A Silent Force IELTS Reading Answers

Updated On Aug 27, 2021

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1 A Silent Force
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The Academic passage ‘A Silent Force’ is a reading passage that appeared in an IELTS Test. Read the passage below and answer questions 16 – 27. Beyond the questions, you will find the answers along with the location of the answers in the passage and the keywords that help you find out the answers.

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Question number	Answer	Explanation
16	iii	Paragraph A mentions that reading has come a long way since Augustine’s day. There was a time when it was a menial job of scribes and priests, not the mark of civilization it became in Europe during the Renaissance when it was seen as one of the attributes of the civilized individual. From this paragraph, we can say that now reading is a mark of civilization. Hence, the answer is iii (Reading: the mark of civilization).
17	viii	In the first sentence of paragraph B, it is pointed out that modern nations are now seriously affected by their levels of literacy. For example, while the western world has seen a noticeable decline, other less developed countries have advanced and overtaken the West. So, European countries are in danger of falling even further behind economically. This proves that with literacy comes economic advancement. As the European countries have declining literacy rates, their economy is also being affected. Hence, the answer is viii (Literacy influences the economies of countries in today’s world).
18	xi	Paragraph C states that reading as a skill is the key to an educated workforce, which in turn is the bedrock of economic advancement, particularly in the present technological age. The skill of reading is now a fully-fledged economic force. Hence, the answer is xi (Reading becomes an economic force).

19	vi	Paragraph D specifies that part of the problem with reading is that it is a skill which is not appreciated in most developed societies. This is an attitude that has condemned large swathes of the population in most Western nations to illiteracy. It might be surprising to learn that in the United Kingdom and indeed in some other European countries (developed countries), the literacy rate has fallen to below that of so-called less developed countries. So, the author is telling us that the attitude of the people in developed countries is the reason why the literacy rate is declining. Hence, the answer is vi (Literacy rates in developed countries have declined because of people’s attitude).
20	x	Paragraph E refers to the fact that it is not cool among a younger generation to be seen with anything else other than computer screens or a Walkman. The solitude of reading is not very appealing. Sometimes, peer pressure among young people is so powerful that it often kills any attempts to change attitudes to habits like reading. So, this paragraph discusses the negative attitude of the young generation towards reading. Hence, the answer is x (The attitude to reading amongst the young).
21	xii	Paragraph F brings forth the author’s attitude towards the decline in reading habits when he asks that apart from the negative connotations of reading, is modern Western society standing Canute-like against an uncontrollable spiral of decline? Then the answer is provided with – ‘I think not’. So, this means that the author does not feel that the modern world is going to stand like Canute (an English king who ordered waves to stop) against decline. Hence, the answer is xii (The writer’s attitude to the decline in reading).
22	vii	The first sentence of paragraph G – How should people be encouraged to read more?– indicates that the author is trying to find ways to persuade people to read. It can easily be done by increasing basic reading skills at an early age and encouraging young people to borrow books from schools. Some schools have classroom libraries as well as school libraries. It is no good waiting until pupils are in their secondary school to encourage an interest in books which needs to be pushed at an early age. Hence, the answer is vii (Persuading people to read).
23	YES	The last sentence of paragraph B reveals that European countries can no longer rest on their laurels (satisfied with past achievements) which they have done for far too long. As a result, they are in danger of falling even further behind economically, that is, thay have allowed other countries to overtake them in certain areas. As the statement agrees with the writer’s claims, the answer is YES.
24	YES	The last sentence of paragraph C informs that the skill of reading is now a fully-fledged economic force. As the statement agrees with the writer’s claims, the answer is YES.
25	NOT GIVEN	In paragraph D, it is given that it might be surprising that in the United Kingdom and in some other European countries, the literacy rate has fallen to below that of so-called less developed countries. Apart from this reference, there is no mention of whether the literacy rate in less developed nations is considerably higher than in all European countries. Hence, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
26	YES	Paragraph H discusses that the best idea to stop the negative attitudes to reading from forming in the first place is by taking children to local libraries. It will bring them into contact with an environment where they can become relaxed among books. So, it is advised to catch them young and they just might all become bookworms, that is, if the young children are encouraged to read when they are young the negative attitude to reading that grows in some subcultures will be eliminated. As the statement agrees with the writer’s claims, the answer is YES.
27	NO	Paragraph G intimates that what people, whether they be adults or children, read is of little import. What is significant is the fact that they are reading. For example, someone who reads a comic today may have the courage to pick up a more substantial one later on. So, people should not be discouraged from reading comics and magazines as it might lead them to read more in future. As the statement contradicts the writer’s claims, the answer is NO.