Bioluminescence IELTS Academic Reading Sample With Explanation
IELTS academic reading section tests the proficiency of candidates through a passage and 40 questions. This IELTS Reading sample - Bioluminescence is an IELTS Academic topic. This IELTS Academic Reading passage contains three question types:
- Matching Headings
- Matching Paragraphs
- Fill in the blanks
This IELTS academic reading passage Bioluminescence discusses the production and emission of light by a living organism. The passage gives information on how the complete absence of natural light has given a push to the process of creating some organisms their own forms of light by developing one of the stunning visual marvels of the biological universe. The best way to prepare for the IELTS academic reading test is to practice solving the IELTS reading practice papers.
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Section 1
Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions
Bioluminescence IELTS Academic Reading Sample
- In the pitch-black waters of the ocean's aphotic zone – depths from 1,000m to the seafloor - Rood eyesight does not count for very much on its own. Caves, in addition, frequently present a similar problem: the complete absence of natural light at any time of the day. This has not stopped some organisms from turning these inhospitable environments into their homes, and in the process, many have created their own forms of light by developing one of the stunning visual marvels of the biological universe -bioluminescence.
- Many people will encounter bioluminescence at some point in their life, typically in some form of glowworm, which is found on most continents. North and South America are home to the "firefly", a glowing beetle which is known as a glow-worm during its larvae stage. Flightless glowing beetles and worms are also found in Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Less common flies, centipedes, molluscs, and snails have bioluminescent qualities as well, as do some mushrooms. The most dramatic examples of bioluminescence. However, are found deep below the ocean's surface, where no sunlight can penetrate at all. Here, anglerfish, cookie-cutter sharks, flashlight fish, lantern fish, gulper eels, viperfish, and many other species have developed bioluminescence in unique and creative ways to facilitate their lives.
- The natural uses of bioluminescence vary widely, and organisms have learnt to be very creative with its use. Fireflies employ bioluminescence primarily for reproductive means – their flashing patterns advertise a firefly's readiness to breed. Some fish use it as a handy spotlight to help them locate prey. Others use it as a lure; the anglerfish, for example, dangles a luminescent flare that draws in gullible, smaller fishes which get snapped up by the anglerfish in an automated reflex. Sometimes, bioluminescence is used to resist predators. Vampire squids eject a thick cloud of glowing liquid from the tip of its arms when threatened, which can be disorientating. Other species use a single, bright flash to temporarily blind their attacker, with an effect similar to that of an oncoming car which has not dipped its headlights.
- Humans have captured and utilized bioluminescence by developing, over the last decade, a technology known as Bioluminescence Imaging (BLI). BU involves the extraction of a DNA protein from a bioluminescent organism, and then the integration of this protein into a laboratory animal through trans-geneticism. Researchers have been able to use luminized pathogens and cancer cell lines to track the respective spread of infections and cancers. Through BLI, cancers and infections can be observed without intervening in a way that affects their independent development. In other words, while an ultra-sensitive camera and bioluminescent proteins add a visual element, they do not disrupt or mutate the natural processes. As a result, when testing drugs and treatments, researchers are permitted a single perspective of a therapy's progression.
- Once scientists learn how to engineer bioluminescence and keep it stable in large quantities; a number of other human uses for it will become available. Glowing trees have been proposed as replacements for electric lighting along busy roads, for example, which would reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources. The same technology used in Christmas trees for the family home would also eliminate the fire danger from electrical fairy lights. It may also be possible for crops and plants to luminesce when they require watering, and for meat and dairy products to "tell us” when they have become contaminated by bacteria. In a similar way, Forensic investigators could detect bacterial species on corpses through bioluminescence. Finally, there is the element of pure novelty. Children's toys and stickers are often made with glow-in-the-dark qualities, and a biological form would allow rabbits, mice, fish, and other pets to glow as well.
Section 2
Solution and Explanation
Questions 1 to 5
Reading Passage has five sections, A-E.
Choose the correct heading for sections A-E from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number i-ix in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.
List of Headings
- Mushrooms that glow in the dark.
- Bright Creatures on land and in the sea
- Evolution’s Solution
- Cave-Dwelling Organisms
- Future Opportunities in biological engineering
- Nature’s Gift to medicine
- Bioluminescence in humans
- Purpose of bioluminescence in the wild
- Luminescent pets
(Guide: There are five paragraphs in the passage A to E. Candidates need to match each paragraph with the correct heading marked from I to IX )
Question 1 - Section A
Answer: III. Evolution’s Solution
Supporting Sentence: “This has not stopped some organisms from turning these inhospitable environments into their homes, and in the process, many have created their own forms of light by developing one of the stunning visual marvels of the biological universe -bioluminescence.”
Keyword: the complete absence of natural light at any time of the day
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, Line 3
Explanation: 1. The long-term problem of the absence of light during the night for different purposes has been solved with the adaptiveness of the organisms and emitting a source of light from the self. Which further is known as bioluminescence.
Read More IELTS Reading Related Samples
Question: 2. Section B
Answer: II. Bright Creatures on land and in the sea
Supporting Sentence: Less common flies, centipedes, mollusks, and snails have bioluminescent qualities as well, as do some mushrooms. The most dramatic examples of bioluminescence. However, are found deep below the ocean's surface, where no sunlight can penetrate at all.
Keyword: ocean's surface, mushrooms, centipedes, mollusks, and snails
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, Lines (4-7)
Explanation: The scenario of bioluminescence revolves around the whole world. From a firefly emitting a flashing light at night to undiscovered ocean beds, where it is believed that thousands of species show the property of bioluminescence.
Question: 3. Section C
Answer: VIII. Purpose of bioluminescence in the wild
Supporting Sentence: “The natural uses of bioluminescence vary widely, and organisms have learnt to be very creative with its use.”
Keywords: natural uses
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Lines (1)
Explanation: The bioluminescence in the wild serves a lot of things and gives solutions to most of the problems that wild animals face. From using bioluminescence for attracting mates to using it as a defensive weapon.
Question: 4. Section D
Answer: VI. Nature’s Gift to medicine
Supporting Sentence: In other words, while an ultra-sensitive camera and bioluminescent proteins add a visual element, they do not disrupt or mutate the natural processes. As a result, when testing drugs and treatments, researchers are permitted a single perspective of a therapy's progression.
Keyword: testing drugs, treatments
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, Lines (6-8 )
Explanation: Bioluminescence over the years turned out to be one of the very useful substances for determining cancer and further also is used in many types of detection and treatment of patients.
Question: 5. Section E
Answer: V. Future Opportunities in biological engineering
Supporting Sentence: Glowing trees have been proposed as replacements for electric lighting along busy roads, for example, which would reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources. It may also be possible for crops and plants to luminesce when they require watering, and for meat and dairy products to "tell us” when they have become contaminated by bacteria. Keyword: dependence on non-renewable energy sources, eliminate the fire danger
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, Lines (2-7 )
Explanation: When we say the word, bioluminescence itself it portrays a renewable source of energy. So, there can be infinite solutions to the planet for using bioluminescence as a tool in the future. One example to support this is using roadside trees as bioluminescence objects in the place of street lights.
Question 6-9
Choose FOUR letters A-G
Write the correct letters in boxes 6-9 on your answer sheet.
Which FOUR uses are listed for bioluminescence in nature?
- ways of attracting food
- tracing the spread of diseases
- mating signals
- growing trees for street lighting
- drug trials
- defensive tactics
- a torch to identify food
(Guide: Candidate need to study the passage and select the proper order of the paragraphs )
Question: 6
Answer: A- ways of attracting food ( 6 to 9 any order)
Supporting Sentence: Some fish use it as a handy spotlight to help them locate prey. Others use it as a lure; the anglerfish, for example, dangles a luminescent flare that draws in gullible, smaller fishes which get snapped up by the anglerfish in an automated reflex.
Keywords: lure, locate prey
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Lines (3-5)
Explanation: There is a special species of fish in the deep ocean, named the angelfish. Which uses the bioluminescence to attract the different smaller or larger fishes towards them and then hunt it down to use it as food.
Question: 7
Answer: C- mating signals
Supporting Sentence: The natural uses of bioluminescence vary widely, and organisms have learned to be very creative with its use. Fireflies employ bioluminescence primarily for reproductive means – their flashing patterns advertise a firefly's readiness to breed.
Keywords: flashing, breed
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Lines (1-3 )
Explanation: Fireflies are generally seen to be using bioluminescence for attracting the male population of their species. Further showing bioluminescence properties conclude to be ready for mating.
Question: 8
Answer: F- defensive tactics
Supporting Sentence: Sometimes, bioluminescence is used to resist predators. Vampire squids eject a thick cloud of glowing liquid from the tip of their arms when threatened, which can be disorientating. Other species use a single, bright flash to temporarily blind their attacker, with an effect similar to that of an oncoming car that has not dipped its headlights.
Keyword: resist predators, threatened, temporarily blind
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Lines (5-9)
Explanation:Defense is a major outcome while using bioluminescence. A species of vampire squid throws out a thick liquid from its head of the arms to scare the predators away. Some species are also seen using bright flashes to temporarily blinding the enemies.
Question: 9
Answer: G- a torch to identify food
Supporting Sentence: Some fish use it as a handy spotlight to help them locate prey.
Keyword: spotlight
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Lines (3)
Explanation: The primary use for many fishes inside the ocean is to locate the prey. Generally, species of fish use it as a spotlight for detecting the other organisms in the ocean coming towards it or swimming around the area for using them as prey.
Question 10-13
Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write in boxes 10-13 on your answer sheet.
(Guide: Candidates need to select up to two words to fill the blanks )
Question 10. The luminescent fluid that a vampire squid emits has a ………. effect on its predator.
Answer: DISORIENTATING
Supporting Sentence: Sometimes, bioluminescence is used to resist predators. Vampire squids eject a thick cloud of glowing liquid from the tip of their arms when threatened, which can be disorientating.
Keyword: disorientating, Vampire squids, threatened
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Lines (5-8)
Explanation: Vampire squids are generally known for using bioluminescence as a defensive weapon to confuse the attacker. Vampire squids throw a thick liquid that disorients the predators and leaves those predators confused to attack which target.
Question: 11. In order to use bioluminescence in a trans-genetic environment, ………….. must first be removed from a bioluminescent creature.
Answer: DNA PROTEIN
Supporting Sentence: BU involves the extraction of a DNA protein from a bioluminescent organism, and then the integration of this protein into a laboratory animal through trans-geneticism.
Keywords: extraction, DNA Protein, bioluminescent organism, trans- geneticism
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, Lines (2-4)
Explanation: For the process of trans-geneticism, the major thing that needs to be looked after is removing the Protein of DNA from the bioluminescence source. DNA is specific to each and every creature. For successful use of bioluminescence in the laboratory one first needs to eliminate the DNA Protein. So that it can be researched upon the other sources.
Question: 12. One advantage of BLI is that it could allow researchers to see how a treatment is working without altering or disturbing ……………
Answer: NATURAL PROCESSES
Supporting Sentence: Through BLI, cancers and infections can be observed without intervening in a way that affects their independent development. In other words, while an ultra-sensitive camera and bioluminescent proteins add a visual element, they do not disrupt or mutate the natural processes.
Keyword: natural processes, without intervening
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, Lines (5-8)
Explanation: BLI is a process of observing the independent development of the cells without causing any change to the natural growth. Using ultra-sensitive cameras and bioluminescent protein adds a visual to the darker regions where there can be no signs of light for observation of the cause of disease.
Question: 13. In the future, …………… may be able to use bioluminescence to identify evidence on dead bodies.
Answer: FORENSIC INVESTIGATORS / SCIENTISTS
Supporting Sentence: In a similar way, Forensic investigators could detect bacterial species on corpses through bioluminescence.
Keywords: bacterial species, corpses, Forensic investigators
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, Lines 7-8
Explanation: Using a corpse for any type of treatment or research is very difficult, so bioluminescence plays a major role in detecting the affected areas of the corpse with bacteria or other organisms. A forensic investigation can be carried out without actually making any change to the source of the dead body or making no evidence escape from the eyes of researchers.
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