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Research Using Twins Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

Research using twins is a fascinating area of study that has gained significant attention in recent years. In this IELTS reading practice test, you will encounter a passage that delves into how twins are used in research.

 

From exploring the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to certain traits and conditions to investigating the impact of upbringing on behaviour and personality, the passage provides a thought-provoking look at the power of twin studies. So, prepare to dive in and sharpen your reading skills with this engaging practice test!

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1. Research Using Twins Reading Passage

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13 based on Reading Passage 1 below.

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2. Research Using Twins Reading Questions & Answers

Have you read the passage? Now, take the test and find Research Using Twins Reading answers! Try to answer these questions by yourself before you sneak a peek at the answers given below. 

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1.

Research Using Twins Reading Passage

General Instructions to Follow During the IELTS Reading Test

The following instructions will help you save time and improve your scores in the Research Using Twins reading questions and answers.

  • Pay attention to the instructions given before the questions. Read it carefully and understand what’s being asked of you.
  • The reading passages are typically ordered with slightly increasing difficulty levels. To save time, try to answer the most challenging parts first.
  • Keep an eye on the clock. Every IELTS Exam centre has a clock on the wall. Watch it to stay ahead of your time limit.
  • Use skimming and scanning techniques and scan for keywords to answer questions.

 

 

 

 

Research Using Twins


 

Paragraph 1

Researchers in the biomedical field across the globe consider twins as a golden opportunity to unearth the interconnection between genes and the environment - of nature and nurture. It may be the genetic cause or differences between the young skin. However, since identical twins happen from a single fertilised egg that diverts it into two separate parts, they will have the exact same code of genetics. They might have any variations, like one of the twins having younger-looking skin. For instance, it must have been because of environmental aspects like absorbing fewer sun rays.
 

Paragraph 2

On the other hand, when we compare the experiences of identical twins with those of fraternal twins, who are from different eggs and have almost half of their DNA, it is quantifiable by researchers to what extent our genes impact our entire lives. When the identical twins are more similar compared to fraternal twins in terms of an ailment, they become more vulnerable to any disease as it becomes a part of their heredity.
 

Paragraph 3

These two different research - understanding the differences between identical twins to highlight the impact of environment, and making comparison of identical twins and fraternal ones to determine the influence of inheritance - being critical to know the inter-relation between nature and nurture in order to find out our personalities, illness, behaviour, and amount of vulnerability to any infection or disease.

 

Paragraph 4

The concept behind using twins to determine the impact of heredity goes back to 1875 when the English scientist Francis Galton first recommended that idea (and invented a term or the phrase 'nature and nurture') and considered a greater risk. However studies on twins lead to an astonishing twist during the 1980s, after introducing various studies into identical twins who were living separately after birth and reunited when they reached adulthood. For more than two decades, almost 137 twin people visited Thomas Bouchard's research place that is advertised in newspapers. which later became known as the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart. Besides that, many experiments were conducted on the twins, and each of them were asked more than 15,000 questions.

 

Paragraph 5

Bouchard and his associates made use of these tons of information to examine how far twins were impacted due to their genetic conditions. They handled a statistical concept known as heritability for their approach. Generally, the heritability trait calculates the differences between the population members and differences in their genetic background and illustrates it accordingly. At last, Bouchard and his coworkers found the unseen side of genetic influence that is useful for us to shape our lives genetically.
 

Paragraph 6

Twin studies have been a fortune for famous scientists to a radical new concept: that nature and nurture are not the only sources during the work. Recently, a research study called epigenetics found that there's another factor that comes into play. Previously, one found that in some cases it serves as a connecting bridge between our genes and the environment. The second is that it performs on its own to be who we are.

 

Paragraph 7

In this epigenetic process, chemical reactions lead to neither nature nor nurture, but it reflects as a 'third component' as mentioned by researchers. Such reactions impact how our human genetics is represented: how each gene is enhanced or weakened, sometimes becoming on or off, to develop our brains, bones and other vital parts of the body.
 

Paragraph 8

If you imagine our DNA system as a piano keyboard, while the genes are keys, then each key will assign a separate segment of DNA in charge of a particular note, or trait, and all the keys join to get to know who we are all about. Based on that, epigenetic work helps us determine how and when each assigned key can be struck, and alter the rhythm that has been playing for a long time.
 

Paragraph 9

On one hand, the research on epigenetics has newly evolved our basic understanding of science, especially Biology by exhibiting a system through which the environment has a direct consequence on genes. Similarly, further study on animals, for instance, revealed that when a rat feels stressed at the time of pregnancy, it can lead to epigenetic changes in a foetus that causes behavioural issues since the mice develop. Interestingly, twins who had lived apart had similar traits. There are also other epigenetic processes that come at any time, whereas others have been normal, like those that guide embryonic cells as they later develop into different parts like a heart, brain, liver cells, etc. 

 

Paragraph 10

There was a famous geneticist, Danielle Reed who conducted research with more twin people to understand the epigenetic process, the genes activity, the internal influence and analysed deeply based on the inferences. However, it's crystal clear when you learn what twins have shared with us until now. It was observed that numerous things are similar in nature and cannot be changed. Moreover, it's clear that when you understand deeper, certain things are different between them. Epigenetics is pioneered for a lot of these contradictions, according to the researcher.  

 

Paragraph 11

Another distinguished researcher Reed with certain characteristics gives credit to Thomas Bouchard's contribution to the present rise in studies related to twins. 'He was the trailblazer', she said. We did not remember 50 years ago components like various diseases were caused by poor lifestyle for measuring genetic influences. Likewise, Schizophrenia was due to poor mothering and lack of knowledge about nurturing. Twin studies opened new horizons mathematically that are more reflective of what people have inherently and what is developed based on experience. 

 

Paragraph 12

In addition to that, Reed explains the recent work in epigenetics guarantees to take our capacity of understanding to the next level. She said that nature determines some things in pencil and some things in pen. Whatever is written in pen can't be changed. And that's our DNA. But whatever is written in pencil can be changed. And that's called epigenetics. Now we can review the DNA and find out where the pencil writings are, that seems to be a whole new entity.

2.

Research Using Twins Reading Questions & Answers

Have you read the passage? Now, take the test and find Research Using Twins Reading answers! 
 

Leap to Learn: Tip of the Moment!

Remember, most of these questions follow the order of the passage, so it’s easy to trace back if you look through the paragraphs sequentially.

 

Try to answer these questions by yourself before you sneak a peek at the answers given below. 
 

Good luck! 

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • Answer the questions below.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

 

  1. Identical twins come from? 
  2. Who was the famous geneticist conducting research with many twins? 
  3. What Reed said about Thomas Bouchard? 
  4. With twins, many things were similar and whether it is changeable or not? 
  5. Schizophrenia is due to? 


 

Research Using Twins Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

Type of question: Short answer 

 

In this task, you will be given a set of questions with missing information, typically sentences with blank spaces. You must complete each statement with one word or phrase (as instructed). 

 

How to answer: 

 

  • Read the questions first to understand what information you need to look for in the passage
  • Skim the passage and look for keywords 
  • You may have to look for synonyms or paraphrases to locate the answer 
  • Verify your answers and finalise them

 

1. Same fertilised egg

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 1: ‘However, since identical twins happen from a single fertilised egg that diverts it into two separate parts, they will have the exact same code of genetics.’
 

Keywords

Same fertilised egg, single, fertilised, egg
 

Explanation

The fact that identical twins have the same genetic code is truly remarkable. It demonstrates the incredible complexity and precision of the human body. This knowledge can also be used for medical advancements, as identical twins can be studied to understand genetic disorders and diseases better. 

 

2. Danielle Reed

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 10: ‘There was a famous geneticist, Danielle Reed who conducted research with more twin people to understand the epigenetic process, the genes activity, the internal influence and analysed deeply based on the inferences.’
 

Keywords

Danielle Reed, twins, medical
 

Explanation

Geneticist Danielle Reed has conducted groundbreaking research on twins, analysing their genetic code and drawing inferences from her findings. Her work has contributed greatly to our understanding of genetics and has the potential for medical breakthroughs.

 

3. Trailblazer

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 11: ‘'He was the trailblazer', she said. We did not remember 50 years ago components like various diseases were caused by poor lifestyle for measuring genetic influences.’
 

Keywords

Trailblazer, Thomas Bouchard, twins, genetics
 

Explanation

Danielle Reed credits Thomas Bouchard as a trailblazer in the study of twins, whose contributions have been instrumental in the current rise of twin studies. His work has paved the way for future research and has contributed significantly to our understanding of genetics and the human body.

 

4. Not changed

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 10: ‘However, it's crystal clear when you learn what twins have shared with us until now. It was observed that numerous things are similar in nature and cannot be changed.’
 

Keywords

Not changed, genetic, identical twins
 

Explanation

Many things in nature are inherently similar and cannot be changed. From the genetic makeup of identical twins to the laws of physics, these similarities remind us of the complexity and beauty of the natural world. 

 

5. Poor mothering

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 11: ‘Likewise, Schizophrenia was due to poor mothering and lack of knowledge about nurturing.’
 

Keywords

Poor mothering, schizophrenia, knowledge

 

Explanation

In the past, schizophrenia was often blamed on poor mothering and lack of nurturing. However, this theory has been largely discredited, and we now understand that schizophrenia is a complex condition with a variety of causes, including genetic and environmental factors.

Questions and Answers 6-10
  • Complete each sentence with the correct ending
  • Write the correct letter A - E in boxes

 

 

6. Twin studies opened new horizons that are 
7. Bouchard and his coworkers found the unseen side of genetic 
8. 137 twins visited Thomas Bouchard's place 
9. In this epigenetic process 
10. If you imagine our DNA system as a piano keyboard

 

  1.  known as the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart.
  2. Chemical reactions lead to neither nature nor nurture.
  3. genes are keys.
  4. More reflective of what people have inherently.
  5. Useful for us to shape our lives genetically.


 

Research Using Twins Reading Answers with Explanations (6-10)

 

Type of question: Matching sentence endings

 

In this question type, you will be given incomplete sentences, and you will have to complete the end of the sentence by selecting suitable words or phrases from the given list. 

 

How to answer: 

 

  • Skim through the incomplete sentences to get an idea of the context
  • Recognise keywords in each sentence
  • Scan your list of options and look for the keywords
  • Verify the context and check if the word flows with the rest of the sentence 
  • Finalise your answers

 

6. D

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 11: ‘ Twin studies opened new horizons mathematically that are more reflective of what people have inherently and what is developed based on experience. ‘

 

Keywords

Twin studies, genetics, development
 

Explanation

Twin studies have revealed the interplay between genetics and experience in human development. This has led to a more nuanced understanding of various traits and behaviours and has the potential to inform fields from psychology to medicine.


 

7. E

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 5: ‘At last, Bouchard and his coworkers found the unseen side of genetic influence that is useful for us to shape our lives genetically.’
 

Keywords

Thomas Bouchard, genetic, shedding, genes
 

Explanation

Thomas Bouchard and his coworkers have uncovered the hidden side of genetic influence, shedding light on how our genes shape our lives. By understanding the genetic basis of various traits and behaviours, we can make more informed decisions about our lives and better understand the factors contributing to our differences.

 

8. A

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 4: ‘For more than two decades, almost 137 twin people visited Thomas Bouchard's research place that is advertised in newspapers.’
 

Keywords

137 twins, Thomas Bouchard’s, advertise
 

Explanation

The Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart, with nearly 137 twin individuals, has been a landmark study in twin research. It has advanced our understanding of the interplay between genetics and environment in human development.
 

 

9. B

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 7: ‘In this epigenetic process, chemical reactions lead to neither nature nor nurture, but it reflects as a 'third component' as mentioned by researchers.’
 

Keywords

Epigenetic, process, chemical reactions 
 

Explanation

Epigenetics is considered a 'third component' beyond nature vs. nurture. Chemical reactions can influence gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, revealing the complex interplay between genetics and the environment.


 

10. C

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 8: ‘If you imagine our DNA system as a piano keyboard, while the genes are keys, then each key will assign a separate segment of DNA in charge of a particular note, or trait, and all the keys join to get to know who we are all about.’

 

Keywords

DNA system, piano keyboard, separate, segment

 

Explanation

Our DNA can be compared to a piano keyboard, with each key representing a segment responsible for a particular trait. Together, they determine who we are. The interplay of genes and environment results in the beautiful diversity of humanity.

Questions and Answers 11-13
  • Complete the flowchart below.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

 

 

 

Research Using Twins Reading Answers with Explanations (11-13)

 

Type of question: Flowchart completion

 

In flow-chart completion tasks, you must complete the diagram or flow chart by filling in the missing information. 
 

How to answer: 

 

  • Break the flowchart structure into segments and analyse what it’s trying to say
  • Read the questions 
  • Skim the passage and look for key phrases from the flowchart
  • Once you identify the missing information, refer back to the question to check if it’s right


 

11. Heart

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 9: ‘ There are also other epigenetic processes that come at any time, whereas others have been normal, like those that guide embryonic cells as they later develop into different parts like a heart, brain, liver cells, etc.’

 

Keywords

Heart, Embryonic cells, genetic
 

Explanation

Embryonic cells can differentiate into various cell types essential for proper human development. Genetic and environmental factors influence this complex process.

 

12. Lifestyle

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 11: ‘We did not remember 50 years ago components like various diseases were caused by poor lifestyle for measuring genetic influences.’
 

Keywords

Lifestyle, 50 years, genetics
 

Explanation

Fifty years ago, the link between poor lifestyle choices and diseases was poorly understood. Today, we recognise the importance of adopting healthy habits to reduce disease risk and improve our quality of life.

 

13. Epigenetics

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph 6: ‘Recently, a research study called epigenetics found that there's another factor that comes into play.’
 

Keywords

Epigenetics, research, DNA sequence, environmental factors
 

Explanation

Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. This means environmental factors and lifestyle choices can influence genetic expression, giving us the power to change our health through healthy habits positively.

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FAQs

Q. What is an IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test is a component of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, designed to assess a person's proficiency in the English language. The Reading test evaluates a candidate's reading comprehension skills and consists of passages from academic and general interest texts. The test taker must answer questions about the passages' content, structure, and vocabulary. The test is typically 60 minutes long and includes 40 questions.

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test is typically 60 minutes long. During this time, you must read passages from academic and general interest texts and answer 40 questions about the passages' content, structure, and vocabulary. It is essential to manage your time effectively during the test to ensure that you have enough time to read each passage and answer all the questions.

Q. How many passages are there in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test typically consists of three passages, each with its own questions. The passages are taken from academic and general interest texts, and the questions are designed to test a candidate's reading comprehension skills. Each passage is followed by 13 to 14 questions, totalling 40 questions for the entire test.

Q. What types of questions are included in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test includes 40 questions about three passages from academic and general interest texts. The test consists of various question types, such as multiple choice, matching, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, diagram labelling, and short answer questions. The questions are designed to test a candidate's reading comprehension skills, including their ability to understand the passages' content, structure, and vocabulary.

Q. How is the IELTS Reading test scored?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test is scored on a scale of 0 to 9 based on a candidate's overall performance. Each correct answer is awarded one point, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers. The band score reflects a candidate's ability to read and understand complex texts in English, and it is used by universities, colleges, and other organisations to assess a candidate's English language proficiency.

Q. Are spelling mistakes penalised for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Spelling mistakes are penalised in the IELTS Reading test. If you spell a word incorrectly, you will lose marks for that question, even if your answer is correct. Therefore, it is important to double-check your spelling before moving on to the next question. If you are unsure of the spelling of a word, try to write it in a way that looks correct or use synonyms to avoid spelling errors.

Q. Is grammar necessary for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. While the IELTS Reading test primarily assesses your reading comprehension skills, grammar is still an important aspect of the test. The test assesses your ability to understand and use grammar structures in context and communicate effectively in writing. In addition, the Grammatical Range and Accuracy criterion is one of the four criteria used to determine your overall score in the IELTS Reading test.

Q. Can I retake the IELTS Reading test alone?

Ans. No, you cannot retake the IELTS Reading test alone. The IELTS test assesses all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking), and you must take all four tests together. If you want to retake the Reading test, you must retake the entire IELTS test. It is important to note that your scores are valid for two years from your test date, and you cannot choose to retake only one section of the test to improve your score.

Q. What are good tips/practices for IELTS Reading preparation?

Ans. Good tips for IELTS Reading preparation include familiarising yourself with the test format, reading widely, practising regularly, using a timer, building vocabulary, taking notes, reviewing grammar rules, focusing on main ideas, and double-checking your answers.

Q. What is a good score for my IELTS Reading module?

Ans. A good score for the IELTS Reading module depends on the institution or organisation you are applying to. Generally, a score of 6.5 or higher is considered a good score. However, some institutions may require a higher score, such as 7.0 or 7.5. It is important to check the requirements of the institution or organisation you are applying to and aim to achieve the score they require.

Q. What is the average score for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The average score for the IELTS Reading test varies depending on the region and the purpose for which it is being taken. Generally, a score of 6.0 is considered an average score. However, remember that the average score can vary depending on the institution or organisation you are applying to, as some may require a higher score.