IELTS Reading Strategies Review

Question 1

Urban beekeeping has boomed in European cities. City bees often make more honey than rural ones, as parks offer varied flowers. Some ecologists warn that too many hives could starve wild pollinators.
Which statement is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Bees in towns generally produce less honey than those in the countryside.

Answer

Keeping bees in cities has become far more common recently.

Answer

Some experts fear that too many hives may harm wild pollinators.

Answer

Most urban beekeepers sell their honey at local markets.

Question 2

The museum opened in 1998 and welcomes about 400,000 visitors a year. Children under twelve enter free, while adults pay. A new modern-art wing opens next spring.
Which statement is NOT GIVEN?

Accepted Answer

Visitor numbers have increased since the museum opened.

Answer

Young children can visit without paying.

Answer

Adult visitors must pay to enter.

Answer

A new section for modern art is planned.

Question 3

Teenagers naturally fall asleep later than children or adults. Many experts therefore say school should start after 9 a.m. Critics reply that later starts would clash with parents' working hours.
Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Some specialists propose later lessons because of teenagers' sleep patterns.

Answer

Teenagers tend to fall asleep earlier than younger children.

Answer

Critics think later school starts would suit working parents.

Answer

Teenagers who start school later achieve better exam results.

Question 4

Octopuses have three hearts and blue blood. Two hearts pump blood to the gills, while the third serves the rest of the body. Many species can also change colour within seconds.
Which statement is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Two of an octopus's hearts supply blood to its whole body.

Answer

An octopus's blood is not red.

Answer

Some octopuses can alter their colour very quickly.

Answer

Octopuses use colour change mainly to hide from predators.

Question 5

The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. Only fourteen nations took part, and all the athletes were men. Women first competed four years later in Paris.
Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Women did not compete until the second modern Games.

Answer

More than twenty countries sent athletes to the 1896 Games.

Answer

The 1900 Games took place in Athens.

Answer

Thousands of spectators watched the 1896 Games.

Question 6

Coffee was first grown in Ethiopia before spreading to Yemen. By 1650, it had reached Europe, where coffee houses became popular meeting places. Today it is among the world's most traded commodities.
Which statement is NOT GIVEN?

Accepted Answer

European coffee houses were mostly visited by wealthy men.

Answer

Coffee cultivation began in Ethiopia.

Answer

Coffee had reached Europe by the middle of the seventeenth century.

Answer

Coffee is traded in large quantities worldwide.

Question 7

Solar panels lose a little efficiency each year, but most still work well after twenty-five years. Prices have fallen by about 80% in a decade. Installation costs, however, vary widely between countries.
Which statement is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Solar panel prices have risen sharply over the last ten years.

Answer

The cost of fitting panels differs from country to country.

Answer

Many panels remain effective after a quarter of a century.

Answer

Solar panels work less well in cloudy countries.

Question 8

Remote workers often report fewer interruptions than office staff. However, a survey found that one in three feel isolated from colleagues. Many companies now arrange regular online social events.
Which statement is NOT GIVEN?

Accepted Answer

Remote workers are usually paid less than office staff.

Answer

Some home workers are distracted less than people in offices.

Answer

About a third of remote employees feel cut off from colleagues.

Answer

Few firms try to help isolated remote workers.

Question 9

Glaciers store about 70% of the world's fresh water. As temperatures rise, many are melting faster than they can reform. Scientists fear that millions of people who depend on glacier water may soon face shortages.
Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Rising temperatures are causing many glaciers to shrink.

Answer

Glaciers hold only a small fraction of the planet's fresh water.

Answer

Scientists are confident that glacier water supplies are safe.

Answer

Glacier melt has already caused flooding in several countries.

Question 10

The Great Wall of China was built over many centuries by different dynasties. Contrary to popular belief, it cannot be seen from space with the naked eye. Parts of it are now in ruins.
Which statement is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Astronauts can easily see the Great Wall without any equipment.

Answer

Several dynasties contributed to building the Great Wall.

Answer

Some sections of the Wall have fallen into ruin.

Answer

The Wall was originally built to stop invasions.

Question 11

Dolphins communicate using clicks and whistles. Each dolphin appears to have its own signature whistle, which works like a name. Researchers have recorded dolphins calling to absent friends.
Which statement is NOT GIVEN?

Accepted Answer

Dolphins use whistles more often than clicks.

Answer

Individual dolphins seem to have a personal whistle.

Answer

Dolphins have been heard calling to friends who are not present.

Answer

Dolphins communicate only by touch.

Question 12

Electric cars produce no exhaust fumes, but making their batteries needs a lot of energy. Over its lifetime, an electric car still usually emits less carbon than a petrol one. Charging points remain scarce in rural areas.
Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Producing car batteries uses a great deal of energy.

Answer

Electric cars generate more carbon than petrol cars over their lifetime.

Answer

Rural areas have plenty of charging points.

Answer

Electric cars cost more to insure than petrol cars.

Question 13

Marathon runners often hit a 'wall' around the 30-kilometre mark when their energy stores run low. Eating carbohydrates beforehand can delay this effect. Training also helps the body use fat more efficiently.
Which statement is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Eating before a race has no effect on when runners tire.

Answer

Better training can improve how the body uses fat for energy.

Answer

Runners usually struggle most near the thirty-kilometre point.

Answer

Most marathon runners finish within five hours.

Question 14

Many universities now offer free online courses. Completion rates are low, with fewer than 10% of students finishing. Those who do finish are often already highly educated.
Which statement is NOT GIVEN?

Accepted Answer

Students prefer online courses to classroom lessons.

Answer

Few participants complete these courses.

Answer

People who finish tend to have strong educational backgrounds already.

Answer

Most online course students finish the programme.

Question 15

Honey never spoils if sealed properly. Archaeologists have found edible honey in ancient Egyptian tombs. Its low water content and natural acidity prevent bacteria from growing.
Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria struggle to grow in honey because of its composition.

Answer

Honey must be eaten within a few years.

Answer

Honey found in Egyptian tombs was unsafe to eat.

Answer

Ancient Egyptians used honey as medicine.

Question 16

Gutenberg's printing press, introduced around 1450, made books cheaper and more widely available. Literacy rose gradually over the following centuries. Some people, however, feared it would spread dangerous ideas.
Which statement is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Books became more expensive after Gutenberg's invention.

Answer

Some people worried about the effects of printed material.

Answer

Reading ability increased slowly after printing spread.

Answer

Gutenberg became wealthy from his invention.

Question 17

Bamboo can grow up to one metre a day, making it one of the fastest-growing plants. It requires no pesticides and little water. China produces most of the world's supply.
Which statement is NOT GIVEN?

Accepted Answer

Bamboo furniture is more expensive than wooden furniture.

Answer

Growing bamboo needs few chemicals.

Answer

Bamboo is among the quickest plants to grow.

Answer

Most bamboo comes from countries other than China.

Question 18

Volunteering has been linked to lower stress and greater life satisfaction. A study of 5,000 adults found that weekly volunteers were happier than non-volunteers. The effect was strongest among people over sixty-five.
Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Regular volunteers in the study reported higher happiness than others.

Answer

The benefits of volunteering were greatest for young adults.

Answer

The study included fewer than a thousand people.

Answer

Volunteers in the study earned higher salaries.

Question 19

Rice feeds more than half the world's population. It grows best in warm, wet conditions, which is why most production is in Asia. Some varieties can now survive short periods of flooding.
Which statement is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Rice farming is concentrated mainly in cold, dry regions.

Answer

Asia accounts for the bulk of global rice production.

Answer

Certain rice types can tolerate temporary flooding.

Answer

Rice prices have doubled in the last decade.

Question 20

Public libraries in many towns have reinvented themselves. Alongside books, they now offer computer access, job-search workshops and meeting rooms. Visitor numbers have stayed steady despite the rise of e-books.
Which statement is NOT GIVEN?

Accepted Answer

Most library users are under the age of thirty.

Answer

Libraries provide services beyond lending books.

Answer

E-books have not caused library visits to drop.

Answer

Libraries have stopped offering computer access.

Question 21

Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor but support about a quarter of marine species. Warming seas cause corals to expel the algae that give them colour and food. This process is known as bleaching.
Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A large share of ocean life depends on a very small area of reefs.

Answer

Bleaching happens when seas become too cold.

Answer

Coral reefs occupy a quarter of the ocean floor.

Answer

Bleached corals always die within a year.

Question 22

Cycling to work can cut the risk of heart disease by up to 40%. It is also cheaper than driving and often quicker in busy cities. However, safety worries stop many people from trying it.
Which statement is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Cycling is generally slower than driving in crowded cities.

Answer

Fear of accidents puts some people off cycling.

Answer

Regular cycling may lower the chance of heart problems.

Answer

Cycling to work is more popular in Europe than in Asia.

Question 23

Some argue that a four-day week makes staff happier. I find this convincing, since shorter weeks give workers more time to rest and see family. Critics fear falling output, but several trials suggest otherwise.
Which statement is NO?

Accepted Answer

The writer fears that a four-day week would reduce productivity.

Answer

The writer thinks shorter weeks improve workers' private lives.

Answer

The writer believes trial results do not support critics' worries.

Answer

The writer has worked a four-day week personally.

Question 24

Many people believe that homework improves learning. In my view, the evidence is weak, and young children in particular gain little from it. Schools would do better to encourage reading for pleasure.
Which statement is YES?

Accepted Answer

The writer thinks schools should promote reading for enjoyment.

Answer

The writer is convinced that homework benefits young children.

Answer

The writer feels research clearly supports homework.

Answer

The writer believes teachers set too much homework.

Question 25

Some critics say that tourism destroys local culture. I disagree: in many villages, visitor income has helped revive traditional crafts. The real danger lies in unplanned development, which can overwhelm small communities.
Which statement is NOT GIVEN?

Accepted Answer

The writer has visited villages affected by tourism.

Answer

The writer thinks tourism can help traditional crafts survive.

Answer

The writer sees poorly planned development as the main threat.

Answer

The writer agrees that tourism harms local culture.

Question 26

It is often claimed that social media makes people less sociable. I am not convinced. For many shy individuals, online groups offer a way to build friendships that they would otherwise never make.
Which statement is YES?

Accepted Answer

The writer believes online groups can help shy people make friends.

Answer

The writer agrees that social media reduces sociability.

Answer

The writer uses social media every day.

Answer

The writer thinks teenagers are most affected.

Question 27

Some experts urge governments to ban all petrol cars by 2030. This seems unrealistic to me, since charging networks are still patchy and electric models remain expensive. A gradual transition would be wiser.
Which statement is NO?

Accepted Answer

The writer believes a ban by 2030 is practical.

Answer

The writer favours a gradual move away from petrol cars.

Answer

The writer thinks electric cars are still costly.

Answer

The writer drives an electric car.

Question 28

Museums should not charge entry fees, in my opinion. Free access allows everyone to enjoy culture, whatever their income. Some argue that fees fund conservation, but taxes could cover this.
Which statement is NOT GIVEN?

Accepted Answer

The writer thinks museum staff are underpaid.

Answer

The writer believes free entry makes culture accessible to all.

Answer

The writer thinks public funding could replace ticket income.

Answer

The writer accepts that charging fees is necessary.

Question 29

Learning a second language is often seen as a pointless luxury. I strongly disagree. Bilingual people tend to concentrate better, and the skill opens doors to jobs abroad.
Which statement is YES?

Accepted Answer

The writer thinks speaking two languages can improve career prospects.

Answer

The writer considers language learning a waste of time.

Answer

The writer speaks three languages.

Answer

The writer believes children learn languages faster than adults.

Question 30

Many people assume that older workers resist new technology. My experience suggests otherwise: the staff who adapted fastest to our new software were mostly in their fifties.
Which statement is NO?

Accepted Answer

The writer thinks older staff are slow to adopt new technology.

Answer

The writer's own workplace experience challenges a common assumption.

Answer

The writer is over fifty years old.

Answer

The writer's company plans to hire more older workers.

Question 31

Zoos are frequently criticised for keeping animals in captivity. Yet I believe well-run zoos play a vital role in protecting endangered species. They also educate children who might never see wildlife otherwise.
Which statement is NOT GIVEN?

Accepted Answer

The writer thinks zoos should be larger.

Answer

The writer thinks some zoos contribute to species protection.

Answer

The writer sees zoos as valuable for children's education.

Answer

The writer believes zoos have no conservation value.

Question 32

Fast fashion is cheap, but the real price is paid elsewhere. Factory workers earn very little, and discarded clothes pile up in landfills. Buyers should think twice before choosing quantity over quality.
Which statement is YES?

Accepted Answer

The writer thinks shoppers should prioritise quality over quantity.

Answer

The writer thinks fast fashion benefits factory workers.

Answer

The writer buys only second-hand clothes.

Answer

The writer believes fast fashion will soon decline.

Question 33

Some claim that video games make children violent. The research I have read does not support this. If anything, games requiring teamwork seem to improve cooperation.
Which statement is NO?

Accepted Answer

The writer agrees that video games make children aggressive.

Answer

The writer thinks some games may encourage cooperation.

Answer

The writer plays video games regularly.

Answer

The writer wants stricter age limits for games.

Question 34

City dwellers should be encouraged to grow their own food. Even a small balcony can supply herbs and salad leaves. In my view, this reduces food waste and reconnects people with nature.
Which statement is NOT GIVEN?

Accepted Answer

The writer believes balcony gardens save a lot of money.

Answer

The writer thinks urban residents should be encouraged to grow food.

Answer

The writer thinks home-grown food can help reduce waste.

Answer

The writer believes balconies are too small for gardening.

Question 35

Growers in shared city gardens often say the food is not the best part. Neighbours who barely spoke start swapping recipes and favours, and weekend workshops bring young and old together.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

Unexpected social benefits of urban gardening

Answer

Growing vegetables in the city

Answer

Workshops for young gardeners

Answer

The cost of fresh food in cities

Question 36

Language apps let people study for a few minutes at a time, even on the bus. Yet teachers note that most users quit within weeks, and without real conversation, few gain the confidence to speak.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

Why convenience does not guarantee fluency

Answer

The convenience of studying on the move

Answer

Why teachers dislike language apps

Answer

Finding native speakers to practise with

Question 37

Sparrow numbers in many cities have dropped by more than half. Tall glass buildings, tidy parks with few insects and the loss of old roofs where birds once nested have all reduced their chances of survival.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

How modern city design works against small birds

Answer

The decline of insects worldwide

Answer

Glass buildings and energy use

Answer

Protecting nesting sites on old roofs

Question 38

Many teenagers say they study best with music playing, yet experiments show that lyrics compete with reading for the brain's language processing. Instrumental tracks seem to do less harm, although silence still works best.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

Why background music may weaken concentration

Answer

Music preferences among teenagers

Answer

The benefits of instrumental music

Answer

Language processing in the brain

Question 39

A century ago, most families ate together at set times every day. Today, busy schedules and screens mean many meals are eaten alone or on the move, and researchers link this change to weaker family communication.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

Changing mealtimes and their social consequences

Answer

The rise of fast food restaurants

Answer

Family communication in the past

Answer

How screens affect children's eyesight

Question 40

When a town's only factory closed, hundreds lost their jobs overnight. Shops emptied, young people left and the population shrank. Yet within a decade, residents had turned the old site into a thriving arts centre.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

Recovery after economic collapse

Answer

The decline of manufacturing industries

Answer

Young people's reasons for leaving

Answer

The importance of arts funding

Question 41

Humans rely on routines more than they realise. Habits free the brain from constant decision-making, allowing tasks to be done automatically. But the same mechanism makes bad habits hard to break once established.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

The double-edged nature of habits

Answer

Techniques for breaking addictions

Answer

Why decisions are difficult

Answer

The benefits of daily routines

Question 42

Archaeologists once believed that early farming spread because it was obviously superior. Skeletons from the first farming communities, however, show shorter heights and more disease than those of hunter-gatherers.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

Questioning the benefits of agriculture

Answer

The earliest known farming communities

Answer

Diseases of hunter-gatherers

Answer

How archaeologists date skeletons

Question 43

Seeds can travel in surprising ways. Some hitch rides on animal fur, others float across oceans for months, and a few are carried inside the stomachs of birds before being dropped miles from the parent plant.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

Varied methods of plant dispersal

Answer

The diet of migrating birds

Answer

How oceans affect plant growth

Answer

Protecting plants from animals

Question 44

Cities with heavy traffic often spend billions on new roads, yet congestion usually returns within a few years. New lanes attract more drivers, so the extra capacity is soon used up.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

The false promise of bigger roads

Answer

Billions spent on public transport

Answer

A rise in car ownership worldwide

Answer

Planning the next generation of roads

Question 45

In the 1960s, many experts predicted that automation would soon leave most people with little work and plenty of leisure. In fact, working hours have changed little, and new types of jobs have appeared that nobody imagined.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

Predictions that failed to materialise

Answer

The growth of leisure industries

Answer

Experts who study automation

Answer

A decline in working hours

Question 46

Most adults cannot recall any instructions for riding a bicycle. Children simply wobble, fall and try again until their bodies work out the balance. Psychologists call this 'procedural memory', which stays with us for life.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

Knowledge that the body remembers

Answer

Teaching children to cycle safely

Answer

Falling as a cause of injury

Answer

How adults forget instructions

Question 47

Visitors often assume Iceland is a frozen wasteland. In reality, geothermal energy heats most homes, greenhouses grow tomatoes year-round, and winter in the capital is milder than in many northern cities.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

Challenging a popular image of a country

Answer

Why tourists travel to Iceland

Answer

Methods of growing tomatoes

Answer

Winter in northern cities

Question 48

Employees who receive praise only once a year often feel overlooked. Regular, specific feedback, on the other hand, helps staff see what they do well and where to improve, and managers report stronger team morale.
Which heading fits best?

Accepted Answer

The value of frequent recognition at work

Answer

Annual performance reviews

Answer

Choosing the right manager

Answer

Salary and job satisfaction

Question 49

Passage: The decline in bee populations is largely caused by the widespread use of pesticides on farmland.
Bee numbers are falling mainly because of the use of ......... on farms. (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

Accepted Answer

pesticides

Answer

pesticides on farmland

Answer

chemical pesticides

Answer

habitat loss

Question 50

Passage: Adults who regularly sleep fewer than six hours a night are far more likely to develop heart problems later in life.
Poor sleep may raise the risk of ......... in later life. (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

Accepted Answer

heart problems

Answer

developing heart problems

Answer

heart disease

Answer

weight gain

Question 51

Passage: A severe drought destroyed most of the region's wheat harvest last year.
Last year, a ......... ruined most of the region's wheat harvest. (ONE WORD ONLY)

Accepted Answer

drought

Answer

severe drought

Answer

heatwave

Answer

flood

Question 52

Passage: Local authorities have introduced strict limits on car use in the city centre.
Councils have imposed ......... on car use in the centre. (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

Accepted Answer

strict limits

Answer

strict limits on car use

Answer

strict restrictions

Answer

heavy fines

Question 53

Passage: Elderly patients who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing dementia.
Regular exercise may reduce the risk of ......... in elderly people. (ONE WORD ONLY)

Accepted Answer

dementia

Answer

developing dementia

Answer

Alzheimer's

Answer

diabetes

Question 54

Passage: Shipping accounts for roughly three percent of worldwide carbon emissions.
About 3% of ......... comes from shipping. (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

Accepted Answer

carbon emissions

Answer

worldwide carbon emissions

Answer

greenhouse gases

Answer

plastic waste

Question 55

Passage: Researchers recorded a sharp decline in insect numbers across rural Germany.
A study found a ......... in insect populations in German farmland. (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

Accepted Answer

sharp decline

Answer

sharp decline in insect numbers

Answer

steep fall

Answer

slight increase

Question 56

Passage: The ancient city was abandoned after a series of devastating earthquakes.
The city was deserted following several ......... . (ONE WORD ONLY)

Accepted Answer

earthquakes

Answer

devastating earthquakes

Answer

tremors

Answer

invasions

Question 57

Passage: The company plans to cut its plastic packaging by half before 2030.
The firm aims to halve its use of ......... by 2030. (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

Accepted Answer

plastic packaging

Answer

plastic packaging by half

Answer

single-use plastics

Answer

paper bags

Question 58

Passage: Most of the town's income comes from the annual international film festival.
The town depends mainly on ......... for its income. (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS)

Accepted Answer

international film festival

Answer

annual international film festival

Answer

national film festival

Answer

local fishing industry

Question 59

Passage: Researchers have linked heavy smartphone use at night to poor sleep quality in teenagers.
Using phones late at night may damage ......... in adolescents. (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

Accepted Answer

sleep quality

Answer

sleep quality in teenagers

Answer

sleep patterns

Answer

eye health

Question 60

Passage: Rural libraries have seen a dramatic rise in demand for digital services.
Rural libraries report growing demand for ......... services. (ONE WORD ONLY)

Accepted Answer

digital

Answer

digital services

Answer

online

Answer

mobile

Question 61

Passage: The festival has become a major cultural event, drawing visitors from over forty countries.
The festival has grown into an important ......... . (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

Accepted Answer

cultural event

Answer

major cultural event

Answer

national holiday

Answer

sporting competition

Question 62

Passage: Most of the world's saffron is produced in Iran, where the flowers are harvested by hand.
In Iran, saffron flowers are picked ......... . (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

Accepted Answer

by hand

Answer

harvested by hand

Answer

manually

Answer

by machine

Question 63

Passage: Since 2015, the sugar tax has led manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of soft drinks.
The tax encouraged companies to lower the ......... of fizzy drinks. (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)

Accepted Answer

sugar content

Answer

sugar content of soft drinks

Answer

sugar levels

Answer

caffeine content

Question 64

Passage: Archaeologists unearthed a beautifully preserved Roman mosaic beneath a car park in Leicester.
A Roman ......... was discovered under a car park. (ONE WORD ONLY)

Accepted Answer

mosaic

Answer

beautifully preserved mosaic

Answer

statue

Answer

coin

IELTS Reading Strategies Review

Ways to Play

Device Games: Students play on their phones

Blast Go

Zombie Escape

Avalanche

Maze Blast

Cave Climb

Blast Out

Mystery Auction

Tour Guide

Food Truck Rush

Tug of War

Alien Blast

Glacier Rush

Board Games: Teacher-led, projected to the class

Like what you see?

More like this

IELTS Reading Strategies Review

Ways to Play

Device Games: Students play on their phones

Blast Go

Zombie Escape

Avalanche

Maze Blast

Cave Climb

Blast Out

Mystery Auction

Tour Guide

Food Truck Rush

Tug of War

Alien Blast

Glacier Rush

Board Games: Teacher-led, projected to the class

Like what you see?

More like this

Bug Blast

BlastRace

BlastQuiz

BlastBoard

Seek & Destroy

Mystery Blast

Checkers

Texas Hold 'Em

Da Bomb

Castle Siege

Hot Potato

Market Mayhem

King of the Hill

Bank Heist

Top Corner