IELTS Reading note completion

 Passage: The History of Railways

Railways revolutionized transport in the 19th century, allowing people and goods to travel faster than ever before. The first public railway, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, opened in England in 1825. It used steam locomotives to pull carriages and freight wagons.

By the mid-19th century, railways had expanded across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Railways reduced the cost of transporting goods, stimulated trade, and encouraged urban growth. Technological innovations, such as the railway telegraph, improved safety and efficiency.

Today, railways remain a vital form of transport, with modern trains achieving speeds of over 300 kilometers per hour in some countries. High-speed rail networks in Japan, France, and China demonstrate the continuing importance of rail transport.

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Note Completion Practice

Complete the notes below using no more than 3 words from the passage.

The History of Railways

• First public railway: __________
• Year opened: __________
• Country: __________
• Powered by: __________
• Expanded across: __________, __________, and parts of __________
• Important innovation: __________
• Modern trains speed: __________
• Countries with high-speed rail: __________, __________, __________

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Answers:

• First public railway: Stockton and Darlington Railway
• Year opened: 1825
• Country: England
• Powered by: steam locomotives
• Expanded across: Europe, North America, Asia
• Important innovation: railway telegraph
• Modern trains speed: 300 kilometers per hour
• Countries with high-speed rail: Japan, France, China

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Tips for IELTS Note Completion:

1.      Scan the passage for keywords in the notes.

2.      Answers are usually exact words or short phrases from the text.

3.      Pay attention to numbers, names, and locations.

4.      Follow the chronological or logical order of information.

 

Passage 1: The History of Aviation

Aviation began with early experiments in gliding and balloon flight. The first successful powered flight was achieved by the Wright brothers in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, USA. Their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, used a propeller and engine for propulsion.

By the 1920s and 1930s, commercial aviation expanded, with airlines carrying passengers and mail. Innovations such as radios and navigation instruments improved safety. Today, aviation connects countries worldwide, with modern planes capable of flying at over 900 km/h.

Note Completion:

• First successful powered flight: __________
• Year: __________
• Location: __________
• Aircraft: __________
• Powered by: __________ and __________
• Expanded in: __________ and __________
• Safety innovations: __________ and __________
• Modern planes speed: __________

Answers:

• First successful powered flight: the Wright brothers
• Year: 1903
• Location: Kitty Hawk, USA
• Aircraft: Wright Flyer
• Powered by: propeller and engine
• Expanded in: 1920s and 1930s
• Safety innovations: radios and navigation instruments
• Modern planes speed: over 900 km/h

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Passage 2: The Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London occurred in 1666, starting at a bakery on Pudding Lane. Strong winds spread the fire rapidly through wooden buildings. The fire destroyed much of the city, including 13,000 houses, 87 churches, and numerous businesses.

Rebuilding efforts led to wider streets, brick buildings, and improved fire regulations. Sir Christopher Wren designed St Paul’s Cathedral, which was reconstructed after the fire.

Note Completion:

• Year: __________
• Starting point: __________
• Cause of rapid spread: __________
• Number of houses destroyed: __________
• Churches destroyed: __________
• Rebuilding improvements: __________ and __________
• Architect: __________
• Famous building reconstructed: __________

Answers:

• Year: 1666
• Starting point: Pudding Lane
• Cause of rapid spread: winds
• Number of houses destroyed: 13,000 houses
• Churches destroyed: 87 churches
• Rebuilding improvements: wider streets and brick buildings
• Architect: Sir Christopher Wren
• Famous building reconstructed: St Paul’s Cathedral

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Passage 3: The Internet

The Internet began as ARPANET in 1969, developed by the United States Department of Defense. It initially connected four universities. In the 1980s, the TCP/IP protocol allowed different networks to communicate.

In the 1990s, the World Wide Web, created by Tim Berners-Lee, revolutionized information sharing. Today, the Internet is used for commerce, education, communication, and entertainment worldwide.

Note Completion:

• Original network: __________
• Year: __________
• Developed by: __________
• Initially connected: __________
• Protocol for networks: __________
• Revolutionary invention: __________
• Inventor of WWW: __________
• Modern uses: __________, __________, __________, __________

Answers:

• Original network: ARPANET
• Year: 1969
• Developed by: United States Department of Defense
• Initially connected: four universities
• Protocol for networks: TCP/IP
• Revolutionary invention: World Wide Web
• Inventor of WWW: Tim Berners-Lee
• Modern uses: commerce, education, communication, entertainment

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Passage 4: Coffee

Coffee originated in Ethiopia, where it was first consumed as chewed berries. By the 15th century, coffee spread to the Arab world and later to Europe. Coffeehouses became popular centers for socializing and business.

Coffee is made from roasted beans of the Coffea plant. Today, it is one of the most traded commodities worldwide, with Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia being major producers.

Note Completion:

• Origin country: __________
• First consumption method: __________
• Spread to: __________ and __________
• Social hubs: __________
• Made from: __________
• Plant: __________
• Major producers: __________, __________, __________

Answers:

• Origin country: Ethiopia
• First consumption method: chewed berries
• Spread to: Arab world and Europe
• Social hubs: coffeehouses
• Made from: roasted beans
• Plant: Coffea
• Major producers: Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia

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Passage 5: The Solar System

The Solar System consists of the Sun and objects bound by gravity, including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids. The four inner planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—are rocky, while the outer planets are gas giants.

The asteroid belt lies between Mars and Jupiter. Comets form tails when near the Sun. The Solar System formed about 4.6 billion years ago.

Note Completion:

• Center of the system: __________
• Force holding objects: __________
• Types of objects: __________, __________, __________, __________, __________
• Inner planets: __________, __________, __________, __________
• Outer planets type: __________
• Location of asteroid belt: __________ and __________
• Comet feature: __________
• Age of the Solar System: __________

Answers:

• Center of the system: Sun
• Force holding objects: gravity
• Types of objects: planets, moons, asteroids, comets, meteoroids
• Inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
• Outer planets type: gas giants
• Location of asteroid belt: Mars and Jupiter
• Comet feature: tails
• Age of the Solar System: 4.6 billion years ago

 

Passage: The Life Cycle of Butterflies

Butterflies are insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, passing through four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly. The process begins when a female butterfly lays eggs on the leaves of plants suitable for the caterpillars to feed on.

Once the egg hatches, the larva emerges and begins eating leaves voraciously. During this stage, the caterpillar grows rapidly, shedding its skin several times in a process called molting. After sufficient growth, the caterpillar forms a pupa, inside which it undergoes transformation.

Within the pupa, the organism develops wings, antennae, and other adult structures. After the metamorphosis is complete, the adult butterfly emerges, ready to feed on nectar and reproduce, continuing the life cycle.

Butterflies play an important ecological role as pollinators, and their populations can indicate the health of an ecosystem.

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IELTS Note Completion Practice

Complete the notes below using no more than 3 words from the passage.

The Life Cycle of Butterflies

• Type of metamorphosis: __________
• Stages: __________, __________, __________, __________
• Eggs laid on: __________
• Larva eats: __________
• Growth process: __________
• Stage of transformation: __________
• Adult develops: __________, __________, __________
• Adult feeds on: __________
• Ecological role: __________

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Answers:

• Type of metamorphosis: complete metamorphosis
• Stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), adult butterfly
• Eggs laid on: leaves
• Larva eats: leaves
• Growth process: molting
• Stage of transformation: pupa
• Adult develops: wings, antennae, other adult structures
• Adult feeds on: nectar
• Ecological role: pollinators

 

Passage 1: The History of Printing

Printing revolutionized the spread of knowledge. Before the 15th century, books were copied by hand, usually by monks in monasteries. This was slow, expensive, and limited literacy.

In around 1440, Johannes Gutenberg developed the movable type printing press in Germany. This invention allowed books to be produced faster and in larger quantities, making literature and scientific knowledge more accessible.

By the 16th century, printing had spread across Europe, stimulating education, religion, and science. Today, printing technologies continue to evolve with digital printing and 3D printing, impacting various industries worldwide.

Note Completion:

• Before 15th century, books copied by: __________
• Place of copying: __________
• Year Gutenberg invented printing press: __________
• Inventor: __________
• Type of press: __________
• Country of invention: __________
• Advantages: __________ and __________
• Spread across: __________
• Stimulated: __________, __________, __________
• Modern printing technologies: __________ and __________

Answers:

• Before 15th century, books copied by: hand
• Place of copying: monasteries
• Year Gutenberg invented printing press: 1440
• Inventor: Johannes Gutenberg
• Type of press: movable type printing press
• Country of invention: Germany
• Advantages: faster and in larger quantities
• Spread across: Europe
• Stimulated: education, religion, science
• Modern printing technologies: digital printing and 3D printing

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Passage 2: Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants convert sunlight into chemical energy. It takes place in chloroplasts, which contain the pigment chlorophyll.

During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. Using sunlight, they produce glucose and release oxygen. Photosynthesis is vital for life on Earth because it provides food and oxygen for living organisms.

Environmental factors such as light intensity, water availability, and temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis.

Note Completion:

• Performed by: __________
• Converts __________ into __________
• Location in cell: __________
• Pigment involved: __________
• Inputs: __________ and __________
• Outputs: __________ and __________
• Importance: provides __________ and __________
• Factors affecting rate: __________, __________, __________

Answers:

• Performed by: green plants
• Converts: sunlight into chemical energy
• Location in cell: chloroplasts
• Pigment involved: chlorophyll
• Inputs: carbon dioxide and water
• Outputs: glucose and oxygen
• Importance: provides food and oxygen
• Factors affecting rate: light intensity, water availability, temperature

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Passage 3: The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the largest coral reef system in the world. It stretches over 2,300 kilometers and contains thousands of coral reefs and islands.

The reef supports diverse marine life, including fish, turtles, and mollusks. It is also an important tourist attraction and provides coastal protection.

Threats to the reef include climate change, coral bleaching, pollution, and overfishing. Conservation strategies include marine protected areas, restoration projects, and promoting sustainable tourism.

Note Completion:

• Location: __________
• Length: __________
• Features: __________ and __________
• Supports: __________, __________, __________
• Benefits: __________ and __________
• Threats: __________, __________, __________, __________
• Conservation: __________, __________, __________

Answers:

• Location: Queensland, Australia
• Length: 2,300 kilometers
• Features: coral reefs and islands
• Supports: fish, turtles, mollusks
• Benefits: tourist attraction and coastal protection
• Threats: climate change, coral bleaching, pollution, overfishing
• Conservation: marine protected areas, restoration projects, sustainable tourism

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Passage 4: Electric Cars

Electric cars are vehicles powered by electric motors instead of internal combustion engines. The earliest models appeared in the late 19th century, but limited battery technology prevented widespread adoption.

Modern electric cars use lithium-ion batteries, allowing longer driving ranges and faster charging. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Countries like Norway, China, and the USA are promoting electric vehicles through incentives, infrastructure development, and government policies.

Note Completion:

• Powered by: __________
• Early models appeared: __________
• Limitation: __________
• Modern battery type: __________
• Benefits: __________ and __________
• Countries promoting EVs: __________, __________, __________
• Promotion methods: __________, __________, __________

Answers:

• Powered by: electric motors
• Early models appeared: late 19th century
• Limitation: battery technology
• Modern battery type: lithium-ion batteries
• Benefits: greenhouse gas emissions and pollution
• Countries promoting EVs: Norway, China, USA
• Promotion methods: incentives, infrastructure development, government policies

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Passage 5: Volcanoes

A volcano is a mountain where magma, ash, and gases erupt from the Earth’s crust. Volcanic eruptions can be explosive or effusive, depending on the magma composition and gas content.

Volcanoes form at tectonic plate boundaries or over hotspots. Lava, ash, and volcanic rocks create new landforms, while volcanic soil is often fertile.

Famous volcanoes include Mount Vesuvius, Mount Fuji, and Mauna Loa. Hazards include lava flows, ash clouds, and pyroclastic flows, but monitoring and early warning systems can reduce risks.

Note Completion:

• Material erupted: __________, __________, __________
• Types of eruptions: __________ and __________
• Formation locations: __________ or __________
• Soil type: __________
• Famous volcanoes: __________, __________, __________
• Hazards: __________, __________, __________
• Risk management: __________

Answers:

• Material erupted: magma, ash, gases
• Types of eruptions: explosive and effusive
• Formation locations: tectonic plate boundaries or hotspots
• Soil type: fertile
• Famous volcanoes: Mount Vesuvius, Mount Fuji, Mauna Loa
• Hazards: lava flows, ash clouds, pyroclastic flows
• Risk management: monitoring and early warning systems