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The Impact Of Wilderness Tourism Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

The IELTS Reading section is designed to evaluate your reading comprehension skills. In this section, you'll encounter a variety of texts, ranging from newspaper articles to academic papers, each followed by a set of questions designed to assess your ability to understand, interpret, and analyse written information.
 

The passage about “Impact Of Wilderness Tourism” explores the consequences of the growing trend of wilderness tourism on natural environments and local communities. This thought-provoking text delves into the complex interplay between economic development, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation in regions attracting tourists seeking remote and untouched landscapes.

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1. The Impact Of Wilderness Tourism 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. The Impact Of Wilderness Tourism Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Impact Of Wilderness Tourism

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1.

The Impact Of Wilderness Tourism 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.

 

 

 

 

 The Impact Of Wilderness Tourism Reading Passage


 

 

Paragraph A

The tourism industry In rural locations is booming like never before. Mountains, Arctic territories, deserts, small islands, and wetlands are just a few of the 'wilderness' places that countries all over the world are pushing to high-spending tourists. The attraction of these regions is obvious.- by definition, wilderness tourism demands little or no upfront expenditure. But that does not mean that there is no expense. As the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development recognised, these places are fragile (i.e. very subject to abnormal stresses) not simply in terms of their ecosystem but also in terms of the culture of their inhabitants. The three major categories of fragile environments in this regard, as well as the proportion of the Earth's surface they cover, are deserts, mountains, and Arctic areas. An essential aspect is their significant seasonality, with harsh circumstances prevailing for many months each year. As a result, most forms of human activity, such as tourism, are restricted to specific times of year.

 

Paragraph B

Tourists are drawn to these locations by their natural scenic beauty and the unique traditions of their indigenous people. And poor governments in these distant locations have welcomed the new kind of ‘adventure tourist’, appreciative of the hard dollar they bring. Nepal and Bhutan have relied heavily on tourism as a source of foreign currency for several years. Arctic regions like Lapland and Alaska, as well as desert regions like Ayers Rock in Australia and Monument Valley in Arizona, rely heavily on tourists to support their economies.

 

Paragraph C

The local population will be drastically altered once a certain area becomes a popular tourist destination. It's hardly surprising that many hill farmers leave their farm work to other members of the family when, for example, they can make more money in a few weeks working as porters for foreign trekkers than they can in a year working on their fields. Due to a lack of labour to keep up terraces and irrigation systems and tend to crops, agricultural productivity has dropped drastically in several hill regions, altering the local cuisine. As a result, many residents of these areas have begun relying on food aid from elsewhere, particularly on rice imports.

 

Paragraph D

Traditional year-round subsistence in Arctic and desert communities has relied on a relatively limited season of hunting animals and fish and collecting fruit. Yet other locals' increased involvement in tourism has left them with less time to forage, leading to a growing reliance on commercially produced foods and supermarkets. Sometimes, locals or residents are responsible for these shifts, and not tourists. Any form of paid labour or government handouts has the potential to destabilise established social structures and ways of life. No matter the root cause, the question remains the same: what would happen if these supplementary revenue streams disappear?

 

Paragraph E

Another major issue with expansion is the strain that tourists put on infrastructure. When engaging in extreme tourism. The necessity to serve tourists with cooked food and hot showers has resulted in a lot of deforestation and has had an influence on water resources, but erosion along key paths has gotten a lot more press. Both mountainous regions and arid regions rely heavily on fuel wood from slow-growing trees since water sources may be scarce or depleted due to high demand.

 

Paragraph F

Numerous news reports and personal accounts have surfaced in recent years detailing the many negative aspects of the tourism industry. However, that is not necessarily an issue. There will always be some negative impact from tourists, but it is possible to lessen the blow to already vulnerable ecosystems and local traditions. As with the Sherpas of Nepal's Khumbu Valley and other Alpine settlements, tourism can even serve as a means of revitalising indigenous traditions. And an increasing number of adventure tourism businesses are working to guarantee that their operations have a positive long-term impact on the local community and environment.

 

Paragraph G

Locals in the Swiss Alps have recognised the need of incorporating tourism into the regional economy. As a result of locals' worries about the proliferation of second-home communities in the Swiss Pays d'Enhaut, the expansion of such projects has been restricted. The making of cheese in communities has also seen a resurgence. In the region, giving inhabitants a steady income that doesn't hinge on tourists.

 

Paragraph H

Outside corporations have abused many Arctic tourist hotspots, hiring seasonal workers and sending most of the money back to their home countries. However, some Arctic towns are taking matters into their own hands by running tour enterprises. A good illustration of this would be an Alaskan native-owned and -operated business. It is operating a flight from Anchorage to Kotzebue, where visitors may sample Arctic fare, see the tundra, and take in a performance of traditional music and dance.

 

Paragraph I

Peoples of the Continent of the Americas Similar techniques have been implemented in the American Southwest's desert regions, where artisans and craftspeople work hard to attract tourists to their pueblos and reservations so that they can sell their wares. The pottery industries of the Acoma and San ildefonso pueblos are quite successful with jewellery, while those of the Navajo and Hopi are equally so.

 

Paragraph J

Too many vulnerable communities have seen tourism threaten their economies, cultures, and landscapes, leading to a loss of authority over all three. The problem of imbalance cannot be solved by merely limiting tourism, as people will always have a desire to explore the world. Instead, communities in vulnerable ecosystems need to gain more sway over tourist projects in their areas so that they can meet their own goals without sacrificing those of visitors. With strong communal decision-making, more and more communities are showing that this is achievable. This raises the crucial question of whether or not this can become the norm rather than the exception.

2.

The Impact Of Wilderness Tourism Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Impact Of Wilderness Tourism

Questions and Answers 1-6
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet, write

  • YES if the statement agrees with the information given
  • NO if the statement contradicts the information given
  • NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this

 

 

1. Because of the cheap financial cost of offering wilderness tourism, it is appealing to many governments.
 

2. Deserts, mountains, and Arctic areas are examples of biologically and culturally sensitive habitats.
 

3. Wilderness tourism is available all year in sensitive locations.
 

4. The increase in tourists in certain highland regions has reduced the amount of food produced locally.
 

5. Food gathering in desert communities was spread equitably throughout the year.
 

6. Government subsidies harm traditional food-gathering practices more than tourism.

 

 

The Impact Of Wilderness Tourism Reading Answers with Explanations (1-6)

 

Type of question: Yes/No/Not Given(True/False/Not Given)

 

In this question type, you are required to determine whether the statements provided agree with, contradict, or are not mentioned in the reading passage. 

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Understand what information is being presented and what is being asked.
  • Find relevant information in the reading passage that relates to the statement.
  • Determine if the statement agrees with, contradicts, or is not mentioned in the passage.
  • If the information is not explicitly provided in the passage, select 'Not Given' rather than making assumptions.
  • Base your answers solely on the information presented in the passage, avoiding personal opinions or outside knowledge.

 

 

1. Yes

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph A: "The attraction of these regions is obvious.- by definition, wilderness tourism demands little or no upfront expenditure."
 

Explanation

The statement aligns with the passage as it emphasizes the appeal of wilderness tourism due to its low financial cost, which governments find attractive.


 

2. Yes

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph A: "The three most major categories of fragile environment in this regard, and also in terms of the proportion of the Earth's surface they cover, are deserts, mountains and Arctic areas."

 

Explanation

The statement agrees with the writer's opinion as it acknowledges deserts, mountains, and Arctic areas as biologically and culturally sensitive habitats.


 

3. No

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph A:  "As a result, most forms of human activity, such as tourism, are restricted to specific times of the year."
 

Explanation

The statement contradicts the writer's opinion. The passage explicitly states that most forms of human activity, including tourism, are restricted to specific times of the year in sensitive locations.


 

4. Yes

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph C: "Due to a lack of labour to keep up terraces and irrigation systems and tend to crops, agricultural productivity has dropped drastically in several hill regions, altering the local cuisine."

 

Explanation

This statement reflects the writer's opinion as it highlights the negative impact of increased tourism on food production in certain highland regions.


 

5. No

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph D: "Traditional year-round subsistence in Arctic and desert communities has relied on a relatively limited season of hunting animals and fish and collecting fruit."
 

Explanation

The statement contradicts the writer's opinion. The passage indicates that traditional food gathering in desert communities relied on a relatively limited season.


 

6. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph: N.A.

 

Explanation

The passage doesn't provide a clear opinion on whether government subsidies harm traditional food-gathering practices more than tourism. Therefore, the writer's opinion on this statement is not given.

Questions and Answers 7-10
  • Complete the table below.
  • Choose ONE WORD from the Reading Passage for each answer.
  • Write your answers in boxes 7-10 on your answer sheet.

 

 

The positive ways In which some local communities have responded to tourism


 

People/Location

Activity

Swiss Pays d'Enhaut

Arctic communities

Acoma and San ildefonso

Navajo and Hopi

Revived production of 7.___________

Operate 8.__________  businesses

Produce and sell 9.____________ 

Produce and sell 10.____________

 

 

The Impact Of Wilderness Tourism Reading Answers with Explanations (7-10)

 

Type of question: Completing a table

 

Under this task, you are required to fill in missing information in a table based on the information provided in the passage. These questions typically appear as part of the matching information or summary completion tasks.

 

How to answer: 

 

  • Quickly skim the passage for the main idea and relevant details.
  • Note keywords or headings in the table to place missing information.
  • Read surrounding sentences carefully for specific details.
  • Use accurate and grammatically correct information from the passage.
  • Verify and finalise your answers.


 

7. Cheese

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph G: "The making of cheese in communities has also seen a resurgence."

 

Explanation

The resurgence of cheese-making in Swiss Pays d'Enhaut is mentioned in paragraph G as a positive response to tourism, providing locals with a steady income that doesn't rely solely on tourists.


 

8. Tour

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph H: However, some Arctic towns are taking matters into their own hands by running tour enterprises.
 

Explanation

Arctic communities operate tour businesses, as stated in paragraph H, which demonstrate a proactive response to tourism by taking control of the tourism industry themselves.


 

9. Pottery

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph I: "The pottery industries of the Acoma and San Ildefonso pueblos are quite successful with jewellery, while those of the Navajo and Hopi are equally so."
 

Explanation

The successful pottery industries of the Acoma and San Ildefonso pueblos, as well as those of the Navajo and Hopi, are highlighted in paragraph I, indicating a positive response to tourism through the production and sale of pottery.


 

10. Jewellery

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph I: “The pottery industries of the Acoma and San Ildefonso Pueblos are quite successful with jewellery, while those of the Navajo and Hopi are equally so.”
 

Explanation

The successful production and sale of jewellery by the Navajo and Hopi communities, as mentioned in paragraph I, reflect a positive response to tourism, providing economic opportunities for locals.

Questions and Answers 11-13
  • Reading Passage has three sections: A-C.
  • Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below.
  • Write the correct number i-vi in boxes 11-15 on your answer sheet.

 

 

List of Headings

 

I. In recent years, there has been an increase in international tourism.

II. How can local communities strike a balance between their own needs and the demands of wilderness tourism?

III. Fragile regions and the motives for tourism expansion

IV. Traditional food-supply strategies in vulnerable regions

V. Some of the negative consequences of wilderness tourism

VI. The Economic Advantages of Mass Tourism


 

11.  Section A

12.  Section B

13.  Section C

 

 

The Impact Of Wilderness Tourism Reading Answers with Explanations (11-13)

 

Type of question: Matching Headings

 

In this question type, you will be asked to choose the correct heading for each paragraph from a list of headings provided. This type of question assesses your ability to understand the main idea or theme of each paragraph.

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Familiarise yourself with the list of headings before reading the paragraphs. This helps you know what to look for.
  • Identify the main idea or theme of each paragraph by looking for topic sentences or recurring themes.
  • Find keywords or phrases that are similar to those in the headings. This can help you make connections.
  • Eliminate incorrect options that don't match any paragraphs to narrow down your choices.
  • Skim and Scan each paragraph efficiently to get a context about the content.


 

11. III

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph A: "As the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development recognised, these places are fragile (i.e. very subject to abnormal stresses) not simply in terms of their ecosystem but also in terms of the culture of their inhabitants."
 

Explanation

Paragraph A discusses the fragility of wilderness regions, highlighting the environmental and cultural sensitivity of these areas, which aligns with the motives for tourism expansion.


 

12. V

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph C: "The local population will be drastically altered once a certain area becomes a popular tourist destination."
 

Explanation

Paragraph C discusses the negative consequences of wilderness tourism, particularly the alteration of local populations and their traditional ways of life due to the influx of tourists.


 

13. II

 

Reference:

 

From paragraph J: "Instead, communities in vulnerable ecosystems need to gain more sway over tourist projects in their areas so that they can meet their own goals without sacrificing those of visitors."
 

Explanation

Paragraph J addresses how local communities can strike a balance between their own needs and the demands of wilderness tourism by gaining control over tourist projects to align with their goals without compromising visitors' interests.

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FAQs

Q. What is the minimum preparation time required for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Allocate at least four weeks to prepare for the IELTS reading test. This time frame will give you enough time to improve your reading skills, learn new vocabulary, practice with sample tests, and perfect your skimming and scanning techniques. Keep in mind that the preparation duration may vary depending on your current level of English proficiency and how familiar you are with the test format.

Q. How can I score better on my IELTS Reading test?

Ans. To score better on the IELTS reading exam, you need to manage your time well, be good at quickly getting the main ideas and finding specific details, improve your vocabulary, be accurate, practice regularly using sample tests, and read different kinds of texts. Getting a high score depends on preparing regularly and seriously.

Q. Is the IELTS Reading test difficult to score?

Ans. The IELTS reading test can be challenging depending on your English skills and familiarity with the test format. It includes diverse texts and has time constraints. However, with thorough preparation and practice, you can improve your skills and achieve a high score.