‘Second nature’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 10
Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named, ‘Second nature’ which is from the Cambridge 10 book. The Questions that have been asked are ‘finding information’, ‘finding researcher’s name and Blanks. You will find the locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords(highlighted and underlined) and justifications.
READING PASSAGE 2: Second nature
| Question | Answer |
| 14 | TRANSFORMATION/CHANGE |
| 15 | YOUNG AGE |
| 16 | OPTIMISM |
| 17 | SKILLS/TECHNIQUES |
| 18 | NEGATIVE EMOTIONS/FEELINGS |
| 19 | E |
| 20 | C |
| 21 | G |
| 22 | A |
| 23 | E |
| 24 | C |
| 25 | G |
| 26 | H |
Questions 14-18
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 14-18 on your answer sheet.
Psychologists have traditionally believed that a personality 14 ……………………. was impossible and that by a 15 ……………………. , a person’s character tends to be fixed.
Location: 1st paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword is ‘psychologists’ and its reference is there in the first two lines of the paragraph. ‘Psychologists have long held that a person’s character cannot undergo a transformation in any meaningful way and that the key traits of personality are determined at a very young age…’Here, ‘cannot undergo a transformation’ means it was impossible. In addition, ‘characters’ and ‘traits’ are synonyms. The writer says. ‘determined at a young age’ that has been written as ‘tends to be fixed…’ in the question. Thus, the answer is clear.
Answer: (14) Transformation
(15) Young age
‘Second nature’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 10
This is not true according to positive psychologists, who say that our personal qualities can be seen as habitual behaviour. One of the easiest qualities to acquire is 16 ……………………..
Location: 2nd paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the first line of the paragraph. ‘Some qualities are less challenging to develop than others, optimism being one of them…’ Here, ‘less challenging to develop’ means ‘easiest to acquire’. Acquire= develop. The writer states that optimism is one of the qualities that is easier to acquire. Thus, the answer is ‘optimism’
Answer: optimism
‘Second nature’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 10
However, regardless of the quality, it is necessary to learn a wide variety of different 17 ……………………. in order for a new quality to develop; for example, a person must understand and feel some 18 ……………………. in order to increase their happiness.
Location: 2nd paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘quality’ helps to locate an answer in the second line of the paragraph. ‘However, developing qualities requires mastering a range of skills which are diverse and sometimes surprising. For example, to bring more joy and passion into your life, you must be open to experiencing negative emotions…’ Here, ‘wide variety of’ and ‘range of’ means the same. Moreover, ‘necessary to learn’ has been written as ‘require mastering’ in the paragraph. In addition, ‘feel some negative emotions’ means ‘experiencing negative emotions’.
Answer: (17) Skills
(18) Negative emotions
Questions 19-22
Look at the following statements (Questions 19-22) and list of people below.
Match each statement with the correct person, A-G.
Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes 19-22 on your answer sheet.
19. People must accept that they do not know much when first trying something new.
Location: F paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the last two lines of the paragraph. ‘‘As a newcomer, you also have to tolerate and laugh at your own ignorance. You must be willing to accept the negative feelings that come your way,’ he says…’ Here, ‘newcomer’ refers to ‘when first trying something new’. Also, ‘tolerate’ and ‘accept’ means the same. Thus, the answer is E.
Answer: E
‘Second nature’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 10
20. It is important for people to actively notice when good things happen.
Location: D paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘She recommends you train yourself to pay attention to good fortune by writing down three positive things that come about each day…’ Here, ‘actively notice’ and ‘pay attention’ means the same. Furthermore, ‘good things’= ‘positive things’ Thus, the answer is very clear.
Answer: C
21. Courage can be learned once its origins in a sense of responsibility are understood.
Location: H paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘courage’ helps to find an answer in the fifth line of the paragraph. ‘According to Cynthia Pury, a psychologist at Clemson University, Pedeleose’s story proves the point that courage is not motivated by fearlessness, but by moral obligation…’ Here, ‘sense of responsibility’ and ‘moral obligations’ means the same. Thus, the answer is G.
Answer: G
‘Second nature’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 10
22. It is possible to overcome shyness when faced with the need to speak in public.
Location: B paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the last two lines of the paragraph. ‘Christopher Peterson… who cites himself as an example. Inherently introverted, he realised early on that as an academic, his reticence would prove disastrous in the lecture hall. So he learned to be more outgoing and to entertain his classes. ‘Now my extroverted behaviour is spontaneous,’ he says…’Here, the writer states his example that how he overcome his shyness. Here, ‘reticence’ means ‘shyness’. He learned to be more outgoing states that now he can speak in public. Thus, the answer is A.
Answer: A
List of People
A. Christopher Peterson
B. David Fajgenbaum
C. Suzanne Segerstrom
D. Tanya Streeter
E. Todd Kashdan
F. Kenneth Pedeleose
G. Cynthia Pury
Questions 23-26
The Reading Passage has eight sections, A-H.
Which section contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 23-26 on your answer sheet.
23. a mention of how rational thinking enabled someone to achieve physical goals
Location and Answer: E
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the fourth line of the paragraph. ‘The physical stamina required for this sport is intense but the psychological demands are even more overwhelming…Streeter learned to untangle her fears from her judgment of what her body and mind could do…’The writer states that ‘judgment’ means ‘rational thinking’. Thus, the answer is clear
‘Second nature’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 10
24. an account of how someone overcame a sad experience
Location and Answer: C
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘He was preparing for university, when he had an accident that put an end to his sports career… Therefore, he launched a support group to help others in similar situations. He took action despite his own pain – a typical response of an optimist.’ Here, ‘had an accident’ refers to ‘sad experience’ Furthermore, ‘he took action despite his own pain’ states how he overcame a sad experience.
25. a description of how someone decided to rethink their academic career path
Location and Answer: G
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘he was miserable as his research wasn’t compatible with his curiosity about healing. He finally took a break and during eight months in Santa Fe, Zappaterra learned about alternative healing techniques not taught at Harvard. When he got back, he switched labs to study how cerebrospinal fluid nourishes the developing nervous system…’ Here, ‘switched labs to study’ and ‘rethink academic career path’ means the same. Thus, the answer is clear.
‘Second nature’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 10
26. an example of how someone risked his career out of a sense of duty
Location and Answer: H
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘The new manager was intimidating staff so Pedeleose carefully recorded each instance of bullying and eventually took the evidence to a senior director, knowing his own job security would be threatened… Pedeleose’s story proves the point that courage is not motivated by fearlessness, but by moral obligation.’ Here, ‘his own job security would be threatened’ means ‘he risked his career’. Moreover, ‘a sense of duty’ refers to ‘moral obligation’. Thus, the answer is H.
‘Second nature’- Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 10
‘The megafires of California’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM- 10