A Weighty Issue Ielts Reading Answers Portable <TOP-RATED × 2026>
In IELTS Reading, you may encounter passages with various topics, including those related to social issues, science, technology, and more. "A Weighty Issue" likely discusses obesity or weight-related problems, a common concern globally.
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The IELTS reading passage titled " A Weighty Issue " (also frequently found as "Tackling Obesity in the Western World") explores the scientific shift from blaming a "slow metabolism" for obesity to understanding complex genetic and environmental factors. Key Summary Answers
For the common summary completion or table completion task associated with this passage, the following answers are typically required:
Metabolism: Many obese people erroneously blame their weight on a slow metabolism.
Less: They often believe they use less energy than thin people.
Genetic: Research by scientists like Professor Stephen O'Rahilly proves that a genetic defect can be a major cause. a weighty issue ielts reading answers portable
Consume: Some individuals are biologically programmed to consume (or eat) more than others.
Behaviour: Modern research focuses on clinical laboratory solutions rather than just trying to change personal behaviour. Reading Passage Highlights
The Metabolism Myth: Dr. Susan Jebb notes that fat people actually have faster metabolisms because they have more tissue, larger hearts, and bigger lungs that require more energy to function.
The Leptin Discovery: Professor Jeffrey Friedman identified a hormone called leptin in mice, which signals the brain's hypothalamus to stop eating.
Human Genetic Link: Professor O'Rahilly found that rare genetic defects in humans can lead to a total lack of leptin, resulting in extreme obesity.
Modern Lifestyle: Despite genetic findings, experts like Professor Ian Caterson emphasize that dietary changes and increased exercise remain the only effective weight-loss methods for most people. Matching Headings (Sample) Paragraph A: Shifting the blame Paragraph B: Expert explains energy requirements Paragraph D: New perspective on the horizon Paragraph G: Rodent research leads the way IELTS Reading Test 199
The IELTS reading passage titled " A Weighty Issue " (also commonly found as "Tackling Obesity in the Western World") explores the medical and genetic factors behind obesity, challenging the common myth that weight gain is purely a result of a slow metabolism. 💡 Key Reading Answers
Based on common versions of this test (e.g., from IELTS Mentor and Mini-IELTS), here are the frequent summary completion and heading answers:
Metabolism: Obese people often blame their metabolism for weight gain. In IELTS Reading, you may encounter passages with
Energy Use: Research shows they actually use less (or more, depending on the question phrasing regarding "staying alive" vs. "burning off") energy than assumed.
Genetic Factors: Obesity can be caused by a genetic problem or defect.
Hormone (Leptin): A key discovery involved the hormone leptin, which signals the brain to stop eating.
Lifestyle Shift: The focus is moving from changing behavior to laboratory-based medical solutions. 📖 The "Useful Story" (Passage Summary) The passage tells a "story" of scientific shifting:
The Myth: For years, people believed obesity was just a lack of willpower or a "slow metabolism".
The Experiment: Dr. Susan Jebb’s research in a sealed room proved the opposite: larger people often have faster metabolisms because their bodies require more energy to support larger organs.
The Breakthrough: Geneticist Stephen O’Rahilly discovered that a rare genetic defect prevents some people from producing leptin, leaving them in a state of permanent hunger.
The Conclusion: While genes aren't the only cause, science now treats obesity as a complex medical condition rather than just a moral failing. 🔗 Useful Practice Resources If you are looking for the full text or PDF to practice: IELTS Practice Test (PDF/Online) Mini-IELTS Interactive Test If you'd like, I can help you by:
Explaining specific vocabulary from the text (like "metabolic imprinting" or "slothful") ⚠️ Watch out for:
Providing a full list of answers for a specific version (Questions 1–13 or 14–27)
Writing a summary of the passage to help with your overall comprehension Which part of the reading are you finding most difficult?
Headings like "A temporary solution" or "The hidden cost of convenience" can trick you. Always match headings to the main idea, not a single word. If the paragraph mentions portable scales for two sentences but then shifts to airline fees, the heading should reflect the dominant topic.
You don’t need the internet once you download or print this guide. Here is a mini portable exercise:
Question: According to Paragraph D, what is the ultimate goal of researchers?
Answer from passage: “a truly portable mass standard—a chip that can be sent anywhere to calibrate scales instantly.”
Correct response: To create a chip-based, truly portable mass calibration device.
Most "weighty issue" passages follow this pattern:
Before reading, draw a 5-column table in your head and drop keywords.
(Note: Question numbers may vary slightly depending on the specific test version you are using, but the answers remain consistent.)