‘Research using twins’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 11
Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named, ‘Research using twins’ which is from the Cambridge 11 book. The Questions that have been asked are ‘True/False/Not Given’ and ‘Blanks’. You will find the locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords(highlighted and underlined) and justifications.
READING PASSAGE 1: Research using twins
| Question | Answer |
| 1 | FALSE |
| 2 | NOT GIVEN |
| 3 | NOT GIVEN |
| 4 | TRUE |
| 5 | A |
| 6 | C |
| 7 | B |
| 8 | A |
| 9 | A |
| 10 | D |
| 11 | B |
| 12 | E |
| 13 | F |
Questions 1-4
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage?
In boxes 1-4 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
1. There may be genetic causes for the differences in how young the skin of identical twins looks.
Location: 1st paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword is ‘skin’ and it is there in the last line of the paragraph. ‘Any differences between them -one twin having younger looking skin, for example – must be due to environmental factors such as less time spent in the sun…’Here, the question statement contradicts the passage statement. There are environmental factors responsible for differences not genetic factors. Thus, the answer is False.
Answer: False
‘Research using twins’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 11
2. Twins are at greater risk of developing certain illnesses than non-twins.
Location: 2nd paragraph
Explanation: Though the writer states the comparison between identical and fraternal twins in the second paragraph. ‘Alternatively, by comparing the experiences of identical twins with those of fraternal twins, who come from separate eggs and share on average half their DNA…’ But there is no comparison between twins and non- twins. Thus, no information available.
Answer: Not Given
3. Bouchard advertised in newspapers for twins who had been separated at birth.
Location: 4th paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘Bouchard’ helps to locate an answer in the second line of the paragraph. ‘But twin studies took a surprising twist in the 1980s, with the arrival of studies into identical twins who had been separated at birth and reunited as adults…’Though the writer states about the twins who had been separated. But there is no information regarding advertisement in newspaper. Thus, no information available.
Answer: Not Given
‘Research using twins’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 11
4. Epigenetic processes are different from both genetic and environmental processes.
Location: 6th paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘epigenetic’ helps to find an answer in the second line of the paragraph. ‘According to a recent field called epigenetic, there is a third factor also in play, one that in some cases serves as a bridge between the environment and our genes… Epigenetic processes are chemical reactions tied to neither nature nor nurture…’Here, the writer means that epigenetic processes are neither genetic nor environmental. Thus, it acts as a bridge between the environment and genes.
Answer: True
Questions 5-9
Look at the following statements (Questions 5-9) and the list of researchers below.
Match each statement with the correct researcher, A, B or C.
Write the correct letter, A, B or C, in boxes 5-9 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
List of Researchers
A Francis Galton
B Thomas Bouchard
C Danielie Reed
5. invented a term used to distinguish two factors affecting human characteristics
Location: 4th paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the beginning of the paragraph. ‘The idea of using twins to measure the influence of heredity dates back to 1875, when the English scientist Francis Galton first suggested the approach (and coined the phrase ‘nature and nurture’)…’ Here, ‘invented a term’ and ‘coined the phrase’ means the same. Thus, the answer is very clear.
Answer: A
‘Research using twins’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 11
6. expressed the view that the study of epigenetics will increase our knowledge
Location: Last paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the first line of the paragraph. ‘Reed adds, the latest work in epigenetics promises to take our understanding even further…’Here, ‘understanding’ and ‘knowledge’ means the same. Moreover, ‘further’ and ‘increase’ are synonyms.
Answer: C
7. developed a mathematical method of measuring genetic influences
Location: 5th paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘The key to their approach was a statistical concept called heritability. in broad terms, the heritability of a trait measures the extent to which differences among members of a population can be explained by differences in their genetics…’Here, ‘statistical concept’ refers to ‘mathematical method’. Furthermore, the writer states about the measuring genetic influences in the give statement.
Answer: B
‘Research using twins’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 11
8. pioneered research into genetics using twins
Location: 4th paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the first line of the paragraph. ‘The idea of using twins to measure the influence of heredity dates back to 1875, when the English scientist Francis Galton first suggested the approach (and coined the phrase ‘nature and nurture’)…’Here, scientist ‘first suggested’ means that was the pioneer (first person) to measure the influence of heredity using twins. Here, ‘heredity’ is related to ‘genetics’. Thus, the answer is A.
Answer: A
9. carried out research into twins who had lived apart
Location: 4th paragraph (Second line)
Explanation: The location of the answer is again in the same paragraph. ‘with the arrival of studies into identical twins who had been separated at birth and reunited as adults…’ Here, ‘carried out research’ has been written as ‘arrival of studies’ in the paragraph. Moreover, ‘lived apart’ and ‘separated at birth’ means the same.
Answer: B
Questions 10-13
Complete the summary using the list of words, A-F, below.
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 10-13 on your answer sheet.
Epigenetic processes
In epigenetic processes, 10……………. influence the activity of our genes, for example in creating our internal 11…………..
Location: 7th paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question lies in the whole paragraph. ‘Epigenetic processes are chemical reactions tied to neither nature nor nurture…how each gene is strengthened or weakened, even turned on or off, to build our bones, brains and all the other parts of our bodies…’Here, chemical reactions influence the creation of internal body parts. Thus, ‘parts of our bodies’ means ‘organs’.
Answer: (10) D (Chemicals)
(11) B (Organs)
The study of epigenetic processes is uncovering a way in which our genes can be affected by our 12…………….
Location: 9th paragraph (First line)
Explanation: The writer states, ‘One way the study of epigenetics is revolutionizing our understanding of biology is by revealing a mechanism by which the environment directly impacts on genes…’ Here, ‘uncovering way’ = ‘revealing’ ; ‘affected= ‘impact’. Hence, the answer is E.
Answer: E (environment)
‘Research using twins’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 11
One example is that if a pregnant rat suffers stress, the new-born rat may later show problems in its 13……………….
Location: 9th paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘pregnant rat’ helps to locate an answer in the second line of the paragraph. ‘Studies of animals, for example, have shown that when a rat experiences stress during pregnancy, it can cause epigenetic changes in a fetus that lead to behavioral problems as the rodent grows up…’Here, this statement clarifies that rat may later lead to behavioral problems.
Answer: F
A nurture B organs C code
D chemicals E environment F behaviour/behavior
‘Research using twins’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 11