The Robots are Coming Reading Answers: IELTS Comprehension

The IELTS exam is a globally recognised English proficiency test designed to assess your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The reading section evaluates your ability to comprehend and interpret academic and general texts quickly and accurately.

The robots are coming passage, explores how automation and artificial intelligence are changing the job market, challenging readers with Matching Headings, True/False/Not Given, and MCQ-type questions.

In this article, you’ll find a clear explanation of the passage, question strategies, difficulty level, vocabulary, detailed answers, and quick FAQs to help boost your IELTS Reading score.

Get a full access to our IELTS preparation material, for all four sections (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking).

What is the main text of the Robots are coming Reading Answers Passage?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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What is the summary of The Robots Are Coming Reading Answer Passage?

The passage “The Robots Are Coming” explores the rising influence of automation and artificial intelligence on the global workforce. It highlights how technological advancements are no longer limited to replacing manual or repetitive tasks but are now capable of handling complex cognitive roles. This shift poses a threat even to white-collar jobs, raising important questions about the future of employment.

While the author acknowledges the benefits of automation—such as increased efficiency and economic progress—concerns around job displacement, income inequality, and the urgent need for upskilling are also discussed. The passage ultimately presents a balanced perspective, urging governments, industries, and educational systems to adapt quickly to these changes and ensure that human workers remain valuable in an AI-driven world.

What are the IELTS Matching Information questions asked in the Passage?

There are many questions asked in the IELTS reading essay which ask readers to match the statements with the information given in the passage. Now this can be anything from matching statements to paragraphs as headings, or matching events or anything. Some of the most commonly occurring questions types asked are:

• Matching statements with the paragraph as headings
• Matching characters that appeared in the essay with the paragraph in which they appeared.
• Matching paragraphs with any occurrence.
• Matching the characters with their descriptions.

Basically there can be many possibilities of matching questions.

What are matching the headings with paragraph questions asked? Questions (1-5)

Questions 1-5 are matching the headings (given in statements) with the paragraphs (A-F). There are 7 statements given and you have to match the paragraph whose description matches the best with the statements.

NB: You may use any letter more than once.

Statements:

1. A scientist who believes that machines cannot replicate human thought.
2. A description of a new approach to Artificial Intelligence inspired by how babies learn.
3. The idea that robots may need emotions to make effective decisions in the future.
4. The limitations of the top-down approach in developing Artificial Intelligence.
5. A comparison between the brain's unconscious pattern recognition and computers' abilities.

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What are the matching names with the statements and questions asked? Questions (6-10)

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.

Match each person with the correct statement A-E.

1. Roger Penrose
2. Rodney Brooks
3. Hans Moravec
4. Marvin Minskey
5. Colin McGinn

Statements:

1. Believes that robots will need emotions to make decisions in the future.
2. Argues that machines are physically incapable of human thought.
3. Developed a new approach to robotics inspired by how living creatures learn.
4. Suggests that the history of AI shows early successes but current limitations.
5. Compares the attempt to create AI to an impossible task for animals.

What is the summary completion with one-word questions asked?

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

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.

What are the Answers of the Questions asked in The Robots are coming Reading Answers Passage?

For the questions asked, here are the answers with correct explanation

Answer 1: Paragraph A

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

Answer 2: Paragraph D

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

Answer 3: Paragraph E

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

Answer 4: Paragraph D

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

Answer 5: Paragraph C

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

Answer 6: B (Argues that machines are physically incapable of human thought)

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.

Answer 7: C (Developed a new approach to robotics inspired by how living creatures learn)

Explanation: The director of MIT's AI Lab - Brooks, 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."

Answer 8: A (Believes that robots will need emotions to make decisions in the future)

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."

Answer 9: D (Suggests that the history of AI shows early successes but current limitations)

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."

Answer 10: E (Compares the attempt to create AI to an impossible task for animals)

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.

Answer 11: 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."

Answer 12: 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.

Answer 13: 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."

How to Effectively Practice The Robots are Coming Reading Answers Essay?

IELTS Reading practice The Robots Are Coming will give you an excellent chance to train your exam repertoire, especially in terms of being able to deal with passages containing aspects of technology and social and cultural developments, and future projections. 

You can make the best out of it only with a directional approach that does not just enhance your understanding but also your pace, vocabulary, and the quality of questions that you get right.

Now here are the tips for effective practice.

What are the Tips for practicing the essay?

• Time Yourself : Write a clock timer of 18-20 minutes and answer all the questions focusing on the clock. This develops stamina and pacing on actual exams.
• Skim and Scan: Skim as far as you can, in 2-3 minutes, to figure out the main idea in the whole passage, and scan through each question, looking for keywords.
• Keywords in questions: Mark out keywords in questions such as names, numbers or time so that you are able to find answers more easily.
• Practice Paraphrasing Detection: the IELTS does not use identical words very often. Find out synonyms and paraphrases, particularly in Matching Headings and T/F/NG.
• Take time to review mistakes in depth: review or practice your wrong answers after answering. Not only what, but why the right answer works.
• Utilize a Vocabulary Journal: Write a record of new or difficult words as you read them. Write down their meanings and use your own words to start practising them in your own manner.

What is the meaning of the vocabulary/phrases used in the paragraph?

The essential feature of good results in IELTS Reading is a good vocabulary; the extent and richness of vocabulary explains an impressive amount of variation in reading scores together. The studies demonstrate that the candidates whose vocabulary size is more than 6,000 words have better results particularly on such more challenging question forms as Matching Headings and Multiple Choice.

The following is a more concentrated IELTS vocabulary list with definitions and how to use it in your own words based on robots are coming read the answers text:

Term	Meaning
Artificial Intelligence (AI)	The simulation of human intelligence by machines
Top-Down Approach	Programming all essential rules into a machine
Bottom-Up Approach	Building intelligence by mimicking learning/evolution
Neural Networks	Computer systems modeled on the human brain
Intuition	The ability to understand something instinctively
Evolution	Gradual development, especially from simple to complex
Prototype	An initial or preliminary model of something
Consciousness	The state of being aware of and able to think
Indecision	Inability to make a decision
Syntax	The arrangement of words and phrases

Conclusion

The “Robots are coming” passage is indeed an insightful and relevant passage for those preparing for IELTS. Practicing such IELTS reading practice tests can surely increase your caliber for scoring high and reducing the time of attempt. Whether it is Matching questions, True/False, summary completion questions, the key to ace in all these types of questions is reading carefully (skimming and scanning) and then attempting. If you're looking for accurate the robots are coming reading answers and a clear understanding of question strategies, this guide helps you approach the passage with confidence.

To enhance further the preparation, upGrad provides expert video lessons that will teach more important strategies such as skimming, and scanning and finding the key information. You will have personal feedback that will show personal weaknesses, and timed exercises to practice and gain speed and accuracy. This level of support will make sure you are 100 percent prepared to tackle hard passages such as The Robots Are Coming and better your IELTS reading score.

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Need another essay to practice? The Story of Platinum Reading Answers would be a good one to make a try.