How Mobile Telephony turned into a Health Scare Reading Answers

Feb 24, 2023

How Mobile telephony turned into a Health Scare Reading Answers contains 13 questions and it is a topic from the IELTS general reading test. How Mobile telephony turned into a Health Scare Reading Answers has been taken from a book called IELTS Masterclass – Volume 1. In IELTS reading section generally the nature of questions is comprehension based and does not require specific knowledge and it is to be attempted within 20 minutes. How Mobile telephony turned into a Health Scare Reading Answers contains several types of questions but most questions belong to filling in the blanks category. To practise reading papers , the candidates can refer to the IELTS practice test.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

How Mobile Telephony turned into a Health Scare Reading Answers

The technology which enabled mobile phones was previously used in the kind of two- way radio which could be found in taxis and emergency vehicles. Although this was a great development, it was not really considered mobile telephony because it could not be used to dial into existing phone networks. It was known as simplex technology, operating on the same principles as a walkie-talkie, which required that a user press a button, meaning that only one person at a time could talk. Simplex meant that there was only one communication frequency in use at any one time.

The first mobile phones to connect to telephone networks were often installed in cars before the hand-held version came on the market and the revolution in mobile technology began. The first generation of mobile phones (called 1G) were large, heavy and analogue and it was not until the invention of the second generation (2G) in the 1990s that digital networks could be used. The digital element enabled faster signalling. At the same time, developments in battery design and energy-saving electronics allowed the phones themselves to become smaller and therefore more truly mobile. The second generation allowed for text messaging too, and this began with the first person-to-person text message in Finland in 1993,although a machine-generated text message had been successfully sent two years earlier.

None of this would have been possible without the development of duplex technology to replace the relatively primitive simplex technology of the first phase of mobile communication. In duplex technology, there are two frequencies available simultaneously. These two frequencies can be obtained by the principle of Frequency Division Duplex (FDD). To send two signals wirelessly, it is necessary to create a paired spectrum, where one band carries the uplink (from phone to antenna) and the other carries the downlink (from antenna to phone).Time Division Duplex (TDD) can achieve the same thing, but instead of splitting the frequency, the uplink and downlink are switched very rapidly, giving the impression that one frequency is used.

For mobile telephony to work to its fullest potential, it needs to have a network through which it can relay signals.This network depends on base stations which send and receive the signals. The base stations tend to be simple constructions, or masts, on top of which are mounted the antennas. With the rapid increase in demand for mobile services, the infrastructure of antennas in the United Kingdom is now huge.

Many thousands of reports have appeared claiming that the signals relayed by these antennas are harmful to human and animal health. The claims focus on the fact that the antennas are transmitting radio waves in microwave form. In some ways, public demand is responsible for the increase in the alleged threat to health. Until quite recently, voice and text messages were transmitted using 2G technology. A 2G mast can send a low-frequency microwave signal approximately 35 kilometres.Third generation (3G) technology allows users to wirelessly download information from the internet and is extremely popular. The difference is that 3G technology uses a higher frequency to carry the signals, allowing masts to emit more radiation. This problem Is intensified by the need to have masts in closer proximity to each other and to the handsets themselves. Whatever danger there was in 2G signals is greatly multiplied by the fact that the 3G masts are physically much closer to people.

Government authorities have so far refused to accept that there is a danger to public health, and tests carried out by governments and telecommunications companies have been restricted to testing to see if heat is being produced from these microwaves. According to many, however, the problem is not heat, but electromagnetic waves which are found near the masts.

It is believed that some people, though not all, have a condition known as electro- sensitivity or electro-hypersensitivity (EHS), meaning that the electromagnetism makes them ill in some way.The actual health threat from these pulsed microwave signals is an area which greatly needs more research. It has been claimed that the signals affect all living organisms, including plants, at a cellular level and cause symptoms in people ranging from tiredness and headaches to cancer. Of particular concern is the effect that increased electromagnetic fields may have on children and the fear is that the negative effects on their health may not manifest themselves until they have had many years of continued exposure to high levels. Tests carried out on animals living close to this form of radiation are particularly useful because scientists can rule out the psychological effect that humans might be exhibiting due to their fear of possible contamination.

Of course, the danger of exposure exists when using a mobile phone but since we do this for limited periods, between which it is believed our bodies can recover, it is not considered as serious as the effect of living or working near a mast (sometimes mounted on the very building we occupy) which is transmitting electromagnetic waves 24 hours a day.

Section 2

Questions 1-6

Answer the questions below

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer

What were early two-way radios unable to use?

Answer: (existing) Phone networks
Supporting Sentence: the technology which enabled mobile phones was previously used in the kind of two-way radio which could be found in taxis and emergency vehicles. Although this was a great development, it was not really considered mobile telephony because it could not be used to dial into existing phone networks.
Keyword : two-way radio, could not be used
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, 1st & 3rd line
Explanation: The supporting sentence talks about two way radio in the first sentence. So, the great development being talked about in the second sentence is two way radio. This two way couldn’t be called mobile telephony because it could not be used to dial into existing phone networks. Thus, two-way radio was unable to use existing phone networks.

What did you have to do in order to talk on a radio using simplex tech?

Answer: press a button
Supporting Sentence: It was known as simplex technology, operating on the same principles as a walkie-talkie, which required that a user press a button, meaning that only one person at a time could talk. Simplex meant that there was only one communication frequency in use at any one time.
Keyword : simplex, technology
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, 4th line
Explanation: the supporting sentence talks about simplex technology and equates it with a walkie talkie. The walkie talkie required the user to press a button in order to talk. Because simplex technology was similar to walkie talkie, to use it one would have to press a button.

Where were early mobile phones generally used?

Answer: (in) cars
Supporting Sentence: The first mobile phones to connect to telephone networks were often installed in cars before the hand-held version came on the market and the revolution in mobile technology began
Keyword : mobile phones
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, 1st line
Explanation: the question is asking for the use of early mobile phones. The supporting sentence talks about the first mobile phones being used in cars. The first mobile phones could be called early mobile phones. So, the
early mobile phones were generally used in cars.

What development introduced digital technology into mobile telephony?

Answer: 2G/ The second generation
Supporting Sentence: The first generation of mobile phones (called 1G) were large, heavy and analogue and it was not until the invention of the second generation (2G) in the 1990s that digital networks could be used.
Keyword : digital, networks, mobile phones
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, 3rd & 4th line
Explanation: the introduction of digital technology into mobile telephony can also be phrased as use of digital networks via mobile phones. This usage of digital networks was made possible by the introduction of Second Generation (2G) technology. So, the development of 2G introduced digital technology into mobile telephony.

Apart from the area of electronics, in which area did developments help make phones more mobile?

Answer: Battery design
Supporting Sentence: At the same time, developments in battery design and energy-saving electronics allowed the phones themselves to become smaller and therefore more truly mobile.
Keyword : more, mobile, developments
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, 5th & 6th line
Explanation: The question here is asking about the development that made phones more mobile which means portable. The supporting sentence says that phones were made smaller and truly mobile due to development in battery design. Phones being smaller adds to their mobility so battery design would be the relevant kind of development here.

What type of text message was the first one ever sent?

Answer: machine generated
Supporting Sentence: The second generation allowed for text messaging too, and this began with the first person-to-person text message in Finland in 1993, although a machine-generated text message had been
successfully sent two years earlier.
Keyword : message, first, earlier
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, 7th & 8th line
Explanation: the supporting sentence states that the first person to person text message was sent in 1993. It also mentions a machine generated text to be sent two years earlier which means in 1991. So, 1991 happened before 1993 and that’s why the first text that was sent was machine generated.

Question 7-10

Complete the diagram.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Frequency Division Duplex (FĐ) two signals sent

Answer: Wirelessly
Supporting Sentence: These two frequencies can be obtained by the principle of Frequency Division Duplex (FDD). To send two signals wirelessly, it is necessary to create a paired spectrum. A spectrum, where one band\
carries the uplink (from phone to antenna) and the other carries the downlink (from antenna to phone).
Keyword : two, signals, Frequency Division Duplex
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, 5th & 6th line
Explanation: the question talks about Frequency division duplex and two signals sent. The supporting sentence mentions creation of frequency division duplex to obtain two frequencies. These two signals are then sent wirelessly. So, in the Frequency Division Duplex, two signals are sent wirelessly.

Two bands together, known as a

Answer: paired spectrum
Supporting Sentence: To send two signals wirelessly, it is necessary to create a paired spectrum, where one band carries the uplink (from phone to antenna) and the other carries the downlink (from antenna to phone).
Keyword : paired, two
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, 6th line
Explanation: The supporting sentence talks about a paired spectrum being one band carrying uplink and another carrying downlink. So, the paired spectrum contains two bands together.

Question 9:

Answer: uplink
Supporting Sentence: To send two signals wirelessly, it is necessary to create a paired spectrum, where one band carries the uplink (from phone to antenna) and the other carries the downlink (from antenna to phone).
Keyword : phone, antenna, uplink
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, 7th 7 8th line
Explanation: As it evident from the diagram that the line is going from phone to antenna. According to the supporting sentence, the line from phone to antenna is uplink.

Question 10:

Answer: downlink
Supporting Sentence: To send two signals wirelessly, it is necessary to create a paired spectrum, where one band carries the uplink (from phone to antenna) and the other carries the downlink (from antenna to phone).
Keyword : antenna, phone, downlink
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, 8th & 9th line
Explanation: As it evident from the diagram that the line is going from antenna to phone. According to the supporting sentence, the line from antenna to phone is downlink.

Question 11-13

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

3G technology is believed to be more of a threat to health because

The signals are transmitted over much greater distances than before.
The masts are closer together and emit higher frequencies.
The signals are carrying both voice and text messages.
The modern handsets needed to emit more radiation.

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: The difference is that 3G technology uses a higher frequency to carry the signals, allowing masts to emit more radiation.
Keyword : radiation, 3G technology
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, 10th & 11th line
Explanation: Radiation involves a threat to health. In the supporting sentence, it is mentioned that 3G Technology uses higher frequency to carry signals allowing masts to emit more radiation. Thus, the closeness of masts and the higher frequencies result in radiation leading to health threats.

Why might the testing of animals give us more reliable results?

Because most of them live closer to the masts
Because they are continually exposed to higher levels of radiation
Because they are not affected at a cellular level
Because they are not afraid of the effects of radiation

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: Tests carried out on animals living close to this form of radiation are particularly useful because scientists can rule out the psychological effect that humans might be exhibiting due to their fear of
possible contamination.
Keyword : tests, animals
Keyword Location: Paragraph 7, 11th line
Explanation: The question is asking why animal testing yields more reliable results. The supporting sentence says that tests on animals are useful which means they provide reliable results. As to why they are useful, the passage states that the possibility of human fear of contamination can be ruled out in the case of animals. This means animals are not afraid of contamination. The contamination here refers to radiation.

What is believed to limit the danger from mobile phones?

Not using them continuously
Turning them off when not in use
Mounting a mast on the building where you live or work
Keeping healthy and getting enough sleep

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: Of course, the danger of exposure exists when using a mobile phone but since we do this for limited periods, between which it is believed our bodies can recover, it is not considered as serious as the
effect of living or working near a mast (sometimes mounted on the very building we occupy) which is transmitting electromagnetic waves 24 hours a day.
Keyword : limited periods
Keyword Location: Paragraph 8, 2nd line
Explanation: The question is asking for a factor that lessens the danger from mobile phones. The supporting sentence says that since we use mobile phones for limited periods the damage is not as serious as being continuously exposed to radiation. So, not using phones continuously is limiting the danger from mobile phones.