The IELTS Reading section now includes tasks that require test-takers to engage with digital texts, such as web pages and online articles.
Why some women cross the finish line ahead of men is one of the passages asked in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. This topic includes around 10 questions covering multiple-choice, True/False/Not Given, and matching headings types. To score well in this section and increase your overall band, it's crucial to understand the questions fully and choose effective answering strategies.
With over 4 million candidates taking the IELTS exam worldwide, aiming for top universities like Oxford and Harvard, the reading section remains a major hurdle. Only about 25% of test takers achieve a band score of 7 or above here, highlighting the challenge of managing varied question types. This blog aims to break down the question types and offer targeted tips so you can get a good IELTS score.
Why Some Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men: Reading Answer Overview
The IELTS General Reading testchallenges you with diverse academic texts, requiring skills in critical reading, data interpretation, and time management. Based on your performance, the marks will be converted into an IELTS reading band score between 0 to 9, reflecting your reading proficiency.
The passage on why some women cross the finish line ahead of men covers scientific studies comparing physiological and psychological factors. To answer the questions well, you will need to understand the explanations, look closely at the facts, and notice important differences.
Before discussing the topic, let's get an overview of the reading section in the IELTS exam:
Reading Question Type
Significance
Matching headings
Identify the main idea of paragraphs or sections.
True/False/Yes/No/Not Given
Determine the accuracy of statements based on the text.
Matching paragraph information
Link specific information to the correct paragraph.
Summary completion
Fill in missing words or phrases in a summary using the passage.
Sentence completion
Complete sentences with words from the reading passage.
Multiple choice questions
Select the correct answer from several options.
List selection
Choose appropriate items from a list based on the text.
Choosing a title
Pick the best title that summarizes a section or paragraph.
Classification or categorization
Assign items or information to categories.
Matching sentence endings
Complete sentence fragments with correct endings from the text.
Table completion
Fill in missing data or details in a table format.
Flow chart completion
Complete steps or processes shown in a flow chart.
Diagram completion
Label parts of a diagram using information from the text.
Short answer questions
Provide brief answers based on specific details from the passage.
After a brief overview of the question types in the IELTS reading section, let’s explore some practice questions on why some women cross the finish line ahead of men.
Why Some Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men: Practice Passages
The passage on why some women cross the finish line ahead of men explores themes like gender differences in sports performance and challenges stereotypes about physical ability.
It often appears in the syllabus of IELTS reading to test understanding of scientific data and social issues. Typically, 8 to 12 questions follow, including multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, and matching headings.
Here are sample questions reflecting the IELTS test format on this topic:
Sample Question: Why might women sometimes finish ahead of men in endurance races?
Paragraph A
In recent years, there have been surprising instances where female athletes have finished endurance races ahead of their male counterparts. This challenges the traditional belief that men always outperform women in physical competitions. Scientific studies suggest that physiological differences, such as body fat distribution and muscle fiber types, play a role in endurance performance. Women tend to have a higher proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are more efficient for long-distance activities.
Paragraph B
Endurance sports require a combination of physical stamina and mental resilience. Researchers have found that women often exhibit greater pain tolerance and better fatigue management during long-duration events. This psychological advantage can help female runners maintain a steady pace while male competitors experience greater physical strain. Additionally, women's bodies are more efficient at metabolizing fat for energy, which becomes crucial in prolonged exercise.
Paragraph C
Despite these advantages, men generally have higher levels of testosterone, leading to greater muscle mass and cardiovascular capacity. This often gives men a speed advantage in shorter races. However, in ultra-marathons and long-distance swimming, women's physiological traits can narrow the performance gap. Studies from international competitions indicate that women's finish times in these events have steadily improved, sometimes surpassing male finishers.
Paragraph D
Cultural and social factors also influence race outcomes. Women's participation in endurance sports has increased significantly over the past decades, leading to better training, nutrition, and support systems. As a result, female athletes are now more competitive at elite levels. Moreover, race strategies, such as pacing and energy conservation, differ between genders, with women often adopting a more consistent pace throughout the race.
Paragraph E
Experts emphasize that environmental conditions, such as temperature and terrain, affect men's and women's performance differently. Women may perform better in hotter climates due to their higher surface area to body mass ratio, which aids in heat dissipation. Conversely, men tend to excel in cooler conditions. These factors can cause fluctuations in who crosses the finish line first, depending on the race environment.
Paragraph F
In conclusion, the phenomenon of women finishing ahead of men in some endurance events results from a complex interplay of physiological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. This challenges long-standing stereotypes about gender and athletic ability. Understanding these factors not only enriches our knowledge of human performance but also promotes gender equality in sports.
After reviewing passages on why some women cross the finish line ahead of men, let's explore some practice questions for IELTS exam preparation.
Why Some Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men: Practice Questions and Answers
Based on the IELTS exam pattern, the reading section topic usually features 10 to 12 questions, including multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, and matching headings. These questions assess your skills in detail recognition, inference, and understanding complex scientific explanations.
The passage is often 900 to 1000 words long, and with roughly one minute per question, effective time management skills are essential to handling the challenge.
Here are some questions covering why some women cross the finish line ahead of men:
Questions 1 - 6
In these questions, you will be asked to identify which paragraph (A-F) discusses specific points mentioned in the question. This task tests your ability to quickly locate information in the passage and match it to the correct section.
The Reading Passage has seven paragraphs (A-F). State which paragraph discusses each of the points below.
Write the appropriate letter (A-F) in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet.
NB (Nota Bene), you may use any letter more than once.
1. Explains physiological differences that benefit women in endurance sports
Focus: Identifying key scientific details linked to physical traits.
Strategy: Scan paragraphs for discussion on muscle fibers and energy use.
Impact: Helps develop the ability to link specific scientific explanations to text segments, crucial for IELTS matching tasks.
Answer: A
Explanation: Paragraph A highlights the physiological factors, such as muscle fiber composition and fat distribution, that contribute to women's advantage in endurance sports.
2. Covers social and cultural influences on female athletes' performance
Focus: Spotting mentions of societal changes and support systems.
Strategy: Search for references to training, nutrition, and participation trends.
Impact: Develops ability to find contextual background information.
Answer: D
Explanation: Paragraph D discusses the social and cultural factors, such as the rise in female participation and improved training resources, that contribute to women's success in sports.
3. Examines how environmental factors affect men and women differently
Strategy: Look for explanations on climate and terrain effects.
Impact: Helps practice identifying cause-effect relationships in the text.
Answer: E
Explanation: Paragraph E explores environmental factors, like temperature variations, and their impact on the performance of men and women.
4. Describes women's psychological strengths during long races
Focus: Recognizing mental and emotional factors mentioned.
Strategy: Look for sections discussing pain tolerance and fatigue management.
Impact: Enhances skill in understanding implicit ideas about psychological traits.
Answer: B
Explanation: Paragraph B highlights women's superior pain tolerance and mental resilience in long-distance events.
5. Summarizes key points and challenges gender stereotypes
Focus: Finding concluding ideas and overall messages.
Strategy: Look for the paragraph that wraps up the discussion and highlights broader implications.
Impact: Improves ability to identify summaries and thematic conclusions.
Answer: F
Explanation: Paragraph F challenges traditional gender stereotypes in athletics, arguing that athletic ability is shaped by more than just gender.
6. Highlights men's physical advantages in shorter races
Focus: Distinguishing contrasts between genders in performance.
Strategy: Identify where testosterone and speed differences are explained.
Impact: Trains you to compare and contrast details across paragraphs.
Answer: C
Explanation: Paragraph C discusses how higher testosterone levels in men give them a speed advantage in short races.
Now, let's check out some other types of questions.
H3: Questions 7 - 10
In these questions, you will be given statements based on the reading passage. Your task is to determine if the statement is True, False, or Not Given according to the information in the text.
This question type tests your ability to identify specific details and assess whether the information in the passage supports, contradicts, or is missing in relation to the statement provided.
Check out some sample questions in this format:
Read the passage and answer the following questions. For each statement, choose True, False, or Not Given based on the information in the passage. Write your answers in the boxes provided.
7. Women generally have more slow-twitch muscle fibers, which help them perform better in long endurance races.
Answer: True Explanation: Paragraph A states that women have a higher proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are more efficient for endurance events, supporting the claim that physiological differences contribute to better endurance performance in women.
8. Men's higher levels of testosterone give them a significant advantage in long-distance races.
Answer: False Explanation: Paragraph C highlights that testosterone benefits men in shorter races, but women's endurance ability is better in long-distance events due to their muscle composition and energy efficiency.
9. Psychological factors, such as better pain tolerance, help women maintain a steady pace in endurance events.
Answer: True Explanation: Paragraph B highlights women’s superior pain tolerance and fatigue management, which support the claim that these traits help them perform better in long-distance races.
10. Cultural and social factors have not impacted women's participation or performance in endurance sports.
Answer: False Explanation: Paragraph D explains that increased participation, better training, and societal changes have greatly improved women's performance in endurance events.
Now, let's examine the summary completion questions typically asked in the exam.
Questions 11 - 14
In summary completion questions, you need to fill in the missing words in a given summary of the passage. You need to use no more than three words to complete each answer.
These questions test your ability to extract key information from the passage and ensure you understand the main points, focusing on specific details to complete the summary accurately.
Here are some questions in this format:
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS, answer the following questions.
Write your answers in boxes 11-14 on your answer sheet.
11. Women tend to have more __________ fibers in their muscles, which is why they excel in endurance sports.
Strategy: Look for sections discussing muscle fiber types and their effects on endurance. Focus on the specific term used in the passage.
Impact: This question helps assess your ability to identify precise details about physiological factors mentioned in the passage. It tests your skill in scanning for specific terms.
Answer: slow-twitch muscle
Explanation: The passage states in Paragraph A that women have a higher proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are well-suited for endurance events like long-distance races.
12. Research suggests that women have better __________ management, which helps them maintain a steady pace in long races.
Strategy: Find references to psychological factors like fatigue management, pain tolerance, or mental resilience.
Impact: This question tests your understanding of psychological aspects and how they are linked to performance. It challenges your ability to connect information from different parts of the passage.
Answer: fatigue
Explanation: In Paragraph B, the passage states that women’s ability to manage fatigue more effectively enhances their performance in endurance events.
13. Testosterone, which helps in increasing muscle __________, gives men an advantage in shorter races.
Strategy: Focus on sections that discuss the role of testosterone in muscle development and its effects on race performance.
Impact: This question checks your ability to identify and link physiological explanations. It also ensures your understanding of how gender differences are addressed in the passage.
Answer: mass
Explanation: The passage states in Paragraph C that men’s higher testosterone levels contribute to greater muscle mass, giving them an advantage in speed-based events.
14. The rise in female participation in endurance sports has been attributed to better __________ and increased support.
Strategy: Scan for sections discussing the growth of female participation, improved training, and support systems in sports.
Impact: This question evaluates your ability to identify social factors that have contributed to changes in performance. It tests your comprehension of broader contextual elements, like societal shifts.
Answer: training programs
Explanation: The passage states in Paragraph D that women’s increased participation and performance are largely due to improved training programs and support systems.
These sample questions can significantly improve your IELTS preparation from home by enhancing your ability to identify key details and practice critical reading skills.
Now, let's explore a vocabulary list to help you understand different words and their context for Why Some Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men.
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Vocabulary List for Why Some Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men IELTS Reading Answer
The paragraphs may contain around 20-30% of moderate to difficult words that could confuse test takers, particularly in the Reading section. Understanding their meaning and context can help increase your accuracy by 15-20%, especially in tasks that require detailed comprehension or inference.
Below is a list of important vocabulary along with their context in the passage Why Some Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men:
Term
Meaning
Contextual Usage
Endurance
The ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort.
"Women's greater endurance, attributed to..."
Muscle fibers
The individual fibers that make up muscle tissue, with slow-twitch fibers aiding endurance.
"Women have a higher proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers."
Fatigue
Extreme tiredness or lack of energy, often following exertion.
"Women's superior fatigue management helps."
Testosterone
A hormone that promotes muscle growth and strength, higher in men.
"Men's higher testosterone levels provide advantage…"
Metabolism
The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.
"Due to a different metabolism rate…"
Resilience
The ability to recover quickly from difficulties, mental toughness.
"Women's resilience helps them push through physical strain…"
Pacing
The speed or rate at which one runs, crucial in long-distance events.
"Women tend to pace themselves better.”
Cardiovascular
Relating to the heart and blood vessels, influencing physical performance.
"Men typically have a more robust cardiovascular system."
With some challenging vocabulary covered for IELTS reading practice, let's explore some examples of collocations that can challenge test takers.
Collocations and Phrases for Why Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men Reading Answers
Collocations are word pairs commonly used together in context. Examples from the passage include "physical strain" and "race conditions." Knowing these collocations helps you understand the passage more accurately and answer questions effectively, which is key to achieving a band score above 7.
Here are some types of collocations and phrases used in the "Why Women Cross the Finish Line Ahead of Men" IELTS reading sample:
Collocation/Phrase
Meaning
Long-distance races
Races that test stamina over extended periods of time.
Energy source
The substance used by the body to fuel physical activity like fat.
Physical strain
The stress and exhaustion caused by intense physical exertion.
Race conditions
The environment or factors affecting the outcome of a race.
Performance advantage
A benefit or edge that leads to better outcomes in a race or event.
Training support
Assistance in developing skills and fitness, such as coaching or resources.
Heat dissipation
The process of releasing excess body heat, especially important in endurance sports.
Higher proportion
A greater quantity or percentage of something in comparison.
Before discussing preparations in detail, it's important to consider some common pitfalls. Let's explore the mistakes to avoid.
Common Mistakes to Avoid and Tips for Accurate Answers
Minor errors, such as mismanaging time or overlooking key words, can significantly reduce your accuracy by up to 15%, which may drop your score by as much as 1 band. This can affect your chances of gaining admission to top universities like Stanford or MIT, which require high sectional scores for consideration.
Skimming Without Understanding Quickly scanning the passage without fully understanding it can lead to missed details and incorrect answers. Tip: Take the time to grasp the main idea of each paragraph before moving on. This will help you capture key points and improve accuracy.
Spending Too Much Time on One Question Focusing too long on a difficult question can waste valuable time, affecting the rest of your test. Tip: If a question is challenging, skip it and return later. Ensure you complete all questions to maximize your score.
Copying More Words Than Required Writing more than the allowed number of words can lead to incorrect answers. Tip: Follow the word limit strictly. A concise, accurate response is all you need to get the answer right.
Ignoring Keywords in Questions Overlooking keywords can lead to misunderstandings of what is being asked. Tip: Highlight keywords like "not given," "true," and "false" in the questions to guide your search for the right answers.
Guessing Without Evidence Guessing answers without supporting evidence from the passage can lower your accuracy. Tip: Always reference the text for proof before answering. If you can’t find evidence, leave the question and revisit it later.
Mismanaging Time: Keep Track of Your Progress Spending too much time on one section can lead to rushing through others. Tip: Use a timer to manage each section. Allocate time per question to ensure you have enough time to answer all parts of the test.
Optimal use of available resources can increase your scores by up to 20%, as these resources are specifically designed to enhance your skills in each section of the test.
These scientifically-backed materials, including books, online coaching platforms, and instructional videos, are carefully structured to help you improve comprehension, accuracy, and speed.
Practice tests to improve the IELTS reading section's reading comprehension and time management.
While these preparation materials are beneficial, expert guidance from upGrad can make all the difference. Let's find out how.
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Each section of the IELTS exam, such as Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, requires a specific strategy, focused preparation, and targeted scoring techniques. Expert guidance is essential for mastering these sections, and upGrad provides that expert support with personalized coaching and structured resources.
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What techniques help find answers to True/False/Not Given questions?
For True/False/Not Given questions, start by identifying the key information in the statement. Then, scan the passage for those details. True means the statement matches the passage exactly, False means it contradicts the passage, and Not Given means the passage doesn't provide enough information.
Can I use synonyms in the passage to find answers more easily?
Yes, synonyms are often used in IELTS reading passages. The test assesses your ability to understand the meaning, not just find the exact words. For example, if the passage uses “increase,” and the question has “rise,” they may be considered the same. But be sure to focus on the meaning and context rather than exact word matches.
How do I avoid confusing similar answer options in multiple-choice questions?
To avoid confusion, carefully read each option and compare them against the passage. Eliminate answers that are too extreme or don’t align with the tone of the text. Pay attention to specific words or details in the passage that match the options.
What is the best way to approach matching headings questions?
Start by reading all the headings before looking at the passage. Then, go through each paragraph and identify the main idea or key point it covers. Match the heading that best represents that idea. This approach ensures you are matching the most relevant heading based on the central theme of each paragraph.
How do I manage time effectively during the reading test?
The IELTS reading test is time-bound, with 60 minutes to complete 40 questions. Divide your time equally between the three sections and avoid spending too much time on any one question. For example, spend around 20 minutes on each section, leaving a few minutes at the end to review your answers.
What keywords should I look for when scanning for specific information?
When scanning for specific information, focus on keywords such as names, dates, numbers, and key terms mentioned in the question. Also, look for transition words like “however,” “moreover,” or “on the other hand” as they can signal important shifts or points in the passage.
Should I guess answers if I'm unsure, or leave them blank?
It is always better to guess than leave an answer blank, as there’s no penalty for incorrect answers. If you're unsure, make an educated guess based on the context of the passage. However, try not to guess randomly. If you have time, go back and reconsider the tricky questions at the end.
How can I quickly identify which paragraph contains the answer?
Start by scanning the first few lines of each paragraph for keywords or phrases that are directly mentioned in the question. Once you find a relevant word, read that section carefully to confirm if it contains the answer. This approach saves time and helps you focus on the most relevant parts of the passage.
What is the best approach to completing sentence completion tasks effectively?
Focus on understanding the context of the sentence and the missing word’s role in completing it. Look for clues such as grammatical structure, sentence flow, and any related information in the passage. Ensure that the word fits both meaningfully and grammatically within the sentence.
Why is understanding the author's tone or purpose important for answering questions?
Understanding the author's tone or purpose helps you interpret implied meanings and attitudes in the passage. Whether the tone is critical, neutral, or supportive can change how you understand the information. This understanding is crucial, especially for True/False/Not Given or multiple-choice questions that assess interpretation.
