The History and Revival of Urban Tram Systems Reading Answers

Sep 8, 2025

The History and Revival of Urban Tram Systems Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The History and Revival of Urban Tram Systems Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the question set, you have to fill in the blank with the correct answer using no more than three words for each. In the next question set given, you have to state whether the statement is true, false or not given with the information given in the text.

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 many 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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Section 1

THE HISTORY AND REVIVAL OF URBAN TRAM SYSTEMS

Urban tram systems have played a vital role in public transportation for over a century. Initially introduced in the early 19th century, trams were once the primary mode of transport in many cities. However, their popularity declined significantly in the mid-20th century, only to experience a revival in recent decades due to environmental and urban development concerns.

Early Beginnings and Growth: The first trams were horse-drawn carriages running on fixed rails laid along city streets. This mode of transportation provided an efficient way for city dwellers to travel short distances with greater comfort and speed than walking or horse-drawn carriages on ordinary roads. By the late 1800s, the invention of the electric tram transformed urban transport. Electric trams were faster, cleaner, and capable of carrying more passengers. Cities such as San Francisco, Melbourne, Berlin, and Vienna developed extensive electric tram networks that quickly became essential to urban life.

Mid-20th Century Decline: Despite their early success, tram systems faced decline after World War II. The rise of the private automobile, combined with significant investments in road infrastructure, shifted public preferences. Governments built highways and expanded bus services, which were perceived as more flexible and modern than fixed-track trams. By the 1950s and 1960s, many cities dismantled tram lines, replacing them with buses or simply catering to car traffic. In the United States, for example, tram networks were virtually eliminated in most major cities. Similarly, London closed most of its tram routes by 1952.

Renewed Interest and Environmental Advantages: Since the late 20th century, there has been a renewed interest in tram systems. Increasing urban populations, traffic congestion, and air pollution have prompted city planners to reconsider the benefits of electric trams. Trams produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to cars and buses, especially when powered by electricity generated from renewable sources. This makes them a more environmentally sustainable choice. In addition, trams help reduce traffic congestion by providing reliable, high-capacity transit that can attract commuters away from private vehicles.

Urban Development and Social Benefits: Tram systems encourage the development of compact, pedestrian-friendly urban areas. Cities with efficient tram networks often experience revitalized city centres, with improved access to shopping, employment, and leisure. Importantly, trams provide an accessible transportation option for all residents, including those who do not own cars or cannot drive, such as the elderly or people with disabilities.

Modern Technological Improvements: Modern tram designs include low-floor vehicles for easy boarding, energy-efficient motors, and smart traffic signal prioritization to reduce delays. Cities have also extended tram lines beyond traditional urban cores to link suburbs with city centres, improving regional connectivity. Some cities, like Strasbourg in France, Zurich in Switzerland, and Portland in the USA, are internationally recognized for their successful tram systems, which have contributed to increased public transit ridership and reduced car dependency.

Challenges and Future Prospects: Despite the benefits, tram systems face challenges, including high initial infrastructure costs, the need for street space, and disruptions during construction. Integrating trams with existing transport modes and urban layouts requires careful planning. Nevertheless, many urban planners view trams as a crucial element of sustainable

urban mobility strategies. As cities continue to grow and the need for environmentally friendly transport intensifies, tram systems are expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of urban living.

Questions 28-33

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

28. The earliest trams were powered by________

Answer: HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES

Supporting statement: The first trams were horse-drawn carriages running on fixed rails laid along city streets.

Keywords: trams, horse-drawn carriages

Keyword Location: Para 2, Line 1

Explanation: The text clearly states that horse-drawn carriages were used as the first trams running on fixed rails laid along city streets.

29. Electric trams replaced horse-drawn ones in the_____________

Answer: LATE 1800S

Supporting statement: By the late 1800s, the invention of the electric tram transformed urban transport.

Keywords: electric tram, late 1800s

Keyword Location: Para 2, Line 4

Explanation: The passage indicates that electric trams emerged and transformed transport, "By the late 1800s," implying they replaced the earlier horse-drawn versions around this time.

30. The rise of the________ caused a decline in tram use.

Answer: PRIVATE AUTOMOBILE

Supporting statement: The rise of the private automobile, combined with significant investments in road infrastructure, shifted public preferences.

Keywords: private automobile, public preferences

Keyword Location: Para 3, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The text directly attributes the decline of tram systems to the rise of the private automobile.

31. Trams generate fewer__________compared to cars and buses.

Answer: GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Supporting statement: Trams produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to cars and buses, especially when powered by electricity generated from renewable sources.

Keywords: fewer, greenhouse gas emissions, cars and buses

Keyword Location: Para 4, Line 4

Explanation: According to the text, trams emit less greenhouse gas than cars and buses.

32. Tram networks encourage the development of ____________urban areas.

Answer: COMPACT / PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY

Supporting statement: Tram systems encourage the development of compact, pedestrian-friendly urban areas.

Keywords: development, compact, pedestrian-friendly

Keyword Location: Para 5, Line 1-2

Explanation: The passage states that tram systems encourage the development of compact, pedestrian-friendly urban areas. Both 'compact' and 'pedestrian-friendly' would fit the word limit, but 'compact' appears first and is a direct answer.

33. Modern trams use low-floor designs to improve____________

Answer: EASY BOARDING / ACCESSIBILITY

Supporting statement: Modern tram designs include low-floor vehicles for easy boarding, energy-efficient motors, and smart traffic signal prioritization to reduce delays.

Keywords: low-floor vehicles, easy boarding

Keyword Location: Para 6, Lines 1-2

Explanation: The text directly connects low-floor vehicles with easy boarding, which is the improvement they offer. Accessibility could also be inferred, but easy boarding is directly stated as the purpose of the low-floor design.

Questions 34-40

Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage? Write:

TRUE if the statement agrees with the passage

FALSE if the statement contradicts the passage

NOT GIVEN if there is no information

34. Electric trams replaced horse-drawn trams in the late 1800s.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: By the late 1800s, the invention of the electric tram transformed urban transport. Electric trams were faster, cleaner, and capable of carrying more passengers.

Keywords: late 1800s, electric tram, transformed urban transport

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 4-5

Explanation: The passage states that the electric tram "transformed urban transport" by the late 1800s, implying they took over from the earlier horse-drawn versions, which were mentioned just before this. This transformation signifies replacement.

35. Trams declined mainly because they were too slow.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: Despite their early success, tram systems faced decline after World War II. The rise of the private automobile, combined with significant investments in road infrastructure, shifted public preferences. Governments built highways and expanded bus services, which were perceived as more flexible and modern than fixed-track trams.

Keywords: decline, private automobile, road infrastructure, shifted public preferences

Keyword Location: Para 3, Lines 2-4

Explanation: According to the text, the decline was not specifically caused by trams being too slow, but rather by the emergence of the private automobile and the belief that buses were more adaptable and modern. Indeed, at first, electric trams were said to be quicker than carriages pulled by horses.

36. Trams produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than cars.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: Trams produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to cars and buses, especially when powered by electricity generated from renewable sources.

Keywords: greenhouse gas emissions, cars and buses

Keyword Location: Para 4, Line 4

Explanation: According to the text, trams produce less greenhouse gas in comparison to cars and buses.

37. Tram systems cause urban sprawl and less pedestrian activity.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: Tram systems encourage the development of compact, pedestrian-friendly urban areas. Cities with efficient tram networks often experience revitalized city centres, with improved access to shopping, employment, and leisure.

Keywords: encourage, compact, pedestrian-friendly

Keyword Location: Para 5, Lines 1-2

Explanation: In contrast, the text claims that trams promote compact, pedestrian-friendly urban zones and revive city centers, both of which increase pedestrian activity.

38. Modern trams have low-floor designs to improve accessibility.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: Modern tram designs include low-floor vehicles for easy boarding, energy-efficient motors, and smart traffic signal prioritization to reduce delays.

Keywords: low-floor vehicles, easy boarding, accessible transportation option

Keyword Location: Para 6, Lines 1-2

Explanation: Low-floor vehicles are specifically mentioned in the paragraph for convenient boarding, which is one of the features of modern trams. Although accessibility is discussed in a different paragraph in a more general context, the claim is supported by the fact that easy boarding is a direct component of accessibility.

39. Building tram systems is often costly and disruptive.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: Despite the benefits, tram systems face challenges, including high initial infrastructure costs, the need for street space, and disruptions during construction.

Keywords: challenges, high initial infrastructure costs, disruptions during construction

Keyword Location: Para 7, Lines 1-3

Explanation: The passage lists high initial infrastructure costs and disruptions during construction as challenges for tram systems, which directly supports the statement.

40. Urban planners think trams will be less important in future cities.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: Nevertheless, many urban planners view trams as a crucial element of sustainable urban mobility strategies. As cities continue to grow and the need for environmentally friendly transport intensifies, tram systems are expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of urban living.

Keywords: crucial element, significant role, shaping the future

Keyword Location: Para 7, Lines 4-6

Explanation: The passage clearly states that many urban planners view trams as a crucial element and that they are expected to play a significant role in shaping the future, which contradicts the idea that they will be less important.

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