Question Focus: Detail question - negative features of twentieth-century stadiums
Correct Answer: A
Passage Reference: There are many similarities between modern stadiums and the ancient amphitheatres intended for games. But some of the flexibility was lost at the beginning of the 20th century, as stadiums were developed using new products such as steel and reinforced concrete, and made use of bright lights for night-time matches. Many such stadiums are situated in suburban areas, designed for sporting use only and surrounded by parking lots. These factors mean that they may not be as accessible to the general public, require more energy to run and contribute to urban heat.
Why this is correct: This option is not mentioned anywhere in the passage. The writer never talks about imagination or creativity in design.
Paraphrasing: Passage: no reference to creativity = Option: less imaginatively designed
Tips: Do not choose options based on your own opinion. If the passage does not say it, it is wrong.
Key Vocabulary:
- imaginative = creative
- design = plan or style
Question Focus: Detail question - negative features of twentieth-century stadiums
Correct Answer: B
Passage Reference: There are many similarities between modern stadiums and the ancient amphitheatres intended for games. But some of the flexibility was lost at the beginning of the 20th century, as stadiums were developed using new products such as steel and reinforced concrete, and made use of bright lights for night-time matches. Many such stadiums are situated in suburban areas, designed for sporting use only and surrounded by parking lots. These factors mean that they may not be as accessible to the general public, require more energy to run and contribute to urban heat.
Why this is correct: The passage never compares the size or space of modern stadiums with ancient amphitheatres.
Paraphrasing: Passage: no mention of space = Option: less spacious
Tips: If a word like size or space does not appear or is not clearly implied, it is likely a Not Given trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- spacious = having a lot of space
Question Focus: Detail question - negative features of twentieth-century stadiums
Correct Answer: C
Passage Reference: Many such stadiums are situated in suburban areas, designed for sporting use only and surrounded by parking lots. These factors mean that they may not be as accessible to the general public
Why this is correct: The writer explains that modern stadiums are often in suburban areas and not as accessible, which means their locations are less convenient.
Paraphrasing: Passage: not as accessible, suburban areas = Option: less convenient locations
Tips: Look for cause and effect. Location leads to accessibility problems here.
Key Vocabulary:
- accessible = easy to reach
- suburban = outside the city centre
Question Focus: Detail question - negative features of twentieth-century stadiums
Correct Answer: D
Passage Reference: But some of the flexibility was lost at the beginning of the 20th century, as stadiums were developed using new products such as steel and reinforced concrete, and made use of bright lights for night-time matches. Many such stadiums are situated in suburban areas, designed for sporting use only
Why this is correct: The passage clearly says that flexibility was lost and that stadiums were for sporting use only, which means they were less versatile.
Paraphrasing: Passage: flexibility was lost, sporting use only = Option: less versatile
Tips: Watch for synonyms. Versatile is a synonym of flexible.
Key Vocabulary:
- flexibility = ability to change use
- versatile = useful in many ways
Question Focus: Detail question - negative features of twentieth-century stadiums
Correct Answer: E
Passage Reference: But some of the flexibility was lost at the beginning of the 20th century, as stadiums were developed using new products such as steel and reinforced concrete
Why this is correct: The writer mentions steel and reinforced concrete, but does not say these are less durable.
Paraphrasing: Passage: mentions materials only = Option: less durable materials
Tips: Mentioning materials does not automatically mean a judgement about quality.
Key Vocabulary:
- durable = long-lasting
- reinforced concrete = strong building material
Question Focus: Detail question - advantages of modern stadium design
Correct Answer: A
Passage Reference: There's a growing trend for stadiums to be equipped with public spaces and services that serve a function beyond sport, such as hotels, retail outlets, conference centres, restaurants and bars, children's playgrounds and green space. Creating mixed-use developments such as this reinforces compactness and multi-functionality, making more efficient use of land and helping to regenerate urban spaces. This opens the space up to families and a wider cross-section of society, instead of catering only to sportspeople and supporters.
Why this is correct: The passage talks about services beyond sport, not improving enjoyment of sports events themselves.
Paraphrasing: Passage: beyond sport = Option: enjoyment of sports events
Tips: Be careful with focus. Ask who benefits and how.
Key Vocabulary:
- amenities = facilities
- beyond = more than
Question Focus: Detail question - advantages of modern stadium design
Correct Answer: B
Passage Reference: There's a growing trend for stadiums to be equipped with public spaces and services that serve a function beyond sport, such as hotels, retail outlets, conference centres, restaurants and bars, children's playgrounds and green space. Creating mixed-use developments such as this reinforces compactness and multi-functionality, making more efficient use of land and helping to regenerate urban spaces.
Why this is correct: The stadiums include public spaces and services and help regenerate urban spaces, which supports community life.
Paraphrasing: Passage: regenerate urban spaces, public spaces = Option: community life back into the city
Tips: Broad ideas are often paraphrased. Look for the overall meaning.
Key Vocabulary:
- regenerate = improve again
- urban = city
Question Focus: Detail question - advantages of modern stadium design
Correct Answer: C
Passage Reference: The phenomenon of stadiums as power stations has arisen from the idea that energy problems can be overcome by integrating interconnected buildings by means of a smart grid, which is an electricity supply network that uses digital communications technology to detect and react to local changes in usage, without significant energy losses. Stadiums are ideal for these purposes, because their canopies have a large surface area for fitting photovoltaic panels and rise high enough (more than 40 metres) to make use of micro wind turbines.
Why this is correct: The passage discusses using solar panels and wind turbines, not researching them.
Paraphrasing: Passage: use of energy technology = Option: research into energy
Tips: Do not add ideas like research if the passage only describes use.
Key Vocabulary:
- facilitate = make easier
- research = scientific study
Question Focus: Detail question - advantages of modern stadium design
Correct Answer: D
Passage Reference: The latter, inaugurated in 2009, has 8,844 photovoltaic panels producing up to 1.14 GWh of electricity annually. This reduces the annual output of carbon dioxide by 660 tons and supplies up to 80 percent of the surrounding area when the stadium is not in use.
Why this is correct: The passage says electricity is supplied to the area, not that residents use less electricity.
Paraphrasing: Passage: supply electricity = Option: reduce consumption
Tips: Supplying energy is not the same as reducing use.
Key Vocabulary:
- consumption = use
- supply = provide
Question Focus: Detail question - advantages of modern stadium design
Correct Answer: E
Passage Reference: Stadiums are ideal for these purposes, because their canopies have a large surface area for fitting photovoltaic panels and rise high enough (more than 40 metres) to make use of micro wind turbines.
Why this is correct: The writer clearly states that stadiums are ideal for installing solar panels and wind turbines.
Paraphrasing: Passage: ideal for photovoltaic panels and wind turbines = Option: suitable site for renewable generators
Tips: When the passage says ideal, suitable is usually a safe synonym.
Key Vocabulary:
- photovoltaic = solar-powered
- renewable = can be reused
General Tips:
- Multiple-answer questions require you to check EVERY option carefully, not stop after finding one correct answer.
- The answers usually come from the same part of the passage. Stay in that section.
- Look for synonyms like flexible and versatile or accessible and convenient.
- Avoid adding your own ideas. Only choose what the passage clearly supports.
