Reading Passage Content
This page contains IELTS reading practice materials with comprehensive questions and explanations.
IELTS Reading Practice Test: Deep-sea mining
Practice your IELTS reading skills with this comprehensive 13-question test. Time limit: 20 minutes.
Reading Passage Content Summary
## Deep-sea mining **Bacteria from the ocean floor can beat superbugs and cancer. But habitats are at risk from the hunger for marine minerals** **A** When Professor Mat Upton found that a microbe from a deep-sea sponge was killing pathogenic bugs in his laboratory, he realised it could be a break...
Question Types Included
- matching-information (4 questions)
- classification (6 questions)
- summary-completion (3 questions)
Test Information
- Total Questions: 13
- Time Limit: 20 minutes
- Level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Format: IELTS Academic Reading
Reading Comprehension Questions
Questions 1–4: Matching Information
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A–F, in boxes 1–4.
| 1. reference to the rapidly increasing need for one raw material in the transport industry | ||||||
| 2. a rough estimate of the area of the Earth covered by the oceans | ||||||
| 3. how a particular underwater habitat, where minerals and organisms co-exist, is formed | ||||||
| 4. reference to the fact that the countries of the world have yet to agree on rules for the exploration of the seabed |
Questions 5–10: Classification
Classify the following according to the passage.
Write the correct letter, A–E, in boxes 5–10.
List of People
- A. Professor Mat Upton
- B. Julie Hunter, Julian Aguon and Pradeep Singh
- C. Dr Jon Copley
- D. Mike Johnston
- E. Verena Tunnicliffey
| 5. A move away from the exploration of heavily mined reserves on land is a good idea. | |||||
| 6. The negative effects of undersea exploration on local areas and their inhabitants are being ignored. | |||||
| 7. There are more worthwhile things to extract from the sea than minerals. | |||||
| 8. No other form of human exploration will have such a destructive impact on marine life as deep-sea mining. | |||||
| 9. More is known about outer space than about what lies beneath the oceans. | |||||
| 10. There is one marine life habitat where experts agree mining should not take place. |
Questions 11–15: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Write the answer in ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 11–15.
Mining the sea floor
Mining corporations believe that the mineral resources lying under the sea may be superior to those found in the earth. They also say that these can be removed without producing much 11. .
The extraction is often done by adapting the 12. that has already been used to work on land. The method of excavation involves removing the seawater from the slurry that is brought up to ships and returning it to the seabed. However, concerned groups strongly believe that 13. is necessary due to the possible number of unidentified consequences.
Ready to Start?
Customize your exam settings and begin your reading test
Exam Duration:
min
Standard test • Range: 5-180 minutes
20 min
13 questions
Deep-sea mining
Reading Passage Content
This page contains IELTS reading practice materials with comprehensive questions and explanations.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Questions 1–4: Matching Information
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A–F, in boxes 1–4.
| 1. reference to the rapidly increasing need for one raw material in the transport industry | ||||||
| 2. a rough estimate of the area of the Earth covered by the oceans | ||||||
| 3. how a particular underwater habitat, where minerals and organisms co-exist, is formed | ||||||
| 4. reference to the fact that the countries of the world have yet to agree on rules for the exploration of the seabed |
Questions 5–10: Classification
Classify the following according to the passage.
Write the correct letter, A–E, in boxes 5–10.
List of People
- A. Professor Mat Upton
- B. Julie Hunter, Julian Aguon and Pradeep Singh
- C. Dr Jon Copley
- D. Mike Johnston
- E. Verena Tunnicliffey
| 5. A move away from the exploration of heavily mined reserves on land is a good idea. | |||||
| 6. The negative effects of undersea exploration on local areas and their inhabitants are being ignored. | |||||
| 7. There are more worthwhile things to extract from the sea than minerals. | |||||
| 8. No other form of human exploration will have such a destructive impact on marine life as deep-sea mining. | |||||
| 9. More is known about outer space than about what lies beneath the oceans. | |||||
| 10. There is one marine life habitat where experts agree mining should not take place. |
Questions 11–15: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Write the answer in ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 11–15.
Mining the sea floor
Mining corporations believe that the mineral resources lying under the sea may be superior to those found in the earth. They also say that these can be removed without producing much 11. .
The extraction is often done by adapting the 12. that has already been used to work on land. The method of excavation involves removing the seawater from the slurry that is brought up to ships and returning it to the seabed. However, concerned groups strongly believe that 13. is necessary due to the possible number of unidentified consequences.
Ready to Start?
Customize your exam settings and begin your reading test
Exam Duration:
min
Standard test • Range: 5-180 minutes
20 min
13 questions