The Elephant Orchestra- IELTS Reading Answers

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. The IELTS reading passage contains the following question types,

• Matching Headings
• Summary Completion
• Multiple Choice Question
• Sentence Completion

Matching Headings 

This type of question is most commonly asked in the IELTS Reading Passage, where a list of headings will be given, and the test-taker has to match these headings with a suitable paragraph in the passage. There are always more choices of paragraph headings on the list than paragraphs, so the test-taker should be careful when matching them.

Summary Completion 

In this type of question, there will be a summary of a section of the passage, where the test-taker has to complete the blank spaces with information drawn from the passage or the list of words given. The summary will usually be of only one part of the passage rather than the whole, and there will be more words than blank spaces (in case of a word list given), so the test-taker must select the appropriate word for each gap.

Multiple Choice Question 

The Multiple Choice Question in the IELTS reading can confuse the test-takers with multiple options, but the test-taker should identify the keyword, locate it in the paragraphs, recognize the paraphrasing or synonyms, and then select the correct answer.

Sentence Completion 

In the sentence completion type of question, the test-taker has to fill the blank spaces with appropriate words taken from the reading passage. The test-taker has to ensure that the answer fits into the statement and is grammatically correct. They should also be aware of paraphrasing and synonyms to answer the sentence completion questions.

Answers

27 Answer: E

Question type: Matching heading

Answer location: Paragraph E, line 9

Answer explanation: We can find references for the type of music produced by the elephants in paragraph E, which is described as meditative, deliberate and delicate. Some western listeners find it haunting, while others who are unaware that the music is being played by elephants presume it is being played by humans. Thus, the answer is E.

28 Answer: F

Question type: Matching heading

Answer location: Paragraph F, line 4 – 5

Answer explanation: We can trace the information in paragraph F, which illustrates how elephant paintings helped raise over $25,000 at charity auctions throughout the world, with the proceeds helping to support the centre’s operations. Thus, the elephant paintings are auctioned to generate income. Hence the answer is F.

29 Answer: C

Question type: Matching heading

Answer location: Paragraph C, line 3 – 5

Answer explanation: Paragraph C illustrates the description of musical instruments in the Thai tradition. Xylophones, slit drums, harmonicas, a bowed bass, a gong and a thunder sheet are used. The instruments are described as ‘elephant sized’ and are specially designed to be played with trunks. Thus, the answer is C.

30 Answer: E

Question type: Matching heading

Answer location: Paragraph E, line 5 and line 13

Answer explanation: We can find references to the forthcoming projects for the orchestra in the thirteenth line of paragraph E. The thirteenth line suggests that the orchestra’s first CD, which was classical in style, was sold well; as a result, the orchestra plans to have pop techno, and the country will start its production. Thus, the answer is E.

31 Answer: A

Question type: Matching heading

Answer location: Paragraph A, Line

Answer explanation: When we scan the introduction paragraph A, we come to know the past and present situation of elephants in Thailand, that is, a century back, they were more than 100,000 in numbers, and these elephants worked in the Thai timber industry or roamed the forests. However, today, the number of elephants in captivity is just 2,500, and there are even fewer in the wild. Hence the answer is A.

32 Answer: B

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph B, line 3

Answer explanation: The third line in paragraph B describes how the orchestra was founded. We can deduce from the paragraph that an American elephant specialist and his team came up with a career alternative for unemployed people. Some of the selected centre’s residents were chosen to play in the world’s first elephant orchestra. This project was initiated to generate income for the operation of the Elephant Conservation centre. Thus, the answer is B.

33 Answer: Initiatives

Question type: Summary Completion

Answer location: Paragraph B, line 5

Answer explanation: We can detect the answer in Paragraph B, where it is mentioned that a group of the Thai elephant centre’s residents were selected to play in the world’s first elephant orchestra; the orchestra project was initiated to raise income for the functioning of the Elephant Conservation centre. We understand that to raise funds to operate the conservation centre; creative initiatives were introduced. Thus, the answer is initiatives.

34 Answer: Recordings

Question type: Summary Completion

Answer location: Paragraph E, line 6 & line 13

Answer explanation: When we go through paragraph E, we can track the answer between lines 6 and 13 according to the question. The paragraph indicates that the elephant’s music was recorded by playing instruments and then overdubbed with other sounds. Still, after practice, it was decided to record the performances without the human noises. Thus, the first CD (elephant music recordings), classical in style, sold well. Hence, the answer which fits correctly, in summary, is Recording.

35 Answer: Generate

Question type: Summary Completion

Answer location: Paragraph F, line 6 & 7

Answer explanation: We find traces of Information in the 6th and 7th lines of Paragraph F, where it is mentioned that the art sales along with the profits generated from the CD (elephant music recordings) helped to fund the centre’s operations. We understand that elephant paintings and elephant instrument recording were a good source of generating income for the centre and orchestra. Hence, the answer is Generate.

36 Answer: Proceeds

Question type: Summary Completion

Answer location: Paragraph F, line 7

Answer explanation: We find references in the seventh line of paragraph 7, illustrating that the proceeds (money obtained from an event or activity) from the orchestra and the centre go towards helping orphanages, hospitals and mobile veterinary clinics for elephants supporting the training school. Thus, the answer is Proceeds.

37 Answer: Training

Question type: Summary Completion

Answer location: Paragraph F, line 7

Answer explanation: When we scan the 7th line in paragraph 7, we understand that the money (proceeds) generated from the orchestra directly go towards helping an orphanage, hospital and mobile veterinary clinic for elephants and supporting the training school. Thus, the answer is training.

38 Answer: B

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph G

Answer explanation: When we read the entire reading passage from Paragraph A-F, we understand the situation of elephants in Thailand, the type of music produced by the elephants, raising funds and generating income through auction of paintings, elephant music, and how the orchestra was started and its forthcoming projects.

However, when we scan paragraph G, it mentions that animal rights advocates might object to these non-traditional occupations for elephants. But, the Thai elephants have always had to work for a living. If they weren’t playing music or painting pictures, they would be dragging logs or carrying tourists. Thus, elephant music and painting are not such bad options considering the given choices.

The above-mentioned lines suggest that creative initiatives like an elephant playing music and painting have helped the animal from getting endangered. Hence, the answer is B.

39 Answer: Naturally

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph D, line 1

Answer explanation: The introductory line in Paragraph D indicates that making music comes naturally to elephants. Thus, the word, naturally, fits correctly in the sentence, so the answer is naturally.

40 Answer: Non-traditional Occupations

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph G

Answer explanation: When we scan paragraph G, the first line indicates that animal rights’ advocates might raise objections to these non-traditional occupations (playing music and painting) for elephants. Thus, the answer is Non-traditional Occupations.

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