Cambridge IELTS 20 · Academic · Test 3 · Passage 3
Robots and us — IELTS Reading Answers
All 14 answers for Robots and us, Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 3, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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Robots and us 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 Features (Q27–33), Matching Sentence Endings (Q34–36), One Choice (Q37–40). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 27–33: 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.
For our own safety, humans will need to restrict the abilities of robots.
“I think we should ensure that robots remain as no more than "idiot savants" lacking the capacity to outwit us”
Answer A matches the view that robots should stay 'idiot savants' lacking the capacity to outwit us, a deliberate limit for safety.
The risk of robots harming us is less serious than humans believe it to be.
“She believes that as robots have never shown themselves to be a threat to humans, it seems unlikely that they ever will”
Answer C matches the claim that, since robots have never shown themselves a threat, 'it seems unlikely that they ever will'.
It will take many decades for robot intelligence to be as imaginative as human intelligence.
“Expecting a machine close to the creative intelligence of a human within the next 50 years would be highly ambitious”
Answer B fits the forecast that a machine close to human creative intelligence within 50 years 'would be highly ambitious'.
We may have to start considering whether we are treating robots fairly.
“Moral questions then arise. ... Should we feel guilty about exploiting [sophisticated robots]”
Answer A matches the moral question of whether 'we should feel guilty about exploiting sophisticated robots'.
Robots are probably of more help to us on Earth than in space.
“Using robots to gather resources nearer to home would seem to be a better use of our robotic tools.”
Answer B fits the argument that 'using robots to gather resources nearer to home would seem to be a better use of our robotic tools'.
The ideas in high-quality science fiction may prove to be just as accurate as those found in the work of mediocre scientists.
“I sometimes advise students that it's better to read first-rate science fiction than second-rate science more stimulating, and perhaps no more likely to be wrong”
Answer A reflects the advice that 'first-rate science fiction' may be no more likely to be wrong than 'second-rate science'.
There are those who look forward to robots developing greater intelligence.
“Not all fear [robots]; many people welcome machine intelligence”
Answer C matches the observation that 'many people welcome machine intelligence', looking forward to cleverer robots.
Questions 34–36: Matching Sentence Endings
Strategy: Complete the grammar first, then check the meaning. The ending must follow logically from the stem as well as appear in the passage.
Options for Questions 34–36
- Arobots to explore outer space. B. advances made in machine intelligence so far. C. changes made to other planets for our own benefit. D. the harm already done by artificial intelligence.
Richardson and Rees express similar views regarding the ethical aspect of
“I think whether we do something on Earth or on Mars we should always do it in the spirit of a genuine interest in "the Other", not to impose a particular model, but to meet "the Other".”
Both insist on meeting 'the Other' with genuine interest rather than imposing a model, on Earth or Mars, which is option C.
Rees and Wolpert share an opinion about the extent of
“machines can already navigate, remember and search for items with an ability that far outstrips humans”
Both accept that machines 'can already navigate, remember and search for items' far better than humans, the advances option B names.
Wolpert disagrees with Richardson on the question of
“Wolpert's response was to say that we have already seen the damaging effects of artificial intelligence in the form of computer viruses.”
Wolpert cites 'computer viruses' as proof we have 'already seen the damaging effects of artificial intelligence', option D.
Questions 37–40: One Choice
Strategy: Read the question stem and predict the answer before looking at the options. Wrong options often repeat passage words while the correct one paraphrases them.
What point does Richardson make about fear of machines?
- AIt has grown alongside the development of ever more advanced robots.
- BIt is the result of our inclination to attribute human characteristics to non-human entities.correct
- CIt has its origins in basic misunderstandings about how inanimate objects function.
- DIt demonstrates a key difference between human intelligence and machine intelligence.
“Richardson believes that our fear of machines becoming too advanced has more to do with human nature than anything intrinsic to the machines themselves. In her view, it stems from humans' tendency to personify inanimate objects: we create machines based on representations of ourselves,”
Richardson traces fear to 'humans' tendency to personify inanimate objects', attributing human characteristics to machines.
What potential advance does Rees see as a cause for concern?
- Arobots outnumbering people
- Brobots having abilities which humans do not
- Cartificial intelligence developing independent thoughtcorrect
- Dartificial intelligence taking over every aspect of our lives
“And another worry is that we are increasingly dependent on computer networks, and that these could behave like a single “brain” with a mind of its own, and with goals that may be contrary to human welfare”
Rees worries networks 'could behave like a single brain with a mind of its own', which is independent thought.
What does Wolpert emphasize in his response to the question about science fiction?
- Ahow science fiction influences our attitudes to robots
- Bhow fundamental robots are to the science fiction genrecorrect
- Chow the image of robots in science fiction has changed over time
- Dhow reactions to similar portrayals of robots in science fiction may vary
“Interestingly, almost no science fiction envisages a future without robots”
Wolpert notes 'almost no science fiction envisages a future without robots', so robots are fundamental to the genre.
What is Richardson doing in her comment about reality and fantasy?
- Awarning people not to confuse one with the other
- Boutlining ways in which one has impacted on the other
- Crecommending a change of approach in how people view themcorrect
- Dexplaining why scientists have a different perspective on them from other people
“She then explained that the division did not always exist, and that scientists and technologists made this separation because they wanted to carve out the sphere of their work. 'But the divide is not so clear cut, and that is why the worlds seem to collide at times,' she said.”
Richardson says the divide 'is not so clear cut' and 'we need to bring these different understandings together', recommending a change of approach.
Learn the question types in this passage
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Robots and us passage come from?
It is Passage 3 of Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Reading Test 3, and it covers Questions 27–40.
What question types appear in Robots and us?
The passage is tested with Matching Features, Matching Sentence Endings, One Choice. 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.