Olefin Fibre a New Dimension in Textiles Reading Answers

Jan 20, 2023

Olefin Fibre a New Dimension in Textiles Reading Answers is an IELTS GT reading topic, comprising 13 questions. Olefin Fibre a New Dimension in Textiles Reading Answers is taken from the Previous year question. The IELTS topic named Olefin Fibre a New Dimension in Textiles Reading Answers comprises two types of questions - mention the paragraph and true/false/not given. The candidates should thoroughly read the IELTS reading passage to recognize the synonyms and identify the keywords and answer the questions below. IELTS reading practice papers can be taken into consideration by the candidates in order to score a good score in the reading section in which similar topics like Olefin Fibre a New Dimension in Textiles Reading Answers has been included.

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Section 1

Read the passage to answer the following questions

Olefin Fibre a New Dimension in Textiles Reading Answers

Olefin Fibre: A New Dimension in Textiles

By definition, textile refers to a flexible material made up of either natural or artificial fibres. Usually, a textile is produced by spinning raw fibres on a spinning wheel and converting them into long strands of thread or yarn. Textile fibres used to be broadly categorised as: animal fibre – those which are made up of animal hair and fur or; plant fibre - those which are derived from plants. The invention of olefin fibre, however, added a new dimension to the traditional categories of textile fibres.

Olefin fibre is a complex fibre made from alkenes, which, in organic chemistry, are ‘unsaturated chemical compounds made up of carbon1’. The properties of olefin partially reflect the properties of synthetics, which is why it is defined as a ‘chemically manipulated synthetic fibre’. Two properties of olefin that match the properties of synthetics are that it is man-made and its production involves the amalgamation of a set of different fibres.

The discovery of olefin was due to extensive research first undertaken in Italy. In 1957, the Textile Research Laboratory of Italy began experiments to find a liquid solution that would coat fibres in such a way that the textiles made from those fibres would become strong enough to be used in the production of clothing. The scientists at the laboratory noticed that chemical ingredients, consisting mostly of carbon, showed a tendency to create strong bonds with cotton and thus, could be treated as a ‘knitting ingredient’ rather than a ‘coating ingredient’. The initial testing of olefin yielded favourable results but surprisingly, only a few leading textile manufacturing firms in Italy profited from larger-scale manufacturing and sales. Encouraged by the modest success in Italy, the USA was one of the earliest adopters of olefin and began commercial manufacturing on a sizable scale in 1960. Today, olefin fibre is produced in over 10 countries around the world and accounts for 16% of all textile fibres manufactured worldwide.

Textile researchers view the invention of olefin as important due to its strength, thickness and low specific gravity - all of which ensured that the fibres were strong without being overly heavy. Before the invention of olefin, textiles that were strong were also quite heavy, and a heavy textile meant it was less comfortable for the wearer and involved higher carriage costs from mills to marketplaces. During the 1990s, scientists in the USA improved upon both the manufacturing process and construction of olefin fibres so that they were able to absorb some moisture - an aspect which was missing from the initial forms of olefin. With improvements in colourfastness, greater strength and the ability to resist sunlight, there have been even greater advances in the production of olefin in recent times.

Despite significant advantages, two major disadvantages of olefin are that it does not dye well and it is expensive to produce. The first disadvantage is due to the production process; the fibres are bonded at such high temperatures that the addition of colour is impeded. Olefin fibres can only absorb select light colours like white, off-white and light yellow. However, it is possible to add darker colours by making the bonds weaker, the trade-off being that the threads lose some of their strength. From a functional point of view, strength is more important than colour. The second disadvantage of olefin is the hydro-spinning mill setup and thermal control equipment that are required in the manufacturing process - both are very expensive to install and maintain.

Worldwide, olefin is used in the apparel, home furnishing and automotive industries. In the apparel industry, comfortable but expensive activewear can be made of olefin, particularly in the area of professional swimming. Although olefin is very warm, winter clothes are not typically made from it due to its high manufacturing price. In the home furnishing industry, olefin is often used to produce carpets, carpet tiles and other floor coverings. In expensive automobiles, interior coverings and sun visors are often made of olefin.

Unlike numerous manufacturers of traditional textiles, there are very few olefin manufacturers around the world. Today, most olefin production firms are based in the USA, England and China. In the global marketplace, China has been able to export the most olefin. China’s low labour cost has enabled the country to offer olefin textiles to the global market at a comparatively low price.

British scientists, in collaboration with some giant European textile manufacturing companies, are now conducting extensive research to reduce olefin production costs. The challenge is to decrease the production costs without losing any of the unique properties of the textile. If the research is successful, then olefin may become a regular component of everyday clothing.

1A chemical substance which is an important part of other substances (such as coal) and occurs in all plants and animals.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 28-32

The passage has eight paragraphs A-H. Which paragraph mentions the following information?
Write the correct letter A-H in boxes 28-32 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.

the machines used to produce olefin

Answer: E
Supporting Sentence: The hydro-spinning mill setup and thermal control equipment that are required in the manufacturing process - both are very expensive to install and maintain.
Keyword : hydro-spinning mill setup and thermal control equipment
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: In paragraph E, the author mentions that the second drawback of olefin is the high cost of installing and maintaining the hydrospinning mill setup. The heat control equipment that is needed in the manufacturing process. Hence E is the correct answer.

the benefit of olefin over other textiles

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: With improvements in colour fastness, greater strength and the ability to resist sunlight, there have been even greater advances in the production of olefin in recent times.
Keyword : colour fastness, greater strength and resist sunlight
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: In paragraph D it is mentioned that more progress has been made in olefin manufacture. The advancements in colorfastness, strength, and sunshine resistance have been enhanced. Hence D is the correct answer.

an expected outcome once the cost of making olefin is reduced

Answer: H
Supporting Sentence: British scientists, in collaboration with some giant European textile manufacturing companies, are now conducting extensive research to reduce olefin production costs.
Keyword : European textile manufacturing companies, olefin production costs
Keyword Location: Paragraph H
Explanation: Researchers from Britain are now working closely. Working with some of the largest European textile manufacturers to do in-depth research to lower the cost of olefin production.

a change in the classification of textile fibres

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: The invention of olefin fibre, however, added a new dimension to the traditional categories of textile fibres.
Keyword : invention of olefin fibre, traditional categories
Keyword Location: Paragraph A
Explanation: In paragraph A it is mentioned that the development of olefin fibre. It gave the conventional classifications of textile fibres a fresh perspective.

various commercial uses of olefins

Answer: F
Supporting Sentence: In expensive automobiles, interior coverings and sun visors are often made of olefin.
Keyword : expensive automobiles, interior coverings
Keyword Location: Paragraph F
Explanation: Olefin is frequently used to make carpet, carpet tiles, and other floor coverings in the home furnishings sector. Interior covers and sun visors in high-end vehicles are frequently constructed of olefin.

Questions 33-36

Answer the questions below.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

What is the main chemical in olefin?

Answer: Carbon
Supporting Sentence: Olefin fibre is a complex fibre made from alkenes, which, in organic chemistry, are ‘unsaturated chemical compounds made up of carbon1
Keyword : complex fibre, ‘unsaturated chemical compound
Keyword Location: Paragraph B
Explanation: Alkenes, which are unsaturated carbon-based chemical compounds according to organic chemistry, are the building blocks for olefin fibre, a complex fibre.

In which country was olefin first used commercially?

Answer: Italy
Supporting Sentence: The discovery of olefin was due to extensive research first undertaken in Italy.
Keyword : extensive research
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: Olefin was discovered as a result of intensive study that was originally carried out in Italy. The Italian Textile Research Laboratory started conducting research in 1957 in an effort to discover a liquid. It could coat fibres in such a manner that the textiles created from those fibres would be durable enough to be utilised to make garments.

Who are particularly interested in the weight and strength of olefin?

Answer: Textile researchers
Supporting Sentence: Textile researchers view the invention of olefin as important due to its strength, thickness and low specific gravity
Keywords: strength, thickness and low specific gravity
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: In Paragraph D it mentioned that because of olefin's strength, thickness, and low specific gravity. This together meant that the fibres were sturdy without being unduly heavy, textile experts consider olefin's development to be significant.

In addition to fibre construction, what other improvement occurred in the 1990s?

Answer: the manufacturing process
Supporting Sentence: During the 1990s, scientists in the USA improved upon both the manufacturing process and construction of olefin fibres
Keywords: manufacturing process, olefin fibres
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: In Paragraph D it mentioned that scientists in the USA made improvements to the olefin fiber's structure. The production method in the 1990s to enable them to absorb some moisture, a feature that was lacking in the olefin's original forms.

Questions 37-40

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

In boxes 37-40 on your answer sheet, write

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

In the 1990s, olefin production costs were reduced.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: In Paragraph D it mentioned the production method in the 1990s to enable them to absorb some moisture, a feature that was lacking in the olefin's original forms. Hence the answer is not given.

High production temperatures cause reduced colour in olefin fibres.

Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: The first disadvantage is due to the production process; the fibres are bonded at such high temperatures that the addition of colour is impeded.
Keywords: production process, the fibres are bonded
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: In paragraph E it is stated that the first drawback is a result of the manufacturing procedure. Since, the fibres are fused at such high temperatures, adding colour is difficult.

Lighter coloured olefin is not as strong as darker coloured olefin.

Answer: False
Supporting Sentence: Olefin fibres can only absorb select light colours like white, off-white and light yellow.
Keywords: Olefin fibres, absorb, white, off-white and light yellow.
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: In paragraph E it is stated that only a few light colours, including white, off-white, and pale yellow, may be absorbed by olefin fibres. Hence the answer is false.

China currently leads the world in olefin production.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: There is no statement in the passage provided to support the question. Hence the answer for this question is not given.

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