Cambridge IELTS 18 Reading Test 2

Part 1 Questions

Questions 1-8

Complete the notes.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.

Stonehenge

Construction
Stage 1:

  • the ditch and henge were dug, possibly using tools made from 1.

  • 2. may have been arranged in deep pits inside the circle

Stage 2:

  • bluestones from the Preseli Hills were placed in standing position
  • theories about the transportation of the bluestones:
           - archaeological:
                      ○ builders used 3. to make sledges and rollers
                      ○ 4. pulled them on giant baskets

            - geological:
                      ○ they were brought from Wales by 5.

Stage 3:

  • sandstone slabs were arranged into an outer crescent or ring

Builders

  • a theory arose in the 17th century that its builders were Celtic 6.

Purpose

  • many experts agree it has been used as a 7. site
  • in the 1960s, it was suggested that it worked as a kind of 8.

Questions 9-13

Choose TRUE if the statement agrees with the information given in the text, choose FALSE if the statement contradicts the information, or choose NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this.

9. During the third phase of construction, sandstone slabs were placed in both the outer areas and the middle of the Stonehenge site.

10. There is scientific proof that the bluestones stood in the same spot until approximately 1600 BCE.

11. John Aubrey’s claim about Stonehenge was supported by 20th-century findings.

12. Objects discovered at Stonehenge seem to indicate that it was constructed by a number of different groups of people.

13. Criticism of Gerald Hawkins’ theory about Stonehenge has come mainly from other astronomers.

Part 2 Questions

Questions 14-19

Choose the correct answer.

14. What point does the writer make about AI in the first paragraph?

15. What is the writer doing in the second paragraph?

16. Why does the writer mention the story of King Midas?

17. What challenge does the writer refer to in the fourth paragraph?

18. What does the writer suggest about the future of AI in the fifth paragraph?

19. Which of the following best summarises the writer’s argument in the sixth paragraph?

Questions 20-23

Choose YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer, choose NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer, or choose NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this.

20. Machines with the ability to make moral decisions may prevent us from promoting the interests of our communities.

21. Silicon police would need to exist in large numbers in order to be effective.

22. Many people are comfortable with the prospect of their independence being restricted by machines.

23. If we want to ensure that machines act in our best interests, we all need to work together.

Questions 24-26

Complete the summary below using the list of words, A-F.
Write the correct letter A-G in the blanks.

A   medical practitioners        B   specialised tasks
C   available resources            D   reduced illness
E   professional authority        F   technology experts

Using AI in the UK health system

AI currently has a limited role in the way 24. are allocated in the health service. The positive aspect of AI having a bigger role is that it would be more efficient and lead to patient benefits. However, such a change would result, for example, in certain 25. not having their current level of 26. . It is therefore important that AI goals are appropriate so that discriminatory practices could be avoided.

Part 3 Questions

Questions 27-33

Choose TRUE if the statement agrees with the information given in the text, choose FALSE if the statement contradicts the information, or choose NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this.

27. People first referred to Leonardo da Vinci as a genius 500 years ago.

28. The current climate crisis is predicted to cause more deaths than the plague.

29. Some of the challenges we face today can be compared to those of earlier times.

30. Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘ideal city’ was constructed in the 15th century.

31. Poor town planning is a major contributor to climate change.

32. In Renaissance times, local people fought against the changes to Pienza and Ferrara.

33. Leonardo da Vinci kept a neat, organised record of his designs.

Questions 34-40

Complete the summary.
Write ONE WORD ONLY from the text in each gap.

Leonardo da Vinci’s ideal city

A collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s paperwork reveals his design of a new city beside the Ticino River. This was to provide better 34. for trade and a less polluted environment. Although Leonardo da Vinci’s city shared many of the ideals of his time, some of his innovations were considered unconventional in their design. They included features that can be seen in some tower blocks today, such as 35. on the exterior of a building.

Leonardo da Vinci wasn’t only an architect. His expertise in 36. was evident in his plans for artificial canals within his ideal city. He also believed that the height of houses should relate to the width of streets in case earthquakes occurred. The design of many cities in Italy today follows this 37. .

While some cities from 38. times have aspects that can also be found in Leonardo’s designs, his ideas weren’t put into practice until long after his  death. 39. is one example of a city that was redesigned in the 19th century in the way that Leonardo had envisaged. His ideas are also relevant to today’s world, where building 40.  no longer seems to be the best approach.