IELTS Reading Practice: How to Reduce Energy Use in Public Institutions

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years: “How to reduce energy use in public institutions.” This subject has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and remains highly relevant due to growing environmental concerns. Given its importance in today’s world, there’s a strong possibility that similar themes may appear in future tests.

Energy reduction strategies in public institutions

IELTS Reading Practice Test

Reading Passage

Sustainable Energy Practices in Public Institutions

Public institutions, from schools and hospitals to government offices, are significant consumers of energy. As the world grapples with climate change and the need for sustainable practices, these institutions are increasingly under pressure to reduce their energy consumption. This not only helps in combating global warming but also leads to substantial cost savings, allowing public funds to be redirected to other essential services.

One of the most effective ways to reduce energy use in public institutions is through the implementation of energy-efficient lighting systems. Traditional incandescent bulbs are being phased out in favor of LED lights, which consume up to 75% less energy and last significantly longer. Many institutions are also installing motion sensors and timers to ensure lights are only on when needed, further reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are another major area where energy savings can be achieved. Modern, energy-efficient HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy consumption while maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. Additionally, the use of programmable thermostats allows for precise control over heating and cooling, ensuring energy is not wasted during off-hours or in unoccupied spaces.

Improved insulation is a critical factor in reducing energy waste. Many older public buildings suffer from poor insulation, leading to heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. By upgrading insulation in walls, roofs, and windows, institutions can dramatically reduce the energy needed for heating and cooling. This not only saves energy but also improves the comfort of occupants.

The integration of renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly common in public institutions. Solar panels, for instance, are being installed on rooftops and in parking lots, generating clean electricity and reducing reliance on grid power. Some institutions are even exploring the use of geothermal energy for heating and cooling, tapping into the earth’s constant temperature to minimize energy consumption.

Energy management systems (EMS) are proving to be valuable tools in the quest for energy efficiency. These systems provide real-time data on energy usage, allowing facility managers to identify areas of waste and implement targeted solutions. Many EMS can automatically adjust lighting and HVAC settings based on occupancy and time of day, ensuring optimal energy use at all times.

Employee and user engagement is crucial in any energy reduction strategy. Many institutions are implementing awareness campaigns and training programs to educate staff and visitors about energy-saving practices. Simple actions like turning off lights and computers when not in use can lead to significant energy savings when practiced collectively.

Water conservation, while not directly related to energy use, can indirectly contribute to energy savings. Reducing hot water consumption, for example, decreases the energy needed for water heating. Low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and water-efficient landscaping are all measures being adopted by public institutions to conserve water and, by extension, energy.

Lastly, regular maintenance of equipment and systems is essential for maintaining energy efficiency. Well-maintained HVAC systems, for instance, operate more efficiently and consume less energy. Many institutions are implementing preventive maintenance schedules to ensure all energy-consuming systems are operating at peak efficiency.

By implementing these strategies, public institutions can significantly reduce their energy consumption, leading to substantial cost savings and a reduced environmental impact. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative solutions to emerge in the ongoing effort to create sustainable, energy-efficient public spaces.

Questions

1-5: Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

1. According to the passage, why is reducing energy use in public institutions important?
   A) To increase government funding
   B) To combat climate change and save costs
   C) To improve public services
   D) To meet international regulations

2. What percentage of energy can LED lights save compared to traditional incandescent bulbs?
   A) Up to 50%
   B) Up to 60%
   C) Up to 75%
   D) Up to 90%

3. How do programmable thermostats contribute to energy savings?
   A) By automatically turning off all systems
   B) By providing precise control over heating and cooling
   C) By replacing old HVAC systems
   D) By improving insulation

4. Which renewable energy source is mentioned as being explored for heating and cooling in some institutions?
   A) Wind power
   B) Hydroelectric power
   C) Solar power
   D) Geothermal energy

5. What is the primary function of Energy Management Systems (EMS) in public institutions?
   A) To replace human facility managers
   B) To generate renewable energy
   C) To provide real-time data on energy usage
   D) To improve insulation in buildings

6-10: Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

6. Improved ____ is crucial for reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

7. Many institutions are implementing ____ ____ to educate staff about energy-saving practices.

8. Reducing hot water consumption can decrease the energy needed for ____ ____.

9. ____ ____ of equipment and systems is essential for maintaining energy efficiency.

10. The passage suggests that as technology advances, we can expect more ____ ____ for creating sustainable, energy-efficient public spaces.

Answers and Explanations

1. B
   Explanation: The passage states that reducing energy consumption “helps in combating global warming but also leads to substantial cost savings.”

2. C
   Explanation: The text mentions that LED lights “consume up to 75% less energy” than traditional incandescent bulbs.

3. B
   Explanation: The passage notes that “programmable thermostats allows for precise control over heating and cooling.”

4. D
   Explanation: The text states that “Some institutions are even exploring the use of geothermal energy for heating and cooling.”

5. C
   Explanation: The passage mentions that Energy Management Systems “provide real-time data on energy usage.”

6. insulation
   Explanation: The passage states, “Improved insulation is a critical factor in reducing energy waste.”

7. awareness campaigns
   Explanation: The text mentions, “Many institutions are implementing awareness campaigns and training programs to educate staff.”

8. water heating
   Explanation: The passage notes, “Reducing hot water consumption, for example, decreases the energy needed for water heating.”

9. Regular maintenance
   Explanation: The text states, “Regular maintenance of equipment and systems is essential for maintaining energy efficiency.”

10. innovative solutions
    Explanation: The passage concludes with, “As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative solutions to emerge.”

Common Mistakes

When tackling IELTS Reading questions like these, students often make the following mistakes:

1. Overlooking key words: In questions like number 2, students might miss the specific percentage mentioned in the text.
2. Misinterpreting paraphrased information: For example, in question 3, the function of programmable thermostats is paraphrased from the original text.
3. Rushing through the text: This can lead to missing important details, especially in sentence completion questions (6-10).
4. Copying more than the word limit: In sentence completion questions, exceeding the word limit (in this case, two words) will result in a wrong answer.
5. Not reading the entire passage: Some answers, like for question 10, are found in the concluding paragraph.

Vocabulary

Here are some challenging words from the passage:

1. Grapples (verb) /ˈɡræp.əl/: to fight or struggle with something difficult
2. Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/: able to continue over a period of time
3. Incandescent (adjective) /ˌɪn.kænˈdes.ənt/: producing bright light when heated
4. Ventilation (noun) /ˌven.tɪˈleɪ.ʃən/: the system or process of supplying fresh air to a room, building, etc.
5. Geothermal (adjective) /ˌdʒiː.əʊˈθɜː.məl/: relating to or produced by the heat inside the earth

Grammar

Pay attention to these grammatical structures:

1. Passive voice: “Traditional incandescent bulbs are being phased out in favor of LED lights.”
   Structure: [Subject] + [be] + [past participle]

2. Present continuous for changing situations: “Public institutions…are increasingly under pressure to reduce their energy consumption.”
   Structure: [Subject] + [be] + [verb+ing]

3. Comparative structures: “LED lights, which consume up to 75% less energy and last significantly longer.”
   Structure: [Comparative adjective] + than / [verb] + more/less + than

Tips for High Scores in IELTS Reading

1. Time management: Allocate your time wisely. Spend about 20 minutes on each passage.
2. Skim and scan: Quickly skim the passage for general understanding, then scan for specific information.
3. Read questions carefully: Understand what each question is asking before searching for the answer.
4. Use context clues: If you encounter unfamiliar words, try to understand their meaning from the context.
5. Practice regularly: Familiarity with different question types and passages will improve your speed and accuracy.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes from a combination of strong vocabulary, good time management, and regular practice. Keep working on these skills, and you’ll see improvement in your performance.

For more IELTS preparation resources, you might find our articles on how renewable energy impacts global investment trends and the role of education in promoting community engagement helpful in expanding your knowledge on related topics.