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Alfred Nobel Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 15, 2024, 10:39

In the IELTS Reading section, three passages are accompanied by questions in formats such as multiple choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. Lasting 60 minutes, this segment challenges you to grasp critical information, discern main ideas, and infer implications effectively.

 

 

To excel in the IELTS Reading section, employ effective strategies such as skimming to identify key themes like the life and contributions of Alfred Nobel in science and society, and scanning for specific details such as his inventions, Nobel Prize establishment, and impact on global peace initiatives. Regular practice with sample questions and exposure to diverse question types will refine your skills for test day.

 

 

Prepare for an insightful exploration of "Alfred Nobel Reading Answers," which delves into the intricate life of a pioneering inventor and philanthropist. Explore how Alfred Nobel's inventions, such as dynamite, revolutionised industries and warfare, and understand his motivations behind establishing the Nobel Prizes to recognise outstanding achievements in various fields. Gain insights into his lasting legacy on science, literature, and efforts towards international peace, shaping the world's intellectual and humanitarian landscape.

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1. Alfred Nobel Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below. This approach can help manage time effectively during a reading comprehension activity or exam. 


 


 

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2. Alfred Nobel Reading Answers & Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Alfred Nobel  Reading Question & Answers

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1.

Alfred Nobel 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.

 

 

 

 

Alfred Nobel  Reading Passage 

 

 

Paragraph A 


Men and women are honoured by the Nobel Prize from all the edges of the globe for outstanding achievements in science streams such as physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and work in peace since 1901. After Alfred Noble’s last will the foundations for the prize began in 1895 as he left much of his wealth for the foundation of the Nobel Prize. 

 

 

Paragraph B

 

The birth of Alfred Nobel took place in Stockholm in 1833 on 21st of October. Immanuel Nobel was his father, an engineer and an inventor who built bridges and buildings in his birth place. Immanuel Nobel experimented with various blasting techniques in connection with his construction work. Immanuel Nobel in 1824 brought his family toSt. Petersburg after his success in industrial and business ventures. Here, his sons were educated by private tutors with first class education. Natural sciences, languages, and literature were all part of the curriculum. Alfred Nobel became fluent in Swedish, Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. However, his primary interests were in English literature, poetry, chemistry and in physics. Alfred’s father disliked his field of interest in poetry and found his son rather introverted and wanted his sons to join the enterprise of engineers.

 

 

 

Paragraph C

 

Alfred’s father sent him abroad for further training in chemical engineering in order to widen his horizons. In the two year period Alfred Nobel visited Sweden, Germany, France and the United States. In Paris, his favourite city, he worked in the private laboratory of chemist professor T.J.Pclouze. There he met the young Italian chemist Ascanio Sobrero who, three years earlier, had invented nitrogen glycerin, a highly explosive liquid. But, it was considered dangerous for practical use. Even Though, its explosive power greatly exceeds that of gunpowder, the liquid would explode in a very unpredictable manner if subjected to heat and pressure. The practical use of nitroglycerine in construction work was the field of interest of Alfred Nobel. Alfred Nobel had the realisation to solve safety problems and to develop a method for the control detonation of nitroglycerine.

 

 

 

Paragraph D

 

Back in Sweden in 1863, Alfred Nobel set out to perfect nitroglycerine for use as an explosive. Authorities were convinced that making nitroglycerine was extremely risky after several explosions, including one in which his brother Emil and several others were killed in 1864. After being told he couldn't continue his nitroglycerine experiments in Stockholm, Alfred Nobel was forced to relocate them to a barge in the middle of Lake Malaren. Never one to give up, Alfred began producing nitroglycerine in large quantities in 1864. Alfred Nobel tried various additives to nitroglycerine to make it easier to handle and less dangerous. He quickly learned that by combining nitroglycerine and kieselguhr, he could make a paste that could be moulded into rods. These rods would be the perfect size and shape to fit into drill holes. This substance, later dubbed dynamite, was patented by him in 1867. He also developed a detonator (blasting cap) that could be set off by striking a match to set off the dynamite rods. During the same time period that the pneumatic drill was being widely adopted, these innovations were made. Collectively, these innovations greatly diminished the expense of undertaking such construction tasks as rock blasting, tunnelling, canal building, and many others.

 

 

 

Paragraph E


There was a rapid surge in the market for dynamite and detonating caps. Along with this, Alfred Nobel proved himself to be a very skillful entrepreneur and businessman. Over the years he founded factories and laboratories in some 90 different places in more than 20 countries.The majority of his life was spent in Paris, but he was in perpetual motion. Nobel himself worked tirelessly in his various laboratories, initially in Stockholm and then elsewhere, when he wasn't travelling or conducting business. He worked extensively on improving explosives technology and on developing other chemical inventions like synthetic rubber and leather, artificial silk, etc. He had 355 patents when he passed away at 18%.

 

 

Paragraph F


Intensive work and travel did not leave much time for private life. At the age of 43, he was feeling like an old man. He put an ad in the paper reading, "Wealthy, highly educated elderly gentleman seeks the lady of mature age, versed in languages, as secretary and supervisor of household." The most qualified applicant turned out to be an Austrian woman, Countess Bertha Kinsky. After only a short time at Nobel, she left to marry Count Arthur von Suttner in her native Austria. Nevertheless, Alfred Nobel and Bertha von Suttner remained close and kept up a correspondence for decades. Bertha von Suttner's views on the arms race evolved over the course of her life. She gained notoriety as a leader in the peace movement after penning the best-selling book Lay Down Your Arms. Without a doubt, this is what inspired Alfred Nobel to leave a prize in his will for peace activists. The Norwegian Storting (Parliament) awarded Bertha von Suttner the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905, long after Alfred Nobel's death.

 

 

Paragraph G


After a long and productive life, Alfred Nobel passed away on December 10, 1896, in San Remo, Italy. When his will was read, it was a shock to learn that he had left his fortune to fund the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. Two young engineers, Ragnar Sohlman and Rudolf Lilljequist, were named as his executors. The Nobel Foundation was established to manage the funds that Nobel had set aside for this purpose and to oversee the cooperation between the various institutions that award the Nobel Prizes. This was not without its challenges, as members of the family and authorities in several countries challenged the will.

 

 

Paragraph H

 

Incorporating the forward-thinking energy of an industrialist with the keen intellect of a scientist and inventor, Alfred Nobel was truly exceptional. Nobel took an extreme interest in issues of social justice and world peace, and his views were radical for the time. He was a talented poet and playwright with a deep appreciation for the written word. The Nobles were a natural progression and culmination of his life's work.

2.

Alfred Nobel Reading Answers & Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Alfred Nobel 

Questions and Answers 1-4

  • Write a matching sentence ending from 1-4 on your answer sheet.

 

 

Nobel became fascinated by this new explosive and experimented with it. However, nitroglycerine was too dangerous and was prohibited for use in experiments within the city of 1.___________. As a result, Nobel was forced to relocate his experiments to a lake. Nobel invented dynamite to make nitroglycerine more easily usable, while 2. ________ became popular in the meantime 3.________ all of which dramatically reduced the 4. _________of construction works.

 

 

Alfred Nobel  Reading Answers with Explanations (1-4)

 

 

Type of question: Matching Sentence

 

Matching sentence ending questions typically require you to match sentence endings (usually provided as options) to incomplete sentences or clauses in the passage.

 

 

How to best answer the question

 

  • Begin by reading the entire passage to understand the context and the flow of information. 
  • Pay attention to specific details mentioned in the sentences and the passage. Look for clues such as names, locations, actions, or outcomes.
  • For each incomplete sentence or clause in the passage, match it with the appropriate ending provided in the options.
  • Ensure that the ending you choose logically completes the sentence or clause in a way that makes sense within the context of the passage.
  • After making your choices, double-check to ensure that each match fits well and completes the intended meaning of the sentence or clause.


 

1. Stockholm


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A

nitroglycerine was too dangerous and was prohibited for use in experiments within the city of Stockholm.


 

Explanation

 

Nobel had to relocate his experiments to a lake because nitroglycerine was too dangerous to use in experiments within Stockholm.


 

2. Alfred Nobel


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B

Nobel invented dynamite to make nitroglycerine more easily usable, while Alfred Nobel became popular in the meantime.


 

Explanation

 

While Nobel worked on making nitroglycerine safer through dynamite, Alfred Nobel himself gained popularity during this period.


 

3. Industrialisation


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

all of which dramatically reduced the cost of construction works.


 

Explanation

 

The invention of dynamite and industrialisation contributed to significant reductions in the cost of construction work.

 

 

4. Cost


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph  C

all of which dramatically reduced the cost of construction works.


 

Explanation


Both dynamite and industrialisation had a profound impact on reducing the cost of construction work.


 

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

Questions and Answers 5-10
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 5-10 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

 

 

5. In 1895, the first Nobel Prize was awarded.
6. Nobel's father desired that his son receive a better education than he had received.
7. Nobel was a failed businessman.
8. Nobel himself chose Bertha von Suttner to receive the first peace prize.
9. The Nobel Foundation was established following Nobel's death.
10. Nobel's social participation was unusual in the 1800s.

 

 

Alfred Nobel  Reading Answers with Explanations (5-10)

 

 

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.


 

5. False


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A

Men and women are honoured by the Nobel Prize from all the edges of the globe for outstanding achievements in science streams such as physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and work in peace since 1901


 

Explanation

 

The statement "In 1895, the first Nobel Prize was awarded" is contradicted by the passage which clearly states that the Nobel Prizes began "since 1901," not in 1895.


 

6. Not Given


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph 

NA


 

Explanation

 

The passage does not provide specific information regarding Immanuel Nobel's desire for Alfred Nobel to receive a better education than he did himself. Therefore, the answer is "Not Given" as there is no relevant information to confirm or deny this statement.


 

7. False


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B

Immanuel Nobel... wanted his sons to join the enterprise of engineers.


 

Explanation

 

The statement that "Nobel was a failed businessman" is false. The passage describes how Immanuel Nobel wanted his sons, including Alfred, to join the family enterprise of engineers, indicating support rather than failure.


 

8. False


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A

Men and women are honoured by the Nobel Prize from all the edges of the globe for outstanding achievements in science streams such as physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and work in peace since 1901


 

Explanation

 

The passage states that men and women are honoured with Nobel Prizes "since 1901" and does not mention Alfred Nobel personally choosing Bertha von Suttner to receive the First Peace Prize. Therefore, the statement is false.


 

9. True


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph G

When his will was read... named as his executors.


 

Explanation

 

The establishment of the Nobel Foundation following Alfred Nobel's death is clearly mentioned in the passage, stating that his will designated Ragnar Sohlman and Rudolf Lilljequist as executors and led to the creation of the Nobel Foundation.


 

10. True


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E

Alfred Nobel took an extreme interest in issues of social justice and world peace.


 

Explanation


The passage discusses Alfred Nobel's unconventional social participation for his time, mentioning his interest in social justice and world peace, which were radical views in the 1800s. Thus, the statement is true based on the passage's description of Nobel's social concerns.


 

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

Questions and Answers 11-13

  • Complete the notes below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.
  • Write your answers in boxes 11-13 on your answer sheet.

 

 

Nobel's father was determined to give his son the best education possible and sent him abroad to be trained in 11_______ during Nobel's study in Paris, he worked in a private laboratory where he came into contact with a young engineer 12_________  and his invention nitroglycerine, a more powerful explosive than 13__________.

 

 

Alfred Nobel  Reading Answers with Explanations (11-13)

 

 

Type of question: Note Completion

 

In note completion questions, you are required to fill in the gaps in notes or summaries using information from the reading passage. This task assesses your ability to find specific details within the passage and requires you to understand and identify the main points. 


 

How to best answer the question

 

  • Understand what specific information you need to fill in the blanks.
  • Quickly read through the passage to get a general understanding of its main ideas, key points, and the context surrounding the information you need to complete.
  • Pay attention to keywords or phrases in the notes provided. 
  • Once you've identified the keywords, scan the passage to locate the section that contains the information needed to complete the notes. 
  • Be prepared for the information in the passage to be paraphrased or expressed using synonyms. 
  • Ensure that the completed notes fit logically within the context of the passage. 



 

11. Chemical Engineering


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

Alfred’s father sent him abroad for further training in chemical engineering in order to widen his horizons.


 

Explanation


Alfred Nobel's father sent him abroad for further training in chemical engineering, as mentioned in the first line of paragraph C. This education broadened Nobel's knowledge and skills.


 

12. Ascanio Sobrero


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

There he met the young Italian chemist Ascanio Sobrero who, three years earlier, had invented nitrogen glycerin, a highly explosive liquid.


 

Explanation

 

While working in Paris, Nobel came into contact with Ascanio Sobrero, who had invented nitroglycerine, described in the fourth and fifth lines of paragraph C. This encounter influenced Nobel's work on explosives.


 

13. Gunpowder


 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

Even Though, its explosive power greatly exceeds that of gunpowder, the liquid would explode in a very unpredictable manner if subjected to heat and pressure.


 

Explanation

 

The passage states that nitroglycerine had explosive power exceeding that of gunpowder but was highly unpredictable under certain conditions, as mentioned in the sixth and seventh lines of paragraph C.


 

Read More:

 

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FAQs

Q. How can I handle tricky questions in the Reading test?

Ans. When dealing with tricky questions in the Reading test, it's important to read the questions carefully to fully understand what is being asked. Take your time to analyse the passage and look for keywords that may lead you to the relevant section. If you're unsure of an answer, don't spend too much time on it; move on and return to it later if you have time at the end. Always trust your instincts and choose the most logical option based on the information provided in the passage.

Q. What is the difference between skimming and scanning?

Ans. Skimming involves quickly reading through the text to get a general idea of the content, while scanning involves looking for specific information or keywords in the text. Skimming helps to understand the main points, while scanning helps to locate particular details within the text. Both techniques are useful for quickly processing and retrieving information from written material.

Q. Are there any common traps in the Reading test?

Ans. Yes, there are common traps in the Reading test. Some traps include questions that seem straightforward but require careful attention to detail, answer choices that are designed to look similar to confuse test-takers, and distractor options that are based on information from the passage but are ultimately incorrect. It's important to stay focused and critically evaluate each question to avoid falling into these traps.