Bathymetry- IELTS Reading Answers

The  IELTS Reading Module can be the top-scoring category, with diligent practice. To achieve the best results in this section, you must understand how to approach and answer the different Question types in the Reading Module. Practice solving and reviewing the IELTS Passage on Bathymetry in 20 minutes.

You can check out more Sample Reading Questions for IELTS Practice Test, you can ensure that your Reading skills are up to the mark.

Here are the question types in the reading test

Reading Passage (Bathymetry)

• Table completion (Q.28 – Q.33)
• Matching features (Q.34 – Q.37)
• Multiple Choice Questions (Q.38 – Q. 40)

Reading Passage

Bathymetry

Questions 28-33

Questions 34-37

34 It is known for the earthquakes that occur there.

35 It is over one thousand miles wide.

36 It is a mountain range.

37 It contains the majority of the earth’s volcanoes.

Questions 38-40

i. Predicting earthquakes

ii. Finding new fuel resources

iii. Protecting ocean life

iv. Understanding weather patterns

v. Improving communications systems

vi. Improving the fishing industry

Reading Answer (Bathymetry)

28 Answer: 19th century

Question type:Table Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 2,line 2

Answer explanation: The 2nd line of the 2nd paragraph states that during the nineteenth century, attempts to produce maps of the seafloor involved lowering weighted lines from a boat and waiting for the tension of the line to change. We can understand from these lines that the weighted lines were first used in the 19th century. Hence, the answer is the 19th century.

29 Answer: depth

Question type: Table Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 2,line 3

Answer explanation: The 3rd line of the 2nd paragraph states that when the handline hit the ocean floor, the depth of the water was determined by measuring the amount of slack. It is evident from these lines that the weighted line was first used in the 19th century, which was used for determining depth. Hence, the answer is depth.

30 Answer: single beam sonar

Question type: Table Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 3, line 6

Answer explanation: The 6th line of the 3rd paragraph states that by the 1930s, single-beam sonar was being used to transmit sound waves in a vertical line from a ship to the seafloor. We can deduce from these lines that by the 1930s, the single-beam sonar was used to detect the objects underwater. Hence, the answer is single beam sonar.

31 Answer: sound waves

Question type: Table Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 3, line 6

Answer explanation: Paragraph 3, line 6 states that by the 1930s, single-beam sonar was being used to transmit sound waves in a vertical line from a ship to the seafloor. The sound waves were recorded as they returned from the surface to the ship. These lines indicate that by the 1930s, the single-beam sonar was used to detect the objects underwater, that’d send the sound waves to the ocean floor. Hence, the answer is sound waves.

32 Answer: 1960s

Question type: Table Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 4

Answer explanation: The introductory lines of paragraph 4 states that the multi-beam sonar, which could be attached to a ship’s hull, was developed in the 1960s. These lines suggest that during the 1960s, the multi-beam sonar was used for mapping large areas in different directions and sending multiple sound waves. Hence, the answer is the 1960s.

33 Answer: entire globe/ earth

Question type: Table Completion

Answer location: Paragraph 4

Answer explanation: Paragraph 4 illustrates that the benefit of using satellites to map the ocean is that they can take pictures of the entire globe, including areas that have not yet been measured by sonar. These lines indicate that by the 1970s, satellite altimetry was used to take pictures of the entire globe/ earth to send signals from satellites. Hence, the answer is the entire globe/ earth.

34 Answer: A

Question type: Matching Features

Answer location: Paragraph 4, line 5

Answer explanation: The 4th line of paragraph 5 states that the Ring of Fire is a zone that circles the Pacific Ocean and is famous for its seismic activity. This area, which extends from the coast of New Zealand to the coast of North and South America, also accounts for more than 75 percent of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes. These lines indicate that the ring of fire is generally known for earthquakes (seismic activity) that occur there. Hence, the answer is A.

35 Answer: B

Question type: Matching Features

Answer location: Paragraph 4, line 6

Answer explanation: The 6th line of paragraph 4 states that the Mid-Ocean Ridge is a section of undersea mountains that extends over 12,000 feet high and 1,200 miles wide. These mountains, which zigzag around the continents, are generally considered the most outstanding topographical features on earth. It is evident from these lines that the mid-ocean ridge was over one thousand miles wild. Thus, the answer is B.

36 Answer: B

Question type: Matching Features

Answer location: Paragraph 4,line 6

Answer explanation: The 6th line of paragraph 4 states that the Mid-Ocean Ridge is a section of undersea mountains that extends over 12,000 feet high and 1,200 miles wide. These mountains, which zigzag around the continents, are generally considered the most outstanding topographical features on earth. It is evident from these lines that the mid-ocean ridge was over one thousand miles, which is a mountain range. Hence, the answer is A.

37 Answer: A

Question type: Matching Features

Answer location: Paragraph 4, line 5

Answer explanation: The 4th line of paragraph 5 states that the Ring of Fire is a zone that circles the Pacific Ocean and is famous for its seismic activity. This area, which extends from the coast of New Zealand to the coast of North and South America, also accounts for more than 75 percent of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes. These lines indicate that the ring of fire is generally known for earthquakes (seismic activity) that occur there and it contains the majority of the earth’s volcanoes. Hence, the answer is A.

38 Answer: ii

Question type: Matching Information

Answer location: Paragraph 6, line 2

Answer explanation: The 2nd line of paragraph 6 states that Scientists expect bathymetry to become one of the most important sciences as humans search for new energy sources and seek alternate routes for telecommunication. We can understand from these lines that one of the possible reasons for mapping the oceans is finding new fuel resources. Hence, the answer is ii.

39 Answer: iii

Question type: Matching Information

Answer location: Paragraph 6, last line

Answer explanation: The last line of the 6th paragraph states that Preserving the ocean’s biosphere for the future will also rely on accurate mapping of the seafloor. It is evident from these lines that protecting the ocean’s life (biosphere) in the future will depend on the accurate mapping of the seafloor. Hence, the answer is iii.

40 Answer: v

Question type: Matching Information

Answer location: Paragraph 6, line 2

Answer explanation: The 2nd line of the 6th paragraph states that Scientists expect bathymetry to become one of the most important sciences as humans search for new energy sources and seek alternate routes for telecommunication. We can deduce from these lines that the scientists are in search of new energy sources, simultaneously seeking alternate routes for telecommunications. Hence, the answer is v.

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