Free IELTS Academic Reading Practice test 3 - Section 1 (1-13 questions)

Reading passage 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on Reading ge 1 on the following page. 

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EMOTIONAL EATING

1. Many times, when you find yourself reaching for a candy bar or wanting to fix comfort food, the cause has deep roots. In fact, these roots could go as far back as your childhood. Most adults, engaging in unhealthy eating behaviours, believe that this can lead to undesirable consequences, such as feeling sluggish or lazy and negative about their bodies. Barb's so is a good example-during her childhood, she was comforted with her favourite dinner and dessert every single time either one or both of her parents were unable to keep their promise. Now for Barb, these instances have transformed into an easy resort She seks fo when in distress and at the same time feels displeased with her own behaviour.
2. Similarly, according to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association in 2018 33% of adults mentioned distraction from stress as the major reason for overeating Half of these adults reported engaging in these behaviours over a week or even more frequently After having overeaten or eaten unhealthy foods, 50% of adults reported feeling disappointed, 46% reported feeling ashamed about their bodies and more than one-third admitted they felt sluggish or lazy.
3. To deal with this problem, triggers need to be identified, such as the situations, places or emotions. Emotional eating is mostly associated with unpleasant feelings, but in some cases, even positive feelings such as rewarding oneself for achieving a goal or celebrating something can stimulate such a habit. A few of the causes that lead to binge eating are chronic stress, stuffing emotions (silencing our emotions and numbing ourselves with food), boredom or feelings of emptiness, childhood habits or social influences. Without recognizing the major factor, you may be hitting the wrong target.
4. Differentiating emotional hunger from physical hunger is not easy for those who are consumed with emotional eating. Emotional hunger is felt unexpectedly, is overwhelming and urgent, whereas physical hunger does not hit you in an instant, and the urge to eat does not feel as dire. Emotional hunger craves specific comfort foods such as pizza or a pastry (mostly sugary snacks and junk food as they provide an instantaneous rush), nothing else will satisfy the craving. You are attracted to specific textures, tastes and smells, and such an appetite cannot be satiated even if you are full for that time; this behaviour often results in regret, guilt or shame. However, when you're physically hungry, almost anything sounds good-even unappealing yet healthy foods like vegetables.
5. Preliminary goals to help against emotional eating involve behavioural changes and red eption There is a need to identify the type of hunger, develop tolerance to allow rational thinking to explore other effective ways of dealing with negative or stressful situations and emphasize comfortable interpersonal relationship to remain communicable, and, at the same time maintain personal space. Apart from these introspective measures, self-care and the desire to look good are equally important. A healthy body should also have a healthy mind, with a positive outlook that accepts imperfections but only to acknowledge and eliminate each of those successfully.
6. It is possible to retrain your brain to choose a healthy response in place of emotional eating dorm the emotions you're experiencing at the time. Among these, the recurring motions are the ones needing your immediate attention. Some position options are cializing, taking a swim, stretching exercises, drinking lime or lemon juice, using a punching bag, relaxing by a water body or reading. When you're hit with one of your trigger emotions, remind yourself that you have options, remind yourself that you're in control of the situation and that no food or drink is the solution. This step is very important. By reminding yourself that you have options, you manage to put a pause on the typical behaviour or response pattern. When stress, depression or any other emotion causes you to want to run to the nearest store and stock up on junk food, call a trusted person who can help you realize that it's not worth giving in to the emotion
7. It is important that you quickly choose one of the healthy options before your mind begins to convince you that it's okay to give in every once in a while. By practicing these steps, you will eventually train your brain to automatically think of a healthy option instead of the old behaviour of turning to food. How about it, are you ready to get started?

Questions 1-6

Reading Passage 1 has seven paragraphs, A-G.

Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B-G from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number, i - ix, to answer the question.

Example: Paragraph A = ix

List of Headings

• i. Guiding your brain right
• ii. Statistics reveal a connection
• iii. The contrasting characteristics
• iv. The importance of figuring out the driving force
• v. Various types of hunger
• vi. Timely action makes a recovery possible
• vii. Recuperation requires multiple actions
• viii. Restricting yourself is the cure 
• ix. Unhealthy eating and its effects

1. Paragraph B
2. Paragraph C
3. Paragraph D
4. Paragraph E
5. Paragraph F
6. Paragraph G

Questions 7-12

Complete the sentences below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer. 

7. Craving towards specific food may stem from ________.

8. Unhealthy eating may give rise to unpleasant effects like feeling lethargic and __________ about the physical structure. 

9. One-third of the adults in a survey mentioned that eating more than what is desired draws their attention away from ___________.

10. At the onset of a remedy, it is important to figure out what the __________ are. 

11. While high-calorie food only can satisfy emotional hunger, any food though _________ gives contentment in physical hunger. 

12. Control on emotional eating begins with bringing change in behaviour as well as in __________.

Question 13

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

13. The purpose of the author is to

1. enlighten readers about the ill effects of overeating.
2. encourage readers to have a wise and healthy choice of food, even when emotionally upset
3. explain steps to improve lifestyle.
4. prove that nothing is impossible.

Also check

IELTS Academic Reading Practice test 3 - Section 2