IQ Scores
Read IQ Scores and check the IELTS Reading answers. Studies from numerous countries suggest that IQ scores have been rising fast since at least the 1950s - enough to mean that someone with an IQ classed as average at that time could be labelled as having low Intelligence today. However, psychologis…
Passage preview
Studies from numerous countries suggest that IQ scores have been rising fast since at least the 1950s - enough to mean that someone with an IQ classed as average at that time could be labelled as having low Intelligence today. However, psychologists disagree about what the upward trend in scores really means. Some researchers argue that people are not getting more intelligent overall, but just getting better at a particular sort of problem solving. Others say they have found echoes of rising IQ scores in 'real world' measures of intelligence. To confuse things still more, there are hints that the trend may be about to grind to a halt.
Vocabulary from this passage
7 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- correlation noun
A mutual relationship or connection between two or more things
There is a strong correlation between education levels and income.
- decadence noun
Moral or cultural decline as characterized by excessive indulgence in pleasure or luxury
Historians often associate the fall of the empire with widespread moral decadence.
- eponymous adjective
Relating to a person after whom a discovery, invention, or place is named
The eponymous album was the band's most successful release.
- prevailing adjective
Existing at a particular time; current; having the most influence
The prevailing view among scientists is that climate change is accelerating.
- prosperity noun
The state of being prosperous; successfulness or affluence
Political stability often leads to economic prosperity for the nation.
- sequential adjective
Forming or following in a logical order or sequence
The instructions must be followed in sequential order to work correctly.
- visuo-spatial adjective
Relating to the visual perception of the spatial relationships of objects
Architects rely heavily on visuo-spatial skills to visualize structures.
Answers with explanations
- 14. A
The statement connects **modern technology** to human intelligence. In the text, James Flynn (Person A) argues that visuo-spatial abilities (a form of intelligence) have grown because of modern innovations like **TV, computers and cars**. Thus, this viewpoint is attributed to Flynn.
- 15. D
The statement suggests IQ scores may not have reached their **natural limit** (ceiling). The passage notes that **Thomas Teasdale** (Person D) points out that if an absolute ceiling to people's abilities had been reached, scores would be pushing against it rather than falling, indicating the limit hasn't necessarily been attained.
- 16. C
The statement claims **improved diet** positively affects mental powers. The passage attributes the view that overall intelligence has risen partly due to **better nutrition** (which equates to an improved diet) to **Robert Howard** (Person C).
- 17. B
The statement mentions **exceptional individuals** impacting collective intelligence. The text references **John Rust** (Person B) pointing out that if one mind (like Einstein, an exceptional individual) grasps a concept, it makes it easier for **society in general** to think more complexly.
- 18. B
The statement links **sophisticated societies** with an increased need for problem-solving. In the text, **John Rust** (Person B) states that in **more complex societies**, people have to think harder to find solutions to the problems they face, directly matching the prompt.
- 19. E
Paragraph E contains this information. It describes how the **Danish military** (a particular group) summons young men before a draft board to **identify who is suitable** to do military service, which acts as a clear account of a **selection procedure**.
- 20. B
Paragraph B outlines the **visuo-spatial test** category and explicitly describes one of its components: **'Raven's matrices'**, explaining how candidates must choose missing shapes to complete sequential patterns.
- 21. A
Paragraph A provides an **overview** of the debate. It explicitly notes that psychologists **disagree** about what the trends mean, presenting different interpretations: some argue it's just better problem solving, while others see 'real world' intelligence growth.
- 22. F
Paragraph F contains this example. It links **prosperity** (affluence) to **decadence** and potentially negative impacts on mental ability, citing the historical case of **ancient Rome** as an illustration of this phenomenon.
- 23. Mid-1980s
The summary requires a time period describing when Flynn showed IQ scores were increasing. The text states Flynn first showed this rising trend in the **mid-1980s**. This fits perfectly into the noun phrase required for the blank.
- 24. Raven's matrices
The blank requires the name of the specific **tests** that measured visuo-spatial skills and accounted for the biggest increases. The passage states the strongest gains were on **Raven's matrices**, which are identified earlier in the text as a visuo-spatial test category.
- 25. Verbal
The sentence contrasts the biggest increases with scores in numerical and another component that rose less steeply. The text says that **arithmetical** (numerical) and **verbal** scores showed more modest rises. 'Verbal' fits the blank as an adjective describing the test component.
- 26. Countries
The blank requires a plural noun describing where Flynn conducted research more recently. The text states he has looked at data from further **countries** and found the same upward trend (consistent with earlier findings). 'Countries' completes the sentence grammatically and factually.