• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

IELTS with Fiona

IELTS preparation made easier

Members Academy
Log in

  • Home
  • Courses
  • Study Program
  • About me
  • Shop
You are here: Home / IELTS Reading / IELTS Reading TFNG practice and gapfill (The History of Glass)

IELTS Reading TFNG practice and gapfill (The History of Glass)

By ieltsetc on June 27, 2018 2

In this lesson you’ll practice both gapfill and True, False, Not Given questions and gapfill questions.

Get my TFNG tips and strategies.

Get my Gapfill strategies

This is an example of a chronological structure – the text goes in order of time.

The History of Glass

Historians have discovered that a type of natural glass – obsidian – formed in places such as the mouth of a volcano as a result of the intense heat of an eruption melting sand – was first used as tips for spears.

Archaeologists have even found evidence of man-made glass which dates back to 4000 BC; this took the form of glazes used for coating stone beads.

Glass blowing became the most common way to make glass containers from the first century BC. The glass made during this time was highly coloured due to the impurities of the raw material.

The secret of glass making was taken across Europe by the Romans during this century. However, they guarded the skills and technology required to make glass very closely, and it was not until their empire collapsed in 476 AD that glass-making knowledge became widespread throughout Europe and the Middle East.

A major milestone in the history of glass occurred with the invention of lead crystal glass by the English glass manufacturer George Ravenscroft (1632 – 1683). He attempted to counter the effect of clouding that sometimes occurred in blown glass by introducing lead to the raw materials used in the process.

In Britain, the modern glass industry only really started to develop after the repeal of the Excise Act in 1845. Before that time, heavy taxes had been placed on the amount of glass melted in a glasshouse, and were levied continuously from 1745 to 1845.

Questions 1-8
Complete the notes below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

The History of Glass

  • Early humans used a material called 1…………………………… to make the sharp points of their 2……………………………
  • 4000 BC: 3…………………………… made of stone were covered in a coating of man-made glass.
  • First century BC: glass was coloured because of the 4…………………………… in the material.
  • Until 476 AD: Only the 5…………………………… knew how to make glass
  • From 10th century: Venetians became famous for making bottles out of glass.
  • 17th century: George Ravenscroft developed a process using 6…………………………… to avoid the occurrence of 7.……………… in blown glass.
  • Mid-19th century: British glass production developed after changes to laws concerning 8.………………………….
Answers: Gapfill
  •  Early humans used a material called 1 obsidian to make the sharp points of their 2 spears.

Historians have discovered that a type of natural glass – obsidian – formed in places such as the mouth of a volcano as a result of the intense heat of an eruption melting sand – was first used as tips for spears.

  •  4000 BC: 3 beads made of stone were covered in a coating of man-made glass.

Archaeologists have even found evidence of man-made glass which dates back to 4000 BC; this took the form of glazes used for coating stone beads. (glazes = coating)

  •  First century BC: glass was coloured because of the 4 impurities in the material.

Glass blowing became the most common way to make glass containers from the first century BC. The glass made during this time was highly coloured due to the impurities of the raw material.

  •  Until 476 AD: Only the 5 Romans knew how to make glass.

The secret of glass making was taken across Europe by the Romans during this century. However, they guarded the skills and technology required to make glass very closely, and it was not until their empire collapsed in 476 AD that glass-making knowledge became widespread throughout Europe and the Middle East.

  •  From 10th century: Venetians became famous for making bottles out of glass. (There’s no gap for this sentence – use it to help you follow the order of the gaps in the text)

From the 10th century onwards, the Venetians gained a reputation for technical skill and artistic ability in the making of glass bottles, and many of the city’s craftsmen left Italy to set up glassworks throughout Europe.

  •  17th century: George Ravenscroft developed a process using 6 lead to avoid the occurrence of 7 clouding in blown glass.

A major milestone in the history of glass occurred with the invention of lead crystal glass by the English glass manufacturer George Ravenscroft (1632 – 1683). He attempted to counter the effect of clouding that sometimes occurred in blown glass by introducing lead to the raw materials used in the process.

  •  Mid-19th century: British glass production developed after changes to laws concerning 8 taxes.

In Britain, the modern glass industry only really started to develop after the repeal of the Excise Act in 1845. Before that time, heavy taxes had been placed on the amount of glass melted in a glasshouse, and were levied continuously from 1745 to 1845.

Question Set 2: True, False, Not Given

9. In 1887, HM Ashley had the fastest bottle-producing machine that existed at the time.

Factory-owner HM Ashley introduced a machine capable of producing 200 bottles per hour in Castleford, Yorkshire, England – more than three times quicker than any previous production method.

10. Michael Owens was hired by a large US company to design a fully-automated bottle manufacturing machine for them.

Then in 1907, the first fully automated machine was developed in the USA by Michael Owens – founder of the Owens Bottle Machine Company (later the major manufacturers Owens- Illinois) – and installed in its factory.

11. Nowadays, most glass is produced by large international manufacturers. 

Today, glass making is big business. It has become a modem, hi-tech industry operating in a fiercely competitive global market where quality, design and service levels are critical to maintaining market share.

12. Concern for the environment is leading to an increased demand for glass containers.

Glass is an ideal material for recycling, and with growing consumer concern for green issues, glass bottles and jars are becoming ever more popular.

13. It is more expensive to produce recycled glass than to manufacture new glass.

As less energy is needed to melt recycled glass than to melt down raw materials, this also saves fuel and production costs.

Answers: TFNG

9. In 1887, HM Ashley had the fastest bottle-producing machine that existed at the time.

TRUE…factory-owner HM Ashley introduced a machine capable of producing 200 bottles per hour in Castleford, Yorkshire, England – more than three times quicker than any previous production method.

10. Michael Owens was hired by a large US company to design a fully-automated bottle manufacturing machine for them.

FALSE Then in 1907, the first fully automated machine was developed in the USA by Michael Owens – founder of the Owens Bottle Machine Company (later the major manufacturers Owens- Illinois) – and installed in its factory.

11. Nowadays, most glass is produced by large international manufacturers. 

NOT GIVEN (We don’t know how much glass is produced by large international manufacturers)

12. Concern for the environment is leading to an increased demand for glass containers.

TRUE Glass is an ideal material for recycling, and with growing consumer concern for green issues, glass bottles and jars are becoming ever more popular

13. It is more expensive to produce recycled glass than to manufacture new glass.

FALSE As less energy is needed to melt recycled glass than to melt down raw materials, this also saves fuel and production costs.

Listen to the podcasts:

Do you need motivation, high-quality materials, a roadmap, feedback, guidance and an IELTS specialist teacher?

Join the Members Academy today.

Get instant access to all courses, challenges, boot camps, live classes, interactive and engaging classes, 1:1 support, and a friendly tight-knit community of like-minded learners to get you to Band 7+.

IELTS with Fiona Members Academy
Join the Members Academy

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Abdul Motin says

    August 19, 2022 at 3:46 am

    It is really great website for taking ielts reading preparation. I am so thankful for this website.

    Reply
    • Fiona says

      August 22, 2022 at 12:22 pm

      Thank you Abdul! I’m so glad you find my website useful,
      Best wishes
      Fiona

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search

BLOGS

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Academy Syllabus 2023
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • T&Cs
  • Contact me

Copyright © 2023 — IELTS with Fiona • Privacy Policy • Disclaimer • All rights reserved; The information on this site is for information purposes only. IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.