Can We Believe Our Own Eyes - IELTS Reading Sample with Explanation

IELTS Reading section tests the candidate’s understanding of passages and different question types. There are 40 questions in total in the IELTS reading section. This IELTS Reading sample - Can We Believe Our Own Eyes is an Academic topic, and consists of three question types:

1. Fill in the blanks
2. Matching information
3. Choose the correct answer

There are numerous topics found in IELTS reading practice papers for practice.

Can We Believe Our Own Eyes - IELTS Reading Sample

1. An optical illusion is a false or misleading image in which the information conveyed from the eye to the brain is processed in such a way that the associated assumption or conclusion does not represent the true physical reality. External variables can influence our perceptions of what we think we see; "illusions" can be separated into two primary categories: physiological illusions and cognitive illusions, with the latter category, is further divided into four sub-types.
2. Excessive stimulation of the eyes and brain causes physiological illusions, which result in a transient state of bewilderment and conflicting messages. For example, after being exposed to exceptionally bright lighting, the eyes may take time to adjust, and we may perceive things that are out of the ordinary right away. Similarly, after staring at a certain color for a long time, a contingent perceptual after-effect may occur, causing the brain's receptors to process subsequent colors incorrectly until the overload has dissipated.
3. Cognitive illusions, on the other hand, are thought to be caused by assumptions we make based on our knowledge and experience of the environment, rather than by neuron activity as in the previous group. ‘ambiguous' illusions, ‘distorting' illusions, ‘paradox' illusions,, and ‘fictional' illusions are the four types of cognitive illusions. The inclusion of 'fictional' illusions in the cognitive group is a little misleading; this type of illusion is distinct in that it can only be observed by one person in a certain environment and has no physical form. In actuality, a literary illusion is a hallucination caused by drug usage or a neurological disorder such as schizophrenia.
4. Images or objects that are organized in such a way that several perceptions of their structure are feasible are known as ambiguous illusions. Individuals may see the object or picture in a variety of ways at the same time, and the same individual may be able to see and interpret the image or object in multiple ways. The Necker cube is a classic example of an ambiguous illusion. This cube is a two-dimensional line drawing that our eyes interpret as a three-dimensional box. When the lines of the box cross, the picture purposefully blurs the distinction between front and back. When people look at the box, however, the mind's instinctive response is to interpret what they see. As a result, most people will perceive the lower left face of the Necker Cube while looking at it from the front, with the base of the front face parallel to the floor, as their cognitive processes translate the image to three dimensions. However, the image might be interpreted in a variety of ways, with the front of the box appearing to be in a different position.
5. The Necker Cube helped researchers better understand the human visual system by demonstrating that the brain is a neural network with two separate and interchangeable states. It's also been used in epistemology (the study of knowledge) to reject the notion of direct realism,' which claims that the way the human mind experiences the world is the way the world actually is. To give an example, with the Necker cube, we can usually see one or both versions of a three-dimensional cube when all that exists is a two-dimensional graphic made up of 12 lines.
6. The Muller-Lyer illusion, which consists of three lines with arrow-like endpoints, is a prime example of a distorting illusion that affects an individual's ability to judge size, length, or curvature. The middle arrow has both arrow ends pointing out in this illusion, whereas the line above it has both arrows ends pointing in, and the third and final line has one inward-pointing and one outward-pointing arrow end. The center arrow is the longest, according to the majority of responders from various backgrounds (though all are in fact the same). However, cultural backgrounds influence perceptions of this illusion; international research has found that non-Western subjects are less likely to misinterpret the true length of the three drawings, particularly those who are not exposed to rectangular-shaped buildings and door frames in their daily lives.
7. Paradox illusions trick the mind into thinking it's seeing what it knows isn't conceivable. Lionel Penrose constructed the Penrose Stairs and the Penrose Triangle to show this phenomenon. There are numerous optical illusions that occur spontaneously. There are numerous sites across the world where objects appear to roll uphill; our cognitive and pre-learned knowledge tells us that this is impossible; but, information obtained by viewers' visual senses produces disagreement. The area's mystical properties are frequently vigorously promoted to add mystique or claimed to arise as a result of the area's land's special properties and magnetic influence. These areas are often known as "gravity hills" or "magnetic" hills and are often popular with tourists; the mystical properties of the area are often vigorously promoted to add mystique or claimed to arise as a result of the special properties and magnetic influence of the area's land.
8. The scientific explanation for this occurrence is that such sites are situated on slightly sloping land with no apparent horizon to establish perspective against. Furthermore, points of reference that we would assume to be perpendicular, such as trees, are really on a slope. As a result, the interpretation of what onlookers feel they are seeing is muddled; descending slopes may appear to be horizontal or leaning upwards, and cars with hand brakes released on such ground appear to roll upwards when they are actually moving downwards, as gravity demands. While our natural sense of balance aids us in determining the inclination of the ground in normal situations, interference from visual stimuli such as those listed above, as well as a lack of references from points on the horizon, can override this ability in such situations, especially if the gradient is gentle.

Questions 1-3

Answer the questions below. Each answer must contain NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.

1. What kind of illusion is caused by a disruption in neuron activity?
2. On a cognitive level, which two elements influence how we process information?
3. Which theory maintains that individuals see just the true truth of a situation?

(Guide: Candidates need to write a maximum of three words to fill the blanks)

Question 1.

Answer: Physiological

Supporting Sentence: Para B - Physiological illusions occur as a result of excessive stimulation of the eyes and brain which leads to a temporary state of confusion and mixed messages.

Para C - Cognitive illusions, on the other hand, are said to arise not as a result of neuron activity as with the aforementioned category, but due to assumptions we may consciously make based on our knowledge and experience of the world.

Keyword: psychological illusions, cognitive

Keyword Location: Paragraph B and C

Explanation: The selected answer is right as evident from the supporting sentences. In para B it has been stated that psychological illusions are results of tremendous stimulation of the eyes and brain. That leads to a temporary state of perplexed attitude and mixed messages. In para C it has been stated that cognitive illusions are results of assumptions human beings make focused on the inbuilt knowledge and experience of the world.

Also check:

Question 2.

Answer: Knowledge and experience

Supporting Sentence: Cognitive illusions, on the other hand, are said to arise not as a result of neuron activity as with the aforementioned category, but due to assumptions we may consciously make based on our knowledge and experience of the world.

Keyword: knowledge, experience, cognitive illusion

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, first lines

Explanation: It has been stated that cognitive illusion is a result of not neuron activity. It is installed as a result of the constant assumption that we, human beings, make on a daily basis based on our knowledge and experience of the world.

Question: 3

Answer: Direct realism

Supporting Sentence: It has also been used in epistemology – the study of knowledge – as evidence to disprove the theory upheld by ‘direct realism’ that the way the human mind perceives the world is the way the world actually is

Keyword: direct realism, epistemology, study of knowledge

Keyword Location: Paragraph E

Explanation: The Necker Cube has made contributions in the research of the human brain and stated that it is composed of a neural network of two interchangeable and distinct parts. This fact is also used in the study of epistemology to disprove the theory stated by direct realism that human minds understand the world as they think.

Questions 4-8

Classify the following as applicable to the content in Reading Passage 2:

1. Fictional Illusions
2. Paradox illusions
3. Distorting illusions
4. Ambiguous illusions

4. Maybe perceived differently by individuals of diverse ethnic origin
5. may override our natural ability to make a rational judgment
6. maybe interpreted differently even by the same subject
7. may result due to chemical stimulation
8. has been used to question the validity of reasoning in a different field

(Guide: Candidates need to match the headings A to D with the correct statements from 4 to 8)

Question: 4.

Answer: C

Supporting Sentence: Distorting illusions affect an individual’s ability to judge size, length, or curvature; the Muller-Lyer illusion which consists of three lines with arrow-like endings is a prime example.

Keyword: distorting illusion

Keyword Location: Paragraph F

Explanation: Distorting illusion affects a person’s individual ability to judge length, size, and more. It has been explained with the help of an example where three arrows are given with arrow-like endings. But many people provide different views of the length of the arrow, despite the fact that all of them have the same length.

Question: 5

Answer: B

Supporting Sentence: Paradox illusions encourage the mind to believe that we are seeing something we know to be impossible.

Keyword: paradox illusion

Keyword Location: Paragraph G

Explanation: The answer selection is correct as can be seen from the selected supporting evidence. Paradox illusion encourages our minds to believe that what we are seeing is impossible. There are many “naturally occurring optical illusions” present over the world which human beings think to be impossible.

Question: 6.

Answer: D

Supporting Sentence: Different individuals may instantly perceive the object or picture in a different way than another and, in fact, the same individual is often able to see and interpret the image or object in more than one form.

Keyword: different individuals, object

Keyword Location: Paragraph D

Explanation: The selected answer is correct because of the supporting evidence. It can be seen that there are different individuals who understand an object or a picture in a distinct way than another one. This is called ambiguous illusions where a single object or picture is perceived in different ways by humans.

Question: 7

Answer: A

Supporting Sentence: ‘A fictional illusion is, in reality, a hallucination which arises as a result of drug use’

Keyword: fictional illusion

Keyword Location: Paragraph C

Explanation: fictional illusion is a part of cognitive illusions. It happens when a person sees hallucination that arises as a result of drug usage. Fictional illusion also takes place as a result of a brain condition called schizophrenia. Therefore, the selected answer is right.

Question :8

Answer: D

Supporting Sentence: ‘It has also been used in epistemology – the study of knowledge – as evidence to disprove the theory upheld by ‘direct realism’

Keyword: epistemology, direct realism

Keyword Location: Paragraph E

Explanation: The selected answer is right as has been explained by the selected supporting evidence. The Necker Cube has made contributions in the research about the human visual system. It provided evidence that the human brain consists of two neural networks of two interchangeable states. This proof has also been used in the study of epistemology to disprove the theory of direct realism.

Questions 9-13

Select the appropriate letter A, B, C, or D.

Question 9. Fictional illusions

1. May eventually lead to schizophrenia
2. Are the only type that is completely subjective
3. Are very similar to paradox illusions
4. Are typical of cognitive illusions

Answer: B

Supporting Sentence: Inclusion of ‘fictional’ illusions into the cognitive group is somewhat misleading; however, as this type of illusion is unique in that it is only seen by an individual in a given situation and exists in no tangible form.

Keyword: fictional illusion

Keyword Location: Paragraph C

Explanation: The answer to this question is correctly selected. Fictional illusions, among the other three parts in Cognitive illusion, are the only subjective one. fictional illusions are only observed by a person in a given situation and have intangible form.

Question: 10. Which faces of the Necker Cube are regarded as the front of the box by the general inclination to view objects, according to ambiguous illusion theory?

Answer: A

Supporting Sentence: ‘when most people look at the Necker Cube they will interpret the lower left face as being the front of the box, the base of the front face being parallel to the floor՛

Keyword: ambiguous theory, necker cube

Keyword Location: Paragraph D

Explanation: From the diagram it can be seen that most of the people perceive the lower left face of the box to be the front. Therefore, the supporting sentence is correctly selected.

Question: 11. Which diagram represents the Muller-Lyer illusion?

Answer: B

Supporting Sentence: ‘In this illusion, the middle arrow has both arrows ends pointing out, while the line above it has arrow ends pointing in and the third and final line possesses one inward-pointing and one outward pointing arrow end.’

Keyword: Muller-Lyer, illusion

Keyword Location: Paragraph F

Explanation: The selected answer B is correct. The middle arrow comprises arrows pointing out from both its ends. There is another arrow pointing out, and the third and final one has one one arrow pointing in, and the other out.

Question: 12. The Penrose Stairs are an example of a model that

1. Can persuade the viewer that they are witnessing an inconceivable event
2. Has disproven established theories on knowledge
3. Is a naturally occurring paradox illusion
4. Can be seen in a number of worldwide locations

Answer: A

Supporting Sentence: The Penrose Stairs and the Penrose Triangle, developed by Lionel Penrose are examples of models created to illustrate this phenomenon.

Keyword: Penrose

Keyword Location: Paragraph F

Explanation: The selected answer is correct as evident from the supporting sentence. The Penrose stairs and Penrose triangles developed by Lionel Penrose are examples of paradox illusions. It encourages the mind to believe that what we are seeing is something which is supposed to be impossible.

Question: 13. Occurrences on ‘gravity’ or ‘magnetic’ hills happens due to

1. The mineral composition of the local soil
2. Factors currently unexplained from a scientific perspective
3. Misleading natural points of reference
4. Rising slopes are being misinterpreted as being on the decline.

Answer: C

Supporting Sentence: ‘In addition, surrounding points of reference we would generally expect to be perpendicular, such as trees, are in fact on a slope. The interpretation of what observers believe they are experiencing is therefore confused’

Keyword: reference, interpretation

Keyword Location: Paragraph H

Explanation: The selected supporting evidence clearly proves that the selected answer is correct.