The IELTS Reading section includes passages that test your ability to understand information, find specific details, and recognise ideas expressed in different ways. The New Zealand Seaweed passage is one such IELTS Reading passage. It talks about the nutritional value of seaweed, the different types found in New Zealand, where they grow, and how they are used for food and other products.
The IELTS Academic Reading test has 40 questions, and different question types are used to check your reading skills.
Below is the quick answer key for the New Zealand Seaweed IELTS Reading Answers from the IELTS Academic Reading test. Use it to check your responses quickly.
Question
Answer
Question Type
1
V
Matching Headings
2
II
Matching Headings
3
VIII
Matching Headings
4
I
Matching Headings
5
X
Matching Headings
6
VI
Matching Headings
7
New Zealand carrageen
Flow-chart Completion
8
agar
Flow-chart Completion
9
seameal
Flow-chart Completion
10
cough mixture
Flow-chart Completion
11
A
Matching Features
12
C
Matching Features
13
B
Matching Features
In this article, we will cover the New Zealand Seaweed IELTS Reading passage, questions, answers with explanations, useful Reading strategies, and simple tips to help you solve similar IELTS questions.
Want to understand the complete IELTS test before practising Reading passages? Check the IELTS Exam page for the test format, sections, duration, and key details.
New Zealand Seaweed IELTS Reading Passage for Practice
Before you look at the questions and answers, please read the New Zealand Seaweed IELTS Reading passage carefully. This version has been rewritten in words so it is not the same as the original.
But all the key ideas, important facts, and details needed to answer the questions are still there. Attempt to read the text before referring to the answer key.
New Zealand Seaweed IELTS Reading Passage for Practice
Section A
Seaweed can be a nutritious food. It takes in amounts of different minerals from water like calcium, copper, iodine and iron. These minerals can get into the seaweed through rivers and ocean currents. Seaweed is also a source of vitamins. For instance some people get an amount of vitamin C by eating seaweed.
The nutritional value of seaweed has been known for a time. Seaweed has been eaten by people and Maori people, from New Zealand for a long time.Their diets contain iodine from this food, which may help explain the low level of goitre among these groups. Historical information about Maori food also shows that seaweed was used to make jellies with fruits, nuts and berries.
Section B
New Zealand has hundreds of different seaweed species, and some of them are found only in this part of the world. Around 30 species belong to the Gigartina group. These are known as New Zealand carrageens.
These seaweeds have an important commercial use because they contain a substance called agar. Agar can be used to make seameal and seameal custard. It is also used in products such as cough mixtures, sweets, cosmetics and toothpaste. Other uses include food preservation and some industrial products. During the Second World War, New Zealand Gigartina was also sent to Australia for use in toothpaste.
Section C
New Zealand has many red seaweeds that have commercial value. Several of them can provide agar. These include Pterocladia, Gelidium, Chondrus and Gigartina. However, people in New Zealand made relatively little use of these seaweeds before 1940.
Instead, the country imported Irish moss from England and ready-made agar from Japan. Later, the demand for seaweed products increased and more attention was given to the useful species that were already available in New Zealand.
Section D
Seaweeds are typically classified according to their colour into three main groups: red, brown and green. Typically, these groups are separated in the ocean and along the coast.
Green seaweeds are found in shallow water. Some brown seaweeds may be found at deeper depths and many red seaweeds can even be found at a deeper level. Their location, however, is also dictated by the amount of sunlight that reaches the waters, as well as the temperature of the waters and the length of time spent underwater.
A few species can be exposed to air and sunlight for longer durations. These can be seen more towards the top of the shore. If these species cannot tolerate long exposure they tend to be closer to the low water level or below. Deep water, open coastal rocks also harbor some red seaweeds.
Section E
Seaweeds reproduce in different ways. Some spread through spores, while others reproduce through the fertilisation of egg cells.
Unlike normal land plants, seaweeds do not have roots, flowers, fruits or seeds in the usual sense. They also have very few leaf-like parts. When they are surrounded by water, seaweeds take in nutrients through their fronds.
The part at the bottom of the plant is called the holdfast. Its main job is to attach the seaweed to a surface. It does not absorb nutrients like the roots of many land plants do.
Section F
There are several methods of holding large seaweeds aloft. Some of them are equipped with air-filled floats and others like bull kelp are equipped with large air-filled cells.
The seaweeds that are put out of the water for extended periods must also cope with the effects of drying out. There are some that have water-storing stems. Some have enlarged areas called nodules or forms that help to retain moisture.
The sea cactus has another solution to this problem. Has a viscous liquid or a mucilage layer on its surface. This coating keeps the plant moist and it protects it from strong waves in some large kelps.
Now that you have read the New Zealand Seaweed IELTS Reading passage for practice try answering the questions without checking the answers. The questions are arranged like the IELTS Reading Test set but the wording is different, for practice.
Questions 1–6: Matching Headings
The practice passage has six sections, A–F.
Choose the correct heading for each section from the list below.
Write the correct number, i–viii, for Questions 1–6.
List of Headings
i. How seaweed is classified by colour ii. The nutritional value and traditional use of seaweed iii. The commercial importance of New Zealand seaweed iv. How seaweed reproduces and attaches itself v. Seaweed products imported into New Zealand vi. How seaweeds stay afloat and avoid drying out vii. The different places where seaweed can grow viii. Changes in the New Zealand seaweed industry
Section A
Section B
Section C
Section D
Section E
Section F
Questions 7–10: Flow-chart Completion
Complete the flow chart below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the practice passage for each answer.
How Seaweed Adapts to Its Environment
Seaweed takes in minerals and other nutrients through its 7. __________.
The bottom part of the seaweed, called the 8. __________, keeps it attached to a surface.
Some large seaweeds use air-filled 9. __________ to remain floating.
Seaweeds that are exposed to air need ways to stop themselves from 10. __________.
Questions 11–13: Matching Features
Look at the following statements and the list of seaweed groups below.
Match each statement with the correct group, A, B or C.
Seaweed Groups
A. Green seaweeds B. Brown seaweeds C. Red seaweeds
Some members of this group can survive in very deep water.
Members of this group are commonly found in shallow water.
Members of this group can live at greater depths than green seaweeds.
New Zealand Seaweed IELTS Reading Answers with Explanations
This section explains the answers to the practice questions above. The questions have been written differently from the original set, but they use information from the same practice passage.
Questions 1–6: Matching Headings
1. Answer: ii. The nutritional value and traditional use of seaweed
Section A mainly talks about the nutrients found in seaweed, such as calcium, copper, iodine and iron. It also explains how Japanese and Maori people have traditionally eaten seaweed.
So, heading ii covers the main idea of the section.
Answer: ii. The nutritional value and traditional use of seaweed Keywords: nutritious food, minerals, traditional use Location: Section A
2. Answer: iii. The commercial importance of New Zealand seaweed
Section B describes different New Zealand seaweeds and explains their commercial uses. It gives the example of New Zealand carrageens and the substance agar.
Agar is used in products such as toothpaste, sweets, cosmetics and cough mixtures.
Answer: iii. The commercial importance of New Zealand seaweed Keywords: New Zealand carrageens, agar, commercial use Location: Section B
3. Answer: v. Seaweed products imported into New Zealand
Section C explains that New Zealand had useful red seaweeds, but people made little use of them before 1940. Instead, the country imported Irish moss from England and ready-made agar from Japan.
This makes heading v the best match.
Answer: v. Seaweed products imported into New Zealand Keywords: before 1940, imported, England, Japan Location: Section C
4. Answer: vii. The different places where seaweed can grow
Section D explains where different seaweed groups are found. It talks about shallow water, deeper water and areas higher or lower on the shore.
The section also explains how sunlight, temperature and exposure to air can affect where a species grows.
Answer: vii. The different places where seaweed can grow Keywords: shallow water, deeper water, shore Location: Section D
5. Answer: iv. How seaweed reproduces and attaches itself
Section E explains how seaweeds reproduce through spores or fertilisation. It also describes the holdfast, which keeps the seaweed attached to a surface.
The section compares the holdfast with roots but explains that it does not work in the same way.
Answer: iv. How seaweed reproduces and attaches itself Keywords: spores, fertilisation, holdfast Location: Section E
6. Answer: vi. How seaweeds stay afloat and avoid drying out
Section F describes different ways large seaweeds stay afloat. It also explains how seaweeds protect themselves when they are exposed to air.
Some use air-filled parts, while others store water or have a sticky coating.
Answer: vi. How seaweeds stay afloat and avoid drying out Keywords: floating, air-filled, drying out Location: Section F
Questions 7–10: Flow-chart Completion
7. Answer: fronds
The practice passage says that seaweeds take in nutrients through their fronds when they are surrounded by water.
The flow chart asks for the part through which nutrients enter the seaweed, so fronds is the correct answer.
Answer: fronds Keywords: nutrients, take in, water Location: Section E
8. Answer: holdfast
The bottom part of the seaweed is called the holdfast. Its main purpose is to attach the seaweed to a surface.
The question describes this exact function, making the answer easy to locate.
Answer: holdfast Keywords: bottom part, attached, surface Location: Section E
9. Answer: floats
Section F explains that some large seaweeds use air-filled floats to stay above the water.
This matches the first step about how some seaweeds remain floating.
Answer: floats Keywords: large seaweeds, air-filled, floating Location: Section F
10. Answer: drying out
The passage explains that seaweeds which spend a lot of time outside the water need protection from drying out.
This is why some species have swollen stems, nodules, or sticky coatings that help them keep moisture.
Answer: drying out Keywords: exposed to air, protect, moisture Location: Section F
Questions 11–13: Matching Features
11. Answer: C. Red seaweeds
The passage says that many red seaweeds can survive in deeper water. It also mentions red seaweeds growing on rocks in deep water.
Therefore, the correct answer is C.
Answer: C. Red seaweeds Keywords: deep water, deeper Location: Section D
12. Answer: A. Green seaweeds
Section D says that green seaweeds are often found in shallow water.
This directly matches the statement in Question 12.
Answer: A. Green seaweeds Keywords: shallow water Location: Section D
13. Answer: B. Brown seaweeds
The passage explains that brown seaweeds can live at greater depths than green seaweeds. However, many red seaweeds can survive even deeper.
So, the statement in Question 13 matches brown seaweeds.
Answer: B. Brown seaweeds Keywords: greater depths, green seaweeds Location: Section D
Quick Answer Check:
Question
Answer
Question Type
1
ii
Matching Headings
2
iii
Matching Headings
3
v
Matching Headings
4
vii
Matching Headings
5
iv
Matching Headings
6
vi
Matching Headings
7
fronds
Flow-chart Completion
8
holdfast
Flow-chart Completion
9
floats
Flow-chart Completion
10
drying out
Flow-chart Completion
11
C
Matching Features
12
A
Matching Features
13
B
Matching Features
Must check: Best IELTS Reading Tipsto improve your speed, accuracy, and approach to different question types.
How to Approach New Zealand Seaweed IELTS Reading Questions?
The New Zealand Seaweed IELTS Reading passage has three different question types. Everyone requires a unique way of dealing with it. If you do not want to read all the lines over if you get stuck. Rather, read the question, identify the key words, and look for information in the passage that matches the question.
1. Read the Questions Before Looking for Answers
Make sure to know what kind of question you have first. This passage has Matching Headings, Flow-chart Completion, and Matching Features.
Underline or remember the main words for each question. Then find the similar idea in the passage. You won't always find the words exactly as they are because IELTS may sometimes use synonyms or vary the order of the sentences.
2. Match the Main Idea in Questions 1–6
Match each section with the correct heading for the first 6 questions.
Avoid picking a heading because one word is similar to the other. Read the entire passage and make an educated guess as to what the passage is primarily about.
For instance, in section A, minerals, vitamins, iodine and the health benefits of seaweed are discussed. Thus, the term "nutritious value" is a better fit as a heading than a heading about the location of seaweed.
A simple way to solve these questions is:
Read the headings quickly.
Read the first and last parts of each section.
Find the main idea.
Remove headings that clearly do not fit.
Check the remaining options with the full section.
3. Follow the Flow in Questions 7–10
Questions 7–10 are Flow-chart Completion questions. The chart already gives you clues about how the information is connected.
Start with the words around each blank. They can tell you what kind of answer you need. Then find the related part of the passage.
For example, Question 7 asks for another name for Gigartina. In Section B, the passage explains that these species are called New Zealand carrageens. That gives you the answer.
4. Use the Options Carefully in Questions 11–13
For the last three questions, you need to decide whether the information relates to green, brown or red seaweeds.
Do not try to remember the colours from general knowledge. Look back at Section D and find the information about where each type grows and what conditions it can tolerate.
For example, if the question talks about seaweed growing in deeper or open water, check which type is linked with that location in the passage.
5. Watch for Paraphrasing
One of the biggest IELTS Reading traps is looking only for the exact words from the question.
The passage may use a different expression for the same idea. For example:
nutritious value → minerals and vitamins useful to the body
underuse → little use was made of something
locations → where different seaweeds live
reproduce → propagation
stay afloat → maintain buoyancy
So, focus on the meaning instead of searching for an exact word match.
6. Keep Track of Your Time
You have limited time for the IELTS Reading test, so do not spend too long on one question. If an answer is taking too much time, mark it and move on.
For this passage, you can start with the questions that feel easier. Flow-chart answers may be easier to locate because they are connected to a specific part of the passage. You can then return to any Matching Headings question that takes longer.
Want to practise more IELTS Reading passages? Check out these answer guides covering a range of topics and question types:
The New Zealand Seaweed IELTS Reading Answers can be easier to solve when you understand what each section is mainly about. The passage covers the nutritional value of seaweed, its commercial uses, different types of seaweed, and how these plants grow and survive.
For the best results, do not look for exact words only. Focus on the meaning, notice synonyms, and check the information around each answer. Also, keep an eye on the word limit in Flow-chart Completion questions.
Try solving the passage again without looking at the answers. With regular practice, you can get faster at finding information and feel more comfortable with different IELTS Reading question types.
1. What is the genre of New Zealand Seaweed? Is it a Passage for the IELTS Academic Reading Test?
Yes, New Zealand Seaweed is a practice passage for the IELTS Academic Reading test. It contains 13 questions of various types of Reading. It may be used to practise finding information, understanding paragraph ideas, and matching information.
2. How many minutes will be required for the New Zealand Seaweed Reading passage?
Take approximately 20 minutes to complete the passage and all questions. This provides you with practice for situations that are representative of the IELTS Reading test. If it is your first time practising, you can work on your accuracy first and make it a little longer.
3. What is it that I should learn from New Zealand Seaweed?
Across the board, there are a number of words that are helpful to know: agar, carrageen, spores, fronds, holdfast, buoyancy, and mucilage. You do not have to know all the challenging words in the passage. Practice identifying words that are useful for comprehending the main idea or answer in a text.
5. Do the Activities seem hard to you in IELTS Reading?
For some students, it may seem easy; for others, it may be hard. There are a number of science-related words used in the passage, and seaweed is mentioned in various contexts such as food, industry, and marine habitats. When you want to get more comfortable with topics you haven't learned before, it can be good practice.
5. How to enhance my vocabulary for a Reading passage like this in IELTS?
Avoid memorizing a big list of new words. At the end of each practice test, record a few words and then find their meaning, any synonyms and how they would be used in a sentence. Short articles are another way to familiarize yourself with new words regularly.
6. Will I need to read all the passage before I can answer the questions?
One size does not fit all students. Some students read the passage first and then scan for the information relevant to the questions; others read the questions and then the passage. Use both methods in practice and determine which one works better for you in terms of time and accuracy.
7. When I don't understand a sentence in IELTS Reading, what should I do
Avoid overstaying the time because of a tough sentence. Read the sentence before and after and attempt to grasp the overall context. You might also be able to use the information surrounding the question to answer it without knowing all of the words.
8. In IELTS Reading answers can I use my own words?
It is dependent on the type of question. When the instructions are to select words from the passage, they must be followed, and the specified words must be used from the passage. The format of the answer may vary for the other kinds of questions, so always follow the instructions before answering.
9. What do synonyms tell us about the meaning of a word?
The IELTS reading test will present questions in a different way to the passage. The question might be worded in one way, and the passage might be worded in a slightly different way using a synonym for the first word. Knowing some common synonyms helps to identify that the two sentences are referring to the same information.
10. How to review the IELTS Reading errors after a practice test?
To begin with, review the questions that you answered incorrectly. Then return to the text and identify the specific text that corresponds to each question. Rather than just reciting the correct response, ask yourself why you were incorrect and what you missed.
11. How many times should I practise IELTS Reading passages before IELTS test?
No set number ensures a certain grade. It's all about consistent practice and a good understanding of errors. Use various topics and question formats to get familiar with unfamiliar passages with challenging vocabulary.
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