Meteorology Reading Answers

Dec 30, 2023

Meteorology Reading Answers contains 6 questions, and it is a topic that forms part of IELTS general reading test. Meteorology Reading Answers has been taken from a book called Slick IELTS Reading Evaluation. In IELTS reading section, the nature of questions is such that candidates have to read a passage and provide answers from therein, it is to be attempted within 20 minutes. Meteorology Reading Answers contains the questions that ask the candidates to find information from the passage. To practice more reading papers like that the candidates can refer to the IELTS practice test.

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Section 1

Read the passage to answer the questions that follow

Meteorology Reading Answers

Meteorology is a branch of the atmospheric sciences which includes atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric physics, with a foremost emphasis on weather forecasting. The study of meteorology dates back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw modest progress in the field after weather observation networks were formed across broad regions. Prior attempts at prediction of weather dependent on historical data. It was not until after the elucidation of the laws of physics and more particularly, the development of the computer, allowing for the automated solution of a great many equations that model the weather, in the latter half of the 20th century that significant breakthroughs in weather forecasting were achieved. An important domain of weather forecasting is marine weather forecasting as it relates to maritime and coastal safety, in which weather effects also include atmospheric interactions with large bodies of water.
Meteorological phenomena are observable weather events that are explained by the science of meteorology. Meteorological phenomena are described and quantified by the variables of Earth's atmosphere: temperature, air pressure, water vapour, mass flow, and the differences and interactions of those variables, and how they change over time. Different spatial scales are used to describe and predict weather on local, regional, and global levels. Meteorology, climatology, atmospheric physics, and atmospheric chemistry are sub-disciplines of the atmospheric sciences. Meteorology and hydrology comprise the interdisciplinary field of hydrometeorology. The interactions between Earth's atmosphere and its oceans are part of a coupled ocean- atmosphere system. Meteorology has application in many diverse fields such as the military, energy production, transport, agriculture, and construction. The ability to predict rains and floods based on annual cycles was evidently used by humans at least from the time of agricultural settlement if not earlier.
The Samaveda mentions sacrifices to be performed when certain phenomena were observed. Varahamihira's classical work Brihatsamhita, written about 500 AD, provides evidence of weather observation. In 350 BC, Aristotle wrote Meteorology. Aristotle is considered the founder of meteorology. One of the most impressive attainments defined in the Meteorology is the description of what is now known as the hydrologic cycle. The book De Mundo (composed before 250 BC or between 350 and 200 BC) noted: If the flashing body is set on fire and dailies violently to the Earth it is called a thunderbolt; if it is only half of fire, but violent also and massive, it is called a meteor; if it is entirely free from fire, it is called a smoking bolt. They are all called 'swooping bolts' because they swoop down upon the Earth. Lightning is sometimes smoky and is then called 'smouldering lightning"; sometimes it darts quickly along and is then said to be vivid. At other times, it travels in crooked lines, and is called forked lightning. When it swoops down upon some object it is called 'swooping lightning'.
The Greek scientist Theophrastus compiled a book on weather forecasting, called the Book of Signs. The work of Theophrastus remained a dominant influence in the study of weather and in weather forecasting for nearly 2,000 years. In 25 AD, Pomponius Mela, a geographer for the Roman Empire, formalized the climatic zone system. He defines the meteorological character of the sky, the planets and constellations, the sun and moon, the lunar phases indicating seasons and rain, the anwa (heavenly bodies of rain), and atmospheric phenomena such as winds, thunder, lightning, snow, floods, valleys, rivers, lakes. Early attempts at forecasting weather were often related to prophecy and divining and were sometimes based on astrological ideas. Admiral FitzRoy tried to separate scientific approaches from prophetic ones.

Question 15-20

Which Paragraph contains the following information?
NB you may use any letter more than once

Estimate of weather in early times founded on astronomy

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: Early attempts at forecasting weather were often related to prophecy and divining and were sometimes based on astrological ideas
Keyword: early, weather, forecasting, astrological
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, 8th & 9th line
Explanation: Weather forecasting means estimates of weather. So, supporting sentence says that these forecasts were based on astrological ideas or astronomy.

Evolution of Weather prognostication.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: The study of meteorology dates back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw modest progress in the field after weather observation networks were formed across broad regions.
Keyword: study, meteorology
Keyword Location: Paragraph A, 3rd line
Explanation: Prognostication means an omen, an advance indication of future event. Meteorology means study of weather. The supporting sentence shows how evolution of weather was studied through the centuries.

A Scientist’s text on weather forecasting inspired researchers for nearly two hundred decades.

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: The Greek scientist Theophrastus compiled a book on weather forecasting, called the Book of Signs. The work of Theophrastus remained a dominant influence in the study of weather and in weather forecasting for nearly 2,000 years.
Keyword: scientist, influence
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, 1st & 2nd line
Explanation: There are 200 decades in 2000 years because one decade is 10 years long. The supporting sentence mentions Greek Scientist Theophrastus who work was a dominant influence. So, a scientist’s work was inspiring researchers for 200 decades.

A book describing variety of lighting strikes

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: The book De Mundo (composed before 250 BC or between 350 and 200 BC) noted: If the flashing body is set on fire and dailies violently to the Earth it is called a thunderbolt; if it is only half of fire, but violent also and massive, it is called a meteor; if it is entirely free from fire, it is called a smoking bolt. They are all called 'swooping bolts' because they swoop down upon the Earth. Lightning is sometimes smoky and is then called 'smouldering lightning"; sometimes it darts quickly along and is then said to be vivid. At other times, it travels in crooked lines, and is called forked lightning. When it swoops down upon some object it is called 'swooping lightning'.
Keyword: book, lightening
Keyword Location: Paragraph C, 5th & 9th line
Explanation: The Supporting Sentence names a book called De Mundo which explains different types of lightning strikes.

Implementation of Meteorology in diverse fields

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Meteorology has application in many diverse fields such as the military, energy production, transport, agriculture, and construction.
Keyword: application, Meteorology
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, 9th line
Explanation: The application of Meteorology means its implementation. As its mentioned in supporting sentence meteorology is implemented in several fields all different from one another. Hence, implementation of Meteorology is in diverse fields.

An integral sphere of weather forecasting for littoral protection.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: An important domain of weather forecasting is marine weather forecasting as it relates to maritime and coastal safety, in which weather effects also include atmospheric interactions with large bodies of water.
Keyword: coastal safety
Keyword Location: Paragraph A, 11th line
Explanation: Littoral means relating to the shore. So, littoral protection means coastal safety and supporting sentence says weather forecasting relates to coastal safety.

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