Global Response to Covid-19 Reading Answers

Oct 9, 2025

Global Response to Covid-19 Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Global Response to Covid-19 Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the first set, candidates have to choose the correct letter. In the next set, candidates have to write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD OR NUMBER. In the last set, you have to state whether the statement is yes, no, or not given according to the passage

The IELTS Reading section is an essential part of the test that evaluates a candidate's comprehension and analysis of various passage types. You will work through a number of IELTS reading practice problems in this section that resemble actual test situations. These questions are designed to help you improve your ability to recognise essential concepts, extract particular facts, and make inferences. Practising these IELTS reading problems can help you get comfortable with the structure and increase your confidence for the exam, regardless of whether you are studying for the Academic or General Training module.

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Global Response to Covid-19 Reading Answers

Section 1

NASA monitors environmental signals

When we think of NASA, journeys into outer space come to mind, such as the Voyager 2 probe now making its way beyond our solar system, past journeys to the moon, or the numerous unmanned landings on the surface of Mars. Then, a bit closer to home, is the Hubble telescope, a satellite which has been orbiting the Earth looking out into the universe since 1990. However, NASA has a number of satellites that look back at the Earth as well, and these collect an enormous amount of data on the state of our planet. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the world has been experiencing a new normal, with fewer cars on the roads and more time spent at home. NASA's Earth-observing fleet continues to operate, but is now collecting key observations on how the planet is responding to the changes resulting from COVID-19 restrictions. Much like our satellites, our work continues remotely, explains Acting Director for NASA's Earth Science Division, Sandra Cauffman. 'NASA Earth scientists continue to collect and analyse satellite and ground-based data on a global scale, and our programs are helping to characterize and understand global environmental signals. We do this by analysing existing long-term datasets and, equally importantly. funding new, cutting-edge research. Ongoing observations of air quality and of the Earth at night have helped provide immediate examples of how the Earth's systems are responding to these changes in human behaviour. From space, NASA's Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aboard the Aura satellite and the European Space Agency's Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) aboard the Sentinel-5P satellite have provided the data behind images of rapidly falling nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels around the world caused by industrial shutdown and the reduced use of human transport systems.

The OMI has been measuring total column NO2 since 2004. NO2 is an air pollutant commonly associated with burning fossil fuels in motor vehicles and power plants, and it is also monitored by the weather satellite Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) operated by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In addition, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band on the joint NASA/NOAA mission has been observing nocturnal light emissions from Earth since 2011. It also supports the production of short-term weather predictions and disaster responses. Now it provides valuable insight into recent changes in global human activity. These satellites and the rest of NASA's global Earth-observing fleet, coupled with measurements from their semi-autonomous network of ground sensors, continue to observe the Earth's changing air, land, ocean, ice, and water around the world. Existing NASA datasets are also being used to help shed light on the spread of COVID-19. NASA's Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) has launched a new interactive mapping tool that is being used by researchers to visualize global age and gender data overlaid with updated data from the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center on the spread of COVID-19. This freely available tool may be especially helpful for use in countries with limited access to spatial population data.

Other new Earth signals that result from the global response to COVID-19 will also be recorded. NASA is funding new scientific research and augmenting existing projects to expand its data collection capacity. For example, more time series data needs to be gathered to improve the analysis of signals such as changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane, due to their relatively long lifespans in the atmosphere. Similarly, more work is urgently required to determine whether any hydroclimatic observations, such as temperature or humidity, may impact the spread of COVID-19. NASA is accepting proposals for new research to address Earth system responses to COVID-19 on a rolling basis through its Rapid Response to Novel research in the Earth Sciences (RRNES) program. Usually focused on studies of the immediate effects of events such as hurricanes and earthquakes, RRNES is now quite rightly allowing the scientific community to utilise existing NASA infrastructure and refocus research on both natural and human-induced Earth events. In response to the spread of COVID-19, NASA is continuing its existing partnerships and fostering new ones. Across the Earth Science Division's Applied Sciences Program, NASA scientists from areas such as water resources, health and air quality, and disasters are teaming up with federal, state, and local agencies to coordinate and share information. On the international stage, NASA scientist Lawrence Friedl represents the United States on the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Health Community of Practice, a global network that uses environmental observations to improve advanced health knowledge decision-making on at all levels. NASA is wisely sharing research, applications, and activities related to Earth observations on the transmission of COVID-19 and its impact.

NASA scientists are also working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support users of remotely sensed information to assess crop production. Information from NASA satellites has become more critical as COVID-19 puts ground data collection at risk. This information is crucial to assess the nation's food supply and policies to ensure food remains available throughout the pandemic. NASA is exploring additional partnering opportunities beyond its current joint Earth-observing satellite operations with the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to collaborate on Earth science research related to COVID-19. As the world continues to respond to and recover from the impact of the pandemic, NASA's Earth-observing satellites and ground sensors will keep measuring our planet's response during these extraordinary times.

Questions 27-30

Choose the correct letter.

27. NASA's Hubble project is used for

A. landing on Mars.

B. monitoring the Earth.

C. travelling outside the solar system.

D. observing space.

Answer: D

Supporting statement: the Hubble telescope, a satellite which has been orbiting the Earth looking out into the universe since 1990.

Keywords: Hubble telescope, orbiting the Earth, looking out into the universe.

Keyword Location: Para 1, Lines 3-4

Explanation: The text describes the Hubble telescope as looking out into the universe, which is synonymous with observing space. It contrasts this mission with satellites that "look back at the Earth.

28. Since the onset of COVID-19, NASA has

A. restricted its activities of observing other planets.

B. increased its research of outer space.

C. amassed data on changes on Earth.

D. changed its focus exclusively to Earth

Answer: C

Supporting statement: NASA's Earth-observing fleet continues to operate, but is now collecting key observations on how the planet is responding to the changes resulting from COVID-19 restrictions.

Keywords: collecting key observations, planet is responding, COVID-19 restrictions.

Keyword Location: Para 1, Lines 8-10

Explanation: The text highlights that NASA's fleet is specifically collecting data to understand how Earth's systems are responding to the changes in human behavior caused by the pandemic, which means amassing data on these changes.

29. Sandra Cauffman believes that in light of COVID-19

A. There is value in investing in the latest research methods.

B. The examination of long-term data is the most effective measure.

C. NASA has had to reduce its data collection programs.

D. Without satellites, data collection would have ceased completely.

Answer: A

Supporting statement: We do this by analysing existing long-term datasets and, equally importantly. funding new, cutting-edge research.

Keywords: equally importantly, funding new, cutting-edge research

Keyword Location: Para 1, Line 14

Explanation: Sandra Cauffman is quoted as saying that analyzing existing data is important, but that equally important is funding new, cutting-edge research. This clearly supports the value of investing in the latest methods.

30. OMI and TROPOMI

A. are both on NASA satellites.

B. provide similar types of data.

C. are reducing NO levels.

D. observe the closure of factories. ER ZONE

Answer: B

Supporting statement: NASA's Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aboard the Aura satellite and the European Space Agency's Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) aboard the Sentinel-5P satellite have provided the data behind images of rapidly falling nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels around the world

Keywords: OMI, TROPOMI, provided the data, nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Keyword Location: Para 1, Lines 17-19

Explanation: The text links both OMI and TROPOMI to the same outcome—providing data for measuring the drop in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels—indicating they collect similar types of air quality data

Questions 31-32

Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD OR NUMBER.

TEAMING UP WITH OTHER AGENCIES

The Suomi NPP is a weather satellite operated by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Together, NOAA and NASA observe night light emitted from Earth using an infrared imaging system called VIIRS, make 31................. forecasts, and monitor natural disasters.

Answer: WEATHER

Supporting statement: It also supports the production of short-term weather predictions and disaster responses.

Keywords: supports, production, short-term, weather

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 6-7

Explanation: The text explicitly mentions the production of short-term weather predictions

NASA's fleet of 32...... and their network of ground sensors, monitor physical changes in the world's land, oceans, and atmosphere, and these now include the effects of COVID-19.

Answer: SATELLITES

Supporting statement: These satellites and the rest of NASA's global Earth-observing fleet, coupled with measurements from their semi-autonomous network of ground sensors, continue to observe the Earth's changing air, land, ocean, ice, and water around the world.

Keywords: satellites, fleet, ground sensors

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 8-10

Explanation: The sentence structure, NASA's fleet of... and their network of ground sensors is completed by the word satellites, which is used in the text to describe the components of NASA's global Earth-observing fleet.

With the help of COVID-19 33....................updates from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, NASA has introduced a free interactive 34.................which maps the spread of the disease.

Answer: DATA

Supporting statement: NASA's Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) has launched a new interactive mapping tool that is being used by researchers to visualize global age and gender data overlaid with updated data from the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center on the spread of COVID-19.

Keywords: updated, data, Johns Hopkins University

Keyword Location: Para 2, Line 14

Explanation: The Johns Hopkins Center provides "updated data... on the spread of COVID-19," which is then used in the new mapping tool.

34……………..

Answer: TOOL

Supporting statement: NASA's Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) has launched a new interactive mapping tool that is being used by researchers

Keywords: interactive mapping, tool, launched

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 12-13

Explanation: The text states that SEDAC launched a new interactive mapping tool.

Questions 35-40

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage 3?

In boxes 35-40 on your answer sheet, write

YES-if the statement agrees with the views of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer

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

35. NASA should analyse more atmospheric and hydroclimatic data.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: For example, more time series data needs to be gathered to improve the analysis of signals such as changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane... Similarly, more work is urgently required to determine whether any hydroclimatic observations, such as temperature or humidity, may impact the spread of COVID-19.

Keywords: data needs to be gathered, more work, atmospheric, hydroclimatic observations

Keyword Location: Para 3, Lines 3-6

Explanation: The text explicitly uses language of necessity and urgency regarding collecting and analyzing more atmospheric (CO2 and methane) and hydroclimatic (temperature, humidity) data. This aligns with the view that NASA should analyse more of this data.

36. The RRNES ought to concentrate on its typical focus of research.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: Usually focused on studies of the immediate effects of events such as hurricanes and earthquakes, RRNES is now quite rightly allowing the scientific community to utilise existing NASA infrastructure and refocus research on both natural and human-induced Earth events.

Keywords: Usually focused, RRNES, refocus research

Keyword Location: Para 3, Lines 9-11

Explanation: The writer uses the phrase "quite rightly" when describing the RRNES program's decision to shift its focus away from its typical areas (hurricanes/earthquakes) to allow for broader research, including COVID-19-related studies. This indicates the writer supports the change in focus, directly contradicting the statement that the RRNES ought to concentrate on its typical focus

37. NASA's Earth Science Division would benefit from increased international cooperation.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The text confirms that NASA is already involved in international cooperation (e.g., GEO) and describes this sharing as being done "wisely." However, the text never states that the division would benefit from increased cooperation, meaning it's impossible to confirm the writer's view on increasing the current level.

38. NASA needs to protect its data more carefully, despite its usefulness to COVID-19 research.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: This freely available tool may be especially helpful for use in countries with limited access to spatial population data." and "NASA is wisely sharing research, applications, and activities related to Earth observations on the transmission of COVID-19 and its impact.

Keywords: freely available tool, wisely sharing research

Keyword Location: Para 2, Line 14; Para 3, Line 19

Explanation: The text emphasizes that NASA is making data freely available and is wisely sharing its research in response to the pandemic. This shows a view that favours sharing and accessibility over protection and restriction, which contradicts the idea that NASA needs to protect its data more carefully.

39. Ground data collection is no longer required as satellite systems improve.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: Information from NASA satellites has become more critical as COVID-19 puts ground data collection at risk.

Keywords: Information, NASA satellites, ground data

Keyword Location: Para 4, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The text states that satellite data has become more critical because ground data collection is at risk due to the pandemic. This implies that ground data collection is still valuable and desirable, but temporarily difficult, not that it is no longer required.

40. Collaboration between NASA and the Japanese and European space agencies is growing

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: NASA is exploring additional partnering opportunities beyond its current joint Earth-observing satellite operations with the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to collaborate on Earth science research related to COVID-19.

Keywords: exploring additional, partnering opportunities.

Keyword Location: Para 4, Line 5

Explanation: The text states that NASA is "exploring additional partnering opportunities" with the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which means they are actively seeking to increase or expand the existing level of collaboration.

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