BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 541

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IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 541 – PASSAGE – 3

IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – 541

READING PASSAGE – 3

VEINS OF THE EARTH

Rivers, the pulsing veins of our blue planet, course through the landscape like life-giving arteries, sustaining the varied tapestry of Earth’s ecosystems and cradling the rise and advance of human civilizations. Their rhythmic flow carves out the geography of our cultures and economies, whispering tales of the past as they nurture the present and future. Beyond mere bodies of water, rivers are dynamic systems that have danced through time, shaping and reshaping the contours of continents, fostering lush wilderness along their banks, and beckoning humanity to settle alongside their life-sustaining waters. In their ceaseless journey from mountain to ocean, rivers bind the earth’s terrestrial heart to its marine soul, uniting land and sea under the banner of flowing water.

Time has witnessed the enduring flow of rivers, from the sinuous path of the Mississippi, which has carved its story over 300 million years, to the ancient River Finke in Australia, slicing through terrains as old as the Devonian period itself. It was during this time that the Earth underwent a profound transformation. As vascular plants took root, rivers transformed from meandering sheets across sand into flowing channels confined by rooted banks.

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The introduction of these plants brought about a revolutionary era for river landscapes, giving rise to the creation of winding channels that now shape most of the world’s rivers. Throughout the ages, these waterways have witnessed the remarkable journey of life as it moved from water to land. They have observed the formation and eventual breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea, capturing in their sediments a captivating history of our ever-changing planet.

Rivers are remarkable hubs of biodiversity within Earth’s hydrological system. They are more than just water channels—they are vital arteries that support an extraordinary array of life, housing some of the most diverse and endangered species. Although freshwater systems constitute less than one percent of the planet’s total water surface, they belay their modest share by nurturing nearly 40 percent of all species. From the microscopic algae that oxygenate the water to the larger mammals that rely on rivers for sustenance and habitat. This enormous variety is a monument to the evolutionary miracles that freshwater habitats have developed and conserved over millennia.

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From the birth of civilization, rivers have been the throbbing heart of human progress, serving as the original highways that connected disparate communities and fostered the exchange of culture, commodities, and ideas. The interdependence of rivers and human development is indelible, supplying the essential elements of survival— food and water—while also providing the raw materials that spurred early industrial growth.

Along the Tigris and Euphrates, the cradle of civilization flourished, transforming arid lands into fertile crescents of abundance. Rivers powered mills and factories, dictating the pace of technological advancement, and their banks became the bedrock for modern cities. As civilizations evolved, so did the utilization of these waterways, with societies building ever more complex networks to harness and exploit the rich bounties rivers provided.

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Today, rivers remain as critical as ever, their roles and responsibilities magnified by the demands of contemporary society. They fertilize floodplains that in turn yield bountiful harvests. Additionally, their cascading waters are harnessed for clean hydroelectric power that provide illumination to urban areas and fueling various industries. The importance transcends mere economics; they are pivotal in regulating the global carbon cycle, offering climate feedback that may dictate the future of our planetary climate.

The waters support fisheries that feed millions and create micro-habitats for a plethora of species. Thus, rivers are not only economic arteries but ecological bastions that uphold the delicate balance of nature’s diverse mechanisms, allowing for a symbiosis between human need and environmental stewardship.

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However, the health of these vital watercourses is under siege. It is quite alarming that less than one percent of rivers in England and Wales are free from man-made barriers. The construction of dams, the dredging for sand, and unchecked pollution are suffocating these aquatic lifelines, with significant repercussions for the ecosystems and communities that rely on them. In Southeast Asia, rampant sand mining and damming have altered river courses and sediment flows, devastating local environments and livelihoods.

These human interventions, while beneficial to development, often come at a high ecological cost, disrupting the natural flow of rivers and the life they support. The challenge lies in balancing the imperatives of human use with the preservation of riverine integrity, ensuring these waterways can continue to sustain us without sacrificing the ecosystems that have thrived for millennia.

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The push for preservation is not just about safeguarding nature’s beauty—it’s about upholding the ecological and economic services that rivers provide. Conservationists and policymakers are rallying for the restoration of natural water flows, the reclamation of disrupted habitats, and the implementation of sustainable water management practices. Such initiatives aim to mitigate the impact of dams, curtail excessive water extraction, and control pollution. This holistic approach to river management is essential, recognizing rivers as more than just water channels, but as ecosystems with intrinsic value that must be protected for the benefit of all species that rely on them, including our own.

Questions 27-31

Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.

27. In the first paragraph, what can be inferred about the writer’s view on the relationship between rivers and humans in history?

A. Rivers have witnessed but not influenced human history.

B. Rivers have played a passive role in human settlement.

C. Rivers have been central to the development of human societies.

D. Rivers have sometimes hindered human advancement.

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28. In the fourth paragraph, how have rivers contributed to human civilization?

A. by promoting community unity and cultural integration

B. by acting as natural barriers shaping settlement patterns

C. by encouraging the shifts in industrial advancements

D. by fostering diverse agricultural developments

29. In the fourth paragraph, how have rivers facilitated industrial growth?

A. by mainly serving as transit routes and trade

B. by primarily providing basic resources

C. by operating machines and influencing technology

D. by providing industrial workers with freshwater

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30. What concern does the writer raise about the contemporary status of rivers in the sixth paragraph?

A. Rivers face challenges due to excessive conservation measures that limit their use.

B. Rivers face numerous challenges due to human activities and pollution.

C. Rivers have lost their significance as vital resources for human survival.

D. The emphasis on conserving river beauty has overshadowed their ecological significance.

31. What vision for river management is conveyed by the writer in the sixth paragraph?

A. maintaining the existing approach to river exploitation and development

B. reducing the negative effects of human activities on river ecosystems

C. striking a balance between human utilization and the preservation of rivers

D. prioritizing river ecology above commercial exploitation

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Questions 32-35

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the Reading Passage 3? In boxes 32-35 in your answer sheet, write:

TRUE If the statement agrees with the information

FALSE If the statement contradicts with the information

NOT GIVEN If there is no information on this

32. Rivers have been connecting the land and sea as they flow.

33. River flows have been purposefully guided by the plant life growing nearby.

34. Fisheries find rivers a challenging environment for profitability.

35. The conservation of rivers is seen as beneficial to select species.

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Questions 36-40

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

– Within the global 36……………., rivers stand out as exceptional centers of biodiversity, providing a home to a wide variety of organisms and habitats, including some that are critically endangered.

– About 37…………… of the world’s entire biodiversity, including not only 38…………… but also bigger animals, depend on freshwater systems, which account for less than 1% of the planet’s total water area.

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– The variety of life in rivers shows how amazing 39…………… are for development, indicating how rich the environment has been for thousands of years.

– Rivers have always been at the center of human development, providing vital links between cities and facilitating the flow of people, goods, and ideas.

– Rivers have played a critical role in human evolution by offering 40…………… for living and providing for early industrial progress.

– Rivers have shaped urbanization and technological progress as people have adapted to new methods of using these resources.

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