How tennis rackets have changed
Read How tennis rackets have changed and check the IELTS Reading answers. In 2016, the British professional tennis player Andy Murray was ranked as the world’s number one. It was an incredible achievement by any standard – made even more remarkable by the fact that he did this during a period consi…
Passage preview
In 2016, the British professional tennis player Andy Murray was ranked as the world’s number one. It was an incredible achievement by any standard – made even more remarkable by the fact that he did this during a period considered to be one of the strongest in the sport’s history, competing against the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, to name just a few. Yet five years previously, he had been regarded as a talented outsider who entered but never won the major tournaments.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- anticipate verb
To regard something as probable; to expect or predict a future event or development accurately.
Economists anticipate a minor drop in global interest rates during the upcoming financial quarter.
- attribute verb
To regard something as being caused by or resulting from a specific source, factor, or agent.
Doctors attribute the patient's swift recovery to a balanced diet and regular physical exercise.
- competitive advantage noun
A condition or circumstance that puts an organization or individual in a superior or more favorable position.
Investing in advanced artificial intelligence gave the technology firm a significant competitive advantage over rivals.
- customise verb
To modify or build something according to individual specifications or unique personal requirements.
Software users can easily customise their dashboard interfaces to match their daily workflow needs.
- elite adjective
A select group that is vastly superior in terms of ability, status, or qualities to others.
The university developed a special mentoring program designed exclusively for its elite science students.
- hybrid set-up noun
A configuration or arrangement composed of mixed or heterogeneous elements to achieve optimal performance results.
The laboratory adopted a hybrid set-up combining automated computer systems with traditional manual experiments.
- performance maximisation noun
The process of making something as functional and effective as possible to achieve peak operational results.
Elite athletes focus on sports science and strict nutrition for performance maximisation before major tournaments.
- specification noun
A detailed description of the design, measurements, and materials used in the creation of something.
Architects must follow strict building specifications to guarantee safety during construction projects.
- synthetic adjective
Made by chemical synthesis rather than organic origins; artificial or man-made.
The clothing company transitioned from natural wool to high-performance synthetic fabrics last year.
- tweak verb
To make fine adjustments or minor modifications to something in order to improve its overall effectiveness.
The engineer needed to tweak the engine settings to improve fuel efficiency during the test.
Answers with explanations
- 1. FALSE
The statement claims that people **expected Andy Murray to become the world’s top tennis player** for five years before 2016. However, the text says that five years previously, he was seen merely as a **talented outsider** who **never won** major tournaments, which contradicts the idea that he was expected to reach the top. Therefore, the answer is FALSE.
- 2. FALSE
The statement says that the **change** to his **rackets attracted a lot of attention**. The passage states that the change was **so subtle** that it managed to **pass more or less unnoticed**. Because the source directly contradicts the claim that it attracted attention, the statement is FALSE.
- 2-3: NO
2: The statement says that the **change** to his **rackets attracted a lot of attention**. The passage states that the change was **so subtle** that it managed to **pass more or less unnoticed**. Because the source directly contradicts the claim that it attracted attention, the statement is FALSE.
3: The text mentions a **professional racket stringer** who customises rackets for **touring professionals**. However, it does not provide any information regarding whether **most of the world’s top players take a stringer on tour** with them. Because there is no evidence to support or contradict the specific claim, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 3. NOT GIVEN
The text mentions a **professional racket stringer** who customises rackets for **touring professionals**. However, it does not provide any information regarding whether **most of the world’s top players take a stringer on tour** with them. Because there is no evidence to support or contradict the specific claim, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 3-4: fibre
3: The text mentions a **professional racket stringer** who customises rackets for **touring professionals**. However, it does not provide any information regarding whether **most of the world’s top players take a stringer on tour** with them. Because there is no evidence to support or contradict the specific claim, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
4: The statement claims that **Mike and Bob Bryan use rackets that are light** compared to most. The passage, however, explicitly states that their rackets **weigh more than the average model**. Since their rackets are heavier, not lighter, the answer is FALSE.
- 4. FALSE
The statement claims that **Mike and Bob Bryan use rackets that are light** compared to most. The passage, however, explicitly states that their rackets **weigh more than the average model**. Since their rackets are heavier, not lighter, the answer is FALSE.
- 5. NOT GIVEN
The statement says that **Werner Fischer** played with a spaghetti-strung racket that **he designed himself**. While the passage confirms that he played with this type of racket, it provides no information about who actually **designed** it. Without evidence regarding the designer, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 6. TRUE
The statement mentions that the **weather can affect** how players **adjust the strings**. The text supports this by stating that players change string tension depending on factors like **climatic conditions**. 'Climatic conditions' is a paraphrase of 'weather', making the statement TRUE.
- 7. TRUE
The statement claims that a **change Pete Sampras made** to his rackets was believed to **contribute to his strong serve**. The text directly confirms this, explaining that his **serving power** was **attributed to** adding **lead weights** to his rackets. Therefore, the statement is TRUE.
- 8. paint
We need a noun indicating what **Mike and Bob Bryan** experimented with on their racket frames. The text states they **experimented with different kinds of paint**. The word 'paint' correctly completes the sentence grammatically and factually.
- 9. topspin
The sentence requires a noun explaining what the **spaghetti-strung racket** created too much of, causing it to be banned. The passage explains that it **generated so much topspin** that it was quickly banned. Therefore, 'topspin' is the correct answer.
- 10. training
The sentence compares the importance of racket changes to players' diets and something else. The text states it is **equal in significance to nutrition or training**. 'Nutrition' matches 'diets', so the missing word parallel to the activities players do is 'training'.
- 11. ["intestines","gut"]
We need a noun describing the animal part used to make **natural strings**. The text states that natural gut was made from sheep or cow **intestines**. Both 'intestines' and 'gut' are acceptable nouns that fit the grammatical structure and meaning.
- 12. weights
The note requires a noun describing what **metal** objects **Pete Sampras** had put into his racket frames. The passage specifies that he added **lead weights**. 'Lead' is a type of metal, making 'weights' the exact word needed to complete the note.
- 13. grips
The note asks what **Gonçalo Oliveira changed** on his **racket handles**. The text states that he **replaced the original grips** of his rackets with something thinner. Thus, 'grips' is the exact word required.