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Odonata Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

Prepare to immerse yourself in the dynamic realm of the IELTS Reading section, where a myriad of captivating passages await your exploration. 
 

This section serves as a gateway to a vast reservoir of knowledge, presenting an array of topics tailored to ignite your curiosity and fuel your quest for understanding. As you navigate through the diverse texts, you'll have the opportunity to demonstrate not only your comprehension skills but also your resilience and adaptability in the face of intellectual challenges. 
 

From delving into the intriguing world of Odonata bugs to unravelling other enthralling subjects, this section invites you to showcase your reading proficiency and passion for discovery.
 

Key highlights of the Reading section:

 

  • Encounter a diverse range of texts, including articles, essays, reports, and excerpts from books or journals, spanning a wide spectrum of subjects.
  • Engage with three passages of increasing difficulty, each accompanied by a set of questions that test comprehension at different levels.
  • Navigate through various question types, such as multiple-choice, matching headings, identifying information, True/False/Not Given, and sentence completion, requiring diverse strategies for accurate answers.
  • Practice effective time management to ensure comprehensive reading and timely responses within the 60-minute limit, which is essential for success in the section.

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1. Odonata 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. 

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2. Odonata Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Odonata

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1.

Odonata 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.

 

 

 

 

Odonata Reading Passage


 

Paragraph A:

Odonata is the insect order that contains dragonflies and damselflies. Their brilliant colours and delicate-looking wings make them aesthetically pleasing to the human eye. In the wild, though, they are terrifying predators. Dragonflies and damselflies are named for their formidable, serrated jaws, which they employ to rip apart their prey. The word Odonata means “toothed jaw.”

 

Paragraph B:

Dragonflies and damselflies are frequently mistaken for one another due to their similarity. Close observation reveals the differences between them. The most noticeable distinction is how they hold their wings at rest. Damselflies fold their wings back, whereas dragonflies hold their wings out to the side. Due to their proximity, dragonfly eyes appear to encompass the entire face. There is a gap between the tiny eyes of damselflies. Dragonflies are bigger, stronger, and more capable fliers than damselflies. Consequently, they inhabit forests and areas away from water. Since they do not often fly far from the water, damselflies are typically observed along the margins of ponds and streams.

 

Paragraph C:

In a pond or stream, dragonflies and damselflies both deposit their eggs on or just beneath the surface of the water. Some species deposit their eggs on the stems of aquatic plants. The hatchlings emerge from the eggs as nymphs. They breathe through their gills and feed on aquatic insects, tadpoles, tiny fish, and even other nymphs. They hunt by lurking at the bottom of a pond or stream and waiting for their victim to swim along. When their prey comes close, they may extend a specialized lip to seize it. Depending on the species, they may exist in this state for months or even years. Several times, as the nymph matures, it sheds its skin. It exits the sea and loses its skin for the final time. The adult emerges, prepared to survive on land and in the air for the next several weeks or months. The adults do not survive more than four months, and many species barely live a few weeks as adults.

 

Paragraph D:

Dragonflies and damselflies are highly proficient hunters due to their remarkable vision and flying ability. Their specialized eyes provide them with a nearly 360-degree range of vision, allowing them to notice even the tiniest movement or flash of light created by other flying insects. They possess two sets of wings that are capable of moving independently of one another. This provides them with excellent aerial maneuverability, which is essential for these animals since they capture their prey while flying. They are able to hover, execute fast turns, and fly in reverse. Some species of dragonfly may fly at speeds exceeding 60 kilometers per hour. Their prey includes mosquitoes, deer flies, tiny dragonflies, butterflies, and moths. One species of dragonfly is known to remove spiders from their webs.

 

Paragraph E:

As bloodthirsty predators, dragonflies and damselflies are, in turn, prey for other creatures. Fish, frogs, toads, and other water species consume the nymphs. Adults are preyed upon by birds, frogs, as well as bigger dragonflies and damselflies. They might potentially become entangled in a spider's web. What you give you will receive the same.

2.

Odonata Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Odonata

Questions and Answers 1-6
  • Which of the facts below are true of dragonflies, and which are true of damselflies.
  • According to the information in the passage on lines 1—6 on your answer sheet, write:

 

 

  1. If it is a fact about dragonflies only
  2. If it is a fact about damselflies only
  3. If it is a fact about both dragonflies and damselflies

 

1 They have saw-like jaws.
2 They hold their wings on their backs while resting.
3 Their eyes have a gap between them.
4 They can be seen in fields at a distance from ponds and streams.
The largest species has a wingspan of 19 centimetres.
6 The largest fossil has a wingspan of 75 centimetres.

 

 

Odonata Reading Answers with Explanations (1-6)


 

Type of Question: Matching Features 
 

In the matching features question of IELTS reading, you need to identify specific features or characteristics mentioned in the passage and match them with the corresponding options provided in the question.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read the instructions carefully to understand the task and what you need to match.
  • Skim through the options to get an overview of the features provided.
  • Scan the passage to locate relevant information that corresponds to each feature.
  • Pay attention to keywords and synonyms while matching features to ensure accuracy.
  • Double-check your answers to ensure they align with the information provided in the passage.

 

 

1. C - Both dragonflies and damselflies

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "Dragonflies and damselflies both are dangerous creatures because of their ‘powerful serrated jaws’ that they utilize to tear apart their prey." 

 

Explanation: The passage confirms that both dragonflies and damselflies possess "powerful serrated jaws," supporting the statement applies to both.


 

2. B - Damselflies only

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B, "Close observation reveals the differences between them. The most noticeable distinction is how they hold their wings at rest. Damselflies fold their wings back, whereas dragonflies hold their wings out to the side." 

 

Explanation: The paragraph highlights the distinction between dragonflies and damselflies, confirming the statement about damselflies holding their wings back.


 

3. B - Damselflies only

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B, "Dragonflies have bigger eyes than cover their faces because of their hugeness, whereas damselflies have smaller eyes and they also have a space between them." 

 

Explanation: The passage contrasts the eye sizes of dragonflies and damselflies, confirming the statement applies to damselflies only.


 

4. A - Dragonflies only

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B, "In size, dragonflies are bigger as well as stronger animals than damselflies. This is the reason dragonflies can fly around the woods and also away from them. Whereas, damselflies are weaker animals as they are small and therefore, cannot fly away from the woods." 

 

Explanation: The paragraph contrasts the sizes and flying capabilities of dragonflies and damselflies, supporting the statement about dragonflies only.


 

5. C - Both dragonflies and damselflies

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "The largest odonata that is present in the world is the Hawaiian endemic dragonfly and the Central Americal dragonfly and each of them has a wingspan of 19 centimeters that make them the largest animals of this species alive." 

 

Explanation: The passage mentions the largest odonata species, confirming the statement applies to both dragonflies and damselflies.


 

6. A - Dragonflies only

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph D, "The biggest dragonfly fossil ever discovered belonged to the presently extinct meganeura monyi, which lived around 300 million years ago and also comprised a wingspan of 75 centimeters." 

 

Explanation: The paragraph discusses the largest dragonfly fossil discovered, supporting the statement about dragonflies only.

Questions and Answers 7-12
  • Complete the notes about the life cycle of odonata below.
  • Choose your answers from the box below and write the correct letters, A—K, on lines 7—13 on your answer

 

 

The eggs are laid 7) ______. The young dragonflies and damselflies, called 8) _____, live underwater for a few 9) _______. They eat small water animals, catching their food 10) ______. When they are almost fully grown, they leave the 

water. The adults live for only a few 11) ______ . They are skillful 12) ________and catch their prey in the air.

 

  1. in the air
  2. with their lips
  3. tadpoles
  4. fliers
  5. near the water’s surface
  6. nymphs
  7. at the bottom of a pond
  8. months or years
  9. weeks or months
  10. swimmers
  11. with their wings

 

 

Odonata Reading Answers with Explanations (7-12)

 

Type of Question: Note Completion 
 

In the note completion questions, you need to carefully identify the missing information in the notes and locate corresponding details in the passage to complete the notes accurately.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read the instructions and the incomplete notes carefully to understand what information is required.
  • Scan the passage for relevant details that match the missing information in the notes.
  • Pay attention to keywords and synonyms to locate the correct answers quickly.
  • Ensure that the completed notes make sense in the context of the passage and maintain coherence.
  • Double-check your answers for accuracy and spelling before moving on to the next question.


 

7. E

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "Both dragonflies and damselflies lay their eggs on or just below the surface of the water." 

 

Explanation: The passage specifies the location where dragonflies and damselflies lay their eggs, confirming they are laid near the water's surface.


 

8. F

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "The hatchlings emerge from the eggs as nymphs." 

 

Explanation: The passage identifies the young dragonflies and damselflies as nymphs, confirming the term for the young.


 

9. H

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "Depending on the species, they may exist in this state for months or even years." 

 

Explanation: The passage states that the nymph stage can last for months or years, supporting the duration they live underwater.


 

10. B

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "When their prey comes close, they may extend a specialized lip to seize it." 

 

Explanation: The passage describes how nymphs use their specialized lip to catch food, confirming the method of catching their prey.


 

11. I

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "The adults do not survive more than four months, and many species barely live a few weeks as adults." 

 

Explanation: The passage mentions that adult dragonflies and damselflies live for only a few weeks or months, supporting the short lifespan of the adults.


 

12. D

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph D, "Dragonflies and damselflies are highly proficient hunters due to their remarkable vision and flying ability." 

 

Explanation: The passage highlights the hunting skills of dragonflies and damselflies, emphasizing their proficiency as fliers.

Questions and Answers 13
  • Answer the following question.
  • Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer
  • What does the word “Odonata” mean?

 

 

Odonata Reading Answers with Explanations (13) 


 

Type of Question: Short Answer Question 

 

To answer Short Answer Questions in the IELTS Reading section, locate the specific information requested in the question within the passage and provide a concise, accurate response in your own words.
 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read the question carefully to understand what information is being asked for.
  • Scan the passage to locate the relevant section containing the answer.
  • Paraphrase or summarize the information from the passage to provide a concise answer.
  • Ensure your response is grammatically correct and fits within the word limit provided.
  • Double-check your answer to ensure accuracy before moving on to the next question.


 

13. Toothed jaw

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph A, "The word Odonata means 'toothed jaw.'"
 

Explanation: The passage explicitly defines the meaning of the word "Odonata" as "toothed jaw," making it the correct answer.

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FAQs

Q. What are some effective reading strategies for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Effective strategies for the IELTS Reading test include skimming and scanning to quickly grasp the main ideas and locate specific details. Highlighting keywords in questions and the passage helps focus on relevant information. Reading the questions first directs your search within the text. Paraphrasing improves comprehension, and regular practice under test conditions enhances speed and accuracy in identifying correct answers.


 

Q. Can I use a highlighter or take notes during the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. No, you cannot use a highlighter or take notes during the IELTS Reading test. However, you are allowed to underline or circle keywords and phrases directly on the question paper. This method helps focus on crucial information and navigate the passage more efficiently, aiding in quickly locating answers and staying organized during the test.


 

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

Ans. To manage your time effectively during the IELTS Reading test, allocate about 20 minutes per passage, including reading and answering questions. If stuck on a question, move on and return to it later. Ensure you answer all questions, as there is no penalty for guessing. Practice under timed conditions to improve speed, and use any remaining time to review your answers.