Savants IELTS Reading

Feb 9, 2023

Savants IELTS Reading is a general topic in the IELTS Reading section. This has been taken from the book: Cambridge IELTS 3. The IELTS reading section helps candidates increase their reading skills with the help of passages. Candidates need to read the passage and then answer the questions. There are 7 questions in this topic: Savants IELTS Reading. The IELTS reading questions are divided into one section: choose the appropriate option. There are more topics like In search of theSavants IELTS Reading available online. Candidates can practice from IELTS Reading practice papers to help them excel in the IELTS exam.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Savants IELTS Reading

Super heroes like Superman have powers that are the envy of many children and even adults. Yet, we don't have to read comic books to find people with super powers. These

Leslie Lemke

Born blind, he was 15 when he eventually learnt how to walk. When he was 16 he played Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. after hearing this piece of music on the television the previous night. He is now able to play any piece of music simply by listening to it once.

Orlando Serrell

He was not born a savant. He was ten years old when he was hit on the head with a basebal. Since then he has been able to perform complicated calendar calculations and remember the weather every day from the day of the accident.

Kim Peek

Kim was the inspiration for the character played by Dustin Hoffman in the Rain Man. His nickname is "Kimputer" because he has read over 12,000 books and remembers everything about them. He reads two pages at once - his left eye reads the left page and his right eye reads the right page - in 3 seconds!

Stephen Wiltshire

When he was nine he learnt to talk but before this he had already developed a love for drawing. After a helicopter ride in Tokyo he drew an accurate and detailed view of the city on a piece of paper 10 metres long!

Ellen Boudreaux

Like Leslie Lemke, Ellen Boudreaux is a blind autistic savant with exceptional musical abilities. She can play music perfectly after hearing it just once. She can also walk around without bumping into things. She does this by making little chirping sounds that seem to act like a human sonar.

Daniel Tammet

Daniel is exceptionally gifted mathematically and linguistically. He can speak 11 languages fluently and learnt one of them, Icelandic, in 7 days. He appears normal but Daniel contends that he actually had to will himself to learn how to talk to and behave around people.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation
Questions 15 - 21:
Look at the following statements and the list of savants below
Match each statement with the correct savant, A-F
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 15-21 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.

Savants
A Leslie Lemke
B Orlando Serrell
C Kim Peek
D Stephen Wiltshire
E Ellen Boudreaux
F Daniel Tammet

This savant reminds people of a computer as everything he reads he remembers.

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: His nickname is "Kimputer" because he has read over 12,000 books and remembers everything about them.
Keywords: Kimputer, 12,000 books
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, lines 1-3
Explanation: Kim, the inspiration behind the character portrayed by Dustin Hoffman in the hit film "Rain Man," is a unique individual. He has earned the nickname "Kimputer" due to his incredible memory and love of reading. Kim has devoured over 12,000 books, retaining all the information he has absorbed. His reading speed is nothing short of remarkable; he can process two pages at once. That too with his left eye scanning the left page and his right eye reading the right page, all in just three seconds. Kim's remarkable cognitive abilities and love of books make him a truly remarkable individual, and his story is an inspiration to many. Despite his incredible intellect, Kim is known to be humble, warm, and approachable, making him a beloved figure to those who know him. His story is a testament to the power of the human mind and the importance of never losing one's love for learning and discovery.

This savant learnt one language very quickly and speaks many more.

Answer: F
Supporting Sentence: Daniel is exceptionally gifted mathematically and linguistically. He can speak 11 languages fluently and learnt one of them, Icelandic, in 7 days.
Keywords: Daniel, mathematically, 11 languages
Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, lines 1-2
Explanation: Daniel is a unique individual with exceptional gifts in mathematics and language. He is fluent in an impressive 11 languages, which he has mastered through his incredible ability to learn quickly. One of his most remarkable feats was learning Icelandic in just 7 days. Despite his incredible abilities, Daniel appears to be just like any other person. However, he reveals that his social skills and behavior around others were not innate. Instead, he had to consciously will himself to learn how to communicate and interact with others effectively. This admission highlights Daniel's determination and drive to succeed in all aspects of life, despite his exceptional gifts. Daniel's story is a testament to the power of the human mind and the impact of conscious effort on personal growth and development. He is a living example of the saying, "where there's a will, there's a way." His story is an inspiration to those who seek to push their own boundaries and achieve their full potential.

This savant developed extraordinary powers after an accident.

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Since then he has been able to perform complicated calendar calculations and remember the weather every day from the day of the accident.
Keywords: perform, complicated, accident
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, lines 2-3
Explanation: This individual's exceptional abilities were not present from birth. At the age of ten, he was struck on the head by a baseball, which altered the course of his life. After the accident, he developed an extraordinary talent for complex calendar calculations. Also, an ability to recall the weather conditions of every day since the day of the accident. This change in his abilities is truly remarkable and highlights the unpredictable nature of the human mind. Further, how it can adapt and evolve in response to life experiences. Despite his exceptional skills, he remains humble and approachable, inspiring others with his unique story and positive attitude. The tale of how this individual's life changed due to a simple accident is a reminder of the power of the mind. Further, the importance of embracing one's individuality and abilities, no matter how they come about.

This savant plays the piano.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: When he was 16 he played Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. after hearing this piece of music on the television the previous night.
Keywords: Tchaikovsky's, Piano Concerto
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, lines 1-3
Explanation: This individual was born blind, and it wasn't until he was 15 years old that he finally learned how to walk. Despite this obstacle, he continued to push himself and strive for more. At the age of 16, he was introduced to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 on television and was immediately captivated. The next day, he sat down at the piano and played the piece flawlessly, to the amazement of those around him. This was just the beginning of his musical journey. He has since developed the incredible ability to play any piece of music simply by listening to it once. This individual's story is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the ability of the mind to overcome even the most challenging obstacles. Despite his blindness, he never let it limit his potential and continues to inspire others with his musical talent and unwavering determination. His story is a reminder to us all to never give up on our dreams and to always strive for excellence, no matter the challenges we face.

This savant inspired a movie.

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: His nickname is "Kimputer" because he has read over 12,000 books and remembers everything about them.
Keywords: Kimputer, 12,000 books
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, lines 1-3
Explanation: Kim, the inspiration behind the character portrayed by Dustin Hoffman in the hit film "Rain Man," is a unique individual. He has earned the nickname "Kimputer" due to his incredible memory and love of reading. Kim has devoured over 12,000 books, retaining all the information he has absorbed. His reading speed is nothing short of remarkable. He can process two pages at once, with his left eye scanning the left page and his right eye reading the right page, all in just three seconds. Kim's remarkable cognitive abilities and love of books make him a truly remarkable individual, and his story is an inspiration to many. Despite his incredible intellect, Kim is known to be humble, warm, and approachable, making him a beloved figure to those who know him. His story is a testament to the power of the human mind and the importance of never losing one's love for learning and discovery.

This savant avoids falling over with sonar like ability.

Answer: E
Supporting Sentence: Like Leslie Lemke, Ellen Boudreaux is a blind autistic savant with exceptional musical abilities. She can play music perfectly after hearing it just once.
Keywords: Ellen Boudreaux, autistic savant, musical abilities
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, lines 1-2
Explanation: Ellen Boudreaux shares many similarities with Leslie Lemke, as she is both blind and autistic and possesses exceptional musical abilities. Her musical talent is truly remarkable, as she can flawlessly play a piece of music after hearing it just once. Ellen's exceptional abilities and unique story demonstrate the limitless potential of the human mind, even in the face of significant obstacles.

This savant loves to draw buildings with incredible accuracy.

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: After a helicopter ride in Tokyo he drew an accurate and detailed view of the city on a piece of paper 10 metres long!
Keywords: helicopter, accurate, 10 metres long
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, lines 2-3
Explanation: This individual had the remarkable ability to produce incredibly accurate and detailed drawings. After taking a helicopter ride over Tokyo. He sat down and drew an awe-inspiring view of the city on a single piece of paper that measured a staggering 10 meters in length. This feat is a testament to his incredible artistic talent and the power of his memory.

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