Flower Power
Read Flower Power and check the IELTS Reading answers. Why do people give flowers? To offer condolence to those who are grieving. To express gratitude. To ask for forgiveness. There is something undeniably powerful about giving flowers; in fact, few objects provoke such a universal response. In the…
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Why do people give flowers? To offer condolence to those who are grieving. To express gratitude. To ask for forgiveness. There is something undeniably powerful about giving flowers; in fact, few objects provoke such a universal response. In the US alone, the flower industry is now worth about $5bn a year-suggesting, at the very least, that they service a compelling human need.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- aesthetic adjective
Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty, particularly in relation to visual or sensory appeal
Our aesthetic preferences for fertile locations may stem from prehistory when such clues meant survival.
- affiliation noun
A connection or association between individuals or groups, often characterized by social or emotional bonds
The presence of flowers brought a significant affiliation among people who had never previously met.
- constrained adjective
Characterized by unnatural or restricted behavior due to physical limitations or social pressure in a environment
Psychologists observed participants being handed flowers in a constrained and stressful situation inside an elevator.
- emotional niche noun
A specific position or role within a social system based on providing psychological rewards or associations
Flowering plants may have co-evolved with humans by exploiting an emotional niche instead of providing food.
- evolutionary hypothesis noun
A proposed explanation based on the principles of biological development and survival over many generations
Various evolutionary hypotheses attempt to explain the remarkably powerful psychological effect flowers have on humans.
- exploit verb
To make use of a situation or person in a way considered unfair or for strategic advantage
The study suggests that flowers may have evolved to exploit their peculiar emotional impact on humans.
- hardwired adjective
Inherent in the makeup of an organism; referring to behaviors or responses that are genetically determined
Humans may have become hardwired to respond positively to flowers as predictors of future food supplies.
- induce verb
To succeed in producing or causing a specific physical or emotional state through influence or stimulation
Research confirms that flowers are unique in their ability to induce changes in our emotional state.
- patterned symmetry noun
The balanced and proportional arrangement of parts in a specific, repeating design found in nature
We have evolved preferences for patterned symmetries and specific floral odours which influence our moods.
- profound adjective
Having deep insight or causing a great or intense effect on one's emotional or mental state
The researchers found a profound elevation of mood among those who regularly received floral gifts.
Answers with explanations
- 27. v
Paragraph A introduces the topic by listing several reasons why people give flowers, such as offering condolence, expressing gratitude, and asking for forgiveness. These examples illustrate the **common social functions** that flowers serve in human relationships, making 'v' the correct heading.
- 28. iv
Paragraph B details the first study, noting that women who received flowers became more willing to answer questions about their 'social circle and intimate relationships.' Sharing information about intimate relationships directly translates to **becoming more open about personal matters**, matching heading 'iv'.
- 29. vii
Paragraph C describes the second study inside an elevator, which is an **enclosed space**. Typically, strangers retreat to opposite corners, but receiving flowers caused them to 'close up that space' and initiate conversation. This perfectly aligns with **bridging the gap between strangers**, leading to heading 'vii'.
- 30. ii
Paragraph D covers the third study, where participants gave 'spontaneous hugs and kisses.' The text explicitly states these were 'extraordinary emotional displays' that the psychologists were 'totally unprepared for.' This strongly reflects heading 'ii', which talks about **surprisingly strong responses to flowers**.
- 31. viii
Paragraph E presents an evolutionary hypothesis regarding human attraction to flowers. However, it specifically points out the '**flaw in this argument**' (that the most attractive flowers yield no edible products). Highlighting a flaw in a hypothesis points directly to heading 'viii': **An imperfect theory**.
- 32. vi
Paragraph F contrasts human preferences for physical flower attributes (colours, odours—their **sensory appeal**) with the fact that these specific plants have 'no other products' (no **practical purpose** like food). This dichotomy exactly matches heading 'vi': Sensory appeal versus practical purpose of flowers.
- 33. iii
Paragraph G introduces the concept of 'plant-human co-evolution' where humans get emotional rewards and, in return, flowers get protected and dispersed. The final sentence, stating they are 'using you just as much as you are using them,' perfectly encapsulates a **mutually beneficial relationship** (heading 'iii').
- 34. B
The **second study (B)** specifically observed people in an elevator, a brief and constrained situation. The prompt asks which study focused on a '**short-term reaction**'. Handing someone a flower in an elevator and observing if they immediately smile or initiate conversation is a classic short-term reaction study.
- 35. A
The text describing the **first study (A)** explicitly states that women 'were unaware' of the true purpose and 'were told that it was a study about their daily moods.' Telling participants a false purpose means they were **deliberately misled** as to the aim of the study.
- 36. C
The prompt asks which study found an effect on **mental capacities**. The **third study (C)** is the only one that mentions improvements in 'cognitive function, like memory.' Cognitive function and memory are direct synonyms for mental capacities.
- 37. B
The **second study (B)** notes that researchers expected gender differences. However, 'contrary to expectations,' both men and women reacted similarly by smiling and standing closer. This shows that their responses were **more uniform than expected**, matching study B.
- 38. food
The summary needs a noun indicating what prehistoric humans thought flowers might be a potential source of. Paragraph 4 states that 'for early man, finding them in a particular location predicted future **food** supplies.' Thus, 'food' correctly fills the blank.
- 39. children
The summary needs a noun for what primitive humans were looking to raise ('raise their...'). The passage explicitly links the presence of flowers to indicating 'a better place to rear **children**.' 'Rear' is synonymous with 'raise,' making 'children' the correct answer.
- 40. edible
The summary highlights a problem: attractive flowers do not usually have fruit which is what? The text notes the flaw is that these attractive flowers are found on plants 'which yield no **edible** products.' Therefore, the fruit is not 'edible.' The adjective 'edible' perfectly fits.