Cambridge IELTS 18 · Academic · Test 3 · Passage 1
Materials To Take Us Beyond Concrete — IELTS Reading Answers
All 13 answers for Materials To Take Us Beyond Concrete, Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 1, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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Materials To Take Us Beyond Concrete answer key at a glance
Questions 1–13. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this passage tests
This passage is tested with Matching Information (Q1–4), Summary Completion (Q5–8), Matching Features (Q9–13). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 1–4: Matching Information
Strategy: Scan for the idea, not the exact words. The answer is a paragraph letter, and one paragraph may be used more than once unless the instructions say otherwise.
an explanation of the industrial processes that create potential raw materials for concrete
“Iron-ore slag, a byproduct of the iron-ore smelting process, can be used in a similar way”
Paragraph G explains that 'iron-ore slag, a byproduct of the iron-ore smelting process' can be used similarly, an industrial process creating a raw material.
a reference to the various locations where high-rise wooden buildings can be found
“Vancouver, Vienna and Brumunddal in Norway are all home to constructed tall, wooden buildings.”
Paragraph D names the locations: 'Vancouver, Vienna and Brumunddal in Norway are all home to constructed tall, wooden buildings'.
an indication of how widely available the raw materials of concrete are
“Not only are the ingredients of concrete relatively cheap and found in abundance in most places around the globe”
Paragraph C says concrete's ingredients are 'relatively cheap and found in abundance in most places around the globe', showing wide availability.
the belief that more high-rise wooden buildings are needed before wood can be regarded as a viable construction material
“But even treated wood has its limitations and only when a wider range of construction projects has been proven in practice will it be possible to see wood as a real alternative to concrete in constructing tall buildings.”
Paragraph F argues wood can be seen as a real alternative only when 'a wider range of construction projects has been proven in practice'.
Questions 5–8: 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.
“but climate change is driving architects to turn to treated timber as a possible resource.”
The gap needs the professionals turning to timber; 'climate change is driving architects to turn to treated timber' answers it.
“Wood expands as it absorbs moisture from the air and is susceptible to pests, not to mention fire.”
The gap needs what wood absorbs to expand; 'Wood expands as it absorbs moisture from the air' supplies 'moisture'.
“n adhesive is used to stick layers of solid-sawn timber together, crosswise, to form building blocks.”
The gap needs what the adhesive sticks together; 'stick layers of solid-sawn timber together, crosswise' gives 'layers'.
“Construction experts say that wooden buildings can be constructed at a greater speed than ones of concrete and steel and the process, it seems, is quieter.”
The gap needs the advantage over concrete; wooden buildings can be built 'at a greater speed', so 'speed'.
Questions 9–13: 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.
The environmental advantage of cement alternatives may not be as great as initially assumed.
“If they are transported over long distances, using fossil fuels, the use of alternative materials might not make sense from an overall carbon reduction perspective.”
Alternatives transported 'over long distances, using fossil fuels' may not 'make sense from an overall carbon reduction perspective', so the benefit is less than assumed, C.
It would be hard to create a construction alternative to concrete that offers so many comparable benefits.
“The problem with replacing concrete is that it is so very good at what it does. Chris Cheeseman”
Chris Cheeseman says 'The problem with replacing concrete is that it is so very good at what it does', meaning its benefits are hard to match, so A.
Worries about the environment have led to increased interest in wood as a construction material.
“with climate change concerns the key driver.”
The growth in timber building is attributed to environmental concern, 'with climate change concerns the key driver', so B.
Expense has been a factor in the negative response to the development of new cements.
“At present, these alternatives are rarely as cost-effective as conventional cement, and they face raw-material shortages and resistance from customers.”
The text notes that new cements 'are rarely as cost-effective as conventional cement', so expense drives the negative response, so D.
The environmental damage caused by concrete is due to it being produced in large quantities.
“But it is the scale on which it is used that makes it high carbon. The sheer scale of manufacture is so huge, that is the issue”
'it is the scale on which it is used that makes it high carbon', so the damage comes from the sheer volume produced, so A.
Learn the question types in this passage
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Materials To Take Us Beyond Concrete passage come from?
It is Passage 1 of Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Reading Test 3, and it covers Questions 1–13.
What question types appear in Materials To Take Us Beyond Concrete?
The passage is tested with Matching Information, Summary Completion, Matching Features. 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.