Making The Cut Reading Answers

Feb 7, 2023

Making The Cut Reading Answers contains a write up about the film making. Making The Cut Reading Answers contains a total of 7 paragraphs. Related to the paragraphs are 13 questions. Candidates in this IELTS Section will be shown various question types with clear instructions. The paragraphs contain information about the production of movies. The various shots taken for the movie and the scenes added have also been mentioned.

Making The Cut Reading Answers is an IELTS Reading passage which comprises three types of questions:complete the sentence, answer the question and Choose the correct option. Candidates are required to read each paragraph attentively and thoroughly. The interpretation of each paragraph is must. An overall theme of the paragraph is required to answer the questions. The important information must be remembered. Each paragraph must be interpreted and understood. The answers must not exceed more than two words. To gain proficiency, candidates can practice from IELTS reading practice test.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Making The Cut Reading Answers

When we talk about how films convey meaning we tend to refer to acting, music, dialogue, props and narrative developments, but often forgotten is the visual essence of a film itself, which is the cutting together of moving images – “motion pictures” – each one carefully tailored to meet a particular need or purpose.
Most films and many important scenes within them open with an establishing shot. Typically this shot precedes our introduction to the main characters by presenting us with the locale in which the scene’s action or dialogue is about to occur. Occasionally, however, a director will use an establishing shot with another goal in mind. An opening view of a thousand soldiers parading in synchronized fashion might have little to reveal about the film’s geography, for example, but it does inform the audience that ideas about discipline and conformity are likely to arise in the material that follows. In this way, establishing shots can also introduce a film’s theme.
After an establishing shot, most directors choose a long shot in order to progress the narrative. This type of shot displays the entire human physique in relation to its surroundings, so it is ideal for bridging the narrative divide between location and so it is ideal for bridging the narrative divide between location and individual activity. A long shot is therefore often used to center on a pivotal character in the scene. A film might begin with an establishing shot of bleak, snowy mountains and then cut to a long shot of a lone skier, for example, or a sweeping panorama of a bustling metropolis could segue into a street view of someone entering a building.
From here the door is wide open for directors to choose whichever shots will enhance the narration. Closeup shots are popular in suspense sequences – a handgun being loaded, a doorknob being turned, the startled expression of someone freshly roused from sleep. Confining the visual field in this way adds to the viewer’s apprehension. Dramatic films will probably want to emphasize character interaction. The third-person shot – in which a third of the frame consists of a rear view of a person’s upper torso and head – can be effectively utilized here. This shot encourages us to actually slip into the persona of that character, and vicariously live through their experiences.
A number of special purpose shots are used quite rarely – once, if at all, in most films. One such type is the money shot. A money shot has no specific technical features or content, but is typically the most expensive element of a film’s production values and comes with a cost massively disproportionate to its screen time (which may be limited to just a brief glimpse). Because of its spectacular, extravagant nature, however, the money shot is a major revenue generator and is widely exploited for use in promotional materials. Money shots are most popular amongst – but not limited to – high visual impact genres such as action, war, thriller and disaster films.
But more affordable shots can also add an interesting twist to the story. The Dutch tilt can depict a character in a state of psychological unease by shooting them from a jaunty angle. In this way, they appear literally and metaphorically unbalanced. A trunk shot often shows a small group of characters peering into the trunk of a vehicle. It is filmed from a perspective within the trunk itself, although frequently to avoid camera damage directors will simply place a detached piece of trunk door in the corner of the frame. This shot was a favorite of Quentin Tarantino and has been used in many crime and gangster films, often as a first-person shot through the eyes of someone who is tied up and lying inside the vehicle. A shot that has gained traction in avantgarde circles is the extreme closeup. This is when a single detail of the subject fills up the entire frame. Alfred Hitchcock famously used an extreme closeup in ‘Psycho’, when he merged a shot of a shower drain into a view of a victim’s eye. It has also been used in Westerns to depict tension between dueling gunmen eyeing each other up before a shoot out.
Not all types of shots are used in order to enhance the narrative. Sometimes financial restrictions or technical limitations are a more pressing concern, especially for low-budget filmmakers. In the early murder mysteries of the 1920s and 1930s, the American shot – which acquired its name from French critics who referred to a “plan américain” – was used widely for its ability to present complex dialogue scenes without alterations in camera position. Using the American shot, directors have their cast assembled in single file while discussing key plot points. The result is an efficiently produced scene that conveys all relevant information, but the trade-off is a natural tone. Because few people in real life would ever associate in such an awkward manner, American shots tend to result in a hammy, stiff feel to the production.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 28–33

Look at the following descriptions (Questions 28–33) and the list of terms below.

Match each description with the correct term, A–J.

Write the correct letter, A–J, in boxes 28–33 on your answer sheet.

List of Terms

Trunk shot
Dutch tilt
Establishing shot
Money shot
American shot
Long shot
Extreme close-up
Third-person shot
First-person shot
Close-up

A group of people, full length body shot.

Answer: E
Supporting Statement: After an establishing shot, most directors choose a long shot in order to progress the narrative. This type of shot displays the entire human physique in relation to its surroundings, so it is ideal for bridging the narrative divide between location and so it is ideal for bridging the narrative divide between location and individual activity.
Keywords: long shot
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3
Explanation: As per paragraph 3, it has been mentioned that the majority of directors decide for a long shot to advance the story after an establishing shot. This kind of view depicts the full human body in relation to its environment. Further, making it perfect for bridging the gap between location and individual activity in a story. So, the correct answer is E as per the explanation.

Two people, only one facing camera, head and shoulders shot.

Answer: H
Supporting Statement: The third-person shot – in which a third of the frame consists of a rear view of a person’s upper torso and head – can be effectively utilized here. This shot encourages us to actually slip into the persona of that character, and vicariously live through their experiences.
Keywords: Third person shot
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4
Explanation: As per paragraph 4, it has been clearly stated that the third-person shot, in which the upper torso and head of the subject are seen from behind. Thus, it can be used advantageously. This image invites us to adopt that character's persona and live vicariously through their experiences. So, the correct answer is H as per the explanation provided.

Distance shot of central city, from the air.

Answer: C
Supporting Statement: After an establishing shot, most directors choose a long shot in order to progress the narrative.
Keywords: long shot
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3
Explanation: As per paragraph 3, it has been mentioned that a long shot is frequently utilized to focus on a crucial character in the scene. An opening image of desolate, snowy mountains in a movie might be followed by an establishing shot of a lone skier. While a wide shot of a busy city might be followed by a street view of a person entering a building. So, the correct answer is C as per the explanation.

A single person, head and shoulders, off-center angle shot.

Answer: B
Supporting Statement: The Dutch tilt can depict a character in a state of psychological unease by shooting them from a jaunty angle. In this way, they appear literally and metaphorically unbalanced.
Keywords: the Dutch tilt
Keyword Location: Paragraph 6
Explanation: As per paragraph 6, it has been mentioned that the Dutch tilt uses a jaunty angle to show a character in a state of psychological uneasiness. They appear unbalanced both literally and figuratively as a result. So, the correct answer is B as per the explanation provided.

Lone pedestrian, walking a city street.

Answer: F
Supporting Statement: A long shot is therefore often used to center on a pivotal character in the scene. A film might begin with an establishing shot of bleak, snowy mountains and then cut to a long shot of a lone skier, for
example, or a sweeping panorama of a bustling metropolis could segue into a street view of someone entering a building.
Keywords: long shot
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3
Explanation: As per paragraph 3, it has been mentioned that a long shot is frequently utilized to focus on a crucial character in the scene. An opening image of desolate, snowy mountains in a movie might be followed by an establishing shot of a lone skier. While a wide shot of a busy city might be followed by a street view of a person entering a building. So, the correct answer is F as per the explanation.

A flaming bus, about to crash.

Answer: D
Supporting Statement: A money shot has no specific technical features or content, but is typically the most expensive element of a film’s production values and comes with a cost massively disproportionate to its screen time (which may be limited to just a brief glimpse).
Keywords:money shot
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5
Explanation: As per paragraph 5, it has been mentioned that a money shot is often the most expensive aspect of a movie's production values. And has a cost that is greatly disproportionate to the amount of time it appears on screen. It has no unique technological qualities or content . So, the correct answer is D as per the explanation provided.

Questions 34–37

Answer the questions below:

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 34–37 on your answer sheet.

Which TWO aspects of the story can be shown with an establishing shot?

Answer: Locale, Theme
Supporting Statement: This type of shot displays the entire human physique in relation to its surroundings, so it is ideal for bridging the narrative divide between location and so it is ideal for bridging the narrative divide
between location and individual activity.
Keywords: location, individual activity
Keyword Location: Paragraph
Explanation: As per paragraph 3, it has been mentioned that this kind of view depicts the full human body in relation to its environment. Further, making it perfect for bridging the gap between location as well as individual activity in a story. So, the correct answer is locale, theme.

What does a long shot focus our attention on?

Answer: Individual activity
Supporting Statement: This type of shot displays the entire human physique in relation to its surroundings, so it is ideal for bridging the narrative divide between location and so it is ideal for bridging the narrative divide
between location and individual activity.
Keywords: location, individual activity
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3
Explanation: As per paragraph 3, it has been mentioned that this kind of view depicts the full human body in relation to its environment. Further, making it perfect for bridging the gap between location as well as individual activity in a story. So, the correct answer is individual activity.

What do closeups restrict in order to make audiences nervous?

Answer: Visual fields
Supporting Statement: From here the door is wide open for directors to choose whichever shots will enhance the narration. Closeup shots are popular in suspense sequences – a handgun being loaded, a doorknob being turned, the startled expression of someone freshly roused from sleep. Confining the visual field in this way adds to the viewer’s apprehension.
Keywords: closeup, visual field
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4
Explanation: As per paragraph 4, it has been mentioned that from this point on, filmmakers are free to select whatever shots that may improve the narration. Closeup shots of a revolver being loaded, a doorknob being turned. Moreover, the surprised countenance of someone who has just been awakened from sleep are common in suspenseful scenes. This kind of visual area restriction increases the viewer's sense of unease. So, the correct answer is visual fields.

What does a third-person shot place importance on?

Answer: Character interaction
Supporting Statement: Dramatic films will probably want to emphasize character interaction. The third-person shot – in which a third of the frame consists of a rear view of a person’s upper torso and head – can be effectively utilized here.
Keywords: dramatic films, character interaction
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4
Explanation: As per paragraph 4, it has been clearly mentioned that character interaction will likely be emphasized in dramatic movies. Here, the third-person shot, in which the upper torso and head of the subject are seen from behind, can be used advantageously. So, the correct answer is Character interaction as per the explanation.

Questions 38–40

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.

Some shots are not used very often. Money shots have a high 38 ................... considering that they only last for a few seconds. The money shot brings in a lot of money, however, and is an important part of the film’s 39 ................... . Other, less expensive shots can still be fascinating: a character can be made to seem 40 ................... in both mind and body when filmed with a Dutch tilt, for instance.

Question 38)

Answer: Cost
Supporting Statement: A money shot has no specific technical features or content, but is typically the most expensive element of a film’s production values and comes with a cost massively disproportionate to its screen time (which may be limited to just a brief glimpse).
Keywords:money shot
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5
Explanation: As per paragraph 5, it has been mentioned that a money shot is often the most expensive aspect of a movie's production values. And has a cost that is greatly disproportionate to the amount of time it appears on screen. It has no unique technological qualities or content . So, the correct answer is cost as per the explanation provided.

Question 39)

Answer: Promotional materials
Supporting Statement: Because of its spectacular, extravagant nature, however, the money shot is a major revenue generator and is widely exploited for use in promotional materials. Money shots are most popular amongst
– but not limited to – high visual impact genres such as action, war, thriller and disaster films.
Keywords: spectacular nature, promotional materials.
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5
Explanation: As per paragraph 5, it has been mentioned that since it is so lavish. And stunning, the money shot is a significant source of income and is frequently used in advertising. Money shots are most frequently used in strong visual impact genres as action, war, thriller, and disaster movies, but they are not exclusively used in these. So, the correct answer is promotional materials.

Question 40)

Answer: Unbalanced
Supporting Statement: The Dutch tilt can depict a character in a state of psychological unease by shooting them from a jaunty angle. In this way, they appear literally and metaphorically unbalanced.
Keywords: the Dutch tilt
Keyword Location: Paragraph 6
Explanation: As per paragraph 6, it has been mentioned that the Dutch tilt uses a jaunty angle to show a character in a state of psychological uneasiness. They appear unbalanced both literally and figuratively as a result. So, the correct answer is unbalanced as per the explanation provided.

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