IELTS READING MODULE ( GT TEST 3)
Reading Passage 1: The Energy Transition: From Fossil Fuels to Renewables
The global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is reshaping the future of human society. For over a century, coal, oil, and gas powered the world’s industries, transportation, and homes. These traditional energy sources were cheap and abundant, making them the bedrock of economic growth across nations. However, as the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels became evident, the urgency to adopt sustainable alternatives grew.
Renewable energy sources — such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal — offer cleaner and potentially infinite ways of producing electricity. The sun, for example, provides an immense quantity of energy every second, far surpassing the total energy consumed by humanity in an entire year. Wind farms now dot landscapes across the globe, harnessing atmospheric currents to generate electricity. Meanwhile, advances in hydroelectric and geothermal technologies have allowed nations like Norway and Iceland to draw nearly all their energy from renewable sources.
The shift towards clean energy is not just an environmental priority, but an economic and social one. Countries that invest in renewable infrastructure often experience benefits such as energy security, job creation, and long-term price stability. In rural areas, solar micro grids have brought electricity to communities that had never been connected to national grids, providing opportunities for education, health care, and commerce.
Yet the transition is not without its challenges. The intermittent nature of solar and wind energy means that storage technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries or pumped hydro, must evolve quickly to balance supply and demand. The global shift will also require a new workforce — one adept in installation, maintenance, and engineering related to clean technologies.
Although fossil fuels still dominate the energy mix, their decline is inevitable. In a world increasingly shaped by climate concerns and rising energy demand, the role of renewables will only expand. The future rests upon harnessing the planet’s abundant natural resources to create a cleaner, brighter, and more sustainable era.
Questions for Passage 1: The Energy Transition
True / False / Not Given
- Fossil fuels have been the foundation of economic growth for over a hundred years.
- The sun provides more energy every second than humans consume in ten years.
- Renewable energy technologies have developed more quickly than traditional fossil fuel methods.
- The shift to renewable energy has social benefits beyond environmental impacts.
- All nations have completely stopped using fossil fuels.
Sentence Completion
- ________ and long-term price stability are benefits associated with renewable energy.
- ________ have brought electricity to rural areas that were previously disconnected.
- The ________ nature of solar and wind energy necessitates advances in storage technologies.
- New energy technologies will require a workforce adept in ________ and maintenance.
- The shift towards renewable energy is critical in addressing ________ concerns.
Multiple Choice
- What is a major challenge for the global shift to renewable energy?
A) The abundance of fossil fuels
B) The intermittent nature of solar and wind energy
C) The cost of traditional energy
D) Lack of interest from rural communities - What example is mentioned as a country relying almost completely on renewable energy?
A) Canada
B) Norway
C) Australia
D) Germany
Reading Passage 2: The Evolution of Family Structures
For much of human history, the family unit has been central to society, providing its members with belonging, support, and continuity. Yet, the composition and role of families have evolved significantly over time, shaped by economic, social, and cultural forces.
In early agricultural communities, families tended to be extended units, with several generations living and working together. The family was both an economic and social entity, where every member contributed to its survival. Industrialization altered this dynamic, as economic activity shifted from farms to factories, prompting the rise of the nuclear family — a household comprised of just parents and their children. This shift reflected the growing trend of individualism and the demands of urbanization.
The twentieth century witnessed further changes. Women increasingly joined the workforce, challenging traditional gender roles and reshaping family dynamics. The advent of contraception and advances in reproductive technology gave couples more control over family planning, leading to smaller family sizes. Meanwhile, rising divorce rates and the acceptance of diverse family structures — including single-parent, blended, and same-sex families — reflected a growing shift towards inclusivity and individual choice.
Today, the concept of family is more fluid and diverse than at any point in history. In some nations, traditional multi-generational households remain common, while in others, families can take a range of forms shaped by circumstance and personal choice. Despite these changes, one core truth endures across time and culture: families, regardless of structure, continue to serve as fundamental units of belonging and emotional support. As society evolves, so too will the family — adapting to new economic realities, technological advances, and shifting cultural norms.
Questions for Passage 2: The Evolution of Family Structures
True / False / Not Given
- In early agricultural communities, families were usually extended units.
- The industrial era caused families to stay in rural areas.
- Changes in family structure have been influenced by economic and social factors.
- The rise of contraception led exclusively to larger families.
- The concept of family is less flexible today than in the past.
Summary Completion
Complete the summary using one word from the passage.
Throughout history, families have adapted to changes in economic and ________ (18) conditions. The shift from rural farms to urban factories gave rise to the ________ (19) family structure. In the 20th century, advances in ________ (20) shaped family planning, while higher divorce rates and more diverse family forms reflected a trend towards ________ (21). Today, families can be multi-generational, nuclear, or shaped by ________ (22) and personal needs.
Multiple Choice
- What was a key role of families in early agricultural communities?
A) To support only immediate relatives
B) To provide belonging and economic survival
C) To foster urbanization
D) To reduce family sizes - What trend became common in the twentieth century?
A) A shift towards multi-generational living
B) A rise in extended family units
C) An increase in gender role separation
D) The growth of smaller family sizes and diverse family forms
Reading Passage 3: The Impact of New Technology
Throughout human history, technology has shaped how we live, work, and relate to one another. From the wheel to the printing press, innovations have acted as catalysts for profound social and economic changes. Today, the rapid advancement of digital technologies — such as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), and robotics — is reshaping the very fabric of society.
AI has become a cornerstone of modern life. From voice-activated assistants like Siri and Alexa to advanced medical diagnostic tools, AI is making everyday tasks more manageable and increasing efficiency across industries. Meanwhile, the IoT connects billions of devices, allowing them to collect and share data. This connectivity improves agriculture, transportation, and urban planning, making services more responsive and sustainable.
Robotics has evolved from the realm of science fiction to reality, with robots now performing complex surgeries, assembling products, and aiding in disaster recovery. These advances are revolutionizing the workforce, reducing human error and increasing productivity. However, these changes also raise questions about ethics and the displacement of traditional jobs. The challenge lies in ensuring that technological advances benefit society as a whole, rather than exacerbating existing economic divides.
While new technology offers countless benefits, it also presents significant dilemmas. The rise of surveillance technologies threatens privacy, while digital platforms have reshaped how we communicate, often at the expense of face-to-face interaction. Yet, despite these concerns, it is evident that technology will continue to evolve, challenging society to balance its benefits and risks. In doing so, it will redefine not only how we work and live but also how we understand ourselves as human beings.
Questions for Passage 3: The Impact of New Technology
True / False / Not Given
- New technology has shaped society throughout human history.
- AI has a role in medical diagnosis.
- The Internet of Things connects people exclusively through mobile phones.
- Robotics has increased human error in manufacturing.
- New technologies only benefit wealthy nations.
Summary Completion
Complete the summary using one word from the passage.
Modern technology, such as AI and the ________ (30), has reshaped industries like agriculture and transportation. ________ (31) now perform complex surgeries and aid in disaster recovery. However, advances also raise questions about ________ (32) and the displacement of traditional jobs. New technologies continue to evolve, challenging society to balance benefits and ________ (33) in the future.
Multiple Choice
- What is a benefit of robotics?
A) Increased error in manufacturing
B) Reduced productivity across industries
C) The ability to carry out complex surgeries
D) Reduced connectivity between devices - What is a concern associated with new technology?
A) Reduced access to mobile phones
B) The rise of surveillance technologies and privacy issues
C) Lack of medical advances
D) The decreased role of AI in agriculture
Matching Information
Which technological advancement is associated with the following?
Write the correct letter: A = AI | B = IoT | C = Robotics
- Enables voice-activated services
- Improves transportation and agriculture through connectivity
- Enables precise surgeries and disaster recovery
- Enables data sharing between billions of devices
- Improves efficiency across industries
ANSWER KEY: TEST 3
Reading Passage 1: The Energy Transition
- True
- Not Given
- False
- True
- False
- Energy security
- Solar microgrids
- Intermittent
- Installation
- Climate
- B (The intermittent nature of solar and wind energy)
- B (Norway)
Reading Passage 2: The Evolution of Family Structures
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- Social
- Nuclear
- Contraception
- Individualism
- Choice
- B (To provide belonging and economic survival)
- D (The growth of smaller family sizes and diverse family forms)
Reading Passage 3: The Impact of New Technology
- True
- True
- False
- False
- Not Given
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Robots
- Ethics
- Risks
- C (The ability to carry out complex surgeries)
- B (The rise of surveillance technologies and privacy issues)
- A (AI)
- B (IoT)
- C (Robotics)
- B (IoT)
- A (AI)
