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Autumn Leaves Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to comprehend, interpret, and analyse a variety of texts. It consists of 40 questions, which you must complete within 60 minutes. The section includes three long passages, each taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. These passages are designed to assess a range of reading skills, including reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical arguments, and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes, and purpose.

 

The passage about Autumn Leaves explores the scientific reasons behind the changing colours of leaves during the autumn season. You will learn about the biochemical processes involved and the environmental factors that influence this transformation.

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1. Autumn Leaves Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 15 based on the Reading Passage below. This approach can help manage time effectively during a reading comprehension activity or exam. 

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2. Autumn Leaves Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Autumn Leaves

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1.

Autumn Leaves Reading Passage

General Information

  • Read Instructions: Understand each question before answering.
  • Manage Time: Spend about 20 minutes per passage.
  • Skim and Scan: Quickly get the main idea and find specific information.
  • Highlight Key Info: Underline essential words or phrases.
  • Answer All Questions: Attempt every question; no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and grammar.
  • Transfer Answers Clearly: Write answers neatly on the answer sheet.
  • Don’t Dwell: Move on if stuck and return later.
  • Review: If time allows, review your answers.

 

 

 

 

Autumn Leaves Reading Passage


 

 

Paragraph 1

One of the most captivating natural events of the year in many areas throughout North America is the turning of the leaves in the fall. The colors are magnificent, but the question of exactly why some trees turn yellow or orange, and others red or purple, is something that has long puzzled scientists.

 

Paragraph 2

Summer leaves are green because they are full of chlorophyll, the molecule that captures sunlight and converts that energy into new building materials for the tree. As fall approaches in the northern hemisphere, the amount of solar energy available declines considerably. For many trees – evergreen conifers being an exception – the best strategy is to abandon photosynthesis* until the spring. So rather than maintaining the now redundant leaves throughout the winter, the tree saves its precious resources and discards them. But before letting its leaves go, the tree dismantles its chlorophyll molecules and ships their valuable nitrogen back into the twigs. As chlorophyll is depleted, other colours that have been dominated by it throughout the summer begin to be revealed. This unmasking explains the autumn colours of yellow and orange but not the brilliant reds and purples of trees such as the maple or sumac.

 

Paragraph 3

The source of the red is widely known: it is created by anthocyanins, water-soluble plant pigments reflecting the red to blue-range of the visible spectrum. They belong to a class of sugar-based chemical compounds, also known as flavonoids. What’s puzzling is that anthocyanins are newly minted and made in the leaves at the same time as the tree is preparing to drop them. But it is hard to make sense of the manufacture of anthocyanins – why should a tree bother making new chemicals in its leaves when it’s already scrambling to withdraw and preserve the ones already there?

 

Paragraph 4: 

Some theories about anthocyanins have argued that they might act as a chemical defense against attacks by insects or fungi or that they might attract fruit-eating birds or increase a leaf's tolerance to freezing. However, there are problems with each of these theories, including the fact that leaves are red for such a relatively short period that the expense of energy needed to manufacture the anthocyanins would outweigh any anti-fungal or anti-herbivore activity achieved.* photosynthesis: the production of new material from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.

 

Paragraph 5

It has also been proposed that trees may produce vivid red colours to convince herbivorous insects that they are healthy and robust and would be easily able to mount chemical defences against infestation. If insects paid attention to such advertisements, they might be prompted to lay their eggs on a duller and presumably less resistant host. The flaw in this theory lies in the lack of proof to support it. No one has as yet ascertained whether more robust trees sport the brightest leaves or whether insects make choices according to color intensity.


 

Paragraph 6

Perhaps the most plausible suggestion as to why leaves would go to the trouble of making anthocyanins when they’re busy packing up for the winter is the theory known as the ‘light screen’ hypothesis. It sounds paradoxical because the idea behind this hypothesis is that the red pigment is made in autumn leaves to protect chlorophyll, the light-absorbing chemical, from too much light. Why does chlorophyll need protection when it is the natural world’s supreme light absorber? Why protect chlorophyll at a time when the tree is breaking it down to salvage as much of it as possible?

 

Paragraph 7

Chlorophyll, although exquisitely evolved to capture the energy of sunlight, can sometimes be overwhelmed by it, especially in situations of drought, low temperatures, or nutrient deficiency. Moreover, the problem of oversensitivity to light is even more acute in the fall, when the leaf is busy preparing for winter by dismantling its internal machinery. The energy absorbed by the chlorophyll molecules of the unstable autumn leaf is not immediately channelled into useful products and processes, as it would be in an intact summer leaf. The weakened fall leaf then becomes vulnerable to the highly destructive effects of the oxygen created by the excited chlorophyll molecules.

 

Paragraph 8 

Even if you had never suspected that this is what was going on when leaves turn red, there are clues out there. One is straightforward: on many trees, the reddest leaves are those on the side of the tree that get the most sun. Not only that, but the red is brighter on the upper side of the leaf. It has also been recognised for decades that the best conditions for intense red colours are dry, sunny days and cool nights, conditions that nicely match those that make leaves susceptible to excess light. And finally, trees such as maples usually get much redder the more north you travel in the northern hemisphere. It’s colder there, they’re more stressed, their chlorophyll is more sensitive, and they need more sunblock.

 

Paragraph 9

What is still not fully understood, however, is why some trees resort to producing red pigments while others don’t bother and simply reveal their orange or yellow hues. Do these trees have other means at their disposal to prevent overexposure to light in autumn? Their story, though not as spectacular to the eye, will surely turn out to be as subtle and as complex.

2.

Autumn Leaves Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Autumn Leaves

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • Complete the sentences below.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR NUMBERS from the passage for each answer.

 

 

1. During summers, leaves are green because they are filled with ________.
 

2. During fall in the northern hemisphere, the solar energy reaches the surface ________. 
 

3. The red colour in leaves is created by ________ which are water-soluble plant pigments reflecting the spectrum from red to blue.

 

4. Anthocyanins might act as a chemical defence against attacks by insects or fungi, or that they might attract fruit-eating birds and that it might increase a leaf's tolerance to ________.
 

5.  In ________ , the energy collected by the chlorophyll molecules of the fragile fall leaf is not instantly channelled into useful products and processes.


 

Autumn Leaves Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

Type of question: Sentence Completion

 

In this question type, you are required to fill in the blanks in a given sentence with words or phrases taken directly from the passage. These questions test your ability to understand specific details and information presented in the text.

 

How to answer: 

 

  • Read the sentence carefully to understand the context.
  • Identify keywords or clues that can help you find the answer in the passage.
  • Scan the passage for relevant information, focusing on the area around the blank.
  • Choose the answer that fits grammatically and contextually.
  • Verify your answers and finalise them.

 

 

1. chlorophyll

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 2: "Summer leaves are green because they are full of chlorophyll, the molecule that captures sunlight and converts that energy into new building materials for the tree."
 

Explanation

During summers, leaves are green because they contain high levels of chlorophyll, which is essential for capturing sunlight and converting it into energy through photosynthesis.


 

2. reduces

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 2: "As fall approaches in the northern hemisphere, the amount of solar energy available declines considerably."

 

Explanation

When fall begins in the northern hemisphere, the solar energy reaching the Earth's surface diminishes significantly, prompting trees to prepare for winter by conserving resources.


 

3. anthocyanins

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 3:  "The source of the red is widely known: it is created by anthocyanins, water-soluble plant pigments reflecting the red to blue range of the visible spectrum."
 

Explanation

The red colour in autumn leaves is due to the production of anthocyanins, which are pigments that reflect light in the red to blue range of the visible spectrum, giving the leaves their vibrant hue.

 

4. freezing

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 4: "Some theories about anthocyanins have argued that they might act as a chemical defence against attacks by insects or fungi or that they might attract fruit-eating birds or increase a leaf's tolerance to freezing."

 

Explanation

Scientists suggest that anthocyanins might help leaves tolerate freezing temperatures, in addition to potentially defending against insect or fungal attacks and attracting fruit-eating birds.


 

5. summer

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 7: "The energy absorbed by the chlorophyll molecules of the unstable autumn leaf is not immediately channelled into useful products and processes, as it would be in an intact summer leaf."

 

Explanation

Unlike in summer, when the energy absorbed by chlorophyll in leaves is efficiently used for growth, in fall, the energy in the fragile leaves is not immediately converted into useful products, making them more susceptible to damage.

Questions and Answers 6-10
  • Complete the summary below.
  • Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

 

 

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year in many areas throughout 6)________, the leaves falling during. During this time, the tree breaks down its chlorophyll molecules and sends the 7)________ back into the branches. Anthocyanins are newly made in the 8)________ at the time when the tree is preparing to drop them. The reason why some trees start to produce 9)________ while others don’t bother and simply reveal their orange or yellow hues is still unknown. It's cooler in the North, the trees are more 10) ________ and their chlorophyll is more sensitive, and more sunscreen is required.

 

Autumn Leaves Answers with Explanations (6-10)

 

Type of question: Summary completion

 

Under this task, you will be given a summary with incomplete sentences. However, you will not be given any list of words/phrases to choose the missing information. You must refer to the main passage to fill in the missing information. 

 

How to answer: 

 

  • Read the summary to understand what information it’s missing
  • Identify keywords and locate them in the main passage to find missing words 
  • Review the context of the words you’ve chosen to match the summary
  • Finalise your answers


 

6. North America

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 1: "One of the most captivating natural events of the year in many areas throughout North America is the turning of the leaves in the fall."

 

Explanation

The passage mentions North America as the region where the turning of the leaves in autumn is particularly captivating, making it the correct answer for this context.


 

7. nitrogen

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 2: “But before letting its leaves go, the tree dismantles its chlorophyll molecules and ships their valuable nitrogen back into the twigs.”

 

Explanation

This paragraph explicitly mentions that cars are parked for the majority of their lifetime, supporting the statement.


 

8. leaves

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 3: "What’s puzzling is that anthocyanins are newly minted and made in the leaves at the same time as the tree is preparing to drop them."

 

Explanation

The production of anthocyanins occurs in the leaves just before they are shed, making this location a focal point for the creation of these red pigments.


 

9. red pigments

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 9: "What is still not fully understood, however, is why some trees resort to producing red pigments while others don’t bother and simply reveal their orange or yellow hues."
 

Explanation

The passage highlights the unknown reasons why certain trees produce red pigments while others only display orange or yellow hues during the fall season.


 

10. stressed

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph K: "It’s colder there, they’re more stressed, their chlorophyll is more sensitive, and they need more sunblock."

 

Explanation

Trees in northern regions experience more stress due to colder conditions, which makes their chlorophyll more sensitive and increases their need for protective measures against excess light.

Questions and Answers 11-15
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
Based on your understanding of the passage, mark the statement:

  • 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

 

 

11. When fall starts in the northern hemisphere, the sunlight reaching the surface increases. 
 

12. The energy needed to manufacture the anthocyanins is more than any antifungal or anti-herbivore activity achieved. 
 

13. The leaves on the side of the tree are the reddest and get the most sun. 
 

14. In the northern hemisphere, trees such as maples become yellow.
 

15. Autumn starts during the month of September.

 

 

Autumn Leaves Answers with Explanations (11-15)

 

 

Type of question: Yes/No/Not Given(True/False/Not Given)

 

In this question type, you are required to determine whether the statements provided agree with, contradict, or are not mentioned in the reading passage. 

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Understand what information is being presented and what is being asked.
  • Find relevant information in the reading passage that relates to the statement.
  • Determine if the statement agrees with, contradicts, or is not mentioned in the passage.
  • If the information is not explicitly provided in the passage, select 'Not Given' rather than making assumptions.
  • Base your answers solely on the information presented in the passage, avoiding personal opinions or outside knowledge.

 

 

11. No

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 2: "As fall approaches in the northern hemisphere, the amount of solar energy available declines considerably."


 

Explanation

The passage clearly states that the amount of solar energy decreases as fall approaches in the northern hemisphere, directly contradicting the claim that sunlight increases during this period.


 

12. Yes

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 4: "However, there are problems with each of these theories, including the fact that leaves are red for such a relatively short period that the expense of energy needed to manufacture the anthocyanins would outweigh any anti-fungal or anti-herbivore activity achieved."
 

Explanation

The passage supports the statement by explaining that the energy required to produce anthocyanins is greater than the benefits gained from any anti-fungal or anti-herbivore activity.


 

13. Yes

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 8: "One is straightforward: on many trees, the reddest leaves are those on the side of the tree that get the most sun."

 

Explanation

The passage confirms that leaves exposed to the most sunlight are the reddest, validating the statement about their location on the tree.


 

14. No

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 8: "And finally, trees such as maples usually get much redder the more north you travel in the northern hemisphere."

 

Explanation

The passage contradicts the statement by indicating that maples turn redder, not yellow, as one travels further north in the northern hemisphere.


 

15. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph: Not available
 

Explanation

The passage does not mention the specific month when autumn starts, leaving this information unspecified.

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FAQs

Q. How much time should I spend on each passage in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading exam has three passages and a total duration of 60 minutes. It is recommended to allocate at least 20 minutes per passage. This allows for thorough reading, comprehension of the questions, and sufficient time to respond properly. You may need more or less time for each passage, so adjust as needed to make sure you answer all the questions in the given time.

Q. What are some common mistakes to avoid in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Remember to avoid common mistakes such as spending too much time on one question, not reading instructions carefully, and trying to understand every word instead of focusing on the main idea. Also, be sure not to overlook keywords in questions or passages and practice effective time management. To prevent these mistakes, practice with timed tests and use skimming and scanning strategies.

Q. How can I improve my reading speed for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. To improve your reading speed, it's helpful to practice regularly with various texts using skimming and scanning techniques. Set goals to gradually increase your reading speed and practice with increasingly difficult texts. Minimize subvocalization (silent reading) and train your eyes to move efficiently across the text. Keep these tips in mind whenever you're working on improving your reading speed.