Eco Resort Management Practices Academic IELTS Reading
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| India | 6th August 2022 |
Reading Passage 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13 which are based on Reading Passage 1 below.
Eco-Resort Management Practices
A Ecotourism is often regarded as a form of nature-based tourism and has become an important alternative source of tourists. In addition to providing the traditional resort-leisure product, it has been argued that ecotourism resort management, an educational and interpretive component, and direct and indirect contributions to the conservation of the natural and cultural environment (Ayala, 1996).
B Couran Cove Island Resort is a large integrated ecotourism-based resort located south of Brisbane on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. As the world’s population becomes increasingly urbanized, the demand for tourist attractions which are environmentally friendly, serene and offer amenities of a unique nature, has grown rapidly. Couran Cove Resort, which is one such tourist attractions, is located on South Stradbroke Island, occupying approximately 150 hectares of the island. South Stradbroke Island is separated from the mainland by the Broadwater, a stretch of sea 3 kilometers wide more than a century ago, there was only one Stradbroke Island, and there were at least four aboriginal tribes living and hunting on the island. Regrettably, most of the original island dwellers were eventually killed by diseases such as tuberculosis, smallpox and influenza by the end of the 19th century. The second shipwreck on the island in 1894, and subsequent destruction of the ship (the Cambus Wallace) because it contained dynamite, caused a large crater in the sandhills on Stradbroke Island. Eventually, the ocean broke through the weakened landform and Stradbroke became two islands. Couran Cove Island Resort is built on one of the world’s few naturally-occurring sand lands, which is home to a wide range of plant communities and one of the largest remaining remnants of the rare Livistona rainforest left on the Gold Coast. Many mangrove and rainforest areas and Melaleuca Wetlands on South Stradbroke Island (and in Queensland) have been cleared, drained or filled for residential, industrial, agricultural or urban development in the first half of the 20th century. Farmers and graziers finally abandoned South Stradbroke Island in 1939 because the vegetation and the soil conditions there were not suitable for agricultural activities.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES OF COURANT COVE RESORT
Being located on an offshore island, the resort is only accessible by means of water transportation. The resort provides hourly ferry service from the marina on the mainland to and from the island. Within the resort, transport modes include walking trails, bicycle tracks and the beach train. The reception area is the counter of the shop which has not changed in 8 years at least. The accommodation is an octagonal “Bure”. These are large rooms that are clean but! The equipment is tired and in some cases just working. Our ceiling fan only worked on high speed for example. Beds are hard but clean, there are a television, radio, and old air conditioner and a small fridge. These “Bures” are right on top of each other and night noises do carry so be careful what you say and do. The only thing is the mosquitos but if you forget to bring mosquito repellant they sell some on the island.
As an ecotourism-based resort, most of the planning and development of the attraction has been concentrated on the need to co-exist with the fragile natural environment of South Stradbroke Island to achieve sustainable development. ieltsx press
WATER AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT
C South Stradbroke Island has groundwater at the centre of the island, which has a maximum height of 3 metres above sea level. The water supply is recharged by rainfall and is commonly known as an unconfined freshwater aquifer. Couran Cove Island Resort obtains its water supply by tapping into this aquifer and extracting it via a bore system. Some of the problems which have threatened the island’s freshwater supply include pollution, contamination and over-consumption. In order to minimise some of these problems, all laundry activities are carried out on the mainland. The resort considers washing machines as onerous to the island’s freshwater supply, and that the detergents contain a high level of phosphates which are a major source of water pollution. The resort uses LPG-power generation rather than a diesel-powered plant for its energy supply, supplemented by a wind turbine, which has reduced greenhouse emission by 70% of diesel-equivalent generation methods. Excess heat recovered from the generator is used to heat the swimming pool. Hot water in the eco-cabins and for some of the resort’s vehicles are solar-powered. Water-efficient fittings are also installed in showers and toilets. However, not all the appliances used by the resort are energy efficient, such as refrigerators. Visitors who stay at the resort are encouraged to monitor their water and energy usage via the in-house television systems and are rewarded with prizes (such as a free return trip to the resort) accordingly if their usage level is low.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
D We examined a case study of good management practice and a pro-active sustainable tourism stance of an eco-resort. In three years of operation, Couran Cove Island Resort has won 23 international and national awards, including the 2001 Australian Tourism Award in the 4-Star Accommodation category. The resort has embraced and has effectively implemented contemporary environmental management practices. It has been argued that the successful implementation of the principles of sustainability should promote long-term social, economic and environmental benefits while ensuring and enhancing the prospects of continued viability for the tourism enterprise. Couran Cove Island Resort does not conform to the characteristics of the Resort Development Spectrum, as proposed by Prideaux (2000). According to Prideaux, the resort should be at least at Phase 3 of the model (the National tourism phase), which describes an integrated resort providing 3-4 star hotel-type accommodation. The primary tourist market in Phase 3 of the model consists mainly of interstate visitors. However, the number of interstate and international tourists visiting the resort is small, with the principal visitor markets comprising locals and residents from nearby towns and the Gold Coast region. The carrying capacity of Couran Cove does not seem to be of any concern to the Resort management. Given that it is a private, regulating the number of visitors to the resort to minimize the damage done to the natural environment on South Stradbroke Island is not a binding constraint. However, the Resort’s growth will eventually be constrained by its carrying capacity, and quantity control should be incorporated into the management strategyof the resort. ieltsxpress.com
Questions 1-5
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write your answers in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.
1. the Stradbroke became two islands
A. by intended destruction of the ship of the Cambus Wallace
B. by an explosion of dynamite on a ship and following nature erosion
C. by the movement sandhills on Stradbroke Island
D. by the volcanic eruption on the island
2. Why are laundry activities for the resort carried out on the mainland?
A. In order to obtain its water supply via a bore system
B. In order to preserve the water and anti-pollution
C. In order to save the cost of installing onerous washing machines
D. In order to reduce the level of phosphates in the water around
3. What is the major water supplier in South Stradbroke Island is by
A. desalinating the seawater
B. collecting the rainfall
C. transporting from the mainland
D. boring groundwater
4. What is applied for heating water on Couran Cove Island Resort
A. the LPG-power
B. a diesel-powered plant
C. the wind power
D. the solar-power
5. What does, as the managers of resorts believe, the prospective future focus on
A. more awards for resort’s accommodation
B. sustainable administration and development in the long run
C. Economic and environmental benefits for the tourism enterprise
D. successful implementation of the Resort Development Spectrum
Questions 6-10
Complete the following summary of the paragraphs of Reading Passage.
Using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the Reading Passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 6-10 on your answer sheet.
Being located away from the mainland, tourists can attain the resort only by 6 __________ in a regular service. Within the resort, transports include trails for walking or tracks for both 7 __________ and the beach train. The on-island equipment is old-fashioned which is barely working such as the 8 __________ overhead. There is television, radio, an old 9 __________ and a small fridge. And you can buy the repellant for 10__________ if you forget to bring some.
Questions 11-13
Choose THREE correct letters among A-E
Write your answers in boxes 11-13 on your answer sheet.
What is true as to the contemporary situation of Couran Cove Island Resort in the last paragraph? IELTSXpress.com
A. Couran Cove Island Resort goes for more eco-friendly practices
B. the accommodation standard only conforms to the Resort Development Spectrum of Phase 3
C. Couran Cove Island Resort should raise the accommodation standard and build more facilities
D. the principal group visiting the resort is international tourists
E. its carrying capacity will restrict the future business’ expansion
Eco Resort Management Practices IELTS Reading Answers
1. B
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. B
6. ferry
7. bicycle
8. fan/ceiling fan
9. air-conditioner
10. mosquitos/ mosquito
11. A
12. C
13. E
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Eco Resort Management Practices IELTS Reading Answers Explanation
1. The Stradbroke became two islands
Answer: B. by an explosion of dynamite on a ship and following nature erosion
Explanation: The Stradbroke became two islands by an explosion of dynamite on a ship and following nature erosion. It means that The Stradbroke became two islands due to the explosion and it is clearly stated in the passage. It was the second shipwreck of that period and the dynamites in large craters were the reason behind the explosion. Therefore, the answer mentioned is the correct answer.
Supporting sentence: Regrettably, most of the original island dwellers were eventually killed by diseases such as tuberculosis, smallpox and influenza by the end of the 19th The second shipwreck on the island in 1894, and the subsequent destruction of the ship (the Cambus Wallace) because it contained dynamite, caused a large crater in the sandhills on Stradbroke Island.
Keywords: contained dynamite, large crater
Location in the passage: Paragraph B
2. Why are laundry activities for the resort carried out on the mainland
Answer: B. In order to preserve the water and anti-pollution ieltsxpress.com
Explanation: It is true that in order to preserve the water and anti-pollution, the laundry activities for the resort are carried out on the mainland. The main reason for the laundry activities to be carried in the mainland is to save the water from pollution. It will not only reduce the misuse of water and save natural resources.
Supporting sentence: In order to minimise some of these problems, all laundry activities are carried out on the mainland. The resort considers washing machines as onerous to the island’s freshwater supply, and that the detergents contain a high level of phosphates which are a major source of water pollution.
Keywords: water pollution, high level of phosphates, laundry activities
Location in the passage: Paragraph D
3. What is the major water supplier in South Stradbroke Island is by
Answer: B. collecting the rainfall
Explanation: By collecting the rainfall, the major water supplier in South Stradbroke Island is made. The resort uses the water collected from rainfall and is commonly known as an “unconfined freshwater aquifer”. Actually, it is a great way to reuse the rainwater and rainwater harvesting is a very eco-friendly way to lend free access to water to everyone.
Supporting sentence: South Stradbroke Island has groundwater at the centre of the island, which has a maximum height of 3 metres above sea level. The water supply is recharged by rainfall and is commonly known as an unconfined freshwater aquifer.
Keywords: South Stradbroke Island, groundwater, 3 metres above sea level, water supply, rainfall, unconfined freshwater aquifer.
Location in the passage: Paragraph D
4. What is applied for heating water on Couran Cove Island Resort
Answer: D. the solar-power
Explanation: As per the information mentioned in this reading passage, the solar-power is applied for heating water on Couran Cove Island Resort. Paragraph D is all about how this resort is trying to go eco-friendly and lists the steps they are taking in terms of guest service. Using solar power is a notable factor here as it will reduce the power consumption of the resort to a great extent.
Supporting sentence: Excess heat recovered from the generator is used to heat the swimming pool. Hot water in the eco-cabins and for some of the resort’s vehicles are solar-powered.
Keywords: Excess heat, generator, to heat the swimming pool, eco-cabins, vehicles are solar-powered.
Location in the passage: Paragraph D
5. What does, as the managers of resorts believe, the prospective future focus on
Answer: B. sustainable administration and development in the long run
Explanation: According to the opinions of the managers of resorts, the prospective future focus on sustainable administration and development in the long run. Indeed, eco-friendly tourism cannot be a one time solution to the problem of pollution and waste management. Therefore, the managers are willing to take this project on a long-term basis. The managers exactly believe what has been marked as the answer – sustainable and long-term actions.
Supporting sentence: It has been argued that the successful implementation of the principles of sustainability should promote long-term social, economic and environmental benefits while ensuring and enhancing the prospects of continued viability for the tourism enterprise.
Keywords: promote long-term social, economic and environmental benefits ieltsxpress[com
Location in the passage: Paragraph E
6-10.
Answer: Ferry, Bicycle, Fan, Air-conditioner, Mosquitoes
Explanation: The resort being near to an offshore can only be reached by ferry as mentioned in the answer. Being located away from the mainland, tourists can attain the resort only by ferry in regular service. It is because there was no other way of transportation available. Bicycle track is one of the transport facilities available in the resort. Along with this bicycle track, within the resort, there are trails for walking and the beach train tracks. The fans only worked in high speed. The on-island equipment is old-fashioned which is barely working such as the fans overhead. There is a television, radio, an old TV and a small fridge. And you can buy the repellant for mosquitoes if you forget to bring some. Air conditioner is one of the amenities found in the rooms. The mosquito repellent can be purchased from that place as well, in case somebody forgets to bring it.
Supporting sentence: Being located on an offshore island, the resort is only accessible by means of water transportation. The resort provides hourly ferry service from the marina on the mainland to and from the island. Within the resort, transport modes include walking trails, bicycle tracks and the beach train. The reception area is the counter of the shop which has not changed in 8 years at least. The accommodation is an octagonal “Bure”. These are large rooms that are clean but! The equipment is tired and in some cases just working. Our ceiling fan only worked on high speed for example. Beds are hard but clean, there are a television, radio, an old air conditioner and a small fridge. These “Bures” are right on top of each other and night noises do carry so be careful what you say and do. The only thing is the mosquitos but if you forget to bring mosquito repellant they sell some on the island.
Keywords: offshore island, water transportation, hourly ferry service, transport modes, walking trails, bicycle tracks, the beach train, equipment is tired, our ceiling fan, high speed, beds, clean, television, radio, an old air conditioner and a small fridge, night noises, mosquitos repellant they. ielts xpress
Location in the passage: Paragraph C
11-13. What is true as to the contemporary situation of Couran Cove Island R in the last paragraph
Answer:
A. Couran Cove Island Resort goes for more eco-friendly practices.
C. Couran Cove Island Resort should raise the accommodation standard and build more facilities.
E. Its carrying capacity will restrict the future business’ expansion.
Explanation: This keyword is true as the resort is more inclined towards eco-friendly practices. From the amenities point of view, the resort should work on raising the accommodations. From the last paragraph, it has been felt that the carrying capacity will affect the business. Paragraph E holds all the details of the contemporary situation of Couran Cove Island R.
Supporting sentence: We examined a case study of good management practice and a pro-active sustainable tourism stance of an eco-resort. The resort has embraced and has effectively implemented contemporary environmental management practices. It has been argued that the successful implementation of the principles of sustainability should promote long-term social, economic and environmental benefits while ensuring and enhancing the prospects of continued viability for the tourism enterprise. The carrying capacity of Couran Cove does not seem to be of any concern to the Resort management. Given that it is a private commercial ecotourist enterprise, regulating the number of visitors to the resort to minimize the damage done to the natural environment on South Stradbroke Island is not a binding constraint. However, the Resort’s growth will eventually be constrained by its carrying capacity, and quantity control should be incorporated into the management strategy of the resort.
Keywords: stance of an eco-resort, contemporary environmental management practices, promote long-term social, economic and environmental benefits, carrying capacity
Location in the passage: Paragraph E
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