The Non-Military Uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Reading Answers

May 20, 2025

The Non-Military Uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The Non-Military Uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the first question set, you have to choose which paragraph contains the given statement. 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. In the last question set, you have to choose two letters (A-E).

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 several IELTS reading practice problems in this section that resemble actual test situations. Practicing 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 NON.MILITARY USES OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES

A) The use of unmanned aerial vehicles has grown dramatically over the past decade or so, in no small part due to the fact that some of these machines are able to remain airborne for longer periods of time than more conventional manned aircraft. At the same time, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UASS), and remotely piloted aircraft (RPAS), nowadays commonly referred to as drones, are generally credited with being both more cost-effective to operate and maintain, as well as safer to use, than piloted aircraft. The term drone may also refer to small electric helicopters fitted with two or more rotors which are flown by remote control.

B) Today, drones are being used with increasing frequency for military operations by a number of countries in combat, surveillance and reconnaissance roles. These machines tend to be larger than non-military drones and are, in the main, powered by Jet or gas engines. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the use of drone technology has gained a measure of notoriety as a result of their growing prominence in military roles, which have been widely publicised in television, online and print media during the last decade and a half, leading to criticism of their application in this arena on both ethical and legal grounds.

C) While originally and currently still primarily used for military purposes, the rapid growth and development in drone technology during the early twenty-first century has led some experts to predict that, by 2020. There will be approximately 30,000 licensed drones operating in the skies above the United States alone, It has also been estimated that the economic value of the commercial drone market will rise In value to around $90 billion globally during the next five years, as well as create as many as 150,000 new jobs by 2025. A projection by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International estimates that agricultural applications will one day account for approximately 80 percent of commercial drone use.

D) One development related to the commercial use of drones, which has perhaps received the greatest amount of news and media coverage in recent years, is the establishment of Amazon Prime Air in December 2013 by the US-based online retail giant, Amazon.com. At this stage. Amazon Prime Air's drone-based delivery system for its customers' purchases remains very much a work in progress, although the company has been granted permission by the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to begin testing its current prototypes under certain restrictions.

E) As far as aerial filming and photography are concerned, commercial drones have a number of applications in industries ranging from those of movie production and the news media, to real estate, telecommunications and security, More specific uses in these fields include, though are by no means limited to, taking promotional photos and videos for commercial and residential properties on the market, filming breaking news stories and live sports events, producing footage from unique perspectives for movies and carrying out security and surveillance functions in the detection of criminal activity and identification of criminals.

F) In addition to the delivery of consumer products and other commercial applications, non-military drones are gaining popularity for use in search and rescue operations. Drone-mounted cameras enable unmanned aerial vehicles to follow pre-programmed search patterns when looking for missing persons and victims of natural disasters across a variety of otherwise inaccessible terrain types, including marine environments. With the addition of infrared thermal imaging camera technology, drones can also carry out search and rescue missions after dark. With much greater manoeuvrability and at less cost than using a helicopter, for example,

G) These days, drones are increasingly being used by national government agencies and local authorities for a variety of purposes outside of the private sector. Transport agencies, both road and rail, make use of unmanned aerial vehicles for monitoring traffic flow and reporting accidents and hazards, while civil planners utilise the technology to assist with mapping and surveying work. Fire departments in some jurisdictions now rely on UAVs to help them reduce risks and costs when fighting fires in both urban and rural areas, while customs and law enforcement agencies also employ drone technology in protecting citizens and borders

through monitoring and surveillance.

H) In terms of the natural world, scientists and researchers are turning to drones with greater frequency to monitor, document and assess changes in the health, movement and distribution of flora and fauna, as well as pollution, weather and the climate, both conveniently and cost-effectively. Unmanned aircraft are today being used not only in environmental and ecological research but also as cutting-edge tools to assist in wildlife conservation efforts. In the latter capacity, drone technology is now being used by both governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations in the surveillance and prevention of Illegal hunting and poaching of a number of endangered species.

I) While advocates of drones are quick to point out all of the many benefits that the machines can bring to society and the planet, the technology is not without its critics. Those opposed to the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles cite a number of negative aspects related to the seemingly inexorable rise of drones and their myriad possible applications in our lives. These include logistical concerns such as the comparatively short flight times of smaller UAVs (presently between 30 and 45 minutes) and their operational limitations in terms of spatial mobility. Other perceived disadvantages are safety risks in the potential for collisions across

increasingly crowded airspace, and even the adverse effects drones may have on the natural environment, particularly as contributors to noise pollution.

J) Whether for commercial or recreational applications or being used as tools to assist those working in the public sector, it would appear that the numerical proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as their numerous potential uses, means that the impact of drone technology in our lives is only set to increase. While there are undoubtedly issues yet to be resolved regarding the use of drones, particularly in relation to regulatory oversight and legal restrictions on the part of relevant authorities, the futuristic technology afforded us in the form of these robotic vehicles indicates that not the sky, but rather the solar system and beyond, may be the limit,

Questions 27-33

Reading Passage 3 has ten paragraphs, A-J. Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A- J.

NB: You may use any letter more than once.

27. drone technology for use in farming

Answer: C

Supporting statement: that agricultural applications will one day account for approximately 80 percent of commercial drone use.

Keywords: agricultural, commercial

Keyword Location: Para C, Lines 7-8

Explanation: The text states that someday, about 80 percent of commercial drones may be used in agricultural practices.

28. potential drawbacks of non-military drones

Answer: I

Supporting statement: negative aspects related to the seemingly inexorable rise of drones and their myriad possible applications in our lives.

Keywords: negative, applications

Keyword Location: Para I, Lines 3-4

Explanation: The text highlights some drawbacks of unmanned aerial vehicles, such as short flight times of 30 to 45 minutes for small drones, restrictions on operations involving physical movement, and chances of collision in areas with crowded airspace.

29. the sale of housing

Answer: E

Supporting statement: taking promotional photos and videos for commercial and residential properties on the market,

Keywords: photos, properties

Keyword Location: Para E, Line 4

Explanation: According to the text, commercial drones used for aerial filming can be used to take pictures of commercial and residential properties available on the market for sale.

30. the preservation of plants and animals

Answer: H

Supporting statement: the surveillance and prevention of Illegal hunting and poaching of a number of endangered species.

Keywords: surveillance, endangered

Keyword Location: Para H, Line 7

Explanation: According to the text, both governmental and non-governmental organisations are currently using drone technology to monitor and stop the illegal hunting and poaching of several endangered species.

31. using drones at night

Answer: F

Supporting statement: Drones can also carry out search and rescue missions after dark

Keywords: carry, rescue

Keyword Location: Para F, Line 6

Explanation: The text mentions that drones can also conduct search and rescue operations after dark, thanks to the incorporation of infrared thermal imaging camera technology.

32. employment opportunities related to UAVs

Answer: C

Supporting statement: as well as create as many as 150,000 new jobs by 2025.

Keywords: 150,000, 2025

Keyword Location: Para C, Line 6

Explanation: The text states that as the economic value of the commercial drone market rises, it may also create 150,000 new jobs by 2025.

33. The use of drones in monitoring automobiles

Answer: G

Supporting statement: Transport agencies, both road and rail, make use of unmanned aerial vehicles for monitoring traffic flow

Keywords: Transport agencies, traffic

Keyword Location: Para G, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The transport authorities use drones to monitor both road and rail traffic flow to keep in check for accidents and hazards, and to report them.

Questions 34-38

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 3?

In boxes 34-38 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the Statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

34. Drones are often cheaper to use than manned aircraft.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: both more cost-effective to operate and maintain, as well as safer to use, than piloted aircraft.

Keywords: cost-effective, piloted

Keyword Location: Para A, Line 6

Explanation: According to the text, unmanned aerial vehicles are more cost-effective and easier to operate and maintain compared to piloted ones.

35. In the future, the majority of private sector drones are likely to be used in farming

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: A projection by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International estimates that agricultural applications

Keywords: Unmanned, agricultural

Keyword Location: Para C, Line 7

Explanation: According to the text, the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems estimates that the majority of private sector drones are likely to be used in agricultural areas.

36. Amazon is presently using drones to deliver items purchased online.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: Amazon Prime Air's drone-based delivery system for its customers' purchases remains very much a work in progress,

Keywords: Amazon, delivery

Keyword Location: Para D, Line 4

Explanation: The text mentions that the drone-based delivery service for Amazon Prime Air customers' items is still a work in progress, meaning it has not started to deliver items

37. Drone technology is used to help rescue people lost at sea.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: when looking for missing persons and victims of natural disasters across a variety of otherwise inaccessible terrain types, including marine environments

Keywords: persons, terrain

Keyword Location: Para F, Lines 4-5

Explanation: According to the text, drones are nowadays also used to search for missing persons or victims of natural disasters in places inaccessible to humans, such as the sea.

38. Drones contribute to air pollution.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The text provides no information about drones causing air pollution.

Question 39-40

Choose TWO letters, A-E.

Which TWO of the following are mentioned as being risks or drawbacks associated with drone technology?

A. the cost of fighting fires

B. duration of flights

C. criminal activity

D. mid-air collisions

E. the inexorable rise of drones

39…………

Answer: B

Supporting statement: comparatively short flight times of smaller UAVs (presently between 30 and 45 minutes)

Keywords: UAVs, flight

Keyword Location: Para I, Line 5

Explanation: The text states that one of the drawbacks of a smaller unmanned aerial vehicle is the duration of time it can fly, which is usually just 35 to 40 minutes.

40…………

Answer: D

Supporting statement: Other perceived disadvantages are safety risks in the potential for collisions across increasingly crowded airspace,

Keywords: disadvantages, risks

Keyword Location: Para I, Line 7

Explanation: The text states that collisions between the unmanned aerial vehicle and other things present in crowded airspace are a safety hazard and one of the disadvantages of UAVs.

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