Chocolate for the masses
Read Chocolate for the masses and check the IELTS Reading answers. For almost three thousand years, chocolate was a drink of the elite and the wealthy, originally in South America and later on in Europe. In the early 19th century, however, chocolate became far more widely available, and consumption…
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For almost three thousand years, chocolate was a drink of the elite and the wealthy, originally in South America and later on in Europe. In the early 19th century, however, chocolate became far more widely available, and consumption shot up dramatically across the populations of Europe in particular.
Vocabulary from this passage
28 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- adulteration noun
The act of degrading the quality or purity of a food or substance by adding inferior ingredients
The strict regulatory agency carries out regular inspections to prevent the illegal adulteration of dairy products.
- arid adjective
Characterized by having very little or no rain; extremely dry, parched, and barren landscape or climate
Cactus plants have evolved specialized water-storage mechanisms to survive in hostile, arid desert regions.
- authoritarian adjective
Enforcing strict obedience to authority and hierarchical rules at the expense of individual autonomy or personal freedom
The company shifted away from an authoritarian management style to encourage creative thinking among teams.
- chain of command noun
An official hierarchy of authority that dictates who reports to whom within an organizational structure
Military operations rely on a clear chain of command to ensure orders are executed efficiently.
- commend verb
To formally or officially praise someone or something, typically for excellence, merit, or efficient performance
The board of directors voted to commend the management team for achieving record annual profits.
- connotation noun
An idea, feeling, or cultural implication that a specific word invokes in addition to its primary literal definition
The word 'bureaucracy' often carries a negative connotation associated with red tape and inefficiency.
- depersonalize verb
To strip a process, system, or environment of human characteristics, individuality, or personal connection
Automated customer service systems can depersonalize interactions, leading to increased client dissatisfaction.
- dogmatic adjective
Inclined to lay down principles or assertions as incontrovertibly true without considering alternative perspectives or evidence
A dogmatic approach to corporate policy can prevent a business from adapting to rapid market changes.
- entrepreneurial adjective
Characterized by the taking of financial risks and demonstrating innovation to establish or expand commercial enterprises
The university offers specialized programs to foster entrepreneurial skills among young business graduates.
- escalate verb
To increase rapidly in intensity, scale, amount, or price, often beyond a normal or controllable limit
The costs of raw materials escalated significantly during the global supply chain crisis.
- expel verb
To force or drive out a substance, gas, or object from a contained space or body
Industrial ventilation systems are designed to expel harmful exhaust fumes from the manufacturing facility safely.
- hierarchical adjective
Arranged or organized in a strict structure of ranking, order, or levels of authority and importance
Traditional corporate structures are highly hierarchical, with decisions flowing strictly from top executives down to employees.
- homeostasis noun
The physiological state of internal stability and balance maintained automatically by a living organism or system
The human body regulates sweating and shivering to maintain proper homeostasis during extreme temperature shifts.
- imposing adjective
Grand, impressive, or formidable in appearance, size, or demeanor, thereby commanding immediate attention or respect
The historical courthouse features an imposing facade with large stone columns facing the town square.
- intricate adjective
Extremely detailed, complicated, or complexly interwoven in structure, design, or arrangement
The delicate watch mechanism consists of hundreds of intricate parts working in perfect synchronization.
- mechanize verb
To introduce automated machinery into a process or industry to replace manual human labor entirely
Modern agricultural firms continue to mechanize harvesting procedures to enhance overall production efficiency.
- multidisciplinary adjective
Combining or involving multiple distinct academic disciplines or professional specializations to address a complex problem
The research project requires a multidisciplinary approach involving both engineering and environmental science experts.
- nucleus noun
The central, essential, or most important part of an entity or organization around which growth occurs
A core group of experienced researchers formed the nucleus of the new institute.
- outsource verb
To subcontract internal operations, tasks, or biological functions to an external entity, supplier, or organism
Many technology firms choose to outsource software development to specialized agencies located overseas.
- overemphasize verb
To place excessive importance, weight, or focus on a particular factor, aspect, or variable
Analysts caution that investors should not overemphasize short-term fluctuations when evaluating a company's stability.
- pulverize verb
To reduce something to very small particles or a fine powder through grinding, crushing, or pounding
Industrial machines can pulverize solid minerals into fine dust within a matter of minutes.
- self-sufficient adjective
Able to maintain or support oneself independently without requiring external aid, resources, or power supplies
The remote eco-village was designed to be completely self-sufficient in terms of food and energy.
- sequential adjective
Forming or following a logical, chronological, or continuous order or succession of events or data
The software installation wizard guides users through a sequential series of simple configuration steps.
- social conscience noun
A shared or individual sense of moral responsibility regarding societal issues, welfare, and systemic injustices
Corporate leaders must demonstrate a strong social conscience by investing in community development initiatives.
- subordinate noun
An individual who occupies a lower rank, position, or tier of authority within a structured organization
Effective leaders communicate transparently with every subordinate to foster a collaborative work environment.
- suffocate verb
To die or cause distress from a severe lack of oxygen or the inability to breathe properly
Plants trapped in waterlogged soil can effectively suffocate due to the complete absence of air pockets.
- unscrupulous adjective
Showing a complete lack of moral principles or ethical standards; behaving dishonestly or unfairly for profit
The government implemented strict consumer protection laws to deter unscrupulous businesses from exploiting buyers.
- whim noun
A sudden, arbitrary, or capricious desire or change of mind that lacks rational justification or explanation
Promotions within the firm should be based on objective performance metrics rather than managerial whim.
Answers with explanations
- 1. TRUE
The text states that in the **nineteenth century**, chocolate's **consumption shot up dramatically**, meaning it was **consumed by greater numbers of people** than before. Therefore, the statement is TRUE.
- 2. FALSE
The statement claims the chocolate became **more affordable** because a price **fell**. However, the text explicitly states the exact opposite: the **price of cacao butter escalated** (went up), making it **only accessible for the elite**. Therefore, the statement is FALSE.
- 2-3: D
2: The statement claims the chocolate became **more affordable** because a price **fell**. However, the text explicitly states the exact opposite: the **price of cacao butter escalated** (went up), making it **only accessible for the elite**. Therefore, the statement is FALSE.
3: The text describes how the Cadburys provided **housing, dining, and reading rooms** for their **employees**. However, it never mentions how much they **paid** them or whether their wages were high. Thus, the information is NOT GIVEN.
- 3. NOT GIVEN
The text describes how the Cadburys provided **housing, dining, and reading rooms** for their **employees**. However, it never mentions how much they **paid** them or whether their wages were high. Thus, the information is NOT GIVEN.
- 3-4: tunnels
3: The text describes how the Cadburys provided **housing, dining, and reading rooms** for their **employees**. However, it never mentions how much they **paid** them or whether their wages were high. Thus, the information is NOT GIVEN.
4: The text explains the methods used by **unscrupulous producers** (adding starch, flour, or cheaper oils), but it does not contain any information stating that **customers were made ill** as a result. Therefore, the statement is NOT GIVEN.
- 4. NOT GIVEN
The text explains the methods used by **unscrupulous producers** (adding starch, flour, or cheaper oils), but it does not contain any information stating that **customers were made ill** as a result. Therefore, the statement is NOT GIVEN.
- 5. FALSE
The statement claims that **fresh milk** was used in Switzerland. The text directly contradicts this by specifying that they used **milk powder** (which was created by evaporation), not fresh milk. Thus, the statement is FALSE.
- 6. TRUE
The text states that the use of Lindt's **conche machine** became **universal in the business**, which directly matches the statement that it was **adopted by other manufacturers**. Therefore, the statement is TRUE.
- 7. machinery
The sentence requires a noun for what Hershey **bought** after visiting a **trade fair (international exhibition)**. The text states he saw examples of **machinery** and "bought some". Therefore, the correct answer is "machinery".
- 8. farm
The gap requires a noun describing what Hershey **purchased (bought)** after **selling his caramel business**. The text clearly states he **bought a farm**. Therefore, "farm" is the correct answer.
- 9. mayor
The sentence needs a noun representing a position the **inhabitants (people)** could not **vote for (elected)**. The text states there was **no elected mayor**, making "mayor" the grammatically and logically correct one-word answer.
- 10. railroads
The question asks what Hershey **constructed (built)** to **transport material**. The text explicitly notes that he built **railroads** for this purpose.
- 11. nutritionists
The gap needs a noun for the people Hershey **brought in (employed)** to **improve the image (proclaim health qualities)** of his products. The text states he employed **nutritionists**.
- 12. almonds
The sentence asks what a **popular chocolate product (King bar)** had **added to it (contained)**. The text identifies this ingredient as **almonds**.
- 13. exhibition
The question requires a noun for what **tourists (visitors)** can visit at Hershey today. The text specifies they go through an **exhibition** called 'Chocolate World'. Therefore, "exhibition" is the correct word.