The Impact of Marie Curie’s Contributions to Science and Nelson Mandela’s Political Leadership on History

The IELTS Reading section is designed to assess a test taker’s ability to understand and interpret academic and general texts. Topics often range across various fields including history, science, politics, and more. Historically, subjects related to influential figures like Marie Curie and Nelson Mandela have appeared frequently due to their significant contributions to humanity. Understanding these subjects can not only help in scoring well on the Reading test but also provide a deeper understanding of their impact. Given the continuous relevance of these topics, there is a high likelihood they might reappear in future exams.

In this comprehensive post, we will delve into the scientific achievements of Marie Curie and the political impact of Nelson Mandela’s leadership. Following this, you will find a model IELTS Reading test based on these themes, complete with questions, answers, and detailed explanations to aid in your practice.

IELTS Reading Practice: Marie Curie and Nelson Mandela

Reading Passage

(Read the following passage carefully before answering the questions.)

Contributions of Marie Curie to Science

Marie Curie, born in Poland in 1867, was a pioneering physicist and chemist known for her contribution to radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields – Physics and Chemistry. Curie’s discovery of the elements polonium and radium transformed the scientific community’s understanding of radioactivity, a term she coined herself. Her work laid the foundation for the development of X-ray machines, which have become indispensable in medical diagnostics. Despite facing severe gender-based discrimination, Curie’s relentless pursuit of knowledge earned her a prominent place in history.

Political Impact of Nelson Mandela’s Leadership

Nelson Mandela, born in South Africa in 1918, emerged as a global symbol of resistance to racial oppression and an advocate for peace, justice, and reconciliation. Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) in the early 1940s and was a co-founder of the ANC Youth League. His leadership and strategic nonviolent resistance campaigns were key in dismantling apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination. Mandela’s imprisonment for 27 years became a focal point for international anti-apartheid campaigns, triggering global sanctions against South Africa. Released in 1990, he led negotiations that eventually birthed a democratic multiracial political system. Mandela’s presidency from 1994 to 1999 marked a new era where he focused on nation-building and reconciliation, which successfully prevented a civil strife-ridden transition.

marie-curie-portrait|Marie Curie Portrait|Portrait of Marie Curie in a lab coat, holding a test tube, black and white photo

Questions

Multiple Choice (1-3)

1. What were the two scientific fields in which Marie Curie won Nobel Prizes?

   • a. Biology and Chemistry
   • b. Physics and Chemistry
   • c. Medicine and Physics
   • d. Chemistry and Medicine

2. Which of the following best describes Nelson Mandela’s strategy in fighting apartheid?

   • a. Violent uprisings
   • b. Economic sanctions
   • c. Nonviolent resistance
   • d. All of the above

3. What was the primary aim of Mandela’s actions after his release from prison?

   • a. To seek revenge against his oppressors
   • b. To establish a single-party state
   • c. To focus on reconciliation and prevent civil strife
   • d. To abolish the ANC

Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given) (4-6)

4. Marie Curie was the first person ever to win two Nobel Prizes.
5. Nelson Mandela spent over three decades in prison.
6. Marie Curie and Nelson Mandela faced gender and racial discrimination, respectively.

Matching Headings (7-9)

Match the following headings to the paragraphs in the reading passage:
7. Challenges and Discrimination Faced by Marie Curie
8. Global Impact of Nelson Mandela’s Imprisonment
9. Medical Advancements Due to Marie Curie’s Discovery

Answer Keys and Explanations

Multiple Choice

1. b. Physics and Chemistry

   • Marie Curie won Nobel Prizes in Physics (1903) and Chemistry (1911).

2. c. Nonviolent resistance

   • Although Mandela initially advocated for armed struggle through Umkhonto we Sizwe, his primary strategy was nonviolent resistance and negotiations.

3. c. To focus on reconciliation and prevent civil strife

   • After his release, Mandela worked towards national reconciliation to mitigate the risk of civil conflict.

Identifying Information

4. False

   • Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, but not the first person to win two Nobel Prizes. Linus Pauling, for example, also won two.

5. Not Given

   • The text states Mandela spent 27 years in prison but does not specify “over three decades”.

6. True

   • Marie Curie faced gender discrimination, and Nelson Mandela faced racial discrimination.

Matching Headings

7. Challenges and Discrimination Faced by Marie Curie

   • The paragraph detailing the discrimination faced by Marie Curie fits this heading best.

8. Global Impact of Nelson Mandela’s Imprisonment

   • The section about international anti-apartheid campaigns and sanctions fits this heading.

9. Medical Advancements Due to Marie Curie’s Discovery

   • The mention of X-ray machines and medical diagnostics enhancements fits this heading.

Lessons Learned

When dealing with topics that have a significant historical and social impact:

• Pay close attention to specific contributions and their broader impacts.
• Understand the context and main ideas rather than just focusing on isolated details.
• Look for thematic connections among different paragraphs or sections.

Vocabulary

• Radioactivity (noun) [ˌreɪdiəʊækˈtɪvɪti] – the emission of ionizing radiation or particles.
• Institutionalized (adjective) [ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənəlaɪzd] – established as a normal and accepted part of society.
• Reconciliation (noun) [ˌrekənsɪliˈeɪʃən] – the action of making one view or belief compatible with another.
• Segregation (noun) [ˌsegrɪˈgeɪʃən] – the enforced separation of different racial groups.

Grammar Tip

• Non-defining relative clauses: Use commas to offset additional information that doesn’t change the meaning of the sentence.
  • E.g., Marie Curie, who faced significant discrimination, made groundbreaking contributions to science.

Conclusion

To excel in the IELTS Reading section, it’s essential to practice thoroughly and familiarize yourself with a variety of topics. By understanding the contributions of figures like Marie Curie and Nelson Mandela, you not only prepare for the exam but also gain invaluable insights into their enduring legacies. Keep practicing with materials like this, and remember to focus on comprehension, context, and critical thinking.

For more practice and resources, visit IELTS.NET and continue honing your skills!