Caves – IELTS Reading Answers
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The ‘Caves’ is an IELTS Academic Reading passage is a good resource for anyone who is preparing for the IELTS Reading test. This passage will help you understand what kind of reading passages you will encounter and the questions that you will be asked to solve.
To prepare for the IELTS Reading, review the “Caves” IELTS Reading answers to understand the types of questions and difficulty level you’ll encounter in the IELTS exam.
The question types in this IELTS Reading Passage include:
- Summary Completion
- Flow Chart Questions
- Multiple Choice Questions
- True/False/Not Given Questions
Want to practice more Flow Chart Completion questions? Start with this.
Caves
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on the Reading Passage below.
Find the practice test with the Caves PDF here.
Caves Reading Answers
1 Answer: Types
Question Type: Summary Completion
Answer location: Paragraph A, line 1
Answer explanation: We can locate the answer in Paragraph A, where the writer mentions that caves are natural underground spaces, commonly those into which man can enter. There are three major types. From the question, we know that there are several types of caves, with the most common and largest being located in limestone or marble. Thus, the answer is types.
2 Answer: Tunnels
Question Type: Summary Completion
Answer location: Paragraph A, line 3
Answer explanation: The answer can be found in paragraph A, where the writer talks about the three major types, in which it is mentioned that a few caves are formed in lava flows, where the solidified outer crust is left after the molten core has drained away to form rough tunnels like those on the small basalt volcanoes. We understand that molten core drains away, forming rough tunnels. Thus, the answer is tunnels.
3 Answer: Areas
Question Type: Summary Completion
Answer location: Paragraph B, line 3
Answer explanation: We can trace the answer in Paragraph B, where it is mentioned that the most notable limestone areas for caves are the many hundreds of square kilometres of Te Kuiti Group (Oligocene) rocks from Port Waikato south to Mokau and from the coast inland to the Waipa Valley – especially in the Waitomo district. Thus, we understand that the main limestone areas for caves are the Te kuiti group rocks. Here, “notable” means main. So, the answer is areas.
4 Answer: Cracks
Question Type: Flow Chart Completion
Answer location: Paragraph C, line 3
Answer explanation: We can locate the answer in Paragraph C, where it is described that pure limestone is brittle, and folding due to earth movements causes cracks along the partings and joints at angles to them. So, we can understand that limestone forms thick layers, and when it folds during earth movements, it creates cracks at the partings. Here, “movement” means moving and “cause” means creating. Thus, the answer is cracks.
5 Answer: fractures
Question Type: Flow Chart Completion
Answer location: Paragraph C, line 4
Answer explanation: We can track the answer in Paragraph C, where the writer states that rainwater percolates down through the soil and the fractures in the underlying rocks to the water table, below which all cavities and pores are filled with water. We can understand that the rainwater goes gradually down the soil and fractures in the underlying rocks to the water table. Here, percolate/ trickling means filter gradually through a porous surface or substance. So, the answer is fractures.
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6 Answer: passage
Question Type: Flow Chart Completion
Answer location: Paragraph C, line 5
Answer explanation: The answer can be located in Paragraph C, where the writer mentions that this usually acidic water dissolves the limestone along the joints. Once a passage is opened, it is enlarged by the abrasive action of sand and pebbles carried by streams. We understand that the acidic water dissolves limestones along joints and once the passage is opened, it is enlarged by the action of sand and pebbles carried by the streams. Thus, the answer is passage.
7 Answer: streams
Question Type: Flow Chart Completion
Answer location: Paragraph C, line 5
Answer explanation: We can find the answer in Paragraph C, where it is mentioned that acidic water dissolves the limestone along the joints and, once a passage is opened, it is enlarged by the abrasive action of sand and pebbles carried by streams. So, we understand that when the acidic water dissolves limestone along the joints, the passage is opened and extended by sand/ pebbles taken along by streams. So, here, “carried by” means taken along. So, the answer is streams.
8 Answer: erosion
Question Type: Flow Chart Completion
Answer location: Paragraph C, last line
Answer explanation: We can find references to the answer in Paragraph C, where it is mentioned that Erosion may continue to cut down into the floor, or silt and pebbles may build up floors and divert stream courses. We understand that Erosion or silt and pebbles may build up floors and divert the stream courses. Here, “diverts” means “changes”. So, the answer is Erosion.
9 Answer: A
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions
Answer location: Paragraph C, line 1
Answer explanation: We can find references to the answer in Paragraph C, where the writer describes that sedimentary rocks (including limestone) are usually laid down in almost horizontal layers or beds which may be of any thickness, but most commonly of 5-7.5 cm. We understand that limestone rocks are laid down in horizontal layers with a 5-7.5 cm length. Here, the measurement, 5-7.5 cm, means the length of the caves in softer limestone. Thus, the answer is A. They are often long.
10 Answer: E
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions
Answer location: Paragraph C, line 1
Answer explanation: We can locate the answer in Paragraph C, where it is narrated that Sedimentary rocks (including limestone) are usually laid down in almost horizontal layers or beds which may be of any thickness, but most commonly of 5-7.5 cm. We understand that these limestone rocks are laid in horizontal layers, which means they’re characteristically horizontal. So, the answer is E. They’re characteristically horizontal.
11 Answer: TRUE
Question Type: True/False/Not Given Questions
Answer location: Paragraph B, line 1
Answer explanation: We can locate the answer in Paragraph B, where the writer states that limestone of all ages, ranging from geologically recent times to more than 450 million years ago, is found in many parts of New Zealand, although it is not all cavernous. We understand that limestone of all ages is found in New Zealand including those which are 450 million years old. So, the answer is TRUE.
12 Answer: TRUE
Question Type: True/False/Not Given Questions
Answer location: Paragraph E, line 2
Answer explanation: We can find references to the answer in Paragraph E, where it is mentioned that Stalactites (Gk. stalaktos, dripping) are pendent growths of crystalline calcium carbonate (calcite) formed from solution by the deposition of minute quantities of calcite from percolating groundwater. They are usually white to yellow but occasionally are brown or red. We understand that stalactites are usually white to yellow rather than brown or red. Here, usually means more often and occasionally means sometimes. So, the answer is TRUE.
13 Answer: FALSE
Question Type: True/False/Not Given Questions
Answer location: Paragraph E, lines 2 and 7
Answer explanation: The answer can be located in Paragraph E, where it is mentioned that Stalagmites (Gk. stalagmites, that which dripped) are conical or gnarled floor growths formed by splashing if the water drips faster than it evaporates. These may grow toward the ceiling to form columns of massive proportions. Here, we understand that stalagmites are conical or gnarled floor growth which grows towards the ceiling to form columns of massive proportion. Thus, the answer is FALSE.
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Tips for Answering the Question Types in Caves Reading Answers
Now let’s get started with the tips for each question type. It’ll help you understand how to approach the problem of each question type.
IELTS Reading Summary Completion
In the summary completion task, you fill in the blanks in a summary of a passage using information from the text. This tests your ability to understand the main ideas and details of the passage.
Tips for Summary Completion
- Read the Summary First: Familiarize yourself with the summary to understand its context and the information it covers.
- Identify Keywords: Look for keywords in the summary blanks that will guide you in finding the relevant parts of the passage.
- Skim the Passage: Quickly read through the passage to get a general understanding, then focus on sections that relate to the summary.
- Use Exact Words: When filling in blanks, use words directly from the passage to ensure accuracy and adherence to any word limits.
- Check for Context: Make sure your answers fit both the meaning and context of the summary, ensuring they accurately reflect the information from the passage.
IELTS Reading Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
In the IELTS Reading section, multiple-choice questions require you to select the correct answer from a list of options. These questions assess your understanding of specific details and overall comprehension of the passage.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
- Read the Questions First: Before diving into the passage, read the questions to understand what information to look for.
- Identify Keywords: Highlight or underline keywords in the questions and answer options to help you locate relevant information in the passage.
- Skim and Scan: Quickly skim the passage to get a general sense of its content, then scan for the keywords or phrases related to the questions.
- Eliminate Incorrect Options: Narrow down your choices by eliminating clearly incorrect answers to improve your chances of selecting the correct one.
- Refer Back to the Passage: After making a selection, always double-check the passage to confirm that your answer aligns with the information provided.
IELTS Reading True/False/Not Given
In True/False/Not Given questions, you must determine whether statements are true, false, or not given based on the passage.
Tips for True/False/Not Given Questions:
- Understand the Statements: Carefully read and understand each statement to know exactly what you are looking for.
- Look for Keywords: Identify keywords in the statements and search for them or their synonyms in the passage.
- Match Meaning, Not Just Words: Ensure the information in the statement matches the meaning of the passage, not just specific words.
- True vs. False vs. Not Given:
- True: The statement matches the information in the passage.
- False: The statement contradicts the information in the passage.
- Not Given: The passage does not provide enough information to determine if the statement is true or false.
- Avoid Assumptions: Base your answers solely on the information given in the passage, without making assumptions.
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