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Time Travel IELTS Reading Passage with Answers

Time Travel IELTS Reading Answers explores a fascinating passage on time travel, neutrino experiments, and scientific theories. Get sample answers, explanations, and practice questions to boost your IELTS reading skills.
authorImagePorishmita .27 Mar, 2025
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Time Travel IELTS Reading Passage

.Time Travel IELTS Reading Passage is a popular topic in the IELTS Reading Test, covering the scientific theories, discoveries, and paradoxes related to time travel. This passage delves into groundbreaking experiments, the role of neutrinos, and the challenges posed by Einstein’s theory of relativity. Since the IELTS Reading section often features topics on science, technology, and theoretical concepts, practicing Time Travel IELTS Reading Answers can enhance comprehension skills. This guide provides sample answers, key takeaways, and essential strategies to help aspirants improve their reading accuracy and boost their IELTS band score

Time Travel IELTS Reading Passage

Time Travel IELTS Reading Passage    

Paragraph A: When astronomers recently disclosed that sub-atomic particles known as neutrinos—the offspring of the sun's radiological debris—could transcend the lethal velocity, time travel pushed a little step away from speculative fiction and toward the phenomenon. The unassuming piece is on its way to becoming a rock star in the science centre. It is electronically apathetic, small but with an "– anti-mass," and capable of insinuating the human form undetected.

Paragraph B: Experimenters from the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva sent the neutrinos hurtling through an underground corridor toward their colleagues at the Oscillation Project with the Emulsion-Tracing Apparatus (OPERA) team 730 kilometres away in Gran Sasso, Italy. The neutrinos arrived expeditiously—so promptly, in fact, that they initiated what scientists call the unimaginable—that everything they have comprehended, understood, or taught stemming from the last 100 years in the physics discipline may need to be considered again. 

Paragraph C: A very small period - specifically sixty nanoseconds - is at hand (sixty billionths of a second). The neutrinos were able to exert force at a constant rate and at a speed significantly faster than the speed of light (15,000 neutrinos were sent over three years). This demonstrates that it is conceivable to contend with light and triumph, even with a margin of error of 10 billionths a second. The experimentation period was also taken into deliberation, and it annihilated any potential moon consequences or tidal bulges in the Earth's crust.

Paragraph D: Nevertheless, there's an abundance of explanations to remain sceptical about. Harvard University Science historian Peter Galison said that Einstein's relativity theory is harder than any theory in the history of physical sciences. Yet each prior challenge has come to nothing, and relativity has so far refused to buckle. 

Paragraph E: So, is time travel on the horizon? The notion has obviously moved considerably closer to reality now that a significant physical barrier—the speed of light—has been overcome. If particles can travel faster than light, reaching into the past is theoretically conceivable. However, how anyone uses that to some beneficial end is significantly beyond the ability of any current technology and will be left to future generations to investigate.

Paragraph F: Certainly, any would-be time traveller would have to overcome more physical and philosophical obstacles than simply exceeding the velocity of light. One such problem, posited by René Barjavel in his 1943 text Le Voyageur Imprudent, is the so-called grandfather paradox. Barjavel theorised that if it were possible to go back in time, a time traveller could kill his grandfather. If this were to happen, however, the time traveller himself would not be born, which is already known to be true. In other words, there is a paradox in circumventing an already known future; time travel can facilitate past actions, which means time travel cannot occur. 

Paragraph G: However, several plausible paths have been suggested. Time travel is conceivable within certain limits, according to Igor Novikov, the astrophysicist who developed the self-consistency principle in the 1980s. Novikov contended that every occurrence resulting in a paradox had a 0% probability. However, if travellers avoided all inconsistencies, they might "influence" rather than "alter" historical events. Averting the Titanic's disaster, for example, would nullify any future obligation to do so - it would be impossible. Saving a few people from the ocean and replacing  It is conceivable to replace them with realistic corpses as long as the historical record is not tampered with.

Paragraph H: A further possibility is that of parallel universes. In the 1960s, Bryce Seligman DeWitt popularized the notion of many-worlds interpretation that holds that an alternative pathway for every conceivable occurrence actually exists. We can’t expect a person if we send a person back in time because if we do that it will divert him to a new historical trajectory. 

Paragraph I: A concluding notion of unknown origin scrambles itself fairly effectively around the grandfather paradox. The quasi-idea proposes that if a person changed their ancestry in ways that hampered their own birth, they would simply cease to exist. They would still exist in person if they returned to the present, but any chain reactions caused by their acts would be lost. Their "chronological personality" would be obliterated.

Paragraph J: So, will humankind ever rupture this very same limit that neutrinos do? Stephen Hawking, a universe astronomer, forecasts that once spacecraft can sail more quickly than the speed of light, humankind could potentially go millions of years into the future to inhabit the Earth in the case of an imminent collapse. This is because, as the spaceships rev into the future, time would delay around them (Hawking divulges that bygone eras are off limits – this would violate the fundamental rule that cause comes before effect).

Paragraph K: Hawking is, therefore, pessimistic yet optimistic. Time travel was once deemed scientific iconoclasm, and I used to avoid talking about it for fear of being labelled a crank. These days I’m not so prudent. "

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Time Travel IELTS Reading Passage Sample Questions

Questions 1-6

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage?
In boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet, 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

  1. Neutrinos are sub-atomic particles produced by the sun's radiation.

  2. The OPERA experiment was conducted in Switzerland.

  3. The speed of neutrinos was measured with an accuracy of 60 seconds.

  4. Einstein’s theory of relativity has never been disproven.

  5. Scientists have already developed practical ways to use time travel.

  6. The grandfather paradox proves that time travel is impossible.

Questions 7-12

Complete the table below.
For each answer, choose no more than three words from the passage.
Write your answers in boxes 7-12 on your answer sheet.

Concept

Explanation

Answer (Fill in the blank)

The OPERA Experiment

Neutrinos were sent from CERN to Gran Sasso, covering 730 km.

___________

Measurement Accuracy

Speed of neutrinos exceeded light by a margin of 60 nanoseconds.

___________

Einstein’s Relativity

Considered the hardest theory to disprove.

___________

Time Travel Obstacle

Grandfather paradox raises logical contradictions.

___________

Parallel Universes

Different historical pathways exist for every event.

___________

Stephen Hawking’s View

Time travel to the past is impossible.

___________

Question 13

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
Write the correct letter in box 13 on your answer sheet.

  1. According to Stephen Hawking, what is the most likely application of time travel?

  • A. Changing past events to alter history

  • B. Exploring different parallel universes

  • C. Traveling into the future for survival

  • D. Creating time loops to study the past

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Time Travel IELTS Reading Passage Answers with Explanations 

Questions 1-6 (True/False/Not Given) Answers

Question

Answer

Answer Location

Explanation

1. Neutrinos are sub-atomic particles produced by the sun's radiation.

TRUE

Paragraph A

The passage states that neutrinos are "the offspring of the sun’s radiological debris," confirming they are produced by the sun's radiation.

2. The OPERA experiment was conducted in Switzerland.

FALSE

Paragraph B

The passage states that the experiment was conducted by CERN in Geneva (Switzerland), but the neutrinos were sent to Gran Sasso, Italy. So, the experiment took place in multiple locations, not just Switzerland.

3. The speed of neutrinos was measured with an accuracy of 60 seconds.

FALSE

Paragraph C

The passage mentions "sixty nanoseconds," which is significantly smaller than 60 seconds. The statement contradicts the passage.

4. Einstein’s theory of relativity has never been disproven.

TRUE

Paragraph D

The passage says, “Yet each prior challenge has come to nothing, and relativity has so far refused to buckle.” This confirms that Einstein's theory has never been disproven.

5. Scientists have already developed practical ways to use time travel.

FALSE

Paragraph E

The passage states that while the possibility of time travel has moved closer to reality, there is no current technology that can make it practical.

6. The grandfather paradox proves that time travel is impossible.

NOT GIVEN

Paragraph F

The passage explains the grandfather paradox but does not explicitly state that it proves time travel is impossible. It only presents it as a logical contradiction.

Questions 7-12 (Table Completion) Answers

Concept

Answer

Answer Location

Explanation

The OPERA Experiment

Gran Sasso, Italy

Paragraph B

The passage states that neutrinos were sent "to their colleagues at the OPERA team 730 kilometers away in Gran Sasso, Italy."

Measurement Accuracy

Sixty nanoseconds

Paragraph C

The passage states, "A very small period - specifically sixty nanoseconds - is at hand."

Einstein’s Relativity

Hardest theory

Paragraph D

The passage states that relativity is "harder than any theory in the history of physical sciences."

Time Travel Obstacle

Grandfather paradox

Paragraph F

The passage describes the grandfather paradox as a logical problem related to time travel.

Parallel Universes

Many-worlds interpretation

Paragraph H

The passage states, "Bryce Seligman DeWitt popularized the notion of many-worlds interpretation."

Stephen Hawking’s View

Travel into the future

Paragraph J

The passage states, "Humankind could potentially go millions of years into the future to inhabit the Earth in the case of an imminent collapse."

Question 13 (Multiple Choice) Answers

Question

Answer

Answer Location

Explanation

13. According to Stephen Hawking, what is the most likely application of time travel?

C. Traveling into the future for survival

Paragraph J

Hawking suggests that future space travel could allow humans to escape into the future in case of a global catastrophe. The passage also states that traveling into the past is not possible.

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Time Travel IELTS Reading Passage FAQs

What is the main topic of the Time Travel passage?

The passage discusses scientific experiments related to time travel, particularly focusing on neutrinos, Einstein’s relativity theory, and possible implications for future research.

What was the OPERA experiment, and what did it discover?

The OPERA experiment, conducted by CERN, sent neutrinos from Geneva to Gran Sasso, Italy, and found that they appeared to travel faster than light, challenging existing physics theories.

What is the Grandfather Paradox, and why is it important?

The Grandfather Paradox suggests that if a person traveled back in time and altered past events (e.g., preventing their birth), it would create logical contradictions, questioning the feasibility of time travel.

What does Stephen Hawking say about time travel?

Hawking believed that time travel to the past is impossible but suggested that if spaceships could travel faster than light, humans might be able to move forward in time.

What is the Many-Worlds Interpretation about time travel?

The Many-Worlds Interpretation suggests that every possible outcome of an event leads to a separate universe, meaning that traveling back in time could create an alternate timeline rather than changing the original past.
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