The Printing Process Reading Answers

The passage, The Printing Process Reading Answers, comprises a part of an IELTS General reading test.

The Reading Module can be the top-scoring category for IELTS aspirants, with diligent practice. To score well, you must understand how to approach and answer the different question types in the Reading Module.

Ideally, you should not spend more than 20 minutes on a passage. You must scan the material for important terms, comprehend the subject, and then respond in accordance with the instructions. Also, read the IELTS reading passage, The Printing Process, pick out significant words, and recognise synonyms in order to provide an appropriate response.

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

The type of question found in this passage is:

• Sentence Completion (Q. 1-8)

Section 2 – Passage 1

The Printing Process Reading Answers

The world entered its first information revolution when the first printing press was built in 1450. Before this, typical ways of recording information were to carve words onto clay tiles and bamboo, or to write on parchment or papyrus. Fast forward to the digital age, the second information revolution, and it has now become possible to self-publish, have books printed in paperback or as an e-book, and some books are even free!

Digital warehouse

Long gone are the days when every book was printed before there was a buyer. Why print thousands of books only to find out that very few people want to buy them? Now it is possible to work with a printer in a process called Print On Demand (POD) and only print a paperback when you have an order.

To do this a printer has a digital warehouse with every book stored electronically. Once an order is placed, the printer has all of the electronic data necessary to print and deliver the book to its intended destination. Every month money is sent to all of the authors that have sold books that month.

Giving your book to the printer

Once written, an author can send his book electronically to the printer in the form of a PDF file or as a hardcopy that can be scanned and digitized by the printer.

Processing fees for all services from a printer are minimal but allow you to have access to large distribution networks of not only online bookstores but also the bricks and mortar retailers. These people may not buy your book but your book will be in their catalogues and they will order from the printer if someone asks for it.

Two Concerns

Speed is not the only priority for the printer, they are also concerned with quality and have 10 quality control checks on each book before it is shipped.

Sharp graphics and crisp text make it virtually impossible to distinguish a POD book from the more traditional offset copies. As technology continues to improve this can only get better.

As an author, it is possible to choose the type of book you want; paperback, hardback, or e-book (now the most popular form of book), the size of your book, type of paper, and type of cover (laminated, cloth or jacketed for hardbacks).

Questions 15– 20

15 We experienced our first information revolution with the development of the ……………………

16 It is no longer necessary to print books in …………………….

17 Print On Demand works by making sure that the printer has been given all of the relevant …………………….

18 If necessary the printer will scan and digitize your …………………….

19 The latest technology makes the difference between offset printing and Print On Demand almost …………………….. to tell.

20 Apart from the traditional hardback and paperback books, authors can now publish in …………………….. form.

Answers with Explanation

15 Answer: printing press

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 1, line 1

Answer explanation: The given lines say that “The world entered its first information revolution when the first printing press was built in 1450.” As it is clear that we (the world) experienced our first information revolution with the development of the first printing press in 1450, the answer is ‘printing press’.

16 Answer: thousands

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 2, line 2

Answer explanation: In the mentioned line, a question is asked, “Why print thousands of books only to find out that very few people want to buy them?” This points to the fact that the writer feels it is no longer necessary to print books in thousands when there are very few buyers. Hence, the answer is ‘thousands’.

17 Answer: electronic data

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 3, line 2- line 3

Answer explanation: In the quoted lines, it is said that “Once an order is placed, the printer has all of the electronic data necessary to print and deliver the book to its intended destination.” This statement points out that, with the Print On Demand service, the printer stores all the electronic data that is necessary and prints once the order is placed. Hence, the answer is ‘electronic data’.

18 Answer: hard copy

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 4

Answer explanation: The paragraph specifies that “Once written, an author can send his book electronically to the printer in the form of a PDF file or as a hardcopy that can be scanned and digitized by the printer.” It is clear that if necessary, the printer will scan and digitize the hard copy which the author sends in a PDF format. Hence, the answer is ‘hard copy’.

19 Answer: impossible

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 7

Answer explanation: The seventh short paragraph says that “Sharp graphics and crisp text make it virtually impossible to distinguish a POD book from the more traditional offset copies.” Based on this sentence, it can be concluded that the latest technology makes the difference between offset printing and Print On Demand (POD) almost impossible to tell. Hence, the answer is ‘impossible’.

20 Answer: e-book

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 8

Answer explanation: The last portion of the passage says that “As an author, it is possible to choose the type of book you want; paperback, hardback, or e-book (now the most popular form of book)…”. It is clear that apart from the traditional hardback and paperback books, authors can now publish in ebook form. Hence, the answer is ‘e-book’.