Introduction to the Grounds of Keele University Reading Answers

Nov 4, 2025

The reading answers for "Introduction to the Grounds of Keele University" include 7 questions and are part of the evaluation framework for the IELTS General Reading assessment. Test takers are allotted 10 minutes to complete the reading answers related to "Introduction to the Grounds of Keele University." This section of the IELTS reading test features different question formats, such as Do the following statements agree with the information given.

The reading answers for "Introduction to the Grounds of Keele University" offer an in-depth look at Keele University, set in 600 acres of scenic woodland, lakes, and farmland in North Staffordshire, which is known for its picturesque and wildlife-rich campus. With over 100 species of birds, plants, and insects, it offers both beauty and biodiversity while maintaining harmony between nature and university development. For additional practice with similar reading assessments, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Introduction to the Grounds of Keele University Reading Answers

Keele University is situated in 600 acres of landscaped grounds to the west of the Potteries conurbation in North Staffordshire. These well-wooded grounds with their lakes, streams and formal flower beds support a wealth of wildlife. The surrounding countryside of the Staffordshire/ Shropshire/ Cheshire borders is also a rich area for the naturalist and rambler, while the majestic gritstone moorland of North Staffordshire and the limestone dales of: Derbyshire and northeast Staffordshire are not far away. Of the 600 acres some 300 are leased out as Home Farm. Of the remainder, about hall is woodland while the rest comprises the campus buildings and sports fields. The landscape we see today owes much to the work of Ralph Sneyd (1793 to 1870) who began planting on a grand scale in 1830, after inheriting the estate from his father.

Throughout the period of its construction, the university has been careful to preserve as many mature trees as possible and to restrict the height of buildings to maintain the feeling of living and working in a landscape. The university has a continuing programme of landscaping, and many ornamental trees have been planted. Keele campus is, then, one of the most picturesque and tranquil in the country, yet is only a short distance from the Potteries and the M6 motorway.

Although the landscape is an artificial one, it nonetheless has rich flora and fauna with more than 110 species of birds, 120 species of flowering plants, more than species of 60 trees, 24 species of butterflies, 380 species of moths, 100 species of beetles and 100 species of flies having been recorded so far. Although there is little of great rarity here, a wide variety of common species and a good network of paths from which to see them make Keele an ideal place to visit for the casual observer, as well as for both the novice and the more experienced naturalist.

Questions 15-21

Look at the introduction to the Grounds of Keele University on the following page and at the statements below. In boxes 15-21 on your answer sheet write

TRUE - if the statement is true

FALSE - if the statement is false

NOT GIVEN - if the information is not given

15. The originator of the property took over the property from his father after he died.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “...Ralph Sneyd (1793 to 1870) who began planting on a grand scale in 1830, after inheriting the estate from his father.”

Keywords: Ralph Sneyd, inheriting, from his father

Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, Lines 8–10

Explanation: The passage clearly states that Ralph Sneyd inherited the estate from his father, meaning he took it over after his father’s death. Hence, the statement is true.

16. There are many plants and wildlife species not found anywhere else.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “Although there is little of great rarity here, a wide variety of common species... make Keele an ideal place to visit...”

Keywords: little of great rarity, common species

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Lines 7–8

Explanation: The passage emphasizes that rare species are few, and most plants and wildlife are common. Therefore, the statement claiming “many not found anywhere else” is false.

17. One of the nice things about the grounds of Keele is the naturalness of the landscape and its wealth of rare wildlife.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “Although the landscape is an artificial one, it nonetheless has rich flora and fauna...”

Keywords: artificial landscape, rich flora and fauna

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Lines 1–2

Explanation: The statement says the grounds are valued for their naturalness, but the text explicitly says the landscape is artificial, so this statement is false.

18. The grounds had barely any trees when Sneyd took them over.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: There’s no information on whether the grounds had few or many trees before Sneyd took over, so the statement is not given.

19. It is so peaceful and quiet in the grounds because they are located far from the disturbances of human activity.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “Keele campus is... one of the most picturesque and tranquil in the country, yet is only a short distance from the Potteries and the M6 motorway.”

Keywords: tranquil, short distance, Potteries, motorway

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, Lines 6–8

Explanation: The passage shows the grounds are close to urban areas, not far from disturbances. Hence, the statement is false.

20. The grounds are maintained by students of the university.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: There is no mention of students maintaining the grounds, so the statement is not given.

21. If you want to see the plant life and insects it is not difficult to move around the grounds.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “...a good network of paths from which to see them make Keele an ideal place to visit...”

Keywords: good network of paths, see them

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Lines 7–8

Explanation: The presence of many paths makes it easy to move around and observe plant and insect life, so this statement is true.