The Science Behind Procrastination Reading Answers

The Science Behind Procrastination Reading Answers contain 14 questions and belong to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. The Science Behind Procrastination Reading Answers must be answered within 20 minutes. In this IELTS reading section, question types include: Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the passage? And write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage. Also, the Science Behind Procrastination Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of procrastination as a complex psychological behavior driven by emotional, neurological, and evolutionary factors, but it can be effectively managed with strategic techniques and emotional awareness. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Topic:

A.Procrastination—the act of delaying or postponing tasks—is a phenomenon familiar to nearly everyone. Whether it’s putting off school assignments, delaying a visit to the gym, or ignoring important emails, procrastination can be frustrating and costly. Yet, despite being a common experience, it remains widely misunderstood. While often labeled as laziness, procrastination is, in fact, a complex psychological behavior influenced by emotional, neurological, and even evolutionary factors.

B.Scientists have long studied the mechanisms behind procrastination. Neuroscientific research points to a conflict between two parts of the brain: the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex. The limbic system, one of the brain’s most ancient regions, governs emotions and impulses. The prefrontal cortex, in contrast, is responsible for planning and decision-making. When a person faces an unpleasant or demanding task, the limbic system may override the rational prefrontal cortex, causing them to seek short-term pleasure instead—like checking social media or watching videos—rather than completing the task at hand.

C.Interestingly, procrastination is not always due to poor time management. Many people who procrastinate do so because of emotional regulation difficulties. Tasks that provoke anxiety, fear of failure, or self-doubt are often delayed because individuals attempt to avoid the negative feelings they associate with them. This behavior becomes self-reinforcing; the more we procrastinate to escape discomfort, the worse we feel, and the more likely we are to delay again in the future.

D.There is also an evolutionary perspective on procrastination. Early humans needed to act quickly in response to immediate threats—like predators or environmental dangers. As such, their brains prioritized short-term survival over long-term planning. Some researchers argue that procrastination may be a leftover trait from this past: our brains are still wired to favor instant gratification over abstract future benefits. In today’s world, where many of our responsibilities involve long-term goals and deadlines, this trait can be disadvantageous.

E.Technology and modern digital environments further exacerbate procrastination. With constant access to distractions—such as social media, instant messaging, and streaming platforms—it has become increasingly difficult to focus. These tools are often designed to be addictive, triggering dopamine responses that reward our brains for avoiding less pleasurable tasks. As a result, we’re more likely than ever to seek out quick rewards instead of focusing on demanding activities.

F.The good news is that procrastination can be managed. Strategies such as the Pomodoro Technique, which breaks work into 25-minute intervals followed by short breaks, help train the brain to stay focused. Another effective method is “temptation bundling”—pairing a task you avoid with something you enjoy. For example, listening to your favorite podcast while cleaning. Experts also recommend addressing the emotional roots of procrastination, such as fear or perfectionism, through cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices.

Questions 27-33

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.

27. Procrastination is often mistaken for ………………………

Answer: laziness

Supporting statement: "While often labeled as laziness, procrastination is, in fact, a complex psychological behavior..."

Keywords: procrastination, mistaken for

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, line 3

Explanation: Many people incorrectly assume procrastination results from laziness, but it has deeper psychological roots.

28. Two brain regions involved in decision-making are the limbic system and the ……………..

Answer: prefrontal cortex

Supporting statement: "...a conflict between two parts of the brain: the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex."

Keywords: two brain regions, decision-making

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, line 1

Explanation: These two brain regions influence our ability to choose between impulse and planning.

29. People tend to avoid tasks linked to negative emotions like ……………….

Answer: fear of failure

Supporting statement: "Tasks that provoke anxiety, fear of failure, or self-doubt are often delayed..."

Keywords: avoid tasks, negative emotions

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, line 2

Explanation: Emotional responses like fear discourage task completion and lead to procrastination.

30. The desire for immediate rewards may have developed as an ………………. Trait.

Answer: evolutionary trait

Supporting statement: "Some researchers argue that procrastination may be a leftover trait from this past..."

Keywords: immediate rewards, developed, trait

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, line 4

Explanation: The tendency for instant gratification may be inherited from early human survival instincts.

31. Social media and entertainment platforms are built to stimulate ………………. in the brain.

Answer: dopamine responses

Supporting statement: "These tools...triggering dopamine responses that reward our brains..."

Keywords: social media, entertainment platforms, brain

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, line 3

Explanation: Modern digital tools activate brain chemicals linked to pleasure, reinforcing procrastination.

32. The Pomodoro Technique encourages focus through short work periods and ………………..

Answer: short breaks

Supporting statement: "...the Pomodoro Technique, which breaks work into 25-minute intervals followed by short breaks..."

Keywords: Pomodoro Technique, focus

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, line 1

Explanation: This method promotes focus by combining focused work and timed rest.

33. Fear and perfectionism can be addressed using ……………. Strategies.

Answer: cognitive behavioral techniques

Supporting statement: "...through cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices."

Keywords: fear, perfectionism, strategies

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, last line

Explanation: These psychological strategies help manage emotional causes of procrastination.

Questions 34-40

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the passage? Write:

YES - if the statement agrees with the views of the writer

NO - if the statement contradicts the views of the writer

NOT GIVEN - if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks

34. Most people do not procrastinate regularly.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “Procrastination—the act of delaying or postponing tasks—is a phenomenon familiar to nearly everyone.”

Keywords: most people, procrastinate regularly

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, line 1

Explanation: The passage implies that procrastination is common, not rare.

35. The limbic system can overpower logical thinking.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: "...the limbic system may override the rational prefrontal cortex..."

Keywords: limbic system, overpower

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, line 3

Explanation: The limbic system’s emotional impulses can take over decision-making functions.

36. People who procrastinate always lack motivation.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “Interestingly, procrastination is not always due to poor time management.”

Keywords: procrastinate, motivation

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, line 1

Explanation: The passage explains that emotional factors, not just motivation, influence procrastination.

37. Modern tools are designed to reduce procrastination.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “These tools are often designed to be addictive...”

Keywords: modern tools, designed, reduce

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, line 2

Explanation: The tools actually worsen procrastination by providing distractions.

38. The human brain is not adapted to modern goal-setting.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “...our brains are still wired to favor instant gratification over abstract future benefits.”

Keywords: brain, adapted, modern

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, line 4

Explanation: The brain's evolutionary programming prioritizes short-term thinking.

39. Cleaning while listening to music is an example of temptation bundling.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “...listening to your favorite podcast while cleaning.”

Keywords: example, temptation bundling

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, line 3

Explanation: This is a classic case of pairing a disliked task with something enjoyable.

40. Mindfulness is one way to improve emotional control and reduce procrastination.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “…through cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices.”

Keywords: mindfulness, emotional control

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, last line

Explanation: The passage endorses mindfulness as a helpful tool to tackle procrastination causes.

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