Welcome to our IELTS Reading practice session focused on the topic of “How to build healthy habits.” This subject is not only relevant to our daily lives but has also been a recurring theme in IELTS Reading tests. Based on our analysis of past exams, questions related to health and lifestyle habits have appeared frequently, making it a valuable area to explore for your IELTS preparation.
As we delve into this topic, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive reading passage, followed by a variety of question types that mirror the actual IELTS exam. This practice will help you hone your skills in understanding complex texts, identifying key information, and answering questions accurately – all crucial abilities for success in the IELTS Reading section.
Let’s begin with our reading passage on building healthy habits, a subject that combines elements of psychology, health science, and personal development.
Reading Passage
The Science of Habit Formation: Keys to a Healthier Lifestyle
In an era where lifestyle-related health issues are on the rise, understanding how to build and maintain healthy habits has become more crucial than ever. Research in behavioral psychology and neuroscience has shed light on the mechanisms of habit formation, offering valuable insights into how we can reshape our daily routines for better health outcomes.
At its core, habit formation is a three-step process: cue, routine, and reward. The cue is a trigger that initiates the behavior, the routine is the behavior itself, and the reward is the benefit gained from the behavior. This loop, when repeated consistently, becomes automatic over time, forming what we recognize as a habit.
However, forming healthy habits is often easier said than done. One key factor in successful habit formation is the concept of “implementation intentions.” This involves clearly defining when and where you will perform a specific behavior. For instance, instead of a vague goal like “I will exercise more,” an implementation intention would be “I will go for a 30-minute walk every day after dinner.” This specificity increases the likelihood of following through with the intended behavior.
Another crucial aspect is the environment in which habits are formed. Our surroundings play a significant role in shaping our behaviors. By modifying our environment to support desired habits, we can increase our chances of success. This might involve keeping healthy snacks readily available or placing exercise equipment in a visible location.
The role of motivation in habit formation is often misunderstood. While initial motivation is important to kickstart a new behavior, relying solely on motivation is not sustainable in the long term. Instead, the focus should be on creating systems and routines that make the desired behavior the path of least resistance.
Interestingly, research has shown that it takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. This timeline can vary depending on the complexity of the habit and individual differences. Understanding this timeframe is crucial for setting realistic expectations and persevering through the challenging initial phase of habit formation.
One effective strategy for building healthy habits is habit stacking. This involves linking a new habit to an existing one. For example, if you already have a habit of making coffee every morning, you could add a new habit of doing a brief stretching routine while the coffee brews. This leverages the automaticity of the existing habit to establish a new one.
It’s also important to recognize the role of self-compassion in habit formation. Setbacks are a normal part of the process, and how we respond to them can significantly impact our long-term success. Treating failures as learning opportunities rather than reasons to give up can help maintain momentum in building healthy habits.
Lastly, the power of small wins should not be underestimated. Starting with tiny, manageable changes and gradually building upon them can lead to significant long-term improvements. This approach, often referred to as “atomic habits,” focuses on making incremental progress rather than drastic overhauls.
In conclusion, building healthy habits is a complex but achievable process. By understanding the science behind habit formation, leveraging strategies like implementation intentions and habit stacking, and maintaining a growth mindset, individuals can successfully integrate healthier behaviors into their daily lives. As our understanding of habit formation continues to evolve, so too will our ability to cultivate lifestyles that promote long-term health and well-being.
Questions
1-5: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
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According to the passage, the habit formation process consists of:
A) Motivation, action, and reward
B) Cue, routine, and reward
C) Planning, execution, and evaluation
D) Intention, behavior, and reinforcement -
The concept of “implementation intentions” involves:
A) Setting vague goals
B) Defining when and where to perform a behavior
C) Relying on motivation alone
D) Focusing on long-term outcomes -
How long does it typically take for a new behavior to become automatic?
A) 21 days
B) 30 days
C) 66 days
D) 90 days -
What is the recommended approach for building healthy habits according to the passage?
A) Relying solely on motivation
B) Making drastic lifestyle changes
C) Starting with small, manageable changes
D) Focusing only on environmental modifications -
The strategy of “habit stacking” involves:
A) Creating multiple new habits simultaneously
B) Replacing old habits with new ones
C) Linking a new habit to an existing one
D) Prioritizing habits based on importance
6-10: True/False/Not Given
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
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The environment plays no role in shaping our behaviors and habits.
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Motivation alone is sufficient for long-term habit formation.
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Setbacks are a normal part of the habit formation process.
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The “atomic habits” approach focuses on making drastic lifestyle changes.
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Regular exercise is more important than diet in forming healthy habits.
11-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
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The three-step process of habit formation includes cue, routine, and ____.
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Modifying our ____ can increase our chances of successfully forming new habits.
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Treating failures as ____ can help maintain momentum in building healthy habits.
Answer Key and Explanations
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B) Cue, routine, and reward
Explanation: The passage states, “At its core, habit formation is a three-step process: cue, routine, and reward.” -
B) Defining when and where to perform a behavior
Explanation: The text explains that implementation intentions involve “clearly defining when and where you will perform a specific behavior.” -
C) 66 days
Explanation: The passage mentions, “research has shown that it takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic.” -
C) Starting with small, manageable changes
Explanation: The text recommends “Starting with tiny, manageable changes and gradually building upon them.” -
C) Linking a new habit to an existing one
Explanation: The passage defines habit stacking as “linking a new habit to an existing one.” -
FALSE
Explanation: The passage states, “Our surroundings play a significant role in shaping our behaviors.” -
FALSE
Explanation: The text says, “relying solely on motivation is not sustainable in the long term.” -
TRUE
Explanation: The passage mentions, “Setbacks are a normal part of the process.” -
FALSE
Explanation: The text describes the “atomic habits” approach as “focusing on making incremental progress rather than drastic overhauls.” -
NOT GIVEN
Explanation: The passage does not compare the importance of exercise and diet in forming healthy habits. -
reward
Explanation: The passage states, “At its core, habit formation is a three-step process: cue, routine, and reward.” -
environment
Explanation: The text mentions, “By modifying our environment to support desired habits, we can increase our chances of success.” -
learning opportunities
Explanation: The passage suggests “Treating failures as learning opportunities rather than reasons to give up.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Overlooking key details: In IELTS Reading, it’s crucial to pay attention to specific information. For example, in question 3, the exact number of days (66) is important.
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Making assumptions: Avoid drawing conclusions not explicitly stated in the text. For instance, question 10 is a “Not Given” because the passage doesn’t compare diet and exercise.
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Misinterpreting negatives: Be cautious with negative statements. In question 6, the correct answer is “False” because the passage states the opposite.
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Falling for distractors: In multiple-choice questions, wrong options often contain words from the passage. Always check the full context.
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Ignoring word limits: In sentence completion tasks, adhere strictly to the word limit given. For questions 11-13, only use up to three words from the passage.
Vocabulary Focus
- Implementation intentions: (noun) A planning strategy that specifies the when, where, and how of a goal-directed behavior.
- Automaticity: (noun) The ability to perform actions without occupying the mind with low-level details.
- Habit stacking: (noun) A strategy where a new habit is paired with an existing habit.
- Self-compassion: (noun) Extending compassion to oneself in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering.
- Atomic habits: (noun) Tiny changes in behavior that can lead to remarkable results over time.
Grammar Spotlight
Pay attention to the use of conditionals in the passage:
“If you already have a habit of making coffee every morning, you could add a new habit of doing a brief stretching routine while the coffee brews.”
This is an example of a first conditional sentence, used to talk about real and possible situations in the present or future. The structure is:
If + present simple, will/can/could + infinitive
This grammatical structure is often used in academic and professional contexts to discuss potential scenarios and their outcomes.
Tips for IELTS Reading Success
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Time management: Practice with timed reading exercises to improve your speed without sacrificing comprehension.
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Skimming and scanning: Develop these skills to quickly identify relevant information in the passage.
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Understand question types: Familiarize yourself with various IELTS question formats to approach them effectively.
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Vocabulary building: Regularly learn new words and phrases in context to improve your understanding of complex texts.
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Practice active reading: Engage with the text by highlighting key points and making mental summaries as you read.
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Don’t panic over difficult words: Try to understand the overall meaning from context if you encounter unfamiliar terms.
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Check your answers: If time allows, review your answers for consistency and logic.
Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and strategic approach. Focus on understanding the passage deeply rather than just searching for answers. This comprehensive understanding will not only help you in the exam but also improve your overall English language skills, which is crucial for achieving a high score in IELTS.
By mastering these techniques and regularly practicing with diverse reading materials, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any topic in the IELTS Reading test, including those related to health and lifestyle habits. Keep practicing, stay focused, and remember that building strong reading skills is itself a healthy habit that will serve you well beyond the IELTS exam!