John Franklin – The Discovery Of The Slowness- IELTS Reading Answers

John Franklin – The Discovery Of The Slowness – IELTS Reading Sample With Explanation

This passage contains three types of questions:

1. Matching Information
2. Summary Completion
3. Multiple Choice Questions

Matching Information 

One of the trickiest types of questions in the IELTS is Matching Information, where the test-taker must match statements to paragraphs in the reading passage. The given statement can be a reason, summary, fact, description, or explanation. Test-takers need to understand the paragraph and find specific information in the paragraph relating to the given statement. Matching information questions tests the test-taker’s paraphrasing skills as many synonyms will be used and sentence structures will be altered.

Summary Completion 

In the Summary Completion questions, the test-taker should fill in the gaps with words from the word list or the words from the text. Initially, the test-taker can skim the summary for general understanding and scan the passages to identify the keywords and recognise their synonyms & paraphrasing. Then, use the context to predict the correct answer.

Multiple Choice Question 

Multiple Choice Question requires the test-taker to understand the main idea of what is mentioned in each passage, scan for the specific information, trace the keyword, and select the appropriate option. An MCQ will consist of either three to four options, of which the test-taker should choose the correct answer.

Answers

27 Answer: Paragraph – A

Question type: Matching information

Answer location: Paragraph A

Answer explanation: The first paragraph of the passage is the introduction paragraph of John Franklin. As quoted,” John Franklin (1786-1847) was the most famous vanisher of the Victorian era. He joined the Navy as a midshipman at the age of 14 and fought in the battles of Copenhagen and Trafalgar.” He worked as a midshipman for the navy and took part in the battle of Copenhagen and Trafalgar. From these quoted introductory paragraphs, we understand that John Franklin was the most famous vanisher of the Victorian era.

28 Answer – Paragraph D

Question type: Matching Information

Answer location: Paragraph D

Answer explanation: The answer for the statement can be located in paragraph D, which illustrates, “The opening scene of the Discovery of Slowness (The Discovery of Slowness by Sten Nadolny) – depicts Franklin as a young boy, playing catch badly because his reaction time is too slow. Despite the bullying of his peers, Franklin resolves not to fall into step with ‘their way of doing things’. For Nadolny, Franklin’s fated fascination with the Arctic stems from his desire to find an environment suited to his peculiar slowness.”

We come to know from the fourth paragraph (D) that Nadolny referred to John Franklin as a young boy playing catch badly in his book, The Discovery of Slowness, because of his delayed reaction time. However, he vowed not to be affected by his peers’ mockery of his sluggishness.

Nadolny also mentions that John waited for an environment that would suit his strange slowness. Here, “lazy lad” refers to a slow boy, “desire to find” means waiting, “sluggishness” refers to slowness, “vowed” means resolved, and “peculiar” means strange.

29 Answer – Paragraph H

Question type: Matching Information

Answer location: Paragraph H

Answer explanation: In paragraph H, it is quoted, “The various groups that have taken the novel up have one thing in common: a dislike of the high-speed culture of Postmodernity. Nadolny’s Franklin appeals to them because he is immune to ‘the compulsion to be constantly occupied’, and to the idea that ‘someone was better if he could do the same thing fast.'”

From the quoted lines, we understand that many people liked the novel because of one thing in common, the dislike of the high-speed culture of postmodernity (a state or condition of a society that is said to exist after modernity). Also, these people were fascinated by Nadolny’s Franklin because of his nature, which always occupied him in any work, and his idea, which reflected that an individual would be better if they could do the same thing faster. Here, “fascinate” means appeal.

30 Answer – Paragraph C

Question type: Matching Information

Answer location: Paragraph C

Answer explanation: Paragraph C depicts Nadolny’s biography on Franklin was not much based on facts. As quoted, “His blandness makes him an amenably malleable subject for a novelist, and Sten Nadolny has taken full advantage of this licence. Most important, he has endowed his John Franklin with a defining character trait for which there is no historical evidence: (‘slowness,’ or ‘calmness’).”

The quoted line indicates that Franklin’s lack of strong emotions easily influenced Nadolny. As a result, Nadolny took full advantage and developed a persona named John Franklin with distinguishing character features based on no historical evidence. Here,” lack of strong emotions” means blandness, “easily influenced” means amenably malleable, and “persona” means character.

31 Answer – Paragraph – B

Question type: Matching Information

Answer location: Paragraph B

Answer explanation: We can trace the information for Franklin’s career in Paragraph B. As quoted, “There followed a career as a travel writer and salon-goer {‘the man who ate his boots’ was Franklin’s tag-line), a second long Arctic expedition, and a controversial spell as Governor of Van Diemen’s Land.”

From these quoted sentences, we understand that after joining the navy and fighting the Copenhagen battles, Franklin restarted his career as a travel writer and salon-goer before his second arctic expedition. He also worked as a governor of Van Diemen’s land, a colony in the Australian Islands when he had to face many controversies.

32 Answer – Paragraph – H

Question type: Matching Information

Answer location: Paragraph H, Line 3

Answer explanation: When you scan paragraph H, you can understand the central theme and environment conveyed in the book. As quoted, “Several German churches have used him in their symposia and focus groups as an example of peacefulness, piety and self confidence. A centre scheme (a ‘march of slowness’ or ‘of the slow’), inspired by the novel. Nadolny has appeared as a guest speaker for RIO, a Lucerne-based organisation which aims to reconcile management principles with ideas of environmental sustainability. The novel has even become involved in the debate about speed limits on German roads. Drive down an autobahn today, and you will see large road-side signs proclaiming ‘unhurriedness’, a slogan which deliberately plays off the title of the novel.”

We learn from the quoted sentences that various German churches use John Franklin’s book, The Discovery of Slowness, as an example of peacefulness, piety, and self-confidence. The novel also influenced a centre scheme. RIO, an organization that attempts to reconcile management concepts with environmental sustainability ideas, has invited Nadolny to participate as a guest speaker. Even the novel has been referenced in discussions about speed restrictions on German highways. On the drive down to autonahn, there’s even a big roadside sign advertising “unhurriedness.” Thus, the book makes people understand to work at their own pace and convenience without joining the postmodern rat race. Therefore, the book’s main theme is based on the “significance of Unhurriedness in life.” Here, “harmonize” implies reconciling.

33 Answer – personality

Question type: Summary completion

Answer location: Paragraph D

Answer explanation: We can find traces for the answer in Paragraph D, where the author speaks about Franklin’s behavior. “Slowness influences not only Franklin’s behaviour but also his vision, his thought, and his speech. The opening scene of ‘The Discovery of Slowness (The Discovery of Slowness by Sten Nadolny) – depicts Franklin as a young boy.”

These sentences show how Franklin’s sluggishness affected his behavior and his thought, eyesight, and speaking. Apart from the other options, option C – personality matches the context of paragraph D, which depicts Franklin’s slow behavior, vision, and thinking. As a result, C- Personality is the correct answer.

34 Answer – bully

Question type: Summary completion

Answer location: Paragraph D

Answer explanation: In Paragraph D, the opening scene of ‘The Discovery of Slowness’ (The Discovery of Slowness by Sten Nadolny) – depicts Franklin as a young boy playing catch badly because his reaction time is too slow. Despite the bullying of his peers, Franklin resolves not to fall into step with ‘their way of doing things.

These lines indicate that Franklin, in his adolescence, was a sluggish boy who had accepted his slowness and didn’t let his peers’ bullies get into his head. Here, “sluggish” means slow, and “adolescence” refers to young age. So, the answer is J- bully.

35 Answer – timelessness

Question type: Summary completion

Answer location: Paragraph D & E

Answer explanation: In paragraph D, Franklin accepted his slowness and didn’t heed any of the bullies. While in paragraph E, it is quoted as “He describes Franklin as a boy dreaming of the ‘open water and the time without hours and days’ which exist in the far north, and of finding in the Arctic a place ‘where nobody would find him too slow.”

We come to know from these quoted lines that Following his acceptance of his slowness, Franklin dreamt of a place with an open ocean and time without hours and days, such as those found in the far north and the Arctic, where no one would consider him sluggish. Since the summary statement corresponds to option H – timeliness in paragraph E, the answer is Timelessness. Here, “ocean” refers to water, and “time without hours and days” means timelessness.

36 Answer– guidebook

Question type: Summary completion

Answer location: Paragraph G

Answer explanation: When you go through paragraph G, you’ll come across the quoted lines, “Since, it was first published in Germany in 1983. The Discovery of Slowness has sold more than a million copies and been translated into 13 languages. It has been named as one of German literature’s twenty ‘contemporary classics’, and it has been as a manual and by European pressure groups and institutions representing causes as diverse as sustainable development, the Protestant Church, management science, motoring policy, and pacifism.”

According to the quoted lines, the book garnered immense popularity since its establishment, having sold over a million copies and been translated into 13 languages. In addition, European pressure organizations adopted the book as a manual or guidebook to advocate issues in a variety of movements, including management science, monitoring policy, and sustainable development. As a result, John Franklin’s life story of self-acceptance became an inspiration and a guide for others. So, the answer is F – guidebook.

37 Answer – D

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph E

Answer explanation: The reference in the question, “the ice is slow in the geological Arctic,” is mentioned in Paragraph E. As it is quoted,” He describes Franklin as a boy dreaming of the ‘open water and the time without hours and days’ which exist in the far north, and of finding in the Arctic a place ‘where nobody would find him too slow’. Ice is a slow mover. Ice demands corresponding patience from those who venture onto it. The explorers who have thrived at high latitude and high altitudes haven’t usually been men of great speed.”

From these quoted lines, we come to know that the author cites Franklin’s dream of exploring the Arctic, where no one would find him slow because ice moves slowly and requires patience from those who visit. The men with exceptional speed are usually the ones who have succeeded in reaching high latitudes and altitudes. As a result, explorers like Franklin would need a lot of patience to reach the Arctic. . Here, “traveller” means explorer, and “succeeded” means thrive. Thus, the answer is D.

38 Answer – C

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph F

Answer explanation: We can find traces of information in Paragraph F, “Even as an adult, his slowness of thought means that he is unable to speak fluently, so he memorized ‘entire fleets of words and batteries of response’, and speaks a languid, bric-a-brac language. In the navy, his method of thinking first and acting later initially provokes mockery from his fellow sailors. But Franklin persists in doing things his way, and gradually earns the respect of those around him.”

We understand that Franklin as an adult, was unable to speak fluently, so he memorized previously spoken words and responses and speaks in a sluggish and jumbled manner. However, while working in the navy, Franklin thought of words before speaking, which resulted in mockery from his fellow sailors. But he didn’t care about the mockery and persisted in doing things in his own way. Hence, the answer is C.

39 Answer – C

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph F

Answer explanation: When we scan for the statement in the reading paragraphs, we locate the answer for the statement in Paragraph F, where it is mentioned, “In the navy, his method of thinking first and acting later initially provokes mockery from his fellow sailors. But Franklin persists in doing things his way. and gradually earns the respect of those around him.”

These quoted lines illustrate that during his tenure as a sailor in the navy, when Franklin paused to think of words before speaking or acting upon anything, his fellow navy companions would mock him. But Franklin persistently did things his way and did not give up, which eventually earned him respect from sailors around him. Thus, the answer is C.

40 Answer – A

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph G & H

Answer explanation: We come to know from Paragraph G that more than a million books of The Discovery of Slowness were sold and translated into 13 languages. Even the European groups and institutions considered the book as a guide.

Now, if we look at the quoted lines of Paragraph H, “The various groups that have taken the novel up have one thing in common: a dislike of the high-speed culture of Postmodernity. Nadolny’s Franklin appeals to them because he is immune to ‘the compulsion to be constantly occupied’, and to the idea that ‘someone was better if he could do the same thing fast.”

We understand that diverse groups appreciated the book for the same reason: they disliked Postmodernity’s high-speed culture, and the book appealed to them because it allowed them to be normal and convinced them that they could work at their own pace without having to keep up with the rest of the world.

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