Answers and Explanations for Cam 10 Reading Test 1

Question: Stepwells had a range of functions, in addition to those related to water collection.

Keywords: a range of functions

In paragraph 2, the author indicates that “During their heyday, they (stepwells) were places of gathering of leisure and relaxation and of worship for villagers of all but the lowest classes.” Then, he continues “Some were located in or near villages as public spaces for the community; others were positioned beside roads as resting places for travelers.” So, besides the function of collecting water which is mentioned in paragraph 1, stepwells had many other functions. As a result, the statement is TRUE.

Question: The few existing stepwells in Delhi are more attractive than those found elsewhere.

Keywords: stepwells in Delhi, more attractive.

In paragraph 2, the author lists some places where stepwells can be found, and he mentions that ‘a few also survive in Delhi’. However, he does not compare the attractiveness of stepwells in Delhi and in other places. So, the statement is NOT GIVEN.

Question: It took workers many years to build the stone steps characteristic of stepwells.

Keywords: many years, stone steps

Only paragraphs 3 and 4 refer to stone steps, so we should focus on them. However, paragraph indicates whether it took workers many years to build stone steps or not. So, the statement is NOT GIVEN.

Question: The number of steps above the water level in a stepwell altered during the course of a year.

Keywords: steps, water level, altered

In paragraph 3, the author writes “When the water level was high, the user needed only to descend a few steps to reach it; when it was low, several levels would have to be negotiated.” This means that the water level changed during the year, which means that the number of steps above the water level changed, too. So, the statement is TRUE.

Question: Which part of some stepwells provided shade for people?

Keyword: shade

The author describes stepwells in paragraph 4, so we should focus on this paragraph first. He says “Built from stone and supported by pillars, they (stepwells) also included pavilions that sheltered visitors from the relentless heat.”

–  shade=shelter from the heat

Question: What type of serious climatic event, which took place in southern Rajasthan, is mentioned in the article?

Keywords: climatic event, southern Rajasthan

“Southern Rajasthan” is mentioned for the first time in paragraph 5, so we will focus on this paragraph first. At the end of paragraph 5, the author indicates that “southern Rajasthan suffered an eight-year drought between 1996 and 2004”

Question: Who are frequent visitors to stepwells nowadays?

Keywords: frequent visitors, nowadays

We should find out the paragraph that contains the information about stepwells today. In the last paragraph, the author argues that “Tourists flock to wells in far-flung corners of north-western India to gaze in wonder at these architectural marvels from hundreds of years ago…” This means that nowadays, a huge number of tourists visit India to gaze at these wells.

Question: Excellent condition, despite the…………….. of 2001.

Keywords: 2001, excellent.

At the end of paragraph 7, “Incredibly, in January 2001, this ancient structure survived an earthquake that measured 7.6 on the Richter scale”. This means that despite the earthquake in 2001, the stepwell of Rani Ki Vav was still in excellent condition.

9-13. We will focus on paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, each of which describes a well-known well. Locate the paragraphs which give the different place names and pay attention to dates and numbers in the text, too.

Question: Steps on the……………. produce a geometrical pattern.

In paragraph 8, “It actually resembles a tank rather than a well, but displays the hallmarks of stepwell architecture, including four sides of steps (that descend to the bottom) in a stunning geometrical formation.” This means that the stepwell of Surya Kund looks more like a tank. Besides, it is the steps on the four sides that create a geometrical formation (pattern)

–  look like=resemble

(As only ONE word AND/OR A number is accepted, so “four sides” is the wrong answer)

Question: Looks more like a……………. than a well.

Keywords: steps, geometrical pattern/ more like/

In paragraph 8, “It actually resembles a tank rather than a well, but displays the hallmarks of stepwell architecture, including four sides of steps (that descend to the bottom) in a stunning geometrical formation.” This means that the stepwell of Surya Kund looks more like a tank. Besides, it is the steps on the four sides that create a geometrical formation (pattern)

–  look like=resemble

Question: Has…………… which provide a view of the steps.

At the end of paragraph 10, “On the fourth side, verandas (which are supported by ornate pillars) overlook the steps”

–  provide a view of = overlook

Question: Has two…………… levels

Keywords: Two, levels

In paragraph 11, the author argues that “Constructed in around 1700, it is nine storeys deep, with the last two being underwater.”

–  levels=storeys

Paragraph B

In paragraph B, the first sentence is also the main idea “As far as goods transport is concerned, growth is due to a large extent to changes in the European economy and its system of production.” Then, the author indicates that these changes cause some production sites to be relocated far away from the final assembly plant or away from users – perhaps even ‘hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away’. This means that these changes affect the transport distances. So, the correct heading for paragraph B is iii.

=>ANSWER: iii: Changes affecting the distances goods may be transported

Paragraph C

In paragraph C, the author provides many transport statistics, or transport trends, in some countries which are “candidates for entry to the EU”. The trends include an increase in road haulage and a decrease in rail haulage. These countries are awaiting admission to become members of the EU. So, the correct heading for paragraph C is xi.

=>ANSWER: xi: Transport trends in the countries awaiting EU admission.

Paragraph D

In paragraph D, “A new imperative – sustainable development- offers an opportunity for adapting the EU’s common transport policy.” So, this paragraph is about a long-term objective which is new and important for adapting the EU’s common transport policy. The correct heading for paragraph D is i.

–  fresh=new

–  goal=imperative

(Note: Dictionaries generally define an ‘imperative’ [NOUN] as an essential duty that should be done. In this sense, and in this context, we can say that ‘promoting sustainable development’ is a duty which the EU hope to fulfil. This is very similar to a ‘goal’ or ‘objective’, although it is not an exact synonym.)

So, goal=imperative. Meaning: a duty which the EU aims to fulfil as a future objective – changing transport policy to make it more sustainable.)

–  long-term=sustainable

=>ANSWER: i: A fresh and important long-term goal

Paragraph E

In paragraph E, the effect of energy consumption in the transport sector on the environment is mentioned. Specifically, CO2 emissions are estimated to increase by 50% by 2020 due to the traffic growth trend, and road transport is also the main cause of CO2 emissions attributable to transport. Finding some solutions is an ‘ecological necessity’. So, The correct heading for paragraph E is v.

–  environmental=ecological

=>ANSWER: v: The environmental costs of road transport.

Paragraph G

In paragraph E, the author emphasizes the importance of achieving transport rebalance; therefore, paragraph G details the first solution which focuses on road transport solely through pricing. In the short term, this approach might “curb the growth in road transport”. So, the correct heading for paragraph G is x.

–  charging=pricing

–  alone=solely

–  restrict=curb

=>ANSWER: x: Restricting road use through charging policies alone

Paragraph H

Paragraph H is about the second solution to achieve transport balance. This approach “concentrates on road transport pricing but is accompanied by measures to increase the efficiency of the other modes (better quality of services, logistics, technology.)”. So, the correct heading for paragraph H is ii.

–  charging=pricing

–  improve=increase the efficiency of

–  transport methods=transport modes

=>ANSWER: ii: Charging for roads and improving other transport methods

Paragraph I

In paragraph I, “the third approach comprises a series of measures ranging from pricing to revitalising alternative modes of transport and targeting investment in the trans-European network”. This means that the third approach may change transport patterns. So, the correct heading for paragraph I is iv.

–  steps=measures

=>ANSWER: iv: Taking all the necessary steps to change transport patterns.

Question: The need for transport is growing, despite technological developments.

Keywords: growing, technological developments.

In paragraph A, “Although modern information technologies can reduce the demand for physical transport by facilitating teleworking and teleservices, the requirement for transport continues to rise.” The main idea is “the requirement for transport continues to rise”. So, the statement is TRUE.

–  need=requirement

–  grow=rise

–  technological developments=information technologies

Question: To reduce production costs, some industries have been moved closer to their relevant customers.

Keywords: reduce costs, closer to customers

In paragraph B, “This phenomenon has been emphasized by the relocation of some industries, particularly those which are labour intensive, to reduce production costs, even though the production site is hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away from the final assembly or away from customers.” This means that some industries are moved much far away from their relevant customers. So, the statement is FALSE.

–  moved=relocation

Question: Cars are prohibitively expensive in some EU candidate countries.

Keywords: prohibitively expensive, candidate countries.

“EU candidate countries” are only mentioned in paragraph C. But the author does not provide any information about the price of these countries’ cars or indicate whether they are expensive or not. So, the statement is NOT GIVEN.

Question: The Gothenburg European Council was set up 30 years ago.

Keywords: 30 years ago

“The Gothenburg European Council” only appears in paragraph D, but the author does not mention when it was established or how long it has been in existence. So, the statement is NOT GIVEN.

Question: By the end of this decade, CO2 emissions from transport are predicted to reach 739 billion tonnes.

Keywords: the end of this decade, 739 billion tonnes.

In paragraph E, the author argues that “…, CO2 emissions from transport can be expected to increase by 50% to 1,113 billion tonnes, compared with the 739 billion tonnes recorded in 1990.” So, 739 billion tonnes is the figure for CO2 emissions in 1990, not “by the end of this decade”. The statement is FALSE.

–  are predicted to=can be expected to

Question: James Watson suggests that he and Francis Crick won the race to discover the DNA code because they

Keywords: discover the DNA code

At the end of paragraph 6, “he (James Watson) and Crick had succeeded because they were aware that they weren’t the most intelligent of the scientists pursuing the answer. The smartest scientist was called Rosalind Franklin who was so intelligent she rarely sought advice.” This means that unlike Franklin who was too intelligent to need the help of others, James Watson and Crick knew they had limitations; therefore, they cooperated with each other and successfully discovered the DNA code.

Question: The writer mentions competitions on breakfast cereal packets as an example of how to

Keywords: competitions, cereal packets

In paragraph8, “…even something as simple as writing deepens every individual’s engagement in the project”. Then, the writer mentions “competitions on breakfast cereal packets” as an example to support this finding. So, the example is mentioned to deepen every individual’s commitment to an idea.

–  strengthen=deepen

–  commitment to=engagement in

Question: In the last paragraph, the writer suggests that it is important for employees to

Keywords: important, employees

In the last paragraph, “Leaders should encourage everyone to contribute and simultaneously assure all concerned that every recommendation is important to making the right decision and will be given full attention.”

Question: Employees whose values match those of their employers are more likely to

Keywords: values, match.

In paragraph 2, the writer argues that “Research shows that the fit between an employee’s values and a company’s values makes difference to what contribution they make and whether they’re still at the company”. This means that the value fit has an influence on whether employees remain in their jobs or not.

Question: At times of change, people tend to

In paragraph 4, the author mentions that “when things change, we are hard-wired to play it safe.” This means that when there are changes, people will, of course, avoid risks.

–  play it safe=avoid risk

Question: If people are aware of what they might lose, they will often

Keywords: aware, lose

At the end of paragraph 4, “studies show that we invariably take more gambles when threatened with a loss than when offered a reward”. This means that when threatened with a loss, people will take chances.

–  take gambles=take chances

Question: People working under a dominant boss are liable to

Keywords: dominant boss, liable to

In paragraph 9, Cialdini says ‘crew members of multipilot aircraft exhibit a sometimes deadly passivity when the flight captain makes a clearly wrong-headed decision. This behaviour is not unique to air travel, but can happen in any workplace where the leader is overbearing.” This means that people working under an overbearing boss tend to be more passive. In other words, they are liable to ignore their duties.

–  dominant=overbearing

–  liable to=can happen

Question: Employees working in organisations with few rules are more likely to

Keywords: few rules

In paragraph 10, the writer indicates that the environment “where the only rule was that there were no rules” … “encouraged a free interchange of ideas…” This means that employees working in organisations with few rules are more likely to share their ideas.

–  share=interchange

Question: The physical surroundings in which a person works play a key role in determining their creativity.

Keywords: surroundings, determining creativity

In the first paragraph, “There are, nevertheless, people working in luxurious, state-of-the-art
centres designed to stimulate innovation who find that their environment doesn’t make them feel at all creative. And there are those who don’t have a budget, or much space, but who innovate successfully.” This means that the physical surroundings where a person works does not influence their creativity.

Question: Most people have the potential to be creative

Keywords: potential, creative

At the end of paragraph 2, “although some individuals may be more creative than others, almost every individual can be creative in the right circumstances.”

–  most people=almost every individual

–  have the potential=can

Question: Teams work best when their members are of equally matched intelligence.

Keywords: best, equally matched intelligence

Paragraph 7 deals with teamwork. Obviously, the writer does not mention the productiveness of teamwork when team members are equally intelligent. So, the statement is NOT GIVEN.

Question: It is easier for smaller companies to be innovative

Keywords: easier, smaller companies, innovative

In paragraph 5, the author just argues that “It’s easy for a company to be pulled in conflicting directions as the marketing, product development, and finance departments each get different feedback from different sets of people” and “it’s also easy for small ‘pockets of innovation’ to disappear”. As a result, whether it is easier for smaller companies to be innovative or not is NOT GIVEN.

Question: A manager’s approval of an idea is more persuasive than that of a colleague.

Keywords: manager’s approval, more persuasive

At the end of paragraph 6, research shows that “peer power, used horizontally not vertically, is much more powerful than any boss’s speech.”

–  manager=boss

–  persuasive ~ powerful

–  colleague=peer