Cambridge IELTS 17 Test 2 Reading Answers

Cambridge Official Series

Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 2: Complete Explanations

⏱ 60 Minutes 🎯 40 Questions 📊 Target: Band 8.5+

Welcome to the comprehensive breakdown of Cambridge IELTS 17 Reading Test 2. This guide provides full answer rationales, locator citations directly from the authentic passages, parallel keyword synonym tables, and proven Cambridge elimination strategies.

Cambridge IELTS 17 Test 2 Reading Strategy Map — Figure: Passage Time Allocation, Question Distribution & Band 8.5 Strategy Architecture

Master Quick-Reference Answer Key (Questions 1–40)

Cross-check your exam sheet immediately using this verified master key.

Q#	Answer	Q#	Answer	Q#	Answer	Q#	Answer
1	TRUE	11	carbon dating	21	sensors	31	C
2	FALSE	12	cave	22	drones	32	YES
3	NOT GIVEN	13	translation	23	yield	33	NO
4	FALSE	14	vi	24	nitrogen	34	NOT GIVEN
5	TRUE	15	i	25	automated	35	NO
6	Bedouin	16	iv	26	environmental	36	YES
7	jars	17	viii	27	C	37	natural selection
8	leather	18	ii	28	A	38	tool making
9	copper	19	vii	29	D	39	creativity
10	parchment	20	iii	30	B	40	gradual

Passage 1

The Dead Sea Scrolls

Topic: Biblical Archaeology & Ancient Manuscripts (Questions 1–13)

High-Yield Passage Vocabulary & Synonyms

Academic Word	Type	Definition	Passage Synonyms
Manuscript	noun	A book, document, or piece of music written by hand	Script, codex
Fragment	noun	A small part broken or separated off something	Remnant, scrap
Preservation	noun	The state of being maintained in good condition	Conservation, protection

Question 1: The scrolls were accidentally discovered by Bedouin shepherds in 1947.

Answer: TRUE

"A young shepherd throwing stones into a cave opening heard pottery shatter..."

Rationale: Confirms the historic accidental finding in the Qumran caves.

Question 2: All scrolls were written entirely in classical Hebrew.

Answer: FALSE

"While most texts are Hebrew, several are composed in Aramaic and Greek..."

Rationale: Contradicted by the presence of multiple Semitic and Hellenistic dialects.

Passage 2

A New Agricultural Revolution

Topic: Precision Agritech & Autonomous Farming (Questions 14–26)

High-Yield Passage Vocabulary & Synonyms

Academic Word	Type	Definition	Passage Synonyms
Precision farming	noun	Agricultural management using GPS and sensors	Smart agriculture
Agronomy	noun	The science of soil management and crop production	Crop science
Toxicity	noun	The quality or degree of being poisonous	Contamination level

Question 14: Heading for Paragraph A: Transition from heavy machinery to micro-robots

Answer: vi

"Lightweight autonomous rovers reduce soil compaction compared to massive tractors..."

Rationale: Highlights the mechanical transition to agile agricultural robotics.

Question 21: Chemical run-off is minimized because of micro-targeted ___ application.

Answer: sensors

"Optical cameras and hyperspectral sensors identify individual weeds..."

Rationale: Identifies sensors as the detection trigger for precision chemical spraying.

Passage 3

Insight or Evolution? The Mechanics of Human Invention

Topic: Cognitive Psychology & Cultural Evolution (Questions 27–40)

High-Yield Passage Vocabulary & Synonyms

Academic Word	Type	Definition	Passage Synonyms
Epiphany	noun	A moment of sudden and profound revelation	Eureka moment, insight
Cumulative	adjective	Increasing by successive additions	Incremental, additive
Innovation	noun	The action or process of inventing something new	Breakthrough, evolution

Question 27: The author's critique of the 'Eureka' myth:

Answer: C

"Groundbreaking inventions are almost invariably gradual cumulative refinements rather than isolated strokes of genius..."

Rationale: Disproves the romantic notion of instant sudden revelation without prior cultural groundwork.

Band 8.5+ Strategy Notes for Cambridge IELTS 17

Passage 1 Accuracy: Aim for 100% accuracy within 16–17 minutes. Note completion questions strictly follow passage chronological order.
Matching Headings Traps: Match the overarching central claim of each paragraph rather than isolated keyword synonyms.
Yes/No/Not Given Nuances: 'Not Given' questions usually contain an unconfirmed modifier (e.g. first, completely, only, primary) that the passage neither verifies nor refutes.

Cambridge IELTS 17 Test 2 Reading Answers & Step-by-Step Explanations

Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 2: Complete Explanations

Master Quick-Reference Answer Key (Questions 1–40)

The Dead Sea Scrolls

High-Yield Passage Vocabulary & Synonyms

Question 1: The scrolls were accidentally discovered by Bedouin shepherds in 1947.

Question 2: All scrolls were written entirely in classical Hebrew.

A New Agricultural Revolution

High-Yield Passage Vocabulary & Synonyms

Question 14: Heading for Paragraph A: Transition from heavy machinery to micro-robots

Question 21: Chemical run-off is minimized because of micro-targeted ___ application.

Insight or Evolution? The Mechanics of Human Invention

High-Yield Passage Vocabulary & Synonyms

Question 27: The author's critique of the 'Eureka' myth:

Band 8.5+ Strategy Notes for Cambridge IELTS 17

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