Diabetes – IELTS Reading Answers

Updated On Aug 26, 2021

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1 Diabetes
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The Academic passage ‘Diabetes’ is a reading passage that appeared in an IELTS Test. Read the passage below and answer questions 1-14. Beyond the questions, you will find the answers along with the location of the answers in the passage and the keywords that help you find out the answers.

Diabetes

Diabetes 1 Diabetes 2

Diabetes 3

Diabetes 4

Diabetes 5

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Question Number	Answer	Explanation
1	YES	Paragraph 2 informs that the body makes glucose from ‘foods containing carbohydrates’ (source of glucose) such as vegetables containing carbohydrates (like potatoes or corn) and cereal foods (like bread, pasta and rice) as well as fruit and milk. Hence, the answer is YES as the statement agrees with the information.
2	NO	Paragraph 3 mentions that in type 2 diabetes, either the body ‘does not produce enough insulin’ or the ‘cells ignore the insulin’. This proves that in type 2 diabetes there is production of insulin but either the amount is not enough for the body or the cells do not use it. Hence, the answer is NO as the statement contradicts the information.
3	YES	Paragraph 3 states that ‘type 1 diabetes’ is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. It ‘occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells’ (faults in the immune system) in the pancreas ‘and destroys them’. Hence, the answer is YES as the statement agrees with the information.

4	YES	Paragraph 4 points out that ‘in Type 1 diabetes’, symptoms are usually sudden and sometimes even life threatening – ‘hyperglycaemia’ (high blood sugar levels) ‘can lead to comas’ – and ‘therefore it is mostly diagnosed quite quickly’. Hence, the answer is YES as the statement agrees with the information.
5	NOT GIVEN	In paragraph 5, it is given that for people with Type 1 diabetes, insulin injections have to be injected every day plus leading a healthy lifestyle. For people with Type 2 diabetes, healthy eating and regular physical activity may be all that is required at first and then tablets and/or insulin may be needed later on. If someone is dependent on insulin, it has to be injected into the body. So, it is not specified whether artificial insulin is the most effective for patients requiring insulin, rather it is one of the ways to keep diabetes in control. Hence, the answer is ‘NOT GIVEN’.
6	NOT GIVEN	In paragraph 5, the author suggests that ideally, blood glucose levels should be kept as close to the non-diabetic range as possible and for this frequent self-testing is a good idea. This will help prevent the short-term effects of very low or very high blood glucose levels as well as the possible long-term problems. The author did not say anything about frequent check ups at doctors. Hence, the answer is ‘NOT GIVEN’.
7	YES	Paragraph 5 brings out the fact that ‘2 out of 3 people with diabetes’ eventually die of ‘these complications’ (heart attack and stroke). Young adults age 18 – 44 ‘who get type 2 diabetes’ are 14 times ‘more likely to suffer a heart attack’, and are up to 30 times ‘more likely to have a stroke than their peers without diabetes’. Hence, the answer is YES as the statement agrees with the information.
8	G	Paragraph 1 reveals that ‘over 1 million Australians have diabetes’ (people with diabetes) though ‘50% of those are as yet unaware’ (did not realise or know that). Hence, the answer is G (Do not realise the fact).
9	E	Paragraph 2 explains that ‘insulin is a hormone’ made by the pancreas, a gland sitting just below the stomach. Insulin opens the doors that ‘let glucose go from the blood to the body cells’ (allows glucose to be absorbed by body cells from the blood) where energy is made. Hence, the answer is E (Body Cells).
10	A	In paragraph 5, the author advises that for ‘people with Type 2 diabetes’, ‘healthy eating and regular physical activity’ (healthy lifestyle) ‘may be all that is required’ (solely requires) at first. Hence, the answer is A (A healthy lifestyle).
11	C	Paragraph 5 comes up with the fact that ‘young adults who get type 2 diabetes’ are 14 times more ‘likely to suffer a heart attack’, and are up to 30 times more likely to have a stroke than their peers without diabetes. ‘Young women account for’ (mainly seen in women) all the ‘increase in heart attack risk’ (diabetes related heart problems). Hence, the answer is C (Women).
12	B	Paragraph 4 affirms that by the time symptoms are noticed, the ‘blood glucose level’ (diabetes) for many people can be very high. ‘Common symptoms’ include: being more thirsty than usual, passing more urine, feeling lethargic, always feeling hungry, having cuts that heal slowly, itching, skin infections, bad breath, blurred vision, unexplained weight change, mood swings, headaches, feeling dizzy and ‘leg cramps’ (muscle pains). Hence, the answer is ‘B’ (muscle pains).
13	E	Paragraph 4 states that by the time symptoms are noticed, the ‘blood glucose level’ (diabetes) for many people can be very high. ‘Common symptoms’ include: being more thirsty than usual, passing more urine, ‘feeling lethargic’ (tiredness), always feeling hungry, having cuts that heal slowly, itching, skin infections, bad breath, blurred vision, unexplained weight change, mood swings, headaches, feeling dizzy and leg cramps. Hence, the answer is ‘E’ (Tiredness).
14	D	In paragraph 4, the author put forward the fact that by the time symptoms are noticed, the ‘blood glucose level’ (diabetes) for many people can be very high. ‘Common symptoms’ include: being more thirsty than usual, passing more urine, feeling lethargic, always feeling hungry, having cuts that heal slowly, itching, skin infections, bad breath, blurred vision, unexplained weight change, mood swings, headaches, ‘feeling dizzy’ and leg cramps. Hence, the answer is ‘D’(Losing consciousness).