The Falkirk Wheel Reading Answers: Solutions With Explanation

The IELTS exam comprises three sections that are designed to examine an individual’s ability to understand the language. The reading section is one of the segments of the exam that requires a lot of practice. Here’s a sample on the topic, “The Falkirk Wheel” reading answers.

. Moreover, with the solutions, there are detailed explanations of each answer for your reference. The ideal time to solve the given questions in the passage is 20 minutes. Let’s see if you understand the text and get answers to all the questions in 20 minutes.

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Answers of The Falkirk Wheel Reading Passage with Explanation

Below are the answers of above passage with detailed explanation and location:

Question 1

Explanation :The second paragraph of the passage states that the two canals had been linked before. “The major challenge of the project lays in the fact that the Forth & Clyde Canal is situated 35 metres below the level of the Union Canal. This had been dismantled in 1933, thereby breaking the link”. Thus, the statement stands incorrect.

Question 2

Explanation :In paragraph 4 of the passage it is mentioned about the design and structure of the Falkirk wheel. There were several ideas for the project. However, it is nowhere mentioned that there was some opposition to the design of the Falkirk wheel at first. Hence, it can not concluded if the statement is correct or not.

Question 3

Explanation :It is stated that the location at which the wheel was put together was a manufacturing site. As stated in the fifth paragraph of the passage, “The various parts of The Falkirk Wheel were all constructed and assembled, like one giant toy building set, at Butterley Engineering's Steelworks in Derbyshire, some 400 km from Falkirk.” Therefore, it can be concluded that the statement is correct.

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Question 4

Explanation :In paragraph 6, it is quoted that bolts were put together by hand. “Over 45,000 bolt holes were matched with their bolts, and each bolt was hand-tightened.” However, it is nowhere mentioned that the Falkirk Wheel is the only boat lift in the world which has steel sections bolted together by hand.

Question 5

Explanation :As stated in the 8th paragraph of the passage, “These gondolas always weigh the same, whether or not they are carrying boats.” Hence, the statement stands incorrect. The weight of the gondolas does not vary according to the size of the boat.

Question 6

Explanation :In the last paragraph of the passage it is mentioned that the wheel was constructed keeping in mind the wall. “The Wheel could not be constructed to elevate boats over the full 35-metre difference between the two canals, owing to the presence of the historically important Antonine Wall, which was built by the Romans in the second century AD.” Hence, the statement stands correct, the presence of the historic monument was considered before the construction of Falkirk wheel.

Question 7

Explanation :In the 10th paragraph of the passage, it is specified that there is a pair of gates used to shut out water. “Two hydraulic steel gates are raised, to seal the gondola off from the water in the canal basin. The water between the gates is then pumped out.” Hence, the answer is gated.

Question 8

Explanation :The fourth line of paragraph 10 mentions a clamp that enables the wheel to rotate. “A hydraulic clamp, which prevents the arms of the Wheel moving while the gondola is docked, is removed, allowing the Wheel to turn”. Thus, the answer is clamp.

Question 9

Explanation :Paragraph 10 of the passage states, “In the central machine room, an array of ten hydraulic motors then begins to rotate the central axle. The axle connects to the outer arms of the wheel, which begin to rotate at a speed of 1/8 of a revolution per minute.” Hence, it can be concluded that the hydraulic motors drive the axle.

Question 10

Explanation :The 6th line of paragraph 10 in the passage mentions that a range of different-sized cogs ensure boats are uptight. “As the wheel rotates, the gondolas are kept in the upright position by a simple gearing system.” Hence, the word that best suits as an answer is cogs.

Question 11

Explanation :As quoted in the last line of paragraph 10, “When the gondola reaches the top, the boat passes straight onto the aqueduct situated 24 metres above the canal basin.” Thus, it can be concluded that the boat reaches the top wheel and then moves directly onto the aqueduct.

Question 12

Explanation :The last line of the passage states, “Boats travel under this wall via a tunnel, then through the locks, and finally on to the Union Canal.” Hence, it can be concluded that the boats travel through tunnels beneath the roman walls.

Question 13

Explanation :In the last paragraph of the passage, it is mentioned, “The remaining 11 metres of lift needed to reach the Union Canal is achieved using a pair of locks.” Hence, it can be concluded that locks raise the boat 11m to the level of the union canal.

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Explore the concept of rotating boat lift with “The Falkirk Wheel Reading Answers”. It is the world's first and only boat lift in Scotland. The wheel reconnects the historic waterways of the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals. Although there were various structures and designs proposed, the huge rotating steel boat lift was selected at the end. Besides, this was an example of a reading passage there are plenty of such passages available. Moreover, practising these reading passages can help you ace your IELTS exam. Gradding.com have experts who will guide and assist you in your IELTS preparation. They provide you with ample passages with solutions and explanations for each question.

Tips for Answering the Question in the Reading Passages

Let us now see some tips that will help you in solving the reading questions:

Identify keywords: While reading the passage, scan and locate the important details in the passage.

Avoid Rereading: Do not reread the words. If you are uncertain about the meaning of words, then try to understand the context from the rest of the sentence.

Active Reading: Pay attention to the introduction and conclusion of the passage. This helps you to get the gist of the text and answer the questions accurately.

Following these tips, you will be able to ace the IELTS exams with a good band score.

The Falkirk Wheel Reading Answers: Solutions With Explanation

Answers of The Falkirk Wheel Reading Passage with Explanation

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Question 7

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Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

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The Falkirk Wheel Reading Answers: Solutions With Explanation

Answers of The Falkirk Wheel Reading Passage with Explanation

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

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