The Rise of the Tiny House Movement Reading Answers

Bhaskar Das

Aug 28, 2025

The Rise of the Tiny House Movement Reading Answers contains 13 questions and belongs to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. The Rise of the Tiny House Movement Reading Answers must be answered within 20 minutes. In this IELTS reading section, question types include: Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS, And Choose the correct letter A-D.

The Rise of the Tiny House Movement Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of the tiny house movement, promoting sustainable, affordable, and minimalist living in compact homes, challenging traditional housing norms despite legal and lifestyle hurdles. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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

Topic:

In recent years, a growing number of people around the world have chosen to downsize their living spaces and embrace the tiny house movement—a social and architectural trend that advocates for simplified living in compact homes, usually under 400 square feet (approximately 37 square meters). This shift is not simply about reducing space but also promoting sustainability, affordability, and a more intentional lifestyle.

The movement gained momentum in the early 2000s, particularly in the United States, as the cost of living in urban centres rose sharply. Housing affordability became a critical issue for young professionals, retirees, and even middle-income earners. The 2008 financial crisis further accelerated the trend when many homeowners lost their properties due to foreclosures. As a result, some individuals began building smaller, more economical homes, often on wheels, to avoid hefty mortgages.

A tiny house typically includes all the essentials of a conventional home—bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living space—designed with maximum efficiency. Clever design features such as lofted sleeping areas, foldable furniture, and built-in storage allow residents to make the most of every inch. Some tiny homes are placed on trailers, enabling owners to move frequently without giving up their home. Others are stationary and built on small plots of land or in cooperative communities that cater specifically to tiny house dwellers.

Beyond financial concerns, environmental motivations play a major role in the popularity of tiny homes. These residences consume significantly less electricity and water and produce a smaller carbon footprint. Many are equipped with solar panels, composting toilets, and rainwater collection systems. The appeal of living off-grid, particularly in rural or natural settings, has led many people to embrace a minimalist way of life with fewer possessions and reduced environmental impact.

However, the tiny house lifestyle is not without its challenges. Zoning laws and building regulations in many regions still do not accommodate tiny houses, especially mobile ones. In some areas, it is illegal to live full-time in a tiny house due to minimum size requirements for dwellings. Moreover, adjusting to limited space can be difficult for families or individuals accustomed to larger homes. Privacy, storage, and hosting guests can become significant obstacles. Critics also argue that while tiny houses may reduce the cost of housing, they are not a scalable solution to the broader housing crisis.

Despite these hurdles, the movement continues to grow. Television programs and social media have helped popularize the concept, and several companies now specialize in designing and building custom tiny homes. Workshops, festivals, and online forums allow enthusiasts to share ideas and experiences, creating a strong community spirit among those who choose to live tiny.

Interestingly, governments and non-profit organisations have also begun to take notice. In some US cities, tiny houses are being used as transitional shelters for homeless populations, providing a safer and more stable environment than traditional shelters. In Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe, eco-villages and cooperative housing projects are experimenting with tiny houses as an innovative solution to social housing needs.

Ultimately, the tiny house movement challenges conventional ideas about success, ownership, and comfort. It asks a fundamental question: how much space do we really need to live a meaningful life? For many, the answer lies not in square footage, but in the freedom that comes from living with less.

Questions 28-32

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

28. The idea of building smaller homes became more common after the ………………..

Answer: 2008 financial crisis

Supporting statement: “The 2008 financial crisis further accelerated the trend when many homeowners lost their properties due to foreclosures.”

Keywords: building smaller homes, became common

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, Line 3

Explanation: The crisis led to increased interest in smaller, more affordable housing alternatives.

29. Foldable furniture and lofted beds are examples of ……………… used in tiny homes.

Answer: clever design features

Supporting statement: “Clever design features such as lofted sleeping areas, foldable furniture, and built-in storage…”

Keywords: foldable furniture, lofted beds

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Line 2

Explanation: These features help maximise use of small space in tiny homes.

30. Some tiny homes are designed for relocation and are built on …………….

Answer: trailers

Supporting statement: “Some tiny homes are placed on trailers, enabling owners to move frequently…”

Keywords: relocation, built on

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Line 3

Explanation: Trailers make some tiny homes mobile for easy relocation.

31. Composting toilets and rainwater systems help some tiny homes to operate …………….

Answer: off the grid

Supporting statement: “The appeal of living off-grid, particularly in rural or natural settings…”

Keywords: composting toilets, rainwater systems

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, Line 3

Explanation: These systems enable tiny homes to function independently of public utilities.

32. Local laws often restrict tiny houses due to ………………. for permanent homes.

Answer: minimum size requirements

Supporting statement: “In some areas, it is illegal to live full-time in a tiny house due to minimum size requirements for dwellings.”

Keywords: local laws, restrict, tiny houses

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, Line 2

Explanation: Legal restrictions are due to size regulations for legal residences.

Questions 33-35

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? 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

33. Most tiny houses in cities are constructed underground to save space.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “Some tiny homes are placed on trailers, enabling owners to move frequently… Others are stationary and built on small plots of land…”

Keywords: tiny homes, trailers, stationary, small plots

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Line 4

Explanation: The passage makes no mention of tiny houses being constructed underground. Instead, it states that they are built on trailers or small plots of land, meaning they are above ground. Therefore, the claim that “most tiny houses in cities are constructed underground” contradicts the information provided, making the statement false.

34. Some cities in the US use tiny homes to help reduce homelessness.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “In some US cities, tiny houses are being used as transitional shelters for homeless populations…”

Keywords: cities, tiny homes, homelessness

Keyword Location: Paragraph 7, Line 1

Explanation: Some US cities use tiny homes to address homelessness.

35. Tiny houses are usually more expensive than conventional homes of the same size.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “Some individuals began building smaller, more economical homes…”

Keywords: tiny houses, cost, conventional homes

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, Line 4

Explanation: Tiny homes are presented as more affordable, not more expensive.

Questions 36-37

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? 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

36. People often need to make lifestyle changes to adjust to living in tiny houses.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “Moreover, adjusting to limited space can be difficult for families or individuals accustomed to larger homes.”

Keywords: lifestyle changes, adjust

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, Line 3

Explanation: The passage acknowledges that adaptation is required for smaller living spaces.

37. The passage suggests that tiny houses can completely solve the housing crisis.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “…they are not a scalable solution to the broader housing crisis.”

Keywords: solve housing crisis

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, Last Line

Explanation: Critics argue tiny homes alone cannot solve the overall housing issue.

Questions 38-40

Match each statement with the correct group or individual. Choose the correct letter A-D.

Who is associated with the following ideas?

A. Tiny house residents

B. Critics of the movement

C. Governments and NGOs

D. Tiny house designers and builders

38. Believe that large homes are not necessary for a meaningful life

Answer: A. Tiny house residents

Supporting statement: “It asks a fundamental question: how much space do we really need to live a meaningful life?”

Keywords: meaningful life, large homes unnecessary

Keyword Location: Final Paragraph

Explanation: The core philosophy of residents is valuing freedom and simplicity over space.

39. View tiny homes as a creative tool for social housing

Answer: C. Governments and NGOs

Supporting statement: “…tiny houses are being used as transitional shelters…” and “…eco-villages… experimenting… for social housing needs.”

Keywords: social housing, transitional shelters

Keyword Location: Paragraph 7

Explanation: Governments and nonprofits are exploring tiny homes as social solutions.

40. Provide custom-made compact living solutions

Answer: D. Tiny house designers and builders

Supporting statement: “…several companies now specialize in designing and building custom tiny homes.”

Keywords: custom-made, living solutions

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6

Explanation: These professionals provide tailored, space-efficient housing.

Check IELTS reading samples:

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

Comments

No comments to show