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IELTS® Academic Reading Practice 52

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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 1-14.

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In light of a few recent scientific discoveries, it seems that the very decisions we make are directly connected with the neurons in certain parts of our brains. It is from these very discoveries that a field known as neuroeconomics was born. Neuroeconomics delves into the ways that success in an e...
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Questions 1-5
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write your answers in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.

1. Which best describes one goal of neuroeconomics as a field of study?

2. Which of the following best supports the notion that the brain has evolved to be efficient?

3. How does the passage describe the perception?

4. According to the passage, iconoclasts can be identified by which of the following?

5. According to the passage, which of the following does an iconoclastic brain do?

The answer is C. The best description of one goal of neuroeconomics comes from the first paragraph: "Neuroeconomics delves into the ways that success in an economic environment can be affected by our brains in terms of being innovative and creative." This clearly suggests the field aims to learn about how our success is related to our physical brains and decision-making, rather than being just about economics or finances. This is supported by the phrase that neuroeconomics studies the connection between the brain and economic success, indicating a focus on the physical brain and its impact on decision-making and success, not just in business owners or finance alone. (C) directly matches with the text's focus on understanding how our success is linked to how our brains function.

Associated Text:
Neuroeconomics delves into the ways that success in an economic environment can be affected by our brains in terms of being innovative and creative.

The answer is D. Paragraph 3 clearly states: "the brain is only working with finite resources. Almost the same as a 40 watt light bulb, the brain has a limited budget for the amount of energy it can spend. This limitation has led the brain to evolve to work as efficiently as possible." This explanation supports option (D), as it emphasizes the brain's efficiency is related to its ability to use a limited amount of energy resources to function.

Associated Text:
the brain is only working with finite resources. Almost the same as a 40 watt light bulb, the brain has a limited budget for the amount of energy it can spend. This limitation has led the brain to evolve to work as efficiently as possible.

The answer is C. The description of perception is found in paragraph 4: "Though we may think our impression of the world is genuine, it seems it may instead be a collection of electrical impulses within our brains. Recognition isn't just a result of what the eyes or ears transmit to our brains. Rather than taking in the physical reality of photons or sound waves, our perceptions depend on reactions happening within our brains." This confirms that perception is described as a result of brain processes, matching (C).

Associated Text:
our perceptions depend on reactions happening within our brains.

The answer is B. Paragraph 8 states: "When an iconoclast reacts, they do so by accepting what is unfamiliar rather than trying to avoid it." This directly supports option (B), that iconoclasts will voluntarily expose themselves to new situations. The passage does not mention linear memory, independent personalities, or slow decision-making for iconoclasts.

Associated Text:
When an iconoclast reacts, they do so by accepting what is unfamiliar rather than trying to avoid it.

The answer is B. The relevant text in paragraph 6 says: "iconoclasts don’t necessarily see what others around them see. In areas where the average person’s brain might be inclined to stumble or get stuck, an iconoclast efficient brain will not." This explicitly shows that the iconoclastic brain can stay away from potential traps in thinking, supporting (B).

Associated Text:
In areas where the average person’s brain might be inclined to stumble or get stuck, an iconoclast efficient brain will not.

Questions 6-11
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage? In boxes 6-11 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

6. Iconoclasts are special because their brains function differently.

7. The brain works efficiently because it relies on energy

8. Novelty releases the perceptual process from the chains of past experience and forces the brain not to make new judgments

9. 30% of the general population claims to avoid activities which are unfamiliar.

10. Fear is proportionally related to risk levels for potential danger.

11. Irrational fears, such as fear of public-speaking, are classifiable as mental disorders.

The answer is YES. In paragraph 2, it says: "However, a more accurate way of putting it is that their brains are diverse in three particular ways: perception, fear response, and social intelligence. Every one of these three capacities requires alternative brain circuitry." This demonstrates that iconoclasts are considered special because their brains function differently.

Associated Text:
their brains are diverse in three particular ways: perception, fear response, and social intelligence. Every one of these three capacities requires alternative brain circuitry.

The answer is YES. The statement is supported by paragraph 3: "the brain is only working with finite resources. Almost the same as a 40 watt light bulb, the brain has a limited budget for the amount of energy it can spend. This limitation has led the brain to evolve to work as efficiently as possible." This confirms the relationship between the brain's efficient function and its energy reliance.

Associated Text:
the brain is only working with finite resources. Almost the same as a 40 watt light bulb, the brain has a limited budget for the amount of energy it can spend. This limitation has led the brain to evolve to work as efficiently as possible.

The answer is NO. The statement contradicts the author's claims. Paragraph 8 says, "The most ideal approach to see things differently than others is overwhelming our brains with new things to experience. With no previous experience to draw from, the brain is then empowered to make novel judgments." This means novelty enables new judgments, not prevents them, directly opposing the statement in the question.

Associated Text:
With no previous experience to draw from, the brain is then empowered to make novel judgments, and this remarkable tolerance to fresh experience is a telltale sign of iconoclasm.

The answer is NOT GIVEN. Nowhere in the passage does the author discuss what percentage of the general population claims to avoid activities which are unfamiliar. There is a discussion about the prevalence of fear of public speaking, but not about avoidance of unfamiliar activities in percentage terms.

Associated Text:

The answer is NOT GIVEN. The passage does address types of fear, such as fear of uncertainty and public ridicule, but does not state whether fear is proportionally related to risk levels for potential danger. Therefore, there is no specific information to support or contradict the statement.

Associated Text:

The answer is NO. Paragraph 9 explicitly says: "This reaction of fear to public speaking must, then, be one expression of human nature, as it is too common to be considered a mental disorder." Therefore, the statement that irrational fears like fear of public-speaking are classifiable as mental disorders is not supported, but rather contradicted by the writer.

Associated Text:
This reaction of fear to public speaking must, then, be one expression of human nature, as it is too common to be considered a mental disorder.

Questions 12-14
Complete each sentence with the correct ending A-G from the box below.

Write the correct letter A-G in boxes 12-14 on your answer sheet.

NB You may use any letter more than once.

  1. be simultaneously perceptive and socially intelligent
  2. try to challenge the status quo by rebelling against the system
  3. react appropriately to certain social cues from others, like someone’s level of enthusiasm
  4. criticize and reject others who do not perform adequately
  5. try new things and have novel experiences
  6. works in many fields, both artistic and scientific.
  7. leaves one open to criticism and rejection

12. To think like an iconoclast, it is necessary for the brain to

13. The social brain benefits iconoclasts by allowing them to

14. Iconoclasts are generally an asset because their way of thinking

The answer is A. Paragraph 10 states: "a successful iconoclast has to be able to pitch their ideas to those around them, and in this area in particular, social intelligence is essential." It also notes that perception is crucial to iconoclasm. Thus, to think like an iconoclast, it is necessary for the brain to "be simultaneously perceptive and socially intelligent."

Associated Text:
a successful iconoclast has to be able to pitch their ideas to those around them, and in this area in particular, social intelligence is essential. . . . our perceptions are of great importance.

The answer is C. Paragraph 10 states: "The abilities to both understand and manage other people in a business setting are examples of social intelligence. . . . our perceptions are of great importance. The way we perceive those around us can make all the difference, such as noticing someone’s level of enthusiasm, or social status." This describes how the social brain benefits iconoclasts by allowing them to "react appropriately to certain social cues from others, like someone’s level of enthusiasm."

Associated Text:
The way we perceive those around us can make all the difference, such as noticing someone’s level of enthusiasm, or social status.

The answer is F. The final paragraph states: "Iconoclasts seize and generate their own novel experiences in areas such as artistic expression, technology, or business. Their levels of creativity and innovation are not necessarily able to be imitated by groups. Iconoclasts do not consider rules to be of great importance. . . . All things considered, iconoclasts have quite a bit to offer all kinds of organizations." This confirms that their way of thinking "works in many fields, both artistic and scientific."

Associated Text:
Iconoclasts seize and generate their own novel experiences in areas such as artistic expression, technology, or business. . . . All things considered, iconoclasts have quite a bit to offer all kinds of organizations.

Answer Sheet
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2
3
4
5
6
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8
9
10
11
12
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14
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16
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17
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19
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20
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22
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23
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24
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25
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26
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27
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28
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29
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30
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31
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32
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34
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35
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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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