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Multitasking Debate Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

In the IELTS Reading section, your ability to comprehend complex texts on topics like the Multitasking Debate is crucial. Lasting for 60 minutes, this segment presents three passages, each followed by questions of various formats such as multiple choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. To excel, focus on grasping key arguments, identifying main ideas, and interpreting nuanced viewpoints.
 

To perform well in the Multitasking Debate, employ effective reading strategies such as skimming to capture overarching arguments and scanning for specific details that support or refute claims. Practice with sample questions to familiarise yourself with different question types and hone your ability to extract essential information efficiently.
 

Prepare thoroughly by exploring passages that delve into the psychological, cognitive, and productivity implications of multitasking. Understanding the complexities and controversies surrounding multitasking will enrich your preparation, equipping you to analyse viewpoints critically and articulate responses effectively on test day.
 

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1. Multitasking Debate

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.

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2. Multitasking Debate Reading Questions & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Multitasking Debate

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1.

Multitasking Debate 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.

 

 

 

 

Multitasking Debate

 

 

Paragraph A 

We're not as good at multitasking as we'd like to think we are, and it's not just limited to talking on the phone while driving. Those who claim that human beings are inherently unable to multitask on account of a bottleneck in our brains should read the latest research. People who believe they are multitasking are, if research results are any indication of real-world performance, likely performing poorly in all but one of their activities. Even if you practice a lot, you won't perform as well as you can when you're only thinking about one thing at a time.

 

Paragraph B

René Marois, a psychologist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, claims that the issue is due to a mental roadblock. That's why Marois came up with an experiment to find it: to prove his point. Subjects are asked to keep their eyes on the screen and use their index finger to push a key whenever a specific image appears, such as a red circle. You'll need to use different fingers to press the various colored circles. The volunteers typically reach their peak performance in less than a minute. Then, participants are instructed to listen to various recordings and replicate the sound they hear. For example, students need to say "ba" when they hear a bird chirp, "ko" when they hear an electronic sound, and so on. Again, it's not an issue. You can achieve that in less than a second with very little effort if you are a regular human being.

 

Paragraph C

The problem arises when Marois displays an image to the test subjects and then immediately plays a sound. They have been completely thrown off guard. As he puts it, "one duty is postponed" when visuals and audio are presented simultaneously. In reality, the second task will be put on hold until the first is finished if it is introduced inside the half second or so it takes to process and react to the first. Delays caused by performing two tasks at once are greatest; conversely, they decrease with increasing time between the two activities being given.

 

Paragraph D

According to Marois, there are at least three snags. The first challenge is in understanding what we are seeing. Because of the time required (which can be several hundred milliseconds), we miss out on the opportunity to take in and identify a second object. Experiments have demonstrated that if you are keeping an eye out for a specific event and another event unexpectedly appears during this critical window of concentration, you may recognize it in your visual cortex. Still, you will be unable to act on it. It's interesting to note that if you don't anticipate the first occurrence, you'll have no trouble reacting to the second. The root of the attentional lapse remains a mystery.

 

Paragraph E

Furthermore, our ability to retain visual information for the long term is severely compromised. Keeping track of more than four things at once is difficult for most people, and even more so with complex tasks. Our remarkable failure to identify even massive changes in otherwise identical scenes (so-called "change blindness") is widely believed to be at least partially because of this capacity deficiency. People are unable to tell the difference between two images that are nearly identical save for one small detail, such as the absence of airplane engines in one photo. As before, though, opinions differ as to what exactly constitutes the primary bottleneck. Is there a lack of space for data storage, or is it more about the viewer's focus?

 

Paragraph F

A third restriction is that it takes mental effort to decide how to react to an event, such as stopping the car when you spot a child in the road or responding to your mother's phone call in which she announces her intention to divorce your father. Your capacity to react to the other will be slowed by a few tenths of a second as you decide how to handle the first. The term "response selection bottleneck" was coined to describe this concept in 1952.

 

Paragraph G

One psychologist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor named David Meyer disagrees with the bottleneck theory. The inability to perform two tasks at once, in his opinion, is just the brain's way of establishing priorities. Meyer is known as an optimist in his circle of friends. In one of his studies, he explains how to "uncork the fundamental cognitive bottleneck" by analyzing the effects of simultaneous task performance on a person's ability to multitask. His research shows that after at least two thousand repetitions, some people can perform two activities concurrently with the same level of proficiency as if they were performed sequentially. He posits the existence of an overarching cognitive processor that handles all of this, and he goes so far as to claim that this processor exercises discretion by, for example, delaying the completion of one job in order to focus on another.

 

Paragraph H

In some cases, Marois says, practice can eliminate interference effects. Volunteers exhibit significant improvement after only two weeks of practice, with just one hour per day of instruction. This is an area where he differs from Meyer; he thinks the brain is doing something other than what Meyer claims. According to Marois, with enough repetition, our brains may develop "subconscious circuits" for carrying out a task, much like drivers who are familiar with the area might find reliable back ways to avoid heavy traffic on main roads. Walking while talking, eating while reading, and watching TV while folding laundry is just a few examples of subconscious multitasking that most of us often engage in.

 

Paragraph I

It's hardly shocking to learn that our ability to multitask declines with age. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researcher Art Kramer claims that our apex is reached in our twenties when it comes to our cognitive capacity. There is a gradual drop beginning in our thirties that continues through our fifties, and then a more rapid decline beginning at age 55. One experiment he and his team conducted involved having participants of varying ages simulate driving while also having a chat. He discovered that older drivers failed to see things that were very relevant, while younger drivers missed changes in the background. Similarly, compared to younger drivers, older respondents had problems focusing on what was most crucial in a scene.

 

Paragraph J

However, it's not all bad news for those 55 and up. Kramer also discovered that the procedure benefited senior citizens. They improved their performance, and brain scans revealed that the reason was a shift in how their brains become active when performing the task at hand. The core facts remain sobering, despite the obvious reality that practice may often make a difference, especially as we age. According to Marois, despite the widespread belief that human beings possess a "superior, complex brain," these individuals actually face "extremely humbling and crushing restrictions." He argues that humans have not evolved to be multitaskers because, throughout most of our existence, we have had no need to. In any case, perhaps in the not-too-distant future, we shall see. The likes of Debbie and Alun may one day be seen as the forebears of a new kind of super-efficient worker.

 

2.

Multitasking Debate Reading Questions & Answers

Have you read the passage? Now, take the test and find Multitasking Debate Reading answers! 
 

 

 

Questions and answers 1-5
  • The Reading Passage has ten paragraphs A-J.
  • Which paragraph contains the following information?
  • Write the correct letter A-J, in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.

 

 

1. When competing audiovisual elements appear at the same time, conflicts arise.

2. There are noticeable differences in how various age groups react to significant events.

3. There is a time lag, according to a notion, when deciding which action to do.

4. At least one point of view gives the advantages of multitasking a favorable slant.

5. The purpose of this experiment is to show what region of the brain is most important when juggling many tasks.



Multitasking Debate Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

Question Type:  Matching Information

 

Matching Information questions in the IELTS Reading test require you to find specific details within a passage and match them to the appropriate paragraph. These questions test your ability to locate and understand specific information quickly. You will be given a list of statements and asked to identify the paragraph (labeled A, B, C, etc.) in which each piece of information is found.

 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Quickly skim through the passage to get a general idea of the content and structure. 
  • Read the statements carefully. Underline or highlight key terms or phrases that will help you identify the relevant information in the passage.
  • Go through each paragraph systematically and match it with the statement that best fits the content.

 

 

1. C

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

The problem arises when Marois displays an image to the test subjects and then immediately plays a sound.

 

Explanation

This paragraph discusses the conflicts that arise when audiovisual elements are presented simultaneously, highlighting the delay in processing and reacting to each task.


 

2. I

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph I

Similarly, compared to younger drivers, older respondents had problems focusing on what was most crucial in a scene.

 

Explanation

Paragraph I discusses the noticeable differences in how various age groups react to significant events, specifically how older individuals struggle more with focusing on critical aspects of scenes compared to younger individuals.

 

3. F

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F

A third restriction is that it takes mental effort to decide how to react to an event, such as stopping the car when you spot a child in the road... 

 

Explanation

This paragraph addresses the time lag or delay in decision-making when faced with multiple tasks simultaneously, illustrating the cognitive effort required to select and execute actions.


 

4. G

 

Reference:


Paragraph G
The inability to perform two tasks at once, in his opinion, is just the brain's way of establishing priorities.


Explanation

Paragraph G presents one viewpoint that gives multitasking a favourable slant, suggesting that the brain prioritises tasks rather than being inherently limited by a bottleneck.


 

5. B

 

Reference:


Paragraph B

René Marois, a psychologist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, claims that the issue is due to a mental roadblock.


Explanation

This paragraph discusses René Marois' experiment aimed at understanding which region of the brain is most crucial when handling multiple tasks, specifically using visual and auditory stimuli in controlled settings.
 

Questions and Answers 6-8
  • Choose the correct letter,a, b, c, or d. d.
  • Write your answers in boxes 6-8 on your answer sheet.

 

6. Which one is correct about the experiment conducted by René Marois?

 

  1. Blending visual and auditory data, they pulled off a superior ruse
  2. There is a necessity for participants to utilise a variety of fingers on various objects.
  3. Participants use the keys in a variety of colors to press a variety of responses.
  4. The listening task was the only one in which participants did poorly.

 

7. Which statement or experiment conducted by Meyer is NOT correct?

 

  1. The first restriction is circumventable with the right preparations.
  2. We can never seem to get past the second one.
  3. If we are focused on the first object when the second one appears, we will experience a delay.
  4. A "blink of attention" lasts roughly ten seconds.

 

8. Which statement is correct concerning the first limitation of Marois’s experiment?

 

  1. Existing hardware evaluates whether to pause one job in favor of completing another.
  2. Meyer disagrees with Marois' theory.
  3. Eventually, with practice, you'll be able to multitask without sacrificing quality.
  4. People are only able to successfully multitask after numerous failed tries.

 

 

Multitasking Debate Reading Answers with Explanations (6-8)

 

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.
     

 

6. B- There is a necessity for participants to utilize a variety of fingers on various objects.



Reference: Paragraph B 

Subjects are asked to keep their eyes on the screen and use their index finger to push a key whenever a specific image appears, such as a red circle.


 

Explanation

Participants in Marois's experiment are required to use different fingers to press various colored circles, which aligns with option b.


 

7. C- If we are focused on the first object when the second one appears, we will experience a delay.

 


Reference: 

Paragraph H

Cialdini proves that even simple acts such as writing can increase an individual's engagement with the project

 

Explanation

The statement aligns with the information in Paragraph H, which discusses how simple acts like writing can increase an individual's engagement with a project and contribute to innovation.


 

8. D- People are only able to successfully multitask after numerous failed tries.

 


Reference: 

Paragraph D 

If you are focused on the first object when the second one appears, you will experience a delay. 


 Explanation

Meyer's statement that if focused on the first object, there will be a delay when the second one appears contradicts Meyer's own theory, making option c incorrect.

Questions and Answers 9-13
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage?
In boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet, write

  • YES if the statement is true
  • NO if the statement is false
  • NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in passage

 

 

9. However, Marois disagrees with the idea that training can eliminate the bottleneck.

10. It is the author's opinion that practice has no bearing on the outcome and hence cannot result in a change.

11. When one job is presented after another, the time between them decreases.

12. A gender difference in the ability to multitask was demonstrated by Art Kramer.

13. Humans' memory flaws often lead them to confuse two seemingly identical pictures.


 

Multitasking Debate Reading Answers with Explanations (9-13)


 

Question Type:  Yes/No/Not Given

 

In this task, you are presented with a statement, and your task is to determine if it agrees with the information in the passage (Yes), contradicts the information in the passage (No), or if there is insufficient information in the passage to decide (not given).
 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Read the statement carefully to ensure you understand exactly what it is saying. 
  • Pay attention to details such as dates, numbers, and specific information.
  • Scan the passage to find the section where the relevant information is likely to be located. 
  • Focus on finding evidence that either supports or contradicts the statement.
  • Yes: If the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
  • No: If the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
  • Not Given: If there is no information in the passage that confirms or contradicts the statement.


 

9. No



Reference: Paragraph H
In some cases, Marois says, practice can eliminate interference effects. Volunteers exhibit significant improvement after only two weeks of practice, with just one hour per day of instruction.


 Explanation

Marois says, "In some cases, practice can eliminate interference effects," indicating he does not disagree with the idea that training can reduce the multitasking bottleneck.


 

10. No

 

Reference: Paragraph A

People who believe they are multitasking are, if research results are any indication of real-world performance, likely performing poorly in all but one of their activities.


 

Explanation

The passage discusses how multitasking performance is generally poorer compared to focusing on one task, implying that practice can indeed impact outcomes, hence it is not the author's opinion that practice has no bearing.


 

11. Yes

 


Reference: Paragraph C

The problem arises when Marois displays an image to the test subjects and then immediately plays a sound. They have been completely thrown off guard.


Explanation
The paragraph states, "Delays caused by performing two tasks at once are greatest; conversely, they decrease with increasing time between the two activities being given," supporting the statement that when one job is presented after another, the time between them decreases.

 

 

12. Not Given


 

Paragraph 

NA

Explanation

There is no specific information about a gender-based study conducted by Art Kramer in the passage.


 

13. Yes



 Reference: Paragraph E

Furthermore, our ability to retain visual information for the long term is severely compromised. Keeping track of more than four things at once is difficult for most people.


 

Explanation

The passage discusses the phenomenon of "change blindness," where people fail to notice significant changes in otherwise identical scenes, leading to confusion between two seemingly identical pictures. Therefore, the statement is true.

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FAQs

Q. What types of questions are there in the IELTS Reading section?

Ans. The IELTS Reading section includes various question types such as multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, matching headings, matching information, sentence completion, summary completion, and note completion. Familiarise yourself with these formats to improve your test-taking strategies.


 

Q. Can I write on the question paper during the test?

Ans.   Yes, you are allowed to write on the question paper during the IELTS Reading test. This can be a helpful strategy for keeping track of key information, identifying important details, and organising your thoughts as you read the passages. You can underline relevant points, circle keywords, or make brief notes to aid in answering the questions later.

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

Ans. To improve your comprehension skills, read regularly and practice skimming and scanning techniques. Focus on expanding your vocabulary and using context clues to understand new words. Regularly take practice tests to familiarise yourself with the test format and question types.