Fuel Cells 21st Century Electricity – IELTS Reading Answer

The Academic passage, ‘Fuel Cells 21st Century Electricity’, is a reading passage that consists of 10 questions.

The Reading Module can be the top-scoring category for IELTS aspirants with diligent practice. To score well, you must understand how to approach and answer the different question types in the Reading Module.

Ideally, you should not spend more than 20 minutes on the passage ‘Fuel Cells 21st Century Electricity.’ You must scan the material for important terms, comprehend the subject, and then respond in accordance with the instructions. Also, read the IELTS reading passage, pick out significant words, and recognize synonyms in order to provide a one-word response.

So, let’s see how easy this passage ‘Fuel Cells 21st Century Electricity‘ is for you and if you’re able to make it in 20 minutes. If not, try more IELTS reading practice tests.

The question types found in this passage are:

• Short Answer Type Questions (Q. 1-5)
• Yes/No/Not Given (Q. 6-10)

Also, you can watch this video for a better understanding of how to solve Yes/No/Not Given questions.

Reading Passage

Fuel Cells 21st Century Electricity

A The 21st century’s leading energy source may very well depend on the development of a technology that was first discovered in 1839. Indeed, many experts believe that the future of electricity generation will not come from the further refinement of solar, wind, coal, or energy, but from fuel cells. Among the various types of fuel cells, the ceramic or solid created during the process could be used to oxide fuel cell promises to achieve the greatest efficiency of conversion of fossil fuels such as gas and coal to electricity while producing only very low levels of pollutants. To this end, a consortium comprising five leading organizations has established Ceramic Fuels Ltd., initially to expand fuel cell research and development and secondly, to bring the technology to commercial application.

B Ceramic fuel cells are electrochemical devices that directly convert fuels such as gasified coal or natural gas into electricity without the limitation of the Carnot cycle (an ideal thermodynamic cycle in which heat is taken onto a working fluid at a constant upper temperature and rejected at a constant lower temperature). In many respects, fuel cells work like batteries. As long as they are constantly supplied with fuel and oxidants, fuel cells can continuously produce power, removing the need for recharging.

C Fuel cells offer several advantages over traditional thermal power plants. The major difference between these two power generators is that the chemical energy of the fuel cell is converted directly to electrical power without intermediate conversion first to heat. The efficiency of a coal-fired thermal plant is typically in the range of 30%-35%. In a combined cycle gas turbine system running on natural gas, the maximum efficiency is in the range of 45%-50%. Many experts believe high-temperature fuel cells could reach efficiencies of 80%-85%. Ceramic fuel cells thus offering a more efficient and less polluting alternative to current power generation technologies.

D By-products from fuel cells are high-quality heat, carbon dioxide, and steam. The temperature of the exhaust gases is well above 500″ C, meaning that solid oxide fuel cells are very attractive for electricity and heat generation as, in addition to supplying nuclear electricity, the leftover amounts of heat produce heat for industries, provide hot water supplies or warm buildings.

E Fuel cell technology is not new. In fact, the principles of fuel cell operation were first reported by British scientist Sir William Grove in 1839. His prototype used dilute sulphuric acid and operated at room temperature Ceramic fuel cells developed much later, with the first one operating at 1000° C in 1937.

F Ceramic fuel cells offer many advantages over other energy systems

• they have the potential to produce electricity efficiently from several Kiel sources
• they can generate large amounts of electricity
• they are relatively quick to install 

G Fuel cell research and development is extremely competitive worldwide, with the USA, Japan, and some European countries leading the charge to commercialize this promising technology. For instance, a Dutch Belgian company has developed a fuel cell for a Volkswagen van and is also working on a larger unit to power a bus. Additionally, a German company is working on a fuel cell for the European space shuttle program and for submarines, while a Canadian company is evaluating a fuel cell to be used in small buses.

H Recent reports point to promising large international markets for ceramic fuel cells. Prospects for fuel cells in South East Asian markets appear good. Several countries including Indonesia, Thailand, and The Philippines are expected to demonstrate high rates of growth in demand for power an encouraging situation for those countries quick enough to develop and commercialize fuel cell technology. 

I Energy is a vital component of a technology-based society and the growing need for electricity generation by the most efficient method will ensure a promising future for ceramic fuel cell technology. The Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd initiative represents a major collaborative venture between the public and private sectors. It is envisaged that this venture will go a long way towards achieving greater efficiency of energy use worldwide.

Questions 1-5

1 Which group has predicted a significant change in future energy generation?

2 Fuel cells are positive for the environment because they release minimal amounts of which substances?

3 Which common energy sources have been compared to fuel cells?

4 What is the potential percentage game in efficiency when comparing old-style energy generators and fuel cells?

5 When were ceramic fuel cells first used?

Questions 6-10

An example has been given to you:

6 Future transport vehicles may be powered by fuel cells

7 European companies were first in the race to develop fuel cell technology

8 Some rapidly developing Southeast Asian countries will soon market fuel cells

9 Indonesia has an enormous need for fossil fuels

10 Cooperation between private companies and governments will encourage wider use of efficient energy sources

Answers to Fuel Cells 21st Century Electricity Reading Answer with Explanation

1 (many) experts

Answer Location: Para C, Line 5.

Answer Explanation: Many experts believe high-temperature fuel cells could reach efficiencies of 80%-85%. Ceramic fuel cells thus offering a more efficient and less polluting alternative to current power generation technologies.

2 Pollutant

Answer Location: Para A, Line 3.

Answer Explanation: Among the various types of fuel cells, the ceramic or solid created during the process could be used to oxide fuel cell promises to achieve the greatest efficiency of conversion of fossil fuels such as gas and coal to electricity while producing only very low levels of pollutants.

3 batteries

Answer Location: Para B, Line 2.

Answer Explanation: In many respects, fuel cells work like batteries. As long as they are constantly supplied with fuel and oxidants, fuel cells can continuously produce power, removing the need for recharging.

4 50%

Answer Location: Para C, Line 4.

Answer Explanation: In a combined cycle gas turbine system running on natural gas, the maximum efficiency is in the range of 45%-50%.

5 1937

Answer Location: Para E, Line 2.

Answer Explanation: His prototype used dilute sulphuric acid and operated at room temperature Ceramic fuel cells developed much later, with the first one operating at 1000° C in 1937.

Tips for Answering the Question Types in Fuel Cells 21st Century Electricity Reading Passage

Short Answer Type Questions

1. Read the instructions carefully: Start by reading the instructions for the short answer questions. Ensure you understand the word limit and whether you need to use singular or plural forms.
2. Scan the passage: Quickly skim through the passage to identify the relevant paragraph or section containing the information needed to answer the question. Pay attention to keywords and synonyms.
3. Focus on question words: Look for question words like “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why,” and “how.” These words will guide you in finding the specific information you need.
4. Paraphrase and summarize: Rewrite the information from the passage in your own words while staying within the word limit. Be concise and accurate. Avoid copying entire sentences.
5. Check your spelling and grammar: Mistakes in spelling and grammar can cost you points, so review your answers for errors before moving on to the next question.

Yes/No/Not Given Questions

1. Read the instructions carefully: Before you start reading the passage, make sure you understand the task. In Yes/No/Not Given questions, you are asked to determine whether the information in the statement matches the information in the passage (Yes), contradicts the information (No), or if there is no information about it in the passage (Not Given).
2. Focus on the statement: Begin by carefully reading the statement provided in the question. Pay close attention to any keywords or phrases that are critical to understanding the statement.
3. Skim the passage: Quickly skim through the passage to get a sense of its main ideas and structure. You don’t need to read it in detail at this stage; just try to identify where the relevant information might be located.
4. Cross-reference: When you find the relevant part of the passage that relates to the statement, cross-reference it with the statement. Ask yourself if the information in the passage confirms the statement (Yes), contradicts it (No), or if there is no information about it (Not Given).
5. Be cautious with “Not Given”: If you cannot find a clear confirmation or contradiction in the passage, mark the answer as “Not Given.” Avoid making assumptions or guesses; the information must be explicitly stated in the passage to be considered a “Yes” or “No” response.

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