Psychometrics - IELTS Reading Sample with Explanation

IELTS Reading is the second task in the IELTS exam. In the IELTS Reading test you will be given a passage to read and you will need to answer different types of questions with the help of information from the passage. This particular IELTS Reading topic - Psychometrics has been repeated a couple of times in the previous IELTS Reading question papers. This passage contains the following question types from IELTS Reading Question Types:

• Matching information
• True/False/Not Given
• Choose the correct answer

Psychometrics – IELTS Reading Answers with Explanation

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Topic: Psychometrics - IELTS Reading Sample

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1. Psychometrics involves psychological and educational assessment of the subject by way of measuring attitudes, personality, abilities, and knowledge. The field has two primary focuses; the creation of measurement instruments and procedures and development and enhancement of existing methodology employed.
2. The concept of psychometric testing introduced long before the establishment of IQ testing and other current methodologies, was first explored by Francis Galton who developed the first testing procedures supposedly related to intelligence; however, his measurement tools were in fact based upon physical and physiological benchmarks rather than testing of the mind itself. Measurements included the physical power, height, and weight of subjects which were recorded and results used to estimate the intelligence of subjects. While the approach was not successful, the studies conducted by Galton were to influence the work of future researchers. Approaches to measurement of intelligence, which is defined as the mind’s relative ability to reason, think, conceptually plan, solve problems, understand and learn, were later developed by pioneers such as Charles Spearman. Significant contributions to its early development were also made by Wilhelm Wundt, L.L. Thurstone, Ernst Heinrich Weber, and Gustav Fechner.
3. The most well-known traditional approach to the development of psychometric instruments to measure intelligence is the Stanford-Binet IQ test, originally developed by French psychologist Alfred Binet. Researchers define intelligence as separate to other attributes such as personality, character, creativity and even knowledge and wisdom for their assessment. Intelligence testing methods are not intended to determine a level of genetic intelligence separate from and unaffected by the environment to which the individual has been exposed to in life; rather measure the intelligence of an individual appears as a result of both nature and nurture. Psychometrics is today a useful and widely used tool used for measurement of abilities in academic areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics.
4. IQ tests are commonly used to test intelligence, though some believe that this testing is unfair and not truly representative of the subject’s intellect as individuals may excel in different areas of reasoning. Psychologist Howard Gardner, working on this assumption, introduced the concept of an individual cognitive profile in 1983 in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. He holds that one child may perform excellently in one aspect, yet fail in another and that their overall performance in a number of intellectual areas should be considered. Gardner first identified seven different types of intelligence, these being; linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal and intrapersonal. In 1999 after further research he added the 8th element to the equation; naturalistic intelligence, and at the time of writing is investigating the possibility of a 9th; this being existential intelligence.
5. The first intelligence as defined by Gardner in the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, linguistic intelligence, relates to an individual’s ability to process and communicate written and spoken words. Such people are said to excel at reading, writing, story-telling, learning a foreign language and the memorizing of words and dates. The logical-mathematical category is related to a person’s ability to reason logically, think scientifically, make deductions and perform well in mathematic calculations. Spatial intelligence is related to vision and spatial judgment; such individuals have been observed to have a strong visual memory and the potential to excel in artistic subjects. Those exhibiting a leaning towards the third classification, bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, often learn best by physically practising an action rather than by reading or seeing.
6. Musical intelligence, as the name suggests, relates to ability in defining differences in rhythm and tones; individuals possessing musical intelligence are often able to sing, play musical instruments and compose music to a high standard. Since a high level of audio-related ability exists, many in this category are said to learn well in a lecture situation where they are required to listen attentively to information. Interpersonal intelligence relates to an individual’s ability to communicate and empathize with others; typically extrovert, they learn well through discussion, debate, and interaction with others, The last of the 7 original categories identified by Gardner, intrapersonal intelligence, fit the opposite description of interpersonal intelligence; such individuals working best independently. According to Gardner they are capable of high levels of self-reflection and are often perfectionists.
7. A number of psychometric experts, however, oppose Gardner’s view and have reservations about the validity of his theories. Firstly, some detractors disagree with the overall definition of intelligence used in Gardner’s theory. They hold that some categories such as interpersonal or intrapersonal intelligence relate more to personality that cognitive performance. The more recently identified naturalistic intelligence, which relates to an affinity to the natural world and an ability to nurture and cultivate, has been dismissed completely by many as no more than a hobby. Doubts have been raised that others, such as musical intelligence, are in real talents. A final criticism attached to the theory is that some believe that the intelligence cannot be treated as separate entities as some individuals may perform equally well in what could be considered diverse areas; linguistic and logical-mathematical for example. Gardner, however, maintains that his theories are sound since an identifiable and separate part of the brain is responsible for controlling aspects related to each of the different types of intelligence,
8. Despite the criticism received from some of his contemporaries, Gardner’s theories are well respected and often applied in the world of education as a tool for identifying children’s differing abilities and potential career paths. For Instance, those showing linguistic capabilities are said to be ideal in roles including writing, politics, and teaching; logical-mathematical thinkers suited to careers in science, mathematics, law, medicine and philosophy. Those exhibiting spatial intelligence are said to be suited to a career such as art, engineering or architecture; while individuals with a leaning towards bodily-kinesthetic intelligence may excel in areas such as athletics, dancing or craft-making. Strengths in the area of musical intelligence are said to often lead to success as a singer, conductor or musician. Those displaying strong interpersonal skills have been recognized as often making effective politicians, managers, diplomats and social workers; while those showing a dominant intrapersonal intelligence are said to be better suited to professions involving more self-reflection and lower levels of interaction with the outside world such as writing, philosophy or theology.

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Questions 1 – 5.

Reading Passage has eight paragraphs A-H. Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter A-H in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.
NB.You may use any letter more than once.

1) Physiological evidence from Gardner that his intelligence theories are sound.

Answer: G

Supporting Sentence: Gardner however maintains that his theories are sound, since an identifiable and separate part of the brain is responsible for controlling aspects related to each of the different types of intelligence.

Keywords: Gardner, theories, intelligence, sound.

Keyword Location: Last Line, Section G

Explanation: Gardner, on the other hand, thinks that his theories are sound since an identifiable and separate portion of the brain is in charge of governing features relevant to each type of intelligence. So, the correct match for the given sentence is Paragraph G.

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2) Aims of intelligence testing

Answer: C

Supporting Sentence: Intelligence testing methods are not intended to determine a level of genetic intelligence separate from and unaffected by the environment to which the individual has been exposed to in life; rather to measure the intelligence of an individual apparent as a result of both nature and nurture.

Keywords: Intelligence, Testing, Aims

Keyword Location: 3rd Line, Section C

Explanation: Intelligence testing methods are not intended to determine a level of genetic intelligence that is separate from and unaffected by the environment to which the individual has been exposed in life; rather, they are intended to measure an individual's intelligence as a result of both nature and nurture. So, the correct match for the given sentence is Paragraph C.

3) Initial failure in successful measurement

Answer: B

Supporting Sentence: While the approach was not successful, the studies conducted by Galton were to influence the work of future researchers.

Keywords: Initial, Approach, Successful, Failure

Keyword Location: 3rd Line, Section B

Explanation: Galton's investigations were to impact the work of subsequent academics, despite the fact that the approach was not successful. So, the correct match for the given sentence is Paragraph B.

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4) How high level social skills are linked and classified as interpersonal intelligence.

Answer: F

Supporting Sentence: Since a high level of audio-related ability exists, many in this category are said to learn well in a lecture situation where they are required to listen attentively to information.

Keywords: High, Level, How

Keyword Location: 2nd Line, Section F

Explanation: Because they have a high level of audio-related skill, many people in this category are believed to learn well in a lecture setting where they must listen carefully to material. So, the correct match for the given sentence is Paragraph F.

5) Differences in opinions on what constitutes talent or intelligence

Answer: C

Supporting Sentence: Intelligence testing methods are not intended to determine a level of genetic intelligence separate from and unaffected by the environment to which the individual has been exposed to in life; rather to measure the intelligence of an individual apparent as a result of both nature and nurture.

Keywords: Differences, Opinion, Intended, Intelligence

Keyword Location: 3rd Line, Section C

Explanation: Intelligence testing methods are designed to evaluate a person's intelligence as a product of both nature and nurture, rather than to identify a degree of genetic intelligence independent from and unaffected by the environment to which the individual has been exposed in life. So, the correct match for the given sentence is Paragraph C.

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Questions 6 – 11.

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 3?
In boxes 32-37 on your answer sheet write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this

6) Early studies into intelligence were misguided and have had no impact on today’s methods.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting Sentence: While the approach was not successful, the studies conducted by Galton were to influence the work of future researchers.

Keywords: Early, Future, Intelligence, Impact, Influence

Keyword Location: 3rd Line, Section B

Explanation: Galton's investigations were to impact the work of subsequent academics, despite the fact that the approach was not successful. So, the statement is FALSE.

7) Research into IQ is designed to determine the level of intelligence an individual is born with.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting Sentence: Intelligence testing methods are not intended to determine a level of genetic intelligence separate from and unaffected by the environment to which the individual has been exposed to in life; rather to measure the intelligence of an individual apparent as a result of both nature and nurture.

Keywords: determine, intend, genetic, intelligence, born with

Keyword Location: 3rd Line, Section C

Explanation: Intelligence testing methods are designed to evaluate a person's intelligence as a product of both nature and nurture, rather than to identify a degree of genetic intelligence independent from and unaffected by the environment to which the individual has been exposed in life. So, the statement is FALSE.

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8) Howard Gardner has confirmed 9 different types of intelligence.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting Sentence: In 1999 after further research he added an 8th element to the equation; naturalistic intelligence, and at the time of writing is investigating the possibility of a 9th; this being existential intelligence.

Keywords: Types, Types of Intelligence, 9

Keyword Location: Last Line, Section D

Explanation: After more investigation, he added an eighth ingredient to the equation in 1999: naturalistic intelligence, and is currently looking into the potential of a ninth: existential intelligence. So, the statement is FALSE.

9) Spatial intelligence has been linked to creativity.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting Sentence: Spatial intelligence is related to vision and spatial judgement; such individuals have been observed to have a strong visual memory and the potential to excel in artistic subjects.

Keywords: Spatial Intelligence, Creativity, Artistic, linked

Keyword Location: 4th Line, Section E

Explanation: Spatial intelligence is linked to vision and spatial judgement; persons with high spatial intelligence have been reported to have a strong visual memory and the ability to thrive in artistic topics. So, the statement is TRUE.

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10) An individual may demonstrate high levels of intelligence in contradictory areas.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting Sentence: A final criticism attached to the theory is that some believe that the intelligences cannot be treated as separate entities as some individuals may perform equally well in what could be considered diverse areas; linguistic and logical-mathematical for example.

Keywords: High level, Contradictory Area, Criticism

Keyword Location: 6th Line, Section G

Explanation: Finally, some critics of the theory claim that intelligences cannot be classified as different entities because some people do equally well in what could be considered disparate fields, such as linguistics and logical-mathematical reasoning. So, the statement is TRUE.

11) Those demonstrating intrapersonal intelligence always make bad managers.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: They may be more suited to different fields, but it does not mean they are necessarily poor managers.

Questions 12 – 14.

Choose the correct letter A, B, C, or D.
Write your answers in boxes 12-14 on your answer sheet.

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12. Some believe that IQ tests do not correctly estimate an individual’s intelligence because

1. the tests are based on physical and physiological benchmarks.
2. Some people may perform badly on the day of the test.
3. while people may have weaknesses in one area they may have strengths in others.
4. the tests do not accurately assess the person’s ability to reason, think and solve problems.

Answer: C

Supporting Sentence: IQ tests are commonly used to test intelligence, though some believe that this testing is unfair and not truly representative of the subject’s intellect as individuals may excel in different areas of reasoning.

Keywords: individual, weaknesses, strengths

Keyword Location: 1st Line, Section D

Explanation: IQ tests are often used to assess intelligence, while others argue that they are unfair and do not accurately reflect the subject's intellect because people excel in different areas of reasoning. So, the correct option is C.

13. The intelligence, as classified by Gardner, relating to an ability to memorise items seen is

1. linguistic intelligence.
2. logico-mathematica! intelligence.
3. spatial intelligence.
4. bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.

Answer: C

Supporting Sentence: Spatial intelligence is related to vision and spatial judgement; such individuals have been observed to have a strong visual memory and the potential to excel in artistic subjects.

Keywords: spatial intelligence, ability to memorise

Keyword Location: 4th Line, Section E

Explanation: Spatial intelligence is linked to vision and spatial judgement; persons with high spatial intelligence have been reported to have a strong visual memory and the ability to thrive in artistic topics. So, the correct option is C.

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14. The harshest criticism of Gardner’s theory has been focussed towards

1. interpersonal intelligence.
2. intrapersonal intelligence.
3. musical intelligence.
4. naturalistic intelligence.

Answer: D

Supporting Sentence: The more recently identified naturalistic intelligence, which relates to an affinity to the natural world and an ability to nurture and cultivate, has been dismissed completely by many as no more than a hobby.

Keywords: naturalistic intelligence, harshest criticism

Keyword Location: 4th Line, Section G

Explanation: Many people consider the more recently identified naturalistic intelligence, which is linked to an affinity for the natural world and the ability to nurture and cultivate, as little more than a pastime. So, the correct option is D.