoid wearing, perfume, sometimes cause,

The answer remains in paragraph no. 5 entitled ‘Makeup, Perfume and Cologne’ where the writer mentions, “Remember that some employees may have allergic reactions to the chemicals in perfumes and makeup, so wear these substances in moderation. ”

Here, so wear these substances in moderation means avoid wearing too much make up and perfume

So, the answer is: allergic reactions

Question 19: Hats: hats should not be worn

head covers in line with religious reasons or __________ are allowed

Keywords for this question: Hats, head covers, religious reasons, allowed,

The answer to this question can be traced in paragraph no. 6 entitled ‘Hats and Head Covering’. Here, the writer says, “Hats are not appropriate in the office. Head covers that are required for reasons of faith or to honour cultural tradition are permitted.”

Here, reasons of faith means religious reasons

So, the answer is: cultural tradition

Question 20: Dressing down: casual clothing is allowed on some Fridays

clothing with the __________ on it is recommended

Keywords for this question: Dressing down, clothing with, on it, is recommended

The answer to this question can be traced in paragraph no. 7 entitled ‘Dress Down Days’. Here, the writer states, “Clothing that has our company logo is strongly encouraged .”

Here, strongly encouraged = recommended

So, the answer is: company logo

Question 21: Breaking the dress code: if advice is repeatedly ignored, a ________ is given

Keywords for this question: Breaking, dress code, advice, repeatedly ignored, is given,

In the last line of the last paragraph entitled ‘Violation of Dress code’ the writer mentions, “If the problem persists , the employee will receive a verbal warning and . . ..”

Here, the problem persists indicates to if advice is repeatedly ignored ,

So, the answer is: verbal warning

Questions 22-27:

The headline of the passage: JLP RETAIL: STAFF BENEFITS

Questions 22-27: (Completing sentences with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER):

In this type of question, candidates are asked to write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER to complete some sentences based on the given topic. For this type of question, first skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word.

[ TIPS: Here scanning technique will come handy. Target the keywords of the questions to find the answers. Remember to focus on Proper nouns, random Capital letters, numbers, special characters of text etc.]

Question 22: Pay increases depend on the _________ that each member of staff makes.

Keywords for this question: pay increases, depend, each member of staff makes,

Take a look at the first paragraph where the writer mentions about pay, “Whatever you role, your pay range will be extremely competitive and reviewed in the light of your progress .

The sentence suggests that pay range in this company is very close among staff members and it will be reviewed in the light of (pay increases depends on) the progress that staff members make.

So, the answer is: progress

Question 23: Employees must work a minimum of _________ to be eligible for a pension.

Keywords for this question: Employees must work, minimum, to be eligible, pension,

To find answer for this question, we need to go straight to the paragraph entitled ‘Pension Scheme’. Here, the writer says, “We offer a non-contributory final salary pension scheme, payable from the age of 60, to most staff who have completed the qualifying period of five years .”

This means that staffs must work a minimum of five years (qualifying period) to be eligible for a pension.

So, the answer is: five years

Question 24: Staff may take a holiday at one of the _________ provided by the company.

Keywords for this question: Staff may take, holiday at, provided by, the company,

Let’s go to the paragraph entitled ‘Holiday and leisure facilities’. Here, the author of this text mentions, “The business owns a number of residential clubs which offer subsidised holiday accommodation for staff with at least three years’ service.”

Here, the sentence means that staff members of the company can enjoy subsidised holiday accommodation at one of the residential clubs.

So, the answer is: (residential) clubs

Question 25: The company pay half the seat price for ________ and plays.

Keywords for this question: company, pay, half the seat price, plays,

In the ‘Ticket subsidies’ paragraph, the author states, “ Ticket subsidies of 50% of the cost of plays or concerts are available.”

Here, Ticket subsidies of 50% = the company pay half the seat price of

So, the answer is: concerts

Question 26: The company gives financial assistance for both educational courses and _________ as part of staff development.

Keywords for this answer: company, gives, financial assistance, both, educational, courses, part of staff development,

In the ‘Education subsidies’ section, the writer mentions, “We give generous financial support to staff who wish to acquire leisure skills or continue their education , . .. ..”

This sentence means that the company offers generous financial support to staffs for education and leisure skills.

So, the answer is: leisure skills

Question 27: Employees may be entitled to a __________ if they find themselves in difficult circumstances.

Keywords for this answer: Employees, entitled to, find themselves, difficult circumstances,

In the last paragraph entitled ‘Financial help, benefits and discounted deals’, the writer says, “In cases of particular hardship , we will help staff with a loan .”

Here, particular hardship = difficult circumstances

So, the answer is: loan

The headline of the passage: OUT OF THE ASHES

Questions 28-33: (Identifying information)

[This question asks you to find information from the passage and write the number of the paragraph (A, B, C or D … .. ) in the answer sheet. This question will not follow any sequence, and so it will surely kill your time if you are not very good in speed reading. You should always quickly read the first two lines or last two lines of the expected paragraph initially. If you find the answers, you need not read the middle part. If you don’t find answers yet, you can skim the middle part of the paragraph.]

Question 28: the procedure for sorting through the remains of the fire

Keywords for this answer: procedure, sorting through, remains of the fire,

The last lines of paragraph C gives us the answer. Here, the writer says, “… The position of each fragment was recorded , and all the debris was stored in countless dustbins before being sifted and categorised .”

Here, all these words and phrases; recorded , stored in countless dustbins, being sifted and categorised , indicate to the procedure for sorting.

Question 29: how Uppark looked after the fire

Keywords for this answer: Uppark, looked, after the fire,

The answer is found in paragraph B, the shortest paragraph of the whole text, “The following morning, Uppark stood open to the sky. A sludge of wet charcoal covered the ground floor and basement, and in every room charred and fallen timbers lay amongst the smoke. It was a scene of utter devastation.”

This description directly relates to the scene of Uppark after the fire.

Question 30: improvements made to the rebuilt Uppark

Keywords for this answer: improvements made, rebuilt Uppark,

In paragraph G, the last half of the paragraph gives us the answer, “. . . In addition, it made economic sense for the National Trust to invest time and money in upgrading water and heating systems, installing modern environmental controls, and updating fire and security equipment.”

Here, upgrading water and heating systems, installing modern environmental controls, and updating fire and security equipment, all these refer to improvements made to the rebuilt Uppark .

Question 31: the selection of people to carry out the repair work

Keywords for this answer: people, carry out the repair work,

We can find the answer in paragraph F where the writer gives a detailed description of how people were selected to do the rebuild work of Uppark, “The search for craftsmen and women capable of doing the intricate restoration work was nation-wide. Once the quality and skills of the individual or company had been ascertained, they had to pass an economic test, as every job was competitively tendered . … .”

These lines describe how the people to carry out the repair work were selected .

So, the answer is: F

Question 32: why the National Trust chose to rebuild Uppark

Keywords for this answer: why, the National Trust, chose, rebuild,

In the middle of paragraph E, the author says in lines 11-12, “ It was undertaken for three main reasons .. .”. Then the writer describes the all the reasons.

So, the answer is: E

Question 33: how people reacted to the rebuilt Uppark

Keywords for this answer: how, people reacted, rebuilt Uppark,

In paragraph H, the author states in lines 3-6, “ . . .The family and the room stewards were visibly moved when returning to their old haunts, perhaps the best testament that the spirit of Uppark had not died. . . .”

Here, were visibly moved = reacted.

So, the answer is: H

Questions 34-37 Short answer to open questions (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

[ In this kind of questions candidates have to answer some questions, only with some conditions like NO MORE THAN THREE/TWO WORDS and/or A NUMBER or, ONE WORD ONLY. Each question has keywords which will lead to the answer. This question type generally follows a sequence. ]

Question 34: On what date in 1989 should the original repairs to the roof have been completed?

Keywords for this answer: date, 1989, original repairs to the roof, have been completed,

Take a close look at Paragraph A, lines 4-6, “For a year builders had been replacing the lead on the roof, and by a stroke of irony, were due to finish the next day, on August 31 st .”

The lines suggest that the builders wanted to change the roof of Uppark on August 31 st .

So, the answer is: August 31st / 31st August

Question 35: By what method were things rescued immediately from the burning house?

Keywords for this answer: method, things rescued, immediately, burning house,

Again, the answer is in lines 13-20 in paragraph A, “. . . . But due to the courage and swift action of the previous owners, the Meade-Featherstonhaugh family, and the staff, stewards and visitors to the house, who formed human chains to pass the precious pieces of porcelain, furniture and paintings out on to the lawn, 95 percent of the contents from ground floor and the basement were saved.”

This means that the things from the burning house were rescued immediately by forming human chains .

So, the answer is: human chain/ chains

Question 36: After the fire, what did the conservators require large quantities of immediately?

Keywords for this answer: after, fire, conservators, require, large quantities, immediately,

The answer is in the last lines of paragraph A. Here, the author says, “. .. . As the fire continued to rage, the National Trust’s conservators were being mobilised, and that evening local stationers were especially opened to provide the bulk supplies of blotting paper so desperately needed in the salvage operation.”

Here, bulk supplies = large quantities

So, the answer is: blotting paper

Question 37: Into what did the conservators put material recovered from the fire?

Keywords for this answer: Into what, conservators, put material, recovered from, fire,

To find answer to this question, we should have a look at the paragraph where the steps taken to recover materials after the fire are included. This can be found in paragraph C. Here, in lines 8-10 the author says, “The position of each fragment was recorded, and all the debris was stored in countless dustbins before being sifted and categorised.”

The lines explain that the recovered materials from the fire or all the debris were put or stored in countless dustbins.

So, the answer is: (countless) dustbins

Questions 38-40 (Multiple choice questions)

[‘Multiple choice questions’ is a common type of question set in IELTS Reading test. It is also found in Listening test. Most of the time, they come with four options but sometimes there are three options. Candidates need to work hard for this type of questions because this may confuse them easily in passage 2 or passage 3. There will be long answers for each question, so they may kill valuable time. So, quick reading or skimming technique might come handy here. Remember that answers in 3 options out of 4 will be very close. So, vocabulary power will help a lot to choose the best answer.

TIPS: Skimming is the best reading technique. You need not understand every word here. Just try to gather the gist of the sentences. That’s all. Read quickly and don’t stop until you finish each sentence.]

Question 38: The fire destroyed –

Keywords for this answer: fire, destroyed,

The answer lies in Paragraph A where the writer says, “For a year builders had been replacing the lead on the roof , and by a strike of irony, were due to finish the next day, on August 31 st . Within fifteen minutes of the alarm being sounded, the fire brigade had arrived on the scene, though nothing was to survive of the priceless collection on the first floor. . . ”.

Therefore, we realise that the fire destroyed the roof. Some might go for the option D, but be careful! Option D says ‘all the contents of the first floor’. However, in the text, we find the information related a dog who saved an oil painting. So, not everything was destroyed.

So, the answer is: C (the roof of the house.)

Question 39: One of the reasons the National Trust decided to rebuild Uppark was that –

Keywords for this answer: one of the reasons, National Trust, decided to rebuild,

The answer lies in paragraph E, in lines 17-19, “. . . Also the property was covered by insurance, so the repairs would not call upon the National Trust’s own funds.” This means the National Trust wouldn’t have to pay anything for this repair work.

So, the answer is: C (they wouldn’t have to pay for the repairs.)

Question 40: Some of the craftsmen and women employed in the restoration of Uppark have benefited because –

Keywords for this answer: Craftsmen and women, employed, restoration, benefited,

The last lines of Paragraph F give us the answer, “ . . . – but many of them, for example plasterers, have relearnt the skills of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries which can now be of use to other country house owners when need arises.”

Here, the lines suggest the fact that many of the craftsmen did not have the skills of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries but for this big repair project they got a chance to re-learn the work.

So, the answer is: D (they acquired skills they didn’t have previously. )

Click here for complete solutions of Cambridge 9 General Training Reading Test B

Click here for complete solutions to Cambridge 10 GT Reading Test A

Click here for complete solutions to Cambridge 10 GT Reading Test B

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Reading a book to review it

Choose your book carefully.

Being interested in a book will help you write a strong review, so take some time to choose a book whose topic and scholarly approach genuinely interest you.

If you’re assigned a book, you’ll need to find a way to become interested in it.

Read actively and critically

Don’t read just to discover the author’s main point or to mine some facts.

Engage with the text, marking important points and underlining passages as you go along (in books you own, of course!).

Focus first on summary and analysis

Before you read

Write down quickly and informally some of the facts and ideas you already know about the book’s topic
Survey the book –including the preface and table of contents–and make some predictions
What does the title promise the book will cover or argue?
What does the preface promise about the book?
What does the table of contents tell you about how the book is organized?
Who’s the audience for this book?

As you read

With individual chapters:

Think carefully about the chapter’s title and skim paragraphs to get an overall sense of the chapter.
Then, as you read, test your predictions against the points made in the chapter.
After you’ve finished a chapter, take brief notes. Start by summarizing , in your own words, the major points of the chapter. Then you might want to take brief notes about particular passages you might discuss in your review.

Begin to evaluate

As you take notes about the book, try dividing your page into two columns. In the left, summarize main points from a chapter. In the right, record your reactions to and your tentative evaluations of that chapter.

Here are several ways you can evaluate a book:

If you know other books on this same subject, you can compare the arguments and quality of the book you’re reviewing with the others, emphasizing what’s new and what’s especially valuable in the book you’re reviewing.
How well does the book fulfill the promises the author makes in the preface and introduction?
How effective is the book’s methodology?
How effectively does the book make its arguments?
How persuasive is the evidence?
For its audience, what are the book’s strengths?
How clearly is the book written?

Academic and Professional Writing

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Reading Poetry

A Short Guide to Close Reading for Literary Analysis

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Blog – Posted on Wednesday, Apr 03

How to write a book review in 3 steps.

If the idea of reading for free — or even getting paid to read — sounds like a dream come true, remember that it isn’t a pipe dream. There are many places aspiring book reviewers can read books for free, such as Reedsy Discovery — a new platform for reviewing indie books. Of course, if you’re giving serious thought to becoming a book reviewer, your first step should be learning how to write a book review. To that end, this post covers all the basics of literary criticism. Let’s get started!

The three main steps of writing a book review are simple:

Provide a summary: What is story about? Who are the main characters and what is the main conflict?
Present your evaluation: What did you think of the book? What elements worked well, and which ones didn’t?
Give your recommendation: Would you recommend this book to others? If so, what kinds of readers will enjoy it?

You can also download our free book review templates and use it as a guide! Otherwise, let’s take a closer look at each element.

Pro-tip : But wait! How are you sure if you should become a book reviewer in the first place? If you're on the fence, or curious about your match with a book reviewing career, take our quick quiz:

Should you become a book reviewer?

Find out the answer. Takes 30 seconds!

How to write a review of a book

Step 1. provide a summary.

Have you ever watched a movie only to realize that all the good bits were already in the trailer? Well, you don’t want the review to do that. What you do want the summary to do is reveal the genre, theme, main conflict, and main characters in the story — without giving away spoilers or revealing how the story ends.

A good rule of thumb is not to mention anything that happens beyond the midpoint. Set the stage and give readers a sense of the book without explaining how the central issue is resolved.

Emily W. Thompson's review of The Crossing :

In [Michael] Doane’s debut novel, a young man embarks on a journey of self-discovery with surprising results.

An unnamed protagonist (The Narrator) is dealing with heartbreak. His love, determined to see the world, sets out for Portland, Oregon. But he’s a small-town boy who hasn’t traveled much. So, the Narrator mourns her loss and hides from life, throwing himself into rehabbing an old motorcycle. Until one day, he takes a leap; he packs his bike and a few belongings and heads out to find the Girl. Read more...

Here are a few more reviews with well-written summaries for you to check out. The summary tend to be the longest part of the book review, so we won’t turn this post into a novel itself by pasting them all here: Le Cirque Navire reviewed by Anna Brill, The Heart of Stone reviewed by Kevin R. Dickinson, Fitting Out: The Friendship Experiment reviewed by Lianna Albrizio.

Non-fiction summary tip: The primary goal of a non-fiction summary is to provide context: what problems or issues has the book spotted, and how does it go about addressing them? Be sure to mention the authors of the title and what experience or expertise they bring to the title. Check Stefan Kløvning’s review of Creativity Cycling for an example of a summary that establishes the framework of the book within the context of its field.

Step 2. Present your evaluation

While you should absolutely weave your own personal take of a book into the review, your evaluation shouldn’t only be based on your subjective opinion. Along with presenting how you reacted to the story and how it affected you, you should also try to objectively critique the stronger and weaker elements of the story, and provide examples from the text to back up your points.

To help you write your evaluation, you should record your reactions and thoughts as you work your way through a novel you’re planning on reviewing. Here are some aspects of the book to keep in mind as you do.

Your evaluation might focus heartily on the book’s prose:

Donald Barker's review of Mercenary :

Such are the bones of the story. But, of course, it is the manner in which Mr Gaughran puts the bones back together and fills them with life that makes “Mercenary” such a great read. The author’s style seems plain; it seems straightforward and even simple. But an attempt at imitation or emulation quickly proves that simple it is not. He employs short, punchy sentences that generate excellent dialogue dripping with irony, deadpan humour and wit. This, mixed with good descriptive prose, draws the characters – and what characters they are – along with the tumultuous events in which they participated amidst the stinking, steaming heat of the South American jungle, out from the past to the present; alive, scheming, drinking, womanising and fighting, onto the written page.

You can give readers a sense of the book by drawing comparisons to other well-known titles or authors:

Laura Hartman's review of The Mystery of Ruby's Mistletoe :

Reading Ms. Donovan’s book is reminiscent to one of my favorite authors, Dame Agatha Christie. Setting up the suspects in a snowbound house, asking them to meet in the drawing room and the cleverly satisfying conclusion was extremely gratifying. I can picture Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot nodding at Ms. Donovan saying “Well done!”

Not everyone’s tastes are the same, and you can always acknowledge this by calling out specific story elements in your evaluation:

Kevin R. Dickinson's review of The Heart of Stone :

Whether you enjoy Galley’s worldbuilding will depend heavily on preference. Galley delivers information piecemeal, letting the characters, not the author, navigate the reader through Hartlund. A notable example is the magic system, an enigmatic force that lacks the ridge structures of, say, a Brandon Sanderson novel. While the world’s magical workings are explained, you only learn what the characters know and many mysteries remain by the end. Similar choices throughout make the world feel expansive and authentic.

Non-fiction evaluation tip: A book’s topic is only as compelling as its supporting arguments. Your evaluation of a nonfiction book should address that: how clearly and effectively are the points communicated? Turn back to Stefan’s critique for an example of a non-fiction critique that covers key takeaways and readability, without giving away any “big reveals.”

Step 3. Give your recommendation

At the end of the day, your critique needs to answer this question: is this a book you would (or wouldn’t) recommend to other readers? You might wrap up by comparing it to other books in the same genre, or authors with similar styles, such as: “Fans of so-and-so will enjoy this book.”

Let’s take a look at a few more tips:

You don’t need to write, “I recommend this book” — you can make it clear by highlighting your favorable opinion:

Following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac and William Least Heat-Moon, Doane offers a coming of age story about a man finding himself on the backroads of America. Doane’s a gifted writer with fluid prose and insightful observations, using The Narrator’s personal interactions to illuminate the diversity of the United States.

Despite his flaws, it’s a pleasure to accompany The Narrator on his physical and emotional journey. The unexpected ending is a fitting denouement to an epic and memorable road trip.

Add more punch to your rating by mentioning what kind of audience will or won’t enjoy the book:

Charleigh Aleyna Reid's review of The King of FU :

I would recommend this book to anyone who grew up in the 90’s and would like to reminisce about the time, someone who is interested to see what it was like to be a 90’s kid, or perhaps anyone who is looking for a unique, funny story about someone’s life.

Unless you found the title absolutely abhorrent, a good way to balance out a less favorable book review it to share what you did like about the book — before ultimately stating why you wouldn’t recommend the novel:

Nicola O's review of Secrets of the Sea Lord :

Overall, there are plenty of enjoyable elements in this story and fans of Atlantis and mer mythology should give it a try. Despite this, it does not rise above a three-star rating, and while I had some difficulty pinning down why this is, I concluded that it comes from a surprisingly unsophisticated vocabulary. There are a couple of graphic sex scenes, which is absolutely fine in a paranormal romance, but if they were removed, I could easily imagine this as an appealing story for middle-schoolers.

Non-fiction recommendation tip: As with fiction book reviews, share why you did or didn’t enjoy the title. However, in one of the starkest divergences from fiction book reviews it’s more important than ever that you mention your expectations coming into the non-fiction book. For instance, if you’re a cow farmer who’s reading a book on the benefits of becoming a vegetarian, you’re coming in with a large and inherent bias that the book will struggle to alter. So your recommendation should cover your thoughts about the book, while clearly taking account your perspective before you started reading. Let’s look once more at Stefan’s review for an example of a rating that includes an explanation of the reviewer’s own bias.

Bonus tips for writing a book review

Let’s wrap up with a few final tips for writing a compelling review.

Remember, this isn’t a book report. If someone wants the summary of a book, they can read the synopsis. People turn to book reviews for a fellow reader’s take on the book. And for that reason...
Have an opinion. Even if your opinion is totally middle-of-the-line — you didn’t hate the book but you didn’t love it either — state that clearly, and explain why.
Make your stance clear from the outset. Don’t save your opinion just for the evaluation/recommendation. Weave your thoughts about the book into your summary as well, so that readers have an idea of your opinion from the outset.
Back up your points. Instead of just saying, “the prose was evocative” — show readers by providing an actual passage that displays this. Same goes for negative points — don’t simply tell readers you found a character unbelievable, reference a certain (non-spoiler) scene that backs this up.
Provide the details. Don’t forget to weave the book’s information into the review: is this a debut author? Is this one installment of a series? What types of books has the author written before? What is their background? How many pages does the book have? Who published the book? What is the book’s price?
Follow guidelines. Is the review you’re writing for Goodreads? For The New York Times ? The content and tone of your review will vary a good deal from publication to publication.
Learn from others. One of the best ways to learn how to write a great review is to read other reviews! To help you out with that, we’ve published a post all about book review examples .

Writing book reviews can be a rewarding experience! As a book-lover yourself, it’s a great opportunity to help guide readers to their next favorite title. If you’re just getting started as a reviewer and could use a couple more tips and nudges in the right direction, check out our comprehensive blog post on how to become a book reviewer . And if you want to find out which review community is the right fit for you, we recommend taking this quick quiz:

Which review community should you join?

Find out which review community is best for your style. Takes 30 seconds!

Finally, if you feel you've nailed the basics of how to write a book review, we recommend you check out Reedsy Discovery , where you can review books for free and are guaranteed people will read them. To register as a book reviewer, simply go here !

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Can You Find the 15 Book Titles Hidden in This Text?

By J. D. Biersdorfer April 15, 2024

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An illustration with a pink background showing a preteen child on a skateboard, reading a book.

This month’s Title Search celebrates novels for middle-grade readers, including some 20th-century classics and newer books tackling a variety of modern issues preteens around the world currently confront. The titles of 15 such books are hidden below within an unrelated text passage; note that one answer swaps in the word “and” in place of the ampersand used in one title.

As you read along, tap or click the words when you think you’ve found a title. Correct answers stay highlighted. When you uncover each title, the answer section at the bottom of the screen grows to create a reading list with more information and links to the books.

A new literary quiz lands on the Books page each week and you can match wits with previous puzzles in the Book Review Quiz Bowl archive .

Charlotte’s web project was not going well, even though she’d read her assignment inside out and back again. “The great brain who designed this module can’t write directions,” she complained, grabbing a sweet and sour meatball and taking a swig of red Mountain Dew. “This thing is a grade wrecker.”

“Oh, hush up and keep grounded,” drawled her sister Coraline, sipping her freshly blended kale smoothie. “Like Vanessa said, it’s not the end of the world if you get an A- in one crazy summer class. You’re way above troublemaker status in this overachieving family.”

“At least it’s not killing my thirst for knowledge,” said Charlotte, as she opened another soda.

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Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

Salman Rushdie’s new memoir, “Knife,” addresses the attack that maimed him in 2022, and pays tribute to his wife who saw him through .

Recent books by Allen Bratton, Daniel Lefferts and Garrard Conley depict gay Christian characters not usually seen in queer literature.

What can fiction tell us about the apocalypse? The writer Ayana Mathis finds unexpected hope in novels of crisis by Ling Ma, Jenny Offill and Jesmyn Ward .

At 28, the poet Tayi Tibble has been hailed as the funny, fresh and immensely skilled voice of a generation in Māori writing .

Amid a surge in book bans, the most challenged books in the United States in 2023 continued to focus on the experiences of L.G.B.T.Q. people or explore themes of race.

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

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IELTS Academic Reading 'A Book Review' Answers
Updated On Oct 05, 2023. Recent IELTS Reading Test with Answers - Free PDF. Download. The Academic passage 'A Book Review' is a reading passage that appeared in an IELTS Test. Since questions get repeated in the IELTS exam, these passages are ideal for practice. If you want more practice, try taking an IELTS reading practice test.
Cambridge 13 Reading Test 4 Passage 3
This post can simply guide you the best to figure out every Reading answer without trouble. Finding IELTS Reading answers is a step-by-step routine and I hope this post can assist you in this topic. Cambridge 13 Reading Test 4 Passage 3: The headline of the passage: Book Review. Questions 27-29: (Multiple Choice Questions)
'Book Review'- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM- 13
March 20, 2023. 'Book Review'- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM- 13. Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named 'Book Review', which is from the Cambridge 13 book. The Questions that have been asked are 'MCQs', Blanks and Yes/No/Not Given. You will find the locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords ( highlighted and ...
Book Review: IELTS Reading Answers
IELTS Academic Test - Passage 12: Book Review reading with answers explanation, location and pdf. This IELTS reading paragraph has been taken from our huge collection of Academic & General Training (GT) Reading practice test PDFs. CONTENTS + Book Review. The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold Us Well-Being ...
Book Review Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice
Welcome to this IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test for Book Review Reading Answers. In this test, you can practice your reading skills and test your comprehension abilities through a book review passage. The test will include a set of three types of questions: multiple-choice, summary completion, and yes/no/not given. You will have 18-20 ...
Book Review Reading Answers
Book review reading answers have the review on the book The Happiness Industry. The writer's opinion on the book content has been given, along with the author's thought process. ... (Note: The text in italics is from the reading passage and shows the location from where the answer is taken or inferred. The text in the regular font explains ...
A Book Review
In boxes 37-40 on your answer sheet, write. YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer. NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer. NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this. 37. Vargas' style of writing is typical of crime fiction.
Book Review
Overview. The "Book Review" passage of the IELTS reading section includes a reading passage related to task 2 with three distinct question types, appropriate answers, and explanations. By utilising this practice exam, you can evaluate your performance, correct your mistakes, and devise a plan to complete the reading test in the allocated time.
Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Reading Test 4 with Answers
READING PASSAGE 3. You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27-40 which are based on Reading Passage 3 below. Book Review. The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold Us Well-Being. By William Davies 'Happiness is the ultimate goal because it is self-evidently good.
Crafting an Insightful Book Review: IELTS Reading Passage With
Tip 1: Focus on Keywords. When reading passages, identify and underline keywords or phrases that capture the main ideas or themes. Tip 2: Understand the Question Types. Familiarize yourself with different types of questions (e.g., multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blanks) and practice them regularly.
A Book Review Reading Answers
A Book Review Reading Answers comprises 12 questions that are to be answered in 20 minutes. A Book Review Reading Answers is taken Cambridge 13 Test 4; Reading Passage 3. This IELTS reading topic- A Book Review Reading Answers includes- Complete the summary, and Yes, no and not given question types. IELTS reading is a crucial section and ...
GT Reading Test 45 Section 3
Comparatively speaking, the plot of this book appears at first to be a little on the light side although her bizarre characters and inventiveness keep the reader well entertained. However, the story suddenly becomes convoluted towards the end and the denouement rapidly ensues, leaving the reader feeling short-changed.
EATS, SHOOTS AND LEAVES A Book Review Reading Questions and Answers
27 Mistakes should be corrected on the basis of common sense. 28 No one has legitimacy as an ultimate authority on punctuation use. 29 Eats, Shoots and Leaves is not the type of book it claims to be. 30 The idea that some forms of language can be better than others is wrong. 31 The semicolon has no real purpose.
Answers and Explanations for Cam 13 Reading Test 4
Answers and Explanations for Cam 13 Reading Test 4. 1. FALSE. Question: Clippers were originally intended to be used as passenger ships. Key words: clippers, originally, passenger. At the beginning of paragraph 2, we find the statement: "The fastest commercial sailing vessels of all time were clippers, three-masted ships built to transport ...
Book review on Musicophilia
8 It is difficult to understand why music therapy is undervalued. Answer: NOT GIVEN. 9 Sacks held little skepticism when borrowing other theories and findings in describing reasons and notion for phenomena he depicts in the book. Answer: YES. 10 Sacks is in a rush to use new testing methods to do treatment for patients.
IELTS General Training Reading: Cambridge 9 Test A ...
This General Training IELTS Reading post deals with a complete solution package for IELTS Cambridge 9 Reading Test A.This is a targeted post for candidates who have major problems in searching for and understanding Reading Answers. This post can guide you the best to understand every Reading answer easily and without much difficulty.
Eats, Shoots and Leaves Reading Answers
Eats, Shoots and Leaves Reading Answers is an IELTS academic reading topic that requires candidates to solve a given set of questions within 20 minutes. Eats, Shoots and Leaves Reading Answers has been referenced from the Cambridge IELTS 10 Student's Book with Answers and contains a total of 14 questions.
IELTS Reading Practice 106: Book Review
IELTS Reading Practice 106: Book Review. 1415. By IELTS Practice Online. The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold Us Well-Being. By William Davies. 'Happiness is the ultimate goal because it is self-evidently good. If we are asked why happiness matters we can give no further external reason. It just obviously does ...
Book Review Questions You Need To Ask Yourself
Book Review Question #1. It's easy to forget which books we've read afterward, that's why I recommend keeping a log of your books right after you finish reading. You can see at first glance what you've read. You're able to notice if you are missing any books in a series and the order of said series.
Reading a book to review it
As you read. With individual chapters: Think carefully about the chapter's title and skim paragraphs to get an overall sense of the chapter. Then, as you read, test your predictions against the points made in the chapter. After you've finished a chapter, take brief notes. Start by summarizing, in your own words, the major points of the chapter.
How to Write a Book Review in 3 Steps
Be sure to mention the authors of the title and what experience or expertise they bring to the title. Check Stefan Kløvning's review of Creativity Cycling for an example of a summary that establishes the framework of the book within the context of its field. Step 2. Present your evaluation.
Can You Find the 15 Book Titles Hidden in This Text?
Amid a surge in book bans, the most challenged books in the United States in 2023 continued to focus on the experiences of L.G.B.T.Q. people or explore themes of race.

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