The Invention of Television Reading Answers for IELTS
Table of Contents
![ielts logo](/v3/images/homepage/desktop/ielts_material_logo.png)
![ielts img](/v3/images/article/cta-assets/cta-3-img-mob.webp)
Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!
The IELTS Reading Module offers a fantastic chance to achieve excellent scores. It assesses a candidate’s reading comprehension skills in English. You must comprehend the various question types in order to perform at your best in this area. Ideally, you should not spend more than 20 minutes on a passage.
The Academic passage, The Invention of Television, is a reading passage that appeared in an IELTS Test. Try to find the answers to get an idea of the difficulty level of the passages in the actual reading test. If you want more passages to solve, try taking one of our IELTS reading practice tests.
So, let’s see how easy this passage is for you and if you’re able to make it in 20 minutes.
The question types found in this passage are:
- Matching Features (Q. 1-7)
- Diagram Completion (Q. 8-10)
- True/False/Not Given (Q. 11-13)
Check out the video below to find out 10 powerful tips that will help you score a Band 9 in IELTS Reading!
Reading Passage
The Invention of Television
The question “Who invented television?” is simple enough, but the answer is surprisingly controversial. No one person was responsible for producing what we think of as television today and the credit is due to various inventors.
A The Scotsman, John Logie Baird, is considered by many to be the inventor of television. He showed early signs of his inventing ingenuity by setting up a telephone exchange to connect his house to those of his friends nearby. His first interest in television came in 1903, after he read a German book on the photoelectric properties of selenium. In 1873, this element was discovered to have the capacity to generate a current based on the amount of light applied to it. Working initially in Hastings, England, Baird famously created an apparatus using an old hatbox he bought in a used goods store, a pair of scissors, some needles, some bicycle light lenses and an old tea chest.
B Baird also used a Nipkow disk, created by German inventor, Paul Nipkow, and a lot of his work was based on the previous work by German, Arthur Korn. In February 1924, Baird demonstrated moving silhouette images on a ‘television’. Later that year, after nearly destroying the house and nearly killing himself with an electric shock, Baird moved to London, where he gave the first public display of his invention. On 2 October 1925, Baird used an office assistant, William Taynton, to move for his transmitted pictures, and Taynton became the first person to be televised moving and in full tonal range.
C Baird is also later credited with demonstrating the first images on colour television, on 3rd July 1928, although the credit for being the inventor of colour television is again disputed. Another first for Baird was transmitting the first television pictures across the Atlantic in 1928. Although Baird was well known for his invention, he also became famous for refusing an offer of £100,000 for the shares in his company, which was an enormous sum at that time. Baird famously said that he would not be able to sleep at night, knowing he had that much money.
D Philo Farnsworth successfully demonstrated electronic television in San Francisco, in 1927, using a different system. Farnsworth realised that a picture could be dissected by a simple television camera into a series of lines of electricity. The lines would be transmitted so quickly that the eyes would merge the lines. Then, an image dissector, which Farnsworth created, would change those lines back into a picture. The Russian inventor, Vladimir Zworykin, built on this work and it was Zworykin’s designs that were eventually used by the BBC in the UK to replace Baird’s system.
E Baird’s initial work would not have been successful without the previous work of Paul Nipkow. Nipkow came up with the idea of ‘scanning’ a television image by using a spinning disk with a spiral of small pinholes. When spun at a high rate of speed, each hole would allow light to fall on a selenium cell on the other side of the disk. The amount of voltage the cell generated would depend on the amount of light reflected from the object being photographed. One rotation of the disk equalled one frame of “video”. At the place where the signal was received, the process would be reversed.
F A similar disk spun in sync and a neon lamp reacted to the changes in voltage with the speed required to keep up with the spinning disk and projected the images onto a screen. Although Nipkow created the disk and acquired a patent for his invention, he did not create the apparatus to project images. The patent expired after 15 years, as no one was interested then in the work. Baird’s first practical television systems used an electro-mechanical picture scanning method, the method that Nipkow had helped create with his disk. Nipkow became a celebrated scientist in Germany for his work, but the mechanical nature of the Nipkow Disk caused the invention to fade to obscurity with the use of the cathode ray tube.
G Arthur Korn was another German scientist working in the same field as Baird and Nipkow and it was his work that allowed the development of Nipkow’s work that in turn led to Baird’s breakthroughs. Korn’s early work was focused on the transmission of visual telegraphic transmission, using his developments in amplification tube technology. He sent a picture of the German Crown Prince 1800 kilometres in 1906 and sent a picture of the Pope across the Atlantic in 1923. Korn’s work was celebrated and, from 1928, the German police used his technology to send photographs and fingerprints.
H Finally, another American, Charles Francis Jenkins, has a claim to be the inventor of television. Jenkins, who at the time was very well known for inventing the motion picture projector, first transmitted a silhouette picture from one room to another in 1922. Jenkins founded a broadcasting company in 1928, but the crash of 1929 forced him out of business. Most people agree that Baird gave his first public demonstration of television a couple years earlier than Jenkins, but this is disputed in some places.
I It is plain to see why any claim to be the inventor of television is said to be controversial. In many cases, the answer to the question, “Who invented television?”, often just depends on from which country the person answering the question is.
Questions 1- 7
The Significant Person | Roles |
---|---|
1 John Logie Baird | A His work was adopted by the BBC for their broadcasting business. |
2 William Taynton | B His work was used to help fight crime. |
3 Philo Farnsworth | C He was the first person to move on television. |
4 Vladimir Zworykin | D He used second hand parts in his invention. |
5 Paul Nipkow | E His business was destroyed by a financial crisis. |
6 Arthur Korn | F He invented the image dissector. |
7 Charles Francis Jenkins | G His work was initially of no interest to anyone. |
Questions 8-10
Label the diagram below.Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.Write your answers in boxes 8-10 on your answer sheet.
Transmitting an Image using a Nipkow Disk
Questions 11-13
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
In boxes 11-13 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
11 Nipkow died without any of his work being widely recognized.
12 Korn and Nipkow often met to discuss their work.
13 Charles Francis Jenkins was already famous when he experimented with television.
Answers of The Invention of Television Reading Answers with Explanation
1 Answer: D
Question type: Matching Features
Answer location: Paragraph 1, line 5
Answer explanation: In the specified line, it is said that “Working initially in Hastings, England, Baird famously created an apparatus using an old hatbox he bought in a used goods store, a pair of scissors, some needles, some bicycle light lenses and an old tea chest.”. We can say that this line proves that John Logie Baird used an old hatbox that he had bought from a used goods store (second hand parts) for one of his first inventions. Hence, the answer is D (He used second hand parts in his invention.).
2 Answer: C
Question type: Matching Features
Answer location: Paragraph 1, line 9
Answer explanation: In the introductory paragraph, it is noted that “On 2 October 1925, Baird used an office assistant, William Taynton, to move for his transmitted pictures, and Taynton became the first person to be televised moving and in full tonal range.”. From this reference, it can be concluded that William Taynton, Baird’s assistant, was the first person who was the first person to move on television (to be televised moving). Hence, the answer is C (He was the first person to move on television.).
3 Answer: F
Question type: Matching Features
Answer location: Paragraph 2, line 4
Answer explanation: In the mentioned line, it is stated that “Then, an image dissector, which Farnsworth created, would change those lines back into a picture.”. In other words, Philo Farnsworth was the inventor (created) of the image dissector. Hence, the answer is F (He invented the image dissector.).
4 Answer: A
Question type: Matching Features
Answer location: Paragraph 2, line 5
Answer explanation: In the mentioned line, it is stated that “The Russian inventor, Vladimir Zworykin, built on this work and it was Zworykin’s designs that were eventually used by the BBC in the UK to replace Baird’s system.”. Restating, Vladimir Zworykin developed Farnsworth’s work, and later, the BBC in the UK replaced Baird’s system with Zworykin’s work. Hence, the answer is A (His work was adopted by the BBC for their broadcasting business.).
5 Answer: G
Question type: Matching Features
Answer location: Paragraph 3, line 8-line 9
Answer explanation: In the cited lines, it is stated that “Although Nipkow created the disk and acquired a patent for his invention, he did not create the apparatus to project images. The patent expired after 15 years, as no one was interested then in the work.”. From the quoted lines of the third paragraph, it is clear that even though Nipkow came up with the idea of ‘scanning’ a television image by using a spinning disk with a spiral of small pinholes and got it patented, it expired because no one showed any interest in it. Hence, the answer is G (His work was initially of no interest to anyone.).
6 Answer: B
Question type: Matching Features
Answer location: Paragraph 4, line 4
Answer explanation: In the relevant location, it is given that “Korn’s work was celebrated and, from 1928, the German police used his technology to send photographs and fingerprints.”. Based on the quoted line, it can be concluded that Arthur Korn’s work was used to fight crime (used by the German police to send photographs and fingerprints). Hence, the answer is B (His work was used to help fight crime.).
7 Answer: E
Question type: Matching Features
Answer location: Paragraph 5, line 3
Answer explanation: In the specified line, it is given that “Jenkins founded a broadcasting company in 1928, but the crash of 1929 forced him out of business.”. In other words, even though Charles Francis Jenkins founded the broadcasting company, it was destroyed in the financial crisis of 1929. Hence, the answer is E (His business was destroyed by a financial crisis.).
8 Answer: (small) pinholes
Question type: Diagram Completion
Answer location: Paragraph 3, line 2
Answer explanation: In the third paragraph, it is specified that “Nipkow came up with the idea of ‘scanning’ a television image by using a spinning disk with a spiral of small pinholes.”. It can be concluded that Nipkow’s disk used a spinning disk with small pinholes in a spiral. Hence, the answer is ‘(small) pinholes’.
9 Answer: (a) selenium cell
Question type: Diagram Completion
Answer location: Paragraph 3, line 3-line 4
Answer explanation: In the indicated lines, it is stated that “When spun at a high rate of speed, each hole would allow light to fall on a selenium cell on the other side of the disk. The amount of voltage the cell generated would depend on the amount of light reflected from the object being photographed.”. From the given lines, it can be said that the disk was spun at a high speed and the pinholes would allow light to fall on the selenium cell which created the scan of the object. Hence, the answer is ‘(a) selenium cell’.
10 Answer: (a) neon lamp
Question type: Diagram Completion
Answer location: Paragraph 3, line 7
Answer explanation: In the above-cited line, it is stated that “A similar disk spun in sync and a neon lamp reacted to the changes in voltage with the speed required to keep up with the spinning disk and projected the images onto a screen.”. It can be commented that when the disk is spun, the neon lamp reacts to the change in voltage with speed and projects the televised image on the screen. Hence, the answer is ‘(a) neon lamp’.
11 Answer: False
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: Paragraph 3, line 11
Answer explanation: In the quoted line of the third paragraph, it is mentioned that “Nipkow became a celebrated scientist in Germany for his work, but the mechanical nature of the Nipkow Disk caused the invention to fade to obscurity with the use of the cathode ray tube.”. It indicates that Nipkow became famous (a celebrated scientist in Germany) even though his invention, the Nipkow Disk, lost popularity due to the cathode ray tube. As the statement contradicts the information, the answer is False.
12 Answer: Not Given
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: N.A.
Answer explanation: Even though in the first line of the fourth paragraph mentions “Arthur Korn was another German scientist working in the same field as Baird and Nipkow and it was his work that allowed the development of Nipkow’s work that in turn led to Baird’s breakthroughs.”, there is no reference to whether Korn and Nipkow often met to discuss their work. Hence, the answer is Not Given.
13 Answer: True
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: Paragraph 5, line 2
Answer explanation: In the mentioned portion, it is given that “Jenkins, who at the time was very well known for inventing the motion picture projector, first transmitted a silhouette picture from one room to another in 1922.”. It can be inferred from the sentence that Jenkins was already famous (very well known) for inventing the motion picture when he experimented with television (first transmitted a silhouette picture from one room to another). As the statement agrees with the information, the answer is True.
Need expert guidance for IELTS? Sign up today!
Tips for Answering the Question Types in the Invention of Television Reading Passage
Let’s explore some handy tips for addressing the questions in ‘The Invention of Television’ Reading Answers passage.
Matching Features:
In this question type, you must align a list of options with the relevant statements. Follow these guidelines to excel in matching characteristics questions and achieve a high IELTS band score:
- Begin by reading the questions and highlighting or circling keywords. This step helps you identify where to focus your reading.
- Carefully scan the passage to locate information related to the characteristics and questions.
- Skim through the sections of the text containing keywords and characteristics.
- Don’t be confused if the passage uses synonyms for the information present in the question.
- Keep in mind that the answers won’t necessarily follow the order of the questions.
Diagram Completion:
Solving diagram completion questions in IELTS Reading is similar to table completion. You’ll need to fill in the blanks in a diagram based on a small passage from the text. Let’s review the strategies:
- Begin by reading the instructions attentively. They specify word limits (e.g., no more than two, one word, etc.) and important terms like ‘using words from the text’ or ‘from the text.’ Follow these instructions precisely.
- Examine the incomplete diagram first. Also, think about keywords and how they could be represented through synonyms or paraphrasing.
- Quickly scan the text to locate where the required information is. If you can’t find it, move on.
- Employ skimming and scanning techniques to go through the reading text. This approach helps you quickly identify the answer. While scanning, focus on paraphrases and synonyms.
- Answers are typically arranged in the same order as the questions. Also, ensure correct spelling, and remember that your response should be grammatically sound.
True/False/Not Given
In IELTS Reading, ‘True, False, Not Given’ questions are grounded in facts. You’ll receive several factual statements and must determine their accuracy by examining the text. To tackle this question type effectively, adopt these strategies:
- Begin by reading the question and pinpointing keywords. Before diving into the material, review your list of True, False, and Not Given questions.
- Scan the passage for synonyms or paraphrased versions of the keywords. Once you’ve identified the keywords, read the text quickly to search for paraphrases or synonyms.
- Match the highlighted words in the questions with their synonyms or paraphrases in the text. Once you’ve located both sets of keywords, cross-reference them to find the answer.
- Identify the answer: If the facts align, the answer is TRUE. If they don’t, it’s FALSE. If you can’t find the answer or are unsure, mark it as NOT GIVEN.
Also, check:
Practice IELTS Reading based on question types
![ielts logo](/v3/images/homepage/desktop/ielts_material_logo.png)
![ielts img](/v3/images/article/cta-assets/cta-2-img-mob.webp)
Start Preparing for IELTS: Get Your 10-Day Study Plan Today!
Recent Articles
![IELTS Reading Note Completion with Tips & Practice Tests](https://ieltsmaterial-content.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/blogContent/blogContent/ielts/blog/banner-images//ielts_ielts-reading-note-completion_1723639723.webp)
Kasturika Samanta
![IELTS Reading Topics and Examples of Question Types](https://ieltsmaterial-content.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/blogContent/blogContent/ielts/blog/banner-images//ielts_ielts-reading-topics_1723096220.webp)
Kasturika Samanta
Post your Comments