IELTS Reading Test Practice with Answers
“This summer, with much fanfare and media attention, Koch handed Chalmers a case of wine in front of an audience of 800 scholars. The science journal Nature kept score: philosopher 1, neuroscientist 0. What went wrong? It isn’t that the past 25 years of consciousness studies haven’t been productive. The field has been incredibly rich, with discoveries and applications that seem one step from science fiction. The problem is that, even with all these discoveries, we still haven’t identified any neural correlates of consciousness. That’s why Koch lost the bet.
If the easy problem is this hard, what does that make the ‘hard problem’? Chalmers described the hard problem of consciousness as understanding why material beings like us have experience at all. Solving the hard problem would give us a secure theory of consciousness that explains the nature of conscious experience. Philosophers and scientists alike want to solve the hard problem, and to do so many are focusing on the easy problem. But all that attention is making the hard problem harder than it needs to be.”
“This summer, with much fanfare and media attention, Koch handed Chalmers a case of wine in front of an audience of 800 scholars. The science journal Nature kept score: philosopher 1, neuroscientist 0. What went wrong? It isn’t that the past 25 years of consciousness studies haven’t been productive. The field has been incredibly rich, with discoveries and applications that seem one step from science fiction. The problem is that, even with all these discoveries, we still haven’t identified any neural correlates of consciousness. That’s why Koch lost the bet.
If the easy problem is this hard, what does that make the ‘hard problem’? Chalmers described the hard problem of consciousness as understanding why material beings like us have experience at all. Solving the hard problem would give us a secure theory of consciousness that explains the nature of conscious experience. Philosophers and scientists alike want to solve the hard problem, and to do so many are focusing on the easy problem. But all that attention is making the hard problem harder than it needs to be.”
[Extracted, with edits, from "What is it like to be a crab?", by Kristin Andrews, https://aeon.co/]
Before searching for the question, let's take the following actions to solve it:
1. The concept or topic of the paragraph is the difficulties and nuances that come with studying awareness, specifically the difference between the "hard problem" and the "easy problem."
2. From the passage, pay attention to the following terms and expressions:
Koch and Chalmers: These names are essential, as the passage revolves around a bet between them.
Case of wine: This detail is part of the context and might be referenced in questions.
Nature kept score: The mention of Nature suggests that there might be information related to scores and outcomes.
Neural correlates of consciousness: Identifying these correlates is the central issue in the passage.
Easy problem and hard problem: These terms, as defined by Chalmers, are critical for understanding the distinctions in consciousness studies.
25 years of consciousness studies: Indicates a timeframe and context for the developments discussed.
Philosophers and scientists: Both groups are mentioned as being interested in solving the hard problem, providing insight into the broader context.
Focus on the easy problem: Indicates a strategy adopted by some to address the hard problem.
Attention making the hard problem harder: Suggests a consequence of focusing on the easy problem.
IELTS Reading Test Questions and Answers
1. Multiple choice Question: According to the passage, what was the outcome of the bet between Koch and Chalmers?
A. Koch won the bet.
B. Chalmers won the bet.
C. The outcome of the bet is not mentioned in the passage.
D. Koch and Chalmers reached a compromise.
Explanation: The correct answer is C.
The outcome of the bet is not mentioned in the passage.
Although Koch gave Chalmers a case of wine in front of the audience, as mentioned in the paragraph, it makes no reference to the bet's exact result or winner. As a result, the option that admits to not knowing the outcome of the wager is the right one. (By comprehending the question's need, we skimmed the options and the information provided in the paragraph to answer this question.)
2. Complete the sentences below-
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
The distinction between the "easy problem" and the "hard problem" of consciousness, as articulated by ___________David Chalmers, is discussed.
Ans:- Philosopher (By getting the scanning done, we can easily get the keywords
The "easy problem" pertains to understanding the mechanisms and functions of consciousness, while the "__________ problem " involves the deeper question of why beings like us have conscious experiences.
Ans:- Hard (Skimming is an important art for solving sentence completion questions)
Glaciers Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test
To secure a very good IELTS reading band score, the candidates must be a part of an extensive IELTS reading practice. In the IELTS reading test, the candidates are given three passages and are asked to answer 40 questions. These IELTS reading passages are of variable difficulty and hence can pose a challenge to the candidates. This IELTS reading practice test is designed to elevate the candidate’s IELTS reading practice and enhance their IELTS reading band score. The candidates are advised to make the most of this IELTS reading practice test.
Glaciers
A Besides the Earth’s oceans, glacier ice is the largest source of water on Earth. A glacier is a massive stream or sheet of ice that moves underneath itself under the influence of gravity. Some glaciers travel down mountains or valleys, while others spread across a large expanse of land. Heavily glaciated regions such as Greenland and Antarctica are called continental glaciers. These two ice sheets encompass more than 95 percent of the Earth’s glacial ice. The Greenland ice sheet is almost 10,000 feet thick in some areas, and the weight of this glacier is so heavy that much of the region has been depressed below sea level. Smaller glaciers that occur at higher elevations are called alpine or valley glaciers. Another way of classifying glaciers is in terms of their internal temperature. In temperate glaciers, the ice within the glacier is near its melting point. Polar glaciers, in contrast, always maintain temperatures far below melting.
B The majority of the Earth’s glaciers are located near the poles, though glaciers exist on all continents, including Africa and Oceania. The reason glaciers are generally formed in high alpine regions is that they require cold temperatures throughout the year. In these areas where there is little opportunity for summer ablation (loss of mass), snow changes to compacted fim and then crystallised ice. During periods in which melting and evaporation exceed the amount of snowfall, glaciers will retreat rather than progress. While glaciers rely heavily on snowfall, other climatic conditions, such as freezing rain, avalanches, and wind, contribute to their growth. One year of below-average precipitation can stunt the growth of a glacier tremendously. With the rare exception of surging glaciers, a common glacier flows about 10 inches per day in the summer and 5 inches per day in the winter. The fastest glacial surge on record occurred in 1953, when the Kutiah Glacier in Pakistan grew more than 12 kilometres in three months.
C The weight and pressure of ice accumulation cause glacier movement. Glaciers move out from under themselves via plastic deformation and basal slippage. First, the internal flow of ice crystals begins to spread outward and downward from the thickened snow pack, also known as the zone of accumulation. Next, the ice along the ground surface begins to slip in the same direction. Seasonal thawing at the base of the glacier helps to facilitate this slippage. The middle of a glacier moves faster than the sides and bottom because there is no rock to cause friction. The upper part of a glacier rides on the ice below. As a glacier moves, it carves out a U-shaped valley similar to a riverbed, but with much steeper walls and a flatter bottom.
D Besides the extraordinary rivers of ice, glacial erosion creates other unique physical features in the landscape such as horns, fjords, hanging valleys, and cirques. Most of these landforms do not become visible until after a glacier has receded. Many are created by moraines, which occur at the sides and front of a glacier. Moraines are formed when material is picked up along the way and deposited in a new location. When many alpine glaciers occur on the same mountain, these moraines can create a horn. The Matterhorn, in the Swiss Alps, is one of the most famous peaks. Fjords, which are very common in Norway, are coastal valleys that fill with ocean water during a glacial retreat. Hanging valleys occur when two or more glacial valleys intersect at varying elevations. It is common for waterfalls to connect the higher and lower hanging valleys, such as in Yosemite National Park. A cirque is a large bowl-shaped valley that forms at the front of a glacier. Cirques often have a lip on their down slope that is deep enough to hold small lakes when the ice melts away.
E Glacier movement and shape shifting typically occur over hundreds of years. While presently about 10 percent of the Earth’s land is covered with glaciers, it is believed that during the last Ice Age, glaciers covered approximately 32 percent of the Earth’s surface. In the past century, most glaciers have been retreating rather than flowing forward. It is unknown whether this glacial activity is due to human impact or natural causes, but by studying glacier movement and comparing climate and agricultural profiles over hundreds of years, glaciologists can begin to understand environmental issues such as global warming.
IELTS Reading Practice Questions
Questions 1-5
Reading Passage 1 has five paragraphs, A-E. Choose the most suitable heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.
Write the appropriate numbers (i-viii) on your Answer Sheet
There are more headings than paragraphs, so you will not use them all.
List of Headings |
i | Glacial Continents |
ii | Formation and Growth of Glaciers |
iii | Glacial Movement |
iv | Glaciers in the Last Ice Age |
v | Glaciers Through the Years |
vi | Types of Glaciers |
vi | Glacial Effects on Landscape |
viii | Glaciers in National Parks |
Paragraph A
Paragraph B
Paragraph C
Paragraph D
Paragraph E
Questions 6-10
Do the following statements agree with the information in Passage 1 ? in boxes 6-10 on your Answer Sheet, write
TRUE if the statement is true according to the passage.
FALSE if the statement contradicts the passage.
NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this in the passage.
6. Glaciers exist only near the north and south poles.
7. Glaciers are formed by a combination of snow and other weather conditions.
8. Glaciers normally move at a rate of about 5 to 10 inches a day.
9. All parts of the glacier move at the same speed.
10. During the last Ice Age, average temperatures were much lower than they are
Questions 11-15
Match each definition below with the term it defines.
Write the letter of the term, A-H, on your Answer Sheet
There are more terms than definitions, so you will not use them all
Terms |
A | fjord |
B | alpine glacier |
C | horn |
D | polar glacier |
E | temperate glacier |
F | hanging valley |
G | cirque |
H | surging glacier |
11. A glacier formed on a mountain
12. A glacier with temperatures well below freezing
13. A glacier that moves very quickly
14. A glacial valley formed near the ocean
15. A glacial valley that looks like a bowl
IELTS Reading Practice Test Solutions
1. Answer: vi. Types of Glaciers
Process to attempt the solution:
Read Paragraph A carefully.
Identify the main topic discussed, which is the types of glaciers and their characteristics.
Match this with the most suitable heading from the list provided.
2. Answer: ii. Formation and Growth of Glaciers
Process to attempt the solution:
Read Paragraph B thoroughly.
Note the focus on how glaciers are formed and the conditions necessary for their growth.
Select the heading that best corresponds to this content.
3. Answer: iii. Glacial Movement
Process to attempt the solution:
Carefully read Paragraph C.
Observe that the paragraph explains how glaciers move and the processes involved.
Choose the heading that accurately reflects this explanation.
4. Answer: vii. Glacial Effects on Landscape
Process to attempt the solution:
Read Paragraph D attentively.
Notice the description of various landforms created by glacial erosion.
Select the heading that best matches these details.
5. Answer: v. Glaciers Through the Years
Process to attempt the solution:
Read Paragraph E closely.
Identify the discussion on the historical extent and recent retreat of glaciers.
Choose the heading that summarises this historical perspective.
6 Answer: FALSE
Process to attempt the solution:
Read the passage carefully, especially Paragraph B.
Identify that it states glaciers exist on all continents, including Africa and Oceania.
Determine that the statement is contradicted by the passage.
7. Answer: TRUE
Process to attempt the solution:
Read Paragraph B thoroughly.
Note that it mentions glaciers require cold temperatures, snow, freezing rain, avalanches, and wind for formation.
Conclude that the statement is supported by the passage.
8. Answer: TRUE
Process to attempt the solution:
Read Paragraph B, focusing on the information about glacier movement.
Observe that the passage states glaciers flow about 10 inches per day in summer and 5 inches per day in winter.
Conclude that the statement matches the information given.
9. Answer: FALSE
Process to attempt the solution:
Review Paragraph C carefully.
Note the explanation that the middle of a glacier moves faster than the sides and bottom.
Determine that the statement is contradicted by the passage.
10. Answer: NOT GIVEN
Process to attempt the solution:
Read Paragraph E for historical context about the Ice Age.
Note that while the passage mentions the extent of glacial coverage during the Ice Age, it does not provide specific information about average temperatures.
Conclude that there is no information about temperature comparison in the passage.
11. Answer: B. alpine glacier
Process to attempt the solution:
Refer to Paragraph A to understand the types of glaciers.
Identify that alpine or valley glaciers are smaller glaciers that occur at higher elevations on mountains.
Match the term "alpine glacier" with the definition.
12. Answer: D. polar glacier
Process to attempt the solution:
Read Paragraph A, focusing on the classification of glaciers by internal temperature.
Note that polar glaciers always maintain temperatures far below melting.
Match the term "polar glacier" with the definition.
13. Answer: H. surging glacier
Process to attempt the solution:
Refer to Paragraph B, which discusses glacier movement.
Identify that surging glaciers are an exception that move much faster than common glaciers.
Match the term "surging glacier" with the definition.
14. Answer: A. fjord
Process to attempt the solution:
Review Paragraph D, which describes various landforms created by glaciers.
Note that fjords are coastal valleys that fill with ocean water during a glacial retreat.
Match the term "fjord" with the definition.
15. Answer: G. cirque
Process to attempt the solution:
Examine Paragraph D for descriptions of specific glacial landforms.
Identify that a cirque is a large bowl-shaped valley that forms at the front of a glacier.
Match the term "cirque" with the definition.
IELTS Reading Preparation Materials
It's essential to expose yourself to a range of written materials if you want to improve your IELTS reading skills. To improve your reading skills for the IELTS Reading section, consider reading the following recommended materials:-
1. Scholarly Publications and Articles:
Examine papers from scholarly publications in a range of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, technology, and science. This will acquaint you with the standard academic writing style used in the Academic Reading section of the IELTS exam.
2. Articles from Newspapers:
Read stories from respectable publications on a regular basis, such as The Guardian, The New York Times, or The BBC. Newspapers can help you become accustomed to reading a variety of content because they cover a wide range of topics.
Becoming a good reader for reading comprehension is an ongoing process that requires dedication and consistent practice. By incorporating these strategies into your reading routine, you'll gradually enhance your ability to understand and analyse written content effectively.
3. Periodicals:
Examine periodicals that address a variety of topics, such as current affairs, science, and culture. Information is frequently presented in magazines in an interesting and educational way.
4. Online Opinion Pieces and Blogs:
Look through opinion pieces and blogs on sites like Medium. These resources frequently have a conversational tone and a range of perspectives, which can be helpful for the IELTS.
5. Scholarly Books:
Discuss passages taken from scholarly texts or textbooks. You'll be exposed to more intricate linguistic constructions and scholarly jargon as a result.
6. Brief Narratives:
To enhance your comprehension of narratives, character development, and story patterns, read short stories. This can be especially helpful when asking questions about comprehending a passage's primary ideas.
7. Official Practice Materials for the IELTS:
Use the official IELTS practice resources, like as test samples and past papers. The structure and degree of difficulty of the real test are quite similar to those of these resources.
8. Reports from Science:
Examine research papers and scientific publications. This kind of content is frequently seen in the Academic Reading section of the IELTS and can aid in your familiarisation with technical language.
9. Articles about History and Culture:
Go through articles about customs, culture, and history. These subjects are frequently covered in the IELTS Reading part and can aid in your comprehension of sections that address historical events or cultural customs.
10. Literary Works:
Add literary fiction to your list of recommended books. Reading stories and novels can help you get better at deciphering and analysing increasingly intricate narrative patterns.
IELTS Preparation Tips - Key Takeaways
Don't forget to switch up your reading selections to expose yourself to a variety of topics, writing styles, and tones. Practice reading actively by making notes, summarising sections, and highlighting important concepts. These methods are vital components of effective IELTS preparation. With regular and varied IELTS reading practice, you'll notice a significant improvement in your performance in the reading section of the IELTS. To sum up, mastering the reading portion of the IELTS is a journey that calls for a deliberate combination of abilities and consistent practice. "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world," author Nelson Mandela famously stated. When it comes to preparing for the IELTS, reading comprehension and skills become the instruments that enable people to reach their objectives. Through the implementation of the tactics discussed in this article, candidates can take a revolutionary step towards achieving success on the IELTS Reading test. Mandela's astute remarks serve as a reminder that education is a catalyst for larger change in addition to being a way of achieving personal growth. Language proficiency can be defined as the capacity to understand, evaluate, and react to written content efficiently. Therefore, embrace this journey, apply these tips in your IELTS preparation online, and let your enhanced reading comprehension guide you to success in the IELTS exam and in your wider educational pursuits.
