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Reading answers with explanations

IELTS · Part 3 · Cambridge 11 — Test 4

'This Marvellous Invention': 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.

Practise this part

The passage opens

A Of all mankind's manifold creations, language must take pride of place.Other inventions - the wheel, agriculture, sliced bread - may have transformed our material existence, but the advent of language is what made us human.Compared to language, all other inventions pale in significance, since everything we have ever achieved depends on language and originates from it.Without language, we could never have embarked on our ascent to unparalleled power over all other animals, and even over nature itself. B But language is foremost not just because it came first.In its own right it is a tool of extraordinary sophistication, yet based on an idea of ingenious simplicity: "this marvellous…

Answers 27–40

  1. 27

    Paragraph A

    vi: Why language is the most important invention of all Matching headings

  2. 28

    Paragraph B

    iv: Apparently incompatible characteristics of language Matching headings

  3. 29

    Paragraph C

    ii: The way in which a few sounds are organised to convey a huge range of Meaning Matching headings

  4. 30

    Paragraph D

    vii: The universal ability to use language Matching headings

  5. 31

    Paragraph E

    i: Differences between languages highlight their impressiveness$ Matching headings

  6. 32

    Paragraph F

    v: Even silence can be meaningful Matching headings

  7. 33

    E: material Summary completion (word list)

  8. 34

    G: fundamental Summary completion (word list)

  9. 35

    B: complex Summary completion (word list)

  10. 36

    F: easy Summary completion (word list)

  11. 37

    Human beings might have achieved their present position without language.

    NO Yes / No / Not Given

  12. 38

    The Port-Royal grammarians did justice to the nature of language.

    YES Yes / No / Not Given

  13. 39

    A complex idea can be explained more clearly in a sentence than in a single word.

    NOT GIVEN Yes / No / Not Given

  14. 40

    The Sumerians were responsible for starting the recording of events.

    YES Yes / No / Not Given

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