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Worldly Wealth Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Sep 06, 2024, 06:05

This passage explores the feasibility of a future where 9 billion people enjoy a comfortable lifestyle similar to today's wealthy. It argues that there are no insurmountable physical or environmental reasons preventing this, provided advancements in automation, energy efficiency, and agricultural productivity continue. The passage emphasises the potential for sustainable growth through recycling, alternative energy sources, and urban development while maintaining environmental conservation. It envisions a future with increased personal automation, mobility, and rewilding of agricultural lands.

 

This passage will help you prepare for the IELTS Reading section by familiarising you with complex ideas and vocabulary, improving your ability to summarise information, and enhancing your understanding of global issues. Practising with such passages can significantly boost your IELTS reading score.

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1. Worldly Wealth Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below. 


 

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2. Worldly Wealth Reading Questions & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Worldly Wealth Reading Questions & Answers

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1.

Worldly Wealth 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.

 

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Worldly Wealth Reading Passage

 

 

Paragraph A:

Actually, there may be governmental or social barriers to attaining a rich global status. But actually there looks to be no insurmountable physical or environment-friendly reason why 9 billion people should not attain a comfortable lifestyle, using automations only a little more advanced than that which we now own. In thinking about the later civilization, we ought to start by asking people what they need for. The proof demonstrates that as people get richer, they need a higher range of personal automations, they want lots of room (ideally near or in the domain), and they want higher speed in travel. More proprietorship, more spacious, more movability.

 

Paragraph B:

As wealth grows, the amount of energy and basic material used for production of automation will therefore increase rapidly. But this does not mean a conclusion to the machine age. Alternatively, instead of being thrown away, materials from old machinery can be reprocessed by makers. And long before all non-renewable energy sources are tried out, their rising prices may force industrialized society not only to become more energy well-organized but also to find other energy sources enough for the demands of an advanced technological civilization: atomic energy, atomic power, solar energy, chemical photosynthesis, hydroelectricity, biomass, or some yet unknown source of energy.

 

Paragraph C:

Eventually, tissue-cloning methods could be used to grow parts of the meat by themselves. Once their DNA has been taken out to create cow-less slices of meat and chicken-less drumsticks, tamed species of livestock, bred for renaissances to be stupid or to have heinously increased characteristics, should be allowed to extinguish, except for a few specimens in zoos. But game such as wild deer, rabbits, and wild ducks will be ever more plentiful as farms return to wilds, so this could increase the lab-grown meat in the diets of tomorrow’s wealthy.

 

Paragraph D:

In the advanced country, the personal automations of the generous, along with phones, washing machines, and cars, have become essential within a generation or two. Enlarged productivity that results in decreasing costs for such goods has been in charge of the considerable gains in the standard of living, and there is every reason to trust that this will proceed.

 

Paragraph E:

Increasing personal incomes will bring increasing expectations of movability. This is one more opulence of today's rich that could become an essential of tomorrow’s world population, especially if its members choose to live broadly scattered in a post-agriculture wilds. In his new book "Free Flight," James Fallows, a pilot and writer, explains important tries by both state and private businessmen in the USA to encourage an ‘air taxi’ system within the price range of today’s middle class and maybe tomorrow’s world population.

 

Paragraph F:

The growth of cities and outlying districts frequently looks like a threat to the habitat. But actually, the increasing amount of land devoured by agriculture is a far greater peril than urban encroachment. Stopping the growth of farms is the best way to conserve many of the world’s leftover wild areas. However, is a considerable curtail of cropland feasible? Thanks to the growth of agricultural productivity, rehabilitation, and ‘re-wilding,’ has been underway in commercial countries for generations. Since 1950, more land in the US has been set apart in parks than has been inhabited by urban and suburban growth. Much of what was cropland in the 19th century is now forest again. Taking the best Iowa maize cultivators as the norm of the global food productivity, it has been calculated that less than a 10th of present farmland could support a population of ten billion.

 

Paragraph G:

Two of the main barriers to the science novels' creativity of the personal plane or hover car are price and peril. While high-tech developments are operating prices down, navigating an aircraft in three dimensions is still tougher than operating a car in two. And pilot mistakes cause more deaths than driver mistakes. But before long, our aircraft and cars will be piloted by computers, which are never worn out or stressed.

 

Paragraph H:

So maybe there are some grounds for hope when seeing the future of civilization with the help of automations, and without putting deliberate bruises on the world environment, proprietorship, space, and mobility can be attained for all the predicted population of the world.

 

Paragraph I:

The world’s population is awaited to balance at around 9 billion. Will it be feasible for 9 billion people to have the way of living enjoyed today only by the wealthy? One school of thought says no: not only should the plurality of the world’s people resign themselves to penury forever, but rich countries must also return to effortless lifestyles in sequence to save the planet.

 

Paragraph J:

In the habitat game, a vision of an ideal place that would be at once futuristic and conservationist. Nigel Calder proposes that ‘nourishing but unappetizing primary food manufactured by industrial methods—like ferment from petroleum—may be fed to animals, so that we can go on with eating our usual meat, eggs, milk, cheese, and butter and so that people in backward countries can have sufficient supplies of animal protein for the first time.

2.

Worldly Wealth Reading Questions & Answers

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. Today's wealthy people ignore the fact that millions are living in poverty.

2. There are reasons why the future population of the world may not enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

3. The first thing to consider when planning for the future is environmental protection.

4. As manufactured goods get cheaper, people will benefit more from them.

5. It may be possible to find new types of raw materials for use in the production of machinery

6. The rising prices of fossil fuels may bring some benefits.


 

Worldly Wealth Reading Answers with Explanations (1-6)


 

Type of Question: Yes/No/Not Given

 

These types of questions involve finding whether the given statement is Yes/No/Not Given based on the given paragraph.  


 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Identify Keywords: Focus on keywords in the question and the passage to locate relevant information.
  • Match Information: Compare the statement in the question with the information in the passage carefully.
  • Be Precise: Answer only based on what is explicitly stated in the passage; avoid inferring or assuming.
  • Look for Negatives: Pay attention to negations like "not" or "never," as they can change the meaning.
  • Check for Completeness: Ensure the passage fully supports your answer; if the information is not clearly stated, choose "Not Given."


 

1. Not Given

 

Reference: Not Given 

 

Explanation: The passage does not discuss whether today's wealthy people are aware of or ignore the poverty experienced by millions. There is no information provided that addresses the awareness or indifference of wealthy individuals toward global poverty, making it impossible to determine the writer's stance on this issue.

 

2. Yes

 

Reference: From Paragraph A, "there may be governmental or social barriers to attaining a rich global status." 

 

Explanation: This line indicates that there are significant governmental and social obstacles that could prevent the global population from achieving a wealthy and comfortable lifestyle. The mention of these barriers suggests that due to these challenges, the future population might not enjoy such a lifestyle, thereby hinting at potential reasons for their discomfort. The passage implies that external factors, such as government policies and societal issues, could hinder the overall economic prosperity and quality of life of the global population.

 

3. No

 

Reference: From Paragraph A, "In thinking about the later civilization, we ought to start by asking people what they need for." 

 

Explanation: The passage emphasizes that planning for future civilizations should begin with understanding people's needs rather than focusing on environmental protection first. This directly contradicts the idea that environmental protection should be the first consideration, highlighting the importance of addressing human needs as the initial step in future planning. The writer argues that ensuring the well-being and requirements of people should take precedence when considering the future, suggesting a more human-centered approach over purely environmental concerns.


 

4. Yes

 

Reference: From Paragraph D, "Enlarged productivity that results in decreasing costs for such goods has been in charge of the considerable gains in the standard of living, and there is every reason to trust that this will proceed." 

 

Explanation: The line suggests that as productivity increases, the cost of manufactured goods decreases, leading to significant improvements in the standard of living. The writer expresses confidence that this trend will continue, meaning people will benefit more from manufactured goods as they become more affordable due to increased productivity. The passage highlights the relationship between enhanced productivity and reduced costs, which in turn improves living standards.

 

5. Not Given

 

Reference: Not Given 

 

Explanation: The passage does not provide any information about the possibility of finding new types of raw materials for use in the production of machinery. There is no mention of the discovery or use of alternative raw materials in the context of manufacturing machinery, making it impossible to determine the writer's view on this matter.

 

6. Yes

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "And long before all non-renewable energy sources are tried out, their rising prices may force industrialized society not only to become more energy well-organized but also to find other energy sources." 

 

Explanation: The line indicates that rising prices of non-renewable energy sources could lead to beneficial outcomes, such as increased energy efficiency and the discovery of alternative energy sources. The writer suggests that the economic pressure of high fossil fuel prices might drive industrialized societies to adopt more efficient energy practices and explore new energy options, which would be advantageous for sustainable development.

 

A Guide on Most Common English Words Used in Daily Life!

Questions and Answers 7-12
  • Complete the summary below.
  • Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
  • Write your answers in boxes 7-12 on your answer sheet

 

 Space for an increased population

 

According to the writer, the use of land for 7________  is the most serious threat to the environment. However, in the US. There has already been an increase in the amount of land used for 8_____________  forests. Far less land would be required to feed the world's population if the 9________  of the land could be improved worldwide. It has also been claimed that the industrial production of animal foods could allow greater access to animals 10 ___________ by the entire world’s population.
Scientists could use 11________  from domesticated animals to help produce meat by tissue cloning, and these species could then be allowed to die out. In addition to this type of meat. 12__________ will also be widely available.


 

Worldly Wealth Reading Answers with Explanations (7-12)


 

Type of Question: Summary Completion

 

Carefully read the summary and identify keywords, then scan the passage to locate the relevant information, ensuring the words you choose to complete the summary accurately reflect the content and context of the passage.


 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Identify Key Information: Focus on understanding the main ideas and essential details of the passage that need to be summarised.
  • Match with Passage: Find phrases or keywords in the passage that align with the summary gaps, ensuring they convey the same meaning.
  • Use Context Clues: Pay attention to the surrounding text in the passage for context, which can help in selecting the appropriate words or phrases.
  • Be Concise: Choose words that are concise and directly relevant to the context, avoiding unnecessary details.
  • Check Grammar: Ensure the completed summary fits grammatically and logically with the rest of the summary text.


 

7. Agriculture

 

Reference: From Paragraph F, "But actually the increasing amount of land devoured by agriculture is a far greater peril than urban encroachment." 

 

Explanation: This line highlights that the expansion of agricultural land poses a more significant threat to the environment compared to urban growth. The writer emphasizes that the use of land for agriculture is a major environmental concern, indicating that it is the most serious threat to the environment.

 

8. Parks

 

Reference: From Paragraph F, "Since 1950, more land in the US has been set apart in parks than has been inhabited by urban and suburban growth." 

 

Explanation: The line points out that there has been an increase in the amount of land designated for parks in the US, surpassing the amount of land used for urban and suburban development. This indicates a positive trend toward conservation and the reallocation of land for forested areas.

 

9. Productivity

 

Reference: From Paragraph F, "Taking the best Iowa maize cultivators as the norm of the global food productivity, it has been calculated that less than a 10th of present farmland could support a population of ten billion." 

 

Explanation: The line suggests that improving agricultural productivity could significantly reduce the amount of farmland needed to support a large population. By enhancing the efficiency of land use, it would be possible to feed the world's population with much less land, highlighting the importance of productivity improvements.

 

10. Protein

 

Reference: From Paragraph J, "so that people in backward countries can have sufficient supplies of animal protein for the first time." 

 

Explanation: This line indicates that the industrial production of animal foods could provide sufficient animal protein to people in developing countries. The writer suggests that this method could improve global access to essential nutrients, addressing protein deficiency issues.

 

11. DNA

 

Reference: From Paragraph C, "Eventually, tissue-cloning methods could be used to grow parts of the meat by themselves. Once their DNA has been taken out to create cow-less slices of meat and chicken-less drumsticks..." 

 

Explanation: This line discusses the use of DNA from domesticated animals to produce meat through tissue cloning. By extracting DNA, scientists can create meat without the need for raising animals, offering a sustainable alternative for meat production.

12. Game

 

Reference: From Paragraph C, "But game such as wild deer, rabbits, and wild ducks will be ever more plentiful as farms return to wilds..." 

 

Explanation: The line suggests that as agricultural lands revert to natural habitats, wild game populations will increase. This implies that game animals will become more widely available as a source of meat, supplementing diets in the future.

Questions and Answers 13-14
  • Choose the correct answer, A. B, C or D
  • Write your answers in boxes 13-14 on your answer sheet.

 

13. Greater mobility may be a feature of the future because of changes in

 

  1. The location of housing.
  2. patterns of employment.
  3. centers of transport.
  4. the distribution of wealth.

 

14. Air transport will be safe because of

 

  1. new type of aircraft.
  2. better training methods.
  3. three-dimensional models.
  4. improved technology.


 

Worldly Wealth Reading Answers with Explanations (13-14) 


 

Type of Question: Multiple Choice Questions

 

These types of questions in IELTS reading involve identifying the right choice from the given options using the given paragraph. 


 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Understand the Context: Read the entire passage carefully to grasp the overall context and main ideas before answering questions.
  • Identify Keywords: Focus on keywords in the question and options. Match these keywords with specific information in the passage.
  • Eliminate Wrong Choices: Use the process of elimination to rule out clearly incorrect options, narrowing down your choices.
  • Look for Synonyms: Be aware of synonyms or paraphrased terms in the passage that may differ from those in the question or answer choices.
  • Double-Check Your Answers: Ensure that your selected answer fits grammatically and logically within the context of the passage.


 

13. A

 

Reference: From Paragraph E, "Increasing personal incomes will bring increasing expectations of movability. This is one more opulence of today's rich that could become an essential of tomorrow’s world population- especially if its members choose to live broadly scattered in post-agriculture wilds." 

 

Explanation: This line indicates that greater mobility might result from changes in housing locations, with people potentially living more dispersedly in a post-agricultural world. The passage implies that as people’s incomes increase, their desire for mobility will also rise, leading to a shift in living patterns.

 

14. D


Reference: From Paragraph G, "But before long our aircraft and cars will be piloted by computers which are never worn out or stressed." 

 

Explanation: This line suggests that advancements in technology, particularly in automation and computer piloting, will enhance the safety of air transport. The writer indicates that computer-piloted vehicles will reduce human error, thus improving the overall safety of air travel.

 

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FAQs

Q. How can I improve my comprehension skills for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans:  To improve comprehension skills for the IELTS Reading test, practice regularly with diverse reading materials like articles, essays, and reports. Focus on understanding the main ideas and supporting details. Enhance your vocabulary to grasp complex texts better. Utilise strategies like skimming for general meaning and scanning for specific information. Regularly timed practice tests can help you get accustomed to the test format and time constraints.


 

 

Q. How can I pass the IELTS Reading test?

Ans: To pass the IELTS Reading test, develop effective reading strategies such as skimming for the main idea and scanning for details. Practice with sample tests to become familiar with the question types and timing. Improve your vocabulary and focus on understanding the context of unfamiliar words. Time management is crucial, so allocate specific times for each section and avoid spending too much time on difficult questions.


 

Q. Can I use a highlighter or take notes during the IELTS Reading test?

Ans: No, you cannot use a highlighter or take notes directly on the question paper during the IELTS Reading test. However, you can underline or circle key information and make notes on the answer sheet. It's important to develop techniques for quickly identifying and remembering important details without extensive note-taking. Practising these strategies will help you efficiently navigate the reading passages during the test.