India's Growing Appetite for Plant Based Meat Reading Answers

Sep 24, 2025

India's Growing Appetite for Plant-Based Meat Reading Answers contains 13 questions and belongs to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. India's Growing Appetite for Plant-Based Meat. Reading Answers must be answered within 20 minutes. In the IELTS reading section, question types include: Write the correct letter and Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.

India's Growing Appetite for Plant-Based Meat Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of how Plant-based meat is rapidly emerging in India, driven by health, sustainability, and government support, though challenges like price and consumer awareness remain. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Topic:

A.In recent years, a quiet revolution has been taking place on India’s dining tables. While traditional vegetarianism has deep roots in Indian culture, a new wave of plant-based meat alternatives is transforming how both vegetarians and non-vegetarians approach food. These products, which mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of real meat, are becoming increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers and those concerned about animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

B.Several Indian startups such as Blue Tribe, GoodDot, and Imagine Meats are at the forefront of this growing industry. They offer a wide range of meat substitutes including plant-based chicken nuggets, kebabs, biryanis, and even mutton-style curries. These products are typically made from pea protein, soy, jackfruit, or mushroom, and are designed to appeal to meat eaters who want to reduce their intake without giving up familiar flavors.

C.One of the main drivers behind this trend is climate change. Research has shown that animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. Producing plant-based meat generates significantly fewer emissions, uses less water, and requires less land compared to traditional livestock farming. In densely populated urban areas like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, where space is limited and pollution is a major concern, sustainable food solutions are gaining urgency.

D.Unlike in Western countries where taste and novelty often drive sales, Indian consumers are more concerned about health and hygiene. Plant-based meats in India are marketed not only as ethical or eco-friendly, but also as cholesterol-free, antibiotic-free, and high in protein. This health-driven positioning has allowed brands to attract gym-goers, diabetic patients, and even elderly people looking to cut back on red meat.

E.However, the market still faces challenges. Price remains a key barrier, as plant-based products often cost more than regular meat. In addition, many consumers are unfamiliar with how to cook these items, and acceptance can vary depending on the product. Despite this, educational campaigns, celebrity endorsements, and greater retail availability have slowly begun to change public perception.

F.The Indian government is also showing support. In 2023, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries announced a 100 crore fund to support startups in the alternative protein sector. Furthermore, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is working on clear guidelines to regulate labeling and safety standards for plant-based food products.

G.Experts believe that plant-based meat in India is still in its early phase but has enormous potential. As younger generations become more environmentally aware and urban lifestyles continue to evolve, alternative protein options are expected to become mainstream. The combination of tradition and innovation could make India one of the largest consumers of plant-based meat in the world within the next decade.

Questions 28-33

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter A-G.

28. A government initiative to support alternative protein businesses

Answer: F

Supporting statement: "In 2023, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries announced a 100 crore fund to support startups in the alternative protein sector."

Keywords: government, fund, startups, alternative protein

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, lines 1–2

Explanation: The paragraph discusses a government initiative and funding support for plant-based startups, so the answer is F.

29. The environmental impact of livestock versus plant-based options

Answer: C

Supporting statement: "Research has shown that animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. Producing plant-based meat generates significantly fewer emissions, uses less water, and requires less land."

Keywords: animal agriculture, emissions, plant-based meat, fewer emissions

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, lines 1–3

Explanation: This paragraph directly compares livestock’s environmental impact with plant-based alternatives, making C correct.

30. Factors influencing Indian consumers more than in Western countries

Answer: D

Supporting statement: "Unlike in Western countries where taste and novelty often drive sales, Indian consumers are more concerned about health and hygiene."

Keywords: Western countries, health, hygiene, consumers

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, line 1

Explanation: The paragraph contrasts Western consumer motives with Indian consumers, showing health and hygiene are more influential in India.

31. How the food mimics meat without using animals

Answer: A

Supporting statement: "These products, which mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of real meat…"

Keywords: mimic, taste, texture, appearance, meat

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, lines 2–3

Explanation: This explains how plant-based foods imitate real meat characteristics without using animals, so A is correct.

32. Predictions about the industry's growth in India

Answer: G

Supporting statement: "Experts believe that plant-based meat in India is still in its early phase but has enormous potential... could make India one of the largest consumers of plant-based meat in the world within the next decade."

Keywords: enormous potential, largest consumers, within the next decade

Keyword Location: Paragraph G, lines 1–4

Explanation: Predictions about the industry’s future growth in India are clearly given here, making G correct.

33. Companies making plant-based meat dishes for Indian tastes

Answer: B

Supporting statement: "Several Indian startups such as Blue Tribe, GoodDot, and Imagine Meats... They offer a wide range of meat substitutes including plant-based chicken nuggets, kebabs, biryanis, and even mutton-style curries."

Keywords: startups, Indian dishes, kebabs, biryanis

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, lines 1–3

Explanation: The paragraph describes companies making dishes that suit Indian tastes, so B is the answer.

Questions 34-40

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.

34. Indian startups have created plant-based versions of foods like kebabs and ………………..

Answer: mutton-style curries

Supporting statement: "They offer a wide range of meat substitutes including plant-based chicken nuggets, kebabs, biryanis, and even mutton-style curries."

Keywords: kebabs, biryanis, mutton-style curries

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, lines 2–3

Explanation: The passage lists different Indian dishes created by startups, including kebabs and curries. The correct answer is mutton-style curries as it is specifically mentioned alongside kebabs.

35. The main ingredient used in many of these products includes soy, jackfruit, or ……………….

Answer: pea protein

Supporting statement: "These products are typically made from pea protein, soy, jackfruit, or mushroom."

Keywords: pea protein, soy, jackfruit

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, lines 3–4

Explanation: The passage clearly states pea protein as one of the main ingredients along with soy and jackfruit. Since the question asks for one, pea protein is the correct choice.

36. Plant-based meat is often promoted as being cholesterol-free, and ………………….

Answer: antibiotic-free

Supporting statement: "Plant-based meats in India are marketed not only as ethical or eco-friendly, but also as cholesterol-free, antibiotic-free, and high in protein."

Keywords: cholesterol-free, antibiotic-free, protein

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, lines 2–3

Explanation: The products are advertised with multiple health claims. Along with cholesterol-free, the correct answer is antibiotic-free.

37. One issue limiting the growth of the market is high ………………..

Answer: price

Supporting statement: "Price remains a key barrier, as plant-based products often cost more than regular meat."

Keywords: price, barrier, cost

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, line 1

Explanation: The main limitation of market growth mentioned is price, making it the correct answer.

38. Some people are unsure how to properly ……………. plant-based meats.

Answer: cook

Supporting statement: "In addition, many consumers are unfamiliar with how to cook these items."

Keywords: consumers, unfamiliar, cook

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, line 2

Explanation: The passage says consumers don’t know how to prepare these foods, so the correct answer is cook.

39. The FSSAl is developing safety standards for …………………..

Answer: plant-based food products

Supporting statement: "Furthermore, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is working on clear guidelines to regulate labeling and safety standards for plant-based food products."

Keywords: FSSAI, safety standards, plant-based food products

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, lines 2–3

Explanation: The FSSAI is setting safety regulations specifically for plant-based food products.

40. India may become a leading consumer of ……………….. within ten years.

Answer: plant-based meat

Supporting statement: "Experts believe that plant-based meat in India... could make India one of the largest consumers of plant-based meat in the world within the next decade."

Keywords: largest consumers, plant-based meat, decade

Keyword Location: Paragraph G, lines 2–4

Explanation: The passage predicts that India could soon be a leading consumer of plant-based meat within ten years.

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