Magy's English Edu. Club
Cambridge 15 Academic Reading Test Three Passage Three
Why fairytales are really scary tales
Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-F.
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 27-31 on your answer sheet.
27. In fairy tales, details of the plot
The answer is C. > show considerable global variation.
In paragraph one, but the same story often takes a variety of forms in different parts of the world.
28. Tehrani rejects the idea that the useful lessons for life in fairy tales
The answer is B. > are the reason for their survival.
In paragraph two, but his research suggests otherwise.
29. Various theories about the social significance of fairy tales
The answer is F. > have been developed without factual basis.
In paragraph two, that hasn’t stopped anthropologists, folklorists and other academics devising theories to explain the importance of fairy tales in human society.
30. Insights into the development of fairy tales
The answer is A. > may be provided through methods used in biological research.
In paragraph two, now Tehrani has found a way to test these ideas, borrowing a technique from evolutionary biologists.
31. All the fairy tales analyzed by Tehrani
The answer is E. > were originally spoken rather than written.
In paragraph four, checking for variants of these two tales and similar stories from Africa, East Asia, and other regions, he ended up with 58 stories recorded from oral traditions.
Complete the summary using the list of words, A-I.
Write the correct letter, A-L, in boxes 32-36 on your answer sheet.
32. Tehrani used techniques from evolutionary biology to find out if …. existed among 58 stories from around the world.
The answer is D. > LINKS
In paragraph four, once his phylogenetic analysis had established that they were indeed related, he used the same methods to explore how they have developed and altered over time.
33. He also wanted to know which aspects of the stories had the fewest …., as he believed these aspects would be the most important ones.
The answer is F. > VARIATIONS
In paragraph five, first, he tested some assumptions about which aspects of the story alter least as it evolves, indicating their importance.
34. Contrary to other beliefs, he found that some …… that were included in a story seemed no more important than the other parts.
The answer is B.> EVENTS
In paragraph six, however, Tehrani found no significant difference in the rate of evolution of incidents compared with that of characters.
35. He was also surprised that parts of a story which seemed to provide some sort of ….. were unimportant.
The answer is C. > WARNING
In paragraph seven, but the really big surprise came when he looked at the cautionary elements of the story.
36. The aspect that he found most important in a story’s survival was …. .
The answer is G. > HORROR
In paragraph eight, the answer, it would appear, is fear.
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
37. What method did Jamie Tehrani use to test his ideas about fairy tales?
The answer is B. > He looked at many different forms of the same basic story.
In paragraph four, he ended up with 58 stories recorded from oral traditions.
38. When discussing Tehrani’s views, Jack Zipes suggests that
The answer is D. > Features of stories only survive if they have a deeper significance.
In paragraph nine, he believes the perennial theme of women as victims in stories like Little Riding Hood explains why they continue to feel relevant.
39. Why does Tehrani refer to Chinese and Japanese fairy tales?
The answer is A. > to indicate that Jack Zipes’ theory is incorrect
In paragraph nine, but Tehrani points out that although this is often the case in Western versions, it is not always true elsewhere. In Chinese and Japanese versions, often known as The Tiger grandmother, the villain is a woman, and in both Iran and Nigeria, the victim is a boy.
40. What does Mathias Clasen believe about fairy tales?
The answer is A. > They are a safe way of learning to deal with fear.
In paragraph ten, Clasen believes that scary stories teach us what it feels like to be afraid without having to experience real danger, and so build up resistance to negative emotions.