Jelly fish: a remarkable marine life form Key MCQs

Reading Passage 3 does not say whether jellyfish are moving from
shallow to deep water, only that they live in both
Training
environments.
Useful strategy: recognising distraction 30 NO: Paragraph 2. Dr Hansen’s theory has been
1 D is the correct answer. ‘conclusively proven by independent studies’.
The paragraph outlines three common mistakes: not 31 NOT GIVEN: Paragraph 3. The point the writer is
delegating; not having a financial plan; and not studying making is that climate change may, or may not, be
the market. responsible for increasing jellyfish populations –
Also, ‘mistakes’ in option D has several synonyms in the more research is necessary to find out. The
paragraph (problems, errors, etc.). writer makes no comment about whether the
consequences of climate change can be reversed.
2
32 YES: Paragraph 3. Previously, some scientists
Distraction for A: The writer describes setting up a new thought jellyfish had no predators. Paul Dewar has
business as ‘exciting’, which might be a motivation. But shown that this is wrong. As a result, ‘the scientific
this is the only positive reference so cannot be what the community now recognises that’ various species
writer is doing in the whole paragraph. eat jellyfish. Therefore, Dewar’s findings have
Distraction for B: The phrases ‘As a business analyst, been accepted.
I’ and ‘in my experience’ might suggest B is correct.
However, the writer only talks about other people’s Questions 33–36
businesses, never her own. 33 B
Distraction for C: The word ‘secondly’ in the paragraph In the 4th paragraph, the writer dismisses three common
is a distractor for ‘two’ in C. However, the writer myths about jellyfish: they do have senses and are
mentions problems among new businesses generally, complex; they can sleep; and they are good swimmers.
not two businesses in particular. Therefore, B is correct.

Useful strategy: locating the relevant part of the passage A is wrong because only one type of jellyfish is named.
1 1 The key locators are: Norway; the Arctic C is wrong because theories are not being contrasted;
2 The key locators are: DNA sequencing; isotope in fact, the theories mentioned about jellyfish are all
analysis similar in that they were false.
3 The key locators are: ‘upside-down jellyfish’ D is wrong because the myths about jellyfish have been
4 The key locators are: Mediterranean Sea corrected because of scientific research.
Most of the locators contain a capitalised proper noun. 34 A
The locators may also be specific terms such as ‘isotope The writer lists several ways jellyfish cause harm to
analysis’, or may be terms that appear in the question humans: their sting; blooms; breaking fishing nets;
and in the text in inverted commas, to help you find the overwhelming fish farms, etc. The writer then outlines
term in the passage. the ways jellyfish help humans: as a source of collagen;
Exam Practice by providing a useful protein, etc. The writer concludes
in the final sentence that there are ‘conflicting factors’ in
Questions 27–32 the relationship between humans and jellyfish – some
27 NO: Paragraph 1. The writer says that most people positive and some negative. Therefore, A is the correct
may only have seen a dead, shapeless jellyfish on answer.
the beach, or perhaps been stung by one, ‘so it is B is wrong because in this paragraph the negative
inevitable’ if people have negative views of jellyfish. impact is the other way around: jellyfish harm humans.
inevitable = not surprising
28 YES: Paragraph 1. The writer says that C is wrong because these problems are in the present.
‘disappointingly little’ research was carried out into D is wrong as no similarities are listed.
jellyfish and that marine biologists ‘took the easy
option’ by focusing on other species. Therefore, 35 C
they ‘should have conducted’ more research. The paragraph outlines various ways that jellyfish have
29 NOT GIVEN: Paragraph 2. There are clear locators managed to survive, despite difficult conditions, and
here: ‘shallow’ and ‘deep’ water. But the writer research showing that one type of jellyfish can become
younger. In the final sentence the writer sums up by
commenting that jellyfish are ‘resilient’ – able to cope or
survive in difficult conditions. Therefore, C is the correct
answer.
A is wrong because while the ‘planet’ is mentioned,
there is no reference to ‘dry land’.
B is wrong because although jellyfish seem to do well in
acidic water, they don’t ‘improve’ their environment.
D is wrong as there is no reference to jellyfish harming
other species, just doing better than some in difficult
conditions.
36 B
The writer outlines the lifecycle of the scyphozoa in
this paragraph. The lifecycle is ‘biologically complex’
because the jellyfish goes through three quite different
stages of life. The scyphozoa ‘illustrates’ something
common to all jellyfish because they all go through
similar life stages. This complexity is emphasised in the
final sentence – ‘sophisticated and unusual’.
A is wrong as the paragraph is talking about ‘complexity’,
not ‘size’.
C is wrong because complexity does not imply that
jellyfish are threatened.
D is wrong because scientists do now understand the
three life stages of the scyphozoa.
Questions 37–40
37 C
1st paragraph. We are told that during the 20th century,
massive nets and mechanical winches often damaged
jellyfish specimens. But now in Norway and the
Arctic scientists have ‘discovered that sound bounces
harmlessly off jellyfish’ and for this reason scientists ‘are
using sonar to monitor jellyfish’.
38 E
2nd paragraph. ‘numerous additional species of jellyfish
unknown to science only a few years ago’ = there are
more types of jellyfish than previously realised
39 A
4th paragraph. ‘they shut down their bodies and rest in
much the same way that humans do at night’ = it was
wrong to assume that jellyfish do not sleep
40 D
6th paragraph. ‘certain jellyfish are able to revert to an
earlier physical state, leading to the assertion that they
are immortal’ = it has been claimed that one particular
type of jellyfish may be able to live forever
 be found [= cannot easily be obtained]. It seems
The future of cities ridiculous [= shows the writer is frustrated] that this
should be the case.’
Distraction B The writer mentions travelling to the
Reading Passage 3
research centre, but is not frustrated by this as
Training someone else collects him from the airport and
Task information: Summary completion drives him there. He tells us that he does not need
to deal with the freeways and daily congestion [
1 1 C  2 G  3 D  4 H  5 A  6 F  7 B  8 E
= daily traffic problems]; C the writer talks about
Exam Practice walking around the blocks nearest to his hotel – he
Questions 27–31 doesn’t complain about not being able to walk
any further; D the writer mentions places such as
27 E: The text says ‘The World Health Organisation museums and arts centres, but seems positive
has produced a report [= recently published data] about this development, rather than frustrated.
predicting that 9.8 billion of us [= the human
33 C: The writer explains that ‘we do know they [=
population] will be living on this planet by 2050. Of
security features] make residents feel reluctant
that number, 72% will be living in urban areas [=
[= they are discouraged] to go outside and walk
cities] – a higher proportion than ever before.’
around their neighbourhood. Instead they are more
28 F: The text says ‘At the top of the list [= the worst likely to remain inactive [= they don’t exercise]
problem] of survey respondents’ concerns is the indoors.’
fact that competition amongst tenants [= people
Distraction A The writer explains that developers
who pay rent] for rental properties has driven the
add security features to housing developments
median price up – so much so that people need to
because they believe it make residents feel
hold down two or more jobs [ = to have two or three
safer. However, the writer points out that there
jobs] to meet all their expenses [= to have enough
is no evidence that it does; B When the writer is
money to pay rent or buy a house].’
talking about residents walking around ‘their
29 H: The text says ‘Another issue the survey neighbourhood’, he is referring to the area and
highlighted is the difficulty commuters [= people local community beyond the fence. This is not a
who use public transport to get to work] face. neighbourhood or community that the residents of
Overcrowding means that seats [= on buses and the new housing developments are part of; D the
trains] are often not available on long journeys, but feeling of being ‘cut off’ refers only to a sense of
more significant is that schedules are unreliable. isolation from the community, not a sense of fear.
Many studies have shown the effect that has on a
34 D: The writer explains that the local people who
country’s productivity [= impact dramatically on the
attend a consultation event with planners and
economy].’
developers are ‘the same few voices with the same
30 A: In the text, we are told that ‘respondents from few wishes [= they rely on the opinions of a narrow
increasingly crowded [= a distractor for ‘population range of people]’.
growth’ but not the right information for this part
Distraction A The writer only explains that planners
of the summary] European cities . . . commented
and developers are not yet generally using the
on how their quality of life was affected by loud
internet and social media to gather ideas – there
machinery, other people’s music and car alarms.’
is no suggestion that they distrust this form of
31 C: The text tells us that ‘Something the survey failed communication; B the writer explains that planners
to ask about [= it omitted a section on this] was the and developers are traditional [= conventional] in
value people placed on having access to nature . . . their approach to gathering information, but does
However, some countries are already moving not explain what kind of buildings they create; C the
forward [= making progress]. Singapore is a prime writer only suggests that planners and developers
example; its rooftop gardens . . .’. can save money by not spending it on things not
desired by residents. This may improve their profits,
Questions 32–35 but the writer doesn’t accuse them of deliberately
32 A: The writer says that ‘whenever I leave my room ignoring the needs of residents.
in search of an outlet providing fruit or anything 35 B: The writer tells us that ‘The containers have been
with nutritional value [= healthy food], none can turned into sunny work studios, and despite their
 limited size [= small spaces], some come with a bed, providing venues for art, music and street theatre.
shower and kitchen unit. Smart planning and skilful Such activities bring communities together, and
construction [= clever design] mean they take up do far more for positive relations than a new mall
very little room’ [= don’t need much space].’ or shopping precinct [= retail opportunities]. For
Distraction A We are told that ‘Furniture and fittings this reason, these kinds of performance spaces
are made from recycled products’, but there is no [= venues for art, music, etc.] should be prioritised
information about what materials these products [= regarded as more important by planners].’
are made from; C We are told that students live 40 YES: The statement accurately reflects the writer’s
in container dormitories in Amsterdam and opinion because the writer says ‘planners and
Copenhagen, but the writer doesn’t tell us why the developers must be obliged to create, within the
students have chosen to live in them. We are told same neighbourhood, different types of homes
that young entrepreneurs can save money by living [= new housing developments] for wealthy
in them, but the motivations of the students and professionals, for families, for the elderly and for
entrepreneurs are not compared; D The locations young people [= examples of social diversity] just
of Docklands, Copenhagen and Amsterdam are starting out. This kind of mix is essential [= it is very
mentioned, but the writer does not say whether important].’
these places – or other locations – are good places
or not for development.

Task information: Yes / No / Not given

2 Questions 36–40
36 YES: The statement accurately reflects the writer’s
opinion because the writer says ‘Successful
development [= good models of development] is
taking place in many urban areas around the world,
and city planners have a duty [= should] to see for
themselves the transforming effect this can have on
residents’ lives. There is no better way to do this than
to visit these places in person [= to travel to them].’
37 NOT GIVEN: The writer only says that ‘These might
be neighbourhoods constructed for the first time [=
entirely new neighbourhoods], or developers might
have transformed what was already there [= existing
neighbourhoods].’ There is no information about what
kind of neighbourhood might be easier to develop.
38 NO: The statement contradicts the writer’s opinion
as the writer states ‘the idea of cars determining
[= influencing] urban planning, and indeed the
whole concept of private car ownership, is now
outdated [= it is no longer useful] and must be
abandoned [= we must stop doing this]. Instead, the
layout of an area under development must make
it easier for people to meet up in pedestrianised
zones and community spaces.’ In other words, the
writer suggests the needs of pedestrians are more
important than those of car drivers.
39 NO: The statement contradicts the writer’s
opinion because the writer says ‘At the heart
of the development should be a cultural area,
 4. MCQs
What is exploration?

The growth of bike-sharing schemes around the world