Back to the Basics Reading Answers

Feb 6, 2025

Back to the Basics is an IELTS Reading Answers contains 13 questions and needs to be completed within 20 minutes. This reading answer also helps you to prepare for your IELTS exam. The Back to the Basics consists of questions like: Which sections contain the following information? Choose the correct letter and Choose one word only for each. Participants should go through the IELTS Reading passage to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions. Also, this Back to the Basics Reading Answers talks about the earth's climate history. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

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Back to the Basics

A. The scorching summer of 2023 has etched itself into the annals of Earth's climate history, standing out as the hottest season since global temperature records began in 1880, as reported by NASA scientists. In particular, June through August witnessed an alarming 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit increase in temperature. This summer was 0.41 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than any previous one. This represented a substantial increase compared to the mean temperature recorded between 1951 and 1980. Never-before-seen heatwave conditions have triggered a succession of similarly unprecedented severe weather phenomena. Illustrative instances encompass destructive wildfires raging in Canada and Hawaii, persistent heat waves tormenting Europe, Japan, South America, and the United States, and torrential rain tormenting Italy, Greece, and Central Europe.

B. In light of these catastrophic occurrences, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has issued a warning emphasizing the immediate outcomes of these extreme weather events. By surprise, scientists have discovered a material that once helped the emergence of human society before being superseded by more durable and practical materials such as stone and metal. However, that wood material has returned to remedy our current situation.

C. In North America, the significance of trees in the battle against climate change is growing. The remarkable attribute of these living guardians is that their strands can absorb and store carbon dioxide. Preventing the overexploitation of trees, enhancing forest management practices, and employing sustainably harvested timber in the construction of tall structures are strategies that scientists advise for optimizing this potential. Removing carbon from the atmosphere in this manner deposits it in urban and forest structures. However, that is not all, as scientists have recently found out that wood itself can be utilized for a variety of novel purposes, most notably giving rise to cross laminated timber (CLT). CLT is an emerging material garnering significant attention in the ecological community. Now that engineers and builders have the proper equipment, they can construct fireproof and aesthetically pleasing lofty wooden structures. The environmental impact of these structures surpasses that of regular construction materials.

D. 11% of global carbon emissions are surprisingly attributed to common building materials, primarily concrete and steel, which all have detrimental environmental effects. Conversely, timber is a naturally occurring substance derived from solar radiation. It can reduce emissions, but it can also store carbon to an extent that is equivalent to removing all emissions from buildings. Yale University and the University of Washington have conducted a new study that examines the potential effects of regulating global timber deforestation and increasing the production of wood-based products. As such, we now have an exhaustive strategy for a low-carbon, healthful future, with current building practices presently reshaped in this manner.

E. For example, the Brock Commons dorm at the University of British Columbia, which serves as a testament to the carbon storage potential within wooden frameworks, comprises eighteen storeys. It is an excellent illustration of how timber structures can accumulate carbon over time. The building's capacity to store 1,753 metric tons of carbon dioxide is genuinely astounding and demonstrates the capability of timber structures to retain carbon. Carbon will be retained here for at least one hundred years, until the structure is demolished. This construction method is carbon-neutral and secure, extending beyond the structure itself.

F. The implications of these new wood technologies extend beyond environmental considerations, presenting an option for mid-rise housing that is both practical and reasonably priced. Using these novel materials to construct six- to twelve-story edifices preserves near urban areas and mitigates road pollution and traffic congestion. This transition to higher mid-rise timber structures may reduce housing costs by encouraging sustainable urban development and the construction of additional dwellings.

G. However, constructing with wood must be examined from all angles before gaining significant traction. Still, it is time to cease deforestation for other purposes, such as expanding residential areas or retail centers. After all, when forests are cleared for habitation or other land uses, the carbon they have stored is released into the atmosphere, thereby eliminating their capacity to sequester carbon in the future.

H. In summation, in the climax of the quest to stabilize the climate, forests and wood buildings have emerged as unlikely but powerful allies. Policymakers must prioritize measures to prevent deforestation and incentivize sustainable land management. Greater state and local bonding, amplifying the impact of private land conservation funding, stand out as critical components of a thorough strategy to preserve our environment and pave the way for a wood-based revolution in construction. As the world grapples with the urgency of climate change, embracing wood as a building material represents a sustainable solution and a testament to our ability to innovate and cooperate with nature in the fight against global warming. In a world where each decision counts, the choice to build with wood becomes not just an architectural preference but a pivotal step toward a greener and more resilient future for our planet.

Questions 14-18

Reading Passage 2 has eight sections, A-H.

Which section contains the following information?

Write the correct letter A-H.

NB You may use any letter more than once.

14. estimation of how long a structure can hold in carbon

Answer: E

Supporting statement: "Carbon will be retained here for at least one hundred years, until the structure is demolished."

Keywords: Carbon, structure

Keyword Location: para E, line 5

Explanation: The passage explicitly mentions the estimated duration (100 years) that carbon can be stored in a wooden structure like the Brock Commons dorm.

15. a reference to materials that took wood's role in history

Answer: B

Supporting statement: "Scientists have discovered a material that once helped the emergence of human society before being superseded by more durable and practical materials such as stone and metal."

Keywords: discovered, material

Keyword Location: para B, line 3-4

Explanation: This section references the historical replacement of wood by stone and metal, highlighting its previous role in human society.

16. missions given to a certain group of people

Answer: H

Supporting statement: "Policymakers must prioritize measures to prevent deforestation and incentivize sustainable land management."

Keywords: Policymakers, prioritize

Keyword Location: para H, line 2-3

Explanation: The section assigns policymakers the responsibility of implementing measures to combat deforestation and promote sustainable land management.

17. a reference to what creates wood

Answer: D

Supporting statement: "Timber is a naturally occurring substance derived from solar radiation."

Keywords: Timber, naturally occurring

Keyword Location: para D, line 4

Explanation: This section describes how wood is formed, emphasizing its natural origins linked to solar energy.

18. a way to reduce the number of traffic jams

Answer: F

Supporting statement: "Using these novel materials to construct six- to twelve-story edifices preserves near urban areas and mitigates road pollution and traffic congestion."

Keywords: urban areas, novel materials

Keyword Location: para F, line 3-4

Explanation: The section outlines how constructing mid-rise timber structures near urban areas can reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

Questions 19-20

Choose the correct letter.

19. What is special about 2023's natural phenomena?

A. They have yet to transpire in any other eras except ours.

B. They are very destructive with worldwide effects.

C. They are caused by the alarming state of global warming.

D. They are analyzed closely by NASA.

Answer: B. They are very destructive with worldwide effects.

Supporting statement: "Never-before-seen heatwave conditions have triggered a succession of similarly unprecedented severe weather phenomena. Illustrative instances encompass destructive wildfires raging in Canada and Hawaii, persistent heat waves tormenting Europe, Japan, South America, and the United States, and torrential rain tormenting Italy, Greece, and Central Europe."

Keywords: unprecedented, weather

Keyword Location: para A, line 5-7

Explanation: The passage highlights the widespread and destructive nature of the natural phenomena in 2023, including extreme heatwaves, wildfires, and torrential rain impacting multiple regions globally. This aligns with Option B.

20. What new role do trees play in the battle against climate change?

A. contributing to global warming

B. allowing for the creation of a novel material

C. being used as construction materials in response to the situation

D. showing the world how dangerous other materials can be

Answer: C. being used as construction materials in response to the situation

Supporting statement: "Removing carbon from the atmosphere in this manner deposits it in urban and forest structures. However, that is not all, as scientists have recently found out that wood itself can be utilized for a variety of novel purposes, most notably giving rise to cross laminated timber (CLT)."

Keywords: atmosphere, carbon

Keyword Location: para C, line 6-8

Explanation: The passage discusses how trees are now being utilized not only for carbon storage but also as sustainable building materials, particularly in the form of CLT, contributing to environmentally friendly construction. This corresponds to Option C.

Questions 21-22

Choose the correct letter.

21. What did the study carried out by Yale University and the University of Washington do for climate change's current situation?

A. Confirming that tremendous effects can arise from regulating logging.

B. Illustrating the benefits that wood-based products can have on the environment

C. Directly affecting how the world approaches building and construction.

D. Giving humanity a tactic to deal with and remedy their current situation.

Answer: D. Giving humanity a tactic to deal with and remedy their current situation.

Supporting statement: "Yale University and the University of Washington have conducted a new study that examines the potential effects of regulating global timber deforestation and increasing the production of wood-based products. As such, we now have an exhaustive strategy for a low-carbon, healthful future, with current building practices presently reshaped in this manner."

Keywords: timber, deforestation

Keyword Location: para D, line 6-8

Explanation: The study provides a comprehensive strategy for a low-carbon future, addressing the climate change crisis by reshaping building practices, emphasizing sustainable timber use, and reducing carbon emissions. This aligns with the idea of providing humanity with a tactic to remedy the current situation.

22. Why is Brock Commons dorm considered a symbol of wood's lifesaving properties?

A. It is a much bigger structure than other wood-based ones.

B. It holds in carbon for as long as it exists.

C. It managed to take in a gigantic amount of carbon.

D. It is entirely made out of wood, without additional materials.

Answer: B. It holds in carbon for as long as it exists.

Supporting statement: "The building's capacity to store 1,753 metric tons of carbon dioxide is genuinely astounding and demonstrates the capability of timber structures to retain carbon. Carbon will be retained here for at least one hundred years, until the structure is demolished."

Keywords: carbon dioxide, timber

Keyword Location: para E, line 5-7

Explanation: Brock Commons is highlighted for its ability to store carbon over its lifespan, representing wood's potential as a material to fight climate change by locking in carbon and preventing its release into the atmosphere.

Questions 23-26

Choose ONE WORD ONLY for each.

New wood technologies offer an effective and affordable 23…

Answer: housing

Supporting statement: "The implications of these new wood technologies extend beyond environmental considerations, presenting an option for mid-rise housing that is both practical and reasonably priced."

Keywords: housing, new wood technologies

Keyword Location: para F, line 1

Explanation: The statement highlights that new wood technologies provide an effective and affordable housing option, particularly in urban settings, aligning with the question's context.

housing alternative, especially in metropolitan settings, reducing housing costs and promoting sustainable urban growth by reducing things like traffic congestion. However, careful examination is needed before widespread use to address any issues. Either way, deforestation for 24..

Answer: habitation

Supporting statement: "Still, it is time to cease deforestation for other purposes, such as expanding residential areas or retail centers."

Keywords: deforestation, residential areas

Keyword Location: para G, line 2

Explanation: The question refers to deforestation for "residential or commercial expansion," which matches "expanding residential areas or retail centers," implying "habitation" as the correct one-word answer.

or commercial expansion must be stopped. Clearing forests releases carbon, reducing their future carbon sequestration. To maximize wood's environmental benefits, 25...

Answer: policymakers

Supporting statement: "Policymakers must prioritize measures to prevent deforestation and incentivize sustainable land management."

Keywords: deforestation, prioritize

Keyword Location: para H, line 2

Explanation: The question asks who should focus on anti-deforestation and sustainable land management, directly answered by naming "policymakers."

should focus on anti-deforestation and sustainable land management. Wood is a sustainable building material that promotes creativity and cooperation with nature in the face of climate change and is essential to a cleaner and more robust 26…….

Answer: future

Supporting statement: "...a pivotal step toward a greener and more resilient future for our planet."

Keywords: greener, future

Keyword Location: para H, line 8

Explanation: The context emphasizes wood's role in creating a cleaner, stronger world, identifying "future" as the one-word answer to describe this vision.

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