This Academic IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to IELTS Reading Test 3 Passage 2 which has a text titled ‘Palm Oil’. This is a targeted post for AC IELTS candidates who have big problems finding out and understanding Reading Answers in the AC module. This post can guide you to the best to understand every Reading answer without much trouble. Finding out IELTS Reading answers is a steady process, and this post will assist you in this respect. 

Academic IELTS: Reading Module

Test 3 Passage 2:

The headline of the text: Palm Oil

Questions 14-20: Identifying information

[This question asks you to find information from the passage and write the number of the paragraph (A, B, C or D … .. ) in the answer sheet. Now, if the question is given in the very first part of the question set, I’d request you not to answer them. It’s mainly because this question will not follow any sequence, and so it will surely kill your time. Rather, you should answer all the other questions first. And just like List of Headings, only read the first two lines or last two lines of the expected paragraph initially. If you find the answers, you need not read the middle part. If you don’t find answers yet, you can skim the middle part of the paragraph. Keywords will be a useful matter here.]

Question no. 14: examples of a range of potential environmental advantages of oil palm tree cultivation

Keywords for this question: a range of potential environmental advantages, oil palm tree cultivation,    

Take a look at lines 1-4 of the first paragraph in Section F. The writer says here, “ . .. . . . . . . Oil palm plantations produce at least four and potentially up to ten times more oil per hectare than soybean, rapeseed, sunflower or other competing oils. That immensely high yield – which is predominantly what makes it so profitable – is potentially also an ecological benefit. .. .. .. . .  …. .. .”

Here, an ecological benefit = a potential environmental advantage, 

Again, look at lines 1-4 of the second paragraph of Section F. The writer says here, “As for the question of carbon emissions, the issue really depends on what oil palm trees are replacing. Crops vary in the degree to which they sequester carbon – in other words, the amount of carbon they capture from the atmosphere and store within the plant. The more carbon a plant sequesters, the more it reduces the effect of climate change. . . . .. .. .”

Here, the more it reduces the effect of climate change = another potential environmental advantage, 

So, the answer is: F

Question no. 15: description of an organisation which controls the environmental impact of palm oil production

Keywords for this question: an organisation, controls the environmental impact, palm oil production, 

In Section G, the author clearly explains the organisation RSPO. Take a look at lines 1-4 especially. “The industry is now regulated by a group called the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), consisting of palm growers, retailers, product manufacturers, and other interested parties. .. … .. . .”   

So, the answer is: G

Question no. 16: examples of the widespread global use of palm oil

Keywords for this question: widespread global use, palm oil, 

Lines 1-4 of Section A say, “Palm oil is an edible oil derived from the fruit of the African oil palm tree, and is currently the most consumed vegetable oil in the world. It’s almost certainly in the soap we wash with in the morning, the sandwich we have for lunch, and the biscuits we snack on during the day. .. . … . .. .” 

Here,  the most consumed vegetable oil in the world = widespread global use, 

in the soap we wash with in the morning, the sandwich we have for lunch, and the biscuits we snack on during the day = examples of the widespread global use of palm oil, 

So, the answer is: A

Question no. 17: reference to a particular species which could benefit the ecosystem of oil palm plantations

Keywords for this question: a particular species, could benefit, ecosystem of oil palm plantations, 

In lines 2-6 of Section H, the writer says, “ .. . . . . . New research at Ellwood’s lab hints at one plant which might make all the difference. The bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus) grows on trees in an epiphytic fashion (meaning it’s dependent on the tree only for support, not for nutrients), and is native to many tropical regions, where as a keystone species it performs a vital ecological role.. . .. .. .” 

Here, bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus) = a particular species, 

as a keystone species it performs a vital ecological role = could benefit the ecosystem of oil palm plantations, 

So, the answer is: H 

Question no. 18: figures illustrating the rapid expansion of the palm oil industry

Keywords for this question: figures, illustrating the rapid expansion, palm oil industry, 

In lines 2-6 in Section B, the writer says, “ . .. . .. . .. .. Between 1990 and 2012, the global land area devoted to growing oil palm trees grew from 6 to 17 million hectares, now accounting for around ten percent of total cropland in the entire world. From a mere two million tonnes of palm oil being produced annually globally 50 years ago, there are now around 60 million tonnes produced every single year, a figure looking likely to double or even triple by the middle of the century.” 

Here, Between 1990 and 2012, from 6 to 17 million hectares, around 60 million tonnes = figures illustrating the rapid expansion of the palm oil industry, 

So, the answer is: B

Question no. 19: an economic justification for not opposing the palm oil industry

Keywords for this question: economic justification, not opposing, palm oil industry, 

Take a close look at lines 1-2 in section E, “One response to the boycott movement has been the argument for the vital role palm oil plays in lifting many millions of people in the developing world out of poverty. .. .. . .” 

Here, the vital role palm oil plays in lifting many millions of people in the developing world out of poverty = economic justification for not opposing the palm oil industry,

So, the answer is: E 

Question no. 20: examples of creatures badly affected by the establishment of oil palm plantations

Keywords for this question: creatures, badly affected by, establishment of oil palm plantations, 

Again, look at the first paragraph of section C, “ .. . . . .. . . Endangered species – most famously the Sumatran orangutan, but also rhinos, elephants, tigers, and numerous other fauna – have suffered from the unstoppable spread of oil palm plantations.”  

Here, Endangered species = creatures badly affected,

Sumatran orangutan, but also rhinos, elephants, tigers = examples, 

So, the answer is: C

Questions 21-22: Choosing TWO letters/ options from a given list:

[In this kind of question candidates have to choose two or three answers for each question from five or six options. The answers will not follow any sequential order as they are randomly spread in the text so this question will be time-consuming. Skimming will come in handy and previous reading of the text can be used. Therefore, other questions should be solved first before answering this question.]

Questions no. 21 & 22: Which TWO statements are made about the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)? 

Keywords for this question: TWO statements, made about, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), 

In section G, the author of the text explains what the RSPO has been doing. Take a look at lines 1-6, “The industry is now regulated by a group called the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), consisting of palm growers, retailers, product manufacturers, and other interested parties. Over the past decade or so, an agreement has gradually been reached regarding standards that producers of palm oil have to meet in order for their product to be regarded as officially ‘sustainable’. The RSPO insists upon no virgin forest clearing, transparency and regular assessment of carbon stocks, among other criteria. . .. . . . . .. .  . .. .” 

Here, Over the past decade or so, an agreement has gradually been reached regarding standards= It took several years to establish its set of criteria for sustainable palm oil certification, 

The RSPO insists upon no virgin forest clearing, transparency and regular assessment of carbon stocks = It demands that certified producers be open and honest about their practices

So, the answers are: 

B (It demands that certified producers be open and honest about their practices.)

C (It took several years to establish its set of criteria for sustainable palm oil certification.)

Questions 23-26: Completing sentences with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS: 

In this type of question, candidates are asked to write maximum two words to complete sentences on the given topic. For this type of question, first, skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word. 

[TIPS: Here scanning technique will come in handy. Target the keywords of the questions to find the answers. Remember to focus on Proper nouns, random Capital letters, numbers, special characters of text etc.] 

Question no. 23: One advantage of palm oil for manufacturers is that it stays ___________ even when not refrigerated.

Keywords for this question: One advantage, palm oil, for manufacturers, it stays, even when, not refrigerated, 

Lines 4-5 of Section A give us the answer to this question, “ . . . . . . . Why is palm oil so attractive for manufacturers? Primarily because its unique properties – such as remaining solid at room temperature –.”  

Here, remaining = stays, room temperature = even when not refrigerated, 

So, the answer is: solid

Question no. 24: The ___________ is the best known of the animals suffering habitat loss as a result of the spread of oil palm plantations.

Keywords for this question: the best known of the animals, suffering habitat loss, as a result of, spread of oil palm plantations, 

In section C, take a look at lines 5-7, “ . . … . . . . … .. Endangered species – most famously the Sumatran orangutan, but also rhinos, elephants, tigers, and numerous other fauna – have suffered from the unstoppable spread of oil palm plantations.” 

Here, Endangered species – most famously = the best known of the animals suffering, 

So, the answer is: (Sumatran) orangutan / orang-utan

Question no. 25: As one of its criteria for the certification of sustainable palm oil, the RSPO insists that growers check _________ on a routine basis.

Keywords for this question: As one of its criteria, certification of sustainable palm oil, RSPO insists, growers check, on a routine basis, 

In section G, the writer says in lines 5-6, “ .. . .. . .. . The RSPO insists upon no virgin forest clearing, transparency and regular assessment of carbon stocks, among other criteria. . .. .. .. .” 

Here, regular assessment = check . . .. .. on a routine basis,  

So, the answer is: carbon stocks  

Question no. 26: Ellwood and his researchers are looking into whether the bird’s nest fern could restore ____________ where oil palm trees are grown.

Keywords for this question: Ellwood and his researchers, looking into, whether, bird’s nest fern, could restore, where oil palm trees are grown, 

In section H, take a look at lines 6-9, “ . .. … … .. … Ellwood believes that reintroducing the bird’s nest fern into oil palm plantations could potentially allow these areas to recover their biodiversity, providing a home for all manner of species, from fungi and bacteria, to invertebrates such as insects, amphibians, reptiles and even mammals.”  

Here, oil palm plantations = where oil palm trees are grown, 

recover = restore, 

So, the answer is: biodiversity