‘A Chronicle of Timekeeping’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM- 8
Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named, ‘A Chronicle of Timekeeping’ which is from the Cambridge 8 book. The Questions that have been asked are Finding information, Finding researchers’ name and Blanks. You will find the locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords(highlighted and underlined) and justifications.
Questions 1-4
The Reading Passage has eight paragraphs, A-H.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 1- 4 on your answer sheet.
1. a description of an early timekeeping invention affected by cold temperatures
Location and Answer: D
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the third and last line of the paragraph. ‘One of the first water clocks was a basin with a small hole near the bottom through which the water dripped out… they could not always be depended on in the cloudy and often freezing weather of northern Europe…’ Here, ‘First water clock’ was an early timekeeping invention. In addition, ‘Freezing weather’ and ‘cold temperature’ means the same. Thus, the answer is clear.
‘A Chronicle of Timekeeping’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM- 8
2. an explanation of the importance of geography in the development of the calendar in farming communities
Location and Answer: B
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the ‘Before the invention of artificial light, the moon had greater social impact. And, for those living near the equator, in particular, its waxing and waning were more conspicuous than the passing of the seasons… In more northern climes, however, where seasonal agriculture was practiced, the solar year became more crucial. As the Roman Empire expanded northward, it organized its activity chart for the most part around the solar year…’ Here, ‘agriculture’ and ‘farming’ means the same. Moreover , ‘moon had a greater social impact’ refers to the importance of geography.
3. a description of the origins of the pendulum clock
Location and Answer: F
Explanation: The main keyword ‘pendulum clock’ helps to locate an answer is in the last two lines of the paragraph. ‘. By the 16th century, a pendulum clock had been devised, but the pendulum swung in a large arc and thus was not very efficient…’ Here, ‘devised’ and ‘origins’ means the same. The writer states that pendulum clock was devised in 16th century. Thus, the answer is clear.
‘A Chronicle of Timekeeping’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM- 8
4. details of the simultaneous efforts of different societies to calculate time using uniform hours
Location and Answer: E
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the fourth line of the paragraph. ‘The schemes that divided the day into 24 equal parts varied according to the start of the count: Italian hours began at sunset, Babylonian hours at sunrise, astronomical hours at midday and ‘great clock’ hours, used for some large public clocks in Germany, at midnight…’ Here, ‘Italian ,Babylonian and Germany give reference to different societies. Thus, the answer is E.
Questions 5-8
Look at the following events (Questions 5-8) and the list of nationalities below.
Match each event with the correct nationality, A-F.
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 5-8 on your answer sheet.
5. They devised a civil calendar in which the months were equal in length.
Location: 3rd paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the first two lines of the paragraph. ‘the Egyptians had formulated a municipal calendar having 12 months of 30 days, with five days added to approximate the solar year…’ Here, ‘devised a civil calendar’ and ‘formulated a municipal calendar’ means the same. Moreover, ’12 months of 30 days’ clarifies that months were equal in length.
Answer: B
‘A Chronicle of Timekeeping’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM- 8
6. They divided the day into two equal halves.
Location: E paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the last line of the paragraph. ‘Eventually, these were superseded by ‘small clock’, or French, hours, which split the day into two 12-hour periods commencing at midnight…’ Here, ‘split the day’ and ‘divide the day’ means the same. Moreover, ‘two 12-hour periods’= two equal halves. Thus, the answer is F.
Answer: F
7. They developed a new cabinet shape for a type of timekeeper.
Location: G paragraph
Explanation: The writer says in first line, ‘To address this, a variation on the original escapement was invented in 1670, in England…’ Moreover, this invention allowed the use of a long pendulum which could beat once a second and thus led to the development of a new floor-standing case design, which became known as the grandfather clock…’ Here, ‘England’ refers to ‘English’. In addition, ‘new floor-standing case design’ give reference to new shape. Thus, the answer is D
Answer: D
‘A Chronicle of Timekeeping’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM- 8
8. They created a calendar to organise public events and work schedules.
Location: A paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘the Babylonians began to measure time, introducing calendars to coordinate communal activities, to plan the shipment of goods and, in particular, to regulate planting and harvesting…’ Here, ‘organize public events’ and ‘communal activities’ means the same. Moreover, ‘to plan the shipment goods’ refers to the work schedule. Introducing=creating.
Answer: A
List of Nationalities
A Babylonians
B Egyptians
C Greeks
D English
E Germans
F French
Questions 9-13
Label the diagram below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 9-13 in your answer sheet
9. escapement ( resembling ………………. )
Location: G paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘It was called the anchor escapement, which was a lever-based device shaped like a ship’s anchor…’ Here, ‘like a ship’s anchor’ and ‘resemble’ means the same. Thus, the answer is ‘Ship’s anchor’.
Answer: Ship’s anchor
‘A Chronicle of Timekeeping’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM- 8
10. the ………………
Location: G paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the third line of the paragraph. ‘The motion of a pendulum rocks this device so that it catches and then releases each tooth of the escape wheel, in turn allowing it to turn a precise amount…’Here, it is clear from the diagram that arrow indicates the rotating wheel. Therefore, the answer is ‘escape wheel’.
Answer: (Escape) wheel
11. the……………….
Location: G paragraph
Explanation: The answer is again in the same line of the paragraph. ‘ The motion of a pendulum rocks this device so that it catches and then releases each tooth of the escape wheel, in turn allowing it to turn a precise amount…’ Here, the point edges refer to tooth. Thus, the answer is ‘tooth’
Answer: Tooth
‘A Chronicle of Timekeeping’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM- 9
12&13. A ……………… which beats each …………….
Location: G paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the last line of the paragraph. ‘Moreover, this invention allowed the use of a long pendulum which could beat once a second and thus led to the development of a new floor-standing case design, which became known as the grandfather clock…’ Here, ‘beat each’ and ‘beat once’ means the same.
Answer: (12) long pendulum
(13) second
‘A Chronicle of Timekeeping’ – Reading Answer Explanation – CAM- 8
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