In Praise Of Amateurs Reading Answers

Abishek

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19-09-2025

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Find the In Praise Of Amateurs Reading Answers for the IELTS academic reading practice test below.

Solution for in praise of Amateurs

1. scientists 5. observations 9. B 13. C
2. science 6. dinosaurs 10. A  
3. fields 7. conservation programme 11. D  
4. co-operation/collaboration 8. acknowledge 12. B  

To practise more questions based on the In Praise Of Amateurs Reading Answers passage, please refer to the questions given after the passage.

If you are planning to write the IELTS you must do the practice test and check In Praise Of Amateurs Reading Answers. In this article you will be able to get the skills to solve 3 IELTS question types. In Praise Of Amateurs is an IELTS reading passage which is useful for you to enhance your reading skills, including skimming and scanning. 

Try to write the In Praise Of Amateurs Reading Answers for the given question types. In this article you will practise the following 3 IELTS reading question types:

  • IELTS Reading Note Completion
  • IELTS Reading Yes/No/Not Given
  • IELTS Reading Locating Information

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7 thoughts on “In Praise Of Amateurs”

Check out some facts about the In Praise Of Amateurs Reading Answers passage.

  • In Praise Of Amateurs Reading Answers passage tests your English language skills and answers the questions based on a passage.
  • In Praise Of Amateurs is a passage about how amatuers in the field of science have helped in the discovery and invention of many important things in this world.
  • The passage talks about how amateurs can contribute their enthusiasm and talent while professionals can give them guidance. 
  • The passage must be read quickly as this is a long passage. Try to sharpen your reading skills so you can read the passage efficiently. 
  • To make it easier to answer the questions, you can first read the questions and then the passage so you can mark the answers as you read it.
  • Solve all the 3 question types given in this article and also check your answers with the in praise of amateurs reading answers with explanations. 
  • In Praise Of Amateurs reading answers with location helps you to spot the answers in the passage. 

Before attempting to write the In Praise Of Amateurs Reading Answers, check the IELTS reading tips.

IELTS Reading passage -  In Praise Of Amateurs

Read the In Praise Of Amateurs Reading Answers passage and solve the questions given below. And, get the answer key at the end of the practice test. 

In Praise Of Amateurs

  1. During the 17th century scientific revolution, scientists were mostly wealthy men who pursued their interest in natural philosophy for their own edification. It has only been possible to make a living studying the workings of nature for the past century or two. To put it another way, modern science was built on the efforts of amateurs. Science is becoming increasingly specialised and compartmentalised, with experts knowing more and more about less and less. Surprisingly, amateurs – even those with limited financial resources – are still important.
  2. A recent poll conducted by astronomer Dr. Richard Fienberg at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science revealed that, in addition to astronomy, amateurs are also interested in acoustics, horticulture, ornithology, meteorology, hydrology, and palaeontology. Amateur scientists, far from being crackpots, are frequently in contact with professionals, some of whom rely heavily on their cooperation.
  3. Some fields, admittedly, are more accessible to amateurs than others. Anything that necessitates the purchase of expensive equipment is clearly a no-no. And some types of research can be hazardous; according to Dr. Fienberg, the majority of amateur chemists are either locked up or have blown themselves up. However, amateurs can make valuable contributions in fields ranging from rocketry to palaeontology, and the rise of the Internet has made collecting data and disseminating results easier than ever before.
  4. Which field of study has benefited the most from amateur contributions is a matter of contention. Dr. Fienberg makes a compelling case for the study of astronomy. He points out that amateur and professional sky watchers have a long history of working together. Amateurs found many asteroids, comets, and planet Uranus. Observing the brightness of variable stars and detecting novae—'new' stars in the Milky Way and supernovae in other galaxies—are still important tasks for amateur astronomers today, in addition to comet and asteroid spotting. According to Dr. Fienberg, amateur observers are beneficial because there are so many of them (far outnumbering professionals) and because they are located all over the world. This allows for unique observations: for example, if several observers around the world accurately record the time when a star is eclipsed by an asteroid, useful information about the asteroid's shape can be derived.
  5. Palaeontology is another field where amateurs have historically played a significant role. Adrian Hunt, a palaeontologist at Mesa Technical College in New Mexico, claims that his field is the one where amateurs have had the most impact. Despite advances in technology, he claims that the best sensors for finding fossils are human eyes – and lots of them.
  6. Because of the near universal interest in anything dinosaur-related, he says, finding volunteers to look for fossils isn't difficult. Volunteers learn about science while also assisting with the research, which he refers to as recreational education.'
  7. In his field, Rick Bonney of Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York, believes that amateurs have made the most contributions. He points out that there are an estimated 60 million birdwatchers in the United States alone. Mr Bonney has enlisted thousands of amateurs in a number of research projects due to their large numbers and wide geographic coverage. Their observations over the last few years have revealed previously unknown trends and cycles in bird migrations, as well as declines in the breeding populations of several migratory bird species, prompting habitat conservation efforts.
  8. Collaboration between amateurs and professionals, despite its successes and regardless of the field of study, is not without its challenges. The term 'amateur,' for example, does not sit well with everyone. Mr Bonney coined the term "citizen scientist" because he thought other terms, such as "volunteer," were derogatory. The question of how professionals can best acknowledge amateur contributions is a more serious issue. Some amateur astronomers, according to Dr. Fienberg, are happy to provide their observations but complain about not being reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. Others are disappointed when their findings are included in scientific papers but they are not listed as co-authors. Some amateur palaeontologists, according to Dr. Hunt, are disappointed when they are told they cannot take their finds home with them.
  9. These are legitimate concerns but none seems insurmountable. There's no reason why amateurs and professionals can't work together if they agree on the terms of their collaboration ahead of time. Dr. S. Carlson, the founder of the Society for Amateur Scientists, received a $290,000 award last year for his efforts to promote such collaboration. He claims that one of the prize's main benefits is the recognition it has given to amateur scientists' contributions, which has helped silence critics among professionals who believe science should be their exclusive domain.
  10. Dr. Carlson says the society is currently working on a number of projects, including an innovative rocket design project and the establishment of a network of observers to look for evidence of a link between earthquakes and low-frequency radiations. He claims that amateurs contribute enthusiasm and talent, while professionals provide guidance so that whatever they discover is taken seriously.' Having laid the foundations of science, amateurs will have so much to give to its expanding structure. 

In Praise Of Amateurs IELTS Reading questions

IELTS Reading Note Completion Questions 1-5

Complete the notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

  • During the 17th century scientific revolution, scientists were mostly 1________.
  • Some types of research can be hazardous; according to 2________.
  • The rise of the 3________ has made collecting data and disseminating results easier than ever before.
  • 4________ is another field where amateurs have historically played a significant role.  
  • Adrian Hunt is a palaeontologist at 5________ Technical College in New Mexico. 

Also Check: IELTS Reading Note Completion

IELTS Reading Yes/No/Not Given Questions 6-9 

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?

Write

  • YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
  • NO, if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
  • NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

6. It has only been possible to make a living studying the workings of nature for the past century or two. 

7. Amateurs are not interested in acoustics, horticulture, ornithology, meteorology, hydrology, and palaeontology. 

8. Some amateur palaeontologists are disappointed when they are told they cannot take their finds home with them.

9. Dr. S. Carlson is the founder of the Society for Amateur Scientists.

Also Check: IELTS Reading Yes/No/Not Given

IELTS Reading Locating Information Questions 10-14

This reading passage has ten paragraphs, A–J.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter, A - J, as your answer to each question.

10. Science is becoming increasingly specialised and compartmentalised.

11. Amateurs are also interested in acoustics, horticulture etc.

12. Amateurs contribute enthusiasm and talent, while professionals provide guidance.

13. Rick Bonney believes that amateurs have made the most contributions in his field.

14. Amateurs can make valuable contributions in fields ranging from rocketry to palaeontology. 

Also Check: IELTS Reading Locating Information

In Praise Of Amateurs IELTS Reading Answers with explanations

Please find the In Praise Of Amateurs IELTS Reading Answers with explanations.

(Note: The text in italics is from the reading passage and shows the location from where the answer is taken or inferred. The text in regular font explains the answer in detail.)

Answers for IELTS Reading Note Completion Questions
1. wealthy men

Explanation: During the 17th century scientific revolution, scientists were mostly wealthy men who pursued their interest in natural philosophy for their own edification.

2. Dr. Fienberg

Explanation: And some types of research can be hazardous; according to Dr. Fienberg, the majority of amateur chemists are either locked up or have blown themselves up. 

3. Internet

Explanation: However, amateurs can make valuable contributions in fields ranging from rocketry to palaeontology, and the rise of the Internet has made collecting data and disseminating results easier than ever before. 

4. Palaeontology

Explanation: Palaeontology is another field where amateurs have historically played a significant role. 

5. Mesa 

Explanation: Adrian Hunt, a palaeontologist at Mesa Technical College in New Mexico 

Answers for IELTS Reading Yes/No/Not Given Questions
6. Yes 

Explanation: It has only been possible to make a living studying the workings of nature for the past century or two. 

7. No

Explanation: Amateurs are also interested in acoustics, horticulture, ornithology, meteorology, hydrology, and palaeontology. 

8. Yes

Explanation: Some amateur palaeontologists, according to Dr. Hunt, are disappointed when they are told they cannot take their finds home with them.

9. Yes 

Explanation: Dr. S. Carlson, the founder of the Society for Amateur Scientists, received a $290,000 award last year for his efforts to promote such collaboration.

Answers for IELTS Reading Locating Information Questions
10. Paragraph A

Explanation:  Science is becoming increasingly specialised and compartmentalised, with experts knowing more and more about less and less. 

11. Paragraph B

Explanation: in addition to astronomy, amateurs are also interested in acoustics, horticulture, ornithology, meteorology, hydrology, and palaeontology.

12. Paragraph J

Explanation: Amateurs contribute enthusiasm and talent, while professionals provide guidance

13. Paragraph G

Explanation: Rick Bonney of Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York, believes that amateurs have made the most contributions. 

14. Paragraph C

Explanation: Amateurs can make valuable contributions in fields ranging from rocketry to palaeontology.

Check the other reading passages

Click to check the other important Reading answers passages listed below,

Conclusion

We believe the “In Praise Of Amateurs Reading Answers” have been useful for you to practice for the IELTS test Reading section. You should also practice for the other question types in the Reading section by using the links given above.

Abishek

About Author Abishek Babu M

Abishek is a seasoned expert in the study abroad processes and IELTS, GRE, TOEFL, and SAT subjects. With over 2.5 years of experience in helping students achieve their foreign education goals, he has become a trusted individual in the industry. His extensive knowledge and authority in the IELTS test have earned him a reputation as a go-to resource for students seeking to excel in their exams. Abishek's exceptional track record has earned him the trust of countless students who rely on his resources to achieve their study abroad dreams.

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