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Reading answers with explanations

IELTS · Part 3 · Cambridge 18 — Test 4

Alfred Wegener: science, exploration and the theory of continental drift: Reading answers

Answers to questions 27–40 (14 in all), each with why it is right.

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Read the whole passage and answer in the exam interface, timed as on the day.

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The passage opens

by Mott T Greene Introduction This is a book about the life and scientific work of Alfred Wegener, whose reputation today rests with his theory of continental displacements, better known as 'continental drift'.Wegener proposed this theory in 1912 and developed it extensively for nearly 20 years.His book on the subject, "The Origin of Continents and Oceans", went through four editions and was the focus of an international controversy in his lifetime and for some years after his death. Wegener's basic idea was that many mysteries about the Earth's history could be solved if one supposed that the continents moved laterally, rather than supposing that they remained fixed in place.Wegener showed…

Answers 27–40

  1. 27

    Wegener's ideas about continental drift were widely disputed while he was alive.

    YES Yes / No / Not Given

  2. 28

    The idea that the continents remained fixed in place was defended in a number of respected scientific publications.

    NOT GIVEN Yes / No / Not Given

  3. 29

    Wegener relied on a limited range of scientific fields to support his theory of continental drift.

    NO Yes / No / Not Given

  4. 30

    The similarities between Wegener's theory of continental drift and modern-day plate tectonics are enormous.

    NO Yes / No / Not Given

  5. 31

    I: biographer's perspective Summary completion (word list)

  6. 32

    F: professional interests Summary completion (word list)

  7. 33

    A: modest fame Summary completion (word list)

  8. 34

    C: record-breaking achievement Summary completion (word list)

  9. 35

    H: hazardous exploration Summary completion (word list)

  10. 36

    E: select group Summary completion (word list)

  11. 37

    What is Mott T Greene doing in the fifth paragraph?

    B: explaining why it is desirable to read the whole book Multiple choice

  12. 38

    What is said about Wegener in the sixth paragraph?

    A: He was not a particularly ambitious person. Multiple choice

  13. 39

    What does Greene say about some other famous scientists?

    D: They are easier subjects to write about than Wegener. Multiple choice

  14. 40

    What is Greene's main point in the final paragraph?

    C: People have little control over many aspects of their lives. Multiple choice

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