Collecting Ant Specimens IELTS Reading Answers with Explanation

“Collecting Ant Specimens” is Passage 3 of Cambridge IELTS 8 Academic Reading Test 4. This page gives the answers for Questions 27–40 with a short explanation of why each answer is right, so you can check your work and learn from every mistake. The question types are: True / False / Not Given, Matching Features, Diagram Labeling.

Quick answers: Questions 27–40

Question	Answer
27	TRUE
28	NOT GIVEN
29	TRUE
30	FALSE
31	A
32	C
33	B
34	D
35	A
36	D
37	heat
38	leaf litter
39	screen
40	alcohol

Questions 27–30: True / False / Not Given

Q	Question	Answer	Why
27	Taxonomic research involves comparing members of one group of ants.	TRUE	The passage agrees with this statement.
28	New species of ant are frequently identified by taxonomists.	NOT GIVEN	The passage gives no clear information to confirm or reject this statement.
29	Range is the key criterion for ecological collections.	TRUE	The passage agrees with this statement.
30	A single collection of ants can generally be used for both taxonomic and ecological purposes.	FALSE	The passage contradicts this statement.

Questions 31–36: Matching Features

Q	Question	Answer	Why
31	It is preferable to take specimens from groups of ants.	A	The passage links this point to: A.
32	It is particularly effective for wet habitats.	C	The passage links this point to: C.
33	It is a good method for species which are hard to find.	B	The passage links this point to: B.
34	Little time and effort is required.	D	The passage links this point to: D.
35	Separate containers are used for individual specimens.	A	The passage links this point to: A.
36	Non-alcoholic preservative should be used.	D	The passage links this point to: D.

Questions 37–40: Diagram Labeling

Q	Question	Answer	Why
37	—	heat	Use exactly this wording from the passage, within the word limit.
38	—	leaf litter	Use exactly this wording from the passage, within the word limit.
39	—	screen	Use exactly this wording from the passage, within the word limit.
40	—	alcohol	Use exactly this wording from the passage, within the word limit.

Tips for these question types

• True / False / Not Given: TRUE means the passage says the same thing, FALSE means it says the opposite, and NOT GIVEN means it does not say. Never use your own knowledge.
• Matching features: underline the names or terms first, then scan for them in the passage.
• Completion tasks: check the word limit and the grammar of the gap before you write the answer exactly as it appears in the passage.
• Review every mistake. Find the exact sentence in the passage that proves the answer so you can spot the same trap next time.

FAQ

How many questions does this passage have? Collecting Ant Specimens covers Questions 27–40, which is 14 questions.

Where is this passage from? It is Reading Passage 3 in Cambridge IELTS 8, Academic Test 4.

How should I use these answers? Attempt the passage under timed conditions first, then check your answers here and read the reason for every mistake.

Cambridge IELTS 8 Reading Test 4: all passages
Part 1: Land of the Rising Sum  |  Part 2: Biological Control of Pests  |  Part 3: Collecting Ant Specimens (you are here)

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