Andrew Carnegie: industrialist and philanthropist
Read Andrew Carnegie: industrialist and philanthropist and check the IELTS Reading answers. The Scottish-born American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who was the leader of the American steel industry from 1873 to 1901, donated large sums of his fortune to educational, cultural, a…
Passage preview
The Scottish-born American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who was the leader of the American steel industry from 1873 to 1901, donated large sums of his fortune to educational, cultural, and scientific institutions. He was born in 1835 in Scotland, the son of William Carnegie, a weaver, and Margaret Morrison Carnegie.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- automate verb
To convert a process or facility to be operated by largely automatic equipment rather than human labor
The factory began to automate its production lines to increase efficiency and reduce the need for manual workers.
- bargain verb
To negotiate formally with an employer or opponent over terms, especially wages and working conditions
Trade unions bargain with management each year to secure better pay for their members.
- bond noun
A certificate issued by a government or company promising to repay borrowed money with fixed interest on a stated date
Many pension funds invest heavily in government bonds because they offer a predictable and relatively safe return.
- confrontation noun
A hostile or angry meeting between opposing groups, often involving conflict or open dispute over an issue
The confrontation between strikers and security guards escalated into a violent clash outside the factory gates.
- go public verb
To offer a private company's shares for sale to the general public for the first time
The founders decided to go public in order to raise funds for international expansion.
- industrialist noun
A person involved in the ownership and management of industry, typically one who has achieved significant wealth and influence
The 19th-century industrialist revolutionized the steel industry by implementing mass-production techniques and cutting costs.
- majority stake noun
The ownership of more than half of the shares in a company, giving the owner legal control over decisions
By purchasing a majority stake in the coal company, the industrialist secured essential resources for his business.
- philanthropist noun
A person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by the generous donation of money to good causes
Andrew Carnegie became a prominent philanthropist, donating his vast wealth to establish thousands of public libraries.
- superintendent noun
A senior official in charge of running a department, division or facility, responsible for its daily management
The superintendent of the railroad division promoted the young secretary due to his exceptional organizational skills.
- trust fund noun
Money or property legally held by trustees and managed on behalf of a person or purpose, often charitable
She set up a trust fund to finance scholarships for talented students from poor backgrounds.
Answers with explanations
- 1. father
The text states that William (who was Carnegie's **father**) found a job in a **cotton factory**, and that Andrew Carnegie **also worked** there. This means he found **employment in the same workplace** as his **father**. Answer: father.
- 2. music
The question asks what he educated himself through, listing **books** and **theatrical performances**. The text parallels this by saying he became an **"avid reader"** (books), a **"theatergoer"** (performances), and a lover of **music**. Thus, **music** completes the list. Answer: music.
- 2-3: B
2: The question asks what he educated himself through, listing **books** and **theatrical performances**. The text parallels this by saying he became an **"avid reader"** (books), a **"theatergoer"** (performances), and a lover of **music**. Thus, **music** completes the list. Answer: music.
3: The note requires the job role Carnegie took for **Thomas A. Scott** at the **Pennsylvania Railroad**. The text explicitly states that Scott made him his **secretary**. Answer: secretary.
- 3. secretary
The note requires the job role Carnegie took for **Thomas A. Scott** at the **Pennsylvania Railroad**. The text explicitly states that Scott made him his **secretary**. Answer: secretary.
- 3-4: ["800 km","some 800 km"]
3: The note requires the job role Carnegie took for **Thomas A. Scott** at the **Pennsylvania Railroad**. The text explicitly states that Scott made him his **secretary**. Answer: secretary.
4: The gap follows "a greater demand for" and needs a **noun**: the material whose demand would grow. The question's **changing engineering needs** paraphrase the passage's point that Carnegie "began to see" a coming shift. The text says **steel** was eventually going to **replace iron** for rails, structural shapes, pipe and wire. Iron is the material being replaced, so it cannot be the one in greater demand. The answer is one word copied from the passage, so it meets the limit. Answer: steel.
- 4. steel
The gap follows "a greater demand for" and needs a **noun**: the material whose demand would grow. The question's **changing engineering needs** paraphrase the passage's point that Carnegie "began to see" a coming shift. The text says **steel** was eventually going to **replace iron** for rails, structural shapes, pipe and wire. Iron is the material being replaced, so it cannot be the one in greater demand. The answer is one word copied from the passage, so it meets the limit. Answer: steel.
- 5. prices
The question looks for what Carnegie was **reducing** to manage his business in 1873. The text states he built his company by **"cutting prices"**, which means reducing **prices**. Answer: prices.
- 6. banks
The note lists **reinvesting profit** (obtained capital from profit) and **borrowing money**. The text says he got capital from profit and "when necessary from **banks**," making **banks** the correct answer. Answer: banks.
- 7. projects
Under the 1880s partnership, the note asks what Carnegie was arranging along with factory innovations. The text states he **planned new projects** and improved existing plants. Therefore, **projects** fits the gap perfectly. Answer: projects.
- 8. TRUE
The statement claims Carnegie believed the **USA offered more opportunities** than Europe. The text confirms he wrote about the **"advantages of life in the United States"** over European societies, making the statement **TRUE**. Answer: TRUE.
- 9. TRUE
The statement says a **smaller workforce was required** at Homestead. The text states that after acquiring it, automation resulted in **"cutting down the number of workers that were needed,"** which directly supports the claim. The answer is **TRUE**. Answer: TRUE.
- 10. FALSE
The statement claims he **prevented his workers from joining unions**. However, the text says he **believed that workers had a right to join unions**, which completely contradicts the statement. The answer is **FALSE**. Answer: FALSE.
- 11. NOT GIVEN
The statement says Carnegie **blamed Frick** for the violent strike. While the text discusses the strike and mentions Frick's role in it, it **does not state whether Carnegie blamed him** or not. Therefore, the answer is **NOT GIVEN**. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 12. FALSE
The statement claims Carnegie **negotiated with his competitors** in the 1890s. The text explicitly states that he **"refused to enter into any agreements with other companies"**, contradicting the claim. Thus, the answer is **FALSE**. Answer: FALSE.
- 13. FALSE
The statement claims his funding for libraries was **limited to the United States**. The text contradicts this by stating he built libraries **"all over the English-speaking world"**. Thus, it is **FALSE**. Answer: FALSE.