Cambridge 20 Test 2 Reading Answers & Explanations

This post provides complete answers and clear explanations for Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Reading Test 2.

Each answer includes:

• Strategy
• Keywords
• Exact paragraph and line location
• Explanation
• Correct answer

> Location note: The locations below refer to the relevant passage paragraph and source line range so you can find the evidence quickly.

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How This Guide Is Structured

Strategy

The strategy explains the most effective method for solving each IELTS Reading question type.

Keywords

Keywords are the important words and phrases that help you locate the relevant part of the passage.

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Each explanation identifies the relevant passage, paragraph and line range containing the evidence.

Explanation

The explanation shows how the question matches, paraphrases or contradicts the passage.

Correct Answer

The correct answer appears only after the explanation.

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Reading Passage 1

Manatees

Questions 1–6: Note Completion

Strategy

For note-completion questions:

1. Read all the notes before scanning the passage.
2. Predict whether the missing answer should be a noun, adjective or number.
3. Identify keywords around each blank.
4. Scan for matching information and paraphrases.
5. Copy the exact word from the passage.
6. Follow the word limit carefully.

The instruction says:

Choose ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

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Question 1

Manatees look similar to dugongs, but have a differently shaped ______.

Keywords

manatees, dugongs, differently shaped, appearance

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 1, lines 5–8

Explanation

The passage says manatees and dugongs are similar in size, colour and shape.

However, their tails are different:

• the manatee has a broad, rounded tail;
• the dugong has a fluked tail.

The question asks for the body part with a different shape.

So, the answer is: tail

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Question 2

Manatees need to use their ______ to turn their bodies around in order to look sideways.

Keywords

turn body, look sideways, movement

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 2, lines 11–14

Explanation

A manatee cannot turn its head from side to side because of its short neck.

To look left or right, it must turn its entire body and steer using its flippers.

Here:

• turn their bodies around = turn the entire body
• steering with = use to turn

So, the answer is: flippers

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Question 3

Manatees sense vibrations in the water by means of ______ on their skin.

Keywords

sense vibrations, water, skin

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 2, lines 16–18

Explanation

The passage says manatees have hairs covering parts of their bodies.

These hairs help them sense vibrations in the surrounding water.

So, the answer is: hairs

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Question 4

Manatees eat mainly aquatic vegetation such as ______.

Keywords

diet, aquatic vegetation, plants

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 3, lines 19–22

Explanation

The passage says seagrasses and other marine plants make up most of a manatee’s diet.

Therefore, the example of aquatic vegetation required by the question is seagrasses.

So, the answer is: seagrasses

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Question 5

Manatees grasp and pull up plants with their ______.

Keywords

grasp, pull plants, feeding

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 4, lines 23–27

Explanation

Instead of using incisors to grasp food, manatees use their lips.

The passage compares their lips to a pair of hands that help tear food away from the seafloor.

Here:

• grasp and pull up plants = tear food away
• The body part used is the lips.

So, the answer is: lips

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Question 6

Manatees may regulate the ______ of their bodies by storing air internally.

Keywords

regulate body, diaphragm, store air

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 5, lines 28–36

Explanation

The passage suggests that manatees use their muscular diaphragm and breathing to adjust their buoyancy.

They may store gas internally to help themselves float.

Here:

• regulate = adjust
• The property being adjusted is buoyancy.

So, the answer is: buoyancy

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Questions 7–13: TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN

Strategy

For this question type:

• Choose TRUE when the statement agrees with the passage.
• Choose FALSE when the passage gives opposite information.
• Choose NOT GIVEN when the passage does not provide enough information.

Pay special attention to comparisons, predictions and changes over time.

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Question 7

West Indian manatees can be found in a variety of different aquatic habitats.

Keywords

West Indian manatee, different habitats, aquatic

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 6, lines 37–44

Explanation

The passage says West Indian manatees move between fresh and salt water and use several habitats, including:

• coastal mangroves;
• coral reefs;
• rivers;
• lakes;
• inland lagoons.

This clearly describes a wide variety of aquatic environments.

So, the answer is: TRUE

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Question 8

The Florida manatee lives in warmer waters than the Antillean manatee.

Keywords

Florida manatee, Antillean manatee, warmer waters

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Closest related location: Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 6, lines 39–44

Explanation

The passage tells us where the two subspecies live.

It also says Florida manatees seek warm-water refuges when water temperatures fall below 20°C.

However, it does not compare the normal water temperatures of Florida and Antillean manatees.

The comparison required by the statement is missing.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

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Question 9

The African manatee’s range is limited to coastal waters between Mauritania and Angola.

Keywords

African manatee, limited, coastal waters, Mauritania, Angola

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 7, lines 45–50

Explanation

The African manatee is found along the west coast of Africa from Mauritania to Angola.

However, it is not limited to coastal waters.

The passage also says it uses rivers and has been observed in landlocked countries such as Mali and Niger.

The statement contradicts the passage.

So, the answer is: FALSE

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Question 10

The extent of the loss of Amazonian manatees in the mid-twentieth century was only revealed many years later.

Keywords

Amazonian manatees, loss, mid-twentieth century, revealed later

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Closest related location: Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 8, lines 51–56

Explanation

The passage estimates that approximately 140,000 Amazonian manatees were killed between 1935 and 1954.

However, it does not say:

• when this estimate was discovered;
• when the scale of the loss became known;
• whether it was revealed many years later.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

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Question 11

West Indian manatee populations are predicted to fall in the coming decades.

Keywords

West Indian manatees, predicted, decline, future

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 9, lines 57–58

Explanation

The passage says both subspecies of West Indian manatee are expected to undergo a 20% decline over the next 40 years.

Here:

• expected to undergo a decline = predicted to fall
• next 40 years = coming decades

So, the answer is: TRUE

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Question 12

The risk to manatees from entanglement and plastic consumption increased significantly between 2009 and 2020.

Keywords

risk, entanglement, plastic, increased, 2009–2020

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Closest related location: Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 9, lines 59–60

Explanation

The passage says a review covering 2009–2020 examined almost 1,800 cases involving fishing-net entanglement and plastic consumption among marine mammals.

At least 700 involved manatees.

However, it does not describe whether the risk increased, decreased or stayed the same during that period.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

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Question 13

Some legislation aims to reduce the likelihood of boat strikes on manatees in Florida.

Keywords

legislation, boat strikes, Florida, reduce

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 9, lines 60–62

Explanation

The passage says boat strikes are the main cause of death for Florida manatees.

Laws in certain parts of Florida now restrict boat speeds during winter, giving slow-moving manatees more time to react.

Here:

• laws = legislation
• limit boat speeds = reduce the chance of collisions

So, the answer is: TRUE

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Reading Passage 2

Procrastination

Questions 14–16: Matching Information

Strategy

For matching-information questions:

1. Read the statements first.
2. Identify distinctive keywords.
3. Skim paragraphs A–F for their main ideas.
4. Scan for the relevant evidence.
5. Remember that a paragraph can be used more than once.

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Question 14

Mention of false assumptions about why people procrastinate

Keywords

false assumptions, why people procrastinate

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph B, lines 143–149

Explanation

The passage says that, contrary to popular belief, procrastination is not caused by laziness or poor time management.

Scientific evidence instead links it to poor mood management.

Here:

• contrary to popular belief = false assumptions

So, the answer is: B

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Question 15

Reference to the realisation that other people also procrastinate

Keywords

other people, procrastinate, realisation

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph F, lines 188–192

Explanation

The writer recommends reminding ourselves that we are neither the first nor the last person to procrastinate.

This means recognising that procrastination is something other people experience too.

So, the answer is: F

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Question 16

Neurological evidence of a link between procrastination and emotion

Keywords

neurological evidence, procrastination, emotion, brain

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph B, lines 147–149

Explanation

Brain-imaging research found differences in areas of the brain associated with:

• threat detection;
• emotion regulation.

These differences appeared between chronic procrastinators and people who procrastinated less frequently.

So, the answer is: B

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Questions 17–22: Summary Completion

Strategy

For summary-completion questions:

1. Read the entire summary.
2. Predict the grammatical form required.
3. Locate the relevant paragraph.
4. Match paraphrases carefully.
5. Copy the exact word from the passage.

The instruction says:

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

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Question 17

Many people think procrastination is the result of ______.

Keywords

many people think, procrastination, result

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph B, lines 143–145

Explanation

The passage says a common belief is that procrastination is caused by laziness or poor time management.

The summary already mentions inability to manage time in the next sentence.

Therefore, the missing answer is the other mistaken explanation.

So, the answer is: laziness

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Question 18

Tasks may cause us to feel ______ when we think about them.

Keywords

tasks, feel, self-esteem, think about

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph B, lines 145–147

Explanation

The passage says people are more likely to delay a task when thinking about it threatens their self-worth or makes them anxious.

So, the answer is: anxious

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Question 19

Differences were found in brain regions associated with regulating emotions and identifying ______.

Keywords

brain regions, regulating emotion, identifying

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph B, lines 147–149

Explanation

Brain imaging found differences in areas associated with emotion regulation and the detection of threats.

Here:

• identifying = detecting

So, the answer is: threats

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Question 20

Getting ready to take ______ is an example of an emotionally difficult task.

Keywords

getting ready, emotionally difficult task

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph C, line 150

Explanation

The passage gives preparing for exams as an example of an emotionally loaded or difficult task that people commonly procrastinate over.

So, the answer is: exams

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Question 21

People likely to procrastinate tend to be either ______ or have low self-esteem.

Keywords

likely to procrastinate, low self-esteem, people

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph C, lines 150–153

Explanation

The passage identifies two groups who are particularly likely to procrastinate:

• people with low self-esteem;
• perfectionists who worry about being judged.

So, the answer is: perfectionists

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Question 22

Procrastination is often followed by a feeling of ______.

Keywords

followed by, feeling, worsens mood

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph C, lines 157–159

Explanation

The temporary improvement in mood caused by procrastination does not last.

Afterwards, people often experience a sense of guilt, which makes their negative mood worse and encourages further procrastination.

So, the answer is: guilt

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Questions 23–24: Choose TWO Answers

Strategy

For questions requiring two answers:

1. Read all options.
2. Identify exactly what is being compared.
3. Check that the passage directly supports each option.
4. Do not select an option merely because the topic is mentioned.

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Questions 23–24

Which TWO comparisons between employees who often procrastinate and those who do not are mentioned?

Keywords

employees, procrastinate, comparison, work

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph D, lines 170–174

Explanation

A survey of more than 22,000 employees found that regular procrastinators had:

• lower annual income;
• less employment stability.

Therefore:

• A — Their salaries are lower
• C — They don’t keep their jobs for as long

The passage does not compare work quality, job enjoyment or relationships with colleagues.

So, the answers are: A and C

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Questions 25–26: Choose TWO Answers

Questions 25–26

Which TWO recommendations for escaping the procrastination cycle does the writer give?

Keywords

recommendations, break cycle, procrastination

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph F, lines 183–192

Explanation

The writer recommends evidence-based strategies such as removing or resisting distractions.

The writer also advises people not to be overly critical of themselves and to practise self-compassion.

These match:

• A — not judging ourselves harshly
• E — avoiding things that stop us concentrating on our tasks

So, the answers are: A and E

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Reading Passage 3

Invasion of the Robot Umpires

Questions 27–32: YES, NO, NOT GIVEN

Strategy

For this question type:

• YES = the statement agrees with the writer.
• NO = the statement contradicts the writer.
• NOT GIVEN = the writer does not provide enough information.

Pay attention to whether the question adds a reason or opinion that is not actually stated.

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Question 27

When DeJesus first used ABS, he shared decision-making about strikes with the system.

Keywords

DeJesus, first used ABS, shared decision-making

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 1, lines 258–263

Explanation

DeJesus did not make the strike decisions himself.

The ABS system made the decision and sent it to him through an earpiece.

Therefore, decision-making was not shared.

So, the answer is: NO

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Question 28

MLB considered it necessary to amend the strike zone after receiving criticism from players.

Keywords

MLB, criticism, players, amend strike zone

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 4, lines 277–280

Explanation

Players complained about strange calls during the first robot-umpire season.

In response, MLB adjusted the dimensions of the strike zone.

Here:

• complained = criticism
• tweak the dimensions = amend the strike zone

So, the answer is: YES

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Question 29

MLB is keen to justify the money spent on improving ABS accuracy.

Keywords

MLB, money spent, accuracy, justify

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Closest related location: Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 4, lines 277–282

Explanation

The passage describes ABS as highly consistent and precise.

However, it does not discuss:

• how much money MLB spent;
• whether MLB needed to justify the expenditure;
• financial concerns about the technology.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

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Question 30

The hundred-mile-an-hour fastball led to a more exciting style of play.

Keywords

fastball, exciting, style of play

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 6, lines 292–299

Explanation

The passage says the very fast pitch changed baseball into a game dominated by:

• strikeouts;
• walks;
• home runs.

This style is described as lacking much action.

Therefore, it did not make the game more exciting according to the passage.

So, the answer is: NO

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Question 31

Different proposals for altering the baseball bat caused fierce debate within Sword’s team.

Keywords

proposals, baseball bat, fierce debate, Sword

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Closest related location: Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 6, lines 300–305

Explanation

Sword’s team brainstormed many possible changes, including modifications to bats and the geometry of the field.

However, the passage does not state that these proposals caused fierce debate.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

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Question 32

ABS makes changes to the shape of the strike zone feasible.

Keywords

ABS, change shape, strike zone, feasible

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 6, lines 302–305

Explanation

Sword says that once the technology works correctly, almost any strike-zone shape can be programmed into ABS.

Examples include:

• a triangle;
• a blob;
• a shape resembling Texas.

Therefore, ABS makes changing the strike zone practical.

So, the answer is: YES

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Questions 33–37: Summary Completion with a List of Phrases

Strategy

For this question type:

1. Read the full summary.
2. Predict the meaning required in each gap.
3. Locate the relevant passage section.
4. Match the passage meaning to the options.
5. Check grammar after inserting the phrase.

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Question 33

MLB wanted umpires to announce decisions as they had in their ______.

Keywords

human umpires, announce calls, as before

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 2, lines 264–266

Explanation

MLB wanted human umpires to announce the calls just as they had done in the past.

Here:

• in the past = their former roles

So, the answer is: F — former roles

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Question 34

The umpire’s job once required a ______ about whether a ball was a strike.

Keywords

umpire, judgment, whether strike

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 2, lines 266–269

Explanation

Before ABS, deciding whether a pitch was a strike was described as a judgment call by the human umpire.

Here:

• judgment call = subjective assessment

So, the answer is: D — subjective assessment

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Question 35

A strike occurs when the ball crosses through a ______ from the batter’s knees to chest.

Keywords

strike, zone, knees, chest

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 2, lines 267–269

Explanation

The strike zone is described as an imaginary area stretching from around the batter’s knees to the middle of the chest.

Here:

• imaginary zone = perceived area

So, the answer is: H — perceived area

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Question 36

In the past, ______ over strike calls were common.

Keywords

past, strike calls, arguments

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 3, lines 271–275

Explanation

The passage says there had been countless arguments between managers and umpires about the strike zone.

Here:

• countless arguments = numerous disputes

So, the answer is: B — numerous disputes

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Question 37

During DeJesus’s first ABS game, strike calls were met with ______.

Keywords

first game, DeJesus, calls, reaction

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraphs 2–3, lines 269–276

Explanation

During the first game:

• there was no heckling;
• nobody shouted disagreement;
• nobody said a word.

This means the decisions were met with complete silence.

So, the answer is: G — total silence

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Questions 38–40: Multiple Choice

Strategy

For multiple-choice questions:

1. Identify the paragraph named in the question.
2. Read the full paragraph rather than one sentence.
3. Determine the writer’s main point.
4. Compare all options.
5. Eliminate choices that are too extreme or unsupported.

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Question 38

What does the writer suggest about ABS in the fifth paragraph?

Keywords

ABS, fifth paragraph, human umpire, appeal

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 5, lines 283–291

Explanation

Frank Viola accepts that ABS works accurately, but he says human umpires previously rewarded skill and communicated with pitchers.

That human interaction disappears when the system becomes completely precise.

The implication is that removing human judgment may also remove part of what makes baseball interesting.

Option Analysis

• A: The writer does not say ABS will definitely make wrong decisions.
• B: Correct — ABS may reduce some of the game’s appeal.
• C: Human umpires are still used to announce decisions.
• D: This paragraph does not focus on changing the rules.

So, the answer is: B — It may reduce some of the appeal of the game.

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Question 39

Morgan Sword says the introduction of ABS ______.

Keywords

Morgan Sword, introduction, ABS, younger fans

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 6, lines 292–305

Explanation

Sword says MLB executives were worried about losing younger fans, as had happened in sports such as horse racing and boxing.

ABS formed part of a broader attempt to make baseball more exciting and retain that audience.

So, the answer is: D — was an attempt to ensure baseball retained a young audience

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Question 40

Why does the writer include the views of Alva Noe and Joe Russo?

Keywords

Noe, Russo, accuracy, enjoyment, technology

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, final paragraphs, lines 312–324

Explanation

Both speakers question whether technological perfection actually improves the experience of baseball.

Noe criticises algorithms for removing difficult human choices.

Russo says perfection would feel strange and that accuracy is not necessarily the answer.

Their views support the idea that perfect accuracy and enjoyment are not the same thing.

So, the answer is: C — to indicate that accuracy is not the same thing as enjoyment

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Cambridge 20 Test 2 Reading Answer Key

Reading Passage 1

1. tail
2. flippers
3. hairs
4. seagrasses
5. lips
6. buoyancy
7. TRUE
8. NOT GIVEN
9. FALSE
10. NOT GIVEN
11. TRUE
12. NOT GIVEN
13. TRUE

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Reading Passage 2

14. B
15. F
16. B
17. laziness
18. anxious
19. threats
20. exams
21. perfectionists
22. guilt 23–24. A and C 25–26. A and E

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Reading Passage 3

27. NO
28. YES
29. NOT GIVEN
30. NO
31. NOT GIVEN
32. YES
33. F — former roles
34. D — subjective assessment
35. H — perceived area
36. B — numerous disputes
37. G — total silence
38. B
39. D
40. C

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Bonus IELTS Reading Tips

Follow the Word Limit

Always check whether the instruction says:

• ONE WORD ONLY
• ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER
• NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
• A LETTER

Extra words can make a correct answer wrong.

For example:

• Correct: buoyancy
• Incorrect: adjust their buoyancy

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Look for Paraphrases

IELTS rarely repeats the passage exactly.

Question wording	Passage wording
differently shaped	broad rounded / fluked
help turn their bodies	steering with
sense vibrations	hairs help them sense
aquatic vegetation	seagrasses and marine plants
grasp and pull	tear food away
regulate	adjust
variety of habitats	mangroves, reefs, rivers, lakes and lagoons
fall in coming decades	decline over the next 40 years
false assumptions	contrary to popular belief
identifying threats	detection of threats
lower salaries	less annual income
jobs for less time	less employment stability
former roles	as they had done in the past
subjective assessment	judgment call
numerous disputes	countless arguments
total silence	nobody said a word

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Understand FALSE and NOT GIVEN

Choose FALSE when the passage gives opposite information.

Choose NOT GIVEN when the passage does not give enough information.

FALSE Example

The statement says African manatees are limited to coastal waters.

The passage says they are also found in rivers and landlocked countries.

Therefore: FALSE

NOT GIVEN Example

The passage says Florida manatees use warm-water refuges in winter.

It does not compare their normal water temperatures with Antillean manatees.

Therefore: NOT GIVEN

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Be Careful with Changes Over Time

A question may mention an increase or decrease even when the passage only gives a total.

For Question 12, the passage reports cases between 2009 and 2020.

It does not say whether the risk increased during that period.

Therefore, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

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Watch for Comparison Words

Pay close attention to words such as:

• more
• less
• greater
• only
• always
• never
• most

These words often determine whether an answer is FALSE or NOT GIVEN.

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Read Around the Matching Sentence

Do not stop as soon as you find a keyword.

Read the sentence before and after it because the passage may contain:

• a contrast;
• an exception;
• a correction;
• a limitation;
• a distractor.

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Match Meaning, Not Individual Words

For Question 34:

> judgment call

does not look identical to:

> subjective assessment

But the meanings are equivalent.

IELTS tests your ability to recognise this kind of paraphrasing.

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Use Grammar to Predict Completion Answers

Look at the words around each blank before searching.

For example:

> a feeling of ______

A noun is required.

The passage gives guilt.

Another example:

> feel ______

An adjective is required.

The passage gives anxious.

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Do Not Choose an Option Just Because It Is Mentioned

Multiple-choice questions often contain words from several options in the passage.

For Question 38, ABS accuracy is discussed, but the central point is the loss of human judgment and interaction.

That is why B is the best answer.

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Review Every Incorrect Answer

After completing the questions, identify why each mistake happened.

Common reasons include:

• missing a paraphrase;
• confusing FALSE with NOT GIVEN;
• overlooking a comparison;
• ignoring the word limit;
• choosing an option because it repeated passage vocabulary;
• failing to read the surrounding context.