The Maplehampton Scarecrow Competition Reading Answers

Jan 10, 2023

The Maplehampton Scarecrow Competition Reading Answers contains a write up about the scarecrows. The Maplehampton Scarecrow Competition Reading Answers contains a total of 5 paragraphs. Related to the paragraphs are 9 questions. Candidates in this IELTS Section will be shown various question types with clear instructions. The Maplehampton Scarecrow Competition Reading Answers is an IELTS Reading passage which comprises one type of question: True/ False and Not given.

The paragraphs provide information about the tradition of scarecrows and their importance and effectiveness. There was a competition organized to make scarecrows which has been detailed in the paragraph. There have been a few statements which must be answered related to the paragraph. The candidates should read the paragraphs thoroughly and then answer. The statement that is True must be mentioned so. There are a few statements that are contradictory which should be mentioned as false. While some might not be given in paragraphs which have to be written as Not Given. To answer the questions provided in the given passage,Applicants must attentively read each passage. To gain proficiency, candidates can practice from IELTS reading practice test.

Check: Get 10 Free IELTS Sample Papers
Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

The Maplehampton scarecrow competition – a great success!

There was once a time when farmers all over the country put scarecrows in fields of growing crops. A traditional scarecrow was a model – usually life-size – of a man or woman dressed in old clothes, and their purpose was to frighten the birds away; though how successful they were is a matter of opinion!
Maplehampton’s scarecrow competition took place on September 12th. Local farmers supplied everything needed to make a scarecrow – like pieces of wood to form a frame, and straw to stuff the scarecrow. The scarecrows were dressed in old clothes which the competitors brought with them.
The festival was held in the village hall, instead of outdoors as planned, due to the unusually high temperature. There were two classes, one for adults and one for children, all of them working in small teams. Over 20 teams took part, each creating one scarecrow. They were encouraged by an audience of around 50, and had ideas and guidance from local artist Tracey Sanzo.
The scarecrows were judged by a team of people from the village. The winning children’s team made a scarecrow that looked like a giant bird – which would surely keep every real bird away! The winning adult team’s scarecrow was dressed as an alien from another planet, and its face was painted to make it look very frightening – at least to human beings!
After the judging, many of the participants and the spectators had a picnic which they had brought. Some of the scarecrows then went home to their creators’ gardens. Alice Cameron, a local farmer, liked one of the scarecrows so much, she bought it to stand on her balcony: she said she didn’t need it to scare birds away from her crops, as only bird-scarers that made a noise were effective. She just wanted to be able to see it! The event raised over £300 for village funds.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 6-14

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? In boxes 6-14 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 on this

Traditionally, most scarecrows were the same size as a human being.

Answer: True
Supporting Statement: A traditional scarecrow was a model – usually life-size – of a man or woman dressed in old clothes, and their purpose was to frighten the birds away; though how successful they were is a matter of opinion!
Keywords: traditional scarecrow
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1
Explanation: As per paragraph 1, it has been clearly mentioned that the traditional scarecrows were usually life size. This means they were the size of a man or woman dressed in old clothes. Their main purpose was to frighten the birds away which usually eat and destroy the crops. So, the statement is True.

The competition in September was the first one in Maple Hampton.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: There has been no related information provided in the paragraphs associated with the question statement. So, the correct answer is Not Given.

The farmers who provided materials could take part in the competition.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: There has been no related information provided in the paragraphs associated with the question statement. So, the correct answer is Not Given.

Old clothes were supplied to the people who made the scarecrows.

Answer: False
Supporting Statement: The scarecrows were dressed in old clothes which the competitors brought with them.
Keywords: old clothes, brought
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2
Explanation: As per paragraph 2, the old clothes were used to make and dress up the scarecrow. These old clothes were brought by the competitors with them. As per the question statement these old clothes were supplied to the people who made scarecrows. This statement is contradictory to the actual statement. Hence, the answer is False.

The venue for the competition was changed because of the weather.

Answer: True
Supporting Statement: The festival was held in the village hall, instead of outdoors as planned, due to the unusually high temperature.
Keywords: festival, outdoors.
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3
Explanation: As per paragraph 3, there was a competition between the scarecrow makers. The competition was earlier planned outdoors. But seeing the weather conditions and unusually high temperature, the festival venue was changed. It was setted up in the village hall instead of outdoors. So, the question statement is True.

Competitors could get advice on making their scarecrows.

Answer: True
Supporting Statement: They were encouraged by an audience of around 50, and had ideas and guidance from local artist Tracey Sanzo.
Keywords: encouraged, guidance
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3
Explanation: As per paragraph 3, the competition of making scarecrow was organized. There was an audience of 50. The audience provided encouragement to the competitors. The competitors can also take advice and ideas from the local artist. The local artist was Tracey Sanzo. So, the statement is True.

In the judges’ opinion, the scarecrow dressed as an alien was better than the giant bird.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: There has been no related information provided in the paragraphs associated with the question statement. So, the correct answer is Not Given.

The competition organizers supplied a picnic for the competitors and spectators.

Answer: False
Supporting Statement: After the judging, many of the participants and the spectators had a picnic which they had brought.
Keywords: had brought, picnic
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5
Explanation: As per paragraph 5, after the competition and judging many participants and spectators have a picnic. They bought it themselves. But as per the question statement the picnic was organized by competition organizers for spectators. This statement is contradictory. Hence, the statement is False.

Alice Cameron bought a scarecrow to frighten birds away from her crops.

Answer: False
Supporting Statement: Alice Cameron, a local farmer, liked one of the scarecrows so much, she bought it to stand on her balcony: she said she didn’t need it to scare birds away from her crops, as only bird-scarers that made a noise were effective. She just wanted to be able to see it!
Keywords: Alice Cameron, able to see it
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5.
Explanation: As per paragraph 5, Alice Cmeron is a local village farmer. She bought a scarecrow which she liked very much and kept it on her balcony. But she states she did buy it to scare birds and bird scarers were effective in doing so. She bought it because wanted to be able to see it. So, the question statement is contradictory. So, the statement is false.

Read More IELTS Reading Related Samples