Cambridge IELTS 8, Test 1, Reading Passage 1 – A Chronicle of Timekeeping, Solution With Answer Key

Cambridge IELTS 8 Test 1 Reading Passage 1 A Chronicle of Timekeeping Answer Key with Solution. Here we will discuss step by step detailed explanation of all the questions of the passage with Tips and Strategies. This post is for educational purpose only. If you find difficulties in reading passage to find the right answer in the exam, just read the post carefully. Tips and strategies will help you find the right answer.

Cambridge IELTS 8 Test 1 Reading Passage 1 A Chronicle of Timekeeping – Explanation

 

Solution of IELTS Cambridge 8 Test 1  Academic Reading Module, Reading Passage 1

 

PASSAGE 1: A Chronicle of Timekeeping (View Full Passage Here)

Questions 1-4: (Identifying information)

** Tips (link details): How To Solve Information Matching or Locating Paragraph In IELTS Reading Module?

Question 1: a description of an early timekeeping invention affected by cold temperatures
Keywords: early, timekeeping, affected by, cold temperatures,
Now, in paragraph D, lines 3-7, “One of the first water clocks was a basin. . .. .. . Although these devices performed satisfactorily around the Mediterranean; they could not always be depended on in the cloudy and freezing weather of northern Europe.”
Here, early means one of the first, cold means freezing,
Answer: D

Question 2: an explanation of the importance of geography in the development of the calendar in farming communities
Keywords: importance of geography, development, calendar, farming communities
Now, in paragraph B, “Before the invention of artificial light, the moon had greater social impact. And, for those living near the equator in particular, its waxing and waning was more conspicuous than the passing of the seasons. Hence, the calendars that were developed at the lower latitudes were influenced more by the lunar cycle than by the solar year. In more northern climes, however, where
seasonal agriculture was practised, the solar year became more crucial.”
Here, the moon had greater social impact means the importance of geography, agriculture means farming,
Answer: B

Question 3: a description of the origins of the pendulum clock
Keywords: origins, pendulum clock,
Now, in paragraph F we find the mention of ‘pendulum clock’.
In this paragraph, lines 7-8, “By the 16th century, a pendulum clock had been devised, but the pendulum swung in a large arc and thus was not very efficient.”
The lines suggest that ‘pendulum clock’ originated (devised) in the 16th century.
Answer: F

 

Question 4: details of the simultaneous efforts of different societies to calculate time using uniform hours
Keywords: simultaneous efforts, different societies, calculate time, uniform hours,
Now, in paragraph E, lines 3-7, “…. in the early14th century, a number of systems evolved.
The schemes that divided the day into 24 equal parts varied according to the start of the count: Italian hours began at sunset, Babylonian hours at sunrise, astronomical hours at midday and ‘great clock’ hours, used for some large public clocks in Germany, at midnight. Eventually these were superseded by ‘small clock’, or French, hours, which split the day into two 12-hour periods commencing at midnight.”
Here, these efforts all occurred at around the same time means simultaneously, based on 24 equal parts means uniform hours, in different countries means different societies,
Answer: E

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Questions 5-8: (Matching statements with correct nationality)

** Tips (link details): How To Solve Matching Statements With Correct Theory In IELTS Reading?

General Idea: The rules for finding answers to this sort of question are simple. Just find the keywords and read around different nationalities carefully. Then, give a quick look to check whether there is another statement or idea provided by the same nationality in the text. If there is, check the reference carefully and decide your answer. Remember, the questions may not follow any sequential order.

Question 5: They devised a civil calendar in which the months were equal in length.
Keywords: civil calendar, months, equal in length,
Now, in paragraph C, the writer describes in the beginning, “Centuries before the Roman Empire, the Egyptians had formulated a municipal calendar having 12 months of 30 days, with five days added to approximate the solar year.”
Here, devised means formulated, civil means municipal, the months were equal in length means 12 months of 30 days,
This means the Egyptians devised the civil calendar in which the months were equal.
Answer: B (Egyptians)

Question 6: They divided the day into two equal halves.
Keywords: divided, two equal halves,
Now, in paragraph E, in the last lines, “Eventually, these were superseded by ‘small clock’, or French, hours, which split the day into two 12-hour periods commencing at midnight.”
Here, divided means split, two equal halves means two 12-hour periods,
So, it was the French, who divided the day into 12-hour periods.
Answer: F (French)

Question 7: They developed a new cabinet shape for a type of timekeeper.
Keywords: new, cabinet shape, timekeeper,
Now, in paragraph G, the writer explains that the anchor escapement was invented in England in 1670 allowed the pendulum to travel in a very small arc. “. . . . It was called the anchor escapement, which was lever based device shaped like a ship’s anchor.” “…. and thus led to the development of a new floor-standing case design, which became known as the grandfather clock.”
Here, new floor-standing case design means cabinet shape,
So, it was the English who designed this cabinet shape for this kind of timekeeper.
Answer: D (English)

Question 8: They created a calendar to organize public events and work schedules.
Keywords: calendar, organize public events, work schedules,
Now, in the first paragraph, in lines 2-3, “ .. . … the Babylonians began to measure time, introducing calendars to co-ordinate communal activities, to plan the shipment of goods and, in particular, to regulate planting and harvesting.”
Here, organize public events means co-ordinate communal activities,
Answer: A (Babylonians)

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Questions 9-13: (Labeling a diagram)

** Tips (link details): How To Solve Notes, Table, Form, Summary, Flow Chart, Diagram in IELTS Reading

General Idea: Keywords are important to find answers correctly. Generally, this type of question maintains a sequence. However, we should not be surprised if the sequence is not maintained. Find the keywords in the passage and you are most likely to find the answers.

Title of the diagram: How the 1670 lever-based device worked

The title indicates that all the answers can be found in Paragraph G.

Question 9-11:
9. escapement (resembling _____________)
10. the __________
11. the __________
Keywords: escapement, resembling,
Now, in paragraph G, lines 2-3, “.. . . It was called the anchor escapement, which was a lever based device shaped like a ship’s anchor.. . .”
Answer 9: (ship’s) anchor
Again, in the same paragraph, in lines 3-4, “The motion of a pendulum rocks this device (escapement) so that it catches and releases each tooth of the escape wheel … … . .”
Answer 10: (escape) wheel (the big second bracket indicates the whole shape)
Answer 11: tooth (each of the pointy edge which looks like tooth)

Question 12 & 13: a _________ which beats each __________
Keywords: beats each,
Now, in paragraph G, “Moreover, this invention allowed the use of a long pendulum which could beat once a second and thus led to the development of a new floor-standing case design.”
Here, beat once means beats each
Answer 12: (long) pendulum
Answer 13: second

 

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Cambridge IELTS 8 Test 1 Reading Passage 1 Answer Keys

 

A Chronicle of Timekeeping Reading Passage Answers Keys

Passage 1

 

 

 

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