Bicycles From Push to Pedal Reading Answers

Jan 24, 2023

Bicycles From Push to Pedal Reading Answers contains a write up about the invention of bicycles. Bicycles From Push to Pedal Reading Answers contains a total of 6 paragraphs. Related to the paragraphs are 13 questions. Candidates in this IELTS Section will be shown various question types with clear instructions. The paragraphs contain information about the innovation of bicycles. Several inventors and their contributions have also been mentioned. Also, the evolutionary process of bicycles and idea of it has been emphasized in the paragraphs.

Bicycles From Push to Pedal Reading Answers is an IELTS Reading passage which comprises two types of questions:Choose the correct option and true/false and not given . Candidates are required to read each paragraph attentively and thoroughly. It is necessary to interpret each text. In order to respond to the questions, you must identify the paragraph's main idea. It's vital to keep in mind the crucial facts. The paragraphs may be missing some details that need to be marked as not given. To gain proficiency, candidates can practice from IELTS reading practice test.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Bicycles From Push to Pedal Reading Answers

Before they were equipped with pedals and a chain, what we refer to as a ‘bicycle’ today used to be called a Dandy Horse or ‘Pushbike’. German inventor Karl Drais first assembled push bikes in 1818. They had two wheels, both in-line, and were propelled by the rider pushing along the ground with his feet to rotate the wheels. The front wheel had a handlebar attached that the rider gripped to control the direction. They were speedier than walking and were considered a fast mode of transportation at the time. Unlike today, these first generation bicycles were owned only by the wealthy.
In 1821 an English inventor, Louis Gompertz, added a hand-driven ratchet mechanism to the front of the bicycle wheel that permitted motion in one direction and created more speed out of every up and down push of the feet. Another significant change to the bicycle occurred in 1839 when Scottish blacksmith Kirkpatrick MacMillan invented a special part for bicycles known as a mechanical crank. The crank was a kind of lever that allowed more force and speed to both front and rear wheels. Six years later in 1845, another English inventor, R. W. Thompson, developed a special kind of pneumatic (air-containing) tyre. When wrapped around the iron-made wheels of the bike, this tyre made the ride much smoother.
A revolutionary change took place in 1850 when Frenchmen Pierre Michaux refined the design of bicycles in such a way that no longer required the rider to push down toward the ground in order to rotate the wheels. He redesigned it by making the front wheel exceptionally large and then placed a seat on top of it. Michaux added pedals to the large front wheel and kept the diminutive rear wheel to help with balance. This addition meant that rather than the operator having to push along the ground as though walking or running, the bicycle could cover longer distances much faster. Up to that point, the design of Michaux’s bicycle most closely resembled the modern bicycles of today. However, these primitive bicycles, known as Boneshakers or penny-farthings, were extremely difficult to ride due to their high-seats and the need for expert balancing skills. In 1885, John Kemp Starley, a British inventor and industrialist, solved most of the problems of the Boneshakers by introducing a chain drive – a device that connected the pedals with the rear wheel. He also redesigned the frame of the bicycle and reduced the front wheel diameter ensuring more stability and enabling people with only average balancing skills to ride them. Starley’s Rover Safety Bicycle was warmly welcomed by the masses and was exported to many countries. Many historians define Starley’s Rover as the first modern bicycle.
The next big step forward for the bicycle was the development of an efficient braking mechanism. Prior to the advent of brakes, riders had to use their feet to reduce their speed. However, in 1898 hand-operated cable-pull brakes attached to the handlebars were first introduced by a German inventor, Achim Conrad. During the beginning of the 19th-century derailleur gears were invented. They contained a chain and multiple sprockets (1) that could create more speed out of every rotation of the pedals. Gradually, the technology used in making and setting the chain improved. Chains made of stronger metal with small sprockets were introduced as part of the bicycle wheel, which made it easier for the rider to pedal without losing speed. Another important change was in the weight of bicycles. The configuration of two same-sized wheels with rubber tyres and the body of the bicycle made of hollow rods rather than solid metal, considerably reduced the weight and enabled riders to have more control. These design changes also helped to reduce the risk of injury caused by a heavy bicycle.
It was not until the 1930s that bicycles became a popular form of transportation for the working class. This was due to dramatic improvements in the production process of bicycles, which, in turn, led to a fall in their price. The supply of bicycles increased in the market as a lot of manufacturing businesses and individual entrepreneurs started making and selling bicycles in large quantities. The widespread use of the bicycle during that time inspired several manufacturers like Mead, Sears Roebuck, and Montgomery Ward to design bicycles for children who were a new and unexplored segment of the bicycle user market. The design of these bicycles incorporated unique design elements such as bent handlebars for easier maneuverability, carriers above the rear wheel for school bags and even a pair of small safety wheels on both sides of the rear wheel for children learning to ride for the first time.
Considered by many to be the most significant innovation in the history of the bicycle after the invention of the Boneshaker almost 100 years earlier, running gear was invented by engineer Glenn Wright in the 1950s. This running gear featured quick-release wheels, derailleur gears and cable-operated brakes. During the 1960s, manufacturers started using aluminum alloy in wheel rims, handlebars and seat posts that made the bicycles even lighter and also more visually appealing. These aluminum alloys helped prevent the body of the bicycles from rusting which also made them last longer.
Since the 1980's the technological improvements in bicycle manufacturing have reached a new peak. New materials such as titanium and carbon fiber have become widespread. The separate brake and gear systems in bicycles have become one, combined system. New accessories such as front and back lights, drink carriages, tyre pumps and non-slip handlebar covers have become standard parts of most bicycles. In the late 1980s, mountain bikes were formally introduced to the market. These bikes became the focus of a new and adventurous sport, where bikers raced through rugged terrain. For reasons of being environmentally friendly, user-friendly and widely available throughout the world, bicycles will continue to grow in popularity well into the future.
1) a device like a wheel with one or more rows of tooth-like parts sticking out which keep a chain moving on a bicycle

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 28–33

Look at the following statements 28-33 and the list of people below A-H.

Match each statement with the person it refers to.

Write your answers A-H in boxes 28-33 on your answer sheet.

List of People

Kirkpatrick MacMillan
Karl Drais
John Kemp Starley
Louis Gompertz
Pierre Michaux
Glenn Wright
Achim Conrad
R. W. Thompson

This person encouraged the use of hands rather than feet to stop.

Answer: G
Supporting Statement: However, a German inventor named Achim Conrad invented the first hand-operated cable-pull brakes that were mounted to the handlebars in 1898. Derailleur gears were created at the start of the 19th century. Each time the pedals rotated, they could generate greater speed thanks to a chain and numerous sprockets.
Keywords: German inventor, hand- operated
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: As per paragraph D, it has been stated that Achim Conrad, a German inventor, was the first to introduce manually operated cable-pull brakes that were mounted to the handlebars in 1898. Derailleur gears were developed in the early 19th century. In order to increase the speed produced by each rotation of the pedals, they were equipped with a chain and numerous sprockets. So, the correct answer is G.

This person built expensive bikes.

Answer: B
Supporting Statement: Before they were equipped with pedals and a chain, what we refer to as a ‘bicycle’ today used to be called a Dandy Horse or ‘Pushbike’. German inventor Karl Drais first assembled push bikes in 1818.
Keywords: Pushbike, Karl Drais
Keyword Location: Paragraph A
Explanation: As per paragraph A, it has been stated that what we now refer to as a "bicycle" was once known as a "Dandy Horse" or "Push Bike" before they had pedals and a chain. Push bikes were initially put together by German inventor Karl Drais in 1818. So, the correct answer is B.

This person’s invention reached many parts of the world.

Answer: C
Supporting Statement: In 1885, John Kemp Starley, a British inventor and industrialist, solved most of the problems of the Boneshakers by introducing a chain drive – a device that connected the pedals with the rear wheel. He also redesigned the frame of the bicycle and reduced the front wheel diameter ensuring more stability and enabling people with only average balancing skills to ride them. Starley’s Rover Safety Bicycle was warmly welcomed by the masses and was exported to many countries.
Keywords: Chain drive, many countries.
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per paragraph C, it has been stated that developing a chain drive, which linked the pedals with the rear wheel, British manufacturer and inventor John Kemp Starley, in 1885, largely eliminated the issues with the Boneshakers. The public embraced Starley's Rover Safety Bicycle, which was sold to other nations. So, the correct answer is C.

This person’s design involved wheels of different sizes.

Answer: E
Supporting Statement: A revolutionary change took place in 1850 when Frenchmen Pierre Michaux refined the design of bicycles in such a way that no longer required the rider to push down toward the ground in order to rotate the wheels. He redesigned it by making the front wheel exceptionally large and then placed a seat on top of it. Michaux added pedals to the large front wheel and kept the diminutive rear wheel to help with balance.
Keywords: rotate of wheels, pedals
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per paragraph C, it has been stated that in 1850, Frenchman Pierre Michaux improved the bicycle's design such that the rider no longer had to press down toward the ground in order to turn the wheels. He changed the design by making the front wheel quite huge and adding a seat on top of it. So, the correct answer is E.

This person’s invention made riding more comfortable for the user.

Answer: H
Supporting Statement: Six years later in 1845, another English inventor, R. W. Thompson, developed a special kind of pneumatic (air-containing) tyre. When wrapped around the iron-made wheels of the bike, this tyre made the ride much smoother.
Keywords: Sic years laters, smoother
Keyword Location: Paragraph B
Explanation: As per paragraph B, it has been stated that another English inventor, R. W. Thompson, created a unique type of pneumatic (air-containing) tire six years later, in 1845. This tire provided a significantly smoother ride when it was fitted to the bike's iron-made wheels. So, the correct answer is H.

This person combined other people’s inventions with his own.

Answer: F
Supporting Statement: Considered by many to be the most significant innovation in the history of the bicycle after the invention of the Boneshaker almost 100 years earlier, running gear was invented by engineer Glenn Wright in the 1950s. This running gear featured quick-release wheels, derailleur gears and cable-operated brakes.
Keywords: Significant innovation, Glenn wright
Keyword Location: Paragraph F
Explanation: As per paragraph F, it has been stated that running gear was created in the 1950s by engineer Glenn Wright and is widely regarded as the most important bicycle innovation since the Boneshaker almost a century earlier. Quick-release wheels, derailleur gears, and cable-operated brakes were all features of this running equipment. So, the correct answer is F.

Questions 34–40

Do the following information agree with the information given in the passage?

In boxes 34-40 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts with the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information in this

MacMillan’s mechanical crank divided pedal force equally between the front and rear wheels.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: There has been no relevant information related to the question statement provide in the paragraphs. So, the correct answer is Not Given.

Michaux’s bicycle looked like today’s bicycles.

Answer: True
Supporting Statement: Up to that point, the design of Michaux’s bicycle most closely resembled the modern bicycles of today. However, these primitive bicycles, known as Boneshakers or penny-farthings, were extremely difficult to ride due to their high-seats and the need for expert balancing skills.
Keywords: Modern bicycles, resembled
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per paragraph C, it has been mentioned that up to that time, Michaux's bicycle had the most striking similarities to contemporary bicycle designs. However, because of their high seats and the requirement for exceptional balance skills, these ancient bicycles, sometimes known as Boneshakers or penny-farthings, were quite challenging to ride. So, the correct answer is True.

Starley’s changes to the boneshaker involved making the front wheel smaller.

Answer: True
Supporting Statement: He also redesigned the frame of the bicycle and reduced the front wheel diameter ensuring more stability and enabling people with only average balancing skills to ride them. Starley’s Rover Safety Bicycle was warmly welcomed by the masses and was exported to many countries.
Keywords: Redesigned, reduced the frontal wheel
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per paragraph C, it has been stated that Starley changed the bicycle's frame design and shrunk the front wheel's diameter to increase stability and make it possible for those with ordinary balance skills to ride. The public embraced Starley's Rover Safety Bicycle, which was sold to other nations. So, the correct answer is True.

The sprockets in the derailleur made the bike go faster.

Answer: True
Supporting Statement: During the beginning of the 19th-century derailleur gears were invented. They contained a chain and multiple sprockets (1) that could create more speed out of every rotation of the pedals. Gradually, the technology used in making and setting the chain improved.
Keywords: 19th century, sprockets
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: As per paragraph D, it has been mentioned that Derailleur gears were created at the start of the 19th century. Each time the pedals rotated, they could generate greater speed thanks to a chain and numerous sprockets (1). The technology utilized to create and install the chain advanced throughout time.So, the correct answer is True.

The use of hollow rods made bicycles easier to ride.

Answer: True
Supporting Statement: Another important change was in the weight of bicycles. The configuration of two same-sized wheels with rubber tyres and the body of the bicycle made of hollow rods rather than solid metal, considerably reduced the weight and enabled riders to have more control. These design changes also helped to reduce the risk of injury caused by a heavy bicycle.
Keywords: Weight, hollow rods
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: As per paragraph D, it has been suggested that the weight of bicycles was another significant modification. Two identically sized wheels with rubber tyres and a bicycle body composed of hollow rods as opposed to solid metal significantly decreased weight and gave riders greater control. So, the correct answer is True.

Running gear was invented around 100 years prior to the boneshaker.

Answer: False
Supporting Statement: Considered by many to be the most significant innovation in the history of the bicycle after the invention of the Boneshaker almost 100 years earlier, running gear was invented by engineer Glenn Wright in the 1950s.
Keywords: Innovation, running gear
Keyword Location: Paragraph F
Explanation: As per paragraph F, it has been stated that running gear was created in the 1950s by engineer Glenn Wright and is regarded by many as the most important development in the history of the bicycle after the Boneshaker about 100 years earlier. So, the correct answer is False because the statement is contrary.

It is expected that the bicycles of the future will be even more environmentally friendly.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: There has been no relevant information related to the question statement provide in the paragraphs. So, the correct answer is Not Given.

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