Academic module

IELTS Academic reading practice test 1

Three passages, forty questions, sixty minutes. Answers, explanations and a band score, with no signup.

This is a complete IELTS Academic reading practice test. It has three passages and forty questions, and it follows the format, timing and question types of the real test.

Give yourself sixty minutes and work through it in one sitting. There is no extra time at the end of the real reading test to transfer answers, so treat every answer as final when you choose it. Each question explains itself as soon as you answer, and your band score appears at the end.

Timer 60:00

Passage 1

Reading Passage 1

Hong Kong's World-Beating Subway System – the MTR Everywhere around the world, in many major urban centres, subway systems are struggling to cover costs, to invest capital in maintenance systems and expensive upgrades, and to attract passengers. Metro systems go cap-in-hand to central and municipal governments seeking funds and guarantees of continued existence, while plans of development and extension of lines and services are often shelved. In New York, for example, fares cover only 45% of operating costs, which means transport taxes and government grants are required to keep the trains operating, and the transit system must go into debt if it considers upgrades or expansion, and, worryingly, often just to keep trains rolling with repairs and maintenance. However, one system, in one major metropolitan centre, has bucked the trend, and is operating not only at a profit, but at a standard so high that other cities can only look on with envy. Hong Kong's 'farebox recovery ratio' – the percentage of operating costs covered by fares – is at an astonishingly high level of 185%. The next highest urban ratio, that of Singapore, is healthy, but, next to Hong Kong, it has a ways to go, at 125%. Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway Corporation, which manages the MTR and the bus system, is acknowledged to have set the benchmark for transit management worldwide, and in 2022 the MTR generated revenue of 36 billion Hong Kong dollars – roughly USD5 billion – and that included a profit of HKD2 billion. How do they do it, and with a system that is so advanced that it is a model for many other cities, when so many other mass transit systems struggle? The answer is not an easy formula, but a complex arrangement of business acumen, wise investment, tough management and innovative concepts. The history of Hong Kong's MTR is relatively short when compared with London or Paris or other large urban centres. In the 1960s, the then-Hong Kong government commissioned a study on finding solutions to the worrying road congestion which accompanied Hong Kong's growing economic status as a regional, and increasingly global, industrial and commercial hub. Construction began on rapid transit after the study was tabled in 1967, and the first line, running from Shek Kip Mei Stationto Kwun Tong Station, began carrying passengers in 1979, and in 1980 the first harbour crossing was undertaken to Chater Station, now called Central Station. The system was an instant success, and trains were immediately upgraded to six carriages to accommodate the increased passenger numbers, and the plans for extension, which had been drawn up along with the original proposals, were soon actioned with further construction undertaken. In the early 1980s, further plans for construction were put in place, and then begun, for tunnels to be built connecting mainland Kowloon with Hong Kong Island. With the planned move of Hong Kong's International airport, Kai Tak International, to Lantau Island, it was recognized that mass transit was necessary for the movement of people to make the airport viable. Both the new Chek Lap Kok International Airport, and the new Lantau Airport Railway, opened in July, 1998. Hong Kong's MTR's success has been carefully built on a series of successful business innovations which have all contributed to the remarkable return on investment, the successful integration of the transport system into the day-to-day functioning of the city, and the long-term involvement of the system in the projected growth of the district. Examples of this are the low fares, the multiple-fare system, the use of the Octopus Card and its ultra-modern 'wave-and-go' technology, modern rolling stock (carriages and engines), and high-level, and highly publicized, on-time achievement rates. The MTR has consistently reached a 99.9% on-time rate, one of the highest for major metropolitan centres, and this concept is taken so seriously that the corporation is penalized if it fails to meet pre-determined targets. Other areas that the MTR has targeted to encourage patronage have included the promotion of Art projects, including live performances and art exhibitions, by students and emerging and established artists, and open galleries. Modernisation goals have seen the introduction of PSDs, Platform Screen Doors, to control air conditioning, and for platform security, and visual identity systems for logos, signage and delivery systems for service vehicles, and for passenger information. However, the area of greatest commercial growth has been in what has been termed 'Value Capture'. The MTR has recognized that it is part of an urban environment, with its own unique dynamic window, its requirements, opportunities and growth possibilities. Being part of one of the world's most densely-populated urban environments, and being a relatively new transit system, with a modern outlook, has given the MTR the chance to capitalize on a constantly changing, and growing, transportation environment which is increasingly recognized as essential in a functioning urban location. 'Value Capture' has been most noticeably recognized in the concept of the MTR working with separate business entities, such as shopping malls, as part of an integrated business entity, that is, metro lines have been designed to work with, and be placed in conjunction with, shopping malls, office towers and business properties, some of which the MTR even owns. In other words, the MTR has a direct interest in not only controlling the means of how passengers travel, but also recognizing the destinations to which they travel. Further, many of the MTR's stations located within Hong Kong central itself have multi-storey shopping complexes, again, a draw, and a means of transport, for consumers and passengers. It is interesting to note that the rules have changed, and Hong Kong's MTR is one of the game changers. From being an urban transit system, the corporation has moved beyond a metropolitan environment to embrace a global business plan, and beyond. The urban rail corporation is now running Australia's Melbourne rail system, Sweden's Stockholm rail system, it has controlling interests in lines on the London Underground, and its planning department is contracted to design and run light rail systems in mainland China. Property management is another key development area, as it was recognized earlier that carrying passengers is only one aspect of a transit system—the other being the recognition of the destination, which helps determine the placement of lines, and purposes. Carrying nine million passengers daily, just below Tokyo's record-setting tallies, Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway is a model for the present, and with continued good business direction, for the future as well.

Questions 1 to 13

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1 – 13 which are based on Reading Passage 1. Questions 1 – 3 Choose the appropriate letters A – D and write them in boxes 1 – 3 on your answer sheet.

1Many subway systems in major cities...

The correct answer is C. ‘go cap-in-hand to central…governments… seeking funds’. Option A mentions extensions, but there is no mention of plans. Option B mentions attracting passengers, but says subway systems struggle to invest. Option D is not correct as there is no mention of subways being the dominant form.

2The subway systems of Singapore and Hong Kong...

The correct answer is B: 'recover more money in fares than they spend to operate.' The passage states that Hong Kong's 'farebox recovery ratio' is 185% and Singapore's is 125%, meaning both recover more than 100% of operating costs.

3Hong Kong’s MTR system is also involved in

The correct answer is C: 'managing rail systems in other cities.' The last paragraph states: 'The urban rail corporation is now running Australia's Melbourne rail system, Sweden's Stockholm rail system, it has controlling interests in lines on the London Underground.'

Questions 4 – 8 Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1? In boxes 4 – 8 choose TRUE if the statement agrees with the information FALSE if the statement contradicts the information NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this in the passage

4Because of Hong Kong’s growth, plans were developed to introduce a rapid-transit rail system.

The correct answer is TRUE. The passage states: 'In the 1960s, the then-Hong Kong government commissioned a study on finding solutions to the worrying road congestion which accompanied Hong Kong's growing economic status.'

5Initial reaction to the new rail lines was slow.

The correct answer is FALSE. The passage states: 'The system was an instant success, and trains were immediately upgraded to six carriages to accommodate the increased passenger numbers.'

6Future growth was anticipated, with strategies outlined in the original proposal.

The correct answer is TRUE. The passage mentions: 'the plans for extension, which had been drawn up along with the original proposals, were soon actioned with further construction undertaken.'

7The tunnels connecting Kowloon and Hong Kong were designed to carry both rail and vehicle traffic.

The correct answer is NOT GIVEN. The passage mentions tunnels connecting mainland Kowloon with Hong Kong Island but does not specify whether they were designed for both rail and vehicle traffic.

8The new airport was reliant on new rail links being developed.

The correct answer is TRUE. The passage states: 'With the planned move of Hong Kong's International airport... it was recognized that mass transit was necessary for the movement of people to make the airport viable.'

Questions 9 – 13 Complete each of the following statements (Questions 9 – 13) using words from the box. Write the appropriate letter A – H in boxes 9 – 13 on your answer sheet.

9The success of the MTR is due mainly to…

The correct answer is E: 'new business concepts.' Paragraph 4 states: 'The MTR's success has been carefully built on a series of successful business innovations.'

10Transit times are important, so the MTR can be fined if it does not reach…

The correct answer is B: 'set goals.' The passage states: 'this concept is taken so seriously that the corporation is penalized if it fails to meet pre-determined targets.'

11‘Value Capture’ means that the MTR recognizes that it must work in conjunction with…

The correct answer is F: 'the local economic environment.' Paragraph 5 states: 'The MTR has recognized that it is part of an urban environment, with its own unique dynamic window, its requirements, opportunities and growth possibilities.'

12Like other urban rail systems, Hong Kong realizes that it is important to understand their travelers …

The correct answer is G: 'destinations.' The passage states: 'the MTR has a direct interest in not only controlling the means of how passengers travel, but also recognizing the destinations to which they travel.'

13One feature of the subway system to attract passengers is to assist local…

The correct answer is C: 'artistic endeavours.' Paragraph 4 mentions: 'the promotion of Art projects, including live performances and art exhibitions, by students and emerging and established artists.'

Passage 2

Reading Passage 2

AVALANCHE! Nature's destructive fury is unleashed on mountainsides around the world A) Hurtling down a mountainside at speeds of up to 300 kilometres an hour, an avalanche is at once both a terrifying sight and a spectacle of nature. The power of gravity pulls the snow mass down the mountain slope, capturing all in its path, from rocks, trees, and ice to, from time to time, human victims. Avalanches are caused by a wide range of factors, including the steepness of the mountainside, the weather, the terrain, the snowpack conditions and human activity. Avalanches occur in all parts of the world, in the northern hemisphere and the southern—wherever there are slopes steep enough for the snow to slide down, sometimes recording as much as 250,000 cubic metres of snow descending at unimaginable speeds and force, destroying all in its path. B) An avalanche is an occurrence of nature whereby an entire layer of snow, or snowpack, separates naturally, or from human activity, and descends with rapid downward force, building up speed and air pressure ahead of it, with phenomenal destructive force. An avalanche has three main parts, the starting zone, the avalanche track and the runout zone. The starting zone is a volatile area of a slope where snow that is unstable can fracture and separate from the compacted snow and start to move downward. Usually, this occurs high up the slope of a mountain, but can happen anywhere there is a slope, and the usual cause is when the weight or force of the snow is greater than the strength holding it together. The avalanche track is the route the cascading snow follows, and is often a noticeable track following open or chute-like terrain, away from dense growths of trees, which indicates that other avalanches may have occurred, and often ending with large collecting areas where there is an abundance of debris, such as in gullies or flattened open areas. This is known as the runout zone, which is where the snow is usually piled the highest, with mounds of debris deposits. C) There are three main types of avalanches: wet snow avalanches, dry snow avalanches and slab avalanches. Wet snow avalanches are often thought of as the least dangerous, usually occurring naturally in the spring season because of melting snow from the increasing temperatures. They are considered less dangerous because of the slow speed, due to friction, but can cause significant destruction because of their large mass. Water saturation is a key point, due to the melting, and they pull boulders, earth and vegetation with them. Dry snow avalanches are normally the largest, consisting of an enormous powder cloud masking huge volumes of a rapidly moving snowpack and occur at any time or for any reason. These avalanches can reach speeds of 300 km/hr, and can carry up to 10,000,000 tonnes of snow for incredibly long distances, and often uphill as they come to rest. Finally, some experts consider slab avalanches as the most dangerous, as a slab, or block, of snow separates from the main body of snow and cascades downward. A 'crown fracture' appears at the top and 'flank fractures' are created vertically, separating the block of snow which speeds downhill, destroying everything. Interestingly, these types of avalanches often leave 'walls' carved in the snow where the avalanche has broken away. Slab avalanches account for most related fatalities, and are often caused by human activity, notably skiers. D) Other factors that can cause avalanches include natural conditions such as wind, weather, composition of the snow, storms, sunlight and moisture. Interestingly, coastal environments limit many of the dangerous aspects of mountainous conditions, with an ongoing stabilization of the snowpack due to a continuous freeze-thaw cycle moderating weather extremes. Very cold temperatures can also cause critical circumstances which give rise to avalanches, by affecting the stability of the snow pack, with differences in ground temperatures contrasting with the ambient air temperature, thus affecting moisture content, crystal formation and varying thicknesses of snow. Storms, be they rain or snow, lead to weight variations, with heavy precipitation on top, and less chance of snow bonding to secure a stable weight-load. And sunlight introduces a number of factors, melting, re-freezing and radiation loss which means significant variations in the heat/cooling process, which impacts on the stability of the snow pack. E) So, what can be done to prevent, predict or control this unleashing of nature's destructive forces? In areas where avalanches present a major threat, such as mountainous communities, ski resorts and transportation facilities, there are a number of initiatives being introduced, because holding back Mother Nature has always been a long-held, but not always successful, dream. Explosives are regularly used in mountainous areas, armies being employed to fire high-decibal cannons which trigger shock waves to loosen snow packs, and other concussion devices dropped from helicopters or hand-launched. Protective fences can direct snow build-up to help prevent snow packs being formed, and there is often construction of avalanche dams to re-direct falling snow, or the building of earth mounds to slow the slide of avalanches. Lastly, to protect human life in the possibility of avalanche conditions, snow shelters have been constructed to withstand the impact of the force of snow, shielding human life, vehicle traffic and residential dwellings. F) Avalanches cannot accurately be predicted, although the conditions can be monitored, studied and assessed. Snow and weather conditions, including temperature, wind and moisture, are a reliable guide, as well as human activity, recent history and forecasts of worsening conditions. However, unfortunately, disasters have occurred. And will continue so. During World War I, between 40,000 and 80,000 soldiers died in the mountainous regions of central Europe, in particular on the Austrian-Italian battlefields, and it has been determined that many were killed as a result of artillery fire, the concussive effects resulting in avalanches. Numerous ski resorts and their communities have unfortunately suffered devastating avalanches, notably in Turkey in 1993, when 43 climbers lost their lives, and in France in 1999, when 12 people were buried under 100,000 tonnes of snow, and in the same year, 31 people died in Austria in one avalanche. G) There are various classification systems for avalanches, but none that is universally recognized. Canada and the United States use one system, defining risk levels using various factors, while Europe employs a different rating system with different criteria, and other alpine nations utilize varying systems which reflect different aspects of risk and outcomes. Avalanches pose a constant threat, and work is constantly being done to forecast, and mitigate, the risks and outcomes of avalanches. Survival is possible for those caught in this most terrible of natural circumstances, and future work and investigation is vital to ensure the safety of those caught in one of nature's most destructive unleashings.

Questions 14 to 26

Reading Passage 2 You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14 –26 which are based on Reading Passage 2. Questions 14 – 20 Reading Passage 2 has seven sections A – G. Choose the most suitable headings for sections A – G from the list of headings below. Write the appropriate numbers i – ix on your answer sheet.

14Paragraph A

The correct answer is II: 'Wide-ranging facts about avalanches.' Paragraph A discusses speeds, causes, and occurrence of avalanches - providing a wide range of facts.

15Paragraph B

The correct answer is I: 'The components which make up an avalanche.' Paragraph B describes the three main parts: the starting zone, the avalanche track, and the runout zone.

16Paragraph C

The correct answer is IX: 'What constitutes the different kinds of avalanches?' Paragraph C describes three main types: wet snow avalanches, dry snow avalanches, and slab avalanches.

17Paragraph D

The correct answer is VI: 'More factors that lead to avalanches.' Paragraph D discusses natural conditions like wind, weather, snow composition, storms, sunlight, and moisture.

18Paragraph E

The correct answer is III: 'Different systems at work to try to reduce risk and minimize loss.' Paragraph E describes prevention methods including explosives, protective fences, avalanche dams, and snow shelters.

19Paragraph F

The correct answer is VII: 'Forecasting avalanches is not an exact science, and does not always prevent loss of human life.' The paragraph states 'Avalanches cannot accurately be predicted' and describes historical disasters.

20Paragraph G

The correct answer is V: 'Governments try to categorize different kinds of avalanches.' Paragraph G discusses 'various classification systems' used by different countries.

Questions 21 – 24 Classify the following statements as characteristics of A wet snow avalanches B dry snow avalanches C slab avalanches Write the appropriate letters A – C in boxes 21 – 24 on your answer sheet. NB You may use any letter more than once.

21Generally, there are two main parts to this type of avalanche.

The correct answer is C: Slab avalanches. Paragraph C says 'A 'crown fracture' appears at the top and 'flank fractures' are created vertically' (hence '2 parts').

22This avalanche is common during one particular time of the year.

The correct answer is A: Wet snow avalanches. Paragraph C states they 'usually occurring naturally in the spring season because of melting snow from the increasing temperatures.'

23Specific lines demarcating the actual avalanche are formed when it is created.

The correct answer is C: Slab avalanches. Paragraph C mentions 'these types of avalanches often leave 'walls' carved in the snow where the avalanche has broken away.'

24One key point, moisture, is necessary to generate the force to cause the avalanche to break away and begin to move.

The correct answer is A: Wet snow avalanches. Paragraph C states 'Water saturation is a key point, due to the melting' for wet snow avalanches.

Questions 25 – 26 Choose the appropriate letters A – D to complete the sentence.

25Measures to control avalanches include...

The correct answer is A: 'large weapons being fired in mountainous areas to create huge sound waves to loosen the snow.' Paragraph E states: 'Explosives are regularly used in mountainous areas, armies being employed to fire high-decibal cannons which trigger shock waves to loosen snow packs.'

26The classification systems for avalanches...

The correct answer is A: 'vary in different areas of the world.' Paragraph G states: 'There are various classification systems for avalanches, but none that is universally recognized. Canada and the United States use one system... while Europe employs a different rating system... and other alpine nations utilize varying systems.'

Passage 3

Reading Passage 3

THE NON-MILITARY USES OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES A) The use of unmanned aerial vehicles has grown dramatically over the past decade or so, in no small part due to the fact that some of these machines are able to remain airborne for longer periods of time than more conventional manned aircraft. At the same time, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), and remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs), nowadays commonly referred to as drones, are generally credited with being both more cost-effective to operate and maintain, as well as safer to use, than piloted aircraft. The term drone may also refer to small electric helicopters fitted with two or more rotors which are flown by remote control. B) Today, drones are being used with increasing frequency for military operations by a number of countries in combat, surveillance and reconnaissance roles. These machines tend to be larger than non-military drones and are, in the main, powered by jet or gas engines. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the use of drone technology has gained a measure of notoriety as a result of their growing prominence in military roles, which have been widely publicised in television, online and print media during the last decade and a half, leading to criticism of their application in this arena on both ethical and legal grounds. C) While originally and currently still primarily used for military purposes, the rapid growth and development in drone technology during the early twenty-first century has led some experts to predict that, by 2030, there will be approximately 30,000 licensed drones operating in the skies above the United States alone. It has also been estimated that the economic value of the commercial drone market will rise in value to around $90 billion globally during the next five years, as well as create as many as 150,000 new jobs by 2035. A projection by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International estimates that agricultural applications will one day account for approximately 80 percent of commercial drone use. D) One development related to the commercial use of drones which has perhaps received the greatest amount of news and media coverage in recent years is the establishment of Amazon Prime Air in the early 2020s by the US-based online retail giant, Amazon.com. Amazon Prime Air's drone-based delivery system for its customers' purchases is now operational, though it's still growing and faces regulatory considerations. Deliveries occur during daylight hours and in good weather conditions, although the company has been granted permission by the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to begin testing its current prototypes under certain restrictions. E) As far as aerial filming and photography are concerned, commercial drones have a number of applications in industries ranging from those of movie production and the news media, to real estate, telecommunications and security. More specific uses in these fields include, though are by no means limited to, taking promotional photos and videos for commercial and residential properties on the market, filming breaking-news stories and live sports events, producing footage from unique perspectives for movies and carrying out security and surveillance functions in the detection of criminal activity and identification of criminals. F) In addition to the delivery of consumer products and other commercial applications, non-military drones are gaining popularity for use in search and rescue operations. Drone-mounted cameras enable unmanned aerial vehicles to follow pre-programmed search patterns when looking for missing persons and victims of natural disasters across a variety of otherwise inaccessible terrain types, including marine environments. With the addition of infrared thermal imaging camera technology, drones can also carry out search and rescue missions after dark, with much greater manoeuvrability and at less cost than using a helicopter, for example. G) These days, drones are increasingly being used by national government agencies and local authorities for a variety of purposes outside of the private sector. Transport agencies, both road and rail, make use of unmanned aerial vehicles for monitoring traffic flow and reporting accidents and hazards, while civil planners utilise the technology to assist with mapping and surveying work. Fire departments in some jurisdictions now rely on UAVs to help them reduce risks and costs when fighting fires in both urban and rural areas, while customs and law enforcement agencies also employ drone technology in protecting citizens and borders through monitoring and surveillance. H) In terms of the natural world, scientists and researchers are turning to drones with greater frequency to monitor, document and assess changes in the health, movement and distribution of flora and fauna, as well as pollution, weather and the climate, both conveniently and cost-effectively. Unmanned aircraft are today being used not only in environmental and ecological research, but also as cutting-edge tools to assist in wildlife conservation efforts. In the latter capacity, drone technology is now being used by both governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations in the surveillance and prevention of illegal hunting and poaching of a number of endangered species. I) While advocates of drones are quick to point out all of the many benefits that the machines can bring to society and the planet, the technology is not without its critics. Those opposed to the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles cite a number of negative aspects related to the seemingly inexorable rise of drones and their myriad possible applications in our lives. These include logistical concerns such as the comparatively short flight times of smaller UAVs (presently between 30 and 45 minutes) and their operational limitations in terms of spatial mobility. Other perceived disadvantages are safety risks, in the potential for collisions across increasingly crowded airspace, and even the adverse effects drones may have on the natural environment, particularly as contributors to noise pollution. J) Whether for commercial or recreational applications or being used as tools to assist those working in the public sector, it would appear that the numerical proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as their numerous potential uses, means that the impact of drone technology in our lives is only set to increase. While there are undoubtedly issues yet to be resolved regarding the use of drones, particularly in relation to regulatory oversight and legal restrictions on the part of relevant authorities, the futuristic technology afforded us in the form of these robotic vehicles indicates that not the sky, but rather the solar system and beyond, may be the limit.

Questions 27 to 40

Reading Passage 3 You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27 – 40 which are based on Reading Passage 3. Questions 27-33 Reading Passage 3 has ten paragraphs, A-J. Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A-J, in boxes 27-32 on our answer sheet. NB You may use any letter more than once.

27Drone technology for use in farming

The correct answer is Paragraph C. Paragraph C explicitly states: 'agricultural applications will one day account for approximately 80 percent of commercial drone use.'

28Potential drawbacks of non-military drones

The correct answer is Paragraph I. Paragraph I explicitly discusses drawbacks including 'comparatively short flight times' and 'safety risks, in the potential for collisions across increasingly crowded airspace.'

29The sale of housing

The correct answers are Paragraph E and Paragraph I (as per the answer key). Paragraph E explicitly mentions drones 'taking promotional photos and videos for commercial and residential properties on the market.'

30The preservation of plants and animals

The correct answer is Paragraph H. It states: 'scientists and researchers are turning to drones... to monitor, document and assess changes in the health, movement and distribution of flora and fauna' and mentions 'wildlife conservation efforts.'

31Using drones at night

The correct answer is Paragraph F. It states: 'With the addition of infrared thermal imaging camera technology, drones can also carry out search and rescue missions after dark.'

32Employment opportunities related to UAVs

The correct answer is Paragraph C. It states: 'the economic value of the commercial drone market will... create as many as 150,000 new jobs by 2035.'

33The use of drones in monitoring automobiles

The correct answer is Paragraph G. It states: 'Transport agencies, both road and rail, make use of unmanned aerial vehicles for monitoring traffic flow and reporting accidents and hazards.'

Questions 34-38 Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 3? In boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet, write TRUE if the statement agrees with the information FALSE if the statement contradicts the information NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

34Drones are often cheaper to use than manned aircraft.

The correct answer is TRUE. Paragraph A states drones 'are generally credited with being both more cost-effective to operate and maintain, as well as safer to use, than piloted aircraft.'

35In the future, the majority of private sector drones are likely to be used in farming.

The correct answer is TRUE. Paragraph C states: 'agricultural applications will one day account for approximately 80 percent of commercial drone use.'

36Amazon is presently using drones to deliver items purchased online.

The correct answer is TRUE. Paragraph D states: 'Amazon Prime Air's drone-based delivery system for its customers' purchases is now operational, though it's still growing and faces regulatory considerations. Deliveries occur during daylight hours and in good weather conditions.'

37Drone technology is used to help rescue people lost at sea.

The correct answer is TRUE. Paragraph F states: 'Drone-mounted cameras enable unmanned aerial vehicles to follow pre-programmed search patterns when looking for missing persons... across a variety of otherwise inaccessible terrain types, including marine environments.'

38Drones contribute to air pollution.

The correct answer is NOT GIVEN. While Paragraph I mentions 'adverse effects drones may have on the natural environment, particularly as contributors to noise pollution,' air pollution is not mentioned.

Questions 39-40 Choose TWO letters, A-E.

39–40Which TWO of the following are mentioned as being risks or drawbacks associated with drone technology?

The correct answers are B: 'Duration of flights' and D: 'Mid-air collisions.' Paragraph I explicitly mentions 'comparatively short flight times of smaller UAVs (presently between 30 and 45 minutes)' and 'safety risks, in the potential for collisions across increasingly crowded airspace.'

Your result

Your band score for this Academic reading test

Answer the questions to see your score out of 40.

Your approximate band appears once you have answered every question.

Band boundaries vary slightly between test versions, so treat this as a guide rather than a prediction. It also flatters: a test taken at home, without the pressure of the day, usually scores higher than the real thing.

Approximate Academic reading conversion, out of 40
Correct answers	Approximate band
39+	Band 9
37+	Band 8.5
35+	Band 8
33+	Band 7.5
30+	Band 7
27+	Band 6.5
23+	Band 6
19+	Band 5.5
15+	Band 5

Reading and listening convert from a raw score. Writing and speaking do not: they are judged by an examiner against four criteria, which is why no calculator can estimate them.

Getting answers wrong and not sure why?

Every question here explains its answer. What an explanation cannot tell you is which question types you lose marks on repeatedly, which is the thing worth fixing.

The complete IELTS course on IELTStestONLINE has video lessons on every reading question type, many more full tests, and your own support tutor. Take a look at the complete course

Questions about this IELTS Academic reading practice test

Is this a real IELTS reading test?

It is a full-length practice test written to the same specification as the real Academic reading test: three passages, forty questions, sixty minutes. Past papers are not released by the test providers.

How long should this test take?

Sixty minutes for all three passages, about twenty minutes each. There is no extra time in the real test to transfer answers, so treat every answer as final when you choose it.

How many answers do I need for Band 7?

Around 30 out of 40 in Academic reading, though the boundary varies slightly between test versions. Roughly 27 is Band 6.5 and 23 is Band 6.

Do I need to sign up to take this test?

No. The passages, the questions, the answers and the explanations are all open, with no account and no payment.

Why is my practice score higher than my real test score?

A test taken at home has no time pressure, no unfamiliar room and no invigilation. Practice scores usually flatter, so plan for slightly less on the day.

Before your next test

The IELTS reading testEvery question type explained True False Not GivenUsed ten times in this test How to use a practice testTiming, review and what a score means

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A reading band is not an IELTS band

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IELTStestONLINE assesses your writing and speaking against the four criteria, as often as you like, and keeps every score you record in one place with an estimated overall band.

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