Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 576
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 576 – PASSAGE – 3
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 576
READING PASSAGE – 3
The Rise of Digital Nomadism – Work Without Borders
Once considered a fringe lifestyle for tech-savvy freelancers, digital nomadism has now entered the mainstream. Fuelled by advancements in technology, the COVID-19 pandemic’s shift to remote work, and the desire for greater freedom, more people than ever are choosing to work while travelling the world. From Bali to Barcelona, Chiang Mai to Cape Town, co-working spaces and digital nomad communities are flourishing.
A digital nomad is someone who uses digital technologies to earn a living while maintaining a nomadic lifestyle. They are not bound to a fixed location and often move from place to place, staying in short-term rentals, hostels, or co-living spaces. The most common professions among digital nomads include content creation, software development, online marketing, graphic design, and customer service roles.
IELTS General Reading Test
A key driver behind the growth of digital nomadism is the increasing acceptance of remote work by employers. According to a 2024 report by GlobalWork, over 60% of companies now allow some form of remote working, up from just 29% in 2019. In addition, the cost of living in many digital nomad hotspots is significantly lower than in major cities like London, New York, or Tokyo. For example, a comfortable monthly budget in Medellín, Colombia, can be as low as $1,200, including accommodation, food, and co-working space access.
Despite the appealing lifestyle, digital nomadism comes with challenges. Visa restrictions can be a major hurdle. Most countries offer tourist visas that limit stays to 30–90 days, which can complicate long-term travel plans. However, several nations, such as Estonia, Portugal, and Costa Rica, have introduced digital nomad visas, allowing remote workers to reside legally for six months to two years, provided they meet income and insurance requirements.
IELTS General Reading Test
Another challenge is isolation. While working from tropical beaches may seem glamorous, the lack of in-person colleagues and the difficulty of forming long-lasting relationships can lead to loneliness. That’s why many nomads join digital nomad communities, either online or through local events. Platforms like NomadList and Meetup help connect like-minded people for networking, socialising, and even collaborating on projects.
Internet reliability is another concern, especially in rural or developing regions. A stable internet connection is crucial, and many nomads carry portable Wi-Fi devices or SIM cards from multiple carriers. Some even check internet speed ratings of accommodations before booking.
IELTS General Reading Test
There’s also the issue of work-life balance. It can be tempting to spend more time exploring than working, especially in new and exciting locations. However, successful digital nomads often establish strict routines and working hours, just like they would in a traditional office environment.
Interestingly, the digital nomad trend is also impacting local economies. In places like Lisbon and Tbilisi, the influx of remote workers has led to rising rents and increased demand for cafes and co-working spaces. While this brings economic benefits, it has also triggered concerns about gentrification and displacement of local residents.
Despite these concerns, the digital nomad movement continues to grow. Industry analysts predict that by 2030, there will be over 1 billion remote workers worldwide, many of whom will adopt nomadic lifestyles for at least part of their career. Governments, businesses, and communities are beginning to adapt, realising that the traditional 9-to-5 office job may no longer be the standard.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 28–33
Do the following statements agree with the information 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
28. Digital nomads typically work in co-working spaces owned by large corporations.
29. The percentage of companies allowing remote work has more than doubled since 2019.
30. Digital nomads often face visa limitations when staying abroad for extended periods.
31. All digital nomads prefer living in developing countries because of lower living costs.
32. Internet costs for digital nomads are covered by the countries they visit.
33. Some digital nomads struggle to balance their travel experiences with work responsibilities.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 34–40
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
34. Most digital nomads work in areas like marketing, design, or __________.
35. Portugal and Costa Rica now offer __________ to attract remote workers.
36. Some nomads carry multiple SIM cards to ensure __________.
37. People may feel __________ due to the absence of long-term friendships.
38. Cities like Lisbon have seen an increase in __________ due to nomads.
39. Working and travelling can make it hard to maintain __________.
40. By 2030, the number of remote workers is expected to exceed __________.
IELTS General Reading Test
IELTS General Reading Test
ANSWERS
28. NOT GIVEN
29. TRUE
30. TRUE
31. FALSE
32. NOT GIVEN
33. FALSE
34. CUSTOMER SERVICE ROLES
35. DIGITAL NOMAD VISAS
36. INTERNET RELIABILITY
37. ISOLATION
38. RENTS
39. WORK-LIFE BALANCE
40. 1 BILLION
IELTS General Reading Test