Moles happy as Homes go Underground Reading Answers

Jan 3, 2023

Moles happy as Homes go Underground Reading Answers has 14 questions that need to be answered in 20 minutes. It is about underground homes and buildings. The IELTS reading passage discusses its development, its construction and selling. Moles happy as Homes go Underground Reading Answers comprises two types of questions- choose the correct headings for the paragraph and complete the sentences. Candidates must read the passage; Moles happy as Homes go Underground Reading Answers and decide which heading belongs to which paragraph from the given options. Candidates must read the IELTS Reading passage to complete the sentences using no more than three words. This topic has been taken from the book A Book for IELTS.: (Academic Module). Candidates can undertake IELTS Reading practice papers to practice more on different topics.

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Section 1

Read the passage below to answer the following questions

Moles happy as Homes go Underground Reading Answers

A - An underground home is discovered

The first anybody knew about Dutchman Frank Siegmunds and his family was when workmen tramping through a field found a narrow steel chimney protruding through the grass. Closer inspection revealed a chink of sky-light window among the thistles, and when amazed investigators moved down the side of the hill they came across a pine door complete with leaded diamond glass and a brass knocker set into an underground building. The Siegmunds had managed to live undetected for six years outside the border town of Breda, in Holland. They are the latest in a clutch of individualistic homemakers who have burrowed underground in search of tranquillity.

B - Homes sold before completion

Most, falling foul of strict building regulations, have been forced to dismantle their individualistic homes and return to more conventional lifestyles. But subterranean suburbia, Dutch-style, is about to become respectable and chic. Seven luxury homes cosseted away inside a high earth-covered noise embankment next to the main Tilburg city road recently went on the market for $296,500 each. The foundations had yet to be dug, but customers queued up to buy the unusual part-submerged houses, whose back wall consists of a grassy mound and whose front is a long glass gallery.

C - Developing underground services around the world

The Dutch are not the only would-be moles. Growing numbers of Europeans are burrowing below ground to create houses, offices, discos and shopping malls. It is already proving a way of life in extreme climates; in winter months in Montreal, Canada, for instance, citizens can escape the cold in an underground complex complete with shops and even health clinics. In Tokyo builders are planning a massive underground city to be begun in the next decade, and underground shopping malls are already common in Japan, where 90 percent of the population is squeezed into 20 percent of the landspace.

D - Some buildings do not require natural light

Building big commercial buildings underground can be a way to avoid disfiguring or threatening a beautiful or “environmentally sensitive” landscape. Indeed many of the buildings which consume most land - such as cinemas, supermarkets, theatres, warehouses or libraries - have no need to be on the surface since they do not need windows.

E - Demands on space and energy are reduced

There are big advantages, too, when it comes to private homes. A development of 194 houses which would take up 14 hectares of land above ground would occupy 2.7 hectares below it, while the number of roads would be halved. Under several metres of earth, noise is minimal and insulation is excellent. “We get 40 to 50 enquiries a week,” says Peter Carpenter, secretary of the British Earth Sheltering Association, which builds similar homes in Britain. "People see this as a way of building for the future." An underground dweller himself, Carpenter has never paid a heating bill, thanks to solar panels and natural insulation.

F - A designer describes his houses

In Europe the obstacle has been conservative local authorities and developers who prefer to ensure quick sales with conventional mass produced housing. But the Dutch development was greeted with undisguised relief by South Limburg planners because of Holland's chronic shortage of land. It was the Tilburg architect Jo Hurkmans who hit on the idea of making use of noise embankments on main roads. His two- floored, four-bedroomed, two- bathroomed detached homes are now taking shape. "They are not so much below the earth as in it," he says. "All the light will come through the glass front, which runs from the second floor ceiling to the ground. Areas which do not need much natural lighting are at the back. The living accommodation is to the front so nobody notices that the back is dark."

G - Worldwide examples of underground living accommodation

In the US, where energy-efficient homes became popular after the oil crisis of 1973, 10,000 underground houses have been built. A terrace of five homes, Britain's first subterranean development, is under way in Nottinghamshire. Italy's outstanding example of subterranean architecture is the Olivetti residential centre in Ivrea. Commissioned by Roberto Olivetti in 1969, it comprises 82 one-bedroomed apartments and 12 maisonettes and forms a house/ hotel for Olivetti employees. It is built into a hill and little can be seen from outside except a glass facade. Patnzia Vallecchi, a resident since 1992, says it is little different from living in a conventional apartment.

H - Simulating a natural environment

Not everyone adapts so well, and in Japan scientists at the Shimizu Corporation have developed "space creation" systems which mix light, sounds, breezes and scents to stimulate people who spend long periods below ground. Underground offices in Japan are being equipped with "virtual" windows and mirrors, while underground departments in the University of Minnesota have periscopes to reflect views and light.

I - How an underground family home developed

But Frank Siegmund and his family love their hobbit lifestyle. Their home evolved when he dug a cool room for his bakery business in a hill he had created. During a heatwave they took to sleeping there. "We felt at peace and so close to nature," he says. "Gradually I began adding to the rooms. It sounds strange but we are so close to the earth we draw strength from its vibrations. Our children love it; not every child can boast of being watched through their playroom windows by rabbits.

Section 2

Solution with Explanations

Questions 1-8
Reading Passage has nine paragraphs (A-I).
Choose the most suitable heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.
Write the appropriate numbers (i-xii) in boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet.
Paragraph A has been done for you as an example.
NB There are more headings than paragraphs so you will not use all of them.

List of Headings

A designer describes his houses
Most people prefer conventional housing
Simulating a natural environment
How an underground family home developed
Demands on space and energy are reduced
The plans for future homes
Worldwide examples of underground living accommodation
Some buildings do not require natural light
Developing underground services around the world
Underground living improves health
Homes sold before completion
An underground home is discovered

Question 1- Paragraph B

Answer- xi
Supportive statement- “The foundations had yet to be dug, but customers queued up to buy the unusual part-submerged houses, whose back wall consists of a grassy mound and whose front is a long glass gallery.”
Keywords- back wall, grassy mound, front long glass gallery.
Keyword Location- Paragraph B, line 4
Explanation- The author in the 4^th sentence says that the foundations had not yet been dug. However, buyers waited in line to purchase the odd partially submerged homes, whose front wall is a long glass gallery and whose back wall is a grassy mound. This means that the homes were sold before completion. This makes Xi the correct answer.

Question 2- Paragraph C

Answer- ix
Supportive statement- “The Dutch are not the only would-be moles. Growing numbers of Europeans are burrowing below ground to create houses, offices, discos, and shopping malls. ”
Keywords-burrowing, below, grounds
Keyword Location- Paragraph C, line 2
Explanation- The second sentence of paragraph C suggests that there are other potential moles than the Dutch. More and more Europeans are excavating underground to build homes, workplaces, nightclubs, and shopping centers. Not only homes but other services are also built underground around the world. This makes “Developing underground services around the world” the correct answer.

Question 3- Paragraph D

Answer- viii
Supportive statement- “Indeed many of the buildings which consume most land - such as cinemas, supermarkets, theatres, warehouses or libraries – do not need to be on the surface since they do not need windows.”
Keywords- do not, need, windows
Keyword Location- Paragraph D, line 2
Explanation- As per the passage, since many buildings don't require windows and take up most space, they can be located underground. For instance, those of movie theatres, supermarkets, theatres, storage facilities, or libraries. No windows mean no natural light. This makes “Some buildings do not require natural light” the correct answer.

Question 4- Paragraph E

Answer- v
Supportive statement- “A development of 194 houses which would take up 14 hectares of land above ground would occupy 2.7 hectares below it, while the number of roads would be halved.”
Keywords- would be halved
Keyword Location- Paragraph E, line 1
Explanation- The first sentence of paragraph E reads, "A development of 194 dwellings would occupy 2.7 hectares below it, occupying 14 hectares of land above ground." However, the number of roads would be cut in half. This means that buildings are made one above the other which reduces the usage of land or space. Hence, the Demands on space and energy are reduced is the correct answer.

Question 5- Paragraph F

Answer- i
Supportive statement- “It was the Tilburg architect Jo Hurkmans who hit on the idea of making use of noise embankments on main roads”
Keywords- hit, on the idea
Keyword Location- Paragraph F, line 3
Explanation- The usage of noise embankments on major roads was the brainchild of Tilburg architect Jo Hurkmans, according to the third line of paragraph F. This makes “A designer describes his houses” the correct answer.

Question 6- Paragraph G

Answer- vii
Supportive statement- “Italy’s outstanding example of subterranean architecture is the Olivetti residential center in Ivrea.”
Keywords- Italy
Keyword Location- Paragraph G, line 3
Explanation- The author states that the Olivetti residential center in Ivrea is Italy's premier example of underground architecture. Roberto Olivetti ordered it in 1969, and it consists of 82 one-bedroom flats and 12 maisonettes, forming a house/hotel for Olivetti employees. Hence,m the author provides worldwide examples of underground living accommodation. This makes vii the correct option.

Question 7- Paragraph H

Answer- iii
Supportive statement- “Not everyone adapts so well, and in Japan scientists at the Shimizu Corporation have developed "space creation" systems which mix light, sounds, breezes, and scents to stimulate people who spend long periods below ground.”
Keywords- developed, space creation
Keyword Location- Paragraph H, line 1
Explanation- From the supporting sentence, we can see that researchers at the Shimizu Corporation in Japan have created technologies for "space creation." People who spend a lot of time underground are stimulated by a combination of light, sounds, winds, and scents. This is creating a natural environment under the ground since everyone cannot adapt to the underground environment. So “Simulating a natural environment” is the correct answer.

Question 8- Paragraph I

Answer- iv
Supportive statement- “Their home evolved when he dug a cool room for his bakery business in a hill he had created.”
Keywords- dug, cool, room
Keyword Location- Paragraph I, line 1
Explanation- The first sentence of paragraph I says that when he dug a cool room for his baking company on a hill he had created, their home evolved. This describes how an underground family home developed. Hence iv is the correct answer.

Questions 9-14:
Complete the sentences below with words taken from the reading passage.
Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 9-14 on your answer sheet.

Question 9: Many developers prefer mass-produced houses because they ________

Answer: sell (more) quickly
Supportive statement- “In Europe, the obstacle has been conservative local authorities and developers who prefer to ensure quick sales with conventional mass-produced housing.”
Keywords-quick sales
Keyword Location- Paragraph F, line 1
Explanation- The first sentence of paragraph F states that conservative municipal governments have served as a barrier in Europe. It also states that the developers prefered mass production house. The reason being that they sell quickly. Hence, sell quickly is the correct answer. .

Question 10: The Dutch development was welcomed by_________

Answer: (South Limberg) planners
Supportive statement- “But the Dutch development was greeted with undisguised relief by South Limburg planners because of Holland's chronic shortage of land”
Keywords- South Limburg
Keyword Location- Paragraph F, line 2
Explanation- There is a direct mention of the South Limburg planners in the passage. It says that the Dutch development was greeted with undisguised relief by South Limburg planners because of Holland's chronic shortage of land. This makes South Limberg planners the correct answer.

Question 11: Hurkmans’ houses are built into __________

Answer: (road/noise) embankments
Supportive statement- “It was the Tilburg architect Jo Hurkmans who hit on the idea of making use of noise embankments on main roads.”
Keywords- Hurkman’s
Keyword Location- Paragraph F, line 4
Explanation- According to the fourth sentence of paragraph F, Jo Hurkmans, a Tilburg architect, came up with the concept of using noise embankments on major roadways. Hence, embankments is the correct answer.

Question 12: The Ivrea centre was developed for_______

Answer: Olivetti employees
Supportive statement- “Commissioned by Roberto Olivetti in 1969, it comprises 82 one-bedroomed apartments and 12 maisonettes and forms a house/ hotel for Olivetti employees.”
Keywords- Ivrea
Keyword Location- Paragraph G, line- 3
Explanation- The author directly states that the Olivetti residential center in Ivrea is Italy's premier example of underground architecture. It is a house/hotel for Olivetti employees that Roberto Olivetti ordered in 1969. This centre consists of 82 one-bedroom apartments and 12 maisonettes. So we can conclude that Ivrea centre was developed for Olivetti employees.

Question 13: Japanese scientists are helping people __________ underground life.

Answer: adapt to
Supportive statement- “Not everyone adapts so well, and in Japan scientists at the Shimizu Corporation have developed "space creation" systems which mix light, sounds, breezes, and scents to stimulate people who spend long periods below ground. ”
Keywords- adapt
Keyword Location- Paragraph H, line 1
Explanation- We can see that as per the passage, everyone cannot adapt to underground life. Hence, the researchers at the Shimizu Corporation have invented "space creation,". It is a system that combines music, light, breezes, and scents to energize those who spend a lot of time underground. So scientists are helping people to adapt to the underground life.

Question 14: Frank Siegmund’s first underground room was used for_______

Answer: his bakery business, a cool room
Supportive statement- “Their home evolved when he dug a cool room for his bakery business in a hill he had created”
Keywords-dug, cool, room
Keyword Location- Paragraph I, line 1
Explanation- According to the first sentence of paragraph I, their home developed when he built a cold room for his baking business on a hill he had made. So we can conclude that the first underground room was used for the bakery business.

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