A Weighty Issue Ielts Reading Answers [cracked] -

Biological factors matter. Genes influence appetite, fat distribution, and metabolism; early-life nutrition and maternal health affect lifelong risk; and the body’s homeostatic mechanisms often resist sustained weight loss. However, biology alone cannot explain the recent, rapid rise in obesity prevalence. To account for population-level change over a few decades, environmental and social shifts must be central. The modern food environment—abundant, inexpensive, highly palatable, energy-dense foods heavily marketed to children and adults—overwhelms biological appetite controls. At the same time, urban design and workplace patterns have made daily life more sedentary, reducing incidental physical activity. Socioeconomic factors compound risk: lower-income communities often face limited access to fresh foods, fewer safe places to exercise, higher stress, and less time for food preparation, all of which increase vulnerability.

Why? This tells you where the author talks about causes (genetics, diet) vs. solutions (policy, education).

While genetic research is promising, the passage notes that leptin deficiency is rare. For the majority of people, the most effective "cure" remains a traditional combination of increased exercise and dietary changes. Sample Question Types & Strategy

Below is the verified answer key paired with the corresponding text logic. Part 1: Matching Information (Paragraph Locators) A Weighty Issue Ielts Reading Answers

metabolisms because their bodies have more cells and larger organs to support.

Answer: TRUE

Answer: NOT GIVEN

| Paragraph | Correct Heading | | :--- | :--- | | Paragraph A (Introduction) | | | Paragraph B (Historical trends) | A half-century of change | | Paragraph C (Socioeconomic data) | Poverty and weight gain | | Paragraph D (Industry influence) | Marketing to the vulnerable | | Paragraph E (Conclusion) | Beyond individual willpower |

The text challenges common excuses for weight gain, specifically the belief that overweight people have slower metabolisms. It highlights that larger bodies actually require

If you are preparing for the IELTS Academic or General Training Reading test, you have likely encountered the passage titled "A Weighty Issue." This particular reading text is a favorite among examiners because it blends scientific research, public health policy, and critical thinking—three pillars of high-level academic English. Biological factors matter

: Distinguishing between information that contradicts the text versus information that simply isn't mentioned.

"A Weighty Issue" examines the rise of obesity as a critical public health crisis. It moves beyond the simple "eat less, exercise more" narrative to analyze the systemic drivers of weight gain. The passage generally covers:

The text might not always use the exact phrase "obesogenic environment" in the paragraph where the answer lies. Instead, look for clusters of words like: Surrounded by fast-food outlets Sedentary lifestyles Labor-saving devices Automated transport To account for population-level change over a few

: Scanning the text for specific synonyms to fill in gaps.

| Question | Answer (No more than two words) | Location in Text | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 38 | | Paragraph F: “The watt balance experiment uses a coil in a magnetic field… the mass is effectively measured against an electrical force derived from mercury.” | | 39 | (the) Planck constant | Paragraph F: “By 2011, measurements had reached a relative uncertainty of 2.0 x 10-8, required to redefine the Planck constant.” | | 40 | basic laws | Paragraph G: “Fixing the Planck constant will fix the kilogram, anchoring the entire SI system to the basic laws of physics.” |