What Is Exploration Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test with Answers

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Updated on Mar 12, 2025, 13:07

The IELTS Reading section assesses your ability to comprehend and interpret academic texts. You will encounter three passages with a total of 40 questions, which you must answer within 60 minutes, covering question types such as locating information, matching features and summary completion.

 

The passage “What is Exploration Reading Answers” explores how exploration has shaped human history, driving curiosity and discovery across new lands, oceans, and even space. It examines the motivations behind exploration, its impact on societies, and how it continues to evolve in the modern world.
 

Let’s look at the “What is Exploration” Reading passage, questions, and answers with explanations.

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1. What Is Exploration Reading Answers Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 – 14 based on the What Is Exploration Reading Answers Passage below. 

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2. South Pole Adventurer Reading Answers with Sample Questions

Please read the What Is Exploration Reading Answers passage carefully and answer the following questions.

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3. Check Out Top 10+ 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.

What Is Exploration Reading Answers 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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What Is Exploration Reading Answers Passage

                                             

Paragraph A. We are all exploring. Our wish to learn and share newly discovered learning is part of making us human, which plays a vital role in our success as a race. Long before the first caveman fell down near the fire and murmured the news that there were plenty of savages there, they learned the value of sending scouts to investigate what our ancestors did not know. This search nature of ours definitely helped to spread our species around the world, as well as helping to maintain their presence in the now desert forests of Benon Borneo, and an observer negotiated the tunnels of New York.

 

Paragraph B. For years, we have thought of explorers as a strange race that is different from us, even those who have 'travelled well' differently from us. And there may be a type of person who is more apt to look for something new, a type of caveman who is more willing to go out. Yet, even today, it does not detract from the fact that we all have this inquisitive instinct; Boundaries unknown to artists, marine biologists, or astronomers are being tested every day in all sorts of industries.

 

Paragraph C. Thomas Hardy set some of his stories in Egdon Heath, an imaginary part of the uncultivated ground, and used the landscape to recommend the characters' wishes and worries. He explores things that we all recognise because they are familiar to mankind. It is certainly an act of exploration in the distant world chosen by the writer. Peter Fleming, an explorer and travel writer, talks with his loved ones about the moment when the researcher returns to the presence he left behind. A traveller who has only seen himself as a small and irrelevant alien for weeks or months, a traveller who crawls hard in a country where he has no sources and no background, unexpectedly finds another person, a somewhat solid figure, a place in his mind of specific persons.

 

Paragraph D. In this book about exploring the Earth’s surface, I restrict myself to real and more purposeful journeys than personal discovery. But that still left me with another issue: the word ‘explorer’ is associated with the past. As the study somehow peaked in the 19th century and the discovery process is now declining, the truth is that we have only named one and a half million species of this planet. There may be more than 10 million, and it has no bacteria. We have explored only 5 percent of the species we know of. We have seldom drawn sea bases, and know little more about ourselves; We completely comprehend that only 10 percent of our brain is functioning.

 

Paragraph E. Here's how some of today's ‘explorers’ define this term as the ‘greatest living explorer’. Ran Fiennes said, ‘An explorer is the one who has done something that no human has ever done before and done something scientifically beneficial’. Chris Bonnington, a leading mountaineer, felt that the study of the physical touch of the unknown, 'you must have moved someplace unexplored’. Robin Hanbury-Denison, a campaigner for distant peoples known as the 'Tribes', said, "A traveller records data about some distant world, and an analyst alters the globe."

 

Paragraph F. Wilfried Thesiger, of the era of non-mechanized travel across the empty quarter of Arabia in 1946, told me, 'If I had ridden a camel while I was in the car, it would have been a stunt.' According to him, exploration is the retrieval of information from a distant place regardless of any major self-discovery.

 

Paragraph G. Each intention is a little different and reflects the field of effort of each pioneer. Whoever I ask, the leading historian will say that exploration is a thing of the past, and the sophisticated scientist will say that it is the present. And many more. They individually set specific standards for themselves. A common factor in their approach is that, unlike many of us who just delight in travelling or discovering new things, they have a very definite goal from the beginning and a wish to record their discoveries.

 

Paragraph H. I would better declare my own dependence. As a writer, I am interested in exploring ideas. I have made many trips, each unique. I lived alone for months with two 'unrelated tribes', isolated people from around the globe. But, through my books, none of these things will be of any interest to anyone unless I discover a new inclination and explore a new concept. Why? Because the world has advanced. Another walk to the poles, the time for another amazing continental travel across the empty quarter is long overdue. We understand what the terrain of our planet looks like. Its study is now below the details of the microbial habits, say, or buffalo grazing behaviour. Aside from the deep ocean and deep underground, this is the period of experts. However, it ignores the part of the human mind in conveying distant places, and this is what I am interested in: a new understanding that will give its readers new understandings, even in a well-travelled way.

 

Also Read: IELTS Reading Tips & Tricks 2024: Techniques for Band 9

2.

What Is Exploration Reading Answers with Sample Questions

Please read the What Is Exploration Reading Answers passage carefully and answer the following questions. We’ve included answers below to help you out. Give it your best shot!

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • The What is Exploration reading answers passage has eight paragraphs, A-H.
  • Which paragraph contains the following information?
  • Write the correct letter, A-H, as your answer to each question.

  • Note: You may use any letter more than once.

 

1. An explorer and travel writer, talks with his loved ones about the moment when the researcher returns to the presence he left behind.

2. First caveman fell down near the fire and murmured the news that there were plenty of savages there.

3. Boundaries unknown to artists, marine biologists, or astronomers are being tested every day in all sorts of industries.

4. Thomas Hardy explores things that we all recognize because they are familiar to mankind. 

5. Peter Fleming has only seen himself as a small and irrelevant alien for weeks or months.
 

What is Exploration Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

Type of question: Locating Information

 

In this task, you are required to find specific details, facts, or information within the passage. These questions typically ask you to identify where particular information is located in the text.
 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Understand what specific information you need to find (e.g., a word, phrase, or detail).
  • Quickly skim through the relevant paragraph or section to locate keywords related to the question.
  • Ensure the answer fits grammatically and contextually into the sentence or passage.
  • Check for synonyms or keywords to locate the information
  • Finalise your answers.
     
1. Paragraph C

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: "Peter Fleming, an explorer and travel writer, talks with his loved ones about the moment when the researcher returns to the presence he left behind."

 

Explanation: This line describes how Peter Fleming, a well-known explorer and travel writer, reflects on the experience of returning home after a long journey. It highlights the contrast between being in an unfamiliar environment and reuniting with familiar people, making it the correct answer.
 

2. Paragraph A

 

Reference: From paragraph A: "Long before the first caveman fell down near the fire and murmured the news that there were plenty of savages there, they learned the value of sending scouts to investigate what our ancestors did not know."

 

Explanation:  This sentence explains how early humans communicated discoveries and learned the importance of exploration. The mention of the first caveman and his observations directly ties into the idea of early scouting, making this the right answer.
 

3. Paragraph B

 

Reference: From paragraph B: "Yet, even today, it does not detract from the fact that we all have this inquisitive instinct; Boundaries unknown to artists, marine biologists, or astronomers are being tested every day in all sorts of industries."”

 

Explanation:  This line highlights that exploration is not limited to physical travel but extends to various fields like art and science. It emphasises the continuous human desire to push boundaries, which makes this the correct answer.
 

4. Paragraph C

 

Reference: From paragraph C: "He explores things that we all recognise because they are familiar to mankind."

 

Explanation:  This sentence states that Thomas Hardy uses his writing to explore universal human experiences. His work reflects emotions and themes that people can relate to, making this the correct answer.
 

5. Paragraph C

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “Peter Fleming, an explorer and travel writer, talks with his loved ones about the moment when the researcher returns to the presence he left behind. A traveller who has only seen himself as a small and irrelevant alien for weeks or months”

 

Explanation: This line describes how Peter Fleming, while travelling in an unfamiliar environment, felt insignificant and disconnected. It captures the sense of isolation experienced by explorers, making it the correct answer.
 

Read more about Dictation Words for IELTS: Practice and Preparation!

Questions and Answers 6-9
  • Match the opinion with the correct person.

 

Person

A. Wilfried Thesiger

B. Robin Hanbury-Denison

C. Ran Fiennes
 

Opinion

6. An explorer is the one who has done something that no human has ever done before and done something scientifically beneficial.

7. If I had ridden a camel while I was in the car, it would have been a stunt

8. A traveller records data about some distant world, and an analyst alters the globe

9. Exploration is the retrieval of information from a distant place regardless of any major self-discovery
 

What is Exploration Reading Answers With Explanations (6-9)

 

Type of question: Matching Features

 

In this task, you are required to match a list of opinions or deeds with the correct individuals from a provided list. This type of question tests your ability to identify relationships and connections between people and their contributions or viewpoints, as mentioned in the text.

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Carefully read the instructions to know what criteria or basis you're using for matching.
  • Identify the key features or attributes of each item on the list.
  • Use the elimination process to narrow down the options for the remaining matches.
  • Review all matches to ensure they are coherent and aligned with the given criteria.
  • Look for patterns or relationships between items to improve the efficiency of making correct matches.
  • Finalise your answers.
     
6. C. Ran Fiennes

 

Reference: From paragraph E: "Ran Fiennes said, ‘An explorer is the one who has done something that no human has ever done before and done something scientifically beneficial’."

 

Explanation: This line indicates that Ran Fiennes defines an explorer as someone who accomplishes something entirely new while also contributing to scientific knowledge, making "C. Ran Fiennes" the correct answer.

 

7. A. Wilfried Thesiger

 

Reference: From paragraph F: "Wilfried Thesiger, of the era of non-mechanized travel across the empty quarter of Arabia in 1946, told me, 'If I had ridden a camel while I was in the car, it would have been a stunt.'"

 

Explanation: This line indicates that Thesiger believes true exploration involves genuine effort and cannot be substituted by convenience, making "A. Wilfried Thesiger" the correct answer.

 

8. B. Robin Hanbury-Denison

 

Reference: From paragraph E: "Robin Hanbury-Denison, a campaigner for distant peoples known as the 'Tribes', said, 'A traveller records data about some distant world, and an analyst alters the globe.'"

 

Explanation:  This line indicates that Hanbury-Denison sees exploration as both documenting new information and influencing the world through analysis, making "B. Robin Hanbury-Denison" the correct answer.

 

9. A. Wilfried Thesiger

 

Reference: From paragraph F: "According to him, exploration is the retrieval of information from a distant place regardless of any major self-discovery."

 

Explanation:  This line indicates that Thesiger defines exploration as collecting information rather than personal growth or transformation, making "A. Wilfried Thesiger" the correct answer.

 

Read more about IELTS Reading Vocabulary 2025

Questions and Answers 10-14
  • Complete the summary below.
  • Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

 

Everyone’s aim is different and reflects the field of effort of each 10___________. The advanced scientist will say that it is the 11 ____________. Author would better declare his own 12 _____________, and he is interested in exploring 13 ____________. None of these things will be of any interest to anyone unless a new 14 ____________ .
 

What is Exploration Reading Answers With Explanations (10-14)
 

Type of question: Summary completion

 

Under this task, you will be given a summary with incomplete sentences. However, you will not be given any list of words/phrases to choose the missing information. You must refer to the main passage to fill in the missing information. 

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Read the summary to understand what information it’s missing.
  • Identify keywords and locate them in the main passage to find missing words. 
  • Review the context of the words you’ve chosen to match the summary.
  • Finalise your answers.

     
10. pioneer

 

Reference: From paragraph G:  "Each intention is a little different and reflects the field of effort of each pioneer."


Explanation:  This line highlights that each person's objective varies based on their area of expertise, making "pioneer" the correct answer as it refers to individuals working in different fields of effort.

 

11. present

 

Reference: From paragraph G: "Whoever I ask, the leading historian will say that exploration is a thing of the past, and the sophisticated scientist will say that it is the present."

 

Explanation:  This line contrasts historians and scientists, showing that while historians believe exploration is over, scientists argue it is still happening today. This makes "present" the correct answer.
 

12 & 13. dependence , ideas

 

Reference: From paragraph H: "I would better declare my own dependence. As a writer, I am interested in exploring ideas."

 

Explanation:  This line clearly states that the author acknowledges his "dependence" and that his main focus is exploring "ideas." These words directly match the keywords in the question, making them the correct answers.
 

14. inclination

 

Reference: From paragraph H: "But, through my books, none of these things will be of any interest to anyone unless I discover a new inclination and explore a new concept."

 

Explanation:  This line explains that the author’s discoveries will only be interesting if they include a "new inclination," confirming that this is the correct answer. The word "interest" in the question also matches the context of the passage.

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FAQs

Q. What are common keywords in What is Exploration reading passage?

Ans. Common keywords in the "What is Exploration" reading passage may include terms like discovery, adventure, curiosity, research, unknown, travel, scientific, and investigation. Identifying synonyms of these words can help locate relevant information.

Q. How to answer matching headings questions in What is Exploration reading passage?

Ans. Read the headings first to understand their meaning, then skim the passage to identify main ideas in each paragraph. Match the most suitable heading by focusing on keywords and synonyms while avoiding distractors.

Q. What is a challenging aspect of What is Exploration reading passage?

Ans. A key challenge is distinguishing between closely related ideas and synonyms, making it difficult to match headings or find specific details. Complex vocabulary and abstract concepts may also require careful reading.

Q. Are "What is Exploration" part of the IELTS Academic or General Reading?

Ans. The "What is Exploration" passage is more likely to appear in the IELTS Academic Reading section, as it discusses an abstract and research-based topic, which is a common feature of academic texts.

Q. What is the IELTS Reading test format?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test consists of 40 questions and three passages. The Academic test has more complex, research-based texts, while the General Training test includes everyday and work-related reading materials.

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test lasts for 60 minutes, during which you must complete 40 questions. There is no extra time for transferring answers, so you must manage time effectively.

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

Ans. No, the Academic Reading passages are more complex and research-based, while the General Training Reading passages focus on everyday topics, workplace situations, and general interest materials.

Q. How are the IELTS Reading scores calculated?

Ans. The IELTS Reading score is based on the number of correct answers out of 40. The raw score is converted into a band score from 0 to 9 using a fixed conversion table.

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, but only the answers written on the answer sheet will be considered for scoring.

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

Ans. Yes, spelling and grammar matter when writing answers, especially for short-answer and completion questions. Incorrect spelling or grammar can result in a wrong answer.

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

Ans. The Academic Reading test includes texts from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. These are usually descriptive, analytical, or argumentative, covering topics like science, history, and social issues.