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IELTS® Academic Reading Practice 32

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This reading practice simulates one part of the IELTS General Reading test. You should spend about twenty minutes on it. Read the passage and answer questions 12-26.

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According to simple definitions, biological evolution is the process of change over time. However, mountains change over time, and biological evolution surely doesn’t apply to them. So, more aptly, biological evolution can be described in the words of Charles Darwin himself: “descent with modifi...
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Questions 12-19
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage? In boxes 12-19 on your answer sheet, write

YES   if the statement reflects the claims of the writer
NO   if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN   if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

12. Theorists don’t all agree about how quickly evolution happens.

13. Through natural selection, organisms could branch off of each other and evolve to the point where they no longer belong to the same species.

14. James Hutton and Charles Lyell developed their theories in geology after Darwin had identified that species undergo gradual evolution.

15. The presence of irreducibly complex system supports Darwin's theory.

16. Modern technology has been used to prove that irreducibly complex systems exists

17. The belief that the complexity of the human eye could have been formed by natural selection seems highly likely.

18. The absence of intermediate forms in the fossil record clearly demonstrates that Darwin’s concept of gradualism is true.

19. The research on trilobites demonstrates clearly that punctuated equilibrium cannot be true.

The answer is YES. The passage states in the first paragraph: “there has been considerable disagreement – ever since the theory of evolution was first propounded – about the rate of change and species adaptation.” This clearly indicates that not all theorists agree about how quickly evolution happens, directly supporting the claim of the writer.

Associated Text:
there has been considerable disagreement – ever since the theory of evolution was first propounded – about the rate of change and species adaptation.

The answer is NOT GIVEN. The passage describes how natural selection works, including variation and selection of traits over time, but nowhere does it explicitly state that natural selection causes organisms to diverge to the point that they no longer belong to the same species. Therefore, the claim cannot be confirmed or denied based on the information in the passage.

Associated Text:
Yet, no two offspring are perfectly alike. As a result, through random mutation and genetic drift, over time offspring develop new traits and characteristics. Over time beneficial traits and characteristics that promote survival will be kept in the gene pool while those that harm survival will be selected against.

The answer is NO. In the second paragraph, the passage states: “This follows the prominent geological theories of the time put forward by James Hutton and Charles Lyell, who published the idea that the same processes that formed the Earth at the very beginning were the same that were happening in the present day.” This means that Hutton and Lyell’s theories predated Darwin, not vice versa.

Associated Text:
This follows the prominent geological theories of the time put forward by James Hutton and Charles Lyell, who published the idea that the same processes that formed the Earth at the very beginning were the same that were happening in the present day.

The answer is NO. In the third paragraph, the passage explains: “These complex systems, if so inter-reliant, would be resistant to Darwin's supposition of how evolution occurs.” This shows irreducibly complex systems challenge, not support, Darwin’s theory.

Associated Text:
These complex systems, if so inter-reliant, would be resistant to Darwin's supposition of how evolution occurs.

The answer is YES. The passage says: “As a result, in the absence of one, the system as a whole collapses. Consequently, as modern technology improved, science can now identify these ‘irreducibly complex systems’ even at microscopic levels.” This demonstrates that modern technology has been used to identify the existence of these systems.

Associated Text:
as modern technology improved, science can now identify these ‘irreducibly complex systems’ even at microscopic levels.

The answer is NO. In the third paragraph, Darwin is quoted: “To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivance...could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I free confess, absurd in the highest degree.” This clearly indicates Darwin found it highly unlikely, not likely.

Associated Text:
To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivance for adjusting the focus for different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I free confess, absurd in the highest degree.

The answer is NO. The fourth paragraph states: “There is, however, an unavoidable complicating factor: the fossil record is incomplete. We do not have a comprehensive catalog of fossils at our disposal. Instead, there are gaps in the record, gaps which proponents of gradualism say account for the lack of extant transitional forms.” This shows the absence of intermediate forms does not clearly demonstrate Darwin’s concept of gradualism is true.

Associated Text:
gaps which proponents of gradualism say account for the lack of extant transitional forms.

The answer is NO. In the penultimate paragraph, it states: “This would appear to give lie to punctuated equilibrium; however, Sheldon has admitted that the environmental conditions in which the trilobites lived remained relatively constant, which may account for the slow rate of change.” The research does not demonstrate clearly that punctuated equilibrium cannot be true; there are possible explanations for gradualism in this context.

Associated Text:
This would appear to give lie to punctuated equilibrium; however, Sheldon has admitted that the environmental conditions in which the trilobites lived remained relatively constant, which may account for the slow rate of change.

Questions 20-22
Choose three letters A-F.

Write your answers in boxes 20-22 on your answer sheet.

Which THREE of the following are stated about punctuated equilibrium?
  1. It emphasizes a slow process of evolutionary change
  2. It accounts for lack of intermediate forms in the fossil record
  3. It was weakened by imperfect fossils records
  4. It proposes that change occurs in isolated populations of a species
  5. It was proposed in the 20th century
  6. It explains how genetic materials are passed on through reproduction

20

21

22

The answer is B. The passage, when describing punctuated equilibrium, says: “there are gaps in the record, gaps which proponents of gradualism say account for the lack of extant transitional forms.” Additionally, punctuated equilibrium is introduced as a theory that “accounts for lack of intermediate forms in the fossil record.”

Associated Text:
there are gaps in the record, gaps which proponents of gradualism say account for the lack of extant transitional forms. In 1972 Stephen Jay Gould took the scientific world by storm with his paper on 'punctuated equilibrium' ... Challenging a core assumption of Darwin’s theory of evolution...

The answer is D. The passage says regarding punctuated equilibrium: “such sudden changes typically occurred in relatively small and isolated populations within a given species, living on the periphery. These ‘geographical isolates’... had advantageous morphological variations.”

Associated Text:
such sudden changes typically occurred in relatively small and isolated populations within a given species, living on the periphery. These ‘geographical isolates’, as they put it, had advantageous morphological variations, and therefore greater success at reproduction.

The answer is E. The passage informs us that “In 1972 Stephen Jay Gould took the scientific world by storm with his paper on 'punctuated equilibrium'...” This shows punctuated equilibrium was proposed in the 20th century.

Associated Text:
In 1972 Stephen Jay Gould took the scientific world by storm with his paper on 'punctuated equilibrium', written with Niles Eldredge.

Questions 23-26
Look at the following Statements (Questions 23-26) and A list of people below.

Match each statement with the correct person.

Write the correct number A-D in boxes Questions 23-26 on your answer sheet.

NB You may use any letter more than once.
A list of people
  1. Stephen Jay Gould
  2. Dr. Peter Sheldon of Cambridge University
  3. Charles Darwin
  4. James Hutton and Charles Lyell

23. demonstrated that the theory of punctuated equilibrium is not correct.

24. postulated that new species evolve from existing species through often imperceptible changes.

25. theorized that geologic processes that were around at the beginning of time were the same ones that were happening at the current time.

26. states that organisms remain stable until a major change causes evolutionary pressures.

The answer is B. The passage states: “Sheldon’s study reviewed eight species of trilobites, finding that each species experienced a gradual increase in the number of segments... Sheldon found that there were no bursts of change in the species.” Thus, Dr. Peter Sheldon demonstrated a case against punctuated equilibrium.

Associated Text:
Sheldon’s study reviewed eight species of trilobites, finding that each species experienced a gradual increase in the number of segments. Over a span of three million years in evolution, Sheldon found that there were no bursts of change in the species.

The answer is C. The passage describes Darwin as proposing: “this idea of gradualism means that onlookers are unable to see great change in a short period because great changes are simply the culmination of the small changes that happen over long periods.” Thus, Darwin postulated new species evolve through gradual, often imperceptible changes.

Associated Text:
This idea of gradualism means that onlookers are unable to see great change in a short period because great changes are simply the culmination of the small changes that happen over long periods.

The answer is D. In discussing gradualism and its geological roots, the passage states Hutton and Lyell “published the idea that the same processes that formed the Earth at the very beginning were the same that were happening in the present day.”

Associated Text:
who published the idea that the same processes that formed the Earth at the very beginning were the same that were happening in the present day.

The answer is A. The passage describes: “In 1972 Stephen Jay Gould took the scientific world by storm with his paper on 'punctuated equilibrium'... their hypothesis included the idea that adaptations within species occur quickly, in short bursts, after long periods of stasis. During such periods of stasis – the ‘equilibrium’ of the name – little change occurs. Then, we see a rapid and dramatic variation, leading to a new species.” This summarizes that Gould (A) states that organisms remain stable until a major change causes evolutionary pressure.

Associated Text:
their hypothesis included the idea that adaptations within species occur quickly, in short bursts, after long periods of stasis. During such periods of stasis – the 'equilibrium' of the name – little change occurs. Then, we see a rapid and dramatic variation, leading to a new species.

Answer Sheet
1
N/A
2
N/A
3
N/A
4
N/A
5
N/A
6
N/A
7
N/A
8
N/A
9
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10
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11
N/A
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
N/A
28
N/A
29
N/A
30
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31
N/A
32
N/A
33
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34
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35
N/A
36
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37
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38
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39
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40
N/A
Score Summary
0 / 1
Multiple Choice
Matching Sentence Endings
Note Completion
Table Completion
Flow Chart Completion
Summary Completion
Multiple Selection
Short Answer
Matching Headings
Matching Features
Matching Information
Identifying Information
Identifying Viewer Claims
Sentence Completion
Diagram Labelling
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Tips to improve your reading speed
To get a high score on the IELTS reading section, you need to have a fast reading speed. To have a fast reading speed, you need to improve your vocabulary and practice dissecting sentences. One strategy to dissect a sentence is to look for the subject and verb of the sentence. Finding the subject and verb will help you better understand the main idea of said sentence. Keep in mind, a common feature of a IELTS reading passage is to join strings of ideas to form long compound sentences. This produces large chunks that students have a hard time absorbing. Do not get overwhelmed by its length, just look for the subject and verb, the rest of the ideas will flow.

Keep in mind, having a slow reading speed makes skimming or scanning a reading passage more difficult. The process of quickly skimming through a reading passage for specific keywords or main ideas is a requirement for you to employ successful reading strategies to improve your IELTS reading score. In other words, skimming and scanning are critical skills to ensure you complete all questions in the allotted time frame.
IELTS Reading Strategies
Once you can read and comprehend a passage with a rate of, at least, 220 words per minute, you'll be ready to start implementing our strategies. All too often, students spend too much time reading the passages and not enough time answering the questions. Here is a step by step guide for tackling the reading section.

  1. Step 1: Read questions first

    One of the most common mistakes that candidates make when approaching the reading exam is reading every single word of the passages. Although you can practice for the exam by reading for pleasure, "reading blindly" (reading without any sense of what the questions will ask) will not do you any favors in the exam. Instead, it will hurt your chances for effectively managing your time and getting the best score.

    The main reason to read the questions first is because the type of question may determine what you read in the passage or how you read it. For example, some question types will call for the "skimming" technique, while others may call for the "scanning" technique.

    It is important to answer a set of questions that are of the same question type. You'll need to determine which question type you want to tackle first. A good strategy would be to start with the easier question type and move on to more difficult question types later. The Easiest question types are the ones where you spend less time reading. For example, the Matching Heading question type is an easier one because you only need to find the heading that best describes the main idea of a paragraph. An example of a difficult question type would be Identifying Information. For this question type, you'll need to read each paragraph to find out if each statement is TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN according to the passage.

    Here is a table that lists the difficulty levels for each question type. Use this table as a reference when choosing which question type you want to tackle first.

    Difficulty level Question Type
    Easy Sentence Completion
    Short answer
    Medium Matching Features
    Multiple choice
    Matching Headings
    Summary, Table, Flow-Chart Completion
    Difficult Matching Sentence Endings
    Matching Information
    Identifying Information (TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN)
    Identifying Viewer's claims (YES/NO/NOT GIVEN)

  2. Step 2: Read for an objective

    After you've read the questions for the passage, you will be able to read for an objective. What does this mean? For example, if you come across a question that includes the year "1896", you can make a note of when this year comes up in the text, using it to answer the question later on. There are two reading techniques that will help you stay on track with reading for an objective. The first one, skimming, is best defined as reading fast in order to get the "gist", or general idea, or a passage. With this technique, you are not stopping for any unfamiliar words or looking for specific details. The second technique, scanning, is best defined as reading for specific information. With this technique, you are not reading for the overall gist, but rather, specific information. Notice how each of these techniques has a specific objective in mind. This will help you find information more quickly.

  3. Step 3: Take notes

    As you're reading for an objective, you should also be making notes on the margins of the passage, placing stars next to key information, or underlining things that you believe will help you answer the various questions. This will make it easier for you to check back when you are asked certain things in the questions. Choose whichever note-taking system is right for you - just make sure you do it!

  4. Step 4: Answer wisely

    After you've read the questions, read the passage, and have taken any appropriate notes, you you should have located the part of the text where you where you need to read carefully. Then just read carefully and think critically to determine the correct answer.

IELTS Reading Question Types

The IELTS reading test contains many different question types:

Matching HeadingsIELTS Reading Lesson: Matching Headings
Matching InformationIELTS Reading Lesson: Matching Information
Matching FeaturesIELTS Reading Lesson: Matching Features
Summary CompletionIELTS Reading Lesson: Summary Completion
Identifying InformationIELTS Reading Lesson: Identifying Information
Identifying Writer's claimsIELTS Reading Lesson: Identifying Writer's claims
Multiple ChoiceIELTS Reading Lesson: Multiple Choice
Short AnswerIELTS Reading Lesson: Short Answer
Match Sentence EndingIELTS Reading Lesson: Match Sentence Ending
Sentence CompletionIELTS Reading Lesson: Sentence Completion
Table CompletionIELTS Reading Lesson: Table Completion
 
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