The IELTS Reading test checks how well you can find specific information, understand explanations, follow the development of ideas, and recognise paraphrased information.
The Return of Artificial Intelligence Reading Answers is based on a passage about the rise, decline, and renewed interest in artificial intelligence. It discusses how the term AI was introduced, why the field lost popularity, how successful AI applications were treated, and why changing technology and investor interest could give the field a new opportunity.
The passage contains Matching Information, True/False/Not Given, and Multiple Choice questions. Use this return of artificial intelligence IELTS reading answer key to check your answers:
Question
Answer
1
E
2
B
3
A
4
F
5
B
6
NOT GIVEN
7
FALSE
8
NOT GIVEN
9
TRUE
10
FALSE
11
TRUE
12
B
13
A
14
D
After checking your answers, use this practice page to test how well you can locate specific information, understand the main ideas, identify paraphrased details, and follow the development of artificial intelligence research in The Return of Artificial Intelligence passage.
The Return of Artificial Intelligence IELTS Reading Passage for Practice
TheIELTS reading passage explains how artificial intelligence moved from an ambitious research field to a less popular term before beginning to regain attention. It also looks at the practical uses, challenges, and future opportunities for AI.
The Return of Artificial Intelligence
Paragraph A
After years in the wilderness, the term ‘artificial intelligence’ (AI) seems poised to make a comeback. AI was big in the 1980s but vanished in the 1990s. It re-entered public consciousness with the release of AI, a movie about a robot boy. This has ignited a public debate about AI, but the term is also being used once more within the computer industry. Researchers, executives and marketing people are now using the expression without irony or inverted commas. And it is not always hype. The term is being applied, with some justification, to products that depend on technology that was originally developed by AI researchers. Admittedly, the rehabilitation of the term has a long way to go, and some firms still prefer to avoid using it. But the fact that others are starting to use it again suggests that AI has moved on from being seen as an over-ambitious and under-achieving field of research.
Paragraph B
The field was launched, and the term ‘artificial intelligence’ coined, at a conference in 1956 by a group of researchers that included Marvin Minsky, John McCarthy, Herbert Simon and Alan Newell, all of whom went on to become leading figures in the field. The expression provided an attractive but informative name for a research programme that encompassed such previously disparate fields as operations research, cybernetics, logic and computer science. The goal they shared was an attempt to capture or mimic human abilities using machines. That said, different groups of researchers attacked different problems, from speech recognition to chess-playing, in different ways; AI unified the field in name only. But it was a term that captured the public imagination.
Paragraph C
Most researchers agree that AI peaked around 1985. A public reared on science-fiction movies and excited by the growing power of computers had high expectations. For years, AI researchers had implied that a breakthrough was just around the corner. Marvin Minsky said in 1967 that within a generation, the problem of creating artificial intelligence would be substantially solved. Prototypes of medical-diagnosis programs and speech recognition software appeared to be making progress. It proved to be a false dawn. Thinking computers and household robots failed to materialise, and a backlash ensued. ‘There was undue optimism in the early 1980s,’ says David Leaky, a researcher at Indiana University. ‘Then when people realised these were hard problems, there was retrenchment. By the late 1980s, the term AI was being avoided by many researchers, who opted instead to align themselves with specific sub-disciplines such as neural networks, agent technology, case-based reasoning, and so on.
Paragraph D
Ironically, in some ways, AI was a victim of its own success. Whenever an apparently mundane problem was solved, such as building a system that could land an aircraft unattended, the problem was deemed not to have been AI in the first place. ‘If it works, it can’t be AI,’ as Dr Leaky characterises it. The effect of repeatedly moving the goal-posts in this way was that AI came to refer to ‘blue-sky’ research that was still years away from commercialisation. Researchers joked that AI stood for ‘almost implemented’. Meanwhile, the technologies that made it onto the market, such as speech recognition, language translation and decision-support software, were no longer regarded as AI. Yet all three once fell well within the umbrella of AI research.
Paragraph E
But the tide may now be turning, according to Dr Leake. HNC Software of San Diego, backed by a government agency, reckon that their new approach to artificial intelligence is the most powerful and promising approach ever discovered. HNC claim that their system, based on a cluster of 30 processors, could be used to spot camouflaged vehicles on a battlefield or extract a voice signal from a noisy background – tasks humans can do well, but computers cannot. ‘Whether or not their technology lives up to the claims made for it, the fact that HNC are emphasising the use of AI is itself an interesting development,’ says Dr Leaky.
Paragraph F
Another factor that may boost the prospects for AI in the near future is that investors are now looking for firms using clever technology, rather than just a clever business model, to differentiate themselves. In particular, the problem of information overload, exacerbated by the growth of e-mail and the explosion in the number of web pages, means there are plenty of opportunities for new technologies to help filter and categorise information – classic AI problems. That may mean that more artificial intelligence companies will start to emerge to meet this challenge.
Paragraph G
The 1969 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, featured an intelligent computer called HAL 9000. As well as understanding and speaking English, HAL could play chess and even learned to lipread. HAL thus encapsulated the optimism of the 1960s that intelligent computers would be widespread by 2001. But 2001 has been and gone, and there is still no sign of a HAL-like computer. Individual systems can play chess or transcribe speech, but a general theory of machine intelligence still remains elusive. It may be, however, that the comparison with HAL no longer seems quite so important, and AI can now be judged by what it can do, rather than by how well it matches up to a 30-year-old science-fiction film. ‘People are beginning to realise that there are impressive things that these systems can do,’ says Dr Leake hopefully.
The Return of Artificial Intelligence Reading Questions
The questions below follow the passage and test different IELTS Reading skills. Look for specific details, examples, research developments, reasons and changes in attitudes, but remember that the wording of the questions may differ from the passage.
Questions 1–5: Matching Information
Read the statements and identify the paragraph A–G where the information is found. You may use any letter more than once.
1. Information about the main aim shared by the researchers who established AI as a field.
2. An explanation of why AI researchers began identifying themselves with narrower areas of study.
3. Information about the number of processors used in a new AI system.
4. A reason why there may be more opportunities for companies developing AI technologies.
5. An explanation of why some companies are beginning to use the term ‘AI’ again.
Questions 6–11: True/False/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
Write:
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this
6. The term ‘artificial intelligence’ was introduced at a conference in 1956.
7. By the late 1980s, some AI researchers preferred to identify their work through specific sub-disciplines.
8. Technologies such as language translation were once considered part of AI research.
9. HNC Software says its system can perform tasks that humans find difficult to perform.
10. Investors are mainly interested in companies with strong business models rather than advanced technology.
11. Some companies in the computer industry have started using the term AI again.
Questions 12–14: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
12. Why do some companies still avoid using the term ‘AI’?
A. They believe AI technology is too expensive to develop. B. They are waiting for new computer systems to become available. C. The term still needs to overcome its earlier negative reputation. D. They prefer to focus only on language-related technologies.
13. Why did many AI researchers move towards specific sub-disciplines in the late 1980s?
A. They wanted to work on more clearly defined areas of research. B. They believed computers had already achieved human-level intelligence. C. They wanted to reduce the number of AI companies entering the market. D. They thought science-fiction films were influencing research too strongly.
14. What does the passage suggest could create opportunities for new AI technologies?
A. A reduction in the number of websites B. The growing need to manage large amounts of digital information C. The return of science-fiction films about intelligent computers D. The development of household robots
The Return of Artificial Intelligence Reading Answers with Explanation
This section explains each answer using the relevant paragraph, keywords, and paraphrases. The answers with locations are included to help you quickly identify the information that supports each response.
Answers 1–5: Matching Information
Read each statement carefully and look for the specific idea rather than searching only for the exact words used in the question.
Q1: The main aim shared by the researchers who established AI
Answer: B
Explanation: Paragraph B explains that the researchers who launched AI shared the goal of using machines to capture or imitate human abilities.
Answer Location: Paragraph B Keywords: main aim → goal; imitate human abilities → capture or mimic human abilities Paraphrase:main aim → the goal they shared
Q2: Why AI researchers began focusing on narrower areas of study
Answer: C
Explanation: Paragraph C says that by the late 1980s, many researchers avoided the general term AI and instead associated themselves with specific areas such as neural networks, agent technology, and case-based reasoning.
Answer Location: Paragraph C Keywords: narrower areas → specific sub-disciplines; late 1980s → by the late 1980s Paraphrase:focusing on narrower areas → align themselves with specific sub-disciplines
Q3: The number of processors used in a new AI system
Answer: E
Explanation: Paragraph E describes HNC Software's new AI system and states that it is based on a cluster of 30 processors.
Answer Location: Paragraph E Keywords: number of processors → 30 processors; new AI system → HNC's system Paraphrase:number used in the system → based on a cluster of 30 processors
Q4: Why there may be more opportunities for AI companies
Answer: F
Explanation: Paragraph F explains that the huge growth in email and web pages has created information overload. This creates opportunities for technologies that can filter and organise large amounts of information.
Answer Location: Paragraph F Keywords: opportunities → prospects; large amounts of information → information overload Paraphrase:manage large amounts of information → filter and categorise information
Q5: Why some companies are beginning to use the term ‘AI’ again
Answer: A
Explanation: Paragraph A says that researchers, executives and marketing professionals are once again using the expression AI without irony or quotation marks. It also explains that the term is now being applied to some products with justification.
Answer Location: Paragraph A Keywords: use again → comeback; companies → firms; AI term → expression Paraphrase:using the term again → starting to use it again
Answers 6–11: True/False/Not Given
Compare the complete meaning of each statement with the passage. Pay attention to specific dates, examples and changes described by the writer.
Q6: The term ‘artificial intelligence’ was introduced at a conference in 1956
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Paragraph B directly states that the field was launched and the term ‘artificial intelligence’ was coined at a conference in 1956.
Answer Location: Paragraph B Keywords: introduced → coined; conference → conference in 1956 Paraphrase:introduced → coined
Q7: Some AI researchers identified their work through specific sub-disciplines by the late 1980s
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Paragraph C states that many researchers avoided the term AI by the late 1980s and instead aligned themselves with areas such as neural networks, agent technology and case-based reasoning.
Answer Location: Paragraph C Keywords: specific areas → sub-disciplines; late 1980s → by the late 1980s Paraphrase:identified their work through specific areas → align themselves with specific sub-disciplines
Q8: Technologies such as language translation were once considered part of AI research
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Paragraph D says that speech recognition, language translation and decision-support software all once fell within the umbrella of AI research, even though they were later no longer regarded as AI.
Answer Location: Paragraph D Keywords: language translation → language translation; once considered → once fell within the umbrella Paraphrase:part of AI research → within the umbrella of AI research
Q9: HNC Software says its system can perform tasks that humans find difficult to perform
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Paragraph E says the opposite. The tasks mentioned, such as spotting camouflaged vehicles and extracting a voice from background noise, are described as tasks that humans can do well but computers cannot.
Answer Location: Paragraph E Keywords: humans → humans can do well; computers → computers cannot Paraphrase:humans find difficult → contradicted by tasks humans can do well
Q10: Investors are mainly interested in companies with strong business models rather than advanced technology
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Paragraph F states that investors are now looking for firms using clever technology rather than just a clever business model. Therefore, the statement reverses the meaning of the passage.
Answer Location: Paragraph F Keywords: investors → investors are now looking; business model → clever business model Paraphrase:rather than advanced technology → contradicted by rather than just a clever business model
Q11: Some companies in the computer industry have started using the term AI again
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Paragraph A states that researchers, executives and marketing people in the computer industry are using the expression AI again. It says that some firms have started using the term despite its previous negative reputation.
Answer Location: Paragraph A Keywords: companies → firms; using again → starting to use it again Paraphrase:started using the term again → using the expression without irony or inverted commas
Answers 12–14: Multiple Choice
Read all four options before choosing an answer. Focus on the reason or main idea given in the relevant paragraph.
Q12: Why do some companies still avoid using the term ‘AI’?
Answer: C — The term still needs to overcome its earlier negative reputation.
Explanation: Paragraph A says that the rehabilitation of the term still has a long way to go and that some firms continue to avoid using it. This follows the discussion of AI's earlier image as an over-ambitious and under-achieving field.
Answer Location: Paragraph A Keywords: avoid the term → firms still prefer to avoid using it; negative reputation → over-ambitious and under-achieving Paraphrase:negative reputation → over-ambitious and under-achieving field
Q13: Why did many AI researchers move towards specific sub-disciplines in the late 1980s?
Answer: A — They wanted to work on more clearly defined areas of research.
Explanation: Paragraph C explains that after researchers recognised how difficult AI problems were, many stopped using the broad term AI and instead aligned themselves with specific sub-disciplines such as neural networks and agent technology.
Answer Location: Paragraph C Keywords: specific areas → specific sub-disciplines; late 1980s → by the late 1980s Paraphrase:clearly defined areas → specific sub-disciplines
Q14: What does the passage suggest could create opportunities for new AI technologies?
Answer: B — The growing need to manage large amounts of digital information.
Explanation: Paragraph F explains that the growth of email and web pages has created information overload. This creates opportunities for technologies that can filter and categorise information.
Answer Location: Paragraph F Keywords: opportunities → plenty of opportunities; digital information → e-mail and web pages; manage → filter and categorise Paraphrase:manage large amounts of digital information → filter and categorise information
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How to Approach The Return of Artificial Intelligence IELTS Reading Questions?
The Return of Artificial Intelligence is useful IELTS practice because it combines technology, history, research developments, examples, and changing opinions. A clear approach can help you find the right paragraph without reading every sentence repeatedly.
Identify Researchers, Technologies and Specific Terms
Names such as Marvin Minsky, John McCarthy, Herbert Simon, Alan Newell and Dr Leake are useful scanning clues. Technical terms such as neural networks, agent technology, speech recognition and decision-support software can also help you find the relevant section quickly.
Instead of searching only for the word AI, look for the more specific terms used in the question.
Track the Development of AI Over Time
The passage moves through different periods, including the 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, 1990s and the period when AI began to regain attention.
Pay attention to dates and time references. They can quickly tell you whether you are looking at the launch of AI, its decline, or its later development.
Follow the Development of Ideas
The writer does not simply describe AI. The passage explains how attitudes towards the field changed.
For example, the passage moves from:
early optimism → disappointment → avoidance of the term AI → successful applications → renewed interest
Understanding this progression makes it easier to follow questions about the history and changing reputation of AI.
Distinguish Causes from Effects
Some questions require you to understand why something happened rather than simply locate a fact.
For example, Paragraph C explains that high expectations were followed by disappointment because important AI developments failed to materialise. Paragraph F then gives possible reasons why the prospects for AI may improve.
Look for words and ideas showing because, result, reason, effect, challenge, and opportunity, even when the exact words are not used.
Use Technical Terms as Scanning Clues
Technical terms can be easier to find than broad words such as computer or technology.
Look for terms such as:
neural networks
agent technology
case-based reasoning
speech recognition
language translation
decision-support software
information overload
You do not always need to understand every technical term in detail. Use the surrounding sentence to understand its role in the passage.
Compare Different Stages of AI Development
The passage discusses several stages of AI's history. The expectations of the 1960s and 1980s are different from the practical applications discussed later.
When a question mentions a date or period, first identify which stage of AI development it refers to. This can prevent you from confusing information from different paragraphs.
Look for Paraphrased Information
IELTS questions rarely repeat every important phrase exactly as it appears in the passage.
For example:
became a common topic of conversation → re-entered public consciousness
separate research areas → previously disparate fields
military impact → spot camouflaged vehicles on a battlefield
electronic information difficulties → information overload
first used → coined
Focus on meaning rather than searching for an exact word match.
Check the Context Before Choosing an Answer
A familiar keyword does not automatically give you the answer.
For example, AI appears throughout the passage, but each paragraph discusses a different aspect of it. Read the surrounding sentence and check whether it actually answers the question.
Also pay attention to references such as this, these, they, it, the term, the field, and this development.
Follow the Word Limit Carefully
For completion questions, instructions such as ONE WORD ONLY or NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS must be followed exactly.
Before writing an answer, check:
the number of words
spelling
singular and plural forms
whether the answer comes directly from the passage
The Return of Artificial Intelligence Reading Answers is a useful practice passage for understanding how IELTS combines historical information with scientific and technological ideas. It requires you to locate specific details, follow the development of AI, understand changing perceptions, and recognise paraphrased information.
When solving the return of Artificial Intelligence IELTS reading answers, focus on the meaning of the passage and the evidence around each clue. Do not choose an answer simply because you find the same keyword in the text.
FAQs on The Return of Artificial Intelligence Reading Answers
1. What is The Return of Artificial Intelligence passage about?
The passage explains the development of artificial intelligence, from its beginnings in the 1950s to its decline in popularity and renewed interest. It also discusses changing attitudes towards AI, its practical applications, and possible future developments.
2. Who coined the term artificial intelligence?
The term artificial intelligence was coined at a conference in 1956 by a group of researchers that included Marvin Minsky, John McCarthy, Herbert Simon, and Alan Newell.
3. What question types are included in The Return of Artificial Intelligence?
The practice test includes Matching Information, True/False/Not Given, and Multiple Choice questions. These question types test different IELTS Reading skills, including locating information and understanding paraphrased ideas.
4. Why did the popularity of AI decline?
The passage explains that expectations about AI became too high, while developments such as thinking computers and household robots failed to appear. As researchers recognised how difficult these problems were, many began working under specific sub-disciplines instead of using the broader term AI.
5. What is the importance of Paragraph D?
Paragraph D explains how successful computer applications were sometimes no longer considered AI once the problems they solved became routine. This changing definition contributed to AI developing a poor reputation.
6. Why is Paragraph F important in this passage?
Paragraph F discusses factors that could improve the future prospects of AI. These include investor interest in companies using clever technology and the growing need to manage the large amount of information created by email and the web.
7. How can I find answers in The Return of Artificial Intelligence?
Start by identifying distinctive keywords such as names, dates, technical terms, technologies, and locations. Then scan the relevant part of the passage and read the surrounding sentences to confirm the meaning before selecting an answer.
8. Why are paraphrases important in this passage?
The questions may use different wording from the passage. For example, separate research areas refers to previously disparate fields, while military use refers to a system being used to spot camouflaged vehicles on a battlefield. Recognising these connections can make it easier to locate the correct information.
9. Where can I find The Return of Artificial Intelligence Reading Answers with location?
The Return of artificial intelligence reading answers with location is provided in the answer explanations above. Each explanation includes the relevant paragraph, keywords, and paraphrases to show where the supporting information can be found.
10. What can I learn from The Return of Artificial Intelligence IELTS Reading Answers?
The passage can help you practise scanning for specific information, following historical developments, understanding technical vocabulary, recognising paraphrases, and distinguishing between information that is stated, contradicted, or not given. Reviewing the return of artificial intelligence IELTS reading answers can also help you understand the reasoning behind each response.
11. What should I do if I find the same keyword in more than one paragraph?
Do not select the first paragraph where you find the keyword. Read the surrounding information and check whether the paragraph actually matches the meaning of the question. This is especially useful when working with the return of artificial intelligence reading answers.
12. How can I improve my score using this passage?
First, solve the questions without looking at the answers. Then review your mistakes by checking the answer location, keywords, paraphrasing, and reasoning. You can also use the return of artificial intelligence IELTS reading answer key to quickly check your responses before reviewing the detailed explanations.
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