The Silent Monks of Teralum Reading Answers

Sep 16, 2025

The Silent Monks of Teralum Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The Silent Monks of Teralum Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the first question set, which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A-G. In the last question set, fill in the blanks, write ONE WORD ONLY.

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 SILENT MONKS OF TERALUM

A.Nestled deep within the granite cliffs of Eastern Rala, the Teralum Monastery is home to a small community of monks who have taken a unique spiritual path — one of complete silence. The monks of Teralum follow an ancient practice that forbids speech from the moment of initiation until death. Their vow of silence is not merely symbolic; it is believed to be essential to spiritual enlightenment and inner peace.

B.The origins of the Teralum order are uncertain. Some scholars claim it was founded in the 9th century CE by a wandering sage named Malen Tho, who preached that spoken language distracts the soul from divine awareness. Others argue that it emerged from an earlier sect that split from a larger religious community, though little historical documentation survives. What is known is that the monastery has remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years, despite the rise and fall of dynasties and empires around it.

C.Though they live in silence, the monks of Teralum do not live in isolation. They grow their own food, care for livestock, and even teach young initiates — all through a sophisticated system of gestures, written signs, and symbolic movements. Over generations, this silent system has evolved into a complex language of its own, allowing the monks to communicate instructions, feelings, and even abstract spiritual concepts without uttering a single word.

D.The vow of silence, according to Teralum doctrine, is based on the belief that divine truth can only be heard in the absence of human noise. Speech, in their view, creates ego, attachment, and conflict. By abstaining from it entirely, the monks aim to detach from worldly identity and instead live in what they call "harmonic stillness" — a state where the mind and the divine are in perfect alignment. Silence is not seen as deprivation, but liberation.

E.Modern psychologists have taken interest in the Teralum monks. Studies conducted by visiting neuroscientists suggest that long-term silence may have unusual effects on the brain. Brain scans of monks show higher activity in areas associated with empathy, memory, and emotional regulation. Interestingly, despite decades of non-verbal life, many monks retain strong cognitive function into old age, challenging assumptions about language and mental decline.

F.Despite their strict lifestyle, the Teralum monks have accepted some limited technology in recent years. Solar panels now power the monastery's kitchens and water pumps. However, they continue to reject mobile phones, radio, and television. Communication with the outside world is handled through writing, mostly in the form of letters or occasional visits by pilgrims and scholars. The monastery remains one of the last truly silent communities in the world.

G.Pilgrims from various countries visit Teralum not to listen to sermons but to experience the stillness. Visitors often describe a deep sense of calm within the monastery walls, where no voices echo, and no noise interrupts reflection. Some even return home, adopting days of silence into their own spiritual practices. In this way, the monks' commitment to stillness continues to influence people far beyond the cliffs of Rala.

Questions 27-33

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A-G.

27. A mention of how silence may help the brain function better

Answer: E

Supporting statement: Brain scans of monks show higher activity in areas associated with empathy, memory, and emotional regulation. Interestingly, despite decades of non-verbal life, many monks retain strong cognitive function into old age, challenging assumptions about language and mental decline.

Keywords: brain scans, cognitive function, mental decline

Keyword Location: Para E, Lines 3-5

Explanation: The effects of extended silence on the brain are discussed directly in the paragraph, which also mentions how monks maintain strong cognitive function into old age and exhibit increased activity in areas linked to memory, empathy, and emotional control, all of which are signs of improved brain function.

28. An explanation of how monks handle everyday communication

Answer: C

Supporting statement: They grow their own food, care for livestock, and even teach young initiates — all through a sophisticated system of gestures, written signs, and symbolic movements.

Keywords: gestures, written signs, symbolic movements

Keyword Location: Para C, Lines 2-3

Explanation: This paragraph explains the communication system the monks use, including gestures, written signs, and symbolic movements, to handle everyday tasks like teaching and caring for livestock.

29. How people from outside the monastery are affected by their visit

Answer: G

Supporting statement: Visitors often describe a deep sense of calm within the monastery walls... Some even return home, adopting days of silence into their own spiritual practices. Keywords: visitors, deep sense of calm, adopting days of silence

Keywords: visitors, deep sense of calm, adopting days of silence

Keyword Location: Para G, Lines 2-4

Explanation: The paragraph discusses the impact on visitors, stating that they feel incredibly at ease and that some even return home and incorporate silent days into their own spiritual routines.

30. Details about what the monks believe speech does to the soul

Answer: D

Supporting statement: Speech, in their view, creates ego, attachment, and conflict. By abstaining from it entirely, the monks aim to detach from worldly identity and instead live in what they call "harmonic stillness."

Keywords: speech, creates ego, attachment, conflict, detach

Keyword Location: Para D, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The paragraph discusses the Teralum doctrine's stance on speech, which holds that it has negative effects on the soul by fostering ego, attachment, and conflict.

31. How the monks survive and sustain themselves physically

Answer: C

Supporting statement: Though they live in silence, the monks of Teralum do not live in isolation. They grow their own food, care for livestock, and even teach young initiates...

Keywords: grow their own food, care for livestock

Keyword Location: Para C, Lines 1-2

Explanation: This paragraph mentions that the monks grow their own food and care for livestock, which are ways they physically sustain themselves.

32. Uncertainty regarding how the order originally began

Answer: B

Supporting statement: The origins of the Teralum order are uncertain. Some scholars claim it was founded in the 9th century CE by a wandering sage named Malen Tho... Others argue that it emerged from an earlier sect...

Keywords: origins, uncertain, some scholars claim, others argue

Keyword Location: Para B, Lines 1-3

Explanation: The paragraph begins by stating the origins are "uncertain" and then presents competing theories. Some scholars claim, Others argue, indicating the lack of certainty.

33. A reference to the adoption of limited modern conveniences

Answer: F

Supporting statement: Despite their strict lifestyle, the Teralum monks have accepted some limited technology in recent years. Solar panels now power the monastery's kitchens and water pumps.

Keywords: limited technology, solar panels, kitchens and water pumps

Keyword Location: Para F, Lines 1-2

Explanation: The acceptance of limited technology is specifically mentioned in this paragraph, along with instances of contemporary amenities like water pumps and solar panels for kitchens.

Questions 34-40

Write ONE WORD ONLY.

34. The monks of Teralum follow an ancient practice that forbids_____________

Answer: SPEECH

Supporting statement: The monks of Teralum follow an ancient practice that forbids speech from the moment of initiation until death.

Keywords: forbids, speech

Keyword Location: Para A, Line 3

Explanation: The passage clearly states that the monks forbid speech as a core part of their practice.

35. The founder of the order is believed by some to be____________Tho.

Answer: MALEN

Supporting statement: Some scholars claim it was founded in the 9th century CE by a wandering sage named Malen Tho.

Keywords: founded, Malen Tho

Keyword Location: Para B, Lines 1-2

Explanation: The text mentions that the order was founded by a wandering sage named Malen Tho in the 9th century.

36. Their system of gestures has developed into a silent___________

Answer: LANGUAGE

Supporting statement: Over generations, this silent system has evolved into a complex language of its own.

Keywords: silent system, evolved, language

Keyword Location: Para C, Lines 3-4

Explanation: According to the passage, the monks' silent system has developed into an intricate language all by itself.

37. Monks believe speech creates ego and emotional__________

Answer: CONFLICT

Supporting statement: Speech, in their view, creates ego, attachment, and conflict.

Keywords: speech, creates, ego, conflict

Keyword Location: Para D, Lines 2-3

Explanation: According to the passage, monks think that speaking generates conflict, ego, and attachment.

38. Brain scans show high activity in areas linked to__________and empathy.

Answer: MEMORY

Supporting statement: Brain scans of monks show higher activity in areas associated with empathy, memory, and emotional regulation.

Keywords: brain scans, empathy, memory

Keyword Location: Para E, Lines 3-4

Explanation: The passage lists empathy, memory, and emotional regulation as areas with higher activity in the monks' brains.

39. Letters and written notes are used for____________with outsiders.

Answer: COMMUNICATION

Supporting statement: Communication with the outside world is handled through writing, mostly in the form of letters or occasional visits by pilgrims and scholars.

Keywords: communication, writing, letters

Keyword Location: Para F, Lines 3-4

Explanation: According to the passage, writing—mostly letters—is how people communicate with the outside world.

40. Many visitors report feeling a sense of__________during their stay.

Answer: CALM

Supporting statement: Visitors often describe a deep sense of calm within the monastery walls, where no voices echo, and no noise interrupts reflection.

Keywords: visitors, deep sense of calm

Keyword Location: Para G, Lines 2-3

Explanation: According to the passage, visitors frequently speak of a profound sense of peace inside the monastery's walls.

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