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How Much Higher How Much Faster Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

Moving on to the IELTS Reading section is like setting sail on a journey through English comprehension. Across different texts, like newspapers and academic articles, you'll tackle various topics to see how well you understand and analyse written information. 
 

It's not just about language skills; it's also about sharpening your ability to think critically, appreciate different cultures, manage your time effectively, and quickly find information in a text. Each passage you read is a chance to improve your English while getting ready for studies or work where good reading skills are essential.


Key highlights of the Reading section:
 

  • Three sections, each containing a different text, totalling 40 questions.
  • Texts are taken from authentic sources and vary in style and complexity, representing both general and academic contexts.
  • Questions are designed to test a range of reading skills, including skimming, scanning, and detailed understanding.
  • Answers are typically found directly in the text, requiring careful reading and comprehension.

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1. How Much Higher How Much Faster Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 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. How Much Higher How Much Faster Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about How Much Higher How Much Faster

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1.

How Much Higher How Much Faster 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.

 

 

 

 

How Much Higher How Much Faster Reading Passage


 

 

Paragraph A: Since the early years of the twentieth century when the International Athletic Federation began keeping records, there has been a steady improvement in how fast athletes run, how high they jump and how far they are able to hurl massive objects, themselves included, through space. For the so-called power events –that require a relatively brief, explosive release of energy, like the 100-metre sprint and the long jump-times and distances have improved ten to twenty percent. In the endurance events, the results have been more dramatic. At the 1908 Olympics, John Hayes of the U.S. team ran a marathon in a time of 2:55:18. In 1999, Morocco’s Khalid Khannouchi set a new world record of 2:05:42, almost thirty percent faster.

 

Paragraph B: No one theory can explain improvements in performance, but the most important factor has been genetics. ‘The athlete must choose his parents carefully,’ says Jesus Dapena, a sports scientist at Indiana University, invoking an oft-cited adage. Over the past century, the composition of the human gene pool has not changed appreciably, but with increasing global participation in athletics and greater rewards to tempt athletes, it is more likely that individuals possessing the unique complement of genes for athletic performance can be identified early. ‘Was there someone like [sprinter] Michael Johnson in the 1920s?’ Dapena asks. ‘I’m sure there was, but his talent was probably never realized.’

 

Paragraph C: Identifying genetically talented individuals is only the first step. Michael Yessis, an emeritus professor of Sports Science at California State University at Fullerton, maintains that ‘genetics only determines about one-third of what an athlete can do. But with the right training, we can go much further with that one third than we’ve been going.’ Yessis believes that U.S. runners, despite their impressive achievements, are ‘running on their genetics’. By applying more scientific methods, ‘they’re going to go much faster’. These methods include strength training that duplicates what they are doing in their running events as well as plyometrics, a technique pioneered in the former Soviet Union.

 

Paragraph D: Whereas most exercises are designed to build up strength or endurance, plyometrics focuses on increasing power-the rate at which an athlete can expend energy. When a sprinter runs, Yesis explains, her foot stays in contact with the ground for just under a tenth of a second, half of which is devoted to landing and the other half to pushing off. Plyometric exercises help athletes make the best use of this brief interval.

 

Paragraph E: Nutrition is another area that sports trainers have failed to address adequately. ‘Many athletes are not getting the best nutrition, even through supplements,’ Yessis insists. Each activity has its own nutritional needs. Few coaches, for instance, understand how deficiencies in trace minerals can lead to injuries.

 

Paragraph F: Focused training will also play a role in enabling records to be broken. ‘If we applied the Russian training model to some of the outstanding runners we have in this country,’ Yessis asserts, ‘they would be breaking records left and right.’ He will not predict by how much, however: ‘Exactly what the limits are it’s hard to say, but there will be increases even if only by hundredths of a second, as long as our training continues to improve.’

 

Paragraph G: One of the most important new methodologies is biomechanics, the study of the body in motion. A biomechanic films an athlete in action and then digitises her performance, recording the motion of every joint and limb in three dimensions. By applying Newton’s law to these motions, ‘we can say that this athlete’s run is not fast enough; that this one is not using his arms strongly enough during take-off,’ says Dapena, who uses these methods to help high jumpers. To date, however, biomechanics has made only a small difference to athletic performance.

 

Paragraph H: Revolutionary ideas still come from the athletes themselves. For example, during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, a relatively unknown high jumper named Dick Fosbury won the gold by going over the bar backwards, in complete contradiction of all the received high-jumping wisdom, a move instantly dubbed the Fosbury flop. Fosbury himself did not know what he was doing. That understanding took the later analysis of biomechanics specialists. who put their minds to comprehending something that was too complex and unorthodox ever to have been invented through their own mathematical simulations. Fosbury also required another element that lies behind many improvements in athletic performance: an innovation in athletic equipment. In Fosbury’s case, it was the cushions that jumpers land on. Traditionally, high jumpers would land in pits filled with sawdust. But by Fosbury’s time, sawdust pits had been replaced by soft foam cushions, ideal for flopping.

 

Paragraph I: In the end, most people who examine human performance are humbled by athletes' resourcefulness and the human body's powers. ‘Once you study athletics, you learn that it’s a vexingly complex issue,’ says John S.Raglin, a sports psychologist at Indiana University. ‘Core performance is not a simple or mundane thing of higher, faster, longer. So many variables enter into the equation, and our understanding in many cases is fundamental. We've got a long way to go.’ For the foreseeable future, records will be made to be broken.

2.

How Much Higher How Much Faster Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about How Much Higher How Much Faster

Questions and Answers 1-6
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 1-6 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

 

 

1. Modern official athletic records date from about 1900.

 

2. There was little improvement in athletic performance before the twentieth century.

 

3. Performance has improved most greatly in events requiring an intensive burst of energy.

 

4. Improvements in athletic performance can be fully explained by genetics.

 

5. The parents of top athletes have often been successful athletes themselves.

 

6. The growing international importance of athletics means that gifted athletes can be recognised at a younger age.


 

How Much Higher How Much Faster Reading Answers with Explanations (1-6)


 

Type of Question: True/False/Not Given
 

These questions in IELTS reading involve identifying whether the sentence is  True, False, or Not Given using the given paragraph. 
 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read the statements and paragraphs carefully to understand the context and meaning.
  • Identify keywords or key phrases in both the statements and paragraphs.
  • Look for direct matches between the statements and the content of the paragraphs.
  • Pay attention to synonyms or paraphrases that convey similar meanings.
  • Choose the paragraph that best aligns with the statement based on the information provided in the passage.

 

 

1. True

 

Reference:

 

 From Paragraph A, "Since the early years of the twentieth century..." 

 

Explanation: The answer is found in the first line of Paragraph A, which mentions the beginning of modern official athletic records since the early years of the twentieth century.


 

2. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Not Given

 

Explanation: There is no mention in the passage about athletic performance before the twentieth century, so it's not possible to determine whether there was little improvement.


 

3. False

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph A, "For the so-called power events..." 

 

Explanation: The statement in question refers to performance improvement, but Paragraph A discusses improvements in times and distances, not overall performance.


 

4. False

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B, "No one theory can explain improvements in performance..." 

 

Explanation: The passage explicitly states that genetics cannot fully explain improvements in athletic performance, indicating that genetics is not the sole explanation.


 

5. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Not Given

 

Explanation: While the passage discusses genetics and athletic performance, it does not mention the athletic achievements of the parents of top athletes.

 

 

6. True

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B, "...with increasing global participation in athletics..." 

 

Explanation: The passage states that with the growing international importance of athletics, individuals possessing the genes for athletic performance can be identified early, supporting the statement that gifted athletes can be recognized at a younger age.

Questions and Answers 7-10
  • Complete the sentences below with words taken from Reading Passage
  • Use ONE WORD for each answer.
  • Write your solutions for questions (7-10) on your answer sheet.

 

 

7. According to Professor Yessis, American runners are relying for their current success on 

 

8. Yessis describes a training approach from the former Soviet Union that aims to develop an athlete’s 

 

9. Yessis links an inadequate diet to 

 

10. Yessis claims that the key to setting new records is better 


 

How Much Higher How Much Faster Reading Answers with Explanations (7-10)


 

Type of Question: One Word Answer
 

In order to answer these questions, you need to summarise the passage, focusing on key points, and use context clues to select the most relevant answer that aligns with the information provided in the passage.
 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Quickly read through the relevant paragraphs to locate keywords or phrases that match the question.
  • Understand the context surrounding the word in the passage to ensure the answer fits logically.
  • Base your answer solely on the information provided in the passage without making assumptions or adding extra information.
  • Discard options that don't directly relate to the question or aren't supported by the passage.
  • Select the word that best completes the sentence grammatically and contextually correctly.


 

7. Genetics

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "Yessis believes that U.S. runners..." 

 

Explanation: Yessis states that American runners are relying on their genetics for their current success, indicating that genetics is a crucial factor.


 

8. Power

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraphs C & D, "By applying more scientific methods..." & "Whereas most exercises are designed..." 

 

Explanation: Yessis mentions the Soviet training approach focusing on power development, which is elaborated upon in the subsequent paragraph about plyometrics.


 

9. Injuries

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph E, "Many athletes are not getting..." 

 

Explanation: Yessis highlights how an inadequate diet, including deficiencies in trace minerals, can lead to injuries, demonstrating the link between nutrition and injuries.


 

10. Training

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F, "Yessis asserts..." 

 

Explanation: Yessis emphasises that better training, particularly if the Russian model is applied, is crucial for setting new records, indicating the importance of training methods in achieving athletic success.

Questions and Answers 11-13
  • Choose the correct letter: A, B, C or D.
  • Write your solutions for questions (11-13) on your answer sheet.

 

 

11. Biomechanics films are proving particularly useful because they enable trainers to

 

  1. highlight areas for improvement in athletes.
  2. assess the fitness levels of athletes.
  3. select top athletes.
  4. predict the success of athletes.

 

12. Biomechanics specialists used theoretical models to

 

  1. soften the Fosbury flop.
  2. create the Fosbury flop.
  3. correct the Fosbury flop.
  4. explain the Fosbury flop.

 

13. John S. Raglin believes our current knowledge of athletics is

 

  1. mistaken.
  2. basic.
  3. diverse.
  4. theoretical.

 

 

How Much Higher How Much Faster with Explanations (11-13)


 

Type of Question: Choose the correct letter

 

In these IELTS reading questions, you need to read each option carefully, referring back to the passage as needed, and select the letter corresponding to the most accurate choice based on the information provided.
 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Carefully read the question and all provided options.
  • Underline or mentally note keywords or phrases from the question.
  • Scan the passage to find relevant information that matches the keywords.
  • Compare the information in the passage with the options provided and select the letter corresponding to the best match.
  • Double-check your answer against the passage to ensure accuracy before moving on.

 

 

11. A

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph G, "A biomechanic films an athlete in action and then digitises her performance, recording the motion of every joint and limb in three dimensions." 

 

Explanation: Biomechanics films highlight areas for athlete improvement, guiding trainers in optimizing training strategies.


 

12. D

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph H, "That understanding took the later analysis of biomechanics specialists. who put their minds to comprehending something that was too complex and unorthodox ever to have been invented through their own mathematical simulations." 

 

Explanation: Biomechanics specialists used theoretical models to analyze and understand the mechanics behind the Fosbury flop.


 

13. B

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph I, "John S.Raglin says in the final paragraph, ‘Core performance is not a simple or mundane thing of higher, faster, longer." 

 

Explanation: John S. Raglin believes our current knowledge of athletics is basic, suggesting there's much more to explore in this field.

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FAQs

Q. How can I manage my time effectively during the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. To manage time efficiently, allocate about 20 minutes per section, quickly scan questions before reading the passage, and prioritise easier questions. Skim the passage for key information, underline important details, and avoid spending too much time on a single question.

Q. What are some good sources for the IELTS Reading test practice materials?

Ans. Utilize official IELTS practice materials, including sample tests and past papers available on the official IELTS website. Additionally, consider reputable test prep books and websites that offer a variety of reading passages and practice questions to simulate the test environment effectively.

Q. How can I improve my comprehension skills for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Enhance comprehension skills by practising active reading techniques such as skimming and scanning, summarising paragraphs, and identifying main ideas and supporting details. Regularly read diverse materials like newspapers, magazines, and academic articles to broaden vocabulary and exposure to different writing styles—Analyse passages to understand the author's purpose, tone, and perspective.