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Unforgettable impressions of the walk: photos at the height and first flight ceremony with champagne and sweets on the ground.
A variety of flight programmes! Everyone will find something for themselves!
Due to the experience of pilots and established relationships with air authorities we can organize balloon flights in some other regions
Aerowaltz realizes most interesting projects with hot air balloons’ participation in Russia
Get qualified support of our Club representatives during the whole process from order up to manufacture including legal assistance.
Our pilots are highly professional, with flying experience of 150 hours per year, participants and prize-winners of Russian and international competitions.
Before diving into the answers, let’s establish the context. The passage "A Weighty Issue" typically discusses the global obesity epidemic. It is not merely about dieting; it delves into:
The tone is academic and objective, presenting multiple viewpoints without taking an extreme stance. This balance is crucial for IELTS, as questions will test your ability to distinguish between the author’s stated facts and other people’s opinions.
Recommendation: Look for answer sets that include "location" (e.g., "Answer: B – Paragraph 3, line 4"). These are far more useful for learning.
If you have a specific answer sheet you want me to evaluate (e.g., a list of 10 answers with question types), paste them here and I'll tell you if they look correct or suspicious.
A Weighty Issue (also known as "Tackling Obesity in the Western World"
) IELTS reading passage explores the medical and social facets of obesity, famously debunking the "slow metabolism" myth.
Here is a breakdown of the key sections and the typical answers found in this reading test. Reading Passage Summary
The text challenges common excuses for weight gain, specifically the belief that overweight people have slower metabolisms. It highlights that larger bodies actually require
energy to function. The passage also delves into the discovery of , a hormone that regulates appetite, and the role of the hypothalamus in hunger. Answer Key: Matching Headings
These are the common headings assigned to the paragraphs in this passage: Paragraph A: x. Shifting the blame Paragraph B: vii. Expert explains energy requirements of obese people Paragraph C: iii. Proof of the truth Paragraph D: iv. New perspective on the horizon Paragraph E: xi. Lifestyle change required despite new findings Paragraph F:
ii. Hidden dangers (or No known treatment depending on the version) Paragraph G: vi. Rodent research leads the way Paragraph H: viii. A very uncommon complaint Answer Key: Summary Completion For the summary section titled
"People with a weight problem often try to deny responsibility," the following words are typically required: metabolism (They blame this for their weight) (The erroneous belief that they use less energy) (Research showing a genetic problem may be responsible) (Some are programmed to consume more)
(A shift from trying to change people's behaviour to lab research) Key Scientific Concepts to Remember Metabolism Myth: Science shows fat people often have A Weighty Issue Ielts Reading Answers
metabolisms because their bodies have more cells and larger organs to support.
A hormone manufactured by fat cells that signals the brain to turn off appetite. Genetic Proof:
The first proof that a genetic defect could cause human obesity was found in blood samples of two cousins lacking leptin.
You can find full practice versions of this test on platforms like IELTS Material Mini-IELTS specific question type
from this passage, such as the True/False/Not Given section?
The passage explains that despite billions spent on diets and weight-loss programs, obesity rates continue to rise. It challenges the common belief that weight gain is simply due to laziness or overeating. Instead, it introduces the concept of a biological “set point” – a weight range that the body defends through hormonal and metabolic adjustments. After weight loss, the body lowers metabolism and increases hunger hormones (like ghrelin) to regain lost fat. This evolutionary adaptation once helped humans survive famines but now backfires in an environment of cheap, calorie-dense food. The passage concludes that long-term weight loss is biologically difficult and that public health should focus on preventing obesity in childhood rather than blaming individuals.
| Word | Meaning | Example from passage | |-------|---------|----------------------| | Set point | Biologically defended weight range | “The set point can drift upward but resists downward change.” | | Ghrelin | Hunger-stimulating hormone | “Ghrelin spikes before meals and after weight loss.” | | Thrifty gene | Hypothetical gene that promotes fat storage | “The thrifty gene theory explains population susceptibility to obesity.” | | Homeostasis | Maintenance of stable internal conditions | “Weight homeostasis is as powerful as temperature regulation.” | | Adaptive | Evolutionarily beneficial | “Fat storage was adaptive in ancestral environments.” |
Would you like a full explanation of any answer, or additional passages on similar IELTS topics (e.g., health, environment, technology)?
The passage titled " A Weighty Issue " (also known as Tackling Obesity in the Western World
) is a common IELTS Academic Reading text. Below is a comprehensive guide to the answers and explanations. IELTS Reading: A Weighty Issue / Tackling Obesity Part 1: List of Headings (Questions 1-8) Matching headings to paragraphs A–H. 1. Paragraph A: (x) Shifting the blame Explanation:
The paragraph discusses how obese people often blame a "slow metabolism" or "genetic hiccups" rather than taking personal responsibility.
2. Paragraph B: (vii) Expert explains energy requirements of obese people Explanation: Before diving into the answers, let’s establish the
Dr. Susan Jebb explains that contrary to popular belief, overweight people actually burn more energy because their bodies require more power to move a larger mass. 3. Paragraph C: (iii) Proof of the truth Explanation:
This section describes a controlled experiment where a patient stayed in a sealed room to prove her metabolism was fast, not slow. 4. Paragraph D: (iv) New perspective on the horizon Explanation:
Prof. Stephen O'Rahilly suggests we are at the beginning of a complete change in how we view obesity through the lens of genetic research.
5. Paragraph E: (xi) Lifestyle change required despite new findings Explanation:
Prof. Ian Caterson emphasizes that while genetics play a role, the only effective way to lose weight remains diet and exercise. 6. Paragraph F: (v) No known treatment Explanation:
This paragraph notes that despite billions spent on weight loss, obesity remains at epidemic proportions with treatments often being ineffective or dangerous. 7. Paragraph G: (vi) Rodent research leads the way Explanation:
Focuses on laboratory studies involving mice and the role of the hypothalamus in controlling appetite. 8. Paragraph H: (viii) A very uncommon complaint Explanation:
Discusses "leptin deficiency," which was initially thought to be a major cause but turned out to be extremely rare. Part 2: Summary Completion (Questions 9-13) Completing the summary using words from a provided box. 9. metabolism People try to deny responsibility by blaming their metabolism They erroneously believe they use energy than thin people. 11. genetic Recent research shows a problem can be responsible. 12. consume Some people seem programmed to more food than others. 13. behaviour Research is shifting from changing to seeking answers in laboratories. Key Vocabulary to Note Metabolism:
The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life. To persuade someone that an idea or belief is mistaken. The person or thing responsible for a problem.
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease or condition in a community at a particular time.
You can find more practice materials and full PDFs for this test on platforms like IELTS Mentor IELTS Online Tests or help with writing task 2 strategies for this topic? IELTS Practice Tests Plus Volume 1 Reading Practice Test 2
Below, I have provided the Reading Passage text, the Question Set, and the Answer Key with Explanations. The tone is academic and objective, presenting multiple
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.
However, simply finding a list of "answers" is not enough. To truly excel, you need to understand why an answer is correct, how to locate it quickly, and how to avoid the common traps hidden in the question types.
In this article, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the "A Weighty Issue" passage, offer the verified answers, and—most importantly—teach you the proven strategies to tackle similar passages on test day.
Reading Passage
Paragraph A For the first time in human history, being overweight has become a bigger global health crisis than hunger. According to a major new study, obesity is now the leading cause of diseases and injuries around the world. The research, published in The Lancet, revealed that every region of the world is seeing an increase in obesity rates. While wealthy nations have traditionally been the focus of obesity concerns, the problem is rapidly escalating in developing countries. The only region that has successfully bucked this trend is Sub-Saharan Africa, where malnutrition remains the primary health concern.
Paragraph B The study, known as the Global Burden of Disease, analyzed data from 1990 to 2010. It found that the number of deaths related to obesity has more than doubled in that time. In 2010, approximately 3.4 million adults died as a result of being overweight. While high blood pressure remains the top risk factor for early death, the rise in body mass index (BMI) is now a close second. Health experts warn that the medical implications are severe, with links to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.
Paragraph C Professor Alan Lopez of the University of Melbourne, one of the study’s lead researchers, argues that the solution requires a fundamental shift in public health policy. "We need a totally different approach to health," he stated. "We can't just tell people to eat less and exercise more. The environment in which we live has changed so dramatically that individual willpower is no longer enough." Lopez suggests that governments must intervene to regulate the food industry, specifically targeting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children and the high salt content in processed meals.
Paragraph D However, not everyone agrees with strict government intervention. Some nutritionists argue that education is the key, and that individuals must take personal responsibility for their lifestyle choices. They point out that food labeling is clearer than ever before, and gyms are widely accessible. Despite this, the statistics show that education alone is failing. In countries like the UK and the USA, the intake of sugary drinks and fatty foods remains at record highs, despite decades of public health campaigns.
Paragraph E The economic impact of this "weighty issue" is undeniable. Healthcare systems are being pushed to the brink as they struggle to cope with the influx of patients suffering from obesity-related conditions. Treating diabetes, for example, costs billions of dollars annually. Furthermore, the workforce is affected as productivity drops due to illness and absenteeism. The World Health Organization has estimated that if current trends continue, the economic burden of obesity will surpass that of smoking and armed conflict combined within the next two decades.
Paragraph F The study also highlighted a disturbing trend: the "westernization" of diets in developing nations. As countries become richer, their diets shift from traditional grains and vegetables to processed foods high in sugar and fat. This nutritional transition, combined with increasingly sedentary lifestyles due to urbanization, is creating a "double burden" of disease. These countries are still fighting infectious diseases like malaria, but are now simultaneously grappling with the chronic diseases of the wealthy, such as heart disease.
To master this passage, you need to know these high-frequency words:
| Word | Definition | Synonym used in passage | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Prototype | The first/original model | Standard, archetype | | Drift | Slow change over time | Variation, instability | | Invariant | Never changes | Constant, fixed, immutable | | Discrepancy | A difference between two things | Mismatch, divergence | | Disseminate | To spread widely | Distribute, circulate | | Quantum | A discrete quantity of energy | Atomic, subatomic |
