The Coral Reefs of Agatti Island Reading Answers

Dec 22, 2022

The Coral Reefs of Agatti Island Reading Answers is one of the reading topics with 13 questions that need to be answered in 20 minutes. IELTS reading passages are based on different topics like science, technology, arts, and humanities. A variety of question formats are used to assess reading ability. Skimming, grasping logical argumentation and recognizing writers' perspectives, attitudes, and intent are all examples of reading for gist. The IELTS reading sample article - The Coral Reefs of Agatti Island reading answers consists of questions like – Matching Information, and Choosing the correct answer. Similar topics like The coral reefs of Agatti Island Reading Answers are available for candidates online. They can also refer to IELTS Reading practice papers.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

The Coral Reefs of Agatti Island Reading Answers

Agatti is one of the Lakshadweep Islands off the southwest coast of India. These islands are surrounded by lagoons and coral reefs which are in turn surrounded by the open ocean. Coral reefs, which are formed from the skeletons of minute sea creatures, give shelter to a variety of plants and animals, and therefore have the potential to provide a stream of diverse benefits to the inhabitants of Agatti Island.
In the first place, the reefs provide food and other products for consumption by the islanders themselves. Foods include different types of fish, octopus and mollusks, and in the case of poorer families, these constitute as much as 90% of the protein they consume. Reef resources are also used for medicinal purposes. For example, the money cowrie, a shell known locally as Vallakavadi, is commonly made into a paste and used as a home remedy to treat cysts in the eye.
In addition, the reef contributes to income generation. According to a recent survey, 20%of the households on Agatti report lagoon fishing, or shingle, mollusk, octopus and cowrie collection as their main occupation (Hoon et al, 2002). For poor households, the direct contribution of the reef to their financial resources is significant: 12% of poor households are completely dependent on the reef for their household income, while 59% of poor households rely on the reef for 70% of their household income, and the remaining 29% for 50% of their household income.
Bartering of reef resources also commonly takes place, both between islanders and between islands. For example, Agatti Island is known for its abundance of octopus, and this is often used to obtain products from nearby Androth Island. Locally, reef products may be given by islanders in return for favours, such as help in constructing a house or net mending, or for other products such as rice, coconuts or fish.
The investment required to exploit the reefs is minimal. It involves simple, locally available tools and equipment, some of which can be used without a boat, such as the fishing practice known as Kat moodsal. This is carried out in the shallow eastern lagoon of Agatti by children and adults, close to shore at low tide, throughout the year. A small cast net, a leaf bag, and plastic slippers are all that are required, and the activity can yield 10–12 small fish (approximately 1 kg) for household consumption. Cast nets are not expensive, and all the households in Agatti own at least one. Even the boats, which operate in the lagoon and near-shore reef, are constructed locally and have low running costs. They are either small, non-mechanised, traditional wooden rowing boats, known as Thonis, or rafts, known as Tharappam.
During more than 400 years of occupation and survival, the Agatti islanders have developed an intimate knowledge of the reefs. They have knowledge of numerous different types of fish and where they can be found according to the tide or lunar cycle. They have also developed a local naming system or folk taxonomy, naming fish according to their shape. Sometimes the same species is given different names depending on its size and age. For example, a full grown Emperor fish is called Metti and a juvenile is called Killokam. The abundance of each species at different fishing grounds is also well known. Along with this knowledge of reef resources, the islanders have developed a wide range of skills and techniques for exploiting them. A multitude of different fishing techniques are still used by the islanders, each targeting different areas of the reef and particular species.
The reef plays an important role in the social lives of the islanders too, being an integralpart of traditions and rituals. Most of the island’s folklore revolves around the reef and sea. There is hardly any tale or song which does not mention the traditional sailing crafts, known as Odams, the journeys of enterprising ‘heroes’, the adventures of sea fishing and encounters with sea creatures. Songs that women sing recollect women looking for returning Odams, and requesting the waves to be gentler and the breeze just right for the sails. There are stories of the benevolent sea ghost baluvam, whose coming to shore is considered a harbinger of prosperity for that year, bringing more coconuts, more fish and general well-being.
The reef is regarded by the islanders as common property, and all the islanders are entitled to use the lagoon and reef resources. In the past, fishing groups would obtain permission from the Amin (island head person) and go fishing in the grounds allotted by him. On their return, the Amin would be given a share of the catch, normally one of the best or biggest fish. This practice no longer exists, but there is still a code of conduct or etiquette for exploiting the reef, and common respect for this is an effective way of avoiding conflict or disputes.
Exploitation of such vast and diverse resources as the reefs and lagoon surrounding the island has encouraged collaborative efforts, mainly for purposes of safety, but also as a necessity in the operation of many fishing techniques. For example, an indigenous gear and operation known as Bala fadal involve 25–30 men. Reef gleaning for cowrie collection by groups of 6–10 women is also a common activity, and even today, although its economic significance is marginal, it continues as a recreational activity.

Section 2

Solution With Explanation

Questions 1-9
The Reading Passage has nine paragraphs A–I.
Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.

List of Phrases

Island legends
Resources for exchange
Competition for fishing rights
The low cost of equipment
Agatti's favourable location
Rising income levels
The social nature of reef occupations
Resources for islanders' own use
High levels of expertise
Alternative sources of employment
Resources for earning money
Social rights and obligations

Question 1:

Answer: v
Supporting Statement: Agatti is one of the Lakshadweep Islands off the southwest coast of India.
Keywords: Lakshadweep, coral reefs
Keyword Location: Paragraph A
Explanation: It is stated in paragraph A that the open ocean and lagoons that surround Agatti are themselves bordered by coral reefs. This makes the island's position advantageous. So, v is the correct answer.

Question 2:

Answer: viii
Supporting Statement: In the first place, the reefs provide food and other products for consumption by the islanders themselves.
Keywords: food
Keyword Location: Paragraph B
Explanation: According to paragraph B, the reefs supply food and other goods for the islanders to consume. They eat a variety of fish, octopuses, and mollusks, which account for up to 90% of their protein intake. Resources from the reef are also utilised medically. For instance, the money cowrie, also known as Vallakavadi in the region, is a shell that is frequently ground into the a paste and utilized as a natural cure to treat eye cysts. Consequently, the coral reef provides a variety of resources to the islanders.

Question 3:

Answer: xi
Supporting Statement: According to a recent survey, 20% of the households on Agatti report lagoon fishing, or shingle, mollusc, octopus and cowrie collection as their main occupation (Hoon et al, 2002).
Keywords: households, fishing, or shingle, mollusc, octopus, cowrie collection
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: The information in paragraph C states that the reef helps to generate money. Lagoon fishing, shingle, mollusk, octopus, and cowrie gathering are the primary occupations listed by 20% of the families on Agatti. For poor households, the reef makes a significant direct financial contribution: 12% of poor households depend entirely on the coral for one‘s household income, 59% of poor households depend just on reef for 70% of one‘s family income, and the remainder 29% depend on the reef for 50% of their family income. In order to make a living, the islanders' resources are the subject of this paragraph. So, xi is the correct answer.

Question 4:

Answer: ii
Supporting Statement: Bartering of reef resources also commonly takes place, both between islanders and between islands.
Keywords: Bartering
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: The practise of trading reef resources, both within and between islands, is mentioned in paragraph D. For instance, Agatti Island is well-known for its profusion of octopus, which is frequently utilised to procure goods from neighbouring Androth Island. Locally, islanders may donate reef items in exchange for favours like assistance with home construction or net repair, or for other goods like rice, coconuts, or fish. As a result, both the islands and their inhabitants trade resources from of the coral reef. So, ii is the correct answer.

Question 5:

Answer: iv
Supporting Statement: The investment required to exploit the reefs is minimal.
Keywords: investment
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: The smallest expenditure needed to utilise the reefs is described in paragraph E. It requires basic, locally accessible tools and equipment, some of which may be utilised without a boat, like the Kat moodsal method of fishing. All that is needed for the activity is a tiny cast net, a leaf bag, and a pair of plastic slippers, and it may produce 10–12 little fish (about 1 kilogramme) for home use. All of the homes in Agatti have at least one cast net since they are not pricey. Even the boats, which run in the lagoon and reef close to the coast, are made locally and have cheap operating expenses. So, the islanders catch fish and make money by using inexpensive, locally built equipment. The solution is thus iv.

Question 6:

Answer: ix
Supporting Statement: During more than 400 years of occupation and survival, the Agatti islanders have developed an intimate knowledge of the reefs.
Keywords: occupation
Keyword Location: Paragraph F
Explanation: The Agatti islanders have lived there for more than 400 years, and according to paragraph F, they have amassed a thorough understanding of the reefs. They are knowledgeable about a wide variety of fish species and where to find them depending on the tide or moon cycle. Additionally, they have created a regional naming scheme, or folk taxonomy, in which fish are named based on their form. In addition to having knowledge of reef resources, the islanders have also mastered a variety of skills and methods for using them. The islanders continue to employ a wide variety of fishing methods, each of which focuses on a distinct region of the reef and particular species. As a result, the islanders have developed a high degree of fish-related expertise.

Question 7:

Answer: i
Supporting Statement: The reef plays an important role in the social lives of the islanders too, being an integral part of traditions and rituals.
Keywords: social lives, traditions and rituals
Keyword Location: Paragraph G
Explanation: According to paragraph G, the reef is significant to the social life of the islanders since it is a crucial component of their customs and rituals. The reef and water play a big role in the island's mythology. There aren't many stories or songs that don't reference classic sailing vessels, the exploits of intrepid "heroes," sea fishing experiences, and encounters with marine life. There are legends of a kind sea ghost who, by coming ashore, heralds good fortune for the following year by bringing more fish, coconuts, and other bounty. As a result, this paragraph discusses the songs and stories that make up the island's mythology. So, I is the correct answer.

Question 8:

Answer: xii
Supporting Statement: The reef is regarded by the islanders as common property, and all the islanders are entitled to use the lagoon and reef resources.
Keywords: common property, Amin
Keyword Location: Paragraph H
Explanation: The inhabitants view the reef as common property, and everyone on the island has the right to exploit the lagoon and reef resources, as stated in paragraph H. In the past, fishing parties would ask the Amin (the island's top person) for permission before entering his designated fishing areas. The Amin would receive a portion of the fish upon their return. Although this approach is no longer used, there is still a code of behaviour or etiquette for using the reef, and maintaining this respect is a good way to keep conflicts at bay. As a result, the islanders uphold their social rights and fulfil their duties, some of which are included in this sentence. So, xii is the correct response.

Question 9:

Answer: vii
Supporting Statement: Exploitation of such vast and diverse resources as the reefs and lagoon surrounding the island has encouraged collaborative efforts, mainly for purposes of safety, but also as a necessity in the operation of many fishing techniques.
Keywords: Exploitation, collaborative efforts, diverse resources
Keyword Location: Paragraph I
Explanation: Paragraph I point out that the use of such huge and varied resources as the reefs and lagoon around the island has fostered teamwork, mostly for safety reasons but also because it is necessary for the operation of numerous fishing techniques. For instance, Bala fadal, an indigenous tool and operation, employs 25–30 workers. Reef gleaning for the purpose of women collecting cowrie is another frequent practise, and it is still done for fun even if its economic relevance is little. Therefore, actions involving the reefs are not just for economic gain but also for recreational purposes. Hence, the answer is vii.

Questions 10-13:

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

What proportion of poor households get all their income from reef products?

Answer: A
Supporting Statement: 12% of poor households are completely dependent on the reef for their household income, while 59% of poor households rely on the reef for 70% of their household income
Keywords: 12% of poor households
Keyword Location: paragraph C
Explanation: According to paragraph C, 12% of low-income households depend entirely (receive all their revenue) just on reef for the household income. Hence, the answer is A.

Kat moodsal fishing

is a seasonal activity.
is a commercial activity.
requires little investment.
requires the use of a rowing boat.

Answer: C
Supporting Statement: The investment required to exploit the reefs is minimal.
Keywords: investment
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: The expenditure needed to utilise the reefs is small, according to paragraph E. (little investment). Without a boat, inexpensive, locally accessible gear and equipment can be employed for fishing techniques like Kat moodsal. Typically, a tiny cast net, a leaf bag, and plastic slippers are used for the activity. Cast nets are reasonably priced, and even the boats are built nearby and have cheap operating expenses. Hence, the answer is C.

Which characteristic of present-day islanders do the writers describe?

physical strength
fishing expertise
courage
imagination

Answer: B
Supporting Statement: During more than 400 years of occupation and survival, the Agatti islanders have developed an intimate knowledge of the reefs.
Keywords: knowledge of numerous different types of fish
Keyword Location: Paragraph FU
Explanation: The Agatti islanders have lived there for more than 400 years, and according to paragraph F, they have amassed a thorough understanding of the reefs. They are knowledgeable about a wide variety of fish species and where to find them depending on the tide or moon cycle. Additionally, they have created a regional naming scheme, or folk taxonomy, in which fish are named based on their form. In addition to having knowledge of reef resources, the islanders have also mastered a variety of skills and methods for using them. The islanders continue to employ a wide variety of fishing methods, each of which focuses on a distinct region of the reef or particular species. The authors then go on to detail modern islanders' fishing prowess. So, B is the correct response.

What do the writers say about the system for using the reef on Agatti?

Fish catch is shared equally.
The reef owner issues permits.
There are frequent disputes.
There is open access.

Answer: D
Supporting sentence: The reef is regarded by the islanders as common property, and all the islanders are entitled to use the lagoon and reef resources.
Keyword: common property
Keyword Location: paragraph H
Explanation: The islanders view the reef as common property, and they all have the right to enjoy the lagoon and reef resources, as stated in paragraph H. Before, going fishing required getting permission from of the Amin (the island's main person) and using his designated areas. However, this method is no longer used, and visitors can freely reach the reef on Agatti. Hence, the answer is D.

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