Rubber
Read Rubber and check the IELTS Reading answers. The plants that produce rubber are spread right across the globe, and grow in many different habitats. One might think it likely, therefore, that humankind has known about rubber for thousands of years. Yet, unlike other crops of economic importance,…
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The plants that produce rubber are spread right across the globe, and grow in many different habitats. One might think it likely, therefore, that humankind has known about rubber for thousands of years. Yet, unlike other crops of economic importance, rubber led a relatively anonymous life until the last 150 years or so. The Indians of South America appear to be the first people to have understood the properties of rubber, and the Aztecs of what is now Mexico were the first to be recorded using the substance; a wall painting dating back to the sixth century depicts a scene of a tributary offering of crude rubber.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- coagulate verb
To change from a fluid to a solid or semi-solid state
Blood begins to coagulate quickly to seal a wound and prevent excess loss.
- exploitation noun
The action of making use of and benefiting from resources; or the unfair treatment of others
Sustainable development forbids the ruthless exploitation of natural resources.
- impervious adjective
Not allowing fluid to pass through; unable to be affected by something
He remained impervious to criticism, continuing with his controversial plans.
- indigenous adjective
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native
The conservation project aims to protect indigenous flora from invasive species.
- influx noun
an arrival or entry of large numbers of people or things
The city experienced a sudden influx of tourists during the summer festival.
- irrepressible adjective
Not able to be controlled or restrained
Her irrepressible optimism helped the team stay motivated during the crisis.
- malleable adjective
Able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking; easily influenced
Silver is a highly malleable metal used frequently in jewelry making.
- pliant adjective
Pliable; easily bent; flexible; easily influenced or directed
The manager wanted pliant employees who would not question his authority.
- vagary noun
An unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone's behavior
Farmers are constantly at the mercy of the vagaries of the weather.
- versatility noun
Ability to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities
The versatility of plastic makes it suitable for products ranging from packaging to medical devices.
Answers with explanations
- 1. FALSE
The statement claims rubber plants grow **only in certain regions**. The text explicitly states they are **spread right across the globe** and grow in **many different habitats**, which directly contradicts the claim. Answer: FALSE.
- 2. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims rubber was **extracted** in Mexico in the **sixth century**. The text confirms a **wall painting** from that time shows rubber being **used** (offered), but does not explicitly confirm the **extraction** took place there or at that specific time. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 2-3: G
2: The statement claims rubber was **extracted** in Mexico in the **sixth century**. The text confirms a **wall painting** from that time shows rubber being **used** (offered), but does not explicitly confirm the **extraction** took place there or at that specific time. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
3: The statement compares the **quality** of rubber from two plants. The text mentions the Para plant is **favoured for cultivation**, but does not state it is because of **quality** (it could be yield, climate suitability, etc.). Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 3. NOT GIVEN
The statement compares the **quality** of rubber from two plants. The text mentions the Para plant is **favoured for cultivation**, but does not state it is because of **quality** (it could be yield, climate suitability, etc.). Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 3-4: C
3: The statement compares the **quality** of rubber from two plants. The text mentions the Para plant is **favoured for cultivation**, but does not state it is because of **quality** (it could be yield, climate suitability, etc.). Answer: NOT GIVEN.
4: The statement says a **French mathematician** inspired real **interest** among Europeans. Scan the early paragraphs for the nationality and profession. The passage states that no European showed **real interest** until Charles de la Condamine, a French mathematician, published his account of South America. The next paragraph adds that his publication created **considerable excitement** among French scientists. The claim matches the text in every detail, so the answer is TRUE.
- 4. TRUE
The statement says a **French mathematician** inspired real **interest** among Europeans. Scan the early paragraphs for the nationality and profession. The passage states that no European showed **real interest** until Charles de la Condamine, a French mathematician, published his account of South America. The next paragraph adds that his publication created **considerable excitement** among French scientists. The claim matches the text in every detail, so the answer is TRUE.
- 5. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims the discovery was **accidental**. The text says Charles Goodyear **discovered** the process but provides no information on whether it was **accidental** or planned. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 6. FALSE
The statement claims that **imports** of **crude rubber** into Britain **fell** during the nineteenth century. The final paragraph, which discusses import levels, gives figures: 211 kg in 1830, **10,000 kg** in 1857, then nearly six times more by 1874. Every figure rises, so the text directly contradicts the idea of a fall. A direct contradiction, not silence, makes the answer FALSE rather than NOT GIVEN.
- 7. waterproof cloth
The text states that in **1818**, James Syme used rubber to make **waterproof cloth**. The summary asks what was produced in 1818.
- 8. waste strips
The gap follows "recycling" and needs a plural noun phrase of up to three words. The summary's **recycling** paraphrases the passage's **re-use**, and the date 1820 leads you to the paragraph about Thomas Hancock. He invented a machine, the **'pickle'**, which chewed up **waste strips** for re-use. Those two words are copied directly from the text, fit the grammar after "of", and stay within the three-word limit.
- 9. rigid
The text explains that rubber became **pliant** (soft) when warm and **rigid** when cold. The summary asks for the condition depending on temperature, contrasting with 'soft'. The answer is **rigid**.
- 10. stabilise
The gap follows "to" and needs a base-form verb, since the summary says a new process to [10] the substance. The date 1839 points to the paragraph about Charles Goodyear. He discovered it was possible to **stabilise** rubber by mixing it with **sulphur** and heat, a process called **vulcanisation**. Copy the word exactly as it is printed in the passage, and note that a single verb satisfies the three-word limit.
- 11. steam engines
The text states rubber was employed in **steam engines** during the Industrial Revolution. The summary refers to the creation of the **steam engines** industry (or use in that industry).
- 12. ["pneumatic tyre","first pneumatic tyre"]
The text states that in **1888**, John Boyd Dunlop produced the **first pneumatic tyre**. This matches the date and invention requested. The answer is **pneumatic tyre**; **first pneumatic tyre** is also correct because it is copied from the passage and stays within the three-word limit. Use the spelling printed in the passage, **tyre**.
- 13. mass production
The text mentions that shortly after 1895, the **mass production** of cars was 'just over the horizon' (began). The summary asks what aspect of the motor car began.