Meerkat Study Ielts Reading Answers ~upd~ ❲COMPLETE ✯❳
: Lower in rank or position (often refers to younger or non-dominant males in this study). : Not able to be seen through; the opposite of transparent. Altruistic
| Passage | Topic Focus | Typical Question Types | Difficulty Level | |---------|-------------|----------------------|------------------| | Kin Selection in Meerkats | Evolutionary reasons for sentinel behavior | True/False/Not Given, Summary Completion, Multiple Choice | Intermediate | | The Sentinel Behavior of Meerkats | Three theories explaining cooperative guarding | Matching Headings, Sentence Completion, Short Answer | Intermediate to Advanced | | Meerkat Social Hierarchy | Roles of dominant vs. subordinate members | Table Completion, Identifying Information, Flowchart Completion | Beginner to Intermediate |
The study revealed that meerkats only take on the role of sentinel when their bellies are completely full. After a successful bout of foraging, a meerkat reaches a point where it can no longer eat. With its nutritional needs satisfied, it has nothing to gain from further foraging. Standing guard becomes the safest option. Furthermore, the data showed that sentinels are actually the first to detect predators, allowing them to flee to the safety of a nearby burrow before the rest of the group even realizes danger is near. The foraging meerkats, with their heads down in the sand, are actually in a more vulnerable position than the lookout.
When this passage appears as a Summary Completion task, the following four answers are standard. They must be extracted exactly as written from the text context. Question Number Correct Answer Different groups ____ at different times. rise / socialise 2 Young males were more ____. innovative 3 They were awarded a ____. treat / food 4 Failed to target the ____ surface. opaque Key Strategy: Summary Completion meerkat study ielts reading answers
: Refers to the time meerkats emerge from their burrows.
A statement is FALSE only if the text provides information that directly contradicts it (e.g., 20–50 members vs. 100+ members). It is NOT GIVEN if the text mentions the general topic (warning barks) but lacks the specific detail asked about (different calls for different predators).
Therefore, the information type is “the issues that can cause something to happen.” Here’s why the other options are incorrect: : Lower in rank or position (often refers
Answer: B) Meerkats have a strict social hierarchy
Answer: TRUE
Answer: forage
The primary scientific question behind the study was whether meerkats simply copy behavioral patterns instinctively or if they are actively taught traditions. Dr. Alex Thornton's team set up an experiment involving a transparent container containing a scorpion (a meerkat's favorite food) sealed with an opaque lid. The animals had to figure out how to open it to reach the reward. Key Questions & Answers Explained
At noon, WeeWoo climbed a termite mound — acting as sentinel (guard). He gave a soft, continuous “watchman’s call” meaning “All safe.” Others foraged. When danger came, he stopped singing — triggering instant flight. The data proved: Sentinel duty is cooperative, not selfish .
Text: The text discusses the behavior of sentinels but doesn't compare their efficiency by gender. Answer: (The text lacks this comparison). C. Multiple Choice Standing guard becomes the safest option
Recent research suggests that being a sentinel is safer than previously thought.
