Cambridge ielts 1-15 series reading answers explained

SAVING BUGS TO FIND NEW DRUGS
14. Answer: C
Explain 
· Key words: factors, renewed, interest, natural, medicinal, compounds 
· The first sentence of paragraph C states that laboratory-based drug discovery has now “prompted 
the development of new approaches focusing once again on natural products”. The phrase “once 
again” implies that this interest in natural medicine had existed before, and now it is „renewed‟. So, 
this is one factor behind the renewed interest in natural products. Paragraph C then mentions another 
factor: “This realisation, together with several looming health crises, such as antibiotic resistance, has 
put bioprospecting – the search for useful compounds in nature – firmly back on the map”. The 
expression “back on the map” also refers to „a renewed interest‟. 
· Drive = prompt 
15. Answer: H
Explain 
· Key words: recent, technological, advances, insect, research, easier 

---

465 
· The only paragraph which concerns technological advances is paragraph H: it is now possible to snip 
out insects‟ DNA and insert them into other cells that can produce larger quantities. The phrase “now 
possible” suggests that it wasn‟t possible in the past, implying a great development in technology and 
science. 
· The answer is H. 
16. Answer: A
Explain 
· Key words: examples, animals, medicinal, substances, nature 
· Paragraph A gives examples of primates which use natural substances like toxin-oozing millipedes 
or noxious forest plants as medicine. 
· Substances = compounds 
· Nature = living things 
17. Answer: F
Explain 
·
Key words: reasons, challenging, insects, drug, research
· Paragraph F discusses 3 reasons why it is very difficult, or challenging, to use insects in 
bioprospecting (which is the search for plant and animal species from which medicinal drugs and other 
commercially valuable compounds can be obtained). 
· Challenging = daunting 
· Drug research = bioprospecting