All answers on this page include the question number, correct answer and a brief explanation of where to find it in the passage or audio. Use these alongside the original Cambridge IELTS books for the best practice experience.
Academic Test 1 answers with clear explanations
These Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Test 1 Reading answers explain all 40 questions. Review Urban farming, Forest management in Pennsylvania, USA, and Conquering Earth’s space junk problem.
Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Test 1 Reading answer key
Use these cards for quick marking. Read the detailed explanations when an answer needs more review.
1. Urban farming
Questions 1 to 132. Forest management in Pennsylvania, USA
Questions 14 to 263. Conquering Earth’s space junk problem
Questions 27 to 40Passage 1: Urban farming
This passage explains soil-free urban farming on a large rooftop in Paris. It compares aeroponic crops with intensive farming and examines the method's benefits and limits.
Why: The passage uses "lettuces." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "1,000 kg." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit. Accepted alternative: 1000 kg.
Why: The passage uses "consumption." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit. Accepted alternative: food consumption.
Why: The passage uses "pesticides." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "journeys." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "producers." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "flavour." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit. Accepted alternative: flavor.
Why: The passage gives information that agrees with this statement. The answer is TRUE.
Why: The passage does not give enough information to confirm or contradict this statement. The answer is NOT GIVEN.
Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement. The answer is FALSE.
Why: The passage gives information that agrees with this statement. The answer is TRUE.
Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement. The answer is FALSE.
Why: The passage does not give enough information to confirm or contradict this statement. The answer is NOT GIVEN.
Passage 2: Forest management in Pennsylvania, USA
This passage examines sustainable forest management in Pennsylvania. It explains how low-use wood, bioenergy markets and different cutting methods can improve forest health.
Why: The detail appears in Paragraph B. That paragraph contains the information described in the question.
Why: The detail appears in Paragraph A. That paragraph contains the information described in the question.
Why: The detail appears in Paragraph C. That paragraph contains the information described in the question.
Why: The detail appears in Paragraph E. That paragraph contains the information described in the question.
Why: The detail appears in Paragraph B. That paragraph contains the information described in the question.
Why: The detail matches B, "a Salvage Cut." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches C, "a Shelterwood Cut." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches C, "a Shelterwood Cut." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The passage uses "fire." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "nutrients." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "cavities." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "hawthorn." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "rare." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Passage 3: Conquering Earth’s space junk problem
This passage explores the growing problem of satellites and debris in Earth orbit. It reviews collision risks, tracking systems and international efforts to manage space traffic.
Why: The detail matches C, "Section C." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches F, "Section F." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches A, "Section A." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches E, "Section E." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches B, "Section B." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The passage uses "sustainability." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "fuel." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "explosions." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The passage uses "bankrupt." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.
Why: The detail matches C, "Marlon Sorge." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches D, "Moriba Jah." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches B, "Holger Krag." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches D, "Moriba Jah." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
Why: The detail matches A, "Carolin Frueh." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.
How to review your answers
- Mark all 40 answers before reading the explanations.
- Group mistakes by question type and reading passage.
- Find the exact sentence that proves each correct answer.
- Retake the test after reviewing your weakest question type.
Continue your Cambridge IELTS 18 practice
Take the timed Reading test first. Then use this page to review every answer.
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