IELTS Secrets - EXPLANATION

READING PASSAGE 1: THE MAGIC OF KEFIR

Q1: Section A
Answer: viii
Key word(s): shepherds, accidental discovery, fermentation, blessing
Cited Sentence: "A fermentation process would sometimes inadvertently occur en route, and when the pouches were opened up on arrival, they would no longer contain milk but rather a pungent, effervescent, low alcoholic substance instead."
Explanation: This paragraph focuses on the accidental discovery of kefir, emphasizing that the fermentation process was unintentional. It fits the description of a "fortunate accident," making option viii the best choice.

Q2: Section B
Answer: iii
Key word(s): kefir grains, expand, propagate
Cited Sentence: "These grains are capable of a remarkable feat: in contradistinction to most other items, you might find in a grocery store, they actually expand and propagate with use."
Explanation: This paragraph explains how kefir grains grow and multiply over time, which ties in with the phrase "the gift that keeps on giving," indicating the grains' continuous ability to grow and be used.

Q3: Section C
Answer: vii
Key word(s): ripening, dark place, unsettled
Cited Sentence: "The mixture then requires a cool, dark place to live and grow, with periodic unsettling to prevent clumping."
Explanation: This section describes the process of making kefir, from adding grains to milk to storing it in a dark place and shaking it periodically. The key theme is the process of making kefir, aligning perfectly with option vii.

Q4: Section D
Answer: i
Key word(s): texture, consistency, tart, effervescence
Cited Sentence: "The smooth, uniform consistency rolls over the tongue in a manner akin to liquefied yoghurt."
Explanation: This paragraph emphasizes the sensory experience of tasting kefir, focusing on the texture and the slight effervescence it contains, which best fits the heading "A unique sensory experience."

Q5: Section E
Answer: vi
Key word(s): kefir uses, pancakes, granola
Cited Sentence: "Many bakers use it instead of starter yeast in the preparation of sourdough, and the tangy flavour also makes kefir an ideal buttermilk substitute in pancakes."
Explanation: This section highlights various culinary applications of kefir, such as being used as a substitute for buttermilk and starter yeast in different recipes. This aligns well with the heading "Culinary applications."

Q6: Section F
Answer: ix
Key word(s): health food movement, probiotics, trendy
Cited Sentence: "Every day, more studies pour out supporting the benefits of a diet high in probiotics. This trend toward consuming probiotics has engulfed the leisure classes in these countries to the point that it is poised to become, according to some commentators, 'the next multivitamin'."
Explanation: This paragraph discusses the growing popularity of kefir in the health food movement and how it has become trendy. Therefore, the heading "Kefir gets an image makeover" is the most fitting.

Q7: Section G
Answer: ii
Key word(s): production shortcuts, return to basics
Cited Sentence: "But the beauty of kefir is that, at its healthiest and tastiest, it is a remarkably affordable, uncluttered process, as any accidental invention is bound to be."
Explanation: This section talks about the alterations in production methods and the benefits of returning to the original, simple way of making kefir. The most fitting heading is "Getting back to basics," which refers to the simple production process.

Q8: What do kefir grains look like?
Answer: cauliflower rosettes
Key word(s): kefir grains, appearance
Cited Sentence: "These grains, which are granular to the touch and bear a slight resemblance to cauliflower rosettes, house active cultures that feed on lactose when added to milk."
Explanation: The kefir grains are described as resembling "cauliflower rosettes," which directly answers the question.

Q9: What needs to happen to kefir while it is ripening?
Answer: periodic unsettling
Key word(s): ripening, unsettled
Cited Sentence: "The mixture then requires a cool, dark place to live and grow, with periodic unsettling to prevent clumping."
Explanation: The process of ripening kefir involves periodically unsettling the mixture to prevent clumping.

Q10: What will the yeast cultures have consumed before kefir is ready to drink?
Answer: milk sugars
Key word(s): yeast cultures, consume
Cited Sentence: "After about 24 hours the yeast cultures in the grains have multiplied and devoured most of the milk sugars."
Explanation: The yeast cultures consume milk sugars as part of the fermentation process before kefir is ready for consumption.

Q11: The texture of kefir in the mouth is similar to what?
Answer: liquefied yoghurt
Key word(s): texture, kefir, mouth
Cited Sentence: "The smooth, uniform consistency rolls over the tongue in a manner akin to liquefied yoghurt."
Explanation: The texture of kefir is compared to liquefied yoghurt in the sentence.

Q12 & Q13: Which TWO products are NOT mentioned as things which kefir can replace?
Answer: C, E
Key word(s): kefir, replace, products
Cited Sentence for C: "Kefir also accompanies sour cream as one of the main ingredients in cold beetroot soup..."
Cited Sentence for E: "As a way to keep their digestive systems fine-tuned, athletes sometimes combine kefir with yoghurt in protein shakes."
Explanation: Kefir is not mentioned as a substitute for sour cream (C) or yoghurt (E). The passage does not claim that kefir can replace these products, making them the correct answers for both questions.

READING PASSAGE 2: FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Q14: Section A

Answer: vi
Key word(s): British entomologist, consumption of insects, deep-rooted prejudices
Cited Sentence: "So asked British entomologist Vincent M. Holt in the title of his 1885 treatise on the benefits of what he named – the consumption of insects (and similar creatures) as a food source."
Explanation: Section A discusses the historical origin of the idea of eating insects, presenting Vincent M. Holt as a cultural pioneer advocating for insect consumption in the 1880s. The phrase “a cultural pioneer” aligns with Holt’s vision of introducing the concept of eating insects.

Q15: Section B

Answer: ix
Key word(s): Western cities, insects, "cool" factor, entomophagic cause
Cited Sentence: "In Los Angeles and other cosmopolitan Western cities, insects have been caught up in the endless pursuit of novel and authentic delicacies."
Explanation: This paragraph focuses on the growing popularity of eating insects, particularly in cosmopolitan Western cities, highlighting how insects are considered trendy and novel, thus matching the heading about growing popularity.

Q16: Section C

Answer: v
Key word(s): customary dishes, Western companies, scale, mass markets
Cited Sentence: "Insects and other such creatures are already eaten in 80 per cent of the world’s countries, prepared in customary dishes ranging from deep-fried tarantula in Cambodia to bowls of baby bees in China."
Explanation: Section C discusses the fusion of tradition and technology by combining traditional insect-eating practices with modern techniques, such as mass production methods, which fits under the heading “Tradition meets technology.”

Q17: Section D

Answer: iv
Key word(s): insects, produce less ammonia, ten times less methane, cold-blooded
Cited Sentence: "According to research findings from Professor Arnold van Huis, a Dutch entomologist, breeding insects results in far fewer noxious by-products. Insects produce less ammonia than pig and poultry farming, ten times less methane than livestock, and 300 times less nitrous oxide."
Explanation: This section highlights the environmental benefits of insect farming, including reduced harmful gas emissions, which corresponds to the heading "Environmentally friendly production."

Q18: Section E

Answer: x
Key word(s): insects, genetically distant, species-hopping diseases, swine flu, mad cow disease
Cited Sentence: "Because bugs are genetically distant from humans, species-hopping diseases such as swine flu or mad cow disease are much less likely to start or spread amongst grasshoppers or slugs than in poultry and cattle."
Explanation: Section E emphasizes the health benefits of eating insects, as they are less likely to transmit diseases like swine flu or mad cow disease, which makes them a "healthy choice" compared to other meats.

Q19: Section F

Answer: ii
Key word(s): traditional knowledge, modern technology, rural, impoverished populations
Cited Sentence: "Durst believes that, with the adoption of modern technology and improved promotional methods, opportunities to expand the market to new consumers will flourish."
Explanation: Section F discusses how combining traditional knowledge with modern methods could help improve economic conditions for rural, impoverished populations, which fits the heading "The poor may benefit."

Q20: Section G

Answer: vii
Key word(s): Western organisations, grasshoppers, pesticides, protein deficiency
Cited Sentence: "While examining children’s diets as a part of her field work in Mali, Dunkel discovered that a protein deficiency syndrome called kwashiorkor was increasing in incidence."
Explanation: Section G talks about how Western practices of pesticide use have harmed local diets and caused protein deficiency in Mali, fitting the heading "Western practices harm locals."

Q21: Section H

Answer: iii
Key word(s): "the ick factor", insect flour, Tenebrio quiche
Cited Sentence: "For Marcel Dicke, the key lies in camouflaging the fact that people are eating insects at all. Insect flour is one of his propositions, as is changing the language of insect cuisine."
Explanation: This section suggests that changing the presentation of insects, such as using insect flour or altering the language, will help overcome people's aversion to eating them, matching the heading "Presentation is key to changing attitudes."

Q22: Van Huis

Answer: energy
Key word(s): food, protein, energy
Cited Sentence: "Insects use food to protein at a rate far superior to that of cows, since the latter exhaust much of their energy just keeping themselves warm."
Explanation: Van Huis explains that insects waste less energy in converting food to protein, making them a more efficient protein source.

Q23: Durst

Answer: subsistence needs
Key word(s): traditional knowledge, rural, subsistence
Cited Sentence: "Until now, they have only used this knowledge to meet their own subsistence needs."
Explanation: Durst indicates that traditional knowledge was previously only used for self-sustenance in rural areas but could now help mass production.

Q24: Durst

Answer: rural, impoverished
Key word(s): rural, impoverished, markets
Cited Sentence: "This could provide a crucial step into the global economic arena for those primarily rural, impoverished populations who have been excluded from the rise of manufacturing and large-scale agriculture."
Explanation: Durst suggests that insect farming could open up market opportunities for rural, impoverished populations.

Q25: Dunkel

Answer: pesticide use
Key word(s): pesticide use, grasshoppers, kwashiorkor
Cited Sentence: "These had become unsafe to eat after pesticide use in the area increased."
Explanation: Dunkel found that increased pesticide use had led to unsafe grasshoppers, contributing to protein deficiency.

Q26: Dunkel

Answer: protein deficiency (syndrome)/kwashiorkor
Key word(s): kwashiorkor, protein deficiency
Cited Sentence: "Dunkel discovered that a protein deficiency syndrome called kwashiorkor was increasing in incidence."
Explanation: Dunkel links the rise in kwashiorkor, a protein deficiency syndrome, to the reduction in insect consumption due to pesticides.

READING PASSAGE 3: LOVE STORIES

Q27: My most important concern is that my partner is happy.
Answer: D Agape
Key word(s): partner is happy, concern
Cited Sentence: "In an agape relationship one partner becomes a 'caretaker', exalting the welfare of the other above his or her own needs."
Explanation: The definition of agape in the passage is about a partner focusing on the other's well-being, indicating a selfless concern for the partner's happiness, which matches the statement.

Q28: I enjoy having many romantic partners.
Answer: E Ludus
Key word(s): many romantic partners
Cited Sentence: "The ludus style envisions relationships primarily as a game in which it is best to 'play the field' or experience a diverse set of partners over time."
Explanation: Ludus is characterized by a playful approach to relationships, enjoying multiple partners, as described in the cited sentence.

Q29: I feel that my partner and I were always going to end up together.
Answer: A Eros
Key word(s): always going to end up together
Cited Sentence: "Characteristic of this style is a passionate emotional intensity, a strong physical magnetism – as if the two partners were literally being 'pulled' together – and a sense of inevitability about the relationship."
Explanation: Eros involves a sense of inevitability about the relationship, meaning the partners feel they are destined to be together, which aligns with the statement.

Q30: I want to be friends first and then let romance develop later.
Answer: C Storge
Key word(s): friends first, romance develop
Cited Sentence: "Storge is a quiet, companionate type of loving – 'love by evolution' rather than 'love by revolution', according to some theorists."
Explanation: Storge is characterized by a gradual development of affection, often starting with friendship, which aligns with the idea of romance developing later.

Q31: I always feel either very excited or absolutely miserable about my relationship.
Answer: B Mania
Key word(s): excited, miserable, relationship
Cited Sentence: "Vast swings in mood from ecstasy to agony – dependent on the level of attention a person is receiving from his or her partner – are typical of manic love."
Explanation: Mania is defined by extreme emotional swings, from excitement to misery, based on the partner’s attention, matching the statement perfectly.

Q32: I prefer to keep many aspects of my love life to myself.
Answer: E Ludus
Key word(s): keep aspects to myself
Cited Sentence: "Mutually gratifying outcomes in relationships are not considered necessary, and deception of a partner and lack of disclosure about one’s activities are also typical."
Explanation: Ludus is characterized by secrecy and deception, meaning a person would keep many aspects of their love life hidden.

Q33: When I am in love, that is all I can think about.
Answer: B Mania
Key word(s): in love, all I can think about
Cited Sentence: "Vast swings in mood from ecstasy to agony... are typical of manic love."
Explanation: Mania involves obsessive thoughts about love, where the person is consumed by the emotional highs and lows, fitting the idea that it dominates their thoughts.

Q34: I know before I meet someone what qualities I need in a partner.
Answer: F Pragma
Key word(s): know before, qualities I need
Cited Sentence: "Successful arranged marriages are a great example of pragma, in that the couple decide to make the relationship work; but anyone who seeks an ideal partner with a shopping list of necessary attributes... fits the classification."
Explanation: Pragma is based on practical considerations and having a clear idea of the qualities one seeks in a partner before meeting them, which matches the statement.

Q35: People’s notions of love affect their relationships, rather than vice versa.
Answer: YES
Key word(s): notions of love, affect, relationships
Cited Sentence: "Sternberg’s research demonstrates that we may have predilections toward multiple love stories, each represented in a mental hierarchy and varying in weight in terms of their personal significance."
Explanation: Sternberg’s research suggests that our love stories shape our relationships, not the other way around, indicating that our notions of love influence how we approach relationships.

Q36: Some of our love stories are more important to us than others.
Answer: YES
Key word(s): love stories, more important
Cited Sentence: "Sternberg’s research demonstrates that we may have predilections toward multiple love stories, each represented in a mental hierarchy and varying in weight in terms of their personal significance."
Explanation: This directly addresses that some love stories are more significant to us than others, according to Sternberg's research.

Q37: Our love stories can change to meet the needs of particular social environments.
Answer: YES
Key word(s): love stories, change, social environments
Cited Sentence: "Love stories are, therefore, interactive and adaptive phenomena in our lives rather than rigid prescriptions."
Explanation: This confirms that love stories can adapt to different social environments, as they are not rigid but flexible.

Q38: We look for romantic partners with a love story just like our own.
Answer: NO
Key word(s): look for, romantic partners, love story just like ours
Cited Sentence: "But they do not have to be an identical match. Someone who sees love as mystery and art, for example, might locate that mystery better in a partner who views love through a lens of business and humour."
Explanation: The passage indicates that while we may look for partners with compatible love stories, they do not have to be identical, contradicting the statement.

Q39: The most successful partners have matching love stories.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
Key word(s): most successful partners, matching love stories
Cited Sentence: There is no specific sentence that discusses the success of partners based on matching love stories.
Explanation: The passage mentions compatible love stories but does not directly address whether matching love stories lead to success, leaving this as "Not Given."

Q40: No love story is more suited to a long relationship than any other.
Answer: NO
Key word(s): no love story, suited, long relationship
Cited Sentence: "Not all love stories, however, are equally well predisposed to relationship longevity; stories that view love as a game, as a kind of surveillance or as an addiction are all unlikely to prove durable."
Explanation: This sentence explicitly contradicts the statement, stating that certain love stories, such as those based on games or surveillance, are less suited to long-term relationships.