The Father of English Geology – IELTS Reading Answers

The Reading Module can be your highest-scoring category in IELTS if you practice passages like ‘The Father of English Geology’ Reading Answers. If you wanna ace it, you need to know how to approach and answer the different question types in the Reading Module.

The Academic Reading passage, The Father of English Geology, is an IELTS reading passage that consists of 13 questions. The questions in the IELTS passages are divided into sets, each of which involves the completion of a specific type of work.

So, let’s see how easy this passage is for you and if you’re able to make it in 20 minutes. If not, try more IELTS reading practice tests from IELTSMaterial.com.

The question types found in this passage are:

• True/False/Not Given (Q. 1-6)
• Sentence Completion (Q. 7-13)

Check Out – IELTS Reading Skills for High Bands (Target BAND 8+)

Reading Passage 

The Father of English Geology

Wiliam Smith, 1769-1839, has been called the ‘Father of English Geology’. His pioneering map of 1815, depicting the geology of England, Wales and part of Scotland, helped to shape the economic and scientific development of Britain, just as the country was experiencing the Industrial Revolution.

Wiliam Smith was born in rural Oxfordshire in 1769. The son of the village blacksmith, Smith was the eldest of five children. After elementary education at the village school where he developed a liking for geometry and drawing, he decided to teach himself the skills of surveying, possibly because there were an increasing number of openings for that profession. At the age of 18, he was employed by Edward Webb, a surveyor n a nearby town, and subsequently, in 1791, he set up a business on his own.

As a boy, Smith had developed an interest in the exposures of rock and the fossils which were to be found locally. As an adult, his surveys of land that would be suitable for building canals, and for sources of building stone and coal in other parts of England, led to a great increase in his knowledge and awareness of various geological features.

As he travelled, he found the strata* that he was familiar with in the south of England were repeated in other areas, with some outcrops – the rocks emerging above ground – stretching right across the country. Coal miners were already aware of the occurrences of regular successions of workable coal seams. But on a larger scale, Smith began to recognise that sedimentary rocks could be identified by the fossils they contained, and that these rocks were always arranged in the same order. Smith’s discovery that beds of rocks can be distinguished by the fossils found in them was a concept virtually unrecognized by geologists of that period.

Working on this principle, Smith was able to draw up a table of successive strata which could be applied in any other locality – an early version of the geological column.

By 1799, Smith was using both his skills as a surveyor and the knowledge gained from his observations in the field to draw up a geological map. This first map was circular in form, covered the area around the city of Bath, and was exhibited at the Bath Agricultural Society. At the same time, Smith continued to plan the publication of a treatise describing his discoveries, but financial support proved difficult to find. In 1801, Smith produced a small geological map of England and Wales which illustrated the outcrops of seven geological formations.

Other maps were produced for exhibition at various meetings, but it was not until 1815 that, with input from the enterprising map publisher John Cary, Smith’s first major map actually appeared. It was called ‘A delineation of the Strata of England and Wales with part of Scotland; exhibiting the Collieries and Mines, the Marshes and Fen Lands originally overflowed by the Sea, and the varieties of soil according to the variations in the substrata, illustrated by the most descriptive names’.

Based on Cary’s new topographical map at the scale of five miles to the inch, Smith’s map showed the outcrops of some twenty formations. Other publications on stratigraphy followed, including his major mapping publication ‘Geological Atlas’, comprising maps of 21 counties. Published between 1819 and 1824, these maps represent a first attempt at systematic sheet mapping of England and Wales.

Despite the importance of his ideas and publications, Smith continued to find recognition elusive and it was not until 1831, when the Geological Society awarded him the first Wollaston Medal, that the importance of his achievements was finally acknowledged. In his citation, the geologist Adam Sedgwick called Smith the ‘Founder of English Geology’.

From time to time Smith’s expertise continued to be drawn upon for major projects. In 1838 he was commissioned to accompany Henry De la Beche and Sir Charles Barry on a tour of the principal stone quarries to recommend the stone to be used in the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament, which had been destroyed by fire in 1835. The practical nature of the commission provides a link between Smith’s work and that of De la Beche and his newly founded Geological Survey.

The main focus of Smith’s work was to apply his observations and ideas to the everyday needs of the canal builders, quarry- and mine-owners, landowners and agriculturists who were underpinning the Industrial Revolution. His understanding of geology enabled him to predict where coal or different types of stone could be found, which was very useful for mining companies. He talked at meetings about geology and its valuable contribution to the national economy.

The methods involved in map production have developed and the ways in which people access maps have altered radically since Smith’s time. However, his conviction that geological mapping is of vital importance at many levels and in many areas of the nation’s society, science, and industry is as true today as it was two centuries ago, when he conceived his original geological map. It is as vital for today’s industries to be provided with accurate geological map data as it was in Smith’s time.

* Strata: layers of rock in the ground

Questions 1-6

1 At the time when Smith left school, there was a growing demand for surveyors.

2 When Smith was 18, he formed a partnership with another surveyor.

3 Smith’s interest in rocks and fossils was encouraged by his school.

4 Smith noticed that the same types of rocks were visible in a number of places.

5 Smith believed that the order of strata in the ground varied from locality to locality.

6 Smith’s map of Bath was commissioned by the Bath Agricultural Society.

Questions 7-13

7 Around 1799, Smith struggled to raise money for a publication about his …………………

8 Unlike other maps, Smith’s 1815 map was produced with help from a …………………

9 Smith’s ‘Geological Atlas’ contained maps of a number of the ………………… of England and Wales.

10 Smith did not receive ………………… for his work until 1831.

11 In 1838 Smith advised on the most suitable ………………… for rebuilding the Houses of Parliament.

12 Smith made speeches about how the country’s ………………… benefited from geology.

13 Nowadays, geological maps still have the ………………… that Smith believed they had.

Answers of The Father of English Geology Reading Answers With Location and Explanations

Check out The Father of English Geology Reading Passage with answers and detailed explanations.

1 Answer: True

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 2, Line 2

Answer explanation: In the second paragraph, it is given, “After elementary education at the village school where he developed a liking for geometry and drawing…because there were an increasing number of openings for that profession.”. It can be noted that there was a growing demand for surveyors when William Smith left school after his elementary education. As the statement agrees with the information in the passage, the answer is True.

2 Answer: False

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 2, Line 3

Answer explanation: In the specified line, it is stated that “At the age of 18, he was employed by Edward Webb, a surveyor n a nearby town…”. This shows that at the age of 18, Smith began working under a surveyor, Edward Webb and did not form a partnership with him. As the statement contradicts the information in the passage, the answer is False.

3 Answer: Not Given

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: N.A.

Answer explanation: Although there is a reference of Smith’s developing interest in local rocks and fossils as a boy in Paragraph 3, there is no mention of whether it was encouraged by his school. Hence, the answer is Not Given.

4 Answer: True

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 4, Line 1

Answer explanation: In the mentioned paragraph, it is given that “…he found the strata* that he was familiar with in the south of England were repeated in other areas, with some outcrops…”. It can be concluded that Smith found out that the same types of rocks were repeated or found in a number of places. As the statement agrees with the information in the passage, the answer is True.

5 Answer: False

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 4, Line 3

Answer explanation: In the above-mentioned paragraph, it is stated that “Smith began to recognise that sedimentary rocks could be identified by the fossils they contained, and that these rocks were always arranged in the same order.”. It can be pointed out that Smith believed (began to recognize) that the order of strata were arranged in the same order. As the statement contradicts the information in the passage, the answer is False.

6 Answer: Not Given

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: N.A.

Answer explanation: Although there is a reference of Smith’s map of Bath being exhibited in the Bath Agricultural Society in Paragraph 6, it is not mentioned if it was commissioned by the Society. Hence, the answer is Not Given.

7 Answer: discoveries

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 6, Line 3

Answer explanation: In the provided line, it is said that “At the same time, Smith continued to plan the publication of a treatise describing his discoveries, but financial support proved difficult to find.”. This shows that around 1799, Smith struggled to raise money (financial support proved difficult to find) for a publication about his discoveries. Hence, the answer is ‘discoveries’.

8 Answer: publisher

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 7, Line 1

Answer explanation: In the specified line, it is stated that “…but it was not until 1815 that, with input from the enterprising map publisher John Cary, Smith’s first major map actually appeared.”. From this line, it can be inferred that unlike the other maps, Smith’s 1815 map was produced with help from a publisher, John Cary. Hence, the answer is ‘publisher’.

9 Answer: counties

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 8, Line 2- Line 3

Answer explanation: In the corresponding lines, it is mentioned that “…his major mapping publication ‘Geological Atlas’, comprising maps of 21 counties…hese maps represent a first attempt at systematic sheet mapping of England and Wales.”. In other words, Smith’s ‘Geological Atlas’ contained maps of a number of the counties of England and Wales. Hence, the answer is ‘counties’.

10 Answer: recognition

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 9, Line 1

Answer explanation: The given line of Paragraph 9 describes, “Despite the importance of his ideas and publications, Smith continued to find recognition elusive and it was not until 1831….”. It is clear that till 1831, Smith did not receive any recognition (find recognition elusive) even though his works were important. Hence, the answer is ‘recognition’.

11 Answer: stone

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 10, Line 2

Answer explanation: In the above-mentioned line of Paragraph 10, it is given, “In 1838 he was commissioned to accompany Henry De la Beche and Sir Charles Barry on a tour of the principal stone quarries to recommend the stone to be used in the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament…”. This shows that in 1838, during a tour with Henry De La Beche and Sir Charles Barry, Smith advised on the most suitable stone for rebuilding the Houses of Parliament. Hence, the answer is ‘stone’.

12 Answer: economy

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 11, Line 3

Answer explanation: In the quoted line of Paragraph 11 states, “He talked at meetings about geology and its valuable contribution to the national economy.”. In other words, Smith made speeches at meetings about how the country’s economy benefited from geology. Hence, the answer is ‘economy’.

13 Answer: importance

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 12, Line 2

Answer explanation: The mentioned line of Paragraph 12 says that “…his conviction that geological mapping is of vital importance at many levels and in many areas of the nation’s society, science, and industry is as true today as it was two centuries ago…”. This portion of the concluding paragraph points out nowadays, even after two centuries, geological maps still have the importance that Smith believed they had. Hence, the answer is ‘importance’.

Tips to Solve the Question Types in The Father of English Geology IELTS Reading Answers

Since now you know the answers to the Reading Answers of The Father of English Geology with explanation, let us check out some quick tips to answer the three types of questions in the Reading Answers of The Father of English Geology.

True/False/Not Given

In IELTS Reading, ‘True, False, Not Given’ questions are based on facts. Several factual statements will be provided to you, and it is up to you to determine whether or not they are accurate by reading the text.

To answer this type of question, you can use the following strategies:

• Read the question and identify the keywords – Before reading the material, have a look at your list of True, False, and Not Given questions.
• Scan the passage for synonyms or paraphrased words of the keywords – When you have highlighted the keywords, swiftly read the text to look for paraphrases or synonyms.
• Match the highlighted words in the questions with their synonyms in the text – Once you find both sets of keywords, cross-check them to find the answer.
• Identify the answer – If the facts match, the answer is TRUE, and in case it doesn’t match, it is FALSE. If you are unable to find the answer or unsure of it, mark it NOT GIVEN.

Sentence Completion:

In the sentence completion of the IELTS Reading test, you will be asked to fill in the blanks in incomplete phrases with the relevant words or numbers.

• Read the instructions carefully. It will help you determine the word limit (no more than two, one word, etc) and important terms like ‘using words from the text’ or ‘from the text’. You have to follow these strictly.
• Read the incomplete sentences first. Also, think about keywords and how they could be represented by synonyms or paraphrasing.
• Locate where the information is by scanning quickly. If you can’t, move on.
• Study the reading text by using the skimming and scanning techniques. It will help to establish the answer quickly. When scanning for your answer, make sure you are thinking about paraphrasing and synonyms.
• The answers appear in the same order as the questions. Also, check your spelling and remember that your answer should be grammatically correct.

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