Passage 2: second nature

PASSAGE 2: EUROPEAN TRANSPORT SYSTEMS 1990 – 2010

QUESTIONS 14-21: READING PASSAGE 2 HAS NINE PARAGRAPHS, A-I.

14. PARAGRAPH A
In paragraph A, the author says “Although modern information technologies can reduce the demand for physical transport by facilitating teleworking and teleservices, the requirement for transport continues to rise.” The main idea is “the requirement for transport continues to rise”. To support this main idea, the author gives two factors, one of which is “the spectacular growth in car use”. So, the correct heading for paragraph A is viii.
=> ANSWER: viii: The rapid growth of private transport
the rapid growth=the spectacular growth
private transport = car

15. PARAGRAPH B

In paragraph B, the first sentence is also the main idea “As far as goods transport is concerned, growth is due to a large extent to changes in the European economy and its system of production. ” Then, the author indicates that these changes cause some production sites to be relocated far away from the final assembly plant or away from users – perhaps even „hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away‟. This means that these changes affect the transport distances. So, the correct heading for paragraph B is iii.
=> ANSWER: iii: Changes affecting the distances goods may be transported

16. PARAGRAPH C

In paragraph C, the author provides many transport statistics, or transport trends, in some countries which are “candidates for entry to the EU”. The trends include an increase in road haulage and a decrease in rail haulage. These countries are awaiting admission to become members of the EU. So, the correct heading for paragraph C is xi
=> ANSWER: xi: Transport trends in the countries awaiting EU admission.

17. PARAGRAPH D

In paragraph D, “A new imperative – sustainable development- offers an opportunity for adapting the EU’s common transport policy.” So, this paragraph is about a long-term objective which is new and important for adapting the EU’s common transport policy. The correct heading for paragraph D is i.
fresh=new
goal=imperative
( Note: Dictionaries generally define an ‘imperative’ [NOUN] as an essential duty that should be done. In this sense, and in this context, we can say that ‘promoting sustainable development’ is a duty which the EU hope to fulfil. This is very similar to a ‘goal’ or ‘objective’, although it is not an exact synonym.)
So, goal=imperative. Meaning: a duty which the EU aims to fulfil as a future objective – changing transport policy to make it more sustainable.)
long-term = sustainable
=>ANSWER: i: A fresh and important long-term goal

18. PARAGRAPH E

In paragraph E, the effect of energy consumption in the transport sector on the environment is mentioned. Specifically, CO2 emissions are estimated to increase by 50% by 2020 due to the traffic growth trend, and road transport is also the main cause of CO2 emissions attributable to transport.
Finding some solutions is an “ecological necessity”. So, The correct heading for paragraph E is v.
environmental = ecological
=> ANSWER: v: The environmental costs of road transport.

19. PARAGRAPH G

In paragraph E, the author emphasizes the importance of achieving transport rebalance; therefore, paragraph G details the first solution which focuses on road transport solely through pricing. In the short term, this approach might “curb the growth in road transport”. So, the correct heading for paragraph G is x.
charging = pricing
alone = solely
restrict = curb
=> ANSWER: x: Restricting road use through charging policies alone

20. PARAGRAPH H

Paragraph H is about the second solution to achieve transport balance. This approach “concentrates on road transport pricing but is accompanied by measures to increase the efficiency of the other modes (better quality of services, logistics, technology.)”. So, the correct heading for paragraph H is ii.
charging=pricing
improve=increase the efficiency of
transport methods=transport modes
=> ANSWER: ii: Charging for roads and improving other transport methods

21. PARAGRAPH I

In paragraph I, “the third approach comprises a series of measures ranging from pricing to revitalising alternative modes of transport and targeting investment in the trans-European network”. This means that the third approach may change transport patterns. So, the correct heading for paragraph I is iv.
steps=measures
=>ANSWER: iv: Taking all the necessary steps to change transport patterns.

QUESTIONS 22-26: DO THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS AGREE WITH THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN READING PASSAGE 2?

22. THE NEED FOR TRANSPORT IS GROWING, DESPITE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS.
Keywords: growing, technological developments.
In paragraph A, “Although modern information technologies can reduce the demand for physical transport by facilitating teleworking and teleservices, the requirement for transport continues to rise.” The main idea is “the requirement for transport continues to rise”. So, the statement is TRUE.
need=requirement
grow=rise
technological developments=information technologies
=>ANSWER: TRUE

23. TO REDUCE PRODUCTION COSTS, SOME INDUSTRIES HAVE BEEN MOVED CLOSER TO THEIR RELEVANT CUSTOMERS.

Keywords: reduce costs, closer to customers
In paragraph B, “This phenomenon has been emphasized by the relocation of some industries, particularly those which are labour intensive, to reduce production costs, even though the production site is hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away from the final assembly or away from customers.” This means that some industries are moved much far away from their relevant customers.
So, the statement is FALSE.
moved=relocation
=> ANSWER: FALSE

24. CARS ARE PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE IN SOME EU CANDIDATE COUNTRIES.

Keywords: prohibitively expensive, candidate countries.
“EU candidate countries” are only mentioned in paragraph C. But the author does not provide any information about the price of these countries‟ cars or indicate whether they are expensive or not. So, the statement is NOT GIVEN.
=> ANSWER: NOT GIVEN

25. THE GOTHENBURG EUROPEAN COUNCIL WAS SET UP 30 YEARS AGO.

Keywords: 30 years ago
“The Gothenburg European Council” only appears in paragraph D, but the author does not mention when it was established or how long it has been in existence. So, the statement is NOT GIVEN.
=>ANSWER: NOT GIVEN

26. BY THE END OF THIS DECADE, CO2 EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORT ARE PREDICTED TO REACH 739 BILLION TONNES.

Keywords: the end of this decade, 739 billion tonnes.
In paragraph E, the author argues that “…, CO2 emissions from transport can be expected to increase by 50% to 1,113 billion tonnes, compared with the 739 billion tonnes recorded in 1990.”So, 739 billion tonnes is the figure for CO2 emissions in 1990, not “by the end of this decade”. The statement is FALSE.
are predicted to=can be expected to


=>ANSWER: FALSE