Adam’s Wine Reading Answers

Adam’s Wine is an IELTS Academic Reading passage that explores the importance of water, its impact on human life, and the environmental problems linked to floods, droughts, and water shortages.

The passage looks at humanity’s changing relationship with water, examples of environmental damage, and possible problems caused by climate change and growing water scarcity. The questions test your ability to identify main ideas, understand specific information, and recognise paraphrased ideas in the passage.

In the sections below, you’ll find all “Adam’s Wine IELTS Reading Answers” along with explanations and practical tips to help you work through Matching Headings, Multiple Choice, and True, False, Not Given questions.

Adam’s Wine Reading Passage

An IELTS Reading passage tests how well you can understand ideas, find specific information, and connect details with questions. Adam’s Wine is one of the passages you can practise while preparing for the IELTS exam. It looks at the importance of water, its impact on human life, and the problems caused by floods, drought, and changing climate conditions.

Before you begin, quickly scan the questions and note any names, dates, or specific details that may help you find the answers. You do not need to understand every word. Focus on the main idea as you read, then return to the relevant part of the passage when checking your answers. 

Now, read the passage and keep the questions in mind:

Adam’s Wine Reading Passage

1. Water is the giver and, at the same time, the taker of life. It covers most of the surface of the planet we live on and features large in the development of the human race. On present predictions, it is an element that is set to assume even greater significance.

2. Throughout history, water has had a huge impact on our lives. Humankind has always had a rather ambiguous relationship with water, on the one hand receiving enormous benefit from it, not just as a drinking source, but as a provider of food and a means whereby to travel and to trade. But forced to live close to water in order to survive and to develop, the relationship has not always been peaceful or beneficial. In fact, it has been quite the contrary. What has essentially been a necessity for survival has turned out in many instances to have a very destructive and life-threatening side.

3. Through the ages, great floods alternated with long periods of drought have assaulted people and their environment, hampering their fragile fight for survival. The dramatic changes to the environment that are now a feature of our daily news are not exactly new: fields that were once lush and fertile are now barren; lakes and rivers that were once teeming with life are now long gone; savannah has been turned to desert. What perhaps is new is our naive wonder when faced with the forces of nature.

4. Today, we are more aware of climatic changes around the world. Floods in far-flung places are instant hews for the whole world. Perhaps these events make us feel better as we face the destruction of our own property by floods and other natural disasters.

5. In 2002, many parts of Europe suffered severe flood damage running into billions of euros. Properties across the continent collapsed into the sea as waves pounded the coastline wreaking havoc with sea defences. But it was not just the seas. Rivers swollen by heavy rains and by the effects of deforestation carried large volumes of water that wrecked many communities.

6. Building stronger and more sophisticated river defences against flooding is the expensive short-term answer. There are simpler ways. Planting trees in highland areas, not just in Europe but in places like the Himalayas, to protect people living in low-lying regions like the Ganges Delta, is a cheaper and more attractive solution. Progress is already being made in convincing countries that the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is causing considerable damage to the environment. But more effort is needed in this direction.

7. And the future? If we are to believe the forecasts, it is predicted that two¬thirds of the world population will be without fresh water by 2025. But for a growing number of regions of the world, the future is already with us. While some areas are devastated by flooding, scarcity of water in many other places is causing conflict. The state of Texas in the United States of America is suffering a shortage of water with the Rio Grande failing to reach the Gulf of Mexico for the first time in 50 years in the spring of 2002, pitting region against region as they vie for water sources. With many parts of the globe running dry through drought and increased water consumption, there is now talk of water being the new oil.

8. Other doom-laden estimates suggest that, while tropical areas will become drier and uninhabitable, coastal regions and some low-lying islands will in all probability be submerged by the sea as the polar ice caps melt. Popular exotic destinations now visited by countless tourists will become no-go areas. Today's holiday hotspots of southern Europe and elsewhere will literally become hotspots - too hot to live in or visit. With the current erratic behaviour of the weather, it is difficult not to subscribe to such despair.

9. Some might say that this despondency is ill-founded, but we have had ample proof that there is something not quite right with the climate. Many parts of the world have experienced devastating flooding. As the seasons revolve, the focus of the destruction moves from one continent to another. The impact on the environment is alarming and the cost to life depressing. It is a picture to which we will need to become accustomed.

Now that you have read the passage, try answering the questions on your own before checking the Adam’s Wine Reading Answers below. 

Adam’s Wine Reading Answers with Explanation

Once you have attempted the questions, checking the answers can help you understand where you went right and where you may have missed a detail. The Adam’s Wine Reading Answers below cover each question type with short explanations, so you can check the correct answer and see how it is supported by the passage.

The questions include Matching Headings, Multiple Choice, and True, False, Not Given. Go through your answers first, then use the explanations to identify the relevant paragraph and understand the reasoning behind each answer.

Matching Headings Reading Answers 1–8

Questions 1–8: The Reading Passage has nine paragraphs labelled A–I. Choose the most suitable heading for paragraphs B–I from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number (i–xii) in boxes 1–8 on your answer sheet.

Note: There are more headings than paragraphs, so you will not use all of them.

List of Headings

i. Environmental change has always been part of human life
ii. The growing problem of water shortages
iii. Rivers and waves cause widespread damage
iv. Should we be pessimistic about the future?
v. Climate disasters make us feel better
vi. Water as a source of nourishment
vii. Ways to deal with flooding
viii. Widespread flooding across Europe
ix. The relationship between humans and water
x. The destructive effects of water in the past
xi. What the future may hold for flooding
xii. A pessimistic view of the future

1. Paragraph B
 2. Paragraph C
 3. Paragraph D
 4. Paragraph E
 5. Paragraph F
 6. Paragraph G
 7. Paragraph H
 8. Paragraph I

Answers: Matching Headings

1. ix — The relationship between humans and water

Reference: Paragraph B

“Humankind has always had a rather ambiguous relationship with water…”

Explanation: Paragraph B focuses on the different ways water has affected human life. People depend on water for drinking, food, travel, and trade, but living close to it has also exposed them to destructive effects. This makes the relationship between humans and water the most suitable heading.

2. i — Environmental change has always been part of human life

Reference: Paragraph C

“The dramatic changes to the environment that are now a feature of our daily news are not exactly new…”

Explanation: The paragraph gives examples of environmental changes that have happened over time, such as fertile fields becoming barren and savannah turning into desert. The writer points out that these changes are not new, making heading i the best match.

3. v — Climate disasters make us feel better

Reference: Paragraph D

“Perhaps these events make us feel better as we face the destruction of our own property…”

Explanation: Paragraph D discusses how people now hear about floods in distant parts of the world almost immediately. The writer suggests that seeing these events elsewhere may somehow make people feel better when dealing with disasters closer to home. Therefore, v fits best.

4. viii — Widespread flooding across Europe

Reference: Paragraph E

“In 2002, many parts of Europe suffered severe flood damage…”

Explanation: The paragraph focuses on the serious flooding experienced across Europe in 2002. It describes damage caused by waves, rivers, heavy rainfall, and deforestation. Hence, widespread flooding across Europe is the most suitable heading.

5. vii — Ways to deal with flooding

Reference: Paragraph F

“Building stronger and more sophisticated river defences against flooding is the expensive short-term answer.”

Explanation: Paragraph F looks at possible ways of reducing the effects of flooding. It mentions stronger river defences, planting trees in highland areas, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The main focus is therefore on ways to deal with flooding.

6. ii — The growing problem of water shortages

Reference: Paragraph G

“It is predicted that two-thirds of the world population will be without fresh water by 2025.”

Explanation: The paragraph shifts from flooding to the growing shortage of water. It mentions water scarcity, conflict over water sources, and the increasing demand for water in different parts of the world. So, ii is the best heading.

7. xii — A pessimistic view of the future

Reference: Paragraph H

“Other doom-laden estimates suggest that…”

Explanation: Paragraph H presents several worrying predictions about the future. Tropical regions may become drier, some coastal areas could be submerged, and popular tourist destinations may become too hot to visit. These predictions create a pessimistic view of the future.

8. iv — Should we be pessimistic about the future?

Reference: Paragraph I

“Some might say that this despondency is ill-founded…”

Explanation: The writer questions whether such pessimism is justified. At the same time, the paragraph acknowledges the serious effects of flooding and environmental change and says that people will need to become accustomed to them. This makes iv the best heading.

Multiple Choice Reading Answers 9–10

Questions 9–10: Choose the correct letter, A–D.

9. What does the writer suggest is new about environmental changes?

A. The frequency of floods around the world
B. People’s surprise when faced with the forces of nature
C. The destruction caused by rivers and lakes
D. The changes taking place in fertile areas

Answer: B. People’s surprise when faced with the forces of nature

Explanation: In Paragraph C, the writer explains that dramatic environmental changes have happened before. What is perhaps new is our “naive wonder” when we see the power of nature. Therefore, B is the correct answer.

10. What does the final paragraph suggest about environmental disasters?

A. They are likely to disappear as the climate changes.
B. They are now limited to a small number of regions.
C. People may need to become accustomed to their recurring effects.
D. They have become less damaging than they were in the past.

Answer: C. People may need to become accustomed to their recurring effects

Explanation: The final paragraph describes destructive flooding in different parts of the world and explains that its impact shifts between continents as the seasons change. The writer concludes that “we will need to become accustomed” to this situation. Therefore, C is the best answer.

True, False, Not Given Reading Answers 11–13

Questions 11–13: Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?

Write:

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this in the passage

11. Humanity has always had a complicated relationship with water.

Answer: TRUE

Reference: Paragraph B

“Humankind has always had a rather ambiguous relationship with water…”

Explanation: The writer directly describes humanity’s relationship with water as ambiguous. Water has provided essential benefits such as food, drinking water, travel, and trade, but it has also caused destruction. This agrees with the statement, so the answer is TRUE.

12. Half of the world’s population will be without fresh water by 2025.

Answer: FALSE

Reference: Paragraph G

“It is predicted that two-thirds of the world population will be without fresh water by 2025.”

Explanation: The statement changes two-thirds to half. Since the passage specifically says that two-thirds of the world’s population may be without fresh water, the statement contradicts the passage. Therefore, the answer is FALSE.

13. As the seasons change, the focus of environmental destruction moves from one continent to another.

Answer: TRUE

Reference: Paragraph I

“As the seasons revolve, the focus of the destruction moves from one continent to another.”

Explanation: The statement directly matches the information in Paragraph I. The writer explains that different continents experience the effects of environmental disasters as the seasons change. Therefore, the answer is TRUE.

Note: The following are sample IELTS Reading questions based on the Adam’s Wine passage. Try answering them yourself before checking the solutions and explanations below.

Looking to strengthen your IELTS preparation before you take the test? Get practical guidance with upGrad’s free IELTS course and work on your skills at your own pace.

How to Approach Adam’s Wine Reading Questions?

The Adam’s Wine passage includes three question types, and each one needs a slightly different approach.While working through the Adam’s Wine Reading Answers, focus on what the question is asking and where that information appears in the passage rather than trying to remember every line.

Here are some simple strategies that can make the questions easier to handle:

Find the Main Idea Before Matching Headings

Matching Headings questions are about the main point of a paragraph, not one interesting detail.

What to do:

• Read the whole paragraph before checking the headings.
• Ask yourself, “What is this paragraph mainly trying to say?”
• Look for the idea that covers most of the paragraph.
• Do not select a heading just because one word matches.

Example from Adam’s Wine:

Paragraph G talks about water, conflict, Texas, and the Rio Grande. However, the main point is the growing shortage of fresh water and the problems it could create.

So:

Paragraph G → The growing problem of water shortages

The word shortages is not something you need to match word for word. You need to recognise the idea from the paragraph.

Look for Keywords When Solving Multiple Choice Questions

For multiple-choice questions, the options can look quite similar. A useful way to narrow them down is to find the part of the passage that talks about the same idea.

Look for:

• Names
• Places
• Numbers
• Specific events
• Unusual words from the question

Example:

One question asks what the writer considers to be new about environmental changes.

The relevant part appears in Paragraph C, where the writer says that dramatic environmental changes are not new, but our “naive wonder” at the forces of nature may be.

So the answer is about people being surprised by nature, not about environmental changes themselves.

This is a good reminder to read the sentence around your keyword instead of stopping at the first matching word.

Pay Attention to Paraphrasing

The wording in the question may be different from the wording in the passage. This is especially common in IELTS Reading, so do not wait for an exact word match.

For example, 

Question wording	Passage idea
Complicated relationship with water	Ambiguous relationship with water
Growing shortage of fresh water	Two-thirds of the world population without fresh water
Ways to reduce flood damage	Stronger river defences and planting trees
Pessimistic view of the future	Doom-laden estimates

For example, “complicated relationship” and “ambiguous relationship” express a similar idea. Recognising this connection can help you find the answer much faster.

Use Elimination When Options Look Similar

Sometimes you may not immediately know the right answer, but you can still narrow down your choices.

Try this:

• Find the relevant paragraph first.
• Read the sentences around the information.
• Remove options that are not mentioned.
• Be careful with options that change the writer’s meaning.
• Choose the option that is actually supported by the passage.

Example from Adam’s Wine:

Paragraph I questions whether the pessimism about climate change is justified. It also accepts that serious environmental destruction is happening and says that people may need to become accustomed to it.

An option saying that environmental disasters will disappear would not fit because the passage does not say this. The writer is questioning the level of pessimism, not suggesting that the problem is over.

Check the Exact Meaning for True, False, Not Given

For True, False, Not Given questions, do not answer based on what you already know about the topic. Your answer must come from the passage.

Remember:

• TRUE → The passage agrees with the statement.
• FALSE → The passage gives information that contradicts it.
• NOT GIVEN → The passage does not provide enough information.

Example:

The passage says that two-thirds of the world population may be without fresh water by 2025.

If the statement says half of the world's population, the answer is FALSE, because the figure in the passage is different.

This is why numbers, dates, and other specific details should always be checked carefully before you choose an answer.

Watch for Contrasting Ideas in the Passage

The writer does not always present an issue from just one side. In some parts of Adam’s Wine, a serious problem is introduced and then viewed from another angle.

Paragraph I is a good example. It first questions whether the gloomy outlook is justified, but then points to the evidence of devastating floods and other environmental damage.

So, when you come across words such as “but,” “perhaps,” “some might say,” or “however,” slow down for a moment. The writer may be changing direction, and that change can be important for finding the correct answer.

Also Read:
IELTS Syllabus	IELTS Test Format	IELTS Exam Pattern

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Adam’s Wine Reading

Adam’s Wine has a few areas where it is easy to make a mistake, especially when the passage gives similar ideas or uses different words for the same point. Numbers and the writer’s change in viewpoint can also be easy to miss while working through the Adam’s Wine Reading Answers.

To guide you further, here are some common mistakes you may make while answering the questions and simple ways to avoid them:

✗ Common Mistake	✓ What to Do Instead
Choosing a heading because it contains a word from the paragraph.	Focus on the main idea of the paragraph.
Marking FALSE when the information is not mentioned.	Choose FALSE only when the passage contradicts it.
Missing the difference between half and two-thirds.	Check all numbers and figures carefully.
Choosing an option because it sounds right.	Find the supporting idea in the passage first.
Looking for the exact words from the question.	Look for the same meaning in different words.
Reading only one part of a paragraph.	Read the whole paragraph, especially when the writer changes direction.

Always remember: If two answers seem possible, go back to the passage and check the exact meaning before making your final choice.

Want to practise more IELTS Reading passages? Check out these answer guides covering different topics and question types:  Transition Care for the Elderly IELTS Reading Answers Fatal Attraction IELTS Reading Answers with Explanations Bird Migration Reading Answers with Explanations Online Roommate Finder Toronto IELTS Reading Answers, Explanation Pine Trees IELTS Reading Answers 2026: Questions & Explanations

Conclusion

Adam’s Wine looks at our relationship with water and how its benefits can also come with serious environmental risks. As you work through the questions, focus on the main idea, check specific details carefully, and look for meaning rather than exact word matches.

The more IELTS Reading passages you practise, the easier it becomes to spot these patterns and manage your time. Building this habit can also help you feel more prepared for the English-language requirements that are part of your wider study abroad plans.

Planning to study abroad and need help with your IELTS and application plans? Book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad’s study abroad experts for guidance based on your goals today!