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IELTS Practice Reading: Note/Summary Completion Diagram ID: #56527 Easy The platypus
Instructions ›
Write ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
1 Select text → 2 Right-click → 3 Highlight or Add Note

The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is one of the most unusual, unlikely and evolutionary distinct animals alive. According to the BBC, the first time a platypus was brought from Australia to Britain, people believed that a hoodwinker had sewn two animals together and that they were the victims of a hoax. Platypuses are best described as a hotchpotch of more recognizable species such as the duck, beaver or otter. The physical structure, habitat and reproduction system of the platypus makes it an interesting and unique mammal.

Weighing around three pounds, the platypus measures 15 inches (38 cm) from its head to lower back. The tail adds about 5 inches (13 cm). However, the creatures inhabiting colder regions are bigger. The physiology of the platypus is adapted for survival on land as well as in water. The shape of its bill gives it the name duck-billed platypus. This flexible body part is smooth like suede and has receptors for navigation and detection of movements of freely-swimming food, such as shrimp. The eyes and ears located in the grooves behind the bill are covered by folds of skin and a watertight seal that closes the nostrils when it is underwater. Platypuses have thick waterproof fur which allows them to stay warm underwater. Although most of its fur is dark brown, a patch near the eyes and on the underside is of a lighter shade. When on land, the webbing on their feet retracts, making their claws more pronounced and hence, these animals walk awkwardly on their knuckles to protect the web. 

Yet another peculiar fact about these animals is that they are one of the very few mammals which are poisonous. Male platypuses have a horny spur on the ankles of their hind feet. It is connected to a venom gland in the upper leg. It releases a poison capable of causing excruciating pain to humans and is also capable of killing other small animals. Fat is stored in the tail. 

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Question Focus: Synonym match - the diagram points to what the platypus detects underwater

Correct Answer: food

Why this is correct: On the diagram, the label points to the bill and what it is used to find. The passage clearly says the bill helps with detection of freely-swimming food, so the correct word is food.

Passage Reference: This flexible body part is smooth like suede and has receptors for navigation and detection of movements of freely-swimming food, such as shrimp.

Common Mistake: Some students write shrimp, but that is only an example, not the general label. This is a partial truth trap.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'detection of freely-swimming food' = Diagram: 'detects ___'

Tips: In diagrams, labels are usually general words, not specific examples.

Key Vocabulary:

  • detection = finding
  • freely-swimming = moving in water

Question Focus: Direct match - a body part that closes underwater

Correct Answer: nostrils

Passage Reference: The eyes and ears located in the grooves behind the bill are covered by folds of skin and a watertight seal that closes the nostrils when it is underwater.

Why this is correct: The diagram points to the nose area. The passage says there is a seal that closes the nostrils underwater, so the correct label is nostrils.

Common Mistake: Students sometimes write nose, but that word is not used in the passage. You must copy the exact word. This is a synonym trap.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'closes the nostrils' = Diagram: '___ close underwater'

Tips: Always copy the exact body-part word from the passage, not your own synonym.

Key Vocabulary:

  • nostrils = nose openings
  • seal = tight cover

Question Focus: Synonym match - feet adaptation on land

Correct Answer: webbing

Passage Reference: When on land, the webbing on their feet retracts, making their claws more pronounced and hence, these animals walk awkwardly on their knuckles to protect the web.

Why this is correct: The diagram points to the feet. The passage explains that the webbing on their feet retracts on land, so the correct label is webbing.

Common Mistake: Some students write claws, but claws become visible because the webbing retracts. This is a cause vs result confusion, a type of causation trap.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'the webbing on their feet' = Diagram: 'retractable ___'

Tips: Check carefully what causes what before choosing a diagram label.

Key Vocabulary:

  • webbing = skin between toes
  • retracts = pulls back

Question Focus: Direct match - poisonous feature

Correct Answer: spur

Passage Reference: Male platypuses have a horny spur on the ankles of their hind feet.

Why this is correct: The diagram highlights the ankle area of the hind leg. The passage states that male platypuses have a horny spur there, so spur is correct.

Common Mistake: Students may write venom gland, but the gland is inside the leg, not what you see outside. This is a context shift trap.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'a horny spur on the ankles' = Diagram: 'ankle ___'

Tips: Label what you can actually see on the diagram, not related internal parts.

Key Vocabulary:

  • spur = sharp pointed part
  • horny = hard

Question Focus: Direct match - storage function

Correct Answer: fat

Passage Reference: Fat is stored in the tail

Why this is correct: The diagram points to the tail. The passage clearly says fat is stored in the tail, so the answer must be fat.

Common Mistake: Some students write energy, but that word is not in the passage. This is a synonym trap.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'Fat is stored in the tail' = Diagram: 'tail stores ___'

Tips: If the sentence is very short and direct, the answer is usually an exact word match.

Key Vocabulary:

  • stored = kept
  • fat = body energy

Question Focus: Synonym match - body covering for warmth

Correct Answer: fur

Passage Reference: Platypuses have thick waterproof fur which allows them to stay warm underwater.

Why this is correct: The diagram points to the body covering. The passage says platypuses have thick waterproof fur, so the correct label is fur.

Common Mistake: Students sometimes write hair, but that word does not appear in the passage. This is a synonym trap.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'thick waterproof fur' = Diagram: 'body covered in ___'

Tips: Do not change animal vocabulary into your own words. Copy exactly.

Key Vocabulary:

  • waterproof = keeps water out
  • fur = animal hair

General Tips:

  • Diagram completion follows passage order. Find the first label, then scan forward.
  • Always copy the exact word from the passage. Synonyms are marked wrong.
  • Check the diagram carefully and match it to the correct body part or function.
  • One-word answers are common in diagrams. Do not add extra words.

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