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Reading answers with explanations

IELTS · Part 1 · Cambridge IELTS 21 – Test 4

The problems and benefits created by the spread of the water hyacinth in Kenya: Reading answers

Answers to questions 1–13 (13 in all), each with why it is right.

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Read the whole passage and answer in the exam interface, timed as on the day.

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The passage opens

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), an aquatic plant native to South America, first appeared in countries in Africa in the early 1900s. Scientists there called it the 'world's worst aquatic weed', after it spread from the southernmost tip of Africa in the early 1900s and started obstructing major dams and rivers. In east Africa the plant arrived with Belgian colonists in Rwanda, who liked the look of its glossy leaves and delicate purple flowers floating in their ponds. But by the 1980s, it had 'escaped' out of the country via the Kagera river and made its way downstream to Lake Victoria. There, with no natural predators and perfect temperature conditions, the plant began spreading in…

Answers 1–13

  1. 1

    Water hyacinth was introduced as a decorative plant in east Africa.

    TRUE True / False / Not Given

  2. 2

    Fishermen took some water hyacinth plants to Lake Victoria.

    FALSE True / False / Not Given

  3. 3

    It is now difficult to force boats through the thick water hyacinth on Lake Victoria.

    TRUE True / False / Not Given

  4. 4

    Chemicals produced by the water hyacinth plants are affecting the numbers of fish in Lake Victoria.

    NOT GIVEN True / False / Not Given

  5. 5

    Cooking with charcoal has been proved to be even worse for people's health than cooking with wood.

    NOT GIVEN True / False / Not Given

  6. 6

    People found it impossible to remove much water hyacinth from Lake Victoria.

    FALSE True / False / Not Given

  7. 7

    Scientists started investigating the possibility of using water hyacinth to generate biogas in the last century.

    TRUE True / False / Not Given

  8. 8

    First, place water hyacinth together with some {8} into a digester →

    cow dung Flow chart completion

  9. 9

    Leave the mixture until the {9} is completed →

    fermentation (process) / fermentation / fermentation process Flow chart completion

  10. 10

    Capture the gas emitted by the digester and use {10} to transport it to individual homes → Then use the gas for cooking as well as making water fit for human consumption

    pipes Flow chart completion

  11. 11

    time Note completion

  12. 12

    money Note completion

  13. 13

    price Note completion

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