Keeping the Water Away Reading Answers

Jan 21, 2023

Keeping the Water Away Reading Answers contains a write up about the flood that occurred and its destruction. Keeping the Water Away Reading Answers contains a total of 7 paragraphs. Related to the paragraphs are 13 questions. Candidates in this IELTS Section will be shown various question types with clear instructions. The paragraphs contain information about the various floods that have occurred in various countries. The new innovative plant=s to prevent flood and excessive water.

Keeping the Water Away Reading Answers is an IELTS Reading passage which comprises three types of questions: associate paragraph with headings, yes/no and not given and Complete the notes. It is necessary to read and analyze each paragraph separately. The details in the paragraph must correspond to the given list of headings. Each paragraph must be read attentively and carefully by candidates. Only one word, at most, may be used in the reply. The answers must make reference to the paragraph and be founded on the assertions made in the questions. The paragraph may exclude certain information, which has to be marked as not delivered. To gain proficiency, candidates can practice from IELTS reading practice test.

Check: Get 10 Free Sample Papers
Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Keeping the Water Away Reading Answers

New approaches to flood control

Recently, winter floods on the rivers of central Europe have been among the worst for 600 to 700 years, and dams and dykes (protective sea walls) have failed to solve the problem. Traditionally, river engineers have tried to get rid of the water quickly, draining it off the land and down to the sea in rivers re-engineered as high-performance drains. But however high they build the artificial riverbanks, the floods keep coming back. And when they come, they seem to be worse than ever
Engineers are now turning to a different plan: to sap the water’s destructive strength by dispersing it into fields; forgotten lakes and floodplains. They are reviving river bends and marshes to curb the flow, and even plugging city drains to encourage floodwater to use other means to go underground. Back in the days when rivers took a winding path to the sea, floodwaters lost force and volume while meandering across flood plains and inland deltas, but today the water tends to have a direct passage to the sea. This means that, when it rains in the uplands, the water comes down all at once.
Worse, when the flood plains are closed off, the river's flow downstream becomes more violent and uncontrollable; by turning complex river systems into the simple mechanics of a water pipe, engineers have often created danger where they promised safety. The Rhine, Europe’s most engineered river, is a good example. For a long time engineers have erased its backwaters and cut it off from its plain. The aim was partly to improve navigation, and partly to speed floodwaters out of the Alps and down to the North Sea. Now, when it rains in the Alps, the peak flows from several branches of the Rhine coincide where once they arrived separately, and with four-fifths of the Lower Rhine's floodplain barricaded off, the waters rise. The result is more frequent flooding and greater damage. The same thing has happened in the US on the Mississippi river, which drains the world’s second largest river catchment into the Gulf of Mexico. Despite some $7 billion spent over the last century on levees (embankments) the situation is growing worse.
Specialists in water control now say that a new approach is needed - one which takes the whole landscape into consideration. To help keep London's feet dry, the UK Environment Agency is reflooding 10 square kilometers of the ancient flood plain of the River Thames outside Oxford. Nearer to London, it has spent £100 million creating new wetlands and a relief channel across 16 kilometers of flood plain. Similar ideas are being tested in Austria, in one of Europe's largest river restorations to date. The engineers calculate that the restored flood plain of the Drava River can now store up to 10 million cubic meters of floodwater, and slow down storm surges coming out of the Alps by more than an hour, protecting towns not only in Austria, but as far downstream as Slovenia and Croatia.
The Dutch, for whom preventing floods is a matter of survival, have gone furthest. This nation, built largely on drained marshes and seabed, has had several severe shocks in the last two decades, when very large numbers of people have had to be evacuated. Since that time, the Dutch have broken one of their most enduring national stereotypes by allowing engineers to punch holes in dykes. They plan to return up to a sixth of the country to its former waterlogged state in order to better protect the rest.
Water use in cities also needs to change. At the moment, cities seem to create floods; they are concreted and paved so that rains flow quickly into rivers. A new breed of ‘soft engineers’ wants cities to be porous, Berlin is one place where this is being done. Tough new rules for new developments mean that drains will be prevented from becoming overloaded after heavy rains. Architects of new urban buildings are diverting rainwater from the roofs for use in toilets and the irrigation of roof gardens, while water falling onto the ground is collected in ponds, or passes underground through porous paving. One high-tech urban development can store a sixth of its annual rainfall, and reuse most of the rest
Could this be expanded to protect a whole city? The test case could be Los Angeles. With non-porous surfaces covering 70% of the city, drainage is a huge challenge. Billions of dollars have been spent digging huge drains and concreting riverbeds, but many communities still flood regularly. Meanwhile this desert city ships water from hundreds of kilometers away to fill its taps and swimming pool. Los Angeles has recently launched a new scheme to utilize floodwater in the Sun Valley section of the city. The plan is to catch the rain that falls on thousands of driveways, parking lots and rooftops in the valley. Trees will soak up water from parking lots; houses and public buildings will capture roof water to irrigate gardens and parks, and road drains will empty into old gravel pits to recharge the city's underground water reserves. Result: less flooding and more water for the city. It may sound expensive, until we realize how much is spent trying to drain cities and protect areas from flooding, and bow little this method achieves.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 1-6

Reading Passage 2 has seven paragraphs, A-G,

Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter. A-G, in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet

how legislation has forced building designers to improve water use

Answer: F
Supporting Statement: At the moment, cities seem to create floods; they are concreted and paved so that rains flow quickly into rivers. A new breed of ‘soft engineers’ wants cities to be porous, Berlin is one place where this is being done. Tough new rules for new developments mean that drains will be prevented from becoming overloaded after heavy rains.
Keywords: New development, heavy rains
Keyword Location: Paragraph F
Explanation: As per paragraph F, it has been mentioned that cities appear to cause floods since they are paved and concreted to allow rain to enter rivers fast. One city where this is being implemented is Berlin, where a new breed of "soft engineers" wants cities to be permeable. Because of strict new regulations for new construction, drains won't become clogged after a lot of rain. So, the correct answer is F.

two reasons why one river was isolated from its food plain

Answer: C
Supporting Statement: The Rhine, Europe’s most engineered river, is a good example. For a long time engineers have erased its backwaters and cut it off from its plain. The aim was partly to improve navigation, and partly to speed floodwaters out of the Alps and down to the North Sea. Now, when it rains in the Alps, the peak flows from several branches of the Rhine coincide where once they arrived separately, and with four-fifths of the Lower
Rhine's floodplain barricaded off, the waters rise.
Keywords: Backwaters, arrives separately
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per paragraph C, it has been mentioned that the Rhine, which is Europe's most constructed river. Engineers have shut it off from its plain and eradicated its backwaters for a very long time. Since four-fifths of the Lower Rhine's floodplain has been blocked off, the floods rise when it rains in the Alps because peak flows from many branches of the Rhine now come together where they previously flowed individually. So, the correct answer is C.

how natural water courses in the past assisted flood control

Answer: B
Supporting Statement: Back in the days when rivers took a winding path to the sea, floodwaters lost force and volume while meandering across flood plains and inland deltas, but today the water tends to have a direct
passage to the sea. This means that, when it rains in the uplands, the water comes down all at once.
Keywords: Back in the days, direct passage, flood plains
Keyword Location: Paragraph B
Explanation: As per paragraph B, it has been stated that floodwaters used to lose force and volume as they meander across floodplains and inland deltas back when rivers followed convoluted routes to the sea, but these days the water usually has a direct route to the ocean. Therefore, when it rains in the uplands, all of the waterfalls at once. So, the correct answer is B.

an example of flood control on one river, affecting three countries

Answer: D
Supporting Statement: To help keep London's feet dry, the UK Environment Agency is reflooding 10 square kilometers of the ancient flood plain of the River Thames outside Oxford. Nearer to London, it has spent £100
million creating new wetlands and a relief channel across 16 kilometers of flood plain.
Keywords: London;s feet dry, reflooding
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: As per paragraph D, it has been mentioned that the UK Environment Agency is re-flooding 10 square kilometers of the River Thames' historic flood plain outside of Oxford to assist in keeping London's feet dry. The construction of new wetlands and a relief route over a 16-kilometer flood plain closer to London cost £100 million. So, the correct answer is D.

a country which has partly destroyed one of its most typical features in order to control water

Answer: E
Supporting Statement: Since that time, the Dutch have broken one of their most enduring national stereotypes by allowing engineers to punch holes in dykes. They plan to return up to a sixth of the country to its former
waterlogged state in order to better protect the rest.
Keywords: Dutch, holes in dykes
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: As per paragraph E, it has been mentioned that the Dutch have disproved one of their most ingrained cultural myths by permitting engineers to breach dykes. To further preserve the remaining areas, they intend to restore up to a sixth of the nation to its previous condition of flooding.

the writer's comment on the comparative cost effectiveness of traditional flood control and newer methods

Answer: G
Supporting Statement: Trees will soak up water from parking lots; houses and public buildings will capture roof water to irrigate gardens and parks, and road drains will empty into old gravel pits to recharge the city's underground water reserves. Result: less flooding and more water for the city. It may sound expensive, until we realize how much is spent trying to drain cities and protect areas from flooding, and bow little this method achieves.
Keywords: Protect areas from flooding, trees
Keyword Location: Paragraph G
Explanation: As per paragraph G, it has been mentioned that parking lot runoff will be captured by trees, roof water will be collected by homes and public buildings to irrigate gardens and parks, as well as road drains will empty into abandoned gravel pits to replenish the city's subsurface water supplies. Less floods and more water for the city as a result. When we consider how much money is spent on trying to prevent flooding and drain cities, it may seem expensive, but it actually does very little. So, the correct answer is G.

Questions 7-8

Choose TWO letters A-E.

Write the correct letter, in boxes 7-8 on your answer sheet

According to the article, which TWO of these statements are true of the new approach to flood control?

It aims to slow the movement of water to the sea.
It aims to channel water more directly into rivers.
It will cost more than twice as much as the former measures.
It will involve the loss of some areas of land.
It has been tested only in The Netherlands.

Question 7)

Answer: A
Supporting Statement: less flooding and more water for the city. It may sound expensive, until we realize how much is spent trying to drain cities and protect areas from flooding, and bow little this method achieves.
Keywords: Less flooding, cities and protect areas from flooding
Keyword Location: Paragraph G
Explanation: As per paragraph G, it has been clearly mentioned that the city will have more water and less flooding. When we consider how much money is spent on trying to prevent flooding and drain cities, it may seem expensive, but it actually does very little. So, the correct answer is A.

Question 8)

Answer: D
Supporting Statement: less flooding and more water for the city. It may sound expensive, until we realize how much is spent trying to drain cities and protect areas from flooding, and bow little this method achieves.
Keywords: more water for the city
Keyword Location: Paragraph G
Explanation: As per paragraph G, it has been clearly mentioned that the city will have more water and less flooding. When we consider how much money is spent on trying to prevent flooding and drain cities, it may seem
expensive, but it actually does very little. So, the correct answer is D.

Questions 9-13

Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN MORE WORDS from the passage for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.

Some of the most severe floods for many centuries have recently occurred in parts of 9

Answer: Europe
Supporting Statement: The Rhine, Europe’s most engineered river, is a good example. For a long time engineers have erased its backwaters and cut it off from its plain. The aim was partly to improve navigation, and partly to
speed floodwaters out of the Alps and down to the North Sea.
Keywords: Rhine, Europe
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: Paragraph C mentions that a notable example is the Rhine, which is Europe's most constructed river. Engineers have shut it off from its plain and eradicated its backwaters for a very long time. The goal was to hasten floodwaters' exit from the Alps and descent to the North Sea while also partially enhancing navigation. So, the correct answer is Europe.

The Rhine and the 10

Answer: Mississippi rivers
Supporting Statement: The same thing has happened in the US on the Mississippi river, which drains the world’s second largest river catchment into the Gulf of Mexico. Despite some $7 billion spent over the last century on levees (embankments) the situation is growing worse.
Keywords: Mississippi river second largest river
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per paragraph C, it has been mentioned that the Mississippi River in the US, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico, the second-largest river basin in the world, has experienced the same event. The issue is becoming worse despite the $7 billion that has been spent on levees (embankments) during the past century. So, the correct answer is Mississippi river.

An area near Oxford will flooded to protect the city of 11

Answer: London
Supporting Statement: To help keep London's feet dry, the UK Environment Agency is reflooding 10 square kilometers of the ancient flood plain of the River Thames outside Oxford. Nearer to London, it has spent £100 million creating new wetlands and a relief channel across 16 kilometers of flood plain.
Keywords: London’s dry feet, Oxford
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: As per paragraph D, it has been clearly mentioned that the UK Environment Agency is re-flooding 10 square kilometers of the River Thames' historic flood plain outside of Oxford to assist in keeping London's feet dry. The construction of new wetlands and a relief route over a 16-kilometer flood plain closer to London cost £100 million. So, the correct answer is London.

Planners who wish to allow water to pass more freely through city surfaces are called 12

Answer: Soft engineers
Supporting Statement: At the moment, cities seem to create floods; they are concreted and paved so that rains flow quickly into rivers. A new breed of ‘soft engineers’ wants cities to be porous, Berlin is one place where this
is being done. Tough new rules for new developments mean that drains will be prevented from becoming overloaded after heavy rains.
Keywords: Soft engineers, Berlin
Keyword Location: Paragraph F
Explanation: As per paragraph F, it has been mentioned that cities appear to cause floods since they are paved and concreted to allow rain to enter rivers fast. One city where this is being implemented is Berlin, where a new breed of "soft engineers" wants cities to be permeable. Because of strict new regulations for new construction, drains won't become clogged after a lot of rain. So, the correct answer is soft engineers.

A proposal for part of the city of 13

Answer: Los Angeles could show whether small-scale water projects could apply on a large scal
Supporting Statement: Los Angeles has recently launched a new scheme to utilize floodwater in the Sun Valley section of the city. The plan is to catch the rain that falls on thousands of driveways, parking lots and rooftops in the valley.
Keywords: Los Angeles, Sun Valley
Keyword Location: Paragraph G
Explanation: As per paragraph G, it has been mentioned that Los Angeles unveiled a new plan to use flood water in the Sun Valley neighborhood of the city. The idea is to collect the rain that puddles on the valley's numerous rooftops, parking lots, and roadways. So, the correct answer is Los Angeles.

Read More IELTS Reading Related Samples