Cambridge ielts 1-15 series reading answers explained

 
36. Answer: NOT GIVEN
Key words: contrast, moral, principles, businesses
Still in paragraph 6, the author mentions that businesses will not apply moral principles without 
government regulations to deal with environmental problems. There is no information regarding the 
moral principles of different businesses. Thus, the answer is NOT GIVEN. 
 
 
37. Answer: NO
Key words: distinction, acceptable, unacceptable, behavior
It is stated in the last paragraph that “My conclusion is not a moralistic one about who is right or 
wrong, admirable or selfish, a good guy or a bad guy”. Thus, the author does not want to make a clear 
distinction between right (acceptable behaviour) and wrong (unacceptable behaviour). So the statement 
contradicts the author‟s view. 
38. Answer: YES
Key words: public, successfully, influenced, businesses, past
There are two relevant sentences in the last paragraph:“In the past, businesses have changed when the 
public came to expect and require different behaviour”. Secondly: “I predict that in the future, just as 
in the past, changes in public attitudes will be essential for changes in businesses‟ environmental 
practices”. The sentences mean that businesses were influenced by the public‟s expectations and 
requirements. 
39. Answer: NOT GIVEN
Key words: future, businesses, concern, environment
The author predicts in the last paragraph that in the future, “In the future…changes in public attitudes 
will be essential for changes in businesses‟ environmental practices”. However, there is no information 
saying that businesses will show more or less concern for the environment. Thus, the answer for this is 
NOT GIVEN. 

QUESTIONS 40: CHOOSE THE CORRECT LETTER, A, B, C OR D. 
40. Answer: D Are big businesses to blame for the damage they cause the environment?
This passage discusses the blame for environmental issues. However, the author raises a different 
viewpoint from conventional ones, and has made this clear throughout the passage: “It is easy for the 
rest of us to blame a business” (paragraph 2); “Our blaming of businesses also ignores the ultimate 
responsibility of the public” (paragraph 3); “I place the ultimate responsibility for business practices 
harming the public on the public itself” (paragraph 7). Thus, the author wants to look at the problem 
from the perspective of the responsibility of the public, and contends that businesses are not the only 
ones to blame. Thus, the most appropriate subheading must be D – „Are big businesses to blame for 
the damage they cause the environment?”. 

---

522