Wealth In A Cold Climate - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 3 Academic Reading Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 14–26
Reading Passage
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-26, which are based on Reading Passage 2.
Wealth in A Cold Climate
Latitude is crucial to a nation's economic strength.
A Dr William Masters was reading a book about mosquitoes when inspiration struck. “There was this anecdote about the great yellow-fever epidemic that hit Philadelphia in 1793,” Masters recalls. “This epidemic decimated the city until the first frost came.” The inclement weather froze out the insects, allowing Philadelphia to recover.
B If weather could be the key to a city's fortunes, Masters thought, then why not to the historical fortunes of nations? And could frost lie at the heart of one of the most enduring economic mysteries of all—why are almost all the wealthy, industrialised nations to be found at latitudes above 40 degrees? After two years of research, he thinks that he has found a piece of the puzzle. Masters, an agricultural economist from Purdue University in Indiana, and Margaret McMillan at Tufts University, Boston, show that annual frosts are among the factors that distinguish rich nations from poor ones. Their study is published this month in the Journal of Economic Growth. The pair speculate that cold snaps have two main benefits—they freeze pests that would otherwise destroy crops, and also freeze organisms, such as mosquitoes, that carry disease. The result is agricultural abundance and a big workforce.
C The academics took two sets of information. The first was average income for countries, the second climate data from the University of East Anglia. They found a curious tally between the sets. Countries having five or more frosty days a month are uniformly rich, those with fewer than five are impoverished. The authors speculate that the five-day figure is important; it could be the minimum time needed to kill pests in the soil. Masters says: “For example, Finland is a small country that is growing quickly, but Bolivia is a small country that isn't growing at all. Perhaps climate has something to do with that.” In fact, limited frosts bring huge benefits to farmers. The chills kill insects or render them inactive; cold weather slows the break-up of plant and animal material in the soil, allowing it to become richer; and frosts ensure a build-up of moisture in the ground for spring, reducing dependence on seasonal rains. There are exceptions to the “cold equals rich” argument. There are well-heeled tropical places such as Hong Kong and Singapore, a result of their superior trading positions. Likewise, not all European countries are moneyed—in the former communist colonies, economic potential was crushed by politics.
D Masters stresses that climate will never be the overriding factor—the wealth of nations is too complicated to be attributable to just one factor. Climate, he feels, somehow combines with other factors—such as the presence of institutions, including governments, and access to trading routes—to determine whether a country will do well. Traditionally, Masters says, economists thought that institutions had the biggest effect on the economy, because they brought order to a country in the form of, for example, laws and property rights. With order, so the thinking went, came affluence. “But there are some problems that even countries with institutions have not been able to get around,” he says. “My feeling is that, as countries get richer, they get better institutions. And the accumulation of wealth and improvement in governing institutions are both helped by a favourable environment, including climate.”
E This does not mean, he insists, that tropical countries are beyond economic help and destined to remain penniless. Instead, richer countries should change the way in which foreign aid is given. Instead of aid being geared towards improving governance, it should be spent on technology to improve agriculture and to combat disease. Masters cites one example: “There are regions in India that have been provided with irrigation—agricultural productivity has gone up and there has been an improvement in health.” Supplying vaccines against tropical diseases and developing crop varieties that can grow in the tropics would break the poverty cycle.
F Other minds have applied themselves to the split between poor and rich nations, citing anthropological, climatic and zoological reasons for why temperate nations are the most affluent. In 350BC, Aristotle observed that “those who live in a cold climate...are full of spirit”. Jared Diamond, from the University of California at Los Angeles, pointed out in his book Guns, Germs and Steel that Eurasia is broadly aligned east-west, while Africa and the Americas are aligned north-south. So, in Europe, crops can spread quickly across latitudes because climates are similar. One of the first domesticated crops, einkorn wheat, spread quickly from the Middle East into Europe; it took twice as long for corn to spread from Mexico to what is now the eastern United States. This easy movement along similar latitudes in Eurasia would also have meant a faster dissemination of other technologies such as the wheel and writing, Diamond speculates. The region also boasted domesticated livestock, which could provide meat, wool and motive power in the fields. Blessed with such natural advantages, Eurasia was bound to take off economically.
G John Gallup and Jeffrey Sachs, two US economists, have also pointed out striking correlations between the geographical location of countries and their wealth. They note that tropical countries between 23.45 degrees north and south of the equator are nearly all poor. In an article for the Harvard International Review, they concluded that “development surely seems to favour the temperate-zone economies, especially those in the northern hemisphere, and those that have managed to avoid both socialism and the ravages of war”. But Masters cautions against geographical determinism, the idea that tropical countries are beyond hope: “Human health and agriculture can be made better through scientific and technological research,” he says, “so we shouldn't be writing off these countries. Take Singapore: without air conditioning, it wouldn't be rich.”
Questions
Questions 14–20 Matching Headings
Choose the most suitable heading for paragraphs A-G from the list of headings below.
i. The positive correlation between climate and wealth
ii. Other factors besides climate that influence wealth
iii. Inspiration from reading a book
iv. Other researchers' results do not rule out exceptional cases
v. Different attributes between Eurasia and Africa
vi. Low temperature benefits people and crops
vii. The importance of institution in traditional views
viii. The spread of crops in Europe, Asia and other places
ix. The best way to use aid
x. Confusions and exceptions
Questions 21–26 Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Dr William Masters read a book saying that a(an) 21 which struck an American city hundreds of years ago was terminated by a cold frost. And academics found that there is a connection between climate and country's wealth as in the rich but small country of 22. Yet besides excellent surroundings and climate, one country still needs to improve their 23 to achieve long prosperity.
Thanks to resembling weather conditions across latitude in the continent of 24, crops such as 25 is bound to spread faster than from South America to the North. Other researchers also noted that even though geographical factors are important, tropical country such as 26 still became rich due to scientific advancement.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q14 | iii | Dr William Masters was reading a book about mosquitoes when inspiration struck | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that Dr. William Masters had a sudden, great idea (inspiration) at the moment he was reading a book about mosquitoes. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the researcher's main idea for his study came from a book he was reading. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Inspiration from reading a book' because the first sentence of paragraph A clearly states that Dr. William Masters got his idea, or 'inspiration', while he was reading a book about mosquitoes. The rest of the paragraph describes the specific story in the book that gave him this new idea. |
| Q15 | vi | The pair speculate that cold snaps have two main benefits—they freeze pests that would otherwise destroy crops, and also freeze organisms, such as mosquitoes, that carry disease. The result is agricultural abundance and a big workforce | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that researchers think very cold weather ('cold snaps') has two big good points. First, it kills the small animals ('pests') that eat and damage farm plants ('crops'). Second, it kills creatures like mosquitoes that make people sick. Because of this, countries have a lot of food and many healthy workers. Answer Explanation: The answer means that cold weather is good for people and for the plants they grow for food. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'vi' because paragraph B explains the good things that happen when it's cold. It says that cold weather, or 'frosts', helps crops by killing bad insects ('pests'). It also helps people by killing insects that carry sicknesses, like 'mosquitoes'. This leads to more food ('agricultural abundance') and more healthy people to work ('a big workforce'). So, low temperatures help both crops and people. |
| Q16 | i | The academics took two sets of information. The first was average income for countries, the second climate data from the University of East Anglia. They found a curious tally between the sets. Countries having five or more frosty days a month are uniformly rich, those with fewer than five are impoverished | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that scientists looked at two types of information: how much money countries make and what their weather is like. They found a surprising connection. Countries that have five or more very cold (frosty) days each month are all rich. Countries that have less than five frosty days are poor. Answer Explanation: The answer means there is a direct link between a country's weather and how much money it has. When one thing (cold weather) is present, the other thing (wealth) is also present. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'The positive correlation between climate and wealth' because paragraph C describes a study that compared countries' income with their climate data. The study found a clear connection ('tally'). It states that countries with many cold, frosty days are rich, while countries with few frosty days are poor. This shows a positive relationship, or correlation, between cold weather and wealth. |
| Q17 | ii | Masters stresses that climate will never be the overriding factor—the wealth of nations is too complicated to be attributable to just one factor. Climate, he feels, somehow combines with other factors—such as the presence of institutions, including governments, and access to trading routes—to determine whether a country will do well | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that climate is not the single most important reason for a country's wealth. The topic is too complex for just one cause. The author believes that climate works together with other things, like governments and the ability to trade with other places, to decide if a country will do well financially. Answer Explanation: The answer, "Other factors besides climate that influence wealth," means that a country's wealth is affected by more than just its climate. Other things are also important. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because Paragraph D explains that climate is not the only reason a country is wealthy. The paragraph starts by saying that a nation's wealth is too complicated for just one factor. It then lists other important things, which it calls "other factors." These factors include "institutions" (like governments and laws) and "access to trading routes." Therefore, the paragraph's main idea is to discuss these additional factors that contribute to wealth besides the climate. |
| Q18 | ix | Instead of aid being geared towards improving governance, it should be spent on technology to improve agriculture and to combat disease | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that money or help ('aid') given to other countries should be used for technology that makes farming better and helps fight sickness. It should not just be used for improving the government. Answer Explanation: The answer, 'The best way to use aid', means the paragraph describes the most effective method for helping poor countries with money and resources. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'ix' because Paragraph E explains what rich countries should do to help poor, tropical countries. It specifically says that 'foreign aid' should be used differently. Instead of focusing on government improvements, the aid 'should be spent on technology to improve agriculture and to combat disease'. This directly discusses the best way to use aid to help these nations. |
| Q19 | v | Jared Diamond, from the University of California at Los Angeles, pointed out in his book Guns, Germs and Steel that Eurasia is broadly aligned east-west, while Africa and the Americas are aligned north-south. So, in Europe, crops can spread quickly across latitudes because climates are similar | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that a researcher named Jared Diamond noticed that the continents of Eurasia (Europe and Asia) go from east to west. Africa and the Americas, however, go from north to south. Because Eurasia is aligned east-west, the weather is similar in many places, which helped food plants (crops) spread very fast. Answer Explanation: The answer means the paragraph talks about the differences between the continents of Eurasia (Europe and Asia) and Africa. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because paragraph F discusses the ideas of researcher Jared Diamond. He explained that Eurasia is shaped differently from Africa and the Americas. Eurasia runs from east to west, which means the climate is similar across large areas. This allowed crops and technology to spread easily. In contrast, Africa and the Americas run from north to south, which means the climate changes a lot, making it harder for crops to spread. These are the 'different attributes' or features of the continents that the heading refers to. |
| Q20 | iv | John Gallup and Jeffrey Sachs, two US economists, have also pointed out striking correlations between the geographical location of countries and their wealth. They note that tropical countries between 23.45 degrees north and south of the equator are nearly all poor But Masters cautions against geographical determinism, the idea that tropical countries are beyond hope: “Human health and agriculture can be made better through scientific and technological research,” he says, “so we shouldn't be writing off these countries. Take Singapore: without air conditioning, it wouldn't be rich.” |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage first talks about the research of two economists, Gallup and Sachs. They found that countries in tropical areas, near the Earth's equator, are almost all poor. Then, the passage gives Masters' opinion. He warns that we should not think tropical countries can never be rich. He uses Singapore as an example of a rich tropical country, which is an exception to the rule. Answer Explanation: The answer means that other studies show a connection between a country's location and money, but there are also examples of countries that do not follow this rule. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because Paragraph G talks about the research of two economists, Gallup and Sachs, who found that tropical countries are almost always poor. This matches the part of the heading that says 'Other researchers' results'. Then, the paragraph explains that another scientist, Masters, warns against believing that tropical countries cannot become rich. He gives the example of Singapore, a rich country in the tropics, which is an 'exceptional case'. This shows that the general rule found by researchers has exceptions, which fits the heading perfectly. |
| Q21 | yellow-fever epidemic | “There was this anecdote about the great yellow-fever epidemic that hit Philadelphia in 1793,” Masters recalls. “This epidemic decimated the city until the first frost came.” | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that Dr. Masters remembered a story about a big sickness, the 'yellow-fever epidemic', that happened in the city of Philadelphia in 1793. This sickness caused a lot of harm to the city, and it only stopped when the first cold weather, or 'frost', arrived. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'yellow-fever epidemic', which means a specific, very bad sickness called yellow fever that spread to many people in one place. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'yellow-fever epidemic' because the summary asks what Dr. Masters read about in a book. The passage says he read a story, or 'anecdote', about a 'great yellow-fever epidemic' in the American city of Philadelphia. The passage also states that this sickness was stopped ('decimated the city until') by the 'first frost,' which is cold weather. |
| Q22 | Finland | Masters says: “For example, Finland is a small country that is growing quickly, but Bolivia is a small country that isn't growing at all. Perhaps climate has something to do with that.” | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage gives an example of two small countries. One is Finland, which is becoming rich fast. The other is Bolivia, which is not. The author thinks the reason might be the different climates of the two countries. Answer Explanation: The answer is "Finland". This is the name of a country in Europe. The passage uses this country as an example of a small but rich nation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Finland" because the summary asks for an example of a 'rich but small country' that shows the connection between climate and wealth. The passage explicitly uses Finland as an example of a 'small country that is growing quickly' and suggests that its climate might be the reason for its economic success. |
| Q23 | institutions / governments | Climate, he feels, somehow combines with other factors—such as the presence of institutions, including governments, and access to trading routes—to determine whether a country will do well | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that climate is not the only reason for a country's success. It must work together with other things, such as its government and other important organizations, to help a country succeed. Answer Explanation: The answer means that for a country to be successful for a long time, it needs more than just a good climate. It also needs good organizations, like governments. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'institutions/governments' because the passage explains that climate is not the only thing that makes a country rich. The passage says that climate works together with other 'factors'. It gives 'institutions, including governments' as an example of these other important factors needed for a country to do well. |
| Q24 | Europe | So, in Europe, crops can spread quickly across latitudes because climates are similar | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that in the continent of Europe, food plants ('crops') could travel ('spread') very fast ('quickly') over long distances. The reason for this is that the weather ('climates') was almost the same ('similar') in different places that were on the same line from east to west ('latitudes'). Answer Explanation: The answer 'Europe' is the name of a continent. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Europe' because the summary sentence talks about a continent where similar weather helped crops move easily from one place to another. The passage explains that in Europe, because it's part of a large land area called Eurasia that goes from east to west, crops could 'spread quickly'. This happened because the 'climates are similar' at the same latitude. |
| Q25 | einkorn wheat | One of the first domesticated crops, einkorn wheat, spread quickly from the Middle East into Europe; it took twice as long for corn to spread from Mexico to what is now the eastern United States | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that a crop called 'einkorn wheat' traveled very fast from one part of the world (the Middle East) to another (Europe). This was much faster than how corn, another crop, moved from Mexico to the United States. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'einkorn wheat', which is a type of old grain, like a plant used for food. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'einkorn wheat' because the summary asks for an example of a crop that spread quickly across a continent with similar weather. The passage explains that because the continent of Eurasia has similar climates from east to west, crops could travel fast. It gives 'einkorn wheat' as a specific example of a crop that 'spread quickly' from the Middle East to Europe. |
| Q26 | Singapore | Take Singapore: without air conditioning, it wouldn't be rich.” | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage gives Singapore as an example. It says this country would not be wealthy if it did not have air conditioning, which is a type of technology to make hot places cool. Answer Explanation: The answer means Singapore is a hot, tropical country that became rich. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Singapore because the summary asks for an example of a tropical country that became rich because of 'scientific advancement'. The passage ends by mentioning Singapore. It states that Singapore is a wealthy country and that this was possible because of a technology, 'air conditioning'. |