How Animals Keep Fit Reading Answers

Feb 7, 2023

How Animals Keep Fit Reading Answers contains sample answers about various ways of animals to stay fit. How Animals Keep Fit Reading Answers has 12 different questions. IELTS How Animals Keep Fit Reading Answers contains three types of questions, namely: choose the correct letter, complete the summary and match the statement with the researcher. Candidates are required to read the IELTS Reading passage and choose the correct letter from the given options. Candidates are required to complete the summary by choosing one word from the passage for each answer. For the last set of questions, candidates are required to match the statement with the researcher by choosing the correct letter. Candidates can gain proficiency on diverse topics by undertaking IELTS Reading practice papers.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

How Animals Keep Fit Reading Answers

No one would dream of running a marathon without first making a serious effort to train for it. But no matter how well they have stuck to their training regime, contestants will find that running non-stop for 42 kilometres is going to hurt.

Now consider the barnacle goose. Every year this bird carries out a 3000-kilometre migration. So how do the birds prepare for this? Do they spend months gradually building up fitness? That's not really the barnacle goose's style. instead, says environmental physiologist Lewis Halsey, They just basically sit on the water and eat a lot.

Until recently, nobody had really asked whether exercise is as tightly connected to fitness in the rest of the animal kingdom as it is for us. The question is tied up in a broader assumption: that animals maintain fitness because of the exercise they get finding food and escaping predators.

Halsey points out that this may not necessarily be the case. Take the house cat. Most domestic cats spend much of the day lounging around, apparently doing nothing, rather than hunting for food. But over short distances, even the laziest can move incredibly fast when they want to. Similarly, black and brown bears manage to come out of several months' hibernation with their muscle mass intact without having to lift so much as a paw during this time.

Barnacle geese go one better. In the process of sitting around, they don't just maintain their fitness. They also develop stronger hearts and bigger flight muscles, enabling them to fly for thousands of kilometres in a migration that may last as little as two days.

So, if exercise isn't necessarily the key to physical strength, then what is? one clue comes from broader view of the meaning of physical fitness. Biologically speaking, all it means is that the body has undergone changes that make it stronger and more efficient. In animals such as bears these changes appear to be triggered by cues such as falling temperatures or insufficient food. In the months of hibernation, these factors seem to prompt the release of muscle. protecting compounds which are then carried to the bears' muscles in their blood and prevent muscle loss.

Barnacle geese, Halsey suggests, may be responding to an environmental change such as temperature, which helps their bodies somehow 'know that a big physlcal challenge is looming. In other bird species, that cue may be something different. Chris Guglielmo, a physiological ecologist, has studied the effect of subjecting migratory songbirds known as yellow-rumped warblers to changing hours of daylight. We don't need to take little songbirds and train them up to do a 6- or 10-hour flight,' he says. If they are subjected to the right daylight cycle, 'we can take them out of the cage and put them in the wind tunnel, and they fly for 10 hours.’

Unlike migratory birds, however, humans have no biological shortcut to getting fit. Instead, pressures in our evolutionary history made our bodies tie fitness to exercise. Our ancestor's lives were unpredictable. They had to do a lot of running to catch food and escape danger, but they also needed to keep muscle mass to a minimum because muscle is biologically expensive. Each kilogram contributes about 10 to 15 kilocalories a day to our metabolism when resting - which doesn't sound like much until you realise that muscles account for about 40 percent of the average person's body mass. 'Most of us are spending 20 percent of our basic energy budget taking care of muscle mass,' says Daniel Lieberman, an evolutionary biologist and marathon runner.

So our physiology evolved to let our weight and fitness fluctuate depending on how much food was available. This makes us evolutionarily different from most other animals, says Lieberman. In general, animals merely need to be capable of short bouts of intense activity, whether its the cheetah chasing prey or the gazelle escaping. Cats are fast, but they don't need to run very far. Perhapsa few mad dashes around the house are all it takes to keep a domestic one fit enough for feline purposes. 'Humans, on the other hand, needed to adapt to run slower, but for longer,' says Lieberman.

He argues that long ago on the African savannah, natural selection made us into 'supremely adapted' endurance athletes, capable of running prey into the ground and ranging over long distances with unusual efficiency. But only, it appears, if we train. Otherwise we quickly degenerate into couch potatoes.

As for speed, even those animals that do cover impressive distances dont have to be the fastest they can possibly be. Barnacle geese needn't set world records when crossing the North Atlantic; they just need to be able to get to their destination. "And', says exercise physiologist Ross Tucker, 'humans may be the only animal that actually cares about reaching peak performance: Other than racehorses and greyhounds, both of which we have bred to race, animals aren't directly competing against one another. 1 don't know that all animals are the same, performance-wise.. and we don't know whether training would enhance their ability, he says.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 28-30

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in boxes 28-30 on your answer sheet.

The writer discusses marathon runners and barnacle geese to introduce the idea that

marathon runners may be using inefficient training methods.
the role of diet in achieving fitness has been underestimated.
barnacle geese spend much longer preparing to face a challenge.
serious training is not always necessary for physical achievement.

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: no matter how well they have stuck to their training regime, contestants will find that running non-stop for 42 kilometres is going to hurt
Keywords: stuck, regime, contestants, running
Keyword Location: paragraph 1
Explanation: The section discusses numerous strategies used by animals to maintain their physical fitness. It claims that nobody would ever consider running a marathon without first putting forth a significant amount of effort to prepare for it. The competitors will discover that running continuously for 42 kilometres will hurt, regardless of how diligently they have followed their training plan. This suggests that rigorous training may not always be required for physical success. Hence, the right answer is option D.

The writer says that human muscles

use up a lot of energy even when resting.
are heavier than other types of body tissue.
were more efficiently used by our ancestors.
have become weaker than they were in the past.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: So our physiology evolved to let our weight and fitness fluctuate depending on how much food was available. This makes us evolutionarily different from most other animals, says Lieberman\
Keywords: weight, fitness, food, evolutionary
Keyword Location: paragraph 1
Explanation: As per paragraph 10, human physiology changed to allow for fluctuations in weight and fitness based on the amount of food that was accessible. As per Lieberman, this sets us apart from the majority of other species in terms of evolution. Overall, animals just need to be able to engage in brief bursts of high activity, such as the gazelle escaping or the cheetah pursuing after its meal. Despite their speed, cats don't need to run very far. A domestic one might only need to make a few frantic laps around the house to stay in shape for feline reasons. As per Lieberman, humans needed to evolve to run more slowly yet for larger distances. Therefore, the answer is option C.

The writer says that in order to survive, early humans developed the ability to

hide from their prey.
run long distances.
adapts their speeds to different situations.
predicts different types of animal movements.

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Humans, on the other hand, needed to adapt to run slower, but for longer, says Lieberman
Keywords: humans, adapt, longer, run, slower
Keyword Location: paragraph 10
Explanation: According to paragraph 10, animals only need to be able to engage in brief bursts of intense activity, such as when a cheetah is pursuing its meal or a gazelle is trying to flee. Despite their speed, cats don't need to run very far. Perhaps a few frantic laps around the house are all that's required to maintain a domestic cat in good enough shape for feline purposes. Conversely, Lieberman asserts that humans have to evolve to run more slowly yet for larger distances. Therefore, the right answer is option B.

Questions 31-35

Complete the summary below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 31-35 on your answer sheet.

What is the key to physical fitness?

In biological terms, when an animal is physically fit, its body changes, becoming more powerful and 31……... For bears, this change may be initially caused by colder weather or a lack of 32…………. which during 33…….... Causes certain compounds to be released into their 34………... and to travel around the body. These compounds appear to prevent muscle loss. In the case of barnacle geese, the change may be due to a variation in 35………

Question 31:

Answer: efficient
Supporting Sentence: Biologically speaking, all it means is that the body has undergone changes that make it stronger and more efficient.
Keywords: biologically, body, changes, stronger
Keyword Location: paragraph 6
Explanation: So, what is the secret to physical strength if exercise isn't always the answer? Paragraph 6 explores. A broader understanding of what physical fitness means provides one hint. From a biological perspective, what it indicates is that the body has undergone modifications that have made it stronger and more effective. These adjustments seem to be brought on in animals like bears by cues like dropping temperatures or a lack of food.

Question 32:

Answer: food
Supporting Sentence: In animals such as bears these changes appear to be triggered by cues such as falling temperatures or insufficient food
Keywords: animals. triggered, temperature, insufficient
Keyword Location: paragraph 6
Explanation: So, what is the secret to physical strength if exercise isn't always the answer? Paragraph 6 explores. A broader understanding of what physical fitness means provides one hint. From a biological perspective, what it indicates is that the body has undergone modifications that have made it stronger and more effective. These adjustments seem to be brought on in animals like bears by cues like dropping temperatures or a lack of food.

Question 33:

Answer: hibernation
Supporting Sentence: months of hibernation, these factors seem to prompt the release of muscle-protecting compounds which are then carried to the bears' muscles in their blood
Keywords: factors, muscle protecting, bears muscles, blood
Keyword Location: paragraph 6
Explanation: According to paragraph 6, animals like bears seem to respond to signs like dropping temperatures or a lack of food to undergo these transformations. These elements seem to trigger the release of substances that protect muscles throughout the months of hibernation. These are subsequently transported to the muscles of the bears via the circulation and stop muscular loss.

Question 34:

Answer: blood
Supporting Sentence: months of hibernation, these factors seem to prompt the release of muscle-protecting compounds which are then carried to the bears' muscles in their blood
Keywords: factors, muscle protecting, bears muscles, blood
Keyword Location: paragraph 6
Explanation: According to paragraph 6, animals like bears seem to respond to signs like dropping temperatures or a lack of food to undergo these transformations. These elements seem to trigger the release of substances that protect muscles throughout the months of hibernation. These are subsequently transported to the muscles of the bears via the circulation and stop muscular loss.

Question 35:

Answer: temperature
Supporting Sentence :Barnacle geese, Halsey suggests, may be responding to an environmental change such as temperature
Keywords: Barnacle, responding, changes
Keyword Location: paragraph 7
Explanation: According to paragraph 7, Halsey speculates that barnacle geese may be reacting to a change in the environment, such as the temperature. It aids their bodies in sensing the impending threat of a significant physical task. It's possible that this cue differs in other bird species.

Questions 36-40

Look at the following statements (Questions 36-40) and the list of researchers below.

Match each statement with the correct researcher, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter, A, B, C or D, in boxes 36-40 on your answer sheet.

NB You may use any letter more than once

List of Researchers

Lewis Halsey
Chris Guglielmo
Daniel Lieberman
Ross Tucker

One belief about how animals stay fit is possibly untrue.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: Halsey points out that this may not necessarily be the case
Keywords: points, may not, necessarily, case
Keyword Location: paragraph 4
Explanation: Together, paragraphs 3 and 4 explain the situation. It claims that no one had actually considered whether exercise is as closely linked to fitness in the other animal world as it is for humans. The query is linked to a more general supposition: that animals stay fit because of the exertion they receive from seeking for food and avoiding predators. Halsey makes the point that this might not always be the case. Instead of actively seeking out food, most domestic cats spend the most of the day relaxing. However, over brief distances, even the most lazy can move remarkably quickly when they want to. Black and brown bears also succeed in emerging from hibernation after several months with their muscle mass still intact. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

It may not be possible to train all animals to improve their speed.

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: physiologist Ross Tucker, 'humans may be the only animal that actually cares about reaching peak performance
Keywords: humans, animal, cares, performance
Keyword Location: last paragraph
Explanation: As per last paragraph, even creatures that travel long distances do not necessarily need to move at their top pace. When flying across the North Atlantic, barnacle geese don't necessarily need to break world records; they only need to be able to land safely. The only species that genuinely cares about achieving optimum performance, as per exercise scientist Ross Tucker, may be humans. Animals don't immediately compete with one another besides race horses and greyhounds. I'm not sure if other animals perform similarly, and we don't know whether training would improve their aptitude, he says. Hence, the right answer is option D.

One type of bird has demonstrated fitness when exposed to a stimulus in experimental conditions.

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Chris Guglielmo, a physiological ecologist, has studied the effect of subjecting migratory songbirds
Keywords: studied, effect, subjecting, migratory, songbirds
Keyword Location: paragraph 7
Explanation: According to paragraph 7, Chris Guglielmo, a physiological ecologist, has researched the impact of exposing migratory songbirds called yellow-rumped warblers. He did it by exposing it to varying daylight hours. He claims that we don't need to raise young songbirds to the level necessary for a 6- or 10-hour flight. We can remove them from the cage and place them in the wind tunnel. There they can fly for ten hours if they are given the proper daylight cycle. Thus, the right answer is option B.

Human energy use developed in a different way from that of animals.

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: So our physiology evolved to let our weight and fitness fluctuate depending on how much food was available. This makes us evolutionarily different from most other animals, says Lieberman
Keywords: weight, fitness, food, evolutionary
Keyword Location: paragraph 10
Explanation: As per paragraph 10, human physiology changed to allow for fluctuations in weight and fitness based on the amount of food that was accessible. As per Lieberman, this sets us apart from the majority of other species in terms of evolution. Overall, animals just need to be able to engage in brief bursts of high activity, such as the gazelle escaping or the cheetah pursuing after its meal. Despite their speed, cats don't need to run very far. A domestic one might only need to make a few frantic laps around the house to stay in shape for feline reasons. As per Lieberman, humans needed to evolve to run more slowly yet for larger distances. Therefore, the answer is option C.

One type of bird may develop more strength when the weather becomes warmer or cooler.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: Barnacle geese, Halsey suggests, may be responding to an environmental change such as temperature
Keywords: barnacle geese, responding, environmental change
Keyword Location: paragraph 7
Explanation: According to paragraph 7, Halsey speculates that barnacle geese might be reacting to a shift in the environment. Temperature is one such factor that helps their bodies somehow "know" when a significant physical difficulty is about to arise. It's possible that this cue differs in other bird species. Hence, the answer is option A.

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