IELTS Reading Practice: Best Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home

The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to understand and analyze written texts on various topics. One recurring theme in recent years has been environmental sustainability, with a particular focus on reducing food waste at home. This topic has appeared in several past IELTS exams and, given its growing importance in today’s world, is likely to feature again in future tests.

In this practice session, we’ll explore a reading passage about the best ways to reduce food waste at home, followed by a series of questions to test your comprehension and analytical skills. This exercise will help you prepare for similar texts you might encounter in your actual IELTS exam.

Reducing food waste at home

Reading Passage

Tackling Food Waste: Effective Strategies for Households

Food waste is a global issue with far-reaching environmental, economic, and social impacts. In developed countries, a significant portion of food waste occurs at the household level. By adopting simple yet effective strategies, individuals can play a crucial role in reducing food waste and contributing to a more sustainable future.

One of the most impactful ways to reduce food waste is through proper meal planning. By taking the time to plan meals for the week ahead, households can avoid overbuying and ensure that perishable items are used before they spoil. This approach not only reduces waste but can also lead to significant cost savings over time.

Proper food storage is another key factor in minimizing waste. Many people are unaware of the optimal storage conditions for different types of food, leading to premature spoilage. For example, fruits like apples and pears release ethylene gas, which can cause nearby produce to ripen and spoil more quickly. Storing these fruits separately from other produce can extend the shelf life of both.

Understanding expiration dates is crucial in preventing unnecessary food waste. Many consumers confuse “best before” dates with “use by” dates, leading to the disposal of perfectly edible food. “Best before” dates indicate when a product is at its peak quality, but the food is often still safe to consume after this date. In contrast, “use by” dates are related to food safety and should be adhered to more strictly.

Creativity in the kitchen can also play a significant role in reducing food waste. Learning to use leftover ingredients in new dishes or repurposing them can prevent a lot of food from ending up in the bin. For instance, overripe fruits can be used in smoothies or baked goods, while vegetable scraps can be used to make homemade stock.

Composting is an excellent way to deal with unavoidable food waste. By composting fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells, households can turn what would have been waste into nutrient-rich soil for gardening. This not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills but also provides a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers.

Technology can be a valuable ally in the fight against food waste. There are now numerous apps available that can help with meal planning, provide recipes based on ingredients you have on hand, and even connect you with local communities to share excess food.

Lastly, being mindful of portion sizes when cooking and serving can significantly reduce plate waste. It’s better to serve smaller portions initially and offer seconds if needed, rather than overserving and risking food going to waste.

By implementing these strategies, households can make a substantial impact on reducing food waste. This not only benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving resources but also leads to economic savings for families. Moreover, it contributes to global food security by ensuring that more of the food we produce actually reaches those who need it.

Questions

True/False/Not Given

Determine whether the following statements are True, False, or Not Given based on the information in the passage.

1. Meal planning is considered one of the most effective ways to reduce food waste at home.
2. All types of produce should be stored together to maintain freshness.
3. “Best before” dates and “use by” dates mean the same thing.
4. Composting food waste can provide an alternative to chemical fertilizers.
5. Using technology for meal planning always results in less food waste.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

6. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a way to reduce food waste?
   A) Proper meal planning
   B) Understanding expiration dates
   C) Donating excess food to charities
   D) Composting food scraps

7. The passage suggests that ethylene gas:
   A) Helps preserve all types of produce
   B) Is produced by some fruits and can cause nearby produce to spoil faster
   C) Should be added to refrigerators to keep food fresh
   D) Is only produced by vegetables

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. Write the correct number (i-viii) next to questions 8-12.

i. The Role of Technology in Waste Reduction
ii. The Importance of Proper Food Storage
iii. Creative Cooking to Minimize Waste
iv. Understanding Food Expiration Labels
v. The Global Impact of Food Waste
vi. Composting: Turning Waste into Resource
vii. Meal Planning: A Key Strategy
viii. Mindful Portioning to Reduce Plate Waste

8. Paragraph 2: _____
9. Paragraph 3: _____
10. Paragraph 4: _____
11. Paragraph 5: _____
12. Paragraph 8: _____

Short Answer Questions

Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

13. What type of dates on food products are related to food safety and should be strictly followed?
14. What can be made from vegetable scraps to avoid waste?
15. What can overripe fruits be used for instead of being thrown away?

Answer Key and Explanations

True/False/Not Given

1. True – The passage states, “One of the most impactful ways to reduce food waste is through proper meal planning.”
2. False – The passage mentions that some fruits should be stored separately as they release ethylene gas which can cause nearby produce to spoil more quickly.
3. False – The passage clearly distinguishes between “best before” and “use by” dates, explaining their different meanings.
4. True – The passage states that composting “provides a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers.”
5. Not Given – While the passage mentions that technology can be helpful, it doesn’t state that it always results in less food waste.

Multiple Choice

6. C – Donating excess food to charities is not mentioned in the passage as a way to reduce food waste.
7. B – The passage states that fruits like apples and pears release ethylene gas, which can cause nearby produce to ripen and spoil more quickly.

Matching Headings

8. vii – Paragraph 2 discusses the importance of meal planning in reducing food waste.
9. ii – Paragraph 3 focuses on proper food storage techniques.
10. iv – Paragraph 4 explains the difference between “best before” and “use by” dates.
11. iii – Paragraph 5 discusses using creativity in cooking to reduce waste.
12. viii – The last paragraph talks about being mindful of portion sizes to reduce plate waste.

Short Answer Questions

13. Use by
14. Homemade stock
15. Smoothies (or baked goods)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Misinterpreting “Not Given” statements: Remember, if the information is not explicitly stated in the passage, the answer is “Not Given,” even if you think it might be true based on general knowledge.

2. Overlooking key words: Pay close attention to qualifiers like “always,” “never,” or “sometimes” in the questions, as these can change the meaning significantly.

3. Bringing external knowledge: Base your answers solely on the information provided in the passage, not on your personal knowledge of the topic.

4. Mismanaging time: Practice timing yourself to ensure you can complete all questions within the allotted time.

5. Ignoring context: When matching headings or answering short questions, make sure to consider the context of the entire paragraph, not just individual sentences.

Vocabulary

1. Sustainability (noun) /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – the ability to maintain something at a certain rate or level
2. Perishable (adjective) /ˈperɪʃəbl/ – likely to decay or go bad quickly
3. Ethylene (noun) /ˈeθəliːn/ – a gaseous plant hormone that promotes ripening in some fruits
4. Premature (adjective) /ˈpremətʃər/ – occurring or done before the usual or proper time
5. Repurposing (verb) /riːˈpɜːrpəs/ – adapt for use in a different purpose
6. Nutrient-rich (adjective) /ˈnjuːtriənt rɪtʃ/ – containing a high amount of essential nutrients

Grammar Focus

Passive Voice

The passage uses passive voice in several instances, which is common in academic and scientific writing. For example:

“By composting fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells, households can turn what would have been waste into nutrient-rich soil for gardening.”

This could be rewritten in active voice as:

“Households can turn fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells into nutrient-rich soil for gardening through composting.”

The passive voice is often used to emphasize the action or result rather than the doer of the action. In IELTS reading passages, recognizing passive constructions can help you better understand the focus and intent of certain statements.

Tips for Success in IELTS Reading

1. Practice active reading: Engage with the text by highlighting key points and making mental summaries as you read.

2. Improve your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words and phrases related to common IELTS topics like environment, technology, and social issues.

3. Time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions. Don’t spend too long on any single question.

4. Skim and scan: Use these techniques to quickly locate specific information in the text.

5. Read the instructions carefully: Make sure you understand exactly what each question is asking before you start answering.

6. Use context clues: If you encounter unfamiliar words, try to deduce their meaning from the surrounding context.

7. Practice regularly: Consistency is key in improving your reading skills. Set aside time each day to practice with IELTS-style reading passages and questions.

By following these strategies and practicing regularly, you can improve your performance in the IELTS Reading section and approach the test with confidence. Remember, reducing food waste at home is not just a potential exam topic, but also an important real-world skill that can contribute to a more sustainable future.