IELTS Reading Mock Tests

Passage excerpt: "The laws of thermodynamics govern the behaviour of energy, heat, and work in physical systems. The first law, also known as the law of conservation of energy, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. The total energy of an isolated system remains constant. The second law states that the entropy (disorder) of an isolated system always increases over time. This means that energy transformations are never 100% efficient, and some energy is always lost as heat. The third law states that as the temperature of a system approaches absolute zero (−273.15°C), the entropy of the system approaches a constant minimum. These laws have profound implications for everything from engines and refrigerators to the ultimate fate of the universe." Complete the sentence based on the passage: According to the second law of thermodynamics, energy transformations are never 100% efficient because ______. a) energy cannot be created or destroyed b) entropy always decreases in an isolated system c) some energy is always lost as heat d) absolute zero cannot be reached

Passage excerpt: "The phenomenon of quiet quitting — where employees do the minimum required by their job description — has gained significant attention since the pandemic. Sociologists argue that quiet quitting reflects a broader shift in worker attitudes toward career commitment. Unlike traditional employment relationships where loyalty was exchanged for job security, the modern workplace demands a renegotiation of the psychological contract between employer and employee. Research from the Harvard Business Review indicates that 75% of millennials report feeling disengaged at work, citing lack of recognition and limited growth opportunities as primary factors. However, critics counter that quiet quitting is not a new phenomenon but rather a rebranding of long-standing workplace behaviors, and that the real issue lies in management practices rather than generational attitudes." The writer suggests that quiet quitting is fundamentally different from past workplace behaviors. a) YES b) NO c) NOT GIVEN

Passage excerpt: "The practice of meditation has moved from the margins of Western science to its mainstream over the past three decades. Initially dismissed as a mystical practice with no scientific basis, meditation is now supported by a growing body of research demonstrating its benefits for mental and physical health. Studies have shown that regular meditation can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve attention span, and even alter the structure of the brain. The mindfulness-based stress reduction program developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts in 1979 remains one of the most widely studied and evidence-based meditation interventions." What does the passage suggest about the scientific study of meditation? a) It has always been accepted by the scientific community. b) It has gained credibility through empirical research in recent decades. c) It is primarily effective for treating mystical experiences. d) It was first studied in the United States in the 1990s.

Passage excerpt: "The concept of lifelong learning has gained increasing attention in recent years as the nature of work continues to evolve. Automation and artificial intelligence are transforming industries, making certain jobs obsolete while creating demand for new skills. A report by the World Economic Forum estimates that 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025 to keep pace with technological change. Traditional education models, where learning occurs primarily in childhood and early adulthood, are no longer sufficient. Instead, continuous education through online courses, professional workshops, and workplace training programs has become essential for career sustainability." The traditional education model is still sufficient for most workers. a) TRUE b) FALSE c) NOT GIVEN

Passage excerpt: "Some economists argue that universal basic income (UBI) would reduce work incentives and lead to widespread unemployment. However, pilot programs in Finland, Canada, and Kenya have shown mixed but generally positive results. In Finland's two-year trial, recipients reported lower stress and better mental health, though employment levels remained largely unchanged. Critics of UBI also point to the enormous cost of implementing such a program, estimating it could require up to 20% of a nation's GDP. Proponents counter that UBI could reduce spending on bureaucratic welfare administration and that automation-driven job displacement makes it an economic necessity rather than a luxury." The writer believes that UBI would definitely increase unemployment. a) YES b) NO c) NOT GIVEN

Passage excerpt: "The human brain contains approximately 86 billion neurons, each connected to thousands of others through synapses. These neural connections form the basis of all brain function, including thought, memory, and emotion. The process of neuroplasticity allows the brain to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This means that the brain can adapt to new experiences, learn new information, and recover from injury. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for complex thinking and decision-making, is one of the last brain regions to fully mature, often not reaching full development until a person is in their mid-twenties." Until approximately what age does the prefrontal cortex typically reach full development? a) Mid-twenties b) Early twenties c) Late teens d) Thirties

Passage excerpt: "The practice of crop rotation has been used for thousands of years, but its scientific explanation is relatively recent. In simple terms, crop rotation involves planting different types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons. This practice helps maintain soil fertility, reduces soil erosion, and increases crop yields by preventing the buildup of pests and diseases that thrive when the same crop is grown repeatedly. The Norfolk four-course rotation system, which alternated wheat, turnips, barley, and clover, was instrumental in boosting agricultural productivity in 18th-century Britain and is still widely used today." According to the passage, why does crop rotation prevent the buildup of pests and diseases? a) It introduces natural predators of pests into the farming environment. b) Different crops disrupt the life cycles of pests that specialize in specific plants. c) It uses chemical pesticides that eliminate all pests. d) Crops are planted in different locations each season.

Passage excerpt: "The Mandela Effect, named after a false memory that Nelson Mandela died in prison in the 1980s, occurs when a large group of people remember something differently from how it actually happened. The term was coined by science fiction writer Fiona Broome in 2009 after she discovered that many other people shared her memory of Mandela dying in prison, even though he was released from prison in 1990 and became South Africa's president before dying in 2013. Possible explanations for the Mandela Effect include confabulation, source confusion, and the suggestibility of human memory. Some researchers suggest that false memories can be implanted through repeated exposure to incorrect information." What is the Mandela Effect? a) A phenomenon where Nelson Mandela remembered events differently from historical records. b) A phenomenon where a large group of people remember something differently from how it actually happened. c) A scientific theory explaining parallel universes and alternate realities. d) A psychological condition affecting only prisoners who have been held for long periods.