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IELTSFever Academic IELTS Reading Test 152

IELTSFever Academic IELTS Reading Test 152 With Answers Depression, An Introduction to Film Sound, Issues Affecting the Southern Resident Orcas

IELTSFever Academic IELTS Reading Test 152 ( Passage 1 Depression, Passage 2 An Introduction to Film Sound, Passage 3 Issues Affecting the Southern Resident Orcas ) we prefer you to work offline, download the test paper, and blank answer sheet.

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For Answers Academic IELTS Reading Test 152 Answers

Reading Passage 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on the IELTSFever Academic IELTS Reading Test 152 Reading Passage Depression below.

Depression

{A}. It is often more difficult for outsiders and non-sufferers to understand mental rather than physical illness in others. While it may be easy for us to sympathize with individuals living with the burden of a physical illness or disability, there is often a stigma attached to being mentally ill or a belief that such conditions only exist in individuals who lack the strength of character to cope with the real world. The pressures of modern life seem to have resulted in an increase in cases of emotional disharmony and government initiatives in many countries have, of late, focused on increasing the general public’s awareness and sympathy towards sufferers of mental illness and related conditions.

{B}. Clinical depression, or ‘major depressive disorder’, a state of extreme sadness or despair, is said to affect up to almost 20% of the population at some point in their lives prior to the age of 40. Studies have shown that this disorder is the leading cause of disability in North America; in the UK almost 3 million people are said to be diagnosed with some form of depression at any one time, and experts believe that as many as a further 9 million other cases may go undiagnosed. World Health Organisation projections indicate that clinical depression may become the second most significant cause of disability on a global scale by 2020. However, such figures are not unanimously supported, as some experts believe that the diagnostic criteria used to identify՛ the condition are not precise enough, leading to other types of depression being wrongly classified as ‘clinical’.

{C}. Many of us may experience periods of low morale or mood and feelings of dejection, as a natural human response to negative events in our lives such as bereavement, redundancy, or breakdown of a relationship. Some of us may even experience periods of depression and low levels of motivation which have no tangible reason or trigger. Clinical depression is classified as an ongoing state of negativity, with no tangible cause, where sufferers enter a spiral of persistent negative thinking, often experiencing irritability, perpetual tiredness, and listlessness. Sufferers of clinical depression are said to be at higher risk of resorting to drug abuse or even suicide attempts than the rest of the population.

{D}. Clinical depression is generally diagnosed when an individual is observed to exhibit an excessively depressed mood and/or ‘anhedonia’ – an inability to experience pleasure from positive experiences such as enjoying a meal or pleasurable social interaction – for a period of two weeks or more, in conjunction with five or more additional recognized symptoms. These additional symptoms may include overwhelming feelings of sadness; inability to sleep, or conversely, excessive sleeping; feelings of guilt, nervousness, abandonment or fear; inability to concentrate; interference with memory capabilities; fixation with death or extreme change in eating habits and associated weight gain or loss.

{E}. Clinical depression was originally solely attributed to a chemical imbalance in the brain, and while anti-depressant drugs which work to optimize levels of ‘feel-good’ chemicals – serotonin and norepinephrine – are still commonly prescribed today, experts now believe that onset of depression may be caused by a number, and often combination of, physiological and socio-psychological factors. Treatment approaches vary quite dramatically from place to place and are often tailored to an individual’s particular situation; however, some variation of a combination of medication and psychotherapy is most commonly used. The more controversial electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may also be used where initial approaches fail. In extreme cases, where an individual exhibits behaviour which Indicates that they may cause physical harm to themselves, psychiatric hospitalization may be necessary as a form of intensive therapy.

{F}. Some recent studies, such as those published by the Archives of General Psychiatry, hold that around a quarter of diagnosed clinical depression cases should actually be considered as significant but none-the-less ordinary sadness and maladjustment to coping with trials in life, indicating that in such cases, psychotherapy rather than treatment through medication is required.   Recovery as a result of psychotherapy tends, in most cases, to be a slower process than improvements related to medication; however, improvements as a result of psychological treatment, once achieved, have been observed in some individuals to be more long term and sustainable than those attained through prescription drugs. Various counselling approaches exist, though all focus on enhancing the subject’s ability to function on a personal and interpersonal level. Sessions involve the encouragement of an individual to view themselves and their relationships in a more positive manner, with the intention of helping patients to replace negative thoughts with a more positive outlook.

{G}. It is apparent that susceptibility to depression can run in families. However, it remains unclear as to whether this is truly an inherited genetic trait or whether biological and environmental factors common to family members may be at the root of the problem. In some cases, sufferers of depression may need to unlearn certain behaviours and attitudes they have established in life and develop new coping strategies designed to help them deal with problems they may encounter, undoing patterns of destructive behaviour they may have observed in their role models and acquired for themselves.

Questions 1-5

Reading Passage 1 has seven sections A-G.

Write the correct letters A-G in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

(1). Details of treatment alternatives for worst-case scenario depression.

(2). Information regarding cases where drug treatment is inappropriate.

(3). Details of how those diagnosed with depression may be more vulnerable than other members of society,

(4). Information about society’s attitudes to depression and similar illnesses.

(5). Information regarding why estimates of the incidence of future growth in cases may be overly exaggerated.

Questions 6-8

Choose THREE letters A-G.

Write your answers in boxes 6-8 on your answer sheet.

NB Your answers may be given in any order

Which THREE of the following statements are true of depression?

(A). Governments have generally failed to take action to educate the general public about the condition.

(B). The highest reported number of cases is in the USA.

(C). In Britain, it is likely that there are more individuals who live with the condition without the help of a doctor than those being officially treated.

(D). Clinical depression may be triggered by divorce.

(E). Lethargy may be one of the symptoms of depression.

(F). Prescribed pharmaceuticals have radically changed over recent years.

(G). Approaches to treating depression are not universal.

Questions 9-13

Complete the summary of paragraphs F and G with the list of words A-L below.

Write the correct letter A-L in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.

Whilst recovery through counseling rather than medicine may be more 9. ____________, results once achieved may have more than 10 ________________ with some patients. Counseling sessions are geared towards improving the subject’s relationship with others and their own 11. _______________, encouraging sufferers of depression to take on a more 12. _______________ outlook. The extent to which genetic disposition and sociological factors impact on the state of mind is 13_________________. Many people undergoing counseling therapy do so with the purpose of unlearning negative behavior and reactions.

A. gratifying B. longevity C. ambition D. optimistic
E. pessimistic F. difficulty G. inconclusive H. self-image
I. gradual J. unequivocal K. immediate L. categorical

Reading Passage 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-26, which are based on the IELTSFever Academic IELTS Reading Test 152 Reading Passage An Introduction to Film Sound below.

An Introduction to Film Sound 

Though we might think of film as an essentially visual experience, we really cannot afford to underestimate the importance of film sound. A meaningful soundtrack is often as complicated as the image on the screen and is ultimately just as much the responsibility of the director. The entire soundtrack consists of three essential ingredients: the human voice, sound effects, and music. These three tracks must be mixed and balanced so as to produce the necessary emphases which in turn create desired effects. Topics that essentially refer to the three previously mentioned tracks are discussed below. They include dialogue, synchronous and asynchronous sound effects, and music. 

Let us start with dialogue. As is the case with stage drama, dialogue serves to tell the story and expresses the feelings and motivations of characters as well. Often with film characterization, the audience perceives little or no difference between the character and the actor. Thus, for example, the actor Humphrey Bogart is the character Sam Spade; film personality and life personality seem to merge. Perhaps this is because the very texture of a performer’s voice supplies an element of character. 

When voice textures fit the performer’s physiognomy and gestures, a whole and very realistic persona emerge. The viewer sees not an actor working at his craft, but another human being struggling with life. It is interesting to note that how dialogue is used and the very amount of dialogue used varies widely among films. For example, in the highly successful science­ fiction film 2001, little dialogue was evident, and most of it was banal and of little intrinsic interest. In this way the filmmaker was able to portray what Thomas Sobochack and Vivian Sobochack call, in An Introduction to Film, the ‘inadequacy of human responses when compared with the magnificent technology created by man and the visual beauties of the universe ‘. 

The comedy Bringing Up Baby, on the other hand, presents practically non-stop dialogue delivered at breakneck speed. This use of dialogue underscores not only the dizzy quality of the character played by Katherine Hepburn, but also the absurdity of the film itself and thus its humor. The audience is bounced from gag to gag and conversation to conversation; there is no time for audience reflection. The audience is caught up in a whirlwind of activity in simply managing to follow the plot. This film presents pure escapism – largely due to its frenetic dialogue. 

Synchronous sound effects are those sounds which are synchronized or matched with what is viewed. For example, if the film portrays a character playing the piano, the sounds of the piano are projected. Synchronous sounds contribute to the realism of film and also help to create a particular atmosphere. For example, the ‘click’ of a door being opened may simply serve to convince the audience that the image portrayed is real, and the audience may only subconsciously note the expected sound. However, if the ‘click’ of an opening door is part of an ominous action such as a burglary, the sound mixer may call attention to the ‘click’ with an increase in volume; this helps to engage the audience in a moment of suspense. 

Asynchronous sound effects, on the other hand, are not matched with a visible source of the sound on screen. Such sounds are included so as to provide an appropriate emotional nuance, and they may also add to the realism of the film. For example, a film-maker might opt to include the background sound of an ambulance’s siren while the foreground sound and image portrays an arguing couple. The asynchronous ambulance siren underscores the psychic injury incurred in the argument; at the same time the noise of the siren adds to the realism of the film by acknowledging the film’s city setting. 

We are probably all familiar with background music in films, which has become so ubiquitous as to be noticeable in its absence. We are aware that it is used to add emotion and rhythm. Usually not meant to be noticeable, it often provides a tone or an emotional attitude toward the story and /or the characters depicted. In addition, background music open foreshadows a change in mood. For example, dissonant music may be used in film to indicate an approaching (but not yet visible) menace or disaster. 

Background music may aid viewer understanding by linking scenes. For example, a particular musical theme associated with an individual character or situation may be repeated at various points in a film in order to remind the audience of salient motifs or ideas. 

Film sound comprises conventions and innovations. We have come to expect an acceleration of music during car chases and creaky doors in horror films. Yet, it is important to note as well that sound is often brilliantly conceived. The effects of sound are often largely subtle and often are noted by only our subconscious minds. We need to foster an awareness of film sound as well as film space so as to truly appreciate an art form that sprang to life during the twentieth century – the modern film. 

Questions 14-18 

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D. Write the correct letter in boxes 14-18 on your answer sheet. 

Question 14 In the first paragraph, the writer makes a point that 

(A) the director should plan the sound track at an early stage in filming. 

(B) it would be wrong to overlook the contribution of sound to the artistry of films. 

(C) the music industry can have a beneficial influence on sound in film. 

(D) it is important for those working on the sound in a film to have sole responsibility for it. 

 

Question 15 One reason that the writer refers to Humphrey Bogart is to exemplify 

(A) the importance of the actor and the character appearing to have similar personalities. 

(B) the audience’s wish that actors are visually appropriate for their roles. 

(C) the value of the actor having had similar feelings to the character. 

(D) the audience’s preference for dialogue to be as authentic as possible. 

Question 16 In the third paragraph, the writer suggests that 

(A) audiences are likely to be critical of film dialogue that does not reflect their own experience. 

(B) film dialogue that appears to be dull may have a specific purpose. 

(C) filmmakers vary considerably in the skill with which they handle dialogue. 

(D) the most successful films are those with a dialogue of a high quality. 

Question 17 What does the writer suggest about Bringing Up Baby? 

(A) The plot suffers from the filmmaker’s wish to focus on humorous dialogue. 

(B) The dialogue helps to make it one of the best comedy films ever produced. 

(C) There is a mismatch between the speed of the dialogue and the speed of actions. 

(D) The nature of the dialogue emphasizes key elements of the film. 

Question 18 The writer refers to the ‘click’ of a door to make the point that realistic sounds 

(A) are often used to give the audience a false impression of events in the film. 

(B) maybe interpreted in different ways by different members of the audience. 

(C) maybe modified in order to manipulate the audience’s response to the film. 

(D) tend to be more significant in films presenting realistic situations. 

Questions 19-23

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 2? 

In boxes 19-23 on your answer sheet, write 

TRUE if the statement is True
FALSE if the statement is false
NOT GIVEN If the information is not given in the passage

(19) Audiences are likely to be surprised if a film lacks background music. 

(20) Background music may anticipate a development in a film. 

(21) Background music has more effect on some people than on others. 

(22) Background music may help the audience to make certain connections within the film. 

(23) Audiences tend to be aware of how the background music is affecting them. 

Questions 24-26

Complete each sentence with the correct, below. 

Write the correct letter, A-E, in boxes 24-26 on your answer sheet. 

(24) The audience’s response to different parts of a film can be controlled 

(25) The feelings and motivations of characters become clear 

(26) A character seems to be a real person rather than an actor 

(A) when the audience listens to the dialogue. 

(B) if the film reflects the audience’s own concerns. 

(C) if voice, sound and music are combined appropriately. 

(D) when the director is aware of how the audience will respond. 

(E) when the actor s appearance, voice and moves are consistent with each other. 

Reading Passage 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27-40, which are based on the IELTSFever Academic IELTS Reading Test 152 Reading Passage Issues Affecting the Southern Resident Orcas below.

Issues Affecting the Southern Resident Orcas 

 {A} Orcas, also known as killer whales, are opportunistic feeders, which means they will take a variety of different prey species. J, K, and L pods (specific groups of orcas found in the region) are almost exclusively fish eaters. Some studies show that up to 90 percent of their diet is salmon, with Chinook salmon being far and away their favourite. During the last 50 years, hundreds of wild runs of salmon have become extinct due to habitat loss and overfishing of wild stocks. Many of the extinct salmon stocks are the winter runs of Chinook and coho. Although the surviving stocks have probably been sufficient to sustain the resident pods, many of the runs that have been lost were undoubtedly traditional resources favoured by the resident orcas. This may be affecting the whales’ nutrition in the winter and may require them to change their atterns of movement in order to search for food. 

Other studies with tagged whales have shown that they regularly dive up to 800 feet in this area.Researchers tend to think that during these deep dives the whales may be feeding on bottomfish. Bottomfish species in this area would include halibut, rockfish, lingcod, and greenling. Scientists estimate that today’s lingcod population in northern Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia is only 2 percent of what it was in 1950. The average size of rockfish in the recreational catch has also declined by several inches since the 1970s, which is indicative of overfishing. In some locations, certain rockfish species have disappeared entirely. So even if bottomfish are not a major food resource for the whales, the present low numbers of available fish increases the pressure on orcas and all marine animals to find food. (For more information on bottomfish see the San Juan County Bottomfish Recovery Program.) 

{B} Toxic substances accumulate in higher concentrations as they move up the food chain. Because orcas t are the top predator in the ocean and are at the top of several different food chains in the environment, they tend to be more affected by pollutants than other sea creatures. examinations of stranded killer whales have shown some extremely high levels of lead, mercury, and polychlorinated hydrocarbons. Abandoned marine toxic waste dumps and present levels of industrial and human refuse pollution of the inland waters probably presents the most serious threat to the continued existence of this orca population. Unfortunately, the total remedy to this huge problem would be broad societal changes on many fronts. But because of the fact that orcas are so popular, they may be the best species to use as a focal point in bringing about the many changes that need to be made in order to protect the marine environment as a whole from further toxic poisoning. 

{C} The waters around the San Juan Islands are extremely busy due to international commercial shipping, fishing, whale watching, and pleasure boating. On a busy weekend day in the summer, it is not uncommon to see numerous boats in the vicinity of the whales as they travel through the area. The potential impacts from all this vessel traffic with regard to the whales and other marine animals in the area could be tremendous. 

The surfacing and breathing space of marine birds and mammals is a critical aspect of their habitat, which the animals must consciously deal with on a moment-to-moment basis throughout their lifetimes. With all the boating activity in the vicinity, there are three ways in which surface impacts are most likely to affect marine animals: (a) collision, (b) collision avoidance, and (c) exhaust emissions in breathing pockets. 

The first two impacts are very obvious and don’t just apply to vessels with motors. Kayakers even present a problem here because they’re so quiet. Marine animals, busy hunting and feeding under the surface of the water, may not be aware that there is a kayak above them and actually hit the bottom of it as they surface to breathe. 

The third impact is one most people don’t even think of. When there are numerous boats in the area, especially idling boats, there are a lot of exhaust fumes being spewed out on the surface of the water. When the whale comes up to take a nice big breath of “fresh” air, it instead gets a nice big breath of exhaust fumes. It’s hard to say how greatly this affects the animals, but think how breathing polluted air affects us (i.e., smog in large cities like Los Angeles, breathing the foul air while sitting in traffic jams, etc). 

{D} Similar to surface impacts, a primary source of acoustic pollution for this population of orcas would also be derived from the cumulative underwater noise of vessel traffic. For cetaceans, the underwater sound environment is perhaps the most critical component of their sensory and behavioural lives. Orcas communicate with each other over short and long distances with a variety of clicks, chirps, squeaks, and whistles, along with using echolocation to locate prey and to navigate. They may also rely on passive listening as a primary sensory source. The long-term impacts from noise pollution would not likely show up as noticeable behavioural changes in habitat use, but rather as sensory damage or gradual reduction in population health. A new 

study at The Whale Museum called the Sea-Sound Remote Sensing Network has begun studying underwater acoustics and its relationship to orca communication. 

Questions 27-30 

Reading Passage 3 has four sections (A-D). Choose the most suitable heading for each section 

from the list of headings below. 

List of Headings 

(I) Top Ocean Predators 

(II) Toxic Exposure 

(III) Declining Fish Populations 

(IV) Pleasure Boating in the San Juan Islands w Underwater Noise 

(V) Underwater Noise 

(VI) Smog in Large Cities 

(VII) Impact of Boat Traffic 

(27). Section A 

(28). Section B 

(29). Section C 

(30). Section D

Write the appropriate number (I-VII) in boxes 27-30 on your Answer Sheet. There are more 

headings than sections, so you will not use all of them. 

Questions 31-32

For each question, choose the appropriate letter A-D and write it in boxes 31 and 32 on your Answer Sheet 

Question 31. Killer whales (orcas) in the J, K, and L pods prefer to eat 

(A) halibut. 

(В) a type of salmon. 

(C) a variety of animals. 

(D) fish living at the bottom of the sea. 

Question 32. Some groups of salmon have become extinct because 

(A) they have lost places to live. 

(В) whales have eaten them. 

(C) they don’t get good nutrition. 

(D) the winters in the area are too cold. 

Questions 33-40 

Complete the chart below. 

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer. 

Write your answers in boxes 33-40 on your Answer Sheet. 

Cause Effect 
Scientists believe some whales feed 33…………..  These whales dive very deep.
Scientists believe that the area is being 

overfished. 

Rockfish caught today is 34…………… than 

rockfish caught in the past 

Orcas are at the top of the ocean food chain 35…………… affects orcas more than it does 

other sea animals 

Orcas are a 36…………….. species We can use orcas to make society aware of the problem of marine pollution 
People enjoy boating, fishing, and whale 

watching in the San Juan Islands 

On weekends there are 37……………. near the whales 
Kayaks are 38……………..  Marine animals hit them when they come up 

for air 

A lot of boats keep their motors running Whales breathe 39…………….. 
Boats are noisy Whales have difficulty 40…………….

For Answers Academic IELTS Reading Test 152 Answers

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