IELTS AC Reading Passage, Questions and Answers

Get answers for caves reading passage in the following table. Examine and correct any discrepancies you found.

1. TYPES	5. FRACTURES	9. A	13. Not Given
2. TUNNELS	6. PASSAGE	10. E
3. AREAS	7. STREAMS	11. True
4. CRACKS	8. FLOOR	12. True

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13 which are based on the Reading Passage below. It is taken from the IELTS Academic (AC) reading practice test. 

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Caves

A. Man can enter natural underground spaces which are commonly named as Caves. They are differentiated into three types: highly widespread and extensive are the ones in soluble rocks and they are usually limestone or marble are formed by underground water; cliffs are formed on the coast and are generally concentrated pounding of waves along joints and zones of crushed rock; in the lava flows few caves are formed, where the solidified outer crust is left after the molten core has drained away to form rough tunnels, such as those on the small basalt volcanoes of Auckland. 
 
B. Many regions of New Zealand feature limestone formations, but not all of them are cavernous formations, spanning geological epochs from the most recent to more than 450 million years ago. Although many caverns have been found, there are still hundreds that have yet to be investigated. The Te Kuiti Group (Oligocene) rocks from Port Waikato south to Mokau and from the coast inland to the Waipa Valley - especially in the Waitomo district - are the most notable limestone areas for caves, covering hundreds of square kilometres; and the Mount Arthur Marble (Upper Ordovician) of the mountains of northwest Nelson are the most notable areas for caves, covering tens of square kilometres (fringed by thin bands of Oligocene limestone in the valleys and near the coast).

C. The thickness of horizontal rocks or beds is 5-7.5 cm of sedimentary rocks (including limestone). An estimated thickness of one hundred metres. Cracks along the partings and joints at angles to them form in pure limestone because of folding caused by earth movements. The water table is the level at which all fractures and pores in the earth and the underlying rocks are filled with water, having percolated down through the soil and the cracks in the rocks. By dissolving the limestone along the joints, this acidic water creates a tunnel, which is further widened by the abrasive action of sand and pebbles brought by streams. Between the seasonal boundaries of the water table is where the widespread solution occurs. Both continued erosion and the deposition of floor or silt and pebbles can alter stream patterns. The water flow that originally carved out most caverns is still present.             
                           
D. Many of the caves in the Oligocene limestones, which are softer and have more uniform bedding, have developed horizontally, with multiple levels and corridors that can be rather lengthy. Gardner's Gut in Waitomo consists of around seven kilometres of tunnels spread across two main levels. Plan views of caves often highlight notable features such long, narrow, straight tunnels that follow joint patterns like in Ruakuri and Waitomo, or a series of parallel straits orientated in one or more directions like in Te Anaroa and Rockville. Burr Cave in Waitomo has a tall and narrow vertical cross section because it follows joints, while Hollow Hill in Waitomo is 233 metres long, 59.4 metres wide, and 30.48 metres high; Luckie Strike in Waitomo is low and wide because it follows bedding planes; and Rangitaawa Shaft in Waitomo is a high vertical water-worn shaft (91 m). Many of the Waitomo Caves reach depths of several hundred metres, with the deepest being Harwood Hole, located in the town of Takaka. These caves are found in the tougher, massive Mount Arthur Marble (a metamorphosed limestone) (370m). 
 
E. Mineral encrustations, which can cover a cave's roof, floor, and walls, give caves their distinctive beauty. Stalactites, from the Greek stalagmites, meaning "dripping," are crystalline calcium carbonate (calcite) growths that precipitate from groundwater seepage. They typically range in colour from white to yellow, but can also be brown or even crimson. A long, thin straw that may reach the floor or thicken into columns forms in areas where water evaporates more quickly than it pours. A thin curtain, resembling a stage curtain, can be created if the water source is moved across the ceiling. The term "helictite" is used to describe a type of stalactite that branches or curls. Conical or gnarled floor growths called stalagmites (Greek for "that which dripped") occur when water drips faster than it evaporates and causes splashing. Massive columns may arise from these if they were allowed to grow upwards. It is possible for pools of water to build up their edges to form narrow walls of brimstone in areas where calcite is deposited by water spreading thinly over the walls or floor. White gypsum (calcium sulphate) crystal habits in cave deposits are likely related to relative humidity. The gypsum flower is the most stunning variety; it grows from a single point on the cave wall and spreads its petals outward and upward like a lily or orchid.

Questions 1-5 

Complete the flow-chart.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

The Creation of Limestone Caves limestone develops extensive layers on the earth's
                                                                   ↓
 surface, resulting in the formation of 1._______. Rainwater percolates through the soil and 
                                                                   ↓
2. ________ in rocks to the water table, where acidic water dissolves limestone along joints 
                                                                   ↓
That has been 3.________opened and enlarged by sand/pebbles carried along by 
                                                                   ↓ 
4._______5._______or silt and pebble buildup.
                                                      

Questions 6-8          

Complete the summary.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

There are various 6._________of caves, the most common and largest of which are found in limestone or marble. Coastal caves are formed in cliffs by waves. The cemented exterior crusts that remain after the molten core has been drained away from lava flows also form 7._________ There is limestone all around New Zealand, although not all of it has caves. While numerous caverns have been discovered, many more remain undiscovered. Te Kuiti Group rocks are the major 8.__________for limestone caves.

Questions 9-11

Do the following statements agree with the information in the Caves Reading Passage ? Write

• TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
• FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
• NOT GIVEN if there is no information about the statement
  
  

9. Stalagmites are always small in size.
10. Most stalactites are a pale yellow to white colour, rather than a dark brown or red.

11. The New Zealand limestone is older than 450 million years.

Questions 12-13 

Choose TWO letters A-E.

Which TWO of the following features of caves in the softer limestones are mentioned in the text?

A.Typically lengthy 
B. Uniformly at least 7.2 kilometres in length 
C. Predominantly vertical 
D. Always featuring a single route 
E. Typically horizontal.

Answers With Explanations 

(Note: The text in italics from the reading passage shows the location from where the answer is taken or inferred. ) 

1.  Cracks 

Explanation: The second line of paragraph C  “Cracks along the partings and joints at angles to them form in pure limestone because of folding caused by earth movements”.

2.  Fractures 

Explanation:  The 4th line of paragraph C, “The water table is the level at which all fractures and pores in the earth ”.

3. Passage 

Explanation: The last 3rd line in paragraph D, “ During the same time period that the pneumatic drill was being widely adopted.”

4. Streams 

Explanation: The 8th line of paragraph C, “ which is further widened by the abrasive action of sand and pebbles brought by streams”.

5. Floor 

Explanation: The second last line paragraph C, “Both continued erosion and the deposition of floor or silt and pebbles can alter stream patterns.

6. Types

Explanation: The second line of paragraph A, “They are differentiated into three types”.

7. Tunnels  

Explanation: The last line of paragraph A, “where the solidified outer crust is left after the molten core has drained away to form rough tunnels”.

8. Areas 

Explanation: The 6th line of paragraph B, “ The Te Kuiti Group (Oligocene) rocks from Port Waikato south to Mokau and from the coast inland to the Waipa Valley - especially in the Waitomo district - are the most notable limestone areas for caves”.

9. Not Given 

Explanation: Not available.

10. True 

Explanation: In the 2nd line of paragraph E, “Stalactites, from the Greek stalagmites, meaning "dripping," are crystalline calcium carbonate (calcite) growths that precipitate from groundwater seepage. They typically range in colour from white to yellow, but can also be brown or even crimson”.

11. True 

Explanation: In the first three lines of paragraph B, “New Zealand features limestone formations, but not all of them are cavernous formations, spanning geological epochs from the most recent to more than 450 million years ago”.

12. A 

Explanation: In the first three lines of paragraph D, “which are softer and have more uniform bedding, have developed horizontally, with multiple levels and corridors that can be rather lengthy.”

13. E

Explanation: In the first three lines of paragraph D, “ which are softer and have more uniform bedding, have developed horizontally, with multiple levels and corridors that can be rather lengthy.”

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