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Albert Einstein Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Sep 06, 2024, 11:06

The passage provides a brief biography of Albert Einstein, highlighting his early life, education, scientific achievements, and personal struggles. Born in 1879 in Germany, Einstein showed an early interest in science, particularly after receiving a magnetic compass from his father. Despite challenges in traditional education, he excelled in mathematics and physics, eventually working at a Swiss patent office where he developed groundbreaking theories. 

 

The passage also touches on his troubled personal life, including his marriage to Mileva, their children’s health issues, and his move to the United States to escape Nazi persecution. Einstein remained in the U.S. until his death in 1955.

 

This passage is valuable for IELTS Reading preparation as it requires synthesising biographical information, understanding chronological events, and identifying key details about a historical figure. It tests your ability to interpret factual information, infer implied meanings, and comprehend complex sentences, all of which are essential for tackling different types of questions in the IELTS Reading section, such as matching information, sentence completion, and true/false/not given tasks.

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1. Albert Einstein Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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2. Albert Einstein Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Albert Einstein Reading Questions & Answers.

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1.

Albert Einstein Reading Passage

General Information

  • Read Instructions: Understand each question before answering.
  • Manage Time: Spend about 20 minutes per passage.
  • Skim and Scan: Quickly get the main idea and find specific information.
  • Highlight Key Info: Underline essential words or phrases.
  • Answer All Questions: Attempt every question; no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and grammar.
  • Transfer Answers Clearly: Write answers neatly on the answer sheet.
  • Don’t Dwell: Move on if stuck and return later.
  • Review: If time allows, review your answers.

 

 

 

Albert Einstein Reading Passage

 

Paragraph A
Albert Einstein is one of, if not the most well-known scientists from the 20th century. In 1921, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for the theories of special and general relativity. His views on the nature of matter, gravity, space, and time are widely known. His most famous idea is that matter and force are really just different names for the same thing. Einstein was born on March 14, 1879. He lived in a city called Wurttemberg, located in Germany. His family was Jewish, but while growing up without much of a religious upbringing, he eventually developed a strong interest in Judaism. Einstein did not begin speaking until he was three years old, as is widely documented. Speaking was so difficult for him that his family worried he might never begin. When he was four years old, Einstein's father gave him a magnetic compass. This compass inspired him to explore the field of science. He was interested as to why, regardless of how he turned the compass, the needle always pointed north. It looked like the needle was moving by itself.
 

Paragraph B
The needle was sealed inside its container, therefore it goes without saying that the wind could not have moved it. As a result, Einstein developed a passion for mathematics and the natural sciences. He had taught himself Euclidean geometry by the time he was 12 since he was so intelligent. At the ripe old age of fifteen, he began his formal education in Munich, which he found to be a dull endeavour. After completing high school in Aarau, Switzerland, he moved to Zurich and enrolled in the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, where he graduated in 1900. However, Einstein also had issues with the curriculum there. He frequently skipped class in favor, on his own violin practice or physics studies. On the other hand, he was able to pass his exams by consulting a classmate's notes. His academics didn't think much of him and wouldn't suggest him for a teaching post. He was able to land a job in a Swiss patent office in this way. He produced works there that would eventually establish him as a well-known figure in the scientific community.

 

Paragraph C
Einstein had two severely mentally challenged kids with his first wife, Mileva. He had a daughter before his wedding to her in January 1902. Her name has been lost to history. Her grandparents from Serbia cared for her till she went away when she was just two years old. Although her death was often attributed to scarlet fever, there is some evidence to suggest she may have had Down syndrome. However, there is insufficient evidence to draw any firm conclusions. In truth, Mileva was unknown until the discovery of 54 love letters between Einstein and his granddaughter in 2003. She uncovered the correspondence while cleaning out their California attic and found it in a shoe box. The Einsteins' son, Eduard, has a mental disorder called schizophrenia. After spending years in a hospital, he eventually passed away in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1965. Just prior to the start of World War I, Einstein moved back to Germany and accepted a post as the headmaster of a school. In 1933, he fled Nazi persecution by moving to the United States, where he remained until his death on April 18, 1955.

2.

Albert Einstein Reading Question & Answers

Questions and Answers 1-8
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 1-8 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 in the passage

 

1. A key concept in contemporary physics is the general theory of relativity.
2. People around Einstein believed he would never be able to talk because of his linguistic difficulties.
3. Einstein reasoned that only wind could be causing the compass needle to sway.
4. Einstein had positive experiences with educational practices in Switzerland.
5. A self-taught musician, Einstein was able to play the violin.
6. His two-year-old daughter died of schizophrenia.
7. It wasn't until between 1897 and 1903 that the world learned about a daughter.
8. Einstein relocated to the United States in 1933, where he became a citizen.

 

Albert Einstein Reading Answers with Explanations (1-8)

 

Question Type:  True/False/Not Given

 

In this task, you are presented with a statement, and your task is to determine if it agrees with the information in the passage (True), contradicts the information in the passage (False), or if there is insufficient information in the passage to decide (not given).
 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Read the statement carefully to ensure you understand exactly what it is saying. 
  • Pay attention to details such as dates, numbers, and specific information.
  • Scan the passage to find the section where the relevant information is likely to be located. 
  • Focus on finding evidence that either supports or contradicts the statement.
  • True: If the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
  • False: If the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
  • Not Given: If there is no information in the passage that confirms or contradicts the statement. 
     
1. True

 

Reference: 
Paragraph A
In 1921, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for the theories of special and general relativity.

Explanation: 
The statement is correct because the paragraph explicitly mentions that Einstein received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the theories of special and general relativity, highlighting their importance in contemporary physics.

 

2. True

 

Reference: 
Paragraph A
Einstein did not begin speaking until he was three years old, as is widely documented. Speaking was so difficult for him that his family worried he might never begin.

Explanation
This statement is accurate as the paragraph discusses Einstein's delayed speech development and how it concerned his family, reflecting the belief that he might never talk.
 

3. False

 

Reference: 
Paragraph B
The needle was sealed inside its container, therefore it goes without saying that the wind could not have moved it.

Explanation
The statement contradicts the passage because it clearly states that Einstein realised the wind could not have been responsible for the movement of the compass needle, leading him to develop a passion for mathematics and the natural sciences.

 

4. False

 

Reference: 
Paragraph B
At the ripe old age of fifteen, he began his formal education in Munich, which he found to be a dull endeavour.

Explanation: 
The statement is false because the paragraph describes Einstein's formal education in Munich as dull, indicating he did not have positive experiences with educational practices there, contrary to what the statement suggests.

 

5. Not Given

 

Reference: 
Not available

Explanation: 
The passage does not mention anything about Einstein being a self-taught musician or his ability to play the violin, so the statement is not given.

 

6. Not Given

 

Reference: 
Not available

Explanation: 
The passage provides no information regarding Einstein's daughter's cause of death being schizophrenia, so the statement is not given.

 

7. False

 

Reference: 
Paragraph C
Mileva was unknown until the discovery of 54 love letters between Einstein and his granddaughter in 2003.
 

Explanation: The statement is false because it indicates that the world learned about a daughter between 1897 and 1903, while the paragraph clarifies that her existence was not known until the discovery of love letters in 2003.

 

8. Not Given

 

Reference: 
Not available

Explanation: 
The passage does not provide any details about Einstein relocating to the United States in 1933 and becoming a citizen, so the statement is not given.

 

Read more about Dictation Words for IELTS: Practice and Preparation!

Questions and Answers 9-11

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

 

9. Einstein's daughter's name

A. is a mystery

B. was not chosen by him

C. was discovered in a shoe box

D. is shared by his granddaughter

 

10. His professors would not put him up for a teaching post at a university because

A. he seldom skipped classes

B. they did not think highly of him

C. they thought he was a Nazi

D. his wife was Serbian

 

11. Albert Einstein, a well-known scientist, was of

A. American origin

B. Austrian origin

C. Jewish origin

D. Swiss origin

 

Albert Einstein Reading Answers with Explanations (9-11)

 

Question Type: Multiple Choice 

 

Multiple Choice questions in the IELTS reading test present you with a question followed by a set of options from which you must choose the correct answer. Typically, there are three or four options to choose from. You must carefully read the question and each option before selecting the correct answer.
 

How to best answer this question:

 

  • You must comprehend the passage to select the most accurate option.
  • Efficient skimming and scanning help locate relevant information quickly.
  • Some options may be designed to mislead you, so it's crucial to base your choice on evidence from the passage.
  • Multiple-choice questions can be time-consuming if you dwell on each option too long. Manage your time wisely to ensure you can attempt all questions.

 

9. A

 

Reference: 
Paragraph C
He had a daughter before his wedding to her in January 1902. Her name has been lost to history.


Explanation: 
The correct answer is A because the paragraph directly states that the daughter's name is unknown, which makes the name a mystery.

 

10. B

 

Reference: 
Paragraph B
His academics didn't think much of him and wouldn't suggest him for a teaching post.


Explanation
The correct answer is B because the paragraph explicitly mentions that his professors did not think highly of him and thus did not recommend him for a teaching post.

 

11. C

 

Reference: 
Paragraph A
Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Wurttemberg, Germany. His family was Jewish.


Explanation: 
The correct answer is C because the paragraph clearly states that Einstein was of Jewish origin, providing the necessary information about his heritage.

 

Read more about A Guide on Most Common English Words Used in Daily Life!

Questions and Answers 12-13
  • Complete the sentences below.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.

 

He sought to figure out how the needle might appear to move such that it always 12.______.

He frequently skipped lessons in order to study physics or perform music 13.______

 

Albert Einstein Reading Answers with Explanations (12-13)

 

Type of question: Sentence Completion

 

To answer sentence completion questions accurately, read the given sentence carefully and identify the missing word or phrase. Then, consider the context to determine the most suitable answer option that completes the sentence appropriately. Choosing the option that best fits the context will help you answer sentence completion questions accurately.

 

How to best answer the question

 

  • Carefully read the incomplete sentence and try to understand what information is missing.
  • Pay attention to the context and any clues provided in the sentence or the surrounding text.
  • Choose the option that best completes the sentence based on the information from the reading passage.

 

12. Pointed north

 

Reference: 
Paragraph A
He was interested as to why, regardless of how he turned the compass, the needle always pointed north.


Explanation: 
The correct completion of the sentence is "pointed north," as the paragraph explains that Einstein was fascinated by the compass needle's consistent alignment to the north, which sparked his curiosity in science.

 

13. On his own

 

Reference: 
Paragraph B
He frequently skipped class in favour on his own violin practice or physics studies.

Explanation: 
The correct completion of the sentence is "on his own," as the paragraph indicates that Einstein often missed classes to engage in personal activities, such as playing the violin or studying physics, showing his self-directed approach to learning.


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FAQs

Q. What types of questions are in the IELTS Reading section?

Ans. The IELTS Reading section features various question types, including multiple-choice, true/false/not given, matching headings, summary completion, sentence completion, and short answer questions. These are designed to test a range of reading skills, such as understanding main ideas, detail, logical argument, and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes, and purposes.


 

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test? 

Ans. The IELTS Reading test lasts for 60 minutes. During this time, candidates must read three passages and answer a total of 40 questions. Time management is crucial to ensure all questions are attempted.

Q. Can I write on the question paper? 

Ans. Yes, candidates are allowed to write on the question paper, which can help note key points or highlight important information. However, only answers written on the answer sheet will be marked, so it is essential to transfer answers accurately.