The Return Of Huarango Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test with Answers

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Updated on Mar 26, 2025, 08:49

The  IELTS Reading section assesses your ability to understand and interpret written texts. You will encounter three passages, each increasing in complexity, with a variety of question types such as sentence completion, table completion and true/false/not given. The section lasts 60 minutes and requires you to answer 40 questions accurately and efficiently.
 

The Return Of Huarango reading answer passage explores the vital role of the huarango tree in Peru’s desert ecosystem. It highlights the tree’s historical significance, its decline due to human activity, and ongoing efforts to restore it for environmental and community benefits.


Let’s look at the The Return Of Huarango reading answer passage, questions, and answers with explanations.

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1. The Return Of Huarango Reading Answer Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 – 13 based on the Calisthenics Reading Answer Passage below.

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2. The Return Of Huarango Reading Answers with Sample Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Return Of Huarango.

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3. Check Out Top 35 IELTS Reading Practice Test Questions with Answers

Below are some top free IELTS Reading Practice test online questions with detailed answers to enhance your IELTS preparation online. 

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1.

The Return Of Huarango Reading Answer 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 Return Of Huarango Reading Answer Passage


 

The arid valleys of southern Peru are welcoming the return of a native plant.

 

Paragraph A. The Peruvian south coast is a 2,000-kilometer-long strip of desert trapped between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. It is also one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet. Because it seldom rains there, the only year-round water source is buried tens of metres under the surface. This is why the huarango tree is so well adapted to living there: it has the longest roots of any tree on the planet. By stretching down 50–80 metres, they suck up water for the tree while simultaneously bringing it up into the upper subsoil, providing a water supply for other plant life.

 

Paragraph B. Dr. David Beresford-Jones, an archaeobotanist at Cambridge University, investigated the role of the huarango tree in landscape change in southern Peru's Lower Ica Valley. He regarded the huarango as an important element of the ancient people's diet because it could reach underground water sources, enabling inhabitants to endure years of drought when their crops failed to thrive. Crops, on the other hand, gradually supplanted Huarango trees over time. When natural forest is chopped down, erosion occurs because there is nothing to hold the soil in place. As a consequence, when the huarangos go, the area becomes desolate. Nothing is growing in the Lower Ica Valley right now.

 

Paragraph C.  For ages, the huarango tree has also been vital to the dwellers of the surrounding Middle Ica Valley. They ate items made from their seed pods and grew crops underneath them. Its branches were used to generate charcoal for cooking and heating, while its leaves and bark were utilised to manufacture herbal remedies, and its trunk was used to build houses. It is, however, rapidly declining. The great bulk of the valley's huarango woods have already been cleared for fuel and agriculture – first smallholdings, but now enormous farms producing foodstuffs for the worldwide market.

 

Paragraph D.  "99 percent of the trees that were here 1,000 years ago have already perished," says botanist Oliver Whaley of London's Kew Gardens, who is conducting a pioneering initiative to protect and restore the fast-decreasing ecosystem alongside ethnobotanist Dr. William Milliken. To be successful, Whaley must win the favour of the villagers, which has forced him to overcome local preconceptions. "Increasingly ambitious communities feel that growing food trees in your yard or on your street implies that you are poor and must continue to cultivate your food," he adds. Whaley is encouraging locals to rekindle their love of harangues in order to avoid the Middle Ica Valley from following in the footsteps of the Lower Ica Valley. "It's a process of cultural resuscitation," he says. He has already organised a huapango festival to restore people's pride in their natural past, and he has assisted local schoolchildren in planting thousands of trees.

 

Paragraph E. "You should cultivate trees," Whaley continues, "which will assist them all in attempting to get consumers involved in reforestation activities." As a consequence, he has been engaging with people to attempt to transform huarango byproducts into food in order to offer a sustainable life. When you simmer the beans, you obtain a rich, dark sauce that tastes like molasses. It's also delicious in drinks, soups, and stews. ” The seeds and shells may be mixed to produce a rich, chocolaty "coffee," and the seeds can be crushed into flour for pastries. "It's rich with vitamins and minerals," is what Whaley has to say about it, and he's right.

 

Paragraph F. Some farmers are planting huarangos. Alberto Benevides, owner of Ica Valley's first organically cultivated ranch, which Whaley helped build, has been planting the evergreen for 13 years. He produces maple syrup and flour, which he sells at Lima's organic farmers' market. His acreage is modest and does not now provide him with enough revenue to live on, but he anticipates that it will improve in the future. "The fresh vegetable business in Peru is rapidly developing," says Benevides. I'm investing for the future.

 

Paragraph G.  Although Whaley may convince the people to rekindle their bond with the huarango, the large farms are a significant danger. A couple of them slice through trees, breaking up the paths that allow animals, birds, and pollen to travel freely over the narrow wooded strip. He's persuading landowners to just allow him to construct forest zones on their property in the hopes of reversing this tendency. He believes that the additional forest will benefit agriculture by decreasing evaporation, providing a habitat for insects that manage pests, and reducing the demand for water.

 

Paragraph H . 'If we can record biodiversity and understand how everything works, we'll be ready to go ahead.' "Desert landscapes may be reduced to nearly nothing," adds Whaley. "It's not like a jungle, where a lot of space is required." Life has always been restricted to tunnels and islands in this location. If just a few trees remain, the colony may quickly develop since it is used to taking advantage of water when it comes. He believes that his method might be used as a model in other arid areas throughout the globe. If you can do it here, in the world's most unstable system, it's a true message of hope for other nations, particularly in Africa, where people are suffering from starvation and can't afford to leave for the rain.’

 

Let’s explore the questions and answers of The Return Of Huarango Reading passage.

2.

The Return Of Huarango Reading Answers with Sample Questions

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

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • Complete the notes below.
  • Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
  • Write your answers in boxes 1–5 on your answer sheet.

 

The importance of the huarango tree

 

  • Its roots may stretch up to 80 meters into the ground.
  • (1) _______ can be penetrated deeply under the earth.
  • A good while ago, it was a critical component of the people (2) ________
  • Helped people to survive periods of (3) __________
  • Prevents (4) ________ of the soil
  • Guarantees that land will not become a (5) _________
     

The Return Of Huarango Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)
 

Type of question: Sentence Completion

 

In this question type, you are required to fill in the blanks in a given sentence with words or phrases taken directly from the passage. These questions test your ability to understand specific details and information presented in the text.

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Read the sentence carefully to understand the context.
  • Identify keywords or clues that can help you find the answer in the passage.
  • Scan the passage for relevant information, focusing on the area around the blank.
  • Choose the answer that fits grammatically and contextually.
  • Verify your answers and finalise them.
     
1. water

 

Reference: From paragraph A: "By stretching down 50–80 metres, they suck up water for the tree while simultaneously bringing it up into the upper subsoil, providing a water supply for other plant life."

 

Explanation: This line indicates that the roots of the huarango tree absorb water from deep underground and distribute it to the upper subsoil. This unique adaptation helps sustain other vegetation in the dry region, making "water" the correct answer.

 

2. diet

 

Reference: From paragraph B: "He regarded the huarango as an important element of the ancient people's diet because it could reach underground water sources, enabling inhabitants to endure years of drought when their crops failed to thrive."

 

Explanation: This line shows that the huarango tree was an essential part of the ancient people's diet. Its ability to access deep water sources ensured that people had a reliable food supply even during droughts, making "diet" the correct answer.
 

3. drought

 

Reference: From paragraph B: "He regarded the huarango as an important element of the ancient people's diet because it could reach underground water sources, enabling inhabitants to endure years of drought when their crops failed to thrive."

 

Explanation:  This line highlights that the huarango tree helped people survive long periods of drought by providing a dependable water source. Since other crops often failed during dry seasons, the tree played a crucial role in sustaining the community, making "drought" the correct answer.
 

4. erosion

 

Reference: From paragraph B: "Crops, on the other hand, gradually supplanted Huarango trees over time. When natural forest is chopped down, erosion occurs because there is nothing to hold the soil in place."

 

Explanation:  This line suggests that the removal of huarango trees led to soil erosion because crops could not hold the soil as effectively. Without the tree’s deep roots stabilising the land, the soil became loose and eroded, making "erosion" the correct answer.
 

5. desert

 

Reference: From paragraph B: “As a consequence, when the huarangos go, the area becomes desolate. Nothing is growing in the Lower Ica Valley right now.''

 

Explanation: This line indicates that the absence of huarango trees results in land degradation, turning the region into a barren desert. Since the trees previously maintained soil fertility and moisture, their removal caused desertification, making "desert" the correct answer.

 

To build a strong word bank that can help you approach the Reading section with clarity and confidence, go through the list of IELTS Reading Vocabulary!

Questions and Answers 6-8
  • Complete the table below.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
  • Write your answers in boxes 6-8 on your answer sheet.

 

Traditional uses of the huarango tree
A section of the tree Traditional use
(6) ............ Fuel
(7) ……. and ………. Medicine
(8) .............. construction

 

The Return Of Huarango  Reading Answers With Explanations (6-8)
 

Type of question: Table Completion

 

Under this task, you are required to fill in missing information in a table based on the information provided in the passage. These questions typically appear as part of the matching information or summary completion tasks.

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Quickly skim the passage for the main idea and relevant details.
  • Note keywords or headings in the table to place missing information.
  • Read surrounding sentences carefully for specific details.
  • Use accurate and grammatically correct information from the passage.
  • Verify and finalise your answers.

 

6. huarango branches/the branches/its branches

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “Its branches were used to generate charcoal for cooking and heating, while its leaves and bark were utilised to manufacture herbal remedies and its trunk was used to build houses.''

 

Explanation: This line indicates that the branches of the huarango tree were specifically used to produce charcoal, which served as fuel for cooking and heating. This makes "huarango branches" the correct answer.

 

7. bark, leaves

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “Its branches were used to generate charcoal for cooking and heating, while its leaves and bark were utilised to manufacture herbal remedies and its trunk was used to build houses.''

 

Explanation: This line suggests that both the bark and leaves of the huarango tree were used to create herbal remedies. Since herbal remedies are a form of medicine, "bark, leaves" is the correct answer.

 

8. huarango trunk/ the trunk/ its trunk

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “Its branches were used to generate charcoal for cooking and heating, while its leaves and bark were utilised to manufacture herbal remedies and its trunk was used to build houses.''

 

Explanation: This line shows that the trunk of the huarango tree was used as a material for constructing houses. Since construction involves building, "huarango trunk" is the correct answer.

 

Read more about the IELTS General Reading Practice Test 2025

Questions and Answers 9-13
Do the following statements agree with the information given in The Return Of Huarango Reading Answers Passage?
In boxes 9-13 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 about this.

 

9. Whaley has discovered some of the traditional applications of huarango products from local households.

10. Alberto Benevides, a farmer, is now generating a great income from huarangos.

11. Farmers' assistance is needed by Whaley to help maintain the area's biodiversity.

12. To be successful, Whaley's idea must be scaled up to a massive scale.

13. Whaley intends to establish a similar initiative in Africa. 
 

The Return Of Huarango Reading Answers With Explanations (9-13)

 

Type of question: Yes/No/Not Given(True/False/Not Given)

 

In this question type, you are required to determine whether the statements provided agree with, contradict, or are not mentioned in the reading passage. 

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Understand what information is being presented and what is being asked.
  • Find relevant information in the reading passage that relates to the statement.
  • Determine if the statement agrees with, contradicts, or is not mentioned in the passage.
  • If the information is not explicitly provided in the passage, select 'Not Given' rather than making assumptions.
  • Base your answers solely on the information presented in the passage, avoiding personal opinions or outside knowledge.

 

9. Not Given

 

Reference: From N/A

 

Explanation: The passage does not mention whether local households informed Whaley about the traditional applications of huarango products. Since there is no information confirming this, "Not Given" is the correct answer.

 

10. False

 

Reference: From paragraph F:  “Alberto Benevides, owner of Ica Valley's first organically cultivated ranch, which Whaley helped build, has been planting the evergreen for 13 years. He produces maple syrup and flour, which he sells at Lima's organic farmers' market. His acreage is modest and does not now provide him with enough revenue to live on, but he anticipates that it will improve in the future.”


Explanation:  This line indicates that although Alberto Benevides has been cultivating huarangos for years, his farm is still not profitable enough to sustain him financially. Since he is not generating a great income yet, "False" is the correct answer.

 

11. True

 

Reference: From paragraph G:  “Although Whaley may convince the people to rekindle their bond with the huarango, the large farms are a significant danger. A couple of them slice through trees, breaking up the paths that allow animals, birds, and pollen to travel freely over the narrow wooded strip. He's persuading landowners to just allow him to construct forest zones on their property in the hopes of reversing this tendency.”

 

Explanation: This suggests that Whaley needs the cooperation of farmers to protect the area's biodiversity by allowing him to plant forest corridors. Since his project relies on farmers' support, "True" is the correct answer.
 

12. False

 

Reference: From paragraph H:  “It's not like a jungle, where a lot of space is required." Life has always been restricted to tunnels and islands in this location. If just a few trees remain, the colony may quickly develop since it is used to taking advantage of water when it comes.”

 

Explanation: This line clarifies that Whaley's initiative does not require large-scale expansion to be effective. Since the ecosystem can thrive in small patches, the idea does not need to be implemented on a massive scale, making "False" the correct answer.
 

13. Not Given

 

Reference: From N/A

 

Explanation:  The passage mentions that Whaley's project could serve as a model for arid regions like Africa, but it does not state whether he intends to establish a similar initiative there. Since his plans for Africa are not confirmed, "Not Given" is the correct answer.

3.

Check Out Top 35 IELTS Reading Practice Test Questions with Answers

Below are some top 35 free IELTS Reading Practice test online questions with detailed answers to enhance your IELTS preparation online. We have provided sample passages for each test type for your reference.
 

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FAQs

Q. What are common keywords in The Return Of Huarango reading passage?

Ans. Common keywords in The Return Of Huarango include "Huarango tree," "desert ecosystem," "deforestation," "biodiversity," "climate impact," and "sustainability." These words help locate relevant information and understand the passage's main themes.

Q. How to answer matching headings questions in The Return Of Huarango reading passage?

Ans. Read all headings first, then scan each paragraph for the main idea. Look for synonyms or paraphrased words related to the headings. Avoid choosing a heading based on a single keyword; instead, match it to the overall theme of the paragraph.

Q. What is a challenging aspect of The Return Of Huarango reading passage?

Ans. One challenging aspect is identifying paraphrased information, as the passage often presents key ideas using different vocabulary. Additionally, understanding the ecological significance of the Huarango tree requires careful reading of scientific explanations.

Q. Are The Return Of Huarango passages part of the IELTS Academic or General Reading?

Ans. The Return Of Huarango is part of the IELTS Academic Reading test. It is a passage with a scientific and environmental focus, suitable for candidates taking the Academic module.

Q. What is the IELTS Reading test format?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test consists of three passages with 40 questions in total. The Academic version has texts from books, journals, and newspapers, while the General Training version includes more practical, everyday reading materials.

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test lasts for 60 minutes. There is no extra time for transferring answers, so you must write them directly on the answer sheet within the given time.

Q. Are the reading passages the same for the Academic and General Training versions?

Ans. No, they are different. The Academic version contains more complex texts from academic sources, while the General Training version includes texts from advertisements, manuals, and newspapers, focusing on everyday English.

Q. How are the IELTS Reading scores calculated?

Ans. Scores are based on the number of correct answers, with no negative marking. Raw scores (out of 40) are converted to band scores from 0 to 9 using a fixed scale. The Academic and General Training versions have different score conversions.

Q. Can I write on the question paper during the test?

Ans. Yes, you can underline keywords, make notes, and highlight important details on the question paper. However, only answers written on the answer sheet will be counted for scoring.

Q. Are spelling and grammar important in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Yes, spelling and grammar matter when writing answers. Incorrect spelling or grammatical mistakes can result in losing marks, even if the answer is otherwise correct.

Q. What types of texts can I expect in the Academic Reading test?

Ans. The Academic Reading test includes passages from books, journals, research papers, and newspapers. Topics are usually related to science, history, environment, or education and may include factual, analytical, or argumentative content.