# Language Barriers in Communication: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 2, Test 2, Reading Passage 2

Source: Passage, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 2, Test 2, Reading Passage 2. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## Answer key

| Q | Answer | Proof |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 14 | major consequences | Publicity comes only when a failure to communicate has major consequences |
| 15 | surveys | surveys of books and documents consulted in libraries and other information agencies |
| 16 | sales literature | many had their sales literature only in English |
| 17 | the Far East | as in most parts of the Far East, Russia, Eastern Europe, the Arab world, Latin America and French-speaking Africa. |
| 18 | C | the same point applies in principle to any encounter with unfamiliar dialects or styles within a single language. |
| 19 | B | the report of the treatment had been published only in journals written in European languages other than English. |
| 20 | C | The criticism and publicity given to this problem since the 1960s seems to have greatly improved the situation. |
| 21 | training | Industrial training schemes have promoted an increase in linguistic and cultural awareness. |
| 22 | translation services | Many firms now have their own translation services |
| 23 | language courses | Some firms run part-time language courses in the languages of the countries with which they are most involved |
| 24 | glossaries | some produce their own technical glossaries |
| 25 | D | it is often forgotten that they may not be able to understand it to the required level |
| 26 | A | the lack of a common language can severely impede progress ... seems to have greatly improved the situation |

## Why these answers are right

**14. major consequences.** The sentence asks what language problems must have before the public hears about them. Paragraph B says publicity comes only when a failure to communicate has major consequences, such as strikes, legal problems or fatal accidents. The two words that fit the gap are major consequences.

**15. surveys.** The question asks how evidence about the size of the language barrier was gathered. Paragraph C says surveys of books and documents consulted in libraries showed that scientists rarely use foreign-language material. The word that names the method is surveys.

**16. sales literature.** You need an example of material British firms produced only in English. Paragraph D lists English for outgoing correspondence and adds that many firms had their sales literature only in English. Sales literature fits the gap and stays within the three-word limit.

The why and the trap for questions 17 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/reading/language-barriers-in-communication/answers).

[Practice Language Barriers in Communication](https://testmigo.com/ielts/reading/language-barriers-in-communication)