Collecting Ant Specimens - IELTS Reading Passage With Questions & Answers

Introduction:

The task of collecting ant specimens for scientific research, known as myrmecology, is both meticulous and enlightening.The following passage is designed not only to enhance your reading skills but also to provide a glimpse into the meticulous world of ant collection.

Passage:

The study of ants, or myrmecology, is a field that attracts researchers fascinated by these tiny yet complex creatures. Ants have been on Earth for more than 100 million years, evolving into over 12,000 known species, each with distinct behaviors and societal structures. Myrmecologists, scientists who study ants, often embark on field studies to collect specimens that can unlock secrets about ant communication, hierarchy, and survival strategies.

Collecting ant specimens is a systematic process that requires patience and precision. Researchers often start by identifying the target species and their habitats. They then choose appropriate collection methods, such as pitfall traps, leaf litter sampling, or direct capture using aspirators. Each method is suited to different environments and ant behaviors. For instance, pitfall traps are effective in capturing ground-dwelling ants, while leaf litter sampling is ideal for uncovering species that dwell in decomposing organic material.

Once collected, the specimens are preserved in ethanol for later analysis in the laboratory. Here, myrmecologists can observe the ants' physical characteristics under microscopes, which aids in species identification and further study of their roles within the colony. Some researchers focus on the ants' morphological traits, such as mandible shape or antenna length, while others might analyze their genetic material to understand evolutionary patterns.

The insights gained from collecting ant specimens are vast. They can inform us about biodiversity, ecosystem health, and even inspire biomimicry in technology and engineering. The humble ant, through the lens of myrmecology, becomes a window into the resilience and ingenuity of life on Earth.

Questions & Answers:

Q1. What is myrmecology?

A. The study of mammals

B. The study of microbes

C. The study of ants

D. The study of aquatic life

A1. C. The study of ants

Explanation: Myrmecology is specifically defined as the study of ants, as mentioned in the opening lines of the passage.

Q2. Fill in the blank: Researchers preserve ant specimens in ______ for later analysis.

A2. Ethanol

Explanation: The passage specifies that collected ant specimens are preserved in ethanol for subsequent laboratory analysis.

Q3. True or False: Ants have been on Earth for more than 100 million years.

A3. True

Explanation: The passage states that ants have existed on Earth for over 100 million years, supporting this statement as true.

Q4. How many known species of ants are there?

A. Over 1,200

B. Over 12,000

C. Over 120,000

D. Over 1,200,000

A4. B. Over 12,000

Explanation: The passage indicates that there are over 12,000 known species of ants.

Q5. Fill in the blank: _____ traps are effective in capturing ground-dwelling ants.

A5. Pitfall

Explanation: The passage mentions that pitfall traps are used effectively to capture ants that live on the ground.

Q6. True or False: Leaf litter sampling is used to capture ants that fly.

A6. False

Explanation: Leaf litter sampling is described as a method for collecting ants that live in decomposing organic material, not for flying ants.

Q7. What do researchers study in the laboratory?

A. Only the ants' genetic material

B. Only the ants' physical characteristics

C. Both the ants' physical characteristics and genetic material

D. Neither the ants' physical characteristics nor genetic material

A7. C. Both the ants' physical characteristics and genetic material

Explanation: The passage details that researchers study both the physical characteristics and genetic material of ants in the lab.

Q8. Fill in the blank: Myrmecologists use ______ to directly capture ants.

A8. Aspirators

Explanation: Direct capture of ants by myrmecologists using aspirators is mentioned as one of the collection methods.

Q9. True or False: Collecting ant specimens can provide information about biodiversity and ecosystem health.

A9. True

Explanation: The passage concludes by stating that the collection of ant specimens yields insights into biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Q10. Which of the following is not a reason why myrmecologists collect ant specimens?

A. To study ant communication

B. To gain inspiration for biomimicry

C. To research ant dietary preferences

D. To understand ant survival strategies

A10. C. To research ant dietary preferences

Explanation: While the passage discusses ant communication, hierarchy, survival strategies, and biomimicry, it does not mention studying ants' dietary preferences as a reason for collecting specimens.

Tips for Cracking the IELTS Reading Exam:

Tip 1: Skim the passage first to get a general idea of the topic and main ideas before diving into the questions.

Tip 2: Learn to identify keywords in the questions that will guide you to the relevant part of the passage for the answer.

Tip 3: Practice different types of questions (multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blanks) to become familiar with the test format.

Tip 4: Don't spend too much time on a single question. If you're unsure, make your best guess and move on.

Tip 5: Review your answers if time allows, ensuring that you have not missed any questions and that your answers are as accurate as possible based on the passage.