READING PASSAGE 1

1. Answer: True
Explanation: Located in the fifth, sixth and seventh lines of paragraph B, “So when I was eight years
old he took me back to the area that had been his ranch, to where he had seen these big old bones. I
picked up one. I am pretty sure it was the upper arm bone of a duck billed dinosaur: it probably wasn’t
a dinosaur but closely related to that ”.
2. Answer: False
Explanation: Located in the first three lines of paragraph C, “Horner spent seven years at university
but never graduated. “I have a learning disability, I would call it a learning difference – dyslexia, they
call it – and I just had a terrible time with English and foreign languages and things like that”.
3. Answer: Not given
Explanation: Not Avalibale
4. Answer: True
Explanation: Located in the last few lines of paragraph E, “Triceratops is very common: they are
the cows of the Cretaceous, they are everywhere. Duck Billed dinosaurs are relatively common but not
as common as triceratops and T rex, for a meat-eating dinosaur, is very common. What we would
consider the predator-prey ratio seems really off the scale. What is interesting is the little dromaeosaurs,
the ones we know for sure were good predators, we haven’t found any of them”.
5. Answer: True
Explanation: Located in the first three lines of paragraph F, “ Which is why he sees T rex, not as the
lion of the Cretaceous savannah but its vulture. “Look at the wildebeest that migrate in the Serengeti of
Africa, a million individuals lose about 200,000 individuals in that annual migration”.
6. Answer: True
Explanation: Located in the fifth, sixth and seventh lines of paragraph F, “If T rex was a top
predator, especially considering how big it is, you’d expect it to be extremely rare, much rarer than the
little dromaeosaurs, and yet they are everywhere, they are a dime a dozen,” he says. A 12-tonne T rex is
a lot of vultures, but he doesn’t see the monster as clumsy”.
7. Answer: False
Explanation: Located in the last three lines of paragraph F, “He insisted his theory and finding,
dedicated to further research upon it, of course, he would like to reevaluate if there is any case that
additional evidence found or explanation raised by others in the future”.
8. Answer: Shine bone
Explanation: Located in the second line of paragraph G, “ to the shin bone (lower leg)”.
9. Answer: Slow walker
Explanation: Located in the third line of paragraph G, “built to be a slow walker rather than fast
running”.
10. Answer: Cheetah
Explanation: Located in the last line of paragraph G, “ostrich, cheetah, etc”.
11. Answer: Run fast
Explanation: Located in the last line of paragraph G, “today which are designed to run fast”.
12. Answer: Blunt
Explanation: Located in the second last line of paragraph H, “The T-Rex’s teeth were huge, sharp at
their tip, but blunt”.
13. Answer: Crush
Explanation: Located in the last line of paragraph H, “which enabled them to only crush bones”.
READING PASSAGE 2

Should we try to bring extinct species back to life?

A
The passenger pigeon was a legendary species. Flying in vast numbers across North America, with
potentially many millions within a single flock, their migration was once one of nature’s great
spectacles. Sadly, the passenger pigeon’s existence came to an end on 1 September 1914
(Q17), when the last living specimen died at Cincinnati Zoo. Geneticist Ben Novak is lead
researcher on an ambitious project which now aims to bring the bird back to life through a
process known as ‘de-extinction’. The basic premise involves using cloning technology to
turn the DNA of extinct animals into a fertilised embryo, which is carried by the nearest
relative still in existence – in this case, the abundant band-tailed pigeon – before being born
as (Q15) a living, breathing animal. Passenger pigeons are one of the pioneering species in this
field, but they are far from the only ones on which this cutting-edge technology is being trialled.
B
In Australia, the thylacine, more commonly known as the Tasmanian tiger, is another extinct
creature which genetic scientists are striving to bring back to life. ‘There is no carnivore now in
Tasmania that fills the niche which thylacines once occupied,’ explains Michael Archer of the
University of New South Wales. He points out that in the decades since the thylacine went
extinct, there has been a spread in a ‘dangerously debilitating’ facial tumour syndrome
which threatens the existence of the Tasmanian devils, the island’s other notorious
resident. Thylacines would have prevented this spread because they would have killed
significant numbers of Tasmanian devils. ‘If that contagious cancer had popped up
previously, it would have burned out in whatever region it started. The return of thylacines
to Tasmania could help to ensure that devils are never again subjected to risks of this kind.’
(Q23)
C
If extinct species can be brought back to life, can humanity begin to correct the damage it has
caused to the natural world over the past few millennia? ‘The idea of de-extinction is that we can
reverse this process, bringing species that no longer exist back to life,’ says Beth Shapiro of
University of California Santa Cruz’s Genomics Institute. ‘I don’t think that we can do this. There is
no way to bring back something that is 100 per cent identical to a species that went extinct a long
time ago.’ A more practical approach for long-extinct species is to take the DNA of existing species
as a template, ready for the insertion of strands of extinct animal DNA to create something new;
a hybrid, based on the living species, but which looks and/or acts like the animal which died out.
D
This complicated process and questionable outcome begs the question: what is the actual point
of this technology? ‘For us, the goal has always been replacing the extinct species with a suitable
replacement,’ explains Novak. ‘When it comes to breeding, band-tailed pigeons scatter and make
maybe one or two nests per hectare, whereas passenger pigeons were very social and would
make 10,000 or more nests in one hectare.’ Since the disappearance of this key species,
ecosystems in the eastern US have suffered, as the lack of disturbance caused by
thousands of passenger pigeons wrecking trees and branches means there has been
minimal need for regrowth. This has left forests stagnant and therefore (Q16) unwelcoming
to the plants and animals which evolved to help regenerate the forest after a disturbance.
According to Novak, a hybridized band-tailed pigeon, with the added nesting habits of a
passenger pigeon, could, in theory, re-establish that forest disturbance, thereby creating a
habitat necessary for a great many other native species to thrive (Q25).
E
Another popular candidate for this technology is the woolly mammoth. George Church, professor
at Harvard Medical School and leader of the Woolly Mammoth Revival Project, has been focusing
on cold resistance, the main way in which the extinct woolly mammoth and its nearest living
relative, the Asian elephant, differ. By pinpointing which genetic traits made it possible for
mammoths to survive the (Q18) icy climate of the tundra, the project’s goal is to return
mammoths, or a mammoth-like species, to the area. ‘My highest priority would be preserving the
endangered Asian elephant,’ says Church, ‘expanding their range to the huge ecosystem of
the tundra. Necessary adaptations would include smaller ears, thicker hair, and extra
insulating fat, all for the purpose of reducing heat loss in the tundra, and all traits (Q19,
Q20, Q21) found in the now extinct woolly mammoth.’ This repopulation of the tundra and boreal
forests of Eurasia and North America with large mammals could also be a useful factor in reducing
carbon emissions – elephants punch holes through snow and knock down trees, which
encourages grass growth. This grass growth would reduce temperature, and mitigate
emissions from melting permafrost (Q22).
F
While the prospect of bringing extinct animals back to life might capture imaginations, it
is, of course, far easier to try to save an existing species which is merely threatened with
extinction (Q14). ‘Many of the technologies that people have in mind when they think about de-
extinction can be used as a form of “genetic rescue”,’ explains Shapiro. She prefers to focus the
debate on how this emerging technology could be used to fully understand why various
species went extinct in the first place (Q24), and therefore how we could use it to make genetic
modifications which could prevent mass extinctions in the future. ‘I would also say there’s an
incredible moral hazard to not do anything at all,’ she continues. ‘We know that what we are
doing today is not enough (Q26), and we have to be willing to take some calculated and
measured risks.’
14 a reference to how further disappearance of multiple species could be avoided. F
15 explanation of a way of reproducing an extinct animal using the DNA of only that species. B
16 reference to a habitat which has suffered following the extinction of a species. D
17 mention of the exact point at which a particular species became extinct. G
The woolly mammoth revival project
Professor George Church and his team are trying to identify the 18…genetic traits… which
enabled mammoths to live in the tundra. The findings could help preserve the mammoth’s close
relative, the endangered Asian elephant.
According to Church, introducing Asian elephants to the tundra would involve certain physical
adaptations to minimise 19…heat loss… To survive in the tundra, the species would need to have
the mammoth-like features of thicker hair, 20…ear… of a reduced size and more 21…(insulating)
fat…
Repopulating the tundra with mammoths or Asian elephant/mammoth hybrids would also have
an impact on the environment, which could help to reduce temperatures and
decrease 22…(carbon) emissions…
23 Reintroducing an extinct species to its original habitat could improve the health of a particular
species living there. B
24 It is important to concentrate on the causes of an animal’s extinction. C
25 A species brought back from extinction could have an important beneficial impact on the
vegetation of its habitat. A
26 Our current efforts at preserving biodiversity are insufficient. C
READING PASSAGE 3

27. Paragraph A
Answer: x) Transport developments spark a major change
Supporting Sentence: The invention of the automobile created an irresistible demand for
paved roads and vehicular bridges throughout the developed world.
Keyword: Innovation, Automotive, Reinforced, Demand for paved roads.
Keyword Location: 1st paragraph, 2nd-4th sentence
Explanation: Paragraph A suggests that the innovation of automotive in place of locomotive
vehicles leads to a significant change. This transportation development came with a
requirement for paved roads and vehicular bridges. The need for roads is different from what
was there for locomotives. Hence, there is a consequential change in the design of buildings
which embarks a major change in the civil industry. Hence, “Transport developments spark a
major change” is an accurate heading for the same.

28. Paragraph B
Answer: viii) Different in all respects
Supporting Sentence: Early in his career, Maillart developed a unique method for designing
bridges, buildings and other concrete structures.
Keyword: unique method, designing bridges, rejected the complex mathematical analysis,
decorative approach, creative intuition.
Keyword Location: 2nd paragraph, 1st-5th sentences.
Explanation: The paragraph discusses Maillart’s unique method for developing building and
concrete structures and designing bridges. He does not accept the complex mathematical
analysis of dresses and loads that was mainly embraced by most of his contemporaries. He also
avoids the decorative approach that the bridge builders of his time employed in their work. His
method of creating structures was a creative form of intuition. Therefore, the heading “Different
in all respects” suits the theme of the paragraph perfectly.

29. Paragraph C
Answer: v) The basis of a new design is born
Supporting Sentence: His crucial innovation was incorporating the bridge’s arch and roadway
into a form called the hollow-box arch, which would substantially reduce the bridge’s expense
by minimising the amount of concrete needed.
Keyword: Innovation, hollow-box arch, substantially reduce, expense
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 3rd and 4th sentence
Explanation: Paragraph C suggests that Maillart had performed a crucial innovation in terms of
designing bridges and roads into a form called hollow-box arch. This type of design can
considerably minimize the cost of concrete required to build the bridge. Hence, this innovation
opened a new dimension. We therefore can conclude that “The basis of a new design is born” is
the correct heading for this paragraph.
 30. Paragraph D
Answer: iii) Early brilliance passes unrecognized
Supporting Sentence: But the Tavanasa Bridge gained little favorable publicity in Switzerland; on
the contrary, it aroused strong aesthetic objections from public officials who were more
comfortable with old-fashioned stone-faced bridges.
Keyword: aroused strong aesthetic objections, public officials.
Keyword Location: 4th paragraph, 3rd to 5th sentence
Explanation: The 4th paragraph suggests that though Maillart has completed the construction of
the Tavanasa bridge, it acquired very little publicity in Switzerland. It has faced critical objections
from public officials who were not in favor of this new design and were more agreeable with the
old stone-faced bridges. Hence, this innovation was not well accepted and was unable to win any
further bridge projects. It totally went unrecognized during this period.

31. Paragraph E
Answer: vii) Further refinements meet persistent objections
Supporting Sentence: In this way, Maillart justified making the arch as thin as he could
reasonably build it.
Keyword: justified making the arch, reasonably build, accurately predicted the behaviour.
Keyword Location: 5th paragraph, 4th- 6th sentence
Explanation: The paragraph depicts the way Maillart attaches the arch to the roadway with
transverse walls. Thus Maillart reasonably built the arch as thin to make it well justified. He has
made a correct prediction about the nature of the bridge. Therefore, the heading “Further
refinements meet persistent objections” meets the content of the paragraph in a suitable manner.

32. Paragraph F
Answer: ii) A celebrated achievement
Supporting Sentence: In 1991 it became the first concrete bridge to be designated an
international historic landmark.
Keyword: least expensive, won the competition, designated an international historic landmark
Keyword Location: 6th paragraph, 2nd - 4th sentence
Explanation: In paragraph F, the author describes that Maillart won the competition for contracts
in 1930. His design was economical and the least expensive among all the submitted designs.
Further, in 1991 the Salginatobel bridge became the first concrete bridge to be nominated as an
international historic landmark.

33. Paragraph G
Answer: i) The long-term impact
Supporting Sentence: Maillart’s hollow-box arch became the dominant design form for medium
and long- span concrete bridges in the US.
Keyword: aesthetically pleasing, technically unsurpassed, dominant design form, influenced a
new generation.
Keyword Location: 7th paragraph, 4th-6th sentence
Explanation: The paragraph depicts the undeniable art and production of Maillart. The engineers
realized that the bridges constructed by Maillart were superior to anything and aesthetically
pleasing and technically unsurpassed. The hollow box arch created by maillart became the
dominant structure for long-span and medium-concrete bridges in the United States. The
professor in Switzerland influenced the new generation of designers with the ideas of Maillart.
Therefore, “The long-term impact” is the correct heading that goes perfectly with the content of
the paragraph.
Question 34:
Answer: columns
Supporting Sentence: In a conventional arch bridge, the weight of the roadway is transferred
by columns to the arch, which must be relatively thick.
Keyword: weight of the roadway, transferred, column, arch
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 4th sentence.
Explanation: In the 3rd paragraph, the author describes that in the conventional arch bridge,
the weight of the roadway is transferred by column to the arch. Hence, it must be thick enough
to hold the weight of the roadway along with the vehicles on it. Hence, “columns” is the correct
answer to this question.

Question 35:
Answer: vertical walls
Supporting Sentence: In Maillart’s design, though, the roadway and arch were connected by
three vertical walls, forming two hollow boxes running under the roadway.
Keyword: vertical walls, roadway, arch, hollow box
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 5th sentence.
Explanation: Maillart had designed the new arch bridges wherein, the roadway and arches
were connected by three vertical walls. In this scenario, the arch does not need to bear the
whole pressure of the roadway. Hence, it can be thinner than the conventional bridge.

Question 36:
Answer: hollow boxes
Supporting Sentence: In Maillart’s design, though, the roadway and arch were connected by
three vertical walls, forming two hollow boxes running under the roadway.
Keyword: vertical walls, roadway, arch, hollow box
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 5th sentence.
Explanation: Maillart had designed the new arch bridges wherein, the roadway and arches
were connected by three vertical walls which created two hollow-box arches. In this scenario,
the arch does not need to bear the whole pressure of the roadway. Hence, it can be thinner
than the conventional bridge. Also, it would substantially reduce the bridge's expense by
lowering the amount of concrete required.

Question 37:
Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: His crucial innovation was incorporating the bridge’s arch and roadway
into a form called the hollow-box arch, which would substantially reduce the bridge’s expense
by minimising the amount of concrete needed.
Keyword: hollow-box arch, reduce the bridge’s expense, minimising the amount of concrete.
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 3rd sentence.
Explanation: Maillart's innovation in creating the hollow-box arch was a goal to reduce the
expense of the bridge by diminishing the amount of raw materials required. Therefore, D is the
correct answer as it satisfies the argument depicted in the 3rd paragraph of the passage.
Question 38:
Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: Maillart, who had founded his own construction firm in 1902, was unable
to win any more bridge projects.
Keyword: Tavanasa bridge, objections, unable to win
Keyword Location: 4th paragraph, 4th and 5th sentence.
Explanation: Maillart introduced his new design while constructing the Tavanasa bridge. He
removed the vertical walls and produced a slender-looking bridge structure. This was not well
accepted by public officials who were in favor of the old-fashioned conventional bridge
structure. Hence, he failed to win any further bridge contracts.

Question 39:
Answer: G
Supporting Sentence: Over the next 10 years, Maillart concentrated on refining the visual
appearance of the deck-stiffened arch.
Keyword: refining the visual appearance.
Keyword Location: 6th paragraph, 1st sentence.
Explanation: When Maillart developed the Flienglibach bridge, he wanted a thinner arch and
opted to connect the arch to the roadway with transverse walls as a solution. However, the
leading authority of the engineering team argues that this method might not work well. Hence,
over the next 10 years, Maillart vigorously worked on refining the visual appearance of the arch
of the bridge.

Question 40:
Answer: F
Supporting Sentence: Salginatobel was also Maillart’s longest span, at 90 metres and it had the
most dramatic setting of all his structures, vaulting 80 metres above the ravine of the Salgina
brook.
Keyword: best-known structure, won the competition, dramatic setting
Keyword Location: 6th paragraph, 2nd- 4th sentence.
Explanation: In 1930, Maillart completed the construction of Salginatobel. It was also described
as the longest span of Maillart with a length of 90 meters and vaulting 80 meters above the
ravine of the Salgina brook. This has become the best-known structure of Maillart and won him
many more projects.