Tunnelling under the Thames
Read Tunnelling under the Thames and check the IELTS Reading answers. At the beginning of the 19th century, the port of London was the busiest in the world. Cargoes that had travelled thousands of miles and survived all the hazards of the sea were unloaded on the banks of the Thames, only for their…
Passage preview
At the beginning of the 19th century, the port of London was the busiest in the world. Cargoes that had travelled thousands of miles and survived all the hazards of the sea were unloaded on the banks of the Thames, only for their owners to discover that the most frustrating portion of their journey lay ahead. Consignments intended for the southern parts of Britain had to be lifted onto horse carts, pulled through the docks and across London Bridge, built in the 12th century and as impractical as its early date implies. By 1820, London Bridge had become the centre of the world's largest traffic jam.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- contaminated adjective
Made impure or unsuitable for use by the presence of harmful or unwanted substances or gases
The air underground was contaminated due to the lack of an adequate ventilation system in the tunnel.
- cumbersome adjective
Difficult to handle or use because of size, weight, or complexity; inefficient in practical operation
The tunnelling shield was a complex and cumbersome machine that was not easy for miners to use.
- dereliction noun
The state of being abandoned and becoming dilapidated through neglect or lack of use and maintenance
The tunnel fell into dereliction for decades before it was eventually purchased by the railway company.
- exceed verb
To be greater in scope, degree, or limit than something else; to go beyond set boundaries
The project proved that a passage under the river exceeded the limits of contemporary mining technology.
- exposure noun
The state of having no protection from something harmful, such as extreme weather or hazardous substances
Trevithick became sick from exposure to the river water during the initial failed attempt at tunnelling.
- hazardous adjective
Involving great risk or danger, particularly in relation to physical safety or environmental conditions
Cargoes survived all the hazards of the sea only to face delays at the port of London.
- intolerable adjective
Incapable of being endured or accepted due to being extremely unpleasant, difficult, or excessive
The traffic jam on London Bridge became an intolerable situation for merchants in the nineteenth century.
- prominent adjective
Particularly important, famous, or noticeable within a specific professional field or social context
Marc Brunel was a Frenchman who had become one of the most prominent engineers in Britain.
- setback noun
A reversal or check in progress; an event that delays or prevents the achievement of a goal
Despite all these setbacks, the tunnel finally emerged on the opposite river bank in 1841.
- tunnelling shield noun
A protective structure used during excavation to support the ground and prevent collapse in unstable soil
Brunel invented the tunnelling shield, a device used in most major tunnels built since the nineteenth century.
Answers with explanations
- 1. NOT GIVEN
The statement suggests that the port of London was a **safer destination** than other ports. While the passage mentions that it was the 'busiest in the world' in the 19th century, it provides absolutely no information comparing its safety to other ports. Because this comparison is missing, the correct answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 2. FALSE
The statement claims London Bridge provided **quick access** for cargo. However, the text explicitly states that taking cargo across London Bridge was 'impractical' and had become the centre of the 'world's largest traffic jam.' This direct contradiction means access was extremely slow, not quick. Answer: FALSE.
- 3. TRUE
The statement says it was believed a new crossing would be **profitable**. The passage confirms this by stating it was 'clear' that building another **crossing** closer to the docks meant 'good money to be made in tolls'. 'Good money to be made' perfectly matches the concept of being profitable. Answer: TRUE.
- 3-4: B
3: The statement says it was believed a new crossing would be **profitable**. The passage confirms this by stating it was 'clear' that building another **crossing** closer to the docks meant 'good money to be made in tolls'. 'Good money to be made' perfectly matches the concept of being profitable. Answer: TRUE.
4: The statement claims a second bridge was initially considered the **best solution**. The text directly contradicts this, stating that 'Another bridge was out of the question' because it would block sailing ships. Therefore, it was not considered a good solution at all, prompting the idea of a tunnel instead. Answer: FALSE.
- 4. FALSE
The statement claims a second bridge was initially considered the **best solution**. The text directly contradicts this, stating that 'Another bridge was out of the question' because it would block sailing ships. Therefore, it was not considered a good solution at all, prompting the idea of a tunnel instead. Answer: FALSE.
- 5. NOT GIVEN
The statement asserts it was believed **coal** could be found under the **River Thames**. The passage discusses the increasing demand for coal and how it led to many tunnels being dug in Britain's mines, but it never mentions anyone believing coal was specifically located beneath the River Thames. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 6. TRUE
The statement identifies the **Thames Archway Company** as the **first group** to try tunnelling below the Thames. The text verifies this by mentioning the company's ambition to tunnel below the river and explicitly noting 'there had been no previous attempt to do this.' Answer: TRUE.
- 7. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims Trevithick's men were **injured** during a mudslide. The passage details 'muddy soil pouring into the tunnel' and mentions that Trevithick became sick from river water exposure, but it contains no information regarding whether any men actually sustained injuries during this event. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 8. TRUE
The statement says the **Thames Archway Company ran out of money**. The text directly matches this by stating the company had had enough because 'Its funds were exhausted.' 'Funds were exhausted' is an exact paraphrase for running out of money. Answer: TRUE.
- 9. worm
The completion requires a singular noun indicating what Brunel noticed making **tunnels in wood**. The text explains he saw something that looked like a '**worm**' that 'tunnelled through the wood.' Grammatically and contextually, 'worm' fits the blank perfectly.
- 10. clay
The sentence needs a noun describing what the shallow earth (close to the river bottom) contained. The passage explicitly states Brunel chose to dig there because he expected to find '**clay**', which was a more solid and safe substance to dig through than sand. 'Clay' is the correct answer.
- 11. headaches
The blank requires a plural noun for a physical symptom the miners suffered from due to pollution. The text says they complained of frequent '**headaches** and dizziness' caused by 'poor air quality' (which is synonymous with pollution). The answer key specifies 'headaches'.
- 12. accidents
The sentence requires a plural noun describing the consequence of **lighting problems**. The passage explains that lamps gave off a weak glow, which led to a number of '**accidents**' because the miners couldn't see. The word 'accidents' completes the summary accurately.
- 13. government
The blank requires a noun indicating who Brunel owed a **debt** to. The text states that a '**government** loan' had to be paid back with interest. Therefore, his debt was owed to the government. 'Government' perfectly fits the grammatical and factual requirements.