Genetically Modified Foods And Warning Labels IELTS Reading Answers

The Reading Module of the IELTS can be the top-scoring category with diligent practice. To achieve the best results in this section, you must understand how to approach and answer the different Question types in the Reading Module. By solving and reviewing sample reading questions from past IELTS papers, you can ensure that your reading skills are up to the mark.

The Academic passage, ‘Genetically Modified Foods And Warning Labels‘, is a reading passage that appeared in an IELTS Test. Ideally, you should not spend more than 20 minutes on a passage. Let’s see how easy this passage is for you and if you’re able to make it in 20 minutes. If not, try more IELTS reading practice test from IELTSMaterial.com.

Genetically Modified Foods And Warning Labels is a part of an IELTS Academic reading test. The question types found in this passage are as follows:

• Multiple-Choice Questions (Q. 15-16)
• True/False/Not Given (Q. 17-23)
• Matching Information (Q. 24-27)

Reading Passage

Genetically Modified Foods And Warning Labels 

A Advocates of genetically modified crops profess that the technology is the only resort to feed an increasingly populated world. The technology of genetically modified foods has boosted crop yields, reduced pesticide use and is purported to be a crucial weapon in the struggle against global hunger. At the last count, at least 70% of the processed foods on American supermarket shelves contained GM (Genetically Modified) ingredients. For the past two decades, Americans have been consuming GM foods without facing any ill-effects. A majority of scientists speaking on the subject deem GM crops to be safe for consumption.

B Critics, however, assert that tampering with nature is perilous. Advocates of green and organic foods to question the idea of GM foods. Following raised concerns over the issue, the EU made labelling GM products mandatory in 1997, spooking customers who had nothing to do with the policy. Currently, GM food availability in Europe is rare. A recent poll by the New York Times has found that over 90% of Americans were in favour of labelling GM foods. It is all about transparency, they felt. Two-thirds of Americans opine that consuming GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) is unsafe. This has driven the organic food sector from a niche market position to a USD 40 million industry, with millions of consumers switching to non-GMO organic food.

C According to a New York Times report, food industry giants are deeply divided over the issue of labelling. Companies selling genetically modified seeds, such as Monsanto, have hired academicians and researchers who vociferously maintain that GM foods are safe and do not require any labelling. However, companies like Stonyfield Farm and Earth’s Best, dealing in organic and natural produce, also have their own set of experts who profess that since the safety of GM food is far from proven, labels are necessary. It is obvious that both sides are more concerned with their own wallets. Companies selling GM foods are reluctant to label their products as they fear it will stigmatise their products and lead to a consequent drop in sales. Organic food companies, on the other hand, believe safety issues will drive customers to products that are ‘natural’.

D It is interesting to note that the fight over labelling is not restricted to companies. In 2015, 19 US states debated GM food labelling legislation in Connecticut, Maine and Vermont and have now proclaimed GM labelling to be mandatory. However, the U.S. Congress is now keen on taking steps that will stop individual states from enforcing GMO labelling. Paradoxically, the government that had commented prominently on independent rights of the state has now diverted interest towards the corporate world, which is not in favour of labelling.

E On July 23, 2015, the US House passed HR 1599, a bill for safe and accurate food labelling, which, if established as a law, will prohibit labelling of products containing GM ingredients. Advocates of HR 1599 say that GM labels will act as a warning. The opponents of this legislation, however, feel that it is denying Americans the ‘Right to Know’ Act. Regarding the argument that labels will act as warning bells, scientific research shows scant evidence. A survey conducted in Vermont shows that consumers are not likely to view GM labels as an indicator of inferior quality or hazards. For some people, it is believed, it can even be an exercise in trust-building.

F It is clear that arguments about safety are tied with the labelling issue. Safety concerns would eventually trigger the Food and Drug Administration to address labelling requirements. However, the reason GM food-producing companies should willingly label their products is that the consumers undeniably have the right to know what they are eating.

Questions 15-16

Which TWO advantages of GM food have been mentioned in the text?

A a solution to starvation

B cost-effective

C less use of agrochemicals

D certified by scientists

E easy to produce

15 ……………..

16 ……………..

Questions 17 – 23

17 Majority of eatables sold in supermarkets are genetically modified.

18 Scientists are unsure about the safety of GM foods.

19 The EU has banned GM foods in its countries.

20 Americans support labelling GM products because they want to know what they are eating.

21 The market of natural foods has boomed due to apprehensions of consumers about GM foods.

22 Countries disagree with each other on the point of labelling GM foods.

23 Labelling GM products may spread goodwill.

Questions 24 – 27

24 reference to vested interests of businesses in favouring or opposing the labelling of GM foods

25 mention of a study which reveals that labelling would not defame GM foods

26 reference to government inclination towards business interests

27 mention of companies seeking help from experts to prove their point

Answers of Genetically Modified Foods And Warning Labels Reading Answer with Location and Explanation 

15 Answer: A

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph A, line 1

Answer explanation: In the mentioned line, it is given that “Advocates of genetically modified crops profess that the technology is the only resort to feed an increasingly populated world.”. This line points out that one of the benefits of genetically modified foods is that they can help to solve the hunger problems of the world. Hence, the answer is A (a solution to starvation).

16 Answer: C

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph A, line 2

Answer explanation: In the first paragraph, it is given that “The technology of genetically modified foods has boosted crop yields, reduced pesticide use…”. It proves that genetically modified foods assist cultivators to reduce the use of pesticides (less use of agrochemicals). Hence, the answer is C (less use of agrochemicals).

17 Answer: Not Given

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: N.A.

Answer explanation: Although in Paragraph A it is mentioned that “At the last count, at least 70% of the processed foods on American supermarket shelves contained GM (Genetically Modified) ingredients.”, there is mention of whether the same thing is done in all countries as indicated in the statement. Hence, the answer is Not Given.

18 Answer: False

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph A , line 5

Answer explanation: In the cited lines, it is stated that “A majority of scientists speaking on the subject deem GM crops to be safe for consumption.”. Based on this statement, it can be commented that many scientists are sure that genetically modified foods are safe. As the statement contradicts the information, the answer is False.

19 Answer: False

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph B, line 3- line 4

Answer explanation: In the mentioned lines, it is given that “Following raised concerns over the issue, the EU made labelling GM products mandatory in 1997, spooking customers who had nothing to do with the policy. Currently, GM food availability in Europe is rare.”. From this reference, it can be concluded that even though the availability of GM food has decreased, the foods have not been banned in Europe. As the statement contradicts the information, the answer is False.

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Tips for Answering the Question Types in the Genetically Modified Foods And Warning Labels IELTS Reading Passage 

Since now you know the reading passage Genetically Modified Foods And Warning Labels reading answers with its explanation, let us check out some quick tips to answer the 3 question types in the IELTS Reading Answers of Genetically Modified Foods And Warning Labels.

Multiple-Choice Question: 

Multiple-Choice Questions are a type of question that requires you to select the best answer from a list of options. MCQs are often used in IELTS reading to test your understanding of the main ideas, supporting details, and overall structure of the passage. To answer multiple-choice questions based on a reading passage, you need to:

• Read the question and identify the keywords: This will help you focus on the important information in the passage.
• Read the passage using the keywords to find the relevant information: Don’t worry about understanding every detail of the passage at this point.
• Carefully compare each answer choice to the information in the passage: Look for the words and phrases that match most closely.
• Beware of answer choices that contain additional information or that do not match the information in the passage.
• Use the elimination process to narrow down your choices: If you can’t find the answer directly in the passage, eliminate the answer choices that don’t match the information. The remaining answer choice is likely the correct one.

True/False/Not Given: 

IELTS Reading True/False/Not Given questions ask you to compare statements to information in a passage. You need to decide if the statement is true (matches the information), false (contradicts the information), or not given (there is no information about the statement in the passage). Here are some tips for answering these questions:

• Read the question carefully. Make sure you understand what the statement is asking about and what kind of answer you need (true, false, or not given).
• Identify the keywords. These are the words that will help you find the relevant information in the passage.
• Skim and scan the passage for the keywords. Don’t read the entire passage at this point. Just look for the specific information that you are looking for.
• Read the relevant section of the passage carefully. Make sure you understand the meaning of the information and how it relates to the statement.
• Be careful of paraphrases. The IELTS reading passages often paraphrase the information that is being tested. This means that the information in the passage may not be exactly the same as the information in the statement, but it will still have the same meaning.

To answer True/False/Not Given questions, you need to be able to read the passage carefully and understand the main points. You also need to be able to identify the specific information that is being tested, and distinguish between statements that are directly stated, contradicted, or not mentioned at all.

Check out: How to Finish 3 IELTS Reading Comprehension in Less Than 60 Mins?

Matching Information:

IELTS Reading Matching Information questions ask you to match information from a passage to a list of statements. The statements can be about the main ideas, supporting details, or the author’s purpose and attitude.

Here are some tips for answering these questions:

• Read the instructions carefully. Make sure you understand how many statements you need to match and if there are any special rules, such as whether you can use a statement more than once.
• Read the statements first. This will help you to understand what kind of information you are looking for and to eliminate any statements that are clearly wrong.
• Skim the passage to get a general understanding of the topic and the structure of the passage.
• Scan the passage to find the specific information that you are looking for. Don’t read the entire passage at this point. Just look for the specific information that matches the statements.
• Match the information to the passage. Be careful of red herrings (statements that seem to be relevant but are not actually supported by the passage). Make sure that the information in the statement is supported by the passage.

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