Surf’s Up - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Succeed in IELTS Academic Reading Test 9 · Part 2 · Questions 14–26
Reading Passage
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14 - 26, which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.
Surf's Up
There are two major subdivisions of surfing: longboarding and shortboarding. Their respective names represent differences in the type of surfboard used. Longboards are, as the name suggests, much longer and require a different riding style to shortboards.
Surfboards were originally made of solid wood, and were large and cumbersome, often weighing in excess of 100 pounds. Nowadays, they are more commonly constructed out of polyurethane foam making them much lighter, which means better manoeuvrability for the boarder. This is especially beneficial for longboarders, whose boards can measure up to 3 metres in length. Successful longboarders must learn to carry out difficult walking manoeuvres up and down the board so as to set themselves in the optimal position for catching and riding the wave. The lighter the board, the easier it becomes to execute such manoeuvres. Shortboarders, whose boards are usually between 1.8 and 2 metres long, also benefit from greater manoeuvrability though, and are able to turn and adjust more quickly thanks to the lighter boards.
It is claimed that surfing was first observed being enjoyed by native Tahitians in 1767 by European explorers. Later travellers also reported seeing naked locals, both men and women, amusing themselves in the surf off the coast of Hawaii. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the sport is synonymous with the South Pacific and Hawaii in particular. Today, however, the popularity of surfing is such that surf clubs have popped up almost everywhere, from the windy West Coast of Ireland, to the ultra-chic Californian beaches. Indeed, it is in Northern California where perhaps the most famous and glamorous surfing takes place.
The prospective surfer would be well-advised to consider the dangers associated with the sport before he takes to the waves. Like all water sports, surfing carries with it the inherent danger of drowning. Although the board itself offers buoyancy, it can also be a hindrance, and a deadly one at that if its leash becomes entangled in a reef, holding the surfer underwater. Ideal water conditions for surfing can be extremely demanding on the body, too, and require the surfer to be an extremely competent swimmer.
Collisions with sandbanks, reefs, surfboards and other surfers can also be extremely hazardous and can lead to concussion – a death sentence if the surfer is not rescued from the water quickly. Although rarer, attacks by marine animals are not uncommon, with sharks, rays, seals and jellyfish posing the greatest threats. You certainly need to be a courageous soul to brave the waves in this sport.
But for those who insist on giving it a go, the rewards can be very gratifying, and it isn't too expensive to get up and running either. Surf schools in popular destinations offer multi-day beginner and intermediate courses that focus on the basic fundamentals. Five-day courses start from as little as £100 and there are all-inclusive camps, too, which cover accommodation, meals, lessons and equipment. Longboards, given their superior paddling speed and stability, are usually preferred by coaches for use with beginners. Typically, the courses break down the technique into separate skills: the first one being how to get into position to catch a wave, the second one being how to ride the wave and not fall off. Balance, of course, plays a crucial role, so a lot of time is dedicated to balance training exercises as well.
Difficult though it may be to master the art of surfing, it can also be extremely rewarding, and there are few feelings to compare with the exhilaration of riding out your first wave. So, for those of you daredevil adrenalin junkies who fancy having a go, details of a surf club near you can be found on the British Surfing Association's website, britsurf.co.uk.
And try to remember as your feet are dangling over the side of the board, Jaws was just a film; it ALMOST certainly won't happen to you!
Questions
Questions 14–19 One Choice
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.
Questions 20–21 Two Choices
Choose TWO letters, A - E.
Questions 22–23 Two Choices
Choose TWO letters, A - E.
Questions 24–26 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Subdivisions of surfing: | Longboarding | Shortboarding | |||
| Surfing originated in: | The South Pacific | ||||
| Common dangers include: | 24 | if the board's leash becomes entangled in a reef, can be deadly | difficult water conditions | collision & concussion | attacks by local sealife |
| Starting cost of five-day courses: | 25 | ||||
| 26 include: | accommodation | meals | lessons | equipment | |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q14 | D | Nowadays, they are more commonly constructed out of polyurethane foam making them much lighter, which means better manoeuvrability for the boarder | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that surfboards today are made of a light foam material, making them weigh much less and allowing surfers to control and move their boards much more easily. Answer Explanation: The answer means that both longboards and shortboards do not weigh as much as they used to and are easier to control and turn. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the text explains that in the past, surfboards were heavy and made of solid wood. Today ("Nowadays"), surfboards are made from foam, which makes them "much lighter" and gives the rider "better manoeuvrability" (easier to steer and move). The passage clearly states that both longboarders and shortboarders benefit from this lightness and greater control. Choices A and B describe old boards, and choice C only applies to longboarders. |
| Q15 | D | It is claimed that surfing was first observed being enjoyed by native Tahitians in 1767 by European explorers. Later travellers also reported seeing naked locals, both men and women, amusing themselves in the surf off the coast of Hawaii. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the sport is synonymous with the South Pacific and Hawaii in particular | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that European visitors first noticed local people surfing in Tahiti and Hawaii, which makes the sport closely linked to the South Pacific region. Answer Explanation: The answer means that surfing originally started and was done by people living in the South Pacific islands, such as Tahiti. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the text explains that European explorers first saw surfing being done by native people in Tahiti in 1767, and later in Hawaii, which connects the origins of the sport to the South Pacific. Option A is wrong because European explorers only watched the sport, they did not invent it. Option B is wrong because Tahitians were the ones surfing, while the European explorers were the ones observing. Option C is wrong because only historical local people were seen surfing naked, not surfers in general today. |
| Q16 | D | Today, however, the popularity of surfing is such that surf clubs have popped up almost everywhere, from the windy West Coast of Ireland, to the ultra-chic Californian beaches | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that nowadays, surfing has become so well-liked that people have opened surf clubs in nearly every part of the world, from cold and windy coasts to sunny beaches. Answer Explanation: The answer means that surfing is now loved and practiced by people in many places across the globe. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the text mentions that surfing is now so popular that clubs for it appear "almost everywhere," giving examples from Ireland to California. The phrase "almost everywhere" matches the idea of "all around the world." Other choices mention specific places, but the text uses them only as examples to show how widespread the sport has become. |
| Q17 | D | The prospective surfer would be well-advised to consider the dangers associated with the sport before he takes to the waves | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that anyone planning to surf is strongly advised to think about the dangers of the sport before going into the water. Answer Explanation: The answer means that a person who wants to start surfing needs to know about the possible dangers first. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the author states that someone planning to surf should think carefully about the hazards of the sport before entering the water. In the text, "prospective surfer" corresponds to a beginner or future surfer, "well-advised to consider" means that they should think about or be aware of, "dangers" means "risks", and "takes to the waves" means "takes to the water". |
| Q18 | A | Although the board itself offers buoyancy, it can also be a hindrance, and a deadly one at that if its leash becomes entangled in a reef, holding the surfer underwater | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that even though a surfboard helps you float, it can also stop you from being safe and even cause death if its rope gets stuck on underwater rocks or reefs. Answer Explanation: The answer means that sometimes, a surfboard can cause problems and put a surfer in danger instead of keeping them safe. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text states that while a surfboard helps keep you floating (buoyancy), it can also become a "hindrance" (something that gets in the way or creates an obstacle), and even a "deadly" one if the board's cord gets caught on a reef and traps the surfer under the water. |
| Q19 | C | Collisions with sandbanks, reefs, surfboards and other surfers can also be extremely hazardous and can lead to concussion – a death sentence if the surfer is not rescued from the water quickly | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that crashing into objects or people can cause a serious head injury, and this will cause a person to die if they are not saved from the water fast. Answer Explanation: The answer "fatal" means causing death. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text states that hitting something (a collision) can cause a head injury (concussion), which becomes a "death sentence" if someone is not saved from the water right away. In English, a "death sentence" means something will cause death, which matches the word "fatal". Notice the keywords: "unless you are pulled from the water quickly" matches "if the surfer is not rescued from the water quickly", and "a death sentence" means "fatal". |
| Q20 | — | — | |
| Q21 | B / D | Ideal water conditions for surfing can be extremely demanding on the body, too, and require the surfer to be an extremely competent swimmer attacks by marine animals are not uncommon, with sharks, rays, seals and jellyfish posing the greatest threats |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage shows two specific hazards: first, the water conditions needed for surfing can be very tough on a person's body, and second, sea creatures like sharks pose serious dangers to surfers through potential attacks. Answer Explanation: The answer means that two real dangers surfers can face are difficult water conditions and the risk of being attacked by sharks. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B and D because the passage lists the dangers of surfing in paragraphs 4 and 5. For D, the text explicitly mentions that "Ideal water conditions for surfing can be extremely demanding on the body", which means the sea conditions can be hard and physically exhausting. For B, the text states that "attacks by marine animals are not uncommon, with sharks, rays, seals and jellyfish posing the greatest threats", which points out the clear potential or risk of shark attacks. Other choices are inaccurate: jellyfish attacks are described as "rarer" rather than frequent, the reef traps the board's leash rather than the reef itself directly holding the surfer, and rescue attempts themselves are not described as hazardous. |
| Q22 | — | — | |
| Q23 | B / C | Difficult though it may be to master the art of surfing, it can also be extremely rewarding, and there are few feelings to compare with the exhilaration of riding out your first wave. So, for those of you daredevil adrenalin junkies who fancy having a go, details of a surf club near you can be found on the British Surfing Association's website, britsurf.co.uk | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that learning to surf might be hard, but achieving it brings great satisfaction and excitement, making it perfect for people who love thrills and an adrenalin rush. Answer Explanation: The answer means that surfing gives a great feeling of satisfaction when you learn it, and it can also give you an exciting thrill or rush of excitement. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B and C because the text describes surfing as both satisfying to learn and exciting. Specifically, paragraph 7 explains that even though learning to surf is difficult, it is "extremely rewarding" and brings great "exhilaration" (a synonym for excitement or an adrenalin rush). The author also directly addresses people who love thrilling excitement as "daredevil adrenalin junkies." In contrast, the passage does not discuss surfing as a career (eliminating A), states that starting out "isn't too expensive" (eliminating D), and mentions risks to the surfer rather than danger to other swimmers (eliminating E). |
| Q24 | drowning | Like all water sports, surfing carries with it the inherent danger of drowning | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that doing any sport in the water involves the natural risk of drowning. Answer Explanation: The answer means dying underwater because you cannot breathe. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by paragraph 4, which discusses the dangers of surfing. The text states that, like other water sports, surfing has an "inherent danger of drowning." In the summary table, this matches the first listed point under common dangers. |
| Q25 | £100 | Five-day courses start from as little as £100 | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the cheapest price to join a five-day surfing course is £100. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the lowest price for a five-day surfing class is 100 British pounds (£100). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is £100 because the table asks for the starting cost of five-day courses. The passage directly states that five-day courses begin at this amount. The key phrase in the table, "Starting cost of five-day courses", matches the text's words "Five-day courses start from as little as £100". |
| Q26 | All-inclusive camps | there are all-inclusive camps, too, which cover accommodation, meals, lessons and equipment | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that people can join all-inclusive camps that provide and pay for their living place, food, surf lessons, and gear together. Answer Explanation: The answer means special holiday programs where the price pays for everything you need, such as a place to stay, food, surfing classes, and surfing gear. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the text in the sixth paragraph. The table asks what includes "accommodation", "meals", "lessons", and "equipment". In the passage, the word "cover" has the same meaning as "include". The author states that "all-inclusive camps" cover all four of these things. |