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The Magic Of Kefir Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test with Answers

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Updated on Sep 02, 2024, 06:35

This passage “The Magic Of Kefir” explores the origin and evolution of kefir, a fermented dairy product discovered by herders in the North Caucasus. Initially an accidental product of fermentation, kefir has evolved from a simple drink to a staple in health food culture. The passage describes kefir’s unique fermentation process, its versatile uses in cooking and baking, and its growing popularity in Western health trends. It also touches on the challenges posed by modern production methods that sometimes alter traditional kefir's qualities.

 

This passage is helpful for IELTS Reading preparation as it illustrates how to summarise historical and procedural details and introduces relevant food and fermentation vocabulary.

 

Such detailed content will help in developing skills to identify key details, understand processes, and analyse changes over time—essential skills required to improve the IELTS Reading score.


 

Let’s look at the “The Magic Of Kefir ” reading passage along with questions, answers and explanations.

 

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1. The Magic Of Kefir Reading 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. The Magic Of Kefir Reading Answers & Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Is The Magic Of Kefir Reading Answers & Questions 

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1.

The Magic Of Kefir 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.

 

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The Magic Of Kefir Reading Passage    

 

 

Paragraph A


Herders in Europe's North Caucasus area were just attempting to get milk from one place to another by strapping leather pouches to the sides of donkeys when they made a groundbreaking discovery. Sometimes, a fermentation process would occur unintentionally during transport, and when the pouches were opened upon arrival, they no longer contained milk but rather a smelly, carbonated, low-alcohol fluid. This unexpected occurrence was really a gift in disguise. This new form of product is named after kefir. It leads to a nutritious tonic. It is considered a naturally preserved dairy product and significant to our culinary repertoire.


Paragraph B

 

We do know that yeast-based kefir grains have always been the source of the kefir phenomenon despite the fact that their specific origin is uncertain. These grains are incapable of a surprising feat: contrary to the vast majority of products you may purchase in a grocery store, they really grow and multiply with usage. This is due to the fact that the grains, which feel gritty and have a little similarity to cauliflower rosettes, contain active cultures that feed on lactose when introduced to milk. So, for the majority of kefir drinkers, the issue is not where to get more kefir grains but rather what to do with the grains they currently own!


 

Paragraph C

 

Kefir's production does not need a production line, which is a significant advantage. It is sufficient to combine grains with a batch of milk for ripening to begin. The mixture must be kept in a warm, dark environment with occasional stirring to avoid clumping (Caucasus inhabitants began storing the concoction in animal-skin satchels on the back of doors – Each time a person entered the room, the mixture was gently stirred). After about twenty-four hours, when the yeast cultures in the grains have proliferated and consumed the majority of the milk sugars, the final product is fit for human consumption.

 

Paragraph D

 

A person's first interaction with kefir is unparalleled. The smooth, consistent consistency of liquefied yoghurt that has been dissolved on the tongue. In addition to the intense, sour tanginess of unsweetened yoghurt, there is also a sense of effervescence, which most consumers have historically associated with mineral waters, soda, or beer. Depending on the kind of milk and ripening circumstances, kefir's ethanol concentration may reach up to two or three percent, which is equivalent to a quality lager. Nevertheless, a normal day-old preparation would have between 0.8 and one percent ethanol. This may add a hint of alcohol to the texture of the kefir.


 

Paragraph E

 

In addition to its traditional usage as a fermented milk beverage, kefir has developed a variety of different applications throughout the years. Several bakers use kefir for starter yeast in the manufacture of sourdough, and its tangy flavour also makes it a perfect buttermilk replacement in pancakes. Kefir complements sour cream as one of the primary components in cold beetroot soup and may be replaced with regular cow's milk in granola and porridge. Protein drinks with kefir and yoghurt are a common technique for athletes to maintain the best digestive health.


 

Paragraph F

 

Kefir, which has been associated for decades with images of Russian babushkas holding a blanket in one hand and a cup of kefir in the other, has become a minor star of the embryonic health food movement in contemporary Western culture. Every day, new research is published demonstrating the advantages of a diet rich in probiotics. This trend of eating probiotics has so absorbed the leisure classes in these nations that, according to some observers, it is ready to become "the new multivitamin." In contemporary days, the term kefir is more likely to conjure up images of fashionable, yoga-mat-carrying ladies from Los Angeles than of bleak, windswept Eastern European settings.


 

Paragraph G

 

Increased demand for kefir has prompted manufacturers to take shortcuts or change their manufacturing techniques. Some home users avoid the ripening and acculturation procedure, although industrial sellers often add thickeners, stabilisers, and sweeteners. It is a very inexpensive and uncomplicated procedure, as is the case with any accidental innovation, at its healthiest and tastiest; that is the beauty of kefir, though. A few grains, some milk, and some patience are all that are required. A return to traditional, unadulterated kefir production would be in everybody's best interest.

 

2.

The Magic Of Kefir Answers & Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Magic Of Kefir

Questions and Answers 1-2
  • Choose TWO letters, A–E.
  • Write the correct letters in your answer sheet.

 

Which TWO products are NOT mentioned as things that Kefir can replace?

  • Ordinary cow’s milk
  • Buttermilk
  • Sour cream
  • Starter yeast
  • Yoghurt


 

The Magic Of Kefir  Reading Answers with Explanations   (1-2)

 

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.


 

1 and 2. C/E (in any order)



Reference

From paragraph E:  "In addition to its traditional usage as a fermented milk beverage, kefir has developed a variety of different applications —-------- drinks with kefir and yoghurt are a common technique for athletes to maintain the best digestive health." 

 

Explanation: This line indicates that kefir is used alongside sour cream rather than replacing it, demonstrating that sour cream is not substituted by kefir. Additionally, kefir and yoghurt are mentioned as being used together in protein drinks, suggesting that kefir does not replace yoghurt. Therefore, sour cream and yoghurt are the correct answers, as kefir does not replace these products.

 

Also Read: IELTS General Reading Test.


 

Questions and Answers 3-6
  • Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

  • Write your answers in your answer sheet.

 

 

3. What do kefir grains look like?
4. What must be placed when kefir is ripening?
5. What will the yeast cultures have consumed previous to the kefir's readiness for consumption?
6. The texture of kefir in the mouth is similar to what?


 

The Magic Of Kefir  Reading Answers with Explanations (3-6)

 

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 best 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.
     
3. cauliflower rosettes



Reference

From paragraph B: "This is due to the fact that the grains, which feel gritty and have a little similarity to cauliflower rosettes, contain active cultures that feed on lactose when introduced to milk." 

 

Explanation: This line describes the appearance of kefir grains by comparing them to cauliflower rosettes. The specific description of the grains feeling gritty and resembling cauliflower rosettes makes it clear that this is how they are visually identified. Therefore, "cauliflower rosettes" is the correct answer.

 

4. occasional stirring



Reference

From paragraph C: "The mixture must be kept in a warm, dark environment with occasional stirring to avoid clumping (Caucasus inhabitants began storing the concoction in animal-skin satchels on the back of doors – Each time a person entered the room, the mixture was gently stirred)." 

 

Explanation: This line outlines the necessary process for kefir production, stating that occasional stirring is required during the ripening stage. It highlights that stirring prevents the mixture from clumping and ensures proper fermentation. Thus, "occasional stirring" is the precise answer based on this information.

 

5. milk sugars



Reference

From paragraph C:  "After about twenty-four hours, when the yeast cultures in the grains have proliferated and consumed the majority of the milk sugars, the final product is fit for human consumption." 

 

Explanation: This line explains that yeast cultures in kefir grains consume milk sugars during the fermentation process. The consumption of these sugars is a key part of making kefir ready for consumption. The mention of "milk sugars" directly relates to what is consumed by the yeast cultures, making it the correct answer.


 

6. liquefied yoghurt

 

Reference

From paragraph D:  "The smooth, consistent consistency of liquefied yoghurt that has been dissolved on the tongue."

 

Explanation: This line describes the texture of kefir in the mouth as being similar to liquefied yoghurt. The comparison emphasises the smooth and consistent texture of kefir, which is likened to that of liquefied yoghurt. This specific description clarifies that "liquefied yoghurt" accurately represents the kefir’s texture.

 

 

Learn about IELTS Reading Vocabulary here!

Questions and Answers 7-13
  • Reading Passage has seven paragraphs, A–G.

  • Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.
  • Write the correct number, i–x, in your answer sheet.

 

List of Headings

 

i.     Old methods of transportation
ii.    Ways to improve taste
iii.   Getting back to basics
iv.   Variations in alcohol content
v.    A fortunate accident
vi.   Culinary applications
vii.  Making kefir
viii.  A unique sensory experience
ix.   Kefir gets an image makeover
x.   The gift that keeps on giving

 

7. Section A
8. Section B
9. Section C
10. Section D
11. Section E
12. Section F
13. Section G




The Magic Of Kefir  Reading Answers with Explanations ( 7-13)

 

Type of question: Matching Headings

 

In this question type, you will be asked to choose the correct heading for each paragraph from a list of headings provided. This type of question assesses your ability to understand the main idea or theme of each paragraph.

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Familiarise yourself with the list of headings before reading the paragraphs. This helps you know what to look for.
  • Identify the main idea or theme of each paragraph by looking for topic sentences or recurring themes.
  • Find keywords or phrases that are similar to those in the headings. This can help you make connections.
  • Eliminate incorrect options that don't match any paragraphs to narrow down your choices.
  • Skim and Scan each paragraph efficiently to get a context about the content.


     
7. v



Reference

 

From paragraph A: "Herders in Europe's North Caucasus area were just attempting to get milk from one place to another by strapping leather pouches —------- product is named after kefir. It leads to a nutritious tonic. It is considered a naturally preserved dairy product and significant to our culinary repertoire."

 

Explanation: This line describes how the discovery of kefir happened by accident during the transportation of milk, resulting in an unintentional yet beneficial product. The phrase "gift in disguise" emphasises that this accidental discovery was fortunate, making 'A fortunate accident' the appropriate heading.

 

8. x

 

Reference

 

From paragraph B:  "These grains are incapable of a surprising feat: contrary to the vast majority of products you may purchase in a grocery store, they really grow and multiply with usage. This is due to the fact that the grains, which feel gritty and have a little similarity to cauliflower rosettes, contain active cultures that feed on lactose when introduced to milk. So, for the majority of kefir drinkers, the issue is not where to get more kefir grains but rather what to do with the grains they currently own!"

 

Explanation: This passage highlights the unique property of kefir grains, which continue to grow and multiply with use. It underscores that the grains keep producing more kefir, making it a continuously beneficial resource. This ongoing process likens kefir to a gift that keeps on giving, hence the correct heading.

 

 

9. vii

 

Reference

 

From paragraph C:  "Kefir's production does not need a production line, which is a significant advantage. It is sufficient to combine grains with a batch of milk for ripening to begin. The mixture must be kept in a warm, dark environment with occasional stirring to avoid clumping (Caucasus inhabitants began storing the concoction in animal-skin satchels on the back of doors – Each time a person entered the room, the mixture was gently stirred)."

 

Explanation: The paragraph details the straightforward process of making kefir, emphasising that it requires just mixing grains with milk and allowing it to ripen. This simple method highlights how kefir is made without complex equipment, aligning with the heading 'Making kefir'.
 

 

10. viii

 

Reference: 

From paragraph D: “A person's first interaction with kefir is unparalleled. The smooth, consistent consistency of liquefied yoghurt that has been dissolved on the tongue. In addition to the intense, sour tanginess of unsweetened yoghurt, there is also a sense of effervescence, which most consumers have historically associated with mineral waters, soda, or beer. Depending on the kind of milk and ripening circumstances, kefir's ethanol concentration may reach up to two or three percent, which is equivalent to a quality lager. Nevertheless, a normal day-old preparation would have between 0.8 and one percent ethanol.“

 

Explanation:  This section describes the unique sensory experience of drinking kefir, including its texture and tangy taste. The comparison of kefir's texture and alcohol content with other beverages underscores its distinctiveness, making 'A unique sensory experience' the fitting heading.


 

11. vi


Reference

From paragraph E:  "In addition to its traditional usage as a fermented milk beverage, kefir has developed a variety of different applications throughout the years. Several bakers use kefir for starter yeast in the manufacture of sourdough, and its tangy flavour also makes it a perfect buttermilk replacement in pancakes. Kefir complements sour cream as one of the primary components in cold beetroot soup and may be replaced with regular cow's milk in granola and porridge."

 

Explanation: The paragraph elaborates on various ways kefir is used in cooking and baking, including its roles as a yeast starter and a buttermilk substitute. It shows how kefir's versatility extends beyond its traditional use. Thus, 'Culinary applications' is fitting as it describes the different uses of kefir in recipes.


 

12. ix

 

Reference

From paragraph F:  "Kefir, which has been associated for decades with images of Russian babushkas holding a blanket in one hand and a cup of kefir—------images of fashionable, yoga-mat-carrying ladies from Los Angeles than of bleak, windswept Eastern European settings."

 

Explanation: This paragraph contrasts the traditional image of kefir with its modern, trendy association with Western culture. It highlights the significant shift in kefir's public perception from a simple, Eastern European drink to a fashionable health food, fitting the heading 'Kefir gets an image makeover'.


 

13. iii

 

Reference

From paragraph G:  "Increased demand for kefir has prompted manufacturers to take shortcuts or change their manufacturing techniques. Some home users —--------- A return to traditional, unadulterated kefir production would be in everybody's best interest."

 

Explanation: The paragraph discusses how modern changes to kefir production have led to less authentic products and advocates for a return to traditional methods. This suggests a preference for returning to the original production methods. Therefore, 'Getting back to basics' is appropriate as it reflects the desire to revert to the traditional kefir-making process.


 

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FAQs

Q: How are the questions structured in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans: The questions in the IELTS Reading test are structured in various formats, including multiple-choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. Each question type assesses different reading skills, such as finding specific information, understanding the main idea, and interpreting the text.

Q: Is there a negative marking for incorrect answers in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans: No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in the IELTS Reading test. You receive one mark for each correct answer, and incorrect answers do not result in a deduction of marks. Therefore, it is beneficial to attempt all questions, even if you are unsure of some answers.

Q: What types of questions can I expect in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans: In the IELTS Reading test, you can expect a variety of question types, such as multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, matching headings, and filling in blanks. These questions test different reading skills, including comprehension, detail recognition, and understanding of the writer's perspective.