top of page

Cambridge IELTS Academic 4 Reading Test 2 Answers with Explanation / IELTS Academic Reading: Cambridge 4 Test 2 Answer / Cambridge IELTS 4 Reading Test 2 Answers with Explanation

Writer: Fakhruddin BabarFakhruddin Babar

READING PASSAGE 1

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

Lost of Words

 

Question

Answer

Keywords

Location

Text

1

isolation

approximately 6,800 languages, great variety of languages, largely, as a result, geographical

Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3

"Isolation breeds linguistic diversity: as a result, the world is peppered with languages spoken by only a few people."

2

(economic) globalization / globalisation / socio-economic pressures

today’s world, government initiatives, contributing, huge decrease, numbers of languages

Paragraph 5

"Salikoko Mufwene, who chairs the Linguistics department at the University of Chicago, argues that the deadliest weapon is not government policy but economic globalisation."

3

cultural identity

one factor, may help, ensure, endangered languages, do not die out completely, people’s increasing appreciation of

Paragraph 7

"But a growing interest in cultural identity may prevent the direst predictions from coming true."

4

traditional skill

encouraged, programmes of language classes, children, ‘apprentice’ schemes, endangered language, used, as, medium of instruction, teach people

Paragraph 7

"Volunteer ‘apprentices’ pair up with one of the last living speakers of a Native American tongue to learn a traditional skill such as basket weaving, with instruction exclusively in the endangered language."

Question

Answer

Keywords

Location

Text

5

E (Doug Whalen)

endangered languages, cannot be saved, unless, people learn, speak, more than one language

Paragraph 7, Lines 1-3

"‘The key to fostering diversity is for people to learn their ancestral tongue, as well as the dominant language,’ says Doug Whalen, founder, and president of the Endangered Language Fund in New Haven, Connecticut."

6

B (Salikoko Mufwene)

saving languages, from extinction, not, satisfactory goal

Paragraph 7, Lines 5-7

"But Mufwene says that preventing a language dying out is not the same as giving it new life by using it every day. ‘Preserving a language is more like preserving fruits in a jar,’ he says."

7

D (Mark Pagel)

the way we think, may be determined, by our language

Paragraph 6, Lines 7-9

"Pagel says, and this could affect our thoughts and perceptions. ‘The patterns and connections we make among various concepts may be structured by the linguistic habits of our community.’"

8

C (Nicholas Ostler)

young people, often reject, established way of life, their community

Paragraph 4, Lines 3-5

"People lose faith in their culture,’ he says. ‘When the next generation reaches their teens, they might not want to be induced into the old traditions.’"

9

B (Salikoko Mufwene)

a change of language, may mean, loss of traditional culture

Paragraph 6, Lines 4-6

"If a person shifts from Navajo to English, they lose something,’ Mufwene says."

10

NO

Navajo language, will die out, because, currently has, too few speakers

Paragraph 1, Line 6; Paragraph 3, Lines 1-2

"Not surprisingly, linguists doubt that any native speakers of Navajo will remain in a hundred years’ time." / "Navajo is considered endangered despite having 150,000 speakers."

11

YES

A large number of native speakers, fails to guarantee, survival of a language

Paragraph 3, Lines 1-3

"What makes a language endangered is not just the number of speakers, but how old they are."

12

NOT GIVEN

national governments, could do more, protect endangered languages

Paragraph 5, Lines 1-2

"The change is not always voluntary. Quite often, governments try to kill off a minority language by banning its use in public or discouraging its use in schools, all to promote national unity."

13

YES

loss of linguistic diversity, inevitable

Paragraph 7, Line 1

"So despite linguists’ best efforts, many languages will disappear over the next century."

 

 



READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 15–26, which are based on Reading Passage 2 .


ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN AUSTRALIA

Question No.

Answer

Keywords

Location

Explanation

14

C (They have been reluctant to accept alternative therapists.)

traditionally, how, Australian doctors, differed, Western countries

Paragraph 1, first lines: "Australia has been unusual in the Western world in having a very conservative attitude to natural or alternative therapies."

The conservative attitude to alternative therapies shows reluctance to accept them.

15

B (consulted alternative therapists more often than doctors.)

1990, Americans

Paragraph 1, lines 8-9: "Americans made more visits to alternative therapist than to orthodox doctors in 1990."

The statement indicates that Americans preferred alternative therapists to doctors in 1990.

16

YES

Australians, turning to, alternative therapies, increasing numbers, over past 20 years

Paragraph 2, lines 1-2: "Popularity of alternative therapies...climb steadily during the past 20 years."

The statement matches the claim in the text about the increasing popularity of alternative therapies in Australia.

17

NO

between 1983 and 1990, numbers of patients, visiting alternative therapists, rose, further 8% of population

Paragraph 2, lines 2-5: "By 1990, this figure had risen to 2.6% of the population."

The actual rise was 0.7%, not 8%, contradicting the question.

18

YES

1990 survey, related to 550,000 consultations, alternative therapists

Paragraph 2, lines 5-7: "The 550,000 consultations with alternative therapists reported in the 1990 survey..."

The survey number matches the question.

19

YES

in the past, Australians, had, higher opinion of doctors, than today

Paragraph 2, final lines: "The high standing of professionals, including doctors, has been eroded..."

This implies Australians had a higher opinion of doctors in the past.

20

YES

some Australian doctors, retraining in, alternative therapies

Paragraph 3, first lines: "Increasing numbers of Australian doctors...taking courses themselves..."

This matches the claim that Australian doctors are retraining in alternative therapies.

21

NOT GIVEN

alternative therapists, earn, higher salaries, than doctors

Paragraph 3, line 4: "Part of the incentive was financial..."

The passage does not compare earnings between therapists and doctors.

22

NO

1993 Sydney survey, involved, 289 patients, visited, alternative therapists, acupuncture treatment

Paragraph 4, first lines: "These practices offered a wide range of alternative therapies..."

The survey involved a variety of therapies, not just acupuncture.

23

YES

all the patients, 1993 Sydney survey, had, long-term medical complaints

Paragraph 4, lines 3-4: "Those surveyed had experience chronic illnesses..."

This matches the claim about long-term medical complaints in the survey.

24

emotional / emotional problems

medical complaints, patients, visiting therapists, musculo-skeletal, digestive

Paragraph 5, lines 1-4: "18% of patients visiting alternative therapists...suffer from emotional problems."

The survey data about emotional problems is confirmed.

25

headache / headaches

medical complaints, patients, visiting therapists, respiratory, candida, general health maintenance

Paragraph 5, lines 4-7: "Headache sufferers represent 6% of patients..."

This matches the survey data about headache sufferers.

26

general ill health

medical complaints, patients, visiting therapists, respiratory, candida, general health maintenance

Paragraph 5, lines 4-7: "Those complaining of general ill health represent 5% of patients."

This matches the survey data about patients seeking treatment for general ill health.





READING PASSAGE 3

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


PLAY IS A SERIOUS BUSINESS


Question No.

Answer

Keywords

Location

Explanation

27

H

the way, play causes, unusual connections, brain, beneficial

Paragraph H (Lines 6-10)

The author mentions that play allows link-ups between brain areas that might not normally communicate, enhancing creativity.

28

F

insights, recording, how much time, young animals spend, playing

Paragraph F (First lines)

Byers discusses the timing of the playful stage in young animals, providing insights into the significance of play.

29

A

description, physical hazards, can accompany, play

Paragraph A (Lines 4-7)

The author describes how play can cost animals their lives and consume energy, mentioning the physical hazards involved.

30

H

description, mental activities, exercised, developed, during play

Paragraph H (Lines 1-2)

Bekoff talks about how more of the brain is involved in play, activating higher cognitive processes, which shows the mental activities exercised during play.

31

I

possible effects, reduction, play opportunities, will have, on humans

Paragraph F (Final lines)

The author discusses how schooling becoming more exam-oriented may reduce play opportunities, with uncertain effects.

32

B

classes of animals, for which, play, important

Paragraph B (Lines 3-4)

The author mentions that playfulness is common among mammals and some larger-brained birds, describing the classes of animals for which play is important.

33-35

A, C, F

an activity assisting organ growth, a rehearsal for later adult activities, an activity intended to build up strength for adulthood

Paragraph B (Lines 2-8)

The author presents multiple views on play, including its role in building big brains, rehearsing adult activities, and building strength for adulthood.

36

B

Robert Barton

Paragraph E (Lines 5-8)

Barton discusses how large brains require more play to help with development, particularly in relation to environmental data during development.

37

G

Marc Bekoff

Paragraph G (End)

Bekoff compares play to a behavioral kaleidoscope, where animals engage in various activities, demonstrating a wide range of activities combined during play.

38

E

John Byers

Paragraph C (Lines 2-5)

Byers explains that play tends to peak halfway through the suckling stage and then decline, showing that play is not just fitness training for the future.

39

D

Sergio Pellis

Paragraph E (First lines)

Pellis's research links brain size to playfulness among mammals, suggesting that mammals with smaller brains tend to play less.

40

H

Stephen Siviy

Paragraph H (Lines 6-8)

Siviy studies how play affects brain chemicals, particularly those involved in nerve cell stimulation, linking a specific substance in the brain to play.


 







 
 
 

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
© Copyright

Blog Categories

© Copyright©©
Subscribe Form

Thanks for submitting!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr Social Icon
  • Instagram

CONTACT

Doha,Qatar

Mobile: 0097430986217

©2025 by babarenglish

bottom of page