IELTS Reading - US Shale Gas Fracking

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the letter. (e.g. A)

1. Using shale gas has reduced US expenditure on electricity generation.

Answer explanation

Due to shale gas, the US is using less coal and the country’s electricity costs have been lowered by about ten percent. The given answer is located in the 5-6 lines of paragraph C

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the letter. (e.g. A)

2. Some companies do not publicize the chemicals that they use for fracking.

Answer explanation

The supplier or the service company of a fracturing operation must disclose information unless the chemicals are claimed as a trade secret. The given answer is located in the  2-3 lines of paragraph F. 

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the letter. (e.g. A)

3. Finance should be set aside to pay for future problems that fracking might create.

Answer explanation

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. The given answer is located in the last 3 lines of paragraph H. 

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the letter. (e.g. A)

4. Fracking techniques have been available since the 1940’s.

Answer explanation

The discovery of hydraulic fracking in the late 1940’s has long allowed companies to extract gas and oil from shale. The given answer is located in the 4-5 lines of paragraph A.

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the letter. (e.g. A)

5. The US government did not initially enforce enough control on the fracking industry.

Answer explanation

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. The given answer is located in the 2-6 lines of paragraph D.

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the letter. (e.g. A)

6. At present, recommended management practices for fracking companies are not compulsory.

Answer explanation

By adopting more mandatory management practices, the industry may be able to reduce the risks and shale gas development would be beneficial overall. The given answer is located in the last 2 lines of paragraph G.

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the letter. (e.g. A)

7. Shale gas is found deep under the ground.

Answer explanation

Shale gas is natural methane in rock formations deep underground. The given answer is located in the first line of paragraph B.

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the letter. (e.g. A)

8. Not all chemicals used for fracking are poisonous

Answer explanation

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. The given answer is located in the last 4 lines of paragraph E.

Q9-13 Read the text again.  Find the words in the box and match them to the closest synonym based on the context. Write the letter next to the word (e.g. A).  

9. 9. Well

Answer explanation

Q9-13 Read the text again.  Find the words in the box and match them to the closest synonym based on the context. Write the letter next to the word (e.g. A).  

9. 10. Fissure

Answer explanation