For Want of a Drink IELTS Reading Answers with Explanation

“For Want of a Drink” is Part 1 of IELTS Reading Test 6. This page gives the answers for Questions 1-13, with a short explanation wherever the reasoning is clear, so you can check your work and learn from every mistake. The task types are: Matching Information, Yes / No / Not Given.

Quick answers: Questions 1-13

Question	Answer
1	H
2	J
3	C
4	B
5	G
6	YES
7	NO
8	YES
9	NOT GIVEN
10	NO
11	NOT GIVEN
12	YES
13	D

Questions 1–5: Matching Information

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A–J.

Q	Statement	Answer	Explanation
1	Some aquifers are being overdrawn in certain areas.	H	Paragraph H says that in many places more groundwater is pumped out each year than is replaced.
2	Water is essential for everyday human life.	J	Paragraph J lists the many daily uses of water, from drinking and cooking to washing and transport.
3	Tastier, more varied food increases water consumption.	C	Paragraph C explains that people's wish for better-tasting, more interesting food adds to farmers' water demand.
4	Water problems are linked to population changes.	B	Paragraph B traces water problems to rapid population growth since the green revolution.
5	Rainfall is unevenly distributed within one country.	G	Paragraph G shows that rainfall varies hugely within a single country, using India as the example.

Questions 6–12: Yes / No / Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1? YES if the statement agrees with the writer's claims; NO if it contradicts them; NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks.

Q	Statement	Answer	Explanation
6	Water supply is finite and getting worse.	YES	The writer says water is already scarce and will become scarcer.
7	Most farmers were troubled by water shortages nearly 50 years ago.	NO	Paragraph B says that 50 years ago only a small number of people were affected, so "most farmers" contradicts it.
8	Farming water use may rise even with a static population.	YES	Paragraph C states that farming demand would still grow with a stable population, because of rising incomes and diets.
9	Desalination has seen major technological breakthroughs.	NOT GIVEN	The passage mentions falling costs but says nothing about technological breakthroughs.
10	Most global freshwater is in liquid state.	NO	Paragraph E says about 70% of freshwater is frozen, so most of it is not liquid.
11	Brazil has more available water than Russia.	NOT GIVEN	Both countries are listed as having abundant water, but the passage never compares their amounts.
12	Water is seen as a human right, free for everyone.	YES	—
13	The writer's aim in this passage is…	D	The passage covers scarcity, the importance of water, its misunderstood aspects and why it is hard to manage, which matches option D (the fourth option on the page).

Tips for these question types

• Read the question first. Underline keywords, then scan the passage for the same idea in different words.
• Check the instructions. Note the word limit and whether letters or words are needed before you write.
• Review every mistake. Find the sentence that proves the answer so you can spot the same trap next time.

FAQ

How many questions does Part 1 have? Part 1 of this test covers Questions 1-13, which is 13 questions.

Why do some answers have no explanation? We add an explanation only where the reasoning is clear. Always confirm doubtful answers against the passage.

IELTS Reading Test 6: all passages
Part 1: For Want of a Drink (you are here)  |  Part 2: The World Turned Upside Down

Next: Part 2 answers →

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