The IELTS reading section is much tougher as compared to other sections. You need to go through multiple essays in a particular time frame and answer questions related to them. But don’t worry, here in this article In this blog, you will get to know answers to some questions based on the reading passages – Crop Circle from the IELTS reading section.

It is recommended that you skim through the passage to save some time, and it allows you to focus more on the questions part of the IELTS reading section. Read the given below passage on ‘Crop Circles’ and answer the questions accordingly.

Also Read: MCQ Type of Questions in IELTS Reading Exam: Here’s How to do It

IELTS Reading Passage Crop Circles

Section A

The crop circles phenomenon has puzzled and mystified humanity for many years. The designs just appear, placed carefully in fields of food grains. Some are larger than football fields and highly complex in design and construction. Others are smaller and more primitive. We call them to crop circles, but most of them are not circular. Some of them are elongated abstract designs, a few resemble insects or other known forms, and some are mixtures of lines, circles and other shapes melded into intricate patterns. Most become visible overnight, though it has been claimed that a few have appeared within half-hour in broad daylight.

Section B of the IELTS Reading Passage

Crop Circles have appeared all over the world. About 10,000 instances from various countries have been reported in recent years. The first rash of crop circles appeared in Australia in December of 1973. A strange circular imprint appeared in a wheat field near Wokurna, a community southeast of Adelaide. Soon seven swirled circles up to 14 feet in diameter appeared in an outfield nearby. In December of 1989, an amazing set of circles, ranging from a few inches to a few feet in diameter appeared in the wheat field west of Melbourne. As many as 90 crop circles were found.

The best documented and largest modern spread of crop circles began in southern England during the summer of 1980. By the end of 1988, 112 circles had been formed. At that time circles were being reported worldwide, 305 by the end of 1989. The total grew to an outstanding 1,000 newly – formed circles in 1990. In 1991, 200 to 300 circles were reported. Crop circles have been documented in over 30 countries, including Canada, the former Soviet Union, Japan and the United States.

Section C of the IELTS Passage

Nine out of ten circles remained simple with broken stems flattened to the ground and swirled, the stalks around the circles remained completely erect. But over the years, crop circles have become much more geometrically intricate. Patterns involved multiple circles, bars, triangles, rings and spurs. Pictorial imagery also appeared. Reliable eyewitnesses have reported seeing unusual lights and hearing unidentifiable sounds while on an early morning walk in the countryside where a crop circle showed later that day. High pitch warbling noises have been recorded at the site of some crop circles.

On several occasions, a strange glow or a darker colouring has been seen in the sky over a crop circle. And in more than one instance, the electrical power of small planes flying overhead has been cut – off abruptly. While the casual energies do not seem to harm animals, or even insects as far as we can tell. A flock of birds have been seen to split apart and fly around the parameter rather than go directly over a crop of circle formation.

IELTS Reading Passage Section D

Researchers have spent a great deal of time investigating different aspects of crop circles. They try to detect traces of human involvement in the circle – making, test the area of the circle itself for geographical anomalies and analyze the grain of the field both from within and outside the circles, searching for differences.

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Section E

Dr W.C. Levengood of BLT Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has analyzed many grain samples and confirmed, time after time, significant changes at the cellular level of crop circle plants. The plants in front of the circles have elongated cells and blown outgrowth nodes. Seeds from the circle plants often show accelerated growth rates when they are sown, and in some instances quite different – looking plants result. In many instances it appears that vortex-like energy causes the plants to swirl down, flattening the design into the land. Whatever the energy is, it does not inhibit the plant’s growth.

They continue to show normal response to the sun, growing upward over several days following the appearance of the circle. Micheal Corost of Duke University found occasions of short-lived radionuclides in the top layer of soil in some of the formations. A British government laboratory found diminished nitrogen and decreased nematode population as well as the decreased water content in the soil formation. Researchers have discovered other anomalies as well, such as curious embedded magnetic particles and charred tissue. Some of the plant stalks within the circles show evidence of being exposed to rapid microwave heating.

Section F

Scientists have attempted to explain crop circles as a result of natural processes. One popular theory accepted by many mainstream scientists and academics is known as ‘Plasma Vortex Theory’. Developed by Dr Terence Mearden, it theorizes that electrified air on the side of the hills, becomes mini tornados and screws down onto the ground, creating the circles. The theory also holds that the electrified air would cause a light to appear above the circle and therefore account for UFO sightings. Although this theory has considerable support, it has come under fire because of the highly intricate and complex crop circle patterns that have appeared since 1991.

Another theory suggests that circles are all hoaxes or practical jokes. It is irrational to believe that all crop circles are fake or are for publicity. Many crop circles appeared long before the phenomenon pained large recognition from the media. Many crop circles show strange mathematical traits when analyzed.

Section G

This phenomenon is an enigma. Many dollars have been spent by researchers and their associations in an attempt to find a solution to this intriguing puzzle which will continue to haunt humanity until an explanation is found.

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IELTS Reading Passage 2 Crop Circles Answers

Ques: Do the Statements given below match the writer’s claim?

Write:

#Yes If the statement agrees with what the writer has mentioned

#No If the statement does not agree with what the writer has mentioned

#NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to verify whether the writer has mentioned this or not

  1. Crop Circles Only Appear In Wheat Fields (No)
  2. Crop circles have never been documented in tropical countries (Not Given)
  3. The largest number of crop circles were reported in the year 1990 ( Yes)
  4. The patterns have become increasingly complex over the years. (Yes)
  5. All crop circle are hoaxes (No)

Conclusion

It is necessary that you do a good amount of practice before you attempt the IELTS reading segment. This section will not only test your reading skill but also your speed and vocabulary. You can also go through multiple IELTS reading passages available on the IELTS Ninja website to improve your band score. IELTS Ninja provides personalized courses according to your choice and the section in which you want to improve your band score. So what are you waiting for? Enrol now!

ALSO READ Best Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2 to Achieve Band 8: Here’s Your Guide to Score Big

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Shilpa

Shilpa is a professional web content writer and is in deep love with travelling. She completed her mass communication degree and is now dedicatedly playing with words to guide her readers to get the best for themselves. Developing educational content for UPSC, IELTS aspirants from breakthrough research work is her forte. Strongly driven by her zodiac sign Sagittarius, Shilpa loves to live her life on her own notes and completely agrees with the idea of ‘live and let live. Apart from writing and travelling, most of the time she can be seen in the avatar of 'hooman' mom to her pets and street dogs or else you can also catch her wearing the toque blanche and creating magic in the kitchen on weekends.

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