The Whale Goes to Court
Read The Whale Goes to Court and check the IELTS Reading answers. In 1818 a whale became the subject of a controversial court case in New York City. The case involved an old law requiring those who sold fish oil to pay a fee in order to have their barrels inspected by city officials, and certified.…
Passage preview
In 1818 a whale became the subject of a controversial court case in New York City. The case involved an old law requiring those who sold fish oil to pay a fee in order to have their barrels inspected by city officials, and certified. However, an oil merchant named Samuel Judd refused to pay the inspection fee on three barrels of oil, claiming that no inspection was necessary because it was whale oil, and whales were not fish. The state disagreed, and so a date was set for a court to decide not a point of law, but the answer to a more fundamental question: is a whale a fish?
Vocabulary from this passage
9 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- classification noun
The action or process of classifying something according to shared qualities or characteristics
The biological classification of species has evolved significantly with the advent of genetic testing.
- contemporary adjective
Belonging to or occurring in the present; modern or characteristic of the current period
Contemporary architecture often prioritizes sustainability and integration with the natural environment.
- crux noun
The decisive or most important point at issue in a particular situation or argument
The crux of the disagreement lay in the differing interpretations of the constitutional law.
- implicitly adverb
In a way that is not directly expressed; essentially or without qualification
The contract implicitly assumes that both parties will adhere to ethical business standards.
- infuriate verb
To make someone extremely angry and impatient; to enrage
The constant delays and lack of communication began to infuriate the waiting passengers.
- obscurity noun
The state of being unknown, inconspicuous, or difficult to understand
The once-famous poet faded into obscurity after retiring from public life.
- prominent adjective
Important, famous, or noticeably projecting from something; situated so as to catch the attention
She played a prominent role in the international peace negotiations.
- sceptic noun
A person inclined to question or doubt all accepted opinions; one who maintains a doubting attitude
Climate change sceptics often demand more rigorous data before accepting the scientific consensus.
- tack noun
A method of dealing with a situation or problem; a course of action or policy
When the initial strategy failed, the marketing team decided to try a different tack.
Answers with explanations
- 1. FALSE
The question claims the fee was **introduced in 1818**. The text explicitly states that the case involved an **old law**, indicating that the fee requirement existed well before 1818. The date 1818 refers to when the whale became the subject of the court case, not when the law was introduced. Answer: FALSE.
- 2. TRUE
The question states that **Judd argued** the fee should **exclude whale oil**. The text confirms this: Judd **refused to pay**, claiming **no inspection was necessary** specifically **because it was whale oil**. His argument was based on the premise that whales were not fish, and thus the fish oil fee did not apply. Answer: TRUE.
- 2-3: B
2: The question states that **Judd argued** the fee should **exclude whale oil**. The text confirms this: Judd **refused to pay**, claiming **no inspection was necessary** specifically **because it was whale oil**. His argument was based on the premise that whales were not fish, and thus the fish oil fee did not apply. Answer: TRUE.
3: The question claims Judd had been **in trouble** with officials **before** this disagreement. While the text introduces Judd and his refusal to pay the fee, it provides **no information** about his prior history or relationship with city officials. We cannot know if this was his first offense or if he had previous trouble. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 3. NOT GIVEN
The question claims Judd had been **in trouble** with officials **before** this disagreement. While the text introduces Judd and his refusal to pay the fee, it provides **no information** about his prior history or relationship with city officials. We cannot know if this was his first offense or if he had previous trouble. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 3-4: B
3: The question claims Judd had been **in trouble** with officials **before** this disagreement. While the text introduces Judd and his refusal to pay the fee, it provides **no information** about his prior history or relationship with city officials. We cannot know if this was his first offense or if he had previous trouble. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
4: The question states that **many New Yorkers were interested** in the case. The text confirms this by describing the **public debate** as **sensational**, implying high levels of interest and engagement from the public regarding the trial. Answer: TRUE.
- 4. TRUE
The question states that **many New Yorkers were interested** in the case. The text confirms this by describing the **public debate** as **sensational**, implying high levels of interest and engagement from the public regarding the trial. Answer: TRUE.
- 5. TRUE
The question states that creatures were **traditionally classified** in **three groups**. The text confirms this, listing the **categories of birds, beasts and fish** as the method by which **all non-human creatures had been organised** for 'as long as anyone could remember'. Answer: TRUE.
- 6. NOT GIVEN
The question claims ordinary people thought fish were the **lowest form of life**. The text states that the **average person** believed whales were fish because they swam in the sea, but it does **not mention** any hierarchy or value judgment about fish being the 'lowest' form of life. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 7. FALSE
The question claims whales were **excluded** from the Linnaean system. The text states the opposite: the system **classified whales as mammals**. Being classified as a mammal means they were included in the system, just under a different category than the traditional 'fish'. Answer: FALSE.
- 8. lecturer
The question asks for Mitchill's other role besides congressman. The text identifies him as a **congressman** and a **renowned natural history lecturer**. The answer requires a noun identifying his profession. Answer: lecturer.
- 9. whalers
The question asks who Sampson called as **witnesses** to appeal to common sense. The text states he turned the trial into a contest of common sense by asking **plain-spoken whalers** to make their case. Answer: whalers.
- 10. Europe
The question asks where Mitchill's ideas came from, which caused **dislike** among New Yorkers. The text states Sampson claimed Mitchill's beliefs had their **origin in Europe**, which would **infuriate** the citizens of independent New York. Answer: Europe.
- 11. merchants
The question asks whose **statements** helped Judd win. The text explains that the **merchants** understood the difference between the oils, and it was **this testimony** (from the market/merchants) that led to victory. Answer: merchants.
- 12. fuel
The question asks what **whale oil** made a good version of. The text states it could be used as a **fuel for lamps** because it was clean (burned without smoke). The blank requires a noun. Answer: fuel.
- 13. climate
The question asks for a contemporary topic where the case is relevant, specifically regarding Earth's _______. The text mentions the effects of human activity on the **climate** of this planet as a modern parallel. Answer: climate.