The Price of Your Newspaper Reading Answers

Jun 5, 2025

The Price of Your Newspaper Reading Answers consists of 11 questions to be answered within 20 minutes. It is an IELTS reading answer topic. The topic: The Price of Your Newspaper Reading Answers is the first part of the reading section. It asks questions like Choose the most suitable headings for paragraphs from the list below. And answer the questions in NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.

The candidates must examine the IELTS reading passage for keywords. The candidates must analyse each line of the passage attentively to give answers to the questions. The topic: The Price of Your Newspaper Reading Answers tests the reading and analysis skills of the candidates. The candidates must go through IELTS reading practice papers to become familiar with similar topics.

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Section 1 THE PRICE OF YOUR NEWSPAPER

A: The average family buys two newspapers and a magazine every week, in addition to receiving up to three pieces of junk mail. Multiplied by the global population, this amounts to a lot of paper, and therefore a lot of wood. Although the rise of the home computer has gone a

long way in reducing this excessive use of paper, the demand is still considerable.

B: Social and economic concerns have over-ridden environmental common sense, and in many western countries, the woods and forests that once covered the land have long since been cleared away. A shocking example can be found by looking at the United States, which now has less than two per cent of its original forest. Other areas, predominantly tropical countries, are now following the same destructive path. In 1995 over one million hectares of forest in Brazil were cleared, a disturbing statistic but nonetheless inevitable as timber and other related raw materials are important exports for countries that often have little other way of supporting themselves. They provide employment for those who harvest the wood, extract rubber or make products using available materials. With one-third of the world depending on wood for fuel, it is very tempting, though Shortsighted, for poorer countries to exploit the market.

C: It could be argued, then, that countries with rich wood resources should be fully entitled to exploit them. However, there are less destructive alternatives for generating an income from the rainforests. The forest environment provides a popular setting for ecotourism, which includes hiking, camping, bird watching and other outdoor adventure or nature study activities. International travel is becoming increasingly popular, making the rainforests accessible for the more adventurous holidaymaker.

D: No matter what the solution, the rampant spread of deforestation has to be halted. Surveys in Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Liberia found that forest wildlife accounted for 70 to 90 per cent of the total animal protein consumed, thus arguing that some indigenous peoples are completely dependent on forests for food. In many of these countries, wood harvesting is carried out on a considerably more sensible scale. There appears to be the realisation that selling the wood is a temporary solution that would inevitably lead to worse problems for the future. Not only would the traditional food source be gone, but the trees which protected the soil against erosion would be gone. Landslides would become more common and rainwater would not be absorbed so easily into the ground, leading to a shortage of freshwater supplies. There is also the global impact, not only from the burning of the wood but also because trees provide an important role in the recycling of carbon dioxide and the production of oxygen. Estimates based on the current rate of deforestation have predicted a 15 per cent rise in the greenhouse effect around the planet.

E: In order to combat the problem of deforestation, it is important to consider its causes in greater detail. In Brazil, we should look at the unequal and unfair distribution of land - 4.5 per cent of landowners hold 81 per cent of the country's farmland, and 70 per cent of rural

households are landless. With either no legal claim to the land or ownership of so much, deforestation is inevitable, as landowners profit from the land. This is the point in which the situation is in the hands of government, yet often the landowners have shown their ability to sway official regulations regarding timber harvesting.

F: To effect a serious reversal of the damage, some governments are taking a more active role in forest management to protect the environment and employment - a change which has been largely encouraged by the voting and demands of the general population, which have resulted in policies of replantation and protection. As well as creating political pressure, individuals can make a difference by practising green consumerism. Recycled paper is readily available, and we can all make an effort to purchase the most ecologically sensitive products. Demanding alternative products, such as clear-cut free paper and eco-certified lumber, is important in convincing companies that markets exist for such products.

G: None of these activities can occur without the raising of public awareness to inform consumers about the environmental effects of their products, and this is not an easy task. Many people are too entrenched in their habits or too lazy to change, yet one of the most important

ways for a person to have a positive effect is to reduce his or her consumption of forest and related products. An increase in the participation of the public in, and the accessibility and productiveness of facilities for, reducing, reusing and recycling is not only necessary, but also a duty. So next time you buy a newspaper, just consider the cost.

Questions 30–35

Choose the most suitable headings for paragraphs from the list below.

Use each heading once only.

i. Government profiteering at the expense of citizens

ii. A balance provides the best options

iii. Resistance to a change in attitudes

iv. Landowners the driving force for positive political change

v. Renewable forests unable to get public support

vi. The risks of an unequal share of land

vii. Temporary gain outweighing long term concerns

viii. Options for alternative income generation

ix. The impact personal decisions can have

30. Paragraph B

Answer: VII

Supporting statement: as timber and other related raw materials are important exports for countries that often have little other way of supporting themselves.

Keywords: countries, supporting

Keyword Location: Para B, Line 7

Explanation: Paragraph B states that the export of timber as raw material provides financial support to countries and work opportunities for poor people, but it is only a temporary gain as too much deforestation will have a negative impact in the long run.

31. Paragraph C

Answer: VIII

Supporting statement: However, there are less destructive alternatives for generating an income from the rainforests.

Keywords: destructive, alternatives

Keyword Location: Para C, Line 2

Explanation: Paragraph C mentions the alternate ways of generating income from the rainforests in a less destructive manner, one being ecotourism, which includes hiking, camping, bird watching and other outdoor adventure or nature study activities, which is popular among international travellers seeking an adventurous holiday.

32. Paragraph D

Answer: II

Supporting statement: No matter what the solution, the rampant spread of deforestation has to be halted.

Keywords: solution, halted

Keyword Location: Para D, Line 1

Explanation: Paragraph D states that a balance is necessary, and the best solution to the problem is to stop the cutting down of trees.

33. Paragraph E

Answer: VI

Supporting statement: In Brazil, we should look at the unequal and unfair distribution of land

Keywords: Brazil, unfair

Keyword Location: Para E, Line 2

Explanation: Paragraph E highlights the unequal and unfair land distribution in Brazil, as 4.5 per cent of landowners hold 81 per cent of the country's farmland, and 70 per cent of rural households are landless.

34. Paragraph F

Answer: IX

Supporting statement: individuals can make a difference by practising green consumerism.

Keywords: individuals, green consumerism

Keyword Location: Para F, Lines 4-5

Explanation: Paragraph F talks about the impact individuals can make by practising green consumerism by recycling, reducing and repurposing things.

35. Paragraph G

Answer: III

Supporting statement: Many people are too entrenched in their habits or too lazy to change,

Keywords: entrenched, lazy

Keyword Location: Para G, Line 3

Explanation: Paragraph G states that some individuals do not bother with the work that comes with green consumerism, as they are too engrossed in themselves or simply too lazy to do all the things required to bring about a change in their lifestyle.

Questions 36–40

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.

36. What phenomenon is predicted to increase at a global level due to deforestation?

Answer: GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Supporting statement: Estimates based on the current rate of deforestation have predicted a 15 per cent rise in the greenhouse effect around the planet.

Keywords: deforestation, greenhouse

Keyword Location: Para D, Line 12

Explanation: The Greenhouse gas effect is the phenomenon that is predicted to rise by 15 per cent as a result of deforestation.

37. What is becoming more common, allowing for more ecological uses of forested areas?

Answer: INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Supporting statement: International travel is becoming increasingly popular, making the rainforests accessible for the more adventurous holidaymaker.

Keywords: International travel, rainforests

Keyword Location: Para C, Line 5

Explanation: Nowadays, the ecological use of forested areas as a place for adventure holiday destinations is becoming more popular due to international travel.

38. Over two-thirds of people living in the countryside in Brazil are what?

Answer: LANDLESS

Supporting statement: and 70 per cent of rural households are landless.

Keywords: 70 per cent, landless

Keyword Location: Para E, Lines 3-4

Explanation: About 70 % of people living in rural households in Brazil are landless due to the unequal distribution of land.

39. Which country has only one-fiftieth of their original forested areas remaining?

Answer: UNITED STATES

Supporting statement: A shocking example can be found by looking at the United States, which now has less than two per cent of its original forest.

Keywords: United States, two per cent

Keyword Location: Para B, Line 3

Explanation: The text mentions that the United States has only 2% of its original forest left.

40. What needs to be increased so that people can begin to change negative habits?

Answer: PUBLIC AWARENESS

Supporting statement: None of these activities can occur without the raising of public awareness to inform consumers about the environmental effects

Keywords: public awareness, consumers

Keyword Location: Para G, Lines 1-2

Explanation: According to the text, public awareness is important if any change needs to be brought to the environment.

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