Trans Fatty Acids – IELTS Reading Answers

The best way to master IELTS Reading is to practice passages like Trans Fatty Acids Reading Answers prior to the exam. But simply solving the questions won’t help. You have to learn how to scan the given text, find keywords using techniques for IELTS Reading, and locate the answer within the limited duration of the exam in order to achieve the desired band score in this section.

The IELTS Academic Reading passage, Trans Fatty Acids Reading Answers, with 13 questions, provides you with that golden opportunity. Also, if you are interested in familiarizing yourself with all the question types, don’t hesitate to take an IELTS reading practice test.

The question types found in the IELTS Reading Answers of Trans Fatty Acids Reading Answers are:

• True/False/Not Given IELTS Reading (Q. 1-7)
• IELTS Reading Sentence Completion (Q. 8-13)

Reading Passage

Trans Fatty Acids

A recent editorial in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), written by researchers from the University of Oxford, has called for food labels to list trans fats as well as cholesterol and saturated fat.

Trans fats (or trans fatty acids) are a type of unsaturated fatty acid. They occur naturally in small amounts in foods produced from ruminant animals e.g. milk, beef and lamb. However, most of the trans fatty acids in the diet are produced during the process of partial hydrogenation (hardening) of vegetable oils into semi-solid fats. They are therefore found in hard margarines, partially hydrogenated cooking oils, and in some bakery products, fried foods, and other processed foods that are made using these.

Trans fatty acids have an adverse effect on certain chemicals, known as lipids, which are found in the blood and have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease. They also increase LDL-cholesterol (the ‘bad cholesterol’) and decrease HDL-cholesterol (the ‘good cholesterol’). They may also have adverse effects on cardiovascular disease risk that are independent of an effect on blood lipids (Mozaffarian et al. 2008).

In a recent review of prospective studies investigating the effects of trans fatty acids, a 2% increase in energy intake from trans fatty acids was associated with a 23% increase in the incidence of heart disease. The authors also reported that the adverse effects of trans fatty acids were observed even at very low intakes (3% of total daily energy intake, or about 2-7g per day) (Mozaffarian et al. 2006).

However, in this recent review it is only trans fatty acids produced during the hardening of vegetable oils that are found to be harmful to health. The public health implications of consuming trans fatty acids from ruminant products are considered to be relatively limited.

Over the last decade, population intakes of trans fatty acids in the UK fell and are now, on average, well below the recommended 2% of total energy set by the Department of Health in 199), at 1.2% of energy (Henderson et al. 2003). This is not to say that intakes of trans fatty acids are not still a problem, and dietary advice states that those individuals who are in the top end of the distribution of intake should still make efforts to reduce their intakes.

Currently, trans fatty acids in foods are labelled in the USA, but not in the UK and Europe. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is in favour of the revision of the European directive that governs the content and format of food labels so that trans fatty acids are labelled. This should enable consumers to make better food choices with regard to heart health (Clarke & Lewington 2008).

Recognising the adverse health effects of trans fatty acids, many food manufacturers and retailers have been systematically removing them from their products in recent years. For example, they have been absent for some time from major brands of margarine and other fat spreads, which are now manufactured using a different technique. Also, many companies now have guidelines in place that are resulting in reformulation and reduction or elimination of trans fatty acids in products where they have in the past been found, such as snack products, fried products and baked goods. Consequently, the vast majority of savoury biscuits and crisps produced in the UK do not contain partially hydrogenated oils. Similarly, changes are being made to the way bakery products are manufactured. For example, a leading European manufacturer of major brands of biscuits, cakes and snacks has recently announced that these are now made without partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, a transition that began in 2004. Alongside these changes, the manufacturer has also reported a cut in the amount of saturates. It is clear that a major technical challenge in achieving such changes is to avoid simply exchanging trans fatty acids for saturated fatty acids, which also have damaging health effects.

Foods that are labelled as containing partially-hydrogenated oils or fats are a source of trans fatty acids (sometimes ‘partially-hydrogenated’ fats are just labelled as ‘hydrogenated fats). These foods include hard margarines, some fried products and some manufactured bakery products e.g. biscuits, pastries and cakes.

It is important to note that intake may have changed in the light of reformulation of foods that has taken place over the past six years in the UK, as referred to earlier. Furthermore, the average intake of trans fatty acids is lower in the UK than in the USA (where legislation has now been introduced). However, this does not mean there is room for complacency, as the intake in some sectors of the population is known to be higher than recommended.

Questions 1-7

1 Trans fatty acids are found in all types of meat.

2 Health problems can be caused by the consumption of small amounts of trans fatty acids

3 Experts consider that the trans fatty acids contained in animal products are unlikely to be a serious health risk.

4 In Britain, the intake of trans fatty acids is continuing to decline.

5 The amount of saturated fats in processed meats is being reduced by some major producers.

6 It is proving difficult to find a safe substitute for trans fatty acids

7 Some people are still consuming larger quantities of trans fatty acids than the experts consider safe.

Questions 8-13

8 Scientists at Oxford University propose that information about trans fatty acid should be included on …………………………..

9 In food manufacture, the majority of trans fatty acid is created when …………….. are solidified.

10 The likelihood of a person developing ……………………..is increased by trans fatty acid consumption.

11 In the UK, the …………………………… established a limit for the daily consumption of trans fatty acids.

12 Partially hydrogenated oils are no longer found in most UK manufactured salty …………….

13 Consumption of trans fatty acids in……………………is now higher than in the UK.

Answers of Trans Fatty Acids Reading Passage With Location and Explanation

Check out the detailed for the questions given above and get an idea of how to improve your reading skills for a top IELTS Reading band score.

1 Answer: False

Question type: True/False/ Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 2

Answer explanation: We can find a definition for trans fatty acid in paragraph 2, which states that trans fats (or trans fatty acids) are a type of unsaturated fatty acid. They occur naturally in small amounts in food produced from ruminant animals* e.g. milk, beef, and ham. These lines indicate that trans fatty acids are naturally found in small amounts in food produced from ruminant animals, eg: milk, beef, and ham. Thus, the statement contradicts the information, so, the answer is False.

2 Answer: True

Question type: True/False/ Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 3

Answer explanation: Paragraph 3 explains the effect of trans fatty acids, that is they have an adverse effect on certain chemicals, known as lipids, which are found in the blood and have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease. They also increase LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and decrease HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). They may also have adverse effects on cardiovascular disease risk that is independent of an effect on blood lipids. These lines illustrate the fact that health problems can occur with the consumption of small amounts of trans fatty acids. Thus, the statement agrees with the information, so, the answer is True.

3 Answer: True

Question type: True/False/ Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 5

Answer explanation: In paragraph 5, the writer states that however, in this recent review, it is only trans fatty acids produced during the hardening of vegetable oils that are found to be harmful to health. The public health implications of consuming trans-fatty acids from ruminant products are considered to be relatively limited. These lines indicate that the fatty acids produced during the hardening of vegetable oils are found to be harmful. Whereas the consumption of trans fatty acids from ruminant (animal) products is considered to be relatively limited. Thus, the statement agrees with the information, so, the answer is True.

4 Answer: Not Given

Question type: True/False/ Not Given

Answer location: N.A.

Answer explanation: Paragraph 1 elucidates a recent editorial in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), written by researchers from the University of Oxford has called for food labels to list trans fats as well as cholesterol and saturated fat. We find a reference for the British in the 1st paragraph which says that a recent editorial in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) from Oxford University called for food labels to list trans fat and saturated fats. Therefore, there’s no reference to statements that the intake of trans fatty acids in Britain is continuing to decline. Thus, the answer is Not Given.

5 Answer: Not Given

Question type: True/ False/ Not Given

Answer location: N.A.

Answer explanation: We find references for saturated acids in Paragraph 1. In the first paragraph, it is mentioned that an editorial was written mentioning the food label to list trans fats as well as cholesterol and saturated fat. However, it’s not mentioned anywhere in the passage that the amount of saturated fats in processed meats is being reduced by some major producers. Thus, the answer is Not Given.

6 Answer: True

Question type: True/ False/ Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 7

Answer explanation: Paragraph 7 reveals that currently, trans-fatty acids in food are labeled in the USA, but not in the UK and Europe. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is in favor of the revision of the European directive that governs the content and format of food labels so that trans fatty acids are labeled. This should enable consumers to make better food choices concerning their hearts. These lines suggest that trans fatty acids are categorized in the USA, but not in the UK and Europe. Also, the UK FSA is in favor of the revision of the directive that governs the content and format of food labels so that the fatty acids are labeled or categorized. Thus, it is proving difficult to find a safe alternative to trans fatty acids. Thus, the answer is True.

7 Answer: True

Question type: True/ False/ Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 10

Answer explanation: It is mentioned in the 10th paragraph that intake may have changed in the light of the reformulation of foods that have taken place over the past six years in the UK, as referred to earlier. Furthermore, the average intake of trans fatty acids is lower in the UK than in the USA (where legislation has now been introduced). However, this does not mean there is room for complacency, as the intake in some sectors of the population is known to be higher than recommended. These lines suggest that although the average intake of trans fatty acids is lower in the UK than in the USA, there’s room for complacency as the intake of acids in some sectors is known to be higher than recommended. Thus, the statement agrees with the information, so, the answer is True.

8 Answer: Food labels

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 1

Answer explanation: The first paragraph states that a recent editorial in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), written by researchers from the University of Oxford has called for food labels to list trans fats as well as cholesterol and saturated fat. These lines suggest that researchers at Oxford University propose that information about trans fatty acids should be included on food labels. Thus, the answer is food labels.

Tips for Answering the Question Types in Trans Fatty Acids Reading Answers

You might know the answers to the questions in the passages, Trans Fatty Acids, but that might not cut it when you want to give it your all on the IELTS exam. So, let’s quickly go over some IELTS exam preparation tips for solving the question types in Trans Fatty Acids.

True/False/Not Given

In IELTS Reading, ‘True, False, Not Given’ questions are based on facts. By reading the text, you can decide if several factual statements are accurate or not.

If you want to answer this type of question, try using these strategies.

• Read the question and identify the keywords – Before reading the material, have a look at your list of True, False, and Not Given questions.
• Scan the passage for synonyms or paraphrased words of the keywords – When you have highlighted the keywords, swiftly read the text to look for paraphrases or synonyms.
• Match the highlighted words in the questions with their synonyms in the text – Once you find both sets of keywords, cross-check them to find the answer.
• Identify the answer – If the facts match, the answer is TRUE, and in case it doesn’t match, it is FALSE. If you are unable to find the answer or unsure of it, mark it NOT GIVEN.

Sentence Completion:

When taking the IELTS Reading test, you will be asked to complete incomplete sentences by filling in the blanks with words or numbers. Follow the tips given below to master the sentence completion questions in the IELTS exam.

• Read the instructions carefully. It will help you determine the word limit (no more than two, one word, etc) and important terms like ‘using words from the text’ or ‘from the text’. You have to follow these strictly.
• Read the incomplete sentences first. Also, think about keywords and how they could be represented by synonyms or paraphrasing.
• Locate where the information is by scanning quickly. If you can’t, move on.
• Study the reading text by using the skimming and scanning techniques. It will help to establish the answer quickly. When scanning for your answer, make sure you are thinking about paraphrasing and synonyms.
• The answers appear in the same order as the questions.Also, check your spelling and remember that your answer should be grammatically correct.

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