Cambridge IELTS 9, Test 1, Reading Passage 2: Is There Anybody Out There? Solution With Answer Key

Is There Anybody Out There Passage Solution with Answer Key – Cambridge IELTS 9 Test 1 Reading Passage 2. Here we will discuss detailed explanation of all the questions of the passage. Here is step by step Solution with Tips and Strategies. This post is for educational purpose only. If you find difficulties in reading passage to find the right answer in the exam, just read the post carefully. Tips and strategies will help you find the right answer.

 

Is There Anybody Out There?

IELTS Reading Passage Solution

 

IELTS Cambridge 9, Test 1  Academic Reading Module, Reading Passage 2

 

PASSAGE 2: Is There Anybody Out There? (View Full Passage Here)

Questions 14-17 (List of headings)
** Tips (link details): How To Solve List of Heading in IELTS Reading Passage

Question 14: Paragraph B
Now,  in line no. 1 of Paragraph B, we find the mention of two ‘ground rules’ that SETI scientists adopt. In the first ground rule, we can see the writer mentions in line no. 4-5, “.. . .(although it is also important to keep an open mind in case any really convincing evidence emerges in the future.)”. This line suggest that there is no real evidence of extra-terrestrial intelligence so far, which indicates that these are only assumptions.
Again, in line no. 5, the author mentions, “. . .Second, we make a very conservative assumption that . . ..”
Answer: iv (Assumptions underlying the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence)

Question 15: Paragraph C
Now, in lines 4-6, the writer says, “. . . However, when we look at the 100 billion stars in our galaxy (the Milky Way), and 100 billion galaxies in the observable Universe, it seems inconceivable that at least one of these planets does not have a life form on it; in fact, the best educated guess we can make, . .. . . that perhaps one in 100,000 stars might have a life-bearing planet orbiting it.”
Here, it seems inconceivable, best educated guess, perhaps, might have, all these phrases indicate to the word ‘likelihood’ or possibility.
Answer: vii (Likelihood of life on other planets)

Question 16: Paragraph D
Now, the first lines directly indicate to the fact that SETI scientists and organizations like NASA are seeking the transmission of radio signals from other planets. “An alien civilisation could choose many different ways of sending information across the galaxy, . .. .” Then, in the next lines we see discussion on radio signals, “. . . .. radio waves in the frequency range 1000 to 3000 MHz travel the greatest distance.” After that, in lines 11-12, we can learn about NASA getting a large fund from the government which is dedicated to locate or seek radio signals from other planets, “.. .Much of the money in this project is being spent on developing the special hardware needed to search many frequencies at once.”
Answer: i (Seeking the transmission of radio signals from planets)

Question 17: Paragraph E
Now, in the first lines of paragraph E. “There is considerable debate over how we should react if we detect a signal from an alien civilisation. Everybody agrees that we should not reply immediately.”
Here, Everybody agrees that we should not reply immediately means it is most appropriate that we should not response to the signals straight away.
Answer: ii (Appropriate responses to signals from other civilisations)

 

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Questions 18-20: Short answer to open questions (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER)

** Tips (link details): How To Solve Short Answer Questions in IELTS Reading Module?

Question 18: What is the life expectancy of Earth?.
Keywords: life expectancy, Earth;
Now, in paragraph A,  line no. 12, “…Since the lifetime of a planet like ours is several billion years, .. ..”
Here, lifetime = life expectancy, a planet like ours = Earth,
Answer: several billion years

Question 19: What kind of signals from other intelligent civilisations are SETI scientists searching for?
Keywords: signals, scientists looking for;
Now, in paragraph D, we came to know that SETI scientists are seeking radio signals from other planets. In this paragraph, line no. 5-6 says, “….and so all searches to date have concentrated on looking for radio waves in this frequency.”
Answer: radio (waves/signals)

Question 20: How many stars are the world’s most powerful radio telescopes searching?
Keywords: how many, stars, searching, radio telescopes;
Now, in lines 13-15 of paragraph D, “ . .. One part is a targeted search using the world’s largest radio telescopes, the American-operated telescope in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and the French telescope in Nancy in France. This part of the project is searching the nearest 1000 likely stars . . ..”
Here, the world’s largest radio telescopes = the world’s most powerful radio telescopes;
Answer: 1000 (stars)

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Questions 21-26 (YES, NO, NOT GIVEN)
** Tips (Link details): How To Solve Yes, No, Not Given Question in IELTS Reading Module?

Question 21: Alien civilisations may be able to help the human race to overcome serious problems.
Keywords: alien, help overcome problems,
Now, in the end of paragraph A, lines 16-18, “It it even possible that the older civilisation may pass on the benefits of their experience in dealing with threats to survival such as nuclear war and global pollution, and other threats that we haven’t yet discovered.”
The lines suggest that alien civilisation may be able to assist us to deal with threats to survival.
Here, may pass on the benefits of their experience = may be able to help
Answer: YES

Question 22: SETI scientists are trying to find a life form that resembles humans in many ways.
Keywords: trying to find, life form, resemble humans;
Now, in paragraph B, in lines 5-6, “. .. .Second, we make a very conservative assumption that we are looking for a life form that is pretty well like us, since if it differs radically from us we may well not recognise it as a form….. .”
Here, try to find = looking for, like = resembles, pretty well = in many ways,
Answer: YES

Question 23: The Americans and Australians have co-operated on joint research projects.
Keywords: Americans and Australians, co-operated, joint research projects,
Now, we can find talks about ‘the Americans’ and ‘the Australians’ in paragraph D. However, there is no mention of any co-operation in research projects between the two.
Answer: NOT GIVEN

Question 24: So far SETI scientists have picked up radio signals from several stars.
Keywords: picked up signals, several stars,
Now, in paragraph D, the writer states in lines 8-9, “Until now, there have not been any detections from the few hundred stars which have been searched.”
The information in the passage contradicts with the question.
Answer: NO

Question 25: The NASA project attracted criticism from some members of Congress.
Keywords: NASA projects, criticism, Congress,
Now, again, we can see the mention of ‘members of Congress’ in paragraph D. But there is no mention of criticism by the members of Congress about the NASA project.
Answer: NOT GIVEN

Question 26: If a signal from outer space is received, it will be important to respond promptly.
Keywords: signal, outer space, respond promptly,
Now, in line 2 of paragraph E, “Everybody agrees that we should not reply immediately.”
The previous line talks about what to do in case of receiving a signal from the aliens.
So, the lines suggest that we should not respond promptly or immediately if we receive a signal form the outer space.
Answer: NO

 

 

View Full Passage Here

 

 

Cambridge IELTS 9 Test 1 Reading Passage 2  Answer Keys

 

Is There Anybody Out There Reading Passage Answers Keys

Passage 2

 

 

 

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