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The Columbian Exchange Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Sep 06, 2024, 09:05

The passage outlines the impact of the Columbian Exchange, highlighting how the movement of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds transformed ecosystems and societies. It describes the pre-existing separation between the continents, the introduction of Old World crops and livestock to the New World, and the subsequent ecological and social consequences. 

 

Key points include the spread of diseases like smallpox among Native Americans, the changes in agriculture and ecosystems, and the significant contribution of New World crops to global diets.

 

This passage helps in practising summarising complex historical and ecological processes. It includes varied content such as environmental changes, historical events, and their impacts, which are common in IELTS Reading passages. Understanding these elements can improve skills in identifying key information and synthesising detailed content effectively.

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1. The Columbian Exchange Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below. 

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2. The Columbian Exchange Reading Questions & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Columbian Exchange Reading Questions & Answers

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1.

The Columbian Exchange 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.

 

Learn about IELTS General Reading. 

 

 

 

The Columbian Exchange Reading Passage 

 

Paragraph A: 

A lot of people around the world are dependent, or partly dependent, on coral reefs for their livelihoods. They often live adjacent to the reef, and their livelihood revolves around the direct extraction, processing and sale of reef resources such as shellfish and seaweeds. In addition, their homes are sheltered by the reef from wave action.

 

Paragraph B: 

Reef flats and shallow reef lagoons are accessible on foot, without the need for a boat, and so allow women, children and the elderly to engage directly in manual harvesting, or ‘reef-gleaning’. This is a significant factor distinguishing reef-based fisheries from near-shore sea fisheries. Near-shore fisheries are typically the domain of adult males, in particular where they involve the use of boats, with women and children restricted mainly to shore-based activities. However, in a coral-reef fishery the physical accessibility of the reef opens up opportunities for direct participation by women, and consequently increases their independence and the importance of their role in the community. It also provides a place for children to play, and to acquire important skills and knowledge for later in life. For example, in the South West Island of Tobi, in the Pacific Ocean, young boys use simple hand lines with a loop and bait at the end to develop the art of fishing on the reef. Similarly, in the Surin Islands of Thailand, young Moken boys spend much of their time playing, swimming and diving in shallow reef lagoons, and in doing so build crucial skills for their future daily subsistence.

 

Paragraph C: 

Secondary occupations, such as fish processing and marketing activities, are often dominated by women, and offer an important survival strategy for households with access to few other physical assets (such as boats and gear), for elderly women, widows, or the wives of infirm men. On Ulithi Atoll in the western Pacific, women have a distinct role and rights in the distribution of fish catches. This is because the canoes, made from mahogany logs from nearby Yap Island, are obtained through the exchange of cloth made by the women of Ulithi. Small-scale reef fisheries support the involvement of local women traders and their involvement can give them greater control over the household income, and in negotiating for loans or credit. Thus their role is not only important in providing income for their families, it also underpins the economy of the local village.

 

Paragraph D: 

Poor people with little access to land, labour and financial resources are particularly reliant on exploiting natural resources, and consequently they are vulnerable to seasonal changes in availability of those resources. The diversity of coral reef fisheries, combined with their physical accessibility and the protection they provide against bad weather, make them relatively stable compared with other fisheries, or land-based agricultural production.

 

Paragraph E: 

In many places, the reef may even act as a resource bank, used as a means of saving food for future times of need. In manus, Papua New Guinea, giant clams are collected and held in walled enclosures on the reef, until they are needed during periods of rough weather. In Palau, sea cucumbers are seldom eaten during good weather in an effort to conserve their populations for months during which rough weather prohibits good fishing.

 

Paragraph F: 

Coral reef resources also act as a buffer against seasonal lows in other sectors, particularly agriculture. For example, in coastal communities in northern Mozambique, reef harvests provide key sources of food and cash when agricultural production is low, with the peak in fisheries production coinciding with the period of lowest agricultural stocks. In Papua New Guinea, while agriculture is the primary means of food production, a large proportion of the coastal population engage in sporadic subsistence fishing.

 

Paragraph G: 

In many coral-reef areas, tourism is one of the main industries bringing employment, and in many cases is promoted to provide alternatives to fisheries-based livelihoods, and to ensure that local reef resources are conserved. In the Caribbean alone, tours based on scuba-diving have attracted 20 million people in one year. The upgrading of roads and communications associated with the expansion of tourism may also bring benefits to local communities. However, plans for development must be considered carefully. The ability of the poorer members of the community to access the benefits of tourism is far from guaranteed, and requires development guided by social, cultural and environmental principles. There is growing recognition that sustainability is a key requirement, as encompassed in small-scale eco-tourism activities, for instance.

 

Paragraph H: 

Where tourism development has not been carefully planned, and the needs and priorities of the local community have not been properly recognised, conflict has sometimes arisen between tourism and local, small-scale fishers. 

2.

The Columbian Exchange Reading Questions & Answers

Questions and Answers 1-8
  • Reading Passage has eight paragraphs A-H.
  • Which paragraph contains the following information?
  • Write the correct letter A-H in boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet.

 

 

 

1. An overall justification for the achievement of the invasion of Old World species - ___

2. The cause of the decreasing indigenous population - ___

3. A discussion of how European animals inhabited the New World - ___

4. The origin of population growth in both the New and Old Worlds was - ___

5. An explanation of how certain animal species don't have much of an impact on the Old World - ___

6. In both the Old and New Worlds, a comprehensive description of the species was lacking - ___

7. An explanation of an imported species with an English colonial name - ___

8. The theory for how new continents form - ___

 

The Columbian Exchange Reading Answers with Explanations (1-8)

 

Question Type:  Matching Information

 

Matching Information questions in the IELTS Reading test require you to find specific details within a passage and match them to the appropriate paragraph. These questions test your ability to locate and understand specific information quickly. You will be given a list of statements and asked to identify the paragraph (labeled A, B, C, etc.) in which each piece of information is found.

 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Quickly skim through the passage to get a general idea of the content and structure. 
  • Read the statements carefully. Underline or highlight key terms or phrases that will help you identify the relevant information in the passage.
  • Go through each paragraph systematically and match it with the statement that best fits the content.

     
1. H


Reference: 
Paragraph H 
The demographic triumph of the invaders, which was the most spectacular aspect of the Old World's invasion of the New, still stands even though that decline has reversed in our time…

Explanation: 
This paragraph discusses how the Old World's invasion of the New World led to a significant demographic shift, which remains a notable outcome.

 

2. E


Reference: 
Paragraph E 
The infectious diseases that wiped out the Native Americans were all terrible, but smallpox was the worst and most dramatic.

Explanation: 
The paragraph explains that smallpox was a major cause of the decreasing indigenous population.

 

3. D


Reference: 
Paragraph D 
In the early 1600s, people brought cattle and horses to North America, where they discovered a hospitable climate and terrain.

Explanation: 
This paragraph describes how European animals, such as cattle and horses, were introduced to the New World.

 

4. G


Reference: 
Paragraph G 
Their impact on peoples of the Old World, like that of wheat and rice on those of the New World, greatly contributes to the explanation of the recent three-century increase in world population.

Explanation: 
The paragraph links the population growth in both worlds to the impact of crops exchanged between them.

 

5. F


Reference: 
Paragraph F 
The arrival of European livestock to the New World revolutionized New World agriculture and ecosystems, but the export of Native American animals has not.

Explanation: 
This paragraph explains that European livestock had a significant impact on the New World, but Native American animals did not have a similar impact on the Old World.

 

6. B


Reference: 
Paragraph B 
Horses, cattle, sheep, and goats—all animals with Old World ancestry—did not exist in the Americas. The New World lacked equivalents to the domesticated animals linked to the Old World…

Explanation: 
This paragraph notes the lack of comprehensive descriptions of Old World species in the New World.

 

7. C


Reference: 
Paragraph C 
The earliest of these, a plantain (Plantago major), was given the name 'Englishman's Foot' by the Amerindians of New England and Virginia…

Explanation: 
This paragraph explains how the name "Englishman's Foot" was given to a species by Native Americans due to its association with English colonizers.

 

8. A


Reference: 
Paragraph A 
Millions of ages ago, continental movement carried the Old World and New World distant, splitting North and South America from Eurasia and Africa.

Explanation: 
The paragraph describes the theory of continental drift, explaining how new continents formed.


 

Read more about Dictation Words for IELTS: Practice and Preparation!

Questions and Answers 9-12
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 9-12 on your answer sheet, write

  • TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
  • FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
  • NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this in the passage

 

9. The two worlds' crop exchanges significantly influenced the growth of the human population.

10. The turkey and other domesticated American animals gained popularity in the Old World.

11. The European colonizers had brutally murdered the native population.

12. To contain their cattle and horses, European settlers constructed fences.

 

The Columbian Exchange Reading Answers with Explanations (9-12)

 

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.

     
9. True


Reference: 
Paragraph B 
The New World lacked equivalents to the domesticated animals linked to the Old World, aside from the llama, alpaca, dog, a few fowl, and guinea pig…

Explanation: 
The exchange of crops between the Old and New Worlds significantly influenced human population growth.

 

10. False


Reference: 
Paragraph F 
Some domesticated animals in America are raised in the Old World, but turkeys and guinea pigs have not replaced chickens and geese...

Explanation: 
The passage contradicts the statement about domesticated American animals gaining popularity in the Old World.

 

11. True


Reference: 
Paragraph E 
The Native Americans' attempts to resist the Europeans were unsuccessful. The extent of indigenous peoples' defeat cannot be fully explained by the brutality of white people..."


Explanation: 
The passage indicates that the Native Americans' defeat was partially due to the brutality of European colonizers.

 

12. False


Reference: 
Paragraph D 
The purpose of fences was to keep livestock outside rather than inside.

Explanation: 
European settlers constructed fences to keep livestock outside, not to contain them.

 

Read more about A Guide on Most Common English Words Used in Daily Life!

Questions and Answers 13-14
  • Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

 

13. Who first claimed that Native Americans from the American interior were suffering from European diseases?

14. What aspect of the Old World's invasion of the New World is still present?

 

The Columbian Exchange Reading Answers with Explanations (13-14)

 

Question Type:  Short Answer 

 

 In the IELTS Reading section, short answer questions require you to provide concise responses, typically consisting of a few words or a short phrase. 

 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Make sure your answers directly relate to the information provided in the passage and adhere to any specified word limits. 
  • Practice your scanning skills to quickly locate relevant information, and be prepared to recognise synonyms or paraphrased versions of the information. 
  • Ensure your answers are precise, correctly spelt, and grammatically accurate. 

     
13. Missionaries and Traders


Reference: 
Paragraph E 
The missionaries and traders who traveled into the interior of America shared the same horrifying narrative regarding smallpox and the natives.


Explanation: 
Missionaries and traders first claimed that Native Americans suffered from European diseases.

 

14. Demographic Triumph


Reference: 
Paragraph H 
The demographic triumph of the invaders, which was the most spectacular aspect of the Old World's invasion of the New, still stands…

Explanation: 
The aspect of the Old World's invasion still present today is the demographic triumph of the invaders.

 

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FAQs

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

Ans. The IELTS Reading section features various question types, including multiple-choice, true/false/not given, matching headings, summary completion, sentence completion, and short answer questions. These are designed to test a range of reading skills, such as understanding main ideas, detail, logical argument, and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes, and purposes.



 


 

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test lasts for 60 minutes. During this time, candidates must read three passages and answer a total of 40 questions. Time management is crucial to ensure all questions are attempted.

Q. Can I write on the question paper?

Ans. Yes, candidates are allowed to write on the question paper, which can help note key points or highlight important information. However, only answers written on the answer sheet will be marked, so it is essential to transfer answers accurately.