Table of Contents
Communication in science
Passage
A. Science plays an increasingly significant role in people’s lives, making the faithful communication of scientific developments more important than ever. Yet such communication is fraught with challenges that can easily distort discussions, leading to unnecessary confusion and misunderstandings.
B. Some problems stem from the esoteric nature of current research and the associated difficulty of finding sufficiently faithful terminology Abstraction and complexity are not signs that a given scientific direction is wrong, as some commentators have suggested, but are instead a tribute to the success of human ingenuity in meeting the increasingly complex challenges that nature presents. They can, however, make communication more difficult. But many of the biggest challenges for science reporting arise because in areas of evolving research, scientists themselves often only partly understand the full implications of any particular advance or development. Since that dynamic applies to most of the scientific developments that directly affect people’s lives global warming, cancer research, diet studies — learning how to overcome it is critical to spurring a more informed scientific debate among the broader public.
C. Ambiguous word choices are the source of some misunderstandings. Scientists often employ colloquial terminology, which they then assign a specific meaning that is impossible to fathom without proper training. The term “relativity,” for example, is intrinsically misleading. Many interpret the theory to mean that everything is relative and there are no absolutes. Yet although the measurements any observer makes depend on his coordinates and reference frame, the physical phenomena he measures have an invariant description that transcends that observer’s particular coordinates. Einstein’s theory of relativity is really about finding an invariant description of physical phenomena. True, Einstein agreed with the idea that his theory would have been better named “Invarianten theorie.” But the term “relativity” was already entrenched at the time for him to change.
D. “The uncertainty principle” is another frequently abused term. It is sometimes interpreted as a limitation on observers and their ability to make measurements.
E. But it is not about intrinsic limitations on any one particular measurement; it is about the inability to precisely measure particular pairs of quantities simultaneously? The first interpretation is perhaps more engaging from a philosophical or political perspective. It’s just not what the science is about.
F. Even the word “theory” can be a problem. Unlike most people, who use the word to describe a passing conjecture that they often regard as suspect, physicists have very specific ideas in mind when they talk about theories. For physicists, theories entail a definite physical framework embodied in a set of fundamental assumptions about the world that lead to a specific set of equations and predictions — ones that are borne out by successful predictions. Theories aren’t necessarily shown to be correct or complete immediately. Even Einstein took the better part of a decade to develop the correct version of his theory of general relativity. But eventually both the ideas and the measurements settle down and theories are either proven correct, abandoned or absorbed into other, more encompassing theories.
G. “Global warming” is another example of problematic terminology. Climatologists predict more drastic fluctuations in temperature and rainfall —not necessarily that every place will be warmer. The name sometimes subverts the debate, since it lets people argue that their winter was worse, so how could there be global warming? Clearly “global climate change” would have been a better name. But not all problems stem solely from poor word choices. Some stem from the intrinsically complex nature of much of modem science. Science sometimes transcends this limitation: remarkably, chemists were able to detail the precise chemical processes involved in the destruction of the ozone layer, making the evidence that chlorofluorocarbon gases (Freon, for example) were destroying the ozone layer indisputable.
H. A better understanding of the mathematical significance of results and less insistence on a simple story would help to clarify many scientific discussions. For several months, Harvard was tortured months. Harvard was tortured by empty debates over the relative intrinsic scientific abilities of men and women. One of the more amusing aspects of the discussion was that those who believed in the differences and those who didn’t used the same evidence about gender-specific special ability. How could that be? The answer is that the data shows no substantial effects. Social factors might account for these tiny differences, which in any case have an unclear connection to scientific ability. Not much of a headline when phrased that way, is it? Each type of science has its own source of complexity and potential for miscommunication. Yet there are steps we can take to improve public understanding in all cases. The first would be to inculcate greater understanding and acceptance of indirect scientific evidence. The information from an unmanned space mission is no less legitimate than the information from one in which people are on board.
I. This doesn’t mean never questioning an interpretation, but it also doesn’t mean equating indirect evidence with blind belief, as people sometimes suggest. Second, we might need different standards for evaluating science with urgent policy implications than research with purely theoretical value. When scientists say they are not certain about their predictions, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve found nothing substantial. It would be better if scientists were more open about the mathematical significance of their results and if the public didn’t treat math as quite so scary; statistics and errors, which tell us the uncertainty in a measurement, give us the tools to evaluate new developments fairly.
J. But most important, people have to recognize that science can be complex. If we accept only simple stories, the description will necessarily be distorted. When advances are subtle or complicated, scientists should be willing to go the extra distance to give proper explanations and patient about the truth. Even so, some difficulties are unavoidable. Most developments reflect work in progress, so the story is complex because no one yet knows the big picture.
Questions
Questions 27-31
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write your answers in boxes 27-31 on your answer sheet.
27. Why the faithful science communication Important?
A. Science plays an increasingly significant role in people’s lives.
B. Science is fraught with challenges public are interested in.
C. The nature of complexity in science communication leads to confusion.
D. Scientific inventions are more important than ever before.
28. What is the reason that the author believe for the biggest challenges for science reporting
A. phenomenon such as global warming, cancer research, diet studies are too complex
B. Scientists themselves often only partly understand the Theory of Evolution
C. Scientists do not totally comprehend the meaning of certain scientific evolution
D. Scientists themselves often partly understand the esoteric communication nature
29. According to the 3rd paragraph, the reference to the term and example of “theory of relativity” is to demonstrate
A. theory of relativity is about an invariant physical phenomenon
B. common people may be misled by the inaccurate choice of scientific phrase
C. the term “relativity,” is designed to be misleading public
D. everything is relative and there is no absolutes existence
30. Which one Is a good example of appropriate word choice:
A. Scientific theory for uncertainty principle
B. phenomenon of Global warming
C. the importance of ozone layer
D. Freon’s destructive process on environmental
31 What Is surprising finding of the Harvard debates In the passage?
A. There are equal intrinsic scientific abilities of men and women.
B. The proof applied by both sides seemed to be of no big difference,
C. The scientific data usually shows no substantial figures to support a debated idea.
D. Social factors might have a clear connection to scientific ability.
Questions 32-35
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?
In boxes 32-35 on your answer sheet, write
YES if the Statement is true
NO if the statement is false
NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage 3
32. “Global warming” scientifically refers to greater fluctuations in temperature and rainfall rather than a universal temperature rise.
33 More media coverage of “global warming” would help public to recognize the phenomenon.
34 Harvard debates should focus more on female scientist and male scientists
35 Public understanding and acceptance of indirect scientific evidence in all cases would lead to confusion
Questions 36-40
Complete the following summary of the paragraphs of Reading Passage, using no more than two words from the Reading Passage for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 36-40 on your answer sheet.
Science Communication is fraught with challenges that can easily distort discussions, leading to unnecessary confusion and misunderstandings. Firstly, Ambiguous 36………….are the source of some misunderstandings. Common people without proper training do not understand clearly or deeply a specific scientific meaning via the 37………… scientists often employed. Besides, the measurements any 38………….makes can not be confined to describe in a(n) constant 39………….yet the phenomenon can be. What’s more, even the word “theory” can be a problem. Theories aren’t necessarily shown to be correct or complete immediately since scientists often evolved better versions of specific theories, a good example can be the theory of 40 ………… Thus, most importantly people have to recognize that science can be complex.
Answers
Below are the answers, key words, synonyms and full explanations for the IELTS Reading passage Communication in Science (Passage 3, Questions 27–40).
Questions 27–31: Multiple Choice
27. Why is faithful science communication important?
Answer: A (Science plays an increasingly significant role in people’s lives)
Key words: Science plays an increasingly significant role in people’s lives, making the faithful communication of scientific developments more important than ever
Synonyms: why it is important = because science matters more in people’s lives = “Science plays an increasingly significant role in people’s lives, making the faithful communication … more important than ever”
Explanation: Communication matters because science is ever more important in daily life → A.
28. What is the reason the author believes is the biggest challenge for science reporting?
Answer: C (Scientists do not totally comprehend the meaning of certain scientific evolution)
Key words: scientists themselves often only partly understand the full implications of any particular advance or development
Synonyms: scientists don’t fully comprehend developments = they only partly understand the full implications = “in areas of evolving research, scientists themselves often only partly understand the full implications of any particular advance or development”
Explanation: The biggest challenge is that scientists themselves only partly grasp new developments → C.
29. In the 3rd paragraph, the reference to “theory of relativity” demonstrates
Answer: B (common people may be misled by the inaccurate choice of scientific phrase)
Key words: The term “relativity,” for example, is intrinsically misleading. Many interpret the theory to mean that everything is relative
Synonyms: people misled by an inaccurate term = “relativity” is intrinsically misleading and misinterpreted = “The term ‘relativity,’ for example, is intrinsically misleading. Many interpret the theory to mean that everything is relative and there are no absolutes”
Explanation: “Relativity” is given as an example of a poorly chosen term that misleads the public → B.
30. Which one is a good example of appropriate word choice?
Answer: D (Freon’s destructive process on the environment)
Key words: chemists were able to detail the precise chemical processes … making the evidence that chlorofluorocarbon gases (Freon, for example) were destroying the ozone layer indisputable
Synonyms: a good (clear, indisputable) example = the precisely described chemistry of Freon destroying the ozone layer = “chemists were able to detail the precise chemical processes involved in the destruction of the ozone layer … indisputable”
Explanation: The Freon/ozone case is the clear, well-communicated example (unlike the misleading terms) → D.
31. What is a surprising finding of the Harvard debates in the passage?
Answer: B (The proof applied by both sides seemed to be of no big difference)
Key words: those who believed in the differences and those who didn’t used the same evidence … the data shows no substantial effects
Synonyms: both sides’ proof was similar = both used the same evidence and the data showed no substantial effects = “those who believed in the differences and those who didn’t used the same evidence about gender-specific special ability … the data shows no substantial effects”
Explanation: Surprisingly, both sides relied on the same (inconclusive) evidence → B.
Questions 32–35: Yes / No / Not Given
32. “Global warming” scientifically refers to greater fluctuations in temperature and rainfall rather than a universal temperature rise.
Answer: YES
Key words: Climatologists predict more drastic fluctuations in temperature and rainfall — not necessarily that every place will be warmer
Synonyms: fluctuations rather than universal warming = more drastic fluctuations, not everywhere warmer = “Climatologists predict more drastic fluctuations in temperature and rainfall — not necessarily that every place will be warmer”
Explanation: The passage confirms it means fluctuations, not everywhere getting warmer → YES.
33. More media coverage of “global warming” would help the public to recognize the phenomenon.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
Key words: The name sometimes subverts the debate … “global climate change” would have been a better name
Synonyms: more media coverage helps = the passage discusses the name/terminology, not the amount of media coverage = “The name sometimes subverts the debate … Clearly ‘global climate change’ would have been a better name”
Explanation: The effect of more media coverage is never discussed → NOT GIVEN.
34. Harvard debates should focus more on female scientists and male scientists.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
Key words: Harvard was tortured by empty debates over the relative intrinsic scientific abilities of men and women
Synonyms: should focus more on male/female scientists = the passage criticises the debate but never says it should focus more on them = “Harvard was tortured by empty debates over the relative intrinsic scientific abilities of men and women”
Explanation: No recommendation about what the debate “should” focus on is given → NOT GIVEN.
35. Public understanding and acceptance of indirect scientific evidence in all cases would lead to confusion.
Answer: NO
Key words: The first would be to inculcate greater understanding and acceptance of indirect scientific evidence
Synonyms: accepting indirect evidence causes confusion (contradicted) = the author recommends greater acceptance of indirect evidence as a solution = “The first would be to inculcate greater understanding and acceptance of indirect scientific evidence”
Explanation: The author sees accepting indirect evidence as helpful, not confusing → NO.
Questions 36–40: Summary Completion (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)
36. Ambiguous ______ are the source of some misunderstandings
Answer: word choices
Key words: Ambiguous word choices are the source of some misunderstandings
Synonyms: ambiguous ______ = ambiguous word choices = “Ambiguous word choices are the source of some misunderstandings”
Explanation: The source is ambiguous word choices → word choices.
37. do not understand a specific scientific meaning via the ______ scientists often employed
Answer: colloquial terminology
Key words: Scientists often employ colloquial terminology, which they then assign a specific meaning
Synonyms: the ______ scientists employed = the colloquial terminology they use = “Scientists often employ colloquial terminology, which they then assign a specific meaning that is impossible to fathom without proper training”
Explanation: Scientists use colloquial terminology with special meanings → colloquial terminology.
38. the measurements any ______ makes
Answer: observer
Key words: the measurements any observer makes depend on his coordinates and reference frame
Synonyms: the measurements any ______ makes = the measurements any observer makes = “the measurements any observer makes depend on his coordinates and reference frame”
Explanation: The measurements are made by an observer → observer.
39. cannot be confined to describe in a(n) constant ______, yet the phenomenon can be
Answer: invariant description
Key words: the physical phenomena he measures have an invariant description that transcends that observer’s particular coordinates
Synonyms: a constant ______ that the phenomenon can have = an invariant description of the physical phenomena = “the physical phenomena he measures have an invariant description that transcends that observer’s particular coordinates”
Explanation: The phenomenon has an invariant (constant) description → invariant description.
40. a good example can be the theory of ______
Answer: general relativity
Key words: Even Einstein took the better part of a decade to develop the correct version of his theory of general relativity
Synonyms: theories evolve into better versions, e.g. the theory of ______ = Einstein’s theory of general relativity = “Even Einstein took the better part of a decade to develop the correct version of his theory of general relativity”
Explanation: The example of a theory refined over time is general relativity → general relativity.
Answer Key (Quick Reference)
| Q | Answer | Q | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | A | 34 | NOT GIVEN |
| 28 | C | 35 | NO |
| 29 | B | 36 | word choices |
| 30 | D | 37 | colloquial terminology |
| 31 | B | 38 | observer |
| 32 | YES | 39 | invariant description |
| 33 | NOT GIVEN | 40 | general relativity |
