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A better way to Travel Reading Answers

Bhaskar Das

Oct 25, 2024

A better way to Travel Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. A better way to Travel Reading Answers has a total of 14 IELTS questions in total. In the questions set, you have choose the correct paragraph from the given passage. In the next part you have to tell whether the statement is true, false or not given.

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the IELTS exam, designed to assess a candidate's ability to comprehend and analyze different types of passages. In this passage, you will engage with a series of IELTS reading practice questions that simulate real test scenarios. These questions are aimed at improving your skills in identifying key ideas, extracting specific information, and making inferences. Whether you are preparing for the Academic or General Training module, practicing these IELTS reading questions will help you become familiar with the format and boost your confidence for the actual test.

Section 1

A BETTER WAY TO TRAVEL

A. Thanksgiving is a holiday that encourages us to reflect on the aspects of our lives for which we are grateful. It is also a time when many people travel, highlighting a significant problem in the United States that the government has been unwilling to address. The Interstate System, a network of freeways built under the supervision of Dwight Eisenhower, and the proliferation of airports in cities across the country have led to unintended consequences and a heavy reliance on cars and planes. As a result, building a dependable and efficient intercity high-speed rail (HSR) has become an urgent necessity. However, Washington's lack of action on the issue is largely due to misconceptions and exaggerated criticisms.

B. During Thanksgiving, a staggering 43.4 million people will travel more than 50 miles to celebrate the occasion, with approximately 38.9 million choosing to drive, according to AAA. This surge in cars on the road leads to extensive traffic delays and inconveniences. INRIX, a traffic services provider, predicts that in cities with the worst Thanksgiving traffic, the average trip will be delayed by 28.55 percent. Flying, with its expenses and drawbacks, is not always a desirable or feasible alternative. Unfortunately, limited transportation options force American citizens to choose between two undesirable and environmentally harmful alternatives.

C. The transportation problem highlighted during Thanksgiving is not limited to this particular holiday. It exists throughout the year and will only worsen as the U.S. population continues to grow. Simply selling more cars and building more roads will not solve the issue. Andrew Holland, an expert on energy, climate change, and infrastructure policy, points out that while the Interstate Highway System has successfully connected the country, it has also promoted sprawling, car-dependent development, shifting the major cost of fuel onto consumers. To address this, America 2050, an infrastructure planning and policy program, recommends implementing high-speed rail in the Northeast, Midwest, Texas, and California based on criteria such as metropolitan size, distance, transit connections, economic productivity, and congestion.

D. The advantages of faster and more efficient train systems are significant. According to the U.S. High Speed Rail Association, these trains address various problems in the United States. They reduce national oil consumption and emissions, create millions

of jobs through infrastructure construction and manufacturing, strengthen national security by reducing dependence on oil, and provide relief from congestion while offering a convenient and comfortable mode of travel without delays. So, why has there

been little political movement on the issue?

E. One of the misconceptions surrounding HSR is the belief that passenger trains are exorbitantly expensive and require taxpayer subsidies. Critics argue that spending on HSR is irresponsible given the high national debt. However, they fail to acknowledge

the double standard in the debate the government's significant subsidisation of other transportation modes, such as the construction and maintenance of the interstate highway system, which cost $146 billion in public funds in 2007.

F. Another misconception is that HSR is unsuitable for the United States. Critics claim that interstate highways, suburbanization, and air travel make trains unnecessary. However, they overlook the future implications of population growth, limited fossil fuel resources, and environmental concerns. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) rightly points out that during the decades it will take to construct an extensive HSR network, the U.S. population is projected to grow by at least 100 million, fossil fuel availability will decline, and environmental considerations will demand less-polluting and more energy-efficient transportation modes. Therefore, high-speed rail is a fitting solution.

G. Lastly, some argue that there is no political or public support for HSR, leading supporters to overstate its benefits. However, a poll conducted by Angus Reid found that 49 percent of Americans support HSR, while only 26 percent oppose it. Clearly there is grassroots support for greater investment in high speed trains, and several well-founded rationales for seriously considering it.

Questions 1-5

The reading passage contains 7 paragraphs, A-G. Which paragraph contains the following information?

1. Issues which the interstate state highway system has created.

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “........The Interstate Highway System has successfully connected the country, but it has also promoted sprawling, car-dependent development, shifting the major cost of fuel onto consumers........”

Keywords: highway, sprawling

Keyword Location: para C, line 4

Explanation: While the highway system has helped connect the nation, it has also led to urban sprawl and dependency on personal vehicles. This development forces consumers to bear fuel costs and worsens the transportation problem, emphasizing that road-based infrastructure has unintended negative effects.

2. Government funding of other means of transport.

Answer: E

Supporting statement: “.........The government’s significant subsidization of other transportation,modes such as the construction and maintenance of the interstate highway system, cost $146 billion in public funds in 2007........”

Keywords: modes, system

Keyword Location: para E, line 4

Explanation: Critics of HSR argue it requires subsidies, but the passage reveals that the government has already been funding other modes of transport heavily, particularly roads.

3. The problems Americans sometimes face when traveling by road.

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “........This surge in cars on the road leads to extensive traffic delays and inconveniences........”

Keywords: surge, inconveniences

Keyword Location: para B, line 4

Explanation: The increased number of travelers during Thanksgiving results in heavy traffic, leading to delays. The passage suggests that road travel becomes inconvenient, especially during peak times.

4. The benefits provided by train networks.

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “........They reduce national oil consumption and emissions, create millions of jobs, strengthen national security, and provide relief from congestion while offering a convenient and comfortable mode of travel........”

Keywords: jobs, travel

Keyword Location: para D, lines 1–2

Explanation: HSR systems offer multiple benefits, such as environmental sustainability, job creation, and reduced congestion. These advantages demonstrate that high-speed rail can address several pressing problems currently faced by other modes of transportation.

5. Why criticisms of high speed rail are misfounded.

Answer: F

Supporting statement: “.........Critics overlook the future implications of population growth, limited fossil fuel resources, and environmental concerns.......”

Keywords: fossil, resources

Keyword Location: para F, line 2

Explanation: The passage argues that HSR critics ignore future challenges, such as rising population, declining fossil fuels, and environmental needs. HSR is presented as a necessary solution for long-term sustainability, and criticism against it is seen as short-sighted.

Questions 6-7

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer? Write

YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

6. The combination of a large freeway system and extensive airport network has led to unexpected problems.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “........The Interstate System and the proliferation of airports have led to unintended consequences and a heavy reliance on cars and planes........”

Keywords: unintended, consequences

Keyword Location: para A, lines 3–4

Explanation: The writer asserts that these transport systems have caused unexpected issues, including excessive dependence on cars and planes. This aligns with the statement, confirming that the problems were unanticipated.

7. The large number of vehicles on the road during Thanksgiving results in many road accidents.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: Although the passage discusses traffic delays, it does not mention accidents.

Questions 8-10

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer? Write

YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

8. Road Transportation problems will get worse in the future

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “.......The transportation problem... will only worsen as the U.S. population continues to grow.........”

Keywords: transportation, population

Keyword Location: para C, lines 2–3

Explanation: The writer argues that transportation issues will worsen with population growth, making it clear that current road infrastructure will be insufficient in the future. This aligns with the statement that the problem will become more severe.

9. High speed passenger trains are very expensive.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “........Critics argue that spending on HSR is irresponsible... but they fail to acknowledge the government’s significant subsidization of other transportation modes........”

Keywords: spending, acknowledge

Keyword Location: para E, lines 2–4

Explanation: The writer acknowledges that critics label HSR as expensive but counters this by pointing out that the government already heavily subsidizes road infrastructure. The implication is that HSR is not disproportionately expensive compared to other modes of transportation.

10. As the population in the United States grows trains will become a more attractive transport solution.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “.........During the decades it will take to construct an extensive HSR network, the U.S. population is projected to grow by at least 100 million.......”

Keywords: population, decades

Keyword Location: para F, lines 2–3

Explanation: The writer explains that as the population grows, the need for alternative, efficient transportation solutions like HSR will increase. This supports the idea that trains will become more attractive in the future.

Questions 11-14

Which of the following advantages of investing in trains is mentioned in the passage?

Choose four answers from the list below:

A. It would create a more dependable transport system.

B. It would lower the use of oil.

C. It would increase employment.

D. It would reduce the cost of maintaining the interstate highway system.

E. It would reduce congestion problems.

F. It would reduce road deaths.

G. It would reduce traffic delays.

Q.11

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “........They breduce national oil consumption and emissions........”

Keywords: reduce, national

Keyword Location: para D, line 1

Explanation: HSR helps lower oil consumption, contributing to energy conservation and reducing the environmental impact of transportation.

Q.12

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “.......They create millions of jobs through infrastructure construction and manufacturing.........”

Keywords: create, manufacturing

Keyword Location: para D, line 2

Explanation: The construction and operation of HSR systems would generate employment in multiple sectors, boosting the economy.

Q.13

Answer: E

Supporting statement: “........They provide relief from congestion while offering a convenient and comfortable mode of travel........”

Keywords: comfortable, travel

Keyword Location: para D, line 2

Explanation: By providing an alternative to road travel, HSR can reduce congestion on highways, especially during peak travel periods.

Q.14

Answer: G

Supporting statement: “........Offering a convenient and comfortable mode of travel without delays........”

Keywords: convenient, delays

Keyword Location: para D, line 3

Explanation: HSR offers faster travel with fewer delays compared to road and air travel, making it a more reliable option.

Read More IELTS Reading Related Samples

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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