Practice Tests
IELTS Reading (AC) Task 1 #182

A. Biohacking, a broad term derived from the intersection of biology and hacker ethics, refers to the practice of making incremental changes to one''s body, diet, and lifestyle to improve health, performance, and well-being. It encompasses a wide spectrum of activities, from relatively simple interventions like tracking sleep patterns and optimising nutrition, to more extreme and experimental practices like implanting microchips or attempting to edit one''s own genes.

B. At the more mainstream end of the spectrum is a data-driven approach to self-improvement. Biohackers often use wearable technology and health apps to collect data on various biomarkers, such as heart rate variability, sleep quality, and blood glucose levels. They then use this data to experiment with different "hacks"—such as specific diets, supplement regimes, or exercise protocols—to see what optimises their individual physiology and cognitive function. This approach is rooted in the idea of "n-of-1" experimentation, where the individual is their own scientific study.

C. A more extreme and controversial subset of biohacking is known as "grinding," where individuals surgically implant technology into their bodies to enhance their senses or capabilities. This might include implanting magnets in fingertips to sense magnetic fields or embedding RFID chips in their hands to unlock doors or store data. This blurs the line between human and machine, raising philosophical questions about human enhancement.

D. While biohacking can empower individuals to take a more proactive role in managing their own health, it is not without risks. Many popular biohacks are not supported by rigorous scientific evidence and can be ineffective or even harmful. The more extreme forms of biohacking, particularly those involving self-administered medical procedures or genetic modification, carry significant safety and ethical concerns. As the movement grows, it highlights the tension between individual autonomy and the need for scientific validation and regulatory oversight in the pursuit of human optimisation.