Guide

How to use this lesson

👨‍🏫 For Teachers

Use this activity for a 15-minute intensive reading practice in class.

Check answers easily with students using the step-by-step evidence explanations provided for each question.

🎓 For Learners

Read paragraphs A to D carefully before attempting the 8 IELTS-style questions.

Always locate specific evidence in the text rather than relying on matching individual words.

IELTS Academic / General Reading Passage

The Semmering Railway: A Mountain Marvel

Read the magazine article below and answer questions 1–8.

A

UNESCO notes that builders constructed the famous Semmering Railway in Austria between 1848 and 1854. This impressive line crosses 41 km of high, rugged mountains.

B

To cross this difficult land, the line has 14 tunnels and 16 big bridges called viaducts. Trains start their journey at Gloggnitz station, which sits 436 metres above sea level, and reach their highest point at 895 metres above sea level.

C

Trains still use the line today, showing how well it was designed. UNESCO says that this is because the tunnels, the viaducts and the other works are of very high quality. In fact, the line has been in continuous use all the time since 1854.

D

After the railway opened, people built large houses and hotels near the line to welcome visitors. UNESCO says that Semmering became one of the first holiday towns that people built for visitors in the Alps. Because of its outstanding value, UNESCO added the railway to the World Heritage List in 1998.

💡 Useful Sentence Pattern

"Although it was foggy, the view from the train was lovely."

Why this works: You can connect two different ideas in one sentence to show a surprise contrast without needing complicated grammar rules.

IELTS Reading Exercises

Answer questions 1 to 8 based on the passage above.

Questions 1–3: Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage?

Select TRUE if the statement agrees, FALSE if it contradicts, or NOT GIVEN if there is no information.

1. The Semmering Railway travels across more than 40 kilometres of mountainous terrain.

____ True ____ False ____ Not Given

2. Train services on the railway were stopped for several years before being reopened.

____ True ____ False ____ Not Given

3. Workers experienced severe winter weather during the construction period between 1848 and 1854.

____ True ____ False ____ Not Given

Questions 4–5: Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

4. What is the main point explained in Paragraph C?

____ a. Modern trains are faster than older mountain trains. ____ b. The line remains active today because of its exceptional building quality. ____ c. UNESCO recommended replacing old viaducts with modern bridges. ____ d. The railway route was changed significantly after 1854.

5. What can be inferred about Semmering after the railway was opened?

____ a. It lost its importance as people moved away to bigger cities. ____ b. It developed into an early resort town for tourists visiting the Alps. ____ c. It was closed to international visitors for several decades. ____ d. It became an industrial hub for factory workers.

Questions 6–7: Which paragraph contains the following information? Choose the correct letter, A–D.

6. Details regarding elevation measurements along the railway route.

____ Paragraph A ____ Paragraph B ____ Paragraph C ____ Paragraph D

7. Mention of official global heritage status awarded in the late 20th century.

____ Paragraph A ____ Paragraph B ____ Paragraph C ____ Paragraph D

Question 8: Complete the sentence below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

8. Semmering became one of the first ____ that people built for visitors in the Alps.

Type your answer matching the exact words from Paragraph D.

Reading: The Historic Semmering Railway

How to use this lesson

👨‍🏫 For Teachers

🎓 For Learners

The Semmering Railway: A Mountain Marvel

IELTS Reading Exercises

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