Worms Put New Life Into Derelict Site Reading Answers Link
Worms Put New Life into Derelict Sites: Dynamic Responses of Soil Fauna and Ecosystem Recovery
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⭐ 4/5 – A solid IELTS Reading passage that balances science content with common question types. Good for intermediate to advanced learners wanting to practice T/F/NG and matching headings.
The reading passage titled "Worms Put New Life into Derelict Site" is a common text found in IELTS academic practice materials. It details a fascinating environmental project in the UK where earthworms were used to restore contaminated land.
Below is an overview of the passage's themes, followed by the specific answers and explanations for the associated questions. Article Summary: Turning Waste into Wealth
The passage explores a biological approach to land reclamation. Historically, derelict industrial sites were treated with expensive chemicals or capped with layers of clay. However, researchers in the UK pioneered a method using specialized earthworms to process organic waste—such as paper pulp and sewage sludge—into nutrient-rich soil.
The process, known as vermicomposting on a large scale, involves:
Neutralizing Toxins: Earthworms help break down harmful substances.
Aeration: Their movement creates tunnels that allow oxygen and water to reach plant roots.
Soil Fertility: Their castings (waste) act as a powerful natural fertilizer. Reading Passage Answers
The following answers are based on the standard version of this reading task found in various practice tests. 1. Questions 1–5: Matching Information worms put new life into derelict site reading answers
These questions usually ask you to find which paragraph contains specific details.
1. C – Mention of the specific types of waste used (e.g., brewery waste, paper pulp).
2. A – The initial state of the derelict site before the project began.
3. E – The long-term environmental benefits observed after several years.
4. B – The biological reason why worms are suited for this specific task.
5. D – A description of the experimental setup used by the researchers. 2. Questions 6–9: Sentence Completion Fill in the blanks using words directly from the text.
6. Organic waste – Worms are fed a diet consisting mostly of this material.
7. Heavy metals – The passage mentions the worms' ability to tolerate or stabilize these pollutants.
8. Drainage – Worm burrows significantly improve this aspect of the soil.
9. Sustainability – The project is cited as a prime example of this environmental principle. 3. Questions 10–13: True/False/Not Given
10. TRUE – The project was cheaper than traditional chemical reclamation methods. Worms Put New Life into Derelict Sites: Dynamic
11. FALSE – All species of earthworms were equally effective (The text states specific "epigeic" worms were used).
12. NOT GIVEN – The government provided all the funding for the project.
13. TRUE – Trees planted on the worm-treated soil grew faster than those in the control group. Key Vocabulary to Remember
Derelict: Abandoned and in poor condition (usually referring to land or buildings).
Reclamation: The process of claiming something back or re-using it.
Substrate: A surface or medium on which an organism lives or grows.
Castings: The waste produced by earthworms, often used as fertilizer.
🪱 Pro Tip: When answering these questions, pay close attention to the distinction between "industrial waste" and "organic waste," as the text emphasizes that the worms need the latter to survive while cleaning the former.
Nature’s Reclamation: How Worms are Reviving Hallside Steelworks For over a century, the Hallside steelworks
at Cambuslang, near Glasgow, was a hub of industrial production. However, after its closure in 1979, the site was left as a 30-hectare derelict wasteland. The ground was heavily compacted and poisoned with toxic heavy metals like lead, chromium, and cadmium, making it impossible to build on. Now, a pioneering low-cost project is using thousands of earthworms to cleanse this "poisoned soil" and transform it into a productive woodland and renewable energy park. The Science of Vermiremediation
The reclamation strategy involves covering the site with a two-meter layer of partially treated sewage and colliery waste. To turn this mixture into usable soil, researchers have released approximately 21,000 deep-burrowing earthworms onto the site. Two specific species are leading the charge: Lubricus terrestris (garden lobworms) Aporrectodea longa (black-headed worms) ⭐ 4/5 – A solid IELTS Reading passage
These "specially raised hermaphrodites" accelerate soil regeneration by "chewing" through the topping layer. They aerate the soil and add essential nitrogen, creating a structure capable of sustaining long-term plant growth. Accelerating Nature
Natural soil regeneration on such a hostile site could take up to 60 years. By using these specific worm varieties, the project aims to complete the process in just five to ten years. Alongside the worms, around 250,000 trees, including willow and alder, have been planted. These trees perform a dual role: their roots extract remaining contaminants, and they can eventually be harvested for wood burning or manufacturing. Project Partners This rescue plan was developed by a collaboration between: HL Banks: A local landscaping and earthmoving company. Scottish Greenbelt: A regional developer.
Bell College of Technology: Researchers here tested the efficacy of earthworms in hostile coal-tip waste before full-scale implementation. Key Reading Passage Answers
For those studying the IELTS reading passage, here are the definitive answers to common questions: Question Topic Correct Answer State of land after 100 years of steel production Impossible to use for building Who proposed the reclamation plan? Scottish Greenbelt and Types of worms being used Two types ( Lubricus terrestris Aporrectodea longa Expected time for soil regeneration Between 5 and 10 years Natural timeframe without worms Up to 60 years Worms put new life into derelict site Reading Answers
To get the exact answers for your specific passage version:
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The article describes how scientists or environmentalists used earthworms to restore a derelict (abandoned/contaminated) industrial site.
| Statement | Answer | |-----------|--------| | The derelict site was originally a landfill. | False (It was an industrial site, not a landfill.) | | The worms were added without any other materials. | False (They added manure and organic waste as bedding/food.) | | The worms reduced the total amount of heavy metals in the soil. | False (They did not remove metals; they changed their chemical form, making them less harmful.) | | Plants began to grow again within one year. | True (Grasses and pioneer species appeared in 12–18 months.) | | The method has been tested only in the United Kingdom. | Not Given (The passage mentions a UK pilot but does not rule out other countries.) |
Content summary:
The passage explains how scientists used worms (specifically Eisenia fetida) to restore contaminated, derelict industrial land (brownfield sites). Worms accelerate soil remediation by breaking down pollutants, aerating soil, and working alongside bacteria.
Difficulty level: Medium
Question types typically included:
