All in the family
Read All in the family and check the IELTS Reading answers. We can choose our friends, the saying goes, but we cannot choose our family of origin. Our parents provide the genetic material and make powerful early role models, but even more influential in determining what kind of adult we will become…
Passage preview
We can choose our friends, the saying goes, but we cannot choose our family of origin. Our parents provide the genetic material and make powerful early role models, but even more influential in determining what kind of adult we will become are our brothers and sisters - our siblings. They occupy a position of unique intimacy in our lives and cast a longer shadow than many recognize or are prepared to acknowledge. By turns enraging and lovable, familiar and mysterious, our brothers and sisters are the human beings who people our first social relationships. And a sibling relationship is the most enduring relationship many of us will ever have less emotionally intense than the bonds we form with our spouses and our own children if only because they started when we were so young.
Answers with explanations
- 27. NO
The statement proposes that parents and siblings play **equal roles** in shaping personality. However, the first paragraph explicitly contradicts this by stating that our brothers and sisters are **even more influential** than our parents in determining what kind of adult we become. Thus, the answer is NO.
- 28. NOT GIVEN
The passage confirms that siblings are the people involved in our **first social relationships**. However, it never discusses whether these relationships tend to be with siblings of **their own gender**. Because this specific detail is missing, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 29. NOT GIVEN
While the passage compares sibling relationships to bonds formed with spouses—noting that sibling bonds are **less emotionally intense**—it provides no information about sibling relationships receiving **less attention when they marry**. Therefore, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 30. YES
The statement asserts that parental 'basking' is advantageous for **later siblings**. The passage explicitly confirms this, stating that 'basking' leads to **more positive parenting of younger children**, resulting in fewer behavioral problems. Since this directly matches the claim, the answer is YES.
- 31. B
The third paragraph argues that **birth order determines play roles** and crucially adds that these roles **can stick for life**. This means that a person's birth order directly influences the traits they carry into adulthood, making Option B ('It may shape the characteristics of adults') the correct answer.
- 32. C
The text points out that Cartwright's clients **believe** they were treated differently during childhood, but introduces serious doubt by stating **and it might not have been true**. This indicates that the clients' childhood memories or perceptions might be inaccurate, perfectly matching Option C.
- 33. C
The fifth paragraph focuses on how traits that are seen as **disruptive and annoying** (negative traits) in childhood can later be transformed into **strengths like determination and leadership** (positive traits). This directly supports Option C: negative characteristics in children can become positive in adults.
- 34. D
The core argument of the sixth paragraph is that siblings don't experience the exact same upbringing because the **parents themselves are growing up** and facing different life phases (e.g., **weathering hardship or good fortune**). This makes Option D the best summary: the family environment may change over time.
- 35. G
The passage discusses how younger children benefit from **unintentional instruction** from older siblings, **acquiring entire phrases and an understanding of social concepts**. These forms of education and acquisition directly equate to **learning experiences (Option G)**.
- 36. B
The Cambridge study reveals that despite conflicts or fighting, siblings continue to share a **rich world of play and make-believe**. Engaging in 'play and make-believe' perfectly matches the meaning of **imaginative games (Option B)**.
- 37. F
According to the 2003 research, children who attempt to make themselves **different** from siblings in order to gain attention end up developing a **better sense of their own identity**. This pursuit of distinct identity aligns exactly with the concept of **greater individuality (Option F)**.
- 38. I
Paragraph 8 explains that because modern families are smaller, siblings are more likely to **remain lifelong friends** as adults. Remaining lifelong friends indicates that they maintain **closer relationships (Option I)** compared to siblings from larger families.
- 39. K
The 2010 study shows that children with a sister are **less likely to feel lonely, unloved, self-conscious or fearful**. The absence of these negative emotional states is a clear indicator of positive psychological health, leading directly to the answer **mental well-being (Option K)**.
- 40. D
The final sentence of the passage states that having a loving sibling promoted **good deeds**, giving examples like **helping a neighbor** or **helping other children**. Performing good deeds and helping others is synonymous with demonstrating **generous behaviour (Option D)**.