Table of Contents
BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 581
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 581 – PASSAGE – 1
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – 581
READING PASSAGE – 1
Left-Hand Dominance: Nature, Nurture, and Neurology
Left-handedness, or left-hand dominance, has long fascinated scientists, educators, and the general public alike. Roughly 10% of the global population identifies as left-handed, a statistic that has remained remarkably consistent across cultures and centuries. But why are some individuals left-handed in a world that appears biologically and socially skewed toward right-handedness? The answers lie in a complex interplay of genetics, neurological development, and environmental influences.
Historically, left-handedness was associated with superstition and even suspicion. In many Western cultures, the left hand was linked with awkwardness or even malevolence, a perspective deeply embedded in language. The Latin word sinistra, meaning “left,” is the root for the English word “sinister.” Children in the 19th and early 20th centuries were often discouraged or even punished for using their left hand in schools, where right-handedness was the expected norm.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
Scientific exploration into the causes of left-handedness began in earnest in the 20th century. Researchers have identified a genetic component, although it does not follow simple Mendelian inheritance patterns. Studies of twins have shown that left-handedness is more likely to appear in identical twins than in fraternal ones, suggesting a heritable element. However, the genes involved remain elusive, and environmental factors appear to play a significant role as well.
Neurologically, handedness is associated with brain lateralization — the specialization of certain functions in either the left or right hemisphere of the brain. For most right-handed people, language processing and fine motor control are concentrated in the left hemisphere. Interestingly, many left-handed individuals also show this left-hemisphere dominance, though a larger proportion show right-hemisphere or more bilateral distribution. This suggests that the brains of left-handed people may be more symmetrical or organized differently.
There is also a growing body of research investigating the potential cognitive advantages and disadvantages associated with left-handedness. Some studies have found a slightly higher prevalence of left-handed individuals in populations of artists, musicians, and architects, prompting theories that left-handedness may be linked to creativity or divergent thinking. However, these claims remain controversial and are not universally supported by empirical data.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
On the other hand, left-handed individuals may face specific challenges. They are more likely to experience learning difficulties, such as dyslexia or delayed language development, though the correlations are weak. Additionally, they live in a world designed primarily for right-handed people — from scissors and spiral notebooks to machinery and writing desks — which may result in minor but chronic inconveniences throughout their lives.
Modern society has become more accommodating of left-handedness, with educational institutions increasingly recognizing and respecting individual learning and motor preferences. Ambidextrous tools and adaptable technology have helped reduce physical disadvantages, while cultural stigmas have largely faded in many parts of the world.
In sum, left-handedness is a multi-faceted trait shaped by both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. While it can pose certain difficulties, it also adds to the rich tapestry of human diversity.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
Questions 1–7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
Write:
TRUE – if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE – if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN – if there is no information on this
1. Left-handedness is evenly distributed across different populations worldwide.
2. The Latin word for “left” had negative connotations.
3. Genetic research has identified a single gene responsible for left-handedness.
4. Identical twins are more likely to be left-handed than fraternal twins.
5. Most left-handed people have language centres in the right hemisphere of the brain.
6. Left-handedness is strongly linked to higher intelligence.
7. Educational systems still generally discourage left-handedness.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
Questions 8–13
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
8. Left-handedness was historically associated with __________ and negative traits.
9. Children in schools were once __________ for using their left hand.
10. The __________ in brain activity differs between right- and left-handed individuals.
11. Some studies suggest left-handed people may excel in __________ and similar fields.
12. Physical items like __________ are often designed with right-handed users in mind.
13. Today, __________ have reduced the difficulties faced by left-handed people.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
IELTS General Reading Test
ANSWERS
1. TRUE
2. TRUE
3. FALSE
4. TRUE
5. FALSE
6. FALSE
7. FALSE
8. SUPERSTITION
9. PUNISHED
10. LATERALIZATION
11. ART/MUSIC/ARCHITECTURE (ANY ONE IS ACCEPTABLE)
12. SCISSORS
13. ADAPTABLE TECHNOLOGY
IELTS General Reading Test