IELTS · Reading

Academic Reading: Global Ecology and Urban Planning

20 practice questions, each with the answer and an explanation.

Practise Academic Reading: Global Ecology and Urban Planning now

Random questions from this topic, one at a time. You see the answer and the explanation straight after each one.

All 20 questions

  1. Read the passage excerpt and answer the question:

    'Urban heat islands (UHIs) emerge where dense concentrations of pavement and buildings absorb and retain solar radiation, resulting in ambient temper…
  2. Based on the excerpt above, what intervention is recommended to counter the urban heat island effect?
  3. Read the passage excerpt and answer the question:

    'Mangrove forests inhabit intertidal coastal zones, functioning as highly efficient carbon sinks through a process known as blue carbon sequestration…
  4. In the context of the mangrove passage, what prevents sequestered carbon from rapidly returning to the atmosphere?
  5. Read the passage excerpt:

    'The 15-minute city model, pioneered by urban scholar Carlos Moreno, posits that urban quarters should be designed such that residents can access essential human needs—inclu…
  6. According to the 15-minute city text, how does the model achieve substantial emissions reductions?
  7. Read the passage excerpt:

    'Wetland ecosystems act as nature’s biological kidneys, filtering suspended particulates, heavy metals, and excessive agricultural nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates…
  8. What downstream ecological disaster typically ensues when wetlands are reclaimed for agriculture?
  9. Read the passage excerpt:

    'Circular economic frameworks diverge fundamentally from linear 'take-make-waste' industrial paradigms by prioritizing closed-loop resource cycling. Products are deliberatel…
  10. According to the circular economy excerpt, what primary benefit results from preserving 'embodied energy' across lifecycles?
  11. Read the passage excerpt:

    'In agroecological systems, intercropping—the agricultural practice of cultivating two or more crop varieties simultaneously within close proximity—enhances spatial resource…
  12. What agricultural term in the text refers to the efficient sharing of nutrients, light, and water among diverse plants?
  13. Read the passage excerpt:

    'District cooling systems (DCS) represent an energy-efficient alternative to decentralized air-conditioning units in arid metropolitan environments. A centralized central ch…
  14. According to the district cooling text, what enables DCS to achieve substantial efficiency gains over conventional split AC units?
  15. Read the passage excerpt:

    'Passive solar architectural design harnesses natural thermal dynamics without reliance on mechanical ventilation or electric pumps. Key principles include orienting structu…
  16. According to the passive solar excerpt, how do calculated roof overhangs manage seasonal sunlight?
  17. Read the passage excerpt:

    'Rewilding represents a conservation strategy aimed at restoring trophic complexity and ecological self-sustainability through the reintroduction of extirpated apex predator…
  18. According to the rewilding text, how does regulating herbivore populations benefit rivers and streams?
  19. Read the passage excerpt:

    'Desalination through reverse osmosis (RO) is indispensable for municipal freshwater supply in hyper-arid coastal territories. In this process, pretreated seawater is forced…
  20. What major environmental concern regarding reverse osmosis desalination is highlighted in the text?

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