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About the What Is Exploration Reading Passage
"What Is Exploration" argues that exploration is not simply about finding new territory; it is a process of discovery driven by human curiosity and the search for knowledge.
The passage discusses exploration of the physical world, the role of curiosity as a motivating force, and the shift from manned expeditions to technology-driven exploration of places such as the ocean floor.
It is taken from Cambridge IELTS 10, Academic Test 1, Passage 1.
What Is Exploration: Full Reading Passage
Paragraph A
Exploration is the act of searching for the discovery of information or resources. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile animal species, including humans. In human history, its most dramatic expression has been the exploration of the physical world, both by individuals and through organised expeditions, for scientific, commercial, religious, military, or political purposes.
Paragraph B
Early humans were curious about the world around them and were driven to explore their immediate environment. As they grew bolder, they moved further afield, following rivers to their source, crossing mountains and deserts, and eventually making their way to distant lands. Curiosity was the main driver behind much of this early exploration, although survival, finding new food sources, or escaping from enemies was also a major factor.
Paragraph C
By the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans, exploration had become more organised. Expeditions were planned and equipped with tools and knowledge to help explorers reach their destination and return safely. The importance of preparation for an expedition is illustrated by the story of Alexander the Great, who spent years gathering supplies, recruiting soldiers, and planning his routes before setting out on his conquests.
Paragraph D
Throughout history, exploration has often been driven by commercial interests. During the Age of Exploration, from the 15th to the 17th centuries, European nations sent expeditions to find new trade routes and claim territories. These voyages were popular among merchants and rulers alike, who hoped to gain wealth and power through the resources and trade opportunities that exploration would open up. However, exploration during this period was not purely commercial; it also led to significant scientific discoveries about the natural world.
Paragraph E
Today, some of the most exciting exploration is taking place not on land but under the sea. The ocean floor remains one of the least explored regions on Earth. Scientists believe that the deep ocean contains many unknown species and geological formations that could provide important information about the history of the planet. Advances in technology have made it possible to send submersibles and robotic equipment to depths that are impossible for human divers to reach.
Paragraph F
Space exploration is another area where technology has extended the reach of human curiosity beyond what was previously thought possible. When Neil Armstrong stepped onto the Moon in 1969, he described it as "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." That moment demonstrated that exploration still has the power to inspire people around the world, and to unite them in a sense of shared wonder at the possibilities of what humans can achieve.
Paragraph G
Looking ahead, the future of exploration may depend less on individual human explorers and more on the machines they send before them. Robots have already been deployed on Mars and in the deepest ocean trenches. As technology advances, these automated explorers will likely be able to go further, faster, and more safely than any human expedition could. However, many people argue that the human desire to experience discovery first-hand will ensure that humans will always have a role in exploration, no matter how sophisticated the robots become.
What Is Exploration Reading Questions and Answers
Questions 1–7: True/False/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
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. Exploration is a behaviour found in more than one animal species.
2. In early human history, survival was a more important reason for exploration than curiosity.
3. The ancient Greeks had maps of the entire known world by the first century BCE.
4. Alexander the Great spent significant time getting ready before he began his military campaigns.
5. During the Age of Exploration, commercial and scientific goals were equally important to those who funded expeditions.
6. The first submersible to reach the ocean floor was launched in the 20th century.
7. Neil Armstrong's Moon landing in 1969 had an emotional impact on people across the world.
Questions 8–13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
8. Throughout history, the most visible form of human exploration has been the exploration of the __________.
9. __________ was the main factor that drove early humans to explore their surroundings.
10. The story of Alexander the Great illustrates how important __________ is before any expedition sets out.
11. Voyages during the Age of Exploration were __________ with merchants and rulers who hoped to gain wealth.
12. Scientists believe that the __________ contains unknown species and geological formations.
13. __________ have already been used on Mars and in the deepest parts of the ocean.
