Cambridge 21 Test 3 Reading Answers & Explanations

25 July 2026

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Cambridge 21 Test 3 Reading Answers & Explanations

This post provides the complete answers and clear explanations for Cambridge IELTS 21 Academic Reading Test 3.

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Each answer includes:

Strategy
Keywords
Exact paragraph and line location
Explanation
Correct answer

> Location note: Line numbers are counted separately within each paragraph as displayed in the reading passage. When a paragraph continues onto the next page, the line count continues.

How This Guide Is Structured

Strategy

The strategy explains the best method for solving each type of IELTS Reading question.

Keywords

Keywords are the most important words or phrases that help you find the relevant information in the passage.

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

The location identifies the reading passage, paragraph number and exact line or line range containing the answer.

Explanation

The explanation shows how the question paraphrases, agrees with or contradicts the relevant information.

Correct Answer

The answer is shown only after the location and explanation.

Reading Passage 1

Saving the Saiga

Questions 1–7: Note Completion

Strategy

For note-completion questions:

Read the heading and notes before looking at the passage.
Predict whether each blank requires a noun, verb or adjective.
Scan for the main keywords.
Look for synonyms and paraphrases.
Copy the exact word from the passage.
Follow the word limit carefully.

The instruction says:

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Question 1

The saiga has swollen nostrils that keep ______ out.

Keywords

swollen nostrils, keep out, bulbous nose

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 2, lines 3–4

Explanation

The passage explains that the swollen nostrils of the saiga’s nose filter out dust.

Here:

filter out = keep out
The substance prevented from entering is dust.

The answer is a noun and follows the one-word limit.

So, the answer is: dust

Question 2

The swollen nostrils lower the temperature of its ______ in summer.

Keywords

lower temperature, summer, swollen nostrils

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 2, lines 3–4

Explanation

The passage says that the swollen nostrils cool the blood during hot and dry summers.

Here:

cool = lower the temperature
The part being cooled is the animal’s blood.

So, the answer is: blood

Question 3

The saiga grows a thick ______ in winter, which it loses in spring.

Keywords

thick, winter, loses, spring

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 2, lines 5–6

Explanation

The passage refers to a heavy winter coat that the saiga sheds when the weather becomes warmer.

Here:

heavy = thick
sheds = loses
when the weather warms up = in spring

So, the answer is: coat

Question 4

Poaching occurs especially for the ______ of male saiga.

Keywords

poaching, male saiga, traditional medicine

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 4, lines 1–2

Explanation

The passage explains that male saiga are particular targets because their horns are highly valued by traditional medicine practitioners.

Here:

particular target = especially hunted
The body parts wanted by the poachers are the horns.

So, the answer is: horns

Question 5

The expansion of farms and settlements reduces the size of the saiga’s ______.

Keywords

farms, settlements, reduction, size

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 5, line 1

Explanation

The passage says that agricultural expansion and human settlement result in a loss of habitat.

Here:

agricultural expansion = expansion of farms
human settlement = settlements
loss of habitat = reduction in the size of the habitat

So, the answer is: habitat

Question 6

Physical barriers cause the loss of access to the ______ used for migration.

Keywords

physical barriers, access, migration

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 5, lines 2–3

Explanation

The passage says that railways, pipelines and fences can block the saiga’s seasonal migration routes.

Here:

block = prevent access
seasonal migration routes = routes used for migration

So, the answer is: routes

Question 7

Climate change has caused the disappearance of ______ which the saiga relied on.

Keywords

climate change, disappearance, relied on

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 7, lines 4–5

Explanation

The passage says the steppe region has become increasingly dry and many smaller streams have dried up and vanished.

Here:

dried up and vanished = disappeared
normally depended on = relied on

So, the answer is: streams

Questions 8–13: TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN

Strategy

For this type of question:

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.

Do not answer from general knowledge. Compare the complete meaning of the statement with the passage.

Question 8

Today, numbers of saiga are distributed evenly across Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia and Uzbekistan.

Keywords

today, distributed evenly, four nations

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 1, lines 3–5

Explanation

The passage states that Kazakhstan contains well over 90% of the global saiga population. Russia, Mongolia and Uzbekistan account for the remainder.

Here:

well over 90% in Kazakhstan contradicts distributed evenly
The population is not divided equally among the four countries.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 9

For most of the 20th century, the population of saiga was falling.

Keywords

most of the 20th century, population, falling

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 3, lines 2–4

Explanation

The passage says legal protection ensured the saiga’s survival and its numbers steadily recovered throughout most of the 20th century.

Here:

steadily recovered = increased
The statement claims the population was falling.

The statement contradicts the passage.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 10

Efforts to protect rhinos in Africa had a significant effect on saiga populations.

Keywords

protect rhinos, Africa, significant effect, saiga population

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 4, lines 2–6

Explanation

Conservationists encouraged people to use saiga horns as an alternative to rhino horns. This increased demand for saiga horns, causing poaching to reach epidemic levels.

Male saiga were almost wiped out, which caused a serious population crash.

Here:

An attempt to protect rhinos increased pressure on saiga.
The effect on the saiga population was substantial.

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 11

Unpredictable climate fluctuations threaten Central Asian wildlife more than wildlife in other parts of the world.

Keywords

climate fluctuations, Central Asian wildlife, more than other regions

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Closest related location: Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 7, lines 1–3

Explanation

The passage says the saiga struggles to cope with temperature extremes and unpredictable changes in climate.

However, it does not compare:

Central Asia with other parts of the world;
the level of danger faced by wildlife in different regions;
the saiga with all other wildlife species.

The comparison required by the statement is not provided.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 12

The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative was formed for the benefit of several different animals.

Keywords

Altyn Dala, formed, benefit, different animals

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 8, lines 4–6

Explanation

The initiative aims to protect and restore steppe, semi-desert and desert ecosystems and the many species supported by them, including the saiga.

Here:

many species they support = several different animals
The initiative does not benefit the saiga alone.

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 13

Recognition as a World Restoration Flagship project attracted additional international funding.

Keywords

recognition, World Restoration Flagship, international funding

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Closest related location: Reading Passage 1, Paragraph 8, lines 6–7

Explanation

The passage says that the United Nations recognised the initiative as one of the ten best examples of large-scale ecosystem restoration.

However, it does not say:

that the project received additional funding;
that any new funding was international;
that recognition resulted in financial support.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

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Reading Passage 2

The Problems of Getting Around the City of Dar es Salaam

Questions 14–18: TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN

Strategy

For these questions:

Choose TRUE when the statement matches the passage.
Choose FALSE when it contradicts the passage.
Choose NOT GIVEN when the necessary information is absent.

Pay particular attention to comparison words such as most, previously, majority, faster and many.

Question 14

The population of Dar es Salaam is rising more rapidly than was previously predicted.

Keywords

population, rising, more rapidly, previously predicted

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Closest related location: Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 1, lines 1–5

Explanation

The passage provides information about:

the city’s current population growth;
annual population increases;
future population forecasts.

However, it does not compare the present growth rate with an earlier prediction.

The word previously introduces a comparison that is absent from the passage.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 15

Most residents live in high-rise blocks on the edge of the city.

Keywords

most residents, high-rise blocks, edge of city

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 2, lines 1–2

Explanation

The passage says four out of five residents live in single-storey informal settlements on the spreading edges of the city.

Here:

four out of five = most residents
single-storey settlements contradicts high-rise blocks

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 16

Residents have been consulted about their views on the suburban rail line.

Keywords

residents, consulted, views, suburban rail line

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Closest related location: Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 3, lines 2–4

Explanation

The passage says that a small suburban rail line serves some residents in areas south of the city.

However, it does not mention:

consultations with residents;
surveys about the rail service;
the opinions of residents.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 17

Most current residential development in Dar es Salaam is unplanned.

Keywords

majority, current development, unplanned

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 4, lines 4–6

Explanation

The passage says nearly all the city’s expansion is happening on its outskirts and almost all of it takes place informally without an agreed strategy.

Here:

nearly all = the majority
informally without an agreed strategy = unplanned

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 18

The authorities followed a public-transport plan used by many other African cities.

Keywords

authorities, followed, many African cities, transport plan

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 5, lines 1–4

Explanation

The passage says that, unlike many African cities, Dar es Salaam is not trying to build a metro. Instead, it has chosen a cheaper bus-based system.

Here:

unlike many cities contradicts followed the plan used by many cities
Dar es Salaam selected a different transport solution.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Questions 19–26: Note Completion

Strategy

For note-completion questions:

Read the heading and categories.
Predict the grammatical form of each answer.
Locate the relevant section.
Identify paraphrases.
Copy one exact word from the passage.
Check singular and plural forms.

The instruction says:

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Question 19

The buses use designated ______ to reduce delays.

Keywords

buses, designated, reduce delays

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 6, lines 1–2

Explanation

The passage says the BRT buses travel in bus lanes separated from other traffic. These lanes are positioned to reduce stoppages.

Here:

separated from other traffic = designated
reduce stoppages = reduce delays

So, the answer is: lanes

Question 20

Passengers pay their fares before ______.

Keywords

passengers, pay fares, before

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 6, lines 2–3

Explanation

The passage states that ticket purchase and control take place at the stations prior to boarding.

Here:

prior to = before
The action that follows payment is boarding.

The word also fits grammatically after before.

So, the answer is: boarding

Question 21

Passengers in ______ can use every part of the system.

Keywords

passengers, every part, accessible, step-free

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 6, lines 3–4

Explanation

The passage says the buses are step-free, meaning the entire route is accessible to people using wheelchairs and those travelling with baby buggies.

The note says:

> Passengers in ______

The plural noun wheelchairs fits both the grammar and meaning.

So, the answer is: wheelchairs

Question 22

The temperature control is sometimes not activated to reduce ______ use.

Keywords

temperature control, not activated, reduce use

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 7, lines 3–4

Explanation

A passenger says drivers sometimes refuse to turn on the air conditioning because they want to save fuel.

Here:

temperature control = air conditioning
save fuel = reduce fuel use

So, the answer is: fuel

Question 23

Too few vehicles are available because of a severe ______.

Keywords

insufficient vehicles, severe, main depot

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 8, lines 1–2

Explanation

The passage says there is a shortage of buses because of a serious flood at the main depot during the rainy season.

Here:

shortage of buses = too few vehicles
serious = severe

So, the answer is: flood

Question 24

Passengers cannot use ______ because some equipment is not working.

Keywords

unable to use, equipment, not working

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 8, lines 2–4

Explanation

The passage explains that smartcards cannot be used because the mechanical readers are not working.

Here:

readers are not working = equipment is out of action
The unavailable payment method is smartcards.

So, the answer is: smartcards

Question 25

Tickets must be checked manually at station ______.

Keywords

tickets, checked manually, station

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 8, lines 4–6

Explanation

The tickets contain QR codes, but there are no scanners. Staff therefore stand beside the gates and tear the tickets as passengers enter.

Here:

staff tear tickets = manual checking
This happens at the station gates.

So, the answer is: gates

Question 26

______ frequently build up during rush hours.

Keywords

build up, rush hours, peak times

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 2, Paragraph 8, lines 6–7

Explanation

The passage says that considerable queues form at peak times because of the manual ticket-checking system.

Here:

peak times = rush hours
are considerable = build up

So, the answer is: queues

Reading Passage 3

Rethinking the Past

Questions 27–30: Multiple Choice

Strategy

For multiple-choice questions:

Locate the paragraph identified in the question.
Determine its overall purpose or main point.
Predict the answer before reviewing the options.
Compare every option with the paragraph.
Eliminate options that are only partly correct or unsupported.

Question 27

What is the writer doing in the second paragraph?

Keywords

writer doing, second paragraph, two things stand out

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 2, lines 1–6

Explanation

The writer identifies two important changes in our understanding of prehistory:

supposedly advanced behaviours may have begun much earlier than previously believed;
prehistoric gender roles have been seriously misunderstood.

The paragraph does not mainly discuss unanswered questions, attitudes or disagreements. It identifies major revisions to our understanding.

Option Analysis

A: Correct — it identifies key changes in our understanding.
B: The paragraph does not focus on poorly understood subjects.
C: It does not summarise different attitudes.
D: It does not present disagreements among archaeologists.

So, the answer is: A — pinpointing some key changes in our understanding of prehistory

Question 28

Why does the writer mention mobile phones in the sixth paragraph?

Keywords

mobile phones, sixth paragraph, evolution, technology

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 6, lines 1–4

Explanation

The writer says that evolution usually works through incremental steps, and technology develops in the same way.

Early birds were not good at flying, while early mobile phones were not very effective. These examples show that developments generally improve gradually.

Option Analysis

A: Correct — most developments occur gradually.
B: The source of innovation is not the main point.
C: The writer is not claiming technology is harmful.
D: Unpredictability is not the main message.

So, the answer is: A — most developments happen in a gradual way

Question 29

What does the phrase “unpick this stuff” refer to?

Keywords

unpick this stuff, patriarchal views, earlier research

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 7, lines 1–5

Explanation

The passage explains that archaeology was established by people with outdated patriarchal beliefs. These assumptions influenced how they interpreted prehistoric societies.

Researchers today are trying to separate the evidence from those old assumptions and reassess earlier conclusions.

Here:

unpick = examine and correct carefully
this stuff = research affected by outdated social beliefs

So, the answer is: D — reevaluating research influenced by outdated beliefs about society

Question 30

What does the writer suggest in the final paragraph?

Keywords

final paragraph, past societies, choices, inequality

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 10, lines 1–3

Explanation

The writer says inequality, authoritarianism and patriarchy are not unavoidable. They are choices, and evidence from prehistory shows that societies can be organised differently.

This suggests that studying past societies could help modern societies recognise that fairer alternatives are possible.

Option Analysis

A: Correct — studying the past may help us create a fairer society.
B: The paragraph is not mainly about judging ancient societies.
C: It does not focus on gaps in historical knowledge.
D: The paragraph makes a social conclusion rather than discussing different interpretations.

So, the answer is: A — Studying past societies could help us create a fairer society today

Questions 31–34: Matching Sentence Endings

Strategy

For matching sentence endings:

Read the beginning of each sentence.
Locate the corresponding information.
Summarise it in your own words.
Compare it with all available endings.
Check that the completed sentence is grammatically correct.
Eliminate endings that have already been used.

Question 31

The findings at Kalambo Falls revealed that ______.

Keywords

Kalambo Falls, buried logs, 476,000 years, structure

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 3, lines 1–4

Explanation

Researchers discovered logs that had been shaped with stone tools and made to interlock. The logs may have formed part of a building.

They were approximately 476,000 years old, almost 200,000 years older than Homo sapiens.

This indicates that another hominin species was capable of sophisticated construction before modern humans existed.

So, the answer is: E — Homo sapiens was probably not the only species capable of sophisticated workmanship

Question 32

Evidence from high-altitude regions suggests that ______.

Keywords

high-altitude regions, Denisovans, harsh environments

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 3, lines 4–7

Explanation

The passage says extinct hominins such as Denisovans lived in frozen high-altitude regions around 200,000 years ago.

This challenges the old belief that these harsh environments were first settled by modern humans only around 3,600 years ago.

So, the answer is: F — other species managed to survive in harsh environments before the arrival of Homo sapiens

Question 33

An academic publication from June 2023 shows that ______.

Keywords

June 2023, meta-analysis, women hunted, foraging societies

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 8, lines 1–5

Explanation

The publication analysed several dozen foraging societies and found that women hunted in 80% of them.

This contradicts the traditional idea that men hunted while women remained at home.

Here:

who looked for food = who hunted
Earlier assumptions about hunters were incorrect.

So, the answer is: D — experts may have been mistaken about who looked for food in early human communities

Question 34

Analysis of a 4,000-year-old Iberian leader indicates that ______.

Keywords

Iberian leader, 4,000 years, female, assumed male

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 9, lines 1–2

Explanation

Protein analysis of the leader’s teeth showed that the individual was female, although researchers had previously assumed the leader was male.

This indicates that earlier assumptions about who held positions of authority in prehistoric societies were inaccurate.

So, the answer is: B — previous assumptions about who had power in the prehistoric world were inaccurate

Questions 35–40: YES, NO, NOT GIVEN

Strategy

For this question type:

Choose YES when the statement agrees with the writer’s view.
Choose NO when it contradicts the writer’s view.
Choose NOT GIVEN when the writer’s opinion cannot be determined.

Focus on what the writer personally accepts, rejects or leaves uncertain.

Question 35

Neanderthal cave paintings were probably the first artworks ever created.

Keywords

Neanderthals, cave paintings, first artwork

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 4, lines 1–3

Explanation

The passage confirms that Neanderthals painted on cave walls. However, it says that even earlier species, such as Homo erectus, may also have made art by engraving patterns on shells.

Here:

even earlier species may have made art contradicts the claim that Neanderthal cave paintings were the first.

So, the answer is: NO

Question 36

It is very rare to find prehistoric artwork carved onto shells.

Keywords

rare, prehistoric artwork, shells

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Closest related location: Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 4, lines 2–3

Explanation

The writer says Homo erectus may have created art by engraving patterns on shells.

However, the passage does not state:

how often these shells are discovered;
whether such finds are rare;
how many examples have been found.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 37

The methods used to examine the Rising Star cave system were unconventional.

Keywords

methods, examine, Rising Star cave, unconventional

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Closest related location: Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 5, lines 1–4

Explanation

The passage says the findings were released in a non-traditional journal that published the peer reviews publicly.

This describes an unusual publication method, not an unusual method of examining the cave.

The passage does not explain how researchers physically investigated the Rising Star cave system.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 38

It is unclear how old the etchings in the Rising Star cave system are.

Keywords

unclear, age, etchings, Rising Star

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 4, lines 7–9 and Paragraph 5, lines 4–5

Explanation

The passage says the etchings have not yet been firmly dated. The writer also says that more evidence is required, particularly regarding their date.

Here:

not firmly dated = their age is unclear
more evidence needed about dating confirms the uncertainty

So, the answer is: YES

Question 39

The way the Rising Star findings were publicised added to the controversy.

Keywords

publicised, findings, controversy, released

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 5, lines 1–4

Explanation

The writer says the dispute became more intense because the findings were released in a non-traditional journal.

Here:

the way the results were released = the way the findings were publicised
the dispute was heightened = the controversy increased

So, the answer is: YES

Question 40

The size of the H. naledi brain is a key factor in deciding whether the species produced art.

Keywords

brain size, key factor, H. naledi, art

Exact Paragraph and Line Location

Reading Passage 3, Paragraph 5, lines 5–10

Explanation

The writer directly states that the species’ small brain is a distraction. Other features, including the brain’s internal wiring, may be equally or more important.

Here:

small brains are a distraction contradicts brain size is a key factor
Brain size alone should not determine whether H. naledi was capable of complex behaviour.

So, the answer is: NO

Cambridge 21 Test 3 Reading Answer Key

Reading Passage 1

dust
blood
coat
horns
habitat
routes
streams
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
NOT GIVEN
TRUE
NOT GIVEN

Reading Passage 2

NOT GIVEN
FALSE
NOT GIVEN
TRUE
FALSE
lanes
boarding
wheelchairs
fuel
flood
smartcards
gates
queues

Reading Passage 3

A
A
D
A
E
F
D
B
NO
NOT GIVEN
NOT GIVEN
YES
YES
NO

Bonus IELTS Reading Tips

Follow the Word Limit

Always check whether the instructions say:

ONE WORD ONLY
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS
A NUMBER
A LETTER

Writing extra words will make an otherwise correct answer incorrect.

For example:

Correct: wheelchairs
Incorrect: people in wheelchairs

Look for Paraphrases

IELTS questions usually express the passage information using different words.

Question wording	Passage wording
keep out	filter out
lower the temperature	cool
loses in spring	sheds when the weather warms
reduction in size	loss
relied on	depended on
distributed evenly	over 90% in one country
unplanned	informally without an agreed strategy
reduce delays	reduce stoppages
before	prior to
equipment is out of action	readers are not working
rush hours	peak times
sophisticated workmanship	shaped logs forming a structure
harsh environments	frozen high-altitude regions
publicised	results were released
added to the controversy	dispute was heightened

Understand FALSE and NOT GIVEN

Choose FALSE when the passage gives opposite information.

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

Example of FALSE

The statement says most residents live in high-rise buildings.

The passage says most residents live in single-storey settlements.

The two ideas contradict each other, so the answer is FALSE.

Example of NOT GIVEN

The statement says residents were consulted about the suburban railway.

The railway is mentioned, but consultation is not discussed.

Therefore, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

Be Careful with Comparison Words

Words such as the following often determine the answer:

more
less
most
evenly
earlier
faster
higher
lower
first
only

For example, Question 8 says the saiga are distributed evenly across four countries. The passage says over 90% live in Kazakhstan.

Therefore, the answer is FALSE.

Check the Grammar of Completion Answers

The answer must fit naturally into the incomplete sentence.

For example:

> Passengers pay fares before boarding.

The word boarding fits correctly after the preposition before.

Another example:

> Passengers in wheelchairs can use every part of the system.

The plural noun fits correctly after in.

Follow the Order of the Passage

Most IELTS Reading question groups follow the order of the passage.

For example:

Question 19 appears before Question 20.
Question 20 appears before Question 21.
Questions 31–34 move from Kalambo Falls to high-altitude settlements, hunting and the Iberian leader.

After finding one answer, continue from that location instead of returning to the beginning.

Identify Unsupported Details

A statement may include some correct information together with one unsupported detail.

For example, Question 13 correctly mentions the initiative’s international recognition. However, the claim about additional funding is not mentioned.

Therefore, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

Focus on the Writer’s View

For YES, NO, NOT GIVEN questions, identify what the writer personally accepts, rejects or leaves unclear.

In Question 40, earlier researchers focused strongly on brain size. However, the writer says brain size is a distraction.

Therefore, the answer is NO.

Eliminate Multiple-Choice Distractors

Before choosing an option, ask:

Does this option express the paragraph’s main purpose?
Is it only partly correct?
Does it introduce information that is not discussed?
Does it describe a detail rather than the main idea?

For Question 27, the paragraph identifies two major changes in our understanding. It does not mainly describe arguments or unanswered questions.

Therefore, A is the best answer.

Review Every Incorrect Answer

After completing the test, identify why each mistake happened.

Common causes include:

missing a paraphrase;
ignoring a comparison word;
exceeding the word limit;
confusing FALSE with NOT GIVEN;
choosing an option because it repeats passage vocabulary;
failing to identify the writer’s opinion;
overlooking the final part of a paragraph.

Free Practice? That’s Suspiciously Good.

Find out how ready you are without paying anything—yes, really.