I’m Hiroshi Tanaka, an IELTS Reading expert who specialises in explaining Cambridge academic passages and teaching strategic reading for Band 7–9 success. Let’s unpack each question with precision and logic.
Cambridge 19 Reading Test 2 includes three analytical passages covering industrial history, sports science, and human psychology. Together they test data interpretation, cause-and-effect reasoning and the ability to identify author views.
Below you’ll find the complete answers and explanations for Passage 1–3.
Passage 1 – The Industrial Revolution in Britain
👉 Read individually at Cambridge 19 Reading Test 2 Passage 1
🔹 Questions 1–7 | Notes Completion (ONE WORD ONLY)
1 piston – Linked to gears producing rotary motion.
2 coal – Needed as energy source for factories and transport.
3 workshops – Where pre-industrial weavers worked.
4 labour – Less human work required after new machines.
5 quality – Coke-smelted iron was of higher quality.
6 railways – Iron demand rose with railway growth.
7 sanitation – Cities lacked adequate sanitation.
🔹 Questions 8–13 | True / False / Not Given
8 NOT GIVEN – Canal growth not discussed.
9 FALSE – Coke was cheaper, so costs fell.
10 NOT GIVEN – No comparison of Morse and Cooke systems.
11 TRUE – Economic benefits limited to middle and upper classes.
12 TRUE – Weavers feared machines caused job loss.
13 NOT GIVEN – No mention of sympathy near Huddersfield.
Key Idea: Industrialisation brought technological growth but also social inequality and urban problems.
Passage 2 – Athletes and Stress
👉 Full post at Cambridge 19 Reading Test 2 Passage 2
🔹 Questions 14–18 | Matching Information
14 D – Adrenaline and cortisol impact performance.
15 F – Strategies to minimise stress effects.
16 A – Raducanu explained her own stress experience.
17 C – Research links stress responses to performance.
18 F – Psychologists and coaches influence athletes’ responses.
🔹 Questions 19–22 | Sentence Completion
19 injury – A possible risk that adds to stress.
20 serves – Cortisol reduces successful serves.
21 excitement – Psychologists help see nerves as excitement.
22 visualisation – Technique reducing stress response.
🔹 Questions 23–24 | Multiple Choice (2 answers)
B, D – Symptoms of stress and tournament factors raised Raducanu’s stress.
🔹 Questions 25–26 | Multiple Choice (2 answers)
A, E – Anxiety severity depends on factors; frequent episodes harm health.
Key Idea: Challenge and threat states shape athletic performance; positive mindset and visualisation build resilience.
Passage 3 – An Inquiry into the Existence of the Gifted Child
👉 Detailed version at Cambridge 19 Reading Test 2 Passage 3
🔹 Questions 27–32 | Summary Completion (A–K)
27 H – unique
28 A – appeal
29 C – intrigued
30 B – determined
31 J – satisfaction
32 I – innovative
🔹 Questions 33–37 | Yes / No / Not Given
33 YES – Many winners were average in youth.
34 NOT GIVEN – Einstein’s failures not linked to confidence.
35 YES – Debate on innate giftedness continues.
36 NOT GIVEN – Einstein’s feelings about public view not stated.
37 NO – Einstein valued perseverance over speed.
🔹 Questions 38–40 | Multiple Choice
38 C – Children need curiosity and inquiry towards study.
39 B – Innate gift not the key factor in expertise.
40 D – Success in deprived children comes from supportive adults.
Key Idea: High performance depends on practice, support and mindset – not innate genius.
New Vocabulary
Phenology – timing of natural life events.
Cortisol – stress hormone affecting performance.
Visualisation – mental rehearsal technique.
Egalitarianism – belief in equality.
Persistence – continued effort despite difficulty.
Innate – inborn or natural.
Explore more 👉 IELTS Vocabulary in Context
Tips for Success
- Track keywords in chronological order.
- In summary tasks, check grammar before writing ONE WORD answers.
- Opinion questions (YES/NO) → match the writer’s view, not facts.
- Always underline scientists’ names and their statements for matching tasks.
- Review Cambridge tests in sequence to see recurring question patterns.
FAQ
Q1. What skills does Test 2 measure?
Inference, matching opinions, and scientific reasoning.
Q2. Which passage is most difficult?
Passage 3 – “Gifted Child” requires critical thinking and synthesis.
Q3. How can I improve time management?
Limit each passage to ≈ 20 minutes and scan first for proper nouns and numbers.
Q4. Why are keywords vital in IELTS Reading?
They help locate answers and avoid distractors in multiple choice questions.
External References
For official IELTS resources, visit British Council, IDP IELTS, and IELTS.org.
To develop exam-ready skills, join expert-led IELTS Preparation Courses on Course Line, covering Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
Next Reading Practice
Continue your Cambridge series with the next test → 👉 Cambridge 19 Reading Test 3 – Complete Answers & Explanations Explore topics from archaeology to AI translation and master advanced IELTS Reading logic.
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