IELTS Reading Practice Test #16

Introduction: This passage is an original piece written and curated exclusively by IELTSix. It does not rely on copyrighted content or material commonly found online. Inspired by Passage 3s from Cambridge IELTS 20, it reflects their tone, complexity, and reasoning level.

Unlike Passage 1 texts, which often allow for surface-level scanning, Passage 3 questions typically demand deeper thinking and stronger inference skills. The question types here mirror that challenge, including summary completion with a list of options, matching sentence endings, inference-based multiple choice, and logically complex yes/no/not given tasks.

IELTS Reading Practice Test Instructions: You should aim to complete this passage and the associated questions in approximately 20 minutes. Remember, in the official IELTS exam, you will have a total of 60 minutes to read three passages, so it’s important to manage your time effectively.

Fungi in Biotechnology and Their Emerging Applications

Fungi are among the most overlooked and misunderstood organisms on Earth. Neither plant nor animal, fungi occupy their own distinct biological kingdom and serve essential ecological functions, many of which are only now being recognized. They decompose organic material, form symbiotic relationships with plants, and even communicate in ways that suggest a kind of biological “network” underlying forest ecosystems.

Unlike plants, fungi do not perform photosynthesis. Instead, they absorb nutrients from other organisms, often through structures called hyphae—threadlike filaments that penetrate soil, wood, or living hosts. When these hyphae interconnect in large networks, they form what is known as a mycelium. This vast underground network can stretch for kilometers and has been called the “Wood Wide Web” for its ability to link trees and plants together, enabling them to share resources and signals.

One of the most remarkable roles fungi play is in mycorrhizal relationships—mutualistic partnerships between fungi and plant roots. In this arrangement, the fungus provides the plant with increased access to water and nutrients, particularly phosphorus, while the plant supplies the fungus with sugars produced through photosynthesis. Research suggests that some trees use this network to send warning signals about pests or disease, allowing neighboring trees to prepare defensive responses. Though some scientists caution against overly anthropomorphizing these interactions, the evidence points to a level of coordination in forests that was previously unknown.

Fungi are also indispensable recyclers. Saprophytic fungi, which break down dead organic matter, are responsible for returning vital nutrients to the soil. Without them, forests would be buried in leaf litter, and the nutrient cycle would stall. Some species are even capable of degrading pollutants and plastics, leading to speculation about their potential in environmental remediation.

However, fungi are not always beneficial. Parasitic fungi can devastate crops, cause disease in animals and humans, and even wipe out entire species. For example, the chytrid fungus has caused dramatic population declines in amphibians worldwide, and some species of Aspergillus pose serious health risks to immunocompromised individuals. The dual nature of fungi—as both life-supporting and potentially deadly—makes them subjects of intense scientific interest.

Another area where fungi are gaining attention is in biotechnology and medicine. Penicillin, the first widely used antibiotic, was derived from a fungus, and new fungal metabolites continue to be discovered with antimicrobial or anti-cancer properties. In addition, mycelium is being explored as a sustainable material for packaging, building insulation, and even textiles. Unlike synthetic materials, mycelium is biodegradable, lightweight, and can be grown using agricultural waste.

Despite their importance, fungi remain underrepresented in biological research. It is estimated that only a small fraction of fungal species have been formally identified—perhaps fewer than 150,000 out of several million. Part of this neglect stems from their often hidden or ephemeral nature; many fungi only produce visible fruiting bodies, such as mushrooms, under specific conditions, making them difficult to study.

Public attitudes toward fungi are also complex. While some cultures revere mushrooms as delicacies or symbols of health, others associate them with decay and danger. Foragers must be cautious, as some edible mushrooms closely resemble toxic varieties. Yet the growing popularity of culinary and medicinal mushrooms is changing perceptions, and citizen science initiatives are helping to catalog species around the world.

Fungi challenge our assumptions about intelligence, cooperation, and ecological balance. They occupy a realm that is neither purely microscopic nor easily observable, but their influence is enormous. From the soil beneath our feet to the antibiotics in our medicine cabinets, fungi are quietly shaping life on Earth in ways we are only beginning to understand.

IELTS Reading Practice Tests [With Quizzes & Answers]

The IELTS Academic Reading section contains three academic passages and 40 questions to be completed in 60 minutes. It includes a range of question types such as multiple choice, matching headings, matching information, matching features, sentence completion, summary completion, short-answer questions, and True/False/Not Given. The section is designed to assess your understanding of main ideas, specific details, inferences, and the writer’s opinion or attitude.

The practice tests below are based on real exams from Cambridge IELTS 18, Cambridge IELTS 19, and Cambridge IELTS 20. Each one closely follows the original format, using authentic reading passages and official question types.

All tests are available as interactive quizzes with instant feedback and complete answer keys. These are meant to provide realistic practice and help you get used to the structure, timing, and difficulty level of the actual IELTS Reading section.

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