Academic Reading Practice Test- 29

Time Allowed: 60 minutes
Total Questions: 40

Instructions:

• Answer ALL questions

• Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER unless stated otherwise

• For multiple-choice questions, choose ONE correct answer

• 🔹 Reading Passage 1

The Impact of Urban Green Spaces

Urban green spaces, such as parks, gardens, and green corridors, play an increasingly important role in modern cities. As urban populations grow, these spaces provide essential environmental, social, and psychological benefits to residents.

From an environmental perspective, green spaces help mitigate urban heat by providing shade and promoting evaporative cooling. Vegetation also improves air quality by absorbing pollutants and producing oxygen. In addition, green areas support biodiversity by offering habitats for birds, insects, and small mammals.

Green spaces contribute significantly to human health and well-being. Numerous studies indicate that regular exposure to natural environments reduces stress, improves mood, and enhances cognitive functioning. Urban residents with access to nearby parks are more likely to engage in physical activity, which lowers the risk of chronic diseases.

Socially, green spaces serve as gathering points that encourage interaction among community members. Well-designed parks can strengthen social cohesion and foster a sense of belonging. However, unequal distribution of green spaces often reflects broader social inequalities within cities.

Despite their benefits, urban green spaces face pressure from development and limited funding. City planners increasingly recognize the need to integrate green infrastructure into long-term urban planning to ensure sustainable and livable cities.

Questions 1–13

Questions 1–7

Complete the notes below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

1. Green spaces help reduce urban _________.

2. Vegetation can improve _________ quality.

3. Green areas support urban _________.

4. Contact with nature can lower _________.

5. Access to parks encourages physical _________.

6. Parks can strengthen social _________.

7. Unequal access reflects social _________.

Questions 8–13

Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage?

Write:

• TRUE if the statement agrees

• FALSE if it contradicts

• NOT GIVEN if there is no information

8. Green spaces completely eliminate air pollution.

9. Urban parks contribute to mental well-being.

10. All cities distribute green spaces equally.

11. Green spaces increase biodiversity.

12. Development pressure threatens urban parks.

13. Funding for green spaces is unlimited.

 Reading Passage 2

Online Education and Academic Performance

Online education has expanded rapidly over the past decade, driven by technological advances and changing learner needs. Universities, schools, and private institutions now offer a wide range of online courses, allowing students to access education regardless of geographic location.

One advantage of online learning is flexibility. Students can study at their own pace and often balance education with work or family responsibilities. Digital platforms also provide access to diverse learning materials, including recorded lectures, interactive quizzes, and discussion forums.

However, concerns remain regarding academic performance. Some studies suggest that students in online courses may experience lower completion rates than those in traditional classrooms. Factors such as reduced face-to-face interaction, limited motivation, and inadequate self-discipline can affect learning outcomes.

Online education also raises issues of equity. While it increases access for some learners, it may disadvantage those without reliable internet connections or appropriate devices. Educational institutions must therefore address the digital divide to ensure fairness.

Researchers conclude that online education can be effective when combined with strong instructional design, regular feedback, and student support services. Blended learning models, which integrate online and in-person instruction, are increasingly viewed as a balanced approach.

Questions 14–26

Questions 14–18

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

14. Online education has expanded mainly because of
    A. government regulations
    B. technological advances
    C. reduced tuition fees
    D. teacher shortages

15. One benefit of online learning is
    A. compulsory attendance
    B. fixed schedules
    C. learning flexibility
    D. limited materials

16. Lower completion rates in online courses may result from
    A. excessive supervision
    B. lack of discipline
    C. improved motivation
    D. smaller class sizes

17. The digital divide refers to differences in
    A. teaching quality
    B. learning styles
    C. access to technology
    D. academic ability

18. Blended learning combines online and
    A. independent study
    B. distance learning
    C. workplace training
    D. face-to-face instruction

Questions 19–26

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

Online education offers greater _________ (19) for learners and access to varied digital materials. However, some students struggle with motivation and _________ (20), leading to lower completion rates. Equity concerns arise due to unequal internet and _________ (21) access. Experts suggest that effective online learning requires strong course design, regular _________ (22), and student support.

 Reading Passage 3

Risk Perception and Human Behavior

Risk perception refers to how individuals evaluate potential dangers and uncertainties. People often perceive risks differently from statistical assessments, leading to behavior that may appear irrational from a purely scientific perspective.

Psychological factors strongly influence risk perception. Familiar risks, such as driving, are often underestimated, while rare but dramatic events, such as plane crashes, tend to be overestimated. Media coverage can amplify fear by repeatedly highlighting extreme cases.

Cultural and social contexts also shape attitudes toward risk. Societies differ in their tolerance for uncertainty, which affects responses to health threats, environmental hazards, and technological innovations. Trust in institutions plays a crucial role in determining whether people accept expert advice.

Risk perception has important implications for public policy. When public understanding differs from scientific evidence, policymakers may face resistance to necessary measures. Effective risk communication requires transparency, clear messaging, and consideration of emotional responses.

Experts argue that improving public risk literacy can lead to better decision-making. Education initiatives that explain probabilities and uncertainties help individuals evaluate risks more accurately and respond more appropriately.

Questions 27–40

Questions 27–32

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

27. Risk perception differs from scientific assessment because it is influenced by
    A. mathematical models
    B. emotional factors
    C. laboratory data
    D. expert training

28. People often underestimate risks that are
    A. unfamiliar
    B. highly publicized
    C. common
    D. dramatic

29. Media coverage can increase fear by
    A. providing statistics
    B. ignoring evidence
    C. repeating extreme events
    D. reducing uncertainty

30. Cultural context affects how people
    A. calculate probabilities
    B. tolerate uncertainty
    C. measure danger
    D. define risk

31. Policymakers may face resistance when
    A. risks are well understood
    B. science aligns with public views
    C. public perception differs from evidence
    D. communication is transparent

32. Risk literacy aims to improve
    A. emotional control
    B. media regulation
    C. statistical accuracy
    D. decision-making

Questions 33–40

Complete the table below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

✅ Answer Key

Passage 1

1. heat

2. air

3. biodiversity

4. stress

5. activity

6. cohesion

7. inequalities

8. FALSE

9. TRUE

10. FALSE

11. TRUE

12. TRUE

13. FALSE

Passage 2

14. B

15. C

16. B

17. C

18. D

19. flexibility

20. discipline

21. device

22. feedback

Passage 3

27. B

28. C

29. C

30. B

31. C

32. D

33. underestimated

34. amplified

35. advice

36. evaluation