IELTS Reading: ‘What is Exploration?’ – Vocabulary & Answer Key

“We are all explorers.” This powerful statement opens the IELTS reading passage “What is exploration?”. This text takes us beyond distant lands, guiding us on a journey into the very essence of human nature and the definition of exploration in the modern world. It is a deeply philosophical piece that demands strong reading comprehension and the ability to infer subtle perspectives. Let’s join ECE in breaking down each argument, decoding challenging question types, and equipping ourselves with high-level vocabulary from this passage.

Reading Content & Questions

What is exploration?

(A) We are all explorers. Our desire to discover, and then share that new-found knowledge, is part of what makes us human… This questing nature of ours undoubtedly helped our species spread around the globe, just as it nowadays no doubt helps… a visitor negotiate the subways of New York.

(B) Over the years, we’ve come to think of explorers as a peculiar breed… That, however, doesn’t take away from the fact that we all have this enquiring instinct, even today; and that in all sorts of professions – whether artist, marine biologist or astronomer – borders of the unknown are being tested each day.

(C) Thomas Hardy set some of his novels in Egdon Heath… and used the landscape to suggest the desires and fears of his characters. He is delving into matters we all recognise because they are common to humanity. This is surely an act of exploration… Explorer and travel writer Peter Fleming talks of the moment when the explorer returns to the existence he has left behind with his loved ones.

(D) In this book… I have confined myself to those whose travels were real and who also aimed at more than personal discovery. But that still left me with another problem: the word ‘explorer’ has become associated with a past era. We think back to a golden age… as if the process of discovery is now on the decline, though the truth is that we have named only one and a half million of this planet’s species, and there may be more than 10 million… We have scarcely mapped the ocean floors, and know even less about ourselves…

(E) Here is how some of today’s ‘explorers’ define the word. Ran Fiennes… said, ‘An explorer is someone who has done something that no human has done before – and also done something scientifically useful.’ …Robin Hanbury-Tenison, a campaigner on behalf of remote so-called ‘tribal’ peoples, said, ‘…an explorer changes the world.’ Wilfred Thesiger, who crossed Arabia’s Empty Quarter in 1946… told me, ‘If I’d gone across by camel when I could have gone by car, it would have been a stunt.’ To him, exploration meant bringing back information from a remote place regardless of any great self-discovery.

(F) Each definition is slightly different – and tends to reflect the field of endeavour of each pioneer. …the prominent historian would say exploration was a thing of the past, the cutting-edge scientist would say it was of the present… They each set their own particular criteria…

(G) I’d best declare my own bias. As a writer, I’m interested in the exploration of ideas. I’ve done a great many expeditions… I’ve lived for months alone with isolated groups of people… even two ‘uncontacted tribes’. But none of these things is of the slightest interest to anyone unless, through my books, I’ve found a new slant, explored a new idea. Why? Because the world has moved on… exploration of it is now down to the details… However, this is to disregard the role the human mind has in conveying remote places; and this is what interests me: how a fresh interpretation, even of a well-travelled route, can give its readers new insights.

Question 1 – 6

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in boxes 27-32 on your answer sheet.

1. The writer refers to visitors to New York to illustrate the point that

A. exploration is an intrinsic element of being human.

B. most people are enthusiastic about exploring.

C. exploration can lead to surprising results.

D. most people find exploration daunting.

2. According to the second paragraph, what is the writer’s view of explorers?

A. Their discoveries have brought both benefits and disadvantages.

B. Their main value is in teaching others.

C. They act on an urge that is common to everyone.

D. They tend to be more attracted to certain professions than to others.

3. The writer refers to a description of Egdon Heath to suggest that

A. Hardy was writing about his own experience of exploration.

B. Hardy was mistaken about the nature of exploration.

C. Hardy’s aim was to investigate people’s emotional states.

D. Hardy’s aim was to show the attraction of isolation.

4. In the fourth paragraph, the writer refers to ‘a golden age’ to suggest that

A. the amount of useful information produced by exploration has decreased.

B. fewer people are interested in exploring than in the 19th century.

C. recent developments have made exploration less exciting.

D. we are wrong to think that exploration is no longer necessary.

5. In the sixth paragraph, when discussing the definition of exploration, the writer argues that

A. people tend to relate exploration to their own professional interests.

B. certain people are likely to misunderstand the nature of exploration.

C. the generally accepted definition has changed over time.

D. historians and scientists have more valid definitions than the general public.

6. In the last paragraph, the writer explains that he is interested in

A. how someone’s personality is reflected in their choice of places to visit.

B. the human ability to cast new light on places that may be familiar.

C. how travel writing has evolved to meet changing demands.

D. the feelings that writers develop about the places that they explore.

Question 7 – 11

Look at the following statements (Questions 7-11) and the list of explorers below.

Match each statement with the correct explorer, A-E.

Write the correct letter, A-E, in boxes 7-11 on your answer sheet.

NB  You may use any letter more than once.

7   He referred to the relevance of the form of transport used.

8   He described feelings on coming back home after a long journey.

9   He worked for the benefit of specific groups of people.

10   He did not consider learning about oneself an essential part of exploration.

11   He defined exploration as being both unique and of value to others.

List of Explorers

A     Peter Fleming

B     Ran Fiennes

C     Chris Bonington

D     Robin Hanbury-Tenison

E     Wilfred Thesiger

Questions 12-14

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 12-14 on your answer sheet.

The writer’s own bias

The writer has experience of a large number of 12………………., and was the first stranger that certain previously 13………………… people had encountered. He believes there is no need for further exploration of Earth’s 14…………………., except to answer specific questions such as how buffalo eat.

Overview of the Reading Passage

The passage “What is exploration?” is a profound essay that expands the definition of “exploration” beyond mere geographical travel.

• The author argues that exploration is an inherent human instinct, from hunter-gatherer ancestors to modern-day tourists, and it exists in every profession.
• Exploration is not limited to geography. Literary figures like Thomas Hardy are also explorers when they delve into the human emotional world.
• The author rejects the notion that the “golden age” of exploration is over. He points out that we have only identified a tiny fraction of the planet’s species, know little about the ocean floors, and even less about our own brains.
• Each explorer (mountaineer, social activist, traveler, etc.) has their own definition of “exploration,” which tends to reflect their specific field.
• For the author, a writer, exploration in the modern world lies in finding a “new slant” or a “new idea” to reinterpret familiar places and provide readers with deeper insights.

Key Vocabulary from the Passage

1. Questing nature (noun phrase): An inquisitive, curious, or searching disposition.
2. Peculiar breed (noun phrase): A distinct or unusual type of person.
3. Enquiring instinct (noun phrase): An innate curiosity or desire to learn.
4. Delving into (phrasal verb): To research or examine something in depth.
5. Confined myself to (phrasal verb): To limit oneself to a specific scope.
6. Pioneer (noun): A person who is among the first to explore or settle a new area.
7. Bias (noun): A prejudice or inclination for or against something.
8. New slant (noun phrase): A fresh perspective or viewpoint.

Answer Key & In-depth Analysis

1. A. exploration is an intrinsic element of being human.

• Evidence (Paragraph A): “Our desire to discover… is part of what makes us human… This questing nature of ours…”
• Explanation: “Part of what makes us human” and “questing nature” are synonymous with “intrinsic element of being human.”

2. C. They act on an urge that is common to everyone.

• Evidence (Paragraph B): “…doesn’t take away from the fact that we all have this enquiring instinct…”
• Explanation: Although explorers may seem like a “peculiar breed,” the author asserts they are simply acting on an “enquiring instinct” that we all possess.

3. C. Hardy’s aim was to investigate people’s emotional states.

• Evidence (Paragraph C): “…used the landscape to suggest the desires and fears of his characters.”
• Explanation: “Desires and fears” are examples of “emotional states.”

4. D. we are wrong to think that exploration is no longer necessary.

• Evidence (Paragraph D): “…as if the process of discovery is now on the decline, though the truth is that we have named only one and a half million of this planet’s species, and there may be more than 10 million…”
• Explanation: The author uses “though the truth is that…” to refute the misconception that exploration has ended, highlighting how much remains unknown.

5. A. people tend to relate exploration to their own professional interests.

• Evidence (Paragraph F): “Each definition is slightly different – and tends to reflect the field of endeavour of each pioneer.”
• Explanation: “Field of endeavour” corresponds to “professional interests.”

6. B. the human ability to cast new light on places that may be familiar.

• Evidence (Paragraph G): “…how a fresh interpretation ( = cast new light), even of a well-travelled route ( = places that may be familiar), can give its readers new insights.”
• Explanation: The author is interested in how a “fresh interpretation” can provide “new insights” into familiar locations.

7. E. Wilfred Thesiger

• Evidence (Paragraph E): “…‘If I’d gone across by camel when I could have gone by car, it would have been a stunt.’” (He refers to the relevance of the mode of transport).

8. A. Peter Fleming

• Evidence (Paragraph C): “…Peter Fleming talks of the moment when the explorer returns to the existence he has left behind…”

9. D. Robin Hanbury-Tenison

• Evidence (Paragraph E): “…a campaigner on behalf of remote so-called ‘tribal’ peoples…”

10. E. Wilfred Thesiger

• Evidence (Paragraph E): “…exploration meant bringing back information from a remote place regardless of any great self-discovery.”

11. B. Ran Fiennes

• Evidence (Paragraph E): “…done something that no human has done before (unique) – and also done something scientifically useful (value to others).”

12. expeditions

• Evidence (Paragraph G): “I’ve done a great many expeditions and each one was unique.”

13. isolated / uncontacted

• Evidence (Paragraph G): “I’ve lived for months alone with isolated groups of people… even two ‘uncontacted tribes’.” (Both are correct).

14. surface

• Evidence (Paragraph G): “We know how the land surface of our planet lies; exploration of it is now down to the details…”

The passage “What is exploration?” is a deeply philosophical essay that challenges readers not only with its vocabulary but also with its abstract concepts and multifaceted perspectives. The key to success is understanding the author’s purpose in each paragraph and how they use examples to support their arguments. By analyzing this text, we hope you have sharpened your deep reading and inferential skills—essential tools for conquering the most complex IELTS reading passages.

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