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Morse Code Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

updated at

Updated on Jul 15, 2024, 10:35

The IELTS Reading test evaluates your ability to comprehend written English through passages sourced from books, magazines, journals, or newspapers. It assesses your skills in understanding detailed information, identifying main ideas, and making inferences.

 

 

You have 60 minutes to answer 40 questions, which include multiple-choice, matching headings, sentence completion, and more. Effective time management and strategic reading skills are crucial for achieving a high score.

 

 

Morse Code, a pivotal communication method developed in the early 19th century, transformed long-distance communication by encoding text into sequences of dots and dashes. Its simplicity and reliability made it essential in telecommunication, maritime navigation, and military operations for over a century.

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1. Morse Code 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. Morse Code Reading Questions & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Morse Code Reading Question & Answers

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1.

Morse Code 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.

 

 

 

 

Morse Code Reading Passage

 

 

Paragraph A: 

 

A new satellite-based system is being implemented to replace Morse code for sending distress calls at sea. Since 1992, when the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System was established, nations have been gradually retiring their Morse equipment with similarly solemn (though less lyrical) farewells as the world's shipping community transitions to the new satellite-based system. Many people consider February 1st the end of an era, as that is when the transition to GMDSS must be completed. Even while some people (amateur radio operators, spies, and some military personnel) will continue to utilise dots and dashes after the transfer to GMDSS, this will be the end of the final major international usage of Morse.

 

 


 

Paragraph B: 

 

However, the code has a solid background behind it. According to legend, Samuel Morse came up with the idea for Morse code while he was on a ship crossing the Atlantic, which is fitting for a technology so closely connected with radio operators on doomed vessels. Morse, who was a painter and occasional inventor at the time, became fascinated with the concept of creating the electric telegraph after hearing about recent developments in electrical theory from another passenger on the ship. For the better part of a century, other innovators have been striving to achieve the same goal. Morse's success and legacy as the telegraph's "father" might be attributed in part to his dogged determination; it took, for example, 12 years for him to gain funding from Congress to build his first telegraph line.

 

 


 

Paragraph C: 

 

Morse's design for the electric telegraph was much more straightforward than its competitors; all it took to transmit a message was a "key" (basically a spring-loaded switch), a "sounder" (an audible signal), and a wire. Morse's technology was straightforward, but it required operators to master a unique system of dots and dashes. Morse didn't set out to depict letters using combinations of dots and dashes. While crossing the Atlantic, he sketched up his first code, which used dots and dashes to represent the numbers 0 through 9. Morse proposed that messages be made up of sequences of numbers that would be mapped to words and phrases in a unique numerical lexicon. Later, however, Morse gave up on that plan in favour of developing the Morse alphabet with his friend and colleague Alfred Vail. This system allowed for the individual letters of words to be represented by dots and dashes. Morse's telegraph appeared insurmountably difficult at first because of the necessity to master this complicated-looking code, especially in light of previous, more user-friendly designs. With Cooke and Wheatstone's telegraph, for instance, five needles were employed to select individual letters from a diamond-shaped grid. This meant that anyone could use the telegraph, but it also necessitated the use of five lines to connect each telegraph station. Only one telegraph was required when using Morse's telegraph.


 

Paragraph D

 

As the use of electric telegraphy spread rapidly in the early 1850s, the Morse telegraph soon became the standard. In 1851, it was officially recognised as the European standard, paving the way for seamless cross-border communication via telegraph. (Great Britain opted not to update their language to account for regional variations and foreign influences.) By this point, Morse code was being used; however, it still relied on needle telegraphs for a few characters, which led to the ongoing division between American and International Morse.


 

 

 

Paragraph E: 

 

When transmitting data via international underwater cables, dots and dashes were represented by the leftward and rightward movement of a light beam reflected by a tiny spinning mirror. At the same time, a new telegraphic society was developing, complete with its own slang and a social order based on the operators' Morse code speed. In large cities, the highest-paying employment goes to first-class operators who can send and receive at speeds of up to 45 words per minute and hence, handle press traffic. Slow, incompetent rural operators, many of whom only operated the wires on the side, were at the bottom of the totem pole. However, as their proficiency in Morse code increased, rural operators discovered that their newfound expertise was a ticket to higher compensation in urban settings. As a result, telegraphers quickly became a significant part of the newly formed middle class. Work in telegraphy was likewise seen as acceptable for women. As early as 1870, women made up a third of the workforce at the Western Union branch in New York City.

 

 


 

Paragraph F: 

 

Morse personally bid farewell to the international network of telegraphists he had helped create in a dramatic ceremony in 1871. More than 650,000 miles of telegraph lines and 30,000 miles of underwater cables were pulsating with Morse code, and 20,000 towns and villages were connected to the worldwide network by the time of his death in 1872. The telegraph was once referred regarded as the "instantaneous highway of the idea," much like the Internet is today.


 

 

 

Paragraph G: 

 

However, the telegraph's time as a cutting-edge technology was coming to an end by the 1890s, thanks to the development of the telephone and the advent of automatic telegraphs, forerunners of the teleprinter, which did not necessitate any specialised training to use. But another innovation, wireless, was going to offer Morse code a second chance. Radiotelegraphy's potential maritime applications became immediately obvious after its creation by Guglielmo Marconi in 1896. Previously, ships were unable to talk to each other or the shore when the weather was bad, or they were too far away to see each other. Marconi used Morse code to communicate with an Italian cruiser located 19 kilometres (12 miles) away in 1897. In 1899, a lightship in the Dover Straits reported the grounding of the steamship Elbe, marking the first maritime rescue after a distress call sent via the radiotelegraph.

2.

Morse Code Reading Questions & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Morse Code 

Questions and Answers 1-7

  • The reading passage has seven paragraphs: A-G.
  • Choose the correct heading for paragraph A-G from the list of headings below.
  • Write the correct number, i-ix, in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet.

 

 

Creating electricity.

 

 

ii. There is an emergence of several job opportunities.

iii.   Modification of the Morse code.

iv.   Morse code's creation.

v.    For the code, there is both a standard and some room for deviation.

vi.   Radio operators are essential.

vii.  The benefits of Morse's innovation.

viii.  Morse code's use on ships increased as new tools became available.

ix.   Morse code's global impact

 

 

  1. Paragraph A -

     
  2. Paragraph B -

     
  3. Paragraph C -

     
  4. Paragraph D -

     
  5. Paragraph E -

     
  6. Paragraph F -

     
  7. Paragraph G -


 

Morse Code Reading Answers with Explanations 1-7


 

 

Type of Question: Heading Matching 


 

These types of questions involve choosing the right heading based on the given 

paragraph. 


 

 

How to best answer: 


 

  • Read the headings carefully to understand the main idea of each section.
  • Skim the passage to grasp the overall structure and content.
  • Match each paragraph to the heading that best summarises its main point.
  • Pay attention to keywords and phrases that align with the headings.
  • Eliminate choices that do not accurately capture the essence of the paragraph.



 

1. III

 

 

Reference: From Paragraph A, "A new satellite-based system is being implemented..." 

 

 

Explanation: Paragraph A discusses the transition from Morse code to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), highlighting the evolution in distress call technology at sea. This marks a significant modification in how maritime distress signals are transmitted, moving away from traditional Morse equipment to a modern satellite-based system, thus justifying the choice of the heading "Modification of the Morse code."

 

 

2. IV

 

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "However, the code has a solid background behind it..." 

 

 

Explanation: Paragraph B delves into the historical origins of the Morse code, attributing its creation to Samuel Morse during a ship voyage across the Atlantic. This narrative underscores the deep historical roots and initial context of Morse code's development, making "Morse code's creation" an apt heading for this paragraph.

 

 

3. VII

 

 

Reference: From Paragraph C, "Morse's telegraph appeared insurmountably difficult at first..." 

 

 

Explanation: Paragraph C explains how Morse's telegraph system, despite its initial perception of difficulty, offered practical advantages over previous complex designs. The simplicity and effectiveness of Morse's technology, requiring only one telegraph line compared to earlier systems, highlight the benefits of his innovation, justifying the heading "The benefits of Morse's innovation."

 

 

4. V

 

 

Reference: From Paragraph D, "As the use of electric telegraphy spread rapidly in the early 1850s..." 

 

 

Explanation: Paragraph D discusses the establishment of Morse code as the European standard for telegraph communication in the 1850s. It illustrates both the standardisation and slight variations between American and International Morse codes, thus fittingly described by the heading "For the code, there is both a standard and some room for deviation."

 

 

5. II

 

 

Reference: From Paragraph E, "In large cities, the highest-paying employment goes to first-class operators..." 

 

 

Explanation: Paragraph E outlines the emergence of various job opportunities linked to proficiency in Morse code. It highlights how skilled operators could command higher compensation and status, particularly in urban centres, thereby justifying the heading "The emergence of several job opportunities."

 

 

6. IX

 

 

Reference: From Paragraph F, "Morse personally bid farewell to the international network..." 

 

Explanation: Paragraph F portrays Morse's global impact through his farewell to the vast network of telegraph operators he helped establish. It underscores the extensive reach and integration of Morse code into worldwide telegraph systems, aligning with the heading "Morse code's global impact."

 

 

7. VII

 

 

Reference: From Paragraph G, "Previously, ships were unable to talk to each other or the shore..." 

 

 

Explanation: Paragraph G discusses the revival of Morse code's utility with the advent of radiotelegraphy, particularly in maritime applications. It emphasises how Morse code facilitated effective ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication, supporting the choice of heading "Morse code's use on ships increased as new tools became available."

 

 

IELTS Reading Tips & Tricks 2024: Techniques for Band 9

Questions and Answers 8-12
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 8-12 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

 

 

8. It's common practice for major cities to hire people from the countryside to work in their businesses.

9. Morse code is difficult to understand because it differs from other formats in a number of important ways.

10. Morse had to wait a long time for congressional support.

11. Morse's fame predates the development of the telegraph and the development of the code he developed.

12. The stress of his job was ultimately what caused Morse's death.

 

 

Morse Code Reading Answers with Explanations 8-12 

 


 

Type of Question: True/False/Not Given 


 

These types of questions in IELTS reading involve identifying whether the sentence is  True, False, or Not Given using the given paragraph. 


 

 

How to best answer: 


 

  • Pay close attention to the text and understand the context before making a decision.
  • Focus on finding exact details or keywords that relate to the statements in the question.
  • Differentiate Between True and False: True means the statement is explicitly supported by the text. False means there is evidence in the text that contradicts the statement.
  • Use "Not Given" When Unsure: If there's no clear evidence for or against a statement in the text, choose "Not Given".
  • Base your answers solely on the information provided in the text, not on your own knowledge or assumptions.



 

8. False

 

 

Reference: From Paragraph E, "However, as their proficiency in Morse code increased..." 

 

 

Explanation: Paragraph E explains that rural operators found increased proficiency in Morse code to be advantageous, leading to higher compensation in urban settings, indicating that major cities did not commonly hire from the countryside.

 

 

9. True

 

 

Reference: From Paragraph C, "Morse's technology was straightforward..." 

 

 

Explanation: Paragraph C describes Morse's telegraph as requiring operators to master a unique system of dots and dashes, which differed significantly from other telegraphic systems, supporting the statement that Morse code is difficult to understand due to its unique format.

 

 

10. True

 

 

Reference: From Paragraph B, "Morse's success and legacy as the telegraph's 'father'..." 

 

 

Explanation: Paragraph B mentions that Morse faced challenges in gaining funding from Congress for his telegraph project, reflecting the statement that Morse had to wait a long time for congressional support.

 

 

11. Not Given

 

 

Reference: Not available 

 

 

Explanation: The passage does not provide information on whether Morse's fame predates the development of the telegraph and the code he created. Therefore, it is not possible to determine if the statement is true or false.

 

 

12. Not Given

 

 

Reference: Not available 

 

 

Explanation: The passage does not mention the cause of Morse's death, so it is not possible to confirm if the stress of his job ultimately caused his death or not. Therefore, the answer is "Not Given."

 

 

Also See: IELTS Academic 2024 Reading Resources

Questions and Answers 13

  • Choose the correct letter, a, b, c, or d.
  • Write the correct letter in box 13 on your answer sheet.

 

 

13. How many meters apart were the Italian cruiser and Marconi when he used Morse code to communicate with it in 1897?
 

  • 15000 m
  • 17000 m
  • 11000 m
  • 19000 m



 

Morse Code Reading Answers with Explanations 13 


 

 

Type of Question: Multiple Choice Questions


 

These types of questions in IELTS reading involve identifying the right choice from the given options using the given paragraph. 



 

How to best answer: 


 

  • Read the entire question and all options carefully before selecting your answer.
  • Look for keywords or synonyms from the passage that match the options provided.
  • Eliminate options that are clearly incorrect to narrow down your choices.
  • Pay attention to the context and tone of the passage to help determine the correct answer.
  • Double-check your answer against the passage to ensure it logically fits and makes sense within the context provided.


 

 

13. D

 

 

Reference: From Paragraph G, "located 19 kilometres (12 miles) away in 1897"

 

 

Explanation: Paragraph G discusses the development of radiotelegraphy by Guglielmo Marconi in 1896, highlighting its maritime applications. Specifically, it mentions Marconi's use of Morse code to communicate with an Italian cruiser situated 19 kilometres (12 miles) away in 1897. This distance equates to approximately 19000 meters, confirming that the correct answer is d. 


 

 

Enhance your preparation for the IELTS Reading test by regularly practising with sample questions to improve your reading skills and achieve your desired score.


 


 

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FAQs

Q. How is the IELTS Reading test scored?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test is scored based on correct answers. Each of the 40 questions earns one point, with the total raw score converted to a 9-band scale. Scores range from Band 1 (non-user) to Band 9 (expert user). There are no penalties for incorrect answers, and attempts are encouraged on every question.


 

Q. What are some effective reading strategies for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Effective strategies include skimming for the main idea, scanning for specific details, underlining key information in the passage, predicting answers before reading options, managing time efficiently, and understanding various question types (e.g., multiple choice, True/False/Not Given). These methods help improve comprehension and speed, crucial for achieving a higher score.

Q. Can I use a highlighter or take notes during the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. No, you can't use a highlighter. However, taking notes on the question paper is allowed. This can help you summarise information and keep track of key points while answering questions. Efficient note-taking and time management are essential for making the most of the test duration without running out of space or time.