IELTS Reading Summary Completion Tips and Strategies

The following excerpt is taken from the Cambridge IELTS – 18 Academic paper, specifically from Test 1, Passage 3. We'll be using this text, along with actual Summary Completion questions from the IELTS Reading exam, to demonstrate how this type of question is presented. Please take a moment to read the text carefully:

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Conquering Earth’s space junk problem

Even as our ability to monitor space objects increases, so too does the total number of items in orbit. That means companies, governments and other players in space are collaborating in new ways to avoid a shared threat. International groups such as the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee have developed guidelines on space sustainability. Those include inactivating satellites at the end of their useful life by venting pressurised materials or leftover fuel that might lead to explosions. The intergovernmental groups also advise lowering satellites deep enough into the atmosphere that they will burn up or disintegrate within 25 years. But so far, only about half of all missions have abided by this 25-year goal, says Holger Krag, head of the European Space Agency’s space-debris office in Darmstadt, Germany. Operators of the planned large constellations of satellites say they will be responsible stewards in their enterprises in space, but Krag worries that problems could increase, despite their best intentions. ‘What happens to those that fail or go bankrupt?’ he asks. They are probably not going to spend money to remove their satellites from space.’

 

Here are the summary completion questions that appeared in the exam, based on this text:

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Questions 1-4

Complete the summary below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet.

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The Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee

The committee gives advice on how the 1……………… of space can be achieved. The committee advises that when satellites are no longer active, any unused 2……………… or pressurised material that could cause 3……………… should be removed.

Although operators of large satellite constellations accept that they have obligations as stewards of space, Holger Krag points out that the operators that become 4……………… are unlikely to prioritise removing their satellites from space.

 

Before looking at the answers below, you should try your own at first, it will give you a better understanding and practice.

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Here are the correct answers:

1. sustainability

2. fuel

3. explosions

4. bankrupt

 

Now, let's delve into the correct answers, providing a detailed explanation for each, and also identify any potential distractions that might have been present.

 

Question 1: "sustainability"

Explanation: In the text, the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee's role in developing guidelines on space sustainability is explained. This is about maintaining space in a way that it can continue to be utilized without degradation over time.

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Potential Distractions:

• Guidelines: The paragraph mentions that the committee developed guidelines. This might be distracting since it's related to their role, but it doesn't answer what the advice is about.

• Collaborations: With the mention of companies, governments, and other players collaborating, a reader might get sidetracked thinking this collaboration is the focus of the committee's advice, whereas it's about sustainability.

• Inactivating Satellites: The paragraph also talks about methods of inactivating satellites, which is part of the overall sustainability plan but not the direct answer to the question.

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Question 2: "fuel"

Explanation: Look into the text, the committee advises that when satellites are no longer active, any unused fuel should be removed, preventing explosions. This is a specific measure to ensure space sustainability.

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Potential Distractions:

• Pressurized Materials: Alongside fuel, the passage mentions venting pressurized materials. Though related, the question asks for "any unused 2………" specifically, leading to the word "fuel."

• 25-year Goal: The text also refers to a 25-year goal for satellites to burn up or disintegrate, which might seem relevant to the question but is not the correct answer.

• Obligations of Operators: The latter part of the paragraph talks about operators' responsibilities, which could be confusing but doesn't relate directly to what needs to be removed from inactive satellites.

 

Question 3: "explosions"

Explanation: The concern over explosions is directly linked to the danger of unused fuel or pressurized materials within inactive satellites. If not properly vented or removed, these materials could cause an explosion, adding to the space debris problem.

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Potential Distractions:

• Collisions: The text may discuss the potential for collisions between objects in space. Although this is related to space safety, it's not what the question is asking about concerning "explosions."

• Debris: Mention of debris or concerns over space clutter could be misleading, as the question specifically targets the risk linked to unused substances, not the general problem of debris.

• Guidelines or Rules: References to guidelines or rules for space sustainability might seem relevant but aren't directly tied to the cause of explosions mentioned in the question.

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Question 4: "bankrupt"

Correct Answer: Holger Krag's concern is explicitly tied to operators who might fail or go bankrupt. The worry here is that such operators may not take responsibility for removing their satellites, leading to increased risk in space.

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Potential Distractions:

• Responsibility or Stewardship: Words or phrases related to operators' obligations might seem appropriate, but they are too broad. The context leads to the specific situation where operators go "bankrupt" and might neglect their responsibilities.

• Satellite Removal: Other details about the process or need for satellite removal might distract from the pinpointed focus on the concern over bankruptcy.

• Regulations or Policies: General references to space regulations or policies aren't directly tied to the bankrupt concern raised in the question.

 

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