The Clipper Races: an era of competition between cargo ships
Read The Clipper Races: an era of competition between cargo ships and check the IELTS Reading answers. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the British East India Company had the monopoly on trade with China and India. This meant that because no rival could legally import tea or other g…
Passage preview
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the British East India Company had the monopoly on trade with China and India. This meant that because no rival could legally import tea or other goods from these countries at this time, the company was rarely in a hurry to transport its merchandise. Instead, its priority was to minimise costs by carrying as much as possible on each ship. This meant that its ships - known as East Indiamen - were enormous, strong and very slow. By 1800, the average East Indiaman could carry 1,200 tons of merchandise.
Vocabulary from this passage
11 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- aptly adverb
In a manner that is appropriate or suitable in the circumstances; appropriately named
Richard Green built the aptly named clipper Challenger with the intention of beating the Americans.
- estuary noun
The tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream of fresh water
The clippers raced across the Atlantic and through the English Channel into the river estuary.
- ignite verb
To catch fire or cause to burn; metaphorically, to provoke or trigger intense feeling or competition
The competitive spirit was really ignited when new ports were opened for trade in China.
- jubilation noun
A feeling of great happiness and triumph; public celebration of a significant victory or achievement
The British ship beat its rival by two days, an event met with much jubilation in London.
- merchandise noun
Goods to be bought and sold; the collective stock of items transported for commercial purposes
The company was rarely in a hurry to transport its merchandise because there were no rivals.
- monopoly noun
The exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service
The British East India Company held a monopoly on trade with China during the seventeenth century.
- pioneer verb
To be the first to develop or use a new method, area of knowledge, or activity
While the British were cautious, it was the Americans who pioneered the first clipper ships.
- premium noun
An amount to be paid for a contract of insurance; extra money paid for high-quality goods
Winning ships could earn a premium of sixpence per pound for their high-quality tea cargo.
- sleek adjective
Having a smooth, elegant, and streamlined shape; efficient and modern in design and appearance
Traders needed faster and sleeker ships to bring their precious cargo back to Britain quickly.
- stated intention noun
A clear, explicitly declared aim or plan that a person or group intends to achieve
The ship was built with the stated intention of outperforming the faster American clipper ships.
- vessel noun
A ship or large boat used for transport; specifically those with specialized hulls or sails
These vessels were fast and slender, designed with a narrow hull to decrease journey times.
Answers with explanations
- 1. FALSE
The statement claims the company faced **a lot of competition**. However, the passage explicitly states that they had a **monopoly** and that **no rival** could legally import goods. Since a monopoly means exclusive control without competitors, this is a direct contradiction. Answer: FALSE.
- 2. TRUE
The question asks if **cargo size** was the most important consideration. The text confirms this by stating that the company's **priority** was to carry **as much as possible** on each ship to minimize costs. Because 'priority' matches 'most important consideration', the statement is correct. Answer: TRUE.
- 2-3: B
2: The question asks if **cargo size** was the most important consideration. The text confirms this by stating that the company's **priority** was to carry **as much as possible** on each ship to minimize costs. Because 'priority' matches 'most important consideration', the statement is correct. Answer: TRUE.
3: The statement asserts that journeys took **nearly two years** to complete at best. The text supports this by indicating that a **round trip lasted almost two years** even under **favourable sailing conditions** (which implies 'at best'). Therefore, the information matches perfectly. Answer: TRUE.
- 3. TRUE
The statement asserts that journeys took **nearly two years** to complete at best. The text supports this by indicating that a **round trip lasted almost two years** even under **favourable sailing conditions** (which implies 'at best'). Therefore, the information matches perfectly. Answer: TRUE.
- 3-4: NOT GIVEN
3: The statement asserts that journeys took **nearly two years** to complete at best. The text supports this by indicating that a **round trip lasted almost two years** even under **favourable sailing conditions** (which implies 'at best'). Therefore, the information matches perfectly. Answer: TRUE.
4: The statement claims the voyages were considered **highly dangerous**. While the passage mentions that things could **go wrong** and delay the trip, it never explicitly discusses the level of danger or states that the voyages were 'highly dangerous'. Because this specific claim is absent, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 4. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims the voyages were considered **highly dangerous**. While the passage mentions that things could **go wrong** and delay the trip, it never explicitly discusses the level of danger or states that the voyages were 'highly dangerous'. Because this specific claim is absent, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 5. FALSE
The statement claims the ships **stopped being used for commercial purposes**. The text directly contradicts this by stating they were bought by **merchants** who **continued to plough the seas** for trade between Britain and China. Therefore, they were still used commercially. Answer: FALSE.
- 6. FALSE
The statement claims drinkers preferred tea from **mature leaves**. The passage states the exact opposite: British consumers believed that **fresher and earlier-picked** tea made a better drink. 'Earlier-picked' directly contradicts the idea of 'mature' leaves. Answer: FALSE.
- 7. sails
The blank requires a noun identifying what the ships had a remarkable number of. The text describes the ships as having **masses of sails**. 'Masses of' equates to 'remarkable number of', making **sails** the correct word to complete the sentence.
- 8. storms
The blank requires a plural noun indicating a weather condition that affected performance. The text explains that British clippers were **less powerful during storms**. Therefore, **storms** accurately completes the note about what negatively affected their performance.
- 9. Challenger
The note asks for the name of the ship used to successfully compete against the Americans. The text identifies this ship as the **Challenger**, built by Richard Green with the specific intention of beating American ships, which it successfully did. The answer must be capitalized as it is a proper noun.
- 10. ports
The sentence requires a plural noun describing what was established in China to increase competition. The text states that competition was ignited when **new ports** were opened up for trade. Thus, **ports** is the grammatically and factually correct answer.
- 11. paperwork
The blank needs a noun describing what merchants failed to complete in their hurry. The passage notes that crews would rush, **not even taking time to fill out the official paperwork**. Therefore, **paperwork** completes the statement perfectly.
- 12. tugs
The note asks what provided help at the end of the ships' journey. The passage explains that once they reached the river estuary, the ships were **towed by tugs**. Grammatically fitting the preposition 'of', **tugs** is the correct answer.
- 13. money
The sentence describes the crews' motivation alongside their enthusiasm. The text explicitly states the races were about **more than just money**, confirming that financial reward was one of the driving factors before mentioning their pride and delight in competing. Therefore, **money** is the required noun.