How to Spot a Liar IELTS Reading Answers | Reading Practice Test

The How to Spot a Liar Reading Answers passage is an IELTS Academic Reading practice passage based on the psychology and science of deception detection. It discusses whether people can truly identify lies through body language, facial expressions, behaviour changes, stress responses, or training.

In this practice test, you will answer 14 questions from three common IELTS Reading question types: Matching Headings, True/False/Not Given, and Summary Completion.

1. About the How to Spot a Liar Reading Passage

The passage explores why lie detection is much more difficult than most people believe. Many people assume that liars avoid eye contact, fidget, touch their face, or hesitate while speaking. However, research shows that these common beliefs are often unreliable.

The passage also explains concepts such as microexpressions, baseline behaviour, polygraph testing, and specialist training programmes. It concludes that no completely reliable method of lie detection currently exists because human behaviour is complex and highly social.

You should spend around 20 minutes on Questions 1–14.

2. How to Spot a Liar Reading Passage

Paragraph A

Most people believe they can tell when someone is lying. They look for the classic signs: avoiding eye contact, touching the face, hesitating before speaking, and shifting in the seat. Research, however, shows that these popular beliefs are largely myths. Studies conducted across several countries found that people perform little better than chance when trying to identify liars, even when they are highly motivated to do so. Police officers, judges, and customs officials, people whose jobs require detecting deception, perform only marginally better than the general public.

Paragraph B

One reason for this poor performance is that there is no single reliable cue to deception. Unlike Pinocchio's nose, which grew unmistakably when he lied, real liars do not display one clear signal. The behaviours people associate with lying, gaze aversion, fidgeting, and speech errors occur in honest people too, particularly when they are nervous, tired, or under pressure. The absence of a universal tell makes deception detection extremely difficult. Research confirms that even trained investigators rely on the same unreliable cues as everyone else.

Paragraph C

A more promising line of research involves microexpressions, brief, involuntary facial expressions that flash across a person's face for a fraction of a second before the person regains composure. First identified by psychologist Paul Ekman, microexpressions are thought to reveal genuine emotions that a person is trying to conceal. Because they are so fast, lasting between 1/25 and 1/5 of a second, they are invisible to most untrained observers. Ekman argues that learning to spot microexpressions offers a more reliable window into deception than the traditional cues most people rely on.

Paragraph D

A different approach focuses not on what liars do, but on what changes in their behaviour when they lie. Researchers advocate establishing a "baseline" for each individual, observing how that person behaves normally so that deviations become detectable. A person who is generally relaxed and direct may arouse suspicion if they suddenly become evasive. However, critics point out that establishing a reliable baseline is time-consuming and impractical in most real-world situations, such as customs screening or police interviews, where officers must evaluate strangers quickly. The belief that liars always avoid eye contact, for example, is false: some practised liars maintain steady eye contact precisely to appear truthful.

Paragraph E

Physiological measures offer another path. The polygraph machine, commonly called a lie detector, records changes in blood pressure, respiration, and skin conductance that arise from the physiological stress of lying. Polygraph use is widespread in the United States, where it is used in criminal investigations and pre-employment screening. However, the scientific consensus is that the polygraph is unreliable. It measures stress, not deception, and innocent people under pressure can produce results indistinguishable from those of guilty individuals. Several major scientific bodies have concluded that polygraph evidence should not be admissible in court.

Paragraph F

Given the failure of common techniques, researchers have turned to training as a potential solution. Specialist programmes teach investigators to look for clusters of behaviour rather than single cues, to establish baselines systematically, and to use strategic questioning to increase the cognitive load on a potential liar. When liars must maintain a false story under repeated, unpredictable questioning, their accounts are more likely to become internally inconsistent. Some studies show that investigators trained in these methods improve their detection rates modestly, though the improvements are smaller than training advocates claim.

Paragraph G

Despite decades of research, no foolproof method of lie detection exists. Emerging technologies such as brain-scanning and thermal imaging are being explored, but none have achieved the level of reliability needed for real-world use. Researchers broadly agree that the problem lies not in a lack of technology but in the complexity of human behaviour itself. Lying is deeply embedded in human social life. People lie to protect themselves, to spare others' feelings, and to maintain social relationships. Any method that treats deception as a simple, detectable biological event is likely to oversimplify what is, in reality, a profoundly social act.

3. How to Spot a Liar Reading Questions

Questions 1–6: Matching Headings

The reading passage has seven sections, A–G. Choose the correct heading for sections A–F from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number, i–vii, in boxes 1–6 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

i. Why a single behavioural signal does not exist
ii. Watching for changes from normal behaviour
iii. Can investigators be taught to do better?
iv. A machine that measures the wrong thing
v. The difficulty of observing fast facial signals
vi. Popular beliefs that research has disproved
vii. Detecting emotions hidden beneath the surface

1. Section A
2. Section B
3. Section C
4. Section D
5. Section E
6. Section F

Questions 7–10: 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

7. Research shows that professional lie detectors perform only slightly better than ordinary people.
8. Establishing a baseline is described in the passage as a quick and practical technique.
9. Paul Ekman conducted his microexpression research primarily in Asian countries.
10. Researchers agree that no reliable method of lie detection currently exists.

Questions 11–14: Summary Completion

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN ONE WORD from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 11–14 on your answer sheet.

Approaches to Detecting Deception

Paul Ekman's work on 11 ______ shows that hidden emotions can surface briefly on a person's face. A contrasting approach involves studying a person's 12 ______ behaviour so that any change becomes noticeable. The polygraph records signs of physiological 13 ______, but this does not prove that someone is lying. Specialist 14 ______ programmes can improve detection rates, though the gains are limited.

4. How to Spot a Liar Reading Answers: Quick Answers

5. Matching Headings Answers with Explanation

Q1. Section A

Answer: vi — Popular beliefs that research has disproved

Question Type: Matching Headings
Answer Location: Paragraph A
Supporting Line: “Research, however, shows that these popular beliefs are largely myths.”

Explanation:

Paragraph A discusses the common signs people believe indicate lying, such as avoiding eye contact, touching the face, and hesitating. However, it immediately explains that research has shown these ideas to be myths. Therefore, the best heading is “Popular beliefs that research has disproved.”

Q2. Section B

Answer: i — Why a single behavioural signal does not exist

Question Type: Matching Headings
Answer Location: Paragraph B
Supporting Line: “There is no single reliable cue to deception.”

Explanation:

Paragraph B clearly explains that there is no one fixed sign that proves a person is lying. Behaviours such as fidgeting or speech errors can also appear in honest people. This makes heading i the correct answer.

Q3. Section C

Answer: vii — Detecting emotions hidden beneath the surface

Question Type: Matching Headings
Answer Location: Paragraph C
Supporting Line: “Microexpressions are thought to reveal genuine emotions that a person is trying to conceal.”

Explanation:

Paragraph C focuses on microexpressions and how they may reveal emotions that someone is trying to hide. Although the paragraph also mentions that microexpressions are very fast, the main idea is about detecting concealed emotions. Therefore, heading vii is the best match.

Q4. Section D

Answer: ii — Watching for changes from normal behaviour

Question Type: Matching Headings
Answer Location: Paragraph D
Supporting Line: “Researchers advocate establishing a ‘baseline’ for each individual, observing how that person behaves normally so that deviations become detectable.”

Explanation:
Paragraph D explains the idea of observing a person’s normal behaviour first and then looking for changes. This is known as establishing a baseline. The heading “Watching for changes from normal behaviour” matches this idea directly.

Q5. Section E

Answer: iv — A machine that measures the wrong thing

Question Type: Matching Headings
Answer Location: Paragraph E
Supporting Line: “It measures stress, not deception.”

Explanation:

Paragraph E discusses the polygraph machine. Although it is commonly called a lie detector, the passage explains that it actually measures stress, not lying. This makes heading iv the most accurate answer.

Q6. Section F

Answer: iii — Can investigators be taught to do better?

Question Type: Matching Headings
Answer Location: Paragraph F
Supporting Line: “Researchers have turned to training as a potential solution.”

Explanation:

Paragraph F discusses specialist training programmes for investigators. It explains that training may improve lie detection slightly, although the improvement is limited. Therefore, heading iii is correct.

6. True/False/Not Given Answers with Explanation

Q7. Research shows that professional lie detectors perform only slightly better than ordinary people.

Answer: TRUE

Question Type: True/False/Not Given
Answer Location: Paragraph A
Supporting Line: “Police officers, judges, and customs officials... perform only marginally better than the general public.”

Explanation:

The statement says professionals perform only slightly better than ordinary people. The passage says they perform “only marginally better,” which has the same meaning. Therefore, the answer is TRUE.

Q8. Establishing a baseline is described in the passage as a quick and practical technique.

Answer: FALSE

Question Type: True/False/Not Given
Answer Location: Paragraph D
Supporting Line: “Establishing a reliable baseline is time-consuming and impractical in most real-world situations.”

Explanation:

The statement says baseline analysis is quick and practical, but the passage says the opposite: it is time-consuming and impractical. Therefore, the answer is FALSE.

Q9. Paul Ekman conducted his microexpression research primarily in Asian countries.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Question Type: True/False/Not Given
Answer Location: Not available in the passage

Explanation:

The passage mentions Paul Ekman and microexpressions, but it does not tell us where he conducted his research. Since there is no information about Asian countries, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

Q10. Researchers agree that no reliable method of lie detection currently exists.

Answer: TRUE

Question Type: True/False/Not Given
Answer Location: Paragraph G
Supporting Line: “Despite decades of research, no foolproof method of lie detection exists.”

Explanation:

The passage clearly states that there is no foolproof method of lie detection. It also says researchers broadly agree on this point. Therefore, the statement agrees with the passage and the answer is TRUE.

7. Summary Completion Answers with Explanation

Q11. Paul Ekman's work on ______ shows that hidden emotions can surface briefly on a person's face.

Answer: microexpressions

Question Type: Summary Completion
Answer Location: Paragraph C
Supporting Line: “A more promising line of research involves microexpressions...”

Explanation:

Paragraph C explains Paul Ekman’s work on microexpressions. These are brief facial expressions that may reveal hidden emotions. The correct one-word answer is microexpressions.

Q12. A contrasting approach involves studying a person's ______ behaviour so that any change becomes noticeable.

Answer: baseline

Question Type: Summary Completion
Answer Location: Paragraph D
Supporting Line: “Researchers advocate establishing a ‘baseline’ for each individual...”

Explanation:

Paragraph D discusses the baseline approach. It involves observing a person’s normal behaviour so that changes can be identified. The correct answer is baseline.

Q13. The polygraph records signs of physiological ______, but this does not prove that someone is lying.

Answer: stress

Question Type: Summary Completion
Answer Location: Paragraph E
Supporting Line: “It measures stress, not deception.”

Explanation:

The passage explains that a polygraph records stress-related physiological responses. However, stress does not necessarily mean deception. The correct answer is stress.

Q14. Specialist ______ programmes can improve detection rates, though the gains are limited.

Answer: training

Question Type: Summary Completion
Answer Location: Paragraph F
Supporting Line: “Researchers have turned to training as a potential solution.”

Explanation:

Paragraph F discusses specialist training programmes for investigators. These programmes may improve detection rates slightly, but not dramatically. The correct answer is training.

8. IELTS Reading Tips for This Passage

For Matching Headings, focus on the main idea of each paragraph rather than individual words. For example, Paragraph C mentions that microexpressions are fast, but the main idea is that they reveal hidden emotions.

For True/False/Not Given, be careful with synonyms. In Q7, “slightly better” and “marginally better” have the same meaning. In Q9, do not use outside knowledge. If the passage does not mention the location of Paul Ekman’s research, the answer must be NOT GIVEN.

For Summary Completion, choose words exactly from the passage and follow the word limit. Here, all four answers are single words taken directly from the text: microexpressions, baseline, stress, training.

9. Final Answer Key

1. vi
2. i
3. vii
4. ii
5. iv
6. iii
7. TRUE
8. FALSE
9. NOT GIVEN
10. TRUE
11. microexpressions
12. baseline
13. stress
14. training

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