William Gilbert And Magnetism Reading Answers

Dec 13, 2022

William Gilbert And Magnetism Reading Answers is a reading section topic. The IELTS Reading test helps students in improving their skills which include reading, accessing, and analyzing. William Gilbert And Magnetism Reading Answers topic has been taken from the book: IELTS AC Reading: Cambridge 13, Test 4. In this IELTS Reading Section, there are a few questions divided into sets. The William Gilbert And Magnetism Reading Answers topic includes questions as mentioned below: Match the headings, True, false, and not given, and Choose the correct answer. Candidates face similar topics in IELTS reading practice papers.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

William Gilbert And Magnetism Reading Answers

The 16th and 17th centuries saw two great pioneers of modern science: Galileo and Gilbert. The impact of their findings is eminent. Gilbert was the first modern scientist, the accredited father of the science of electricity and magnetism, an Englishman of learning, and a physician at the court of Elizabeth. Prior to him, all that was known of electricity and magnetism was what the ancients knew, nothing more than that the: lodestone possessed magnetic properties and that amber and jet, when rubbed, would attract bits of paper or other substances of small specific gravity. However, he is less well-known than he deserves.
Gilbert’s birth predated Galileo. Born in an eminent local family in Colchester county in the UK, on May 24，1544，he went to grammar school, and then studied medicine at St. John’s College, Cambridge, graduating in 1573. Later he traveled to the continent and eventually settled down in London.
He was a very successful and eminent doctor. All this culminated in his election to the president of the Royal Science Society. He was also appointed the personal physician to the Queen (Elizabeth I), and later knighted by the Queen. He faithfully served her until her death. However, he didn’t outlive the Queen for long and died on December 10, 1603, only a few months after his appointment as a personal physician to King James.
Gilbert was first interested in chemistry but later changed his focus due to the large portion of the mysticism of alchemy involved (such as the transmutation of metal). He gradually developed his interest in physics after the great minds of the ancient, particularly about the knowledge the ancient Greeks had about lodestones, strange minerals with the power to attract iron. In the meantime, Britain became a major seafaring nation in 1588 when the Spanish Armada was defeated, opening the way to the British settlement of America. British ships depended on the magnetic compass, yet no one understood why it worked. Did the pole star attract it, as Columbus once speculated, or was there a magnetic mountain at the pole, as described in Odyssey’ which ships would never approach because the sailors thought its pull would yank out all their iron nails and fittings? For nearly 20 years, William Gilbert conducted ingenious experiments to understand magnetism. His works include On the Magnet and Magnetic Bodies, Great Magnet of the Earth.
Gilbert’s discovery was so important to modern physics. He investigated the nature of magnetism and electricity. He even coined the word “electric”. Though the early beliefs of magnetism were also largely entangled with superstitions such as that rubbing garlic on lodestone can neutralize its magnetism, one example being that sailors even believed the smell of garlic would even interfere with the action of the compass, which is why helmsman were forbidden to eat it near a ship’s compass. Gilbert also found that metals can be magnetized by rubbing materials such as fur, plastic, or the like on them. He named the ends of a magnet “north pole’ and “south pole”. The magnetic poles can attract or repel, depending on polarity. In addition, however, ordinary iron is always attracted to a magnet. Though he started to study the relationship between magnetism and electricity, sadly, he didn’t complete it. His research of static electricity using amber and jet only demonstrated that objects with electrical charges can work like magnets attracting small pieces of paper and stuff. It is a French guy named du Fay that discovered that there are actually two electrical charges, positive and negative.
He also questioned the traditional astronomical beliefs. Though a Copernican, he didn’t express in his quintessential beliefs whether the earth is at the center of the universe or in orbit around the sun. However, he believed that stars are not equidistant from the earth, but have their own earth-like planets orbiting around them. The earth is itself like a giant magnet, which is also why compasses always point north. They spin on an axis that is aligned with the earth’s polarity. He even likened the polarity of the magnet to the polarity of the earth and built an entire magnetic philosophy on this analogy. In his explanation, magnetism was the soul of the earth. Thus a perfectly spherical lodestone, when aligned with the earth’s poles, would wobble all by itself in 24 hours. Further, he also believed that suns and other stars wobble just like the earth does around a crystal core, and speculated that the moon might also be a magnet caused to orbit by its magnetic attraction to the earth. This was perhaps the first proposal that a force might cause a heavenly orbit.
His research method was revolutionary in that he used experiments rather than pure logic and reasoning like the ancient Greek philosophers did. It was a new attitude toward scientific investigation. Until then, scientific experiments were not in fashion. It was because of this scientific attitude, together with his contribution to our knowledge of magnetism, that a unit of magnetomotive force, also known as magnetic potential, was named Gilbert in his honor. His approach of careful observation and experimentation rather than the authoritative opinion or deductive philosophy of others had laid the very foundation for modern science.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation
Questions 1-7:
Reading Passage has seven paragraphs A-G.
Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number i-x in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet.

List of headings

Early years of Gilbert
What was new about his scientific research method
The development of chemistry
Questioning traditional astronomy
Pioneers of the early science
Professional and social recognition
Becoming the president of the Royal Science Society
The great works of Gilbert
His discovery about magnetism
His change of focus

Paragraph A
Paragraph B
Paragraph C
Paragraph D
Paragraph E
Paragraph F
Paragraph G

Q1. Paragraph A

Answer. v- Pioneers of the early science
Supporting Sentence: The 16th and 17th centuries saw two great pioneers of modern science : Galileo and Gilbert.
Keywords: 'two great pioneers of modern science Galileo and Gilbert'
Keywords Location: Paragraph A, Line : 1
Explanation: The opening line of paragraph A explains that in the 16th and 17th centuries the two great personalities of modern science were Galileo and Gilbert. Moreover the aftermath of their research is noteworthy.

Q2. Paragraph B

Answer: i- Early years of Gilbert
Supporting Sentence: Gilbert's birth predated Galileo. Born in an eminent local family in Colchester country in the UK, on May 24, 1544, he went to grammar school, and then studied medicine at St. John's College, Cambridge, graduating in 1573.
Keywords: 'Gilbert's birth predated Galileo', 'Born in an eminent local family in Colchester country in the UK, on May 24, 1544', 'went to grammar school', 'studied medicine at St. John's College', 'graduating in 1573'.
Keywords Location: Paragraph B, Line : 1 & 2
Explanation: According to the first two lines of Paragraph B Gilbert was born in a famous local family in Colchester country in the UK, on May 24, 1544. Next he went to Grammar School and completed graduation from St. John's College in 1573. Hence, the lines highlight his birth and graduation days.

Q3. Paragraph C

Answer: vi- Professional and social recognition
Supporting Sentence: He was also appointed the personal physician to the Queen (Elizabeth I), and later knighted by the Queen. He faithfully served her until her death. However, he didn't outlive the Queen for long and died on December 10, 1603, only a few months after his appointment as a personal physician to King James.
Keywords: 'appointed physician to the Queen (Elizabeth I)', 'later knighted by the Queen', 'faithfully served her until her death', 'his appointment as a personal physician to King James'.
Keywords Location: Paragraph : C, Line : 3 to 5
Explanation: According to Paragraph C, Gilbert was a personal physician to Queen Elizabeth I. He was awarded knighthood by her. He faithfully served her untill her demise. Later, he was appointed as a personal physician to King James. Thus, the mentioned lines express the professional and social recognition of Gilbert.

Q4. Paragraph D

Answer: x- His change of focus
Supporting Sentence: Gilbert was first interested in chemistry but later changed his focus due to the large portion of the mysticism of alchemy involved (such as the transmutation of metal). He gradually developed his interest in physics after the great minds of the ancient, particularly about the knowledge the ancient Greeks had about lodestones, strange minerals with power to attract iron.
Keywords: 'first interested in chemistry but later changed his focus', 'gradually developed his interest in physics'.
Keywords Location: Paragraph : D, Line : 1 & 2
Explanation: According to Paragraph C in his early life Gilbert was interested in chemistry but due to the large section of mysticism of alchemy he changed his mind and developed his interest in physics. The subject fascinated him for the great personalities of the ancient era and it's knowledge and activities.

Q5. Paragraph E

Answer: ix- His discovery about magnetism
Supporting Sentence: Gilbert also found that metals can be magnetized by rubbing materials such as fur, plastic, or the like on them. He named the ends of a magnet "north pole" and "south pole". The magnetic poles can attract or repel, depending on polarity.
Keywords: 'found that metals can be magnetized by rubbing materials such as fur, plastic, or the like on them', 'He named the ends of a magnet 'north pole' and 'south pole', 'magnetic poles can attract or repel, depending on polarity'.
Keywords Location: Paragraph : E, Line : 4 to 6
Explanation: It is clearly expressed in the Paragraph E that Gilbert worked on the discovery of magnetism and invented some of the notable features of magnetism. He named the ends of a magnet as north pole and south pole and found that magnetic poles can attract or repel depending on the polarity.

Q6. Paragraph F

Answer: iv- Questioning traditional astronomy
Supporting Sentence: He also questioned the traditional astronomical beliefs. Though a Copernician he didn't express in his quintessential beliefs whether the earth is at the center of the universe or in orbit around the sun.
Keywords: 'questioned the traditional astronomical beliefs',
Keywords Location: Paragraph : F, Line : 1 & 2
Explanation: As it is clearly mentioned in the first two lines of Paragraph F that Gilbert questioned the traditional astronomical beliefs of the society. Here, he seems to have questioned whether the earth is at the center of the universe or in orbit around the sun.

Q7. Paragraph G

Answer: ii- What was new about his scientific research method
Supporting Sentence: His approach of careful observation and experimentation - rather than the authoritative opinion or deductive philosophy of others - had laid the very foundation for modern science.
Keywords: 'approach of careful observation and experimentation - rather than the authoritative opinion or deductive philosophy of others had laid the very foundation for modern science'
Keywords Location: Paragraph : G, Line : Last
Explanation: According to Paragraph G, Gilbert's scientific approach was different from the traditional approach. The approach he adopted of careful observation and experimentation rather than the other's authoritative opinion or deductive philosophy which laid the foundation for modern science. Thus, this paragraph expresses what was new and innovative about Gibert's scientific research method.

Questions 8-10:

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage?
In boxes 8-10 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

He is less famous than he should be.
He was famous as a doctor before he was employed by the Queen.

Q8. He is less famous than he should be.

Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: However, he is less well-known than he deserves.
Keywords: 'he is less well-known than he deserves'
Keywords Location: Paragraph : A, Line : Last
Explanation: The last line of paragraph A explains that Gilbert was an eminent scientist, and known for his work on electricity and magnetism in modern science. But In spite of his contribution and knowledge he is less famous than he deserves. So, the statement is True.

Q9. He was famous as a doctor before he was employed by the Queen.

Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: He was a very successful and eminent doctor. All this culminated in his election to the president of the Royal Science Society. He was also appointed the personal physician to the Queen (Elizabeth I), and later knighted by the Queen.
Keywords: 'He was a very successful and eminent doctor', 'All this culminated in his election to the president of the Royal Science Society', 'appointed the personal physician to the Queen'.
Keywords Location: Paragraph : C, Line : 1 to 3
Explanation: It is clearly mentioned in the Paragraph C that Gilbert was a famous and successful doctor before he was employed by the Queen. His popularity and work even culminated in his election to the president of the Royal Science Society. So, the statement is True.

Q10. He lost faith in the medical theories of his time.

Answer: Not Given
Supporting Sentence: It was because of this scientific attitude, together with his contribution to our knowledge of magnetism, that a unit of magnetomotive force, also known as magnetic potential, was named Gilbert in his honor.
Keywords: scientific attitude, contribution, magnetism,
Keywords Location: Paragraph G; lines 3-5
Explanation: The relevant information associated with the given questions wasn’t found in the passage. Thus, the answer will be not given.

Questions 11-13:
Choose THREE letters A-F.
Write your answers in boxes 11-13 on your answer sheet.
Which THREE of the following are parts of Gilbert's discovery?

Metal can be transformed into another.
Garlic can remove magnetism,
Metals can be magnetized.
Stars are at different distances from the earth.
The earth wobbles on its axis.
There are two charges of electricity,

Question 11:

Answer 11: C
Supporting Sentence: Gilbert also found that metals can be magnetized by rubbing materials such as fur, plastic, or the like on them."
Keywords: 'metals can be magnetized by rubbing materials such as fur, plastic, or the like on them'.
Keywords Location: Paragraph : E, Line : 5
Explanation: According to Paragraph E, In his research Gilbert observed that metals can be magnetized by rubbing various materials like fur, plastic etc. Thus Gilbert's discovery was that metals can be magnetized.

Question 12:

Answer 12: D
Supporting Sentence: However, he believed that stars are not equidistant from the earth, but have their own earth - like planets orbiting around them.
Keywords: 'he believed that stars are not equidistant from the earth but have their own earth- like planets orbiting around them'.
Keywords Location: Paragraph : F, Line : 3
Explanation: The term 'equidistant' means equal distance. In the third line of paragraph F it is clearly mentioned that stars are not at different distances from the earth. The stars have their own earth like planets orbiting around them.

Question 13:

Answer 13: E
Supporting Sentence: Thus a perfectly spherical lodestone, when aligned with the earth's poles, would wobble all by itself 24 hours. Further he also believed that suns and other stars wobble just like the earth does around a crystal core, and speculated that the moon might also be a magnet caused to orbit by its magnetic attraction to the earth.
Keywords: 'Thus a perfectly spherical lodestone, when aligned with the earth's poles, would wobble all by itself 24 hours', 'suns and other stars wobble just like the earth'.
Keywords Location: Paragraph : F, Line : 8 & 9
Explanation: According to Paragraph F, earth wobbles around its axis in 24 hours. Furthermore, Gilbert believed that suns and other stars also wobble around a crystal core just like the earth. So, Gilbert's discovery was that when the earth is aligned with poles it would wobble on its axis in 24 hours.

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