US Shale Gas Fracking – IELTS Reading Answers

The Reading Module of the IELTS can be the top-scoring category with diligent practice. To achieve the best results in this section, you must understand how to approach and answer the different question types in the Reading Module. By solving and reviewing sample reading questions from past IELTS papers, you can ensure that your reading skills are up to the mark.

The Academic passage, ‘US Shale Gas Fracking‘, is a reading passage that appeared in an IELTS Test. Since questions get repeated in the IELTS exam, these passages are ideal for practice. If you want more practice, try taking an IELTS reading practice test.

The US Shale Gas Fracking is a part of an IELTS Academic reading test. The question types found in this passage are:

• Matching Headings (Q. 1-8)
• Matching Features (Q.9-13)
• Multiple-Choice Questions (Q. 14)

Reading Passage 

US Shale Gas Fracking 

A We have had widespread drilling for oil and gas deposits for more than 100 years in the United States. Until the 1990’s, most of this recovery has occurred from conventional wells that were drilled down to rock formations, from which hydrocarbons could be pumped to the surface. The discovery of hydraulic fracking in the late 1940’s has long allowed companies to extract gas and oil from shale, but the perfection of these two techniques over the past few decades has allowed the process to become cost effective. There are numerous shale plays in the United States from which shale gas can be extracted, and firms are busy drilling wells in many areas of the country.

B Shale gas is natural methane in rock formations deep underground that, before fracking, was not feasible to extract. Its removal today depends on hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. Hydraulic fracturing is the use of pressure to force liquids containing proppants (often sand) into rock strata, so that hydrocarbons are available for extraction. Current technology uses water, sand, and miscellaneous fluids, all of which must be imported to the well site. A wellbore is drilled, and then the fracturing fluid is forced through holes in the casing into the plays. High pressures are used to create fissures where the proppants are deposited to hold fissures open, so that hydrocarbons can be released. Hydraulic fracturing occurs in a number of stages and the fracturing fluid is forced into a small portion of the wellbore at each stage. After the hydraulic fracturing is completed, some of the fracturing fluid comes back up the well. Because the flowback and wastewater from a well can be toxic, it must be disposed of in a manner that does not create any health, safety, or environmental problems. The underground areas from which the gas is extracted may be left with cavities, which in turn can sometimes cause ground subsidence.

C The development of American shale gas deposits has been accompanied by notable benefits and a significant impact on the American economy. Next year, it is estimated that the development of America’s shale gas resources will employ 869,000 people. The shale gas industry will have capital expenditures of $48 billion and pay more than $28 billion in federal and state taxes this year. Due to shale gas, the US is using less coal and the country’s electricity costs have been lowered by about ten per cent. Shale gas has also contributed to a decrease in imports of foreign natural gas.

D Yet not everything is positive. The development of shale gas resources is associated with its toxic pollutants and environmental problems. It needs to be mentioned that the American federal and state governments were not prepared for the problems that accompany shale gas development. A lack of sufficient regulatory oversight in the US when the industry began allowed some unfortunate situations and instances of damage that could have been prevented.

E Sites where wells are drilled for extracting shale gas often cover about two hectares and involve increased traffic, noise, light, dangerous equipment, and toxic chemicals. The activities and conditions at a site therefore create a potential for contamination and environmental degradation. The major risk involves damage from the toxic chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing. The fracking fluid is approximately 99.5 percent water and sand and 0.5 per cent additives used to enhance hydrocarbon recovery. An average of 5000 gallons of chemical additives may be used to frack a well and some of them are toxic. Since different chemicals and different amounts are used at each well, the toxicities may vary.

F Under US federal law, the chemicals used at a well are exempted from full reporting requirements. Under most state laws, the supplier or the service company of a fracturing operation must disclose information, unless the chemicals are claimed as a trade secret. Recently, it was estimated that in approximately two-thirds of the cases the complete chemical compositions were not reported. Chemical secrecy is a problem, because persons working at wells and persons who come into contact with chemicals used at a well do not have sufficient information to know whether they need medical attention. Without timely information of the chemicals involved in a spill or release, first responders to emergencies, health professionals, and property owners may lack key information for deciding what actions they should take.

G Issues are also being raised about the need for better management practices to reduce the risks that accompany shale gas development. Hundreds of best management practices have been identified to employ during energy development and extraction, but most of these are currently voluntary. In the absence of mandatory management practices covering all of the stages of shale gas development, there are not sufficient assurances that people and the environment are adequately protected against health and safety problems. By adopting more mandatory management practices, the industry may be able to reduce the risks and shale gas development would be beneficial overall.The American experiences can be helpful in discerning whether other countries might proceed with shale gas development. The activities connected with developing shale gas can be assessed to learn about the risks, dangers, and problems that need to be addressed. Then, existing laws and regulations can be evaluated to determine their probable success in addressing the risks. Additional regulations can be developed if they are needed and firms can be required to adopt best management practices. Governments can require disclosure of dangerous materials and establish funding mechanisms to pay for regulatory oversight and for collecting monies to be used to remedy future damages caused by fracking.

Questions 1-8

1   Not all chemicals used for fracking are poisonous.
2  Shale gas is found deep under the ground.
3  At present, recommended management practices for fracking companies are not compulsory.
4  The US government did not initially enforce enough control on the fracking industry.
5  Fracking techniques have been available since the 1940’s.
6  Finance should be set aside to pay for future problems that fracking might create.
7  Some companies do not publicize the chemicals that they use for fracking.
8  Using shale gas has reduced US expenditure on electricity generation.

Questions 9-13

Which of the following sentences below accurately describe disadvantages to the US shale gas fracking industry?

A Toxic liquid can flow up a drilling installation and potentially create pollution.
B Underground gas explosions can be a risk to local communities.
C The ground over the fracking areas can sometimes become unsafe.
D Oil deposits can sometimes be lost during gas fracking.
E Fracking installations generate additional traffic pollution.
F Excess light can be present at fracking installations.
G Sand used in fracking can pollute the water table.
H Workers contaminated during fracking operations can have correct treatment delayed.
I Tax dollars are taken out of the country by overseas extraction companies.

9 …………………….10 …………………..11 …………………..12 …………………..13 …………………..

Question 14

What is the writer’s purpose in the Reading Passage?

A To analyse the government’s role in US fracking.

B To criticise US fracking techniques.

C To compare US and European fracking methods.

D To provide an overview of the benefits and risks of US fracking.

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US Shale Gas Fracking Reading Answer Explanations:

• Answer: E

Question type: Matching headingAnswer Location: Paragraph EAnswer Explanation: The fracking process involves using an average of 5000 gallons of chemical additives, some of which can be toxic. The toxicity levels vary because different chemicals and amounts are used in different wells. The answer is found in the last four lines of paragraph E.

• Answer: B

Question type: Matching headingAnswer Location: Paragraph BAnswer Explanation: The Shale gas is essentially natural methane trapped in deep underground rock formations. This information is located in the opening sentence of paragraph B.

• Answer: G

Question type: Matching headingAnswer Location: Paragraph GAnswer Explanation: Implementing more mandatory management practices within the industry can potentially reduce risks associated with shale gas development, making it more beneficial overall. This answer can be located in the final two lines of paragraph G.

• Answer: D

Question type: Matching headingAnswer Location: Paragraph DAnswer Explanation: The American federal and state governments were unprepared for the challenges brought about by shale gas development. Initially, there was insufficient regulatory oversight, leading to preventable problems and damage. This information is found in lines 2-6 of paragraph D.

• Answer: A

Question type: Matching headingAnswer Location: Paragraph AAnswer Explanation: Hydraulic fracking, a method for extracting gas and oil from shale, was discovered in the late 1940s. This fact can be found in lines 4-5 of paragraph A.

• Answer: H

Question type: Matching headingAnswer Location: Paragraph HAnswer Explanation: Governments have the authority to demand the disclosure of hazardous materials used in fracking and establish funding mechanisms for regulatory oversight and addressing future damages caused by fracking. This information is provided in the final three lines of paragraph H.

• Answer: F

Question type: Matching headingAnswer Location: Paragraph FAnswer Explanation: The supplier or service company involved in a fracturing operation must disclose information about the chemicals used, unless these chemicals are claimed as trade secrets. This information is available in lines 2-3 of paragraph F.

• Answer: C

Question type: Matching headingAnswer Location: Paragraph CAnswer Explanation: The increased use of shale gas in the US has led to a reduction in coal consumption and a corresponding decrease in electricity costs by approximately ten percent. This information can be found in lines 5-6 of paragraph C.

• Answer: A

Question type: Matching featuresAnswer Location: Paragraph DAnswer Explanation: The development of shale gas resources is associated with the presence of toxic pollutants and environmental problems. This information can be located in lines 1-2 of paragraph D.

• Answer: C

Question type: Matching featuresAnswer Location: Paragraph BAnswer Explanation: The extraction of gas from underground shale formations can result in cavities being left behind, which may occasionally lead to ground subsidence. This information is presented in the final three lines of paragraph B.

• Answer: E

Question type: Matching featuresAnswer Location: Paragraph EAnswer Explanation: Sites where shale gas wells are drilled often encompass an area of approximately two hectares and involve various disruptions, including increased traffic, noise, light, dangerous equipment, and toxic chemicals. This data is found in the first two lines of paragraph E.

• Answer: F

Question type: Matching featuresAnswer Location: Paragraph E
Answer Explanation: Sites where shale gas wells are drilled often encompass an area of approximately two hectares and involve various disruptions, including increased traffic, noise, light, dangerous equipment, and toxic chemicals. This information is located in the first two lines of paragraph E.

• Answer: H

Question type: Matching featuresAnswer Location: Paragraph FAnswer Explanation: The issue of chemical secrecy is concerning because individuals working at well sites and those exposed to these chemicals lack adequate information to determine if they require medical attention. This explanation can be located in lines 5-7 of paragraph F.

• Answer: D

Question type: Multiple-choice questionAnswer Location: Paragraph CAnswer Explanation: The development of American shale gas deposits has had significant benefits and a notable impact on the United States. This information is found in lines 1-2 of paragraph C.

Tips for Answering the Question Types in the US Shale Gas Fracking Reading Passage Matching Headings: You must match the heading in this type of question to the appropriate paragraph or reading segment in the text. Your ability to figure out the paragraph’s key concept and its supporting ideas will be put to the test.

• Take your time to rephrase the potential headings’ keywords.
• Find the main idea by scanning and skimming the paragraphs. Sometimes the essential idea of the paragraph is expressed in the header.
• For clarification on the paragraph’s main idea, see the first and last sentences. Likewise, quickly scan the middle of the paragraph to make sure you comprehend it.
• Don’t try to match words. Your primary goal is to match a correct paragraph.
• Choose the heading that best fits the paragraph after reading it again if two seem to be appropriate.
• The number of headings will always be greater than the number of paragraphs or sections, therefore some headings will never be utilized.

Check out: How to Finish 3 IELTS Reading Comprehension in Less Than 60 Mins?Matching Features:In IELTS Reading Matching Features questions, you match statements to features or names from a passage. The statements are paraphrased and in a different order than the information in the passage. There are more options to choose from than there are questions. Here are some tips for answering IELTS Reading Matching Features questions:

• Read the instructions carefully to make sure you understand what you are being asked to do.
• Skim the passage first to get a general idea of the topic and the different sections of the passage.
• Read the features and statements carefully to make sure you understand what they mean.
• Highlight the keywords in the features and statements.
• Eliminate the wrong answers first.

Multiple-Choice Questions:You will be given a reading passage followed by several questions based on the information in the paragraph in multiple-choice questions. Your task is to understand the question and compare it to the paragraph in order to select the best solution from the available possibilities.

• Before reading the passage, read the question and select the keywords. Check the keyword possibilities if the question statement is short on information.
• Then, using the keywords, read the passage to find the relevant information.
• To select the correct option, carefully read the relevant words and match them with each option.
• You will find several options with keywords that do not correspond to the information.
• Try opting for the elimination method mostly.
• Find the best option by matching the meaning rather than just the keywords.

Ace Multiple Choice Question Types for IELTS Reading with this guide!

Also Read: IELTS Reading TopicsHere are some of the latest IELTS Reading topics which are more popular and also these topics have recently appeared in the IELTS exam.

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