HIGHS & LOWS - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 03 Academic Reading Test 3 · Part 3 · Questions 26–40
Reading Passage
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 26-40 which are based on Reading Passage 3 below.
HIGHS & LOWS
Hormone levels - and hence our moods -may be affected by the weather. Gloomy weather can cause depression, but sunshine appears to raise the spirits. In Britain, for example, the dull weather of winter drastically cuts down the amount of sunlight that is experienced which strongly affects some people. They become so depressed and lacking in energy that their work and social life are affected. This condition has been given the name SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Sufferers can fight back by making the most of any sunlight in winter and by spending a few hours each day under special, full-spectrum lamps. These provide more ultraviolet and blue-green light than ordinary fluorescent and tungsten lights. Some Russian scientists claim that children learn better after being exposed to ultraviolet light. In warm countries, hours of work are often arranged so that workers can take a break, or even a siesta, during the hottest part of the day. Scientists are working to discover the links between the weather and human beings’ moods and performance.
It is generally believed that tempers grow shorter in hot, muggy weather. There is no doubt that ‘crimes against the person’ rise in the summer, when the weather is hotter and fall in the winter when the weather is colder. Research in the United States has shown a relationship between temperature and street riots. The frequency of riots rises dramatically as the weather gets warmer, hitting a peak around 27-30°C. But is this effect really due to a mood change caused by the heat? Some scientists argue that trouble starts more often in hot weather merely because there are more people in the street when the weather is good.
Psychologists have also studied how being cold affects performance. Researchers compared divers working in icy cold water at 5°C with others in water at 20°C (about swimming pool temperature). The colder water made the divers worse at simple arithmetic and other mental tasks. But significantly, their performance was impaired as soon as they were put into the cold water - before their bodies had time to cool down. This suggests that the low temperature did not slow down mental functioning directly, but the feeling of cold distracted the divers from their tasks.
Psychologists have conducted studies showing that people become less sceptical and more optimistic when the weather is sunny However, this apparently does not just depend on the temperature. An American psychologist studied customers in a temperature-controlled restaurant. They gave bigger tips when the sun was shining and smaller tips when it wasn’t, even though the temperature in the restaurant was the same. A link between weather and mood is made believable by the evidence for a connection between behaviour and the length of the daylight hours. This in turn might involve the level of a hormone called melatonin, produced in the pineal gland in the brain. The amount of melatonin falls with greater exposure to daylight. Research shows that melatonin plays an important part in the seasonal behaviour of certain animals. For example, food consumption of stags increases during the winter, reaching a peak in February/ March. It falls again to a low point in May, then rises to a peak in September, before dropping to another minimum in November. These changes seem to be triggered by varying melatonin levels.
In the laboratory, hamsters put on more weight when the nights are getting shorter and their melatonin levels are falling. On the other hand, if they are given injections of melatonin, they will stop eating altogether. It seems that time cues provided by the changing lengths of day and night trigger changes in animals’ behaviour - changes that are needed to cope with the cycle of the seasons. People’s moods too, have been shown to react to the length of the daylight hours. Sceptics might say that longer exposure to sunshine puts people in a better mood because they associate it with the happy feelings of holidays and freedom from responsibility. However, the belief that rain and murky weather make people more unhappy is borne out by a study in Belgium, which showed that a telephone counselling service gets more telephone calls from people with suicidal feelings when it rains.
When there is a thunderstorm brewing, some people complain of the air being ‘heavy’ and of feeling irritable, moody and on edge. They may be reacting to the fact that the air can become slightly positively charged when large thunderclouds are generating the intense electrical fields that cause lightning flashes. The positive charge increases the levels of serotonin (a chemical involved in sending signals in the nervous system). High levels of serotonin in certain areas of the nervous system make people more active and reactive and, possibly, more aggressive. When certain winds are blowing, such as the Mistral in southern France and the Fohn in southern Germany, mood can be affected - and the number of traffic accidents rises. It may be significant that the concentration of positively charged particles is greater than normal in these winds. In the United Kingdom, 400,000 ionizers are sold every year. These small machines raise the number of negative ions in the air in a room. Many people claim they feel better in negatively charged air.
Questions
Questions 26–28 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the appropriate letters A—D.
Questions 29–34 True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information in Reading Passage 3?
TRUE if the statement is true according to the passage
FALSE if the statement is false according to the passage
NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage
Questions 35–37 Multiple Choice (Three Answers)
Choose THREE letters A—G.
Questions 38–40 Matching Sentence Endings
Complete each of the following statements with the best ending from the box below.
A. daylight
B. hot weather
C. melatonin
D. moderate temperatures
E. poor co-ordination
F. time cues
G. impaired performance
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q26 | A | This suggests that the low temperature did not slow down mental functioning directly, but the feeling of cold distracted the divers from their tasks | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says the cold water didn't stop the divers' brains from working correctly. Instead, feeling very cold took their attention away from what they were doing. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the divers had trouble focusing on their work because the cold made them lose their attention. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the passage explains that the divers' performance got worse not because their brains slowed down, but because the uncomfortable feeling of being cold distracted them. In English, being distracted is a synonym for being less able to concentrate. The study found that their performance dropped immediately, even before their bodies actually cooled down, which shows that the main problem was losing focus rather than a physical change in how their brains worked. |
| Q27 | B | The amount of melatonin falls with greater exposure to daylight. Research shows that melatonin plays an important part in the seasonal behaviour of certain animals. For example, food consumption of stags increases during the winter, reaching a peak in February/ March | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when animals are in the sun more, they have less of a chemical called melatonin in their bodies. This chemical affects how they act at different times of the year, such as how much food a male deer (stag) eats. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the amount of time the sun is out each day changes how animals eat. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the passage explains that the amount of daylight affects the level of a hormone called melatonin. This hormone is described as a 'time cue' that affects the 'seasonal behaviour' of animals. The passage gives examples of this by mentioning 'food consumption' (which means feeding habits) in stags and weight changes in hamsters. Therefore, the length of the day (daylight hours) influences how and when these animals eat. |
| Q28 | B | When there is a thunderstorm brewing, some people complain of the air being ‘heavy’ and of feeling irritable, moody and on edge | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when a storm is starting to form, people often report feeling annoyed, in a bad mood, or tense because of the heavy air. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people might get grumpy or easily annoyed because of the way they react to natural events like storms or specific types of wind. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the text describes how weather events, such as a coming storm or specific winds, can change the air. These changes in the air make some people feel irritable, moody, or nervous. In this context, a 'thunderstorm' is an example of a 'weather phenomenon'. |
| Q29 | NOT GIVEN | Some Russian scientists claim that children learn better after being exposed to ultraviolet light | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage mentions a study about Russian children and how light helps them learn, but it does not say that they are currently suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder or that their education is being hurt by it. Answer Explanation: The answer "NOT GIVEN" means that the text does not contain enough information to say if Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is actually causing problems for children's schoolwork in Russia. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because, although the passage mentions Russian scientists and children's learning, it never says that SAD is disrupting (interfering with) education in Russia. It simply mentions that ultraviolet light can help children learn better. The text discusses SAD in Britain and mentions a claim by Russian scientists, but it does not link the disorder to any specific educational problems in Russia. |
| Q30 | FALSE | High levels of serotonin in certain areas of the nervous system make people more active and reactive and, possibly, more aggressive | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when there is a lot of serotonin, people might become more active or angry, but it uses the word 'possibly' to show this is only a chance and not a certain fact. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the statement—claiming serotonin is a necessary or main reason for human anger—is incorrect according to the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the statement describes serotonin as an 'essential' (necessary or fundamental) cause, while the passage only says it 'possibly' makes people more aggressive. The word 'possibly' indicates that it is a potential or uncertain result, not a guaranteed or essential one. Therefore, the definite claim in the statement contradicts the cautious, uncertain language used in the text. |
| Q31 | FALSE | Sceptics might say that longer exposure to sunshine puts people in a better mood because they associate it with the happy feelings of holidays and freedom from responsibility | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that people who are doubtful (sceptics) think we feel happy in the sun because we connect it to holidays, but this is presented as an opinion, not as scientific fact. Answer Explanation: The answer means that it is not true that scientific proof links 'happy memories' to our mood. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage says that the idea of 'happy associations' (linking sunshine to holidays or fun) is what 'sceptics'—people who doubt the main theory—believe. However, the 'scientific evidence' and 'research' mentioned in the text actually link our mood to biological factors like 'hormones' (melatonin and serotonin) and daylight hours, rather than just happy memories. |
| Q32 | TRUE | In Britain, for example, the dull weather of winter drastically cuts down the amount of sunlight that is experienced which strongly affects some people. They become so depressed and lacking in energy that their work and social life are affected. This condition has been given the name SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the dark weather during winter causes some people to feel very depressed. Because this happens during a specific time of year, it has been officially named Seasonal Affective Disorder. Answer Explanation: The answer means that science or medical experts have found a connection between people feeling very sad (depression) and the specific season or time of the year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage explains that some people experience deep sadness and a loss of energy during the winter when there is less sunlight. This specific type of depression is officially recognized and named Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The word 'seasonal' refers to the time of year, and 'disorder' refers to a medical or psychological condition like depression. Keywords like 'depressed' and 'winter' show the link between a mood state and a time of year. |
| Q33 | TRUE | The amount of melatonin falls with greater exposure to daylight | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the level of melatonin decreases when it is light outside. Because the amount of light changes throughout the year (with the seasons), the level of melatonin stays high or increases when days are darker and goes down when days are brighter. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the amount of the hormone melatonin in the body goes up during specific parts of the year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage explains that melatonin production is connected to how much daylight we get. It states that melatonin levels 'fall' (go down) when there is more daylight. Since the amount of daylight changes with the seasons—for example, there is less sunlight in the winter and more in the summer—it follows that the amount of melatonin must 'increase' or rise when there is less light. Therefore, the levels of this hormone change and go up or down depending on the time of year. The passage also uses the word 'varying' to describe how these levels change over different months. |
| Q34 | NOT GIVEN | The positive charge increases the levels of serotonin (a chemical involved in sending signals in the nervous system). High levels of serotonin in certain areas of the nervous system make people more active and reactive and, possibly, more aggressive Research shows that melatonin plays an important part in the seasonal behaviour of certain animals. For example, food consumption of stags increases during the winter, reaching a peak in February/ March |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage shows that a positive charge affects a chemical called serotonin, which changes how active or angry people feel. In a different part of the text, it explains that eating habits (food consumption) are controlled by a different hormone called melatonin, but it does not link these two separate ideas together. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN because the passage does not provide enough information to say if positively charged ions affect how much or how often people and animals eat. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the passage mentions 'positive charge' and 'eating' (food consumption) in two different contexts, but it never connects them. While the text explains that a positive charge can make people more active or aggressive and that the hormone melatonin can change eating habits, it does not state that positive ions themselves have any influence on eating habits. |
| Q35 | — | — | |
| Q36 | — | — | |
| Q37 | B / D / E | Psychologists have conducted studies showing that people become less sceptical and more optimistic when the weather is sunny However, the belief that rain and murky weather make people more unhappy is borne out by a study in Belgium, which showed that a telephone counselling service gets more telephone calls from people with suicidal feelings when it rains High levels of serotonin in certain areas of the nervous system make people more active and reactive and, possibly, more aggressive |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that researchers found evidence for weather and chemicals affecting our minds. Specifically, it says that sunshine makes people feel more hopeful, rain is linked to people feeling very unhappy and needing help, and having a lot of a chemical called serotonin makes people more active or even angry. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies three specific factors—rainy weather, high levels of the chemical serotonin, and sunny weather—that scientists have found to change the way people feel or behave. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B, D, and E because the passage mentions scientific research or studies that link these specific conditions to human psychology. 'Sunny weather' (E) is supported by psychologists' studies showing people become more positive. 'Rainy weather' (B) is supported by a Belgian study linking rain to increased feelings of sadness and suicidal thoughts. 'High serotonin levels' (D) are described as making people more active or aggressive within their nervous system. Other options like 'lack of negative ions' are based on what people 'claim' rather than scientific proof, and things like 'food consumption' are discussed in relation to animals rather than human psychology. |
| Q38 | B | Research in the United States has shown a relationship between temperature and street riots. The frequency of riots rises dramatically as the weather gets warmer, hitting a peak around 27-30°C | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that in the United States, there is a connection between the temperature and people fighting in the street. When the weather gets hot, the number of these riots increases very quickly. Answer Explanation: The answer means that more group fighting or trouble (social tension) happens when the weather is very hot. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the text mentions a study from the United States. This study found that 'street riots' (which refers to social tension) happen much more often when 'the weather gets warmer.' Specifically, the passage says these problems reach a peak when the temperature is between '27-30°C,' which is hot weather. |
| Q39 | A | The amount of melatonin falls with greater exposure to daylight In the laboratory, hamsters put on more weight when the nights are getting shorter and their melatonin levels are falling |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that being in the light more often reduces the amount of a chemical called melatonin in the body. It then notes that hamsters gain weight specifically when these melatonin levels are low and the nights are short (which means the days are long and full of light). Answer Explanation: The answer means that hamsters get heavier when they are exposed to sunlight or daylight for a longer period of time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text explains that hamsters gain weight (put on more weight) when the nights get shorter. Shorter nights mean that there is more daylight during the day. Additionally, the passage mentions that weight gain in hamsters happens when melatonin levels fall, and melatonin levels fall when animals are exposed to more daylight. |
| Q40 | F | It seems that time cues provided by the changing lengths of day and night trigger changes in animals’ behaviour - changes that are needed to cope with the cycle of the seasons | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that signals from the changing length of days and nights cause animals to act differently. These changes are necessary for them to survive the different seasons of the year. Answer Explanation: The answer means that animals use signals from the environment, specifically the changing length of daylight, to help them adjust their habits throughout the year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'F' because the text explicitly states that 'time cues' help animals change their behavior to survive different seasons. In the passage, it explains that the amount of daylight acts as a signal. These signals, or 'time cues,' trigger adjustments in how much animals eat or how much weight they gain, allowing them to manage the natural changes in weather and food throughout the 'cycle of the seasons.' |