Cambridge IELTS 12, Test 5, Reading Passage 1: Cork, Solution With Answer Key

Cork Passage Solution with Answer Key – Cambridge IELTS 12, Test 5: Reading Passage 1. 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.

 

Cork

IELTS Reading Passage Solution

 

IELTS Cambridge 12, Test 5, Academic Reading Module, Reading Passage 1

 

PASSAGE 1: Cork  ( View Full Passage Here)

Questions 1-5. True, False, Not Given.

** Tips (link details): How To Solve True, False, Not Given in IELTS Reading Module?

Question 1.  The cork oak has the thickest bark of any living tree.

Keywords: thickest bark
Now, in paragraph 1 and paragraph 2, the author mentioned the thick bark of the cork oak tree as “a remarkable material” and “its bark grows up to 20 cm in thickness”. This information does not mean that it is “the thickest bark of any living tree”.
In addition, in True/ False/ Not given tasks, the questions follow the order of the text, so if you are not sure about your answer, you can find the answer to question 2. It is in the second sentence of paragraph 2. Therefore, you just need to pay attention to the previous parts. There is no statement showing any comparison between the cork oak’s bark with that of other living trees. We have no information about this statement.
Answer: NOT GIVEN

Question 2. Scientists have developed a synthetic cork with the same cellular structures as natural cork.

Keywords: a synthetic cork, the same cellular structure, natural cork

Now, in paragraph 2, the writer mentioned the cellular structure of the bark of the cork oak “the bark of the cork oak has a particular cellular structure – with about 40 million cells per cubic centimetre – that technology has never succeeded in replicating”. The technology can refer to the scientists here. The fact that they “never succeeded in replicating” means that they have not been able to make a copy of the natural cork, with all of the same qualities. So the answer is False.
Here, Develop with the same structure = replicate.
Answer: FALSE

Question 3.  Individual cork oak trees must be left for 25 years between the first and second harvest.

Keywords: individual, 25 years, the first and second harvest

Now, in paragraph 4, the author mentioned the harvesting of an individual cork oak tree. He/she wrote “From the planting of a cork sapling to the first harvest takes 25 years, and a gap of approximately a decade must separate harvests from an individual tree”. Therefore, the period of 25 years is the period from the planting to the first harvest, while the gap between the first and the second harvest is about 10 years (approximately a decade).
Here, Between = gap; The first and second harvest = separate harvests
Answer: FALSE

Question 4.   Cork bark should be stripped in dry atmospheric conditions.

Keywords: stripped, dry atmospheric conditions​

Now, we need to find information about the cork bark being stripped. Following the order of the text, we can see in the paragraph 4, the author mentioned “If the bark is stripped on a day when it’s too cold – or when the air is damp – the tree will be damaged”. Therefore, the bark should not be stripped in damp atmospheric conditions; however, in contrast, it should be stripped in dry atmospheric conditions. The answer is True.
Here, The air = atmospheric conditions
Answer: TRUE

 

Question 5.  The only way to remove the bark from cork oak trees is by hand.

Keywords: only way, remove, by hand​

In paragraph 5, the author claimed “No mechanical means of stripping cork bark has been invented, so the job is done by teams of highly skilled workers.” In this sentence, “stripping cork bark” means “remove the bark”. Since the author stated that “no mechanical means has been invented”, we can understand that they do not use any machines in removing the bark, so it has to be done by hand (the hands of highly skilled workers). The answer is True.

Here, Remove = strip; By hand = done by workers, no mechanical means
Answer: TRUE.

 

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Questions 6-13. Complete the notes below.

** Tips (link details): How To Solve Notes, Table, Form, Summary, Flow Chart, Diagram in IELTS Reading

Question 6. DO NOT AFFECT THE …..… OF THE BOTTLE CONTENTS

Keywords: affect, bottle contents

The author mentioned “Recent years have seen the end of the virtual monopoly of cork as the material for bottle stoppers, due to concerns about the effect it may have on the contents of the bottle…..The tiniest concentrations – as little as three or four parts to a trillion – can spoil the taste of the product contained in the bottle. The result has been a gradual yet steady move first towards plastic stoppers and, more recently, to aluminium screw caps.” It means that aluminium screw caps overcame one disadvantage of cork bottle stoppers, which is that they “spoil the taste of the product contained in the bottle”. Therefore, aluminim screw caps do not affect the taste of the product inside the bottle.

Here, Affect = spoil; Bottle contents = the product contained in the bottle;
Answer: taste

Question 7. ARE ________ TO PRODUCE;  KEYWORD: PRODUCE

Question 8. ARE _______ TO USE;  KEYWORD: USE​

Now, in the last sentence of paragraph 6, “These substitutes are cheaper to manufacture and, in the case of screw caps, more convenient for the user”. “These substitutes” refer to “aluminium screw caps” and “Manufacture” refers to “produce”, while “for the user” means “to use”. So they are cheaper to produce and more convenient for the user. But the question requires “one word only”, so the answer for question 8 has to be “convenient”.

Here, Produce = manufacture; To use = for the user;

 Answer 7: Cheaper

Answer 8:  Convenient.

Question 9.SUIT THE ______ OF QUALITY PRODUCTS

Keywords: suit, quality products
Now, we find information about quality products in this sentence: “Firstly, its(the cork bottle stopper) traditional image is more in keeping with that of the type of high quality goods with which it has long been associated”. “in keeping with” means “suit”. So the blank has to be “traditional image”, but the answer allows one word only, so it has to be “image”

Here, Products = goods; In keeping with = suit;
Answer: image

Question 10. MADE FROM A …..… MATERIAL

Keywords: MADE FROM, MATERIAL

Question 11.  EASILY ……..

Now, in the next sentence, the write mentioned “Secondly – and very importantly – cork is a sustainable product that can be recycled without difficulty”. Recycling often is associated with the material. So the author is referring to its material here. The answer is “sustainable” and “recycled”

Here, Easily = without difficulty.
Answer: 10. Sustainable

Answer: 11. Recycled

12. CORK FORESTS AID ….…;  Keywords: CORK FORESTS, AID
13. CORK FORESTS STOP …..… HAPPENING;  Keywords: CORK FORESTS, STOP​

Now, the last sentence mentioned the cork forests – “Moreover, cork forests are a resource which support local biodiversity, and prevent desertification in the regions where they are planted. So, given the current concerns about environmental issues, the future of this ancient material once again looks promising”. “Support” means “aid” and “prevent” is equal to “stop”. So the answers have to be “biodiversity” and “desertification”
Here, aid = support; stop = prevent;
Answer: 12. Biodiversity 

Answer: 13. Desertification.

 

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Answer Key – Cork

Cambridge IELTS 12 Test 5 Answer Key, Reading Passage 1

 

Cork Reading Passage Answers Keys

Passage 1

 

 

 

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