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Telepathy Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

Telepathy, or extrasensory perception (ESP), is the communication of information from one mind to another without using any known physical or sensory channels. 

 

While there has been much debate over the existence of telepathy, a growing body of research and anecdotal evidence suggests that it may be a real phenomenon. 
 

In this IELTS Reading Practice Test, we will explore the science behind telepathy, its potential implications, and the controversies surrounding its study. 


 

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1. Telepathy Reading Passage

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-14 based on Reading Passage 1 below.

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2. Telepathy Reading Questions & Answers

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

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1.

Telepathy 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 Telepathy 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.

 

 

 

 

  

Telepathy Reading Passage


 

Paragraph 1

Can human beings communicate by thought alone? For more than a century, the issue of telepathy has divided the scientific community, and even today, it still sparks bitter controversy among top academics. 

 

Paragraph 2

Since the 1970s, parapsychologists at leading universities and research institutes around the world have risked the derision of sceptical colleagues by putting the various claims for telepathy to the test in dozens of rigorous scientific studies. The results and their implications are dividing even the researchers who uncovered them.
 

Paragraph 3

Some researchers say the results constitute compelling evidence that telepathy is genuine. Other parapsychologists believe the field is on the brink of collapse, having tried to produce definitive scientific proof and failed. Sceptics and advocates alike do concur on one issue, however: that the most impressive evidence so far has come from the so-called 'ganzfeld' experiments, a German term that means 'whole field'. Reports of telepathic experiences had by people during meditation led parapsychologists to suspect that telepathy might involve 'signals' passing between people that were so faint that they were usually swamped by normal brain activity. In this case, such signals might be more easily detected by those experiencing meditation-like tranquillity in a relaxing 'whole field' of light, sound and warmth.

 

Paragraph 4

The ganzfeld experiment tries to recreate these conditions with participants sitting in soft reclining chairs in a sealed room, listening to relaxing sounds while their eyes are covered with special filters letting in only soft pink light. In early ganzfeld experiments, the telepathy test involved identification of a picture chosen from a random selection of four taken from a large image bank. The idea was that a person acting as a 'sender' would attempt to beam the image over to the 'receiver' relaxing in the sealed room.
 

Paragraph 5

Once the session was over, this person was asked to identify which of the four images had been used. Random guessing would give a hit-rate of 25 per cent; if telepathy is real, however, the hit-rate would be higher. In 1982, the results from the first ganzfeld studies were analysed by one of its pioneers, the American parapsychologist Charles Honorton. They pointed to typical hit-rates of better than 30 per cent - a small effect, but one which statistical tests suggested could not be put down to chance.
 

Paragraph 6

The implication was that the ganzfeld method had revealed real evidence for telepathy. But there was a crucial flaw in this argument - one routinely overlooked in more conventional areas of science. Just because chance had been ruled out as an explanation did not prove telepathy must exist; there were many other ways of getting positive results. These ranged from 'sensory leakage' - where clues about the pictures accidentally reach the receiver - to outright fraud. In response, the researchers issued a review of all the ganzfeld studies done up to 1985 to show that 80 per cent had found statistically significant evidence. However, they also agreed that there were still too many problems in the experiments which could lead to positive results, and they drew up a list demanding new standards for future research.

 

Paragraph 7

After this, many researchers switched to autoganzfeld tests - an automated variant of the technique which used computers to perform many of the key tasks such as the random selection of images. By minimising human involvement, the idea was to minimise the risk of flawed results. In 1987, results from hundreds of autoganzfeld tests were studied by Honorton in a 'meta-analysis', a statistical technique for finding the overall results from a set of studies. Though less compelling than before, the outcome was still impressive.
 

Paragraph 8

Yet some parapsychologists remain disturbed by the lack of consistency between individual ganzfeld studies. Defenders of telepathy point out that demanding impressive evidence from every study ignores one basic statistical fact: it takes large samples to detect small effects. If, as current results suggest, telepathy produces hit-rates only marginally above the 25 per cent expected by chance, it's unlikely to be detected by a typical ganzfeld study involving around 40 people: the group is just not big enough. Only when many studies are combined in a meta-analysis will the faint signal of telepathy really become apparent. And that is what researchers do seem to be finding.

 

Paragraph 9

What they are certainly not finding, however, is any change in the attitude of mainstream scientists: most still totally reject the very idea of telepathy. The problem stems, at least in part, from the lack of any plausible mechanism for telepathy.

 

Paragraph 10

Various theories have been put forward, many focusing on esoteric ideas from theoretical physics. They include 'quantum entanglement', in which events affecting one group of atoms instantly affect another group, no matter how far apart they may be. While physicists have demonstrated entanglement with specially prepared atoms, no one knows if it also exists between atoms making up human minds. Answering such questions would transform parapsychology. This has prompted some researchers to argue that the future lies not in collecting more evidence for telepathy but in probing possible mechanisms. Some work has begun already, with researchers trying to identify people who are particularly successful in autoganzfeld trials. Early results show that creative and artistic people do much better than average: in one study at the University of Edinburgh, musicians achieved a hit rate of 56 per cent. Perhaps more tests like these will eventually give the researchers the evidence they are seeking and strengthen the case for the existence of telepathy.

2.

Telepathy Reading Questions & Answers

Have you read the passage? Now, take the test and find Telepathy 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
  • Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A–G, below.
  • Write the correct letter, A-G, as your answer to each question.

 

1. The telepathy issue has split the scientific community for 

2. Some researchers express the outcomes are compelling proof that 

3. Reports of telepathy experiences that people have 

4. The telepathy test involved recognising an image selected from four random selections taken

5. The person acting as a 'sender' will try to illuminate the image of the 'receiver' resting


 

  1. telepathy is real
  2. for later research
  3. from a large image bank
  4. more than a century
  5. a reliable method for telepathy
  6. had during meditation
  7. in a locked room


 

Telepathy Reading Answers with Explanation (1-5)

 

Type of question: Sentence Completion

 

The task of sentence completion with information from the passage is part of the IELTS academic reading test.
 

How to best answer:
 

  • Read the specific requirements of each sentence completion task. The instructions may differ, so it is important to know if you need to use one word, several words, or a single number.
  • Before answering the questions, look at this passage to understand the content, main ideas, and structure. 
  • Headings, subheadings, and any formatting indicating where the information is should be considered.
  • In the unfinished sentence, choose keywords or key phrases. These words are probably linked to the missing information in that passage. Also, consider synonyms or paraphrased expressions that may replace the exact words in the sentence.

 

1. D - more than a century

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 1: ‘Can human beings communicate by thought alone? For more than a century the issue of telepathy has divided the scientific community, and even today it still sparks bitter controversy among top academics.’
 

Keywords

Century, scientific, community, academics
 

Explanation

Telepathy is a highly debated phenomenon within the scientific community that involves the communication of information from one mind to another without any known physical or sensory channels. Despite the controversy surrounding it, there is a growing body of research suggesting that it may be a real phenomenon.

 

2. A - telepathy is real

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 3: ‘Some researchers say the results constitute compelling evidence that telepathy is genuine. Other parapsychologists……experiencing meditation-like tranquillity in a relaxing 'whole field' of light, sound and warmth.’

 

Keywords

Telepathy, researchers, light, sound, warmth
 

Explanation

Telepathy, or extrasensory perception (ESP), may be a real phenomenon, as a growing body of research and anecdotal evidence suggests. Parapsychologists have conducted dozens of rigorous scientific studies since the 1970s, with "ganzfeld" experiments providing the most compelling evidence.
 

3. F - had during meditation

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 3: ‘Some researchers say the results constitute compelling evidence that telepathy is genuine. Other parapsychologists……experiencing meditation-like tranquillity in a relaxing 'whole field' of light, sound and warmth.’

 

Keywords

Meditation, light, sound, warmth
 

Explanation

Reports of telepathic experiences had by people during meditation led parapsychologists to suspect that telepathy might involve 'signals' passing between people that were so faint that they were usually swamped by normal brain activity.

 

4. C - from a large image bank

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 4: ‘The ganzfeld experiment tries to recreate these conditions…….would attempt to beam the image over to the 'receiver' relaxing in the sealed room.’
 

Keywords

Ganzfeld, receiver, image

 

Explanation

Telepathy (ESP) is communication between minds without physical channels. Despite debate, research suggests it is real. Ganzfeld experiments send an image to a receiver in a sealed room to identify which of four it was. Sceptics aside, researchers are developing new standards. 

 

5. G - in a locked room

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 4: ‘The ganzfeld experiment tries to recreate these conditions…….would attempt to beam the image over to the 'receiver' relaxing in the sealed room.’
 

Keywords

Ganzfeld, receiver, image, locked, room
 

Explanation

In the Ganzfeld experiment, the sender attempts to transmit an image to the receiver who is sitting in a sealed room. The receiver then tries to identify the correct image out of a selection of four.

Questions and Answers 6-10
  • Complete the table below.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the reading passage for each answer.

 

Year

Events

(6) ________The results of the first Ganzfeld study were examined by one of its pioneers, the American psychiatrist (7) _________.
1985The researchers published a review of all Ganzfeld studies conducted up to (8) ___________, with 80 per cent finding statistically important proof.
(9)_________Honordon analysed the results of hundreds of autoganzfeld experiments with a (10) ________, a statistical method used to determine the overall results from a group of studies. 

 

 

Telepathy Reading Answers with Explanation (6-10)

 

Type of question: Table Completion

 

You’ll be given a table with missing information in the table completion task. Your job is to study the table thoroughly and fill in the blanks. 
 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Study and analyse the given table
  • Identify what the question is about and note down the keywords
  • Your keyword can be a synonym or a related word
  • Reread the passage and find the corresponding information 


 

6. 1982

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 5: ‘In 1982, the results from the first ganzfeld studies were analysed by one of its pioneers, the American parapsychologist Charles Honorton.’
 

Keywords

1982, Charles Honorton, American, parapsychologist
 

Explanation

In 1982, Charles Honorton analyzed the results from the first ganzfeld studies and found hit rates of better than 30%. This constitutes compelling evidence that telepathy may be genuine. The "Ganzfeld" experiment involves transmitting images to a receiver in a sealed room. 

 

7. Charles Honorton

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 5: ‘In 1982, the results from the first ganzfeld studies were analysed by one of its pioneers, the American parapsychologist Charles Honorton.’

 

Keywords

Charles Honorton, American, parapsychologist, 1982, ganzfeld
 

Explanation

In 1982, Charles Honorton, a parapsychology pioneer, examined the results of the first Ganzfeld study, finding hit rates of over 30%. This points to telepathy being a genuine phenomenon. The "Ganzfeld" experiment involves transmitting images to a receiver in a sealed room. 

 

8. 1985

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 6: ‘In response, the researchers issued a review of all the ganzfeld studies done up to 1985 to show that 80 per cent had found statistically significant evidence.’

 

Keywords

1985, 80 per cent, researchers, ganzfeld

 

Explanation

Researchers responded to criticisms of the "ganzfeld" experiments by publishing a review of all studies done up to 1985. 80% of studies found statistically significant evidence supporting telepathy. 

 

9. 1987

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 7: ‘In 1987, results from hundreds of autoganzfeld tests were studied by Honorton in a 'meta-analysis', a statistical technique for finding the overall results from a set of studies.’
 

Keywords

1987, statistical, autoganzfeld, Honorton
 

Explanation

In 1987, Honorton conducted a meta-analysis of hundreds of autoganzfeld tests, finding a small effect that statistical tests suggested could not be put down to chance. 

 

10. meta-analysis

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 7: ‘In 1987, results from hundreds of autoganzfeld tests were studied by Honorton in a 'meta-analysis', a statistical technique for finding the overall results from a set of studies.’

 

Keywords

Meta-analysis, statistical, autoganzfeld, Honorton
 

Explanation

In 1987, Charles Honorton analyzed hundreds of autoganzfeld experiments using a meta-analysis, a powerful statistical method used to determine overall results from a group of studies. The analysis's results pointed to a small effect that statistical tests suggested could not be put down to chance, providing further evidence for the existence of telepathy.


 

Questions and Answers 11-14
  • Complete the summary below.
  • Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

 

Defenders of (11) _____________ ignore a fundamental statistical fact that demands compelling proof in every analysis,... It is unlikely to be detected by a routine (12) ___________ analysis involving 40 people, the team is not good enough. However, researchers certainly did not find any difference in the attitude of the top (13) __________, most still completely reject the concept of ​​telepathy. Answering questions like these will change (14) ___________________. 


 

Telepathy Reading Answers with Explanation (11-14)

 

Type of question: Summary Completion

 

Under this task, you will be given a summary with incomplete sentences. However, you will not be given any list of words/phrases to choose the missing information. You must refer to the main passage to fill in the missing information. 

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Read the summary to understand what information it’s missing
  • Identify keywords and locate them in the main passage to find missing words 
  • Review the context of the words you’ve chosen to match the summary
  • Finalise your answers

 

11. Telepathy

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 8: ‘ Defenders of telepathy point out that demanding impressive evidence from every study ignores one basic statistical fact: it takes large samples to detect small effects.’
 

Keywords

Telepathy, defenders, detect, statistical
 

Explanation

Defenders of telepathy ignore a fundamental statistical fact: detecting small effects requires big samples in every analysis. 


 

12. Ganzfeld

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 8: ‘If, as current results suggest, telepathy produces hit-rates only marginally above the 25 per cent expected by chance, it's unlikely to be detected by a typical ganzfeld study involving around 40 people: the group is just not big enough.’
 

Keywords

Ganzfeld, 25 per cent, 40 people 
 

Explanation

Routine Ganzfeld analysis involving only 40 people may not detect accidental success rates above the expected 25% in telepathy experiments, as the team may not be good enough. 


 

13. Scientists

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 9: ‘What they are certainly not finding, however, is any change in the attitude of mainstream scientists: most still totally reject the very idea of telepathy. The problem stems at least partially from the lack of any plausible mechanism for telepathy.’
 

Keywords

Scientists, telepathy, mechanism, attitude

 

Explanation

Despite growing evidence and compelling results from rigorous scientific studies, top scientists still completely reject the concept of telepathy. This attitude has not changed, and it underscores the need for further research and thorough analysis to determine the validity of telepathy as a means of human communication. 


 

14. Paranoia medicine

 

Reference

 

From paragraph 10: ‘Answering such questions would transform parapsychology. This has prompted some researchers to argue that the future lies not in collecting more evidence for telepathy but in probing possible mechanisms.’
 

Keywords

Paranoia medicine, researchers, parapsychology
 

Explanation

Telepathy's potential implications for paranoia medicine are significant. While gathering additional proof may not be the only solution, exploring possible mechanisms could unlock its mysteries. 
 

The IELTS Reading Practice Test explores the ongoing debate on the existence of telepathy, the methods to test it, and its potential implications. The test requires careful reading and time management to answer all the questions effectively. 
 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the IELTS Reading Practice Test, you can contact our IELTS team at LeapScholar.

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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. How can I improve my reading speed for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. To improve your reading speed for the IELTS Reading test, practice reading regularly, skim the text, focus on the main idea, use contextual clues, and avoid subvocalisation. These tips can help you read more efficiently and perform better on tests.

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

Ans. To perform better on the IELTS Reading test, you can use effective reading strategies, such as skimming the text, scanning for keywords, reading the questions carefully, using contextual clues, taking notes, and managing your time effectively. These strategies can help you improve your reading skills and answer questions more efficiently.

Q. Can I take notes during the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Yes, you can take notes during the IELTS Reading test using a pencil and eraser. The notes will not be marked and will not contribute to your score, but they can help you remember the text's key points and answer the questions more efficiently. It is essential to manage your time effectively while taking notes.

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

Ans. To manage your time effectively during the IELTS Reading test, you can read the instructions carefully, skim the text, focus on the main idea, answer easy questions first, keep an eye on the time, and use your time wisely. These tips help you ensure that you have enough time to read each passage, answer all the questions, and perform better on the test.

Q. What are some good sources for the IELTS Reading test practice materials?

Ans. Good sources for practice materials for the IELTS Reading test include official IELTS practice materials, IELTS preparation books, online resources, IELTS preparation courses, and IELTS apps. These sources provide a variety of practice materials, such as practice tests, sample questions, and tips for improving your reading skills.

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

Ans. To improve your comprehension skills for the IELTS Reading test, you can read regularly, learn new vocabulary, practice summarising, identify the structure of the text, use contextual clues, and answer practice questions. These tips can help you better understand the content and perform better on the test.