The Mystery of Deep Ocean Exploration Reading Answers

Aug 26, 2025

The Mystery of Deep Ocean Exploration Reading Answers contains 13 questions and belongs to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. The Mystery of Deep Ocean Exploration Reading Answers must be answered within 20 minutes. In this IELTS reading section, question types include: Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? And write the correct letter. The Mystery of Deep Ocean Exploration Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of the fact that, despite major challenges, deep-sea exploration is unveiling vital ecosystems, scientific breakthroughs, and untapped resources, emphasizing the ocean's crucial role in Earth's future. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Topic:

Although Earth is known as the “blue planet,” the vast majority of its oceans remain unexplored. Despite centuries of seafaring and technological advances, over 80% of the ocean floor has yet to be mapped in detail. In comparison, scientists know more about the surface of the Moon and Mars than about the deep sea. The reasons for this knowledge gap are both technological and environmental.

Deep-sea exploration presents several challenges. First and foremost is pressure. At a depth of 1,000 meters, pressure is approximately 100 times greater than at sea level, which can crush most conventional equipment. Designing submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) capable of withstanding such forces requires complex engineering and significant investment. Additionally, the absence of natural light in the deep ocean makes visual exploration difficult, often relying on sonar and artificial lighting.

Temperature is another barrier. In the deep sea, temperatures often hover just above freezing. This affects both human explorers and machinery. While insulated suits and vessels have improved, long-term human presence at such depths remains nearly impossible. Further complicating matters, underwater currents and unpredictable terrain make navigation a significant hurdle.

Despite these obstacles, remarkable discoveries have emerged. In 1977, researchers exploring the Galápagos Rift discovered hydrothermal vents—cracks in the Earth’s crust where superheated water rich in minerals escapes into the ocean. Around these vents, scientists found ecosystems teeming with life, including giant tube worms and unique bacteria that thrive without sunlight. These discoveries challenged the long-held belief that all life depended on photosynthesis and sunlight.

Exploration of the deep sea has also led to medical and scientific breakthroughs. Certain deep-sea organisms produce chemical compounds that are being investigated for their potential in treating diseases such as cancer and infections resistant to antibiotics. Moreover, understanding deep-sea ecosystems is essential for monitoring the impacts of climate change, as oceans play a vital role in regulating the Earth’s temperature and absorbing carbon dioxide.

The economic potential of deep-sea exploration is equally significant. Minerals such as manganese, cobalt, and rare earth elements, essential for electronic devices, are found in abundance on the ocean floor. However, deep-sea mining has raised ethical and environmental concerns. Scientists warn that disturbing fragile ecosystems could lead to irreversible damage before we even understand them fully.

Unlike space missions that capture the public imagination, deep ocean missions often receive limited media attention and funding. Experts argue that ocean exploration deserves more focus, particularly because the ocean is directly linked to human survival, weather patterns, and biodiversity.

In recent years, technological innovations such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and AI-based mapping tools have accelerated research. International initiatives, such as the UN’s “Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development,” aim to enhance knowledge of marine resources and promote sustainable use of marine resources.

While progress has been slow, each new expedition uncovers mysteries that deepen our understanding of Earth. As scientists dive deeper, both literally and figuratively, it becomes increasingly clear that the oceans may hold the keys to the planet’s past, present, and even its future.

Questions 14-20

Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage? Write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information.

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information.

NOT GIVEN if there is no information

14. Scientists have mapped more of the Moon's surface than the Earth's ocean floor.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: "In comparison, scientists know more about the surface of the Moon and Mars than about the deep sea."

Keywords: Moon, ocean floor, mapped

Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, Line 3

Explanation: The passage clearly states that the surface of the Moon is better known than Earth’s deep sea, confirming the statement.

15. Deep-sea temperatures are much higher than surface temperatures.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “In the deep sea, temperatures often hover just above freezing.”

Keywords: deep sea, temperature

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Line 1

Explanation: The passage contradicts this claim by stating deep-sea temperatures are very low, not high.

16. Hydrothermal vents support life that does not rely on sunlight.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “These discoveries challenged the long-held belief that all life depended on photosynthesis and sunlight.”

Keywords: hydrothermal vents, life, sunlight

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, Last line

Explanation: Organisms around hydrothermal vents thrive without sunlight, proving the statement true.

17. Deep-sea organisms have been proven to cure cancer in humans.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “…chemical compounds that are being investigated for their potential in treating diseases such as cancer…”

Keywords: cancer, deep-sea organisms, proven

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, Line 1

Explanation: The statement says organisms have cured cancer, but the passage only mentions ongoing investigation, making this false.

18. Deep-sea mining could harm ecosystems that are not yet understood.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “Scientists warn that disturbing fragile ecosystems could lead to irreversible damage before we even understand them fully.”

Keywords: mining, ecosystems, harm

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, Line 3

Explanation: The passage explicitly mentions this risk, making the statement true.

19. Public interest in deep-sea exploration has increased dramatically.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “Unlike space missions that capture the public imagination, deep ocean missions often receive limited media attention and funding.”

Keywords: public interest, deep sea, limited attention

Keyword Location: Paragraph 7, Line 1

Explanation: The passage contradicts the idea of increased public interest, stating attention is limited.

20. AUVs are helping speed up the process of ocean research.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “In recent years, technological innovations such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and AI-based mapping tools have accelerated research.”

Keywords: AUVs, speed up, research

Keyword Location: Paragraph 8, Line 1

Explanation: AUVs are directly credited with accelerating ocean research, confirming the statement as true.

Questions 21-26

Match the following statements (21-26) with the correct section (A-E).

Write the correct letter A-E.

NB You may use any letter more than once.

SECTIONS:

A. Introduction to the unexplored ocean

B. Technical and environmental barriers

C. Scientific and medical discoveries

D. Commercial value and ethical issues

E. The future of ocean exploration

21. Reference to diseases that could be treated with marine chemicals

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “Certain deep-sea organisms produce chemical compounds that are being investigated for their potential in treating diseases such as cancer and infections resistant to antibiotics.”

Keywords: diseases, chemical compounds, deep-sea organisms

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, Line 1

Explanation: Section C discusses scientific and medical discoveries, including how chemicals from deep-sea organisms are being studied for disease treatment, making it the correct match.

22. Mention of the Earth's internal heat sources under the sea

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “In 1977, researchers exploring the Galápagos Rift discovered hydrothermal vents—cracks in the Earth’s crust where superheated water rich in minerals escapes into the ocean.”

Keywords: hydrothermal vents, Earth’s crust, superheated water

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, Line 1

Explanation: Hydrothermal vents are a direct example of the Earth's internal heat under the sea, and their discovery is a scientific breakthrough, placing this in Section C.

23. Details of improved tools for navigating the deep sea

Answer: E

Supporting statement: “In recent years, technological innovations such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and AI-based mapping tools have accelerated research.”

Keywords: tools, navigation, AUVs, AI-based mapping

Keyword Location: Paragraph 8, Line 1

Explanation: Section E covers the future of ocean exploration, including new tools and innovations that are improving navigation and research speed.

24. Comparison between space and ocean missions

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “Unlike space missions that capture the public imagination, deep ocean missions often receive limited media attention and funding.”

Keywords: comparison, space missions, ocean missions

Keyword Location: Paragraph 7, Line 1

Explanation: Section D discusses both commercial and ethical issues, including how ocean missions are less popular than space exploration, making it the best fit for this comparison.

25. Concerns about extracting resources from the sea

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “Scientists warn that disturbing fragile ecosystems could lead to irreversible damage before we even understand them fully.”

Keywords: concerns, extracting resources, ecosystems

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, Line 3

Explanation: The paragraph discusses mining and ethical concerns regarding ocean resources, placing it in Section D which focuses on commercial and ethical issues.

26. An initiative aiming to improve knowledge about oceans

Answer: E

Supporting statement: “International initiatives, such as the UN’s ‘Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development,’ aim to enhance knowledge of marine resources…”

Keywords: initiative, knowledge, ocean science

Keyword Location: Paragraph 8, Line 2

Explanation: Section E discusses the future of exploration and includes reference to a major global initiative, making it the correct match for this question.

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