The Evolution of Long Distance Communication Reading Answers

Jan 21, 2023

The Evolution of Long Distance Communication Reading Answers comprises a total of 7 questions. This general reading passage has been referenced from the book Master IELTS General Training Volume 5. The IELTS reading topic; The Evolution of Long Distance Communication Reading Answers requires candidates to answer questions within a time limit of 20 minutes. The question type included in this topic is matching the paragraph with correct heading. This IELTS reading topic; The Evolution of Long Distance Communication Reading Answers requires candidates to read the passage carefully and understand the scenarios presented. To practice more such reading passage candidates can refer to the IELTS reading practice papers.

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Section 1

Read the passage to answer the following questions

The Evolution of Long Distance Communication Reading Answers

Long-distance signalling was used as far back as the time of ancient civilisations in China, Egypt and Greece. Primitive as the methods may sound today. Signalling took the form of messages communicated through smoke or drumbeats. Bad weather, however, would have often interrupted the line of sight between receptor points, making such signalling methods ineffective.
Even centuries later, the more sophisticated long-distance signalling method known as semaphore, proved susceptible to weather and other factors stopping visibility. Developed in the early 1790s, the semaphore consisted of a series of hilltop stations that each had large movable arms to signal letters and numbers and two telescopes with which to see the other stations. However, during bad weather, signalling would prove impossible. Clearly a different method of transmitting information was required to make regular and reliable long-distance communication workable.
The beginning of the nineteenth century was to herald the invention of two major technological advances that would lay the groundwork for more effective long-distance communication. In 1800, Italian scientist Alessandro Volta invented the battery and in 1820 Dutch physicist Hans Christian Oersted demonstrated the connection between electricity and magnetism. Volta's invention permitted electric currents to be stored and later used under controlled conditions, whilst Oersted's discovery showed how a magnetic needle could be deflected by electric currents.
In the mid-nineteenth century Volta's invention and Oersted's discovery were brought together to create a major communications breakthrough: the telegraph. In its early stages, the telegraph system comprised five magnetic needles that could be pointed around a panel of letters and numbers by using an electric current.
Later, Samuel Morse, in scientific collaboration with a group of other inventors, would take the invention a stage further. Building on the telegraph system, Morse and his associates created a device capable of transmitting electrical impulses over a wire between stations. Morse then created a code of dots and dashes, relating to each letter of the English alphabet. The transcription of electrical impulses into letters was thereby created, permitting complex messages to be sent across telegraph lines and thereby allowing long-distance communication with a device known as the telegraph.
In 1844, Morse sent his first telegraph message from Washington DC to Baltimore, Maryland. A deeply religious man, he ensured that the wording delivered a suitable message: 'What God hath wrought!' Just over two decades later, in 1866, the first telegraph line had been laid across the Atlantic from the US to Europe.
The electric telegraph transformed how wars were fought and won and how journalists and newspaper did business. Rather than taking weeks to be delivered by horse-and-carriage mail carts, pieces of news could be exchanged between telegraph stations almost instantly. The telegraph also had a big economic effect, allowing money to be 'wired' across great distances.
With the beginning of the 20th century, the telegraph had become almost obsolete, replaced by faster and more effective means of communication such as the telephone, the fax machine and, more recently, the internet. These inventions though would not have been possible without the telegraph first paving the way for such technological breakthroughs. Morse is still remembered in the code that bears his name, and the world-famous emergency S.O.S code that is based on the Morse code.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 29-35

The text has eight paragraphs, A-H. Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 29-35 on your answer sheet.

The practical impact of technology...........

Answer: G
Supporting Sentence: Rather than taking weeks to be delivered by horse-and-carriage mail carts, pieces of news could be exchanged between telegraph stations almost instantly.
Keyword : instantly, weeks
Keyword Location: Paragraph G, 2nd sentence
Explanation: The author says that technology affected the life of people. Previously mails used to be delivered by horse carriages and it used to take weeks. With the use of technology, they are delivered instantly. This affected how wars are fought, the newspapers and our lives. Hence, these are practical impacts.

An old problem comes back.

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Even centuries later, the more sophisticated long-distance signalling method known as semaphore, proved susceptible to weather and other factors stopping visibility.
Keyword : centuries later, susceptible
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, 1st sentence
Explanation: The author starts the 2nd paragraph by saying “even centuries later”. The author talks about signalling method which were susceptible to weather and other factors stopping visibility. So the problem existed before and also comes back. Hence, Paragraph B is the correct answer.

Recognition of a higher authority

Answer: F
Supporting Sentence: A deeply religious man, he ensured that the wording delivered a suitable message: 'What God hath wrought!'
Keyword : God
Keyword Location: Paragraph F, 2nd sentence
Explanation: In 1844, Morse sent his first telegraph message from Washington DC to Baltimore, Maryland. A deeply religious man, he ensured that the wording delivered a suitable message: 'What God hath wrought!' Just over two decades later, in 1866, the first telegraph line had been laid across the Atlantic from the US to Europe.

Communication is scripted........

Answer: E
Supporting Sentence: The transcription of electrical impulses into letters was thereby created, permitting complex messages to be sent across telegraph lines and thereby allowing long-distance communication with a device known as the telegraph.
Keyword : created, messages
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, last sentence
Explanation: The author states that morse code was created. The impulses and letters were therefore created which would sent a complex message. Since it was created,m means it was scripted.

Remember forever...............

Answer: H
Supporting Sentence: Morse is still remembered in the code that bears his name, and the world-famous emergency S.O.S code that is based on the Morse code.
Keyword : still, remembered
Keyword Location: Paragraph H, last sentence
Explanation: Thye author states that morse code is still remembered. It is world famous though it was used long back. This means it is remembered forever. Hence, H is the correct answer.

Certain practices now seen basic

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: Signalling took the form of messages communicated through smoke or drumbeats.
Keyword : Signalling, smoke,
Keyword Location: Paragraph A, 3rd sentence
Explanation: The author states that people used to give signals in the form of smoke or drum beats. This is the basic as people use smoke still now if required. Sounds are made to let anyone know their location. Hence, these are the basics of signalling.

Dual achievements.

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: The beginning of the nineteenth century was to herald the invention of two major technological advances that would lay the groundwork for more effective long-distance communication.
Keyword : invention, two, major, technical
Keyword Location: Parargrapoh C, 1st sentence
Explanation: The first sentence of the paragraph talks about two achievements. In the beginning of the nineteenth century, two technological advancements were made for effective communication. Hence, C is the correct answer.