# Deep-sea mining: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 19, Test 4, Reading Passage 2

Source: Passage, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 19, Test 4, Reading Passage 2. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## Answer key

| Q | Answer | Proof |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 14 | C | cobalt for electric car batteries |
| 15 | F | The oceans occupy around 70% of the planet |
| 16 | E | hydrothermal vents, which are created when seawater meets volcanic magma |
| 17 | D | the global regulatory framework is not yet drafted |
| 18 | D | instead of continually looking at the fast depleting land resources of the planet |
| 19 | B | a general disregard for environmental and social impacts, and the marginalisation of indigenous peoples and their rights |
| 20 | A | "In sustainability terms, this could be a better way of exploiting the economic potential of the deep sea," he argues. |
| 21 | E | "Mining will be the greatest assault on deep-sea ecosystems ever inflicted by humans," |
| 22 | B | The surface of the Moon, Mars and even Venus have all been mapped and studied in much greater detail |
| 23 | C | "On deep sea vents, scientists are clear," says Dr Jon Copley |
| 24 | waste | They say that deep-sea mining could yield far superior ore to land mining with little, if any, waste. |
| 25 | machinery | but most involve employing some form of converted machinery previously used in terrestrial mining to excavate materials from the sea floor |
| 26 | caution | But environmental and legal groups have urged caution |

## Why these answers are right

**14. C.** Paragraph C says demand for metals including 'cobalt for electric car batteries' is soaring. Soaring demand is a rapidly increasing need, cobalt is the raw material and electric cars belong to the transport industry, so the answer is C.

**15. F.** Mike Johnston says 'The oceans occupy around 70% of the planet'. 'Around' signals a rough estimate and occupying the planet refers to the area covered, so the information is in paragraph F.

**16. E.** Paragraph E explains that hydrothermal vents 'are created when seawater meets volcanic magma' and describes them as 'mineral-rich' and home to many animals. That is a habitat where minerals and organisms co-exist, and how it forms, so the answer is E.

The why and the trap for questions 17 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/reading/deep-sea-mining/answers).

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