The IELTS Reading section includes passages that test how well you can understand information, find details, and recognise ideas written in different ways. Going Nowhere Fast is one such IELTS Reading passage.
The Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Answers look at the idea of being stuck or making little progress despite having movement or activity around you. Reading the passage carefully can help you understand its main ideas and find answers that are often written in different words in the questions.
This article covers:
The complete Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading passage
Questions and answers with simple explanations
Important keywords and paraphrased ideas
Easy ways to approach the IELTS Reading questions
Common mistakes to avoid while answering
You do not need expert knowledge to solve the passage. Focus on the information given in the text and check the meaning before choosing an answer.
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Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Passage
The Going Nowhere Fast passage looks at the problems with current transport systems and explores new ideas that could make travel in crowded cities faster, safer, and more efficient. It mainly focuses on Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) and the RUF dual-mode transport system.
The passage of IELTS Reading Test has 10 sections. As you read, pay attention to names, transport systems, reasons, advantages, and problems. These details can help you locate answers quickly when solving the questions.
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1–13. Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
Going Nowhere Fast
This is ludicrous! We can talk to people anywhere in the world or fly to meet them in a few hours. We can even send probes to other planets. But when it comes to getting around our cities, we depend on systems that have scarcely changed since the days of Gottlieb Daimler.
A
In recent years, the pollution belched out by millions of vehicles has dominated the debate about transport. The problem has even persuaded California, home of car culture, to curb traffic growth. But no matter how green they become, cars are unlikely to get us around crowded cities any faster. And persuading people to use trains and buses will always be an uphill struggle. Cars, after all, are popular for very good reasons, as anyone with small children or heavy shopping knows.
B
A professor of mechanical engineering sits typing at a computer keyboard, conjuring up a scene on his monitor that looks something like the classic computer game PacMan. White dots stream in from the right of the screen, switch to red, and merge with green boxes, which swiftly change colour to yellow and then red while moving through a bewildering maze. But this is not a video game. J. Edward Anderson of Boston University is testing an urban transit system that he believes could revolutionise public transport worldwide.
C
For the past quarter of a century, Anderson has been promoting his version of personal rapid transit (PRT). Other versions came and went in the 1970s, from Europe, Japan, and elsewhere in the US, but he was so convinced of the idea’s potential that he stuck with it and, in 1983, founded the Taxi 2000 Corporation to commercialise the initiative. Although the University of Minnesota, Anderson’s employer until 1986, holds the patents to the technology, he is licensed to develop it and to sub-license other developers. So politicians should be trying to lure people out of their cars, not forcing them out. There’s certainly no shortage of alternatives. Perhaps the most attractive is the concept known as personal rapid transit (PRT), independently invented in the US and Europe in the 1950s.
D
The idea is to go to one of many stations and hop into a computer-controlled car that can whisk you to your destination along with a network of guideways. You wouldn’t have to share your space with strangers, and with no traffic lights, pedestrians, or parked cars to slow things down, PRT guideways can carry far more traffic, nonstop, than any inner-city road. It’s a wonderful vision, but the odds are stacked against PRT for a number of reasons. The first cars ran on existing roads, and it was only after they became popular, and after governments started earning revenue from them, that a road network designed specifically for motor vehicles was built. With PRT, the infrastructure would have to come first, and that would cost megabucks.
E
What’s more, any transport system that threatened the car’s dominance would be up against all those with a stake in maintaining the status quo, from private car owners to manufacturers and oil multinationals. Even if PRTs were spectacularly successful in trials, it might not make much difference. Superior technology doesn’t always triumph, as the VHS versus Betamax and Windows versus Apple Mac battles showed.
F
But “dual-mode” systems might just succeed where PRT seems doomed to fail. The Danish RUF system envisaged by Palle Jensen, for example, resembles PRT but with one key difference: vehicles have wheels as well as a slot allowing them to travel on a monorail, so they can drive off the rail onto a normal road. Once on a road, the occupant would take over from the computer, and the RUF vehicle, the term comes from a Danish saying meaning “to go fast”, would become an electric car.
G
Build a fast network of guideways in a busy city centre and people would have a strong incentive not just to use public RUF vehicles, but also to buy their own dual-mode vehicle. Commuters could drive onto the guideway, sit back, and read as they are chauffeured into the city. At work they would jump out, leaving their vehicles to park themselves. Unlike PRT, such a system could grow organically, as each network would serve a large area around it and people nearby could buy into it. And a dual-mode system might even win the support of car manufacturers, who could easily switch to producing dual-mode vehicles.
H
The RUF system can reduce energy consumption from individual traffic. The main factor is the reduction of air resistance due to the close coupling of vehicles. The energy consumption per RUF car is reduced to less than one-third at 100 km/h. Since RUF is an electric system, renewable sources can be used without problems. A combination of windmills and a RUF rail could be used over water. Solar cells can also be integrated into the system and ensure completely sustainable transportation.
I
Of course, creating a new transport system will not be cheap or easy. But unlike adding a dedicated bus lane here or extending the underground railway there, an innovative system such as Jensen’s could transform cities. The vehicles in a RUF system ride very safely on top of a triangular monorail. This means that derailments are impossible and that the users will feel safe because it is easy to understand that when the rail is actually inside the vehicle it is absolutely stable. The special rail brake ensures that braking power is always available even during bad weather. The brake can squeeze as hard against the rail as required in order to bring the vehicle to a safe stop. If a vehicle has to be evacuated, a walkway between the two rails can be used.
J
And it’s not just a matter of saving a few minutes a day. According to the Red Cross, more than 30 million people have died in road accidents in the past century, three times the number killed in the First World War, and the annual death toll is rising. What’s more, the Red Cross believes road accidents will become the third biggest cause of death and disability by 2020, ahead of diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis. Surely we can find a better way to get around.
Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Answers Questions 1–6
Questions 1–6 are True/False/Not Given questions. You need to check each statement against the information in the passage. TRUE means the statement agrees with the passage, FALSE means it contradicts the passage, and NOT GIVEN means the passage does not give enough information. IELTS Exam also advises students not to use their own knowledge when answering these questions.
Questions 1–6
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage?
Write TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN.
Question 1
City transport developed slower than other means of communication.
Answer: TRUE
The answer is found in the opening paragraph. The passage compares modern communication, air travel, and space technology with city transport.
It says that we can talk to people anywhere, fly to other places quickly, and send probes to other planets. However, transport in cities has “scarcely changed” since the days of Gottlieb Daimler.
This shows that city transport has developed more slowly than other forms of technology and travel.
Answer: TRUE
Question 2
The pollution caused by city transport has been largely ignored.
Answer: FALSE
The answer is in Paragraph 1. The passage says that pollution from millions of vehicles has “dominated the debate about transport.”
This means pollution has received a lot of attention. The statement says it has been largely ignored, which is the opposite of what the passage says.
Answer: FALSE
Question 3
Most states in America have taken actions to reduce vehicle growth.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
The answer is in Paragraph 1. The passage only talks about California and says that it has taken steps to curb traffic growth.
It does not tell us what most other states in America have done. So, there is not enough information to say whether the statement is true or false.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
Question 4
Public transport is particularly difficult to use on steep hills.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
The answer is in Paragraph 1, where the passage says that persuading people to use trains and buses will be “an uphill struggle.”
Here, “uphill struggle” means something that is difficult. It does not mean that trains and buses have problems travelling on steep hills.
The passage gives no information about public transport and steep hills.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
Question 5
Private cars are much more convenient for those who tend to buy a lot of things during shopping.
Answer: TRUE
The answer is in Paragraph 1. The passage says that cars are popular for good reasons and mentions people with “heavy shopping.”
This suggests that cars are useful for people who have a lot of things to carry after shopping. The question uses different words, but the meaning is the same.
Answer: TRUE
Question 6
Government should impose compulsory restrictions on car use.
Answer: FALSE
The answer is in Paragraph 3. The passage says politicians should try to “lure people out of their cars, not forcing them out.”
The question says that the government should force people to reduce car use. This is the opposite of the writer's point.
Answer: FALSE
Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Answers 1–6:
Question
Answer
Paragraph
1
TRUE
Opening paragraph
2
FALSE
1
3
NOT GIVEN
1
4
NOT GIVEN
1
5
TRUE
1
6
FALSE
3
Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Answers Questions 7–12
Questions 7–12 are Matching Features questions. You need to match each statement with the correct transport system. In this passage, the options are PRT only, RUF only, or both PRT and RUF.
The best way to solve these questions is to find the key idea in each statement and then check the part of the passage that talks about PRT or RUF. IELTS says Matching Features questions test your ability to recognise connections between facts and information in a text.
Questions 7–12
Classify the following descriptions as referring to:
A. PRT only B. RUF only C. Both PRT and RUF
Question 7
It is likely to be resisted by both individuals and manufacturers.
Answer: A. PRT only
The answer is in Paragraph 5. The passage says that a transport system that threatens the dominance of cars would face opposition from private car owners, manufacturers, and oil companies.
This information is about PRT, which could compete with existing cars.
The passage gives a different view of RUF. It says car manufacturers might even support RUF because they could produce dual-mode vehicles.
Answer: A. PRT only
Question 8
It can run at high speed in cities.
Answer: C. Both PRT and RUF
The answer can be found in Paragraphs 4 and 6.
For PRT, the passage says that a computer-controlled car can “whisk” passengers to their destination. This means it can move quickly.
For RUF, the name comes from a Danish saying meaning “to go fast.”
So, both systems are designed to provide fast travel.
Answer: C. Both PRT and RUF
Question 9
It is not necessary to share with the general public.
Answer: C. Both PRT and RUF
The answer is found in Paragraphs 4 and 7.
For PRT, the passage says passengers would not have to share their space with strangers.
For RUF, people could buy their own dual-mode vehicle. This means they could travel in their own vehicle instead of sharing it with other people.
So, this feature applies to both systems.
Answer: C. Both PRT and RUF
Question 10
It is always controlled by a computer.
Answer: A. PRT only
The answer is in Paragraphs 4 and 6.
The passage describes a PRT vehicle as a computer-controlled car.
RUF works differently. On the monorail, the computer controls the vehicle, but once it moves onto a normal road, the person inside takes control.
So, only PRT is always controlled by a computer.
Answer: A. PRT only
Question 11
It can run on existing roads.
Answer: B. RUF only
The answer is in Paragraph 6. The RUF vehicle has wheels as well as a special slot for travelling on a monorail.
Because it has wheels, it can leave the rail and drive on a normal road.
PRT does not have this feature. It needs its own network of guideways.
Answer: B. RUF only
Question 12
It can be bought by private buyers.
Answer: B. RUF only
The answer is in Paragraph 7. The passage says people could use public RUF vehicles or buy their own dual-mode vehicle.
This means private buyers could own RUF vehicles.
The passage does not say that private buyers can own PRT vehicles.
Answer: B. RUF only
Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Answers 7–12:
Question
Answer
Explanation
7
A. PRT only
PRT may face opposition from car owners and manufacturers.
8
C. Both PRT and RUF
Both systems are described as fast transport options.
9
C. Both PRT and RUF
Both can provide private travel without sharing with strangers.
10
A. PRT only
PRT is computer-controlled, while RUF can be driven by the passenger on normal roads.
11
B. RUF only
RUF vehicles can leave the rail and use normal roads.
12
B. RUF only
People can buy their own RUF vehicles.
Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Answers Questions 13–15
Questions 13–15 are Multiple Choice questions. You need to choose THREE options from A–G. Read all the options before choosing your answers and check which benefits are actually mentioned in the passage.
Questions 13–15
Choose THREE letters, A–G.
Which THREE of the following are advantages of the new transport system?
A. Economy B. Space C. Low pollution D. Suitability for families E. Speed F. Safety G. Suitability for children
Question 13
Answer: C. Low pollution
The answer is found in Paragraph 6. The RUF vehicle would become an electric car when it moves onto a normal road.
Paragraph 8 also says that RUF is an electric system and can use renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
This shows that low pollution is one of the advantages of the new transport system.
Answer: C. LOW POLLUTION
Question 14
Answer: E. Speed
The answer is found in Paragraphs 4 and 6.
The passage says that a PRT vehicle can “whisk” passengers to their destination. It also says that the RUF name comes from a Danish saying meaning “to go fast.”
Both points show that speed is an important benefit of these transport systems.
Answer: E. SPEED
Question 15
Answer: F. Safety
The answer is found in Paragraph 9 and the final part of the passage.
The passage explains that RUF vehicles travel safely on a triangular monorail. It also mentions special brakes that can stop the vehicle safely, even in bad weather.
The passage later talks about the large number of people who die in road accidents and suggests that we need a better way to travel.
This supports safety as another advantage.
Answer: F. SAFETY
Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Answers 13–15
Question
Answer
Where to find it
13
C. Low pollution
Paragraphs 6 and 8
14
E. Speed
Paragraphs 4 and 6
15
F. Safety
Paragraphs 9 and 10
How to Approach the Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Answers
The Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Answers can be easier to find when you use the right approach. The passage has different question types, so you should not solve every question in the same way.
IELTS Reading tests your ability to find details, understand main ideas, and connect information in the passage. Skimming and scanning can also help you find the right part of the text faster.
1. Read the Questions First
Start by reading the questions before reading the full passage in detail. Look for important words such as names, transport systems, numbers, places, and specific ideas.
For this passage, names like J. Edward Anderson, Palle Jensen, PRT, and RUF are useful because they can help you find the right section quickly.
2. Understand the Question Type
The Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Answers include True/False/Not Given, Matching Features, and Multiple Choice questions.
Each type needs a slightly different approach:
True/False/Not Given: Check whether the statement agrees with, contradicts, or is not mentioned in the passage.
Matching Features: Find the person or transport system connected with the information in the question.
Multiple Choice: Find the relevant part of the passage first and then compare the options.
IELTS says that True means the statement agrees with the text, False means it contradicts the text, and Not Given means the text does not give enough information.
3. Find Keywords and Similar Words
Do not look only for the exact words used in the question. The passage may use a different word with the same meaning.
For example, a question may say “run at high speed”, while the passage may describe a system that can “whisk” people quickly from one place to another.
So, look for the idea, not just the exact word.
4. Use Skimming and Scanning
Skimming means reading quickly to understand what each part of the passage is about. Scanning means looking quickly for a particular name, word, number, or detail.
For Going Nowhere Fast, you can skim the passage first and understand the main topic of each section. Then scan when you need to find a specific answer.
IELTS also recommends skimming and scanning to help locate the parts of a text that you need to read more carefully.
5. Be Careful With True, False and Not Given
This is one of the places where people can make an error.
Don't pick False just because the statement feels incorrect. There has to be something, in the text that directly goes against it. If the text doesn't have that information then the answer is Not Given.
Also, do not use your own knowledge about transport or traffic. IELTS says answers should be based on the information given in the text.
6. Check All Options in Matching Features
For Questions 7–12, first understand what each option represents. Then find the part of the passage that talks about the feature in the question.
In this passage, the options are linked to PRT, RUF, or both systems. Some answers become easier once you find the exact section that describes how each system works.
7. Watch Out for Distractors
Some options may seem correct because they use words that also appear in the passage. I think you should not pick an answer just because you notice the word.
IELTS says that distractors can include words, from the passage but still be wrong. A better way is to locate the part first understand it and then compare the options.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading
The Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading passage can have some tricky questions. Most mistakes happen when students read too quickly, choose an answer because of one matching word, or do not understand what the question is asking.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid while solving this passage:
Common mistake
Why it can cause problems
What to do instead
Choosing an answer because of one matching word
The passage may contain the same word, but the meaning can be different. This can be a distractor.
Read the full sentence and check the meaning before choosing.
Confusing False and Not Given
False means the passage gives information that contradicts the statement. Not Given means the information is not given.
Look for clear evidence in the passage. Do not use your own knowledge.
Reading every line very slowly
You may run out of time before answering all the questions.
Skim the passage first and scan for the details you need.
Looking for exact words only
IELTS questions often use different words with the same meaning.
Look for synonyms and paraphrased ideas.
Choosing the first option that looks correct
Another option may fit the passage better.
Check all the options before making your final choice.
Forgetting how many answers to choose
Questions 13–15 ask you to choose three answers.
Read the instructions carefully before answering.
Mixing up PRT and RUF
Both systems have some similar features, so it is easy to confuse them.
Note which system is being described before matching the answer.
Using outside knowledge
Your answer may sound logical but may not be supported by the passage.
Base every answer only on the information in the text.
Spending too much time on one question
One difficult question can take time away from easier ones.
Move on and return to the question later if you have time.
Want to practise more IELTS Reading passages? Check out these answer guides covering a range of topics and question types:
The Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading Answers can help you understand how to solve the passage and check where you went wrong. The passage mainly talks about new transport systems such as PRT and RUF, along with their benefits, problems, speed, and safety features.
While practising, keep these points in mind:
Read the questions carefully before searching for answers.
Look for keywords and their similar meanings in the passage.
Do not confuse False with Not Given.
For Matching Features, check which transport system the information describes.
Read all the options before answering Multiple Choice questions.
Do not use your own knowledge. Use only the information given in the passage.
Keep an eye on the time and do not spend too long on one question.
Regular practice can help you find information faster and feel more confident while solving IELTS Reading passages.
What is the Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading passage about?
The passage looks at the problems caused by modern city transport and why new transport ideas may be needed. It mainly discusses Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) and the RUF transport system. It also looks at issues such as traffic, pollution, energy use, safety, and the future of city travel.
Is Going Nowhere Fast an official IELTS Reading passage?
The Going Nowhere Fast passage is commonly used in IELTS preparation materials and practice websites. However, you should not treat it as an official IELTS.org passage. IELTS.org provides official sample tests and explains the real Reading question types, but this particular passage comes from third-party IELTS practice material.
How difficult is the Going Nowhere Fast IELTS Reading test?
The difficulty can depend on your reading level and how familiar you are with the question types. Some questions are quite direct, while others require you to understand ideas written in different words. Knowing the topic is less important than being able to find and understand the information in the passage.
What IELTS Reading skills can I practise with Going Nowhere Fast?
This passage gives you practice with several useful skills, such as finding specific information, understanding details, matching information, and comparing answer choices. It also makes you look at ideas rather than just matching the same words. These are useful skills for the wider IELTS Reading test, which uses several different task types.
Can Going Nowhere Fast help me improve my IELTS Reading score?
Yes, it can be useful as extra practice, especially if you review your wrong answers instead of only checking the answer key. Try to understand why your answer was wrong and which part of the passage gave the correct answer. Doing this regularly can help you become faster and more careful with Reading questions.
Should I learn the meaning of every difficult word in the passage?
No. You do not need to understand every word before answering the questions. Try to understand the sentence and the main idea first. IELTS Reading passages can contain unfamiliar or technical words, but the test is mainly checking how well you understand and find information in the text.
How many questions are there in an IELTS Reading test?
The IELTS Academic Reading test has 40 questions across three sections, and you get 60 minutes to complete them. Each correct answer gets one mark, and your total score is converted into an IELTS band score.
Why do IELTS Reading questions use different words from the passage?
IELTS wants to check whether you understand the meaning, not just whether you can copy the same words. Because of this, a question may use a synonym or a different phrase from the passage. Learning to recognise these changes in wording is a useful part of IELTS Reading practice.
What should I do when two IELTS Reading answers look correct?
Go back to the part of the passage that relates to the question. Read the complete sentence and the sentences around it, then compare both options with the information given. Do not choose based only on which option sounds more logical or familiar.
Is it better to read the whole IELTS passage before answering?
There is no single method that works for every student. You can quickly skim the passage to understand its structure and then read the relevant parts more carefully when answering. The official IELTS format includes tasks that test both detailed and general understanding, so being able to move between the main idea and specific details is useful.
Where can I find official IELTS Reading practice questions?
You can use the official IELTS Academic sample test questions on IELTS.org. These materials include different Reading tasks and can help you understand the real test format. IELTS also recommends using practice materials to get familiar with the task types and review your answers.
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