IELTS Reading Sample (Academic) #5

Test Tip

IELTS Reading texts may contain specialist words and expressions, but you will not need to understand all of these to answer the questions. Specialist words which are important for the meaning are often explained for you in the text.

Reading paper for this section

Questions 1-4

The passage has ten paragraphs A-J.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Answer the questions below by writing the correct letters, A-J, in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet.

1the features of human skin, on and below the surface ..........A B C D E F G H I J

2an experiment in which the writer can see what is happening ..........A B C D E F G H I J

3advice on how you can avoid damage to the skin ..........A B C D E F G H I J

4cruel research methods used in the past ..........A B C D E F G H I J

Questions 5 and 6

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

5How does a lack of affectionate touching affect children?

It makes them apathetic.

They are more likely to become violent adults.

They will be less aggressive when they grow up.

We do not really know.

6After the 'wetness' experiments, the writer says that

his skin is not normal.

his skin was wet when it felt wet.

he knew why it felt wet when it was dry.

the experiments taught him nothing new.

Questions 7-11

Complete each sentence with the correct ending A-J from the box below.

Write the correct letter A-J in boxes 7-11 on your answer sheet.

A because it is both cold and painful.

B because the outer layer of the skin can mend itself.

C because it can be extremely thin.

D because there is light pressure on the skin.

E because we do not need the others to survive.

F because there is a good blood supply to the skin.

G because of a small amount of pain.

H because there is a low temperature and pressure.

I because it is hurting a lot.

J because all humans are capable of experiencing it.

7Touch is unique among the five senses ..........A B C D E F G H I J

8A substance may feel wet ..........A B C D E F G H I J

9Something may tickle ..........A B C D E F G H I J

10The skin may itch ..........A B C D E F G H I J

11A small cut heals up quickly ..........A B C D E F G H I J

Questions 12-14

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1 ?

In boxes 12-14 on your answer sheet write

TRUEif the statement agrees with the information
FALSEif the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVENif there is no information on this

12Even scientists have difficulty understanding how our sense of touch works. ..........TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN

13The skin is more sensitive to pressure than to temperature or pain. ..........TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN

14The human skin is always good at repairing itself. ..........TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN

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