This IELTS Reading post focuses on all the solutions for IELTS Cambridge 7 Test 3 Reading Passage 3, which is without any title and is about ‘saving European forests’. This is a targeted post for IELTS candidates who have great problems in finding answers for the Academic Reading module. This post can guide you the best to comprehend each Reading answer without facing much difficulty. Tracing IELTS Reading answers is a gradual process and I sincerely hope this post can help you in your IELTS Reading preparation.

IELTS Cambridge 7 Test 3: AC Reading Module

Reading Passage 2: No title

The subject of the passage: saving European forests

Questions 27-33:  TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN

[In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:

The statement in the question agrees with the information in the passage – TRUE
The statement in the question contradicts the information in the passage – FALSE
If there is no information on this  – NOT GIVEN

For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]

Question 27: Forest problems of Mediterranean countries are to be discussed at the next meeting of experts.

Keywords for this question: forest problems, Mediterranean countries, to be discussed, next meeting of experts,   

The reference of the Mediterranean countries is found in the last lines of paragraph no. 1. Let’s read the line, “Those confined to particular geographical areas, such as countries bordering the Mediterranean or the Nordic countries therefore had to be discarded. However, this does not mean that in future they will be ignored.”

These lines suggest that the first two meetings of experts had no chance to discuss the problems of the Mediterranean or the Nordic countries. However, they are hopeful that they might discuss it in the future but they are not sure when exactly that is going to happen. 

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 28: Problems in Nordic countries were excluded because they are outside the European Economic Community.

Keywords for this question: problems, Nordic countries, excluded, because, outside, European Economic Community,  

Take a look at paragraph no. 1, lines 16-19 where the writer states, “ . .. . Their initial task was to decide which of the many forest problems of concern to Europe involved the largest number of countries and might be the subject of joint action. Those confined to particular geographical areas, such as countries bordering the Mediterranean or the Nordic countries, therefore, had to be discarded.”

This means the reason is to involve countries of Europe that involved largest number of countries and share the same issue. So, the action can be linked easily. The reason is not that Nordic countries are outside the European Economic Community.

Here, excluded = discarded,

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 29: Forests are a renewable source of raw material.

Keywords for this question: forests, renewable source, raw material,  

Take a look at paragraph no. 2, line no. 4-5 where the writer states, “.. . .. At the same time, forests provide raw materials for human activities through their constantly renewed production of wood.”

Here, the lines clearly and easily match the question.

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 30: The biological functions of forests were recognised only in the twentieth century.

Keywords for this question: biological functions, forests, recognised, only, twentieth century,   

Paragraph no. 2 starts with this line, “As a whole, European countries see forests as performing a triple function: biological, economic and recreational.”

Then the author goes on to explain the time of recognising the functions in lines 8-10, “ . .. . The economic importance of forests has been understood since the dawn of man – wood was the first fuel. The other aspects have been recognised only for a few centuries. . . . .”

Here, other aspects = biological and recreational aspects of forests,

This means the biological functions of forests were recognised for a few centuries, not in the twentieth century only.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 31: Natural forests still exist in parts of Europe.

Keywords for this question: natural forests, still, exist, parts of Europe,

The answer can be traced at the beginning of paragraph no. 3. The writer says here, “The myth of the ‘natural’ forest has survived, yet there are effectively no remaining ‘primary’ forests in Europe. All European forests are artificial. . . .. ”

Here, myth = falsehood, primary forests = natural forests, artificial = not natural,

This means there are no primary or natural forests in Europe. All of them are artificial.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 32: Forest policy should be limited by national boundaries.

Keywords for this question: forest policy, should be limited, national boundaries,

In paragraph no. 3, the writer explains in lines 3-4, “ . . . This means that a forest policy is vital, that it must transcend national frontiers and generations of people, . .. .”

Here, transcend = rise above / go beyond, national frontiers = national boundaries,

The lines indicate that forest policy should not be limited by national frontiers or boundaries; it must transcend national boundaries.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 33: The Strasbourg conference decided that a forest policy must allow for the possibility of change.

Keywords for this question: Strasbourg conference, decided, forest policy, must allow, possibility of change,  

In paragraph no. 3, the writer explains, “. . . . a forest policy is vital, that it must transcend national frontiers and generations of people, and that it must allow for the inevitable changes that take place in the forests, in needs, and hence in policy. The Strasbourg conference was one of the first events on such a scale to reach this conclusion.”

Therefore, the Strasbourg conference decided/ reached the conclusion that a forest policy must allow for the inevitable changes (the possibility of change).

So, the answer is: TRUE

Questions 34-39: (Matching statements with appropriate information)

[In this type of question candidates are asked to match some statements with some information given from the passage. This type of question generally appears in passage 3. These questions will not follow any sequential order. So, skimming first for the keywords and then scanning to match the information is the best option to find answers to these questions.]

All the answers will be in the last paragraph because this paragraph talks about all the six resolutions.

Question 34: Resolution 1

Keywords for this question: Resolution 1,  

In the first line, the writer introduces the resolutions, “That general declaration was accompanied by six detailed resolutions to assist national policymaking.”

Then, in the next lines, the writer says, “ .. . The first proposes the extension and systematisation of surveillance sites to monitor forest decline.” Then in the next few lines, the author describes how forests are declining fast without proper monitoring.

Here, the extension and systematisation of surveillance sites = information is to be systematically gathered, forest decline = decline in the condition of forests,

So, the answer is: J (Information is to be systematically gathered on any decline in the condition of forests.)

Question 35: Resolution 2

Keywords for this question: Resolution 2, 

In lines 10-12 of paragraph no. 4, the writer says, “ . . . The second resolution concentrates on the need to preserve the genetic diversity of European forests. The aim is to reverse the decline in the number of tree species or at least to preserve the ‘genetic material’ of all of them.”

The lines suggest that the genetic material of all kinds of tree species need to be preserved.

So, the answer is: A (All kinds of species of trees should be preserved.)

Question 36: Resolution 3

Keywords for this question: Resolution 3, 

We find the mention of Resolution 3 in lines 11-15 which deals with forest fires, “ .. .. . Although forest fires do not affect all of Europe to the same extent, the amount of damage caused the experts to propose as the third resolution that the Strasbourg conference consider the establishment of a European databank on the subject. All information used in the development of national preventative policies would become generally available.”

Here, establishment of a European databank = information on forest fires should be preserved, all information . . . .would become generally available  = all information should be shared,

So, the answer is: E (Information on forest fires should be collected and shared.)

Question 37: Resolution 4

Keywords for this question: Resolution 4,   

In lines 15-19, the author talks about the fourth resolution on mountain forests, “ . .. .. The subject of the fourth resolution discussed by the ministers was mountain forests. In Europe, it is undoubtedly the mountain ecosystem which has changed most rapidly and is most at risk. A thinly scattered permanent population and development of leisure activities, particularly skiing, have resulted in significant long-term changes to the local ecosystems. Proposed developments include a preferential research program on mountain forests.”

So, the answer is: B (Fragile mountain forests should be given priority in research programs.)

Question 38: Resolution 5

Keywords for this question: Resolution 5, 

Lines 19-21 talk about the fifth resolution that discusses research into tree diseases, “ . . .. The fifth resolution  relaunched the European research network on the physiology of trees, called Eurosilva. Eurosilva should support joint European research on tree diseases and their physiological and biochemical aspects.”

Therefore, the statement indicates that necessary resources should be allocated to research into tree diseases and their physiological and biochemical matters.

So, the answer is: G (Resources should be allocated to research into tree diseases.)

Question 39: Resolution 6

Keywords for this question: Resolution 6, 

Lines 23-25 of paragraph no. 4 says, “ . . . . Finally, the conference established the framework for a European research network on forest ecosystems. This would also involve harmonising activities in individual countries as well as identifying a number of priority research topics relating to the protection of forests.”

Here, harmonising = co-ordinating,

The lines indicate that a research network is a much better way if harmonized or co-ordinated throughout Europe.

 So, the answer is: D (Research is to be better co-ordinated throughout Europe.)

Question 40: Multiple choice questions (Identifying the main purpose/aim of the passage)

[This type of question asks you to choose a suitable answer from the options that shows the main aim/purpose using the knowledge you gained from the passage. Generally, this question is found as the last question so you should not worry much about it. Finding all the answers to previous questions gives you a good idea about the title.]

What is the best title for Reading Passage 3?

Keywords for this question: best title, Reading Passage 3, 

If we closely look at the main ideas for all four paragraphs, we can find out the followings:

Paragraph no. 1 deals with the need for new policies by European nations to save their forests.

Paragraph no. 2 talks about the main work or function of forests.

Paragraph no. 3 describes the importance of policies that are coordinated.

Paragraph no. 4 talks about the six resolutions proposed in the Strasbourg conference to protect European forests.

Therefore, we can come to the conclusion that the purpose or aim of the passage is to provide plans to protect European forests.

So, the answer is: B (Plans to protect the forests of Europe)

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 7 Test 3 Reading Passage 1

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 7 Test 3 Reading Passage 2