Talk Icon

Practice 100+ speaking topics!

Star rating icon

4.2

1M+ Installs

Get App

leap-scholar-logo
hamburger-menu

Communicating In Colour Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test with Answers

updated at

Updated on Aug 09, 2024, 13:18

Chameleons are fascinating creatures known for their vibrant and diverse colour-changing abilities. 

 

The topic  "Communicating in Colour"  is a common passage in the IELTS reading test.  The passage explores the variety of chameleon species, their habitats, unique colour-changing abilities, and the reasons behind these changes. It highlights the discovery of new species, the mechanisms and purposes of their colour changes for communication, camouflage, and mating displays, and how other chameleons and predators perceive these adaptations. 

 

The passage also touches on scientific advancements in understanding animal visual systems to interpret the evolutionary significance of chameleon colour patterns.

 

This IELTS practice test will evaluate your reading skills by targeting key concepts, making it a crucial resource for excelling in the IELTS Reading section.

 

Let’s look at the “Communicating In Colour” Reading passage, questions, and answers with explanations.
 

On this page

Arrow right
Slider image

1. Communicating In Colour Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below. This approach can help manage time effectively during a reading comprehension activity or exam. 

Slider image

2. Communicating In Colour Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Communicating In Colour Reading Questions and Answers

More for you

Boost your IELTS Reading score

Book Free Reading class arrow right

See how to score 8+ in Speaking. 

 

Get proven strategies to ace your IELTS Speaking test.

Learn More arrow right
3/3
1.

Communicating In Colour 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.

 

 

 

 

Communicating In Colour Reading Passage 

 

 

Paragraph A


 

Chameleons have around 160 different species. The majority of the species are found in Africa, Madagascar, and other tropical climates, while several are also found in sections of southern Europe and Asia. There are introduced populations in Hawaii, as well as California and possibly Florida.


 

Paragraph B


 

Novel species are still found on a regular basis. Dr. Andrew Marshall, a York University conservationist, was studying monkeys in Tanzania. In the Magombera forest, he stumbled upon a twig snake, which, terrified, coughed up a chameleon and ran. Although being advised not to touch it due to the risk of venom, Marshall suspected it was a new species and took an image to transmit to colleagues, who verified his findings. Kinyongia Magombera, which translates as "the chameleon from Magombera," is the consequence, and the fact that it was difficult to identify is exactly what made it distinctive. As a result, colour is not the greatest way to distinguish chameleons and various species are usually identified based on the patterning and form of the head, as well as the arrangement of scales. In this case, it was the chameleon's nose scale bulge.


 

Paragraph C


 

Chameleons can use colour for both communication and camouflage, quickly changing from vivid, showy colours to the precise colour of a twig. They exhibit a remarkable diversity of colours, ranging from almost black to vibrant blues, oranges, pinks, and greens, and even many at the same time. A common fallacy is that chameleons can blend in with any background, whether it's a chequered red and yellow shirt or a Smartie box. Yet, each species has a distinct set of pigment-containing cells dispersed across their bodies in a certain arrangement, which determines the spectrum of colours and patterns they may display. To the dismay of many kids, placing a chameleon on a Smartie box probably occurs in a stressed, perplexed, dark grey or mottled chameleon.


Paragraph D


 

Chameleons are visual animals with excellent eyesight that communicate through colour. When two male dwarf chameleons come into contact, they display their brightest colours. They puff out their throats and present themselves side-on with their bodies squashed to appear as large as possible and to show off their colours. This allows them to examine each other from a maximum range. If one is clearly superior, the other quickly changes to a passive colouration, usually a dull combination of greys or browns. Suppose the opponents are evenly matched, and both maintain their bright colours. In that case, the contest can escalate to serious violence and jaw-locking, with each trying to push the other along the branch in a power competition. Eventually, the loser will show his defeat with submissive colouring.


 

Paragraph E


 

Females use assertive displays to repel male bonding attempts. Males use the same bright colours when courting a female that they do when competing. Females usually do not react or be responsive and, at the same time, neglect males straightly by showcasing a different or contrasting light and dark colour pattern. They also keep their mouths open, and their bodies keep moving side to side constantly. If a male continues to court a female, she will frequently chase and bite him until he flees. Although impressive, the range of colour change during female displays is not as massive as that shown by males.


 

Paragraph F


 

Many people believe that colour change transformed to allow chameleons to blend in with a wider range of backgrounds in their environment. If this were the case, the ability of chameleons to change colours should be related to the range of background colours in the chameleon's habitat, but there is no indication of such a pattern. For instance – since forest habitats may have a wider range of brown and green background colours than grasslands, forest-dwelling species may be anticipated to have greater colour change abilities. Instead, the males with the most eye-catching display colours exhibit the maximum colour change. Their displays are constituted of colours that differentiate sharply from one another and with the background vegetation. This shows that rather than enabling camouflage, the species that evolved the most amazing capacities for colour shift did so to enable them to frighten competitors or attract mates.


 

Paragraph G


 

How do we know that the colours used by chameleons in their displays grab the attention of other chameleons or, for that matter, of predatory birds? Understanding how chameleons or their bird predators see the world involves knowledge of their visual systems as well as how their brains may interpret visual data. This is because both the physical characteristics of the object and the wiring of the brain play a role in how colours are perceived. Fortunately, recent scientific developments have made it possible to collect such measurements in the field, and knowledge about the visual systems of various animals is becoming easier to come by.


 

Paragraph H

Biologists have been motivated for millennia by the astounding variety of colours and decorations found in nature. But, in order to comprehend the purpose and evolution of animal colour patterns, we must first understand how the creatures – or their predators – view them. After all, conspicuousness and camouflage are subjective concepts.  

 

2.

Communicating In Colour Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Communicating In Colour 

Questions and Answers 1-4
  • For each response, choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.
  • Write your responses in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet.

 

 

  1. What type of climate does the majority of chameleons inhabit? 
  2. Which animal caught an unidentified species of chameleon? 
  3. After what did the new species get its name? 
  4. Which bodily part is exclusive to the Kinyongia Magombera species?

 

 

Communicating In Colour Reading Answers with Explanations (1-4)

 

 

Type of question: Short answer 

 

In this task, you will be given a set of questions with missing information, typically sentences with blank spaces. You must complete each statement with one word or phrase (as instructed). 

 

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Read the questions first to understand what information you need to look for in the passage.
  • Skim the passage and look for keywords. 
  • You may have to look for synonyms or paraphrases to locate the answer. 
  • Verify your answers and finalise them.



 

1. Tropical

 

Reference

 

From paragraph A:  "The majority of the species are found in Africa, Madagascar, and other tropical climates, while several are also found in sections of southern Europe and Asia." 

 

 

Explanation: 

 

The line explicitly states that the majority of chameleon species are found in tropical climates, confirming that "tropical" is the correct answer.

 

 

2. (a) (twig) snake

 

Reference

 

From paragraph B: “Dr. Andrew Marshall, a York University conservationist, was studying monkeys in Tanzania. In the Magombera forest, he stumbled upon a twig snake, which, terrified, coughed up a chameleon and ran."

 

 

Explanation: 

 

According to the line, Dr. Andrew Marshall encountered a twig snake in the Magombera forest, which then disgorged a chameleon. This makes the "twig snake" the correct answer as the animal that caught the unidentified chameleon.

 

 

3. (a/the) forest (of Magombera /Magombera (forest)

 

Reference

 

From paragraph B: “Dr. Andrew Marshall, a York University conservationist, was studying monkeys in Tanzania. In the Magombera forest, he stumbled upon a twig snake, which, terrified, coughed up a chameleon and ran. Although being advised not to touch it due to the risk of venom, Marshall suspected it was a new species and took an image to transmit to colleagues, who verified his findings."

 

Explanation: 

 

The line details that the chameleon species was named after the Magombera forest, where the new species was discovered. This establishes "Magombera forest" as the correct answer for the origin of the species name.

 

 

4. (the) nose

 

Reference

 

From paragraph B: "As a result, colour is not the greatest way to distinguish chameleons and various species are usually identified based on the patterning and form of the head, as well as the arrangement of scales. In this case, it was the chameleon's nose scale bulge." 

 

Explanation: 

 

The line highlights that the Kinyongia Magombera chameleon is uniquely identified by its nose scale bulge. This makes "nose" the correct answer, as it is the exclusive bodily part used to distinguish this species.

 

 

Also read: IELTS General Reading Test

 

Questions and Answers 5-9
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 5-9 on your answer sheet, write

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

 

 

5. Few animals have as effective colour-changing abilities as cuttlefish.

6. As long as there are only two colours in the pattern, chameleons may mimic it.

7. Chameleons seem to love experimenting with different colours.

8. When male chameleons compete, size takes precedence over colour.

9. The male who loses a fight hides among a tree's branches.

 

 

Communicating In Colour Reading Answers with Explanations (5-9)

 

 

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.

 

 

5. True

 

Reference

 

From paragraph B:  "As a result, colour is not the greatest way to distinguish chameleons and various species are usually identified based on the patterning and form of the head, as well as the arrangement of scales." 

 

 

Explanation: 

 

This line highlights that chameleons' colour-changing abilities are matched only by cuttlefish and octopi in the animal kingdom. Thus, it confirms that chameleons have highly effective colour-changing abilities similar to those of cuttlefish, making the statement true.

 

 

6. False

 

Reference

 

From paragraph C:  "Chameleons can use colour for both communication and camouflage, quickly changing from vivid, showy colours to the precise colour of a twig."

 

 

Explanation: 

 

The passage indicates that chameleons can change their colours to match a wide range of backgrounds, not just patterns with two colours. This broad ability to mimic various colours contradicts the statement that chameleons may mimic patterns with only two colours, making the statement false.

 

 

7. False

 

Reference

 

From paragraph C: " Yet, each species has a distinct set of pigment-containing cells dispersed across their bodies in a certain arrangement, which determines the spectrum of colours and patterns they may display. To the dismay of many kids, placing a chameleon on a Smartie box probably occurs in a stressed, perplexed, dark grey or mottled chameleon."

 

 

Explanation: 

 

The passage explains that chameleons change colour for communication and camouflage, not because they enjoy experimenting with colours. This understanding shows that chameleons do not change colour for pleasure, making the statement false.

 

 

8. False

 

Reference

 

From paragraph D:  "They puff out their throats and present themselves side-on with their bodies squashed to appear as large as possible and to show off their colours."

 

Explanation: 

 

The passage describes how male chameleons use bright colours to compete and display dominance, not size. This emphasis on colour rather than size in their competitive behaviour means the statement is incorrect.

 

 

9. Not Given

 

Reference

 

From paragraph:  N.A.

 

Explanation: 

 

The passage mentions that the loser shows defeat with submissive colouring but does not specify if this involves hiding in tree branches, so there is no information to support this statement.

 

 

Learn about IELTS Reading Vocabulary here! 

Questions and Answers 10-13

  • Complete the following summary.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer from the passage.
  • On the answer sheet, fill in boxes 10-13 with your responses.

 

 

Several people believe that colour changing evolved in order for chameleons to 10.____________ in with a larger spectrum of backgrounds in their surroundings. For illustration, because forests contain a wider range of brown and green baseline colours than 11.______________, wilderness species may be expected to have better colour-changing ability. Males with the most 12.____________ display colours, on the other hand, exhibit the most colour change. These displays are made up of colours that stand out from one another and from the background greenery. This demonstrates that the species who evolved the most remarkable abilities for colour change did so to empower them to 13.____________ competitors or attract mates rather than to facilitate camouflage.

 

 

Communicating In Colour Reading Answers with Explanations (10-13) 

 

 

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 best 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. 


 

10. Blend

 

Reference: 

 

From paragraph F: “Many people believe that colour change transformed to allow chameleons to blend in with a wider range of backgrounds in their environment.”

 

 

Explanation: 

 

This line indicates that many people believe chameleons evolved their colour-changing abilities to blend in with a wider range of backgrounds in their surroundings. Therefore, "blend" is the correct answer.

 

 

11. Grasslands

 

Reference

 

From paragraph F:  "For instance – since forest habitats may have a wider range of brown and green background colours than grasslands, forest-dwelling species may be anticipated to have greater colour change abilities."

 

 

Explanation: 

 

The line explains that forest habitats have a wider range of brown and green colours compared to grasslands, suggesting that forest-dwelling species might be expected to have better colour-changing abilities. Hence, "grasslands" is the correct answer.

 

 

12. Eye-catching

 

Reference

 

From paragraph F:  “Instead, the males with the most eye-catching display colours exhibit the maximum colour change.”

 

 

Explanation: 

 

This line highlights that males with the most eye-catching display colours exhibit the most significant colour change. Therefore, "eye-catching" is the right answer.

 

 

13. Frigten


 

Reference

 

From paragraph F: “This shows that rather than enabling camouflage, the species that evolved the most amazing capacities for colour shift did so to enable them to frighten competitors or attract mates.”


 

Explanation:

 

 The line reveals that the remarkable colour change abilities in chameleons evolved to help them frighten competitors or attract mates, rather than for camouflage. Thus, "frighten" is the correct answer.

 


 

Also Read:


 

 

ielts logo

Get the IELTS Prep App

Star rating icon

4.2

1M+ Installs

app download banner image

Get the app link on your phone

+91

Or download app from

google play storeapp store

Next Up

IELTS Reading Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Speaking Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Listening Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Writing Practice Test

Read Now Read now

Top Reading Samples with Answers

IELTS Important Information

Read More about IELTS Practice Test

IELTS Accepting Universities

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in India

IELTS Accepting Countries

FAQs

Q. Are the reading passages the same for the Academic and General Training versions?

Ans. No, the reading passages are different for the Academic and General Training versions. The Academic Reading test includes passages on academic subjects that may require more complex reasoning and analysis, while the General Training Reading test features more practical texts related to everyday life, work, and social situations.

Q. How are the IELTS Reading scores calculated?

Ans. The IELTS Reading scores are calculated based on the number of correct answers you provide. Each correct answer earns one mark, and the total number of correct answers is converted into a band score. This band score ranges from 0 to 9, with 9 being the highest possible score. Scores are reported as whole or half bands.


 

Q. Are spelling and grammar important in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Yes, spelling and grammar are important in the IELTS Reading test. Incorrect spelling or grammatical errors can result in loss of marks, especially for questions that require you to write short answers or complete sentences. It's important to write your answers clearly and accurately to avoid losing points.