Cambridge IELTS 11 · Academic · Test 3 · Passage 3
Preface To ‘How The Other Half Thinks: — IELTS Reading Answers
All 14 answers for Preface To ‘How The Other Half Thinks:, Cambridge IELTS 11 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 3, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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Preface To ‘How The Other Half Thinks: answer key at a glance
Questions 27–40. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this passage tests
This passage is tested with Matching Information (Q27–34), Sentence Completion (Q35–40). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 27–34: 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.
a reference to books that assume a lack of mathematical knowledge
“Other scientists have written books to explain their fields to non-scientists, but have necessarily had to omit the mathematics, although it provides the foundation of their theories.”
Paragraph D describes books by scientists that had to omit the mathematics when explaining their fields to non-scientists, writing that assumes no mathematical knowledge.
the way in which this is not a typical book about mathematics
“In that respect, this book differs from most books on mathematics written for the general public.”
Paragraph B explicitly says this book differs from most books on mathematics written for the general public, marking it as atypical.
personal examples of being helped by mathematics
“Lawyers who have studied mathematics can master the legal principles in a way that most others cannot”
Paragraph G's lawyer example shows that studying mathematics helps professional work, a personal example of being helped by the subject.
examples of people who each had abilities that seemed incompatible
“To illustrate our human potential, I cite a structural engineer who is an artist, an electrical engineer who is an opera singer, an opera singer who published mathematical research, and a mathematician who publishes short stories.”
Paragraph C lists a structural engineer who is an artist and an electrical engineer who is an opera singer, people combining seemingly incompatible abilities.
mention of different focuses of books about mathematics
“Some present the lives of colorful mathematicians. Others describe important applications of mathematics. Yet others go into mathematical procedures, but assume that the reader is adept in using algebra.”
Paragraph B surveys books with different focuses: some present mathematicians' lives, others applications, yet others mathematical procedures.
a contrast between reading this book and reading other kinds of publication
“You will turn these pages much more slowly than when reading a novel or a newspaper.”
Paragraph E contrasts the pace of reading this book with reading a novel or a newspaper, a contrast with other publications.
a claim that the whole of the book is accessible to everybody
“Anyone can understand every step in the reasoning.”
Paragraph A's claim that anyone can understand every step in the reasoning is the assertion of universal accessibility.
a reference to different categories of intended readers of this book
“As I wrote, I kept in mind two types of readers”
Paragraph F says the author kept in mind two types of readers, which is a reference to different intended audiences.
Questions 35–40: 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.
“Occasionally, in some difficult musical compositions, there are beautiful, but easy parts – parts so simple a beginner could play them. So it is with mathematics as well.”
The gap names the least skilled musician who could play simple passages; the passage says parts so simple a beginner could play them.
“There are some discoveries in advanced mathematics that do not depend on specialized knowledge, not even on algebra, geometry, or trigonometry. Instead they may involve, at most, a little arithmetic”
The gap names the only mathematical knowledge some discoveries need; the passage says at most a little arithmetic.
“Thus all readers will have the chance to participate in a mathematical experience, to appreciate the beauty of mathematics, and to become familiar with its logical, yet intuitive, style of thinking.”
The gap pairs with logical to describe mathematics' thinking style; the passage says its logical, yet intuitive, style of thinking.
“Other scientists have written books to explain their fields to non-scientists, but have necessarily had to omit the mathematics, although it provides the foundation of their theories.”
The gap names the authors who omitted mathematics when explaining their fields; the passage says other scientists wrote such books.
“It may help to have a pencil and paper ready to check claims and carry out experiments.”
The gap names what readers may do with pencil and paper; the passage says they may check claims and carry out experiments.
“I attribute much of my success there to having learned, through the study of mathematics, and, in particular, theorems, how to analyze complicated principles.”
The gap names the specific mathematical study credited for analytical skill; the passage says in particular theorems.
Learn the question types in this passage
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Preface To ‘How The Other Half Thinks: passage come from?
It is Passage 3 of Cambridge IELTS 11 Academic Reading Test 3, and it covers Questions 27–40.
What question types appear in Preface To ‘How The Other Half Thinks:?
The passage is tested with Matching Information, 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.