‘Preface to ‘How the other half think: Adventures in mathematical reasoning’’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named, ‘Preface to ‘How the other half think: Adventures in mathematical reasoning’’ which is from the Cambridge 11 book. The Questions that have been asked are ‘Finding information’ and ‘Blanks’. You will find the locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords (highlighted and underlined) and justifications.
READING PASSAGE 3: Preface to ‘how the other half thinks: Adventures in mathematical reasoning’
| Question | Answer |
| 27 | D |
| 28 | B |
| 29 | G |
| 30 | C |
| 31 | B |
| 32 | E |
| 33 | A |
| 34 | F |
| 35 | BEGINNER |
| 36 | ARITHMETIC |
| 37 | INTUITIVE |
| 38 | SCIENTISTS |
| 39 | EXPERIMENTS |
| 40 | THEOREMS |
Questions 27-34
The Reading Passage has seven sections, A-G.
Which section contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes 27-34 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
27. a reference to books that assume a lack of mathematical knowledge
Location and Answer: D
Explanation: The main keyword ‘mathematical knowledge ‘helps to locate an answer in the beginning of the paragraph. ‘Other scientists have written books to explain their fields to non-scientists, but have necessarily had to omit the mathematics, although it provides the foundation of their theories…’Here, ‘omit the mathematics’ clarifies that they have a lack of knowledge. Thus, the answer is D.
28. the way in which this is not a typical book about mathematics
Location and Answer: B
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘I want to reveal not only some of the fascinating… In that respect, this book differs from most books on mathematics written for the general public…’Here, the writer states that ‘book differs from most books’ means it is not a typical book. Hence, the answer is B.
‘Preface to ‘How the other half think: Adventures in mathematical reasoning’’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
29. personal examples of being helped by mathematics
Location and Answer: G
Explanation : The main keywords are ‘personal examples’ and its reference is there in the first and second part of the G section. ‘A physician wrote, The discipline of analytical thought processes [in mathematics] prepared me extremely well for medical school…A lawyer made the same point, “Although I had no background in law – not even one political science course — I did well at one of the best law schools…having learned, through the study of mathematics…’Thus, physician and lawyer are two examples.
30. examples of people who each had abilities that seemed incompatible
Location and Answer: C
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the last line of the paragraph. ‘I cite a structural engineer who is an artist, an electrical engineer who is an opera singer, an opera singer who published mathematical research, and a mathematician who publishes short stories…’Here, these are the examples of people who had abilities.
‘Preface to ‘How the other half think: Adventures in mathematical reasoning’’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
31. mention of different focuses of books about mathematics
Location and Answer: B
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the last line of the paragraph. ‘Some present the lives of colorful mathematicians. Others describe important applications of mathematics. Yet others go into mathematical procedures…’Here, the writer states about the different focuses. Hence, the answer is B.
32. a contrast between reading this book and reading other kinds of publication
Location and Answer: E
Explanation: The main keyword is ‘contrast’ and its reference is there in the second and third line of the paragraph. ‘This book presents the details that illustrate the mathematical style of thinking, which involves sustained, step-by-step analysis, experiments, and insights. You will turn these pages much more slowly than when reading a novel or a newspaper…’Here, the writer clearly states the contrast in reading this book and novels or newspaper. Moreover, novels or newspaper refers to other publications.
‘Preface to ‘How the other half think: Adventures in mathematical reasoning’’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
33. a claim that the whole of the book is accessible to everybody
Location and Answer: A
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the last line of the first part of the section. ‘Each of the eight chapters in this book illustrates this phenomenon. Anyone can understand every step in the reasoning…’Here, ‘each of eight chapters’ means whole book. In addition, ‘ anyone can understand’ means accessible to everyone.
34. a reference to different categories of intended readers of this book
Location and Answer: F
Explanation: The main keywords are ‘intended readers’ and its reference is there in the beginning of the paragraph. ‘As I wrote, I kept in mind two types of readers: those who enjoyed mathematics until they were turned off by an unpleasant episode…This book also serves readers who simply want to sharpen their analytical skills…’Here, ‘two types’ means categories. The writer states about two types of readers in the given statement. Thus, the answer is F.
Questions 35-40
Complete the sentences below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 35- 40 on your answer sheet.
35. Some areas of both music and mathematics are suitable for someone who is a ………………..
Location: A section
Explanation: The main keyword ‘music’ helps to locate an answer in the first line of the paragraph. ‘Occasionally, in some difficult musical compositions, there are beautiful, but easy parts – parts so simple a beginner could play them. So it is with mathematics as well.’ Here, ‘parts’ and ‘area’ means the same. Thus, the statement clarifies the answer.
Answer: Beginner
36. It is sometimes possible to understand advanced mathematics using no more than a limited knowledge of ………………..
Location : A section
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the fourth line of the paragraph. ‘Instead, they may involve, at most, a little arithmetic, such as ‘the sum of two odd numbers is even’…’Here, ‘limited knowledge of…’ and ‘ a little arithmetic’ means the same. Thus, the answer is ‘arithmetic’
Answer: Arithmetic
‘Preface to ‘How the other half think: Adventures in mathematical reasoning’’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
37. The writer intends to show that mathematics requires ………………..thinking, as well as analytical skills.
Location: C section
Explanation: The main keywords ‘analytical skills’ helps to find an answer in the second line of the paragraph. ‘As the chapters will illustrate, mathematics is not restricted to the analytical and numerical; intuition plays a significant role. ‘ Here, this statement means writer also require intuition besides analytical skills. Moreover, ‘intuition = intuitive thinking.
Answer: intuitive
38. Some books written by ……………….. have had to leave out the mathematics that is central to their theories.
Location: D section
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the beginning of the paragraph. ‘Other scientists have written books to explain their fields to non-scientists, but have necessarily had to omit the mathematics, although it provides the foundation of their theories.’ Here, ‘omit’ means ‘leave out’. Furthermore, ‘ central to’ and ‘provides foundation ‘ means the same.
Answer: Scientists
‘Preface to ‘How the other half think: Adventures in mathematical reasoning’’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
39. The writer advises non-mathematical readers to perform ……………….. while reading
Location: E paragraph
Explanation: The main keywords ‘non-mathematical readers’ helps to locate an answer in the last line of the paragraph. ‘It may help to have a pencil and paper ready to check claims and carry out experiments…’ Here, ‘perform’ and ‘carry out’ means the same. Thus, the answer is clear.
Answer: Experiments
40. A lawyer found that studying ……………….. helped even more than other areas of mathematics in the study of law.
Location: G paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘lawyer’ helps to locate an answer in the fourth line of the paragraph. ‘I attribute much of my success there to having learned, through the study of mathematics, and, in particular, theorems, how to analyze complicated principles…’Here, ‘analyze’ and ‘study’ means the same.
Answer: Theorems
‘Preface to ‘How the other half think: Adventures in mathematical reasoning’’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 11
‘Great Migrations’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM- 11