How to Make Wise Decisions – IELTS Reading Answers

The IELTS Academic Reading Passage, ‘How to Make Wise Decisions’, 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.

By taking the ‘How to Make Wise Decisions’ IELTS Reading Answer, you can acquaint yourself with the types of questions that you will be asked and the level of difficulty that you can expect. Set your timer and also check the answers with explanation.

Here are the question types in the reading test :

• Multiple Choice Questions (Q. 1-4)
• Sentence Completion (Q. 5-9)
• True/False/Not Given (Q. 11-14)

For more IELTS Reading practice, take more IELTS reading practice tests.

Reading Passage

How to Make Wise Decisions

A Across cultures, wisdom has been considered one of the most revered human qualities. Although the truly wise may seem few and far between, empirical research examining wisdom suggests that it isn’t an exceptional trait possessed by a small handful of bearded philosophers after all – in fact, the latest studies suggest that most of us have the ability to make wise decisions, given the right context.

B ‘It appears that experiential, situational, and cultural factors are even more powerful in shaping wisdom than previously imagined,’ says Associate Professor Igor Grossmann of the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. ‘Recent empirical findings from cognitive, developmental, social, and personality psychology cumulatively suggest that people’s ability to reason wisely varies dramatically across experiential and situational contexts. Understanding the role of such contextual factors offers unique insights into understanding wisdom in daily life, as well as how it can be enhanced and taught.’

C It seems that it’s not so much that some people simply possess wisdom and others lack it, but that our ability to reason wisely depends on a variety of external factors. ‘It is impossible to characterize thought processes attributed to wisdom without considering the role of contextual factors,’ explains Grossmann. ‘In other words, wisdom is not solely an “inner quality” but rather unfolds as a function of situations people happen to be in. Some situations are more likely to promote wisdom than others.’

D Coming up with a definition of wisdom is challenging, but Grossmann and his colleagues have identified four key characteristics as part of a framework of wise reasoning. One is intellectual humility or recognition of the limits of our own knowledge, and another is the appreciation of perspectives wider than the issue at hand. Sensitivity to the possibility of change in social relations is also key, along with compromise or integration of different attitudes and beliefs.

E Grossmann and his colleagues have also found that one of the most reliable ways to support wisdom in our own day-to-day decisions is to look at scenarios from a third-party perspective, as though giving advice to a friend. Research suggests that when adopting a first-person viewpoint we focus on ‘the focal features of the environment’ and when we adopt a third-person, ‘observer’ viewpoint we reason more broadly and focus more on interpersonal and moral ideals such as justice and impartiality. Looking at problems from this more expansive viewpoint appears to foster cognitive processes related to wise decisions.

F What are we to do, then, when confronted with situations like a disagreement with a spouse or negotiating a contract at work, that require us to take a personal stake? Grossmann argues that even when we aren’t able to change the situation, we can still evaluate these experiences from different perspectives.

G For example, in one experiment that took place during the peak of a recent economic recession, graduating college seniors were asked to reflect on their job prospects. The students were instructed to imagine their career either ‘as if you were a distant observer’ or ‘before your own eyes as if you were right there’. Participants in the group assigned to the ‘distant observer’ role displayed more wisdom-related reasoning (intellectual humility and recognition of change) than did participants in the control group.

H In another study, couples in long-term romantic relationships were instructed to visualize an unresolved relationship conflict either through the eyes of an outsider or from their own perspective. Participants then discussed the incident with their partner for 10 minutes, after which they wrote down their thoughts about it. Couples in the ‘other’s eyes’ condition were significantly more likely to rely on wise reasoning – recognizing others’ perspectives and searching for a compromise – compared to couples in the egocentric condition.

I ‘Ego-decentering promotes greater focus on others and enables a bigger picture, conceptual view of the experience, affording recognition of intellectual humility and change,’ says Grossmann.

J We might associate wisdom with intelligence or particular personality traits, but research shows only a small positive relationship between wise thinking and crystallized intelligence and the personality traits of openness and agreeableness. ‘It is remarkable how much people can vary in their wisdom from one situation to the next, and how much stronger such contextual effects are for understanding the relationship between wise judgment and its social and affective outcomes as compared to the generalized “traits”,’ Grossmann explains. ‘That is, knowing how wisely a person behaves in a given situation is more informative for understanding their emotions or likelihood to forgive [or] retaliate as compared to knowing whether the person may be wise “in general”.’

Question 1-4

1 What point does the writer make in the first paragraph?

A Wisdom appears to be unique to the human race.

B basic assumption about wisdom may be wrong.

C Concepts of wisdom may depend on the society we belong to.

D There is still much to be discovered about the nature of wisdom.

2 What does Igor Grossmann suggest about the ability to make wise decisions?

A It can vary greatly from one person to another.

B Earlier research into it was based on unreliable data.

C The importance of certain influences on it was underestimated.

D Various branches of psychology define it according to their own criteria

3 According to the third paragraph, Grossmann claims that the level of wisdom an individual shows

A can be greater than they think it is.

B will be different in different circumstances.

C may be determined by particular aspects of their personality.

D should develop over time as a result of their life experiences.

4 What is described in the fifth paragraph?

A a difficulty encountered when attempting to reason wisely

B an example of the type of person who is likely to reason wisely

C a controversial view about the benefits of reasoning wisely

D a recommended strategy that can help people to reason wisely

Questions 5-9

The Characteristics of Wise Reasoning

Igor Grossmann and colleagues have established four characteristics that enable us to make wise decisions. It is important to have a certain degree of 5………………….. regarding the extent of our knowledge and to take into account 6………………….. which may not be the same as our own. We should also be able to take a broad 7………………….. of any situation. Another key characteristic is being aware of the likelihood of alterations in the way that people relate to each other.

Grossmann also believes that it is better to regard scenarios with 8…………………… By avoiding the first-person perspective, we focus more on 9………………….. and on other moral ideals, which in turn leads to wiser decision-making.

A opinions

B confidence

C view

D modesty

E problems

F objectivity

G fairness

H experiences

I range

J reasons

Questions 10-14

10 Students participating in the job prospects experiment could choose one of two perspectives to take.

11 Participants in the couples experiment were aware that they were taking part in a study about wise reasoning.

12 In the couples’ experiments, the length of the couples’ relationships had an impact on the results.

13 In both experiments, the participants who looked at the situation from a more detached viewpoint tended to make wiser decisions.

14 Grossmann believes that a person’s wisdom is determined by their intelligence to only a very limited extent.

How to Make Wise Decisions IELTS Reading Answers with Location and Explanation

1 Answer: B
Question Type: Multiple Choice Question
Answer Location: Paragraph A, lines 3-4
Answer Explanation: From start to finish, the initial sentence of the opening paragraph emphasizes the existence of genuinely wise individuals, despite their seeming rarity. The author contends that wisdom differs from common perceptions, asserting that it is not what people typically assume. The expressions aim to communicate the idea that only a limited number of individuals seem to have wisdom, challenging this prevailing assumption. Conversely, the majority of us possess the capacity to make prudent choices, debunking the accuracy of the prevailing notions about wisdom.

2 Answer: C
Question Type: Multiple Choice Question
Answer Location: Paragraph B, line 1
Answer Explanation: The importance of it was exaggerated in connection to various factors, as stated in the opening sentence of the second paragraph. It appears that experiential, contextual, and cultural factors wield a more substantial impact on wisdom than was initially perceived. Associate Professor Igor Grossmann is quoted as saying…”. According to Igor Grossmann, certain facets possess greater potency than previously acknowledged, leading to an oversight in recognizing their significance.

3 Answer: B
Question Type: Multiple Choice Question
Answer Location: Paragraph C, last line
Answer Explanation: The final statement in the third paragraph conveys that certain situations are more conducive to nurturing wisdom. It suggests that the manifestation of wisdom is inherently linked to the prevailing circumstances, as asserted by Grossmann.

4 Answer: D
Question Type: Multiple Choice Question
Answer Location: Paragraph E, line 4
Answer Explanation: The text highlights that, based on research, establishing emotional distance is crucial for making rational choices. The author delves into a study suggesting that gaining insights by adopting an observer’s perspective can significantly contribute to informed decision-making. By adopting a broader viewpoint, we enhance our ability to make judicious decisions. Thus, the key to sound decision-making lies in adopting the standpoint of a third party rather than relying solely on a first-person perspective.

5 Answer: modesty
Question Type: Sentence Completion
Answer Location: Paragraph D, line 3
Answer Explanation: The solution lies in the third line of the fourth paragraph, asserting that the primary attribute of significance is intellectual humility—acknowledging the constraints of our own knowledge.

6 Answer: opinion
Question Type: Sentence Completion
Answer Location: Paragraph D, last line
Answer Explanation: The answer advocates considering diverse perspectives to incorporate a range of attitudes and beliefs.

7 Answer: view
Question Type: Sentence Completion
Answer Location: Location: Paragraph E, lines 2 and 3
Answer Explanation: Adopting a third-party perspective emerges as one of the most reliable methods, particularly in bolstering wisdom within our everyday decision-making.

8 Answer: objectivity
Question Type: Sentence Completion
Answer Location: Location: Paragraph E, lines 2 and 3
Answer Explanation: Embracing a third-party perspective stands out as one of the most dependable approaches, particularly in reinforcing wisdom within our daily decision-making. This practice contributes to objectivity in our judgments.

9 Answer: Fairness
Question Type: Sentence Completion
Answer Location: Location: Paragraph E, line 2 and 3
Answer Explanation: Disregarding the first-person perspective allows us to focus more on alternative moral principles, ultimately aiding us in making improved decisions. Adopting a third-person viewpoint is highlighted as one of the most trustworthy approaches.

10 Answer: False
Question Type: True/False/Not Given
Answer Location: Location: Paragraph G, last 3 lines
Answer Explanation: Opting out of the first-person viewpoint allows for a heightened focus on alternative moral principles, leading to improved decision-making. It indicates that adopting a third-person perspective is among the most dependable methods. Therefore, the assertion is untrue.

11 Answer: Not Given
Question Type: True/False/Not Given

Answer Explanation: NA

12 Answer: Not Given

Question Type: True/False/Not Given
Answer Explanation: NA

13 Answer: True
Question Type: True/False/Not Given
Answer Location: Paragraph H, last 3 lines
Answer Explanation: Couples in the “other’s eyes” condition were inclined to depend more on sound judgment, demonstrating an appreciation for others’ perspectives and a willingness to reach a consensus. Consequently, the statement is accurate.

14 Answer: True
Question Type: True/False/Not Given
Answer Location: Paragraph J, line 1
Answer Explanation: It suggests that wisdom might be wrongly associated with mental acumen or specific behavioral traits. Nonetheless, the study reveals only a minor correlation between wise reasoning, crystallized intelligence, and the qualities of an open-minded and agreeable personality.

Tips for Answering the Question Types in How to Make Wise Decisions 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.

Multiple-Choice Questions

When we’re given a handful of options and each looks similar to each other then it might get tricky for one to answer it correctly. And, for that reason, we’ve outlined tips that’ll help you out for the same.

• Read the question first: Before you start reading the passage, quickly read the multiple-choice question. This will give you a specific focus as you read and help you identify relevant information more efficiently.

• Skim the passage: Begin by skimming the passage to get a general idea of the content. Pay attention to headings, subheadings, and any formatting features that might signal the location of the answer.

• Eliminate wrong answers: Use the process of elimination to eliminate answer choices that are clearly incorrect. This can often be done by matching keywords from the question to the passage.

• Pay attention to synonyms and paraphrasing: The answer choices may not use the exact same words as the passage but rather synonyms or paraphrases. Be on the lookout for these and be prepared to recognize them.

• Don’t spend too much time on one question: If you’re struggling with a multiple-choice question, move on and come back to it later. It’s important to manage your time effectively to answer all questions within the allotted time.

Sentence Completion

• Read the sentence carefully: Begin by reading the sentence with the gap or blank. Try to understand the context and the type of word that should fit the gap (e.g., noun, verb, adjective).

• Look for clues: Scan the surrounding sentences for clues that can help you determine the missing word. Sometimes, the sentence structure or the words nearby can provide hints.

• Identify grammatical clues: Pay attention to the grammar of the sentence. If the sentence requires a verb, make sure you choose a verb form that fits the context. The same goes for nouns, adjectives, and other parts of speech.

• Use your vocabulary: Draw on your vocabulary to come up with a suitable word for the gap. Ensure that the word you choose makes sense in the context of the sentence.

• Check for coherence: After you’ve filled in the gap, read the entire sentence to ensure that it flows naturally and makes sense. The completed sentence should be grammatically correct and logically coherent.

True/False/Not Given

• Read the instructions carefully: Understand the difference between “True,” “False,” and “Not Given.” “True” means the information is directly stated in the passage, “False” means it contradicts the information in the passage, and “Not Given” means the information isn’t mentioned in the passage.

• Refer to the passage: For each statement, go back to the passage and carefully locate the relevant information. Pay close attention to the wording of the statement and compare it to the information in the passage.

• Beware of paraphrasing: Sometimes, the statement is paraphrased in the passage, so be vigilant about synonyms and rephrase sentences.

• Focus on keywords: Identify the keywords in the statement and look for those exact words or synonyms in the passage.

• Watch out for distractors: The passage may contain information that seems related to the statement but isn’t directly addressing it. Don’t be tricked by these distractors; the answer should directly match the statement.

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