‘Information theory-the big idea’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 9
Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named, ‘Information theory-the big idea’ which is from the Cambridge 9 book. The Questions that have been asked are Finding information, True/False/ Not Given, Blanks and You will find the locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords(highlighted and underlined) and justifications.
READING PASSAGE 3: Information theory- the big idea
| Question | Answer |
| 27 | D |
| 28 | F |
| 29 | B |
| 30 | E |
| 31 | A |
| 32 | C |
| 33 | JUPITER, SATURN ( IN EITHER ORDER) |
| 34 | SOLAR SYSTEM |
| 35 | SENSORS, CIRCUITS ( IN EITHER ORDER) |
| 36 | SPARES |
| 37 | RADIO DISH |
| 38 | TRUE |
| 39 | TRUE |
| 40 | FALSE |
Questions 27-32
The Reading Passage has six paragraphs, A-F.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter A-E in boxes 27-32 on your answer sheet.
27. an explanation of the factors affecting the transmission of information
Location and Answer: D
Explanation: The answer to this question is the third line of the paragraph. ‘In particular, Shannon showed that noise sets a limit on the rate at which information can pass along communication channels while remaining error-free…’ Here, ‘pass along communication channels’ refers to ‘transmission of information’. In addition, ‘noise sets a limit on the rate’ that refers to the factor.
‘Information theory-the big idea’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 9
28. an example of how unnecessary information can be omitted
Location and Answer: F
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the beginning of the paragraph. ‘Shannon also laid the foundations of more efficient ways of storing information, by stripping out superfluous (‘redundant’) bits from data which contributed little real information…’ Here, ‘unnecessary information’ and ‘superfluous data’ means the same. Moreover, ‘stripping out’ and ‘omitted’ are synonyms. Thus, the answer is clear.
29. a reference to Shannon`s attitude to fame
Location and Answer: B
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second last line of the paragraph. ‘While at Bell laboratories, Shannon developed information theory, but shunned the resulting acclaim…’ Here, ‘shunned’ means ‘turned away’. The writer states that she developed information theory but she turned away from acclaim (fame). Thus, the writer give reference about Shannon’s attitude to fame.
‘Information theory-the big idea’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 9
30. details of a machine capable of interpreting incomplete information
Location and Answer: E
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the third line of the paragraph. ‘Other codes have become parts of everyday life – such as the Universal Product Code, or bar code, which uses a simple error-detecting system that ensures supermarket check-out lasers can read the price even on say, a crumpled bag of crisps.…’ Here, ‘check-out lasers’ refers to machine. In addition, ‘read the… crumpled bag of crisps’ has been written as ‘interpreting incomplete information’. Thus, the answer is E.
31. a detailed account of an incident involving information theory
Location and Answer: A
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the first two lines of the paragraph. ‘In April 2002 an event took place which demonstrated one of the many applications of information theory. The space probe, Voyager I, launched in 1977, had sent back spectacular images of Jupiter and Saturn and then soared out of the Solar System on a one-way mission to the stars…’ Here, ‘incident’ and ‘event’ means the same. Moreover, ‘demonstrated one of the many applications of information theory’ clarifies that incident involving information theory.
‘Information theory-the big idea’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 9
32. a reference to what Shannon initially intended to achieve in his research
Location and Answer: C
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘He set out with an apparently simple aim: to pin down the precise meaning of the concept of ‘information…’ Here, ‘set out..aim’ and ‘intended to achieve’ means the same. Thus, the answer is clear.
Questions 33-37
Complete the notes below.
Choose No MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 33-37 on your answer sheet.
The Voyager 1 Space Probe
• The probe transmitted pictures of both 33 ………………., and ……………. , then left the 34 …………….
Location: A paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘The space probe, Voyager I, launched in 1977, had sent back spectacular images of Jupiter and Saturn and then soared out of the Solar System on a one-way mission to the stars…’ Here, ‘sent back’ and ‘transmitted’ means the same. In addition, ‘pictures’ and ‘images’ are synonyms. ‘Soared out’ and ‘left’ means the same.
Answer: (33) Jupiter and Saturn
(34) Solar system
‘Information theory-the big idea’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 9
- The freezing temperatures were found to have a negative effect on parts of the space probe.
• Scientists feared that both the 35…………. and ………….. were about to stop working.
Location: A paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘Sensors and circuits were on the brink of failing and NASA experts realized that they had to do something or lose contact with their probe forever…’ Here, ‘about to stop working’ and ‘brink of failing’ means the same. The writer states sensors and circuits were about to stop working. Thus, the answer is clear.
Answer: Sensors and circuits
‘Information theory-the big idea’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 9
- The only hope was to tell the probe to replace them with 36……………. – but distance made communication with the probe difficult.
Location: A paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘solution was to get a message to Voyager I to instruct it to use spares to change the failing parts…’ Here, ‘only hope’ refers to solution. In addition, ‘change’ and ‘replace’ are synonyms. Thus, the answer is ‘spares’
Answer: Spares
‘Information theory-the big idea’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 9
- A 37, ……………. was used to transmit the message at the speed of light.
• The message was picked up by the probe and the switchover took place.
Location: A paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘speed of light’ helps to locate an answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘By means of a radio dish belonging to NASA’s Deep Space Network, the message was sent out into the depths of space. Even travelling at the speed of light, …’ Here, ‘sent out’ and ‘transmit’ are synonyms. The writer states that message was sent by means of transport. That means radio dish was used to transmit the message. Thus, the answer is clear.
Answer: Radio dish
Questions 38-40
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
38. The concept of describing something as true or false was the starting point for Shannon in his attempts to send messages over distances.
Location: C paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘He set out with an apparently simple aim: to pin down the precise meaning of the concept of ‘information The most basic form of information, Shannon argued, is whether something is true or false – which can be captured in the binary unit, or ‘bit’, of the form 1 or 0. …’ Here, ‘set out’ and ‘starting’ means the same. This statement clearly agrees with the passage statement. Thus, the answer is True.
Answer: True
‘Information theory-the big idea’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 9
39. The amount of information that can be sent in a given time period is determined with reference to the signal strength and noise level.
Location: D paragraph
Explanation: The answer tpt his question is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘Shannon showed that noise sets a limit on the rate at which information can pass along communication channels while remaining error-free…’ This states that the amount of information that can be sent depends on the rate of noise and signal strength (communication channels). Thus, the question statement is same as the passage statement.
Answer: True
40. Products have now been developed which can convey more information than Shannon had anticipated as possible.
Location: E paragraph (Last line)
Explanation: The writer says, ‘As recently as 1993, engineers made a major breakthrough by discovering so-called turbo codes – which come very close to Shannon’s ultimate limit for the maximum rate that data can be transmitted reliably, and now play a key role in the mobile videophone revolution…’ Here, this means products reach that limit but they do not exceed that limit. That makes it clear they these do not convey more information.
Answer: False
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