IELTS Reading Mock Test 3

IELTS Reading Mock Test 3

Passage 1: The Invention of the Printing Press

Before the 15th century, books in Europe were copied by hand, usually by monks in monasteries. This process was slow, expensive, and limited the spread of knowledge. Only the wealthy could afford to own books, and literacy rates remained low.

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 transformed society. His movable type system allowed books to be produced faster and in larger quantities. The Gutenberg Bible, printed in the 1450s, was the first major book produced with this method.

The printing press made books more affordable and accessible. As literacy grew, so did the exchange of ideas. Scholars, scientists, and writers could share their work more widely, contributing to the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution.

However, the printing press also spread controversial ideas. Martin Luther’s writings during the Reformation, for example, reached thousands of readers and challenged the Catholic Church. Authorities often tried to censor materials they considered dangerous.

Today, the printing press is considered one of the most important inventions in human history, comparable to the internet in its impact on communication.

Questions 1–6: True/False/Not Given

1.      Before the 15th century, books were usually copied by hand.

2.      Gutenberg invented printing in the 16th century.

3.      The Gutenberg Bible was the first handwritten religious text.

4.      The printing press helped increase literacy rates.

5.      Authorities always encouraged the free spread of printed ideas.

6.      The printing press has been compared to the internet.

Questions 7–10: Matching Information

Match the statements with the correct paragraphs (i–v).

i. Paragraph 1
ii. Paragraph 2
iii. Paragraph 3
iv. Paragraph 4
v. Paragraph 5

A. The invention of movable type.
B. Books before the invention of printing.
C. Printing compared to a modern technology.
D. Controversial ideas spread by printing.

Questions 11–13: Sentence Completion

11. Books copied by hand were __________ and limited in number.

12. The printing press played a key role in the __________ and the Scientific Revolution.

13. Authorities sometimes used __________ to control printed ideas.

Passage 2: Tourism and the Environment

Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries, employing millions and generating significant revenue. Popular destinations attract visitors from around the globe, boosting local economies and encouraging cultural exchange.

However, the growth of tourism brings environmental challenges. Mass tourism often leads to pollution, habitat destruction, and excessive use of water and energy. Beaches, forests, and mountains may suffer permanent damage when visitor numbers are uncontrolled.

Sustainable tourism has emerged as a response. It aims to balance economic benefits with environmental protection. Practices include eco-friendly hotels, waste reduction, and limiting the number of visitors to fragile sites. Local communities are also encouraged to participate in planning to ensure that tourism benefits them directly.

The future of tourism depends on responsible management. With climate change and overpopulation already stressing ecosystems, experts warn that ignoring sustainability could harm both the environment and the industry itself.

Questions 14–18: Matching Headings

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph (i–iv).

i. Paragraph 1
ii. Paragraph 2
iii. Paragraph 3
iv. Paragraph 4

Headings:
A. The purpose of sustainable tourism
B. The risks of uncontrolled tourism
C. How tourism benefits society
D. The future of the tourism industry

Questions 19–22: Multiple Choice

19. What is one benefit of tourism?
A. It reduces cultural exchange.
B. It creates jobs.
C. It eliminates environmental problems.
D. It discourages local participation.

20. What damage can uncontrolled tourism cause?
A. It reduces pollution.
B. It encourages natural growth.
C. It harms ecosystems.
D. It lowers energy use.

21. What is a goal of sustainable tourism?
A. Maximising profits only
B. Protecting the environment
C. Ignoring local communities
D. Increasing visitor numbers

22. According to experts, what threatens the future of tourism?
A. Sustainability practices
B. Climate change and poor management
C. Growth in eco-friendly hotels
D. Cultural exchange

Questions 23–26: Summary Completion

Tourism provides economic growth and promotes __________ exchange. Yet, mass tourism can damage the environment through pollution and __________ destruction. To solve this, sustainable tourism introduces eco-friendly hotels and __________ reduction. Experts believe responsible management is needed to protect the __________ of tourism.

Passage 3: The Human Brain and Creativity

Creativity, the ability to generate new and useful ideas, has fascinated scientists for centuries. While once considered a mysterious gift, modern neuroscience is beginning to reveal how the brain produces creative thought.

Studies show that creativity involves multiple brain regions working together. The “default mode network,” active during daydreaming, combines memories and experiences in new ways. Meanwhile, the “executive control network” evaluates ideas, deciding which are useful. Creativity appears when these systems interact smoothly.

Interestingly, creativity is not limited to the arts. Scientists, engineers, and business leaders also rely on creative thinking to solve problems. Albert Einstein famously described imagination as more important than knowledge, reflecting the value of creativity across disciplines.

Psychologists argue that creativity can be nurtured. Open-mindedness, curiosity, and exposure to new experiences encourage flexible thinking. Environments that allow freedom, play, and collaboration often lead to more innovative ideas.

Some researchers are exploring whether technology can enhance creativity. Artificial intelligence, for instance, can generate music or visual art. However, critics argue that true creativity requires human consciousness and emotion, which machines lack.

Questions 27–31: True/False/Not Given

27. Neuroscience has completely explained the mystery of creativity.

28. The default mode network helps combine memories into new ideas.

29. Creativity is only relevant to artists.

30. Einstein valued imagination more than knowledge.

31. Psychologists believe creativity cannot be improved.

Questions 32–35: Matching Information

Match the statements with the correct paragraphs (i–v).

i. Paragraph 1
ii. Paragraph 2
iii. Paragraph 3
iv. Paragraph 4
v. Paragraph 5

A. The importance of imagination in science.
B. Brain systems involved in creativity.
C. Possibility of technology generating art.
D. Ways to encourage flexible thinking.

Questions 36–38: Multiple Choice

36. Which brain network is active during daydreaming?
A. Executive control network
B. Default mode network
C. Both networks
D. Neither network

37. What encourages more innovative ideas?
A. Strict rules and discipline
B. Isolation and silence
C. Freedom and collaboration
D. Limited experiences

38. What is one criticism of artificial intelligence in creativity?
A. It produces too much art.
B. It lacks human consciousness.
C. It cannot use algorithms.
D. It prevents collaboration.

Questions 39–40: Sentence Completion

39. The interaction between the default mode network and the __________ network allows creativity to appear.

40. Creativity is the ability to generate new and __________ ideas.

 

 

 

 

Answer Key

Passage 1

1.      TRUE

2.      FALSE

3.      FALSE

4.      TRUE

5.      FALSE

6.      TRUE

7.      ii – A

8.      i – B

9.      v – C

10. iv – D

11. expensive

12. Renaissance

13. censorship

Passage 2
14. C
15. B
16. A
17. D
19. B
20. C
21. B
22. B
23. cultural
24. habitat
25. waste
26. future

Passage 3
27. FALSE
28. TRUE
29. FALSE
30. TRUE
31. FALSE
32. iii – A
33. ii – B
34. v – C
35. iv – D
36. B
37. C
38. B
39. executive control
40. useful