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When Evolution Runs Backwards Reading Answers with Explanation

The reading section in the IELTS exam is your golden chance to get the desired scores on the test. The reading tasks evaluate the candidate's language skills with the help of 4-5 questions. The ideal time to solve all these questions must not take more than twenty minutes. Besides, here’s a sample passage when evolution runs backwards  reading answers for your reference. Further, detailed explanations for each solution are also provided below.

Solve all the questions that are given in the passage. You will be provided with 20 minutes to complete it.

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Answers to “When Evolution Runs Backwards” Reading Passage with Explanations

Let us see all the solutions with their detailed explanations for “When Evolution Runs Backwards Reading Answers”. This will give you a brief idea of how to answer the questions in the exam.

Question 1

ANSWER :C - it was modified by biologists in the early twentieth century.
Explanation :As per the information given in the third line of paragraph 3, it can be inferred that biologists modified theories. Further, in the 20th century, there was a modification done to the theory that was developed by Louis Dollo. It was in 1890 that he proposed that “evolution was irreversible”. Thus, the answer is C.

Question 2

ANSWER :D - the reason given for its unusual features.
Explanation :The 4th line of the fourth paragraph discusses some unusual traits that resurfaced in humpback whales. “At the time, explorer Roy Chapman Andrews contended that the whale had to be a relic of a land-dwelling progenitor. 'I don't see any other reason.” The reference shows that the traits are different and unusual. Hence, the answer is D.

Question 3

ANSWER :C - They could lead to the re-emergence of certain characteristics.
Explanation :As per the last line of the 5th paragraph, silent genes could reappear if somehow they are switched back on. The evolutionary changes involve the loss of genes, hence, irreversible and could be the result of being switched off. Thus, the silent genes may lead to traits that have disappeared.  

Question 4

ANSWER :B - it suggests that Raff's theory is correct.
Explanation :According to the first line of the 7th paragraph states “As a possible example, the team pointed to the mole salamanders of Mexico and California”. As mentioned in the paragraph, the silent genes can survive up to 6-10 million years. Further, mole salamander encourages Raff’s theory. Hence, B is the right answer.

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Question 5

ANSWER : A - Members of the Bachia lizard family have lost and regained certain features several times.
Explanation :The last few lines in the 8th paragraph talk about the members of the Bachia lizard family. As per Wanger’s explanation, the Bachia lizard family evolved. It states that they have lost and regained certain features several times. Thus, A is the correct answer.

Question 6

ANSWER :F - the possibility of evolution being reversible.
Explanation :As stated in the 2nd line of the first paragraph biologists were unwilling to say that evolution cannot run backwards. However, after a point of time, it changed as more examples came to light. Therefore the answer is F.   

Question 7

ANSWER :G - Dollo's findings and the convictions held by Lombroso.
Explanation :According to the 1st line of paragraph three, Louis Dollo studied fossil records and arrived at an opposite conclusion. As a result, this can be inferred that Lombroso held convictions while Dollo researched and came to the opposite conclusion.

Question 8

ANSWER :A - the question of how certain long-lost traits could reappear.
Explanation :In the 1st line of the fifth paragraph it is mentioned that there have been examples that suggest evolution is as good as irreversible. However, it has led to a question of how long-lost traits could reappear. Hence, the answer is A.    

Question 9

ANSWER :B - the occurrence of a particular feature in different species.
Explanation :As per the first line of the 9th paragraph there are similar structures that can arise in unrelated species like sharks and whales. Therefore, these are mentioned as they show the occurrence of a feature in different species. Thus, the answer is B.   

Question 10

ANSWER :D - the continued existence of certain genetic information. 
Explanation :According to the 3rd line of the ninth paragraph, there is a possibility that the genetic information needed to make toes, survived for millions of years and was reactivated. Hence, the explanation for the findings of Wagner’s research is the continued existence of certain genetic information.

Question 11

ANSWER :NOT GIVEN
Explanation :Although the second line of the 8th paragraph talks about Wagner publishing work on South American lizards. However, it is nowhere mentioned that he was the first person to do research. Thus, the statement can not be determined and the answer is not given.

Question 12

ANSWER :YES
Explanation :The last line of the 8th paragraph mentions Wagner’s analysis of the lizard family tree. He believed that the toed species re-evolved from the toe-less ancestors. Hence, the statement stands true and the answer is ‘YES’.

Question 13

ANSWER :NO
Explanation :In the second line of the 10th paragraph, it is mentioned that the early embryos of numerous species acquire features of their ancestors. However, the statement says otherwise. Therefore, the answer is ‘NO’.  

Question 14

ANSWER :YES
Explanation :As per the last line of the passage, it is stated that the ancestral feature may not disappear. Thus, it can be concluded that evolutionary throwbacks might be because of problems in the womb. Therefore, the statement stands true and the answer is ‘YES’.

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