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Iceman Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Sep 06, 2024, 11:10

This passage ‘Iceman’ discusses the discovery and ongoing investigation of the Iceman, a 5,000-year-old Neolithic hunter whose mummified body was found in the Otztal Alps. Scientists have been piecing together his life, final movements, and mysterious death, revealing details like his health, diet, and possible journey through different altitudes. The passage highlights how evolving scientific techniques have shed new light on his story, now considered a paleo crime scene.

 

This passage is a great example of how the IELTS Reading section challenges you to extract key details from complex texts. Practising with such passages can enhance your comprehension skills and improve your IELTS reading score.
 

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1. Iceman Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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2. Iceman Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Iceman Reading Questions and Answers

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1.

Iceman 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.

 

 

Iceman Reading Passage

 

Paragraph A:

It was the Late spring or the beginning of summer. The man hurried through a forest he was familiar with, wincing from the pain in his injured right hand and pausing now and then to hear if he could hear any sounds of someone chasing him. The hornbeam blossoms' yellow pollen, which fell like an invisible rain as he ran up the slope, salted the water and food he drank and ate when he stopped to rest. A microscopic record of the season in which he passed through this forest and into the nearby mountains, where fate would eventually catch up with him, would still be present in the body of the Neolithic hunter known as the Iceman 5,000 years after this ancient dusting was first found.

Paragraph B:
Archaeobotanist Klaus Oeggl at the University of Innsbruck said, "Even five years ago, the story was that he fled up there too and walked through the snow and probably died of exposure." "It's all changed now. It resembles a paleo crime scene more."

 

Paragraph C:

Additionally, we are aware of his poor health prior to his ascent into the mountains. The one fingernail that survived that was found among his remains indicates that he had three episodes of serious illness in the last six months of his life, the last one occurring just two months before his passing. His intestines were being examined by doctors, who discovered whipworm parasite eggs, suggesting that he may have experienced stomach distress. However, he wasn't too ill to eat. The University of Camerino in Italy's Franco Rollo and associates examined minute amounts of food debris from the mummy's intestines in 2002. The Iceman had consumed some plant food and a piece of wild goat a day or two before he passed away.

 

Paragraph D:

There has never been a lack of questions about the Iceman or theories to explain him. In the 16 years that researchers have prodded, cut, x-rayed, and otherwise examined his body, they have dressed him in theories that haven't held up nearly as well as his simple clothing. He has occasionally been misidentified as a shaman, a victim of ritual sacrifice, a lost shepherd, or even a vegan. However, the most shocking new information that scientists have discovered about the Iceman renders all of these theories completely pointless. Even though we still don't know what exactly happened up there on that mountain ridge, we do know that he was murdered there in the rocky hollow where his body was discovered and that he passed away very quickly.

 

Paragraph E:

Ingenious pollen and plant fragment analyses have been used by archaeobotanists to map the Iceman's final movements. The body of the Iceman contains at least 80 different species of mosses and liverworts, according to James Dickson of the University of Glasgow. The most notable moss, Neckera complanata, is still present at a number of locations in the southern valleys, some of which are quite close to well-known prehistoric sites. Dickson claims that although other ancient peoples used related mosses as toilet paper, the Iceman was likely using them to wrap food based on a clump of stems discovered in his possession.

 

Paragraph F:

Scientists have been piecing together the life and times of the Iceman, the oldest intact member of the human race since hikers discovered his mummified body in 1991 in rocky hollow high at the Otztal Alps on Italy's border with Austria. We are aware that he was a shortened form, lean, and, for his time, a fairly old man in his mid-forties. The priceless copper-bladed axe that was discovered with him leads us to believe that he was a significant member of society. He put on three layers of clothing and sturdy shoes with bearskin soles before beginning his journey. He had a dagger with a flint tip, a small fire starter kit, and a birchbark container for embers that were covered in maple leaves. He nevertheless ventured into a hostile wilderness curiously unprepared: His deerskin quiver held only half-finished arrows as if he had just fired all his ammunition and was hurriedly reloading it. He was also carrying an unfinished longbow that still needed to be notched and strung, which was a long, irregularly shaped yew stalk. Why?

 

Paragraph G:

The focus of all this intense scientific interest is a slab of freeze-dried human meat that has been kept in a refrigerated high-tech chamber since 1998 at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy. Every new development in technology increases the temptation to perform new experiments on the body, each of which reveals scarily accurate details about his life. Scientists led by Wolfgang Muller (now at the Royal Holloway, University of London) have demonstrated, for instance, that the Iceman most likely grew up in the Valle Isarco, a vast north-south valley that includes the present-day town of Bressanone. The Vai Senales and the Vai Venosta, two alpine valleys farther west, have soil and water with isotope levels that match those in the man's bones. The geologic ages of the mica best match a small region that is restricted to the lower Vai Venosta; Muller's team has also examined microscopic chips of mica recovered from the intestines of the Iceman. These mica chips were likely accidentally consumed in food made from stone-ground grain. Near the confluence of the Adige and Senales Rivers in modern times, this is where the Iceman most likely began his final journey.

 

Paragraph H:

When considered collectively, the evidence strongly suggests that the Iceman's final expedition started in the nearby low-altitude deciduous forests in the spring, when the hop hornbeams were in bloom. But the route into the mountains might not have been straight. In addition to hornbeam pollen, Oeggl also discovered traces of pine pollen in the Iceman's digestive tract. This suggests that, during his final day or two, he may have first ascended to a higher altitude where mixed coniferous forests of pine trees grow, then descended to a lower altitude of hop hornbeams, and finally ascended again into the pine forests. Why? Nobody is aware. However, if he was in a hurry, he might have wanted to avoid the lower Vai Senales' steep, heavily forested gorge.

 

Also Read: Best IELTS Preparation Books & Tips
 

2.

Iceman Reading Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • The reading passage has eight paragraphs A-H. Which paragraph contains the following information?
  • Write the correct letter A-H, in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.

 

NB: You may use any letter more than once. 

  1. Before the iceman died, his body had been in bad shape for months.
  2. When and where the iceman was discovered.
  3. Based on pollen, a scientist figures out where the iceman went on his last hike.
  4. A huge amount of a special plant was found, and its movement was studied to figure out how the iceman moved.
  5. the last possible location for the iceman to reside.

 

Iceman Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

Type of Question: Matching Heading

To answer Matching heading questions in IELTS reading, identify specific features or characteristics mentioned in the passage and match them with the corresponding headings provided in the question.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read the Headings First: Before reading the passage, review all the headings to get a sense of the main ideas.
  • Skim the Passage: Quickly skim through the passage to understand the overall structure and main points.
  • Match Main Ideas: Focus on matching the main ideas of each paragraph with the corresponding heading rather than getting stuck on specific details.
  • Look for Keywords: Identify and highlight keywords in the headings and match them with similar words or phrases in the passage.
  • Eliminate Incorrect Options: If a heading doesn’t fit a paragraph, eliminate it to narrow down your choices, making it easier to find the correct match.
     
1. F

 

Reference: From Paragraph F, "we are aware of his poor health prior to his ascent into the mountains."

Explanation: Paragraph F details the Iceman's deteriorating health before his final journey. It mentions that he had serious illnesses in the last six months of his life, including the presence of whipworm parasite eggs in his intestines, which suggests stomach distress. This comprehensive account of his health issues confirms the answer is F.

 

2. B

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "hikers discovered his mummified body in 1991 in a rocky hollow high in the Otztal Alps on Italy's border with Austria."

Explanation: Paragraph B specifies the time and location of the Iceman’s discovery. It states that hikers found the Iceman’s mummified body in 1991 in a high rocky hollow in the Otztal Alps, on the border between Italy and Austria. This clear detail about the discovery aligns with the provided information, making B the correct reference.

 

3. H

 

Reference: From Paragraph H, "the evidence strongly suggests that the Iceman's final expedition started in the nearby low-altitude deciduous forests in the spring."

Explanation: Paragraph H explains how scientists used evidence from pollen to determine the Iceman’s route during his last journey. It describes how the presence of hornbeam pollen and other types of pollen indicates that he may have moved through different forest types and altitudes. This detailed analysis of his route confirms that H is the correct reference.

 

4. G

 

Reference: From Paragraph G, "the most notable moss, Neckera complanata, is still present at a number of locations in the southern valleys."
 

Explanation: Paragraph G discusses the types of mosses found around the Iceman and specifically mentions Neckera complanata as a notable species. It indicates that this moss and other plant fragments found on the Iceman were used to study his movements. This explanation about the specific moss found confirms G as the right answer.

 

5. E

 

Reference: From Paragraph E, "Near the confluence of the Adige and Senales Rivers in modern times, this is where the Iceman most likely began his final journey."
 

Explanation: Paragraph E provides information on the Iceman’s possible starting point for his last journey, based on the analysis of plant fragments. It identifies the region near the Adige and Senales Rivers as the likely starting location. This detailed reference to his last known location supports that E is the correct answer.

 

Also See: IELTS Academic 2024 Reading Resources
 

Questions and Answers 6-9
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 6-9 on your answer sheet, write

  • TRUE, if the statement is true
  • FALSE, if the statement is false
  • NOT GIVEN, if the information is not given in the passage.

 

6. We can identify the iceman's origins by analysing his body.
7. The author speculates that, in addition to the iceman, there must be another fully human corpse that is older.
8. After making some educated guesses, scientists were able to determine the ice man's true cause of death.
9. The Iceman was extremely wealthy and may have been the leader of his society.

 

Iceman Reading Answers with Explanations (6-9)

 

Type of Question: True/False/Not Given 

 

These types of 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.

 

6. NOT GIVEN

 

Reference: Not directly addressed in the passage.

Explanation: The passage does not provide specific information about identifying the Iceman’s origins through body analysis. It discusses his health and discoveries made about him but does not address how his origins might be pinpointed through his body. Thus, the correct response is NOT GIVEN.

 

7. FALSE

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "Scientists have been piecing together the life and times of the Iceman, the oldest intact member of the human race."

Explanation: Paragraph B mentions that the Iceman is the oldest intact member of the human race and does not suggest the existence of another older human corpse. The statement about the possibility of an older human is not supported by the text, making the response FALSE.

 

8. FALSE

 

Reference: From Paragraph F, "the Iceman's intestines were being examined by doctors, who discovered whipworm parasite eggs, suggesting that he may have experienced stomach distress."
 

Explanation: Paragraph F describes the Iceman’s health issues but does not provide a definitive cause of death. It only suggests that he experienced stomach distress from whipworm eggs. The passage does not confirm the exact cause of death, which makes the statement FALSE. 

 

9. NOT GIVEN

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "the Iceman was a significant member of society."
 

Explanation: Paragraph B mentions that the Iceman had a significant status in his society but does not provide details about his wealth or leadership role. The text does not address whether he was extremely wealthy or a leader, so the correct response is NOT GIVEN.

 

Questions and Answers 10-13
  • Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
  • Write your answers in bones 10-13 on your answer sheet.

 

10. The path the iceman took on his last journey might not be...............
11. Around the iceman, there are many types of mosses and liverworts, such as …………….
12. Eggs of the whipworm parasite were found in the iceman's gut, so he might have got …………….
13. Since 1998, the iceman has been kept in a.................. room.

 

Iceman Reading Answers with Explanations (10-13)

 

Type of Question: True/False/Not Given 

 

These types of 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.

 

10. NOT GIVEN

 

Reference: Not directly addressed in the passage.
 

Explanation: The passage does not provide specific information about identifying the Iceman’s origins through body analysis. It discusses his health and discoveries made about him but does not address how his origins might be pinpointed through his body. Thus, the correct response is NOT GIVEN.

 

11. FALSE

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "Scientists have been piecing together the life and times of the Iceman, the oldest intact member of the human race."
 

Explanation: Paragraph B mentions that the Iceman is the oldest intact member of the human race and does not suggest the existence of another older human corpse. The statement about the possibility of an older human is not supported by the text, making the response FALSE.

 

12. FALSE

 

Reference: From Paragraph F, "the Iceman's intestines were being examined by doctors, who discovered whipworm parasite eggs, suggesting that he may have experienced stomach distress."
 

Explanation: Paragraph F describes the Iceman’s health issues but does not provide a definitive cause of death. It only suggests that he experienced stomach distress from whipworm eggs. The passage does not confirm the exact cause of death, which makes the statement FALSE.

 

13. NOT GIVEN

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "the Iceman was a significant member of society."

Explanation: Paragraph B mentions that the Iceman had a significant status in his society but does not provide details about his wealth or leadership role. The text does not address whether he was extremely wealthy or a leader, so the correct response is NOT GIVEN.

 

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FAQs

Q. How can I practice IELTS Reading?

Ans. To practice IELTS Reading, start with official practice materials and sample tests. Focus on improving your reading speed and comprehension by setting timed practice sessions. Develop skills in skimming, scanning, and identifying key information. Regularly review your answers to understand mistakes and refine your strategies. Engage with a variety of texts, including academic articles and newspapers, to enhance your versatility.


 

Q. What is an IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test assesses your ability to understand and interpret written English. It consists of three sections with different types of texts, including articles, advertisements, and reports. You'll need to answer a variety of questions, such as multiple-choice, matching headings, and identifying information. The test evaluates your reading skills, including skimming, scanning, and detailed comprehension.

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test?

Ans.  The IELTS Reading test lasts 60 minutes. During this time, you'll read three passages and answer a series of questions related to them. Each passage increases in difficulty, and the questions test different aspects of reading comprehension, such as understanding specific details, finding main ideas, and making inferences. Time management is crucial to complete the test within the allotted period.