Answers to Ant Reading

Below are the answers to the reading exercise: “About Ants“. If you haven’t done this reading lesson, please do it before looking at the answers. Click here: Reading Exercise About Ants

Click below to reveal the answers:

Answers
  1. abdomen
  2. thorax
  3. stinger / abdominal stinger
  4. compound eyes
  5. mandibles
  6. F
    1. The passage shows that the antennae are “elbowed” which means they contain a joint and can bend.
  7. NG
    1. The passage states that queen ants have wings. But it does not state if they are the only types of ant with wings. We don’t know if the other types of ants have wings or not. So, the key word was “only”.
  8. T
    1. The passage shows that metamorphosis happens during the pupal stages when the larva change into adult ants.

Comments: Questions 6 and 8 were quite hard so don’t worry if you got them wrong. Only band 8 or 9 students will have been successful with those questions.

 

 

Comments

  1. Hi, may I know why the answer to question 1 is abdomen? I thought it was Construction. Maybe I was not reading it properly, but I want to know the explanation. Thank you very much!

    • The diagram is to label parts of the body. The word “construction” doesn’t exist in the article. But the word “constriction” does. It is used to describe an area of the body that is similar to a waist. A waist is described as a narrow part of the body between two other main parts, such as the abdomen and the thorax. So, on the diagram, the constriction (the waist) is the narrow part that does not need to be labelled. The abdomen was described as the part of the body at the end of the ant but after the narrow waist, which is number 1.

      • Hi! Oh, I must have been mistaken when I typed “Construction”. Yes, what I meant is “constriction”. I get it now, I need to be more careful in reading. Thank you!

  2. I corrected 7 out of 8 within 15 minutes. I misunderstood number 3

  3. Hi Liz!
    I am confused about the TFNG Q#8 in reading passage “About Ants”.
    The question says, Larva undergo metamorphosis in the pupal stage. (T/F/NG) and the correct answer is T.
    However, the passage says, the ant life cycle has four stages of development. and in the last sentence it says metamorphosis is complete which is the whole lifecycle rather than the stage.
    I am confused. could you please elaborate and rectify my error.
    Thank you!

    • It is important that you read around the area where you find the answer. The answer is not always found in one single sentences. Sometimes it is found in a number of sentences together. This means it’s about context and understanding rather than matching one question with one sentence. The answer is found here:
      “The helpless larva are fed and groomed by the worker ants until they pass through the pupal stage. In a little more than a week, an adult ant will emerge and the metamorphosis is complete.”

  4. Mystique says

    Got 7/8 however I am over the moon because based on your ratings I am up for a band 8 or band 9.

    • Once you are familiar with IELTS questions and techniques, try doing full authentic tests. You can find a free one on the BC IELTS website.

  5. Thank you Liz ,I really appreciate your help .
    Scored 6/8.

  6. Rakesh Patwa says

    7/8 Correct. Getting some confidence now. Thank you for sharing such good content with us.

  7. Shadmani says

    I love you
    Thanks a lot ❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹

  8. Nne Nne says

    I scored 7/8.
    Thanks Liz.

  9. Huda Saleh says

    Thank you very much Liz, really it is a supper website where I can practice for my exam. GOD BLESS YOU.

  10. Subiksha Sabapathy says

    I am preparing for IELTS now. And I have been practising some questions. I scored 7/8 and all my TFNG were correct. I feel happy that I have improved myself. Thank you Liz!!!!

  11. Kamil says

    I got all correct without understanding all of these words Oo Thank you for you work and sharing that content 🙂

  12. Behzad ghassemi soorki says

    Thanks dear liz,l scored 7/8

  13. HINA KAZMI says

    HI, I GOT 5 CORRECT OUT 0F 8

  14. I got 4/8

  15. Esu Ude says

    Thanks for the exercise and review of answers I actually answered 6 as NG and 7 as F but your answers said differently. 5/8 need to work harder on TFNG questions.

  16. Amazing passage. Scored 5/6 but scored less in TFNG.

  17. Mani Mua says

    Definitely not a band 8 or nine yet lol. Failed 6-8. Very useful exercise nonetheless!

  18. 8/8
    Enjoyed

  19. Adeyemi says

    Thanks Liz, I scored 7/8.

  20. Hi Liz,

    Thanks for time and effort on these reviewers.

    I have a question regarding question number 6. I answered this question with an NG thinking that there was no information in the passage that states that the ant can bend its “pre-bent” antennae at will.

    From my understanding of the term ,”elbowed” can be used as an adjective to describe things that have bends and angles similar to elbows. Examples of this are elbowed pipes, outlets and macaroni. For these cases, they are “pre-bent” but, they cannot bend.

    I would like to hear what your thoughts on this. Thanks!

    • “elbowed” in this case means the ability to bend just as the elbow has an ability to end. Your actual elbow is not set at a fixed angle – it has the ability to bend.

  21. Osagie says

    Thank you very much Liz. This website has been very helpful.

  22. Mhk Sandhu says

    I got 7/8
    Thank you Liz

  23. thuan says

    thank you liz , these lesson so much useful for us to repair the test

  24. Boloere says

    Wow!!
    I find your website very helpful

    I got all questions on the Diagram completion and TFNG, am hoping to get a band 9 for my reading test.

    Thank you Liz

  25. For question 6, even though it said elbowed in passage it did not mention anything about bending. However it is obvious from word of elbowed that they can bend, isn’t it a Not given as we cannot derive something from the words given in passage?

    • The meaning is 100% clear due to the word “elbowed” which means it has a joint for bending. It is an adj which is derived from the noun.

      • RJ the questions will not always have the exact words as the passage. You should be looking out for synonyms/similarities. In this case, elbowed is similar to bending.

  26. Greetings from Viet Nam, thank you very much, this is really helpful for me.

    • Glad it’s useful. Go to the RED BAR at the top of the website to access more lessons 🙂

      • Ashwin says

        Hello Liz,

        Regarding question 7, the passage says “female has wings and the purpose is to lay eggs”. So how come wings will be present in males due to its purpose.
        Should the answer be True?
        Just applying the logic of elbowed antennae in ques 6.

        Could you kindly clarify.

        • The question states: ONLY queen ants have wings.
          You need to read the passage carefully.
          TRUE = only queens have wings and other types of ants do not have wings
          FALSE = other types of ants have wing, not only queens
          NG = we do not know if other types of ants have wings or not.
          From this, I will let you decide the answer.
          I didn’t understand your final comment “Just applying the logic of elbowed antennae in ques 6.” – can you explain?

  27. Randy Christopher says

    Hi there. A million thanks for your website. It helps me a lot develop my skills. Bu the way, is it advisable to buy the IELTs Cambride Test books (12 book). Thank you very much again and God bless

    • They contain real IELTS test published by IELTS. I’m sure you understand it is important to do a real test at home before you enter the test room.

  28. Sevil says

    Thank you a lot, Liz! Your website is very effective and helpful!!!

  29. 8/8. Finally got the T/F/NG right! 🙂 and my usual problem is the labeling diagram. So glad, your lessons are very helpful Liz.

  30. Thomas says

    shame on me, I got number 7 from 6-8
    i’m trying to get on 9 band

    • Make sure you are doing real IELTS tests from the IELTS Cambridge Test Books. My lessons are useful practice, but you still need real tests to practice with.

  31. Rizwan says

    First of all thanks for making such a wonderful website for IELTS help. i did this test and my all 8 questions are correct but i am worried that in real IELTS exam it may be more tough not easy like this one. but i again say a bundle of thanks to Madam Liz for her great efforts for IELTS . thanks so much from Pakistan.

    • This page contains a lesson – not a test. You need to get the IELTS Cambridge test books which contain real IELTS tests. There are 12 books in total that you can buy. You MUST do real tests before you enter the exam room. My lessons are only lessons for practice.

  32. Damian says

    7/8 Quite resourceful… Pls where can I get more practice for reading. I need to practice more because I find it challenging. Thanks Liz

  33. 5 on 8. First 3 got wrong. It took more than four minutes as well for first three. The line ‘waist between abdomen, at the end of body’ just confuses

  34. Thanks a lot.

  35. 8/8 😉

    • Prior answering this I came across to study how to deal answering the T/F/NG and finally got a perfect score. I’m amused.

  36. Harmandeep says

    Hi Liz,
    I want to confirm that would it be correct if I write only “eyes” instead of “compound eyes” in question number 4.
    Please guide with reason.
    Thank you.

  37. Hi mam,
    How can get higher scores in speaking ,when examiner put question, do u like to watch television ?answer,yes, i prefer to watch television, it is enough answer or need to explain more.

    • What level of English is “Yes, I prefer to watch TV”? Do you think it is low level or high level. The examiner doesn’t care if you watch TV or not. The examiner want to hear your English. “Yes, I watch TV most evenings but it depends what’s on. If there are TV dramas on or the news, then I definitely watch.” Show the examiner your English!!!

      • Jestine says

        The reply is very helpful in understanding the way one should answer for IELTS.
        Thank you very much Liz ☺️

  38. Hi liz, first of all, after the almighty Allah I really can’t express how grateful and thankful I’m to you

    I need to consult you about an emergency situation regarding the resul_that has been released today_ of my first attempt at the academic module of the ielts the details of which are as follows:
    Listening 7.5
    Reading 7.5
    Writing 6
    Speaking 7
    Overrall band score 7

    I need 6.5 at each module, so the question is:
    DO YOU THINK I SHOULD OPT FOR REMARKING OR SHOULD I SIMPLY APPLY FOR ANOTHER TRIAL QUITELY

  39. Sunnatillo says

    Thanks Liz!
    I got 6/8.

  40. I scored 7/8

  41. Hi liz..
    Can I write ‘the thorax’ in place of thorax.?
    If yes I got 8/8

  42. hi,

    i got 6/8.i have doubt about question 7.please explain.

  43. Sindhusha says

    For question 7, why can’t it be ‘True’, because the passage clearly explains the body structure of normal Ants, and they specifically mentioned that Queen Ants have wings.
    Am I overthinking.. please suggest.
    Thanks
    Sindhusha

    • You would need to find confirmation that other types of ants do NOT have wings. You need to find that information in the passage – it is not there.

      • Sergey says

        Excuse me, Liz, but anyone konws that only queens have wings because it is taught in elementary school course of biology. I am so confused about this question because it seems like a some kind of trap for those who trying to pass IELTS. Why whould developers include such a contradictory question in exam?

  44. I got 6/8

  45. uwandu evan says

    Thanks a million

  46. Amarachi says

    For question 4, If one writes compound eye instead of compound eye’s’ since only one eye was shown in the diagram, is it wrong, bearing in mind that the arrow pointed to only one eye?

  47. Hi! Yesterday was my speaking test and I thought I failed because I lost concentration. 😞😢 ! Questions were: with whom do u like eating? Family or friends? Cue card : describe a businessman you admire!

  48. okoro Emmanuel says

    I got all but question 6. In as much as I know elbow has a joint , we have been told not to utilize any external knowledge in answering reading questions. I think NG would have been the most appropriate. Liz, please comment on this.
    Kind regards

    • The word “elbowed” is used as an adjective to describe how it can bend. This is not presumed knowledge – it is vocabulary. The meaning is clear – it bends. As a high level student, you must know that understanding vocabulary is about understanding meaning and context. You need to use those skills when you mean an adjective you are not familiar with. For native speakers, the adjective “elbowed” means jointed in a particular way that makes it bend.

  49. Dear Liz. I quote from the passage thus:
    “The helpless larva are fed and groomed by the worker ants until they pass through the pupal stage. In a little more than a week, an adult ant will emerge and the metamorphosis is complete.”

    I think pupal stage (as captured in the passage, and not stages) is just one of the stages of metamorphosis which become complete with ‘adult’ stage?
    I am a bit confused how the answer would be TRUE.

    • The passage showed there are four states: egg / larva / pupa and adult. The first stage is clear – it is an egg. The second stage is clear – it is a larva which needs food and needs care. The third and fourth stages are explained combined in two sentences. The third stage is the pupal stage when the larva changes. In the pupal stage, the larva changes into an ant. The third stage is about change and another word for “change” is metamorphosis. So, the answer is true. The larva spends “a little more than one week” in the pupa and then emerges as an ant.

  50. Thanks a lot Liz and how r u ?

  51. 7 out of 8,got the last one wrong

  52. Chinna Philippa says

    Pls ma, can explain more on true, false not given. Thank you

  53. Sunny Pathak says

    Thanks a lot mam. I got 5/8. I made five correct answers.

  54. Nameless says

    Questions 6 to 8 aren’t that difficult. I made it correct easily.

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