How to Ace the IELTS Reading Section: Advantages of Public Transport

Are you preparing for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam and feeling anxious about the Reading section? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! Many test-takers find the IELTS Reading section challenging, but with the right strategies and preparation, you can conquer it with confidence. In this blog, we will explore some essential tips and techniques to help you ace the IELTS Reading section and achieve your desired score.

1. Understand the IELTS Reading Section Format

Before diving into preparation, it’s crucial to understand the format of the IELTS Reading section. The test consists of three reading passages with a variety of question types -multiple-choice, True/False/Not Given, matching headings, and more. Familiarising yourself with the structure will give you a clear idea of what to expect on the test day.

2. Manage Your Time Wisely

Time management is critical during the IELTS Reading section. You have only 60 minutes to read the passages and answer the questions, so allocate your time wisely. Aim to spend around 20 minutes on each passage. If you find a particular passage challenging, move on and come back to it later.

3. Develop Effective Reading Strategies

To tackle the reading passages efficiently, develop effective reading strategies. Skimming and scanning are two essential techniques. Skim the passage quickly to grasp the main idea and the topic. Then, use scanning to locate specific information or answers to questions. This approach will save time and help you focus on the relevant parts of the text.

4. Identify Keywords and Synonyms

Keywords and synonyms play a crucial role in the IELTS Reading section. Train yourself to identify these words in the passage, as they often hold the answers to the questions. Be cautious of synonyms that may replace the exact words used in the questions.

5. Practice with Sample Materials

Regular practice with sample IELTS Reading materials is essential for success. Seek reputable sources for practice tests and official IELTS practice books. Make it a habit to practice under timed conditions to simulate the exam environment.

6. Be Mindful of Time-consuming Questions

While some questions are relatively straightforward, others may be more time-consuming. For instance, matching headings or identifying information from the passage might require careful attention. Be mindful of such questions and avoid spending too much time on any single item.

7. Take Mock Tests and Self-Assess

Regularly take full-length mock tests to assess your progress. Evaluate your performance and identify weak areas. By pinpointing your weaknesses, you can dedicate more time to improving those aspects.

8. Learn from Mistakes

After practising, review your mistakes to identify areas of improvement. Understand why you answered incorrectly and learn from these errors. This approach will help you refine your strategies and perform better in subsequent practice sessions.

Now that we have gone through some effective strategies, let us dive into the passage: Advantages of Public Transport. We have included the advantages of public transport reading answers with explanation below but would urge you to try answering these on your own.

Advantages of Public Transport

Public transport is more efficient than cars. A new study conducted by Murdoch University’s Institute for Science and Technology Policy (ISTP) for the World Bank has demonstrated this. The study compared the percentage of wealth poured into transport by 37 cities around the world. The public and private costs of building, maintaining and using a transport system was included.

The study says that the Western Australian city of Perth is a city with minimal public transport. As a result, 17% of its wealth is spent on transport costs. On the other hand, few European and Asian cities spent as little as 5%. ISTP Director and Professor Peter Newman, said that these more efficient cities were able to put the difference into attracting industry and jobs or creating a better place to live.

According to Professor Newman, in comparison, the larger Australian city of Melbourne is a rather unusual city. He explains it as 2 cities: ‘A European city surrounded by a car-dependent one’. Melbourne’s large tram network has lowered car use in the inner city. As most other Australian cities the outer suburbs have the same car-based structure. The increase in demand for accommodation inside suburban Melbourne proposes a change in many people’s choice as to where they live.

This is a new, broader way of considering public transport issues, says Newman. The case for public transport has been made in the past on the basis of environmental and social justice considerations rather than economics. However, Newman believes that the study shows ‘the auto-dependent city model is inefficient and not enough in economic as well as environmental terms’.

Even though bicycle use was not included in the study, Newman noted that the two most ‘bicycle friendly’ cities – Amsterdam and Copenhagen – were very efficient, even though their public transport systems were ‘not special but reasonable’.

The supporters of road networks reject the models of cities with good public transport by arguing that such systems would not work in that particular city. One objection is climate. Some people mentioned that they couldn’t make proper use of public transport due to its extreme weather. Newman rejected this and said that public transport has been successful in both Toronto and Singapore and, in fact, he has checked the use of cars against climate and found ‘zero correlation’.

Road lobbies are on stronger ground when it comes to other physical features. For example, for a city as hilly as Auckland it would be hard to develop a really good rail network, says Newman. He does note, however, that despite being hilly cities, both Hong Kong and Zurich have made a success of their heavy and light rail systems.

‘The more democratic the process, the more public transportation is preferred,’ Newman argues. He considers Portland, Oregon, a good example. Federal money was granted to build a new road a few years ago. However, local pressure groups instead wanted a referendum on whether to spend the funds on light rail. The rail idea was successful, and the railroad performed admirably. More rail systems were built in the years that followed, drastically altering the city’s landscape. Portland has a similar population density to Perth, according to Newman.

People avoided situations that forced them to spend more than half an hour travelling to work in the United Kingdom for at least 6 centuries. Trains and automobiles allowed people to live farther apart without having to travel longer distances. However, public infrastructure has not kept up with urbanisation, resulting in severe traffic congestion and much longer commute times.

There is a widespread belief that people who have more wealth encourage living farther out where cars are the only useful transport. The example of European cities refutes that. They are richer than their American counterparts but do not have the same level of car use. Car use has actually fallen in Stockholm in recent years as the city has become larger and wealthier. This notion is made much more forcefully in a new study. Automobile use is higher in developing Asian cities like Jakarta and Bangkok than in wealthier Asian cities like Tokyo and Singapore. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank prohibited the construction of public transportation in later-developing cities, forcing residents to rely on vehicles, resulting in huge traffic jams.

The Urban Village report, which used Melbourne as an example, Newman believes is one of the greatest studies on how cities constructed for cars may be transformed to rail use. It was discovered that forcing everyone into the city centre was not the most effective strategy. Instead, the proposal recommended the creation of urban villages at hundreds of sites, mostly around railway stations.

As people were no longer forced into cities it was once assumed that improvements in telecommunications would lead to more dispersal in the population. The ISTP team’s research however reveals that the population and job density of cities increased or stayed constant in the 1980s after decades of decline. The explanation for it is that it is valuable to place people working in related fields together. Our future world will mostly depend on the creativity of humans, and that flourishes where people come together face-to-face.’

Advantages of Public Transport IELTS reading questions

Questions 1-5

Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

1. Public transport is more ________ than cars. 
2. Murdoch University’s (ISTP) conducted the study for the ________. 
3. In ________ 17% of its wealth is spent on transport costs. 
4. On the other hand, few ________ and Asian cities spent as little as 5%. 5 Peter Newman is the Director of ________ and a Professor.

Questions 6-9

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?

Write YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

6. As the demand for accommodation inside suburban Melbourne increases, it changes many people’s choice as to where they live.
7. Population and job density of cities decreased or stayed constant in the 1980s after decades of decline.
8. Forcing everyone into the city centre is not an effective strategy.
9. In Auckland it would be hard to develop a really good rail network.

Questions 10-14

Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

10. Melbourne’s large ________ network has lowered car use in the inner city.
11. The case for public transport has been made in the past on the basis of environmental and social justice considerations rather than ________.
12. Amsterdam and _______ were very efficient, even though their public transport systems were ‘not special but reasonable’.
13. The supporters of ___________ reject the models of cities with good public transport by arguing that such systems would not work in that particular city.
14. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank prohibited the construction of public transportation in later-developing cities, forcing residents to rely on ________, resulting in huge traffic jams.

Advantages of Public Transport IELTS reading answers

1. efficient 
2. World Bank 
3. Perth 
4. European 
5. ISTP 
6. Yes

Explanation: The increase in demand for accommodation inside suburban Melbourne proposes a change in many people’s choices as to where they live.

7. No 

Explanation: The ISTP team’s research however reveals that the population and job density of cities increased or stayed constant in the 1980s after decades of decline.

8. Yes

Explanation: It was discovered that forcing everyone into the city centre was not the most effective strategy.

9. Yes

Explanation: For example, for a city as hilly as Auckland it would be hard to develop a really good rail network, says Newman.

10. tram 
11. economics 
12. Copenhagen 
13. road networks 
14. vehicles 

Conclusion

With these essential strategies and advantages of public transport reading answers, you’re now better equipped to understand and tackle the IELTS Reading section with confidence. Remember, consistent practice, effective time management and an enhanced vocabulary will go a long way in improving your performance. Stay focused, believe in your abilities, and approach the test with a positive mindset. Best of luck on your IELTS journey!