Reading Flashcards

In CAE Reading, a text about urban planning states that a controversial building project 'divided opinion along predictable lines.' What does this phrase imply?

Answer: People's positions reflected their pre-existing values or interests

'Along predictable lines' implies that the disagreement fell into familiar patterns determined by existing interests, values, or affiliations.

A CAE gapped text task has a paragraph beginning: 'Nor was this an isolated incident.' What does the use of 'Nor' at the start suggest about what precedes this paragraph?

Answer: The preceding paragraph described a negative event or problem

'Nor' is used to add a further negative element, indicating the preceding paragraph described something negative that this sentence reinforces.

In a CAE Part 5 text, the author writes that a famous explorer's journals reveal 'a mind in constant dialogue with itself.' What does this most likely mean?

Answer: The explorer engaged in deep self-reflection and internal debate

'A mind in dialogue with itself' is a figurative expression for intense introspection and self-questioning, not literal speech.

A CAE question asks about the writer's purpose in paragraph 4 of a text on education reform. The paragraph lists several statistics followed by 'these figures speak for themselves.' What is the writer implying?

Answer: The statistics are so clear they require no additional commentary

'Speak for themselves' means the data is self-evident and compelling without needing further elaboration from the writer.

In a CAE cross-text task, Writer A describes a new economic policy as 'bold,' while Writer B calls the same policy 'reckless.' What is the key difference in their views?

Answer: Writer A views the risk positively; Writer B views it negatively

Both 'bold' and 'reckless' acknowledge risk-taking, but 'bold' frames it positively as courageous while 'reckless' frames it negatively as irresponsible.

A CAE Reading passage about media states: 'Headlines are designed to hook, not to inform.' What is the author's underlying argument?

Answer: Media companies prioritize audience engagement over accuracy or depth

The author is criticizing the prioritization of sensationalism and click-bait ('hook') over genuine informational value in modern media.

In CAE Reading Part 5, a question asks you to identify what a pronoun refers to. The sentence reads: 'Scientists welcomed the breakthrough, though they urged caution.' What does 'they' refer to?

Answer: The scientists

In this sentence, 'they' is a personal pronoun referring back to the most recently mentioned noun phrase that can logically perform the action—'scientists.'