IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test 5
Passage 1: The Secret Life of Trees
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1–13, which are based on the reading passage below.
For centuries, people believed that trees lived independently, competing with each other for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Recent research, however, has revealed that trees are far more interconnected than once thought. Through underground networks of roots and fungi known as mycorrhizal networks, trees can exchange nutrients, warn each other of pests, and even support their neighbours.
These underground networks are formed when tree roots connect with fungi, which help the trees absorb minerals and water from the soil. In return, the fungi receive sugars produced by the tree through photosynthesis. Scientists have nicknamed these systems the “Wood Wide Web” because they connect entire forests.
Remarkably, some trees act as “mother trees” or hubs in these networks, supporting younger or weaker trees by sharing carbon and other nutrients. When a tree is attacked by pests, it can release chemical signals through its roots, alerting nearby trees to produce defensive compounds.
This cooperative behaviour challenges the traditional view of trees as solitary organisms competing for survival. It also has practical implications for forest management. Clear-cutting entire sections of forests, for example, can damage these hidden networks, making it harder for new trees to grow.
Understanding the social life of trees may also help address climate change. Healthy forests store vast amounts of carbon, and preserving their complex root systems could make them more resilient to environmental stress.
Despite these discoveries, many questions remain. Scientists are still learning how information flows through these networks and how human activities disrupt them. What is clear, however, is that trees are more social and cooperative than we ever imagined.
Questions 1–5
Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage?
Write TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN.
- Trees always live independently in forests.
- Trees use underground fungi networks to exchange nutrients.
- Trees send signals to each other through the air only.
- Clear-cutting can harm underground root systems.
- Scientists fully understand how all tree networks work.
Questions 6–9
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- The underground network is called the ________ by researchers.
- Trees give fungi ________ made during photosynthesis.
- Trees can release ________ signals to warn neighbours of danger.
- Preserving forests helps them store ________ more effectively.
Questions 10–13
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.
- What is the main role of mycorrhizal networks?
A) They help trees compete for more sunlight.
B) They allow trees to share resources underground.
C) They weaken young trees.
D) They block fungi from entering the soil. - What happens when a tree is attacked by pests?
A) It ignores the damage.
B) It releases signals to other trees.
C) It stops producing sugars.
D) It disconnects from the network. - Why is clear-cutting forests problematic?
A) It makes trees grow faster.
B) It improves carbon storage.
C) It damages underground connections.
D) It supports fungi growth. - What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Trees compete for all resources.
B) Trees communicate and cooperate underground.
C) Trees do not affect climate change.
D) Trees need no other organisms to survive.
Passage 2: The Invention of Paper
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14–26, which are based on the reading passage below.
Paper is such an everyday item that it’s easy to forget its revolutionary impact on human history. Before paper, writing was done on materials like stone, clay tablets, bamboo strips, silk, or animal skins. These were often expensive, heavy, or time-consuming to prepare.
The invention of paper is credited to Cai Lun, a Chinese official in the Eastern Han Dynasty around 105 CE. He used mulberry bark, old rags, and fishing nets, which were mashed and mixed with water to create pulp. The pulp was then spread on a flat screen, drained, and dried to produce sheets of paper.
This new material was lighter, cheaper, and easier to produce than previous writing surfaces. As a result, literacy and record-keeping expanded rapidly in China. Over time, papermaking spread along trade routes such as the Silk Road to the Middle East and eventually to Europe.
In Europe, the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century further increased the demand for paper. Books, once rare and expensive, became more affordable, helping to spread knowledge and ideas during the Renaissance.
Papermaking techniques continued to evolve. By the 19th century, wood pulp replaced cloth rags as the main raw material, making paper production faster and cheaper. This allowed newspapers and printed materials to reach millions.
However, modern paper production has environmental consequences. Deforestation for pulp, high water use, and pollution from paper mills pose significant challenges. Today, there is a growing interest in recycling and using alternative fibres like bamboo or agricultural waste.
Paper remains an essential part of daily life, even in the digital age. From books to packaging, its invention has left an indelible mark on human civilisation.
Questions 14–17
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Paper was invented by (14) ________ during the Eastern Han Dynasty. He made pulp from (15) ________, rags, and fishing nets. The invention spread along the (16) ________, reaching Europe where it boosted the success of the (17) ________.
Questions 18–22
Match each fact with the correct description.
Write the correct letter, A–F.
A. Clay tablets
B. Silk Road
C. Gutenberg
D. Wood pulp
E. Recycling
F. Bamboo
- Early writing material before paper
- Trade route that spread papermaking
- Invented the printing press
- Modern raw material for mass production
- Alternative to reduce environmental damage
Questions 23–26
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.
- Why did Cai Lun’s invention matter?
A) It was expensive to make.
B) It made writing materials lighter and cheaper.
C) It replaced the printing press.
D) It stopped trade routes from developing. - What effect did the printing press have on paper use?
A) It reduced the demand for books.
B) It slowed down paper production.
C) It increased the need for affordable paper.
D) It banned paper in Europe. - What problem is linked to modern papermaking?
A) It has no environmental impact.
B) It encourages deforestation and pollution.
C) It uses only recycled materials.
D) It stops newspapers from printing. - What is the main idea of this passage?
A) Paper has always been bad for the environment.
B) Paper changed communication and still affects us today.
C) Papermaking did not spread beyond China.
D) Paper is no longer important in modern times.
Passage 3: Exploring Space with Satellites
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27–40, which are based on the reading passage below.
Since the launch of Sputnik in 1957, satellites have played a crucial role in exploring space and supporting life on Earth. These man-made objects orbit the planet and gather data used for weather forecasting, navigation, communication, and scientific research.
Satellites come in many types. Some observe the Earth’s surface, monitoring climate change, deforestation, and natural disasters. Others study distant stars, galaxies, or even black holes, providing insight into the universe’s origins.
Communication satellites have transformed global connectivity, enabling phone calls, internet access, and live broadcasts worldwide. GPS satellites help billions of people find directions every day.
However, the growing number of satellites raises concerns about space debris. Old or broken satellites, as well as discarded rocket parts, can collide with working satellites, creating even more debris in Earth’s orbit. This “space junk” poses a threat to astronauts, the International Space Station, and future space missions.
To address this, organisations are researching ways to remove debris. Ideas include using nets, robotic arms, or lasers to capture or push debris out of orbit.
Satellites have also contributed to international cooperation. Countries often share data collected from weather and environmental satellites to respond to global challenges like natural disasters.
As technology advances, satellites will become smaller, cheaper, and more powerful. This opens up opportunities for more countries and private companies to launch their own missions, but it also highlights the need for responsible management of space.
Questions 27–31
Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage?
Write TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN.
- Satellites can help predict the weather.
- Some satellites orbit other planets.
- Space debris can be a danger to astronauts.
- There are no plans to remove space debris yet.
- Satellites are getting smaller and more affordable.
Questions 32–36
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Satellites help with communication, navigation, and (32) ________ research. They also observe (33) ________ changes and disasters on Earth. A major problem is (34) ________, which can collide with active satellites. Some proposed solutions include using nets and (35) ________. Future satellites will likely be cheaper and more (36) ________.
Questions 37–40
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.
- What was the first satellite launched into space?
A) Voyager
B) Sputnik
C) Apollo 11
D) Hubble - How do communication satellites affect daily life?
A) They study distant planets.
B) They slow down internet speed.
C) They make global communication possible.
D) They create more space debris. - Why do countries share satellite data?
A) To compete with each other
B) To help with global challenges
C) To keep information secret
D) To launch rockets together - What is the main message of this passage?
A) Satellites only cause problems.
B) Satellites have many benefits but require responsible use.
C) Satellites will replace astronauts.
D) Space research should stop immediately.
Answer Key
Passage 1: The Secret Life of Trees
Questions 1–5 (TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN)
- FALSE — Recent research shows trees are interconnected, not always independent.
- TRUE — Trees exchange nutrients through underground fungi networks.
- FALSE — They also send signals underground, not just through the air.
- TRUE — Clear-cutting harms hidden root/fungi networks.
- FALSE — Scientists are still learning about these networks.
Questions 6–9 (Sentence completion)
6. Wood Wide Web
7. sugars
8. chemical
9. carbon
Questions 10–13 (Multiple choice)
10. B — Mycorrhizal networks allow trees to share resources underground.
11. B — Trees attacked by pests can release warning signals.
12. C — Clear-cutting can damage these networks.
13. B — Main idea: trees communicate and cooperate underground.
Passage 2: The Invention of Paper
Questions 14–17 (Summary completion)
14. Cai Lun
15. mulberry bark
16. Silk Road
17. printing press
Questions 18–22 (Matching)
18. A — Clay tablets: early writing material
19. B — Silk Road: spread papermaking
20. C — Gutenberg: invented the printing press
21. D — Wood pulp: modern raw material
22. E — Recycling: alternative to reduce damage
Questions 23–26 (Multiple choice)
23. B — Paper made writing lighter and cheaper.
24. C — The press increased the need for affordable paper.
25. B — Modern papermaking can cause deforestation and pollution.
26. B — Main idea: paper transformed communication and still affects us today.
Passage 3: Exploring Space with Satellites
Questions 27–31 (TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN)
27. TRUE — Satellites help predict weather.
28. NOT GIVEN — Passage doesn’t say satellites orbit other planets.
29. TRUE — Space debris can endanger astronauts.
30. FALSE — Plans and ideas to remove debris do exist.
31. TRUE — Satellites are becoming smaller and cheaper.
Questions 32–36 (Summary completion)
32. scientific
33. climate
34. space debris
35. robotic arms
36. powerful
Questions 37–40 (Multiple choice)
37. B — Sputnik was the first satellite launched.
38. C — They make global communication possible.
39. B — Countries share data to help with global challenges.
40. B — Satellites have benefits but must be used responsibly.
