Childhood Obesity- IELTS Reading Answers

The Reading Module of the IELTS can be the top-scoring category, with diligent practice. To achieve the best results in this section, you must understand how to approach and answer the different Question types in the Reading Module. By solving and reviewing Sample Reading Questions from past IELTS papers, you can ensure that your Reading skills are up to the mark.

The IELTS reading passage contains the following question types,

• Matching Heading
• List Selection (A subset of MCQ)
• Multiple Choice Question

Matching Heading

Matching Heading-type questions are very common in the IELTS Reading passage, which tests the test-taker’s ability to recognize the primary idea of each passage. A list of headings will be provided, and the test-taker will be required to match these headings with appropriate paragraphs. To answer the Matching Heading questions, the test-taker can either read the heading first and then match the paragraph, or vice versa.

List Selection (A subset of MCQ) 

List Selection type of question is a subset of multiple choice questions in the IELTS, which requires the test-taker to understand the main theme of the passage and select the statements which agree with the information in the passage.

Multiple Choice Question 

The Multiple choice questions contain three to four options from which the test-taker should select the appropriate option. The MCQ type of question assesses a test-taker’s ability to understand the main idea and then look for particular information in the reading passage. Thus, the test-taker should scan the passage, comprehend the idea, locate keywords, identify paraphrasing, and answer the question.

Answers

14 Answer: C

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph C

Answer explanation: When we read paragraph C, we understand that obese children are frequently taunted about their appearance and that negative body image causes depression and social issues. The biggest problem obese children encounter in their daily lives is low self-esteem or a lack of confidence in themselves and what they can do. Thus, the heading, ‘Feeling bad about yourself’ suits paragraph C.

15 Answer: G

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph G

Answer explanation: When we read paragraph G, we understand that weight management camps can be an excellent way to treat obesity. The paragraph also illustrates an example of parents consulting with their doctors about having their children undergo surgery to tackle obesity. Here, ‘tackle obesity’ refers to reducing weight. Thus, the suitable heading for Paragraph G is ‘Reducing Weight’.

16 Answer: H

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph H

Answer explanation: When we go through Paragraph H, we learn that each child grows at a different rate, and obese youngsters may ‘grow out of age’ as they get taller. However, there are few treatments for obese children under the age of seven years. For children aged eight to ten, there should be a medical evaluation to assess the severity of the problem. The older the child is, the less likely they are to grow out of it. Thus, the heading, “Age is a factor” suits paragraph H.

17 Answer: A

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph A

Answer explanation: The introductory paragraph A describes how fat cells are created and multiply. So, the “Fat cells” is an appropriate heading for Paragraph A.

18 Answer: A

Question type: List Selection

Answer location: Paragraph A, line 4

Answer explanation: The statement is supported by the fourth line of paragraph A, where it is mentioned that fat cells stop multiplying, resulting in an adult having a fixed number for the rest of their life, which means adults do not gain fat cells. Thus, statement A agrees with the information in Paragraph A.

19 Answer: C

Question type: List Selection

Answer location: Paragraph C, line 2

Answer explanation: We can trace the keyword “Low self-esteem” in the second line of paragraph C, where it is mentioned that low self-esteem does not directly affect physical health, but it is the biggest problem in the life of obese children. Thus, the statement agrees with the information in Paragraph C.

20 Answer: D

Question type: List Selection

Answer location: Paragraph D

Answer explanation: We find references to the keyword “gene” in Paragraph D, where it is mentioned that scientists clearly claim that both genes and environment play a role, which means genes and environment, play a role in the life of an obese child. Hence, the statement agrees with the information in Paragraph D.

21 Answer: F

Question type: List Selection

Answer location: Paragraph F, line 2

Answer explanation: We can find references for the statement in Paragraph F, where the writer advises parents to teach their children about the health value of foods and make their home a healthy food zone. The writer also states that the child imitates themselves as their parent’s behavior and asks the parents to choose healthy food options whenever possible. Thus, the statement agrees with paragraph F.

22 Answer: H

Question type: List Selection

Answer location: Paragraph H, line 2

Answer explanation: We can trace the information for the statement in the second line of paragraph H, where it is mentioned that children grow at different rates, and overweight children will grow out of it as they grow taller alone proves that some young children appear overweight when they are short and so as they grow taller with age, they tend to lose some weight or look slim. As a result, the information in paragraph H agrees with the statement.

23 Answer: A, B

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph B, line 2 & 5

Answer explanation: When we scan paragraph B, we can find references in the second and fifth lines where the writer has mentioned in the second line that obese children may suffer from sleep apnoea, and in the fifth line, it is stated that obese children may also develop diabetes. So, according to the statement, A and B are the correct answers.

24 Answer: A, B

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph D, line 3

Answer explanation: When we read paragraph D, we understand that environmental factors contributing to obesity include people being less physically active, accessibility of fatty and sugary foods, and average portion sizes becoming larger so that people can have more food to eat in restaurants. Thus, the correct answers are A and B.

25 Answer: A

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph E, line 5

Answer explanation: We find references in the 5th line of paragraph E, where the global traditions of giving children their favorite food as a reward for good behavior or good grades at school are mentioned. When we read the entire paragraph, the writer opines that using food as a reward is never a good idea as the child will learn to value these particular ‘treat’ foods and may turn to food for comfort. Thus, the answer is A.

26 Answer: A

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph F

Answer explanation: The first line in paragraph F states that forbidding certain foods can make them seem more attractive to children, which means forbidding foods will make children want more. Thus, the answer is A.

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