IELTS Reading: space and astronomy passages

Astronomy, planets and space exploration, from early telescopes to satellites and space travel.

27 passages mainly about space and astronomy · 5 more that touch on it · from 32 full tests

Passages mainly about space and astronomy

Each passage opens as a timed 20-minute practice with its 13–14 questions. Submit to see your band estimate and the sentence that proves every answer.

• Worlds Beyond the SunTest 13 · Part 2 · StandardMatching information · Summary completion · Multiple choice (choose more than one)
• Defending the PlanetTest 23 · Part 2 · StandardMatching information · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Sentence completion
• The Growing Hazard of Space DebrisTest 59 · Part 2 · HarderMatching information · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• The Price of the Final FrontierTest 68 · Part 3 · StandardMultiple choice · Yes / No / Not Given · Summary completion (word list)
• Meteorites: Fragments of the Solar SystemTest 79 · Part 2 · HarderMatching headings · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• The Aurora: Light from the Solar WindTest 80 · Part 2 · HarderMatching information · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• Birth of the MoonTest 81 · Part 2 · StandardMatching headings · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• Wheels on the Red PlanetTest 82 · Part 2 · StandardMatching headings · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Sentence completion
• Chasing CometsTest 83 · Part 2 · HarderMatching information · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• Imaging a Black HoleTest 84 · Part 2 · StandardMatching headings · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• A Window on the Early UniverseTest 86 · Part 2 · StandardMatching information · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• Sailing on SunlightTest 121 · Part 2 · EasierMatching information · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• The Sky Fills UpTest 122 · Part 2 · HarderMatching information · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• Treasure in the SkyTest 123 · Part 2 · HarderMatching information · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• Sputnik and the First SatellitesTest 132 · Part 1 · StandardFlow-chart completion · True / False / Not Given
• The Reusable Dream: A History of the Space ShuttleTest 133 · Part 1 · StandardSummary completion · True / False / Not Given
• A Telescope Above the AirTest 134 · Part 1 · StandardTrue / False / Not Given · Sentence completion
• Should We Move In?Test 153 · Part 3 · EasierMultiple choice · Yes / No / Not Given · Summary completion (word list)
• Watching from OrbitTest 167 · Part 3 · EasierMultiple choice · Yes / No / Not Given · Summary completion (word list)
• Watching the Weather from OrbitTest 176 · Part 2 · HarderMatching information · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• Many Dishes, One TelescopeTest 190 · Part 2 · HarderMatching information · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• Bringing the Rocket HomeTest 191 · Part 2 · StandardMatching information · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• The Slowest Rocket in the SkyTest 192 · Part 2 · StandardMatching features · Multiple choice (choose more than one) · Summary completion
• Finding the Way from SpaceTest 202 · Part 1 · StandardSummary completion · True / False / Not Given
• Who Should Go to Space?Test 204 · Part 3 · StandardMultiple choice · Yes / No / Not Given · Summary completion (word list)
• The Endeavour in the PacificTest 239 · Part 1 · StandardNote completion · True / False / Not Given
• Reading the Maya SkyTest 245 · Part 1 · StandardNote completion · True / False / Not Given

Other passages that cover space and astronomy

These passages have a different main subject but deal with space and astronomy along the way.