The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Reading Test is a critical component of the IELTS exam that evaluates your ability to read and comprehend academic texts in English. The test consists of 40 questions that are based on three passages that increase in difficulty. These passages cover a range of topics and are designed to assess your understanding of the language, vocabulary, and grammar used in academic writing.
The IELTS Reading Test Passage is a crucial section of the exam that requires you to employ various strategies to answer the questions correctly. In this blog, we will explore some useful tips and tricks that will help you to prepare for the IELTS Reading Test Passage and increase your chances of obtaining a high score.
We will also examine some common pitfalls to avoid and provide you with examples of IELTS Reading Test Passages to give you a better understanding of what to expect on exam day. So, let’s get started!
Also read: Computer Games for Preschoolers Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Test
Animal Camouflage IELTS Reading Answers
A
Animals use camouflage to protect themselves from predators in the wild. There are four basic types of camouflage used by animals. They include concealing colouration, disruptive colouration, disguise and mimicry.
When animals hide against a background of the same colour, concealing colouration is used. For example, in snowy areas, an animal such as the polar bear or snowy owl in the Arctic have white colouring to blend in with their backgrounds. In deserts and grasslands, some animals have tan and brown colours that they use to blend into the environment.
A green tree frog blends into the background with its bright green colour to fade and hide in trees and grasses. Adult white-tail deer have earth-tone colours that help keep and hide them from predators.
B
Animals use disruptive colouration with spots, stripes, or patterns to break up their outline so it does not stick out against the background. Animals that use this camouflage include zebras, leopards, tigers, and even some fish.
A zebra uses its stripes, helping it to avoid lions. A leopard has a spotted coat camouflaging them in tall brush and grass while they hunt. A raccoon butterflyfish uses its patterns of black and yellow to single it out in a large group.
C
When animals blend into their surroundings by appearing like another object, it is called disguise. Insects that look like branches or leaves hide from predators using a costume. Examples of animals using this kind of camouflage include walking sticks, katydids, and leaf insects. The walking stick looks like a stick, the katydid can appear as a leaf, and a thorn bug looks like a thorn on a plant.
D
The final type of camouflage is called mimicry. Mimicry is when animals or insects appear like other dangerous, bad-tasting, or poisonous animals or insects. These animals or insects pretend to be another animal or insect. There are some snakes, butterflies, and moths that use this type of camouflage for protection from predators. Some examples include the scarlet king snake, hawk moth, and Viceroy butterfly.
The elephant hawk moth caterpillar has two false eyes and moves its head from side to side like a snake. It does this to frighten off predators who think it is a snake. The scarlet king snake is non-poisonous, but it has colouration and patterning that allows it to look like a poisonous snake called a coral snake. Its predators get confused and stay away from the real scarlet king snake. A monarch butterfly is poisonous, so the non-poisonous Viceroy butterfly mimics it, so predators avoid eating it.
E
In summary, animals use camouflage to protect themselves from predators. The four types of camouflage include concealing colouration, disruptive colouration, disguise, and mimicry. Every kind of camouflage helps the animal or insect protect itself not just from predators but is also useful when some animals go hunting for prey.
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IELTS Reading Passage Questions and Answers
Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage?
TRUE – If the statement agrees with the information
FALSE – If the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN – If there is no information on this
- The walking stick insect looks like a small stick.
Answer – TRUE
Explanation: Section C of the Animal Camouflage Reading Answers offers the answer to this question. This section talks explicitly about disguise as a type of animal camouflage. The writer explains that animals using disguise usually blend in with their environment. They give examples of leaf insects, katydids, and walking sticks. In the following sentence, the writer reveals that walking stick insects look like walking sticks. So, the statement is true.
- The viceroy butterfly is similar in appearance to the monarch butterfly.
Answer – TRUE
Explanation: The answer to this question may be found in Section D of the Animal Camouflage IELTS Reading sample. In this section, the writer explains mimicry as a type of animal camouflage. We understand that less dangerous animals use this technique to appear as their more dangerous counterparts to stay safe from predators. The writer gives examples of the hawk moth, the scarlet king snake, and the viceroy butterflies. Regarding the latter, the writer reveals that they mimic (look nearly identical) monarch butterflies to confuse their predators. So, the statement is true.
- The scarlet snake is highly poisonous.
Answer – FALSE
Explanation: According to Section D of the reading passage, we learn about the fourth and final kind of animal camouflage, called mimicry. The writer says that less dangerous animals use this technique to ward off predators by appearing more dangerous. Mention is made of the scarlet king snake, which is non-poisonous. It camouflages itself through patterning and colouration as the poisonous coral snake. This keeps it safe from predators. So, the statement is false.
- The hawk moth caterpillar is brightly coloured.
Answer – NOT GIVEN
Explanation: The answer to this question may be derived from Section D of the Animal Camouflage Reading Answers. Talking about mimicry as a camouflage technique, the writer gives examples of the scarlet king snake, viceroy butterfly, and elephant hawk moth caterpillar. As for the latter, the writer discloses details like the caterpillar consists of two eyes and tends to move its head like a snake (from side to side). This scares off its predators. However, no mention is made of the caterpillar’s appearance.
Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer among A, B, C, or D for questions 5-10.
- Which of the following type of camouflage is used by animals when they hide against a background of the same colour?
A – Mimicry
B – Disguise
C – Disruptive Coloration
D – Concealing Coloration
Answer – D – Concealing Discoloration
Explanation: The answer to this question may be found in Paragraph A of the Animal Camouflage Reading Answers sample. The writer dedicates that section to concealing discolouration as a form of animal camouflage. Mention is made of animals that hide by blending in with their backgrounds through colour. The writer also gives the example of polar bears that blend with their Artic backgrounds through white colour.
- Which of the following type of camouflage is used when animals blend into their surroundings, appearing like another object?
A – Mimicry
B – Disguise
C – Concealing Coloration
D – Disruptive Coloration
Answer – B – Disguise
Explanation: Section C of the reading passage finds the answer to this question. There, we see the writer talking about a form of animal camouflage called disguise. The writer explains that this form of camouflage allows animals to blend with their surroundings through the appearance or illusion of another object. Examples of walking stick insects and leaf insects are given, where the former looks precisely like a stick while the latter seems like a leaf.
- Which type of camouflage is used when insects or animals appear to be more dangerous, poisonous, or bad-tasting counterparts?
A – Disguise
B – Concealing Coloration
C – Mimicry
D – Disruptive Coloration
Answer – C – Mimicry
Explanation: Section D of the Animal Camouflage Reading sample provides the answer. This section is dedicated to talking about a type of animal camouflage called mimicry. The writer mentions that animals or insects using this camouflage can mimic more dangerous, poisonous, or bad-tasting counterparts to stay safe from predators. Furthermore, the writer gives examples of the scarlet king snake, the viceroy butterfly, and the elephant hawk moth.
- Which type of camouflage is used by animals with spots, patterns, or stripes to break their outline, so they do not stand out against their background?
A – Concealing Coloration
B – Disguise
C – Disruptive Coloration
D – Mimicry
Answer – C – Disruptive Coloration
Explanation: According to Section B of the reading passage, we learn about disruptive coloration as animal camouflage. The writer says that animals or insects use this camouflage with patterns, stripes, or spots to blend with their backgrounds. Examples of tigers, zebras, leopards, and some species of fish are mentioned.
- Which of the following animal does NOT use mimicry to camouflage?
A – Snakes
B – Butterflies
C – Fishes
D – Moths
Answer – C – Fishes
Explanation: Section D of the reading passage finds the answer to this question. The writer talks about the fourth or final type of animal camouflage called mimicry. They explain that animals or insects mimic other dangerous, poisonous, or bad-tasting counterparts in this form of camouflage. This is done for protection from predators. The writer gives many examples of animals that use mimicry, such as hawk moths, scarlet king snakes, etc., but no mention of fishes.
- Which of the following animal relies on concealing colouration to camouflage?
A – Green tree frogs
B – Zebras
C – Leopards
D – Insects
Answer – A – Green tree frogs
Explanation: The answer to this question may be found in Section A of the Animal Camouflage Reading Answers sample. The writer mainly talks about concealing discolouration as animal camouflage in this section. We are informed that this camouflage form helps its user blend in with their surroundings through colour. The writer goes on to provide examples, such as that polar bears and green tree frogs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, online IELTS preparation is a convenient and effective way to improve your language skills and achieve your desired score on the IELTS exam. Through online courses, practice tests, and study materials, you can learn at your own pace and from anywhere in the world. You can also benefit from the expertise of experienced instructors and receive personalized feedback on your performance.
However, it is essential to choose a reputable and reliable online IELTS preparation program to ensure that you receive high-quality instruction and support. It is also crucial to supplement your online learning with real-life practice, such as speaking with native speakers, reading academic texts, and listening to English news and podcasts.
With dedication, hard work, and the right resources, you can achieve your desired score on the IELTS exam and open up a world of opportunities for education, work, and travel. So, start your online IELTS preparation today and take the first step towards achieving your goals!
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