If you wish to crack the IELTS exam, you need to check out the chilli peppers reading answers covered in this article. Let’s go through the IELTS reading topics and the IELTS reading tips in the article. You need to practice well on the passage before so that you can answer perfectly in the examination.
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Chilli Peppers IELTS Reading Answers
IELTS Reading Answers
Part One
Chillies originate in South America and have been eaten for at least 9,500 years. Organized cultivation began around 5,400 BC. Christopher Columbus was the first European to encounter chillies, when he landed on the island of Hispaniola in 1492. He thought it was a type of pepper and called it the “red pepper”, a name still used today. After their introduction to Europe they were an immediate sensation and were quickly incorporated into the diet. From there they spread to Arica, India and East Asia.
Part Two
The reason for the chilli’s “hotness” lies in a chemical called Capsaicin. Capsaicin causes temporary irritation to the trigeminal cells, which are the pain receptors in the mouth, nose and throat. After the pain messages are transmitted to the brain, endorphins, natural pain killers, are released and these not only kill the pain but give the chilli eater a short lived natural high. Other side effects include : an increased heart rate, a running nose and increased salivation and sweating, which can have a cooling effect in hot climates.
The reason for the presence of Capsaicin is thought to be to deter animals from eating the fruit. Only mammals feel the burning effects; birds feel nothing. As birds are a better method of distributing the seeds, which pass intact through their guts, Capsaicin would seem to be a result of natural selection.
Part Three
The smaller chillies tend to be the hottest. This may reflect the fact that they tend to grow closer to the ground and are therefore more vulnerable to animals. The heat of a chilli is measured on the Scoville scale. The hottest types such as the Habanero and the Scotch Bonnet rate between 1,00,000 and 3,00,000, the world-famous Tabasco sauce rates at 15,000 to 30,000, while the popular Jalapeno is between 5,000 and 15,000. Powdered chilli is 500 to 1,000 and the mild capsaicin and paprika can range between 100 and 0.
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Questions Related to IELTS Reading Passage
Question Number One
Following are a few statements given from the passage above. You have to check the answers from the passage and write them correctly.
#1. __________________ was the first European to encounter chillies, when he landed on the island of Hispaniola in 1492.
Answer: Christopher Columbus
#2. Powdered chilli is ______________ and the mild capsaicin and paprika can range between 100 and 0.
Answer: 500 to 1,000
#3. Chillies originate in ___________
Answer: South America
#4. ____________ and the Scotch Bonnet rate between 1,00,000 and 3,00,000.
Answer: Habanero
#5. The reason for the chilli’s “hotness” lies in a chemical called _____________.
Answer: Capsaicin
Question Number Two
Look at the statements below and after reading them, write TRUE or FALSE in front of them.
TRUE – If the statement agrees with the information that is given above in the passage.
FALSE – If the statement disagrees with the information that is given above in the passage.
#1. The reason for the chilli’s “hotness” lies in a chemical called Capsaicin.
Answer: TRUE
#2. The smaller chillies tend to be the hottest.
Answer: TRUE
#3. The heat of a chilli is measured on the Scoville scale.
Answer: TRUE
#4. Chillies originate in South America.
Answer: TRUE
#5. The reason for the presence of Capsaicin is thought to be to deter animals from eating the fruit.
Answer: TRUE
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Conclusion
Therefore, you need to go and check out the IELTS Ninja website to get all the IELTS reading topics as well as the IELTS reading tips.