Reading Passage 1: THE DEPARTMENT OF ETHNOGRAPHY
Questions 1-6: TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:
The statement in the question agrees with the information in the passage – TRUE
The statement in the question contradicts the information in the passage – FALSE
If there is no information on this – NOT GIVEN
For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]
Question no. 1: The twentieth-century collections come mainly from mainstream societies such as the US and Europe.
Keywords for the question: twentieth-century collections, mainly from, mainstream societies, the US and Europe,
Let’s have a look at the first few lines of paragraph no. 1 where the author of text writes, “The Department of Ethnography was created as a separate deportment within the British Museum in 1946, offer 140 years of gradual development from the original Department of Antiquities. It is concerned with the people of Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Pacific and parts of Europe. . . …”
Here, the lines clearly suggest that the collections do not only come from the US and Europe, it also contains collections from Africa, Asia, the Pacific etc.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 2: The Department of Ethnography focuses mainly on modern societies.
Keywords for the question: Department of Ethnography, focuses, mainly, modern societies,
Lines 8-13 of the first paragraph say, “ .. .. . While this includes complex kingdoms, as in Africa, and ancient empires, such as those of the Americas, the primary focus of attention in the twentieth century has been on small-scale societies. .. .. .”
Here, the primary focus of attention = focuses mainly, small-scale societies = NOT modern societies,
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 3: The Department concentrates on collecting single unrelated objects of great value.
Keywords for the question: the Department, concentrates, collecting, single, unrelated objects, great value,
In lines 13-20 of the first paragraph, the writer says, “ . . .. .. Through its collections, the Department’s specific interest is to document how objects are created and used, and to understand their importance and significance to those who produce them. Such objects can include both the extraordinary and the mundane, the beautiful and the banal.”
Here, the mundane = dull or boring (less value), the banal = ordinary (less value),
This means the Department concentrates on collecting objects of both great and less value.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 4: The textile collection of the Department of Ethnography is the largest in the world.
Keywords for the question: the textile collection, Department of Ethnography, largest in the world,
We do not find any information regarding the size of the textile collection made by the Department of Ethnography.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 5: Traditional societies are highly inventive in terms of technology.
Keywords for the question: traditional societies, highly inventive, technology,
The answer can be traced in paragraph no. 4, in lines 10-12, “ . . .. In fact, traditional practices draw on a continuing wealth of technological ingenuity. . . .. “
Here, traditional practices = traditional works in societies, wealth of technological ingenuity = highly inventive in terms of technology,
So, the answer is: TRUE
Question no. 6: Many small-scale societies have survived and adapted in spite of predictions to the contrary.
Keywords for the question: many small-scale societies, survived, adapted, in spite of, predictions, contrary,
In paragraph no. 5, the first half part says, “With the Independence of much of Asia and Africa after 1945, it was assumed that economic progress would rapidly lead to the disappearance or assimilation of many small-scale societies. Therefore, it was felt that the Museum should acquire materials representing people whose art or material culture, ritual or political structures were on the point of irrevocable change. This attitude altered with the realisation that marginal communities can survive and adapt in spite of partial integration into a notoriously fickle world economy. .. … .”
Here, altered = presented a contrasting picture, marginal communities can survive and adapt = small-scale societies have survived and adapted,
So, the answer is: TRUE
Question 7-12: Classifying groups
[This type of question asks candidates to classify information from the given reading text. Candidates are given some groups from the text, and a list of options, which are listed as A, B, C etc. They must match the correct groups with the correct options.
N.B.: This question doesn’t follow any sequence. So, they should be answered after all other questions in the passage.]
Question no. 7: Bolivian textiles
Keywords for the question: Bolivian textiles,
Lines 6-10 of paragraph no. 3 say, “ . .. .. The material collected includes great technical series – for instance, of textiles from Bolivia, Guatemala, Indonesia and areas of West Africa – or of artefact types such as boats.
So, the answer is: TS (Technical series)
Question no. 8: Indian coracles
Keywords for the question: Indian coracles,
Lines 11- 13 of paragraph no. 3 mention, “ .. .. . or of artefact types such as boats. The latter include working examples of coracles from India, .. .. .”
So, the answer is: AT (Artefact types)
Question no. 9: airport art
Keywords for the question: airport art,
Lines 15-21 of paragraph no. 3 say, “ .. .. . The field assemblages, such as those from the Sudan, Madagascar and Yemen, include a whole range of material culture representative of one people. This might cover the necessities of life of an African herdsman or on Arabian farmer, ritual objects, or even on occasion airport art. . …. … .”
So, the answer is: FA (Field Assemblages)
Question no. 10: Arctic kayaks
Keywords for the question: Arctic kayaks,
Lines 11- 15 of paragraph no. 3 mention, “ .. .. . or of artefact types such as boats. The latter include working examples of coracles from India, reed boars from Lake Titicaca in the Andes, kayaks from the Arctic, and dug-out canoes from several countries. .. .. .”
So, the answer is: AT (Artefact types)
Question no. 11: necessities of life of an Arabian farmer
Keywords for the question: necessities, life, an Arabian farmer,
Lines 15-21 of paragraph no. 3 say, “ .. .. . The field assemblages, such as those from the Sudan, Madagascar and Yemen, include a whole range of material culture representative of one people. This might cover the necessities of life of an African herdsman or an Arabian farmer, ritual objects, or even on occasion airport art. . …. … .”
So, the answer is: FA (Field Assemblages)
Question no. 12: tents from the Middle East
Keywords for the question: tents, the Middle East,
Lines 22-27 of paragraph no. 3 say, “ . .. . . Again, a series of acquisitions might represent a decade’s fieldwork documenting social experience as expressed in the varieties of clothing and jewellery styles, tents and camel trappings from various Middle Eastern countries, .. .. .”
So, the answer is: SE (Social Experience)
Reading Passage 2: Secrets of the Forest
Questions 13-15: List of headings
[In this question type, IELTS candidates are provided with a list of headings, usually identified with lower-case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc,). A heading will refer to the main idea of the paragraph or section of the text. Candidates must find out the equivalent heading to the correct paragraphs or sections, which are marked with alphabets A, B, C and so forth. Candidates need to write the appropriate Roman numerals in the boxes on their answer sheets. There will always be two or three more headings than there are paragraphs or sections. So, some of the headings will not be used. It is also likely that some paragraphs or sections may not be included in the task. Generally, the first paragraph is an example paragraph that will be done for the candidates for their understanding of the task.
TIPS: Skimming is the best reading technique. You need not understand every word here. Just try to gather the gist of the sentences. That’s all. Read quickly and don’t stop until you finish each sentence.]
Question no. 13: Section A
The answer lies in the very first lines of Section A where the author of the text writes, “In 1942 Allan R Holmberg, a doctoral student in anthropology from Yale University, USA, ventured deep into the jungle of Bolivian Amazonia and searched out an isolated band of Siriono Indian … … .”
Here, searched out = discovered,
So, this means Allan R Holmberg was the first person to research on the Indian Amazons.
So, the answer is: v (Early research among the Indian Amazons)
Question no. 14: Section B
Lines 5-7 of Section B say, “. .. . The apparent simplicity of Indian ways of life has been judged an evolutionary adaptation to forest ecology, living proof that Amazonia could not – and cannot – sustain a more complex society. .. ..”
Here, could not – and cannot – sustain a more complex society = unable to sustain complex societies,
So, the answer is: i (Amazonia as unable to sustain complex societies)
Question no. 15: Section D
The final lines of Section D give us the answer to this question. Here, the writer says, “ . .. . The archaeological evidence shows that the natural history of Amazonia is to a surprising extent tied to the activities of its prehistoric inhabitants.”
Here, tied = linked,
This means there is a link or connection between Amazonian natural history and its prehistoric inhabitants.
So, the answer is: vi (The influence of prehistoric inhabitants on Amazonian natural history)
Questions 16-21: YES, NO, NOT GIVEN
In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:
The statement in the question matches with the claim of the writer in the text- YES
The statement in the question contradicts with the claim of the writer in the text- NO
The statement in the question has no clear connection with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN
[TIPS: For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]
Question no. 16: The reason for the simplicity of the Indian way of life is that Amazonia has always been unable to support a more complex society.
Keywords for the question: reason, simplicity, Indian way of life, Amazonia, always been unable, support, more complex society,
The answer can be found in Section B, in lines 5-6, “ . . . . The apparent simplicity of Indian ways of life has been judged an evolutionary adaptation to forest ecology, .. .. .”
This means the simplicity of the Indian way of life is the evolutionary adaptation to forest ecology, NOT the inability to support a more complex society.
So, the answer is: NO
Question no. 17: There is a crucial popular misconception about the human history of Amazonia.
Keywords for the question: crucial, popular misconception, human history, Amazonia,
The first three lines of Section C mention, “The popular conception of Amazonia and its native residents would be enormously consequential if it were true. But the human history of Amazonia in the past 11,000 years betrays that view as myth. .. ..”
Here, betrays that view as myth = crucial popular misconception,
So, the answer is: YES
Question no. 18: There are lessons to be learned from similar ecosystems in other parts of the world.
Keywords for the question: lessons, to be learned, similar ecosystems, other parts of the world,
In this passage, there is no mention of any lessons to be learned from similar ecosystems in other parts of the world.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 19: Most ecologists were aware that the areas of Amazonia they were working in had been shaped by human settlement.
Keywords for the question: most ecologists, aware, areas of Amazonia, working, had been shaped by, human settlement,
Take a look at lines 1-3 of Section D, “ . .. . Ecologists have assumed that tropical ecosystems were shaped entirely by natural forces and they have focused their research on habitats they believe have escaped human influence. .. .. .”
The lines suggest that ecologists guessed that the areas of Amazonia they were working in had been shaped by natural forces, NOT by human settlement.
So, the answer is: NO
Question no. 20: The indigenous Amazonian Indians are necessary to the well-being of the forest.
Keywords for the question: indigenous Amazonian Indians, necessary, well-being of the forest,
The answer to this question can be found in the final lines of Section D where the writer says, “ . .. . . The archaeological evidence shows that the natural history of Amazonia is to a surprising extent tied to the activities of its prehistoric inhabitants.”
Here, prehistoric inhabitants = indigenous Amazonian Indians, tied to = linked, or, necessary to,
So, the answer is: YES
Question no. 21: It would be possible for certain parts of Amazonia to support a higher population.
Keywords for the question: would be possible, certain parts of Amazonia, support, higher population,
In Section F, lines 6-7 say, “ .. .. . Archaeology makes clear that with judicious management selected parts of the region could support more people than anyone thought before. .. ..”
Here, selected parts = certain parts, support more people = support a higher population,
So, the answer is: YES
Questions 22-25: Multiple choice questions
[This type of question asks you to choose a suitable answer from the options using the knowledge you gained from the passage. Generally, this question is set found as the last question set in most passages so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers for previous questions gives you a good idea about these questions.]
Question no. 22: In 1942 the US anthropology student concluded that the Siriono –
Keywords for the question: 1942, US anthropology student, concluded, Siriono,
Take a look at the first three lines of Section A, “In 1942 Allan R Holmberg, a doctoral student in anthropology from Yale University, USA, ventured deep into the jungle of Bolivian Amazonia and searched out an isolated band of Siriono Indians. The Siriono, Holmberg later wrote, led a ‘strikingly backward’ existence. .. ..”
Here, Holmberg later wrote = the US anthropology student concluded, ‘strikingly backward’ = extremely primitive,
So, the answer is: C (were an extremely primitive society)
Question no. 23: The author believes recent discoveries of the remains of complex societies in Amazonia –
Keywords for the question: author, believes, recent discoveries, remains of complex societies, Amazonia,
In Section C, lines 3-6 say, “ . . . . Evidence gathered in recent years from anthropology and archaeology indicates that the region has supported a series of indigenous cultures for eleven thousand years; an extensive network of complex societies – some with populations perhaps as large as 100,000 – thrived there for more than 1,000 years before the arrival of Europeans. .. ..”
Here, a series of indigenous cultures for eleven thousand years = early indigenous communities,
So, the answer is: A (are evidence of early indigenous communities)
Question no. 24: The assumption that the tropical ecosystem of Amazonia has been created solely by natural forces –
Keywords for the question: assumption, tropical ecosystem of Amazonia, been created, solely, by natural forces,
In Section D, lines 2-5 say, “ .. .. Ecologists have assumed that tropical ecosystems were shaped entirely by natural forces and they have focused their research on habitats they believe have escaped human influence. But as the University of Florida ecologist, Peter Feinsinger, has noted, an approach that leaves people out of the equation is no longer tenable. .. .. .”
Here, Ecologists have assumed = the assumption, were shaped entirely by natural forces = created solely by natural forces, no longer tenable = to be incorrect by recent research,
So, the answer is: B (has been shown to be incorrect by recent research)
Questions no. 25: The application of our new insights into the Amazonian past would –
Keywords for the question: application, our new insights, Amazonian past, would,
In Section F, the author of the text writes in lines 5-8, “ . .. .. The new understanding of the pre-history of Amazonia, however, points toward a middle ground. Archaeology makes clear that with judicious management selected parts of the region could support more people than anyone thought before. The long buried past, it seems, offers hope for the future.”
Here, The new understanding = our new insights, the pre-history of Amazonia = the Amazonian past, with judicious management selected parts of the region could support more people than anyone thought before = change present policies on development in the region,
So, the answer is: C (change present policies on development in the region)
Reading Passage 3: HIGHS & LOWS
Questions 26-28: Multiple choice questions
[This type of question asks you to choose a suitable answer from the options using the knowledge you gained from the passage. Generally, this question is set found as the last question set in most passages so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers for previous questions gives you a good idea about these questions.]
Questions no. 26: Why did the divers perform less well in colder conditions?
Keywords for the question: why, divers, perform, less well, colder conditions,
In paragraph no. 3, first take a look at lines 2-5, “Researchers compared divers working in icy cold water at 5°C with others in water at 20°C (about swimming pool temperature). .. .. .”
Then, have a look at the last few lines in the same paragraph, “ . . … This suggests that the low temperature did not slow down mental functioning directly, but the feeling of cold distracted the divers from their tasks.”
Here, feeling of cold distracted the divers from their tasks = they were less able to concentrate,
So, the answer is: A (They were less able to concentrate)
Question no. 27: The number of daylight hours –
Keywords for the question: number, daylight hours,
Then in lines 18-26 f paragraph no. 4, the writer says, “ . .. . Research shows that melatonin plays an important part in the seasonal behaviour of certain animals. For example, food consumption of stags increases during the winter, reaching a peak in February/ March. It falls again to a low point in May, then rises to a peak in September, before dropping to another minimum in November. .. . .”
Here, food consumption = feeding habits, stags = animals,
So, the answer is: B (influences animal feeding habits)
Question no. 28: Human irritability may be influenced by –
Keywords for the question: importance, taking notes, body language,
The last few lines of paragraph no. 5 give answer to this question. The writer says here, “ .. . . However, the belief that rain and murky weather make people more unhappy is borne out by a study in Belgium, which showed that a telephone counselling service gets more telephone calls from people with suicidal feelings when it rains.”
Here, rain and murky weather = certain weather phenomena, suicidal feelings = human irritability,
So, the answer is: B (reaction to certain weather phenomena)
Questions 29- 34: TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:
The statement in the question agrees with the information in the passage – TRUEThe statement in the question contradicts with the information in the passage – FALSEIf there is no information on this – NOT GIVEN
For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]
Question no. 29: Seasonal Affective Disorder is disrupting children’s education in Russia.
Keywords for the question: Seasonal Affective Disorder, disrupting, children’s education, Russia,
We find about ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ and ‘Russian scientists’ in paragraph no. 1. However, there is NO information about disruption of children’s education due to Seasonal Affective Disorder in this passage.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question no. 30: Serotonin is an essential cause of human aggression.
Keywords for the question: Serotonin, essential cause, human aggression,
In paragraph no. 6, lines 8-15 say, “ . . . . positive charge increases the levels of serotonin (a chemical involved in sending signals in the nervous system). High levels of serotonin in certain areas of the nervous system make people more active and reactive and, possibly, more aggressive. . . .”
Here, the word ‘possibly’ suggests that serotonin is a possible cause, NOT an essential cause, of human aggression.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 31: Scientific evidence links ‘happy associations with weather’ to human mood.
Keywords for the question: Scientific evidence, links, ‘happy associations with weather’, human mood,
Take a close look at paragraph no. 4. Here, in lines 11-15 say, “ . . . . temperature in the restaurant was the same. A link between weather and mood is made believable by the evidence for a connection between behaviour and the length of the daylight hours. .. .. .”
The lines suggest that scientific evidence links ‘happy or sad associations with weather’ to human mood.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question no. 32: A link between depression and the time of year has been established.
Keywords for the question: link between, depression, time of year, established,
In paragraph no. 5, the author of the text says in lines 11-20, “ . .. . People’s moods too, have been shown to react to the length of the day- light hours. Sceptics might say that longer exposure to sunshine puts people in a better mood because they associate it with the happy feelings of holidays and freedom from responsibility. However, the belief that rain and murky weather make people more unhappy is borne out by a study in Belgium, which showed .. . ..”
However, rain and murky weather = the time of year, make people more unhappy = depression, borne out by a study = has been established,
So, the answer is: TRUE
Question no. 33: Melatonin levels increase at certain times of the year.
Keywords for the question: Melatonin levels, increase, certain times,
The answer can be found in end of paragraph no. 4. Here, the author says in lines 18-19, “ . .. . The amount of melatonin falls with greater exposure to daylight. . .. .”
Here, The amount of melatonin = Melatonin levels, falls with greater exposure to daylight = increases with shorter exposure to daylight,
Here, the answer is given in a reverse meaning.
So, the answer is: TRUE
Question no. 34: Positively charged ions can influence eating habits.
Keywords for the question: positively charged ions, influence, eating habits,
There is NO information about the influence of positively charged ions on eating habits.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Questions 35-37: Choosing from list of factors
[In this question type, IELTS candidates are provided with a list of factors with a question. Candidates must find out three/four or five factors that match the questions. Most of the time, the answers can be found in one or two paragraphs.
TIPS: Both skimming and scanning are needed for this kind of question. You need to skim the passage to find out the paragraph where the answers can be found. Then you can scan it to find all the answers. The answers can be written in any order.]
Questions no. 35-37: According to the text which THREE of the following conditions have been scientifically proved to have a psychological effect on humans?
Keywords for the questions: THREE, conditions, scientifically proved, have, psychological effect, humans,
In paragraph no. 4, the writer says in the first 4 lines, “Psychologists have conducted studies showing that people become less sceptical and more optimistic when the weather is sunny. However, this apparently does not .. .. .”
Here, Psychologists have conducted studies = scientifically proved, people become less sceptical and more optimistic = psychological effect on humans, the weather is sunny = sunny weather,
So, this is a match with option E.
Then, in paragraph no. 5, lines 17-20 say, “ … .. . freedom from responsibility. However, the belief that rain and murky weather make people more unhappy is borne out by a study in Belgium, which showed that . .. .”
Here, rain and murky weather = rainy weather, make people more unhappy = psychological effect on humans, borne out by a study = scientifically proved,
So, this is a match with option B.
Also, in paragraph no. 6, lines 9-15 say, “ .. . .. positive charge increases the levels of serotonin (a chemical involved in sending signals in the nervous system). High levels of serotonin in certain areas of the nervous system make people more active and reactive and, possibly, more aggressive. When certain winds are .. . ..”
Here, High levels of serotonin = high serotonin levels, make people more active and reactive .. . . more aggressive = psychological effect on humans,
So, this is a match with option D.
So, the answers are: (in any order)
B (rainy weather)
D (high serotonin levels)
E (sunny weather)
Questions 38-40: Completing/Matching sentences with correct endings
[For this type of question, candidates need to match the beginning and ending of sentences. Candidates need to look for keywords in the sentence-beginnings and find the relative paragraphs and then sentences in the passage. Skimming and scanning, both reading skills are essential for this question-type.]
Question no. 38: It has been established that social tension increases significantly in the United States during ________.
Keywords for the question: established, social tension, increases, significantly, United States, during,
Take a look at paragraph no. 2, lines 6-10, where the writer says, “ .. .. . when the weather is colder. Research in the United States has shown a relation- ship between temperature and street riots. The frequency of riots rises dramatically as the weather gets warmer, .. … .”
Here, The frequency of riots = social tension, rises dramatically = increases significantly, weather gets warmer = hot weather,
So, the answer is: B (hot weather)
Question no. 39: Research has shown that a hamster’s bodyweight increases according to its exposure to _________.
Keywords for the question: research, hamster’s bodyweight, increases, according to, exposure to,
In paragraph no. 5, the first 6 lines say, “In the laboratory, hamsters put on more weight when the nights are getting shorter and their melatonin levels are falling. On the other hand, if they are given injections of melatonin, they will stop eating altogether. . . .. ..”
Here, put on more weight = bodyweight increases, nights are getting shorter = daylight,
So, the answer is: A (daylight)
Question no. 40: Animals cope with changing weather and food availability because they are influenced by _________.
Keywords for the question: animals, cope with, changing weather, food availability, because, influenced by,
In paragraph no. 5, lines 6-11 say, “ .. . . It seems that time cues provided by the changing lengths of day and night trigger changes in animals’ behaviour – changes that are needed to cope with the cycle of the seasons. .. ..”
Here, cycle of the seasons = changing weather,
So, the answer is: F (time cues)
