Indoor Pollution - IELTS Reading Answers

The “Indoor Pollution” IELTS Academic Reading passage is an excellent practice resource for candidates preparing for the IELTS Reading test. It helps learners become familiar with the type of passages they may encounter in the exam, as well as the level of difficulty involved. By attempting the Indoor Pollution IELTS Reading Answers, candidates can develop essential reading skills such as skimming, scanning, and identifying key information. This passage includes question types like Multiple Choice Questions and Matching Features, allowing test-takers to practise different strategies required to perform well in the IELTS Reading section.

The question types in this Reading Passage include:

• Multiple Choice Questions (Q. 1-6)
• Matching Features (Q. 7-13)

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Indoor Pollution - ELTS Reading Passage

Since the early eighties, we have been only too aware of the devastating effects of large-scale environmental pollution. Such pollution is generally the result of poor government planning in many developing nations or the short-sighted, selfish policies of the already industrialized countries which encourage a minority of the world’s population to squander the majority of its natural resources.

While events such as the deforestation of the Amazon jungle or the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl continue to receive high media exposure, as do acts of environmental sabotage, it must be remembered that not all pollution is on this grand scale. A large proportion of the world’s pollution has its source much closer to home. The recent spillage of crude oil from an oil tanker accidentally discharging its cargo straight into Sydney Harbour not only caused serious damage to the harbour foreshores but also created severely toxic fumes which hung over the suburbs for days and left the angry residents wondering how such a disaster could have been allowed to happen.

Avoiding pollution can be a full­time job. Try not to inhale traffic fumes; keep away from chemical plants and building-sites; wear a mask when cycling. It is enough to make you want to stay at home. But that, according to a growing body of scientific evidence, would also be a bad idea. Research shows that levels of pollutants such as hazardous gases, particulate matter and other chemical ‘nasties’ are usually higher indoors than out, even in the most polluted cities. Since the average American spends 18 hours indoors for every hour outside, it looks as though many environmentalists may be attacking the wrong target.

The latest study, conducted by two environmental engineers, Richard Corsi and Cynthia Howard-Reed, of the University of Texas in Austin, and published in Environmental Science and Technology, suggests that it is the process of keeping clean that may be making indoor pollution worse. The researchers found that baths, showers, dishwashers and washing machines can all be significant sources of indoor pollution, because they extract trace amounts of chemicals from the water that they use and transfer them to the air.

Nearly all public water supplies contain very low concentrations of toxic chemicals, most of them left over from the otherwise beneficial process of chlorination. Dr. Corsi wondered whether they stay there when water is used, or whether they end up in the air that people breathe. The team conducted a series of experiments in which known quantities of five such chemicals were mixed with water and passed through a dishwasher, a washing machine, a shower head inside a shower stall or a tap in a bath, all inside a specially designed chamber. The levels of chemicals in the effluent water and in the air extracted from the chamber were then measured to see how much of each chemical had been transferred from the water into the air.

The degree to which the most volatile elements could be removed from the water, a process known as chemical stripping, depended on a wide range of factors, including the volatility of the chemical, the temperature of the water and the surface area available for transfer. Dishwashers were found to be particularly effective: the high-temperature spray, splashing against the crockery and cutlery, results in a nasty plume of toxic chemicals that escapes when the door is opened at the end of the cycle.

In fact, in many cases, the degree of exposure to toxic chemicals in tap water by inhalation is comparable to the exposure that would result from drinking the stuff. This is significant because many people are so concerned about water-borne pollutants that they drink only bottled water, worldwide sales of which are forecast to reach $72 billion by next year. D. Corsi’s results suggest that they are being exposed to such pollutants anyway simply by breathing at home.

The aim of such research is not, however, to encourage the use of gas masks when unloading the washing. Instead, it is to bring a sense of perspective to the debate about pollution. According to Dr Corsi, disproportionate effort is wasted campaigning against certain forms of outdoor pollution, when there is as much or more cause for concern indoors, right under people’s noses.

Using gas cookers or burning candles, for example, both result in indoor levels of carbon monoxide and particulate matter that are just as high as those to be found outside, amid heavy traffic. Overcrowded classrooms whose ventilation systems were designed for smaller numbers of children frequently contain levels of carbon dioxide that would be regarded as unacceptable on board a submarine. ‘New car smell’ is the result of high levels of toxic chemicals, not cleanliness. Laser printers, computers, carpets and paints all contribute to the noxious indoor mix.

The implications of indoor pollution for health are unclear. But before worrying about the problems caused by large-scale industry, it makes sense to consider the small-scale pollution at home and welcome international debate about this. Scientists investigating indoor pollution will gather next month in Edinburgh at the Indoor Air conference to discuss the problem. Perhaps unwisely, the meeting is being held indoors.

Indoor Pollution - ELTS Reading Questions

1. In the first paragraph, the writer argues that pollution

1. has increased since the eighties.
2. is at its worst in industrialized countries.
3. results from poor relations between nations.
4. is caused by human self-interest.

2. The Sydney Harbour oil spill was the result of a

1. ship refueling in the harbor.
2. tanker pumping oil into the sea.
3. collision between two oil tankers.
4. deliberate act of sabotage.

3. In the 3rd paragraph the writer suggests that

1. people should avoid working in cities.
2. Americans spend too little time outdoors.
3. hazardous gases are concentrated in industrial suburbs.
4. there are several ways to avoid city pollution.

4. The Corsi research team hypothesized that

1. toxic chemicals can pass from air to water.
2. pollution is caused by dishwashers and baths.
3. city water contains insufficient chlorine.
4. household appliances are poorly designed.

5. As a result of their experiments, Dr Corsi’s team found that

1. dishwashers are very efficient machines.
2. tap water is as polluted as bottled water.
3. indoor pollution rivals outdoor pollution.
4. gas masks are a useful protective device.

6. Regarding the dangers of pollution, the writer believes that

1. there is a need for rational discussion.
2. indoor pollution is a recent phenomenon.
3. people should worry most about their work environment.
4. industrial pollution causes specific diseases.

List A: CAUSES

7. Industrialised nations use a lot of energy.
8. Oil spills into the sea.
9. The researchers publish their findings.
10. Water is brought to a high temperature.
11. People fear pollutants in tap water.
12. Air conditioning systems are inadequate.
13. Toxic chemicals are abundant in new cars.

List B: EFFECTS

1. The focus of pollution moves to the home.
2. The levels of carbon monoxide rise.
3. The world’s natural resources are unequally shared.
4. People demand an explanation.
5. Environmentalists look elsewhere for an explanation.
6. Chemicals are effectively stripped from the water.
7. A clean odour is produced.
8. Sales of bottled water increase.
9. The levels of carbon dioxide rise.
10. The chlorine content of drinking water increased.

Indoor Pollution IELTS Reading Answers with Location and Explanation

Don’t miss the answer key for the Indoor Pollution IELTS Reading passage, complete with detailed explanations, and prepare to score a high IELTS Reading band score.

1 Answer: D

Question type: Multiple Choice Question 

Answer locations: Paragraph A

Answer explanations: Paragraph A indicates that large-scale environmental pollution is mostly the result of (caused by) poor government planning in many developing nations or the short-sighted, selfish policies of the already industrialized countries (both are examples of human self-interest) which encourage a minority of the world’s population to squander the majority of its natural resources. Hence, the answer is D (is caused by human self-interest).

2 Answer: B

Question type: Multiple Choice Question 

Answer locations: Paragraph B 

Answer explanations: Paragraph B brings forward the fact that the recent spillage of crude oil from an oil tanker accidentally led to pumping of oil into Sydney Harbour (the sea). It not only caused serious damage to the harbour foreshores but also created severely toxic fumes which hung over the suburbs for days. Hence, the answer is B (tanker pumping oil into the sea).

3 Answer: D

Question type: Multiple Choice Question 

Answer locations: Paragraph C

Answer explanations: Paragraph C mentions that avoiding pollution can be a full­time job. Some of the ways that the author has listed to avoid city pollution are – trying not to inhale traffic fumes, keeping away from chemical plants and building-sites and wearing a mask when cycling. Hence, the answer is D (there are several ways to avoid city pollution).

4 Answer: B

Question type: Multiple Choice Question 

Answer locations: Paragraph D

Answer explanations: Paragraph D explains that Richard Corsi and Cynthia Howard-Reed, of the University of Texas in Austin (Corsi research team) suggests (hypothesised) that it is the process of keeping clean that may be making indoor pollution worse. The researchers found that baths, showers, dishwashers and washing machines can all be significant sources of indoor pollution, because they extract trace amounts of chemicals from the water that they use and transfer them to the air. So, it can be said that dishwashers and baths are some of the reasons for indoor pollution. Hence, the answer is B (pollution is caused by dishwashers and baths).

5 Answer: C 

Question type: Multiple Choice Question 

Answer locations: Paragraph H

Answer explanations: Paragraph H points out that according to Dr Corsi, disproportionate effort is wasted campaigning against certain forms of outdoor pollution, when there is as much or more cause for concern indoors, right under people’s noses. From this, we can conclude that the increase in indoor pollution remains unnoticed but it can easily compete with the outdoor pollution which gets all the attention. Hence, the answer is C (indoor pollution rivals outdoor pollution).

6 Answer: A 

Question type: Multiple Choice Question 

Answer locations: Paragraph J

Answer explanations: Paragraph J states that the implications of indoor pollution (dangers of pollution) for health are unclear. But before worrying about the problems caused by large-scale industry, it makes sense to consider small-scale pollution at home and welcome international debate about this. So, in spite of panicking from the beginning, there is a need for rational discussion, both at home and on an international basis. Hence, the answer is A (there is a need for rational discussion).

7 Answer: C

Question type: Matching Features 

Answer locations: Paragraph A 

Answer explanations: Paragraph A lets out the fact that pollution is the result of poor government planning in many developing nations or the short-sighted, selfish policies of the already industrialised countries which encourage a minority of the world’s population to squander the majority of its natural resources. Majority nations are using their resources for their industries and the government is not taking proper steps to control them. Moreover, many countries have already become industrialised by using their resources. But the minor populations have not become industrialised as they have less  resources and are being encouraged to squander whatever resources they have. So, we can conclude that the industrialised nations have more resources (and so they are ‘already’ industrialised) and the smaller countries have less resources which creates an unequal sharing of resources among the countries. Hence, the answer is C (The world’s natural resources are unequally shared).

8 Answer: D 

Question type: Matching Features 

Answer locations: Paragraph B

Answer explanations: Paragraph B informs about the recent spillage of crude oil from an oil tanker accidentally discharging its cargo straight into Sydney Harbour. This has left the angry residents (people) wondering how such a disaster could have been allowed to happen and demanding an explanation of the cause and effects of the oil spill. Hence, the answer is D (People demand an explanation).

9 Answer: A

Question type: Matching Features 

Answer locations: Paragraph D

Answer explanations: Paragraph D deals with the fact that the latest study was conducted by two environmental engineers, Richard Corsi and Cynthia Howard-Reed, of the University of Texas in Austin and published their findings in Environmental Science and Technology. It suggests that it is the process of keeping clean that may be making indoor pollution worse, that is, in the process of keeping our homes clean we are causing indoor pollution. Hence, the answer is A (The focus of pollution moves to the home).

10 Answer: F 

Question type: Matching Features 

Answer locations: Paragraph F 

Answer explanations: Paragraph F relates that dishwashers were found to be particularly effective: the high-temperature spray (water is brought to a high temperature), splashing against the crockery and cutlery, results in a nasty plume of toxic chemicals that escapes (chemicals are removed or stripped from the water) when the door is opened at the end of the cycle. Hence, the answer is F (Chemicals are effectively stripped from the water).

11 Answer: H

Question type: Matching Features 

Answer locations: Paragraph G

Answer explanations: Paragraph G specifies that in many cases, the degree of exposure to toxic chemicals in tap water by inhalation is comparable to the exposure that would result from drinking the stuff. It is important because many people are so concerned about water-borne pollutants that they drink only bottled water which has resulted in worldwide sales of which are forecast to reach $72 billion by next year. So, the concern of pollutants in tap water has made people shift to the use of bottled water which has increased its sales. Hence, the answer is H (Sales of bottled water increase).

12 Answer: I

Question type: Matching Features 

Answer locations: Paragraph I

Answer explanations: Paragraph I make it known that overcrowded classrooms use ventilation systems which were designed for smaller numbers of children frequently contain levels of carbon dioxide that would be regarded as unacceptable on board a submarine. This helps us to conclude that the inadequacy of the air conditioning systems to handle the higher number of students in the classroom is causing a rise of carbon dioxide to a level that is unacceptable even in submarines. Hence, the answer is I (The levels of carbon dioxide rise).

13 Answer: G

Question type: Matching Features 

Answer locations: Paragraph I

Answer explanations: Paragraph I tells us that the ‘new car smell’ is the result of high levels of toxic chemicals (toxic chemicals are abundant in new cars.), not cleanliness. In reality, the odour, which we suppose is clean, from a new car is due to the presence of high levels of toxic chemicals. Hence, the answer is G (A clean odour is produced).

Tips to Ace Indoor Pollution - ELTS Reading Answers

Let us check out some quick IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ to answer the types of questions in the Reading Answers. 

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Read the question carefully first
   Understand exactly what is being asked before looking at the options to avoid confusion.

2. Identify keywords and scan the passage
   Use important words from the question to locate the relevant part of the text quickly.

3. Beware of distractors
   Some options may contain similar words from the passage but do not answer the question correctly. Focus on meaning.

4. Eliminate incorrect options
   Remove clearly wrong answers to increase your chances of selecting the correct one.

5. Check the full context
   Ensure your chosen answer fits the overall meaning of the passage, not just a single sentence.

Matching Features

1. Understand the task requirements
   You may need to match statements to people, places, or items—know what you are matching.

2. Scan for names or key features
   Proper nouns and unique terms are easier to locate in the passage.

3. Look for paraphrasing
   The wording in the passage will differ from the question, so focus on similar meanings.

4. Expect repetition
   One option (e.g., a person or place) may be used more than once unless stated otherwise.

5. Keep track of your answers
   Double-check to ensure you haven’t missed any options or matched incorrectly.

In conclusion, practising the “Indoor Pollution” IELTS Reading passage is highly beneficial for improving reading comprehension and exam readiness. By working through Multiple Choice Questions and Matching Features, candidates can enhance their ability to analyze information, recognize paraphrasing, and select accurate answers. Regular practice with such passages not only improves speed and accuracy but also builds confidence, helping IELTS aspirants achieve a higher band score in the Reading test.

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