Preface to How the Other Half Thinks Reading Answers - IELTS Reading Practice Test

A
Occasionally, in some difficult musical compositions, there are beautiful but easy parts - parts so simple a beginner could play them. So it is with mathematics as well. There are some discoveries in advanced mathematics that do not depend on specialised knowledge, not even on algebra, geometry, or trigonometry. Instead, they may involve, at most, a little arithmetic, such as ‘the sum of two odd numbers is even’ and common sense. Each of the eight chapters in this book illustrates this phenomenon. Anyone can understand every step of reasoning. 

The thinking in each chapter uses, at most, only elementary arithmetic, and sometimes not even that. Thus, all readers will have the chance to participate in a mathematical experience, appreciate the beauty of mathematics, and become familiar with its logical yet intuitive style of thinking.

B
One of my purposes in writing this book is to give readers who haven’t had the opportunity to see and enjoy real mathematics the chance to appreciate the mathematical way of thinking. I want to reveal not only some of the fascinating discoveries but, more importantly, the reasoning behind them. In that respect, this book differs from most books on mathematics written for the general public. 

Some present the lives of colourful mathematicians, others describe important applications of mathematics, and still others discuss mathematical procedures but assume that the reader is adept at using algebra.

C
I hope this book will help bridge that notorious gap that separates the two cultures: the humanities and the sciences, or should I say the right brain (intuitive) and the left brain (analytical, numerical). As the chapters will illustrate, mathematics is not restricted to the analytical and numerical; intuition plays a significant role. The alleged gap can be narrowed or completely overcome by anyone, in part because each of us is far from using the full capacity of either side of the brain. To illustrate our human potential, I cite a structural engineer who is an artist, an electrical engineer who is an opera singer, an opera singer who published mathematical research, and a mathematician who publishes short stories.

D
Other scientists have written books to explain their fields to non-scientists, but have necessarily had to omit the mathematics, although it provides the foundation of their theories.  

The reader must remain a tantalised spectator rather than an involved participant since the appropriate language for describing the details in much of science is mathematics, whether the subject is an expanding universe, subatomic particles, or chromosomes. Though the broad outline of a scientific theory can be sketched intuitively, when a part of the physical universe is finally understood, its description often looks like a page in a mathematics text.

E
Still, the non-mathematical reader can go far in understanding mathematical reasoning. This book presents the details that illustrate the mathematical style of thinking, which involves sustained, step-by-step analysis, experiments, and insights. You will turn these pages much more slowly than when reading a novel or a newspaper. It may help to have a pencil and paper ready to check claims and carry out experiments.

F
As I wrote, I kept in mind two types of readers: those who enjoyed mathematics until they were turned off by an unpleasant episode, usually around fifth grade, and mathematics aficionados, who will find much that is new throughout the book. 

This book also serves readers who simply want to sharpen their analytical skills. Many careers, such as law and medicine, require extended, precise analysis. Each chapter offers practice in following a sustained and closely argued line of thought. These two testimonials show the fact that mathematics can develop this skill.

G
A physician who wrote the discipline of analytical thought processes [in mathematics] prepared me extremely well for medical school. In medicine, one is faced with a problem that must be thoroughly analysed before a solution can be found. The process is similar to doing mathematics.’ 

A lawyer made the same point, “Although I had no background in law - not even one political science course — I did well at one of the best law schools. I attribute much of my success there to having learned how to analyse complicated principles through the study of mathematics and, in particular, theorems. Lawyers who have studied mathematics can master the legal principles in a way that most others cannot.’

I hope you will share my delight in watching as simple, even naive, questions lead to remarkable solutions and purely theoretical discoveries find unanticipated applications.

Questions 27-33

Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 27-33 on your answer sheet.

Questions 34-39

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage?
In boxes 34-39 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE    if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE    if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN    if there is no information on this

Question 40
Choose the correct letter (A, B, C or D) from the given options.

What is the most suitable title for the passage?
A) Mathematics for All: Discovering Its Hidden Beauty
B) The Rigors of Advanced Mathematics
C) Practical Applications of Mathematical Theories
D) A Beginner's Guide to Mathematics