IELTS Reading: Sentence and Summary Completion 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Passage: 'Coral reefs, often called the rainforests of the sea, support an extraordinary diversity of marine life despite covering less than one percent of the ocean floor.' Sentence to complete: Coral reefs are remarkable because they support great biodiversity while occupying only a ___ area of the seabed.
- small (Correct answer)
- large
- deep
- protected
Correct answer: small
'Less than one percent' paraphrases as a 'small area'.
Question 2: Passage: 'Remote work arrangements have allowed employees to reduce commuting time significantly, which many report improves their overall job satisfaction.' Sentence to complete: Workers who work remotely often feel more ___ with their jobs because they spend less time travelling.
- satisfied (Correct answer)
- productive
- isolated
- stressed
Correct answer: satisfied
'Job satisfaction' in the passage is paraphrased as feeling 'satisfied with their jobs'.
Question 3: Passage: 'The pyramid's interior chambers were sealed with massive limestone blocks to prevent tomb robbers from accessing the burial site.' Summary to complete: The builders used large stone blocks to ___ the inside of the pyramid and protect it from thieves.
- seal (Correct answer)
- build
- illuminate
- decorate
Correct answer: seal
'Sealed' in the passage directly matches 'seal' in the summary.
Question 4: Passage: 'Urban planners increasingly advocate for the inclusion of green spaces in city design, as research links parks and gardens to lower stress levels in residents.' Sentence to complete: City planners promote green spaces because they are associated with reduced ___ among people who live in cities.
- stress (Correct answer)
- pollution
- crime
- traffic
Correct answer: stress
'Lower stress levels' in the passage is paraphrased as 'reduced stress'.
Question 5: Passage: 'Though celebrated for its rich volcanic soil, Iceland's harsh winters and limited sunlight restrict the variety of crops that can be grown there.' Summary to complete: Iceland's soil is fertile, but ___ conditions limit agricultural diversity.
- climatic (Correct answer)
- economic
- geological
- political
Correct answer: climatic
'Harsh winters and limited sunlight' are climatic factors.
Question 6: Passage: 'During the Renaissance, wealthy patrons commissioned artists to create works celebrating human achievement and the classical world, marking a shift away from purely religious themes.' Sentence to complete: Renaissance art reflected a move away from religious subjects towards themes that ___ human accomplishment.
- celebrated (Correct answer)
- rejected
- ignored
- criticised
Correct answer: celebrated
'Celebrating human achievement' in the passage becomes 'celebrated human accomplishment'.
Question 7: Passage: 'The invention of the printing press democratised knowledge by making books affordable and widely available for the first time.' Summary to complete: The printing press made knowledge ___ because books became cheaper and more accessible.
- democratic (Correct answer)
- scarce
- exclusive
- unreliable
Correct answer: democratic
'Democratised knowledge' is directly paraphrased as 'knowledge democratic'.
Passage: 'Coral reefs, often called the rainforests of the sea, support an extraordinary diversity of marine life despite covering less than one percent of the ocean floor.' Sentence to complete: Coral reefs are remarkable because they support great biodiversity while occupying only a ___ area of the seabed.