Yawning
Read Yawning and check the IELTS Reading answers. When Robert R. Provine began studying yawning in the 1960s, it was difficult for him to convince research students of the merits of ‘yawning science’. Although it may appear quirky to some, Provine’s decision to study yawning was a logical extension…
Passage preview
When Robert R. Provine began studying yawning in the 1960s, it was difficult for him to convince research students of the merits of ‘yawning science’. Although it may appear quirky to some, Provine’s decision to study yawning was a logical extension of his research in developmental neuroscience.
Vocabulary from this passage
11 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- bout noun
A short period of intense activity of a specified kind; a sudden attack or manifestation of medical symptoms.
Following a severe bout of influenza, the elderly patient experienced prolonged fatigue and generalized muscle weakness.
- contagion noun
The communication or rapid spreading of a disease, physiological behavior, or emotion from one individual to another.
The rapid spread of panic through the financial markets demonstrated the psychological contagion of fear among investors.
- invariant adjective
Never changing, varying, or altering; remaining completely constant over time or under different environmental conditions.
The speed of light in a vacuum is universally recognized by physicists as an invariant physical quantity.
- logical extension noun
A natural, sensible progression or development that follows directly from previous actions, research, or established ideas.
Developing a graduate program in artificial intelligence was a logical extension of the university's advanced computing curriculum.
- muscular deterioration noun
The gradual wasting away, weakening, or structural breakdown of muscle tissue over time due to disuse or disease.
Astronauts must follow rigorous daily exercise regimens in space to prevent the muscular deterioration caused by zero gravity.
- onset noun
The absolute beginning or early stages of something, especially something unpleasant, complex, or physically demanding.
Early medical intervention and lifestyle changes can significantly delay the onset of severe neurodegenerative symptoms in patients.
- positive prognosis noun
A highly favorable medical forecast indicating a strong likelihood of recovery or a successful treatment outcome.
Because the malignant tumor was detected in its earliest stages, the oncologist was able to offer a positive prognosis.
- speculate verb
To form a scientific theory or conjecture about a subject without having firmly established empirical evidence.
Economists can only speculate about the long-term geopolitical ramifications of such an unprecedented global monetary policy.
- stifle verb
To consciously restrain, suppress, or prevent a physiological reaction, emotion, or the expression of an idea.
The students visibly struggled to stifle their laughter during the guest professor's unexpectedly humorous academic lecture.
- sustain verb
To strengthen or support physically or mentally; to cause to continue for an extended period without interruption.
The marathon runner consumed specialized carbohydrates to sustain her physiological energy levels during the grueling endurance race.
- veneer noun
A superficially valuable or pleasing appearance that covers or masks something fundamentally different, ancient, or less attractive.
Beneath the multinational corporation's polished veneer of environmental responsibility lies a documented history of massive pollution violations.
Answers with explanations
- 27. K
The summary discusses what Provine confirmed **do not exist**. The passage explicitly states, "There are no **half-yawns**", which corresponds to option K.
- 28. H
The summary notes yawns cannot be interrupted after starting, "Just like a [blank]". The text draws this exact comparison, stating a yawn progresses with the inevitability of a **sneeze** (Option H).
- 29. D
The text explains yawning is a **fixed-action pattern**, not a reflex (or stimulus-response). This matches Option D.
- 30. J
The summary asks how long a typical yawn lasts. The text explicitly says it runs its course over about **six seconds** (Option J).
- 31. E
The summary asks for the typical time distance (**apart**) between yawns in succession. The text identifies this **inter-yawn interval** as generally about **68 seconds** (Option E).
- 32. B
The summary says people who yawn less do not necessarily produce [what type of yawn] to make up for it. The text notes **producers of short or long yawns do not compensate** with frequency. Thus, less frequent yawners don't compensate by producing **long yawns** (Option B).
- 33. B
The **closed-nose yawn** experiment shows that the **nostrils** are not necessary, as the **mouth provides a sufficient airway**. This proves you can yawn **without breathing through your nose**.
- 34. C
The **clenched-teeth yawn** experiment demonstrated that **gaping of the jaws** (opening the mouth wide) is an **essential component** of yawning. This aligns with Option C.
- 35. D
The **nose yawn** experiment tested whether the **nasal airway** was adequate on its own, showing that yawning **cannot be accomplished only through the nose**.
- 36. C
In people who are **paralysed on one side**, the text observes a fascinating phenomenon: **yawning activates** connections that cause the **paralysed limb to move**.
- 37. B
In the final paragraph, the writer concludes that yawning is an **ancient and unconscious behaviour**. It persists despite our advanced **veneer of culture, rationality and language** (meaning the **development of our species**).
- 38. YES
The passage states that Provine found it **difficult to convince research students of the merits** of his work. This directly matches the claim that they were **initially reluctant to appreciate the value** of his studies, making the statement YES.
- 39. NOT GIVEN
The text mentions studies observing a **link between yawning and stretching** in the **foetus**. However, it never claims they do this to **learn how to control movement**. Therefore, the statement is NOT GIVEN.
- 40. YES
The text explicitly states Provine's speculation that **selecting a single function** would be an **unrealistic goal**. This perfectly agrees with the statement that referring to **only one function is probably inadequate**, making the answer YES.