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Collecting As A Hobby Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

In the IELTS Reading section, you'll dive into a variety of texts sourced from newspapers, magazines, journals, and books. This segment assesses your ability to comprehend written English, as well as your skills in extracting information, understanding implied meanings, and identifying writer opinions and attitudes. Lasting for 60 minutes, you'll encounter three passages, each becoming progressively more complex. With 40 questions across these passages, you'll be challenged to manage your time while delving into diverse topics efficiently.

 

This passage delves into the psychology behind collecting, the diverse array of items collected, and the cultural significance attached to this hobby. Engaging with this topic will enhance your reading skills and give you insights into a popular leisure pursuit that spans different cultures and generations.

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1. Collecting As A Hobby 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. Collecting As A Hobby Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Collecting As A Hobby

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1.

Collecting As A Hobby 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.

 

 

 

 

Collecting As A Hobby


 

Paragraph A

There are many forms of collecting that come with a technical name. An arctophile collects teddy bears, a philatelist collects postage stamps, and a deltiologist collects postcards. Gathering hundreds and thousands of postcards, chocolate wrapper and others, takes much time, energy and money that will end-up in using your productivity. Although there are millions of collectors throughout the world, Why do they do it?


 

Paragraph B 

Many become collectors to get into the social life, attend meetings with other collectors, and exchange facts about the collection. This is similar to joining a club or gym, which gathers like-minded people and develops connections. Another motive for collecting the items is the desire to find special items or any specific reason for the collected item, like a rare recording of a famous singer.


 

Paragraph C 

Some become collectors because they want to make money, those are meant as an instrumental reason for collecting, that means to an end. These collectors were looking for antiques which they could buy cheaply and sell for a profit. It has a psychological element too, buying cheap and selling it high gives them a triumph feel. Also, selling it online is more easy, that makes most of the people joining in.


 

Paragraph D 

Some people may spend their whole lives hunting for rare or unique items. By seeing psychologically, it gives a purpose for one’s life or else it’s aimless. It also has a negative effect, if they only concentrate on what they are looking for instead of celebrating the success, they will end up feeling empty, which makes them lose focus on the goal.


 

Paragraph E 

If you think about the collection of postage stamps, the main reason and the result of collecting is, it gives educational value. Collecting postage stamps will give a great opportunity to know about the different countries, plants, animals or famous people that are in the stamps.


 

Paragraph F

In the 19th century, many of them collected fossils, animals and plants across the globe. Those collections provided great knowledge about the natural world. Only with those collections did our understanding of them develop.


 

Paragraph G 

A popular form of collecting, trainspotting was particularly made by boys and men in the past and even nowadays to some extent. It is something that involves exploring every locomotive of the particular type with the published data which is identified by each person, and checking off each engine after seeing it. These people exchange information through mobile phones these days, so they can plan accordingly to see a particular engine. As a by-product, they gain more knowledge about the railway operations or the technical aspects of each type of engine.


 

Paragraph H

Similarly, the doll collectors go beyond not only collecting, they develop an interest with the making of the dolls and the materials used in it. Back in the 16th century, in Europe the wooden dolls were standard, in later centuries it turned into wax and porcelain and now it became plastic. Also collectors are inspired in knowing how dolls reflect what children think or ought to like.


 

Paragraph I

Not all collectors will be interested in learning from their hobby, though, for a psychological reason, it gives a sense of control and helps deal with insecurity. For instance, stamp collectors arrange their stamps in albums neatly and organise it based on certain principles, such as countries in alphabetical order or grouping it based on the people, birds, and so on.


 

Paragraph J

It might be done consciously or not; the one reason why someone chooses to collect is to show their individualism. For instance, someone who decides to collect dog collars conveys that they themselves are interesting to know. Believe it or not, there is at least one dog collar museum that exists, as it started as a personal collection.


 

Paragraph K 

It’s known that all hobbies give pleasure, but in collecting the common factor is passion. In collecting, people will get more personal satisfaction and also seek attention than performing any other hobbies, and here pleasure plays a mild role. For non-collectors it may look like an eccentric way of spending time, but really collecting involves a lot in it.

2.

Collecting As A Hobby Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Collecting As A Hobby

Questions and Answers 1-6
  • Complete the sentences below
  • Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer

 

 

1. The writer specifies the collection of _____________ as one of the examples for making money.

2. By buying and selling items, collectors will get a feeling of _________________.

3. Joining clubs makes the collectors get the opportunity to improve _____________.

4. Collecting special items may turn into a lifetime _______________.

5. Collection of stamps provide __________ about different countries.

6. A hobby mostly done by male is _________.

 

Collecting As A Hobby Answers with Explanations (1-6)

 

Type of question: Fill in the blanks

 

This type of question typically requires you to complete a sentence or phrase by filling in the missing words. It's often used to test your understanding of specific content or to assess your vocabulary and comprehension skills.

 

How to best answer this question:

 

  • Carefully read the surrounding text to understand the context and the information being conveyed. 
  • Look for clues within the passage that lead to the answer and ensure that the word or phrase you select fits grammatically and logically. 
  • Pay attention to the word limit for each answer 
  • Use skimming and scanning techniques to efficiently locate the required information within the passage. 

 

 

1. Antique

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

These collectors were looking for antiques which they could buy cheaply and sell for a profit.
 

Explanation

This statement exemplifies the collection of antiques as a means of making money, as mentioned in the paragraph focusing on collectors seeking profits through their hobby.


 

2. Triumph

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

It has a psychological element too, buying cheap and selling it high gives them a triumph feel.

 

Explanation

The term "triumph" directly correlates with the feeling described in the paragraph, where collectors experience a sense of victory or achievement when buying items at a low cost and selling them for a higher price.


 

3. Facts

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B

Many become collectors to get into the social life, attend meetings with other collectors, and exchange facts about the collection.
 

Explanation

Joining clubs provides collectors with the opportunity to exchange facts and information about their collections, as stated in the paragraph emphasizing the social aspect of collecting.


 

4. Hunt

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D

Some people may spend their whole lives hunting for rare or unique items.
 

Explanation

The term "hunt" reflects the lifelong pursuit of special items, as mentioned in the paragraph discussing collectors' dedication to finding unique pieces.


 

5. Education

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E

If you think about the collection of postage stamps, the main reason and the result of collecting is, it gives educational value. 

 

Explanation

The passage emphasises that collecting postage stamps provides educational value by offering insights into different countries, as stated in the paragraph highlighting the educational aspect of stamp collecting.


 

6. Trainspotting

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph G

A popular form of collecting, trainspotting was particularly made by boys and men in the past and even nowadays to some extent. 

 

Explanation

The term "trainspotting" corresponds to the hobby predominantly pursued by males, as mentioned in the paragraph focusing on different forms of collecting, particularly among boys and men.

Questions and Answers 7-11
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
Based on your understanding of the passage, mark the statement:

  • TRUE if the statement agrees with the information.
  • FALSE if the statement contradicts the information.
  • NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

 

 

7. Throughout the centuries a number of people started buying dolls.
8. European dolls in the 16th century were made with wax.
9. The less common method in the stamp collection is arranging the stamps by size.
10. The collectors of the unusual items want to show them as unusual
11. Unlike any other hobby, collecting will inspire you.

 

Collecting As A Hobby Answers with Explanations (7-11)

 

Type of question: True/False/Not Given

 

In True/False/Not Given questions, you're given statements based on the reading passage. You need to determine if the information in the statement aligns with what's mentioned in the passage (True), contradicts the passage (False), or if there's not enough information to make a judgement (Not Given).
 

How to best answer this question:

 

  • Read the statement carefully.
  • Compare it with the information in the passage.
  • If you find direct support in the passage for the statement, answer True.
  • If you find a direct contradiction in the passage, answer False.
  • If the statement isn't clearly supported or contradicted by the passage, answer Not Given.
  • Avoid making assumptions or adding information from outside the passage.
  • Stay focused on the information provided in the passage.


 

7. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph H

Back in the 16th century, in Europe the wooden dolls were standard, in later centuries it turned into wax and porcelain and now it became plastic.
 

Explanation

The passage discusses the evolution of doll materials over centuries, but it does not specify whether a number of people started buying dolls throughout the centuries, making the answer "Not given" appropriate.


 

8. False

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph H

Back in the 16th century, in Europe the wooden dolls were standard, in later centuries it turned into wax and porcelain and now it became plastic.
 

Explanation

The statement contradicts the information provided in the paragraph, which states that wooden dolls were standard in Europe during the 16th century, not dolls made of wax.


 

9. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph I

For instance, stamp collectors arrange their stamps in albums neatly and organise it based on certain principles, such as countries in alphabetical order or grouping it based on the people, birds, and so on.

 

Explanation

The passage describes how stamp collectors organize their collections, but it does not mention arranging stamps by size, making the answer "Not given" appropriate.


 

10. True

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph J

It might be done consciously or not; the one reason why someone chooses to collect is to show their individualism. 

 

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that collectors may choose to collect unusual items to show their individualism, aligning with the statement and making the answer "True" appropriate.


 

11. True

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph K

In collecting, people will get more personal satisfaction and also seek attention than performing any other hobbies, and here pleasure plays a mild role. 

 

Explanation

The passage highlights the personal satisfaction and attention-seeking aspect of collecting, indicating that it inspires individuals more than other hobbies, thus making the answer "True" appropriate.

Questions and Answers 12-15
  • Choose the correct letter, a, b, c or d

 

 

12. What did they collect in the 19th century?

  1. Dolls
  2. Stamps
  3. Fossils, animals, plants
  4. Antiques

 

13. Who collects the postage stamps?

  1. Trainspotters
  2. Philatelist
  3. Hunters
  4. None of the above 

 

14. How does collecting negatively affect?

  1. Showing individualism
  2. Getting personal satisfaction
  3. Feeling empty
  4. Seeking attention

 

15. What do they do beyond collecting with their hobby?

  1. Learn from their hobby
  2. Organise it
  3. Start museum
  4. Check off the activities


 

Collecting As A Hobby Answers with Explanations (12-15)

 

Question Type: Multiple Choice 

 

Multiple Choice questions in the IELTS reading test present you with a question followed by a set of options from which you must choose the correct answer. Typically, there are three or four options to choose from. You must carefully read the question and each option before selecting the correct answer.
 

How to best answer this question:

 

  • You must comprehend the passage to select the most accurate option.
  • Efficient skimming and scanning help locate relevant information quickly.
  • Some options may be designed to mislead you, so it's crucial to base your choice on evidence from the passage.
  • Multiple-choice questions can be time-consuming if you dwell on each option too long. Manage your time wisely to ensure you can attempt all questions.

 

 

12. Fossils, animals, plants

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F

In the 19th century, many of them collected fossils, animals and plants across the globe. 

 

Explanation

The statement matches the information provided in the paragraph, which discusses collecting fossils, animals, and plants during the 19th century.


 

13. Philatelist

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A

An arctophile collects teddy bears, a philatelist collects postage stamps, and a deltiologist collects postcards. 
 

Explanation

The passage directly states that philatelists collect postage stamps, aligning with the answer provided.


 

14. Feeling empty

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D

It also has a negative effect, if they only concentrate on what they are looking for instead of celebrating the success, they will end up feeling empty, which makes them lose focus on the goal.
 

Explanation

The statement reflects the negative effect of collecting mentioned in the paragraph, where collectors may feel empty if they focus solely on their goals without celebrating their successes.


 

15. Learn from their hobby

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph G

As a by-product, they gain more knowledge about the railway operations or the technical aspects of each type of engine.
 

Explanation

The passage discusses how collectors gain knowledge beyond just collecting, particularly in the context of trainspotting, aligning with the answer provided.

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FAQs

Q. What are some common misconceptions about the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Several misconceptions exist regarding the IELTS Reading test, including:

 

  • Knowing all words in the passage: Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to understand every word in the passage to answer the questions effectively.
  • Reading the entire passage: Effective skimming and scanning techniques allow you to locate relevant information without reading the entire passage word for word.
  • Straightforward questions: While some questions may appear straightforward, others may require careful analysis and inference based on the passage.
  • Answering questions in order: You have the flexibility to answer questions in any order within the allotted time, allowing you to tackle easier questions first.
Q. How can I improve my comprehension skills for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. To enhance your comprehension skills for the IELTS Reading test, consider the following strategies:

 

  • Practice skimming and scanning: Learn to quickly identify key information by skimming through passages and scanning for specific details.
  • Focus on vocabulary: Expand your vocabulary by regularly learning and reviewing new words encountered in reading materials.
  • Use context clues: Develop the ability to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases based on the context of the passage.
  • Read regularly: Cultivate a habit of reading diverse texts, including newspapers, articles, and academic journals, to improve your reading comprehension over time.
Q. How can I improve my comprehension skills for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. To boost your comprehension skills for the IELTS Reading test, adopt a multifaceted approach. Practice skimming and scanning techniques to swiftly locate key information, expand your vocabulary to grasp nuanced meanings, and engage in regular reading across various genres to enhance your overall understanding. Additionally, take advantage of available practice tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format and refine your strategies for efficient comprehension. By integrating these methods into your study routine, you can effectively enhance your performance in the IELTS Reading test.