Unit 3:READING COMPREHENSION

Unit 3: Exercise 1
Read the information. Then read the sentences below. What is the writer doing in each
sentence? Choose the best options.

In the IELTS Reading test, you might need to find the part of the Reading passage where
the writer is doing something (for example, giving a reason, challenging an idea or
comparing something).

1. Many people wonder if it is worth spending a huge amount of money on space exploration.
This is a sensible question, although we should also consider the benefits that space
research has given us in terms of the technological advancements that have been made.
challenging an idea/comparing things/giving a reason
2. NASA’s annual budget is approximately $17.5 billion. This sounds like a huge amount of
money – and it is – until you realise that Americans spend nearly twice that amount on pizza
each year. challenging an idea/comparing things/giving a reason
3. Some historians believe that the USSR and the USA were in a ‘race’ to develop rocket
systems, weapons and satellite technology. This is why conquering space, putting humans in
orbit and on the moon, became an important goal in the latter half of the 20th century.
challenging an idea/comparing things/giving a reason

Unit 3: Exercise 2
Read the information, then read the paragraphs. Which paragraph contains the
following information? Choose the correct answers.
Read the questions carefully and decide which paragraph probably contains the information. Then
read that paragraph carefully to check if the information is there.
 Space tourism

A Space exploration is important. Apart from the fact that it inspires whole new
generations of young scientists, it helps us understand our environment and has given us a
perspective on the world in which we live. Mostly, space travel has been restricted to
military or scientific exploration, but this is now changing. Now there is a growing space
tourism industry, which enables people to pay money to achieve their dreams of leaving
the Earth.

B Space tourism is not yet a realistic possibility for most people, although there have been
commercial flights into space for a few lucky people over the past few decades. In fact, the
very first space tourist, Dennis Tito, travelled to the International Space Station as long ago
as 2001. Since then, six other fee-paying astronauts have made the trip into space. The
explanation for why it was possible for these visitors to have the privilege to leave the
Earth, of course, is that they paid enormous sums of money. For his seven days and 22
hours in space, Dennis Tito is reported to have paid $20 million.

C At present, there are several business ventures planning to launch commercial flights to
the edge of space, and specially designed vehicles to enable this are being created.
Although these do not plan to take tourists away from the Earth’s atmosphere, they do offer
the chance to travel on board a suborbital flight reaching altitudes of up to 160 kilometres
and moving at over 1.4 kilometres per second. This would offer customers the experience
of seeing a dark sky filled with stars, as well as a stunning view of the planet Earth below.
Tickets would cost in the region of $200,000 per trip, which would be a bargain compared
to the fee Dennis Tito had to pay. However, the trips would be a lot shorter, offering only a
few minutes of weightlessness before returning back to the ground, instead of seven days
in outer space.

D So, it is possible that space tourism could one day become achievable and affordable for
many people. However, although a journey into space (or the edge of it) would be a
rewarding, once-in-a-lifetime experience for the lucky few, space travel could have
widespread drawbacks for the rest of us. According to a study carried out by NASA, a
large number of suborbital launches would inevitably release a significant amount of
carbon dioxide into the higher levels of the Earth’s atmosphere. This alone could cause
large-scale disruption to the planet’s climate, increasing temperatures globally and
disrupting the ozone layer.

1. a comparison between two different amounts of time

2. a challenge to the idea that space tourism is worthwhile
3. a reason why certain people could achieve something

Which sentence from each paragraph contains the answer?

Unit 3: Exercise 3
In this type of IELTS Reading matching information task, it is possible that you
will find the answer to more than one question in the same paragraph.
Read the passage again. Then decide which paragraph contains the information
in questions 1–4. Choose the correct answers.

1. gives a justification of why space travel is useful

2. mentions the main types of space travel that have existed until now
3. gives examples of people who have paid to travel into space
4. gives details of flights which reach the edge of space

Unit 3: Exercise 4
Read the information. Then do the IELTS Reading task.

The text has seven paragraphs (A–G). Which paragraph contains the following
information? Choose the correct paragraph.

What does it take to become an astronaut?

A What could be more thrilling than travelling through space and seeing the Earth from
miles above? Becoming an astronaut used to be a typical ambition for children, but one
they were unlikely ever to fulfil – it was even harder to achieve than becoming a rock star
or Hollywood actor. However, since it was launched, the International Space Station (ISS)
has been home to well over 200 people from 18 different countries. Although some critics
complain that investing in the ISS is a poor use of billions of dollars, they should not forget
that research in the unique conditions of the ISS has resulted in some incredible discoveries
in medical treatments, weather science and satellite technology, which we now use on
Earth. More teams are scheduled to be sent up in the future and are certain to make even
more valuable contributions to humanity.

B So what are the requirements for someone

wanting to work on the ISS? First, the
applicant must be a citizen of the nation whose
space programme they are applying for, or be
willing to become one. Age is also important,
mid-20s to mid-40s being the preferred range.
Natural intelligence is vital, and so is
achievement in such fields as engineering,
biological and physical sciences, and
mathematics. Candidates are nearly always
from a military background, often because
they already have piloting skills, but in some
countries, civilians can also apply. For
example, in the USA, the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA) considers
people from a wide range of backgrounds.

C Obviously, applicants are unlikely to have previous space-travel experience when they
attend an interview, but recruiters also look for qualities such as adaptability and
determination. Even after an applicant has got through the first stage of the interview
process, there are still other tests they have to pass. For example, if it is discovered that the
quality of an applicant’s eyesight is poor then, unfortunately, it’s time to go home. There is
a tough physical examination as well. Astronauts need to prove they are in good shape
because if they are eventually chosen to go on a mission, they will have to survive long
months in microgravity, something which can cause uncomfortable swelling in the arms
and legs, and can affect the cardiovascular system.

D Eventually, out of all the applicants that apply, a small group is chosen to attend a two-
year period of study. During this time, they will learn a whole range of new things, such as
a new language (they will have to communicate with other nationalities on the ISS). They
will also have media awareness lessons and special preparation in a simulated zero-gravity
environment. Once they have completed these sessions, the potential astronauts may have
to wait years before being chosen to go up to the ISS. In other words, they need to be
willing and able to depart at any time.

E If an astronaut is lucky enough to be sent to the ISS, he or she will have plenty to keep
them busy. Mostly they will be involved in scientific research, experimentation and
maintaining equipment. But just as in any home, the ISS must be kept clean. In fact, wiping
and vacuuming up dirt and debris is even more important in space, as the tiny particles
could cause huge problems if they got inside some of the computers or other equipment.
Astronauts on board the ISS certainly report that they miss their children, their families and
their friends on Earth, but few ever complain about boredom. Of course, technology makes
it a lot easier to stay in touch nowadays.

F While the daily routine for an astronaut on the ISS may be little different from any other
kind of job, there are many new challenges each astronaut faces when they take their first
trip into space. One of these is getting used to the fact that there is no more ‘night’ and
‘day’ – at least, not in the way the astronauts have previously experienced them. In fact,
astronauts on the ISS will see a sunrise, or sunset, every 45 minutes. Travelling at 17,500
miles an hour means they orbit the Earth 16 times in a normal ‘day’. As a result, it means
they won’t know when they are supposed to sleep any more. This is one of the reasons why
they need to follow the schedule that is organised for them. The schedule also tells them
when they need to visit the gymnasium – which is at least once a day. If they do not
exercise regularly, they will soon lose all the muscle in their legs.

G Another challenge concerns when, what and how the astronauts eat. The schedule, of
course, tells them when it’s time to heat up a packaged meal, some of which are now
prepared especially to suit the tastes of the different nationalities amongst the crew.
However, for a long time astronauts have reported that normal food loses its flavour in the
ISS, and they find it harder to taste anything. Scientists think this has something to do with
the fact that fluid moves to the upper body in microgravity, especially the head. This
causes the tissues of the face to swell slightly and makes the nose feel blocked. This is why
ISS crews often prefer really spicy food and strong flavours. If the food still isn’t spicy
enough, they can add salt and pepper, but these have to be squeezed out of tubes in liquid
form!

1. details of the way that the ISS moves around the planet
2. a reason why applicants are rejected early on in the recruitment
3. an account of how a particular human sense can be affected during time spent on the ISS
4. a challenge to the idea that the funding of the ISS is wasteful
5. a justification for the fitness tests that potential astronauts have to pass
6. a mention of both specialised and routine work that is carried out on the ISS
7. examples of the necessary academic requirements for applicants
8. an explanation of why astronauts need to stick to a strict timetable in space
9. a comparison between different kinds of occupation
10. a reference to the kind of skills acquired during an astronaut training programme