ielts_trainer_2_academic_six_practice_tests

READing PASSAge 3
Questions 27–40
27 NO: Not ‘surprising’ because it was ‘a development
that had been widely anticipated’.
28 YES: Franklin is cited as an example of those who
think crime fiction ‘should not be held in such high
regard’. He thinks crime novels ‘better resemble
crossword puzzles than literature’, and other literary
critics agree with him.
29 NOT giVEN: Christie is compared to Cain, but there
is no information regarding their opinions of each
other’s writing.
30 YES: ‘the majority of the general public . . . are
more familiar with Christie from the numerous
adaptations of her work for films.’
31 YES: ‘The colourful locations around the
world where Christie set many of her stories
were . . .informed by her extensive travels . . .’.
32 NOT giVEN: She continued working despite her
wealth and fame, but this might simply be because
she had a strong work ethic. There is no information
about whether she ‘enjoyed’ wealth and fame.
33 D features = elements; typical = tend to be repeated
The features include: an aristocratic circle of people;
a confined location; an unexplained crime.
A is wrong because, although the language used
could appear negative (e.g. the claim that the books
are repetitive), the writer is actually identifying
a strength in Christie’s writing that has been
influential.
B is wrong because Sherlock Holmes was a
character, not a writer, and there is no indication
that Christie was influenced by him. In fact, the
opposite is implied.
C is wrong because Christie tended to use the same
techniques.
34 A common criticism = a not infrequent complaint;
reject = it is quite untrue
The criticism is that Christie’s characters lack depth.
The writer argues that the opposite is the case:
she was a ‘perceptive observer of human nature
and psychology’ and ‘she wrote about human
relationships in a way so many of us can relate to’.
B is wrong because, although two books are cited
as evidence, to ‘compare’ them is not the writer’s
purpose in referring to Utley.
C is wrong because, although the conclusion of
Murder on the Orient Express is referred to, it is not
explained.
D is wrong because the opposite is true: the writer
is suggesting her books share a similarity – good
characterisation.
35 C important evidence = vital clues, crucial
information; very easy to miss = so simple to
overlook, fail to see it
The writer is praising the fact that Christie’s books
are so well constructed that it’s worth reading them
twice to see how carefully she hides her clues.
Thus, ‘easy to miss’, which might appear negative, is
actually a compliment.
A is wrong because although readers ‘fail to see’ the
evidence at times, again this is complimentary in
this context because it builds suspense.
B is wrong because her books are ‘no less’ actionpacked
than ‘today’s most popular thrillers’.
D is wrong because the details add to the tension
and keep readers turning the pages.
36 B The writer concludes that her ‘legacy is more
important now than at any time previously’.
A is wrong because of ‘at any time previously’.
C is wrong because the writer implies that the same
characteristics would be found in all Christie’s book,
but that The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is just a good
example.
D is wrong because, although the writer lists five
countries, he implies that there are many others
and that her influence is ‘global’.
37 E ‘. . . so is unique among Christie’s publications’
Distraction is provided by the reference to the
Orient Express train and other locations.
B might be tempting because of the references to
‘fame and wealth’ but those resulted from all her
writing and there is no suggestion that this book
sold better than others by her.
38 F The book ‘features the amateur detective Hercule
Poirot’, who is one of Christie’s ‘best known and
most frequently imitated characters’. It must
‘introduce’ Poirot since it is her first book.
A might be tempting as the book is discussed soon
after reference to Utley’s criticism. However, there
is no connection made between Utley and this book
in particular.
B might be tempting because Poirot is so well
known, but there is no information regarding sales
of this book.
39 C ‘The survey asked readers to identify the villain
revealed in . . . Murder on the Orient Express. Most
readers could not recall because . . .’
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