IELTS Secrets - EXPLANATION

READING 1: THE DISCOVERY OF PENICILLIN

Q1: results of animal experiments
Answer: D
Key word(s): animal experiments, mice, penicillin
Cited Sentence: "They experimented on mice infected with streptococcus. Those untreated died, while those injected with penicillin survived."
Explanation: The results of animal experiments are described here, where mice infected with streptococcus showed different outcomes depending on whether they were treated with penicillin or not.

Q2: recognition of the scientists’ valuable work
Answer: G
Key word(s): recognition, valuable work, awards
Cited Sentence: "Fleming and Florey received knighthoods in 1944 and they, together with Chain, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945."
Explanation: This paragraph discusses the recognition of the scientists' work through prestigious awards such as knighthoods and the Nobel Prize.

Q3: a statement about the beginning of mass production
Answer: E
Key word(s): mass production, making large quantities, Penicillium chrysogeum
Cited Sentence: "It became obvious that Penicillium notatum would never generate enough penicillin for effective treatments so they began to look for a more productive species."
Explanation: This marks the beginning of large-scale production efforts as the scientists sought more efficient species of mould to produce penicillin.

Q4: Fleming’s cautionary advice
Answer: H
Key word(s): caution, resistance, overuse
Cited Sentence: "Fleming was mindful of the dangers of resistance to penicillin early on and he expressly warned on many occasions against overuse of the drug, because this would lead to bacterial resistance."
Explanation: In this section, Fleming is quoted giving advice about the dangers of bacterial resistance due to the overuse of penicillin.

Q5: examples of uses for penicillin
Answer: F
Key word(s): uses, penicillin, treatment
Cited Sentence: "Penicillin proved to be very effective in the treatment of pneumococcal pneumonia – the death rate in WWII was 1% compared to 18% in WWI."
Explanation: This paragraph provides an example of penicillin's use in treating pneumonia during WWII and highlights its effectiveness.

Q6: the starting point for Fleming’s original research
Answer: B
Key word(s): starting point, research, staphylococcus bacteria
Cited Sentence: "Fleming was cultivating staphylococcus bacteria in Petri dishes containing agar."
Explanation: This sentence describes the beginning of Fleming's research, where he was studying staphylococcus bacteria.

Q7: holiday
Answer: holiday
Key word(s): holiday, return, mould
Cited Sentence: "Before going on holiday in the summer of 1928, he piled up the agar plates... When he returned to work two weeks later, Fleming noticed mould growing..."
Explanation: Fleming noticed the mould after returning from his holiday, which was the trigger for his discovery.

Q8: mycologist
Answer: mycologist
Key word(s): consulted, mycologist, identification
Cited Sentence: "Fleming consulted a mycologist called C J La Touche..."
Explanation: Fleming sought the expertise of a mycologist (a fungal scientist) to identify the mould.

Q9: (pathogenic) bacteria
Answer: (pathogenic) bacteria
Key word(s): active against, bacteria
Cited Sentence: "Fleming found that it was active against several different pathogenic bacteria..."
Explanation: The mould was found to be effective against various types of pathogenic bacteria.

Q10: non-toxic
Answer: non-toxic
Key word(s): safe, non-toxic, use in humans
Cited Sentence: "It was also non-toxic, so here was a bacteria-destroying agent that could be used as an antiseptic in wounds without damaging the human body."
Explanation: The mould was safe for human use because it was non-toxic, which made it an ideal antiseptic.

Q11: (eventually) died
Answer: (eventually) died
Key word(s): first human subject, died
Cited Sentence: "Their first case in 1940, an Oxford police officer... rallied after five days of treatment but, when the supply of penicillin ran out, he eventually died."
Explanation: The first human test subject, an Oxford police officer, initially recovered but died when the supply of penicillin was exhausted.

Q12: American scientists
Answer: American scientists
Key word(s): collaboration, United States
Cited Sentence: "In 1941, Florey and biochemist Dr Norman Heatley went to the United States to team up with American scientists..."
Explanation: The collaboration between Florey, Heatley, and American scientists is described here.

Q13: Nobel Prize
Answer: Nobel Prize
Key word(s): Nobel Prize, awarded
Cited Sentence: "... together with Chain, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945."
Explanation: This sentence reveals that Fleming, Florey, and Chain were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1945 for their contributions to the discovery of penicillin.

READING 2: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Q14: Daylight savings time has been in continual use since ancient times.

Answer: FALSE
Key word(s): continual use, ancient times
Cited Sentence: "This practice fell out of favour, however, and the concept was renewed only when, in 1784, the American inventor Benjamin Franklin wrote a jocular article for The Journal of Paris exhorting the city’s residents to make more use of daylight hours..."
Explanation: The statement is incorrect because Daylight Saving Time (DST) was not in continual use since ancient times. The practice was initially used by the Romans but fell out of favor and was revived later by Benjamin Franklin in 1784.

Q15: Today, DST is very similar to how George Vernon Hudson suggested it.

Answer: TRUE
Key word(s): George Vernon Hudson, suggested
Cited Sentence: "In 1895, in a more serious effort, New Zealand entomologist George Vernon Hudson proposed a biannual two-hour shift closely resembling current forms of DST."
Explanation: The statement is correct because the two-hour shift proposed by George Vernon Hudson in 1895 is closely similar to how DST is implemented today.

Q16: DST was not considered successful during World Wars I and II.

Answer: NOT GIVEN
Key word(s): successful, World Wars I and II
Cited Sentence: "Countries such as the UK and USA adopted DST in World Wars I and II, but reverted to standard time after the wars ended."
Explanation: The text does not provide information about whether DST was considered successful during the World Wars, only that the UK and USA used it but returned to standard time after the wars ended. Therefore, the statement cannot be confirmed or denied.

Q17: The USA finalised its DST policy in 1966.

Answer: FALSE
Key word(s): finalised, policy, 1966
Cited Sentence: "In the USA, the decision to use DST was determined by states and municipalities between 1945 and 1966, causing widespread confusion for transport and broadcasting schedules until Congress implemented the Uniform Time Act in 1966."
Explanation: The USA did not finalize its DST policy in 1966; it was only in 1966 that the Uniform Time Act was implemented, which helped standardize the practice across the country.

Q18: Around the world, there is now general agreement on how DST should be used.

Answer: FALSE
Key word(s): general agreement, DST
Cited Sentence: "There is still no uniform standard, however. Countries such as Egypt and Russia have adjusted their policies on multiple occasions in recent years, in some instances leading to considerable turmoil."
Explanation: The statement is false because there is no general agreement on how DST should be used. Many countries, such as Egypt and Russia, have changed their policies multiple times, leading to confusion and turmoil.

Q19: Frequent changes to DST over a short time span have caused problems in some countries.

Answer: TRUE
Key word(s): frequent changes, problems, countries
Cited Sentence: "Countries such as Egypt and Russia have adjusted their policies on multiple occasions in recent years, in some instances leading to considerable turmoil."
Explanation: The statement is correct because the text mentions that frequent changes to DST policies in countries like Egypt and Russia have caused problems, such as turmoil.

Questions 20-26: Complete the table below.

Q20: More opportunities for __________ after work.

Answer: outdoor recreational activities
Key word(s): opportunities, after work
Cited Sentence: "With extended daylight hours, office workers coming off a 9 to 5 shift can often take part in outdoor recreational activities for an hour or two."
Explanation: The text suggests that DST gives people the chance to participate in outdoor recreational activities after work due to the extended daylight hours.

Q21: People use less power in their homes because they don’t need as much lighting.

Answer: peak hours
Key word(s): better lighting, peak hours
Cited Sentence: "Better lighting during peak hours leads to fewer car crashes following the spring change to DST."
Explanation: The text connects better lighting during peak hours with fewer car accidents, indirectly suggesting that people use less artificial lighting at these times, which leads to less power consumption.

Q22: Some industries, such as __________, earn more money with DST.

Answer: tourism and hospitality
Key word(s): industries, earn more money
Cited Sentence: "Many industries are supportive of DST due to the opportunities it provides for increased revenue... tourism and hospitality are two sectors that stand to gain a lot from more daylight."
Explanation: The text highlights that tourism and hospitality industries earn more money due to DST, as people are more likely to stay out later and spend more.

Q23: Dairy farmers find that DST upsets their __________.

Answer: milking schedules
Key word(s): dairy farmers, upset
Cited Sentence: "In Queensland, Australia, which elected not to implement DST due to complaints from dairy farmers over disruption to milking schedules..."
Explanation: The text states that dairy farmers complained about DST disrupting their milking schedules, which is why Queensland chose not to implement DST.

Q24: More dangerous for __________ following re-setting of clocks in autumn.

Answer: pedestrians
Key word(s): dangerous, pedestrians, autumn
Cited Sentence: "Although the overall incidence of traffic accidents is lower, for pedestrians the risk of being hit by a car in the evening increases by as much as 186 per cent in the weeks after clocks are set back in autumn..."
Explanation: The text specifies that pedestrians face a significantly higher risk of being hit by cars in the weeks following the autumn clock change.

Q25: Loss of sleep can lead to __________, inferior performance at work and poorer general health because of fatigue.

Answer: mood swings
Key word(s): loss of sleep, mood swings
Cited Sentence: "Setting clocks one hour forward at night can cause many people to lose sleep, resulting in tiredness and all its well documented effects, such as mood swings..."
Explanation: The text connects the loss of sleep due to DST to mood swings, reduced productivity, and other health effects.

Q26: Darker mornings may lead to more __________.

Answer: street crime/incidents of crime
Key word(s): darker mornings, more
Cited Sentence: "Finally, safety issues have arisen in parts of Latin America relating to a suspected relationship between DST and higher incidences of street crime."
Explanation: The text links the darker mornings resulting from DST with an increase in street crime or incidents of crime, particularly in Latin America.

READING 3: WILLPOWER

Q27: Willpower is the most significant factor in determining success in life.
Answer: TRUE
Key word(s): most significant factor, determining success in life
Cited Sentence: "Although willpower does not shape our decisions, it determines whether and how long we can follow through on them. It almost single-handedly determines life outcomes."
Explanation: The sentence directly states that willpower is crucial for determining life outcomes, making it a significant factor in success.

Q28: People with more free time typically have better willpower.
Answer: FALSE
Key word(s): free time, better willpower
Cited Sentence: "There is a widespread misperception, for example, that increased leisure time would lead to subsequent increases in willpower."
Explanation: The text explicitly mentions that it is a misconception that more free time leads to better willpower, so this statement is false.

Q29: Willpower mostly applies to matters of diet and exercise.
Answer: FALSE
Key word(s): willpower, diet and exercise
Cited Sentence: "There is a common perception that willpower entails resisting some kind of a ‘treat’, such as a sugary drink or a lazy morning in bed, in favour of decisions that we know are better for us, such as drinking water or going to the gym."
Explanation: While diet and exercise are mentioned, the text clarifies that willpower applies to a range of behaviours beyond just diet and exercise, including overriding negative thoughts and persevering through difficult tasks.

Q30: The strongest indicator of willpower is the ability to choose long-term rather than short-term rewards.
Answer: TRUE
Key word(s): strongest indicator, long-term rewards, short-term rewards
Cited Sentence: "At the heart of any exercise of willpower, however, is the notion of ‘delayed gratification’, which involves resisting immediate satisfaction for a course that will yield greater or more permanent satisfaction in the long run."
Explanation: The concept of ‘delayed gratification’, or choosing long-term rewards over immediate satisfaction, is emphasized as central to willpower.

Q31: Researchers have studied the genetic basis of willpower.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
Key word(s): genetic basis, willpower
Cited Sentence: "Scientists are making general investigations into why some individuals are better able than others to delay gratification and thus employ their willpower, but the genetic or environmental origins of this ability remain a mystery for now."
Explanation: The text mentions that the genetic or environmental origins of willpower remain a mystery, which means there is no direct statement about researchers studying the genetic basis.

Q32: Levels of willpower usually stay the same throughout our lives.
Answer: TRUE
Key word(s): levels of willpower, stay the same, throughout life
Cited Sentence: "What is clear is that levels of willpower typically remain consistent over time (studies tracking individuals from early childhood to their adult years demonstrate a remarkable consistency in willpower abilities)."
Explanation: The sentence directly states that willpower levels remain consistent over time, supporting the answer "TRUE."

Q33: Regular physical exercise improves our willpower ability.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
Key word(s): physical exercise, improves willpower
Cited Sentence: There is no mention of physical exercise directly improving willpower in the text.
Explanation: While exercise is mentioned as an example of where willpower is applied (e.g., going to the gym), there is no statement that links regular physical exercise to improvement in willpower ability. Thus, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

Q34: This researcher identified a key factor that is necessary for willpower to function.
Answer: E
Key word(s): key factor, necessary for willpower
Cited Sentence: "F willpower is clearly fundamental to our ability to follow through on our decisions but, as psychologist Roy Baumeister has discovered, a lack of willpower may not be the sole impediment every time our good intentions fail to manifest themselves. A critical precursor, he suggests, is motivation."
Explanation: Roy Baumeister is identified as the researcher who points out that motivation is a key factor necessary for willpower to function.

Q35: This researcher suggested that willpower is affected by our beliefs.
Answer: D
Key word(s): willpower, affected by beliefs
Cited Sentence: "Veronika Job. Her research indicates that those who think that willpower is a finite resource exhaust their supplies of this commodity long before those who do not hold this opinion."
Explanation: Veronika Job's research is cited to show that beliefs about willpower (whether it is finite or not) can influence its depletion.

Q36: This researcher examined how our body responds to the use of willpower.
Answer: A
Key word(s): body responds, use of willpower
Cited Sentence: "Research by Matthew Gailliot suggests that willpower, even in the absence of physical activity, both requires and drains blood glucose levels, suggesting that willpower operates more or less like a ‘muscle’."
Explanation: Matthew Gailliot’s research on how willpower is related to blood glucose levels and its similarity to a muscle shows how our body responds to the use of willpower.

Q37: This researcher discovered how important it is to make and track goals.
Answer: C
Key word(s): make and track goals
Cited Sentence: "Muraven emphasises the value of monitoring progress towards a desired result, such as by using a fitness journal, or keeping a record of savings toward a new purchase."
Explanation: Mark Muraven is the researcher who emphasizes the importance of monitoring progress toward goals.

Q38: This researcher found that taking actions to please others decreases our willpower.
Answer: C
Key word(s): actions to please others, decreases willpower
Cited Sentence: "In another study, Mark Muraven found that those who felt compelled by an external authority to exert self-control experienced far greater rates of willpower depletion than those who identified their own reasons for taking a particular course of action."
Explanation: Muraven’s research shows that acting to please others (due to external pressure) leads to greater depletion of willpower.

Q39: This researcher found that willpower can increase through simple positive thoughts.
Answer: B
Key word(s): willpower increase, positive thoughts
Cited Sentence: "Gregory M. Walton, for example, found that a single verbal cue – telling research participants how strenuous mental tasks could ‘energise’ them for further challenging activities – made a profound difference in terms of how much willpower participants could draw upon to complete the activity."
Explanation: Gregory M. Walton discovered that positive prompts (like encouragement) can boost willpower.

Q40: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a factor in willpower?
Answer: C
Key word(s): NOT mentioned, factor in willpower
Cited Sentence: "What is clear is that levels of willpower typically remain consistent over time (studies tracking individuals from early childhood to their adult years demonstrate a remarkable consistency in willpower abilities). In the short term, however, our ability to draw on willpower can fluctuate dramatically due to factors such as fatigue, diet and stress."
Explanation: The text mentions factors like fatigue, diet, and stress but does not mention chemical levels in the brain as a factor in willpower. Thus, C is the correct answer.