IELTS Reading is a challenging component of the test, requiring candidates to demonstrate their ability to understand complex texts and answer various question types within a limited time frame. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years: reducing household waste through composting. This subject has appeared in several IELTS tests over the past decade, reflecting its growing importance in environmental discussions. Given the increasing emphasis on sustainability and waste management, there’s a high likelihood that similar topics will continue to feature in future IELTS exams.

Let’s dive into a practice reading passage on this crucial environmental issue, followed by a set of questions to test your comprehension and analytical skills.

Reading Passage

Composting: A Natural Solution to Household Waste

Household waste is a growing concern in many countries, with landfills reaching capacity and incineration posing environmental risks. However, a significant portion of household waste can be diverted from these disposal methods through a simple, natural process: composting. This age-old practice not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills but also produces a valuable resource for gardening and agriculture.

Composting is the biological decomposition of organic matter under controlled conditions. It’s a process that occurs naturally in forests, where fallen leaves and other organic materials break down over time to enrich the soil. In a household setting, composting can be done in a designated bin or pile, where kitchen scraps, yard trimmings, and other biodegradable materials are combined and left to decompose.

The composting process requires four key elements: organic matter, moisture, oxygen, and bacteria. The organic matter provides food for the bacteria, which break down the materials. Moisture and oxygen are necessary for the bacteria to thrive and carry out their decomposition work. When these elements are balanced correctly, the compost pile will heat up as the bacteria multiply and break down the organic matter. This heat accelerates the decomposition process and helps to kill weed seeds and harmful pathogens.

Materials suitable for composting include fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, yard trimmings, and shredded paper. However, it’s important to avoid adding meat, dairy products, or oily foods, as these can attract pests and create unpleasant odors. Additionally, diseased plants, pet waste, and chemically treated wood should be kept out of the compost pile to prevent the spread of harmful substances.

There are several methods of composting suitable for households, depending on available space and the amount of organic waste produced. For those with outdoor space, a simple compost pile or bin can be set up in the garden. Urban dwellers with limited outdoor space can opt for indoor composting systems, such as worm bins (vermicomposting) or bokashi buckets, which use anaerobic fermentation to break down organic matter.

The benefits of composting extend beyond waste reduction. The finished compost is a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can improve soil structure, enhance water retention, and provide essential nutrients for plant growth. By using compost in gardens and landscapes, households can reduce their reliance on chemical fertilizers, further benefiting the environment.

Moreover, composting can have a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. When organic waste decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By composting this waste instead, methane emissions are reduced, and carbon is sequestered in the soil when the compost is used.

Implementing a household composting system does require some effort and knowledge. However, with proper management, it can become a simple and rewarding part of daily life. Many local governments and environmental organizations offer workshops and resources to help residents start composting. Some municipalities even provide subsidized compost bins or collect organic waste for large-scale composting facilities.

As awareness of environmental issues grows, more households are turning to composting as a way to reduce their waste and contribute to a more sustainable future. By transforming kitchen scraps and yard waste into valuable compost, individuals can play a significant role in addressing the challenges of waste management and soil degradation, one household at a time.

Composting Process Diagram

Questions

True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage? Write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this in the passage

1. Composting is a modern solution to the problem of household waste.
2. The heat generated during composting helps to eliminate harmful organisms.
3. All types of food waste can be safely added to a compost pile.
4. Indoor composting methods are only suitable for households that produce small amounts of organic waste.
5. Using compost in gardens can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.

Multiple Choice

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

6. According to the passage, composting requires:
   A) Sunlight, water, and soil
   B) Organic matter, moisture, oxygen, and bacteria
   C) Heat, pressure, and time
   D) Chemical additives and regular turning

7. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a benefit of composting?
   A) Reducing waste sent to landfills
   B) Producing a natural fertilizer
   C) Decreasing water consumption in gardens
   D) Lowering greenhouse gas emissions

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. Write the correct number (i-viii) next to the paragraph number (8-11).

i. Composting methods for different living situations
ii. The science behind the composting process
iii. Materials to include and avoid in compost
iv. Environmental impacts of composting
v. Getting started with household composting
vi. The global waste management crisis
vii. Historical uses of compost in agriculture
viii. Composting’s role in sustainable gardening

8. Paragraph 3 ___
9. Paragraph 4 ___
10. Paragraph 5 ___
11. Paragraph 7 ___

Summary Completion

Complete the summary below using words from the box.

NB: You may use any word more than once.

landfills bacteria moisture oxygen heat pests nutrients methane carbon workshops

Composting is an effective way to reduce household waste sent to 12). The process relies on 13), which break down organic matter when provided with the right balance of 14) and 15). This decomposition generates 16), which is crucial for killing harmful pathogens. The resulting compost is rich in 17) and can improve soil quality. Additionally, composting helps reduce 18) emissions from landfills and sequesters 19) in the soil. To encourage composting, many local authorities offer 20)___ to educate residents on proper techniques.

Answer Key and Explanations

1. FALSE – The passage states that composting is an “age-old practice,” not a modern solution.

2. TRUE – The passage mentions that the heat generated “helps to kill weed seeds and harmful pathogens.”

3. FALSE – The passage explicitly states that meat, dairy products, and oily foods should be avoided.

4. NOT GIVEN – The passage doesn’t specify that indoor methods are only for small amounts of waste.

5. TRUE – The passage states that using compost can “reduce their reliance on chemical fertilizers.”

6. B – The passage clearly states that composting requires “organic matter, moisture, oxygen, and bacteria.”

7. C – Decreasing water consumption is not mentioned as a benefit of composting in the passage.

8. ii – This paragraph explains the key elements required for composting and how they work together.

9. iii – This paragraph lists materials that can and cannot be composted.

10. i – This paragraph discusses different composting methods for various living situations.

11. iv – This paragraph focuses on the environmental benefits of composting, particularly regarding greenhouse gas emissions.

12. landfills

13. bacteria

14. moisture

15. oxygen

16. heat

17. nutrients

18. methane

19. carbon

20. workshops

Common Mistakes

When tackling IELTS Reading questions on topics like composting and waste reduction, candidates often make the following mistakes:

1. Overlooking key words: In True/False/Not Given questions, missing crucial words like “all” in statement 3 can lead to incorrect answers.

2. Confusing similar information: For Multiple Choice questions, carefully distinguish between mentioned and unmentioned benefits.

3. Misinterpreting headings: In Matching Headings tasks, ensure you understand the main idea of each paragraph, not just individual details.

4. Inserting personal knowledge: Especially in Summary Completion tasks, use only information from the passage, avoiding the temptation to fill gaps with external knowledge.

5. Neglecting context: In all question types, consider the broader context of the information within the passage to avoid misinterpretations.

Vocabulary

Here are some challenging words from the passage, along with their definitions:

1. Incineration (noun) /ɪnˌsɪnəˈreɪʃn/: The process of burning something completely
2. Biodegradable (adjective) /ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbl/: Capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms
3. Pathogens (noun) /ˈpæθədʒənz/: Bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can cause disease
4. Vermicomposting (noun) /ˌvɜːmɪˈkɒmpɒstɪŋ/: The use of worms to convert organic waste into fertilizer
5. Anaerobic (adjective) /ˌænəˈrəʊbɪk/: Relating to or requiring an absence of free oxygen

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of conditional sentences in environmental contexts:

“With proper management, it can become a simple and rewarding part of daily life.”

This is an example of a first conditional sentence, used to discuss realistic possibilities. The structure is:

If/When + present simple, will/can + infinitive

Practice using this structure to discuss potential environmental solutions:

“If more people compost their organic waste, landfills will receive less garbage.”

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Time management: Allocate your time wisely across all sections of the Reading test.
2. Skim and scan: Quickly identify relevant information before reading in detail.
3. Understand question types: Familiarize yourself with various IELTS question formats and appropriate strategies for each.
4. Vocabulary building: Regularly read articles on diverse topics to expand your vocabulary.
5. Practice active reading: Engage with the text by predicting content, asking questions, and summarizing main ideas.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes from consistent practice and developing effective strategies. Focus on improving your reading speed and comprehension skills across a wide range of topics, including environmental issues like waste reduction and composting.

For more IELTS preparation resources, check out our articles on how to reduce waste in food distribution and the benefits of a zero-waste lifestyle. These topics are closely related to composting and can help broaden your understanding of environmental issues often featured in IELTS tests.