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Contaminating The Arctic Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Sep 06, 2024, 08:02

The passage ‘contaminating the arctic’ discusses how the Arctic, despite its remoteness, suffers from contamination due to transboundary pollution. Pollutants from around the world—such as pesticides, heavy metals, and radioactive materials—are transported to the Arctic through rivers, ocean currents, and atmospheric circulation. These contaminants persist longer in the Arctic due to harsh conditions and accumulate through the food chain, affecting both wildlife and humans. The passage also covers the phenomenon of Arctic haze, its origins, and its potential impact on global climate change.

 

Understanding such passages will help you tackle various question types in the IELTS Reading section by enhancing your ability to extract and summarise key information. Practising with similar content can improve your IELTS reading score by developing skills in identifying main ideas and details efficiently.

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1. Contaminating The Arctic Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below. 

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2. Contaminating The Arctic Reading Questions & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Contaminating The Arctic Reading Questions & Answers

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1.

Contaminating The Arctic Reading Passage

General Information

  • Read Instructions: Understand each question before answering.
  • Manage Time: Spend about 20 minutes per passage.
  • Skim and Scan: Quickly get the main idea and find specific information.
  • Highlight Key Info: Underline essential words or phrases.
  • Answer All Questions: Attempt every question; no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and grammar.
  • Transfer Answers Clearly: Write answers neatly on the answer sheet.
  • Don’t Dwell: Move on if stuck and return later.
  • Review: If time allows, review your answers.

 

Learn about IELTS General Reading. 

 

 

Contaminating The Arctic Reading Passage

 

Paragraph A:

Our perception of the Arctic region is that its distance from industrial centers keeps it pristine and clear from the impact of pollution. However, the Arctic is the recipient of contaminants whose sources are thousands of miles away through a process known as transboundary pollution. Large quantities of pollutants pour into our atmosphere, as well as our lakes, rivers, and oceans on a daily basis. In the last two decades, scientists have detected an increasing variety of toxic contaminants in the North, including pesticides from agriculture, chemicals and heavy metals from industry, and even radioactive fall-out from Chernobyl. These are substances that have invaded ecosystems virtually worldwide, but they are especially worrisome in the Arctic.

 

Paragraph B:

Initially, chemical spills were primarily attributed for Arctic contamination which were also believed to be “small and confined”. Pollutants from all across the world are now considered to be transferred north by rivers, ocean currents, and atmospheric circulation. Moreover, contaminants break down significantly more slowly in the Arctic than in warmer climates due to harsh conditions such as reduced sunlight, extensive ice cover, and frigid temperatures. Due to their lengthened lifespan in the Arctic, contaminants can also become significantly concentrated.

 

Paragraph C:

In the 1950s, during the springtime bands of haze were reported by pilots traveling on weather reconnaissance flights in the Canadian high Arctic. During this period, the term "Arctic haze" was first used, referring to this mist of uncertain origin. Dr. Glenn Shaw of the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska was the first to put forth theories on the nature and long-distance origin of Arctic haze in 1972. The notion that the source was distant was difficult for many to support. Each winter, air that is frigid and dense descends over the Arctic. Mid-latitude emissions from fossil fuel combustion, smelting, and other industrial operations seem to be accumulating in the Arctic in the darkness, causing an increase in pollution. By late winter, the Arctic has been blanketed in a layer of this haze the size of Africa. When spring light arrives in the Arctic, there is a haze that resembles smog, which gives the region an appearance of pollution over places like Los Angeles. This polluted air is a well-known and well-distinctive feature of the late winter Arctic environment. In the Arctic of North America, instances of brown or black snow have been linked to continental storm tracks that transport gaseous and particulate-associated contaminations from Asian deserts and agricultural regions. The contaminants are now thought to have originated primarily in Europe and Asia.

 

Paragraph D:

The impact of the haze on Arctic ecosystems and the global environment has not been adequately researched. The pollutants have only been studied in their aerosol form over the Arctic. However, a brief is known about what eventually happens to them. It is known that they are removed somehow. There is a good degree of likelihood that the contaminants end up in the ocean, likely into the North Atlantic, the Norwegian Sea, and possibly the Bering Sea — all three very important fisheries.

 

Paragraph E:

Currently, the major issue among researchers is to understand the impact of Arctic haze on global climate change. The contaminants absorb sunlight and, in turn, heat up the atmosphere. The global impact of this is currently unknown, but the implications are quite powerful.

 

Paragraph F:

Problems of spring run-off into coastal waters during the growth period of marine life are of critical concern. Spring algae blooms easily, absorbing the concentrated contaminants released by spring melting. These algae are in turn eaten by zooplankton and a wide variety of marine life. The accumulation of these contaminants increases with each step of the food chain or web and can potentially affect northerners who eat marine mammals near the top of the food chain. Pollutants respect no borders; transboundary pollution is the movement of contaminants across political borders, whether by air, rivers, or ocean currents. The eight circumpolar nations, led by the Finnish Initiative of 1989, established the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS) in which participants have agreed to develop an Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP). AMAP establishes an international scientific network to monitor the current condition of the Arctic with respect to specific contaminants. This monitoring program is extremely important because it will give a scientific basis for understanding the scope of the problem.

 

Paragraph G:

Arctic haze has been studied most extensively in Point Barrow, Alaska, across the Canadian Arctic, and in Svalbard (Norway). Evidence from ice cores drilled from the ice sheet of Greenland indicates that these haze particles were not always present in the Arctic but began to appear only in the last century. The Arctic haze particles appear to be similar to smog particles observed in industrial areas farther south, consisting mostly of sulfates mixed with particles of carbon. It is believed the particles are formed when gaseous sulfur dioxide produced by burning sulfur-bearing coal is irradiated by sunlight and oxidized to sulfate, a process catalyzed by trace elements in the air. These sulfate particles or droplets of sulfuric acid quickly capture the carbon particles, which are also floating in the air. Pure sulfate particles or droplets are colorless, so it is believed the darkness of the haze is caused by the mixed-in carbon particles.

2.

Contaminating The Arctic Reading Questions & Answers

Questions and Answers 1-5
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 1-5 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 in the passage

 

  1. Arctic pollution can sometimes resemble US urban pollution.
  2. The AEPS has set up scientific stations in the Arctic to monitor pollution
  3. Research has shown that aerosol arctic pollutants remain in the air indefinitely.
  4. Arctic conditions mean that the breakdown of pollutants is much accelerated.
  5. Pollution absorbed by Arctic algae can eventually affect humans.


 

Contaminating The Arctic Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)


 

Type of Question: True/False/Not Given
 

These types of questions involve choosing whether the statement is TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN  based on the given paragraph. 


 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Identify Keywords: Focus on key terms in the question and locate their synonyms in the passage.
  • Verify Information: Compare the statement with the passage’s details. If it aligns exactly, it’s True; if it contradicts, it’s False.
  • Look for Specifics: Ensure the passage explicitly supports or refutes the statement. If there’s no clear reference, it’s Not Given.
  • Check Passage Context: Read surrounding sentences for context. Sometimes, information is implied rather than directly stated.
  • Avoid Assumptions: Base answers strictly on the passage’s content, not on external knowledge or assumptions.


 

1. False


Reference: From Paragraph G, "Evidence from ice cores drilled from the ice sheet of Greenland indicates that these haze particles were not always present in the Arctic but began to appear only in the last century."
 

Explanation: The ice cores from Greenland reveal that Arctic haze particles started appearing only in the last century, indicating that they were not present before. This evidence shows that the Arctic haze is a recent phenomenon, which contradicts any suggestion that it has been present for a longer historical period.


 

2. True


Reference: From Paragraph C, "When the spring light arrives in the Arctic, there is a smog-like haze, which makes the region, at times, look like pollution over such cities as Los Angeles."
 

Explanation: The passage describes how, during the spring, the Arctic haze resembles smog, which is similar to pollution found in urban areas like Los Angeles. This comparison confirms that the appearance of Arctic haze can indeed be similar to that of urban pollution in the US, as the haze looks like smog commonly seen in polluted cities.

 

3. False


Reference: From Paragraph D, "It is known that they are removed somehow."

Explanation: The passage states that pollutants in the Arctic are eventually removed, although the exact method of removal is not detailed. This implies that aerosol pollutants do not stay in the air indefinitely, contradicting any claim that they remain suspended forever. The text indicates that there is some process by which these pollutants are eventually eliminated.

 

4. True


Reference: From Paragraph F, "The accumulation of these contaminants increases with each step of the food chain or web and can potentially affect northerners who eat marine mammals near the top of the food chain."
 

Explanation: The passage details how contaminants absorbed by algae increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. This accumulation can eventually affect humans who consume marine mammals, as these contaminants are magnified through each level of the food chain, ultimately impacting human health. This confirms that pollutants absorbed by Arctic algae can indeed have an effect on humans.

 

5. Not Given

 

Reference: The passage does not provide information about the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS) setting up scientific stations in the Arctic for monitoring pollution.
 

Explanation: There is no specific information provided in the passage about the AEPS setting up scientific stations to monitor Arctic pollution. The text does not address this aspect, so there is no basis for confirming or denying the establishment of such stations. Thus, the correct answer is "Not Given."

 

Also See: IELTS Academic 2024 Reading Resources

Questions and Answers 6-11
  • Fill in the blanks in the Arctic Haze summary below.
  • Fill in the blanks in boxes 6-11 on your response sheet with your answers from the box below the summary.
  • Example Answer ............................. that the origins of spring, arctic haze,

 

NB There are more words than spaces, so you will not use them at all

 

Theories
first seen over the ice cap...(eg) ______________________ that the origins of spring, arctic haze, first seen over the ice cap in the 1950s, came from far away were at first not (6) _______________ _______. This haze is a smog formed in the dark, arctic winter by pollution delivered to the Arctic by storms (7) ______________________ in Europe and Asia. It is known to be a recent phenomenon as proof from (8) ______________________ shows it only starting to occur in the 20th Century. The smog consists of sulfates and carbon, the latter creating the (9) ______________________ of the haze. Due to lack of research, the final destination of the pollution is unknown but it probably ends up in the (10) ______________________ and therefore into the food chain. Scientists are presently more worried about the (11) ______________________ effect it has on climate change. 

 

densityUnknowndarknessgassesaccepted
terribleoriginatingdissipatingairbirdlife
burningtheoriesdestroyingcertainvalid
decidedagricultureice coressea 

 

Contaminating The Arctic Reading Answers with Explanations (6-11)


 

Type of Question: Note Completion 

 

In the note completion questions, you need to carefully identify the missing information in the notes and locate corresponding details in the passage to complete the notes accurately.


 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Read Instructions Carefully: Ensure you understand how many words you can use and whether you need to complete each sentence with one word or a specific number of words.
  • Skim the Passage First: Quickly scan the passage to get a general idea of its content and structure before focusing on the specific questions.
  • Locate Key Information: Find the sentences or sections related to the note you need to complete. Keywords or phrases can guide you to the relevant parts of the text.
  • Match Context and Content: Make sure your answers fit the context and are consistent with the information in the passage. Avoid using answers that contradict the passage.
  • Review Your Answers: Double-check that your answers are spelt correctly and meet the word limit requirements specified in the instructions.


 

6. CERTAIN


Reference: From Paragraph C, "It was during this time that the term 'Arctic haze' was first used, referring to this smog of unknown origin."
 

Explanation: The term "Arctic haze" was introduced during a period when the origin of the haze was not known. This indicates that the source of the haze was not certain at that time, aligning with the use of the word "CERTAIN."

 

7. ORIGINATING


Reference: From Paragraph B, "It is now known that the contaminants originate largely from Europe and Asia."
 

Explanation: The passage specifies that contaminants found in the Arctic mainly come from Europe and Asia, indicating their primary source. The word "ORIGINATING" effectively captures this information.

 

8. ICE CORES

 

Reference: From Paragraph G, "Evidence from ice cores drilled from the ice sheet of Greenland indicates that these haze particles were not always present in the Arctic, but began to appear only in the last century."
 

Explanation: Ice cores from Greenland provided crucial evidence showing that Arctic haze particles started appearing only recently. This highlights the role of ice cores in determining the historical presence of Arctic haze.

 

9. DARKNESS

 

Reference: From Paragraph G, "Pure sulfate particles or droplets are colorless, so it is believed the darkness of the haze is caused by the mixed-in carbon particles."

 

Explanation: The passage explains that the haze's darkness is due to carbon particles mixed with colorless sulfate particles. This detailed explanation clarifies why the haze appears dark, supporting the answer "DARKNESS."

 

10. SEA


Reference: From Paragraph D, "There is a good degree of likelihood that the contaminants end up in the ocean, likely into the North Atlantic, the Norwegian Sea, and possibly the Bering Sea."
 

Explanation: The passage suggests that contaminants likely end up in various seas, including the North Atlantic, Norwegian Sea, and Bering Sea. This implies that the contaminants eventually reach the sea, aligning with the answer "SEA."

 

11. UNKNOWN

 

Reference: From Paragraph E, "The global impact of this is currently unknown but the implications are quite powerful."
 

Explanation: The passage explicitly states that the global impact of Arctic haze is not yet understood, despite its potentially significant effects. This makes "UNKNOWN" the correct answer regarding the current understanding of the global impact.

 

Check out the eligibility criteria for the IELTS 2024 Exam here!

Questions and Answers 12-13
  • Answer the questions below.
  • Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/ OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

 

12. During which era, the term “Arctic Haze” was firstly used?
13. Initially, what was the primary attribution for Arctic contamination?

 

Contaminating The Arctic Reading Answers with Explanations (12-13) 

 

Type of Question: Write no more than three words and/or a number 

 

To answer ‘Write no more than three words and/or a number’ questions, locate the relevant information in the passage, ensuring your answer is concise and directly matches the context without exceeding the word limit.


 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Identify Keywords: Find key terms or phrases in the question to locate the relevant section in the passage.
  • Read Carefully: Focus on the context around the keywords to ensure your answer is accurate and relevant.
  • Match the Format: Ensure your answer does not exceed the limit of three words or one number.
  • Use Passage Wording: Quote or paraphrase directly from the passage to ensure accuracy.
  • Check for Specificity: Verify that your answer aligns precisely with the information in the passage.


 

12. Springtime bands

 

Reference: From Paragraph C, "In the 1950s, during the springtime bands of haze were reported by pilots traveling on weather reconnaissance flights in the Canadian high Arctic."
 

Explanation: The term "Arctic haze" was first used during the observation of haze bands in the spring of the 1950s, which establishes the era when the term was introduced.


 

13. Chemical spills

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "Initially, chemical spills were primarily attributed for Arctic contamination."
 

Explanation: The passage initially attributes Arctic contamination to chemical spills before acknowledging other sources. This indicates that chemical spills were the primary cause at the outset.

 

Suggested Read: How to register for IELTS exam in 2024?
 

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FAQs

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test lasts 60 minutes. This time frame is allocated for reading three passages and answering a total of 40 questions. It's important to manage your time effectively to ensure you can read each passage thoroughly and respond to all questions within the given duration. Time management and practice are key to handling the reading section efficiently.
 


 

Q. How many passages are there in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test consists of three passages. These passages vary in length and complexity, each presenting a different type of text, such as descriptive, narrative, or argumentative. The passages cover a range of topics and require you to answer questions that test your comprehension, inference skills, and ability to understand detailed information from each passage.


 


 

Q. What types of questions are included in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test includes various question types, such as multiple-choice, true/false/not given, matching headings, and sentence completion. These questions assess different aspects of reading comprehension, including identifying main ideas, locating specific information, understanding the writer’s views, and completing sentences based on information from the passages. Each type requires careful reading and analytical skills to answer correctly.