Crop Circles IELTS Reading Answers

Crop Circles IELTS Reading Answers can help students practise finding information quickly and understanding questions that use different wording from the passage. The passage looks at the history of crop circles, how they became popular, and the different ideas about how they are created.

This article covers:

• The Crop Circles IELTS Reading passage and its main ideas.
• Questions 1–5, with answers and simple explanations.
• Questions 6–10, with relevant information from the passage.
• Questions 11–13, with answers and explanations.
• Simple ways to find keywords and paraphrased information.
• Common mistakes that can lead to wrong IELTS Reading answers.

The IELTS Academic Reading test has 40 questions, with 60 minutes to complete them. IELTS uses different question types to test skills such as finding specific details, understanding main ideas, scanning for information and recognising information written in different ways.

So, while solving the Crop Circles IELTS Reading Answers, focus on what the passage actually says. Do not depend on your own knowledge of crop circles or try to guess an answer just because it sounds possible.

Crop Circles IELTS Reading Passage

The Crop Circles IELTS Reading passage looks at the strange patterns found in crop fields and the different ideas about how they are formed. It covers their history, unusual features, scientific research and some of the theories used to explain them.

This IELTS Reading Test passage also mentions reported changes in plants and soil, along with theories such as the Plasma Vortex Theory and the idea that crop circles may be made as hoaxes. While reading, pay attention to dates, names, numbers and scientific findings because these details can help you locate answers to the questions quickly.

Crop Circles IELTS Reading Passage A For many years, crop circles have confused and interested people around the world. These strange designs seem to appear suddenly in fields of crops. Some are as large as football fields and have very detailed patterns, while others are much smaller and simpler. Despite their name, most crop circles are not actually circular. Some form abstract designs, while others look like insects or other familiar objects. Many are made from lines, circles and different shapes. Most are reported to appear overnight, although some people claim to have seen them appear in daylight in less than 30 minutes. Crop circles have been reported in many parts of the world. Around 10,000 cases have been recorded in different countries in recent years. One of the earliest reported cases in Australia occurred in December 1973, when a strange circular mark appeared in a wheat field at Wokurna, southeast of Adelaide. Seven more swirled circles, some measuring up to 14 feet across, were later found in a nearby field. B Another unusual group of crop circles appeared in a wheat field west of Melbourne in December 1989. The circles varied from only a few inches to several feet in diameter, and around 90 circles were found. The largest well-recorded spread of modern crop circles began in southern England during the summer of 1980. By the end of 1988, 112 circles had been recorded. The number increased quickly, with more than 1,000 new circles reported in 1990. By 1991, around 200 to 300 circles were being reported. Crop circles had also been found in more than 30 countries, including Canada, the former Soviet Union, Japan and the USA. C The crop plants found around these formations can also look unusual. In about nine out of ten circles, the stalks around the rings remain standing, while the damaged stalks are flattened and twisted close to the ground. Over time, the designs have become much more complicated. Early formations were mainly simple circles, but later designs included several circles, bars, triangles, rings and spurs. Some even showed pictures or other recognisable images. There have also been reports of unusual events around crop circles. Some people walking through the countryside have claimed to see strange lights or hear unknown sounds shortly before a crop circle appeared. High-pitched sounds have also been recorded at some sites. D On several occasions, people have reported seeing a strange glow or darker area in the sky above a formation. There have even been claims that the electrical systems of small aircraft flying above a crop circle suddenly stopped working. Animals and insects do not seem to be badly affected by whatever forces may be involved. For example, when a flock of birds approaches a crop circle, the birds have sometimes been seen splitting into groups and flying around the outside of the formation instead of passing directly over it. The unusual nature of crop circles has attracted the attention of scientists. Researchers have spent considerable time studying the formations and looking for possible explanations. E Scientists examine crop circle sites for signs of human activity. They also investigate geographical features and compare plants growing inside the circles with those growing outside them. Dr. W. C. Levengood of BLT Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts, studied many samples of crops from these formations. His research reported major changes at the cellular level of some plants. Plants from inside the circles were found to have elongated cells and unusual growth nodes. When seeds taken from these plants were grown, they sometimes developed faster than normal and produced plants with a different appearance. In some cases, researchers have suggested that a vortex-like energy may have caused the plants to bend and flatten into the patterns seen in the fields. F The plants can continue to grow normally after the formation appears. They still respond to sunlight and may begin to grow upwards again over the following days. Other researchers have also reported unusual findings. Michael Corost of Duke University found short-lived radioactive materials in the upper layer of soil at several formations. A British government laboratory reported lower nitrogen levels, fewer nematodes and less water in soil from some crop circle sites. Researchers have also reported other unusual features, including magnetic particles found in the soil and signs of burning. Some plant stalks inside the formations appeared to have been heated rapidly, possibly by microwaves. G Scientists have suggested that crop circles may have natural explanations. One well-known idea is the Plasma Vortex Theory. Dr. Terence Meaden suggested that electrically charged air moving around hills could create small tornado-like vortices. These could reach the ground and flatten crops into circular patterns. According to this theory, the electrically charged air could also produce a light above the formation. This could help explain some reports of UFOs and strange lights near crop circles. However, the Plasma Vortex Theory has faced criticism, especially because crop circles became much more detailed and complex after 1991. Simple natural vortices may explain basic circular formations, but some researchers question whether they can explain the more complicated designs. Another explanation is that crop circles are all hoaxes or practical jokes. However, some people argue that it is difficult to accept that every crop circle was made by humans simply for publicity. A number of formations appeared before crop circles became widely known. Researchers have also found unusual mathematical patterns in some formations, which has continued to fuel debate about how they were created.

Also Read: How to Register for the IELTS Exam in India 

Crop Circles IELTS Reading Answers: Questions 1–5

Questions 1 to 5 are Yes/No/Not Given questions. Here you have to check if the statement matches what the writer thinks in the passage. Yes means the writer agrees with the statement. No means the statement is the opposite of what the writer thinks. Not Given means the passage does not provide information to decide.

For these questions, the IELTS Exam says don't use what you already know about crop circles. Read the sentence, find the part of the text that is connected and then check the meaning.

Questions 1–5

Q1: Crop circles only appear in wheat fields.
Answer: NO

Explanation:
The passage does mention crop circles in wheat fields, but it does not say that they appear only in wheat fields. In fact, it says that crop circles have been spotted in many parts of the world. So, the word “only” makes the statement incorrect.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph A

Q2: Crop circles have never been documented in tropical countries.
Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation:
The passage says that crop circles have been found in more than 30 countries. However, it does not say whether any of these countries are tropical or whether crop circles have never appeared in tropical areas. Since the writer does not give this information, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph B

Q3: The largest number of crop circle reportings in a single year occurred in 1990.
Answer: YES

Explanation:
The passage gives figures for different years. It says that in 1990, the number of newly established circles went above 1,000. The other yearly figures mentioned are much lower. Therefore, the statement agrees with the information given by the writer.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph B

Q4: The patterns of crop circles have become increasingly complex over the years.
Answer: YES

Explanation:
The passage clearly says that crop circles have become much more complicated over time. It gives examples of later designs containing circles, bars, triangles, rings, spurs and even pictures. This directly supports the statement.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph C

Q5: All crop circles are hoaxes.
Answer: NO

Explanation:
The passage mentions the idea that all crop circles could be hoaxes or practical jokes. However, it says that this explanation is difficult to accept. Some crop circles appeared before the phenomenon became widely known, and researchers have also found unusual patterns and other features at some sites.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph G

Crop Circles IELTS Reading Answers Key (1–5: Yes/No/Not Given):-

Question	Answer
1	NO
2	NOT GIVEN
3	YES
4	YES
5	NO

Crop Circles IELTS Reading Answers: Questions 6–9

Questions 6–9 are Summary Completion questions. You have to finish the summary by using words from the text. The answers are usually, in one part of the text so you must first locate the part that discusses the subject in the summary.

Read the sentence around each blank before choosing your answer. Also, check the word limit carefully. Writing more words than allowed can result in losing the mark.

Questions 6–9

Complete the summary below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Q6. Since the early 1970s, over ten thousand crop circles have been reported around the world, the greatest number of which are in __________ where over one hundred circles appeared in a single year.

Answer: SOUTHERN ENGLAND

Explanation:
The answer is found in the part of the passage that talks about the spread of crop circles. It says that the biggest modern spread began in southern England. More than 100 circles were recorded there by the end of 1988.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph B

Keyword connection:
greatest number → best-documented and greatest modern spread → southern England

Q7. Phenomena such as the appearance of strange lights and unusual __________ sometimes occur around the sites of crop circles.

Answer: HIGH-PITCHED WARBLING NOISES

Explanation:
The passage says that people have reported strange lights and unusual sounds around some crop circles. It later gives the exact description high-pitched warbling noises. This matches the information needed for the blank.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph C

Keyword connection:
unusual → high-pitched warbling noises

Q8. __________ are not affected but it has been observed that birds __________ flying over a formation.

Answer: ANIMALS OR INSECTS

Explanation:
The passage says that the energy linked to crop circles does not seem to harm animals or insects. It then talks about birds changing their path around the crop circle. The first blank is therefore linked to animals or insects.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph C

Keyword connection:
not affected → do not appear to damage animals or insects

Q9. __________ flying over a formation.

Answer: AVOID

Explanation:
The passage says that birds do not fly directly over some crop circle formations. Instead, they split up and fly around the perimeter. This shows that they avoid flying over the formation.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph C

Keyword connection:
birds → fly around the perimeter → avoid

Crop Circles IELTS Reading Answers Key (6–9: Summary Completion):-

Question	Answer
6	SOUTHERN ENGLAND
7	HIGH-PITCHED, WARBLING
8	ANIMALS / INSECTS / WILD CREATURES
9	AVOID

Crop Circles IELTS Reading Answers: Questions 10–13

Questions 10–13 are Matching Features questions. In this type, you need to match each statement with the correct person or feature mentioned in the passage. IELTS says these questions test your ability to see the connection between facts, opinions and theories. You also need to skim and scan the passage to find the right information quickly. 

For the Crop Circles passage, the options are researchers connected with different findings and theories. Do not match an answer just because you recognise the person’s name. Find the work or idea linked to that person and then compare it with the statement.

Questions 10–13

Match each statement with the correct researcher.

A. Dr Terence Meaden
B. Dr W. C. Levengood
C. Michael Corost

Q10: Found short-lived radioactive materials in the soil of crop circle formations.
Answer: C. Michael Corost

Explanation:
The passage says that Michael Corost from Duke University found short-lived radionuclides in the top layer of soil at some crop circle sites. This directly matches the statement.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph F

Keyword connection: short-lived radioactive materials → short-lived radionuclides

Q11: Found that seeds from crop circle plants could grow faster than normal.
Answer: B. Dr W. C. Levengood

Explanation:
Dr W. C. Levengood studied crop samples from crop circle formations. I am intrigued by crop samples that come from crop circle formations. When seeds from crop samples were grown seeds sometimes showed accelerated development rates. Looked different, from normal plants.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph E

Keyword connection: grow faster than normal → accelerated development rates

Q12: Suggested that electrically charged air could create small tornado-like formations.
Answer: A. Dr Terence Meaden

Explanation:
Dr Terence Meaden came up with the Plasma Vortex Theory. He believed that charged air could create small tornado-like whirls. These whirls might touch the ground. Knock down crops in circular shapes.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph G

Keyword connection: electrically charged air → electrified air; tornado-like formations → micro tornados

Q13: Reported changes in the cells of plants found inside crop circles.
Answer: B. Dr W. C. Levengood

Explanation:
The passage describes Dr W. C. Levengood's research into plants from crop circle formations. His work reported changes at the cellular level, including elongated cells and unusual growth nodes.

Relevant paragraph: Paragraph E

Keyword connection: changes in cells → alterations at the cellular level

Crop Circles IELTS Reading Answers Key (10–13: Matching Information):-

Question	Answer
10	C
11	B
12	A
13	B

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How to Approach the Crop Circles IELTS Reading Answers

The Crop Circles IELTS Reading passage has different types of questions, so using the same method for every question may not work. A better approach is to first understand what the question is asking and then search for the related information in the passage.

The IELTS Academic Reading test checks skills such as finding details, understanding main ideas, skimming and scanning. You have 60 minutes to answer 40 questions, so managing your time is also important.

1. Identify Keywords Before Reading

Start by finding the important words in the question. These words can help you locate the right part of the passage faster.

For example, in a question about seeds growing faster, words like seeds and faster growth are useful clues. You can then look for similar words in the passage, such as accelerated development rates.

2. Look for Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is one of the most important skills in IELTS Reading. The question may use one phrase while the passage uses another phrase with the same meaning.

For example:

• growing faster → accelerated development
• electrically charged air → electrified air
• changes in plant cells → alterations at the cellular level
• strange sounds → high-pitched warbling noises

3. Read the Information Around the Keyword

Finding a keyword is only the first step. Always read the sentence around it before choosing an answer. This is especially useful for questions where two researchers or theories are discussed close to each other. In the Crop Circles passage, several scientists are mentioned, but each one has a different area of research.

For example, Dr Levengood is linked with changes in plants and seeds, while Dr Meaden is linked with the Plasma Vortex Theory. Reading the surrounding information helps you avoid mixing them up.

4. Follow the Word Limit

For summary completion questions, always check the instruction before writing your answer. The Crop Circles questions require NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

This means an answer with four words will not be accepted, even if the meaning is correct. IELTS also states that going over the given word limit can result in losing the mark.

Also Read: Best IELTS Reading Tips

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Crop Circles IELTS Reading

The Crop Circles IELTS Reading passage may appear easy at first. Small mistakes can cost important marks. Most errors happen when students read quickly miss a keyword or choose an answer without checking the full meaning. 

The table below covers some mistakes and shows how students can avoid them.

Common mistake	How to avoid it	Why it matters
Looking only for exact words	Search for synonyms and paraphrased phrases too	IELTS questions may use different words from the passage
Choosing an answer too quickly	Read the sentence before and after the keyword	The nearby information can change the meaning
Ignoring the word limit	Check the instructions before answering	Writing more words than allowed can make the answer wrong
Spending too long on one question	Mark it and come back later if needed	You have only 60 minutes for 40 Reading questions
Using general knowledge	Answer only from information given in the passage	IELTS Reading answers must be based on the text
Mixing up scientists and theories	Note what each person studied or suggested	Several researchers are mentioned in the Crop Circles passage
Not checking spelling	Read your answers once before moving on	Spelling mistakes can affect your answer

Want to practise more IELTS Reading passages? Check out these answer guides covering a range of topics and question types:

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Conclusion

The Crop Circles IELTS Reading Answers passage is a good practice set for improving your reading speed and understanding paraphrased information. It covers the history of crop circles, different scientific findings, possible explanations and the debate around their origin.

While solving the passage, focus on the exact information given in the text. Keep these points in mind:

• Find keywords before looking for the answer.
• Look for synonyms and paraphrased information.
• Read the sentences around the keyword before choosing an answer.
• Follow the word limit carefully in summary completion questions.
• Do not use your own knowledge to answer the questions.
• Check spelling before submitting your answers.
• Do not spend too much time on one difficult question.

Regular practice with different IELTS Reading question types can help you become faster and more confident. Try solving the passage with a timer and then check where you made mistakes. This will help you understand which question types need more practice.

If you need help with your IELTS preparation, student visa process, or other parts of your study abroad journey, you can book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad’s study abroad experts today!