- Study Abroad
- / ielts
- / plant wars reading answers
Plant Wars reading Answers
Author
18-09-2025
Plant Wars reading answers practice test is provided with answers and explanations. This passage comprises 14 questions divided into three question types - sentence completion, diagram completion, and true false not given.
Table of contents:
- Solution for Plant Wars
- Plant Wars IELTS Reading Practice Test
- Passage
- Questions
- Answers with Explanations
Solution for Plant Wars
Plant Wars reading answers are listed in the table below. Check your answers with our answer table, then correct the mistakes.
Answer Table
| 1. Humans and Animals | 5. Organic Compound | 9. All Herbivores | 13. True |
| 2. Natural Light | 6. Inhibit Growth | 10. Immediately Lethal | 14. Not Given |
| 3. Allelopathy | 7. Molecular Mechanism | 11. Hollowed-out Structures | |
| 4. Energy | 8. Small Doses | 12. Giraffes |
Plant Wars IELTS Reading Practice Test - Exam Review
Check out our YouTube Channel to Practice Full-Length IELTS Reading Tests Daily
Plant Wars reading answers are given here, which will help you to excel in the IELTS reading module. This IELTS reading practice test prepares you for the actual IELTS examination. The key thing to remember is Sentence completion, diagram completion and List of headings have answers in sequence. Whereas, True/False/Not given, Yes/No/not given do not answer in sequence.
Passage
We’ve provided the reading passage of Plant Wars. Read the passage and carefully complete the questions. Check the answers with our Plant Wars reading answers with locations.
Plant Wars
A. Mention the words “chemical warfare” or “deployed armies” in any conversation, and your interlocutor might immediately assume you’re talking about wars between humans. In reality, however, there are other kinds of wars out there where these techniques are employed far more frequently and in a far more intricate manner: those waged in the plant kingdom.
B. We might not normally think of plants this way, but much like humans and animals, they too have to fight for survival on a daily basis. Nutrients, light and water are the three things any plant needs in order to grow; unfortunately, none of these is ample in supply, which means that the competition between plants can grow fierce. Some plants and trees are at an architectural advantage: taller trees have greater access to natural light, while plants with deeper roots have the ability to absorb more water and nutrients. Others, though, manage to defend their territory through “allelopathy”, or chemical warfare.
C. So how does this chemical warfare work exactly? As Dr Robin Andrews explains, plants convert the nutrients they absorb from the ground to energy with the aid of a type of organic compound known as metabolites. These metabolites can be divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary metabolites are what allows a plant to live, playing a direct role in its growth and development, and are thus present in every plant. Secondary metabolites, on the other hand, can vary from plant to plant and often play the role of a defence mechanism against neighbouring competitors.
D.Out of these secondary metabolites, there are two that are incredibly interesting: DIBOA and DIMBOA. These two cyclic hydroxamic acids were at the forefront of a study conducted by Sascha Venturelli and colleagues in 2015, which found that once they are released into the soil by the plants that produce them, they degenerate into toxic substances that have the power to inhibit growth in nearby plants once they soak them up. As Dr Claude Becker notes, “the phenomenon” itself “has been known for years”, but we now finally understand the “molecular mechanism” behind it-and its supreme intricacy would put to shame any chemical bombs created by humans.
E.But plants do not just fight wars against other plants; chemical warfare also comes into play in their defence against herbivores. As Brent Mortensen of Iowa State University describes, plants “actively resist” attacks made by herbivores through qualitative and quantitative chemical defences. What’s the difference? Qualitative defences can be lethal even in small doses, and are often employed to protect “young” or “tender leaves or seeds”. They can also be recycled when no longer necessary. Quantitative defences, in contrast, are only effective “in larger doses”, but unlike qualitative defences, can protect the plant against all herbivores. Quantitative defences are also not as immediately lethal, as they usually lead to indigestion, pain, irritation of the mouth and throat, and inflammation or swelling in the skin.
F. And what about the “deployed armies” I mentioned before? Well, chemical attacks are not the only way plants elect to defend themselves against herbivores. Some plants, such as the African acacia, also recruit armies to assist them in their war. As Angela White of the University of Sheffield explains, the acacia tree has “hollowed-out structures” which invite ant colonies to build a home in them by providing not just shelter, but also food in the form of special nectar. In return, ants protect them against herbivores-and this includes not just the small ones like bugs, but also the ones as big as giraffes.
G. At this point, of course, you might be wondering what all this has to do with you. The territorial nature of plants might be fascinating in its own right, but what is its application in real life? Well, Dr Venturelli of the 2015 study mentioned before has an answer for you: apparcertain allelochemicals-the aforementioned chemical compounds that are responsible for stunting growth in the plants-have been fund to have an effect on human cancer cells, too.ently, According to Michael Bitzer and Ulrich Lauer of the same study, “clinical trials at the University Clinics Tübingen currently assess the efficacy of these plant toxins in cancer patients”. This means that comprehending the way plants defend themselves against the enemies in their environment might not just be of interest to plant biologists alone, but to medical researchers as well.
Questions
Questions 1-7
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from Reading Passage 2 for each answer,
Write your answers in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet.
1. Plants are very similar to ___________ as they also struggle to stay alive every day.
2. The height of a tree or plant can affect how much ___________ it receives.
3. Chemical warfare in plant also goes by the name of __________
4. Water and nutrients are both take from the soil, and the latter is later turned into________
5. Secondary metabolites are an ___________that functions as a defence mechanism for plants.
6. DIBOA and DIMBOA are two types of secondary metabolites that can _________ once absorbed by a plant.
7. The 2015 study by Sascha Venturelli and colleagues examined the __________ of chemical warfare in plants.
Questions 8-12
Complete the diagram below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from Reading Passage 2 for each answer.
Plant Defences Against
Herbivores
Qualitative
- Can kill a herbivore in 8._________
- Can be recycled when no longer necessary.
Secondary
- Only works in larger doses
- Effective against 9.______
- Causes a variety of symptoms, none 10._______
Indirect
- Uses the help of ant colonies that reside in its 11._______
- Ants can protect it against herbivores of all sizes, even 12. _____
Questions 13-14
Do the statements below agree with that information in Reading Passage 3?
In Boxes 13-14, write:
TRUE, if the statement agrees with (the information in the passage
FALSE, if the statement contradicts the information In the passage
NOT GIVEN, If there Is no Information about the statement in the passage
13. Allelochemicals are secondary metabolite.
14. Plant biologists and medical researchers are currently cooperating to assess the efficacy of plant toxins in preventing the growth of cancer cells.
Answers for Plant Wars With Explanations
Plant Wars reading answers with explanations is given below. Refer to the following answers with an explanation section in order to correct your errors.
(Note: The text in italics mentions the location and referring lines written in the reading passage.)
1. Answer: Humans and Animals
Explanation: In the first line of paragraph B, “We might not normally think of plants this way, but much like humans and animals”.
2. Answer: Natural Light
Explanation: In the fifth line of paragraph B, “Tare at an architectural advantage: taller trees have greater access to natural light”.
3. Answer: Allelopathy
Explanation: In the last line of paragraph B, “though, manage to defend their territory through “allelopathy”.
4. Answer: Energy
Explanation: In the second line of paragraph C, “convert the nutrients they absorb from the ground to energy”.
5. Answer: Organic Compound
Explanation: In the third line of paragraph C, “organic compound known as metabolites”.
6. Answer: Inhibit Growth
Explanation: In the fifth line of paragraph D, “power to inhibit growth in nearby plants once they soak them up”.
7. Answer: Molecular Mechanism
Explanation: In the second last line of paragraph D, “the “molecular mechanism” behind it-and its supreme intricacy would put to shame”.
8. Answer: Small Doses
Explanation: In the fifth line of paragraph E, “even in small doses, and are often employed to protect “young” or “tender leaves or seeds”.
9. Answer: All Herbivores
Explanation: In the second last line of paragraph D, “But there the similarity ends”.
10. Answer: Immediately Lethal
Explanation: In the eighth line of paragraph E, “plant against all herbivores. Quantitative defences are also not as immediately lethal”.
11. Answer: Hollowed-Out Structures
Explanation: In the fourth line of paragraph F, “the acacia tree has “hollowed-out structures”.
12. Answer: Giraffes
Explanation: In the last line of paragraph F, “small ones like bugs, but also the ones as big as giraffes”.
13. Answer: True
Explanation: In the fourth, fifth and sixth lines of paragraph G, “certain allelochemicals-the aforementioned chemical compounds that are responsible for stunting growth in the plants-have been fund to have an effect on human cancer cells, too”.
14. Answer: Not Given
Explanation: —
Other Reading Tests
About Author Dinesh Pandiyan
Dinesh is a highly experienced content writer who specializes in language proficiency tests like IELTS, GRE, PTE, TOEFL, and study abroad. He provides valuable insights and tips to students on various modules of these tests, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. His articles are well-researched, informative, and engaging, offering practical guidance to students looking to succeed in their academic pursuits. Additionally, Dinesh has coordinated with IELTS trainers to prepare test preparation materials, guides, practice tests, and mock tests, and worked closely with counsellors for study abroad consultancy, providing guidance on choosing the right institution, preparing for interviews, and writing effective statements of purpose (SOP) and letters of recommendation (LOR). Students can benefit from Dinesh's comprehensive knowledge and experience by checking out his articles.
Kanan International is a study abroad consultancy that offers reliable services, products, and solutions for students and education institutions. We support students throughout their study abroad journey, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Our expertise and commitment to excellence make us the go-to partner for expanding global horizons. The company provides coaching for IELTS, GRE, TOEFL, and SAT exams and services like visa consultation, accommodation, scholarship assistance, and education loans.
Free Online Mock Test 2026
Practice our mock test worth Rs. 25000 for Free and know your IELTS score!
Global Headquarters
Kanan Int EdTech Inc
320 Bay Street, Suite 321 (Spaces), Toronto ON, Canada M5B 1N9
Indian Headquarters
Kanan International Pvt. Ltd.
D-wing, 2nd Floor, Trident Complex, Ellora Park Vadiwadi Road, Vadodara, Gujarat 390007
IT/ Digital Campus
Kanan International Pvt. Ltd
Old, New No 3, 2nd Floor, 1A, Dr Sadasivam Rd, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017
Our branches
- Bardoli
- Bharuch
- Chennai
- Dehradun
- Gurugram
- Himatnagar
- Karnal
- Nadiad
- Navsari
- Palanpur
- Rajkot
- Vadodara
- Valsad
- Vallabh Vidyanagar
- Vapi
Study Abroad
Test Prep
Top Universities
Consultants
IELTS Centers
GRE Centers
TOEFL Centers
SAT Centers
Language Courses in Vadodara
SOP Blogs
Featured Blogs
Study Abroad Consultants in Chennai
Study Abroad Consultants in Surat
Study Abroad Consultants in Navsari
Study Abroad Consultants in Bardoli
Study Abroad Consultants in Ahmedabad
Study Abroad Consultants in Anand
Study Abroad Consultants in Khanna
Study Abroad Consultants in Nadiad
Study Abroad Consultants in Vadodara
Study abroad consultants in Valsad
Copyright © 2026 KANAN.CO All rights reserved.




