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Whale Strandings Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

updated at

Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

The IELTS Reading section is a critical component of the exam that evaluates your ability to comprehend and interpret written texts in English. It consists of three passages of varying difficulty levels, each followed by a series of questions designed to test different aspects of your reading skills. This section assesses your ability to extract key information, understand opinions, and locate specific details from a variety of academic and general interest texts.

 

Mastering the IELTS Reading section is crucial for achieving your desired band score and is essential for academic and professional endeavours in English-speaking environments. Let's delve into the topic of whale strandings through a passage and practice questions to enhance your comprehension skills.

 

Key highlights of the Reading section:

  • You will encounter three passages of increasing difficulty, sourced from academic journals, magazines, newspapers, and books.
  • Questions come in various formats such as multiple-choice, true/false/not given, sentence completion, matching headings, and diagram labelling.
  • You have 60 minutes to complete the section, with each passage ideally taking about 20 minutes.
  • Skills in skimming (quickly reading to get the main idea) and scanning (searching for specific information) are crucial.
  • Understanding vocabulary in context is tested, helping to assess your ability to deduce meaning from surrounding text.
  • It evaluates your ability to comprehend main ideas, locate specific details, understand logical argumentation, and identify writer's attitudes and opinions.

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1. Whale Strandings Reading Answers Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 7 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. Whale Strandings

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Whale Strandings

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1.

Whale Strandings 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.

 

 

 Whale Strandings Reading Passage

 

Paragraph A: In 1998, researchers from the Greek nonprofit scientific group Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute linked whale strands to minimum frequency sonar tests executed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). They videoed 12 crane whales stranding over 38.2 kilometers of coastline. NATO later agreed to test new sonar technology in the same area. 

 

Paragraph B: Strandings of more than one animal, ‘Mass’. Usually, they all strand together, but in mass-different strands, the whales do not strand as a group. They are spread over an enormous place.

 

Paragraph C: For humans, hearing a sudden noise can be scary, but it does not cause many casualties. On the other hand, with regard to whales, there is a theory of how sonar can destroy. Noise can shock animals and thus allow them to swim very fast to the surface. The resulting decompression disease is well known to dangerous divers. When a diver climbs too fast from a high-pressure underwater environment to low pressure, the dissolved gases in the blood and tissues raise and form bubbles. Bubbles stop the flow of blood to vital organs, finally leading to end of life.

 

Paragraph D: Credibly, this is still a theory and is based on our extensive understanding of terrestrial animals. For this reason, some scientists are wary. Whale specialist Karen Evans is one such scientist.

 

Paragraph E: Next is Rosemary Gales, a top specialist on whale fibers. He states sonar technology can not be condemned on group fibers. And when 80% of Australian whales roam around Tasmania, Gales and his crew must restart to explore for answers. When animals are on the beach with each other at the same time, the most typical cause is that they have no communication with humans.

2.

Whale Strandings Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Whale Strandings

Questions and Answers 1-7
  • Whale Strandings Reading Questions 1-7

    • Complete the flowchart below.
    • Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

       

     

    Whale Strandings Reading Answers with Explanations 1-7

     

    Type of Question: Flowchart Completion

    To answer flow chart completion questions in IELTS reading, carefully follow the sequence in the flow chart, find specific details in the passage that match each step, and ensure the information fits logically into the flow chart diagram.

     

    How to best answer: 

    • Understand what type of information is required to complete the flowchart (e.g., steps, events, processes).
    • Quickly skim through the relevant paragraphs to locate where the information needed to fill the flowchart might be found.
    • Look for keywords or phrases in the passage that directly relate to each blank in the flowchart.
    • Ensure that the information you choose to fill the blanks logically fits the sequence and context provided in the passage.
    • Double-check your answers against the passage to verify that each blank is correctly filled with information that completes the flow of events or processes as described.

     

    1. 38.2

     

    Reference:

    From Paragraph A, "They videoed 12 crane whales stranding over 38.2 kilometers of coastline."


    Explanation: This answer is directly stated in Paragraph A, providing the specific distance along the coastline where the whale strandings were observed and recorded.

     

    2. sonar technology

     

    Reference:

    From Paragraph A, "NATO later agreed to test new sonar technology in the same area."

    Explanation: Found in Paragraph A, this statement refers to NATO's decision to evaluate new sonar technology following the whale strandings in the specified area.
     

    3. Mass

     

    Reference:

    From Paragraph B, "Strandings of more than one animal, ‘Mass’."



    Explanation: Paragraph B introduces the concept of mass strandings, where multiple whales strand individually rather than as a group, spread over a wide area.

     

    4. noise

     

    Reference:

    From Paragraph C, "For humans, hearing a sudden noise can be scary, but it does not cause many casualties."



    Explanation: This answer is located in Paragraph C, comparing the effects of noise on humans with its potential impact on whales due to sonar exposure.
     

    5. Vital organs

     

    Reference:

    From Paragraph C, "Bubbles stop the flow of blood to vital organs, finally leading to end of life."



    Explanation: Paragraph C discusses the physiological effects of decompression sickness on divers, particularly its impact on vital organs.

     

    6. Whale fibers

     

    Reference:

    From Paragraph D, "Whale specialist Karen Evans is one such scientist. Next is Rosemary Gales, a top specialist on whale fibers."



    Explanation: Found in Paragraph D, this statement introduces Karen Evans and Rosemary Gales as experts studying whale behaviors and the effects of sonar technology.

     

    7. humans

     

    Reference:

    From Paragraph E, "When animals are on the beach with each other at the same time, the most typical cause is that they have no communication with humans."

     

    Explanation: Paragraph E discusses common causes of whale strandings related to human interactions, specifically noting lack of communication with humans.

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    FAQs

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

    Ans. The IELTS Reading test includes various question types such as multiple-choice, matching headings, True/False/Not Given, sentence completion, summary completion, and matching information. These questions assess a range of reading skills like skimming, scanning, understanding main ideas, identifying specific details, and logical reasoning.


     


     


     


     

    Q. How is the IELTS Reading test scored?

    Ans.  The IELTS Reading test is scored based on the number of correct answers. Each correct answer contributes to your overall score on a scale of 0 to 9. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so it's beneficial to attempt every question. Scores are reported in half bands (e.g., 6.5, 7.0), and the final score is an average of the scores from all four sections (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking).


     


     

    Q. What are some effective reading strategies for the IELTS Reading test?

    Ans. Effective strategies for the IELTS Reading test include previewing the passage by skimming headings and subheadings, identifying key information, and understanding the purpose of the text. While reading, actively underline or highlight important details. Answer easier questions first to build confidence and manage time efficiently. Finally, for tasks like summary completion or sentence completion, scan the text for specific words or phrases that match the question requirements.