I’m Sarah Thompson, an IELTS Reading specialist with over 15 years of experience helping students understand complex Cambridge passages and score Band 7 or higher. Let’s unpack every question step-by-step.
Cambridge 19 Reading Test 3 features three passages ranging from prehistoric discoveries to global environmental issues and emerging artificial-intelligence technology.
Each passage tests a different reading skill — factual analysis, cause-and-effect reasoning, and understanding opinions. Below you’ll find complete answers with keywords, locations and clear explanations for all three sections.
Passage 1 – Archaeologists Discover Evidence of Prehistoric Island Settlers
👉 For the stand-alone version, see Cambridge 19 Reading Test 3 Passage 1.
🔹 Questions 1–7 | True / False / Not Given
1 FALSE – No previous archaeology on Obi before Shipton.
2 FALSE – Axes had been found elsewhere before Kelo.
3 TRUE – Obi is smaller today than 18 000 years ago.
4 NOT GIVEN – No comparison with other islands.
5 TRUE – Warmer climate linked to new stone axes.
6 NOT GIVEN – No surprise mentioned.
7 FALSE – Shelters were abandoned about 8 000 years ago.
🔹 Questions 8–13 | Notes Completion (ONE WORD ONLY)
8 caves – Excavations in caves near Kelo.
9 stone – Axes made from stone after 11 700 years ago.
10 bones – Animal bones show diet evidence.
11 beads – Similar to those from other islands.
12 pottery – Later inhabitants owned pottery.
13 spices – Linked to historic spice trade.
Key Idea: The Obi excavations revealed technological progress from shell to stone tools and evidence of island trade networks.
Passage 2 – The Global Importance of Wetlands
👉 Full post: Cambridge 19 Reading Test 3 Passage 2
🔹 Questions 14–17 | Matching Information
14 G – Need to benefit local inhabitants.
15 A – Half of world’s wetlands lost since 1990.
16 H – Awareness of importance is growing.
17 B – Cultural and historical significance.
🔹 Questions 18–22 | Sentence Completion
18 carbon – Peatlands emit carbon when drained.
19 fires – Deforestation raises fire risk.
20 biodiversity – Loss of biodiversity.
21 ditches – Water drained through ditches.
22 subsidence – Land drops and floods follow.
🔹 Questions 23–26 | Matching Experts
23 A – Matthew McCartney – Local communities must join decisions.
24 C – Marcel Silvius – Policies vary between nations.
25 D – Dave Tickner – Damage often unintentional.
26 B – Pieter van Eijk – Climate projects can be simple.
Key Idea: Wetlands support climate stability, wildlife and local livelihoods — protection depends on global policy and grass-roots involvement.
Passage 3 – Is the Era of Artificial Speech Translation Upon Us?
👉 Full post: Cambridge 19 Reading Test 3 Passage 3
🔹 Questions 27–30 | Multiple Choice
27 D – Conversation was challenging for both speakers.
28 A – Repeated content of lectures helps translator.
29 C – Artificial speech translation was a natural technological evolution.
30 B – Reluctance to share earpieces is understandable.
🔹 Questions 31–34 | Sentence Endings
31 C – Developing fast in Japan but not perfect.
32 E – TV voice-overs succeed because translation is immediate.
33 F – Systems must address users with good manners.
34 B – Users may preserve local customs.
🔹 Questions 35–40 | Yes / No / Not Given
35 NO – Not yet useful in all professional fields.
36 YES – Family impact still unclear.
37 NO – Technology could help immigrant families.
38 NOT GIVEN – Visual translation not discussed.
39 NOT GIVEN – No Latin comparison in translation ease.
40 YES – Social and practical language needs differ.
Key Idea: AI speech translation is advancing but still imperfect; language retains social value beyond technology.
New Vocabulary
Subsidence – gradual sinking of land. (Peatland subsidence leads to flooding.)
Egalitarianism – equal status and rights. (Traditional hunters valued egalitarianism.)
Obsidian – volcanic glass used for tools. (Obsidian found on Obi showed island trade.)
Sediment plume – cloud of particles in water. (Mining creates sediment plumes.)
Etiquette – social rules for polite behaviour. (AI translators must respect cultural etiquette.)
Explore more in 👉 IELTS Reading Vocabulary in Context
Tips for Success
- Passage 1: Focus on chronology and archaeological evidence.
- Passage 2: Track expert names and their opinions.
- Passage 3: Distinguish facts from the writer’s view.
- Use scanning for details and keyword matching to locate answers faster.
- Keep timing balanced — ≈ 20 minutes per passage.
FAQ
Q1. What themes appear in Cambridge 19 Test 3?
Prehistory (archaeology), environment (wetlands), and technology (AI translation).
Q2. Which skills are tested?
True/False/Not Given, Matching Information, Sentence Completion, and Inference questions.
Q3. How difficult is Test 3?
Moderate to challenging — scientific and opinion-based passages require critical reading.
Q4. What’s the best strategy for names and opinions?
Underline each expert’s view and match with specific claims in the text.
External References
For official IELTS guidance and practice materials, visit the British Council, IDP IELTS, and IELTS.org.
To enhance your IELTS Reading skills with structured courses, explore expert-led IELTS Preparation Courses on Course Line.
Next Reading Practice
Continue to the next set of Cambridge IELTS explanations →
👉 Cambridge 19 Reading Test 4 Passage 1 – The Impact of Climate Change on Butterflies in Britain
Explore how rising temperatures affect ecosystems and master data-based IELTS Reading tasks.
