The IELTS Reading section includes passages that test how well you understand information, find specific details, and recognise ideas written in different ways. Visual Symbols and the Blind is one such IELTS Reading passage. It looks at how blind people understand visual symbols, shapes, movement, and pictures, and compares their responses with those of sighted people.
Below is the quick answer key for the Visual Symbols and the Blind IELTS Reading Answers to help you check your responses quickly.
Question
Answer
Question Type
27
C
Multiple Choice
28
C
Multiple Choice
29
A
Multiple Choice
30
E
Multiple Choice
31
C
Multiple Choice
32
A
Multiple Choice
33
pairs
Sentence Completion
34
shapes
Sentence Completion
35
sighted
Sentence Completion
36
sighted
Sentence Completion
37
deep
Sentence Completion
38
blind
Sentence Completion
39
similar
Sentence Completion
40
B
Multiple Choice
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.
The Visual Symbols and the Blind IELTS Reading Passage for Practice
This IELTS Reading Test passage looks at how blind people understand visual symbols. The writer describes experiments involving movement, shapes, and visual metaphors. The research also compares the responses of blind and sighted people to see whether they understand these symbols in similar ways.
The passage below is paraphrased for practice, so the wording is different from the original while keeping the same meaning and key details.
The Visual Symbols and the Blind
Paragraph A
Recent studies suggest that blind people can understand how outlines and perspective are used to show where objects and surfaces are positioned in space. However, pictures can communicate more than just the actual appearance of something.
The writer realised this during an experiment with a blind woman. She decided by herself to draw a wheel while it was spinning. To show the movement, she drew a curved line inside the circle. The writer was surprised by this because lines showing movement are a fairly recent development in the history of drawing. Art scholar David Kunzle notes that the nineteenth-century cartoonist Wilhelm Busch hardly used such lines in his popular drawings until around 1877.
Paragraph B
The writer then asked several other blind participants to draw a spinning wheel. A similar drawing appeared several times. The spokes of the wheel were shown as curved lines rather than straight ones.
Paragraph C
The writer carried out more experiments to find out whether blind people could understand different symbols used to show movement. The participants were shown different drawings and asked to explain what kind of movement each one represented.
The results showed that the blind participants were able to work out the meanings of the movement symbols. As a group, they often gave the same interpretation as one another. Their level of agreement was at least as high as that of the sighted participants.
Paragraph D
The writer then wanted to find out whether blind and sighted people understood other visual symbols in similar ways. A new experiment used pairs of words and abstract shapes. The participants had to decide which word best matched a circle and which word best matched a square.
The test involved sighted volunteers. All of them connected the circle with the word soft and the square with hard. The researchers then looked at another pair of ideas, including deep and shallow. About 51% of the sighted participants connected a circle with deep.
Paragraph E
The same experiment was later carried out with blind participants. Their choices were similar to those made by the sighted group. This suggested that people who cannot see can still understand some abstract visual symbols in ways that are similar to people who can see.
Paragraph F
The research also looked at other visual metaphors. For example, one blind woman represented the idea of love by drawing a child inside a heart. The example showed that visual symbols can communicate ideas even when a person cannot see the picture in the usual way.
The writer's findings suggest that blind people can understand visual metaphors and abstract symbols in ways that are broadly similar to sighted people.
The Visual Symbols and the Blind Reading Questions
The questions below follow the same order as the Visual Symbols and the Blind IELTS Reading passage. Try to answer them without looking back at the answer key first. Pay attention to words that may have a similar meaning in the passage.
Questions 27–29: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write your answers in boxes 27–29 on your answer sheet.
27. In the first paragraph, the writer makes the point that blind people
A. may be interested in studying art. B. can draw outlines of different objects and surfaces. C. can recognise conventions such as perspective. D. can draw accurately.
28. The writer was surprised because the blind woman
A. drew a circle on her own initiative. B. did not understand what a wheel looked like. C. included a symbol representing movement. D. was the first person to use lines of motion.
29. From the experiment described in Part 1, the writer found that the blind subjects
A. had good understanding of symbols representing movement. B. could control the movement of wheels very accurately. C. worked together well as a group in solving problems. D. got better results than the sighted undergraduates.
Questions 30–32: Matching
Look at the diagrams for Questions 30–32 and match each diagram with the type of movement generally assigned to it in the experiment.
Choose the correct letter A–E.
Write your answers in boxes 30–32.
A. steady spinning B. jerky movement C. rapid spinning D. wobbling movement E. use of brakes
Questions 33–39: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below using words from the box.
Write your answers in boxes 33–39.
NB: You may use any word more than once.
In the experiment described in Part 2, a set of word 33. ______ was used to investigate whether blind and sighted people perceived the symbolism in abstract 34. ______ in the same way. Subjects were asked which word fitted best with a circle and which with a square. From the 35. ______ volunteers, everyone thought a circle fitted soft while a square fitted hard. However, only 51% of the 36. ______ volunteers assigned a circle to 37. ______. When the test was later repeated with 38. ______ volunteers, it was found that they made 39. ______ choices.
Word box:
associations | blind | deep | hard | hundred | identical | pairs | shapes | sighted | similar | shallow | soft | words
Question 40: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.
Write your answer in box 40 on your answer sheet.
Which of the following statements best summarises the writer's general conclusion?
A. The blind represent some aspects of reality differently from sighted people. B. The blind comprehend visual metaphors in similar ways to sighted people. C. The blind may create unusual and effective symbols to represent reality. D. The blind may be successful artists if given the right training.
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The Visual Symbols and the Blind Reading Answers with Explanation
Now let’s check the answers one by one. The explanations also show where to find the answer and which words in the question connect with the passage. This can help you understand how to solve similar IELTS Reading questions instead of just memorising the answers.
Answers 27–29: Multiple Choice
27. Answer: C. can recognise conventions such as perspective
The first paragraph says that blind people can understand outline and perspective. These are ways of showing the position of objects and surfaces in pictures. So, the idea in option C matches the passage.
28. Answer: C. included a symbol representing movement
The blind woman was asked to draw a moving wheel. She used a curved line inside the wheel to show its movement. This surprised the writer because such movement lines were not always commonly used in drawings.
So, the correct answer is C.
Answer location: Paragraph A
Question wording:symbol representing movement Passage wording:curved line inside the wheel to show movement
29. Answer: A. had good understanding of symbols representing movement
The researcher carried out more tests with blind participants. They were able to understand what different symbols meant when they showed movement. Their answers were often similar, and their level of agreement was at least as high as that of the sighted participants.
For these questions, look at the descriptions of the different movements and match them with the correct diagrams. The key is to focus on how the movement is described, rather than trying to match the same words from the question.
30. Answer: E. use of brakes
The passage describes one of the symbols as showing a wheel being stopped or slowed. This represents the use of brakes.
Answer location: Paragraph C
Useful keywords:movement, wheel, stopping, brakes
31. Answer: C. rapid spinning
The symbol in this question represents a wheel moving quickly. The movement is therefore linked with rapid spinning.
These questions are all connected to the second part of the passage. Look for the experiment with word pairs, circles, squares, and the blind and sighted volunteers.
33. Answer: pairs
The experiment used twenty pairs of words. The participants had to choose which word from each pair matched a circle and which matched a square.
Answer location: Part 2
Question wording:a set of word... Passage wording:twenty pairs of words
34. Answer: shapes
The experiment was about the symbolism of abstract shapes. The participants had to connect words with two simple shapes, a circle and a square.
The first group in this experiment was made up of sighted volunteers. Every person in this group connected the circle with soft and the square with hard.
Answer location: Part 2, word-pair experiment
Useful keywords:sighted subjects, circle, soft, square, hard
36. Answer: sighted
The 51% result refers to the sighted group. Only 51% of these participants connected deep with a circle and shallow with a square.
Answer location: Part 2, results of the word-pair experiment
Question wording:51% of the... volunteers Passage wording:only 51% linked deep to circle and shallow to square
37. Answer: deep
The passage says that only 51% of the sighted participants linked deep with a circle and shallow with a square. So, the missing word is deep.
Answer location: Part 2, results of the experiment
Useful keywords:51%, circle, deep, shallow
38. Answer: blind
The researchers then repeated the experiment with four totally blind volunteers. They used the same list of word pairs.
Answer location: Part 2, final experiment
Question wording:test was later repeated with... volunteers Passage wording:tested four totally blind volunteers using the same list
39. Answer: similar
The choices made by the blind volunteers closely resembled those made by the sighted participants. In simple words, their choices were similar.
Answer location: Part 2, final experiment
Question wording:made... choices Passage wording:their choices closely resembled those made by the sighted subjects
40. Answer: B. The blind comprehend visual metaphors in similar ways to sighted people.
The final part of the passage brings together the main findings from the experiments. The blind participants were able to understand symbols for movement, connect words with abstract shapes, and make choices that were similar to those made by sighted people.
The writer's main point is that blind people can understand visual metaphors even though they cannot see them in the usual way. Their understanding can be similar to that of sighted people.
Answer location: Final part of the passage
Useful keywords:blind people, visual symbols, visual metaphors, similar, sighted people
Question wording:general conclusion Passage idea:blind people can understand visual metaphors in ways similar to sighted people
So, B is the correct answer.
Must check: Best IELTS Reading Tipsto improve your speed, accuracy, and approach to different question types.
How to Approach the Visual Symbols and the Blind IELTS Reading Questions?
The Visual Symbols and the Blind IELTS Reading questions become easier when you know what to look for. You do not need to understand every sentence before answering. Start with the question find the words and then scan the passage for the same idea.
The wording in the passage may be different, from the question so always check the meaning before choosing an answer.
1. Complete the Questions by Finding Key Details
For questions that ask you to complete a sentence or summary, first look at the words around the blank. They can tell you what type of answer you need.
For example, a blank after 51% of the... volunteers needs a word that describes the volunteers. You can then scan the passage for 51% and check the information around it.
Dates, numbers, names, and unusual words are also useful because they are easy to spot quickly.
2. Handle Multiple Choice Questions Carefully
Do not choose an option just because it uses a word from the passage. IELTS often uses similar words in the wrong options.
Read the question first and identify what it is really asking. Then find the relevant part of the passage and compare the meaning of each option with the text.
For example, if the question asks about the writer's main conclusion, you should look at the overall idea of the passage, not just one small detail.
Check True, False, and Not Given Statements
For True, False, and Not Given questions, compare the complete meaning of the statement with the passage.
True: The passage clearly supports the statement.
False: The passage gives information that contradicts the statement.
Not Given: The passage does not provide enough information to decide.
Do not mark a statement as False simply because you cannot find it. It is Not Given when the information is missing.
3. Look for Paraphrased Information
IELTS rarely repeats every keyword from the question in exactly the same way. The passage may use a different word or sentence structure for the same idea.
For example:
similar choices → choices closely resembled each other
show movement → represent movement
abstract shapes → simple shapes used as symbols
So, focus on the meaning, not just exact word matches.
4. Follow the Word Limit
Always read the directions before answering. If it says no, than two words your response must have one or two words only. Do not include words that are not required. After finishing the answers quickly check the spelling. Count the words before proceeding.
Want to practise more IELTS Reading passages? Check out these answer guides covering a range of topics and question types:
The Visual Symbols and the Blind IELTS Reading Answers passage shows how IELTS Reading can test your ability to find details and understand the same idea when it is written in different ways.
Before you finish the passage, keep these points in mind:
Read the questions first and mark the important keywords.
Scan the passage for names, numbers, and unusual words.
Look for synonyms and paraphrased ideas instead of only exact matches.
For multiple-choice questions, check every option against the passage.
For summary questions, read the words around the blank to understand what answer is needed.
Check the word limit before writing your final answer.
Do not choose an answer just because one word looks similar. Always check the full meaning.
Regular practice with different IELTS Reading passages can help you become faster at finding information and more confident with different question types.
1. What is the Visual Symbols and the Blind IELTS Reading passage about?
The passage explores how blind people understand symbols, shapes, and pictures even without sight. It looks at different experiments carried out with blind and sighted people. The passage also discusses how people connect simple shapes with ideas and meanings. It is mainly about visual understanding and symbolism.
2. Is Visual Symbols and the Blind an IELTS Academic Reading passage?
Yes, Visual Symbols and the Blind is an IELTS Academic Reading passage. It is based on research about how blind people understand visual symbols and metaphors. The questions test skills such as finding details, matching information, and understanding the writer's main idea. Students can use it as practice for the IELTS Academic Reading test.
3. What question types are asked in Visual Symbols and the Blind?
The passage includes different types of IELTS Reading questions. These include multiple-choice questions, matching questions, and summary completion questions. Each type needs a slightly different approach. Practising all of them can help students become more comfortable with the Reading section.
4. How difficult is the Visual Symbols and the Blind passage?
The difficulty can depend on your reading speed and how comfortable you are with research-based passages. Some questions may seem confusing because the passage uses ideas rather than simple facts. The vocabulary is also slightly different from everyday English. Careful reading and practice can make this type of passage easier to handle.
5. What vocabulary should I learn from Visual Symbols and the Blind?
Some useful words from this passage include visual symbols, perspective, metaphor, abstract, movement, shapes, sighted, blind, interpretation, and experiment. Learning these words can help you understand similar academic texts. Try to learn each word with its meaning and an example sentence. This is more useful than simply memorising a word list.
6. How can I improve my IELTS Reading score using passages like this?
Start by practising one passage at a time and checking your mistakes afterwards. Do not only look at the correct answer; find the part of the passage that helped you choose it. Keep a note of words you missed and question types that caused problems. Over time, this can help you improve both accuracy and speed.
7. How much time should I spend on one IELTS Reading passage?
The IELTS Reading test gives you 60 minutes for three passages and 40 questions. A simple approach is to spend around 20 minutes on each passage, although the exact time can vary by passage. If one question takes too long, move on and return to it later. This helps you avoid losing time on a single difficult question.
8. Why does IELTS use paraphrasing in Reading questions?
Paraphrasing checks whether you understand the meaning of the passage rather than just matching identical words. A question may describe an idea using completely different words from the text. This is why strong vocabulary and reading skills matter. Learning to spot synonyms and changes in sentence structure can make questions easier to locate.
9. Should I read the whole IELTS Reading passage before answering?
There is no single method that works for every student. Some students prefer to read the passage quickly first, while others read the questions and then scan for the relevant information. Try both methods during practice and see which one helps you work accurately within the time limit. The important thing is not to spend too much time reading every sentence in detail.
10. How can I avoid mistakes in IELTS Reading answers?
Read the question carefully before selecting an answer. Check whether the question asks for a specific word, a number, a name, or a complete idea. Also check spelling and the word limit before moving to the next question. If two options look similar, go back to the passage and compare their meanings.
11. Can practising Visual Symbols and the Blind help with IELTS Reading preparation?
Yes, practising this passage can help you get familiar with several common Reading tasks. It gives you practice in dealing with academic vocabulary, locating information, and understanding ideas that are expressed in different ways. However, one passage is not enough for complete preparation. It is better to practise passages covering different topics and question types.
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