The Meaning and Power of Smell - IELTS Reading Answers

The Meaning and Power of Smell Reading Passage Sample in IELTS Reading

Before discussing The Meaning and Power of Smell reading answers, let us have a look at the Meaning and Power of Smell IELTS reading passage given below:

Olfaction, or the sense of smell, is extremely powerful. Odours have psychological, social, and even bodily effects on us. Most of the time, though, we breathe in ambient fragrances/aromas without realising their significance. When our sense of smell is hampered or compromised for whatever reason, we begin to grasp its essential role in guaranteeing our well-being, or at least our perception of it.

1. Anthony Synott conducted a survey at Concordia University in Montreal, asking participants to remark on the relevance of smell in their life. It became clear that scent had the ability to elicit strong emotional responses. Any odour or smell associated with a pleasant or positive experience may provide delight. In contrast, any nasty or terrible odour, or even one associated with a poor event or recollection, can bring disgust. Many of their olfactory preferences, i.e., what they liked or hated, were also driven by emotional links, according to survey respondents. These associations can occasionally influence us to classify aromas that are normally unpleasant as more acceptable and fragrances that are otherwise nice or aromatic as utterly repulsive for specific persons. As a result, how we perceive smell or our perception includes the odours and their sensations, as well as the emotions, experiences, and memories associated with them.
2. Odours are also important indications for maintaining good social relationships. According to one poll respondent, there is no true or complete emotional attachment with a loved one without the power of touch and fragrance. Infants can detect their mothers' scents after birth, and adults can detect the scents of their spouses/children. In one popular such test, men and women were able to distinguish apparel worn by their husbands from similar options worn by others. Prior to this test, most respondents had never given any thought to odour as a clue for the recognition/identification of family members. However, this experiment demonstrated that odours have the ability to register in our brains even when we are not aware of them.
3. Despite its importance in sensory and emotional associations, the smell is arguably the most underappreciated sense across many areas and cultures. This is due to the fact that scent is frequently assigned a lowly position among the senses. In comparison to its importance for animals, the human sense is weaker and less developed. Our olfactory abilities are insignificant compared to certain animals, who have decent powers. Our nostrils can easily recognise thousands of different odours and perceive them even in little concentrations.
4. The fragrance remains an enigmatic phenomenon. In contrast to colours, odours cannot have names in multiple languages and cultures. This is due to the lack of particular terminology. When discussing any odour, we must use the generic-'It smells like...' and cannot properly describe the experience from an olfactory standpoint. It is also unable to record scents, which means they cannot be adequately stored or captured over time. We can only rely on recollections and captivating descriptions, which inevitably influence the sphere of olfactory study.
5. The majority of research on smell has been conducted, taking into account its scientific and physical elements. Although progress has been made in understanding the chemical and biological aspects of olfaction, numerous key questions remain unresolved. Researchers are still unsure if the scent is a single sense or a combination of senses, i.e., one involves odour responses and the other involves being able to record all odourless substances in the air. Is the nose the only part of the body that is affected by odours? How can odours be measured objectively while accounting for non-physical factors? These questions show how the study of smell and its psychology is influencing scholars in the field.
6. However, the smell is not merely any psychological or biological element or phenomenon. It has social, historical, and cultural undertones as well. Many scents, for example, are considered disgusting/insulting in some groups but acceptable in others. Cultural values are frequently inextricably linked to scents. Our sense of smell represents and serves as a model for our involvement or interaction with the world around us. Different smells can help us connect with emotionally charged and personal ideas and experiences. The value we assign to it will be assimilated in a personalised manner by members of society. Most importantly, our shared perceptions or views about odours may help distinguish us from a variety of other civilizations. The study of odours' cultural histories is an investigation of human cultures and their very essence.

The Meaning and Power of Smell Reading Answers

After reading the above passage, here are the meaning and power of smell reading questions and answers for test-takers to practice:

Questions 1-6: The given reading passage contains six paragraphs, from A to F. Choose the appropriate heading for each paragraph from the list below.

List of Headings

1. The difficulties of talking about smells.

2. The role of smell in personal relationships.

3. Future studies into the smell.

4. The relationship between the brain and the nose.

5. The interpretation of smells as a factor in defining groups.

6. Why our sense of smell is not appreciated?

7. The smell is our superior sense.

8. The relationship between smell and feelings.

Answers 

1. Para A

Explanation: The third line of this text plainly states that 'Smell can generate intense emotional responses,' implying that scent can produce feelings.

2. Para B

Explanation: It is said in the second sentence of this paragraph that "there is no meaningful emotional connecting without touching and smelling a loved one," which suggests that a smell is essential to build a strong connection between two individuals in any relationship.

3. Para C

Explanation: The second sentence of this paragraph mentions that humans' sense of smell is underdeveloped.

4. Para D

Explanation: It is stated in the first and second lines of this paragraph that the odours cannot be specified but must be described by saying "it smells like...". It signifies that a smell lacks the ability to convey itself verbally.

5. Para E

Explanation: The third sentence of this paragraph makes it apparent that the smell investigation is still ongoing and that it has yet to be determined if the smell is one or two senses.

6. Para F

Explanation: The first line of the paragraph states that smell is a social and historical phenomenon that is not solely tied to emotion or biology. This means that smell has always been related to cultures throughout history. Our perceptions of odour distinguish us from other groups of humans.

Questions 7-10: Choose the correct letter in the questions given below, A, B, C or D.

7. According to the introduction, we realise the significance of fragrance when ____

A. We discover a new smell

B. We experience a powerful smell

C. Our ability to smell is damaged

D. We are surrounded by odours

8. Paragraph B describes an experiment that is

A. It shows how we make use of smell without realizing it.

B. Demonstrates that family members have a similar smell.

C. Proves that a sense of smell is learnt.

D. Compares the sense of smell in males and females.

9. In paragraph C, what is the writer doing?

A. Supporting other research

B. Making a proposal

C. Rejecting a common belief

D. Describing limitations

10. In paragraph E, what does the author recommend about the research on smell in the atmosphere?

A. The measurement of smell is becoming more accurate.

B. Researchers believe smell is a purely physical reaction.

C. Most smells are inoffensive.

D. Smell is yet to be defined.

Answers 

7. C

Explanation: Yes, we will realise the importance of scent when our ability to smell is impaired, because we will not be aware that we can detect the odour until then.

8. A

Explanation: In a relationship, the odour is very essential. Children recognise their mother's odours shortly after birth, while adults use smell to identify family members.

9. C

Explanation: The majority of individuals believe that humans' olfactory abilities are inferior to those of animals. However, humans do have powerful olfactory abilities that allow us to recognise thousands of different odours.

10. D

Explanation: The smell has yet to be identified because there is no scientific evidence that odour affects simply the nose in our bodies. There is considerable debate about whether the smell is a single or dual sense.

Questions 11-14: Complete the sentences given below: Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer. 

11. According to studies, odours can help people recognise the ______ of their spouses and wives.

12. Certain linguistic groups may struggle to describe smell because they lack the necessary ______.

13. The sense of smell may involve a response to ________ which does not smell, in addition to obvious odours.

14. Odours regarded as unpleasant in certain ________ are not regarded as unpleasant in others.

Answers 

11. Clothing 

Explanation: Odours have been shown in studies to assist people to identify apparel belonging to their husbands and wives.

12. Vocabulary 

Explanation: Certain linguistic groups may struggle to describe smell because they lack the necessary vocabulary.

13. Chemicals 

Explanation: In addition to visible odours, the sense of smell may include a response to substances that do not smell.

14. Cultures 

Explanation: Certain odours are considered unpleasant in some cultures but not in others.

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