Wolf Pack - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Road to IELTS Academic Reading Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–13
Reading Passage
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1–13, which are based on Reading Passage 1 below.
"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack."
– Rudyard Kipling, The Law for the Wolves
A wolf pack is an extremely well-organised family group with a well-defined social structure and a clear-cut code of conduct. Every wolf has a certain place and function within the pack and every member has to do its fair share of the work. The supreme leader is a very experienced wolf – the alpha – who has dominance over the whole pack. It is the protector and decision-maker and directs the others as to where, when and what to hunt. However, it does not lead the pack into the hunt, for it is far too valuable to risk being injured or killed. That is the responsibility of the beta wolf, who assumes second place in the hierarchy of the pack. The beta takes on the role of enforcer – fighter or ‘tough guy’– big, strong and very aggressive. It is both the disciplinarian of the pack and the alpha’s bodyguard.
The tester, a watchful and distrustful character, will alert the alpha if it encounters anything suspicious while it is scouting around looking for signs of trouble. It is also the quality controller, ensuring that the others are deserving of their place in the pack. It does this by creating a situation that tests their bravery and courage, by starting a fight, for instance. At the bottom of the social ladder is the omega wolf, subordinate and submissive to all the others, but often playing the role of peacemaker by intervening in an intra-pack squabble and defusing the situation by clowning around. Whereas the tester may create conflict, the omega is more likely to resolve it.
The rest of the pack is made up of mid- to low-ranking non-breeding adults and the immature offspring of the alpha and its mate. The size of the group varies from around six to ten members or more, depending on the abundance of food and numbers of the wolf population in general.
Wolves have earned themselves an undeserved reputation for being ruthless predators and a danger to humans and livestock. The wolf has been portrayed in fairy tales and folklore as a very bad creature, killing any people and other animals it encounters. However, the truth is that wolves only kill to eat, never kill more than they need, and rarely attack humans unless their safety is threatened in some way. It has been suggested that hybrid wolf-dogs or wolves suffering from rabies are actually responsible for many of the historical offences as well as more recent incidents.
Wolves hunt mainly at night. They usually seek out large herbivores, such as deer, although they also eat smaller animals, such as beavers, hares and rodents, if these are obtainable. Some wolves in western Canada are known to fish for salmon. The alpha wolf picks out a specific animal in a large herd by the scent it leaves behind. The prey is often a very young, old or injured animal in poor condition. The alpha signals to its hunters which animal to take down and when to strike by using tail movements and the scent from a gland at the tip of its spine above the tail.
Wolves kill to survive. Obviously, they need to eat to maintain strength and health but the way they feast on the prey also reinforces social order. Every member of the family has a designated spot at the carcass and the alpha directs them to their places through various ear postures: moving an ear forward, flattening it back against the head or swivelling it around. The alpha wolf eats the prized internal organs while the beta is entitled to the muscle-meat of the rump and thigh, and the omega and other low ranks are assigned the intestinal contents and less desirable parts such as the backbone and ribs.
The rigid class structure in a wolf pack entails frequent displays of supremacy and respect. When a higher-ranking wolf approaches, a lesser-ranking wolf must slow down, lower itself, and pass to the side with head averted to show deference; or, in an extreme act of passive submission, it may roll onto its back, exposing its throat and belly. The dominant wolf stands over it, stiff-legged and tall, asserting its superiority and its authority in the pack.
Questions
Questions 1–6 Matching Features
Classify the following statements as referring to
NB You may use any letter more than once.
A. the alpha wolf
B. the beta wolf
C. the tester wolf
D. the omega wolf
Questions 7–13 True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | B | However, it does not lead the pack into the hunt, for it is far too valuable to risk being injured or killed. That is the responsibility of the beta wolf, who assumes second place in the hierarchy of the pack | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the leader (alpha) does not lead the hunt because it is too important to get hurt. Instead, this job belongs to the beta wolf, who holds the second-highest position in the group. Answer Explanation: The answer is B because the beta wolf is the one that leads the physical attack during a hunt. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the passage clearly states that the alpha wolf (the leader) avoids leading the hunt to prevent getting hurt or killed. Instead, leading the hunt is the job of the beta wolf. The beta is described as the 'enforcer' and 'fighter' of the pack, which means it is at the front or 'forefront' during the dangerous activity of killing prey. Keywords like 'responsibility' and 'lead the pack into the hunt' confirm that the beta wolf takes this role. |
| Q2 | D | At the bottom of the social ladder is the omega wolf, subordinate and submissive to all the others, but often playing the role of peacemaker by intervening in an intra-pack squabble and defusing the situation by clowning around | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that although the omega wolf has the lowest rank, it helps the group by acting as a peacemaker. When other wolves fight, it steps in to stop the trouble and make the situation calm again. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the omega wolf as the member of the pack that makes sure everyone gets along and stops arguments. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the passage describes the omega wolf as a 'peacemaker.' It explains that this wolf steps in during fights (intra-pack squabbles) within the family group to calm things down (defuse the situation). While other wolves might start fights or lead, the omega's special job is to keep the peace by acting silly or 'clowning around.' |
| Q3 | A | The supreme leader is a very experienced wolf – the alpha – who has dominance over the whole pack | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the alpha is the top leader and has power over every other member of the wolf family. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the alpha wolf as the leader who is in charge of the group. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text describes the alpha wolf as the 'supreme leader' who has 'dominance' over the entire group. This means the alpha holds the highest position and maintains control by making decisions and directing the other wolves in their activities, such as when and where to hunt. |
| Q4 | C | The tester, a watchful and distrustful character, will alert the alpha if it encounters anything suspicious while it is scouting around looking for signs of trouble | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the tester wolf tells the leader (alpha) if it sees something strange or bad while it is looking around the area. Answer Explanation: The answer is the tester wolf, which is a member of the wolf pack that watches for trouble. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text explains that the tester wolf is always looking for 'signs of trouble'. When it finds something 'suspicious' (which means it looks like danger), it will 'alert' or warn the alpha wolf. The alpha wolf is the leader of the group. |
| Q5 | B | It is both the disciplinarian of the pack and the alpha’s bodyguard | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the beta wolf has two jobs: making sure everyone follows the rules and acting as a guard for the alpha, who is the leader. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that the beta wolf is the specific member of the group that acts as a guard to keep the leader safe. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the passage identifies the beta wolf as the 'alpha’s bodyguard.' In a wolf pack, the 'alpha' is the supreme leader, so the beta wolf's job is to protect that leader from danger. Key words to notice are 'alpha' (the leader) and 'bodyguard' (someone who protects). |
| Q6 | C | It is also the quality controller, ensuring that the others are deserving of their place in the pack. It does this by creating a situation that tests their bravery and courage, by starting a fight, for instance | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says the tester wolf acts like a checker to make sure the other wolves belong in the group. It creates a test or 'trial' by starting a fight to check their bravery. Answer Explanation: The answer is the 'tester' wolf, which is a specific role within a wolf pack. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the passage describes the tester wolf as a 'quality controller.' This means its job is to check if the other wolves are good enough to keep their rank or 'place' in the group. To do this, it 'tests' them by creating difficult situations, such as starting a fight, to see if they are brave. The words 'deserving of their place' in the text mean the same thing as being 'worthy of its status' in the question. |
| Q7 | FALSE | However, the truth is that wolves only kill to eat, never kill more than they need, and rarely attack humans unless their safety is threatened in some way | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that wolves only kill for food and very seldom hurt people unless the wolves feel they are in danger. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE because the statement says wolves are always dangerous, but the text says they actually rarely hurt people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage explains that the idea of wolves being a constant danger is an "undeserved reputation" based on stories like fairy tales. The text clarifies that wolves "rarely attack humans" unless they feel they are not safe. Therefore, they are not a constant danger as the statement suggests. |
| Q8 | TRUE | It has been suggested that hybrid wolf-dogs or wolves suffering from rabies are actually responsible for many of the historical offences as well as more recent incidents | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that wolf-dog mixes or wolves with a sickness called rabies are likely the ones that caused attacks on people in the past and in recent times. Answer Explanation: The answer means it is true that mixed-breed wolves (hybrid wolf-dogs) or sick wolves (those with a disease called rabies) are probably the ones to blame for attacking humans. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage mentions that regular wolves rarely attack humans. It specifically states that "hybrid wolf-dogs" (which means crossbred or mixed) or wolves "suffering from rabies" (which means sick) are the ones "responsible" for many history-based and recent attacks. The term "historical offences" refers to past attacks on people. |
| Q9 | NOT GIVEN | Some wolves in western Canada are known to fish for salmon | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that certain wolves in a specific part of Canada catch and eat salmon, but it does not say if they like this food more than other options. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN because the passage tells us that some wolves in Canada eat salmon, but it never says if they like salmon better than other types of food. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the information provided in the passage is incomplete regarding the wolves' favorite foods. The text notes that some wolves in western Canada are 'known to fish for salmon,' but it does not use words like 'prefer' or 'favorite' to suggest they choose salmon over other animals. Because the passage does not compare their liking of salmon to their liking of other prey like deer or beavers, we cannot determine if the statement is true or false. |
| Q10 | TRUE | The alpha wolf picks out a specific animal in a large herd by the scent it leaves behind | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the leader wolf chooses one single animal from a big group by using the smell that the animal leaves on the ground or in the air. Answer Explanation: The answer means it is true that the leader of the wolf group uses its nose to choose a specific animal it wants to kill for food. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage explains that the supreme leader (called the alpha) chooses which animal to hunt. It says the alpha 'picks out' an animal by looking at the 'scent' it leaves. Scent is a synonym for smell, and picking out means identifying or choosing a particular target. |
| Q11 | FALSE | The prey is often a very young, old or injured animal in poor condition | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the animals wolves choose to catch and eat are usually babies, old animals, or animals that are hurt and not in good physical health. Answer Explanation: The answer is false because wolves do not usually hunt the healthiest animals in a group. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is false because the text explains that when a wolf pack hunts a group of animals, they do not pick the strongest or healthiest ones. Instead, the alpha wolf selects an animal that is "very young, old or injured." These animals are described as being in "poor condition," which is the opposite of being healthy. Therefore, the statement in the question directly contradicts what is written in the passage. |
| Q12 | TRUE | The alpha wolf eats the prized internal organs while the beta is entitled to the muscle-meat of the rump and thigh, and the omega and other low ranks are assigned the intestinal contents and less desirable parts such as the backbone and ribs | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage lists different ranks of wolves—alpha, beta, and omega—and specifically names the different parts of the dead animal's body that each group is allowed to eat. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the specific body part of a killed animal a wolf gets to eat is decided by its rank or position within the group. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage explains a clear feeding order based on the wolf pack's social hierarchy. High-ranking wolves like the alpha get the best parts (organs), middle-ranking wolves like the beta get the muscle meat, and low-ranking wolves like the omega get the leftovers (ribs and backbone). This shows that their status (rank) determines their portion of the food. |
| Q13 | NOT GIVEN | The rigid class structure in a wolf pack entails frequent displays of supremacy and respect. When a higher-ranking wolf approaches, a lesser-ranking wolf must slow down, lower itself, and pass to the side with head averted to show deference; or, in an extreme act of passive submission, it may roll onto its back, exposing its throat and belly. The dominant wolf stands over it, stiff-legged and tall, asserting its superiority and its authority in the pack | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage describes the specific ways wolves show they are lower or higher in rank, such as bowing or lying on their backs. However, it does not say that the leader wolf will fight or bite another wolf if these actions are not performed. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN because the passage does not mention what happens if a low-ranking wolf fails to show respect. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because while the text explains that lower-ranking wolves should show deference (respect) by lowering themselves or rolling over, it never mentions that the dominant wolf will attack them if they do not do this. The passage describes the behavior of showing respect but remains silent on the consequences or punishment for failing to follow these rules. |