I will structure the article to target the keyword "meerkat study ielts reading answers". The article will include an introduction, a sample passage (based on the Studocu text), common question types and answers (inferred from the exercises I found), a detailed answer key with explanations, and tips for tackling such passages. I will cite the sources I have, like the Studocu page and the WordReference forum. I will also mention the 2025 reading test from TalkFirst.
In the IELTS Reading curriculum, the "Meerkat Study" passage is a classic text used to test summary completion and understanding of cooperative behaviors in mammals . The passage primarily focuses on research led by from the University of Cambridge, who investigated whether meerkat behaviors are simply copied or actively taught . Key Concepts from the Study
The Meerkat passage typically includes tasks. An Evidence Mapper helps students practice the essential skill of scanning for keywords like "Dr. Alex Thornton" or "Kalahari Desert" to find w IELTS Reading on Computer: Tips for Fast & Accurate Answers meerkat study ielts reading answers
Foraging is a dangerous activity for meerkats. As they dig into the sand looking for insects, scorpions, and small reptiles, their heads are down, making them vulnerable to aerial predators like eagles and terrestrial predators like jackals. To counter this threat, the clan designates a "sentinel" or guard. This individual climbs to a high vantage point, such as a termite mound or a tree branch, and stands on its hind legs to scan the horizon. If danger is spotted, the sentinel emits a specific warning bark, signaling the rest of the group to bolt into the nearest bolt-hole.
| Question | Answer | Explanation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 | | The passage states: "different meerkat groups (1) ___ social at different times of the day." This refers to their social behaviour of rising at specific times. | | 2 | innovative | The text says: "the more subordinate juvenile members... are the most innovative when it comes to foraging." The question asks for a quality of young, male meerkats, which is "innovative". | | 3 | treat | The passage mentions: "solving problems and obtaining the treat." The treat is the scorpion, which is the reward for opening the container. | | 4 | opaque | The text states: "the meerkats didn't ever appear to work out that it was the opaque surface of the box that they should attack." The question asks which part of the container the meerkats never learned to open, which is the "opaque" part. | I will structure the article to target the
The IELTS test will rarely use the exact words from the text in the questions. For instance, "land-based" in the summary replaces "terrestrial" in the text, and "selfless" links to "altruistic." Expand your vocabulary to spot these connections quickly.
Whether meerkats keep track of "who owes whom" a favor. Common IELTS Question Types for this Topic I will also mention the 2025 reading test from TalkFirst
However, cooperation has costs. Alloparenting (non-parental care) reduces helper body mass by 12% over a dry season. Additionally, sentinels face higher predation risk: a 2012 telemetry study found that 19% of sentinel deaths occurred on duty versus 6% during other activities. Nonetheless, the fitness benefits—group survival during famines, predator detection, and knowledge transfer—consistently outweigh these costs, as modelled by Hamilton’s rule (rB > C).