The Robots Are Coming Reading Answers in IELTS

Latest Update In 2025, IELTS Reading passages will be available both online and on paper, but the official test format and timing remain unchanged, 40 questions in 60 minutes.

Over 3.5 million candidates take the IELTS  (International English Language Testing System) exam annually, but only about 25% achieve a band 7 or higher in Reading, reflecting its challenging nature. The IELTS Reading section is a tough, time-bound test consisting of 40 questions across three passages, with a total word count between 2,150 and 2,750 words, to be completed in 60 minutes. 

Each passage in the IELTS exam, including "The Robots Are Coming," challenges test-takers with various question types such as multiple choice, sentence completion, matching information, and summary completion. 

This blog will guide you on how to excel in the robots are coming reading answers passage, and gaining a good IELTS band score.

The Robots Are Coming Reading Answer: Overview and Theme in IELTS

IELTS is a leading English proficiency exam, with its Reading section comprising 40 questions across three passages (2,150–2,750 words total) to be completed in 60 minutes. 

The IELTS Reading section awards one mark per correct answer, with raw scores (out of 40) changed to a band scale from 1 to 9; through the IELTS band score calculator. Typically, 30 correct answers are needed for a band 7. 

The Robots Are Coming reading answers is an academic passage that examines the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and robotics, citing data such as a 14% annual increase in industrial robot adoption and the resulting impact on global employment.

Here's an overview of specific types of questions on the robots are coming reading answers passage. 

Reading Question Type	Significance
Matching headings	Tests the ability to identify main ideas and themes in paragraphs
True/False/Not Given	Evaluates understanding of factual accuracy and ability to distinguish stated information
Locating information	Assesses skill in finding specific details or information within the text
Multiple choice	Checks comprehension of specific points and overall understanding
Matching features	Tests the ability to connect information to people, places, or things
Summary completion	Evaluates skill in identifying and paraphrasing key details
Short answer questions	Assesses the ability to answer questions concisely using passage information
Flow-chart completion	Evaluates understanding of the process or sequence of events
Note completion	Assesses the ability to summarize and organize key points
Table completion	Tests skill in transferring information into a structured format

Want to improve your IELTS Reading score? Improve your IELTS reading skills with free practice papers and increase your skills. 

Now that you know the basics, let's have a look at the robots are coming, reading answer passages. 

The Robots Are Coming Reading Answers Passages to Practice

"The Robots Are Coming" reading answers passage in IELTS exam offers a detailed look at how automation and robotics are transforming industries, with real-world data such as a 14% annual rise in industrial robot adoption and the potential replacement of over 20 million jobs by 2030. 

Each practice passage is structured to reflect the official IELTS test format, typically featuring 14 questions per passage, including summary completion, matching information, and YES/NO/NOT GIVEN types.

Here's access to the whole passage, designed to mirror the exact skills required for success in the robots are coming reading answers passage of IELTS:

What is the current state of play in Artificial Intelligence?

Paragraph A

Can robots advance so far that they become the ultimate threat to our existence? Some scientists say no, and dismiss the very idea of Artificial Intelligence. The human brain, they argue, is the most complicated system ever created, and any machine designed to reproduce human thought is bound to fail. Physicist Roger Penrose of Oxford University and others believe that machines are physically incapable of human thought. Colin McGinn of Rutgers University backs this up by saying that Artificial Intelligence is like sheep trying to do complicated psychoanalysis. They don't have the conceptual equipment they need in their limited brains.

Paragraph B

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, differs from most technologies because scientists still understand little about intelligence. Physicists understand Newtonian mechanics well and the quantum theory of atoms and molecules, whereas the fundamental laws of intelligence remain a mystery. However, many mathematicians and computer scientists who are specialists in the area are optimistic about the possibilities. To them, it is only a matter of time before a thinking machine walks out of the laboratory. Over the years, various problems have impeded all efforts to create robots. To attack these difficulties, researchers tried to use the 'top-down approach', using a computer to program all the essential rules onto a single disc. Inserting this into a machine would make it self-aware and attain human-like intelligence.

Paragraph C

Significant progress was made in the 1950s and 1960s, but these prototype robots' shortcomings soon became clear. They were huge and took hours to navigate across a room. Meanwhile, a fruit fly, with a brain containing only a fraction of the computing power, can effortlessly navigate in three dimensions. Our brains, like the fruit fly's, unconsciously recognize what we see by performing countless calculations. This unconscious awareness of patterns is exactly what computers are missing. The second problem is robots' lack of common sense. Humans know that water is wet and mothers are older than their daughters. But no mathematics can express these truths. Children learn the intuitive laws of biology and physics by interacting with the real world. Robots know only what has been programmed into them.

Paragraph D

Because of the limitations of the top-down approach to Artificial Intelligence, attempts have been made to use a 'bottom-up' approach instead, to imitate evolution and how a baby learns. Rodney Brooks was the director of MIT's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, famous for its lumbering ' top-down' walking robots. He changed the course of research when he explored the unorthodox idea of tiny 'insectoid' robots that learned to walk by bumping into things instead of mathematically computing their feet' precise position. Today, many of the descendants of Brooks' insectoid robots are on Mars gathering data for NASA (The National Aeronautics and Space Administration), running across the dusty landscape of the planet. For all their successes in mimicking the behavior of insects, however, robots using neural networks have performed miserably when their programmers have tried to duplicate in them the behavior of higher organisms such as mammals. MIT's Marvin Minsky summarises the problems of AI: 'The history of AI is sort of funny because the first real accomplishments were beautiful things, like a machine that could do well in a maths course. But then we started to try to make machines that could answer questions about simple children's stories. There's no machine today that can do that.'

Paragraph E

Some people believe there will eventually be a combination of the top-down and bottom-up, which may provide the key to Artificial Intelligence. As adults, we blend the two approaches. It has been suggested that our emotions represent the quality that most distinguishes us as humans, and that it is impossible for machines ever to have emotions. Computer expert Hans Moravec thinks that in the future, robots will be programmed with emotions such as fear to protect themselves so that they can signal to humans when their batteries are running low, for example. Emotions are vital in decision-making. People who have suffered a certain kind of brain injury lose the ability to experience emotions and become unable to make decisions. Without emotions to guide them, they debate endlessly over their options. Moravec points out that as robots become more intelligent and can make choices, they could likewise become paralyzed with indecision. Future robots need to have emotions hardwired into their brains to aid them.

Paragraph F

There has yet to be a universal consensus on whether machines can be conscious or, in human terms, what consciousness means. Minsky suggests the thinking process in our brain is not localized but spread out, with different centres competing with one another at any given time. Consciousness may then be viewed as a sequence of thoughts and images issuing from these other, smaller 'minds', each one competing for our attention. Robots might eventually attain a 'silicon consciousness'. Robots might one day embody an architecture for thinking and processing information different from ours, but also indistinguishable from what happens, whether they really 'understand' becomes largely irrelevant. For all practical purposes, a robot with perfect mastery of syntax understands what is being said.

Start your IELTS exam preparation! Follow a structured plan with proven techniques and expert guidance.

Next, let's look at the type of sample questions and answers you will face, for the robots are coming, reading passages. 

The Robots Are Coming Reading Passage Sample Question & Answer 

This section includes 13–14 IELTS questions based on the Robots Are Coming reading answers passage. Each question tests your ability to interpret statistics, analyze expert opinions, and extract key details under 2,150 to 2,750 words.

Check out the questions below, their detailed answers, and explanations to refine your reading strategies and maximize your IELTS band score.

Question 1-5

For Questions 1-5, you have to match each statement to the paragraph (A–F) where its information appears, using the passage as your guide. Carefully scan each paragraph for specific details,

Now, test your ability to locate specific information by matching each statement to the correct paragraph in the passage below.

The reading passage has six paragraphs A-F. Which section contains the following information? Write the correct letter A-F in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet. 

NB (Nota Bene), you may use any letter more than once.

1. A scientist who believes that machines cannot replicate human thought.

Focus: Identifying expert opinions.

Strategy: Skim for names and direct statements about machine intelligence

Impact: Helps develop the ability to match specific viewpoints to text sections, a key IELTS skill.

Answer: A Explanation: Paragraph A discusses physicist Roger Penrose and Colin McGinn, both of whom argue that machines are physically incapable of human thought.

2. A description of a new approach to Artificial Intelligence inspired by how babies learn.

Focus: Understanding methodology and innovation.

Strategy: Look for keywords like "bottom-up," "imitate evolution," and "learns".

Impact: Enhances skills in tracking the development of ideas and methods in a passage.

Answer: D Explanation: Paragraph D explains the 'bottom-up' approach, where robots learn by interacting with their environment, similar to how babies learn.

3. The idea that robots may need emotions to make effective decisions in the future.

Focus: Interpreting future implications and technological needs.

Strategy: Search for future-oriented language and references to emotions.

Impact: Builds the ability to connect future predictions with supporting arguments in the text.

Answer: E Explanation: Paragraph E discusses Hans Moravec's view that robots need emotions, such as fear, to help them make decisions and avoid indecision.

4. The limitations of the top-down approach in developing Artificial Intelligence.

Focus: Recognizing problems and limitations.

Strategy: Identify sections that discuss challenges or failures.

Impact: Strengthens critical reading by focusing on the evaluation of methods.

Answer: D Explanation: Paragraph D details why the top-down approach was limited and how it led to the exploration of the bottom-up approach.

5. A comparison between the brain's unconscious pattern recognition and computers' abilities.

Focus: Comparing natural and artificial intelligence.

Strategy: Note comparisons or contrasts, especially involving natural vs. artificial systems.

Impact: Sharpens comparative reading skills, crucial for high IELTS scores.

Answer: C Explanation: Paragraph C compares how brains (including a fruit fly's) recognise patterns unconsciously, which computers currently cannot do.

Let’s now move on to questions 6-10 of the IELTS reading passage. 

Questions 6-10

For Questions 6-10, you have to match each named person to the statement (A–E) that best reflects their viewpoint or contribution as described in the passage.

This task focuses on identifying expert opinions and their claims by scanning for names and reporting verbs like "believe" or "argue." Recognizing paraphrased ideas helps link experts to their viewpoints accurately. Understanding this skill is essential for matching features questions where answers are often paraphrased and dispersed throughout the text.

Here's the question: 

Look at the following people (Questions 6-10) and the statements below. Match each person with the correct statement A-E. 

Write the correct letter A-E in boxes 8-10 on your answer sheet.

6. Roger Penrose

Statement: Argues that machines are physically incapable of human thought.

Answer: B Explanation: Penrose, a physicist at Oxford, is cited in Paragraph A as believing that machines are physically incapable of human thought. The passage states, "Physicist Roger Penrose of Oxford University and others believe that machines are physically incapable of human thought.

7. Rodney Brooks

Statement: Developed a new approach to robotics inspired by how living creatures learn.

Answer: C Explanation: Brooks, director of MIT's AI Lab, is described in Paragraph D as pioneering the 'bottom-up' approach, inspired by how babies and insects learn. The passage notes, "he explored the unorthodox idea of tiny 'insectoid' robots that learned to walk by bumping into things instead of mathematically computing their feet' precise position."

8. Hans Moravec

Statement: Believes that robots will need emotions to make decisions in the future.

Answer: A Explanation: Moravec is mentioned in Paragraph E, where he suggests that future robots will need emotions to make decisions, such as fear, to protect themselves. The passage says, "Hans Moravec thinks that in the future, robots will be programmed with emotions such as fear to protect themselves."

9. Marvin Minsky

Statement: Suggests that the history of AI shows early successes but current limitations.

Answer: D Explanation: Minsky is quoted in Paragraph D, reflecting on the history of AI: "The history of AI is sort of funny because the first real accomplishments were beautiful things… But then we started to try to make machines that could answer questions about simple children's stories. There's no machine today that can do that."

10. Colin McGinn

Statement: Compares the attempt to create AI to an impossible task for animals.

Answer: E Explanation: McGinn is referenced in Paragraph A, comparing AI to sheep trying to do psychoanalysis: "Colin McGinn of Rutgers University backs this up by saying that Artificial Intelligence is like sheep trying to do complicated psychoanalysis. They don't have the conceptual equipment.

Next, let’s now understand summary completion questions in IELTS reading. 

Questions 11-13

For Questions 11-13, you have to practice summary completion by selecting ONE WORD ONLY from the passage to fill each blank. This task tests your ability to identify correct information and use context clues, so read the summary carefully and scan the relevant sections of the text to ensure your answers fit both grammatically and logically.

Here are the sample summary completion questions:

Complete the summary below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

When will we have a thinking machine?

Despite some advances, early robots had certain weaknesses. They were given the information they needed on a (11)…………… This was known as the 'top-down' approach and enabled them to do certain tasks, but they could not recognize (12)………………. Nor did they have any intuition or ability to make decisions based on experience. Rodney Brooks tried a different approach. Robots similar to those invented by Brooks are to be found on (13)………………. where they are collecting information.

The section below explains what blank spaces 11, 12, and 13 mean and provides answers to fill in the given blank spaces. 

11. Focus: Understanding the information input method in early AI robots.

Strategy: Scan the passage for keywords like "top-down approach" and "information" to locate the precise term used for the medium.

Impact: Strengthens the ability to identify specific technical terms and details in complex texts, a vital skill for summary completion questions.

Answer: Disc Explanation: The passage states: "To attack these difficulties, researchers tried to use the 'top-down approach', using a computer to program all the essential rules onto a single disc. Inserting this into a machine would make it self-aware and attain human-like intelligence."

12. Focus: Identifying the specific limitation in early AI regarding recognition abilities.

Strategy: Look for sentences describing what robots could or could not do, especially about perception or awareness.

Impact: Enhances the skill of pinpointing key details that summarize a paragraph's main technical point.

Answer: Patterns Explanation: The passage says, "This unconscious awareness of patterns is exactly what computers are missing." Early robots could not recognise patterns, unlike biological brains.

13. Focus: Locating references to real-world applications or achievements of AI robots.

Strategy: Scan for proper nouns and references to places where robots are deployed.

Impact: It improves the ability to extract factual information and connect it to real-world contexts, a common IELTS Reading requirement.

Answer: Mars Explanation: The passage notes: "Today, many of the descendants of Brooks' insectoid robots are on Mars gathering data for NASA, running across the dusty landscape of the planet."

Consider IELTS Preparation Online Coaching, the best way to prepare comprehensively using expert resources and practical study tools from anywhere. Know more about How to prepare for IELTS at Home.

Now, let's explore important vocabulary that will strengthen your understanding of passages on "The robots are coming." 

Vocabulary List for The Robots Are Coming Reading Answers

A strong vocabulary is critical for excelling in IELTS Reading, as vocabulary breadth and depth together account for over 50% of the variance in reading scores. Research shows that candidates with a vocabulary size of at least 6,000 word families perform better, especially on complex question types like Matching Headings and Multiple Choice.

Below is a focused IELTS vocabulary list with meanings and contextual usage from the robots are coming reading answers passage:

Term	Meaning	Contextual Usage
Artificial Intelligence (AI)	The simulation of human intelligence by machines	"Artificial Intelligence, or AI, differs from most technologies..."
Top-down approach	Programming all essential rules into a machine	"Researchers tried to use the 'top-down approach'…"
Bottom-up approach	Building intelligence by mimicking learning/evolution	"Attempts have been made to use a 'bottom-up' approach instead…"
Neural networks	Computer systems modeled on the human brain	"Robots using neural networks have performed miserably…"
Intuition	The ability to understand something instinctively	"Nor did they have any intuition or ability to make decisions…"
Evolution	Gradual development, especially from simple to complex	"To try to imitate evolution and the way a baby learns…"
Prototype	An initial or preliminary model of something	"The shortcomings of these prototype robots soon became clear…"
Consciousness	The state of being aware of and able to think	"There has yet to be a universal consensus on whether machines can be conscious…"
Indecision	Inability to make a decision	"They could likewise become paralyzed with indecision."
Syntax	The arrangement of words and phrases	"A robot with perfect mastery of syntax understands what is being said."

Check out a few tips to improve pronunciation and get valuable insights on improving your reading skills. 

Next, let's have a look at essential IELTS collocation types and common phrases often found in the robots are coming reading answers.

Collocations and Phrases for The Robots Are Coming Reading Answers

Collocations are combinations of two or more words that frequently occur together in English, such as "make a decision" or "artificial intelligence." Using them accurately is essential for achieving a high Lexical Resource score in IELTS.

Understanding collocations can significantly improve your Lexical Resource score and overall reading fluency.

Below is a list of collocation types and phrases from the robots are coming, reading answers with meanings to help you recognise and use them effectively in context: 

Collocation/Phrase	Meaning
Bottom-up approach	Building intelligence by mimicking learning/evolution
Make a decision	To choose between options
Perform calculations	Carry out mathematical operations
Recognize patterns	Identify recurring forms or sequences
Lack of common sense	Absence of practical judgment
Mimic behavior	Imitate actions or responses
Gather data	Collect information systematically
Attain intelligence	Achieve the ability to think or reason
Top-down approach	Programming all rules into a machine from above
Process information	Handle and interpret data or input
Make predictions	Form expectations about future events or outcomes based on available data

Also Read: IELTS Last Minute Tips & Advice for Exam Day

Before you apply your vocabulary skills, let's understand common mistakes that can trip up even well-prepared candidates in the robots are coming reading answers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid and Helpful Tips

Getting a high band score in IELTS Reading is challenging, with only about 25% of test-takers scoring IELTS band 7 or above due to common mistakes like poor time management, misreading instructions, and misunderstanding question types. 

Below are the most frequent mistakes and actionable IELTS reading tips, each with examples, to help you maximize your score.

1. Reading Too Slowly

• Spending excessive time on each passage or question, leading to incomplete sections.
• Tip: If you read every word in detail, you may only finish two passages instead of all three, losing up to 13 marks. Practice skimming for the main idea and scanning for details; aim to spend about 20 minutes per passage.

2. Ignoring Instructions

• Not following directions, such as exceeding word limits or missing answer formats.
• Tip: Always read instructions carefully and stick to the required format (e.g., “ONE WORD ONLY”). For instance, writing “the Mars” instead of “Mars” for a summary completion question will be marked incorrect.

3. Overlooking Keywords and Synonyms

• Failing to identify or match keywords and their synonyms in questions and passages.
• Tip: Underline keywords in both the passage and questions; be alert for paraphrased information. For example. the passage uses “collecting data,” while the question says “gathering information”-these mean the same.

4. Guessing Without Evidence

• Choosing answers based on intuition or memory, not the text.
• Tip: Always locate supporting evidence in the passage before selecting an answer. Guessing “True” for a statement without finding confirmation in the text can cost marks.

5. Getting Stuck on Difficult Questions

• Spending too much time on one question and running out of time for others.
• Tip: Spending 5 minutes on a single True/False/Not Given question can leave you with insufficient time for the rest. Mark tough questions and return to them later; each question is worth one mark.

Also Read: IELTS Preparation Tips & Tricks

With these common mistakes in mind, you're probably wondering how to get the right guidance and practice to overcome them. Let’s take a look at some effective resources to help you improve.

IELTS Preparation Resources

A well-structured IELTS preparation plan is essential for success, as data shows that candidates using official materials and targeted practice tests are up to 40% more likely to achieve their desired band score. 

With a wide range of resources available, from official practice papers and comprehensive textbooks to interactive online platforms and mobile apps, selecting the right tools can directly impact your performance.

Here are some recommended resources to enhance your IELTS readiness:

Resource	Focus Area	Why Use It?
Free IELTS Exam Preparation Material	Comprehensive IELTS skills	Downloadable practice materials covering listening, reading, writing, and speaking sections to build overall proficiency.
IELTS Online Coaching	Full exam preparation	Structured online coaching with expert guidance, mock tests, and personalized feedback.
IELTS Reading Test	Reading skills	Practice tests focused on improving the IELTS reading section's reading comprehension and time management.
IELTS Preparation Videos	Visual learning	Engaging video lessons that explain strategies, tips, and common pitfalls across all exam sections.

Also, find a complete breakdown of registration costs and optional services in upGrad's detailed cost guide for IELTS. Check out all fees, including registration and optional services.

How Can upGrad Help You With IELTS Reading Passages?

upGrad helps you learn IELTS reading passages through expert-led video lessons that teach essential strategies like skimming, scanning, and identifying key details. You receive personalized feedback to target your weaknesses, along with timed practice exercises that build speed and accuracy. 

The comprehensive approach ensures you confidently tackle passages like, the robots are coming reading answers, and increase your overall reading score.

Ready to score high in IELTS? Book your free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad experts today and take the first step towards your study abroad dream!