Use the verified answers to check your work, then re-read the passage using the skimming and scanning strategies outlined here. With practice, you will move from simply verifying answers to confidently earning a Band 8 or 9 on test day.
| Statement | Verified Answer | IELTS Rationale | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Spreadsheets are rarely used in scientific research. | | The passage says spreadsheets are "ubiquitous" despite their risks. | | All software bugs are detected before publication. | False | The passage details how severe bugs can remain undetected for years. | | Manual calculations are faster than automated software. | Not Given | The passage compares accuracy and volume, but never states manual is faster. | | Peer review usually includes checking the original code. | False | The passage laments that peer review rarely examines the underlying software. | | Verification tools require significant training to use. | True | The passage mentions a "steep learning curve" for debugging tools. | Section 3: Summary Completion (No more than two words) You must find the exact words from the passage. Use the verified answers to check your work,
Need more verified answers for other IELTS reading passages? Check our library for "The Step Pyramid of Djoser," "The Benefits of Bilingualism," or "Cognitive Psychology and Learning." | | The passage says spreadsheets are "ubiquitous"
A: Cross-check three sources: (1) Official Cambridge answer keys (if available), (2) Verified IELTS tutor blogs, (3) Your own logical deduction. If a forum says "spreadsheets are safe" but the passage says "spreadsheets are error-prone," discard that source. | | Manual calculations are faster than automated software