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The True Cost Of Food 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 rigorously tested. Lasting for 60 minutes, this segment comprises three passages, each accompanied by a series of questions in various formats like multiple choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. Success in this section 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 "The True Cost of Food," an insightful look into the hidden expenses behind food production and consumption. Delve into the economic, environmental, and social factors that contribute to the real price we pay for our food. Through engaging passages and accompanying questions, enrich your understanding of the complexities and challenges in the global food system and how they impact our world.

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1. The True Cost Of Food 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 True Cost Of Food Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The True Cost Of Food

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1.

The True Cost Of Food 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 True Cost Of Food Reading Passage


 

 

Paragraph A 

The cost of food has increased over the last forty years. It has reached an extent where people across the globe started to think that the cost of food is expensive, and it is not easy to bring it down in the twenty-first century. However, the cost of food will not be included in a cash transaction. When we look at the West, most food products are cheaper now than in the past. The cost of food in 1960 was not the same as now. The cost reduction results in collateral damage while food production has made the food cost less expensive, inclusive of water pollution, soil degradation, the deterioration of wildlife, the damage to animal well-being and finally, the threat to human health caused mainly by modern agricultural practices.

 

Paragraph B

The initial step was mechanisation, followed by a large number of chemical fertilisers and pesticides used, then came the monocultures, then livestock rearing, and ultimately, genetic engineering is the current trend. This continuous intensive farming seems to be impossible to stop as it's been going on for the last five decades, and the crop yields of produce have increased exponentially. Apparently, the damage caused might be huge. In the UK, for instance, some of the beautiful farmland birds, like the skylark, the lapwing, the grey partridge, and the corn bunting, have disappeared from the countryside along the stretches, just like the wildflowers and insects. This transition is due to the fact that our food has been produced in the last forty years. Thousands of km of hedgerows and thousands of tons of water vanished from the Earth's landscape. Beyond that, salmon farming has made wild salmon run from different parts of the ocean lochs and rivers of Ireland and Scotland. The most dangerous thing is the depletion of natural soil fertility in many parts of the world due to persistent industrial fertiliser and extensive consumption of pesticide for agriculture, while the development of algae is rapidly growing in lakes because of the fertiliser run-off. 

 

Paragraph C

When we put everything together, it more or less looks like a war zone, however people as consumers hardly make the connection in the dining area. We reached this state of place due to the costs of all damage we made and this is what economists call externalities. It means, they occurred from the outside transaction, for instance, cultivating and giving a field of wheat to a buyer, that is directed by neither farmers nor consumers. For certain community people, it may not even appear to be financial at all, but just aesthetic. And it is nothing but a shameful act, where there is nothing to do with financial aspects. Nevertheless, consumers are not paying for what they eat, are they?

 

Paragraph D

The cost and price paid to the society are quantifiable and, when it is added up to the overall cost, it becomes a huge amount. To do this, an excellent way was found by Professor Jules Pretty, one of the leading thinkers related to agriculture. He is the Director of the Centre for Environment and Society at the University of Essex. Meanwhile, Professor Pretty and his peer groups estimated the external factors of British agriculture for one specific year. In the process, they summed up the costs of repairing the damage it created and ended up with nearly an amount of 2,456 million euros. This is equivalent to 220 euros for each hectare of land that is arable and permanent pasture, almost as much again as the full government sector and the EU offers financial assistance for British farming in the same year. And analysing all the above factors, it is clear that it was a conservative prediction as told by Professor Pretty.

 

Paragraph E

The costs involved: 16.5 million euros for cleaning off nitrates; 57 million euros for removing phosphates and unwanted soil; 126 million euros for rebuilding habitats for wildlife animals; 24 million for eradicating bug cryptosporidium mainly from drinking water that is done by commercial companies that make clean water. 122 million euros for removing pesticides; 1115 million euros for reducing gas emissions that lead to severe climate change and climatic conditions; 108 million euros for the erosion of soil and the loss of organic carbon; 176 million euros for preventing food poisoning; finally 609 million euros for treating cattle disease. Thus, Professor Pretty gives a simple yet powerful conclusion from the above is that our food bills are threefold by now. At present, we are paying three different taxes to get our food that is supposed to be cheap. Meanwhile, it will provide more subsidy support to develop intensive farming in modern terms. Lastly, it has to be done to clear the chaos that is caused in these modern days.

 

Paragraph F

So can the true cost of food be decreasing in the future? Splitting away from the industrial form of agricultural produce as the problem-solving strategy to tackle hunger may be extremely difficult for certain countries, however in countries like the UK, where the requirement to provide food is not so immediate, and the costs and the consequences of intensive farming were witnesses, and it can be feasible if it is executed properly. All governments want to build a sustainable, competitive and inclusive farming and food industries, which will set a path to potential and sustainable rural economy, and highly-developed environmental, socioeconomic, health, and animal development objectives.

 

Paragraph G

When the industrial type of agricultural farming is removed and replaced by something, what would be the result? Professor Pretty thinks that agricultural farming organically might be a big leap in thinking and practices for millions of people who practise agriculture. Moreover, the price rate might put the food products beyond the imagination for many poorer consumers as the price would be expensive. To overcome this, he suggests jump-starting a ‘Greener Good Standard’, which would eventually move the market towards sustainable environmental practices compared to the present system, not wanting the entire resources for organic farming and food production. This kind of standard would convince many farmers to leave the different kinds of farming (some are unethical), including agrochemical use, soil quality, facilitating land, water and energy usage, food security and more importantly animal health. This will surely take a long time to see, he says, transforming consumers and farmers into sustainable agriculture that ensures a brighter future.

2.

The True Cost Of Food Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The True Cost Of Food

Questions and Answers 1-7
  • This reading passage has seven paragraphs A - G.
  • Which paragraph contains the following information?
  • Write the correct letter, A - G, as your answer to each question.
Note: You may use any letter more than one time.

 

 

1. Professor Pretty thinks that agricultural farming organically might be a big leap

2. All governments want to build a sustainable, competitive and inclusive farming and food industries

3. The cost and price paid to the society are quantifiable

4. Most food products are cheaper now than in the past

5. EU offers financial assistance for British farming

6. Consumers are not paying for what they eat

7. Development of algae is rapidly growing in lakes


 

The True Cost Of Food Reading Answers with Explanations (1-7)

 

Question Type:  Matching Information

 

In this type of question, you are required to match pieces of information or statements with the correct paragraphs in the reading passage. This involves identifying where specific information is located within the text, which helps assess your ability to understand and locate details within the passage. 
 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Start by reading the statements or pieces of information you need to match with the paragraphs. 
  • Quickly skim through the entire passage to get a general idea of its content and structure. 
  • Highlight or note down the keywords or phrases in each statement. Look for names, dates, specific terms, or unique phrases that will be easier to locate in the passage.
  • Scan the passage for these keywords or similar words/phrases. Once you find a match, read the surrounding sentences to see if the paragraph contains the information you need.
  • Match the statement with the paragraph that contains the corresponding information. 

 

 

1. Paragraph G

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph G

Professor Pretty thinks that agricultural farming organically might be a big leap in thinking and practices for millions of people who practise agriculture.

 

Explanation

This paragraph discusses Professor Pretty’s views on the challenges and potential of organic farming.


 

2. Paragraph F

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F

All governments want to build a sustainable, competitive and inclusive farming and food industries, which will set a path to potential and sustainable rural economy.
 

Explanation

This paragraph explains the governmental goals for the farming and food industry.


 

3. Paragraph D

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D

The cost and price paid to the society are quantifiable and, when it is added up to the overall cost, it becomes a huge amount.  

 

Explanation

This paragraph quantifies the societal costs of agriculture.


 

4. Paragraph A

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A
When we look at the West, most food products are cheaper now than in the past.
 

Explanation

This paragraph discusses the historical price changes in food products.


 

5. Paragraph D

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D

The full government sector and the EU offers financial assistance for British farming in the same year.

 

Explanation

This paragraph mentions the EU's financial support for British agriculture.


 

6. Paragraph C

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

Nevertheless, consumers are not paying for what they eat, are they?
 

Explanation

This paragraph highlights the external costs not covered by consumers.

 

 

7. Paragraph B

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B

The most dangerous thing is the depletion of natural soil fertility in many parts of the world due to persistent industrial fertiliser and extensive consumption of pesticides for agriculture, while the development of algae is rapidly growing in lakes because of the fertiliser run-off.
 

Explanation

This paragraph discusses the environmental impact of agriculture, including the growth of algae in lakes.

Questions and Answers 8-11
  • Complete the sentences below.
  • Write ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

 

 

8. Price rate might put the ____________ products beyond the imagination for many poorer consumers.
9. Thousands of kms of ________________, thousands of tons of water vanished from the Earth landscape.
10. The initial step was ________________, followed by a large amount of chemical fertilisers and pesticides used.
11. We reached this state of place due to the costs of all damage we made, and this is what economists call ____________.

 

 

The True Cost Of Food Reading Answers with Explanations (8-11)

 

Type of question: Sentence Completion

 

To answer sentence completion questions accurately, read the given sentence carefully and identify the missing word or phrase. Then, consider the context to determine the most suitable answer option that completes the sentence appropriately. Choosing the option that best fits the context will help you answer sentence completion questions accurately.

 

How to best answer the question

 

  • Carefully read the incomplete sentence and try to understand what information is missing.
  • Pay attention to the context and any clues provided in the sentence or the surrounding text.
  • Choose the option that best completes the sentence based on the information from the reading passage.


 

8. Food

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph G
Price rate might put the food products beyond the imagination for many poorer consumers.

 

Explanation

This paragraph discusses the potential high cost of organic food products for poorer consumers.


 

9. Hedgerows

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B 

Thousands of km of hedgerows and thousands of tons of water vanished from the Earth's landscape.

 

Explanation

This paragraph describes the environmental impact of intensive farming practices, including the loss of hedgerows and water.


 

10. Mechanisation

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph  B 

The initial step was mechanisation, followed by a large number of chemical fertilisers and pesticides used.
 

Explanation

This paragraph outlines the historical progression of farming practices, starting with mechanisation.


 

11. Externalities

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C 

We reached this state of place due to the costs of all damage we made and this is what economists call externalities.

 

Explanation
This paragraph explains the concept of externalities as the costs of damage not accounted for in the price of food.

Questions and Answers 12-13
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 12-13 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

 

 

12. ‘Greener Good Standard’ will move the market towards sustainable environmental practices.
13. Salmon farming has made wild salmon run from different parts of the ocean lochs and rivers of Scotland alone.

 

The True Cost Of Food Reading Answers with Explanations (12-13)

 

Question Type:  Yes/No/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 (Yes), contradicts the information in the passage (No), or if there is insufficient information in the passage to decide (not given).

 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Read the statement carefully to ensure you understand exactly what it is saying. 
  • Pay attention to details such as dates, numbers, and specific information.
  • Scan the passage to find the section where the relevant information is likely to be located. 
  • Focus on finding evidence that either supports or contradicts the statement.
  • Yes: If the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
  • No: If the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
  • Not Given: If there is no information in the passage that confirms or contradicts the statement.

 

 

12. Yes

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph G 

To overcome this, he suggests jump-starting a ‘Greener Good Standard’, which would eventually move the market towards sustainable environmental practices compared to the present system, not wanting the entire resources for organic farming and food production.
 

Explanation

This paragraph discusses the proposed ‘Greener Good Standard’ and its goal to shift the market towards sustainable practices.


 

13. No

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B 

Beyond that, the salmon farming has made wild salmon run from different parts of the ocean lochs and rivers of Ireland and Scotland.

 

Explanation

This paragraph clearly states that salmon farming affects wild salmon in both Ireland and Scotland, not just Scotland alone.

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FAQs

Q. Can I make notes on the question paper during the test?

Ans. Yes, you can write on the question paper during the IELTS Reading test. This strategy can help you track key information, highlight important details, and organize your thoughts as you read. You can underline significant points, circle keywords, or jot down brief notes to assist you in answering the questions later.

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

Ans. A strong vocabulary is essential in the IELTS Reading test as it enables you to comprehend the passage and respond to questions accurately. It's beneficial to learn academic and subject-specific terms, and practice inferring the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context.

Q. Will I lose marks for wrong answers in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. No, incorrect answers do not incur penalties in the IELTS Reading test. Therefore, it's advantageous to attempt all questions, even if you're uncertain. Making educated guesses can still earn you points, which can enhance your overall score.