An inquiry into the existence of the gifted child — IELTS Reading Answers

“Let us start by looking at a modern ‘genius’, Maryam Mirzakhani, who died at the early age of 40. She was the only woman to win the Fields Medal – the mathematical equivalent of a Nobel prize.”

The gap needs what identifies Mirzakhani, and the text offers the Fields Medal, 'the mathematical equivalent of a Nobel prize', carried by option H.

“Mirzakhani was born in Tehran, Iran. She went to a highly selective girls’ school but maths wasn’t her interest – reading was.”

The gap needs her birthplace, and the text says 'Mirzakhani was born in Tehran, Iran', a capital city matching option A.

“As for maths, she did rather poorly at it for the first couple of years in her middle school, but became interested when her elder brother told her about what he’d learned. He shared a famous maths problem from a magazine that fascinated her and she was hooked.”

Her interest began when 'her elder brother told her about what he'd learned', so option C carries the brother idea.

“In adult life it is clear that she was curious, excited by what she did and also resolute in the face of setbacks”

In adult life she was 'resolute in the face of setbacks', so option B carries the determination idea.

“One of her comments sums it up. ‘Of course, the most rewarding part is the “Aha” moment, the excitement of discovery and enjoyment of understanding something new”

She calls 'the Aha moment' the most rewarding part, so option J carries the excitement of discovery.

“That trail took her to the heights of original research into mathematics.”

Her trail 'took her to the heights of original research into mathematics', so option I carries that achievement.

Many people who ended up winning prestigious intellectual prizes only reached an average standard when young.

“Most Nobel prize winners were unexceptional in childhood. Einstein was slow to talk as a baby. He failed the general part of the entry test to Zurich Polytechnic – though they let him in because of high physics and maths scores.”

'Most Nobel prize winners were unexceptional in childhood', and Einstein 'was slow to talk' and failed an entry test.

Einstein's failures as a young man were due to his lack of confidence.

“He failed the general part of the entry test to Zurich Polytechnic – though they let him in because of high physics and maths scores. He struggled at work initially, but he kept plugging away and eventually rewrote the laws of Newtonian mechanics with his theory of relativity.”

The passage records Einstein's failures but never attributes them to a lack of confidence.

It is difficult to reach agreement on whether some children are actually born gifted.

“While the jury is out on giftedness being innate and other factors potentially making the difference, what is certain is that the behaviours associated with high levels of performance are replicable and most can be taught – even traits such as curiosity.”

'The jury is out on giftedness being innate', meaning experts still disagree about whether children are born gifted.

Einstein was upset by the public's view of his life's work.

“He struggled at work initially, but he kept plugging away and eventually rewrote the laws of Newtonian mechanics with his theory of relativity.”

Nothing is said about how the public viewed Einstein's work or whether this upset him.

Einstein put his success down to the speed at which he dealt with scientific questions.

“He once wrote: ‘It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer. Most people say it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character.’”

Einstein wrote 'it's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer', crediting persistence rather than speed.

What does Eyre believe is needed for children to equal ’gifted’ standards?

1. Astrict discipline from the teaching staff
2. Bassistance from their peers in the classroom
3. Cthe development of a spirit of inquiry towards their studiescorrect
4. Dthe determination to surpass everyone else’s achievements

“According to my colleague Prof Deborah Eyre, with whom I’ve collaborated on the book Great Minds and How to Grow Them, the latest neuroscience and psychological research suggests most individuals can reach levels of performance associated in school with the gifted and talented.”

Eyre says children must be taught 'the right attitudes and approaches to their learning' and develop 'curiosity', a spirit of inquiry.

What is the result of Ericsson’s research?

1. AVery gifted students do not need to work on improving memory skills.
2. BBeing born with a special gift is not the key factor in becoming expert.correct
3. CIncluding time for physical exercise is crucial in raising performance.
4. D10,000 hours of relevant and demanding work will create a genius.

“After research going back to 1980 into diverse achievements, from music to memory to sport, he doesn’t think unique and innate talents are at the heart of performance.”

Ericsson 'doesn't think unique and innate talents are at the heart of performance', so a birth-given gift is not the key factor.

In the penultimate paragraph, it is stated the key to some deprived children's success is

1. Aa regular and nourishing diet at home.
2. Bthe loving support of more than one parent.
3. Ca community which has well-funded facilities for learning.
4. Dthe guidance of someone who recognises the benefits of learning.correct

“Interviews uncovered strong evidence of an adult or adults in the child’s life who valued and supported education, either in the immediate or extended family or in the child’s wider community.”

Success traced to 'an adult or adults in the child's life who valued and supported education', guidance from someone who values learning.