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Visual Symbols And The Blind Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jun 20, 2024, 09:35

The IELTS Reading test is 1 one of 4 modules in IELTS. The reading section evaluates your capacity to understand and analyse texts commonly found in academic and professional settings.

 

Comprising three passages and 40 questions, this section demands completion within 60 minutes. A strong performance demonstrates your language competence and can significantly support practical needs like visa applications and career advancement.

 

Diligent preparation is essential to excelling in the IELTS Reading test. Regular practice with reading passages will enhance your ability to comprehend and analyse content effectively.

 

If you’re preparing for IELTS Reading, make sure to include the passage ‘Visual Symbols and the Blind.’ The passage discusses a study where blind individuals were asked to interpret different types of lines representing motion in raised-line drawings of spinning wheels. 


 

Let’s dive into the details of Visual symbols and the blind reading answers! 

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1. Visual Symbols And The Blind 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. Visual Symbols and the Blind Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Visual Symbols and the Blind

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1.

Visual Symbols And The Blind 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.

 

 

 

Visual Symbols And The Blind Reading Passage 

 



Part 1

 

 

visual-symbols-and-the-blind-reading-answers



 

Paragraph A: Recent investigation has confirmed that blind individuals may grasp the use of outlines and perspectives to describe the spatial arrangement of items and other surfaces. However, images are not only literal manifestations. This truth was brought to my attention dramatically when a blind woman in one of my investigations drew a spinning wheel in her own endeavour. To demonstrate this action, she drew a curve within the circle (Fig. 1). I was surprised. In the case of portraits, lines of motion, such as the one she utilised, are a somewhat new innovation. In fact, according to art historian David Kunzle, Wilhelm Busch, a pioneering nineteenth-century cartoonist, employed almost no motion lines in his popular characters until 1877.

 

Paragraph B: When I asked a number of further blind analysis participants to portray a spinning wheel, the same version repeatedly happened: the spokes of the wheel were depicted as curving lines. When questioned about these curves, each individual described them as metaphors for motion. The majority would squabble that this gadget effectively alludes to motion. Was it a better signal than, for example, broken or wavy lines or any other type of line? The reaction was unclear. As a result, I wanted to determine if multiple lines of motion effectively depict motion or just quirky markings. In addition, I wished to determine if blind and sighted individuals interpret lines of motion differently.
 

 

Paragraph C: To get these answers, I drew five distinct wheels with spokes that were curved, bent, waved, dashed, and extended beyond the wheel's perimeters in raised-line drawings. I then asked 18 blind players to feel the wheels and attribute one of the following measures to each: wobbling, rapid spinning, steady spinning, jerking, or braking. My management group was constituted of eighteen sighted University of Toronto freshmen.


 

Paragraph D: The blind patients, with the peculiarity of one, attributed different movements to each wheel. The majority believed that the curved spokes demonstrated that the wheel was revolving slowly, while the wavy spokes suggested that the wheel was wobbling, and the bent spokes suggested that the wheel was jerking. Subjects assumed that spokes extending beyond the wheel's circumference demonstrated that the brakes were engaged and that dashed spokes suggested that the wheel was spinning rapidly.


 

Paragraph D: Moreover, the preferred description for the sighted was always the preferred description for the blind. Moreover, the consensus of the sighted was only marginally greater than that of the blind. Because blind people are inexperienced with motion gadgets, I assigned them a problem-solving challenge. However, the blind not only figured out the meaning of each activity but also, as a group, arrived at the same interpretation at least as frequently as sighted participants.
 

Part 2


 

 

 

Paragraph E: We have realised that the blind also comprehends various types of visual metaphors. One blind woman constructed an image of a kid inside a heart to indicate that the infant was surrounded by love. Together with the Chinese PhD student Chang Hong Liu, I have been investigating how effectively blind individuals comprehend the symbolism of non-literal forms such as hearts.


 

Paragraph F: We provided sighted participants with a set of twenty pairs of terms and asked them to select from each pair the phrase that best described a circle and the one that best described assurance. For instance, we inquired: What complements soft? A circle or a square? Which form complements hard?


 

Paragraph G: All of our respondents ranked the circle as soft and the square as harsh. A remarkable 94% of respondents attributed delight instead of grief to the circle. 79% matched rapid to slow, and 79% matched weak to strong, respectively, for the leftover pairings. And just 51% of the links were deep for the circle and shallow for the square. (see Fig. 2). When experimenting with four completely blind volunteers with identical lists, we realised that their selections nearly mirrored those of the sighted ones. An individual who was born blind scored exceptionally well. He assigned the word "far" to the square and "near" to the circle, contrary to the mainstream. In actuality, only a tiny plurality of sighted individuals, 53%, had partnered with the opposite partners in terms of distance. Thus, we found that blind individuals comprehend abstract forms similarly to sighted people.    

2.

Visual Symbols and the Blind Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Visual Symbols and the Blind

Questions and Answers 1-4
  • Choose the correct letter: A, B, C, or D.
  • Write your answers for the questions 1-4
  •  

     

    1. In the first paragraph, the writer indicates that blind people
     

    1. could be interested in art studies. 
    2. can sketch the contours of various objects and surfaces. 
    3. is able to recognise norms such as perspective. 
    4. can sketch with precision.
       

    2. The writer was stunned because the blind woman
     

    1. drew a circle without prompting. 
    2. did not grasp what a wheel looked like. 
    3. included a sign denoting motion. 
    4. was the first individual to employ motion lines.

     

    3. From the experimentation represented in Part 1,
     

    1. the writer discovered that blind matter
    2. had a solid grasp of motion symbols. 
    3. could precisely regulate the movement of wheels.
    4. collaborated effectively in solving challenges as a group. 
    5. performed better than the sighted students.
       

    4. Which of the following statements best recapitulates the writer's general judgment?
     

    1. Some components of reality are represented differently by the blind than by seeing individuals.
    2. Blind individuals interpret visual metaphors similarly to sighted individuals.
    3. The blind are capable of representing reality with symbols that are unique and effective.
    4. Blind individuals may be accomplished artists if they have the proper training.

     

     

    Visual Symbols and the Blind Answers with Explanation (1- 4)

     

     

    Type of question: Multiple choice
     

    Multiple Choice questions in the IELTS reading test provide you with a question and a set of options from which you must select the correct answer. Typically, you will choose from three or four options. It is essential to carefully read both the question and each option before making your selection.
     

    How to best answer: 

     

    • Understand the passage thoroughly to identify the most accurate option.
    • Use efficient skimming and scanning techniques to locate relevant information quickly within the passage.
    • Be aware that some options may be intended to deceive you, so base your choice on evidence directly from the passage.
    • Since dwelling on each option for too long can consume time, manage your time wisely to ensure you can attempt all questions within the allocated time frame.


     

    1. C

     

    Reference: Paragraph A "Recent investigation has confirmed that blind individuals may grasp the use of outlines and perspectives to describe the spatial arrangement of items and other surfaces."

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph discusses how blind individuals can understand and utilise outlines and perspectives to describe spatial arrangements, demonstrating their ability to perceive and interpret shapes and forms through tactile means.


     

    2. C

     

    Reference: Paragraph B "When questioned about these curves, each individual described them as metaphors for motion."

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph describes how a blind woman drew a spinning wheel using a curved line, which she and others interpreted as a metaphor for motion, highlighting the tactile representation of movement.


     

    3. A

     

    Reference: Paragraph A "Recent investigation has confirmed that blind individuals may grasp the use of outlines and perspectives to describe the spatial arrangement of items and other surfaces."

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph discusses the findings of the author's research, which indicate that blind individuals are capable of comprehending and characterising forms based on their outlines, showcasing their ability to understand visual concepts through alternative sensory channels.


     

    4. E

     

    Reference: Paragraph E "We have realised that the blind also comprehends various types of visual metaphors."

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph discusses the author's investigation of a blind woman who created an image using a visual metaphor (a child inside a heart), indicating that blind individuals can understand and use visual metaphors similar to sighted individuals.

    Questions and Answers 5-7
  • Look at the following diagrams (Questions 5-7) and the list of types of movement below.
  • Match each diagram to the type of movement A–E generally assigned to it in the experiment.
  • Choose the correct letters A–E and write them for the questions 5-7.
  •  

     

     

    A. Steady Spinning

    B. Jerky Movement

    C. Rapid Spinning

    D. Wobbling Movement

    E. Use Of Brakes

     

     

    Visual Symbols and the Blind Answers with Explanations (5-7)

     

     

    Type of questions: Multiple Choice- Choose Two Answers.


     

    In these questions, you'll encounter a list of options (A-E) and must select two that accurately respond to the question based on the information provided in the text.


     

    How to best answer:


     

    • Begin by carefully reading the question to identify the specific information you need to find.
    • Scan through the passage to locate the relevant sections that address the question.
    • Compare each option (A-E) with the details provided in the text to determine which two options are correct.
    • Ensure that the options you choose directly correspond to the question and are supported by evidence found in the passage.


     

    5. C

     

    Reference: Paragraph C "My management group was constituted of eighteen sighted University of Toronto freshmen."

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph discusses the author's experiment where different types of wheels with curved, bent, waved, dashed, and extended spokes were drawn, and blind participants attributed meanings such as rapid spinning or braking to each type.


     

    6. D

     

    Reference: Paragraph D "The blind patients, with the exception of one, attributed different movements to each wheel."

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph describes how blind individuals interpreted different types of spokes in raised-line drawings of wheels, attributing rapid spinning to dashed spokes among other movements.


     

    7. A

     

    Reference: Paragraph A "Recent investigation has confirmed that blind individuals may grasp the use of outlines and perspectives to describe the spatial arrangement of items and other surfaces."

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph discusses the findings of the author's research, which indicate that blind individuals are adept at understanding and describing spatial arrangements and forms through tactile means.

    Questions and Answers 8-13
  • Complete the summary below using words from the box.
  • Write your answers for the questions 8-11.
  • You may use any word more than once.
  •  

     

    In the experiment described in Part 2, a set of words 8) _____ was utilized to determine if blind and sighted individuals received the symbolism in abstract 9) _____ similarly. Subjects were asked which term corresponded best with a circle versus a square. Of the 10) ______ participants believed that a circle fit "soft" whereas a square fit "hard." However, only 51% of the 11) ____ volunteers gave 12) _____  a circle. When the exam was later administered to 13) _____ individuals

     

     

    Visual Symbols and the Blind Answers with Explanations (8-13)

     

     

    Type of question: Multiple choice


     

    In the IELTS Reading test, these questions summarise part of the reading passage with several blanks. Your goal is to fill these blanks using appropriate words or phrases from the passage.


     

    How to best answer: 


     

    • Begin by reading through the passage quickly to grasp its main ideas and structure.
    • Identify keywords in the summary and search for them or their synonyms in the passage.
    • Scan the passage to locate the sections that are relevant to the summary.
    • Ensure that the words you select fit grammatically and contextually within the summary.
    • Adhere to any specific guidelines provided regarding word limits for your answers.

     

     

    8. D

     

    Reference: Paragraph D "The blind patients, with the peculiarity of one, attributed different movements to each wheel." 

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph discusses the study where the author drew different types of wheels with various shapes and asked blind participants to interpret them based on movement characteristics.

     

     

    9. F

     

    Reference: Paragraph F "We presented sighted participants with a set of twenty pairs of terms and asked them to select from each pair the phrase that best described a circle and the one that best described assurance." 

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph discusses the experiment where sighted participants were asked to match terms like "soft" and "harsh" with shapes like circle and square, respectively, showing their preferences and descriptions.

     

     

    10. F

     

    Reference: Paragraph F "We presented sighted participants with a set of twenty pairs of terms and asked them to select from each pair the phrase that best described a circle and the one that best described assurance." 

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph discusses the findings where only 51% of sighted volunteers associated a circle with softness and a square with harshness, indicating varying interpretations.

     

     

    11. F

     

    Reference: Paragraph F "We presented sighted participants with a set of twenty pairs of terms and asked them to select from each pair the phrase that best described a circle and the one that best described assurance." 

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph discusses the results where 51% of sighted volunteers paired "deep" with circle and "shallow" with square, showing their associations with these shapes.

     

     

    12. G

     

    Reference: Paragraph G "All of our respondents ranked the circle as soft and the square as harsh." 

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph discusses how blind individuals showed similar patterns in understanding abstract shapes and their associated qualities as sighted individuals did.

     

     

    13. G

     

    Reference: Paragraph G "All of our respondents ranked the circle as soft and the square as harsh." 

     

     

    Explanation: The paragraph discusses how blind individuals demonstrated similar interpretations and reactions to abstract shapes and their qualities as sighted individuals did.

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    FAQs

    Q. Can I receive additional time for my IELTS Reading Test?

    Ans. No, extra time is only provided for the IELTS Listening test, specifically for the paper-based format. For the IELTS Reading test, you must complete all sections within the allocated 60 minutes. It is advisable to manage your time effectively, allocating approximately 20 minutes for each section to ensure completion within the given timeframe.


     

    Q. What is the duration of the IELTS Reading test?

    Ans. The IELTS reading test lasts for one hour or 60 minutes. During this time, you must complete all three sections of the test, which contain a total of 40 questions. The distribution of questions across these sections is not equal. The entire duration of the IELTS test is 2 hours and 44 minutes.


     

    Q. How many times can I take the IELTS in a year?

    Ans. There is no limit to the number of attempts you can make for the IELTS test. You are allowed to register and take the test as many times as necessary. However, it is recommended to have at least a 45-day gap between each attempt. This allows sufficient time for preparation, self-assessment, and improvement based on your strengths and weaknesses.