Reading Passage
Paragraph A
In 2006, the National Energy Innovation Authority (NEIA), headquartered at 27 Gridway Boulevard, Birmingham, United Kingdom, began evaluating smart electricity meters to improve energy efficiency and demand management. At the time, household electricity consumption accounted for 32% of national energy use. Early trials between 2007 and 2009 focused on real-time consumption feedback and automated data transmission. Pilot households reduced electricity use by an average of 11%, suggesting that smart metering could influence consumer behaviour and support national energy-saving targets.
Paragraph B
Large-scale rollout commenced in 2010, when NEIA partnered with regional energy providers to install smart meters in 4.6 million homes across England and Wales. Devices transmitted usage data every 30 minutes to central servers. By 2014, billing accuracy improved significantly, and customer complaints related to estimated bills declined by 38%. The nationwide installation programme cost approximately 8.9 billion, funded through regulated charges approved by the energy regulator in September 2009.
Paragraph C
Despite progress, several issues emerged. A 2012 consumer survey revealed that 29% of users were concerned about data privacy and cybersecurity risks. Technical compatibility problems also arose in rural areas where communication networks were weaker. Additionally, some elderly residents reported difficulty understanding in-home displays. In response, NEIA introduced simplified interfaces in 2013 and launched public awareness campaigns to improve digital literacy.
Paragraph D
Government commitment intensified after 2015, when the Department for Business and Energy allocated 4.1 billion to accelerate deployment. By 2018, smart meters had been installed in 61% of UK households. National grid data indicated that peak electricity demand decreased by 9% between 2015 and 2020, reducing strain on generation infrastructure during high-demand periods.
Paragraph E
The benefits extended beyond energy savings. A 2021 analysis conducted by the University of Exeter estimated annual economic gains of 1.6 billion due to lower operational costs and improved grid reliability. Carbon emissions from residential electricity use fell by 7% between 2016 and 2021. Energy suppliers also reported faster fault detection, cutting average outage duration by 14%.
Paragraph F
Looking forward, NEIA plans to integrate smart meters with home energy management systems. Pilot projects scheduled for 2026 in Manchester and Bristol will test automated appliance control to shift usage away from peak hours. As of February 2024, 55% of households were actively using smart meter features. Long-term projections suggest adoption could reach 80% by 2035 if public engagement continues to improve.
Questions 1-4: Matching Headings
Instructions: Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list below. Write the correct Roman numeral.
List of Headings
i. Environmental and operational advantages
ii. Early trials aimed at changing consumer habits
iii. Concerns about privacy and usability
iv. Nationwide rollout supported by regulation
v. Government funding and demand reduction
vi. Future integration with automated home systems
Question 1: Paragraph B
Question 2: Paragraph C
Question 3: Paragraph D
Question 4: Paragraph E
Questions 5-8: True/False/Not Given
Instructions: Write TRUE if the statement agrees with the information, FALSE if it contradicts, or NOT GIVEN if there is no information.
Question 5
Smart meters initially transmitted data once every hour.
Question 6
Customer complaints about inaccurate bills decreased after installation.
Question 7
Rural areas adopted smart meters faster than urban areas.
Question 8
Residential carbon emissions declined following widespread smart meter use.
Questions 9-12: Table Completion
Instructions: Complete the table below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Category | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Metric 1 | Description | |
| Metric 2 | Description | |
| Metric 3 | Description | |
| Metric 4 | Description |
Questions 13-16: Sentence Completion
Instructions: Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Question 13
Usage data were transmitted every minutes.
Question 14
Installation costs totalled approximately billion.
Question 15
Simplified meter interfaces were introduced in .
Question 16
Carbon emissions from residential electricity fell by percent.
Questions 17-19: Summary Completion
Instructions: Complete the summary below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Summary paragraph placeholder. First gap text continues. Second gap more text. Third gap conclusion.
Questions 9-13: Short Answer Questions
Instructions: Answer the questions below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Question 9
Where is the National Energy Innovation Authority headquartered?
Question 10
How many homes were included in the initial large-scale rollout?
Question 11
Which university conducted the 2021 economic analysis?
Question 12
What percentage of households actively used smart meter features in 2024?
Question 13
By which year could adoption reach 80%?