I’m Sarah Thompson, an IELTS Reading specialist with over 10 years of experience explaining Cambridge IELTS passages for students worldwide. My goal is to make academic topics clear, practical and exam-ready for every learner.
Cambridge 19 Reading Test 2 Passage 3 – An Inquiry into the Existence of the Gifted Child explores whether exceptional ability is innate or developed through practice, attitude and support. Using examples such as Maryam Mirzakhani and Albert Einstein, the passage examines research by scholars including Eyre, Ericsson and Bloom to show that high performance often depends more on motivation and environment than on natural genius.
Cambridge 19 Reading Test 2 Passage 3
🔹 Questions 27–32 | Summary Completion (Choose A–K)
Learn this strategy 👉 Summary Completion
27) H – unique
- Keywords: only woman, Fields Medal
- Location: Paragraph 1 (opening)
- Locator: “She was the only woman to win the Fields Medal.”
- Explanation: The word unique fits because Mirzakhani held a singular achievement in mathematics.
28) A – appeal
- Keywords: maths held little interest as a child
- Location: Paragraph 1 (middle)
- Locator: “maths wasn’t her interest – reading was.”
- Explanation: Maths had little appeal for her in childhood.
29) C – intrigued
- Keywords: inspired by puzzle from brother
- Location: Paragraph 1 (late)
- Locator: “a famous maths problem … fascinated her – and she was hooked.”
- Explanation: She became intrigued by the puzzle.
30) B – determined
- Keywords: resolute, setbacks
- Location: Paragraph 2 (opening)
- Locator: “resolute in the face of setbacks.”
- Explanation: Describes her determination when facing difficulty.
31) J – satisfaction
- Keywords: rewarding part, excitement of discovery
- Location: Paragraph 2 (mid)
- Locator: “the most rewarding part is the ‘Aha’ moment.”
- Explanation: Her greatest satisfaction came from discovery.
32) I – innovative
- Keywords: ground-breaking, research
- Location: Paragraph 2 (end)
- Locator: “original research into mathematics.”
- Explanation: Her work was innovative and highly original.
🔹 Questions 33–37 | YES / NO / NOT GIVEN
Learn to analyse claims with 👉 Yes / No / Not Given
33) YES
- Keywords: average as children, prize winners
- Location: Paragraph 3 (opening)
- Locator: “Most Nobel prize winners were unexceptional in childhood.”
- Explanation: Supports the idea that many high achievers were average when young.
34) NOT GIVEN
- Keywords: Einstein’s failures due to lack of confidence
- Location: Paragraph 3 (full)
- Locator: No mention of confidence levels.
- Explanation: The text describes his academic issues but not their cause → NOT GIVEN.
35) YES
- Keywords: disagreement on innate giftedness
- Location: Paragraph 5 (opening)
- Locator: “the jury is out on giftedness being innate.”
- Explanation: Confirms there is no clear agreement → YES.
36) NOT GIVEN
- Keywords: Einstein upset by public view
- Location: Final paragraphs
- Locator: No reference to Einstein’s feelings about public opinion.
- Explanation: Missing information → NOT GIVEN.
37) NO
- Keywords: Einstein success, speed
- Location: Final paragraph (end)
- Locator: “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
- Explanation: He credits persistence, not speed → NO.
🔹 Questions 38–40 | Multiple Choice
38) C – the development of a spirit of inquiry towards their studies
- Keywords: Eyre, high performance learning
- Location: Paragraph 6 (opening–middle)
- Locator: “must be taught the right attitudes and approaches … curiosity, persistence and hard work.”
- Explanation: Eyre believes developing curiosity and inquiry equals gifted standards.
39) B – Being born with a special gift is not the key factor in becoming expert
- Keywords: Ericsson, research, practice
- Location: Paragraph 7 (mid)
- Locator: “he doesn’t think unique and innate talents are at the heart of performance.”
- Explanation: Expertise comes from deliberate practice, not innate gift.
40) D – the guidance of someone who recognises the benefits of learning
- Keywords: disadvantaged children, support
- Location: Paragraph 8 (end)
- Locator: “an adult … who valued and supported education.”
- Explanation: Mentorship and guidance explain why some deprived children succeed.
Practice & Further Resources
You’ve completed Cambridge 19 Reading Test 2 Passage 3 – An Inquiry into the Existence of the Gifted Child!
Next, explore 👉 IELTS Reading Practice Tests and strategic skills pages:
Tips for Success
- For summary completion, watch for grammatical fit and synonyms.
- For YES/NO/NOT GIVEN, focus on the author’s opinion, not facts alone.
- For MCQs, underline keywords and eliminate similar options.
- Highlight verbs like believe, found, showed – they often signal answers.
New Vocabulary
Giftedness – exceptional natural ability. (The study questions whether giftedness is innate or developed.)
Curiosity – strong desire to learn. (Curiosity drives children to ask questions and explore.)
Persistence – continuing despite difficulty. (Einstein saw persistence as the key to success.)
Deliberate practice – planned, challenging training to improve a skill. (Musicians reach excellence through deliberate practice.)
Neuroscience – study of the nervous system and brain. (Neuroscience shows IQ can change over time.)
Mentorship – guidance from a more experienced person. (Mentorship helped disadvantaged students succeed.)
See more academic terms at 👉 IELTS Vocabulary in Context.
FAQ
Q1. What is the main focus of this passage?
It examines whether giftedness is innate or developed through attitude and practice.
Q2. What does Eyre’s research suggest?
That most students can achieve ‘gifted’ levels if taught curiosity and persistence.
Q3. How did Ericsson’s research challenge the idea of natural talent?
It proved that deliberate practice and training create expertise.
Q4. What role does support play in success?
A supportive adult or mentor can help children overcome disadvantage and achieve high performance.
External References
For authentic IELTS information and official practice materials, visit the British Council, IDP IELTS, and IELTS.org — the official organisations that manage the IELTS exam worldwide. To strengthen your skills with structured courses, explore expert-led IELTS Preparation Courses on Course Line, designed to boost your Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking bands.
Final Thoughts
The Cambridge 19 Reading Test 2 Passage 3 – An Inquiry into the Existence of the Gifted Child challenges our ideas about genius. It shows that hard work, support and curiosity often matter more than natural talent. By understanding how top performers think and learn, you can apply the same mindset to your IELTS Reading success. Next → Cambridge 19 Reading Test 3 Passage 1 – Archaeologists Discover Evidence of Prehistoric Island Settlers.
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