IELTS · Part 2 · Cambridge 9 — Test 1
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?: Reading answers
Answers to questions 14–26 (13 in all), each with why it is right.
Sit it first, then check
Read the whole passage and answer in the exam interface, timed as on the day.
The passage opens
Answers 14–26
- 14
Paragraph B
iv: Assumptions underlying the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence Matching headings
Paragraph B describes the ground rules and assumptions used in the search, matching heading iv, “Assumptions underlying the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence.”
“In discussing whether we are alone, most SETI scientists adopt two ground rules.”
- 15
Paragraph C
vii: Likelihood of life on other planets Matching headings
Paragraph C estimates how likely it is that stars have life-bearing planets, matching heading vii, “Likelihood of life on other planets.”
“the best educated guess we can make, using the little we do know about the conditions for carbon-based life, leads us to estimate that perhaps one in 100,000 stars might have a life-bearing planet orbiting it.”
- 16
Paragraph D
i: Seeking the transmission of radio signals from planets Matching headings
Paragraph D explains how SETI searches for radio transmissions, including the frequency range used, matching heading i, “Seeking the transmission of radio signals from planets.”
“all searches to date have concentrated on looking for radio waves in this frequency range.”
- 17
Paragraph E
ii: Appropriate responses to signals from other civilisations Matching headings
Paragraph E discusses whether and when to reply to a detected signal, matching heading ii, “Appropriate responses to signals from other civilisations.”
“There is considerable debate over how we should react if we detect a signal from an alien civilization.”
- 18
What is the life expectancy of Earth?
several billion years Short answer
The question asks for Earth’s life expectancy; the passage gives the lifetime of a planet like Earth as “several billion years.”
“Since the lifetime of a planet like ours is several billion years”
- 19
What kind of signals from other intelligent civilisations are SETI scientists searching for?
radio / radio waves / radio signals Short answer
The question asks what kind of signals SETI scientists seek. The passage says they search for “radio signals” from other intelligent civilisations.
“we search for radio signals from other intelligent civilisations”
- 20
How many stars are the world's most powerful radio telescopes searching?
1000/1000 stars Short answer
The question refers to the targeted search using the large radio telescopes. The passage says it is searching the nearest “1000 likely stars.”
“This part of the project is searching the nearest 1000 likely stars”
- 21
Alien civilisations may be able to help the human race to overcome serious problems.
YES Yes / No / Not Given
The writer says an older civilisation may share experience in dealing with threats such as nuclear war and pollution. This supports the claim that alien civilisations may help humans overcome serious problems.
“It is even possible that the older civilization may pass on the benefits of their experience in dealing with threats to survival such as nuclear war and global pollution”
- 22
SETI scientists are trying to find a life form that resembles humans in many ways.
YES Yes / No / Not Given
The passage says SETI scientists assume they are looking for a life form “pretty well like us,” and describes similarities such as communicating and living on a planet orbiting a Sun-like star. This agrees with the statement that the life form should resemble humans in many ways.
“we are looking for a life form that is pretty well like us”
- 23
The Americans and Australians have co-operated on joint research projects.
NOT GIVEN Yes / No / Not Given
The passage mentions Australian searches using the Parkes telescope and a separate targeted project using American and French telescopes. It does not say whether Americans and Australians have worked together on joint research projects.
- 24
So far SETI scientists have picked up radio signals from several stars.
NO Yes / No / Not Given
The statement says signals have been detected, but the passage explicitly says there have been no detections from the stars searched. The statement contradicts the passage.
“Until now there have not been any detections from the few hundred stars which have been searched.”
- 25
The NASA project attracted criticism from some members of Congress.
NOT GIVEN Yes / No / Not Given
The passage says Congress voted NASA funding for the search, but does not say whether any members of Congress criticised the project. That information is not given.
- 26
If a signal from outer space is received, it will be important to respond promptly.
NO Yes / No / Not Given
The statement says a response should be prompt, but the writer says everyone agrees not to reply immediately. The passage also notes that there is no urgency, so the statement contradicts it.
“Everybody agrees that we should not reply immediately.”
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