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Play Is A Serious Business Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

The IELTS Reading section evaluates your ability to comprehend and interpret written English across a range of contexts. Over the course of 60 minutes, you will answer 40 questions based on three reading passages. These questions will test your skills in understanding the main ideas, details, inferences, and the author's opinions or purposes. Performing well in this section requires not only strong reading skills but also effective time management.
 

In the passage "Play Is A Serious Business," you will delve into the importance of play in human development and its role in fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional well-being. This text highlights how play is not just a leisure activity but a crucial component of serious learning and growth. 

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1. Play Is A Serious Business

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. Play Is A Serious Business Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Play Is A Serious Business

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1.

Play Is A Serious Business 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.

 

 

Play Is A Serious Business


Paragraph A

Playing is a serious business. Children preoccupied with an imaginary world, like play fighting between fox cubs or kittens teasing a ball of string, are not just for having fun.  Play may seem to be an unworried and cheerful way to pass the time prior to the hard work of adulthood comes beside, but there is much more to it than that.  As a start, even animals, too, cost their lives. Death among juvenile seals occurs around eighty percent because playing pups fail to spot bloodsuckers approaching. It is also exceedingly high-cost in terms of energy. Young animals that are playful use around two or three percent of their energy skip, and in children, that figure can be nearer to fifteen percent. ‘Even two or three per cent seems too high. John Byers of Idaho University says, ‘ there must be a reason like you just do not find animals are wasting energy.     

 

Paragraph B

But if play is not plainly a growth hiccup, as ecologists once thought, why did it develop? The newest idea hints that play has progressed to build big brains. Also, I can say that playing makes you clever playfulness. It looks in general only among mammals, although some of the bigger-brained birds also wallo it in. Animals at play frequently use individual signs- tail-wagging in dogs, for example- to specify that the behaviour apparently comes together with adult behaviour, which is not really in earnest. A famous explanation of play has been that it helps juveniles extend the skills they will have to hunt, mate, and be environmentalists as adults. One more has been that it allows young animals to get in form for adult life by developing their respiratory endurance.  In recent years, all these ideas have been questioned.

 

Paragraph C

Let's take the theory of exercise: if play builds muscle or it evolved a kind of bearing training, then you would anticipate seeing permanent advantages. However, Byers points out that the advantage of higher exercise vanishes quickly after tutoring stops, so any advance in tolerance resulting from juvenile play would be lost by adulthood. If the function of play was to get into the order,’ says Byers, ‘ the best time for playing would turn on when it was most superior for the young of a  specific species to do so. But it does not work like that’ over type, play tends to peak partially through the nurture stage and then decline.


Paragraph D

Later there is the skills-coaching theory. At first, playing animals does look to rehearse the complex feint they will need in adulthood.  But a nearer look over discloses this elucidation as too innocent. In a study environmentalist Tim Caro from the University of California saw the ravening play of kittens and their raptorial action when they reached adulthood. He found that the way the cats played had no notable effect on their hunting prowess in life.


Paragraph E

At the beginning of this year, in sergio pellis of Lethbridge University, canada, in general, among mammals, there was a strong positive link between brain size and playfulness. He and his team have found that larger brains are linked to higher playfulness. The talk was also found to be true. Robert Barton of Durham University believes that large brains are more sensitive to evolution than smaller brains. More help is required to mould them for adulthood. ‘ I have come to an end. It has to do with learning and the significance of domain data to the brain during growth, ' he says.


Paragraph F

Byers, according to him, an important clue to what’s going on is the timing of the playful stage of young animals. If you pointed out the sum of time a juvenile devotes to play every day over the route it is extended, you found a design commonly related to a sensitive period - a brief development window at a time during which the brain can literally be changed in the ways that are not possible in the beginning or behind the life. Think of the comparative ease with which young children, but not newborns or adults- soak up language. Other analysts have found that play in cats,  rats, and mice is at its most great just as this ‘ window of opportunity’ holds out its peak.


Paragraph G

People were not aware enough about how the brain is activated by play, says Marc Bekoff from Colorado University. Bekoff, while playing, found coyotes and pups, and he found that their behaviour was more variable and unpredictable than that of the adults. He reasons that such behaviour activates many different parts of the brain. In between the activities, the animals jump rapidly. Bekoff likens it to a behavioural kaleidoscope. He says that predation, aggression, and reproduction are different contexts and that they use a lot of behaviour. Their growing brain activates all sorts. 


Paragraph H

More than suspected, more brains have been involved not only in play but also in operating soaring cognitive procedures.   Bekoff says that there is a vast cognitive participation in play. He specifies that play frequently involves complex appraisal of playmates, the plan of reciprocity and the use of special signals and rules.  Bekoff believes that play generates a brain that has much behavioural elasticity and increased capability for learning behind time in life. Stephen Siviy from Gettysburg College backed up this idea. Stephen Siviy studied how play affected the brain’s levels, especially with chemicals associated with the encouragement and growth of nerve cells. By seeing the extent of the activation, he was surprised. He also says that “play just lights everything up”. Normally, communication with each other allows link-ups between brain areas. Play might enhance creativity.


Paragraph I

In today’s society, what can the extra demonstration suggest regarding the way children are raised? Rat pups contradicted the chance to grow smaller brain bits and failed to expand the ability to appeal to social rules when they interlinked with their squint. Who knows what the result will be when, from the beginning of schooling earlier, it becomes more exam-related, and then play is probably to get even lower of a look-in.

2.

Play Is A Serious Business Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Play Is A Serious Business

Questions and Answers 1-6
  • Reading Passage has nine paragraphs labelled A-I.
  • Which paragraph contains the following information?
  • Write the correct letter A-I in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet.
  • You may use any letter more than once.
  •  

    1  ____the way play causes unusual connections in the brain, which are beneficial

    2  ____ insights from recording how much time young animals spend playing

    3  _____ a description of the physical hazards that can accompany play

    4  ______ a description of the mental activities which are exercised and developed during play

    5  ______ the possible effects that a reduction in play opportunities will have on humans

    6  ______ the classes of animals for which play is important


     

    Play Is A Serious Business  Reading Answers with Explanations (1-6)

     

    Type of question: Matching information

    In this question type, you will be asked to match specific pieces of information, often dates, names, or events, from the reading passage with corresponding options provided in the question.

     

    How to best answer:  

    • Read each statement carefully to understand the specific information being asked for.
    • Scan the passage for relevant dates or events in the reading passage that corresponds to each statement.
    • Eliminate incorrect options that do not match the information found in the passage.
    • Match the remaining options based on the information provided in the passage.
    • Verify your answers to ensure they match the information in the passage before finalising them.  

     

    1. H

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph H: “Bekoff says that there is a vast cognitive participation in play. He specifies that play frequently involves complex appraisal of playmates, the plan of reciprocity and the use of special signals and rules.”

    Explanation

    Bekoff highlights that play involves intricate mental processes such as assessing social interactions, planning reciprocal behaviours, and using specific signals and rules. These activities stimulate various parts of the brain, enhancing cognitive flexibility and social skills, which are beneficial for adaptive behaviour in animals.
     

    2. F

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph F: " If you pointed out the sum of time a juvenile devotes to play every day over the route it is extended, you found a design commonly related to a sensitive period - a brief development window at a time during which the brain can literally be changed in the ways that are not possible in the beginning or behind the life."
     

    Explanation

    Paragraph F discusses the duration and timing of play in young animals, suggesting a critical period for brain development linked to play activities. It indicates that consistent play during this developmental window may contribute to cognitive and behavioural adaptations crucial for adulthood.
     

    3. A

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph A:  "Play may seem to be an unworried and cheerful way to pass the time prior to the hard work of adulthood comes beside, but there is much more to it than that.  As a start, even animals, too, cost their lives."
     

    Explanation

    This reference from Paragraph A emphasises that play serves a deeper purpose beyond mere enjoyment. It introduces the idea that playful behaviours observed in young animals are crucial for their survival skills and developmental processes, preparing them for adulthood challenges.
     

    4. H

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph H: "More than suspected, more brains have been involved not only in play but also in operating soaring cognitive procedures."
     

    Explanation

    Paragraph H discusses the cognitive benefits of play, suggesting that it stimulates complex mental activities in animals. This includes skills such as evaluating playmates, learning reciprocal behaviours, and using specialised signals, which are essential for developing behavioural flexibility and learning abilities.
     

    5. I

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph I: "Rat pups contradicted the chance to grow smaller brain bits and failed to expand the ability to appeal to social rules when they interlinked with their squint."
     

    Explanation

    Paragraph I addresses the potential consequences of reduced play opportunities on brain development and social skills. It highlights research on rat pups, indicating that deprived play experiences can hinder the growth of brain regions and impair the ability to learn and apply such behaviours later in life.
     

    6. B

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph B: "Also, I can say that playing makes you clever playfulness. It looks in general only among mammals, although some of the bigger-brained birds also wallo in it."
     

    Explanation

    The paragraph categorises the animal kingdom in terms of behaviour, noting that while playfulness is predominantly observed in mammals, some birds with larger brains also exhibit play behaviours. This observation suggests a correlation between brain size and the propensity for play across different species.

    Questions and Answers 7-9
    • Choose THREE letters A-F.
    • Write your answers in boxes 1-9 on your answer sheet.
    • The list below gives some ways of regarding play.

     

    Which THREE ways are mentioned by the writer of the text?
     

    A.  a rehearsal for later adult activities
    B.  a method animals use to prove themselves to their peer group
    C.  an activity intended to build up strength for adulthood
    D.  a means of communicating feelings
    E.  a defensive strategy
    F.  an activity assisting organ growth

     

    Play Is A Serious Business  Reading Answers with Explanations (7-9)

     

    Type of question: Multiple choice questions

    In this question type, you are asked to answer the question followed by several options, typically lettered A, B, C, or D. The task is to select the correct answer from the given choices based on the information provided in the reading passage.

     

    How to best answer:  

    • Read the question carefully and understand what it asks.
    • Pay attention to the keywords in the question.
    • Skim the passage quickly to locate relevant information.
    • Eliminate the clearly incorrect options.
    • Select the answer that best fits the information in the passage.
       
    7 . A, C, F


    Reference:

    From paragraph D: “At first, playing animals does look to rehearse the complex feints they will need in adulthood.  But a nearer look over discloses this elucidation as too innocent.”
     

    Explanation

    In paragraph D, the passage discusses how animals' play behaviours initially appear to mimic the complex actions they will need in adulthood, suggesting that play serves as a form of rehearsal for future activities like hunting and social interactions.
     

    8 . A, F, C

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph A: "Play may seem to be an unworried and cheerful way to pass the time prior to the hard work of adulthood comes beside, but there is much more to it than that."
     

    Explanation

    According to paragraph A, play is described as a natural and enjoyable activity for young animals, which may contribute to their physical development, including organ growth. This aligns with the notion that play could have physiological benefits, such as assisting in the growth and development of vital organs.
     

    9 . A, C, F

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph C: "Let's take the theory of exercise: if play builds muscle or it evolved a kind of bearing training, then you would anticipate seeing permanent advantages."

     

    Explanation

    Paragraph C examines the hypothesis that play might have evolved as a means to build muscle or endurance, suggesting it could be an activity intended to prepare young animals for the physical demands of adulthood, supporting the idea that it serves to build strength for later life.

    Questions and Answers 10-14
    • Look at the following researchers Questions 10-14 and the list of findings below.
    • Match each researcher with the correct finding.
    • Write the correct letter A-H in boxes 10-14 on your answer sheet.

     

    List of Findings

     

    A. There is a link between a specific substance in the brain and playing.

    B. Play provides input concerning physical surroundings

    C. Varieties of play can be matched to different stages of evolutionary history.

    D. There is a tendency for mammals with smaller brains to play less.

    E. Play is not a form of fitness training for the future.

    F. Some species of larger-brained birds engage in play.

    G. A wide range of activities are combined during play

    H. Play is a method of teaching survival techniques. 
     

    10. ________Robert Barton

    11.  _______Marc Bekoff

    12.  ________ John Byers

    13.  _________ Sergio Pellis

    14.  ________ Stephen Siviy

     

    Play Is A Serious Business  Reading Answers with Explanations (10-14)

     

    Type of question: Matching information

    In this question type, you will be asked to match specific pieces of information, often dates, names, or events, from the reading passage with corresponding options provided in the question.

     

    How to best answer:  

    • Read each statement carefully to understand the specific information being asked for.
    • Scan the passage for relevant dates or events in the reading passage that corresponds to each statement.
    • Eliminate incorrect options that do not match the information found in the passage.
    • Match the remaining options based on the information provided in the passage.
    • Verify your answers to ensure they match the information in the passage before finalising them.

     

    10. B

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph E: Robert Barton of Durham University believes that large brains are more sensitive to evolution than smaller brains."
     

    Explanation

    Robert Barton's research suggests that animals with larger brains require more play to facilitate their development, indicating that play provides important input concerning physical surroundings and developmental needs.
     

    11. G

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph G: "Bekoff likens it to a behavioural kaleidoscope. He says that predation, aggression, and reproduction are different contexts and that they use a lot of behaviour. Their growing brain activates all sorts."
     

    Explanation

    Marc Bekoff's comparison highlights the diverse and complex nature of play activities, indicating that play combines a wide range behaviours and stimuli, supporting the finding that play involves a variety of activities.

     

    12. E

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph F: "Byers, according to him, an important clue to what’s going on is the timing of the playful stage of young animals."
     

    Explanation

    John Byers' observation suggests that the timing of play in young animals is significant, implying that play is not merely for fitness training but plays a crucial role in developmental stages, aligning with the finding that play is not a form of fitness training for future survival skills.
     

    13.D

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph B: "Also, I can say that playing makes you clever playfulness. It looks, in general, only among mammals, although some of the bigger-brained birds also wallo in it."
     

    Explanation

    Sergio Pellis' research indicates that playfulness is primarily observed in mammals rather than birds with smaller brains, supporting the finding that there is a tendency for mammals with smaller brains to engage less in playful behaviours.

     

    14. A

     

    Reference:

    From paragraph H: “Stephen Siviy studied how play affected the brain’s levels, especially with chemicals associated with the encouragement and growth of nerve cells. “
     

    Explanation

    Stephen Siviy's study focuses on the chemical changes in the brain induced by play, suggesting that play influences the levels of specific substances related to nerve cell growth and development, linking play to biochemical processes within the brain.

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    FAQs

    Q. Can I use a dictionary during the IELTS Reading test?

    Ans.  During the test, you cannot use a dictionary. The aim is to evaluate how well you understand and explain English texts without help. However, you can use the English words you know and the reading skills you practised for the test.

     


     

    Q. How should I approach the True/False/Not Given questions in the IELTS Reading test?

    Ans.  When answering True/False/Not Given questions, carefully compare the information in the passage with the question statement. Pay close attention to whether the information matches contradicts, or is not mentioned in the question statement. Look for small wording differences, as these can affect your answer.


     


     


     

    Q. Is there a break between the sections of the IELTS Reading test?

    Ans. During the test, there are no breaks between the sections. This means you will transition directly from one section to the next without any pauses.  So, it's essential to manage your time effectively and stay focused throughout the 60-minute duration of the test.