Reading Test: Completion Questions A (British Council Academic IELTS: Reading): Study Material

Note: The following is a worked example, written to demonstrate the style and approach expected in the exam. A full exam question would typically be longer in scope.

The Future of the Winter Games

The sustainability of the Winter Olympic Games has become a focal point of international debate as climate change reshapes the global sporting landscape. Historically, the Games relied on natural snowfall, but recent editions, such as Beijing 2022 and Milano Cortina 2026, increasingly depend on artificial snow to ensure consistent competition surfaces. While this technology allows resorts to extend their seasons, it places an immense strain on local ecosystems. For instance, the production of man-made snow requires significant water quantities often diverted from local rivers, which can lead to the depletion of aquatic habitats.

Beyond environmental concerns, host cities face substantial financial pressure due to the high cost of specialised infrastructure. Many purpose-built facilities, such as bobsleigh tracks or ski jumps, often fall into disuse once the "Olympic fervour" has waned. To combat these issues, the International Olympic Committee now mandates that sustainability must be an integral part of any future hosting project. This includes managing resources responsibly and ensuring that any new construction provides a long-term green legacy for the local community.

Questions 

Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

1. Modern Winter Games have become heavily reliant on ______________ to maintain reliable tracks for athletes.

2. Diverting large ___________________ from rivers for snow production can severely damage local fish populations.

3. The extreme _______________ experienced by host cities is often a result of building expensive, specialised venues.

4. The IOC now requires _____________ to be a core component of all new Olympic bids.

5. Planners hope that new infrastructure will leave a _______________that benefits residents long after the event ends.

Answers

1. artificial snow: The text states that modern games "increasingly depend on artificial snow" to ensure consistent surfaces.

2. water quantities: The passage notes that snow production requires "significant water quantities" taken from local rivers.

3. financial pressure: The text mentions that hosting the games can place "substantial financial pressure" on cities due to infrastructure demands.

4. sustainability: According to the passage, the IOC mandates that "sustainability must be part of any future hosting project".

5. green legacy: The text refers to the goal of ensuring construction provides a long-term "green legacy" for the community.

If you are taking words directly from the passage to fill the gaps, check your spelling carefully – you will lose the mark if you spell the word incorrectly

Note: The following is a worked example, written to demonstrate the style and approach expected in the exam. A full exam question would typically be longer in scope.

Costa Rica’s Environmental transformation

Costa Rica is frequently cited as a global leader in environmental restoration, having successfully reversed decades of rampant habitat loss. In the mid-20th century, the nation suffered from one of the highest deforestation rates in the world, largely driven by the expansion of cattle ranching and the timber industry. By the late 1980s, nearly half of the country’s primary forest cover had been destroyed to create pastureland.

The turning point came in the 1990s with the introduction of radical legislative reforms. The government banned the clearing of forests without official permission and established the Payment for Environmental Services (PES) scheme. This pioneering initiative uses a tax on fossil fuels to provide financial incentives to landowners who protect watersheds and conserve biodiversity on their property.

Complementing these financial measures is a robust system of national parks, which now cover more than 25% of the country’s territory. These protected areas are the foundation of a thriving ecotourism sector, which has replaced traditional agriculture as a primary economic driver. By 2020, this industry contributed approximately 8% of the national GDP, proving that ecological preservation and economic growth can coexist. Today, forest cover has rebounded to nearly 60%, making Costa Rica the first tropical nation to completely reverse its trend of forest loss.

Questions

Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

The Regreening of Costa Rica

During the 20th century, Costa Rica's environment was severely impacted by high 1. .................... , primarily because land was being cleared for 2. .................... . However, the government eventually intervened by introducing the 3. .................... programme. This scheme is funded via a levy on 4. .................... and rewards citizens for forest protection.

Additionally, the country's extensive network of 5. .................... has helped foster a successful 6. .................... industry, which now provides a significant portion of the nation's income.

Answers

1. deforestation rates: The text mentions the country suffered from one of the highest "deforestation rates" in the world.

2. cattle ranching: The passage states forest loss was "largely driven by the expansion of cattle ranching".

3. Payment for Environmental Services: This is identified as the "pioneering initiative" introduced in the 1990s.

4. fossil fuels: The summary notes the scheme is funded by a tax on "fossil fuels".

5. national parks: These are described as the "foundation" of the country's environmental and economic success.

6. ecotourism: The text explains that this sector has become a "primary economic driver," replacing traditional farming.

If you cannot find the answer to one question, move on and come back to it later

Note: The following is a worked example, written to demonstrate the style and approach expected in the exam. A full exam question would typically be longer in scope.

The Shift in Modern Construction Materials

In the 21st century, the construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation as it seeks to reduce its massive carbon footprint. Traditionally, Portland cement and structural steel have been key materials. However, the production of these materials is incredibly energy-intensive; cement manufacturing alone is responsible for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions. Consequently, architects are returning to natural timber, but in a highly engineered form known as Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). Unlike traditional wood, CLT consists of layers of wood glued together at right angles, creating a material with a strength-to-weight ratio that rivals steel.

There is also a growing interest in recycling. Instead of mining new stone and sand, builders are crushing old concrete from demolition sites to create a 'circular' supply chain. Innovations are also appearing in insulation, where synthetic foams are being replaced by hempcrete—a mixture of hemp fibres and lime. This material is not only carbon-neutral but also offers superior thermal mass, allowing buildings to regulate internal temperatures more efficiently. Furthermore, researchers are developing 'self-healing' concrete, which uses specialised bacteria to seal cracks, thereby extending the operational lifespan of infrastructure and reducing the need for costly repairs.

Questions 1–6

Complete the notes below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Trends in 21st-Century Building Materials

Traditional Materials

• High environmental impact: 1. .................... production is a major source of global emissions.

Engineered Wood (CLT)

• Created by bonding 2. .................... in a perpendicular fashion.

• Advantage: Its 3. .................... is comparable to that of metal frames.

Sustainable Alternatives

• Waste reduction: Use of 4. .................... from old buildings to replace raw stone.

• Insulation: Hempcrete provides better 5. .................... than man-made foams.

Future Innovations

• Self-repairing concrete: Contains 6. .................... which can automatically fix structural damage.

Answers

1. Portland cement: The text identifies this specific material as being responsible for 8% of global CO2 emissions.

2. wood: The passage explains that CLT is made of "layers of wood glued together at right angles".

3. strength-to-weight ratio: The text states this specific property of CLT "rivals steel". 

4. (old) concrete: The text describes crushing old concrete to create "a circular supply chain”.

5. thermal mass: The passage states that hempcrete offers "superior thermal mass" compared to synthetic alternatives.

6. specialised bacteria: The text mentions that "specialised bacteria" are used in self-healing concrete to seal cracks.