In this Academic IELTS Reading article, we provide effective solutions for IELTS Reading Test 2, specifically focusing on Reading Passage 2 titled ‘I contain multitudes’. Our targeted post caters to IELTS candidates who encounter difficulties in locating and comprehending Reading Answers in the AC module. With our expert guidance, you can effortlessly grasp every Reading answer, streamlining your preparation process. Allow us to assist you in efficiently finding IELTS Reading answers and enhancing your overall performance.

IELTS Test 2: AC Reading Module

Reading Passage 2: Questions 14-27

The headline of the passage: I contain multitudes

Questions 14-16: Multiple-choice questions

[This type of question asks you to choose a suitable answer from the options using the knowledge you gained from the passage. Generally, this question is set found as the last question set in most passages so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers for previous questions gives you a good idea about these questions.]

Question no. 14: What point does the writer make about microbes in the first paragraph?   

Keywords for the question: microbes, first paragraph,     

Look at the very first lines of the first paragraph, which is the topic sentence. The writer says here, “Microbes, most of them bacteria, have populated this planet since long before animal life developed and they will outlive us… . ..”

Here, they will outlive us = they will continue to exist for longer than the human race,

So, the answer is: D (They will continue to exist for longer than the human race.)

Question no. 15: In the second paragraph, the writer is impressed by the fact that –   

Keywords for the question: second paragraph, writer, is impressed by, fact,     

In paragraph no. 2, lines 3-4 say, “ . .. . . What is amazing is that while the number of human cells in the average person is about 30 trillion, the number of microbial ones is higher – about 39 trillion. .. .. ..”

Here, What is amazing = the writer is impressed, the number of human cells in the average person is about 30 trillion, the number of microbial ones is higher – about 39 trillion = the average individual has more microbial cells than human ones,

So, the answer is: C (the average individual has more microbial cells than human ones.)

Question no. 16: What is the writer doing in the fifth paragraph?  

Keywords for the question: writer doing, fifth paragraph,    

The first half of paragraph no. 5 explains the discovery of microbes. Here, the writer explains, “For most of human history we had no idea that microbes existed. The first man to see these extraordinarily potent creatures was a Dutch lens-maker Antony van Leeuwenhoek in the 1670s. Using microscopes of his own design that could magnify up to 270 times, he examined a drop of water from a nearby lake and found it teeming with tiny creatures he called ‘animalcules’. .. . . ..”

So, the answer is: A (explaining how a discovery was made.)

Questions 17-20: Completing summary with a list of words

[In this type of question, candidates are asked to complete a summary with a list of words taken from the passage. Candidates must write the correct letters (not the words) which are given in the box under the questions as the answers. Keywords and synonyms are important to find answers correctly. Generally, this type of question maintains a sequence. Find the keywords in the passage and you are most likely to find the answers.]

Title of the summary: We should be more tolerant of microbes

The title of the summary tells us that the answers to this question type lies in Paragraph E.

Question no. 17: Yong’s book argues that we should be more tolerant of microbes. Many have a beneficial effect, and only a relatively small number lead to __________ .  

Keywords for the question: Young’s book argues, should be, tolerant, microbes, many, beneficial effect, only, relatively small number, lead to,   

Lines 1-3 of paragraph no. 6 say, “Yong’s book is in many ways a plea for microbial tolerance, pointing out that while fewer than one hundred species of bacteria bring disease, many thousands more play a vital role in maintaining our health… .. ..”

Here, a plea for microbial tolerance = we should be more tolerant of microbes, many thousands more play a vital role in maintaining our health = many have a beneficial effect, fewer than one hundred species of bacteria bring = only a relatively small number lead to,

disease = illness,

So, the answer is: G (illness)

Question no. 18: And although it is misleading to think of microbes as ‘friendly’, we should also stop thinking of them as enemy. In fact, we should accept that our relationship with microbes is one based on _____________.  

Keywords for the question: although, misleading, think of microbes, friendly, should also stop thinking, enemy, should accept, our relationship with, microbes, based on,

In lines 5-7 of the sixth paragraph, the writer explains, “ . . . . In reality, says Yong, bacteria should not be viewed as either friends or foes, villains or heroes. Instead we should realise we have a symbiotic relationship, that can be mutually beneficial or mutually destructive.” 

Here, bacteria should not be viewed as either friends or foes, villains or heroes = although it is misleading to think of microbes as ‘friendly’, we should also stop thinking of them as enemy,

symbiotic relationship or, mutually beneficial or mutually destructive = partnership,

So, the answer is: B (partnership)

Questions no. 19 & 20: New research shows that microbes have numerous benefits for humans. Amongst other things, they aid digestion, remove poisons, produce vitamins and may even help reduce obesity. However, there is a growing problem. Our poor 19. _________ , our overuse of antibiotics, and our excessive focus on 20. __________  are upsetting the bacterial balance and may be contributing to the huge increase in allergies and immune system problems.

Keywords for the question: new research, microbes, numerous benefits, for humans, aid digestion, remove poisons, produce vitamins, may even help, reduce obesity, however, growing problem, poor, overuse of antibiotics, excessive focus on, upsetting, bacterial balance, may be contributing, huge, increase, allergies, immune system problems,    

The answers lies in paragraph no. 7. Here, the writer says in lines 2-7“ .. .. . . New research is now unravelling the ways in which bacteria aid digestion, regulate our immune systems, eliminate toxins, produce vitamins, affect our behaviour and even combat obesity. ‘They actually help us become who we are,’ says Yong. But we are facing a growing problem. Our obsession with hygiene, our overuse of antibiotics and our unhealthy, low-fibre diets are disrupting the bacterial balance and may be responsible for soaring rates of allergies and immune problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).”

Here, unravelling = shows that, eliminate toxins = remove poisons, combat obesity = reduce obesity,

unhealthy, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) = immune system problems,

low-fibre diets = poor nutrition,

So, the answer for question 19 is: H (nutrition)

And, obsession with hygiene = excessive focus on cleanliness,

So, the answer for question 20 is: E (cleanliness)

Questions 21-26: YES, NO, NOT GIVEN

In this type of question, candidates must find out whether:

The statement in the question matches with the claim of the writer in the text- YES
The statement in the question contradicts the claim of the writer in the text- NO
There is no clear connection of the statement with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN

[TIPS: For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]

Question no. 21: It is possible that using antibacterial products in the home fails to have the desired effect.  

Keywords for the question: possible, using antibacterial products, home, fails to have, desired effect,  

The first few lines of paragraph no. 8 give us the answer to this question. The writer says here, “The most recent research actually turns accepted norms upside down. For example, there are studies indicating that the excessive use of household detergents and antibacterial products actually destroys the microbes that normally keep the more dangerous germs at bay. . .. .. .”

Here, use of household detergents and antibacterial products = using antibacterial products in the home,
destroys the microbes that normally keep the more dangerous germs at bay = fails to have the desired effect,

So, the answer is: YES    

Question no. 22: It is a good idea to ensure that children come into contact with as few bacteria as possible.     

Keywords for the question: good idea, ensure, children, come into contact, as few bacteria, as possible,  

Again, in paragraph no. 8, take a close look at lines 3-5, “ .. .. . . Other studies show that keeping a dog as a pet gives children early exposure to a diverse range of bacteria, which may help protect them against allergies later.”

Here, these lines suggest that ensuring children come into contact with as few bacteria as possible is NOT a good idea.

So, the answer is: NO     

Question no. 23: Young’s book contains more case studies than are necessary.  

Keywords for the question: Young’s book, contains, more case studies, than, necessary,  

Paragraph no. 8 and 9 do not provide any information on whether Yong’s book contains more or less case studies than are necessary.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN     

Question no. 24: The case study about bacteria that prevent squid from being attacked may have limited appeal.   

Keywords for the question: case study, bacteria, prevent, squid, from being attacked, may have, limited appeal,   

In paragraph no. 9, have a look at lines 2-4, where the writer says, “ . . . . Among the less appealing case studies is one about a fungus that is wiping out entire populations of frogs and that can be halted by a rare microbial bacterium. Another is about squid that carry luminescent bacteria that protect them against predators.  … . … . .” 

Here, less appealing case studies = case studies with limited appeal, squid that carry luminescent bacteria that protect them against predators = bacteria that prevent squid from being attacked,

So, the answer is: YES

Question no. 25: Efforts to control dengue fever have been surprisingly successful.  

Keywords for the question: efforts, control dengue fever, surprisingly successful,

In line no. 7 of paragraph no. 9, we find reference to ‘dengue fever’. However, the writer DID NOT MENTION whether efforts to control this fever have been successful or not in this passage.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN  

Question no. 26: Microbes that reduce the risk of infection have already been put inside the walls of some hospital wards.  

Keywords for the question: microbes, reduce, risk of infection, already been put inside, walls of, some hospital wards,  

The final few lines of paragraph no. 9 says, “ . . .. . In the future, our ability to manipulate microbes means we could construct buildings with useful microbes built into their walls to fight off infections. Just imagine a neonatal hospital ward in a specially mixed cocktail of microbes so that babies get the best start in life.”

Here, Just imagine = it is yet to be done / it has not been done yet.  

So, the answer is: NO

Click here for solutions to passage 1: The White Horse of Uffington

Click here for solutions to passage 3: How to make wise decisions