Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 572
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 572 – PASSAGE – 3
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 572
READING PASSAGE – 3
Awareness and States of Being
Human consciousness is a vast and often misunderstood phenomenon. From ancient philosophies to modern psychology, countless thinkers have attempted to explain what it means to be aware and how this awareness shapes our state of being. At its core, awareness refers to our ability to perceive, process, and respond to information—both internal and external.
There are multiple levels of awareness. At the most basic level, there is sensory awareness—our ability to detect sights, sounds, smells, and touch. This is followed by self-awareness, which is the recognition of oneself as an individual, distinct from others. More complex still is meta-awareness—the capacity to observe one’s own thoughts and emotions without becoming entangled in them. People with high meta-awareness can reflect on their actions, manage impulses, and adapt to new environments with emotional intelligence.
IELTS General Reading Test
The concept of “states of being” is closely related to awareness. A state of being can be described as a person’s general mental and emotional condition at a given time. States such as calm, stressed, focused, or anxious are directly linked to our level of awareness and how we interpret our experiences. For instance, someone who is self-aware may recognise the early signs of anxiety and take steps to reduce it, while someone without that awareness might let it build unchecked.
Ancient traditions like Buddhism and Stoicism placed great emphasis on cultivating awareness to achieve inner peace. Meditation, for example, is a practice that heightens awareness and shifts individuals from a reactive state of being to a more reflective one. In modern therapy, mindfulness techniques draw on similar principles, helping individuals tune into the present moment and reduce mental clutter.
IELTS General Reading Test
Interestingly, technological developments have impacted our states of being as well. Constant notifications, social media comparisons, and digital distractions often lower our attention span and increase stress. According to recent studies, even brief daily exposure to nature or screen-free periods can restore a balanced state of being by resetting cognitive fatigue.
Another critical aspect is the relationship between awareness and decision-making. A person with heightened awareness is more likely to pause before reacting, make ethical decisions, and respond to challenges with composure. They can distinguish between temporary emotions and long-term values, leading to more thoughtful choices.
In conclusion, awareness is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be developed. By learning to observe our thoughts, control our impulses, and understand our emotions, we can shift into more positive and empowered states of being. As awareness grows, so too does our potential for happiness, clarity, and compassionate living.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 28–33
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
28. Sensory awareness involves detecting things such as sound and __________.
29. Meta-awareness allows people to observe their own __________ and feelings.
30. A person who is self-aware may notice signs of __________ at an early stage.
31. Ancient belief systems used awareness to attain __________.
32. Digital distractions can reduce attention and raise __________.
33. Screen-free moments can reverse the effects of __________.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 34–40
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the 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
34. Meta-awareness helps individuals become less emotionally reactive.
35. Self-awareness develops only after adolescence.
36. Ancient philosophies used awareness as a path to mental calmness.
37. Short breaks from screens may improve one’s ability to focus.
38. Awareness guarantees that all decisions will be correct.
39. Technology has changed how people manage their emotional states.
40. Emotional intelligence is linked to higher levels of awareness.
IELTS General Reading Test
IELTS General Reading Test
ANSWERS
28. TOUCH
29. THOUGHTS
30. ANXIETY
31. PEACE
32. STRESS
33. COGNITIVE FATIGUE
34. TRUE
35. NOT GIVEN
36. TRUE
37. TRUE
38. FALSE
39. TRUE
40. NOT GIVEN
IELTS General Reading Test