Cambridge IELTS 15 – Reading

PART1

Questions: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13

Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD ONLY from the passage in each gap.

(Questions 1-2-3-4)

The nutmeg tree and fruit

the leaves of the tree are 1. in shape

the 2. surrounds the fruit and breaks open when the fruit is ripe

the 3. is used to produce the spice nutmeg

the covering known as the aril is used to produce 4.

the tree has yellow flowers and fruit

Choose TRUE if the statement agrees with the information given in the text, choose FALSE if the statement contradicts the information given in the text, or choose NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this.

(Questions 5-6-7)

5.In the Middle Ages, most Europeans knew where nutmeg was grown

True
False
Not Given

6.The VOC was the world’s first major trading company

True
False
Not Given

7.Following the Treaty of Breda, the Dutch had control of all the islands where nutmeg grew

True
False
Not Given

Complete the table below. Write ONE WORD ONLY from the passage in each gap.

(Questions 8-9-10-11-12-13)

Middle Ages

Nutmeg was brought to Europe by the 8.

16th century

European nations took control of the nutmeg trade

17th century

Demand for nutmeg grew, as it was believed to be effective against the disease known as the 9.

The Dutch
took control of the Banda Islands
restricted nutmeg production to a few areas

put 10. on nutmeg to avoid it being cultivated outside the islands

finally obtained the island of 11. from the British

Late 18th century

1770 – nutmeg plants were secretly taken to 12.

1778 – half the Banda Islands’ nutmeg plantations were destroyed by a 13.

PART2

Questions: 14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22-23-24-25-26

Reading Passage 2 has seven sections, A–G. Which section contains the following information? Choose the correct letter, A–G.

(Questions 14-15-16-17-18)

14.reference to the amount of time when a car is not in use

A
B
C
D
E
F
G

15.mention of several advantages of driverless vehicles for individual road-users

A
B
C
D
E
F
G

16.reference to the opportunity of choosing the most appropriate vehicle for each trip

A
B
C
D
E
F
G

17.an estimate of how long it will take to overcome a number of problems

A
B
C
D
E
F
G

18.a suggestion that the use of driverless cars may have no effect on the number of vehicles manufactured

A
B
C
D
E
F
G

Complete the summary below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage in each gap.

(Questions 19-20-21-22)

The impact of driverless cars

Figures from the Transport Research Laboratory indicate that most motor accidents are partly due to 19. ,so the introduction of driverless vehicles will result in greater safety. In addition to the direct benefits of automation, it may bring other advantages.

For example, schemes for 20. will be more workable, especially in towns and cities, resulting in fewer cars on the road.

According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, there could be a 43 percent drop in 21. of cars.

However, this would mean that the yearly 22. of each car would, on average, be twice as high as it currently is. This would lead to a higher turnover of vehicles, and therefore no reduction in automotive manufacturing.

Choose TWO correct answers.

(Questions 23 – 24)

23-24.Which TWO benefits of automated vehicles does the writer mention?

Car travellers could enjoy considerable cost savings.
It would be easier to find parking spaces in urban areas.
Travellers could spend journeys doing something other than driving

People who find driving physically difficult could travel independently
A reduction in the number of cars would mean a reduction in pollution

Choose TWO correct answers.

(Questions 25 – 26)

25-26.Which TWO challenges to automated vehicle development does the writer mention?

making sure the general public has confidence in automated vehicles
managing the pace of transition from conventional to automated vehicles
deciding how to compensate professional drivers who become redundant

setting up the infrastructure to make roads suitable for automated vehicles
getting automated vehicles to adapt to various different driving conditions

PART3

Questions: 27-28-29-30-31-32-33-34-35-36-37-38-39-40

Choose the correct answer.

(Questions 27-28-29-30-31-32)

27.The writer refers to visitors to New York to illustrate the point that

exploration is an intrinsic element of being human.
most people are enthusiastic about exploring.
exploration can lead to surprising results.
most people find exploration daunting.

28.According to the second paragraph, what is the writer’s view of explorers?

Their discoveries have brought both benefits and disadvantages
Their main value is in teaching others.
They act on an urge that is common to everyone.
They tend to be more attracted to certain professions than to others.

29.The writer refers to a description of Egdon Heath to suggest that

Hardy was writing about his own experience of exploration.
Hardy was mistaken about the nature of exploration.
Hardy's aim was to investigate people's emotional states.
Hardy's aim was to show the attraction of isolation.

30.In the fourth paragraph, the writer refers to ‘a golden age’ to suggest that

the amount of useful information produced by exploration has decreased.
fewer people are interested in exploring than in the 19th century.
recent developments have made exploration less exciting.
we are wrong to think that exploration is no longer necessary.

31.In the sixth paragraph, when discussing the definition of exploration, the writer argues that

people tend to relate exploration to their own professional interests.
certain people are likely to misunderstand the nature of exploration.
the generally accepted definition has changed over time.
historians and scientists have more valid definitions than the general public.

32.In the last paragraph, the writer explains that he is interested in

how someone's personality is reflected in their choice of places to visit.
the human ability to cast new light on places that may be familiar.
how travel writing has evolved to meet changing demands.
the feelings that writers develop about the places that they explore.

Look at the following statements and the list of explorers below. Who said these statements? Choose the correct explorer, with the letter, A–E .

NB You may use any letter more than once

(Questions 33-34-35-36-37)

List of Explorers

A. Peter Fleming
B. Ran Fiennes
C. Chris Bonington
D. Robin Hanbury-Tenison
E. Wilfred Thesiger

He referred to the relevance of the form of transport used.

A
B
C
D
E

34.He described feelings on coming back home after a long journey.

A
B
C
D
E

35.He worked for the benefit of specific groups of people.

A
B
C
D
E

36.He did not consider learning about oneself an essential part of exploration.

A
B
C
D
E

37.He defined exploration as being both unique and of value to others.

A
B
C
D
E

Complete the summary below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage in each gap.

(Questions 38-39-40)

The writer’s own bias

The writer has experience of a large number of 38.

and was the first stranger that certain previously 39. people had encountered.

He believes there is no need for further exploration of Earth’s 40. except to answer specific questions such as how buffalo eat.