Cambridge IELTS 19 · Academic · Test 3 · Passage 2
The global importance of wetlands — IELTS Reading Answers
All 13 answers for The global importance of wetlands, Cambridge IELTS 19 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 2, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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The global importance of wetlands answer key at a glance
Questions 14–26. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this passage tests
This passage is tested with Matching Information (Q14–17), Sentence Completion (Q18–22), Matching Features (Q23–26). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 14–17: 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.
reference to the need to ensure that inhabitants of wetland regions continue to benefit from them
“but we recognise there’s a need to provide an income for local people.’ This approach is supported by IWMI”
Paragraph G insists 'there's a need to provide an income for local people', so inhabitants must continue benefiting from wetlands.
the proportion of wetlands which have already been lost
“But according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWFN), half of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1990”
Paragraph A supplies the figure: 'half of the world's wetlands have disappeared since 1990'.
reference to the idea that people are beginning to appreciate the value of wetlands
“‘Awareness of the importance of wetlands is growing,’ he says”
Paragraph H quotes that 'awareness of the importance of wetlands is growing', showing attitudes are beginning to shift.
mention of the cultural significance of wetlands
“Throughout history, humans have gathered around wetlands, and their fertile ecosystems have played an important part in human development. Consequently, they are of considerable religious, historical and archaeological value to many communities around the world.”
Paragraph B calls wetlands 'of considerable religious, historical and archaeological value', which is their cultural significance.
Questions 18–22: Sentence Completion
Strategy: Find the stem's keyword in the passage, then complete the sentence with the exact words the grammar requires, within the word limit.
“When peatlands are drained for cultivation, they become net carbon emitters instead of active carbon stores”
Drained peatlands 'become net carbon emitters instead of active carbon stores', so the gap is 'carbon'.
“The clearance of peatlands for planting also increases the risk of forest fires”
Clearance of peatlands 'increases the risk of forest fires', so the gap needs the plural 'fires'.
“The clearance of peatlands for planting also increases the risk of forest fires, which release huge amounts of CO₂. ‘We’re seeing huge peatland forests with extremely high biodiversity value being lost for a few decades of oil palm revenues,’ says Silvius.”
Peatland forests with 'extremely high biodiversity value' are being lost, so the gap is 'biodiversity'.
“The damage starts when logging companies arrive to clear the trees. They dig ditches to enter the peat swamps by boat and then float the logs out the same way. These are then used to drain water out of the peatlands”
Logging companies 'dig ditches' and these are then used to drain water out of the peatlands.
“Meanwhile, the remainder of the solid matter in the peat starts to move downwards, in a process known as subsidence. Peat comprises 90 per cent water, so this is one of the most alarming consequences of peatland clearances.”
The peat's solid matter moves downwards 'in a process known as subsidence', so the gap is 'subsidence'.
Questions 23–26: Matching Features
Strategy: Match the statement to the named person or thing. Names can repeat, so check each option against what that person actually says.
Communities living in wetland regions must be included in discussions about the future of these areas
“says McCartney. ‘For sustainability, it’s essential that local people are involved in wetland planning and decision making and have clear rights to use wetlands.’”
Answer A says local people 'are involved in wetland planning and decision making', matching the claim about including communities.
Official policies towards wetlands vary from one nation to the next
“The fortunes of wetlands would be improved, Silvius suggests, if more governments recognized their long-term value. ‘Different governments have different attitudes,’ he says, and goes on to explain that some countries place a high priority on restoring wetlands, while others still deny the issue.”
Answer C notes 'different governments have different attitudes', some restoring wetlands while others still deny the issue.
People cause harm to wetlands without having any intention to do so
“Tickner does not blame anyone for deliberate damage, however. ‘I’ve worked on wetland issues for 20 years and have never met anybody who wanted to damage a wetland,’”
Answer D says he has 'never met anybody who wanted to damage a wetland', so the harm is unintentional.
Initiatives to reverse environmental damage need not be complex.
“Wetland coastal forests provide food and water, as well as shelter from storms, and WI and other agencies are working to restore those forests which have been lost. ‘It can be as simple as planting a few trees per hectare to create shade and substantially change a microclimate,’ he says.”
Answer B says restoration 'can be as simple as planting a few trees per hectare', so reversing damage need not be complex.
Learn the question types in this passage
Frequently asked questions
Where does the The global importance of wetlands passage come from?
It is Passage 2 of Cambridge IELTS 19 Academic Reading Test 3, and it covers Questions 14–26.
What question types appear in The global importance of wetlands?
The passage is tested with Matching Information, Sentence Completion, Matching Features. 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.