Cambridge IELTS 18 · Academic · Test 4 · Passage 1
Green Roofs — IELTS Reading Answers
All 11 answers for Green Roofs, Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 1, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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Green Roofs answer key at a glance
Questions 1–12. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this passage tests
This passage is tested with Matching Information (Q1–5), Summary Completion (Q6–9), Two Choices (Q10–11), Two Choices (Q12–13). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 1–5: Matching Information
Strategy: Scan for the idea, not the exact words. The answer is a paragraph letter, and one paragraph may be used more than once unless the instructions say otherwise.
mention of several challenges to be overcome before a green roof can be installed
“Those responsible for maintaining buildings may have to acquire new skills, such as landscaping, and in some cases, volunteers may be needed to help out. Other considerations include installing drainage paths, meeting health and safety requirements and perhaps allowing access for the public,”
Paragraph D lists the hurdles: new skills, volunteers, drainage, health and safety, public access, planning restrictions and disruption during installation.
reference to a city where green roofs have been promoted for many years
“Toronto, Canada, has policies dating from the 1990s, encouraging the development of urban farms on rooftops.”
Paragraph C notes that 'Toronto, Canada, has policies dating from the 1990s', so the city has promoted green roofs for many years.
a belief that existing green roofs should be used as a model for new ones
“The success stories need to be studied and replicated elsewhere”
Paragraph E says 'The success stories need to be studied and replicated elsewhere', urging existing roofs as models for new ones.
examples of how green roofs can work in combination with other green urban initiatives
“Ongoing research is showcasing how green roofs in cities can integrate with ‘living walls’: environmentally friendly walls which are partially or completely covered with greenery, including a growing medium, such as soil or water.”
Paragraph B describes green roofs integrating with 'living walls' and with ground-level drainage systems, combining with other green urban initiatives.
the need to make a persuasive argument for the financial benefits of green roofs
“To convince investors and developers that installing green roofs is worthwhile, economic arguments are still the most important.”
Paragraph D states that 'to convince investors and developers ... economic arguments are still the most important', so a financial case must be made.
Questions 6–9: Summary Completion
Strategy: Read the summary as a paragraph first to establish the logic, then locate the missing idea in the passage. With a lettered list, confirm the grammar fits.
“Among the benefits are saving on energy costs,”
The gap needs the cost that is saved; 'Among the benefits are saving on energy costs' supplies 'energy'.
“mitigating the risk of floods, making habitats for urban wildlife, tackling air pollution and even growing food.”
The gap needs the final listed benefit; the list ends 'and even growing food', so 'food'.
“Doctors are increasingly prescribing time spent gardening outdoors for patients dealing with anxiety and depression.”
The gap needs the activity doctors prescribe; 'time spent gardening outdoors' gives 'gardening'.
“And research has found that access to even the most basic green spaces can provide a better quality of life for dementia sufferers and help people avoid obesity.”
The gap needs what green spaces help people avoid; 'help people avoid obesity' supplies 'obesity'.
Questions 10–11: Two Choices
Strategy: Both answers must be supported by the passage. Check each option independently; order does not usually matter.
“which can typically hold greater weight, than to retro-fit old ones. Having a stronger roof also makes it easier to grow a greater variety of plants,”
C and D both follow from the evidence: new-build roofs 'can typically hold greater weight' and a stronger roof makes it 'easier to grow a greater variety of plants'.
Questions 12–13: Two Choices
Strategy: Both answers must be supported by the passage. Check each option independently; order does not usually matter.
“‘brown roofs’ which are wilder in nature and maximise biodiversity. There are also combinations of green roofs with solar panels,”
A and D are both supported: the text mentions 'brown roofs' which 'maximise biodiversity' and combinations of green roofs 'with solar panels'.
Learn the question types in this passage
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Green Roofs passage come from?
It is Passage 1 of Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Reading Test 4, and it covers Questions 1–12.
What question types appear in Green Roofs?
The passage is tested with Matching Information, Summary Completion, Two Choices, Two Choices. Each type is explained on this page, alongside the answers.
Are these reading answers reliable?
Every answer is paired with the sentence that proves it, so you can check each one against the passage yourself. Use the page after a timed attempt, not instead of one.
Cambridge IELTS is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Band9Prep is not affiliated with Cambridge. This page is an independent study aid: it gives the answer key, the passage evidence and an explanation so you can review an attempt you have already made.