Welcome to this comprehensive IELTS Academic Reading practice test focusing on electric vehicles.
This test is designed to help you prepare for the IELTS Academic Reading module, which consists of three passages with increasing difficulty levels.
Test Structure:
- Format: Academic Reading (university-level texts)
- Time Limit: 20 minutes for this practice section
- Questions: 9 summary completion questions
- Instructions: Read the passage carefully and complete the summary using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text
Remember to manage your time effectively and read both the passage and questions thoroughly. Good luck with your preparation!
The Electric Vehicle Revolution
The automotive industry stands at a pivotal moment in history as electric vehicles (EVs) rapidly transform from niche products into mainstream transportation solutions. This technological revolution, driven by environmental concerns and advancing battery technology, represents one of the most significant shifts in personal mobility since the invention of the internal combustion engine over a century ago.
The foundation of the electric vehicle movement lies in lithium-ion battery technology, which has undergone remarkable improvements in recent decades. Modern EV batteries can now store substantially more energy while occupying less space than their predecessors. The energy density of contemporary lithium-ion batteries has increased by approximately 300% since the early 2000s, enabling electric vehicles to achieve driving ranges that were previously unattainable. Tesla’s latest Model S, for instance, can travel over 400 miles on a single charge, effectively eliminating the “range anxiety” that once deterred potential buyers.
Manufacturing costs have simultaneously declined as production scales have expanded globally. The price of lithium-ion battery packs has plummeted from over $1,000 per kilowatt-hour in 2010 to approximately $137 per kilowatt-hour in 2023. Industry analysts predict that when battery costs reach $100 per kilowatt-hour, electric vehicles will achieve price parity with conventional gasoline-powered cars without requiring government subsidies. This milestone, expected within the next five years, will likely accelerate mass adoption across all market segments.
Government policies worldwide have created a supportive regulatory environment for electric vehicle adoption. The European Union has announced plans to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, while China, the world’s largest automotive market, has implemented aggressive targets for electric vehicle sales. In the United States, the Inflation Reduction Act provides substantial tax incentives for both manufacturers and consumers, creating a financial ecosystem that favors electric vehicle development and purchase.
Infrastructure development has emerged as a critical factor in the widespread acceptance of electric vehicles. Public charging networks have expanded exponentially, with global fast-charging stations increasing from fewer than 50,000 in 2018 to over 300,000 by 2024. However, charging infrastructure remains unevenly distributed, with urban areas typically offering superior access compared to rural regions. The challenge of “charging deserts” – geographic areas with limited charging options – continues to impede adoption in certain demographics and locations.
Environmental benefits constitute the primary motivation behind the electric vehicle transition. Transportation currently accounts for approximately 24% of global carbon dioxide emissions, making it the second-largest source of greenhouse gases after electricity generation. Electric vehicles produce zero direct emissions, though their overall environmental impact depends significantly on the electricity generation methods used for charging. In regions where renewable energy sources dominate the electrical grid, EVs can reduce transportation-related emissions by up to 80% compared to gasoline vehicles.
The automotive supply chain has undergone fundamental restructuring to accommodate electric vehicle production. Traditional automakers have invested billions of dollars in retooling manufacturing facilities and developing new expertise in electric drivetrain technology. Ford, for example, has committed $50 billion to electric vehicle development through 2026, while General Motors plans to phase out internal combustion engines entirely by 2035. This industrial transformation has created new employment opportunities in battery manufacturing, software development, and charging infrastructure installation, though it has also displaced workers in traditional automotive sectors.
Consumer behavior and preferences continue to evolve as electric vehicles become more prevalent. Early adopters were primarily environmentally conscious consumers with higher incomes, but the demographic profile of EV buyers has broadened significantly. Recent surveys indicate that fuel cost savings and reduced maintenance requirements now rank equally with environmental concerns as primary purchase motivations. The simplified mechanical design of electric vehicles, with fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines, results in lower long-term maintenance costs and higher reliability ratings.
Looking toward the future, emerging technologies promise to further accelerate electric vehicle adoption. Solid-state batteries, currently in development, could potentially double energy density while reducing charging times to under 10 minutes for a full charge. Vehicle-to-grid technology may allow electric cars to serve as mobile energy storage units, feeding electricity back into the power grid during peak demand periods. These innovations, combined with autonomous driving capabilities, could fundamentally reshape urban transportation systems and reduce the need for private vehicle ownership.
Questions 1-9: Summary Completion
Complete the summary below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage.
The Rise of Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are experiencing unprecedented growth due to significant advances in battery technology. The 1. ____________ of modern lithium-ion batteries has improved by around 300% since the early 2000s, allowing vehicles like Tesla’s Model S to travel more than 2. ____________ on one charge.
Production costs have decreased dramatically as manufacturing has expanded. Battery pack prices fell from over $1,000 per kilowatt-hour in 2010 to roughly 3. ____________ in 2023. Experts believe that EVs will reach cost equivalence with traditional cars when battery prices drop to 4. ____________ per kilowatt-hour.
Government support has been crucial for adoption. The 5. ____________ has set ambitious targets, while the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act offers significant financial incentives. Infrastructure expansion has been remarkable, with fast-charging stations growing from under 50,000 in 2018 to more than 6. ____________ by 2024.
Environmental factors drive the transition, as transportation produces approximately 7. ____________ of global carbon dioxide emissions. In areas with clean electricity, EVs can cut transportation emissions by up to 8. ____________ compared to gasoline vehicles.
The industry transformation has prompted major investments, with Ford allocating $50 billion for EV development through 9. ____________, demonstrating the automotive sector’s commitment to electrification.
Please write your answers (1-9) in the comments section below. Remember to use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.
Answers will be provided in a reply to help you assess your performance and identify areas for improvement. For more IELTS Reading practice tests, you can also visit Energy Transition Topic.
Leave a Reply