Water Footprint- IELTS Reading Answers

Raajdeep Saha

5 min read

Updated On Oct 11, 2023

Reading Passage
Water Footprint Reading Answers Explanation

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The passage, ‘Water Footprint Reading Answers’ comprises a part of an IELTS General reading test.

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.

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, Water Footprint, pick out significant words, and recognize synonyms in order to provide a one-word response.

So, let’s see how easy this passage is for you. If not, try more IELTS reading practice tests.

The types of questions found in this passage are:

Sentence Completion (Q. 1)
Matching Information (Q. 2-7)

Do Matching Information questions confuse you?

No need to worry! Check the tips and ways to solve these question types, from the video below before you start practicing the given questions.

Reading Passage

You should spend less than 20 minutes on Questions 1-7, which are based on the Reading Passage below.

Water Footprint

Water is the basis of life, and on this planet, only a tiny share, less than one percent of all water, is available for nearly 7 billion people and a myriad of freshwater aquatic ecosystems. It’s that tiny share of freshwater that we have to use to meet all of our needs: irrigation, industry, drinking water, and sanitation, and the needs of thousands, if not millions, of other species that we share the planet with.

The average American lifestyle demands 1,800 gallons a day to support, with 70 percent of that going to support our diets. If each of us learned how to conserve just a little more water, it could add up to big savings. National Geographic’s Freshwater Fellow, Sandra Postel, thinks you should start with these simple changes:

Choose outdoor landscaping appropriate for your climate. Native plants and grasses that thrive on natural rainfall only are best. (Read more in National Geographic Green Guide’s “Plants That Will Suck Your Yard Dry.”)

Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators. Because you’re saving hot water, you’ll also reduce your energy bill. (More at “Bathroom Revamp: Savings by the Gallon.)

If you’re in the market for a toilet, buy a low-volume, ultra-low-volume, or dual-flush model. (Read Green Guide’s “Toilet Buying Guide.)

Fix leaky faucets. All those wasted drops add up — sometimes to 10-25 gallons a day. (Learn more on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s, or EPA’s, WaterSense website.)

Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when full. When it’s time to replace them, buy a water- and energy-efficient model. Remember, saving water saves energy, and saving energy saves water. (Read Green Guide’s “Dishwasher Buying Guide.)

Eat a bit less meat, especially beef. A typical hamburger can take 630 gallons to produce. (Learn more about the water embedded in your food with National Geographic’s “The Hidden Water We Use” interactive.)

Buy less stuff. Everything takes water to make. So if we buy less, we shrink our water footprint.

Recycle plastics, glass, metals, and paper. Buy reusable products rather than throw-away, as it takes water to make most everything.

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and washing the dishes. Shave a minute or two off your shower time. Millions of people doing even the little things make a difference.

Know the source of your drinking water: the river, lake, or aquifer that supplies your home. Once you know it, you’ll care about it. You just won’t want to waste water. (Find out more about your water sources with the EPA’s “Surf Your Watershed” interactive.)

Question 1

Complete the sentences below.

Choose ONLY ONE WORD from the text for each answer.

1 Currently, we can only use a very small……………of the total water supply.

Questions 2 – 7

The text has ten sections, A – J. Find the correct match.

Which section contains the following information?

2 about washing up………….

3 how much to buy…

4 bathroom habits……….

5 finding out where your consumable water comes from………….

6 buying a smaller-sized product…………..

7 the types of plants you should buy…………….

Water Footprint Reading Answers Explanation

1 Answer: share

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 1, line 1

Answer explanation: In the given location, it is given that “Water is the basis of life, and on this planet, only a tiny share, less than one percent of all water, is available for nearly 7 billion people and a myriad of freshwater aquatic ecosystems.”. This shows that at present we are using less than one percent of all water available, which is a very small share of the total water supply. Hence, the answer is ‘share’.

2 Answer: E