Cambridge IELTS 12 · General Training · Test 1 · Section 3
A Brief History Of Automata — IELTS Reading Answers
All 13 answers for A Brief History Of Automata, Cambridge IELTS 12 General Training Reading Test 1 Section 3, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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A Brief History Of Automata answer key at a glance
Questions 28–40. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this section tests
This section is tested with Summary Completion (Q28–30), Matching Features (Q31–35), Sentence Completion (Q36–40). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 28–30: Summary Completion
Strategy: Read the summary as a paragraph first to establish the logic, then locate the missing idea in the passage. With a lettered list, confirm the grammar fits.
“Several myths show that the ancient Greeks were interested in the creation of automata”
The gap is what shows early Greek interest: 'Several myths show that the ancient Greeks were interested in the creation of automata'.
“These were probably activated by levers and powered by human action”
The gap is what may have activated the devices: 'These were probably activated by levers and powered by human action'.
“Automata were sometimes intended as toys, or as tools for demonstrating basic scientific principles”
The gap is what automata could demonstrate: 'Automata were sometimes intended as toys, or as tools for demonstrating basic scientific principles'.
Questions 31–35: Matching Features
Strategy: Match the statement to the named person or thing. Names can repeat, so check each option against what that person actually says.
created an automaton that represented a bird in water interacting with its surroundings
“In another well-known piece, Merlin’s silver swan made in 1773, the swan sits in a stream consisting of glass rods where small silver fish are swimming”
Person F, Merlin: 'Merlin's silver swan ... sits in a stream consisting of glass rods where small silver fish are swimming', a bird in water.
created an automaton that performed on a musical instrument
“He also made a life-size female flute player. Air passes through the complex mechanism, causing the lips and fingers of the player to move naturally on the flute, opening and closing holes on it. This automaton had a repertoire of twelve tunes.”
Person E made 'a life-size female flute player' whose 'lips and fingers ... move naturally on the flute', an automaton playing an instrument.
produced documents about how to create automata
“Much later, Arab engineers of the ninth and thirteenth centuries wrote detailed treatises on how to build programmable musical fountains, mechanical servants, and elaborate clocks”
Person B: 'Arab engineers of the ninth and thirteenth centuries wrote detailed treatises on how to build programmable musical fountains', instructional documents.
created automata which required a human being to operate the mechanism
“Maillardet made extensive use of gearing and cogs to produce automata of horses, worked by turning a handle”
Person D, Maillardet, made 'automata of horses, worked by turning a handle', so a person had to operate the mechanism.
used air and water power
“In Egypt, Ctesibius experimented with air pressure and pneumatic principles. One of his creations was a singing blackbird powered by water”
Person A, Ctesibius, 'experimented with air pressure' and built 'a singing blackbird powered by water', using both air and water.
Questions 36–40: Sentence Completion
Strategy: Find the stem's keyword in the passage, then complete the sentence with the exact words the grammar requires, within the word limit.
“Another stunning creation of the eighteenth century was the Mechanical Theatre in the grounds of Austria's Hellbrunn Palace, home of the Archbishop of Salzburg”
The gap is the building the Mechanical Theatre stands beside: it lies 'in the grounds of Austria's Hellbrunn Palace'.
“A total of 141 mobile and 52 immobile little figures demonstrate all manner of trades of the period: building workers bring materials to the foreman, who drinks; butchers slaughter an ox; a barber shaves a man”
The gap is what the figures demonstrate: 'all manner of trades of the period', from building work to butchery and barbering.
“The theatre shows great skill in clock making and water technology, consisting of hidden waterwheels, copper wiring and cogwheels”
The gap is the power source: the theatre relies on 'water technology, consisting of hidden waterwheels'.
“During the nineteenth century, mass production techniques meant that automata could be made cheaply and easily”
The gap is what made automata cheap: 'mass production techniques meant that automata could be made cheaply and easily'.
“During the nineteenth century, mass production techniques meant that automata could be made cheaply and easily, and they became toys for children rather than an expensive adult amusement”
The gap is who the toys were made for: automata 'became toys for children rather than an expensive adult amusement'.
Learn the question types in this section
Frequently asked questions
Where does the A Brief History Of Automata passage come from?
It is Section 3 of Cambridge IELTS 12 General Training Reading Test 1, and it covers Questions 28–40.
What question types appear in A Brief History Of Automata?
The section is tested with Summary Completion, Matching Features, Sentence Completion. Each type is explained on this page, alongside the answers.
Are these reading answers reliable?
Every answer is paired with the sentence that proves it, so you can check each one against the passage yourself. Use the page after a timed attempt, not instead of one.
Cambridge IELTS is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Band9Prep is not affiliated with Cambridge. This page is an independent study aid: it gives the answer key, the passage evidence and an explanation so you can review an attempt you have already made.