# Why fairy tales are really scary tales: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 15, Test 3, Reading Passage 3

Source: Passage, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 15, Test 3, Reading Passage 3. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## Answer key

| Q | Answer | Proof |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 27 | C | the same story often takes a variety of forms in different parts of the world |
| 28 | B | But his research suggests otherwise. |
| 29 | F | That hasn't stopped anthropologists, folklorists* and other academics devising theories |
| 30 | A | borrowing a technique from evolutionary biologists |
| 31 | E | he ended up with 58 stories recorded from oral traditions |
| 32 | D | Once his phylogenetic analysis had established that they were indeed related |
| 33 | F | which aspects of the story alter least as it evolves, indicating their importance |
| 34 | B | no significant difference in the rate of evolution of incidents compared with that of characters |
| 35 | C | But the really big surprise came when he looked at the cautionary elements of the story. |
| 36 | G | turned out to be the best preserved of all |
| 37 | B | compare related versions of fairy tales to discover how they have evolved |
| 38 | D | they won't stick unless they matter |
| 39 | A | it is not always true elsewhere |
| 40 | A | scary stories teach us what it feels like to be afraid without having to experience real danger |

## Why these answers are right

**27. C.** Paragraph A says the same story often takes a variety of forms in different parts of the world, then shows how events in Little Red Riding Hood differ between versions. Plot details that change around the world show considerable global variation, so ending C is correct.

**28. B.** Paragraph B reports the common view that fairy tales last because they carry cautionary, survival-relevant messages, and then states that Tehrani's research suggests otherwise. He rejects the claim that useful lessons explain why the tales survive, so ending B completes the sentence.

**29. F.** Tehrani notes a huge gap in our knowledge about the history of storytelling, yet academics have kept devising theories about the importance of fairy tales. Theories created despite missing knowledge have been developed without factual basis, which is ending F.

The why and the trap for questions 30 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/reading/why-fairy-tales-are-really-scary-tales/answers).

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