Fatal Attraction IELTS Reading Answers

Fatal Attraction IELTS Reading Answers: Candidates preparing for the IELTS exam are often worried about the IELTS reading module and how they can boost their IELTS reading band score. The IELTS reading module has a different structure that is followed both in the IELTS Academic and in the IELTS General reading. Although the structure of the number of passages that should be attempted is different, the types of questions that are asked are the same. Scoring high in IELTS reading requires diligent practice and a positive mindset. Candidates preparing for the IELTS exam should become fond of reading and must develop their reading speed to manage time in the main IELTS exam.

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This Story also Contains

1. Introduction to "Fatal Attraction" IELTS Reading Passage
2. Overview of the Passage
3. Why Is This Topic Important for IELTS Test Takers?
4. Understanding the Structure of the "Fatal Attraction" Passage
5. Common Questions in "Fatal Attraction" IELTS Reading
6. Tips to Answer "Fatal Attraction" Questions Correctly
7. Sample Answers for "Fatal Attraction" IELTS Reading Questions
8. Insights on How Answers Are Derived
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid in the "Fatal Attraction" Passage
10. How to Practice for "Fatal Attraction" and Similar Passages
11. Conclusion
12. Importance of Understanding Complex Passages Like "Fatal Attraction"
13. About the Author:

Introduction to "Fatal Attraction" IELTS Reading Passage

To boost the IELTS reading band scores, we will discuss different IELTS tips and techniques that can be applied to different types of questions. The IELTS reading passage on the topic “Fatal Attraction” will help us with an example of answering different sets of questions and the techniques that we will be applying.

Make sure you go through the passage thoroughly while attempting the different types of IELTS reading questions.

Passage - Fatal Attraction Reading Passage

Paragraph A

The Venus flytrap plant’s leaves are covered in hairs. Their main function is to trigger a tiny electric charge, which travels down tunnels in the leaf and opens up pores in the leaf’s cell membranes. This process takes place when an insect brushes against them. The leaf rapidly flips in the shape from convex to concave, like a soft lens as water surges from the cells on the inside of the leaf to those on the outside. They snap together as the leaves flip, and trap the insect using its sharp-toothed jaws.

Paragraph B

The setting of an underwater trap is a sophisticated method for bladderwort. It functions similarly to a tiny bag-like bladder, pumping water out while creating a vacuum within. When small creatures swim by, they bend their hairs on the bladder, causing a flap to open. The low pressure draws in water, dragging the animal along with it. The door swings shut again in one five-hundredth of a second. Meanwhile, the Drosera sundew has a thin, sweet liquid oozing from its leaves that attracts insects and then holds them fast before the leaves snap shut. Pitcher plants employ yet another strategy to entrap their prey, growing long tube-shaped leaves. The Raffles pitcher plant, native to Borneo's jungles, produces nectar that both attracts insects and forms a slick surface on which they cannot get a grip. Insects that land on the pitcher's rim slide on the liquid and fall in.

Paragraph C

The majority of carnivorous plants secrete enzymes to penetrate the hard exoskeleton of insects and absorb nutrients from within their prey. However, the purple pitcher plant, which lives in North American sides and infertile study soils, relies on other organisms to process its food. It supports an intricate food web of mosquito larvae, midges, and bacteria, many of which can only survive in this one-of-a-kind environment. The prey that falls into the pitcher is shredded by these animals, and the smaller organisms feed on the debris. Finally, the plant absorbs the nutrients that have been released.

Paragraph D

Because these plants thrive on being carnivorous, the benefits of consuming flesh are not what you might assume. Meat-eating animals, such as humans, utilise the carbon found in meat's protein and fat to create muscle and store energy. To manufacture light-harvesting enzymes, carnivorous plants obtain nitrogen, phosphorus, and other essential elements from their prey. In other words, eating animals enables carnivorous plants to carry out photosynthesis, i.e., develop by directly absorbing energy from the sun.

Paragraph E

Carnivorous plants are extremely inefficient at converting sunlight into tissue. This is due to the amount of energy used to create the equipment used to catch animals, enzymes, pumps, and so on. A pitcher or a flytrap cannot do much photosynthesis because, unlike plants with ordinary leaves, they lack flat solar panels that can absorb a lot of sunlight. However, there are some circumstances in which the advantages of being carnivorous outweigh the disadvantages. Bog soil, for example, contains little nitrogen and phosphorus, giving carnivorous plants an advantage over plants that obtain these nutrients through more traditional means. Bogs are also flooded with sunlight, allowing even the most inefficient carnivorous plant to photosynthesise enough light to survive.

Paragraph F

Evolution has made this trade-off numerous times. Certain scientists claim that when the DNA of carnivorous plants and other species is compared, they evolved independently on at least three separate occasions. Certain carnivorous plants appear to be the same but are only distantly related. The tropical genus Nepenthes and the North American genus Sarracenia are two types of pitcher plants that surprisingly evolved from different ancestors, even though both have deep pitcher-shaped leaves and use the same strategy for prey capture.

Paragraph G

Scientists can see the evolution of complex carnivorous plants from simpler ones in a variety of cases. Venus flytraps, for example, are related to Portuguese sundews, which catch prey passively through 'flypaper' glands on their stems. They are related to Drosera sundews, which can also curl their leaves over their prey. The Venus flytrap appears to have evolved a more complex version of this type of trap, complete with jaw-like leaves.

Paragraph H

Unfortunately, the adaptations that allow carnivorous plants to thrive in arid environments also make them exceptionally sensitive. Agricultural runoff and pollution from power plants are increasing nitrogen levels in many North American bogs. Carnivorous plants are so finely tuned to low levels of nitrogen that the extra fertilizer overloads their systems, causing them to burn out and die.

Paragraph I

Humans endanger carnivorous plants in other ways as well. Botanists are keeping the location of some rare species hidden because the black market trade in exotic carnivorous plants is so active. Even if poaching of carnivorous plants is stopped, they will continue to face other threats. The increased suppression of fires in North Carolina's savannah is allowing other plants to grow too quickly and outcompete the flytraps in their native environment. Perhaps this is good news for flies. But it's a loss for others who enjoy the sheer inventiveness of evolution, as Darwin did.

Also Read:

• IELTS Cue Card: Describe Your First Day at School

• IELTS Writing Band Descriptors

Overview of the Passage

Let's start by getting an overview of the passage, this is something you would need to do no matter what, making a proper overview will enable you to find answers more easily, let's see what the overview for this passage will look like.

Note, that making small overviews is fine as long as you can get the gist of the passage and find answers in the passage, you don't need to follow all the techniques, it will do nothing but confuse you, you should try all the techniques and find the ones you are comfortable with.

So, let's see the overview-

• Paragraphs A and B highlight the ways different carnivorous plants use to catch their prey. Venus flytrap uses sharp tooth jaws which are hair-triggered, bladderworts suck, sundews give off sticky substances and the pictured plant uses a slippery surface.

• In paragraph C, to absorb nutrients, the carnivorous plants depend on larvae and bacteria to break the food into smaller particles.

• In the paragraph D and E, the reason for carnivorous plants to eat animals is to gain nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous so that photosynthesis can take place. It also states that carnivorous plants sacrifice their ability to absorb sunlight efficiently in exchange for their trapping mechanisms.

• In paragraphs F and G, scientists have explored evolutionary aspects and checked the DNA of carnivorous plants and other species, and hence the plants evolved multiple times independently. The Venus flytrap comes from a simple plant like sundews.

• In paragraphs H and I, pollution, and agricultural and human activities are some threats that carnivorous plants have to face to the extent that their conservation is an important aspect.

Why Is This Topic Important for IELTS Test Takers?

Reading is a major part of the IELTS test for everyone who will take the exam, this is hard for everyone so if you don't score well, don't beat yourself over it, this article will help you improve in what many consider as the most difficult part of the second stage test. To understand the points in this article better let's take this passage as an example, we will use it to illustrate the points. Make sure you go through the passage thoroughly.

Understanding the Structure of the "Fatal Attraction" Passage

While you have to manage time to attempt the reading questions, make sure you can analyze and understand the structure of the passage and know the key themes that are covered in it.

For example: the key themes and the topics covered in the passage are as follows:

1. Key Themes and Topics Covered

• Carnivorous plants and the ways they adapt.

• The way the carnivorous plants survive and absorb different nutrients.

• The fact that carnivorous plants evolve independently highlights the examples of different carnivorous plants in the passage.

• The major threats of carnivorous plants and the need to conserve them.

• Importance of carnivorous plants.

2. Typical Question Types in the Passage

These are the typical kinds of questions you can expect to encounter in a passage like this-

Question 1): Which paragraph contains the following information?

• The way carnivorous plants depend on other organisms for food.

• The reason for carnivorous plants consuming animals.

Question 2): Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage?

• Carnivorous plants get energy after digesting insects.

• The Venus flytrap and bladderwort use the same trapping method.

Question 3): Complete the following sentence using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.

• The Venus flytrap uses ______________ to trap insects.

• The ____________ produces nectar that causes insects to slip and fall inside.

Question 4): According to the passage, why are carnivorous plants at risk?
A) They are unable to compete with other plants.
B) They cannot survive in bogs anymore.
C) Human activities and pollution are threatening their survival.
D) They lack the ability to photosynthesize.

Common Questions in "Fatal Attraction" IELTS Reading

Above are some commonly asked questions for IELTS reading, here are a few details for these types of questions and how you can answer them, we will discuss the answers later but try to find the answers before the discussion to see if you understand the points on how to solve them.

1. Multiple Choice Questions

In these types of questions you are given four options and one of them is the correct one, and being real even the grade-schooler could tell you that, so here is the tricky part, if you have not read the passage properly, distinguishing between the options is borderline impossible, the difference will be a minor one but that will decide whether you score good or retake the test.

The most common and useful tip someone will give you for answering pretty much every question is don't apply the knowledge you have before reading the passage, don't be surprised if the facts are 100% wrong, they are not there to check facts but your reading ability, the answers will be based on the passage and nothing else.

For answering the questions, pick the option that most closely resembles what is written in the passage.

2. True/False/Not Given Questions

In these types of questions, you need to tell whether the statement given is true or false, but unlike traditional true/false questions, there is a third option that makes things way more complicated, which is not given.

Not messing with you is the literal option, there will be statements that so closely match the passage that you can swear on your life you read about them in the passage but they aren't there, true or false are easy enough, not given is the trickiest part.

Make sure you read the passage carefully, this can not be stressed enough, the examiners are not your friends in this, they will do everything they can to confuse you, pay attention and make sure you verify the answer before marking it. Relying on your overview for this will be stupidity at its finest, use it to find the paragraph you need to, but make extra sure that the statement is written in the same sense as in the question, this might seem like rambling, but it's just that important.

3. Matching Information or Headings

Compared to the previous two this one is relatively simple and far less complex, it can come in three forms though, so let's see how you can get through them-

• Matching Paragraphs to Headings

Here is a sample question for this type-

Which heading best matches Paragraph D?

A) The Evolution of Carnivorous Plants

B) Why do the Carnivorous Plants eat other animals

C) Different Types of Traps used by the carnivorous plants

For this type of question relying on your overviews should be helpful, but it can also rattle your mind when the title applies to pretty much every passage. Practice is the only thing that will get you out of this predicament, so start reading, also could you tell the answer to this was (B)?

Now let's look at the other ways these types of questions can be asked.

• Matching Information to Paragraphs-

Which paragraph contains information about how carnivorous plants absorb nitrogen?

A) Paragraph A

B) Paragraph D

C) Paragraph F

This is pretty much the exact opposite of the last type, you are given information and you need to find in which paragraph it is in. The principles of how to approach this question are the same as the last one. Check the overviews (gist) of each paragraph and you will be able to eliminate the wrong options.

• Matching Features

We have the match the following questions in our tests and exams, this is like you will be given four options to choose from, and the options will look something like this-

• Match the following plants to their trapping method:

1. Options

(a) - [ a-3, b-1, c-2]

(b)- [ a-2, b-3, c-1]

There will be three options like these, make sure you pick correct the option, can guess the answer for this, is (b)

And that's all for the type of questions you can encounter, make sure you pay close attention to the passage and you should be good.

Also Read:

• Common Mistakes in IELTS

• IELTS Writing Band Descriptors

Tips to Answer "Fatal Attraction" Questions Correctly

Well now that you know what to expect let's see how you can deal with it, It is simpler than you think, you already know how to make overviews, so let us check some other techniques you can use, and as previously mentioned, don't feel forced to use them all, try them and see which ones work for you.

1. Skimming and Scanning Techniques

Once you have read the passage you will have a general idea of which points are where, skimming has you locating the keywords for the passage to find the answer, all while ignoring the grammar and fluff around it, this will let your second read through of the passageway faster and have you remember the points written a lot quicker.

2. Recognizing Keywords in the Passage

This much like skimming has you focusing only on keywords, the difference being that you will be highlighting the keywords during your first read-through of the passage, it is generally used alongside skimming as it makes it easier to remember where the keywords were.

You may have to skim through the passage to highlight the more important keywords, particular tense used in a line, the adjectives, and the nouns used, this is called annotation. It is helpful while answering questions and drastically reduces the margin of error for specific types of questions so you should try to integrate this into your strategy, but if it doesn't work or if you don't see any improvement in the score, don't bother with it.

3. Managing Your Time Effectively

In everything I have told you remember you have sixty minutes at max in the exam hall, so all the experimenting, and testing would have to be done during your preparation. During your exam, you need to manage your time very closely. Many examinees could have scored well but stretched their time thin and weren't able to complete the test, make sure you don't join that statistic.

Sample Answers for "Fatal Attraction" IELTS Reading Questions

Now let's discuss the answer to the questions I had given in the beginning, let me refresh your memory on what the questions were:

Question 1): Which paragraph contains the following information?

• The way carnivorous plants depend on other organisms for food.

• The reason for carnivorous plants consuming animals.

Question 2): Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage?

• Carnivorous plants get energy after digesting insects.

• The Venus flytrap and bladderwort use the same trapping method.

Question 3): Complete the following sentence using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.

• The Venus flytrap uses ______________ to trap insects.

• The ____________ produces nectar that causes insects to slip and fall inside.

Question 4): According to the passage, why are carnivorous plants at risk?
A) They are unable to compete with other plants.
B) They cannot survive in bogs anymore.
C) Human activities and pollution are threatening their survival.
D) They lack the ability to photosynthesize.

So, these were the questions that we were dealing with, I do hope you attempted to answer the question and now is the time to see if you are correct or wrong, or are you the cheater who never bothered to read the question and is here for the answer, the answers are as follows, the explanation of the answers will be given after the answers.

Answer 1-

• Paragraph C

• Paragraph D

Answer 2-

• False

• False

Answer 3-

• sharp-toothed jaws

• Raffles pitcher plant

Answer 4-

• C

Explanation of Correct Answers

Here is how the answers are derived-

Answer 1-

• Paragraph C highlights the way the Purple pitcher plant relies on a food web to break down its food instead of digesting it.

• Paragraph D describes that carnivorous plants get nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous to perform photosynthesis.

Answer 2-

• Paragraph D highlights that carnivorous plants get nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous from their prey which helps them to grow.

• Venus flytrap (Paragraph A): Uses jaw-like leaves to snap shut when triggered. Bladderwort (Paragraph B): Uses a vacuum trap to suck in prey. The statement is FALSE because both the plants have different ways.

Answer 3-

• Para A clearly explains the use of sharp-toothed to trap their prey.

• Paragraph B explains the way Raffles's picture plant creates nectar and makes it very difficult for the insects to escape.

Answer 4-

• Paragraphs H and I highlight the major threats to carnivorous plants such as pollution, agricultural run-off, poaching, and destruction of habitat.

• Option A is incorrect because the passage does not say they are naturally weak competitors.

• Option B is also wrong because the passage mentions that bogs are not suitable.

• Option D is also wrong because they can photosynthesize but with lesser efficiency.

Insights on How Answers Are Derived

• Read the question carefully and if required break the question statement into chunks to understand it in simple language.

• Use the skimming method explained above.

• Annotate the keywords that are present in the question or even while reading the passage just highlight the keywords separately as nouns, numbers, and adjectives.

• Use the elimination method correctly.

Also Read:

• Simple Present Tense

• Present Perfect Tense

• Present Continuous Tense

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the "Fatal Attraction" Passage

Even if you practice to perfection, there are a few mistakes you could still make so let's see what those are and how to avoid them.

1. Misinterpreting the Question Stems

This is one of the most common mistakes newbies make while attempting reading, this is especially possible in paragraph headings and as previously stated the not-given type of questions, reading the questions closely will help you overcome this, but practice is your only real saving grace in this.

2. Overlooking Synonyms and Paraphrased Words

While you answer the questions there are many times that the questions have either synonyms or paraphrased words to twist the question, keeping this fact in mind is useless unless you know what they are-

• Synonyms- (Dictionary meaning) a word that has the same meaning as another word.

For example- good, fine, exemplary, up to the mark, they all mean the same but things like this can be confusing in the exam.

• Paraphrased Words- words that express someone else's ideas in your own words, while keeping the original meaning

For example-

• Original (Paragraph A):
  "The leaf rapidly flips in the shape from convex to concave, like a soft lens as water surges from the cells on the inside of the leaf to those on the outside."

Paraphrased:
The leaf swiftly changes from an outward curve to an inward curve, resembling a flexible lens, as water moves from inside to outside the cells.

How to Practice for "Fatal Attraction" and Similar Passages

To excel in the entire IELTS reading module, the candidates must use authenticated IELTS material and practice different types of questions regularly. A Well-planned IELTS preparation will help in gaining high band scores.

1. Recommended Resources and Practice Materials

Candidates should prefer practising from the authenticated Cambridge IELTS books available in the market for pen-paper-based exams and should refer to live online IELTS preparation portals in case they are attempting the online IELTS exam.

2. Developing a Consistent Reading Strategy

In this modern age where everything is at the tip of our fingers, we have gained many abilities, like consuming content, learning things quickly and so on, but we lost the most rudimentary skill which is to sit down and read, which, for this exam, will be your biggest nemesis.

To counter this at least a few months before the exam, make it a habit to read the newspaper, a novel, a magazine, or any book you can find. This will help you keep focus during the exam, many test candidates struggle to sit and read, the passage can be boring, but getting through is the only option you have so try to make it a part of your day to focus on reading.

Conclusion

One is sure to excel in the IELTS exam especially the IELTS reading section if he/she is focused and follows the best strategies of attempting the IELTS reading section.

Final Tips to Excel in the IELTS Reading Section

After all, that let me leave you with a few last tips on how you can excel in the IELTS reading-

• Read the questions before reading the passage, this will help you find some basic answers as you read through the passage for the first time.

• Make sure you manage your time properly and linger on questions that are taking a lot of time, mark them, move on, and come back to them when you are done.

• Use techniques like skimming and scanning to reduce the time it takes you to read the passage.

These should be more than enough for you to get a good IELTS score on your exam.

Importance of Understanding Complex Passages Like "Fatal Attraction"

Understanding complex passages is important because it increases your vocabulary and your analytical ability. It is important for you since you can't control which type of passage you will get. Getting experience on all kinds of passages is one way of reducing your surprise in the exam hall.

About the Author:

Pooja Aggarwal is an experienced trainer with over 15 years of expertise in helping students achieve their educational goals. With a degree in Education, she focuses on clear, patient, and personalized instruction. Her approach has successfully guided students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for both Academic and General Training modules of various exams in a supportive and engaging environment.