Salicylic Acid – 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 Academic passage, ‘Salicylic Acid‘, is a reading passage that appeared in an IELTS Test. Ideally, you should not spend more than 20 minutes on a passage. Let’s see how easy this passage is for you and if you’re able to make it in 20 minutes. If not, try more IELTS reading practice tests from IELTSMaterial.com.

Salicylic Acid is a part of an IELTS Academic reading test. The question types found in this passage are as follows:

• Matching Headings (Q. 1-8)
• Matching Sentence Endings (Q. 9-12)
• Multiple-Choice Questions (Q. 13)

Improve your IELTS Reading score with these proven tips for answering True/False/Not Given questions!

Reading Passage

Salicylic Acid 

A The benefits of salicylic acid were first documented in the 5 Century BC, when the Greek physician Hippocrates noted how powder derived from the bark of the white willow tree (Salixalba) was capable of reducing fevers and relieving pain. Surviving evidence suggests that early civilisations across the Middle East and in North America also used willow bark for these purposes. It was not until 1826, however, that the active component of willow bark was finally distilled and given a name – salicin – by Johann Andreas Buchner, a German pharmacologist at the University of Munich. A few years later, the process of isolation was perfected and the Italian chemist Raffaele Piria completed the development of salicylic acid through a chemical conversion. By the end of the nineteenth century, the German company Bayer was successfully marketing the drug as tablets under the Aspirin trademark, and it quickly became a staple in the medicine chest of households in the Western world.

B Although salicylic acid is still used most widely in over-the-counter painkiller tablets, over the years its applications have broadened considerably. In the field of dermatology, for instance, salicylic acid in the form of skin cream is lauded for its function as an exfoliator, brightening and enhancing the complexion. Because it softens and dissolves keratin, a kind of ‘glue’ in the skin’s structure, salicylic acid is able to treat many conditions in which the skin has suffered from an excessive accumulation or clogging of skin cells. These conditions include acne, dermatitis, psoriasis and folliculitis, all of which have proved remarkably resistant to other treatments. As a further benefit, salicylic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties and, as a result, can soothe troubled skin where other medicines often tend to exacerbate the problem.

C Although it has a reputation as a ‘gentle’ chemical compared to harsher alternatives, in high concentrations, salicylic acid creams can prove harmful, and very occasionally, even fatal. Highly concentrated salicylic acid, particularly concentrations used for wart, corn or callus removal, can cause chemical burns if applied to skin for long periods of time. Hyper-pigmentation – a blotchy discolouration of skin tone – may also result in users who have darker skin and those who follow application with excessive exposure to ultraviolet light. Most over-the-counter facial lotions are limited to a relatively mild 2 – 3% concentration for this reason.

D Salicylic acid also has a number of other less widely known uses. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it is used in the formation of bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in a number of popular remedies for upset stomachs and other intestinal problems. Some evidence suggests that salicylic acid destroys E. Colibacteria and consequently reduces symptoms of diarrhoea and gastrointestinal distress in many sufferers. Long-term use, however, is discouraged because an accumulation of bismuth subsalicylate in the body is toxic.

E Salicylic acid in the form of aspirin tablets is commonly used to reduce fever, aches and pains and inflammation but when ingested, it can cause gastrointestinal ulcers, stomach irritation or bleeding and other undesirable side effects – an issue for many users of aspirin over the years. Children seem to be particularly sensitive, with epidemiological research demonstrating a connection between aspirin use in children suffering from a viral illness and a damaging, and potentially fatal, condition known as Reye’s syndrome. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration has recommended parents avoid the use of aspirin for all feverish children and teenagers.

F Salicylic acid has many uses for humans and other animals, but several species of flora, too, rely on its benefits. It seems to protect against fungicidal and bacterial infections by acting as a signal for pathogenic invasion. It also acts as a kind of therapeutic agent by playing a role in plant responses to abiotic, or external, stresses, such as in situations of drought, excessive cold or heat and heavy metal toxicity.

G It is a naturally occurring substance in most fruits, including berries, dates, raisins, kiwifruit, olives and tomatoes. A few vegetables and also mushrooms and almonds have a strong salicylic acid content. Some herbs and spices, such as turmeric and curcumin, possess so much of the substance that, according to the Rowett Research Institute, a very spicy curry contains more salicylic acid than a dose of aspirin!

H Some physicians recommend aspirin as a continuous medication in low dosages to provide a defense against heart attacks, strokes and blood clot formation in some patients. Early results from studies show it may even be effective in warding off certain types of cancer. However, it is not suggested that healthy people should start taking daily aspirin as a prophylactic measure, as there are positive lifestyle changes that can be made instead: quitting smoking, consuming little or no alcohol, and maintaining a normal weight by eating a wholesome diet and getting regular exercise. These adjustments to lifestyle may not be effortless but in the long run are extremely beneficial. If symptoms of withdrawal (from nicotine or caffeine, for example) are painful, you could take a couple of aspirin to overcome the temporary discomfort.

Questions 1- 8

List of Headings

i. Availability to the public

ii. Use as a digestive aid

iii. Risks of application to the skin

iv. Edible sources of salicylic acid

v. Early popularity in Europe

vi. Unwanted side effects of swallowing aspirin

vii. Discovery and development

viii. Appropriate and inappropriate long-term uses

ix. External uses of salicylic acid

x. Benefits for plant life

xi. A remedy for sick children

1 Paragraph A

2 Paragraph B

3 Paragraph C

4 Paragraph D

5 Paragraph E

6 Paragraph F

7 Paragraph G

8 Paragraph H

Questions 9 – 12

A can cause high temperatures and sore muscles

B is usually sold in high concentrations

C kills germs inside the body

D may result in a serious disease or even death

E reduces the sticky effects of blocked up cells

F resists the progress of many diseases

G changes the colour of the skin

9 Salicylic acid is used on the skin because it………………………………

10 Some users of salicylic cream have problems because it ……………

11 Aspirin is used for stomach problems because it ……………

12 Young people should not take Aspirin because it ……………

Questions 13

13 What is the writer’s overall purpose in writing this article?

A To outline uses and effects of salicylic acid in various contexts

B To examine the key properties of salicylic acid and how it functions

C To show the benefits of salicylic acid compared to other treatments

D To warn against the dangers of misusing salicylic acid

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Answers of Salicylic Acid IELTS Reading Answer with Location and Explanation 

1 Answer: vii

Question type: Matching Headings

Answer location: Paragraph A

Answer explanation: In the first paragraph, it is given that “The benefits of salicylic acid were first documented in the 5 Century BC…It was not until 1826, however, that the active component of willow bark was finally distilled and given a name – salicin…A few years later, the process of isolation was perfected and the Italian chemist Raffaele Piria completed the development of salicylic acid through a chemical conversion. By the end of the nineteenth century… became a staple in the medicine chest of households in the Western world.”. This section points out when the benefits of salicylic acid were first discovered and the gradual development which made it a household medicine. Hence, the answer is vii (Discovery and development).

2 Answer: ix

Question type: Matching Headings

Answer location: Paragraph B

Answer explanation: In the specified paragraph, it is given that “In the field of dermatology, for instance, salicylic acid in the form of skin cream is lauded for its function as an exfoliator, brightening and enhancing the complexion….As a further benefit, salicylic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties…”. It can be noted that in the second paragraph, the writer lists down how salicylic acid is used as skin creams (external use) for its exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, the answer is ix (External uses of salicylic acid).

3 Answer: iii

Question type: Matching Headings

Answer location: Paragraph C

Answer explanation: In the third paragraph, it is specified that “Highly concentrated salicylic acid…can cause chemical burns if applied to skin for long periods of time. Hyper-pigmentation – a blotchy discolouration of skin tone – may also result in users who have darker skin and those who follow application with excessive exposure to ultraviolet light.”. From this reference, it can be concluded that the third paragraph deals with the risks involved if salicylic acid in high concentration is applied on the skin for a long time. Hence, the answer is iii (Risks of application to the skin).

4 Answer: ii

Question type: Matching Headings

Answer location: Paragraph D, line 2

Answer explanation: In the cited line, it is stated that “Due to its antimicrobial properties, it is used in the formation of bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in a number of popular remedies for upset stomachs and other intestinal problems.”. Based on this statement, it can be commented that one of the lesser known uses of salicylic acid is as a remedy for upset stomach or intestinal problems (digestive aid) as it is used to form bismuth subsalicylate. Hence, the answer is ii (Use as a digestive aid).

5 Answer: vi

Question type: Matching Headings

Answer location: Paragraph E, line 1

Answer explanation: In the indicated line, it is given that “Salicylic acid in the form of aspirin tablets…can cause gastrointestinal ulcers, stomach irritation or bleeding and other undesirable side effects – an issue for many users of aspirin over the years.”. It can be concluded that the fifth paragraph provides information on the side effects of salicylic acid in the form of aspirin when swallowed (ingested). Hence, the answer is vi (Unwanted side effects of swallowing aspirin).

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Tips for Answering the Question Types in the Salicylic Acid IELTS Reading Passage 

Since now you know the reading passage, Salicylic Acid reading answers with its explanation, let us check out some quick tips to answer the 3 question types in the Salicylic Acid IELTS Reading Answers.

Matching Headings

The Matching Headings question type in the IELTS Reading test requires you to match a list of headings to the appropriate paragraphs in a passage. There will always be more headings than paragraphs, so some headings will not be used.

Here are some tips for answering Matching Headings questions:

• Read the passage title and the headings first. This will give you a general idea of what the passage is about and what the headings cover.
• Read each paragraph carefully and identify the main idea. What is the paragraph about? What is the author trying to say?
• Compare the main idea of each paragraph to the headings. Which heading best summarizes the main idea of the paragraph?
• If you are unsure of which heading to choose, read the paragraph again and look for supporting evidence. Does the paragraph contain any specific details or examples that support the heading?
• If you are still unsure, make a note of the paragraph and come back to it later. Once you have answered all of the Matching Headings questions, you may be able to eliminate some of the headings and make a better choice.

Matching Sentence Endings

The Matching Sentence Endings question type in the IELTS Reading test requires you to match a list of incomplete sentences with the correct endings from a list of possible endings. The incomplete sentences are all based on information in the passage, but the endings may be paraphrased or expressed in different ways. Here are some tips for answering Matching Sentence Endings questions:

• Answers are in the same order in the text as in the questions, so start with question 1 and work your way through.
• Try to guess how each sentence will end before looking at the endings.
• Start by reading the incomplete sentences, not the endings or the text. There are more endings than you need, so it’s a waste of time to look at all of them.
• Think about synonyms and paraphrases that the examiners might use instead of the exact words in the incomplete sentences.
• All of the sentence endings are in the text, but you only need to read the ones that you think match the incomplete sentences.
• When highlighting keywords, it’s helpful to highlight any names, places, or dates. These are often easy to find in the text.
• Don’t just match words. Make sure that the meaning of the sentence ending matches the meaning of the incomplete sentence.

Multiple-Choice Questions

IELTS Reading Multiple-Choice Questions are a type of question that requires you to choose the correct answer from a list of four options. These questions are typically based on information in the passage, but the answers may be paraphrased or expressed in different ways. Here are some tips to ace MCQs:

• Read the instructions carefully to see how many answers you need to choose for each question.
• Read the question first and identify the keywords. If the question doesn’t give you much information, look for the keywords in the answer options.
• Some answer options may have keywords, but they may not match the information in the passage. Some options may be true or contradictory. Avoid these options.
• Try eliminating two answer options and then compare the remaining two options to find the correct one.
• The answer options are not in the same order as the questions in the passage.

Check out: How to Finish 3 IELTS Reading Comprehension in Less Than 60 Mins?

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