‘The steam car’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 18
Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named ‘The steam car’, which is from the Cambridge 18 book. The Questions that have been asked are ‘List of headings’, ‘Blanks’ and ‘MCQs’. You will find the locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords(highlighted and underlined) and justifications.
READING PASSAGE 2: ‘The steam car’
| Question | Answer |
| 14 | III |
| 15 | VIII |
| 16 | VI |
| 17 | V |
| 18 | VII |
| 19 | I |
| 20 | IV |
| 21 | A |
| 22 | C |
| 23 | B |
| 24 | SPEED |
| 25 | FIFTY/50 |
| 26 | SRTICT |
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-26, which are based on Reading Passage 2 on pages 66 and 67
Questions 14-20
Reading Passage 2 has seven paragraphs, A-G
Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number I-villi, in boxes 14-20 on your answer sheet.
List of Headings
- A period in cold conditions before the technology is assessed
- Marketing issues lead to failure
- Good and bad aspects of steam technology are passed on
- A possible solution to the issues of today
- Further improvements lead to commercial orders
- Positive publicity at last for this quiet, clean, fast vehicle
- A disappointing outcome for customers
- A better option than the steam car arises
‘The steam car’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 18
14. Paragraph A
Location: A paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘Steam had already enjoyed a long and successful career in the railways, so it was only natural that the technology evolved into a miniaturized version which was separate from the trains. But these early cars inherited steam’s weaknesses along with its strengths …’ Here, ‘weakness ‘ refers to ‘steam’s weakness’. Moreover, ‘enjoyed a long and successful career…’ refers to the bad aspect. Thus, the best heading is iii.
Answer: iii
15. Paragraph B
Location: B paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘A new technology called the Internal Combustion Engine soon appeared, which offered the ability to drive down the road just moments after starting up…’ Here, ‘Internal Combustion Engine soon appeared..’ refers to better option than than steam car. ‘soon appeared’ = ‘arise’
Answer: viii
‘The steam car’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 18
16. Paragraph C
Location: C paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the fourth line of the paragraph. ‘Though the Doble boys’ third prototype, nicknamed the Model B. still lacked the convenience of an internal combustion engine, it drew the attention of automobile trade magazines due to its numerous improvements over previous steam cars…’ Its high-pressure steam drove the engine pistons in virtual silence, in contrast to clattering gas engines which emitted the aroma of burned hydrocarbons…’ Here, ‘it drew attention’ that means ‘it got publicity’. Virtual silence= quiet. In last line, ‘from zero to sixty miles per hour in just fifteen seconds…’ refers to ‘speed’.
Answer: vi
17. Paragraph D
Location: D paragraph
Explanation: The writer says in the last two lines, ‘With these enhancements, the Dobles’ new car company promised a steam vehicle which would provide all of the convenience of a gasoline car, but with much greater speed, much simpler driving controls, and a virtually silent powerplant. By the following April, the General Engineering Company had received 5,390 deposits for Doble Detroits, which were scheduled for delivery in early 1918…’ Here, ‘enhancements’ and ‘improvements’ are synonyms. In addition, ‘received 5,390 deposits’ give reference to ‘commercial orders’.
Answer: v
‘The steam car’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 18
18. Paragraph E
Location: E paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘Those buyers who received the handful of completed cars complained that the vehicles were sluggish and erratic, sometimes going in reverse when they should go forward…’ Here, ‘buyers’ and ‘customers’ are synonyms. The writer states that customers who received handful of completed cars complained for it that results in disappointing outcome.
Answer: vii
19. Paragraph F
Location: F paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the third line of the paragraph. ‘After sitting overnight in freezing temperatures, the car was pushed out into the road and left to sit for over an hour in the frosty morning air. At the turn of the key, the boiler lit and reached its operating pressure inside of forty seconds…’ Here, ‘freezing temperature’ refers to ‘cold conditions’. In the second last line., ‘As the new Doble steamer was further developed and tested..’ This indicates ‘new technology’.
Answer: i
‘The steam car’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 18
20. Paragraph G
Location: G paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the last line of the paragraph. ‘It is true that the technology poses some difficult problems, but you cannot help but wonder how efficient a steam car might be with the benefit of modem materials and computers Under the current pressure to improve automotive performance and reduce emissions, it is not unthinkable that the steam car may rise again… …’ Here, ‘current’ and ‘today’ are synonyms. ‘pressure to improve automotive performance and reduce emissions…’ refers to ‘issue’.
Answer: iv
Questions 21-23
Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named ‘The steam car’, which is from the Cambridge 18 book. The Questions that have been asked are ‘List of headings, MCQs’ and ‘Blanks’. You will find the locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords(highlighted and underlined) and justifications
Choose the correct letter, A. B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in boxes 21-23 on your answer sheet.
21. What point does the writer make about the steam car in Paragraph B?
A its success was short-lived.
B Not enough cars were made.
C Car companies found them hard to sell.
D People found them hard to drive.
Location: B paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the very first line of the paragraph. ‘But the glory days of steam cars were few. A new technology called the Internal Combustion Engine soon appeared, which offered the ability to drive down the road just moments after starting up…’ Here, ‘glory days were few’ that means ‘success was short-lived’ because of the development of new technology. Therefore, the best option is A.
Answer: A
‘The steam car’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 18
22. When building their first steam car, the Doble brothers
A constructed all the parts themselves.
B made written notes at each stage of the construction.
C needed several attempts to achieve a competitive model.
D sought the advice of experienced people in the car industry.
Location: C paragraph
Explanation: The writer talks about the attempts made by Doble brothers in the paragraph. ‘Abner Doble and his three brothers built their first steam car in their parents’ basement. It comprised parts taken from a wrecked early steam car but reconfigured to drive an engine of their own design. Though it did not run well, the Doble brothers went on to build a second and third prototype in the following years…’ These three prototypes were build that clarifies that they made several attempts. Thus, the correct option is C.
Answer: C
‘The steam car’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 18
23. In order to produce the Model C, the Doble brothers
A moved production to a different city.
B raised financial capital.
C employed an additional worker.
D abandoned their earlier designs.
Location: D paragraph
Explanation: The author says in the first two lines, ‘The following year Abner Doble drove the Model B from Massachusetts to Detroit in order to seek investment in his automobile design, which he used to open the General Engineering Company. He and his brothers immediately began working on the Model C, which was intended to expand upon the innovations of the Model B…’ Here, ‘seek investment’ refers to ‘financial capital’. Also by using elimination method, it is clear that correct option is B.
Answer: B
Questions 24-26
Complete the summary below.
Choose ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer Write your answers in boxes 24-26 on your answer sheet.
The Model E
The Model E was road-tested in 1924 by the Automobile Club of America. They found it easy to drive, despite its weight, and it impressed the spectators. A later version of the Model E raised its 24……………….,while keeping its emissions extremely low.
Location: F paragraph
Explanation: The main keywords ‘Model E’ and ‘1924’ helps to find an answer in the last line of the paragraph. ‘As the new Doble steamer was further developed and tested, its maximum speed was pushed to over a hundred miles per hour, and it achieved about fifteen miles per gallon of kerosene with negligible emissions…’ Here, ‘new steamer’ refers to ‘later version’. Moreover, ‘maximum speed was pushed to over a hundred miles per hour…’ that means ‘speed was raised’. ‘emissions extremely low’ and ‘negligible emissions’ means the same.
Answer: Speed
‘The steam car’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 18
The steam car was too expensive for many people and its design was constantly being altered. Under 25…………….. cars were produced before the company went out of business.
Location: G paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the third line of the paragraph. ‘‘By the time the company folded in 1931, fewer than fifty of the amazing Model E steam cars had been produced…’ Here, ‘company went out of business…’ and ‘company folded’ means the same. Also, ‘under fifty’ and ‘fewer than fifty’ means the same. Thus, the answer is ‘Fifty’.
Answer: Fifty/ 50
‘The steam car’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM – 18
However, even today, there are Model Es on the road in the US. They are straightforward to maintain, and they satisfy Califonia’s 26……………… emissions laws. Perhaps today’s technology and materialswould help us revive the steam car.
Location: G paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘California’ helps to locate an answer in the last third line of the paragraph. ‘Astonishingly, an unmodified Doble Model B runs clean enough to pass the emissions laws in California today, and they are pretty strict…’ Here, ‘clean enough to pass the emissions laws’ that means these are easy to maintain. Thus, the answer is clear.
Answer: Strict
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