Is There Anybody Out There – IELTS Reading Answers

14 Answer: IV

Question Type: Matching Headings

Answer location: Paragraph B, line 3

Answer explanation: If you read thoroughly, it is given that ‘We make a very conservative assumption that we are looking for a life form that is pretty well like us, since if it differs radically from us, we may well not recognize it as a life form quite apart from whatever we are able to communicate with it.’ This means that the writer is assuming the extra-terrestrial lifeforms may have similar intelligence like us for communication because there are no strong proofs about their presence. So, the correct heading that can be apt for this paragraph is ‘Assumptions underlying the search of extra-terrestrial intelligence’.

15 Answer: VII

Question Type: Matching Headings

Answer location: Paragraph C, line 1

Answer explanation: At the beginning of paragraph C, it is noted that ‘even when we make these assumptions. Our understanding of other life forms is still severely limited. We do not even know. For example, how many stars have planets and we certainly do not know how likely it is that life will arise naturally, given the right conditions.’ The author adds that the best educated guess we can make using the little that we do know about the conditions for carbon-based life leads us to estimate that perhaps one in 100,000 stars might have a life-bearing planet orbiting it (likelihood of life on other planets). Here, the writer talks about the probability of having lifeforms on other planets with examples and how our understanding of them is severely limited. So, the heading ‘Likelihood of life on other planets’ is apt for this paragraph.

16 Answer: I

Question Type: Matching Headings

Answer location: Paragraph D, line 1

Answer explanation: If you observe clearly, it is given that ‘An alien civilization could choose many different ways of sending information across the Galaxy’ which means that scientists and organisations like NASA are looking into ways in which aliens can communicate with us, like using transmissions of radio signals. In the next lines, the author gives us details about the radio waves which should be in the frequency range of 1000 to 3000 and should travel the greatest distance. Finally, at the end of the paragraph, the writer says that ‘Much of the money in this project is being spent on developing special hardware needed to search many frequencies at once.’ So, the heading is ‘Seeking the transmission of radio signals from other planets.

17 Answer: II

Question Type: Matching Headings

Answer location: Paragraph E, line 1

Answer explanation: In paragraph E, it is mentioned that “there is considerable debate over how we should react if we detect a signal from an alien civilization. Everybody agrees that we should not reply immediately.” These lines mean that the appropriate response to the signals would be, to not rush to answer them and rather, should take some time to speculate. So, the heading will be ‘Appropriate responses to signals from other civilizations.’

18 Answer: several billion years

Question Type: Short Answer Questions

Answer location: Paragraph A, line 9

Answer explanation: The life expectancy of Earth is given in paragraph A – since the lifetime (validity of life or expectancy of life) of a planet like ours (our planet is Earth) is several billion years.

19 Answer: radio (waves/signals)

Question Type: Short Answer Questions

Answer location: Paragraph A, line 4

Answer explanation: In the reference paragraph, it is stated that, “The simple detection of a radio signal will be sufficient to answer this most basic of all questions. In this sense, SETI is another cog in the machinery of pure science which is continually pushing out the horizon of our knowledge.” Moreover, the author also mentions in paragraph D that ‘all searches to date have concentrated on looking for radio waves in this frequency range’. So, we can conclude that SETI is one of those organizations where scientists are seeking to detect radio signals/waves from other planets to find out whether life evolves naturally if given the right conditions, or whether there is something very special about the Earth to have fostered the variety of life forms that we see around us on the planet.

20 Answer: 1000 (stars)

Question Type: Short Answer Questions

Answer location: Paragraph D, line 3

Answer explanation: In paragraph D, the writer says that the US Congress provided $10 million per year for ten years to NASA for conducting a thorough search for extra terrestrial life. The project has two parts. One part is a targeted search using the world’s largest radio telescopes (world’s most powerful radio telescopes) – The American-operated telescope in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and the French telescope in Nancy in France. So, these powerful telescopes are used to search the nearest 1000 likely stars with a high sensibility for signals in the frequency range of 1000 to 3000 MHz.

21 Answer: FALSE

Question Type: True/False/Not Given Questions

Answer location: Paragraph A, last line

Answer explanation: At the end of paragraph A, the author says that any other civilization, which is from outer space, that we hear from is likely to be far older on average than ourselves. It is even possible that the older civilization may pass on the benefits of their experience (may be able to help with) in dealing with threats to survival such as nuclear war and global pollution that we haven’t yet discovered because they have more experience. This is paraphrased as “Aliens civilizations may be able to help the human race to overcome serious problems.”

22 Answer: TRUE

Question Type: True/False/Not Given Questions

Answer location: Paragraph B, line 3

Answer explanation: In paragraph B, the author states that we make a very conservative assumption that we are looking for a life form (trying to find a life) that is pretty well like us (resembles humans in many ways), since if it differs radically from us we may well not recognise it as a form…”.

23 Answer: NOT GIVEN

Question Type: True/False/Not Given Questions

Answer location: Paragraph D, line 5

Answer explanation: In paragraph D, it is given that there have been a number of searches by various groups around the world, including Australian searches using the radio telescope at Parkes, New South Wales. It is added that the US Congress (Parliament of America) voted NASA $10 million per year for ten years to conduct a thorough search for extra-terrestrial life. Although there are references to Australia and America here, there is no information about their cooperation on joint research projects.

24 Answer: FALSE

Question Type: True/False/Not Given Questions

Answer location: Paragraph D, line 6

Answer explanation: The statement given in the question says that “So far SETI scientists have picked up radio signals from several stars.” In paragraph D, the author claims, “Until now, there have not been any detections from the few hundred stars which have been searched.”, which means that there haven’t been any detections from the few hundred stars. This information contradicts the statement given in the question.

25 Answer: NOT GIVEN

Question Type: True/False/Not Given Questions

Answer location: Paragraph D, line 8

Answer explanation:  In paragraph D, it is said that the scale of the searches has increased dramatically since 1992, when the US Congress voted NASA $10 million per year for ten years to conduct a thorough search for extra-terrestrial life. Although there is a mention of US Congress funded NASA’s project, it is not mentioned if there was criticism from some members of Congress.

26 Answer: FALSE

Question Type: True/False/Not Given Questions

Answer location: Paragraph E, line 1

Answer explanation:  The statement given in the question says that “If a signal from outer space is received, it will be important to respond promptly.” In paragraph E, the writer mentions “There is considerable debate over how we should react if we detect a signal from an alien civilization. Everybody agrees that we should not reply immediately.” These lines mean that there have been differences in opinion on the correct response to radio signals from outer space, but ultimately, everyone agreed that the appropriate response would be, to not rush to answer them and take some time to speculate. This information contradicts the statement given in the question.

Tips to Solve the Passage Question Types in Is There Anybody Out There? Reading Answers 

Since now you know the answers to Is There Anybody Out There? Reading Answers, let us check out some quick IELTS exam preparation tips to answer the question types in the reading passage.

Matching Headings: 

You must match the heading in this type of question to the appropriate paragraph or reading segment in the text. Your ability to figure out the paragraph’s key concept and its supporting ideas will be put to the test for a high IELTS band score.

• Take your time to rephrase the potential headings’ keywords.
• Find the main idea by scanning and skimming the paragraphs. Sometimes the essential idea of the paragraph is expressed in the header.
• For clarification on the paragraph’s main idea, see the first and last sentences. Likewise, quickly scan the middle of the paragraph to make sure you comprehend it.
• Don’t try to match words. Your primary goal is to match a correct paragraph.
• Choose the heading that best fits the paragraph after reading it again if two seem to be appropriate.
• The number of headings will always be greater than the number of paragraphs or sections. Therefore, some headings will never be utilized.

Short-Answer Type Questions: 

Short Answer Type Questions is a type of IELTS reading question that requires you to scan through a passage and answer questions based on the information given following the word limit. To answer short-answer type questions, you can use the following strategies:

• Go through the instructions carefully – You will find the word limit for the answers there, which you have to follow strictly.
• Read the questions and highlight the keywords – The next step will be to read the questions to know what keywords or information you have to look for in the passage.
• Use the ‘Wh’ words in the questions – Words like ‘What’, (names), ‘Where’ (place), ‘When’ (time), etc. will enable you to understand the type of information you are looking for.
• Use reading techniques to study the passage quickly – Do not waste your time reading the whole passage. Scan through the passage to find out the keywords or their synonyms using the IELTS Reading keyword techniques. If headers are given, use them to locate the answer easily.
• Check the spelling – Once you find the answer, note the correct spelling in your answer sheet.

True/False/Not Given

In IELTS Reading, ‘True, False, Not Given’ questions are based on facts. Several factual statements will be provided to you, and it is up to you to determine whether or not they are accurate by reading the text.

To answer this type of question, you can use the following strategies:

• Read the question and identify the keywords – Before reading the material, have a look at your list of True, False, and Not Given questions. 
• Scan the passage for synonyms or paraphrased words of the keywords – When you have highlighted the keywords, swiftly read the text to look for paraphrases or synonyms.
• Match the highlighted words in the questions with their synonyms in the text – Once you find both sets of keywords, cross-check them to find the answer.
• Identify the answer – If the facts match, the answer is TRUE, and in case it doesn’t match, it is FALSE. If you are unable to find the answer or unsure of it, mark it NOT GIVEN.