Reading module practice test 1

Important

Each section in the Reading Module has 13-15 questions, however, the passage given below is short and has fewer number of questions.

Academic reading passage 1

The north-west Indian state of Rajasthan is said to receive more sunshine than anywhere else in the world. If solar power can produce electricity at competitive prices, it should be here. All the same, India has dithered for some ten years before committing itself. Money has been one problem. Getting suitable technology is another. Both seem now to have been solved. The World Bank has granted $45m through one of its agencies, and a German development bank has provided a soft loan of $149m. The technology is mainly American – developed in sunny California. Robert Kelly of Amoco-Enron, an American company involved in the project, says it will establish India as a world leader in solar power.

Politically, there has been doubt about turning to solar power when the country has plenty of coal. But coal is polluting and, anyway, India’s is of poor quality. The mines and power stations they serve, mainly in eastern India, cannot even meet India’s present demand for electricity. Looking at the future, the state government of Rajasthan and the central government of Delhi have decided to go for cleaner solar power, even though, on present figures, the electricity it produces costs three times as much as that produced by coal.

Officials involved in the project are optimistic about bringing down the cost of solar-generated electricity. Eventually, they believe, it will be cheaper than that produced by a conventional plant.

Question 1-3

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

Areas that receive a good amount of sunshine are ideal for producing electricity from ………………….. 1……………………….. at competitive prices. Although, electricity produced from solar energy is ……………………….. 2 ………………………….. than that produced from conventional sources like coal, it costs …………………… 3 ……………………. as much.

1…………………………….  2…………………………………………  3………………………………………….

Questions 4 – 7

Complete each of the following statements, 4 – 7, with the best ending, from the list of endings below. Write the correct letters, A-H, next to each question.

4. Indian politicians are not exactly interested in turning to solar energy …………………………

5. The best thing about solar-generated electricity is that ……………………….

6. If governments want to produce electricity from solar power at competitive prices, …………………………………….

7. Although India has plenty of coal, the Indian government is turning to solar energy ………………………………………

List of Endings

A        solar power will be cheaper than that produced from a conventional plant

B        because the country has abundant sources of coal

C       because the coal deposits found in India are not of the best quality

D       it will establish India as a world leader in solar power

E        it is cleaner than electricity generated from a conventional plant

F        plants should be built in areas that receive abundant sunshine

G       it is cheaper

H       it is a renewable source of energy

Answers

1. Solar power

2. Cleaner

3. Three times

4. B  (because the country has abundant sources of coal)

5. E  (it is cleaner than electricity generated from a conventional plant)

6. F  (plants should be built in areas that receive abundant sunshine.)

7. C  (because the coal deposits found in India are not of the best quality)

Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I'm Manjusha. This is my blog where I give IELTS preparation tips.

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