Lack of Sleep | Actual exam reading pdf | Past exam ielts reading pdf | 04 January ielts reading pdf for free | 14 January 2025 ielts reading pdf for free

Reading Practice

Lack of Sleep

Section A

It is estimated that the average man or woman needs between seven-and-a-half and eight hours' sleep a night. Some can manage on a lot less. Baroness Thatcher, for example, was reported to be able to get by on four hours' sleep a night
when she was Prime Minister of Britain. Dr. Jill Wilkinson, senior lecturer in psychology at Surrey University and co-author of Psychology in Counselling and Therapeutic Practice, states that healthy individuals sleeping less than five hours or even as little as two hours in every 24 hours are rare but represent a sizeable minority.

Section B

The latest beliefs are that the main purposes of sleep are to enable the body to rest and replenish, allowing time for repairs to take place and for tissue to be regenerated. One supporting piece of evidence for this rest-and-repair theory is that the production of the growth hormone somatotropin, which helps tissue to regenerate, peaks while we are asleep. Lack of sleep, however, can compromise the immune system, muddle thinking, cause depression, promote anxiety, and encourage irritability.

Section C

Researchers in San Diego deprived a group of men of sleep between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. on just one night and found that levels of their bodies' natural defences against viral infections had fallen significantly when measured the following morning. "Sleep is essential for our physical and emotional well-being and there are few aspects of daily living that are not disrupted by the lack of it," says Professor William Regelson of Virginia University, a specialist in insomnia. "Because it can seriously undermine the functioning of the immune system, sufferers are vulnerable to infection."

Section D

For many people, lack of sleep is rarely a matter of choice. Some have problems getting to sleep, others with staying asleep until the morning. Despite popular belief that sleep is one long event, research shows that, in an average night, there are five stages of sleep and four cycles, during which the sequence of stages is repeated.

In the first light phase, the heart rate and blood pressure go down and the muscles relax. In the next two stages, sleep gets progressively deeper. In stage four, usually reached after an hour, the slumber is so deep that, if awoken, the sleeper would be confused and disoriented. It is in this phase that sleep-walking can occur, with an average episode lasting no more than 15 minutes.

In the fifth stage, the rapid eye movement (REM) stage, the heartbeat quickly gets back to normal levels, brain activity accelerates to daytime heights and above, and the eyes move constantly beneath closed lids as if the sleeper is looking at something. During this stage, the body is almost paralyzed. This REM phase is also the time when we dream.

Section E

Sleeping patterns change with age, which is why many people over 60 develop insomnia. In America, that age group consumes almost half the sleep medication on the market. One theory for the age-related change is that it is due to hormonal changes. The temperature rise occurs at daybreak in the young, but at three or four in the morning in the elderly. Age aside, it is estimated that roughly one in three people suffer some kind of sleep disturbance. Causes can be anything from pregnancy and stress to alcohol and heart disease. Smoking is a known handicap to sleep, with one survey showing that ex-smokers got to sleep in 18 minutes rather than their earlier average of 52 minutes.

Section F

Apart from self-help therapy such as regular exercise, there are psychological treatments, including relaxation training and therapy aimed at getting rid of pre-sleep worries and anxieties. There is also sleep reduction therapy, where the aim is to improve sleep quality by strictly regulating the time people go to bed and when they get up. Medication is regarded by many as a last resort and often takes the form of sleeping pills, normally benzodiazepines, which are minor tranquilizers.

Section G

Professor Regelson advocates the use of melatonin for treating sleep disorders. Melatonin is a naturally secreted hormone, located in the pineal gland deep inside the brain. The main function of the hormone is to control the body's biological clock, so we know when to sleep and when to wake. The gland detects light reaching it through the eye; when there is no light, it secretes the melatonin into the bloodstream, lowering the body temperature and helping to induce sleep. Melatonin pills contain a synthetic version of the hormone and are commonly used for jet lag as well as for sleep disturbance. John Nicholls, sales manager of one of America's largest health food shops, claims that sales of the pill have increased dramatically. He explains that it is sold in capsules, tablets, lozenges, and mixed with herbs. It is not effective for all insomniacs, but many users have weaned themselves off sleeping tablets as a result of its application.

Questions 1-8

The passage has seven sections labeled A-G.

Which section contains the following information?
Write the correct letter A-G in boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.

1. The different amounts of sleep that people require
2. An investigation into the results of sleep deprivation
3. Some reasons why people may suffer from sleep disorders
4. Lifestyle changes which can help overcome sleep-related problems
5. A process by which sleep helps us to remain mentally and physically healthy
6. Claims about a commercialized man-made product for sleeplessness
7. The role of physical changes in sleeping habits
8. The processes involved during sleep

Questions 9-13

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?

Write in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet:

• TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
• FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
• NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

9. Sleep can cure some illnesses.
10. The various stages of sleep occur more than once a night.
11. Dreaming and sleep-walking occur at similar stages of sleep.
12. Sleepers move around a lot during the REM stage of sleep.
13. The body temperature rises relatively early in elderly people.

Questions 1-8: Matching Information

1. The different amounts of sleep that people require
   Answer: A
   Explanation: Section A discusses how the average person needs seven-and-a-half to eight hours of sleep but also mentions exceptions, such as Baroness Thatcher, who managed on four hours.
   Location: Section A: "It is estimated that the average man or woman needs between seven-and-a-half and eight hours' sleep a night."

2. An investigation into the results of sleep deprivation
   Answer: C
   Explanation: Section C mentions a study in San Diego where men were deprived of sleep, and the effects on their immune system were observed.
   Location: Section C: "Researchers in San Diego deprived a group of men of sleep between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. on just one night..."

3. Some reasons why people may suffer from sleep disorders
   Answer: E
   Explanation: Section E lists various reasons for sleep disturbances, such as pregnancy, stress, alcohol, and heart disease.
   Location: Section E: "Causes can be anything from pregnancy and stress to alcohol and heart disease."

4. Lifestyle changes which can help overcome sleep-related problems
   Answer: F
   Explanation: Section F talks about self-help therapies, regular exercise, relaxation training, and other methods to improve sleep quality.
   Location: Section F: "Apart from self-help therapy such as regular exercise, there are psychological treatments..."

5. A process by which sleep helps us to remain mentally and physically healthy
   Answer: B
   Explanation: Section B explains how sleep allows the body to rest and regenerate tissue, supported by the production of the growth hormone somatotropin.
   Location: Section B: "The latest beliefs are that the main purposes of sleep are to enable the body to rest and replenish..."

6. Claims about a commercialized man-made product for sleeplessness
   Answer: G
   Explanation: Section G describes melatonin pills, a synthetic version of the hormone, and their uses for jet lag and sleep disturbances.
   Location: Section G: "Melatonin pills contain a synthetic version of the hormone and are commonly used for jet lag..."

7. The role of physical changes in sleeping habits
   Answer: E
   Explanation: Section E describes how hormonal changes and aging affect sleep patterns, leading to issues like insomnia in older adults.
   Location: Section E: "One theory for the age-related change is that it is due to hormonal changes."

8. The processes involved during sleep
   Answer: D
   Explanation: Section D outlines the stages and cycles of sleep, including the physical and mental processes that occur in each stage.
   Location: Section D: "Despite popular belief that sleep is one long event, research shows that, in an average night, there are five stages of sleep..."

Questions 9-13: True/False/Not Given

9. Sleep can cure some illnesses.
   Answer: NOT GIVEN
   Explanation: While the passage talks about sleep being essential for well-being and helping the immune system, it does not explicitly state that sleep can cure illnesses.

10. The various stages of sleep occur more than once a night.
    Answer: TRUE
    Explanation: Section D mentions that sleep has four cycles during the night, meaning the stages are repeated.
    Location: Section D: "...there are five stages of sleep and four cycles, during which the sequence of stages is repeated."

11. Dreaming and sleep-walking occur at similar stages of sleep.
    Answer: FALSE
    Explanation: Section D states that sleep-walking happens in stage four, while dreaming occurs during the REM stage, which is distinct.
    Location: Section D: "It is in this phase that sleep-walking can occur..." and "This REM phase is also the time when we dream."

12. Sleepers move around a lot during the REM stage of sleep.
    Answer: FALSE
    Explanation: Section D states that the body is almost paralyzed during the REM stage, making movement minimal.
    Location: Section D: "During this stage, the body is almost paralyzed."

13. The body temperature rises relatively early in elderly people.
    Answer: TRUE
    Explanation: Section E notes that in the elderly, the temperature rise occurs earlier, at around three or four in the morning.
    Location: Section E: "The temperature rise occurs at daybreak in the young, but at three or four in the morning in the elderly."

Making Copier | Actual exam reading pdf | Past exam ielts reading pdf | 28 December ielts reading pdf for free | 04 January 2025 ielts reading pdf for free

 

Reading Practice

Making Copier

At first, nobody bought Chester Carlson’s strange idea. But trillions of documents later, his

invention is the biggest thing in printing since Gutenberg

A

Copying is the engine of civilization: culture is behavior duplicated. The oldest copier

invented by people is language, by which an idea of yours becomes an idea of mine. The

second great copying machine was writing. When the Sumerians transposed spoken words

into stylus marks on clay tablets more than 5,000 years ago, the hugely extended the

human network that language had created. Writing freed copying from the chain of living

contact. It made ideas permanent, portable and endlessly reproducible.

B

Until Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press in the mid-1400s, producing a book in

an edition of more than one generally meant writing it out again. Printing with moveable

type was not copying, however. Gutenberg couldn’t take a document that already existed,

feed it into his printing press and run off facsimiles. The first true mechanical copier was

manufactured in 1780, when James Watt, who is better known as the inventor of the

modern steam engine, created the copying press. Few people today know what a copying

press was, but you may have seen one in an antique store, where it was perhaps called a

book press. A user took a document freshly written in special ink, placed a moistened sheet

of translucent paper against the inked surface and squeezed the two sheets together in the

press, causing some of the ink from the original to penetrate the second sheet, which could

then be read by turning it over and looking through its back. The high cost prohibits the

widespread use of this copier.

C

Among the first modem copying machines, introduced in 1950 by 3M, was the Thermo-Fax,

and it made a copy by shining infrared light through an original document and a sheet of

paper that had been coated with heat-sensitive chemicals. Competing manufacturers soon

introduced other copying technologies and marketed machines called Dupliton, Dial-AMatic Autostat, Verifax, Copease and Copymation. These machines and their successors

were welcomed by secretaries, who had no other means of reproducing documents in

hand, but each had serious drawbacks. All required expensive chemically treated papers.

And all made copies that smelled bad, were hard to read, didn’t last long and tended to curl

up into tubes. The machines were displaced, beginning in the late 1800s, by a combination

of two 19th century inventions: the typewriter and carbon paper. For those reasons,

copying presses were standard equipment in offices for nearly a century and a half.

D

None of those machines is still manufactured today. They were all made obsolete by a

radically different machine, which had been developed by an obscure photographic-supply

company. That company had been founded in 1906 as the Haloid Company and is known

today as the Xerox Corporation. In 1959, it introduced an office copier called the Haloid

Xerox 914, a machine that, unlike its numerous competitors, made sharp, permanent

copies on ordinary paper-a huge breakthrough. The process, which Haloid called

xerography (based on Greek words meaning “dry” and “writing”), was so unusual and

nonnutritive that physicists who visited the drafty warehouses where the first machines

were built sometimes expressed doubt that it was even theoretically feasible.

E

Remarkably, xerography was conceived by one person- Chester Carlson, a shy, softspoken patent attorney, who grew up in almost unspeakable poverty and worked his way

through junior college and the California Institute of Technology. Chester Carlson was born

in Seattle in 1906. His parents-Olof Adolph Carlson and Ellen Josephine Hawkins—had

grown up on neighboring farms in Grove City, Minnesota, a tiny Swedish farming

community about 75 miles west of Minneapolis. Compare with competitors, Carlson was

not a normal inventor in 20-century. He made his discovery in solitude in 1937 and offered

it to more than 20 major corporations, among them IBM, General Electric, Eastman Kodak

and RCA. All of them turned him down, expressing what he later called “an enthusiastic

lack of interest” and thereby passing up the opportunity to manufacture what Fortune

magazine would describe as “the most successful product ever marketed in America.”

F

Carlson’s invention was indeed a commercial triumph. Essentially overnight, people began

making copies at a rate that was orders of magnitude higher than anyone had believed

possible. And the rate is still growing. In fact, most documents handled by a typical

American office worker today are produced xerographically, either on copiers manufactured

by Xerox and its competitors or on laser printers, which employ the same process (and

were invented, in the 1970s, by a Xerox researcher). This year, the world will produce more

than three trillion xerographic copies and laser-printed pages—about 500 for every human

on earth.

G

Xerography eventually made Carlson a very wealthy man. (His royalties amounted to

something like a 16th of a cent for every Xerox copy made, worldwide, through 1965.)

Nevertheless, he lived simply. He never owned a second home or a second car, and his

wife had to urge him not to buy third-class train tickets when he traveled in Europe. People

who knew him casually seldom suspected that he was rich or even well-to-do; when

Carlson told an acquaintance he worked at Xerox, the man assumed he was a factory

worker and asked if he belonged to a union. “His possessions seemed to be composed of

the number of things he could easily do without,” his second wife said. He spent the last

years of his life quietly giving most of his fortune to charities. When he died in 1968, among

the eulogizers was the secretary-general of the United Nations.

 

 

Questions 1-6

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?

In boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1..................... The earliest languages were recorded on papyrus.

2..................... when applying Johann Gutenberg’s printing machine, it requires lots of

training.

3..................... James Watt invented a modem steam engine before he made his first

mechanical copier.

4..................... using the Dupliton copiers and follower versions are very costly.

5..................... The typewriters with carbon papers were taken place of very soon because

they were not sold well

6..................... The Haloid Xerox 914 model also required specially treated paper for

making copies.

Questions 7-13

Reading Passage.

Write your answers in boxes 7-13 on your answer sheet.

 

 

Calson, unlike a 20-century 7....................., like to work on his own. In 1937, he

unsuccessfully invited 20 major 8..................... to make his discovery. However, this action

was not welcome among shareholders at the beginning, all of them

9...................... Eventually, Calson’s creation was undeniably a 10...................... Thanks for

the discovery of Xerography, Calson became a very 11..................... person. Even so, his

life remains as simple as before. It looks as if he can live without his 12..................... At the

same time, he gave lots of his money to 13......................

Solution:

1. FALSE                                                     8. corporations

2. NOT GIVEN                                           9. turned him down

3. NOT GIVEN                                          10. commercial triumph

4. TRUE                                                     11. wealthy

5. FALSE                                                   12. possessions

6. FALSE                                                   13. charities

7. inventor

---

Questions 1–6 (True/False/Not Given)

1. The earliest languages were recorded on papyrus.

   • Answer: False
   • Explanation: The text states that the Sumerians recorded spoken words into stylus marks on clay tablets, not papyrus. (Paragraph A)

2. When applying Johann Gutenberg’s printing machine, it requires lots of training.

   • Answer: Not Given
   • Explanation: The passage mentions Gutenberg’s printing press but does not discuss the training required to use it. (Paragraph B)

3. James Watt invented a modern steam engine before he made his first mechanical copier.

   • Answer: Not Given
   • Explanation: While James Watt is known for inventing the steam engine, the passage does not clarify if this occurred before his work on the copier. (Paragraph B)

4. Using the Dupliton copiers and follower versions are very costly.

   • Answer: True
   • Explanation: The text mentions that these machines required expensive chemically treated papers. (Paragraph C)

5. The typewriters with carbon papers were taken place of very soon because they were not sold well.

   • Answer: False
   • Explanation: Typewriters and carbon paper displaced earlier copying machines due to their convenience, not poor sales. (Paragraph C)

6. The Haloid Xerox 914 model also required specially treated paper for making copies.

   • Answer: False
   • Explanation: The Haloid Xerox 914 made copies on ordinary paper, which was a major breakthrough. (Paragraph D)

---

Questions 7–13 (Fill in the blanks)

7. Carlson, unlike a 20-century ___, liked to work on his own.

   • Answer: inventor
   • Explanation: Carlson is described as working alone on his invention in 1937. (Paragraph E)

8. In 1937, he unsuccessfully invited 20 major ___ to make his discovery.

   • Answer: corporations
   • Explanation: Carlson offered his invention to corporations like IBM and General Electric, all of which rejected it. (Paragraph E)

9. However, this action was not welcome among shareholders at the beginning, all of them ___.

   • Answer: turned him down
   • Explanation: The passage states that all the corporations showed “an enthusiastic lack of interest.” (Paragraph E)

10. Eventually, Carlson’s creation was undeniably a ___.

    • Answer: commercial triumph
    • Explanation: The invention became an overwhelming success in the market. (Paragraph F)

11. Thanks to the discovery of xerography, Carlson became a very __ person.

    • Answer: wealthy
    • Explanation: Carlson earned royalties and became rich, although he lived simply. (Paragraph G)

12. Even so, his life remains as simple as before. It looks as if he can live without his ___.

    • Answer: possessions
    • Explanation: Carlson’s possessions were minimal, and he avoided extravagant purchases. (Paragraph G)

13. At the same time, he gave lots of his money to ___.

    • Answer: charities
    • Explanation: Carlson donated most of his fortune to charities before his death. (Paragraph G)

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Describe a special day out that cost you little money/did not cost you much | Makkar january to april 2025 pdf | makkar jan to april speaking pdf | new cue cards 2025

 

 

 

IELTS ONESTOP JANUARY TO APRIL 2025 PDF

Describe a special day out that cost you little money/did not cost you much.

You should say:

• where you went

• who you went with

• what you did

• and explain why it was special.

 

 

 Vocabulary 

1. Vividly recall – To remember something clearly and distinctly. 

2. Rich in history and culture – Describes a place with a significant historical and cultural background. 

3. Daily grind – The monotonous or tiring routine of daily life. 

4. Nominal fee – A small or minimal amount of money charged for something. 

5. Palpable – Something that can be felt or perceived clearly. 

6. Iconic – Widely recognized and admired, often symbolic. 

7. Spellbound – Completely captivated or amazed. 

8. Serene beauty – Peaceful and calming beauty. 

9. Ambiance – The atmosphere or feeling of a place. 

10. Moving – Emotionally touching or inspiring. 

11. Bustling – Full of activity and energy. 

12. Vibrant – Full of life, energy, and color. 

13. Famished – Extremely hungry. 

14. To die for – Something extremely desirable or excellent. 

15. Treasure trove – A valuable collection or source of something. 

16. Confines – The limits or boundaries of a place or activity. 

17. Blend – A mix or combination. 

18. Nostalgia – A sentimental longing for the past. 

 

---

 

 Idioms and Phrases 

1. Over the moon – Extremely happy or excited. 

2. To die for – Something excellent or desirable. 

3. Break the bank – To cost a lot of money. 

4. Little joys in life – Small moments or experiences that bring happiness. 

5. Daily grind – The usual, repetitive routine of daily work. 

6. A steal – Something that is very cheap or a great bargain. 

 

---

 

 Connectors 

1. As soon as – To indicate that one event happened immediately after another. 

2. Afterward – To describe something happening after a specific event. 

3. Besides – Used to add additional information. 

4. Lastly – To indicate the final point. 

5. All in all – To summarize or conclude. 

 

Main Ideas (Bullet Point Format) 

 

- When it happened: During school days in 7th grade. 

- Occasion: A school trip to Amritsar organized by the school administration. 

- Why it was special: Break from the daily grind of studies; cost only 1000 rupees, a nominal fee. 

- Who went: Along with friends and classmates. 

- Where we went: 

  - Golden Temple: Admired its serene beauty. 

  - Jallianwala Bagh: Learned about its historical significance. 

  - Partition Museum: Gained insights into the hardships of the partition. 

  - Local market and other tourist spots. 

- What we did: 

  - Explored iconic landmarks. 

  - Had lunch at a reputed restaurant with delicious food. 

- Why it was memorable: 

  - Fun and educational experience. 

  - Created priceless memories at a low cost. 

  - Strengthened bonds with friends. 

 

 

SAMPLE ANSWER

I vividly recall a memorable day from my school days, around when I was in 7th grade. It was a special school trip to Amritsar, a nearby city that’s rich in history and culture. Our school administration decided to organize this outing to give us a break from the daily grind of academics, and naturally, I was over the moon with excitement. My classmates and I eagerly submitted the nominal fee of just 1000 rupees, which was a steal for what we were about to experience. 

 

On the day of the trip, the excitement was palpable. As soon as we reached Amritsar, we headed straight to the iconic Golden Temple, which left me spellbound with its serene beauty and peaceful ambiance. Standing by the shimmering holy water was nothing short of magical. Afterward, we visited Jallianwala Bagh, where we learned about the tragic history associated with the place. It was both moving and educational. Another highlight was the Partition Museum, where we gained a deeper understanding of the hardships faced during the partition era. Besides these, we also explored a bustling local market and soaked in the vibrant culture of the city.

 

By midday, we were famished, so we stopped at a well-known restaurant for lunch. The food was absolutely delicious, and the buttery naan and dal makhani were to die for! The journey back home was filled with laughter, shared memories, and even a few sing-alongs on the bus. 

 

This day stands out in my memory for several reasons. First, it was an enriching experience that didn’t break the bank—just a thousand rupees for a treasure trove of memories! Second, spending time with my friends outside the confines of the classroom allowed us to bond even more. Lastly, it was a perfect blend of fun and learning. 

 

All in all, it was a day that proved you don’t need to spend a fortune to create priceless memories. It taught me to appreciate the little joys in life, and even now, thinking about that trip fills me with nostalgia. 

 

 

SIMPLE LANGUAGE SAMPLE ANSWER

 

I clearly remember a special day from my school days when I was in 7th grade. It happened when our school organized a trip to Amritsar, which is a nearby city. The trip cost only 1000 rupees, which was very affordable, so I was excited to go. I went with my friends and classmates, and we all were looking forward to a day away from studies. 

 

On the trip, we visited the Golden Temple, which looked very beautiful and peaceful. Then, we went to Jallianwala Bagh, where we learned about an important historical event. After that, we also visited the Partition Museum, which had many things related to the partition of India. We explored the local market as well and enjoyed seeing the culture of the city. 

 

At lunchtime, we went to a nice restaurant where the food was very tasty. After spending the whole day exploring, we returned home tired but happy. 

 

This trip was special because it didn’t cost much, and I got to learn a lot about history and culture. I also had a great time with my friends, and it was a perfect mix of fun and learning. Even now, I think about that day with happiness. 

 

The Lost City | ielts reading passage | 28 December ielts exam | 21 December ielts reading passage | 21 December ielts exam prediction | 28 December ielts reading prediction

 Passage 2 The Lost City

SECTION 2

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-26 which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.

The Lost City

Thanks to modern remote-sensing techniques, a ruined city in Turkey is slowly revealing itself as one of the greatest and most mysterious cities of the ancient world. Sally Palmer uncovers more.

A

The low granite mountain, known as Kerkenes Dag, juts from the northern edge of the Cappadocian plain in Turkey. Sprawled over the mountainside are the ruins of an enormous city, contained by crumbling defensive walls seven kilometers long. Many respected archaeologists believe these are the remains of the fabled city of Pteria, the sixth-century BC stronghold of the Medes that the Greek historian Herodotus described in his famous work The Histories. The short-lived city came under Median control and only fifty years later was sacked, burned and its strong stone walls destroyed.

B

British archeologist Dr Geoffrey Summers has spent ten years studying the site. Excavating the ruins is a challenge because of the vast area they cover. The 7 km perimeter walls run around a site covering 271 hectares. Dr Summers quickly realised it would take far too long to excavate the site using traditional techniques alone. So he decided to use modern technology as well to map the entire site, both above and beneath the surface, to locate the most interesting areas and priorities to start digging.

C

In 1993, Dr Summers hired a special hand-held balloon with a remote-controlled camera attached. He walked over the entire site holding the balloon and taking photos. The one afternoon, he rented a hot-air balloon and floated over the site, taking yet more pictures. By the end of the 1994 season, Dr Summers and his team had a jigsaw of aerial photographs of the whole site. The next stage was to use remote sensing, which would let them work out what lay below the intriguing outlines and ruined walls. “Archaeology is a discipline that lends itself very well to remote sensing because it revolves around space,” says Scott Branting, an associated director of the project. He started working with Dr Summers in 1995.

D

The project used two main remote-sensing techniques. The first is magnetometry, which works on the principle that magnetic fields at the surface of the Earth are influenced by what is buried beneath. It measures localised variations in the direction and intensity of this magnetic field. “The Earth’s magnetic field can vary from place to place, depending on what happened there in the past,” says Branting. “if something containing iron oxide was heavily burnt, by natural or human actions, the iron particles in it can be permanently reoriented, like a compass needle, to align with the Earth’s magnetic field present at that point in time and space.’ The magnetometer detects differences in the orientations and intensities of these iron particles from the present-day magnetic field and uses them to produce an image of what lies below ground.

E

Kerkenes Dag lends itself particularly well to magnetometry because it was all burnt at once in a savage fire. In places the heat was sufficient to turn sandstone to glass and to melt granite. The fire was so hot that there were strong magnetic signatures set to the Earth’s magnetic field from the time – around 547 BC – resulting in extremely clear pictures. Furthermore, the city was never rebuilt. “if you have multiple layers confusing picture, because you have different walls from different periods giving signatures that all go in different directions,” says Branting. “We only have one going down about 1.5 meters, so we can get a good picture of this fairly short-lived city.”

F

The other main sub-surface mapping technique, which is still being used at the site, is resistivity. This technique measures the way electrical pulses are conducted through sub-surface oil. It’s done by shooting pulses into the ground through a thin metal probe. Different materials have different electrical conductivity. For example, stone and mudbrick are poor conductors, but looser, damp soil conducts very well. By walking around the site and taking about four readings per metre, it is possible to get a detailed idea of what is where beneath the surface. The teams then build up pictures of walls, hearths and other remains. “It helps a lot if it has rained, because the electrical pulse can get through more easily,” says Branting. “Then if something is more resistant, it really shows up.” This is one of the reasons that the project has a spring season, when most of the resistivity work is done. Unfortunately, testing resistivity is a lot slower than magnetometry. “If we did resistivity over the whole site it would take about 100 years,” says Branting. Consequently, the team is concentrating on areas where they want to clarify pictures from the magnetometry.

G

Remote sensing does not reveal everything about Kerkenes Dag, but it shows the most interesting sub-surface areas of the site. The archaeologists can then excavate these using traditional techniques. One surprise came when they dug out one of the fates in the defensive walls. “Our observations in early seasons led us to assume that wall, such as would be found at most other cities in the Ancient Near East,” says Dr Summers. “When we started to excavate we were staggered to discover that the walls were made entirely from stone and that the gate would have stood at least ten metres high. After ten years of study, Pteria is gradually giving up its secrets.”

Questions 14-17

The Reading Passage has seven paragraphs A-G

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter A-G, in boxes 14-17 on your answer sheet.

14 The reason why various investigative methods are introduced.

15 An example of an unexpected discovery.

16 The methods to surveyed the surface of the site from above.

17 The reason why experts want to study the site.

Questions 18-25

Complete the following summary of the paragraphs of Reading Passage

Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the Reading Passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 18-25 on your answer sheet.

Exploring the Ancient City of Pteria

The relevant work was done ten years ago. To begin with, experts took photos of the site from the ground and then from a distance in a 18…………………………… To find out what lay below the surface, they used two leading techniques. One was magnetometer, which identifies changes in the magnetic field. These changes occur when the 19…………………………… in buried structures have changed direction as a result of great heat. They match with the magnetic field, which is similar to a 20………………………….

The other one was resistivity, which uses a 21…………………………….. to fire electrical pulses into the earth. The principle is that building materials like 22………………………… and stone do not conduct electricity well, while 23……………………………. does this much better. Archaeologists preferred to use this technique during the 24……………………………………, when conditions are more favourable. Resistivity is mainly being used to 25……………………………….. some images generated by the magnetometer.

Question 26

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in box 26 on your answer sheet.

How do modern remote-sensing techniques help at the site?

A They avoid the need for experts to dig any part of the site.

B They bring parts of the site into light so that key areas can be researched further.

C They show minute buried objects for the archaeologists to dig up.

D They make the investigation more flexible as they can be used at any time of year.

Questions 14-17: Matching Information

1. 14. The reason why various investigative methods are introduced.
• Answer: B
• Reason: Paragraph B explains that the site is vast (271 hectares) and covered by a 7 km perimeter wall. Traditional excavation methods alone would take too long, prompting the use of modern remote-sensing techniques.
• Location: "Excavating the ruins is a challenge because of the vast area they cover... So he decided to use modern technology as well to map the entire site."
2. 15. An example of an unexpected discovery.
• Answer: G
• Reason: Paragraph G describes how the archaeologists were surprised to discover that the walls were entirely made of stone and that the gate would have been at least 10 meters high. This was contrary to their initial expectations of finding mudbrick construction.
• Location: "We were staggered to discover that the walls were made entirely from stone and that the gate would have stood at least ten metres high."
3. 16. The methods to survey the surface of the site from above.
• Answer: C
• Reason: Paragraph C discusses how Dr. Summers used a hand-held balloon and a hot-air balloon to take aerial photographs of the site, allowing for a comprehensive surface survey.
• Location: "In 1993, Dr Summers hired a special hand-held balloon... One afternoon, he rented a hot-air balloon and floated over the site, taking yet more pictures."
4. 17. The reason why experts want to study the site.
• Answer: A
• Reason: Paragraph A introduces the historical significance of the site, identifying it as the possible city of Pteria, a stronghold of the Medes mentioned by the historian Herodotus.
• Location: "Many respected archaeologists believe these are the remains of the fabled city of Pteria... one of the greatest and most mysterious cities of the ancient world."

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Questions 18-25: Summary Completion

Exploring the Ancient City of Pteria

1. 18. hot-air balloon
• Reason: Paragraph C mentions that Dr. Summers used a hot-air balloon to take aerial photographs of the site.
• Location: "One afternoon, he rented a hot-air balloon and floated over the site, taking yet more pictures."
2. 19. iron particles
• Reason: Paragraph D explains how the magnetometer detects reoriented iron particles in buried structures that have been exposed to great heat.
• Location: "The magnetometer detects differences in the orientations and intensities of these iron particles from the present-day magnetic field."
3. 20. compass/compass needle
• Reason: Paragraph D compares the reorientation of iron particles to the function of a compass needle.
• Location: "The iron particles in it can be permanently reoriented, like a compass needle, to align with the Earth’s magnetic field."
4. 21. thin metal probe
• Reason: Paragraph F describes how resistivity uses a thin metal probe to send electrical pulses into the ground.
• Location: "It’s done by shooting pulses into the ground through a thin metal probe."
5. 22. mudbrick
• Reason: Paragraph F states that materials like mudbrick and stone are poor conductors of electricity, unlike looser damp soil.
• Location: "Stone and mudbrick are poor conductors, but looser, damp soil conducts very well."
6. 23. looser damp soil
• Reason: Paragraph F highlights that looser damp soil conducts electricity much better than building materials like mudbrick.
• Location: "Looser, damp soil conducts very well."
7. 24. spring season
• Reason: Paragraph F notes that resistivity work is conducted during spring when rain improves conditions for electrical pulses.
• Location: "This is one of the reasons that the project has a spring season, when most of the resistivity work is done."
8. 25. clarify
• Reason: Paragraph F explains that resistivity is primarily used to refine or clarify images generated by magnetometry.
• Location: "Consequently, the team is concentrating on areas where they want to clarify pictures from the magnetometry."

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Question 26: Multiple Choice

How do modern remote-sensing techniques help at the site?

• Answer: B. They bring parts of the site into light so that key areas can be researched further.
• Reason: Paragraph G emphasizes that remote-sensing techniques highlight interesting sub-surface areas, enabling archaeologists to target those regions for further excavation.
• Location: "Remote sensing does not reveal everything about Kerkenes Dag, but it shows the most interesting sub-surface areas of the site."

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A unique golden textile | ielts reading passage | 7 December ielts exam | 7 December ielts reading passage | 7 December ielts exam prediction | 7 December ielts reading prediction

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A unique golden textile

A two-man project to use spider silk is achieved after 4 years

A. A rare textile made from the silk of more than a million wild spiders has been on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. To produce this golden cloth, 70 people spent four years collecting golden orb spiders from telephone poles in Madagascar, while another dozen workers carefully extracted about 80 feet of silk filament from each of the arachnids. The resulting 11-foot by 4-foottextile is the only large piece of cloth made from natural spider silk existing in the world today. 

B. Spider silk is very elastic and strong compared with steel or Kevlar, said textile expert Silom Peers, who co-led the project. Kevlar is a lightweight synthetic fabric which is chemically related to nylon. It is very tough and durable and used in bullet-proof vests. Kevlar is also resistant to wear, tear, and heat and has absolutely no melting point. But the tensile strength of spider silk is even greater than Kevlar's aramid filaments, and greater than that of high-grade steel. Most importantly, spider silk is extremely lightweight: a strand of spider silk long enough to circle the Earth would weigh less than 500 grams (18 02). Spider silk is also especially ductile, able to stretch up to 140 per cent of its length without breaking. It can hold its strength below-40c. This gives it a very high toughness, which equals that of commercial fibres.

C. Researchers have long been intrigued by the unique properties of spider silk. Unfortunately, spider silk is extremely hard to mass produce. Unlike silkworms, which are easy to raise in captivity, spiders have a habit of chomping off each other’s heads when housed together. According to Peers, there's scientific research going on all over the world right now trying to replicate the tensile properties of spider silk and apply it to all sorts of areas in medicine and industry, but no one up until now has succeeded in replicating100 per cent of the properties of natural spider silk. 

D. Peers came up with the idea of weaving spider silk after learning about the French missionary Jacob Paul Cambium, who worked with spiders in Madagascar during the 1880s and 1890s. Cambium built a small, hand-driven machine to extract silk from up to 24 spiders at once, without harming them. The spiders were temporarily restrained their silk extracted, and then let go, Peers managed to build a replica of this 24-spider sulking machine that was used at the turn of the century, said Nicholas Godley, whose-led the project with Peers. As an experiment, the pair collected an initial batch of about 20 spiders. When we stuck them in the machine and started turning it, lo and behold, this beautiful gold-coloured silk started coming out’, Godley said. 

E. But to make a textile of any significant size, the silk experts had to drastically scale up their plan. Fourteen thousand spiders yield about an ounce of silk, Godley said, and the textile weighs about 2.6pounds. The numbers are overwhelming. To get as much silk as they needed, Godley and Peers began hiring dozens of spider handlers to collect wild arachnids and carefully harness them to the silk-extraction machine. We had to find people who were willing to work with spiders, Godley said, because they bite 'By the end of the project, Godley and Peers extracted silk from more than 1 million female golden orb spiders, which are abundant throughout Madagascar and known for the rich golden colour of their silk, Because the spiders only produce silk during the rainy season, workers collected all the spiders between October and June. Then an additional 12 people used hand-powered machines to extract the silk and weave it into 96-filament thread. Once the spiders had been sulked, they were released back into the wild, where Godley said it takes them about a week to regenerate their skill. We can go back and re-silk the same spiders, he said. It’s like the gift that never stops giving. 

F. Of course, spending four years to produce a single textile of spider silk isn’t very practical for scientists trying to study the properties of spider silk, or companies that want to manufacture the fabric for the uses a biomedical product, or an alternative to Kevlar Armor. Several groups have tried inserting spider genes into bacteria or even cows and goats to produce silk, but so far, the attempts have been only moderately successful. Part of the reason it’s so hard to generate spider silk in the lab is that it starts out as a liquid protein that’s produced by a special gland in the spider’s abdomen. Using their spinneret, spiders apply force to rearrange the protein’s molecular structure and transform it into solid silk. When we talk about a spider spinning silk, we’re talking about how the spider applies forces to produce a transformation from liquid to solid, said spider silk expert Todd Blackledge of the University of Akron, Ohio, US, who was not involved in creating the textile. Scientists simply can’t replicate the efficiency with which a spider produces silk. Every year we’re getting closer and closer to being able to mass-produce it, but we’re not there yet. For now, it seems we'll have to be content with one incredibly beautiful cloth, graciously provided by more than a million spiders.

Question 14-19

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of heading below. White the correct number, I-ix, in boxes 14-19 on your answer sheet.

Question 14-19

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of heading below. White the correct number, I-ix, in boxes 14-19 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

I Experimenting with an old idea
ii Life cycle of Madagascar spiders
iii Advances in the textile industry
iv Resources needed to meet the project’s demands
v The physical properties of spider silk
vi A scientific analysis of spider silk
vii A unique work of art
viii Importance of the silk textile market
ix Difficulties of raising spiders in captivity
14 Paragraph A.___________
15 Paragraph B.___________
16 Paragraph C.___________
17 Paragraph D.___________
18 Paragraph E.___________
19 Paragraph F.___________

Questions 20-23

Match each statement with the correct researcher, A, B or C

NB You may use any letter more than once

20 It takes a tremendous number of spiders to make a small amount of silk
21 Scientists want to use the qualities of spider silk for medical purposes
22 Scientists are making some progress in their efforts to manufacture spider silk
23 Spider silk compares favourably to materials known for their strength


List of Researchers

A Simon Peers
B Nicholas Godley u
C Todd Blackledge

Questions 24-26

Choose

ONE WORD ONLY

from the passage for each answer

Producing spider silk in the lab

Both scientists and manufacturers are interested in producing silk for many different purposes. Some researchers have tried to grow silk by introducing genetic material into 24. ____________ and some animals. But these experiments have been somewhat disappointing. It is difficult to make spider silk in alba setting because the silk comes from a liquid protein made in a 25. ____________ inside the spiders’ body. When a spider spins silk, it causes a 26. ____________ that turns this liquid into solid silk. Scientists cannot replicate this yet.

Questions 14-19: Headings

1. Paragraph A: vii (A unique work of art)

   • Explanation: Paragraph A describes the rare golden textile made from spider silk, highlighting its uniqueness and the effort behind its creation.
   • Location: First paragraph of the text.

2. Paragraph B: v (The physical properties of spider silk)

   • Explanation: This paragraph discusses the properties of spider silk, such as its strength, elasticity, and light weight.
   • Location: Second paragraph of the text.

3. Paragraph C: ix (Difficulties of raising spiders in captivity)

   • Explanation: It explains why spider silk is hard to mass-produce, focusing on spiders' inability to coexist peacefully.
   • Location: Third paragraph of the text.

4. Paragraph D: i (Experimenting with an old idea)

   • Explanation: The idea of using spider silk for textiles is based on historical practices, specifically referencing a French missionary's work.
   • Location: Fourth paragraph of the text.

5. Paragraph E: iv (Resources needed to meet the project’s demands)

   • Explanation: This paragraph outlines the resources and effort required, such as the number of spiders and workers needed.
   • Location: Fifth paragraph of the text.

6. Paragraph F: vi (A scientific analysis of spider silk)

   • Explanation: It provides details on the challenges of replicating spider silk in the lab, including its molecular transformation process.
   • Location: Sixth paragraph of the text.

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Questions 20-23: Match the Statement

1. 20: B (Nicholas Godley)

   • Explanation: The paragraph mentions the overwhelming number of spiders needed and attributes this fact to Godley.
   • Location: Paragraph E.

2. 21: A (Simon Peers)

   • Explanation: Peers discusses the scientific interest in spider silk for applications in medicine and industry.
   • Location: Paragraph C.

3. 22: C (Todd Blackledge)

   • Explanation: Blackledge mentions ongoing progress in replicating spider silk properties but acknowledges the challenges.
   • Location: Paragraph F.

4. 23: A (Simon Peers)

   • Explanation: Peers compares spider silk's strength and ductility favorably to materials like Kevlar and steel.
   • Location: Paragraph B.

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Questions 24-26: Fill in the Blanks

1. 24: bacteria

   • Explanation: Scientists have used bacteria and animals in attempts to produce silk.
   • Location: Paragraph F.

2. 25: gland

   • Explanation: The silk originates from a gland in the spider’s abdomen.
   • Location: Paragraph F.

3. 26: transformation

   • Explanation: The silk undergoes a transformation from liquid to solid during the spinning process.
   • Location: Paragraph F.
   •