The Secrets of Antarctic Mosses Reading Answers

The Secrets of Antarctic Mosses Reading Answers contain 14 questions and belong to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. The Secrets of Antarctic Mosses 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? Match each scientific field with the correct use of moss research, and write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

The Secrets of Antarctic Mosses Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of Antarctic mosses, resilient and ancient, which offer vital insights into climate change, biotechnology, and space exploration through their unique survival and ecological roles. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Topic:

In the frozen wilderness of Antarctica, where temperatures rarely rise above freezing and life seems scarce, a humble plant has quietly flourished for thousands of years—moss. Unlike penguins or seals that migrate or adapt with mobility, mosses are static survivors. These ancient organisms offer clues not just about survival in extreme climates, but also about climate change, genetics, and even space biology.

A.Antarctica’s mosses are among the only land plants found on the continent, primarily concentrated on coastal ice-free areas. Unlike trees and flowering plants, mosses don’t have roots or complex vascular systems. Instead, they absorb water and nutrients directly from the atmosphere, making them remarkably responsive to environmental changes. Some moss beds are estimated to be over 2,000 years old, offering a living timeline of Antarctica’s climate history.

B.One of the most fascinating traits of Antarctic mosses is their ability to survive complete freezing and dehydration. During the long, harsh winters, the mosses enter a state of suspended animation, essentially “pausing” all metabolic activity. When conditions improve in the brief summer, they rehydrate and resume photosynthesis. This natural freeze-drying technique is being studied by biologists and space researchers interested in cryopreservation and long-term space travel.

C.Despite their harsh environment, these mosses are also important climate indicators. Because of their sensitivity to temperature and moisture, even small changes in the atmosphere are reflected in their growth patterns. Researchers now extract cores from moss beds—much like ice cores—to study how Antarctic temperatures and weather patterns have shifted over centuries. In some areas, mosses have shown accelerated growth in the past 50 years, indicating a warming trend that corresponds with rising global temperatures.

D.Studying moss in Antarctica presents unique challenges. The continent is protected under international agreements, meaning all scientific activity must minimise impact. Researchers must wear sterilised suits, use non-invasive methods, and ensure no foreign biological material is introduced. Despite these restrictions, advances in genetic sequencing and drone technology are helping scientists gather more data without disturbing the fragile moss ecosystems.

E.The potential applications of moss research are vast. Medical researchers are examining moss proteins for use in biotechnology and anti-aging treatments. Environmental scientists are using moss to better understand soil formation and nutrient cycling in extreme habitats. Space agencies are exploring whether mosses could be used in bioregenerative life support systems on Mars. Because of their minimal needs and resilience, mosses could one day become essential to off-Earth survival.

F.Public awareness of Antarctic moss remains low compared to more charismatic wildlife like whales or polar bears. However, a growing number of scientific communication initiatives aim to change that. Documentaries, virtual field trips, and 3D moss maps are being used to educate the public on the crucial role these plants play in understanding Earth’s climate and potential human futures beyond it.

Questions 27-30

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

27. Mosses in Antarctica are mostly found in parts of the continent.

Answer: coastal areas

Supporting statement: “Antarctica’s mosses are among the only land plants found on the continent, primarily concentrated on coastal ice-free areas.”

Keywords: mosses, concentrated, coastal

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, Line 1

Explanation: The mosses grow mostly in coastal ice-free zones, where conditions are suitable for plant survival.

28. Unlike other plants, mosses take in moisture and nutrients from the

Answer: the atmosphere

Supporting statement: “Instead, they absorb water and nutrients directly from the atmosphere…”

Keywords: absorb, water and nutrients, atmosphere

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, Line 2

Explanation: Unlike most plants, mosses take in moisture and nutrients from the air, not through roots.

29. Mosses become completely inactive during the

Answer: harsh winters

Supporting statement: “During the long, harsh winters, the mosses enter a state of suspended animation…”

Keywords: inactive, harsh winters, suspended animation

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, Line 1

Explanation: In winter, mosses pause metabolic activity completely, indicating they are inactive during this period.

30. Moss cores are used by scientists to study long-term changes in

Answer: climate history

Supporting statement: “...offering a living timeline of Antarctica’s climate history.” and “...to study how Antarctic temperatures and weather patterns have shifted over centuries.”

Keywords: moss cores, climate history, temperature shifts

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, Lines 2–3

Explanation: Moss cores are studied to understand how the climate has changed over hundreds of years.

Questions 31-33

Match each scientific field with the correct use of moss research (A-E).

FIELDS:

31. Space research

Answer: C. Exploring plant behaviour in outer space

Supporting statement: “Space agencies are exploring whether mosses could be used in bioregenerative life support systems on Mars.”

Keywords: space agencies, Mars, life support

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Line 3

Explanation: The resilience and minimal needs of mosses make them ideal for life support systems in space missions.

33. Medicine

Answer: B. Treating age-related human conditions

Supporting statement: “Medical researchers are examining moss proteins for use in biotechnology and anti-aging treatments.”

Keywords: medicine, anti-aging, biotechnology

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Line 1

Explanation: Moss proteins are being explored for medical uses, particularly in treating aging-related issues.

33. Environmental science

Answer: A. Analysing growth responses to temperature changes

Supporting statement: “Because of their sensitivity to temperature and moisture, even small changes in the atmosphere are reflected in their growth patterns.”

Keywords: environmental science, growth patterns, temperature

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, Line 1

Explanation: Scientists use moss growth to monitor environmental changes, especially those caused by climate change.

USES OF MOSS RESEARCH:

A. Analysing growth responses to temperature changes

B. Treating age-related human conditions

C. Exploring plant behaviour in outer space

D. Developing pest-resistant crops

E. Studying ice melting patterns

Questions 34-40

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

YES - if the statement agrees with the writer's views

NO - if the statement contradicts the writer's views

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

34. Mosses are more common in Antarctica than flowering plants.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “Antarctica’s mosses are among the only land plants found on the continent…”

Keywords: only land plants

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, Line 1

Explanation: Mosses are one of the very few land plants in Antarctica, more common than flowering plants, which are absent.

35. Antarctic mosses die during the winter and regrow from spores.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “...mosses enter a state of suspended animation… they rehydrate and resume photosynthesis.”

Keywords: suspended animation, resume

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, Line 1–2

Explanation: Mosses don’t die; they pause activity and come back to life in better conditions, contradicting the idea that they die and regrow from spores.

36. Growth rates of mosses have increased in recent decades.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “In some areas, mosses have shown accelerated growth in the past 50 years…”

Keywords: accelerated growth, 50 years

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, Line 3

Explanation: The passage confirms mosses have grown faster in recent decades, linking this to warming temperatures.

37. Researchers are not allowed to touch moss directly.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “Researchers must wear sterilised suits, use non-invasive methods…”

Keywords: non-invasive, sterilised suits

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, Line 2

Explanation: Researchers may not touch moss directly in harmful ways, but the passage does not state touching is entirely prohibited.

38. Moss may be used in developing medicines in the future.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “Medical researchers are examining moss proteins for use in biotechnology and anti-aging treatments.”

Keywords: medical, anti-aging, future use

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Line 1

Explanation: Mosses are being studied for future medical uses, supporting this statement.

39. Mosses can only survive in polar climates.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “Environmental scientists are using moss to better understand soil formation and nutrient cycling in extreme habitats.”

Keywords: extreme habitats

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Line 2

Explanation: The passage says moss can survive in many extreme habitats—not just polar ones—so this statement is incorrect.

40. Mosses could help support life in extraterrestrial environments.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “Space agencies are exploring whether mosses could be used in bioregenerative life support systems on Mars.”

Keywords: life support, Mars, extraterrestrial

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, Line 3

Explanation: The passage directly supports the idea that moss could help humans survive in space environments.

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