I’m Hiroshi Tanaka, an IELTS Reading expert with nine years of experience helping learners decode Cambridge passages. Below is the complete breakdown of Cambridge 20 Reading Test 2, including every passage, question type, answer, and explanation to help you reach Band 7 + in IELTS Reading.
Passage 1 — Manatees
👉 Full Passage & Detailed Explanations: Cambridge 20 Reading Test 2 Passage 1 – Manatees Answers with Explanations
🔹 Questions 1–6 | Notes Completion
1 tail – Para 1 L3-5 (dugong fluked vs manatee rounded tail) → contrasting feature.
2 flippers – Para 2 L4-7 (turn body by steering with flippers).
3 hair – Para 2 L8-10 (hairs sense vibrations in water).
4 seagrasses – Para 3 L1-2 (main diet = aquatic plants).
5 lips – Para 4 L5-7 (lips function like hands to grasp plants).
6 buoyancy – Para 5 L6-9 (diaphragm controls floating ability).
🔹 Questions 7–13 | True / False / Not Given
7 TRUE – Moves between fresh & salt water (Para 6).
8 NOT GIVEN – No temperature comparison (Para 6).
9 FALSE – Also lives in inland rivers (Para 7).
10 NOT GIVEN – No info on when loss was discovered (Para 8).
11 TRUE – Predicted 20 % decline in 40 years (Para 9).
12 NOT GIVEN – No trend over time (Para 9).
13 TRUE – Florida laws limit boat speed (Final para).
Key Idea: Manatees are gentle, endangered aquatic mammals threatened by human activity but protected by law and science.
Passage 2 — Procrastination
👉 Full Passage & Detailed Explanations: Cambridge 20 Reading Test 2 Passage 2 – Procrastination Answers with Explanations
🔹 Questions 14–16 | Identifying Information
14 B – False assumptions (laziness myth disproved).
15 F – Realisation others also procrastinate (reduces guilt).
16 B – Brain imaging links emotion and delay.
🔹 Questions 17–22 | Summary Completion
17 laziness – Common myth (Para B).
18 anxious – Tasks cause stress (Para B).
19 threats – Brain detects danger (Para B).
20 exams – Example of stressful task (Para C).
21 perfectionists – Fear judgement (Para C).
22 guilt – Negative cycle (Para C).
🔹 Questions 23–26 | Comparison & Advice
23 A + C – Procrastinators earn less and have less stable jobs (Para D).
25 A + E – Forgive yourself and avoid distractions (Para F).
Key Idea: Procrastination is emotion-driven, not laziness; self-forgiveness and focus can end the cycle.
Passage 3 — Invasion of the Robot Umpires
👉 Full Passage & Detailed Explanations: Cambridge 20 Reading Test 2 Passage 3 – Invasion of the Robot Umpires Answers with Explanations
🔹 Questions 27–32 | Yes / No / Not Given
27 NO – DeJesus did not share decisions (Para A).
28 YES – MLB adjusted zone after complaints (Para D).
29 NOT GIVEN – No money discussion.
30 NO – Fastball reduced excitement (Para F).
31 NOT GIVEN – No debate about bat (Para G).
32 YES – ABS can load any strike zone (Para G).
🔹 Questions 33–37 | Summary Completion
33 F – Former roles. 34 D – Subjective assessment. 35 H – Perceived area. 36 B – Numerous disputes. 37 G – Total silence.
🔹 Questions 38–40 | Multiple Choice
38 B – Accuracy may reduce game’s appeal (Para E).
39 D – Keep younger fans (Para F).
40 C – Accuracy ≠ enjoyment (Final para).
Key Idea: Technology enhances fairness but can diminish the human emotion that defines sport.
New Vocabulary
Aquatic – living in water. Example: Manatees are large aquatic mammals.
Perfectionist – person who wants everything perfect. Example: Perfectionists often delay work for fear of failure.*
Forgiveness – letting go of blame. Example: Self-forgiveness helps stop procrastination.*
Algorithm – set of rules a computer follows. Example: ABS uses an algorithm to judge strikes.*
Precision – exact accuracy. Example: Robot umpires make decisions with high precision.*
Automation – machine operation without human input. Example: Baseball automation reduces errors.*
More at 👉 IELTS Vocabulary in Context
Tips for Success
- Follow cause → effect patterns in scientific texts.
- Underline names and opinions for Matching tasks.
- Watch for contrast words (However, But, Although).
- Check grammar for ONE WORD ONLY answers.
- Manage ≈ 20 minutes per passage for balance.
FAQ
Q1. What are the themes in Cambridge 20 Test 2?
Wildlife (Manatees), Psychology (Procrastination), and Technology in Sport (Robot Umpires).
Q2. Which skills does this test improve?
Scanning for facts, interpreting causes and effects, and analysing opinions.
Q3. Which passage is most difficult?
Passage 3 – “Robot Umpires,” because it requires understanding viewpoints.
Q4. How to reach Band 8 in Reading?
Practise under timed conditions and analyse why each wrong option is wrong.
External References
For official IELTS information and updates, visit the British Council, IDP IELTS, and IELTS.org.
To build Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking skills through expert-led courses, explore Course Line – IELTS Preparation Courses.
Next Reading Practice
Continue your Cambridge series → 👉 Cambridge 20 Reading Test 3 Passage 1 – Frozen Food Answers with Explanations
