Free IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test 1- Section 3 (27-40 questions)

Reading passage 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27-40, which are based on the Reading Passage 3 below.

Tourism

According to the WTO, tourists are people who "travel to and stay in places outside their environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited."

1. The concept of tourism evolved in Rome 2000 years ago. The wealthy Roman class occupied their leisure vacations in travelling and exploring new remote places. Within a short sp the popularity of travel started building. However, socio-economic turbulence and military activities occurring at that time led to a rapid decline. The years before the industrial revolution, and even before that period were replete with regressive events such as w social upheavals and economic strife that leave a string of roadblocks for a long time.
2. During the mediaeval period, the religious factor emerged. Tourism as an activity resurfaced with people inclining towards pilgrimage. Trip arrangements revolved around basic needs for the pilgrims such as food, accommodation and planning the itinerary covering places of worship. In the eighteenth century, however, a new form of tourism emerged, converting community-driven activity into a personal experience. Europe, Italy in particular, emerged a popular tourist destination among lovers of art and culture. The historical and archaeological sites, paintings and sculptures are a great attraction even today. Places of tourist interest began to mark their importance as learning centres. Also, people became aware of the health benefits of living in a clean natural environment, even if it was for a short vacation. Tourists travelled to exotic European locations on sabbatical - the much-needed break from work. The clean air of the mountains and fresh spring waters in rural locations drew many urban visitors.
3. In the wake of Industrialisation, tourism grew as international trade; the middle-income group was also equipped with the luxury of time and money for pleasure travel. The revolution in this sector in the early nineteenth century instigated conversion of many hamlets and small fishing villages into hotels, resorts and county and state fairs. Spain was among the first countries to undergo such modification. Infrastructure development paved the way for better roads, highways, and ferries for easy transportation. At the same time, with the advent of technology, aircrafts were introduced.
4. A facility for the select few had gradually converted into an affordable luxury. With expenses falling within reach for larger ordinary groups, the trend of mass tourism marked its appearance. By the end of the century, tourism was a booming industry worth over $100 billion in France, Spain and the United States alone.
5. Over the decades, tourism has emerged as the most diversified sector. Today tourism has surpassed major revenue generating industries such as oll, food and automobiles. Tourism as a lucrative industry first gained acknowledgement in the Manila Declaration on World Tourism of 1980 which stated, "It is an activity which has direct implications on a country's socio-economic, educational and economic sectors as well as strengthens cross-border relations. It is the most befitting example of socio-economic progression. According to the 2015 UNWTO Report, up to data for 2014, the total export earnings from international tourism to the global economy were $1,522 billion US dollars.
6. Many corporate giants have gauged the popularity and lucrative opportunities of the tourist industry, making ventures across national and international destinations. The rhetoric hotelier and an avid play writer, Kuldeep Sondhi, possessing a trio of iconic hotels in Mosamba, Shimon in Kwale and Pemba Island in Tanzania, recalls tourism as a flourishing business in the past, though it is now in a relatively sorry state. Originally dedicated to a profession in aeronautical engineering, Sondhi joined his family's established businesses after two years of job as an aeronautical designer. That was in 1951. At the onset, there were apprehensions about entering an entirely new business avenue, the hospitality sector. However, two decades later, the outcome was visible in the creation of Reef Hotels.
7. Today, tourism is more of a recreational activity. Studies conducted by Mintel, a leading market intelligence agency (2005), ascertain that holidays are associated with quality time spent with family. Cultural holidays are also witnessing an upward trend, especially with retired individuals, though ageing and finance may be a restriction for some. The World Tourism Organization had issued a list of the most visited destinations in the year 2015. France is the favourite with 85 million tourists, followed by North America with 76 million visitors, Spain with 68 million and China with 57 million.
8. Ecotourism is gaining popularity among travellers keen on exploring pristine environments saved from the impact of conventional travel. According to Justin Francis, MD of Responsible Travel, which is one of the world's largest green travel companies, "In a conversation with many of our tourist clients, we learnt that they could acknowledge the benefits which the source country derived from tourism regarding generation of employment and conserving the cultural and opulent heritage. They are aware of the devastating effects of global warming. This poses a challenge to organise a trip keeping all these factors into consideration and not compromising the quality of the holiday."
9. Tourism seems to be a booming trade with a plethora of choices for the travel-hungry. Touri in future will re-shape itself to consider the emerging inclinations of people to explore new cuisine, culture, and sports. As a society, the increase in time off and disposable income will lead to the opening of new avenues for holidaying.

Questions 27-34

Following Reading Passage has eight paragraphs, A-H. 

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number, i-x, to answer the questions. 

List of Headings

• i. Wide-ranging significance of tourism industry
• ii. Transformation to continue
• iii. Travel destinations of the future
• iv. A diversion of interest became successful
• v. Changing objectives of tourism Increasing revenue from tourism
• vi. Increasing revenue from tourism
• vii. The original trendsetters
• viii. Affordability led to development and high returns
• ix. An opportunity for personal interaction and relaxation
• x. A reason for travel induces accountability

27. Paragraph A
28. Paragraph B
29. Paragraph C
30. Paragraph D
31. Paragraph E
32. Paragraph F
33. Paragraph G
34. Paragraph H

Questions 35-40

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage ?

• YES                  if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
• FALSE              if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
• NOT GIVEN      if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this.

35. The impacts of social instability can be stagnating for a long period.

36. Evidence of the past is a greater attraction today than it was in the previous centuries. 

37. Business owners are convinced of making solely regional investments in the travel sector.

38. People of different ages enjoy pleasure trips. 

39. Ecotourists help to save the environment in unconventional places.

40. Increased spending capacity of people will promote tourism in future.

Also check:

 IELTS Academic Reading Practice test 1- sample answer 

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IELTS academic reading practice test 2