The Mystery of Monarch Butterfly Migration Reading Answers

Sep 26, 2025

The Mystery of Monarch Butterfly Migration Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The Mystery of Monarch Butterfly Migration Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the question set given, you have to state whether the statement is true, false or not given with the information given in the text. In the next question set given, you have to fill in the blanks with the correct option in no more than two words.

The IELTS Reading section is an essential part of the test that evaluates a candidate's comprehension and analysis of various passage types. You will work through a number of IELTS reading practice problems in this section that resemble actual test situations. These questions are designed to help you improve your ability to recognise essential concepts, extract particular facts, and make inferences. Practising these IELTS reading problems can help you get comfortable with the structure and increase your confidence for the exam, regardless of whether you are studying for the Academic or General Training module.

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Section 1

THE MYSTERY OF MONARCH BUTTERFLY MIGRATION

Every autumn, millions of Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) embark on a remarkable journey, travelling up to 3,000 miles from Canada and the northern United States to the mountains of central Mexico. This phenomenon has puzzled scientists for decades, not only for its sheer scale but also because of the navigational accuracy demonstrated by these tiny insects.

The Monarch butterfly's annual migration is one of the most fascinating in the natural world. Unlike birds or whales that can rely on memory or group guidance, Monarchs complete their journey across generations. The butterflies that arrive in Mexico each November are typically the great-grandchildren of those that left the region the previous spring. This means they have no prior experience or guidance, yet somehow manage to find the exact same forests and sometimes even the same trees their ancestors did.

Scientists have proposed a number of theories to explain this navigational feat. Some believe the butterflies use a combination of environmental cues such as the angle of the sun, magnetic fields, and polarised light. A 2007 study suggested that Monarchs possess a kind of internal "sun compass" located in their antennae. These antennae contain photoreceptors and are thought to help the butterflies track the sun's position throughout the day. In combination with an internal circadian clock, this allows the insects to maintain a consistent southward direction.

While this theory explains a great deal, it does not fully account for how Monarchs navigate on cloudy days or when obstacles interfere with sunlight. A recent hypothesis involves the Earth's magnetic field. Monarchs are believed to possess magnetite, a mineral that allows them to sense the Earth's magnetic pull. Though promising, research in this area is still in its early stages.

The monarchs' chosen destination in Mexico is equally intriguing. The butterflies congregate in the Oyamel fir forests of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, where the microclimate provides ideal conditions. The cool, moist air allows them to conserve energy, while the forest canopy offers protection from predators and weather extremes. Upon arrival, millions of butterflies blanket the trees, creating a breathtaking spectacle that draws thousands of tourists and scientists alike.

Conservationists are increasingly concerned about the survival of this migratory phenomenon. Climate change, illegal logging, and the loss of milkweed—the Monarchs' sole larval food source—pose serious threats. Conservation efforts in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are attempting to establish protected habitats and raise awareness. In 2020, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the migratory Monarch as endangered.

Preserving this species is not just about protecting a butterfly; it's about maintaining a delicate ecological balance and a natural wonder that connects three nations. The mystery of how Monarchs achieve such a precise journey remains unsolved, but the awe it inspires continues to captivate scientists and nature lovers alike.

Questions 1-7

DO the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage?

TRUE — if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE — if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN - if there is no information on this

1. Monarch butterflies can remember the route to Mexico from previous journeys.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: The butterflies that arrive in Mexico each November are typically the great-grandchildren of those that left the region the previous spring. This means they have no prior experience or guidance, yet somehow manage to find the exact same forests and sometimes even the same trees their ancestors did.

Keywords: great-grandchildren, no prior experience

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 4-5

Explanation: The idea that the migratory monarchs remember the way is contradicted by the passage's specific statement that they are the great-grandchildren of those who have already travelled the route, meaning they lack any prior experience or direction.

2. Monarchs migrate from northern Canada directly to central Mexico without stopping.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The text says they travel from Canada and the northern US to central Mexico and that the journey is completed over generations. However, it does not state whether they stop along the way or if the journey is non-stop.

3. Monarchs use their antennae to help navigate using sunlight.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: A 2007 study suggested that Monarchs possess a kind of internal "sun compass" located in their antennae. These antennae contain photoreceptors and are thought to help the butterflies track the sun's position throughout the day.

Keywords: antennae, sun compass, track the sun's position

Keyword Location: Para 3, Lines 4-5

Explanation: According to a study cited in the paragraph, monarchs may have a sun compass in their antennae that allows them to track the location of the sun.

4. Magnetic navigation in Monarchs has been completely proven by scientists.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: A recent hypothesis involves the Earth's magnetic field. Monarchs are believed to possess magnetite, a mineral that allows them to sense the Earth's magnetic pull. Though promising, research in this area is still in its early stages.

Keywords: hypothesis, believed, early stages

Keyword Location: Para 4, Lines 2-4

Explanation: According to the text, magnetic navigation is still in its early stages of research and is therefore considered a hypothesis that has not yet been fully confirmed.

5. The trees Monarchs choose are always different each year.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: they have no prior experience or guidance, yet somehow manage to find the exact same forests and sometimes even the same trees their ancestors did.

Keywords: exact same forests, same trees

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 5-6

Explanation: The idea is directly contradicted by the passage's claim that monarchs frequently find the same trees and even the same forest.

6. The Oyamel forests provide both suitable temperature and protection for the Monarchs.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: The butterflies congregate in the Oyamel fir forests... The cool, moist air allows them to conserve energy, while the forest canopy offers protection from predators and weather extremes.

Keywords: cool, moist air, protection

Keyword Location: Para 5, Lines 3-4

Explanation: In the text, it is mentioned that the forest canopy provides protection from predators and weather extremes, and the cold, humid air enables them to preserve energy (appropriate temperature).

7. All Monarch butterflies are born and die in the same location.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: The Monarch butterfly's annual migration is one of the most fascinating in the natural world. Unlike birds or whales that can rely on memory or group guidance, Monarchs complete their journey across generations.

Keywords: migration, across generations

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 1-3

Explanation: The paragraph talks about the monarchs' yearly migration, which is carried out by generations; in other words, the butterflies are born in one location and die in another, making only a part of the journey. These run counter to the notion that they are born and die in the same location.

Questions 8-13

Use NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

8. Monarchs migrate up to___________miles to reach their wintering grounds.

Answer: 3,000

Supporting statement: Every autumn, millions of Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) embark on a remarkable journey, travelling up to 3,000 miles from Canada and the northern United States to the mountains of central Mexico.

Keywords: travelling, 3,000 miles

Keyword Location: Para 1, Line 2

Explanation: According to the passage, monarchs can cover up to 3,000 miles throughout their travels.

9. Unlike birds or whales, Monarch butterflies cannot rely on_______to navigate.

Answer: MEMORY

Supporting statement: Unlike birds or whales that can rely on memory or group guidance, Monarchs complete their journey across generations.

Keywords: rely on memory, group guidance

Keyword Location: Para 2, Line 2

Explanation: The paragraph makes it clear that monarchs are not like whales or birds that can remember things.

10. The internal sun compass is believed to be located in the butterflies'___________

Answer: ANTENNAE

Supporting statement: A 2007 study suggested that Monarchs possess a kind of internal "sun compass" located in their antennae.

Keywords: sun compass, antennae

Keyword Location: Para 3, Line 4

Explanation: According to the passage, monarch Butterfly antennas contain the sun compass.

11. The butterflies may use a mineral called_________ to detect the Earth's magnetic field.

Answer: MAGNETITE

Supporting statement: Monarchs are believed to possess magnetite, a mineral that allows them to sense the Earth's magnetic pull.

Keywords: magnetite, sense, magnetic pull

Keyword Location: Para 4, Lines 3-4

Explanation: According to the passage, monarchs are thought to be endowed with magnetite, a mineral that enables them to perceive the magnetic pull of the Earth.

12. Logging and the disappearance of __________are major threats to Monarchs.

Answer: MILKWEED

Supporting statement: Climate change, illegal logging, and the loss of milkweed—the Monarchs' sole larval food source—pose serious threats.

Keywords: illegal logging, loss of milkweed

Keyword Location: Para 6, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The loss of milkweed and illicit logging are mentioned as major risks in the paragraph.

13. The IUCN listed the migratory Monarch as___________in 2020.

Answer: ENDANGERED

Supporting statement: In 2020, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the migratory Monarch as endangered.

Keywords: IUCN, endangered, 2020

Keyword Location: Para 6, Lines 4-5

Explanation: The IUCN classified the migratory monarch as endangered, as the text makes clear.