leap-scholar-logo
hamburger-menu

The Power of Light Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

updated at

Updated on Jul 15, 2024, 10:57

The IELTS Reading section assesses your ability to comprehend and interpret academic and general texts. This section consists of three passages with a total of 40 questions, which you must complete within 60 minutes. The texts vary in difficulty, progressing from easier to more challenging, and cover a wide range of subjects to test your reading skills comprehensively.

 

Practising with these practice tests will significantly enhance your understanding of the IELTS Reading section. You will become familiar with the types of questions you may encounter and develop effective strategies to tackle them. Reviewing the provided sample answers will help you understand how to approach each question and what is expected in your responses.

 

On this page

Arrow right
Slider image

1. The Power of Light 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.

Slider image

2. The Power of Light Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Power of Light Reading Question & Answers

More for you

Boost your IELTS Reading score

Book Free Reading class arrow right

See how to score 8+ in Speaking. 

 

Get proven strategies to ace your IELTS Speaking test.

Learn More arrow right
3/3
1.

The Power of Light 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.

 

 

 

 

The Power of Light Reading Passage

 

 

Paragraph A: Dark spots exist during the daytime too, in the form of shadows. Before I had spoken to astronomer and shadow specialist David Lynch in Topanga Canyon, California, along the coast from Santa Monica, I was unaware of the wide diversity of shadows that exists. Lynch notes that a shadow contains light reflected from the sky; else, it would be totally dark. The Apollo astronauts described the shadows on the moon as being black since there is no atmosphere or sky on the moon to reflect light into the dark valleys of the lunar surface.

 

Paragraph B: Light has existed since the beginning. There's going to be light at the end, though faintly. It surrounds the universe in all of its forms, both visible and invisible. Light eludes our perception in more aspects than just one. The basic elements of nature have been split into smaller and more peculiar attributes by modern physics, yet the light won't fade. Light is light; it is pure, yet it is complex. Nobody knows how to express it in words. Is it a wave or a particle? Yes, as per scientists, it is both.

 

Paragraph C: Light's significance in our daily lives is demonstrated by the fact that we pay minimal attention to it. Air and light are very similar. That much is obvious. A person would consider the idea of light as much as a fish would consider the concept of water. There are exceptions, brief glimpses of amazement when a special form of light, a transient splendor, appears: a rainbow, a sunset, a lightning flash in a dark sky, the glistening surface of the ocean at twilight, the mottled light in a forest, the small red dot from a faculty member's laser pen. A romantic ambiance is produced by just a candle's flicker. After the electricity went out, the torch was used to search for the circuit breakers.

 

Paragraph D: Recent news reports have mentioned scientists' attempts to accelerate light beyond the speed of light. For decades, this was the fantasy of science fiction authors as well as some overly creative minds. They imagined that if you were able to build a spacecraft that wasn't confined by Einstein's speed limit, you could travel through the universe far more rapidly.

 

Paragraph E: The world is exposed to us through light. Our biological clocks are established by it. It stimulates the sense of colour in our brains. We are fed by light, which also gives plants energy for growth. It inspires us with stunning phenomena such as rainbows and sunsets. From incandescent lights to lasers and fibre optics, light provides us with instruments that may transform our lives.

 

Paragraph F: What does the future hold for light? What new software will we discover? What orthodoxy-busting cosmic facts will our telescopes receive from stars? Will the spinning disco ball ever reappear on the dance floor? Most importantly, you have to ponder if humans will ever actually understand light.

 

Paragraph G: What we call light is identical to the radiation which we name as radio waves, gamma rays, and x-rays, although with different wavelengths. However, visible light is distinct from any other fundamental component of the world in that it interacts with our senses directly, frequently, and profoundly. Long distances can be covered by high-resolution information given by light. The Jupiterian moons and the Crab Nebula cannot be heard or smelled. Visible light conveys so much information that practically every living creature, from a fly to an octopus, has an instrument that can collect it, usually an eye or pair of eyes.

 

Paragraph H: Nowadays, everything including telephone technology to laser eye surgery uses light. It could become the primary source of energy for long-distance space travel. The spacecraft would be equipped with a thin sail to capture the laser light that was being transmitted from Earth. Theoretically, a ship of this type may travel without fuel at speeds approaching a significant percentage of the speed of light.

 

Paragraph I: I questioned Wang why the speed of light is 186,282 miles per second as opposed to another value. He stated that this is how nature works. Many scientists detest these "why" questions. The light's speed is indeed constant. This is their opinion. Whether light could travel at a different speed in another world is currently beyond the range of experimental research. Even the theorists find it a little far-fetched.

 

Paragraph J: It's vital to remember that our eyes are built to identify the specific type of light that is emitted in large quantities by the star that drives our planet's life: the sun. Visible light is a strong material that travels at fairly short wavelengths, which makes it suitable for biological purposes. We'd need large eyes the size of satellite dishes to view the vast, elongated radio waves. It's not worth the hassle! It would also be absurd for human eyes to be able to see infrared light (however, certain deep-sea shrimp near hot springs do interpret things in this way). That would include practically everything in our surroundings. Any heat-emitting device shines in these wavelengths, which would keep us preoccupied all the time.

 

Paragraph K: Lynch is a person who can see features in a rainbow that most people overlook. For instance, he is aware that all rainbows are twins, therefore he always seeks out the second rainbow, which is a pale parallel rainbow with the colours arranged inversely. The area in between is darker. This region has a name, Alexander's black band, in case you were not aware. As I gazed across the breathtaking canyon, Lynch added further: "there's sky between here and the mountains over there, which is why those mountains over there appear a little blue," he explained, pointing to the range that hides the Pacific. It is known as Fairlight.

 

Paragraph L: A flash of light that exceeded the predetermined speed limit was generated by Princeton researcher Lijun Wang. He said that although this is not at odds with Einstein, they produced an artificial mode of cesium gas within which the speed of the pulse of light surpasses the speed of light in a vacuum. Unlike matter, light may be modified to travel faster than light. Information can not do that. There is no potential for time travel.

 

Paragraph M: Certainty implies that light will continue to be incredibly valuable for industry, science, art, and our monotonous daily activities. On every level of reality, light pervades everything. It is a marvellous instrument, a bearer of beauty, and a source of life. I cannot resist stating that its future is bright.

 

2.

The Power of Light Reading Questions & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Power of Light

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • The Reading Passage describes several cause-and-effect relationships. Match each cause (1 - 5) in List A, with its effect (A - H) in List B.
  • There are more effects in List B than you will need, so you will not use all.

 

List A

 

  1. Visible light carries a huge amount of important data.

     
  2. Light is not reflected onto hard surfaces in the absence of an atmosphere.

     
  3. Sometimes, light may emerge in an unusual way.

     
  4. Only light is faster than 186,282 miles per second.

     
  5. The majority of the time, visible light surrounds us.

 

List B

 

  1. A spaceship could be fueled by the Earth's light.

     
  2. Infrared light can be sensed by some creatures.

     
  3. Almost all life forms are capable of detecting it.

     
  4. We become aware of it immediately.

     
  5. The shadows are completely dark.

     
  6. Between each rainbow, there is a dark space.

     
  7. We seldom give it a second thought or recognition.

     
  8. We cannot travel back in time.

  

The Power of Light Reading Answers with Explanations 1-5

 

Type of Question: Matching Features

 

In the matching features question of IELTS reading, you need to identify specific features or characteristics mentioned in the passage and match them with the corresponding options provided in the question.
 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Understand the task requirements and the features you need to match.
  • Get a general idea of the content and locate keywords related to the features.
  • Highlight or note key terms in the questions and corresponding features in the passage.
  • Be aware of synonyms and paraphrases that might be used in the passage instead of exact words from the question.
  • Narrow down choices by eliminating obviously incorrect answers before selecting the best match.


 

1. C

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph G, "Long distances can be covered by high-resolution information given by light."


Explanation: This statement shows that visible light carries a huge amount of important data, as it conveys high-resolution information over long distances. The passage discusses how light interacts with our senses and can carry detailed information across vast distances, which is why almost all life forms are capable of detecting it.

 

2. E

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph A, "The Apollo astronauts described the shadows on the moon as being black since there is no atmosphere or sky on the moon to reflect light into the dark valleys of the lunar surface."

 

Explanation: Without an atmosphere to reflect light, shadows on the moon are completely dark, demonstrating the effect of the absence of light reflection. This explains why the shadows are described as completely dark when there is no atmosphere.

 

3. D


Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "There are exceptions, brief glimpses of amazement when a special form of light, a transient splendour, appears: a rainbow, a sunset, a lightning flash in a dark sky..."



Explanation: The paragraph lists phenomena where light emerges in unusual and transient forms, such as rainbows and lightning. These examples show that light can sometimes appear in unexpected and remarkable ways, illustrating the statement that light may emerge in an unusual way.

 

4. H


Reference:

 

From Paragraph L, "Unlike matter, light may be modified to travel faster than light. Information can not do that. There is no potential for time travel."

 

Explanation: This explains that only light can travel faster than the speed of light, but information and matter cannot, thus eliminating the possibility of time travel. The passage emphasises that while light can exceed its own speed limit, it does not enable time travel, which aligns with the idea that only light is faster than 186,282 miles per second.

 

5. G


Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "Light's significance in our daily lives is demonstrated by the fact that we pay minimal attention to it."

 

Explanation: The paragraph indicates that, despite its constant presence, we rarely give visible light much thought, showing that it surrounds us most of the time. The comparison to air highlights how we often overlook light's importance, illustrating that we seldom give it a second thought or recognition.


Also See: IELTS Academic 2024 Reading Resources

Questions and Answers 6-10
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the Reading passage?
In boxes 6 - 10 on your answer sheet write,

  • YES if the statement agrees with the writer
  • NO if the statement contradicts the writer
  • NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this.

 

6. Detecting visible light is more pragmatic as compared to radio waves.

7. The existence of life on other planets is made possible by the sun's light.

8. David Lynch has a tendency to observe things that are overlooked by others.

9. It is extremely difficult to describe light in a single word.

10. Wondering about how light works can make an object look even more magnificent.


 

The Power of Light  Reading Answers with Explanations 6-10

 

Type of Question: Yes/No/Not Given


 

These types of questions involve finding whether the given statement is Yes/No/Not Given based on the given paragraph. 

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Carefully read each statement and understand what it is asking or claiming.
  • Skim the passage to find the section related to the statement.
  • Compare the statement with the passage. Determine if the information directly supports (Yes), contradicts (No), or is not mentioned (Not Given).
  • Base your answer only on the information provided in the passage, not on your own knowledge.
  • Ensure you clearly differentiate between information that is explicitly stated and what is implied or missing.

 

6. Yes


Reference:

 

From Paragraph J, "We'd need large eyes the size of satellite dishes to view the vast, elongated radio waves."
 

Explanation: This statement shows that detecting visible light is more practical than detecting radio waves, as visible light travels at short wavelengths suitable for biological purposes, while radio waves require extremely large eyes to be detected.

 

7. Not Given


Reference: 

 

Not applicable
 

Explanation: The passage does not discuss the existence of life on other planets or the role of the sun's light in making life possible elsewhere, so there is no information to confirm or refute the statement.

 

8. Yes

 

Reference: 

 

From Paragraph K, "Lynch is a person who can see features in a rainbow that most people overlook."

 

Explanation: This line indicates that David Lynch has a knack for observing details that others often miss, such as the second rainbow and Alexander's black band, which supports the statement.

 

9. Yes

 

Reference: 

 

From Paragraph B, "Light is light; it is pure, yet it is complex. Nobody knows how to express it in words."

 

Explanation: The passage explains that light's nature is difficult to articulate because it is both pure and complex, and there is ambiguity about whether it is a wave or a particle, making it hard to describe in a single word.

 

10. No

 

Reference: 

 

From Paragraph F, "You can't savour the beauty of a rose if you think about the way the brain only detects red as a particular light wavelength with crests that are around 700 nanometers apart."

 

Explanation: The writer argues that analysing how light works can detract from the appreciation of an object's beauty, using the example of a rose, indicating that wondering about light's workings does not enhance its magnificence.

 

IELTS Reading Tips & Tricks 2024: Techniques for Band 9

 

Questions and Answers 11-13
  • Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

 

11. What was the material in which the speed of light was faster than what it was earlier thought to be possible?

12. When viewed from a distance, what appearance does a land have?

13. What did some individuals anticipate traveling in?

 

The Power of Light  Reading Answers with Explanations 11-13 

 

Type of Question: Short Answer Questions 


These types of questions in the IELTS Reading test involve reading the question carefully, locating the relevant part of the passage, and providing a concise answer using keywords and information directly from the text.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Understand what information you need to find before reading the passage.
  • Identify and highlight keywords in the questions to help locate relevant sections in the passage.
  • Provide clear and direct answers using words from the passage without adding unnecessary information.
  • Ensure your answers do not exceed the word limit specified in the instructions.
  • Verify the spelling and accuracy of your answers to avoid losing marks for careless mistakes.

 

11. cesium gas


 Reference: 

 

From Paragraph L, “they produced an artificial mode of cesium gas within which the speed of the pulse of light surpasses the speed of light in a vacuum.")

 

Explanation: In Paragraph L, it is mentioned that researchers produced an artificial mode of cesium gas in which the speed of light pulse exceeded the speed of light in a vacuum. This experiment demonstrates that under certain conditions, such as within cesium gas, light can travel faster than its usual speed limit in a vacuum.

 

12. a little blue

 

Reference: 

 

From Paragraph K, "There's sky between here and the mountains over there, which is why those mountains over there appear a little blue."

 

Explanation: According to Paragraph K, David Lynch explains that mountains appear slightly blue from a distance due to the atmospheric sky visible between the viewer and the mountains. This phenomenon alters their perceived colouration when viewed from afar.

 

13. a spaceship

 

Reference: 

 

From Paragraph D, "They imagined that if you were able to build a spacecraft that wasn't confined by Einstein's speed limit, you could travel through the universe far more rapidly."

 

 Explanation: Paragraph D discusses the hypothetical concept of a spacecraft that could potentially travel through the universe at speeds faster than Einstein's speed limit. This idea reflects speculation about future advancements in space travel technology.

 

Also Read:

 

Next Up

IELTS Reading Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Speaking Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Listening Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Writing Practice Test

Read Now Read now

IELTS Important Information

IELTS Accepting Countries

IELTS Accepting Universities

Read More about IELTS Practice Test

Top Reading Samples with Answers

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in India

FAQs

Q. Can I use a highlighter or take notes during the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Yes, you can. In the IELTS Reading test, you're allowed to use a pencil to make notes on the question paper. This includes underlining key points, circling important information, or writing short notes to help you remember details. However, you must transfer your answers onto the answer sheet in the given time.


 

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

Ans. Effective time management in the IELTS Reading test involves skimming through passages first to get a general idea. Allocate about 20 minutes per section and prioritise easier questions first. If stuck, move on and come back later. Don't spend too long on any single question. Practice pacing yourself during mock tests to build confidence.


 

Q. What is the IELTS reading test like?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test consists of three sections with increasingly difficult texts. You'll have 60 minutes to answer 40 questions based on these texts. Texts can range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. Questions include multiple-choice, matching headings, and true/false/not given, assessing your ability to locate information, understand main ideas, and infer meaning from context.