The Intelligence of dolphins IELTS Reading I IELTS Reading Practice 2026 with Answers

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IELTS Reading Practice Test 2026 – New Passage with Questions and Answers ( With PDF)

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               IELTS Reading Practice 2026  Test 1 Passage 2



The London Eye: From Millennium Project to Global Landmark

 A.The London Eye has become one of London’s most recognizable features and one of London’s most famous symbols in modern times. On the South Bank of the River Thames is this huge observation wheel to provide visitors with a panoramic view of the British capital. Since opening to the public in 2000, it has received millions of visitors each year and quickly became one of the most popular paid-for attractions in the UK. Even though London has a lot of old buildings, the London Eye shows how new engineering can successfully coexist with old buildings.

 B. The concept for the London Eye originated with British architects David Marks and Julia Barfield. In the early 1990s, the pair submitted their design to a competition that aimed to create a new landmark celebrating the arrival of the year 2000. Although their proposal did not win the competition, the architects remained convinced of its potential. Through determination and the support of private investors, the project gradually gained financial backing. Eventually, approval was granted for construction, allowing the ambitious design to move from concept to reality.

 C. The construction of the London Eye presented a number of complex engineering challenges. Due to the immense size of the structure, it could not simply be assembled in its final upright position. Instead, engineers constructed the wheel horizontally on a series of floating platforms positioned on the River Thames. This process required remarkable precision, as each section of the structure had to be securely attached before the entire wheel could be lifted. Once assembly was complete, the wheel was slowly raised into a vertical position using a carefully controlled lifting mechanism, a process that attracted considerable public attention at the time.

D. At approximately 135 metres in height, the London Eye was, at the time of its completion, the tallest observation wheel in the world. Although taller structures have since been constructed elsewhere, the London Eye remains one of the most impressive examples of its kind. The wheel is supported by a large A-frame structure on one side, which gives it the appearance of a giant bicycle wheel suspended above the river. This distinctive design not only contributes to its visual appeal but also ensures the stability required to support its considerable weight.

E. The wheel contains 32 fully enclosed glass capsules that are attached to its outer rim. Each capsule symbolically represents one of the 32 boroughs of London, reinforcing the structure’s connection to the city it overlooks. Designed to carry up to 25 passengers at a time, the capsules are air-conditioned and spacious, allowing visitors to move around comfortably during the ride. Large curved windows provide unobstructed views in every direction, enabling passengers to observe the city from a unique aerial perspective.

F.  A complete rotation of the London Eye takes approximately 30 minutes, during which passengers gradually ascend to a height from which the city can be viewed in remarkable detail. On particularly clear days, visibility can extend up to 40 kilometres in all directions. From the highest point, visitors can identify many of London’s most famous landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral. Because the wheel rotates at a very slow and steady speed, it rarely needs to stop completely for passengers to board or disembark.

G. Since its inauguration, the London Eye has played a significant role in the development of London’s tourism industry. The attraction quickly became a central feature of many visitors’ itineraries and continues to generate substantial economic benefits for the city. In addition to standard sightseeing rides, a range of alternative experiences has been introduced in order to broaden its appeal. For example, visitors can reserve private capsules for special occasions such as weddings, corporate events or celebrations, while seasonal experiences and themed rides are also frequently offered.

H. Although the London Eye was initially intended to remain in place for only a limited period following the millennium celebrations, its extraordinary popularity ensured that it would become a permanent fixture on the London skyline. Over time, the attraction has evolved into both a cultural landmark and a symbol of contemporary London. Its success has inspired the construction of similar observation wheels in cities across the globe, demonstrating how a single architectural project can influence urban tourism and city branding on an international scale.

Questions 14–19
Reading Passage 2 has eight paragraphs, A–H.

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number i–x in boxes 14–19 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings
i. The architectural appearance of the structure
ii. Expansion of tourist experiences
iii. A new landmark within a historic city
iv. The origins of the idea
v. A unique method of construction
vi. The internal features of the capsules
vii. Views and passenger experience
viii. The long-term influence of the attraction
ix. Financial difficulties during the project
x. Safety regulations during operation

14. Paragraph A ______
15. Paragraph B ______
16. Paragraph C ______
17. Paragraph E ______
18. Paragraph F ______
19. Paragraph H ______



Questions 20–23
Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

The London Eye Project
The London Eye was originally proposed as part of a project intended to celebrate the arrival of the 
20. ........................... Although the design was not selected as the official winner of the competition, 
the project was later able to proceed after receiving financial support from 21. ......................... During construction, engineers faced several technical challenges and therefore built the wheel in a 
22.........................position on floating platforms in the 23............................, before slowly raising it into its final upright form.

Questions 24–27     Multiple Choice Questions 

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Why was the London Eye initially built horizontally?
A. To reduce the cost of construction
B. Because engineers needed access from boats
C. Because of the size and complexity of the structure
D. To allow tourists to watch the building process

What is unusual about the structural design of the London Eye?
A. It is supported from only one side
B. It rotates faster than other observation wheels
C. It contains two separate wheels
D. It is attached to nearby buildings

What allows passengers to see the city clearly from the capsules?
A. The capsules rotate independently
B. The windows are curved and transparent
C. The wheel stops at the top
D. The capsules contain telescopes

What does the passage suggest about the London Eye today?
A. It will soon be removed
B. It has been copied in other cities
C. It is used mainly by local residents
D. It no longer attracts many tourists



                          IELTS Reading True False  Not given  
                          Reading Question Types in IELTS

Show Answers
Answer Key (14–27)

14. iii
15. iv
16. v
17. vi
18. vii
19. viii
20. year 2000
21. private investors
22. horizontal
23. River Thames
24. C
25. A
26. B
27. B

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