IELTS · Part 3 · Cambridge 9 — Test 2
The Development of Museums: Reading answers
Answers to questions 27–40 (14 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 27–40
- 27
Paragraph B
ii: Mixed views on current changes to museums Matching headings
Paragraph B presents both criticism of the new experiential displays and evidence of their popularity. This matches the heading “Mixed views on current changes to museums.”
“Such developments have been criticized as an intolerable vulgarization, but the success of many historical theme parks and similar locations suggests that the majority of the public does not share this opinion.”
- 28
Paragraph C
vi: Fewer differences between public attractions Matching headings
Paragraph C says that the distinction between these attractions is disappearing, as they borrow ideas from one another. This matches “Fewer differences between public attractions.”
“the sharp distinction between museum and heritage sites on the one hand, and theme parks on the other, is gradually evaporating.”
- 29
Paragraph D
i: Commercial pressures on people in charge Matching headings
Paragraph D explains that museums and heritage sites face competition for visitors, creating commercial pressure. This matches “Commercial pressures on people in charge.”
“they are also operating in a very competitive environment, where visitors make choices on how and where to spend their free time.”
- 30
Paragraph E
iii: Interpreting the facts to meet visitor expectations Matching headings
Paragraph E describes exhibits that are altered to fit public perceptions, so they reveal present-day beliefs more than historical facts. This matches “Interpreting the facts to meet visitor expectations.”
“Such presentations tell us more about contemporary perceptions of the world than about our ancestors.”
- 31
Compared with today's museums, those of the past
B: were not primarily intended for the public. Multiple choice
Past museums were described as being intended for scientific researchers, not primarily for ordinary members of the public. This supports option B.
“The content and format of explanations dated back to a time when the museum was the exclusive domain of the scientific researcher.”
- 32
According to the writer, current trends in the heritage industry
A: emphasise personal involvement. Multiple choice
The passage says modern heritage displays aim to give visitors an exciting experience involving the senses. This supports option A, “emphasise personal involvement.”
“The key word in heritage display is now 'experience', the more exciting the better and if possible, involving all the senses.”
- 33
The writer says that museums, heritage sites and theme parks
D: are less easy to distinguish than before. Multiple choice
The writer says the distinction between these attractions is gradually disappearing. This supports option D: they are less easy to distinguish than before.
“the sharp distinction between museum and heritage sites on the one hand, and theme parks on the other, is gradually evaporating.”
- 34
The writer says that in preparing exhibits for museums, experts
D: have to balance conflicting priorities. Multiple choice
Experts must make exhibits both evidence-based and attractive to visitors, which are competing priorities. This supports option D.
“they must steer a narrow course between the demands of 'evidence' and 'attractiveness'”
- 35
In paragraph E, the writer suggests that some museum exhibits
C: reveal more about present beliefs than about the past. Multiple choice
The exhibits described are shaped by present-day perceptions, so they reveal more about current beliefs than the past. This supports option C.
“Such presentations tell us more about contemporary perceptions of the world than about our ancestors.”
- 36
The passage ends by noting that our view of history is biased because
B: only very durable objects remain from the past. Multiple choice
The passage says durable buildings survive more often than ordinary homes, so the remaining evidence overrepresents certain kinds of life. This supports option B.
“Castles, palaces and cathedrals have a longer lifespan than the dwellings of ordinary people.”
- 37
Consumers prefer theme parks which avoid serious issues.
FALSE True / False / Not Given
The statement says consumers prefer parks that avoid serious issues, but the passage says theme parks are moving towards presenting such issues. Therefore, the statement is FALSE.
“Theme parks are undergoing other changes, too, as they try to present more serious social and cultural issues, and move away from fantasy.”
- 38
More people visit museums than theme parks.
NOT GIVEN True / False / Not Given
The passage gives no comparison of the numbers of people who visit museums and theme parks. It neither confirms nor contradicts the statement, so the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 39
The boundaries of Leyden have changed little since the seventeenth century.
FALSE True / False / Not Given
The statement says Leyden’s boundaries changed little, but the passage says the seventeenth-century walled area was more than five times smaller than the modern town. Therefore, the statement is FALSE.
“people lived within the walled town, an area more than five times smaller than modern Leyden.”
- 40
Museums can give a false impression of how life used to be.
TRUE True / False / Not Given
The passage says museum evidence can make the past seem better than it was because of bias in how it is represented. This confirms that museums can give a false impression, so the statement is TRUE.
“This notion is induced by the bias in its representation in museums and heritage centers.”
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