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The Secret Language of Trees Reading Answers

Bhaskar Das

Aug 13, 2025

The Secret Language of Trees Reading Answers contain 14 questions and belong to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. The Secret Language of Trees Reading Answers must be answered within 20 minutes. In this IELTS reading section, question types include: Match each statement with the correct and Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? Also, The Secret Language of Trees Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of recent research that reveals that trees communicate via underground fungal networks and chemical signals, reshaping forest ecology, management, and aligning with traditional Indigenous beliefs. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Topic:

For centuries, trees were thought of as silent, solitary organisms, rooted in place and disconnected from one another. However, recent research has revealed a startling truth: trees communicate. Not with words or sounds, but through a vast underground network of roots, fungi, and chemicals-what scientists now call the "Wood Wide Web."

A New Perspective:

The discovery that trees can exchange information has revolutionized the field of forest ecology. Leading the way is Dr. Suzanne Simard, a Canadian ecologist who first observed that trees could send carbon and nutrients to one another via underground fungal networks known as mycorrhizae. These fungi form symbiotic relationships with tree roots, allowing different species to exchange resources in a mutually beneficial way. Older trees, often called “mother trees,” have been observed sending excess nutrients to younger seedlings, especially their own offspring.

Chemical Signals and Defense:

Beyond the underground network, trees also communicate through airborne chemical signals. When attacked by insects, for example, some trees emit warning gases that can be detected by neighboring trees. These chemical messages can trigger the production of defensive compounds in surrounding trees, making them less appealing to pests. This has been observed in species like acacias and birches, where nearby plants begin to produce tannins or other deterrents soon after a neighbor is attacked.

Implications for Forest Management:

The idea that trees support and protect one another has significant implications for forestry practices. Professor María López, an environmental scientist from Spain, argues that clear-cutting forests may be more harmful than previously thought, as it breaks apart these communication networks and weakens the forest’s collective intelligence. López advocates for selective logging and the protection of “hub trees,” which appear to play a critical role in maintaining the network.

Skepticism and Debate:

Not all scientists agree with the more anthropomorphic interpretations of tree behavior. Dr. Henrik Jorgensen from Denmark believes the term “communication” may be misleading. While he agrees that trees exchange substances and respond to chemical cues, he warns against assuming intention or purpose. “These are evolutionary responses, not conscious decisions,” he explains. For Jorgensen, attributing emotional or social behavior to trees risks distorting the science.

Cultural Echoes:

Interestingly, many Indigenous cultures have long believed that trees are sentient beings. For example, Native American and Aboriginal Australian traditions often describe forests as interconnected communities where every tree has a role and spirit. Modern science is now catching up to these ancient understandings, offering empirical evidence that supports what traditional wisdom has long maintained.

The Future of Forest Research:

The study of tree communication is still in its early stages, but it is gaining momentum. Advanced technologies like root imaging, gas sensors, and data modeling are helping scientists explore these networks in greater detail. Understanding how trees coordinate could offer new solutions for climate change, reforestation, and sustainable land use.

Questions 27-33

Look at the following statements and the list of researchers below.

Match each statement with the correct

researcher, A-D.

LIST OF RESEARCHERS:

A. Dr. Suzanne Simard

B. Professor Maria López

C. Dr. Henrik Jorgensen

D. Indigenous thinkers

27. Says that trees are connected through underground fungi

Answer: A. Dr. Suzanne Simard

Supporting statement: “…trees could send carbon and nutrients to one another via underground fungal networks known as mycorrhizae.”

Keywords: trees, underground fungi, mycorrhizae

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 2

Explanation: Dr. Simard discovered the role of fungal networks in tree communication.

28. Believes trees should not be described using human traits

Answer: C. Dr. Henrik Jorgensen

Supporting statement: “...he warns against assuming intention or purpose… attributing emotional or social behavior to trees risks distorting the science.”

Keywords: misleading, intention, emotional, anthropomorphic

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5

Explanation: Dr. Jorgensen is skeptical about describing trees with human-like behavior.

29. Says deforestation damages the intelligence of forests

Answer: B. Professor María López

Supporting statement: “...clear-cutting forests... breaks apart these communication networks and weakens the forest’s collective intelligence.”

Keywords: clear-cutting, communication networks, intelligence

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 2

Explanation: López criticizes clear-cutting because it disrupts tree networks.

30. Thinks tree communities resemble ancient cultural beliefs

Answer: D. Indigenous thinkers

Supporting statement: “...Indigenous cultures... describe forests as interconnected communities... Modern science is now catching up…”

Keywords: Indigenous cultures, interconnected communities

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6

Explanation: Indigenous beliefs already recognized the concept of tree interconnection.

31. Warns that trees send gas signals to protect others

Answer: A. Dr. Suzanne Simard

Supporting statement: "Beyond the underground network, trees also communicate through airborne chemical signals. When attacked by insects, for example, some trees emit warning gases that can be detected by neighboring trees."

Keywords: gas signals, chemical communication, warning gases

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Lines 1–2

Explanation: Although Dr. Suzanne Simard is primarily associated with underground fungal networks, the passage presents all tree communication research—both underground and airborne—as part of the recent findings that have revolutionized forest ecology, which Dr. Simard is credited with leading. Since no other researcher is directly mentioned in this paragraph, and Simard is introduced as the pioneer in this field, it is reasonable to attribute this discovery to her.

32. Suggests keeping hub trees intact during logging

Answer: B. Professor María López

Supporting statement: “...advocates for selective logging and the protection of ‘hub trees’...”

Keywords: hub trees, selective logging

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 3

Explanation: López argues that protecting these central trees preserves the forest network.

33. Claims older trees support younger ones

Answer: A. Dr. Suzanne Simard

Supporting statement: “...‘mother trees’... have been observed sending excess nutrients to younger seedlings...”

Keywords: mother trees, nutrients, offspring

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 4

Explanation: Simard’s research shows that older trees support younger trees via root-fungi networks.

Questions 34-40

Do the following statements agree with the information 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. Trees can communicate more effectively than humans in some ways.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The passage discusses tree communication but makes no comparison with humans.

35. Forests rely on older trees for long-term survival.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “...‘mother trees’... send excess nutrients to younger seedlings…”

Keywords: mother trees, younger trees

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 4

Explanation: Older trees play a crucial nurturing role in forest ecosystems.

36. Fungal networks benefit both the trees and the fungi.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “These fungi form symbiotic relationships with tree roots…”

Keywords: symbiotic relationships

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 3

Explanation: "Symbiotic" implies mutual benefit to both trees and fungi.

37. Scientists have proven that trees have emotions.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “...Jorgensen... warns against assuming intention or purpose...”

Keywords: emotional, social behavior

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5

Explanation: The passage argues that such traits are evolutionary, not emotional or conscious.

38. Dr. Jorgensen believes trees behave intelligently.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “...he warns against assuming intention or purpose... evolutionary responses, not conscious decisions.”

Keywords: evolutionary, not intelligent

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5

Explanation: He emphasizes natural responses over any form of intelligence.

39. Indigenous beliefs about trees may align with modern findings.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “...Modern science is now catching up to these ancient understandings…”

Keywords: Indigenous beliefs, modern science

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6

Explanation: The passage links traditional wisdom with recent scientific discoveries.

40. Technological advancements are helping researchers learn more about tree communication.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “Advanced technologies like root imaging, gas sensors, and data modeling are helping scientists…”

Keywords: technologies, helping scientists

Keyword Location: Paragraph 7

Explanation: Modern tools are aiding in the exploration of forest communication systems.

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