IELTS Reading Practice 7

Makete Integrated Rural Transport Project

Section A

The disappointing outcomes of many traditional road transport initiatives in Africa prompted experts to reconsider the approach to addressing rural transport issues at the outset of the 1980s. A plea for assistance to enhance transport accessibility in the remote Makete District of southwestern Tanzania provided an opportunity to explore a new strategy.

The concept of integrated rural transport was embraced to assess the transport requirements of rural households in the district. The goal was to reduce the time and effort required to access essential goods and services through an enhanced rural transport system. The underlying assumption was that time saved could be redirected towards activities that would enhance the social and economic development of communities. The Makete Integrated Rural Transport Project (MIRTP), initiated in 1985 with financial backing from the Swiss Development Cooperation and in collaboration with the Tanzanian government, was an outcome of this approach.

Section B

At the project's outset, Makete District was virtually isolated during the rainy season. The regional road was in such poor condition that access to main towns was impossible for about three months annually. Road traffic within the district was minimal, with alternative transport limited to donkeys in the north and residents primarily relying on pathways that became muddy and perilous during rainfall.

Prior to proposing solutions, understanding the problems was crucial. There was limited knowledge about the transportation needs of rural households, so Phase I, conducted between December 1985 and December 1987, focused on research. A socio-economic survey of over 400 households in the district revealed that households in Makete spent an average of seven hours daily transporting themselves and their goods, a figure that appeared extreme but was consistent with surveys in other rural areas of Africa. Significant findings on transportation emerged: 95% was by foot, 80% occurred within the vicinity, and 70% involved collecting water, firewood, and traveling to grinding mills.

Section C

Once the primary transport needs were identified, potential solutions were explored to reduce time and burden. During Phase II, from January to February 1991, several approaches were implemented to enhance mobility and access to transportation.

Enhancing the road network was deemed essential to facilitate the import and export of goods to the district. These improvements relied heavily on labor-intensive methods. Besides road enhancements, efforts included training in mechanical workshop operations, and bus and truck services. However, unlike traditional approaches, consideration was also given to local transport needs beyond the road network.

Most goods were transported along paths that offered shortcuts over hillsides, but these paths posed safety risks, making journeys on foot even more challenging. Improving these paths by constructing steps, handrails, and footbridges was a logical step.

Finding means of transportation more efficient than walking but less technologically advanced than motor vehicles was uncommon. Bicycles were limited by their high cost and lack of available spare parts. Oxen were not utilized, but a few households in the northern part of the district used donkeys. The MIRTP focused on what was most suitable for the people of Makete based on affordability and acceptance. After careful consideration, the project opted to promote the use of donkeys — costing less than bicycles — and introduced locally manufactured wheelbarrows.

Section D

By the end of Phase II, it became evident that the various approaches adopted to address Makete's transport issues had achieved varying levels of success. Phase III, spanning from March 1991 to March 1993, focused on refining and expanding these initiatives.

Improvements to the roads and the introduction of a maintenance system had made the district center accessible year-round. This facilitated easier access to essential goods from outside the district, stabilizing market prices compared to the fluctuating rates before.

Enhancements to paths and secondary roads were undertaken based on requests from communities willing to participate in construction and upkeep. Despite completing only a few improvements, the enhanced paths garnered significant praise from residents, leading to increased requests for assistance.

Efforts to enhance the efficiency of existing transport services faced challenges, primarily due to breakdowns of most motorized vehicles in the district and a lack of resources for repairs. Even the introduction of affordable transportation means was hindered by the district's general poverty. Locally manufactured wheelbarrows remained too costly for most households, but modifications to the original design by local carpenters reduced production costs and time. Additional carpenters were trained in this new design to meet demand. However, the locally produced wooden wheelbarrow, priced around 500 Tanzanian shillings (less than US$20) in Makete and a quarter of the cost of a metal one, still remained unaffordable for many.

Donkeys, initially imported into the district, have become increasingly common and play a significant role in transporting crops and goods to the market. While their adoption has been primarily among wealthier households, increased local breeding efforts should make donkeys more accessible. Meanwhile, local initiatives are encouraging the rental of existing donkeys.

However, it is important to note that a donkey, costing less than a bicycle at 20,000 Tanzanian shillings, represents an investment equivalent to half a year's income for an average household. This clearly highlights the need for additional measures to support rural poverty alleviation efforts.

Section E

Criticism of MIRTP for its initial top-down approach, where decisions were made by experts and officials before being communicated to communities, would have been easy. Yet, starting the process from the district government level was crucial to effectively respond to the needs of villagers and other rural inhabitants, requiring support and understanding from district authorities.

Section F

Today, there is unanimous agreement in the district regarding the importance of improved paths and affordable transportation. However, this outcome is the result of dedicated long-term efforts, particularly from community development officers who played a pivotal role in raising awareness and garnering interest among rural communities.

The concept of integrated rural transport is now firmly established in Tanzania, with a major rural transport program about to commence. The lessons learned from Makete will be instrumental in shaping this initiative, with Makete District serving as a model for future endeavors.

Questions 27-30Reading Passage 3 has six sections, A-F.Choose the correct heading for sections B, C, E and F from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number,i-xi, in boxes 27-30 on your answer sheet._______________________________________________________

List of Headings

i MIRTP as a future modelii Identifying the main transport problemsiii Preference for motorised vehiclesiv Government Authrities’ instructionsv  Initial improvements in mobility and transport modesvi Request for improves transport in Maketevii Transport improvements in the northern part of the districtviii Improvements in the rail networkix Effects of initial MIRTP measuresx Co-operation of district officialsxi Role of wheelbarrows and donkeys_____________________________________________________

Example           AnswerSection A            vi

27 Section B28 Section C

Example          AnswerSection D            ix

29 Section E30 Section F

Questions 31-35Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in reading passage 154?In boxes 31-35 on your answer sheet write:

YES  if the statement agrees with the claims of the writerNO   if the statement contradicts the claims of the writerNOT GIVEN  if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

31. MIRTP was divided into five phases.32. Prior to the start of the MIRTP the Makete district was almost inaccessible during the rainy reason.33. Phase I of MIRTP consisted of a survey of household expenditure on transport.34. The survey concluded that one-fifth or 20% of the household transport requirement as outside the local area.35. MIRTP hopes to improve the movements of goods from Makete district to the country’s capital.

Questions 36-39Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-J,below.Write thecorrect letter, A-J,in boxes 36-39 on your answer sheet.

36 Construction of footbridges, steps and handrails37 Frequent breakdown of buses andtrucks in Makete38 The improvement of secondary roads and paths39 The isolation of Makete for part of the year

Question 40Choose the correct letter.A, B, C or D.Write the correct letter in box 40 on your answer sheet.Which of the following phrases best describes the main aim of Reading Passage 154 ?