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Scratching the Surface Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

In the IELTS Reading section, your reading comprehension skills are rigorously tested. Lasting for 60 minutes, this segment comprises three passages, each accompanied by a series of questions in various formats like multiple choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. Success in this section hinges on your ability to grasp key information, discern main ideas, and infer meaning from context.


 

To ace the IELTS Reading section, adopt effective reading strategies such as skimming for main ideas and scanning for specific details. Regular practice with sample questions and exposure to different question types will sharpen your skills for test day.


 

Prepare for an enlightening exploration of "Scratching the Surface," an insightful look into the fascinating behaviours and adaptations of animals in the wild. Engaging passages and accompanying questions delve into the mechanisms, challenges, and strategies that these creatures use for survival, enriching your understanding of how nature's intricacies can be observed and interpreted.


 

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1. Scratching the Surface 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. Scratching the Surface Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Scratching the Surface Reading Questions and Answers

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1.

Scratching the SurfaceReading 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.

 

 

 

 

The Psychology of Innovation

 



Paragraph A 

They induce untreatable itching, prickling, and crawling sensations in the skin. Although these creatures only exist in the imagination, their effects are real and contagious. 

 

Paragraph B

In 1996, the typical example occurred in an American laboratory. After the installation of the new equipment, workers began to experience itching and the sensation of insects crawling over them. Complaints escalated, and the condition, which was attributed to "cable mites," began to spread to the sufferers' family. Utilising DDT, mothballs, pesticide, and rat poison, a concerted effort was made to eradicate the mites.

 

Paragraph C

It didn't work. Scientists did a thorough check, but they couldn't find any pests or even signs of real parasite attacks. Small pieces of Rockwool insulation were found in the air, which could irritate the skin. The problem was fixed by putting in place a cleaning programme, and the staff was told that the problem had been solved. The infestation of cable mites went away.

 

Paragraph D

Another incident occurred at a textile business in the 1990s, when workers complained of being bitten by insects smuggled into the factory in imported cloth. Dermatitis swept through the workforce, but in an unusual fashion. Instead of impacting people in a specific area of the factory, the bugs appeared to be spread among employees' social groupings. There were no parasites discovered. A third infestation grew among office workers who were poring through dusty records that had been sitting unused for decades. They blamed their skin problems on 'paper mites,' yet the source was irritation from paper splinters.

 

Paragraph E

These are all instances of parasitosis illusions, in which anything in the environment is mistakenly identified as an insect or other problem. Everyone has heard of delirium tremens, in which alcoholics and amphetamine addicts have the sensation of insects crawling over their skin. However, this hallucination can also be caused by other circumstances. Static electricity, dust, fibres, and chemical solvents are all capable of spawning fictitious insects. The most intriguing aspect is that they spread. This illusion's contagious nature appears to be a form of reflex contagion. When you yawn, others yawn as well. If everyone around you is laughing, so are you. If you itch, your coworkers will scratch as well.

 

Paragraph F

Dr. Paul Marsden is the managing editor of the Journal of Memetics, a publication devoted to the study of infectious ideas. He hypothesised that this type of collective engagement may have contributed to human evolution. In the distant past, the scratching of a single individual scratching would have alerted others of the presence of insects or parasites that bite. This would encourage them to itch themselves. Anyone who has been repeatedly bitten by mosquitoes without realising it will recognise the evolutionary significance of this form of warning. The outbreak of mass scratching may also promote mutual grooming, which is essential for bonding of primary groups.

 

Paragraph G

The issue occurs when the reflex contagion has nothing to do with a true threat. People may exaggerate symptoms to gain attention or to escape an unpleasant job. Scanners spent the entire day laboriously evaluating the results of bubble-chamber testing. Textile workers and administrative personnel reviewing data would have found the task to be similarly arduous. Considering that skin illnesses are notoriously susceptible to psychological effects, it is easy to understand how a group dynamic could support the perceived parasites.

 

Paragraph H

Few individuals recognise that their misinterpretation of symptoms is the result of what psychologists refer to as a hysterical condition, making treatment difficult. Previously, removing irritants and receiving expert assurances were sufficient. Today, however, there is a rising mistrust of conventional treatment and increased access to support groups. Patients can promote other other's delusions by discussing Internet-based accounts of elusive mites that perplex scientists. This might cause a pandemic of unknown parasites that spread from mind to mind like a super virus. Only knowledge of the illusion's potency can destroy it. You may now cease your scratching.


 

2.

Scratching the Surface Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Scratching the Surface Reading Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers 1-3
  • Complete the notes below.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer

  • Evolutionary purpose theory

     

     

    Parasite/Insect bite
    1.__________.
    Benefit to group
    2.____________.
    In the presence of pets
    Group scratching
    Group grooming
    Benefit to group
    3. __________.

     

     

    Scratching the SurfaceReading Answers with Explanations (1-3)

     

     

    Type of question: Note Completion

    In note completion questions, you are required to fill in the gaps in notes or summaries using information from the reading passage. This task assesses your ability to find specific details within the passage and requires you to understand and identify the main points. 


     

    How to best answer the question

     

    • Understand what specific information you need to fill in the blanks.
    • Quickly read through the passage to get a general understanding of its main ideas, key points, and the context surrounding the information you need to complete.
    • Pay attention to keywords or phrases in the notes provided. 
    • Once you've identified the keywords, scan the passage to locate the section that contains the information needed to complete the notes. 
    • Be prepared for the information in the passage to be paraphrased or expressed using synonyms. 
    • Ensure that the completed notes fit logically within the context of the passage.


     

    1. Individual Scratching

     


    Reference: 

    Paragraph F 

    individual scratching would have alerted others of the presence of insects or parasites that bite


    Explanation

    This line explains the evolutionary purpose of individual scratching as a signal to others about the presence of parasites or insects.


     

    2. Alerted others

     


    Reference: 

    Paragraph F 

    in the distant past, the scratching of a single individual would have alerted others of the presence of insects or parasites that bite


     

    Explanation

    This line describes the benefit of individual scratching by alerting others to the presence of insects or parasites.


     

    3. Bonding

     


    Reference: 

    Paragraph F 

    essential for bonding of primary groups


    Explanation

    This line indicates that group grooming behavior is essential for bonding within primary groups, highlighting the social benefit.


     

    Questions and Answers 4-8
    Do the following statements agree with the writer’s views in the Reading Passage ? Write
    • TRUE if the statement is true according to the passage
    • FALSE if the statement is false according to the passage
    • NOT GIVEN if the statement is not given in the passage

     

     

    4. Some continue to scratch because they know it will allow them to stop working.

    5. The staff in the laboratory, factory, and office had monotonous employment.

    6. The skin of humans is highly sensitive to irritants.

    7. In many instances, individuals no longer believe medical professionals' claims.

    8. It is impossible to prevent the illness from spreading via the Internet.


     

    Scratching the SurfaceReading Answers with Explanations (4-8)

     

     

    Question Type:  True/False/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 (True), contradicts the information in the passage (False), 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.
    • True: If the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
    • False: 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.

     

     

    4. False

     


    Reference: 

    Paragraph E Innovation is a contact game, in which you can’t brief people only by saying, “We’re going in this direction and I’m going to take you with me”.


    Explanation

    The statement aligns with the content of Paragraph E, which discusses how innovation requires more than just a directive from leadership; it involves collaborative efforts and engagement from team members.


     

    5. True

     


    Reference: 

    Paragraph G 

    Scanners spent the entire day laboriously evaluating the results of bubble-chamber testing. Textile workers and administrative personnel reviewing data would have found the task to be similarly arduous.

     

    Explanation

    This line highlights the monotonous and laborious nature of the work performed by the staff in different roles.


     

    6. Not Given

     


    Reference: 

    Paragraph 

    NA


    Explanation

     The passage does not provide information about the sensitivity of human skin to irritants.


     

    7. True

     

     

    Reference: 

    Paragraph H

    Few individuals recognise that their misinterpretation of symptoms is the result of what psychologists refer to as a hysterical condition, making treatment difficult.


    Explanation

    This line indicates that many individuals no longer believe medical professionals' claims, attributing their symptoms to other causes.


     

    8. False

     

    Reference: 

    Paragraph H 

    Patients can promote each other's delusions by discussing Internet-based accounts of elusive mites that perplex scientists.

     

    Explanation

    This line suggests that discussing symptoms on the Internet can spread illness through shared delusions, indicating that preventing illness spread via the Internet is possible.

     

    Questions and Answers 9-13
    Classify statements 1-5 according to whether they apply to the following:-
    • A. the laboratory
    • B. the factory
    • C. the office

     

    9. One symptom of the illness was distress among coworkers who socialised together.

    10. Second, each victim was using an out-of-date file.

    11. Third, they made an effort to eliminate the insects they had pinpointed as the cause.

    12. They said the animals had brought in foreign materials with them.

    13. Fifth, the employees' loved ones were impacted by the illness.


     

    Scratching the SurfaceReading Answers with Explanations (9-13)

     

     

    Type of question: Sentence Completion

    To answer sentence completion questions accurately, read the given sentence carefully and identify the missing word or phrase. Then, consider the context to determine the most suitable answer option that completes the sentence appropriately. Choosing the option that best fits the context will help you answer sentence completion questions accurately.

     

    How to best answer the question

     

    • Carefully read the incomplete sentence and try to understand what information is missing.
    • Pay attention to the context and any clues provided in the sentence or the surrounding text.
    • Choose the option that best completes the sentence based on the information from the reading passage.

     

     

    9. B

     


    Reference: 

    Paragraph F
    the bugs appeared to be spread among employees' social groupings


    Explanation

    This indicates that the distress among coworkers due to the illness was observed in a factory setting where employees socialized together.


     

    10. C

     


    Reference: 

    Paragraph G

    A third infestation grew among office workers who were poring through dusty records


    Explanation

    This shows that the issue with using outdated files causing problems was observed in an office setting.


     

    11. A

     


    Reference: 

    Paragraph E

    Utilising DDT, mothballs, pesticide, and rat poison, a concerted effort was made to eradicate the mites


    Explanation
    This describes a laboratory setting where efforts were made to eliminate insects using various methods.

     

    12. B

     

    Reference: 

    Paragraph D

    It didn't work. Scientists did a thorough check, but they couldn't find any pests or even signs of real parasite attacks. Small pieces of Rockwool insulation were found in the air, which could irritate the skin


    Explanation

    This refers to the presence of foreign materials (Rockwool insulation) in a factory setting, causing irritation.


     

    13. A

     

    Reference: 

    Paragraph B

    Complaints escalated, and the condition, which was attributed to 'cable mites,' began to spread to the sufferers' family

     

    Explanation

    This indicates that the illness affected the loved ones of the employees, typical of a laboratory setting where such issues can spread beyond the workplace.

     

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    FAQs

    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. Do I lose marks for incorrect answers in the IELTS Reading test?

    Ans. No, there is no penalty for incorrect answers in the IELTS Reading test. This means it's beneficial to attempt all questions, even if you're unsure. You may still earn points for correct responses by making educated guesses, improving your overall score.


     

    Q. How can I prepare effectively for the IELTS Reading test?

    Ans. To prepare effectively for the IELTS Reading test, start by familiarising yourself with the test format and question types. Practice with sample questions and past papers to develop your skills in skimming for main ideas, scanning for specific details, and understanding complex passages. Work on expanding your vocabulary by reading various texts and noting down unfamiliar words. Additionally, practice time management to ensure you can complete the test within 60 minutes.