History of Refrigeration Reading Answers

Jan 4, 2023

History of Refrigeration Reading Answers consists of 14 questions to be answered within 20 minutes. It is an IELTS reading answers topic. The topic: History of Refrigeration Reading Answers is the first part of the reading section. The candidates must examine the IELTS reading passage for keywords. The candidates must analyze each line of the passage attentively to give answers to the questions. The topic: History of Refrigeration Reading Answers tests the reading and analyzing skills of the candidates. The candidates must go through IELTS Reading practice papers to get familiarized with more similar topics like this.

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Section 1

Read the passage to answer the following questions

History of Refrigeration Reading Answers

Refrigeration is a process of removing heat, which means cooling an area or a substance below the environmental temperature. Mechanical refrigeration makes use of the evaporation of a liquid refrigerant, which goes through a cycle so that it can be reused. The main cycles include vapor-compression, absorption steam-jet or steam-ejector, and airing. The term ‘refrigerator’ was first introduced by a Maryland farmer Thomas Moore in 1803, but it is in the 20th century that the appliance we know today first appeared.

People used to find various ways to preserve their food before the advent of mechanical refrigeration systems. Some preferred using cooling systems of ice or snow, which meant that diets would have consisted of very little fresh food or fruits and vegetables, but mostly of bread, cheese and salted meals. For milk and cheeses, it was very difficult to keep them fresh, so such foods were usually stored in a cellar or window box. In spite of those measures, they could not survive rapid spoilage. Later on, people discovered that adding such chemical as sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate to water could lead to a lower temperature. In 1550 when this technique was first recorded, people used it to cool wine, as was the term ‘to refrigerate’. Cooling drinks grew very popular in Europe by 1600, particularly in Spain, France, and Italy. Instead of cooling water at night, people used a new technique: rotating long-necked bottles of water which held dissolved saltpeter. The solution was intended to create very low temperatures and even to make ice. By the end of the 17th century, iced drink including frozen juices and liquors tad become extremely fashionable in France.

People’s demand for ice soon became strong. Consumers’ soaring requirement for fresh food, especially for green vegetables, resulted in reform in people’s dieting habits between 1830 and the American Civil War, accelerated by a drastic expansion of the urban areas arid the rapid amelioration in an economy of the populace. With the growth of the cities and towns, he distance between the consumer and the source of food was enlarged. In 1799s as a commercial product, ice was first transported out of Canal Street in New York City to Charleston, South Carolina. Unfortunately, this transportation was not successful because when the ship reached the destination, little ice left. Frederick Tudor and Nathaniel Wyeth, two New England’ businessmen, grasped the great potential opportunities for ice business and managed to improve the storage method of ice in the process of shipment. The acknowledged ‘Ice King’ in that time, Tudor concentrated his efforts on bringing the ice to the tropical areas. In order to achieve his goal and guarantee the ice to arrive at the destination safely he tried many insulating materials in an experiment and successfully constructed the ice containers, which drastically reduced the ice loss from 66 per cent to less than 8 per cent at drastically. Wyeth invented an economical and speedy method to cut the ice into uniform blocks, which had a tremendous positive influence on the ice industry. Also, he improved the processing techniques for storing, transporting and distributing ice with less waste.

When people realised that the ice transported from the distance was not as clean as previously thought and gradually caused many health problems, it was more demanding to seek the clean natural sources of ice. To make it worse, by the 1890s water pollution and sewage dumping made clean ice even more unavailable. The adverse effect first appeared in the blowing industry, and then seriously spread to such sectors as meat packing and dairy industries. As a result, the clean, mechanical refrigeration was considerately in need.

Many inventors with creative ideas took part in the process of inventing refrigeration, and each version was built on the previous discoveries. Dr William Cullen initiated to study the evaporation of liquid under the vacuum conditions in 1720. He soon invented the first man-made refrigerator at the University of Glasgow in 1748 with the employment of ethyl ether boiling into a partial vacuum. American inventor Oliver Evans designed the refrigerator firstly using vapour rather than liquid in 1805. Although his conception was not put into practice in the end the mechanism was adopted by an American physician John Gorrie, who made one cooling machine similar to Evans’ in 1842 with the purpose of reducing the temperature of the patient with yellow fever in a Florida hospital. Until 1851, Evans obtained the first patent for mechanical refrigeration in the USA. In 1820, Michael Faraday, a Londoner, first liquefied ammonia to cause cooling. In 1859, Ferdinand Carre from France invented the first version of the ammonia water cooling machine. In 1873, Carl von Linde designed the first practical and portable compressor refrigerator in Munich, and in 1876 he abandoned the methyl ether system and began using ammonia cycle. Linde later created a new method (‘Linde technique’) for liquefying large amounts of air in 1894. Nearly a decade later, this mechanical refrigerating method was adopted subsequently by he meat packing industry in Chicago.

Since 1840, cars with the refrigerating system had been utilised to deliver and distribute milk and butter. Until 1860, most seafood and dairy products were transported with cold-chain logistics. In 1867, refrigerated, railroad cars are patented to J.B, Sutherland from Detroit, Michigan, who invented insulated cars by installing the ice bunkers at the end of the cars: air came in from the top, passed through the bunkers, circulated through the cars by gravity and controlled by different quantities of hanging flaps which caused different air temperatures. Depending on the cargo (such as meat, fruits etc.) transported by the cars, different car designs came into existence. In 1867, the first refrigerated car to carry fresh fruit was manufactured by Parker Earle of Illinois, who shipped strawberries on the Illinois Central Railroad. Each chest was freighted with 100 pounds of ice and 200 quarts of strawberries. Until 1949, the trucking industry began to be equipped with the refrigeration system with a roof-mounted cooling device, invented by Fred Jones.

From the late 1800s to 1929, the refrigerators employed toxic gases – methyl chloride, ammonia, and sulfur dioxide – as refrigerants. But in the 1920s, a great number of lethal accidents took place due to the leakage of methyl chloride out of refrigerators. Therefore, some American companies started to seek some secure methods of refrigeration. Frigidaire detected a new class of synthetic, refrigerants called halocarbons or CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) in 1928. this research led to the discovery of chlorofluorocarbons (Freon), which quickly became the prevailing material in compressor refrigerators. Freon was safer for the people in the vicinity, but in 1973 it was discovered to have detrimental effects on the ozone layer. After that, new improvements were made, and Hydrofluorocarbons, with no known harmful effects, was used in the cooling system. Simultaneously, nowadays, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFS) are no longer used; they are announced illegal in several places, making the refrigeration far safer than before.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation
Questions 1-5:
Look at the following events (Questions 1-5) and the list of dates below.
Match each event with the correct date, A-F.
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.

List of Dates

A 1550
B 1799
C 1803
D 1840
E 1949
F 1973

Vehicles with refrigerator were used to transport on the road.

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: Since 1840, cars with the refrigerating system had been utilised to deliver and distribute milk and butter.
Keyword: Since 1840, cars, refrigerating system, utilised to deliver, distribute milk and butter.
Keyword Location: 6th paragraph, 1st sentence.
Explanation: In the sixth paragraph, the author clearly indicates that cars have used the refrigerating system to deliver and disperse milk and butter since the year 1840. Thus, in 1840, refrigerators were used by vehicles to transport on the road. Therefore, D is the correct answer as it satisfies the content of the passage.

Ice was sold around the United States for the first time.

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: In the 1799s as a commercial product, ice was first transported out of Canal Street in New York City to Charleston, South Carolina.
Keyword: commercial product, ice was first transported.
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 4th sentence.
Explanation: The author states in the 3rd paragraph that ice was first sold as a commercial product around the United States in the year 1799. The ice was transported for the first time from Canal Street in New York City to Charleston in South Carolina. Therefore, B is the correct answer and it satisfies the content of the paragraph.

Some kind of chemical refrigerant was found harmful to the atmosphere.

Answer: F
Supporting Sentence: Freon was safer for the people in the vicinity, but in 1973 it was discovered to have detrimental effects on the ozone layer.
Keyword: in 1973, have detrimental effects, ozone layer.
Keyword Location: 7th paragraph, 6th sentence.
Explanation: The author depicts in the seventh paragraph that the chemical refrigerant, Freon, has harmful effects on the ozone layer. It is considered safer for people in the neighborhood but in the year 1973, its harmful side was discovered by researchers. Therefore, F is the correct answer as it supports the content of the passage.

The term ‘refrigerator’ was firstly introduced.

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: The term ‘refrigerator’ was first introduced by a Maryland farmer Thomas Moore in 1803, but it is in the 20th century that the appliance we know today first appeared.
Keyword: term ‘refrigerator’, first introduced, in 1803.
Keyword Location: 1st paragraph, last sentence.
Explanation: The author has clearly stated in the first paragraph that the term “refrigerator” was first introduced in the year 1803. It was founded by Maryland farmer Thomas Moore but the appliance we recognise today first appeared in the 20th century. Therefore, C is the correct answer as it supports the argument depicted in the passage.

Some chemicals were added to refrigerate wine.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: In 1550 when this technique was first recorded, people used it to cool wine, as was the term ‘to refrigerate’.
Keyword: technique was first recorded, cool wine, to refrigerate.
Keyword Location: 2nd paragraph, 5th and 6th sentence.
Explanation: The author illustrates the fact that certain chemicals such as potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate if mixed with water can reduce the temperature. This technique was first used to refrigerate wine in the year 1550. Therefore, A is the correct answer as it satisfies the content of the passage.

Questions 6-10:
Look at the following opinions or deeds (Questions 6-10) and the list of people below.
Match each opinion or deed with the correct person, A-G.
Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes 6-10 on your answer sheet.

List of People

A Thomas Moore
B Frederick Tudor
C Carl Von Linde
D Nathaniel Wyeth
E J.B. Sutherland
F Fred Jones
G Parker Earle

patented the idea that refrigerating system can be installed on tramcars

Answer: E
Supporting Sentence: In 1867, refrigerated, railroad cars are patented to J.B, Sutherland from Detroit, Michigan, who invented insulated cars by installing the ice bunkers at the end of the cars: air came in from the top, passed through the bunkers, circulated through the cars by gravity and controlled by different quantities of hanging flaps which caused different air temperatures.
Keyword: refrigerated, railroad cars are patented, by installing the ice bunkers.
Keyword Location: 6th paragraph, 3rd sentence.
Explanation: The paragraph says that in the year 1867, J.B., Sutherland patented the idea that refrigerating systems can be used in tramcars. He designed insulated cars by establishing ice bunkers at the car’s end. Therefore, E is the correct answer as it satisfies the content of the passage.

invented an ice-cutting technical method that could save money and time

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: Wyeth invented an economical and speedy method to cut the ice into uniform blocks, which had a tremendous positive influence on the ice industry.
Keyword: economical and speedy method, cut the ice, uniform blocks, tremendous positive influence.
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 6th sentence.
Explanation: The third paragraph clearly states the fact that Nathaniel Wyeth has introduced a speedy and economical method to cut the ice. This method will help to break the ice in uniform blocks that implies a positive impact on the ice industry. This method will further save time and money. Therefore, D is the correct answer as it satisfies the argument described in the passage.

enabled the cold storage technology to be applied in fruit

Answer: G
Supporting Sentence: In 1867, the first refrigerated car to carry fresh fruit was manufactured by Parker Earle of Illinois, who shipped strawberries on the Illinois Central Railroad.
Keyword: first refrigerated car, carry fresh fruit.
Keyword Location: 6th paragraph, 5th sentence.
Explanation: The paragraph states that Parker Earle of Illinois introduced the first refrigerated car that carried fresh fruit. He manufactured the car with such cold storage technology that mainly helps to keep fruit fresh. Therefore, G is the correct answer as it holds the correct information that satisfies the content described in the paragraph.

invented a cooling device applied into the trucking industry

Answer: F
Supporting Sentence: Until 1949, the trucking industry began to be equipped with the refrigeration system with a roof-mounted cooling device, invented by Fred Jones.
Keyword: trucking industry, equipped with the refrigeration system, roof-mounted cooling device, invented by Fred Jones.
Keyword Location: 6th paragraph, last sentence.
Explanation: The author in the paragraph states that in the year 1949, Fred Jones introduced a roof-mounted cooling device in the trucking industry. The trucking industry began to be fitted with this refrigerating system. Therefore, F is the correct answer as it holds the accurate information that supports the argument described in the passage.

created a new technique to liquefy the air

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: Linde later created a new method (‘Linde technique’) for liquefying large amounts of air in 1894.
Keyword: created a new method, for liquefying, amounts of air.
Keyword Location: 5th paragraph, 10th sentence.
Explanation: The paragraph depicts that in the year 1894, Linde established a new method for melting the air. It is Linde’s new technique, a mechanical refrigerating method that would help to liquefy a large amount of air. Therefore, C is the correct answer as it satisfies the argument stated in the passage.

Questions 11-14:
Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-E, below.
Write the correct letter, A-E, in boxes 11-14 on your answer sheet.

A healthy dietary change between 1830 and the American Civil War was greatly associated with
The development of urbanisation was likely to cause
Problems due to water treatment contributed to
The risk of the environmental devastation from the refrigeration led to

new developments, such as the application of Hydrofluorocarbons.
consumers ’ demand for fresh food, especially for vegetables.
the discovery of chlorofluorocarbons (Freon).
regional transportation system for refrigeration for a long distance.
extensive spread of the refrigeration method.

Question 11:

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Consumers’ soaring requirement for fresh food, especially for green vegetables, resulted in reform in people’s dieting habits between 1830 and the American Civil War, accelerated by a drastic expansion of the urban areas and the rapid amelioration in an economy of the populace.
Keyword: requirement for fresh food, green vegetables, reform in people’s dieting habits, between 1830 and the American Civil War.
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 2nd sentence.
Explanation: The third paragraph depicts the concept that between 1830 and the American civil war, the dietary habit of people underwent a reformation. Consumers during that period demanded mainly fresh food, particularly green vegetables. Therefore, B is the correct answer as it satisfies the argument stated in the passage.

Question 12:

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: Frederick Tudor and Nathaniel Wyeth, two New England’ businessmen, grasped the great potential opportunities for ice business and managed to improve the storage method of ice in the process of shipment.
Keyword: grasped the great potential opportunities, managed to improve the storage, method of ice in the process of shipment.
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 3rd-8th sentence.
Explanation: The third paragraph clearly depicts that the development of urbanization led to enlargement of the distance between the food source and the consumers. As a result, Frederick Tudor and Nathaniel Wyeth managed to improve the ice storage process so that it could be shipped over a long distance. Therefore, D is the correct answer as it states the accurate fact described in the passage.

Question 13:

Answer: E
Supporting Sentence: When people realized that the ice transported from the distance was not as clean as previously thought and gradually caused many health problems, it was more demanding to seek the clean natural sources of ice.
Keyword: ice transported from the distance, not as clean, caused many health problems.
Keyword Location: 4th paragraph, 1st sentence.
Explanation: The author states in the fourth paragraph that the refrigeration method processing over long distances does not deliver ice as clean as expected to receive. It leads to several health problems. Water pollution and sewage dumping make it more unavailable to have clean ice by the year 1890. Therefore, E is the correct answer as it satisfies the argument stated in the passage.

Question 14:

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: After that, new improvements were made, and Hydrofluorocarbons, with no known harmful effects, was used in the cooling system.
Keyword: new improvements, Hydrofluorocarbons, no known harmful effects.
Keyword Location: last paragraph, 6th and 8th sentence.
Explanation: The paragraph depicts that Freon has harmful effects on the atmosphere and it is the most dominant material in refrigerators. As a result, it leads to new developments such as using Hydrofluorocarbons in the cooling system since it has no harmful effects. Therefore, A is the correct answer as it supports the argument stated in the passage.

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