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Delivering The Goods Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

In the IELTS Reading section, your reading comprehension skills are tested. Lasting for 60 minutes, this segment comprises three passages, each accompanied by a series of questions spanning various formats like multiple choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. Success here hinges on your ability to grasp key information, discern main ideas, and infer meaning from context.

 

To ace the IELTS Reading section, adopt effective reading strategies such as skimming for main ideas and scanning for specific details. Regular practice with sample questions and exposure to different question types will sharpen your skills for test day.

 

Prepare for an enlightening exploration of "Delivering The Goods," an insightful look into the logistics and transportation industry. Delve into the mechanisms, challenges, and innovations in the field through engaging passages and accompanying questions, enriching your understanding of how goods are efficiently moved across the globe.

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1. Delivering The Goods Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below. This approach can help manage time effectively during a reading comprehension activity or exam. 

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2. Delivering The Goods Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Delivering The Goods

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1.

Delivering The Goods 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.

 

 

 

 

Delivering the goods

 

The vast development of global trade owes greatly to a revolution in the movement of goods

 

Paragraph A 

International trade is increasing at an incredible rate. As the world economy expands by more than 3% a year, the volume of trade is doubling at a compound annual pace. Foreign commodities, from meat to machinery, play a vital role in every economy of the world, and foreign markets are now encouraging businesses that are less concerned about sales beyond their own borders.

 

Paragraph B

What is behind this explosion in international trade? The general global drop in trade sanctions such as customs responsibilities and import quotas is definitely an explanation. The financial start of countries that have traditionally been small players is another. But a force behind the import-export boom, the rapidly dropping price of transporting goods to market, has passed unnoticed. Theoretically, in the business world, shipping charges are not a bar. Goods are assumed to move from place to place as soon as they are made, without cost. However, the whole world is full of friction. Cheap labour can make Chinese clothing more competitive in the United States, but if delays in exports build-up current capital and bring winter coats into the spring, trade could lose its benefits.

 

Paragraph C

At the beginning of the 20th century, agriculture and production were the two most vital sectors almost everywhere, accounting for about 70% of GDP in Germany, Italy, and France and 40-50% in the United States, Britain, and Japan. Thus global trade was dominated by raw materials such as wheat, wood, and iron ore or processed products such as meat and steel. But these types of items are heavy and bulky and the expense of carrying them is relatively high.

 

Paragraph D

Countries still trade in proportion with their geographical neighbours. Yet, over time, global output has become a commodity whose value is irrelevant to its size and weight. Today, finished products dominate the trade flow, and thanks to technological advances such as lightweight components, manufactured products themselves become lighter and less bulky. As a consequence, less than one dollar worth of imports or exports is needed for transportation.

 

Paragraph E

To notice how this affects business, think about the business of creating disk drives for computers. Most disk drive production around the globe is focused in Southeast Asia. This is only viable because disk drives are valuable but little and lightweight and low-cost to ship. If computer manufacturers in Japan or Texas import drive from Singapore instead of buying them in the domestic market, they will not face large freight rates. Thus, distance is not a barrier to the globalisation of the disk drive industry.

 

Paragraph F

This is even more correct in the quick-growing information industries. Films and compact discs are less expensive to carry even on an aeroplane. Computer software can be 'exported' without being shipped, and by sending telephone links from one country to another, shipment paces and inventory-handling tables are important factors in determining where the product is manufactured. Businesses can find out based on other concerns such as labour availability while being less concerned about the cost of delivering their output.

 

Paragraph G

In many countries, deregulation has aided to drive the process. But behind the scenes, a series of technical innovations, widely known as containerization and intermodal transportation, led to fast productivity advancements in cargo handling. Forty years ago, the export or import process involved many stages of handling so that parts of the ship could be damaged or stolen along the way. The invention of the container crane made it possible to load and unload containers without capsizing, and the acceptance of common container sizes permitted any container to be carried on any vessel. By 1967, dual-purpose ships were loading loose cargo and deck containers, leading to all container ships moving thousands of boxes at once.

 

Paragraph H

Ship Container has transformed marine shipping into a highly efficient, extremely competitive business. But the arrival of cargo at the dock is a separate story. National governments, by and large, had a much stronger hand on truck and rail fares than on freight. However, this began to change in the mid-1970s, when the United States began to regulate its transportation industry. First the airlines, then the road hauliers and the railways, were released from the restrictions of what they could carry, where they could be towed, and what they could charge. For instance, between 1985 and 1996, freight railways in the United States dramatically lowered their employment and tracks, while raising the amount of freight they carried. Europe's railways, though small, have shown progress in productivity.

 

Paragraph I

In the United States, the period of great productivity profits in transportation may be almost over, but in most countries, this method still has a long way to go. The state ownership of railways and airlines, the regulation of freight rates, and the tolerance of anti-competitive practices such as freight handling monopolies all keep shipping costs unnecessarily high and prevent international trade. Reducing these barriers will help global economies develop even closer.

2.

Delivering The Goods Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Delivering The Goods

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • This reading passage has nine paragraphs, A–I.
  • Which paragraph contains the following information?
  • Write the correct letter, A-I, as your answer to each question.
Note: You may use any letter more than once.

 

 

1. Agriculture and production were the two most vital sectors almost everywhere.

2. The volume of trade is doubling at a compound annual pace as the world economy expands by more than 3% a year.

3. The financial start of countries that have traditionally been small players is another.

4. Cheap labour can make Chinese clothing more competitive in the United States.

5. Foreign markets are now encouraging businesses that are less concerned about sales beyond their own borders.

 

 

Delivering The Goods Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

Question Type: Matching Information to Paragraphs

 

In this question type, you are required to locate specific information within the reading passage and match it to the appropriate paragraph. The information may include facts, details, examples, explanations, or reasons.

 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Carefully read the instructions to know exactly what you are looking for.
  • Identify keywords in the statements you need to match.
  • Skim the passage to get a general idea of the content and structure.
  • Consider the context around the keywords to ensure the information matches the statement.
  • Don’t spend too much time on a single question. Move on if you’re unsure and return later if you have time.

 

 

1. Paragraph C

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

At the beginning of the 20th century, agriculture and production were the two most vital sectors almost everywhere, accounting for about 70% of GDP in Germany, Italy, and France and 40-50% in the United States, Britain, and Japan.
 

Explanation

This line directly mentions the significance of agriculture and production in various countries at the start of the 20th century, making it the right answer.


 

2. Paragraph A

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A

As the world economy expands by more than 3% a year, the volume of trade is doubling at a compound annual pace.

 

Explanation

This line states the relationship between the expanding world economy and the doubling volume of trade, which directly answers the question.


 

3. Paragraph B

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B

The financial start of countries that have traditionally been small players is another. But a force behind the import-export boom, the rapidly dropping price of transporting goods to market, has passed unnoticed.

 

Explanation

This line explains how the financial start of traditionally small countries contributes to the boom in international trade, addressing the question directly.


 

4. Paragraph B

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B

Cheap labour can make Chinese clothing more competitive in the United States, but if delays in exports build-up current capital and bring winter coats into the spring, trade could lose its benefits.

 

Explanation

This line discusses the impact of cheap labour on the competitiveness of Chinese clothing in the U.S., directly answering the question about cheap labour.


 

5. Paragraph A

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A

Foreign commodities, from meat to machinery, play a vital role in every economy of the world, and foreign markets are now encouraging businesses that are less concerned about sales beyond their own borders.

 

Explanation

This line highlights the role of foreign markets in encouraging businesses to focus less on domestic sales, making it the correct answer for the question.

Questions and Answers 6-9
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
Based on your understanding of the passage, mark the statement:

  • TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
  • FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
  • NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

 

 

6. Global output has become a commodity whose value is irrelevant to its size and weight.

7. More than one dollar worth of imports or exports is needed for transportation.

8. Mini computer and laptop components are made in Germany.

9. Distance is a barrier to the globalisation of the disk drive industry.

 

Delivering The Goods Answers with Explanations (6-9)

 

Type of question: True/False/Not Given

 

In this task, you are presented with a statement, and your task is to determine if it agrees with the information in the passage (True), contradicts the information in the passage (False), or if there is insufficient information in the passage to decide (not given).

 

How to best answer:

 

  • Understand the missing information outlined in the summary.
  • Identify key terms and phrases from the summary in the main passage to locate the missing words.
  • Ensure that the words you select from the passage match the context provided in the summary.
  • Finalise your answers by confirming that the chosen words accurately complete the missing parts of the summary.


 

6. Yes

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D 

Yet, over time, global output has become a commodity whose value is irrelevant to its size and weight.

 

Explanation

This line directly states that the value of global output is now independent of its size and weight, confirming the statement.


 

7. No

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D 

As a consequence, less than one dollar worth of imports or exports is needed for transportation.
 

Explanation

This line indicates that less than one dollar is required for the transportation of imports or exports, contradicting the statement.


 

8. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph 

The particular statement is not mentioned in the reading passage by the writer.

 

Explanation

There is no information in the passage about mini computer and laptop components being made in Germany.


 

9. No

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E

If computer manufacturers in Japan or Texas import drive from Singapore instead of buying them in the domestic market, they will not face large freight rates. Thus, distance is not a barrier to the globalisation of the disk drive industry.
 

Explanation

This line clearly states that distance does not impede the globalisation of the disk drive industry, refuting the statement.

Questions and Answers 10-13
  • Complete the summary below.
  • Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

 

 

10) __________ and compact discs are less expensive to carry even on an aeroplane. Businesses can find out based on other concerns such as labour availability while being less concerned about the 11) ________ of delivering their output. The export or import process involved many stages of handling so that parts of the ship could be damaged or stolen along the way, 12) ____________ ago.  Europe's railways, though small, have shown progress in 13)  ______________. 

 

Delivering The Goods Answers with Explanations (10-13)

 

Type of Question: Summary Completion

 

Summary completion questions provide a summary of part of the reading passage with several blanks. Your task is to fill in these blanks with appropriate words or phrases from the passage. The summary may cover a whole passage or a part of it, focusing on key points and main ideas.

 

How to best answer this question:

 

  • Quickly skim the passage to get an idea of its main ideas and structure.
  • Focus on keywords in the summary and look for them or their synonyms in the passage.
  • Carefully read the instructions to know the word limit and any specific guidelines.
  • Identify the part of the passage related to the summary. This often involves scanning for keywords or phrases.
  • Ensure the words you choose fit grammatically and contextually within the summary.
  • After filling in the blanks, review the summary to ensure it makes sense and adheres to the word limit.

 

 

10. Films

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F 

Films and compact discs are less expensive to carry, even on an aeroplane.
 

Explanation

This line explicitly mentions that films and compact discs are less expensive to carry, directly answering the question.


 

11. Cost

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F

Businesses can find out based on other concerns such as labour availability while being less concerned about the cost of delivering their output.

 

Explanation

This line indicates that businesses are less concerned about the cost of delivering their output, making "cost" the correct answer.


 

12. Forty years

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph G

Forty years ago, the export or import process involved many stages of handling so that parts of the ship could be damaged or stolen along the way.
 

Explanation

This line states that forty years ago, the export or import process involved many stages of handling, leading to potential damage or theft.


 

13. productivity

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph H

Europe's railways, though small, have shown progress in productivity.
 

Explanation

This line notes that Europe's railways have shown progress in productivity, providing the correct term for the summary.

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FAQs

Q. What are some common misconceptions about the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Common misconceptions include the belief that you need to understand every word in the passage, read the entire passage thoroughly, or that the questions are always straightforward. In reality, you can use skimming and scanning strategies, and questions often require critical thinking and inference.

Q. Are there any specific resources recommended for improving reading skills for the IELTS?

Ans. Yes, use resources such as Project Gutenberg for classic literature, Medium for contemporary articles, and apps like Kindle or Goodreads for a variety of reading materials. Practice comprehension exercises on websites like Khan Academy and Newsela to improve your reading proficiency.

Q. How important is vocabulary in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Vocabulary is crucial in the IELTS Reading test as it helps you understand the passage and answer questions accurately. Focus on learning academic and topic-specific vocabulary, and practice using context clues to deduce the meaning of unfamiliar.