Cambridge IELTS 5 · General Training · Test 2 · Section 3
Glow-Worms — IELTS Reading Answers
All 13 answers for Glow-Worms, Cambridge IELTS 5 General Training Reading Test 2 Section 3, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
← All Cambridge 5 GT Test 2 answers
Glow-Worms answer key at a glance
Questions 28–40. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this section tests
This section is tested with Matching Information (Q28–33), True / False / Not Given (Q34–40). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 28–33: Matching Information
Strategy: Scan for the idea, not the exact words. The answer is a paragraph letter, and one paragraph may be used more than once unless the instructions say otherwise.
threats to the glow-worm
“Possible causes for the decline include habitat destruction, pollution and changes in climate. Thousands of acres of grassland have been built upon and glow-worm sites have become increasingly isolated from each other. The widespread use of pesticides and fertilisers may also have endangered the glow-worm”
Paragraph D names 'habitat destruction, pollution and changes in climate' and widespread pesticide and fertiliser use as reasons the glow-worm is endangered.
ways in which glow-worms have been used
“In Britain, for example, there are plenty of anecdotes describing how glow-worms have been used to read by or used as emergency bicycle lamps when a cyclist's batteries have failed without warning.”
Paragraph B describes glow-worms used 'to read by', as emergency bicycle lamps and to light Central American huts - practical human uses.
variations in type of glow-worm
“So within any one area each species will differ from its neighbours in some way, for example in the colour or pattern of its light, how long the pulses of light last, the interval between pulses and whether it displays in flight or from the ground”
Paragraph A says species 'differ from its neighbours' in light colour, pulse length, interval and display position - variation between glow-worm types.
glow-worm distribution
“Today members of the firefly family can be found almost anywhere outside the Arctic and Antarctic circles”
Paragraph B states the firefly family 'can be found almost anywhere outside the Arctic and Antarctic circles', describing their worldwide distribution.
glow-worms becoming an attraction
“For more than 100 years the glow-worm caves in New Zealand have attracted millions of people from all over the world”
Paragraph E notes the New Zealand glow-worm caves 'have attracted millions of people from all over the world' for over 100 years.
the life-cycle of a glow-worm
“As with many insects, the glow-worm's life is divided into four distinct stages: the egg, the larva (equivalent to the caterpillar of a butterfly), the pupa (or chrysalis) and the adult”
Paragraph C divides the glow-worm's life into 'four distinct stages: the egg, the larva, the pupa and the adult', the complete life-cycle.
Questions 34–40: True / False / Not Given
Strategy: Judge the whole statement against the text. FALSE contradicts the passage; NOT GIVEN means the passage never addresses that specific claim.
Scientists have only recently been able to list the exact number of glow-worm species.
“The fireflies are a huge group containing over 2000 species, with new ones being discovered all the time”
NOT GIVEN - the passage mentions 'over 2000 species, with new ones being discovered all the time' but never says when scientists could list them exactly.
The first fireflies appeared 30 million years ago.
“Fireflies very similar to those we see today have been found fossilised in rocks which were formed about 30 million years ago, and their ancestors were probably glowing long before then. It is impossible to be sure exactly when and where the first firefly appeared”
FALSE - 30-million-year-old fossils are only 'very similar to those we see today', and it is 'impossible to be sure exactly when ... the first firefly appeared'.
Glow-worm populations are decreasing faster in some countries than in others.
“In some countries the numbers of glow-worms have been falling”
NOT GIVEN - 'In some countries the numbers of glow-worms have been falling' gives no comparison between countries, so faster declines in some are unaddressed.
Heat affects the production of glow-worm larvae.
“The egg usually takes about 35 days to hatch, but the exact time varies according to the temperature, from about 27 days in hot weather to more than 45 days in cold weather”
TRUE - hatching time 'varies according to the temperature, from about 27 days in hot weather to more than 45 days in cold weather', so heat affects larval production.
Adulthood is the longest stage of a glow-worm's life.
“Throughout its time as a larva, approximately 15 months, the glow-worm emits a bright light The adult flies have no mouth parts, cannot eat and therefore only live a few days”
FALSE - the larval stage lasts 'approximately 15 months' while adults 'only live a few days', making adulthood the shortest stage, not the longest.
The exact reason why glow-worm numbers are decreasing is unknown.
“A lot more research will be needed, however, before the causes of the glow-worm's gradual decline are clear”
TRUE - 'A lot more research will be needed ... before the causes of the glow-worm's gradual decline are clear', so the exact reason is still unknown.
Glow-worms are usually found in wet areas.
“Although glow-worms are found wherever conditions are damp, food is in good supply and there is an over-hanging wall, they are most spectacular in caves”
TRUE - glow-worms 'are found wherever conditions are damp', so damp or wet places are their usual habitat.
Learn the question types in this section
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Glow-Worms passage come from?
It is Section 3 of Cambridge IELTS 5 General Training Reading Test 2, and it covers Questions 28–40.
What question types appear in Glow-Worms?
The section is tested with Matching Information, True / False / Not Given. Each type is explained on this page, alongside the answers.
Are these reading answers reliable?
Every answer is paired with the sentence that proves it, so you can check each one against the passage yourself. Use the page after a timed attempt, not instead of one.
Cambridge IELTS is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Band9Prep is not affiliated with Cambridge. This page is an independent study aid: it gives the answer key, the passage evidence and an explanation so you can review an attempt you have already made.