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CAMBRIDGE IELTS 9 READING – TEST 1 – ANSWERS

1.
Michael Faraday was the first person to recognise Perkin‟s ability as a student of chemistry.

Keywords: first, Michael Faraday, Perkin‟s ability, chemistry

In paragraph 2, the writer indicates that “His talent and devotion to the subject were perceived by his teacher [at the City of London school] Thomas Hall….” So Thomas Hall was the first person to recognise Perkin‟s ability in chemistry, and this teacher encouraged Perkin to attend lectures by Faraday. “Those speeches (by Michael Faraday) fired the young chemist‟s enthusiasm further”,

=>ANSWER: FALSE.

1. Michael Faraday suggested Perkin should enroll in the Royal College of Chemistry.

Keywords: should enroll

At the end of paragraph 2, the writer argues that “he later went on to attend the Royal College of Chemistry, which he succeeded in entering in 1853, at the age of 15.” So, who advised Perkin to enroll in the Royal College of Chemistry is NOT GIVEN.

=>ANSWER: NOT GIVEN

1. Perkin employed August Wilhelm Hofmann as his assistant Keywords: August Wilhelm Hofmann, employed, assistant

In paragraph 3, the writer says that “At the time of Perkin‟s enrolment, the Royal College of Chemistry was headed by the noted German chemist August Wilhelm Hofmann. Perkin‟s scientific gifts soon caught Hofmann‟s attention and, within two years, he became Hofmann‟s youngest assistant.” This means Hofmann employed Perkin as his assistant. So, the statement is FALSE.

=>ANSWER: FALSE

1. Perkin was still young when he made the discovery that made him rich and famous

Keywords: young, discovery, rich and famous.

At the end of paragraph 3, the writer says that “Perkin‟s scientific gifts soon caught Hofmann‟s attention and, within two years, he became Hofmann‟s youngest assistant.Not long after that, Perkin made the scientific breakthrough that would bring him both fame and fortune.” This means that when making the scientific discovery, Perkin was still young.

• 
  famous (a) – fame (n)
  

• 
  rich(a) – fortune (n)
  

• 
  discovery – scientific breakthrough
  

=>ANSWER: TRUE

1. The trees from which quinine is derived grow only in South America.

Keywords: quinine, derived, only in South America

In paragraph 4, “At the time, quinine was the only viable medical treatment for malaria. The drug is derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, native to South America.” This means that the cinchona trees originate in South America; therefore, whether they grow only in South America is not mentioned.

=>ANSWER: NOT GIVEN

1. Perkin hoped to manufacture a drug from a coal tar waste product.

Keywords: drug, coal tar waste product.

In paragraph 5, the writer argues that “He (Perkin) was attempting to manufacture quinine from aniline, an inexpensive and readily available coal tar waste product.”So, the statement is TRUE.

• 
  a drug ~ quinine (the only viable medical treatment for malaria)
  

=>ANSWER: TRUE

1. Perkin was inspired by the discoveries of the famous scientist Louis Pasteur.

Keywords: inspired, Louis Pasteur

At the end of paragraph 5, the writer indicates that “And, proving the truth of the famous scientist Louis Pasteur‟s words „chances favours only the prepared mind‟, Perkin saw the potential of his unexpected find.” So, whether Perkin was inspired by Louis Pasteur‟s discoveries or not is not mentioned.

=>ANSWER: NOT GIVEN

1. Before Perkin‟s discovery,with what group in society was the colour purple associated?

Keywords: what group, purple associated?

In paragraph 6, the writer argues that “Indeed, the purple colour extracted from a snail was once so costly that in society at the time, only the rich could afford it.” So, before Perkin‟s discovery, the colour purple was associated with the rich.

=>ANSWER: the rich

1. What potential did Perkin immediately understand that his new dye had?

Keywords: potential, new dye

At the end of paragraph 7, the writer says that “But perhaps the most fascinating of all Perkin‟s reactions to his find was his nearly instant recognition that the new dye had commercial possibilities.” This means that Perkin immediately understood that his new dye had the potential of

being sold commercially.

• 
  potential=possibilities
  

• 
  immediately= nearly instant
  

• 
  understand = recognise (recognition(n))
  

=>ANSWER: commercial (possibilities)

1. What was the name finally used to refer to the first colour Perkin invented?

Keywords: finally, name, first colour

In paragraph 7, it is stated that his purple colour became “the world‟s first synthetic dye”. In paragraph 8, the writer argues that “Perkin originally named his dye Tyrian Purple, but it later became commonly known as mauve.” This means that “mauve” was finally used to refer to the first colour Perkin invented.
=>ANSWER: mauve

1. What was the name of the person Perkin consulted before setting up his own dye works?

Keywords: name, person

In paragraph 8, “He (Perkin) asked advice of Scottish dye works owner Robert Pullar, who assured him that manufacturing the dye would be well worth it if the colour remained fast and the cost was relatively low.” This means that Perkin consulted Robert Pullar before setting up his own dye works.

• 
  consulted=asked advice
  

=>ANSWER: Robert Pullar

1. In what country did Perkin‟s newly invented colour first become fashionable?

Keywords: country, fashionable

In paragraph 9, “Utilising the cheap and plentiful coal tar that was an almost unlimited byproduct of London‟s gas street lighting, the dye works began producing the world‟s first synthetically dyed material in 1857. The company received a commercial boost from the Empress Eugénie of France, when she decided the new colour flattered her. Very soon, mauve was the necessary shade for all the fashionable ladies in that country (France).” This means that Perkin‟s newly invented colour first became fashionable in France.

=>ANSWER: France

1. According to the passage, which disease is now being targeted by researchers using synthetic dyes?

Keywords: disease, researchers, using synthetic dyes

At the end of paragraph 10, the writer argues that “And, in what would have been particularly pleasing to Perkin, their current use is in the research for a vaccine against malaria.” This means that malaria is now being targeted by researchers using synthetic dyes.

• 
  now=current
  

=>ANSWER: Malaria