The Evolution of Human Species Reading Answers

Sep 16, 2024

The evolution of human species Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The evolution of human species Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the questions set there are questions where you have to fill in the blanks with correct answers. The next set of questions require you to choose the correct paragraph as a answer.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers feature topics such as The evolution of human species Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Section 1

THE EVOLUTION OF THE HUMAN SPECIES

What is Human Evolution?

Evolution is the process through which different types of living organisms developed from earlier forms through the course of earth's history. The earlier forms of the human species are certain ape-like creatures of the past. Based on scientific findings, it is believed that it took roughly 6 million years for people to become 'people' - that is, for us to evolve into human beings who have similar physical and behavioural characteristics.
Think about what makes humans similar to one another. The first, most obvious connection between us all is our bipedalism, which evolved more than 4 million years ago - the ability to walk upright on 2, not 4, legs. The other important characteristic which sets us apart is our complicated brain system which enables us to do so many wonderful things, of which first and foremost is language - this developed much later. Even later, around 100,000 years back, we developed the abilities to read, write and express ourselves through art, symbolism and cultural multiplicity.
In spite of all our unique characteristics, it can still be argued that present-day humans (aka Homo Sapiens) are, genetically and physically, close kin to primates. For example, we share hands and forward facing eyes with primates such as lemurs. Other apes, such as gorillas and chimpanzees, share common origins with us in Africa between 8 to 6 million years ago. In fact, scientists have till date discovered around 15 to 20 species of early humans, and have determined that Africa is the epicenter of human evolution because the fossils of early humans who existed between 6 to 2 million years ago have been found only in Africa.
There is a probability that migration out of Africa to different parts of the globe started around 2 to 1.8 million years back. Europe saw its first humans 1.5-1 million years back, while Australia was populated as late as 60,000 years ago, and the Americas, just 30,000 years ago. When humans started settling, agriculture made its appearance around 12,000 years ago.

What is Paleoanthropology?
The word paleoanthropology is made up of 2 parts - paleo, which means ancient past; and anthropology which is the study of the development through time of human societies and their cultures. Researches done in this field explore the genetic, physical or behavioural parallels and dissimilarities between humans and other species, and then try to determine how human abilities, predispositions or lack of capabilities have been affected by evolution. Some people deem this field of study to be important and stimulating, because it traces the path of essential and universal human characteristics back to their origins. Others, however, especially religious groups and traditionalists, find the ideas of evolution worrisome. Yet others have found ways to bring together, as seamlessly as possible, religious beliefs and scientific research.
How do scientists determine what early life looked like? Fossils have proven to provide the best answers to our questions. The various types of fossils found of humans include bones and implements - and sometimes, proof that they had 'households' or markings on animal bones which show that they had been cut up systematically for consumption. These fossilized remains indicate how these early humans acted, behaved and how their thinking became more complex over time as their brains changed. Archaeologists also mention how they have come to understand how early humans lived and interacted with their environment based on objects made by them and the places which they inhabited.

The Evolutionary Process
The evolutionary process refers to a succession of natural modifications which lead to the development of a new species, which then learns how to live and interact with the environment and eventually dies out. This process is applicable to all organisms. Among organisms which take part in sexual reproduction (including humans), the term 'biological evolution' specifically refers to the full grown organisms who breed within their own species and produce young who in turn go on to reproduce when they get older. Each species within this type of organisms has a scientific name, which are usually made up of 2 words, and in the case of humans, the name is Homo Sapiens.
All organisms have DNA 'Genes' are contained within DNA - and are responsible for providing a chemical 'code' which produces proteins. What an organism looks like and how it behaves are affected by genes, therefore genetic traits which are passed on through generations are essentials in deciding whether that organism can survive and reproduce. DNA can mutate and correspondingly, the way genes affect physical form or actions of organisms can also change.
Evolution is, however, not a term applied to individuals. It is connected to entire species. Evolution signifies the changes in the growth and development of an entire populace, that is, all the individuals of a specific species who live in a similar environment. Human evolution is no different - it happened at the genetic level, so that new abilities could develop which helped humans survive environmental changes better.

Questions 1-4

Fill in the gaps in the following table WITH ONE WORD:

Around 6 million years ago	Human evolution begins from (1)......... ancestors
Over 4 million years ago	(2)...... evolves
Between 4 million and100,000 years ago and	Humans acquire a large brain and theability for (3) ………..
Between 8 and 6 million years ago	A common (4)......... of human and thegreat apes of Africa lived during this period

Q.1

Answer: APE-LIKE

Supporting statement: “.......The earlier forms of the human species are certain ape-like creatures of the past........”

Keywords: species, earlier

Keyword Location: para A, Line 2

Explanation: The passage clearly indicates that the human species evolved from "ape-like creatures." This refers to our earliest ancestors, which were similar to apes in both appearance and behavior. Therefore, the correct answer is APE-LIKE, describing the ancestors from which humans evolved.

Q.2

Answer: BIPEDALISM

Supporting statement: “.......Bipedalism, which evolved more than 4 million years ago – the ability to walk upright on 2, not 4, legs........”

Keywords: Bipedalism, evolved

Keyword Location: para B, Line 2

Explanation: Bipedalism refers to the ability to walk on two legs, and this trait evolved more than 4 million years ago. The passage mentions that this was one of the earliest defining characteristics of humans. Thus, BIPEDALISM is the correct answer as it describes the evolution of walking upright.

Q.3

Answer: LANGUAGE

Supporting statement: “........Our complicated brain system...first and foremost is language - this developed much later.......”

Keywords: brain, language

Keyword Location: para B, Line 4

Explanation: The passage points out that one of the most important developments of the human brain is LANGUAGE, which came later in the evolutionary process. This ability to communicate with language is directly linked to the growth of the human brain, making LANGUAGE the correct answer.

Q.4

Answer: ORIGINS

Supporting statement: “........Other apes, such as gorillas and chimpanzees, share common origins with us in Africa.......”

Keywords: origins, humans

Keyword Location: para C, Line 3

Explanation: The passage mentions that humans and great apes, like gorillas and chimpanzees, share common origins in Africa. This emphasizes that both species evolved from the same ancestors, making ORIGINS the correct answer to describe the relationship between humans and apes.

Questions 5-8

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS/NUMBERS.

How many early species of humans were there according to a majority of scientists?

Answer: 15 TO 20

Supporting statement: “........Scientists have till date discovered around 15 to 20 species of early humans.......”

Keywords: species, early

Keyword Location: para C, Line 4

Explanation: The passage explicitly states that scientists have found between 15 to 20 species of early humans. This figure represents the variety of early human species discovered so far, making 15 TO 20 the correct answer.

Name the continent from where the earliest human migration began.

Answer: AFRICA

Supporting statement: “.......Africa is the epicenter of human evolution because the fossils of early humans...have been found only in Africa........”

Keywords: Africa, earliest

Keyword Location: para C, Line 5

Explanation: The passage identifies AFRICA as the continent where human evolution began, and from where early humans migrated. The mention of Africa being the "epicenter" solidifies AFRICA as the correct answer.

When, according to scientific estimates, did humans first reach Australia?

Answer: 60,000 YEARS AGO

Supporting statement: “.......Australia was populated as late as 60,000 years ago........”

Keywords: Australia, 60,000

Keyword Location: para D, Line 4

Explanation: The passage directly mentions that humans reached Australia around 60,000 YEARS AGO. This timeframe provides the correct answer to the question regarding the timing of human migration to Australia.

What momentous change happened in the journey of human civilization around 12,000 years ago or thereafter?

Answer: (INVENTION OF) AGRICULTURE

Supporting statement: “.......Agriculture made its appearance around 12,000 years ago........”

Keywords:ago, agriculture

Keyword Location: para D, Line 5

Explanation: The passage refers to the development of AGRICULTURE around 12,000 years ago as a significant event in human history. This development marked a major shift in human civilization, leading to more permanent settlements. Hence, the correct answer is AGRICULTURE.

Questions 9-13

Which paragraphs contain the following points?

Write the paragraph number (E-I) against boxes 9 to 13 of the sample reading answer sheet.

It is possible that a paragraph contains more than 1 point

Contradiction between science and religious beliefs

Answer: E

Supporting statement: “........Some people deem this field of study to be important...Others, however, especially religious groups...find the ideas of evolution worrisome.......”

Keywords: beliefs, evolution

Keyword Location: para E, Lines 4-5

Explanation: Paragraph E discusses the differing opinions on evolution, with some people, particularly religious groups, finding the ideas of evolution problematic. This highlights a contradiction between scientific views and religious beliefs, making E the correct answer.

The nature of evidence paleoanthropologists depend on to study early humans and their way of life

Answer: F

Supporting statement: “.......Fossils have proven to provide the best answers to our questions...indicate how these early humans acted, behaved........”

Keywords: evidence, early

Keyword Location: para F, Lines 1-4

Explanation: Paragraph F explains how fossils provide key evidence that paleoanthropologists use to understand the behavior and life of early humans. This evidence includes fossilized remains and tools, making F the correct answer.

Evolution of different species

Answer: G

Supporting statement: “........The evolutionary process refers to a succession of natural modifications which lead to the development of a new species.......”

Keywords: process, species

Keyword Location: para G, Line 1

Explanation: Paragraph G describes the process of species evolving through natural changes over time. It refers to how new species develop and adapt, making G the correct answer.

What species means for animals that reproduce sexually

Answer: G

Supporting statement: “........Among organisms which take part in sexual reproduction...biological evolution specifically refers to the full-grown organisms.......”

Keywords: reproduction, species

Keyword Location: para G, Lines 2-3

Explanation: Paragraph G also defines species in terms of sexual reproduction, explaining how organisms reproduce and pass on genetic traits. This makes G the correct answer.

How evolution occurs.

Answer: H

Supporting statement: “........Evolution signifies the changes in the growth and development of an entire populace.......”

Keywords: occurs, changes

Keyword Location: para H, Line 4

Explanation: Paragraph H explains how evolution happens at the population level, focusing on genetic changes and the development of new traits over time. This description of how evolution occurs makes H the correct answer.

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