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Robots Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

In the IELTS Reading section, your ability to comprehend passages on topics like robots is put to the test. This section lasts for 60 minutes and includes three passages, each followed by a series of questions in formats such as multiple choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. Success in this segment relies on your capacity to grasp essential information, identify main ideas, and infer meaning from context.
 

To excel in the IELTS Reading section, it's crucial to adopt effective reading strategies like skimming for main ideas and scanning for specific details. Regular practice with sample questions and exposure to different question types will sharpen your skills and readiness for the exam.
 

Prepare for an enlightening exploration of "Robots," a comprehensive examination of how robots impact various aspects of our lives. Dive into the psychological aspects, challenges, and strategies associated with integrating robots into society through engaging passages and accompanying questions. This exploration will enrich your understanding of how robotics can shape and transform our world.

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1. Robots Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below. This approach can help manage time effectively during a reading comprehension activity or exam. 

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2. Robots Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Robots

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1.

Robots Reading Passage

General Information

  • Read Instructions: Understand each question before answering.
  • Manage Time: Spend about 20 minutes per passage.
  • Skim and Scan: Quickly get the main idea and find specific information.
  • Highlight Key Info: Underline essential words or phrases.
  • Answer All Questions: Attempt every question; no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and grammar.
  • Transfer Answers Clearly: Write answers neatly on the answer sheet.
  • Don’t Dwell: Move on if stuck and return later.
  • Review: If time allows, review your answers.

 

 

 

 

 Robots Reading Passage 


 

 

Paragraph A 

The modern world is being increasingly inhabited by semi-intelligent gadgets, whose presence we hardly notice but whose growing prevalence has eliminated significant human drudgery. Our factories are filled with the buzz of robot assembly arms. We perform our banking transactions at automated teller machines, which thank us politely for the transaction. The subway trains are operated by tireless robo-drivers. Our mine shafts are excavated by robotic moles, and nuclear disasters like Three Mile Island and Chornobyl are cleared away by radiation-resistant robotic muckers.

Such is the broad range of uses anticipated by the Czech playwright Karel Capek, who introduced the word "robot" in 1920 (the Czech word "robota" translates to "forced labor"). As development speeds up, the experiment is becoming exploitable at a rapid pace.

 

Paragraph B

Other developments promise to increase the capabilities of human operators. Due to the constant miniaturization of electronics and micromechanics, there are now robot systems that can perform various types of brain and bone surgeries with submillimeter precision and with far better accuracy than highly competent surgeons can accomplish with their hands alone. At the same time, long-distance control methods will keep people far enough from risk. In 1994, Dante, a ten-foot-tall NASA robotic explorer with spider-like legs and video camera eyes, scaled the deadly rim of an Alaskan volcano while experts were in California, 2,000 miles away, observing the action on a satellite and supervising Dante's descent.

 

Paragraph C

However, for robots to progress to the next phase of labor-saving utility, they must perform tasks with little human supervision and also be capable of making at least some decisions for themselves; these objectives are extremely difficult to achieve. According to one expert, we can't yet give a robot adequate common sense to reliably deal with a dynamic world, although we understand how to tell a robot to solve a specific problem. In reality, the search for natural artificial intelligence (AI) has produced a variety of interesting results. Although there was a brief period of initial optimism in the 1960s and 1970s when it seemed that transistor circuits and microprocessors might become capable of performing equivalently to the human brain by the 21st century, researchers have already extended their estimations by decades, if not centuries.

 

Paragraph D

In their attempt to model thought, they discovered that human perception is much more complicated than previously assumed and that the approximately 100 billion neurons in the human brain are much more skilled. They have created robots that can detect a fraction of a millimeter of misalignment in a machine panel in a regulated factory environment. However, the human mind can take in a scene that is changing quickly and ignore the 98% of it that is useless, instantly focusing on the woodchuck by the side of a meandering forest road or the lone questionable face in a bustling crowd. The most advanced computing systems on Earth cannot get near that level of capability, and neuroscientists are still not sure how we can achieve it.

 

Paragraph E

Despite this, information theorists, neuroscientists, and computer specialists are merging their abilities to discover ways of giving robots a level of intelligence resembling that of humans. One method abandons the linear, logical layout of typical electrical circuits in favor of the disorderly, ad hoc arrangement of neurons in a real brain. These so-called "neural networks" don't require programming. A system of feedback signals allows them to "teach" themselves by reinforcing the electrical pathways that create the correct answers and, in contrast, eliminating the connections that led to the wrong ones. Eventually, the net arranges itself into a system that can identify specific forms or pronounce particular phrases.

 

Paragraph F

In some fields, researchers are attempting to establish a more organic relationship between humans and robots with the hope that one day machines could take over some duties presently carried out by people, like those in, for example, nursing homes. In Japan, where the number of senior residents is rapidly growing, this is particularly necessary. The Science University of Tokyo has therefore developed a "face robot" as a prototype, which is a life-size soft plastic replica with a female head, including a video camera inserted in the left eye. The objective of the researchers is to build robots that people are comfortable with. They are focusing on the face because they believe that the most efficient and crucial way to express emotional messages is through facial expressions. We analyze facial expressions to determine whether a person is happy, scared, angry, or nervous and interpret those messages. Thus, the Japanese robot is designed to recognize emotions in the individual it is "looking at" by detecting changes in the spatial arrangement of the individual's eyes, nose, brows, and mouth. It determines the emotion by comparing the configurations with the database of common facial expressions. The robot then adjusts its plastic face to the right emotional response using a set of small pressure pads.

 

Paragraph G

Instead of trying to imitate human intelligence or emotions, other labs are using a different strategy. In the same way that computer design has shifted away from a centralized mainframe to a multitude of separate workstations and single processors have taken a back seat to arrays of smaller units that divide a large problem into parts that can be tackled simultaneously, many scientists are now examining the possibility that large numbers of semi-intelligent robots could produce intelligence that is more than the sum of their parts. That's what beehives and ant colonies do, and various teams are proposing that legions of tiny animals cooperating in ant colony patterns may be dispatched to investigate the climate of planets or to inspect pipes in unsafe industrial settings.

2.

Robots Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Robots

Questions and Answers 1-6
  • Reading Passage has seven A - G.
  • From the list of headings below choose the most suitable heading for each paragraph.
  • Write the appropriate numbers i-x in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet.

 

 

List of Headings
 

i. Robots have helped in heightening human skills.
ii. There are some senses that a robot cannot detect.
iii. Are we anticipating far too much from one robot?
iv. The same result is achieved with another method.
v. Are robots now possessing too much power?
vi. Observing how the brain operates has resulted in certain successes.
vii. There are changes in the initial predictions.
viii. The humanistic possibilities are being examined by scientists.
ix. There are a few things we prefer to have under the brain’s control.
x. Our lives have gradually been infiltrated by robots.

 

  1. Paragraph A
  2. Paragraph B
  3. Paragraph C
  4. Paragraph D
  5. Paragraph E
  6. Paragraph F

 

 

Robots Reading Answers with Explanations (1-6)

 

Question Type:  Matching Headings

 

In this question type, you are provided with a list of headings, usually in the form of short phrases or sentences, and you need to match each heading to the corresponding paragraph or section of the reading passage.
 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Before attempting to match the headings, it's essential to read the passage thoroughly. 
  • The headings should capture the main idea or theme of each paragraph or section.
  • Once you understand the main ideas of the passage, scan each paragraph for specific details that align with the headings. 
  • Cross out any options that don't match the content of the paragraphs, even if they seem somewhat related.
  • The headings should follow a coherent order that reflects the organisation of the text.
  • If you're unsure about a particular match, try to eliminate options that clearly don't fit. 

 

 

1. x

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A

The modern world is being increasingly inhabited by semi-intelligent gadgets, whose presence we hardly notice but whose growing prevalence has eliminated significant human drudgery. 

 

Explanation

The passage describes how robots are increasingly prevalent in modern society, indicating that our lives have been infiltrated by robots.


 

2. i

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B

Other developments promise to increase the capabilities of human operators. 
 

Explanation

The paragraph discusses advancements in robotics, particularly in the field of surgery, which enhances the capabilities of human operators.


 

3. vii

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

Although there was a brief period of initial optimism in the 1960s and 1970s when it seemed that transistor circuits and microprocessors might become capable of performing equivalently to the human brain by the 21st century, researchers have already extended their estimations by decades, if not centuries. 
 

Explanation

This paragraph discusses changes in initial predictions about the capabilities of robots, highlighting the discrepancy between early optimism and current understanding.


 

4. ii

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D
owever, the human mind can take in a scene that is changing quickly and ignore the 98% of it that is useless, instantly focusing on the woodchuck by the side of a meandering forest road or the lone questionable face in a bustling crowd. The most advanced computing systems on Earth cannot get near that level of capability, and neuroscientists are still not sure how we can achieve it. 
 

Explanation

The paragraph discusses the limitations of robots compared to the human mind, particularly in perception and sensing abilities.


 

5. vi

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E 

Despite this, information theorists, neuroscientists, and computer specialists are merging their abilities to discover ways of giving robots a level of intelligence resembling that of humans. 
 

Explanation

The paragraph discusses the merging of abilities from different fields to give robots intelligence similar to humans, highlighting successes in observing how the brain operates.


 

6. viii

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F

In some fields, researchers are attempting to establish a more organic relationship between humans and robots with the hope that one day machines could take over some duties presently carried out by people, like those in, for example, nursing homes. 
 

Explanation

The paragraph examines humanistic possibilities in robotics, particularly in establishing organic relationships between humans and robots for tasks like caregiving.

Questions and Answers 7-11
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 7-11 on your answer sheet, write

  • YES if the statement agrees with the information given
  • NO if the statement contradicts the information given
  • NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this

 

 

7. Robots are capable of making accurate visual judgments.
8. The present usage of robots was accurately predicted by Karel Capek.
9. The most advanced robotic systems are those of the Japanese.
10. The NASA robot named Dante saved lives.
11. The robots can replicate the internal functions of the brain.

 

Robots Reading Answers with Explanations (7-11)

 

Question Type:  Yes/No/Not Given

 

In this task, you are presented with a statement, and your task is to determine if it agrees with the information in the passage (Yes), contradicts the information in the passage (No), or if there is insufficient information in the passage to decide (not given).
 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Read the statement carefully to ensure you understand exactly what it is saying. 
  • Pay attention to details such as dates, numbers, and specific information.
  • Scan the passage to find the section where the relevant information is likely to be located. 
  • Focus on finding evidence that either supports or contradicts the statement.
  • Yes: If the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
  • No: If the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
  • Not Given: If there is no information in the passage that confirms or contradicts the statement.


 

7. Yes

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph H

Due to the constant miniaturization of electronics and micromechanics, there are now robot systems that can perform various types of brain and bone surgeries with submillimeter precision and with far better accuracy than highly competent surgeons can accomplish this with their hands alone. 
 

Explanation

The passage mentions that robot systems can perform various types of surgeries with submillimeter precision, indicating their capability for accurate visual judgments.


 

8. Yes

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B
Such is the broad range of uses anticipated by the Czech playwright Karel Capek, who introduced the word "robot" in 1920 (the Czech word "robota" translates to "forced labor").
 

Explanation

Karel Capek anticipated a broad range of uses for robots, suggesting that the present usage of robots aligns with his predictions.


 

9. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph 

NA
 

Explanation

The passage does not provide information about the most advanced robotic systems being those of the Japanese, so the answer is not given.


 

10. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph 

NA
 

Explanation

The passage does not mention whether the NASA robot named Dante saved lives, so the answer is not given.


 

11. No

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph I

They have created robots that can detect a fraction of a millimetre of misalignment in a machine panel in a regulated factory environment. However, the human mind can take in a scene that is changing quickly and ignore the 98% of it that is useless, instantly focusing on the woodchuck by the side of a meandering forest road or the lone questionable face in a bustling crowd. The most advanced computing systems on Earth cannot get near that level of capability, and neuroscientists are still not sure how we can achieve it. 
 

Explanation
The passage states that while robots have been created to detect small misalignments, they cannot replicate the capabilities of the human brain, indicating that robots cannot replicate the internal functions of the brain.

Questions and Answers 12-14
  • Complete the summary below with words taken from Paragraph F.
  • Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
  • Write your answers in boxes 12-14 on your answer sheet.

 

 

A (12.)_______ is installed inside the head of the Japanese "face robot" prototype, which is used to observe people. It then checks the (13.)________ of common facial expressions to determine what emotions the person is having. The robot uses several (14.)_______ to change its expression as a reaction to this expression.

 

 

Robots Reading Answers with Explanations (12-14)

 

Type of Question: Summary Completion

 

Summary completion questions provide a summary of part of the reading passage with several blanks. Your task is to fill in these blanks with appropriate words or phrases from the passage. The summary may cover a whole passage or a part of it, focusing on key points and main ideas.
 

How to best answer this question:

 

  • Quickly skim the passage to get an idea of its main ideas and structure.
  • Focus on keywords in the summary and look for them or their synonyms in the passage.
  • Carefully read the instructions to know the word limit and any specific guidelines.
  • Identify the part of the passage related to the summary. This often involves scanning for keywords or phrases.
  • Ensure the words you choose fit grammatically and contextually within the summary.
  • After filling in the blanks, review the summary to ensure it makes sense and adheres to the word limit.


 

12. video camera

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F

Innovation management is a delicate art.
 

Explanation

The passage mentions that the Japanese "face robot" prototype includes a video camera inserted in the left eye to observe people.


 

13. database

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F

Research shows that more than a boss’s speech, using the peer power horizontally rather than vertically is more effective. 
 

Explanation

The passage states that the robot determines emotions by comparing configurations with a database of common facial expressions.


 

14. pressure pads

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F
The flow of ideas can be stimulated by writing, visualising and prototyping.
 

Explanation

The passage indicates that the robot adjusts its plastic face using a set of small pressure pads in reaction to the observed expression.

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FAQs

Q. How important is vocabulary in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans: Vocabulary is crucial in the IELTS Reading test as it helps you understand the passage and answer questions accurately. Focus on learning academic and topic-specific vocabulary, and practice using context clues to deduce the meaning of unfamiliar.

Q. What types of questions are there in the IELTS Reading section?

Ans: The IELTS Reading section includes various question types such as multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, matching headings, matching information, sentence completion, summary completion, and note completion. Familiarize yourself with these formats to improve your test-taking strategies.

Q. What are some common misconceptions about the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Some frequently misunderstood aspects of the IELTS Reading test include the notion that comprehending every word in the passage is necessary, or that reading the entire passage thoroughly is compulsory. Additionally, there's a misconception that the questions are always straightforward. However, in practice, effective strategies like skimming and scanning can be employed, and many questions demand critical thinking and inference skills rather than mere regurgitation of information.