How Sled Dogs and Pets Respond when the Clocks Change Reading Answers

Jul 24, 2025

How Sled Dogs and Pets Respond when the Clocks Change Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. How Sled Dogs and Pets Respond when the Clocks Change Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions, such as Complete each sentence with the correct ending. Choose the correct ending and write the letter in the gap. Choose no more than one word for each. And Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage? write true, false, or not given.

The candidate's understanding and assessment of academic and general texts are examined in the IELTS Reading Section. Using IELTS Reading Practice Questions, you can increase your vocabulary, sharpen your critical reading skills, and become more familiar with the various question types in reading tasks. Furthermore, practice enhances vocabulary and improves analytical reading skills, both of which are necessary for success. It's critical to comprehend the guidelines for every question type and create effective ways to manage time to receive excellent band scores.

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Topic:

HOW SLED DOGS AND PETS RESPOND WHEN THE CLOCKS CHANGE

Many people struggle with the biannual time shift caused by daylight saving time, often finding it difficult to adjust to the sudden change in their daily routine. However, humans are not the only ones affected. A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Toronto has revealed that sled dogs in Ontario, Canada, also experience noticeable disruptions when the clocks change, particularly when they “fall back” in autumn.

The study, which was published in the journal PLoS One, examined how the time shift impacted sled dogs whose daily lives are structured by a strict schedule. Researchers placed movement sensors on a group of sled dogs in Ontario's Haliburton Forest Wildlife Reserve and found that, the morning after the clocks went back an hour, the dogs were active and moving around an hour earlier than usual. This shift indicated that the dogs' internal clocks had not adjusted immediately to the new schedule.

Interestingly, pet dogs of the same breeds—Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes—showed no such effect. Unlike their working counterparts, these pet dogs appeared to sleep through the extra hour without showing signs of restlessness. The contrast between the two groups suggested that routine and environmental factors played a significant role in how animals responded to human-imposed schedule changes. Dr. Lavania Nagendran, one of the lead researchers on the study, admitted that she was surprised by the results. “l wasn't expecting any differences between the two groups of dogs,” she said. “But it was fascinating to see how the sled dogs were so precisely aligned to their routine.”

The research is part of a broader study investigating behavioural differences between wolves and domestic dogs. Co-lead researcher Ming Fei Li explained that their team is interested in understanding whether wolves can also adapt to schedule changes and whether this ability evolved naturally in canines or was developed through domestication. “Not all animals can simply adjust their schedules in response to human influences,” Li said. “We want to determine if flexibility in daily activity is something that predates domestication or if it was imposed on dogs by humans.”

Much of the existing research on the effects of daylight saving time has focused on human health and sleep patterns. Studies have indicated that the time shift can lead to disrupted sleep, increased fatigue, and even a short-term rise in traffic accidents due to drowsy driving. However, this study is the first to examine how domestic dogs react to the biannual time change.

The study was conducted in 2021. The researchers fitted motion trackers onto 25 sled dogs and 29 pet dogs in or near Ontario. Participants, the pet owners, kept detailed notes of their dogs' behaviour and returned the data to the research team. “They were amazing,” Li said of the pet owners. “They asked great questions, followed our instructions carefully, and provided really useful data.” The data revealed that sled dogs, whose schedules were dictated by their handlers, found the shift jarring. Prior to the time change, their human caregivers arrived at sunrise to feed them and begin their daily routines. On the morning following the shift, however, the sled dogs were up and active an hour before their handlers appeared, seemingly confused by the delayed start to their day.

Despite this initial disruption, the sled dogs quickly adapted. By the second day, most of them had realigned their activity to match their handlers' new schedule. This quick adjustment suggests that while they are highly attuned to their routines, they are also capable of flexibility once a new pattern is established. In contrast, pet dogs did not show the same level of disruption. Despite anecdotal reports from pet owners claiming their dogs become restless or demand food earlier after the time change, the study found no measurable difference in pet dogs' activity levels. They appeared to adjust effortlessly to the new schedule, possibly because their daily routines were less regimented than those of working sled dogs.

One key takeaway from the study is that working dogs, such as sled dogs, may benefit from a gradual transition when adjusting to time changes. While this study focused on sled dogs and pet dogs, it raises broader questions about how other animals with structured routines may react to daylight saving time. Farm animals, zoo animals, and even service dogs might experience similar disruptions. Future research could explore whether gradual transitions help other species adjust more smoothly to schedule changes.

Questions 1-3

Complete each sentence with the correct ending. Choose the correct ending and write the letter in the gap.

1. Similar to humans, some animals have

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “Many people struggle with the biannual time shift caused by daylight saving time… However, humans are not the only ones affected. A recent study… revealed that sled dogs… also experience noticeable disruptions…”

Keywords: struggle, humans, disruptions

Keyword Location: Para 1, Lines 1-4

Explanation: Just like humans, sled dogs also showed signs of difficulty adapting to the time change, confirming the similarity in behaviour.

2. This similarity was discovered when the sled dogs had

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “…the morning after the clocks went back an hour, the dogs were active and moving around an hour earlier than usual.”

Keywords: dogs, active and moving

Keyword Location: Para 2, Line 4

Explanation: The sled dogs followed their previous schedule, waking up early despite the change, showing they continued their usual routine.

3. One researcher wants to find out if the canine's ability to adjust had

Answer: E

Supporting statement:”…whether this ability evolved naturally in canines or was developed through domestication.”

Keywords: evolved naturally, domestication

Keyword Location: Para 4, Line 4

Explanation: The research explores whether dogs’ adaptability was a natural trait or a result of domestication.

A. been influenced by other pets.

B. continued with their usual routine despite an adjusted schedule.

C. given importance to daylight saving time.

D. difficulty adjusting to daylight saving time.

E. developed naturally over time.

F. aligned their schedules to their pet counterparts.

Questions 4-9

Choose NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each.

4. As mentioned in the study, researchers put………………on the dogs to check their activity.

Answer: SENSORS / TRACKERS

Supporting statement: “Researchers placed movement sensors on a group of sled dogs…”

Keywords: sensors, sled dogs

Keyword Location: Para 2, Line 3

Explanation: The study used sensors or trackers to monitor dog activity. Both words are accurate and can be found directly in the text.

5. Contrary to the sled dogs, the pets slept without any………………..

Answer: RESTLESSNESS

Supporting statement: “Unlike their working counterparts, these pet dogs appeared to sleep through the extra hour without showing signs of restlessness.”

Keywords: counterparts, restlessness

Keyword Location: Para 3, Lines 2-3

Explanation: Pet dogs didn’t show restlessness, which contrasts with the sled dogs’ earlier activity, making restlessness

6. One researcher ……………..she was shocked by the findings.

Answer: ADMITTED

Supporting statement: “Dr. Lavania Nagendran, one of the lead researchers on the study, admitted that she was surprised by the results.”

Keywords: Dr. Lavania Nagendran, admitted

Keyword Location: Para 3, Lines 5-6

Explanation: Dr. Lavania Nagendran admitted her surprise at the differences observed between sled dogs and pet dogs. This word accurately completes the sentence, reflecting her reaction to the findings.

7. Another researcher is trying to discover if wolves can cope with an altered ...................

Answer: SCHEDULE

Supporting statement: “Co-lead researcher Ming Fei Li explained that their team is interested in understanding whether wolves can also adapt to schedule changes…”

Keywords: researcher, schedule

Keyword Location: Para 4, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The study explores whether wolves can adapt to a changed schedule.

8. Dog owners in Ontario helped by providing………………. information to the researchers.

Answer: DETAILED

Supporting statement: “Participants, the pet owners, kept detailed notes of their dogs' behaviour and returned the data to the research team.”

Keywords: detailed, research

Keyword Location: Para 6, Lines 2-3

Explanation: Pet owners provided detailed information in the form of notes on their dogs’ behaviour.

9. Before the change in schedule, handlers would meet the dogs at……………. To start their day.

Answer: SUNRISE

Supporting statement: “Prior to the time change, their human caregivers arrived at sunrise to feed them and begin their daily routines.”

Keywords: change, caregivers

Keyword Location: Para 6, Lines 6-7

Explanation: The sled dogs' handlers began their day at sunrise, which is the correct word to complete the sentence.

Questions 10-14

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage? Write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this.

10. Researcher Ming Fe Li knows wolves are able to adjust to schedule changes.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “Co-lead researcher Ming Fei Li explained that their team is interested in understanding whether wolves can also adapt to schedule changes…”

Keywords: Ming Fei Li, wolves

Keyword Location: Para 4, Lines 2-3

Explanation: Ming Fei Li is still investigating whether wolves can adjust to schedule changes. He does not already know, which contradicts the statement.

11. It is clear that daylight saving time can negatively impact people.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “Studies have indicated that the time shift can lead to disrupted sleep, increased fatigue, and even a short-term rise in traffic accidents due to drowsy driving.”

Keywords: disrupted sleep, fatigue

Keyword Location: Para 5, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The passage clearly states that daylight saving time leads to negative effects on human health and safety, including disrupted sleep and fatigue.

12. The participating pet owners were amazed at the results of the study.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: While the pet owners were praised for their cooperation and data collection, there is no information about their reaction to the results of the study, such as whether they were amazed.

13. In the study, all of the sled dogs had adjusted to the new schedule by the next day.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “Despite this initial disruption, the sled dogs quickly adapted. By the second day, most of them had realigned their activity to match their handlers’ new schedule.”

Keywords: disruption, schedule

Keyword Location: Para 7, Lines 1-2

Explanation: The statement says “all” sled dogs had adjusted by the next day, but the passage clearly says “most” adjusted by the second day — implying not all adjusted immediately.

14. It is suggested that other creatures might be affected by daylight saving time.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “While this study focused on sled dogs and pet dogs, it raises broader questions about how other animals with structured routines may react to daylight saving time. Farm animals, zoo animals, and even service dogs might experience similar disruptions.”

Keywords: structured routines, similar disruptions

Keyword Location: Para 8, Lines 3-5

Explanation: The passage suggests (but does not confirm) that other animals like farm animals, zoo animals, and service dogs might also be affected by daylight saving time.

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