As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I often encounter students puzzled by science-related reading passages. One common question is about the phenomenon of skin wrinkling in water, a topic that frequently appears in the IELTS reading section. This article aims to demystify this concept and equip you with the knowledge to tackle similar IELTS passages effectively.
Understanding the Science Behind Skin Wrinkling
The wrinkling of skin in water isn’t simply due to the skin absorbing water. It’s a fascinating biological response involving:
The Autonomic Nervous System
This system controls bodily functions we don’t consciously think about, like sweating and pupil dilation. When submerged in water, our nervous system triggers a process called vasoconstriction.
Vasoconstriction and Blood Vessels
Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of blood vessels beneath the skin. This reaction reduces blood flow to the extremities, a response thought to be triggered by the coolness and pressure of water.
The Outer Layer: Epidermis
The outermost layer of our skin, the epidermis, is waterproof but swells when exposed to water. This swelling, combined with the constricted blood vessels underneath, creates the wrinkled appearance.
wrinkled-fingertips-water|Wrinkled Fingertips in Water|Close-up photo of fingertips wrinkled after being submerged in water for an extended period.
Applying this Knowledge to IELTS Reading
Understanding the science behind everyday phenomena like this gives you an advantage in the IELTS reading section. Here’s how:
Vocabulary Enhancement
Scientific articles in IELTS often use specialized vocabulary. Familiarizing yourself with terms like “vasoconstriction,” “epidermis,” and “autonomic nervous system” will improve your reading comprehension.
Identifying Main Ideas
Grasping the core concepts helps you identify the main ideas within a passage. For example, understanding that skin wrinkling is a nervous system response allows you to quickly grasp the main point of a related paragraph.
Making Inferences
IELTS reading often requires you to infer information not directly stated. Knowing the science can help. If a passage mentions vasoconstriction in water, you can infer that blood flow to the skin decreases.
Example in IELTS Reading
You might encounter a passage describing an experiment where researchers measured blood flow to fingertips before and after water immersion. Knowing about vasoconstriction, you could predict a decrease in blood flow, even if the passage doesn’t explicitly state it.
Tips for Tackling Science-Based Passages
- Don’t Panic: Even if the topic seems intimidating, focus on identifying key terms and their relationships.
- Skim for Structure: Quickly scan the passage for headings, subheadings, and visual aids to grasp the overall structure.
- Read Actively: Highlight key terms, paraphrase complex sentences, and jot down brief notes to aid understanding.
- Practice Regularly: Regularly engaging with scientific articles, even outside IELTS practice materials, can significantly improve your comfort level and comprehension.
Conclusion
Understanding why skin wrinkles in water not only satisfies your curiosity but also equips you with valuable knowledge for the IELTS reading test. By familiarizing yourself with scientific concepts and practicing active reading strategies, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate even the most challenging science-related passages and achieve your desired IELTS score.
