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The Motor Car Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial part of the IELTS exam, designed to test your ability to understand and interpret written English. 

 

This section presents a variety of texts, ranging from straightforward factual information to complex analytical discussions, ensuring a thorough evaluation of your reading skills. The section comprises 40 questions across three passages, making time management essential.

 

Key Highlights of the Reading Section:

 

  • You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions.
  • The passages are carefully selected from authentic sources like books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. This approach prepares you for real-world reading and covers various topics.

 

The passage ‘Motor Car’ is popularly used for IELTS Reading preparation. This passage discusses the increasing number of automobiles worldwide and the resulting problems such as pollution, traffic congestion, and safety concerns. 
 

It highlights the historical context, current challenges, and potential solutions, including urban planning, technological improvements, and better transportation system integration, especially focusing on the disparity between developed and developing countries.
 

Let’s dive in to Motor Car Reading answers in detail! 

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1. Motor Car 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. Motor Car Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Motor Car

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1.

Motor Car 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.

 

 

 

 

Motor Car Reading Passage


 

Paragraph A: With the number increasing at a rate of about 40 million per year, there are currently over 700 million automobiles on the road worldwide. The average distance travelled by car users is increasing rapidly in Western Europe, from 8 km per person per day in 1965 to 25 km per day in 1995. This reliance on cars has led to big problems like pollution, running out of oil, traffic jams, and safety.

 

Paragraph B: New vehicle emissions are substantially less harmful than they were previously, but metropolitan streets and highways are becoming more congested with people than ever, with many older trucks, buses, and taxis spewing excessive amounts of smoke and fumes. Because of the high number of automobiles in urban areas, the air quality is sometimes unpleasant and even hazardous to breathe. Even Moscow has joined the list of capital cities suffering from traffic congestion and pollution. Vehicle pollution is a major health concern in Mexico City.

 

Paragraph C: Prior to a hundred years ago, most excursions were limited to a distance of 20 kilometres, which was conveniently traversable by horse. Heavy cargo could only be transported by water or rail. The introduction of the automobile provided personal mobility to the masses while also facilitating freight distribution over a far broader area. In the United Kingdom, approximately 90% of inland freight is now transported by road. The world cannot, obviously, return to horse-drawn carriages. Is it possible to move people and things without relying on congested and polluting modes of transportation?

 

Paragraph D: The majority of European cities are still designed for antiquated modes of transportation. Adapting to the motor car has necessitated the addition of ring roads, a one-way network system, and parking lots. The land allocated to automobiles is considerably more than houses in the United States. Due to urban development, life without a vehicle is nearly impossible. Moreover, many people have been killed or injured due to the widespread use of motors. Other societal repercussions attributed to the automobile include alienation and aggressive human behaviour.

 

Paragraph E: According to a 1993 study by the European Federation for Transport and Environment, car transportation is seven times more expensive than rail travel in terms of external social costs such as congestion, accidents, pollution, loss of farmland and natural habitats, depletion of energy resources, and so on. Vehicles readily outperform trains and buses as a flexible and convenient mode of personal transportation. It is unrealistic to expect people to give up their cars and rely solely on public transportation.

 

Paragraph F: Emissions can be reduced as well as the fuel efficiency of engines can be improved with the use of technical solutions. However, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are contingent on client preference and driving style. Many individuals choose cars that are too large for their daily needs or squander fuel by driving recklessly. In addition, the worldwide car population is expanding at a faster rate than the reduction in pollutants and improvement in fuel economy that modern technology makes possible.

 

Paragraph G: One proposed solution is the long-term option of constructing cities and neighbourhoods that minimise the need for car travel by placing all needed services within walking distance or within easy reach of public transportation. This would not only save energy and cut carbon dioxide emissions, but it would also improve the quality of community life by placing a greater emphasis on people rather than automobiles. This is already a reality in some locations due to the presence of competent municipal governments. Few democratic societies, on the other hand, have the foresight and financial resources to implement such significant changes in the way people live.

 

Paragraph H: A combination of mass transportation systems for travel into and around cities, small "low emission" autos for urban use, and bigger hybrid or lean-burn automobiles for use elsewhere is the most likely scenario. To ensure that drivers pay fees commensurate to their actual road usage, electronic toll roads can be employed. Better transportation system integration is also very desirable, and modern computers have made this possible. These are, however, remedies for countries with the financial means to implement them. In most developing countries, people still drive old cars and use old technology. 

2.

Motor Car Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Motor Car

Questions and Answers 1-6
  • The passage has eight paragraphs A-H.
  • Which paragraphs concentrate on the following information?
  • Write the appropriate letters A-H in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet.
  • Choose only one letter for each answer.

 

 

1. a comparison of past and present transportation methods

 

2. how driving habits contribute to road problems

 

3. the relative merits of cars and public transport

 

4. the writer’s own prediction of future solutions

 

5. the increasing use of motor vehicles

 

6. the impact of the car on city development

 

 

Motor Car Reading Answers with Explanations (1- 6) 

 

Type of question: Matching Features

 

In this task, you're presented with a list of items or features and a passage containing descriptions or characteristics. Your objective is to match each item or feature with the corresponding description or characteristic in the passage.
 

How to best answer:
 

  • Understand the key attributes or characteristics of each item or feature in the list.
  • Thoroughly read the descriptions or characteristics provided in the passage.
  • Match each item or feature with the description or characteristic that best corresponds to it.
  • Pay attention to specific details or keywords that indicate a match between the item and its description.
  • Verify your selections to ensure that each item or feature is accurately paired with its corresponding description or characteristic.

 

 

1. C

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C "Prior to a hundred years ago, most excursions were limited to a distance of 20 kilometres, which was conveniently traversable by horse."

 

Explanation: Paragraph C clearly differentiates today's transport system from that of 100 years before and how goods were transported from one place to another then and now.


 

2. F

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F "fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are contingent on client preference and driving style."

 

Explanation: Paragraph F mentions that fuel consumption and exhaust emissions depend on client preference and driving style, highlighting how reckless driving habits contribute to road problems.


 

3. E

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E "car transportation is seven times more expensive than rail travel in terms of external social costs such as congestion, accidents, pollution, loss of farmland and natural habitats, depletion of energy resources, and so on."

 

Explanation: Paragraph E highlights the advantages of public transport over private cars, noting benefits like reduced traffic congestion, accidents, and pollution.


 

4. H

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph H "A combination of mass transportation systems for travel into and around cities, small 'low emission' autos for urban use, and bigger hybrid or lean-burn automobiles for use elsewhere is the most likely scenario."

 

Explanation: In Paragraph H, the writer predicts future solutions, including a combination of mass transportation systems, low emission cars for urban use, and larger hybrid vehicles for other areas.


 

5. A

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A "With the number increasing at a rate of about 40 million per year, there are currently over 700 million automobiles on the road worldwide."

 

Explanation: Paragraph A clearly states the exponential growth of motor vehicles over the years and their continuous increase in number to the present day.


 

6. D

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D "Adapting to the motor car has necessitated the addition of ring roads, a one-way network system, and parking lots."

 

Explanation: Paragraph D outlines the impact of cars on city development, detailing how cities have adapted by adding ring roads, one-way systems, and parking lots.

Questions and Answers 7-10
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 7-11 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

 

 

6. Vehicle pollution is worse in European cities than anywhere else.

 

7. Transport by horse would be a useful alternative to motor vehicles.

 

8. Most European cities were not designed for motor vehicles.

 

9. Redesigning cities would be a short-term solution.


 

Motor Car Reading Answers with Explanation (7- 10)

 

Type of question: Yes/No/Not Given

 

This task involves evaluating a statement against the passage to determine if it's supported (Yes), contradicted (No), or if there's insufficient information (Not Given).
 

How to best answer:
 

  • Grasp the missing information indicated in the summary.
  • Spot key terms and phrases in the summary within the passage to locate relevant information.
  • Confirm that the information chosen from the passage aligns with the context provided in the summary.
  • Finalize your answers by ensuring coherence with the passage.


 

7. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Not Available

 

Explanation: It is not given as the statement has no reference in the passage.


 

8. No

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C "In the United Kingdom, approximately 90% of inland freight is now transported by road."

 

Explanation: The writer compares past and present transport systems, noting that most inland freight in the UK is now transported by road, unlike in the past.


 

9. Yes

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D "The majority of European cities are still designed for antiquated modes of transportation."

 

Explanation: Paragraph D explains that European cities are designed for older transportation modes but have added infrastructure like ring roads and parking lots to accommodate modern vehicles.


 

10. No

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph G "One proposed solution is the long-term option of constructing cities and neighbourhoods that minimise the need for car travel."

 

Explanation: The writer argues that designing cities to reduce the need for cars and encourage public transport use can help cut harmful emissions, contrary to relying on current layouts that favour car use.

Questions and Answers 11-13
  • Answer the questions below.
  • Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/ OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

 

 

11. In terms of external societal costs, how many times more expensive was automobile travel than rail travel?

 

12. Which mode of transportation was employed to convey large freight one hundred years ago?

 

13. How much inland freight was transported by road in the United Kingdom?


 

Motor Car Reading Answers with Explanations (11- 13)

 

Type of question: Short Answer Questions 
 

Short answer questions in the IELTS Reading section task require brief, precise responses typically limited to just a few words or a short phrase. These questions serve to evaluate a your ability to locate specific details within the text and comprehend nuanced information. 

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Spot keywords in the question.
  • Scan for the relevant part in the passage.
  • Read nearby sentences for context.
  • Pinpoint the exact answer.
  • Ensure responses adhere to the word limit.


 

11. Seven or 7

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E "According to a 1993 study by the European Federation for Transport and Environment, car transportation is seven times more expensive than rail travel in terms of external social costs such as congestion, accidents, pollution, loss of farmland and natural habitats, depletion of energy resources, and so on." 

 

Explanation: The statement directly corresponds to the provided answer, emphasizing the significant cost difference between car transportation and rail travel, as outlined in the paragraph.


 

12. Water or rail

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C "Heavy cargo could only be transported by water or rail." 

 

Explanation: The paragraph explicitly mentions that heavy cargo was solely transportable via water or rail, aligning perfectly with the provided answer options of "Water or rail."


 

13. 90% or percentage

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C "In the United Kingdom, approximately 90% of inland freight is now transported by road." 

 

Explanation: The statement reflects the content of the paragraph, which discusses the significant percentage of inland freight transportation being conducted via road in the United Kingdom, thereby indicating that the correct answer is "90% or percentage."

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FAQs

Q. Can I cancel or reschedule my IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Yes, you can reschedule your IELTS test. However, it’s important to note that you cannot reschedule the Reading module alone. You must reschedule the entire IELTS test if needed. You can do this through the official IELTS IDP India website.

Q. Is there a negative marking in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. No, the IELTS Reading test does not have a negative marking system. You receive one mark for each correct answer and zero marks for incorrect answers. Since there are no penalties for wrong answers, it is advisable to attempt all questions to maximise your score.

Q. Will I lose marks for punctuation mistakes in my IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Yes, punctuation mistakes will result in a loss of marks in the IELTS Reading test. As an assessment of language proficiency, the IELTS exam considers punctuation, spelling, tense usage, vocabulary, and grammar crucial for evaluating your language skills. Be mindful of these details to avoid losing marks.