Steam across the water
Read Steam across the water and check the IELTS Reading answers. During the 1600s, very early in the development of steam engines, inventive spirits like the Frenchman Denis Papin dreamed of - and experimented with - boats driven by steam, rather than by the wind or human effort, but many decades p…
Passage preview
During the 1600s, very early in the development of steam engines, inventive spirits like the Frenchman Denis Papin dreamed of - and experimented with - boats driven by steam, rather than by the wind or human effort, but many decades passed before those visions became reality.
Vocabulary from this passage
6 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- breakthrough noun
A sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development
Scientists achieved a major breakthrough in the treatment of the disease.
- economical adjective
Giving good value or service in relation to the amount of money, time, or effort spent
Buying in bulk is often more economical than purchasing individual items.
- endurance noun
The fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way
Marathon runners require exceptional physical endurance.
- inefficient adjective
Not achieving maximum productivity; wasting time or energy
The old heating system was inefficient and costly to run.
- sceptic noun
A person inclined to question or doubt all accepted opinions
The sceptic demanded proof before believing the extraordinary claim.
- versatile adjective
Able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities
He is a versatile actor who can play both comic and tragic roles.
Answers with explanations
- 1. inefficient
The question asks what the engine of Jonathan Hulls' steamboat was due to its **weight**. The text states it was driven by a Newcomen engine which was **heavy** and therefore **inefficient**. The adjective grammatically fits the blank and completes the meaning of the sentence.
- 2. Endurance
The question states that a French paddle steamer did not have the ability to keep going for more than **a quarter of an hour**. The passage notes that the paddle-wheeler on the River Saone lasted **fifteen minutes** but lacked the **endurance** for longer trips. 'Endurance' correctly fills the noun blank.
- 2-3: Mid-1980s
2: The question states that a French paddle steamer did not have the ability to keep going for more than **a quarter of an hour**. The passage notes that the paddle-wheeler on the River Saone lasted **fifteen minutes** but lacked the **endurance** for longer trips. 'Endurance' correctly fills the noun blank.
3: The sentence requires an adjective describing the **problems** John Fitch overcame. The passage mentions that Fitch **solved many technical challenges**. 'Challenges' is a synonym for 'problems', and the modifying adjective is **technical**, making it the correct answer for the blank.
- 3. technical
The sentence requires an adjective describing the **problems** John Fitch overcame. The passage mentions that Fitch **solved many technical challenges**. 'Challenges' is a synonym for 'problems', and the modifying adjective is **technical**, making it the correct answer for the blank.
- 3-4: F
3: The sentence requires an adjective describing the **problems** John Fitch overcame. The passage mentions that Fitch **solved many technical challenges**. 'Challenges' is a synonym for 'problems', and the modifying adjective is **technical**, making it the correct answer for the blank.
4: The table notes that in France, Fulton tried to raise interest in something. The text explicitly states Fulton ran steamboat trials to **attract French support** for his **submarine** Nautilus. 'Submarine' provides the specific invention he was trying to garner interest for.
- 4. submarine
The table notes that in France, Fulton tried to raise interest in something. The text explicitly states Fulton ran steamboat trials to **attract French support** for his **submarine** Nautilus. 'Submarine' provides the specific invention he was trying to garner interest for.
- 5. Clermont
The sentence asks for the name of the steamboat that carried passengers regularly in the **US** (New York). The text confirms that a scheduled **passenger steamboat service** began with a boat named the **Clermont**. The noun correctly completes the specific name required.
- 6. Cargo
The table requires a noun describing what steamboats transported in Scotland besides **passengers**. The text says these boats were seen **carrying cargo and occasionally passengers**. The comparative word 'mostly' in the question aligns with the text's 'occasionally passengers', showing **cargo** was the primary transport.
- 7. TRUE
The statement claims engines that used fuel economically were needed to cross the **Atlantic Ocean**. The text confirms that travelling under steam power alone would require engines to **use less coal** to stay at sea for several weeks. This matches the idea of using fuel economically. Answer: TRUE.
- 8. FALSE
The statement claims paddle wheels **guaranteed reliability**. However, the text explicitly contradicts this by stating it was necessary to **replace paddle wheels** to provide a **reliable service** because they were affected by the rolling of the ship. Answer: FALSE.
- 9. NOT GIVEN
The statement compares the speed of the **Savannah** to a regular paddle steamer. The passage mentions the Savannah made crossings under a combination of steam and sail, but it never discusses or compares its **speed** to a regular paddle steamer. Since the information is missing, the Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 10. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims Brunel **preferred designing railways** to steamships. The text mentions he built the Great Western Railway and created ever bigger ships, but it never compares his **preferences** or states which field he liked more. Therefore, the Answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 11. TRUE
The statement says the **Great Britain** had more than one **innovative feature**. The text lists two 'firsts': it was the **first** ocean-going steamship made of iron, and the **first** to use the underwater screw propeller. These constitute multiple innovative features, confirming the statement. Answer: TRUE.
- 12. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims the design of the **Archimedes** was **widely admired**. The text mentions that the Archimedes was a large steamer built by Francis Pettit Smith that used a screw propeller. However, it says nothing about the public reception or whether it was widely admired. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 13. FALSE
The statement claims modern ships use the **same energy source** as early steamships. The text contradicts this, explaining that modern ships use **fuel oil instead of coal**, and others use **Diesel engines**. Since the energy sources have changed, the claim is incorrect. Answer: FALSE.