IT’S ECO-LOGICAL - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Practice Test Plus 1 Academic Reading Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 14–27
Reading Passage
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14–27 which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.
IT'S ECO-LOGICAL
Planning an eco-friendly holiday can be a minefield for the well-meaning traveller, says Steve Watkins. But help is now at hand
If there were awards for tourism phrases that have been hijacked, diluted and misused then 'ecotourism' would earn top prize. The term first surfaced in the early 1980s reflecting a surge in environmental awareness and a realisation by tour operators that many travellers wanted to believe their presence abroad would not have a negative impact. It rapidly became the hottest marketing tag a holiday could carry.
These days the ecotourism label is used to cover anything from a two-week tour living with remote Indonesian tribes, to a one-hour motorboat trip through an Australian gorge. In fact, any tour that involves cultural interaction, natural beauty spots, wildlife or a dash of soft adventure is likely to be included in the overflowing ecotourism folder. There is no doubt the original motives behind the movement were honourable attempts to provide a way for those who cared to make informed choices, but the lack of regulations and a standard industry definition left many travellers lost in an ecotourism jungle.
It is easier to understand why the ecotourism market has become so overcrowded when we look at its wider role in the world economy. According to World Tourism Organisation figures, ecotourism is worth US$20 billion a year and makes up one-fifth of all international tourism. Add to this an annual growth rate of around five per cent and the pressure for many operators, both in developed and developing countries, to jump on the accelerating bandwagon is compelling. Without any widely recognised accreditation system, the consumer has been left to investigate the credentials of an operator themselves. This is a time-consuming process and many travellers usually take an operator's claims at face value, only adding to the proliferation of fake ecotours.
However, there are several simple questions that will provide qualifying evidence of a company's commitment to minimise its impact on the environment and maximise the benefits to the tourism area's local community. For example, does the company use recycled or sustainable, locally harvested materials to build its tourist properties? Do they pay fair wages to all employees? Do they offer training to employees? It is common for city entrepreneurs to own tour companies in country areas, which can mean the money you pay ends up in the city rather than in the community being visited. By taking a little extra time to investigate the ecotourism options, it is not only possible to guide your custom to worthy operators but you will often find that the experience they offer is far more rewarding.
The ecotourism business is still very much in need of a shake-up and a standardised approach. There are a few organisations that have sprung up in the last ten years or so that endeavour to educate travellers and operators about the benefits of responsible ecotourism. Founded in 1990, the Ecotourism Society (TES) is a non-profit organisation of travel industry, conservation and ecological professionals, which aims to make ecotourism a genuine tool for conservation and sustainable development. Helping to create inherent economic value in wilderness environments and threatened cultures has undoubtedly been one of the ecotourism movement's most notable achievements. TES organises an annual initiative to further aid development of the ecotourism industry. This year it is launching 'Your Travel Choice Makes a Difference', an educational campaign aimed at helping consumers understand the potential positive and negative impacts of their travel decisions. TES also offers guidance on the choice of ecotour and has established a register of approved ecotourism operators around the world.
A leading ecotourism operator in the United Kingdom is Tribes, which won the 1999 Tourism Concern and Independent Traveller's World 'Award for Most Responsible Tour Operator'. Amanda Marks, owner and director of Tribes, believes that the ecotourism industry still has some way to go to get its house in order. Until now, no ecotourism accreditation scheme has really worked, principally because there has been no systematic way of checking that accredited companies actually comply with the code of practice. Amanda believes that the most promising system is the recently re-launched Green Globe 21 scheme. The Green Globe 21 award is based on the sustainable development standards contained in Agenda 21 from the 1992 Earth Summit and was originally coordinated by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The scheme is now an independent concern, though the WTTC still supports it. Until recently, tour companies became affiliates and could use the Green Globe logo merely on payment of an annual fee, hardly a suitable qualifying standard. However, in November 1999 Green Globe 21 introduced an annual, independent check on operators wishing to use the logo.
Miriam Cain, from the Green Globe 21 marketing development, explains that current and new affiliates will now have one year to ensure that their operations comply with Agenda 21 standards. If they fail the first inspection, they can only reapply once. The inspection process is not a cheap option, especially for large companies, but the benefits of having Green Globe status and the potential operational cost savings that complying with the standards can bring should be significant. 'We have joint ventures with organisations around the world, including Australia and the Caribbean, that will allow us to effectively check all affiliate operators,' says Miriam. The scheme also allows destination communities to become Green Globe 21 approved.
For a relatively new industry it is not surprising that ecotourism has undergone teething pains. However, there are signs that things are changing for the better. With a committed and unified approach by the travel industry, local communities, travellers and environmental experts could make ecotourism a tag to be proud of and trusted.
Questions
Questions 14–19 Yes / No / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage 2?
Write
YES if the statement agrees with the writer's views
NO if the statement contradicts the writer's views
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
Questions 20–22 Multiple Choice (Three Answers)
According to the information given in the reading passage, which THREE of the following are true of the Ecotourism Society (TES)?
Write the appropriate letters A–F.
Questions 23–24 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
According to the information given in the reading passage, which TWO of the following are true of the Green Globe 21 award?
Write the appropriate letters A–D.
Questions 25–27 Short Answers
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS, answer the following questions.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q14 | YES | If there were awards for tourism phrases that have been hijacked, diluted and misused then 'ecotourism' would earn top prize It rapidly became the hottest marketing tag a holiday could carry |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if there were prizes for words used wrongly or not clearly, 'ecotourism' would win. It also says this word quickly became the most popular way to advertise a holiday. This shows the writer thinks the word is used like a marketing trick. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Yes' means the writer agrees that the word 'ecotourism' has become like a trick used by companies to advertise and sell holidays. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Yes' because the passage clearly states that the word 'ecotourism' has been 'hijacked, diluted and misused' and quickly became 'the hottest marketing tag' for holidays. This means it was used widely in advertising to attract people, often without the holidays being truly eco-friendly, which fits the definition of an 'advertising gimmick'. The passage also mentions a 'proliferation of fake ecotours', indicating the term is frequently used for show. |
| Q15 | YES | There is no doubt the original motives behind the movement were honourable attempts to provide a way for those who cared to make informed choices | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the first ideas or reasons for the ecotourism movement were good and honest. They aimed to help people who cared about the environment make choices for their travels that would not cause harm. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the people who first used the word 'ecotourism' had good and honest reasons for doing so. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is YES because the passage states that the initial reasons for creating the ecotourism concept were genuine and positive. It explicitly mentions that the "original motives behind the movement were honourable attempts," indicating sincerity. The 'movement' refers to the development of the ecotourism idea, and 'honourable attempts' confirms that the intentions of those who started it were good. |
| Q16 | NOT GIVEN | Add to this an annual growth rate of around five per cent and the pressure for many operators, both in developed and developing countries, to jump on the accelerating bandwagon is compelling | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that ecotourism is growing by about five percent each year. This means it is getting bigger, and many companies want to be a part of it. But the passage does not say if this growth is faster than other types of travel. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the passage does not give enough information to say if ecotourism is growing faster than other kinds of travel. We cannot find this comparison in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the passage mentions the growth rate of ecotourism but does not compare it to the growth rates of other types of travel. The third paragraph states that ecotourism has "an annual growth rate of around five per cent," and that it "makes up one-fifth of all international tourism." While these figures show ecotourism is growing and is a significant part of the travel market, the passage provides no data or comment on whether this growth rate is faster, slower, or the same as any other specific type of travel or the overall travel industry. Without this comparative information, we cannot confirm or deny the statement. |
| Q17 | NO | It is easier to understand why the ecotourism market has become so overcrowded when we look at its wider role in the world economy. According to World Tourism Organisation figures, ecotourism is worth US$20 billion a year and makes up one-fifth of all international tourism. Add to this an annual growth rate of around five per cent and the pressure for many operators, both in developed and developing countries, to jump on the accelerating bandwagon is compelling | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says it's simple to see why many companies joined ecotourism because it's a huge business, earning a lot of money (20 billion US dollars a year) and growing quickly. This growing money-making opportunity made companies feel a strong need to join in, which means it wasn't surprising for them to do so. Answer Explanation: The answer 'NO' means the writer does not think it is strange or unexpected that many tour companies got involved in ecotourism. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NO' because the passage explains clearly *why* many tour companies wanted to be part of ecotourism. It says that ecotourism is a very profitable business, bringing in a lot of money (US$20 billion a year) and growing fast (five percent annually). Because of these big financial benefits, there was strong 'pressure' for companies to join this trend. This information makes it clear that the writer believes it is easy to understand, and thus *not* surprising, why so many companies got involved. |
| Q18 | NO | This is a time-consuming process and many travellers usually take an operator's claims at face value, only adding to the proliferation of fake ecotours | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that checking information about a tour company takes a lot of time. Because it's hard, most people simply believe what the company tells them, which has led to many 'fake' ecotours being offered. Answer Explanation: The answer means that tourists have NOT learned to check tour companies before booking with them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NO' because the passage clearly states that most travellers do not check the details of tour operators. It explains that finding out about a company is 'time-consuming', and because of this, many people just 'take an operator's claims at face value', meaning they believe what the companies say without checking if it's true. This leads to more 'fake ecotours'. Therefore, the statement that tourists have learned to investigate is incorrect, according to the passage. |
| Q19 | NOT GIVEN | In fact, any tour that involves cultural interaction, natural beauty spots, wildlife or a dash of soft adventure is likely to be included in the overflowing ecotourism folder. There is no doubt the original motives behind the movement were honourable attempts to provide a way for those who cared to make informed choices, but the lack of regulations and a standard industry definition left many travellers lost in an ecotourism jungle | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that many trips are called 'ecotours' even if they are not truly eco-friendly. It also says that because there are no clear rules, many travelers feel confused, like they are 'lost in an ecotourism jungle,' when trying to choose a real ecotour. This shows confusion but doesn't state that tourists had bad experiences. Answer Explanation: The answer means there is not enough information in the text to say if tourists have had bad times on eco-friendly trips or not. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the passage talks about how the term 'ecotourism' is often misused and that there are 'fake ecotours.' It also says that 'many travellers' are 'lost in an ecotourism jungle' due to a lack of clear rules. However, the passage does not specifically mention any instances where tourists had 'bad experiences' or negative personal outcomes during their ecotour holidays. It focuses more on the confusion and marketing problems within the industry, rather than the quality of the tourists' actual travel experiences. |
| Q20 | — | — | |
| Q21 | — | — | |
| Q22 | B / D / E | Founded in 1990, the Ecotourism Society (TES) is a non-profit organisation of travel industry, conservation and ecological professionals, which aims to make ecotourism a genuine tool for conservation and sustainable development TES organises an annual initiative to further aid development of the ecotourism industry. This year it is launching 'Your Travel Choice Makes a Difference', an educational campaign aimed at helping consumers understand the potential positive and negative impacts of their travel decisions. TES also offers guidance on the choice of ecotour and has established a register of approved ecotourism operators around the world |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that TES started in 1990 and is a group made of people from different jobs like travel, environmental protection, and science. This means it has many kinds of experts working together. It also says that TES holds a yearly event and starts learning campaigns to help ecotourism grow. These actions are like showing or encouraging ecotourism regularly. Lastly, the passage states that TES gives advice on choosing ecotours and keeps a list of good ecotour companies from all over the world, which means it shares information internationally. Answer Explanation: The answer says that three things are true about The Ecotourism Society (TES): it includes many experts in its field, it organizes regular events to encourage ecotourism, and it provides information about ecotours all over the world. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer includes statements B, D, and E because the passage directly supports them. For B, the passage states that TES is 'a non-profit organisation of travel industry, conservation and ecological professionals,' confirming it involves a variety of specialists. For D, it mentions that TES 'organises an annual initiative to further aid development of the ecotourism industry' and launches 'an educational campaign,' which shows it regularly promotes ecotourism through events and education. For E, the passage clearly states that TES 'offers guidance on the choice of ecotour and has established a register of approved ecotourism operators around the world,' indicating it provides international information. |
| Q23 | — | — | |
| Q24 | A / D | The scheme is now an independent concern The scheme also allows destination communities to become Green Globe 21 approved |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage first says that the Green Globe 21 system is now its 'own independent company', meaning it runs itself and sets its own rules. Then, it says that the system also lets 'places where people travel' (like towns or natural areas) get the award, not just the 'tour companies' that offer trips. Answer Explanation: The answer says that two things are true about the Green Globe 21 award. First, the award organization manages itself. Second, both companies that run tours and the places people visit can get this award. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer states that the Green Globe 21 scheme is 'self-regulating' and that 'both tour operators and tour sites can apply for affiliation'. The passage supports the idea that the scheme manages itself by saying it 'is now an independent concern', meaning it operates without being controlled by another larger organization like the WTTC. For the second part, the passage clearly mentions that 'The scheme also allows destination communities to become Green Globe 21 approved', showing that not only tour companies (operators) but also places (destination communities/tour sites) can get the award. |
| Q25 | World Tourism Organisation | According to World Tourism Organisation figures, ecotourism is worth US$20 billion a year and makes up one-fifth of all international tourism | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the 'World Tourism Organisation' collects information (like 'figures') about how much money ecotourism makes and how many people travel internationally. This means they keep track of how many tourists there are globally. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'World Tourism Organisation', which is a group that gathers facts and numbers about travel around the world. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified in the passage where it states that "World Tourism Organisation figures" show how much money ecotourism makes and how much of all international tourism it represents. This clearly indicates that this organisation provides data on tourism globally, which includes international tourist numbers. |
| Q26 | city entrepreneurs | It is common for city entrepreneurs to own tour companies in country areas, which can mean the money you pay ends up in the city rather than in the community being visited | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that people from cities who own tourism companies in rural places often keep the money tourists pay. So, the money goes to the city, not to the local people in the countryside where the tourism happens. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'city entrepreneurs'. This means people who start and run businesses, usually in big cities, get the money from tourism that happens in the countryside. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'city entrepreneurs' because the passage states that these individuals often own tour companies in 'country areas'. This arrangement leads to the money paid by tourists going to the 'city' where the entrepreneurs are based, instead of staying in the 'community being visited'. This highlights that the financial benefits of rural tourism frequently go to people from cities. |
| Q27 | the 1992 Earth Summit / 1992 Earth Summit | The Green Globe 21 award is based on the sustainable development standards contained in Agenda 21 from the 1992 Earth Summit | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the Green Globe 21 award follows specific rules for protecting nature and growing in a good way. These rules are from 'Agenda 21', which was a plan made at the big environmental meeting called the '1992 Earth Summit'. Answer Explanation: The answer is '1992 Earth Summit'. This was a big meeting in 1992 about the Earth's environment. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is '1992 Earth Summit' because the passage clearly states that the 'Green Globe 21 award' uses guidelines that came from this important meeting. It mentions that the award is 'based on the sustainable development standards contained in Agenda 21 from the 1992 Earth Summit', directly linking the regulations to this specific event. |