Of Ducks and Duck Eggs IELTS Reading Passage is a popular text in the IELTS Reading section that tests comprehension, inference, and vocabulary skills. The IELTS Reading module requires candidates to answer 40 questions in 60 minutes, and statistics show that over 60% of test-takers lose marks due to misunderstanding key details and unfamiliar words. This passage focuses on the biology, habits, and egg-laying patterns of ducks, making it ideal for evaluating a candidate’s ability to extract factual information and interpret scientific context.
In this blog, you’ll find a sample passage, exam-style questions, correct answers, and essential vocabulary designed to improve speed and accuracy in IELTS Exam. Understanding how to approach passages like this can boost your confidence and help target Band 7 or higher, as practicing with real examples reduces mistakes and improves time management, giving you an edge in the Reading section.
The passage below, "Of Ducks and Duck Eggs," is a very common Reading passage in the IELTS exam. You should spend about 20 minutes completing Questions 1-14 below based on the reading passage below.
"Of Ducks and Duck Eggs"
A. For people who like to keep poultry, duck offers certain advantages over hens. Ducks are immune to some common diseases found in hens and are less vulnerable to others. Some breeds of duck produce bigger eggs than hens. In addition, ducks lay eggs over a longer season than do hens.
Poultry keepers with gardens have less to worry about if they keep ducks rather than hens because the former are less apt to dig up plants and destroy roots. While both hens and ducks benefit the garden by eating pests, hens are known to damage herb and grass beds.
B. Ducks, on the other hand, will search for insects and snails more carefully. Only very delicate plants are at risk from the broad, webbed feet of ducks Like all water birds, ducks need access to water, and duck keepers typically provide this by building a pond.
Something this large is not necessary, however; ducks need only to be able to dip their heads in the water to keep their nostrils clean. If a pond is provided, though, it is important to keep ducklings away from it until they are old enough to withstand the cool temperature of the water for about eight weeks.
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C. When keeping ducks, one has to consider just how much the land will support; generally, the rule is 100 ducks per half a hectare. If more than this proportion is introduced, there is a risk of compacting the soil, which can lead to muddy conditions for long periods as the rain is not easily absorbed into the ground.
While ducks offer many advantages over hens, they must be given a greater quantity of food, especially if regular eggs are desired an adult duck will eat between 170 to 200 grams of food a day. If the ducks have access to grass and a pond, they will be able to find for themselves approximately 70% of their daily dietary requirements in warmer months but less than half that in colder times.
D. Therefore, they must be fed enough food, such as grain, every day. Experienced duck keepers raise ducklings every three years or so because it is after this period that ducks’ egg-laying powers begin to seriously weaken.
If the aim is to hatch ducklings, keepers should be aware that not all ducks make good mothers, and that certain breeds of duck appear to be worse than others. The poor mothers abandon their eggs a few days after laying them. A sure way of making sure the rejected eggs hatch is to place them next to chicken eggs under a hen.
E. The eggs of ducks as food for humans have a mixed reputation. This is because of several cases of salmonella food poisoning in Europe in the 1970s. Although it was never conclusively shown that duck eggs were to blame, the egg-eating public stopped buying and many duck egg producers went bankrupt. Indeed.
There is a risk of salmonella poisoning when ducks lay their eggs in damp conditions, such as on the constantly wet ground, but the same can be said for the eggs of hens. And commercial duck egg production in France and England, where the outbreaks of
Salmonella poisoning took place, followed the same standards as those used in the hen egg industry, which experienced no salmonella problems. (Storage of eggs, whether those of hen or duck, can also be a factor in contamination.
F. Studies have found that bacterial growth reaches potentially dangerous levels at storage temperatures of 5 °C or greater.) The salmonella scare was over by the early 1980s but, at least in smaller markets like Australia and New Zealand, few producers wished to risk investment in ducks for fear of problems.
No large-scale commercial duck egg production exists in these countries. It has thus been left to small producers, and more commonly, home duck keepers.
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Of Ducks and Duck Eggs IELTS Reading Questions and Answers
Here are some Of ducks and duck eggs reading answers and their questions based on the passage you just read above. Carefully read the instructions first and then questions. Answer them separately in a paper sheet and once you are done with all questions, tally them with the answers given in the end. Evaluate how much of them are correct and how much are incorrect.
Questions 1–5: YES / NO / NOT GIVEN
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? Write:
YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
Ducks are more likely than hens to destroy garden plants.
Ducklings must avoid cold water during their first few weeks.
Duck eggs are more nutritious than hen eggs.
Some duck breeds abandon their eggs shortly after laying them.
Duck eggs were proven to be the cause of salmonella outbreaks in Europe.
Questions 1–5: YES / NO / NOT GIVEN
Q. No
Answer & Location
Explanation
1
Answer: NO
Location: Paragraph A- "Poultry keepers... less to worry about... if they keep ducks"
Ducks are less likely to damage gardens than hens, so this contradicts the statement.
2
Answer: Yes
Location: Paragraph B- "...keep ducklings away... until they are old enough..."
Directly states ducklings should avoid cool water for about eight weeks.
3
NOT GIVEN
NOT GIVEN
4
Answer: Yes
Location: Paragraph D- "The poor mothers abandon their eggs..."
Confirms that some breeds of duck abandon eggs a few days after laying.
5
Answer: NO
Location: Paragraph E- "it was never conclusively shown that duck eggs were to blame"
The statement is directly refuted by the passage.
Questions 6–10: MATCHING HEADINGS
Choose the correct heading for each section A–E from the list of headings below. Write the correct number (i–viii) in boxes 6–10.
List of Headings i. The effect of salmonella outbreaks on duck egg markets ii. Duck food needs and egg-laying cycle iii. Duck care for new keepers iv. Comparing ducks and hens in domestic settings v. Pond requirements and ducklings’ safety vi. Scientific evidence about duck egg contamination vii. Why ducks are suited to gardens viii. Using hens to hatch duck eggs
Section A
Section B
Section C
Section D
Section E
Questions 6–10: MATCHING HEADINGS
Q. No
Answer
Answer Location & Justification
6
iv
Paragraph A: Compares ducks vs hens in terms of disease, egg-laying, and garden impact.
7
v
Paragraph B: Discusses pond size, ducklings’ exposure to cold water, and water needs.
8
ii
Paragraph C: Focus on duck density, food requirements, and seasonal dietary variation.
9
viii
Paragraph D: Notes poor mothering in some ducks and using hens to hatch duck eggs.
10
i
Paragraph E: Talks about the 1970s salmonella scare and its economic impact on duck egg producers.
Questions 11–14: SENTENCE COMPLETION
Complete the sentences below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.
Ducks are resistant to some __________________ that affect hens.
If ducks are overstocked, it can lead to __________________.
In warmer months, ducks can find up to __________________ of their food on their own.
In Australia and New Zealand, duck egg production is handled mostly by __________________.
Questions 11–14: SENTENCE COMPLETION
Q. No
Answer & Location
Explanation
11
Answer: common diseases
Location: Paragraph A- "Ducks are immune to some common diseases found in hens..."
Directly states disease immunity as a benefit of keeping ducks.
12
Answer: muddy conditions
Location:Paragraph C- "...can lead to muddy conditions..."
Soil compaction due to overpopulation results in poor drainage and mud.
13
Answer: 70%
Location: Paragraph C- "...approximately 70% of their daily dietary requirements..."
Specific figure given for foraging efficiency in warmer months.
14
Answer: Home duck keepers
Location: Paragraph F- "...more commonly, home duck keepers."
Highlights the absence of large-scale producers in these countries, relying on small/home keepers.
How to Score Higher in Of Ducks and Duck Eggs IELTS Reading Passage
Here are some important tips to help you confidently solve IELTS Reading Answers for "Of Ducks and Duck Eggs" Passage:
Understand the Passage Type: Understanding the type of IELTS passage is the first step in attempting the reading questions. The “Of Ducks and Duck Eggs IELTS Reading Answers” includes objective information about ducks and duck eggs in comparison to hens.
Understand the Question Type: Identifying the types of questions is very crucial for IELTS test-takers. The “Of Ducks and Duck Eggs Reading Answers” has three types of questions: Yes/No/Not Given, Matching Headings, and Sentence Completion.
Start Skimming the Reading Passage: Before starting to read the given IELTS Reading passage, skim the passage in 2–3 minutes. This skimming technique helps candidates to understand the main idea of each paragraph.
Mastering YES/NO/NOT GIVEN Questions: The “Of Ducks and Duck Eggs IELTS Reading Answers” is an objective-type passage. Therefore, answering the YES/NO/NOT GIVEN questions with logic is essential. Read the statements carefully to locate keywords within the passage.
Matching Headings Strategy: To answer the IELTS matching headings, read the first 1–2 sentences of each paragraph to identify the main idea. Use the elimination method to find specific answers.
Sentence Completion Tips: In sentence completion, do not cross the word limits. Take hints from the grammatical tone of the questions to locate answers. Look for specific data and statistical information to complete sentences.
Time Management: Candidates should not spend more than 20 minutes on the IELTS Reading answers for the "Of Ducks and Duck Eggs" passage. Use 2-3 minutes to skim the passage, 15 minutes for answering, and take 2-3 minutes for review and recheck.
IELTS Vocabulary: Learn new vocabulary to improve your English language knowledge. A strong knowledge of vocabulary helps to identify answers easily.
Of Ducks and Duck Eggs IELTS Reading Passage is more than a test of reading speed, it evaluates your ability to understand scientific context, track factual details, and handle academic vocabulary under time pressure. By practising with the sample passage, questions, and answers, and learning key vocabulary in context, you can avoid common mistakes and improve accuracy. Strategies like skimming for structure, scanning for facts, and paying attention to paraphrasing make passages like this easier to manage. With consistent practice and a focused approach, you can boost your confidence and aim for a higher band score in the IELTS Reading section.
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FAQs
Why do factual IELTS Reading passages feel tricky to many test-takers?
They appear simple but often include closely placed facts and paraphrased sentences. Many students lose marks by assuming answers instead of matching exact meaning from the text.
Where can I find the passage to practice the passage?
You can find the “Of Ducks and Duck Eggs” passage in IELTS practice materials, online learning platforms, or dedicated IELTS preparation websites that provide reading texts along with questions and answers.
Can I give a mock test online for practicing reading section?
Yes, several platforms offer free and paid IELTS mock tests online. One of them being the British Council, who offer mock tests at some prices. These simulate real exam conditions, making them a valuable way to test reading speed, accuracy and time management before the actual exam.
How can I practice IELTS reading section at home?
You can practice at home by using IELTS preparation books, online passages and past question papers. Regular timed practice and reviewing detailed explanations of answers are crucial for steady improvement.
Does IELTS reading section contains shorter paragraphs?
No, IELTS Reading passages are usually longer, around 700 - 900 words. These are designed to test comprehension, vocabulary and analytical skills. However, questions often target specific parts of the passage, making focused reading important.
What are the ways I can polish my English Vocabulary?
To improve vocabulary, extensively read newspapers, academic journals and novels. Maintain a word journal, learn synonyms and practice with flashcards. Regular use of new words in writing and speaking helps retain them effectively.
How many questions out of 40 can I attempt to score good in IELTS reading?
Aiming for at least 30 correct answers out of 40 can usually secure a band 7.0. Higher bands require more accuracy, so consistent practice and careful review of mistakes are essential.
Is there any difference in questions asked in IELTS General test and academic test?
Yes, the IELTS Academic test uses more academic-oriented passages, while the General test includes everyday topics. Question types are mostly the same, but the difficulty level of texts is higher in the Academic test.
How much marks do each reading questions have?
Each IELTS Reading question carries one mark, with no negative marking. All correct answers are added up and converted into a band score ranging from 0 to 9.
Do spelling mistake matter for the answers of reading question?
Yes, spelling mistakes are penalized in IELTS Reading. Even if your answer is correct conceptually, incorrect spelling will be marked wrong, so accuracy in both language and detail is vital.
How many passages should we practice daily for better results?
Practicing at least one passage daily with full focus on timing, followed by reviewing errors, is effective. On weekends, try practicing two to three passages for building stamina and exam readiness.
Sunita Kadian, co-founder and Academic Head at Yuno Learning is an expert in IELTS and English communication. With a background in competitive exam preparation (IELTS, GMAT, CAT, TOEFL), interview pre...
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