Contributions of Marie Curie to Science – IELTS Reading Practice

The IELTS Reading test is designed to assess a wide range of reading skills, including reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument, and recognizing writers’ opinions, attitudes, and purposes. The topic “Contributions of Marie Curie to Science” has proven to be an important historical and scientific subject, likely to appear in various formats in the IELTS Reading test due to its relevance and depth.

Introduction

The IELTS Reading section is a comprehensive test lasting 60 minutes, in which candidates must answer 40 questions across three sections (for the IELTS Academic) or sections divided into various paragraphs (for the IELTS General Training). Understanding significant scientific contributions, such as those by Marie Curie, is essential due to the frequent appearance of scientific topics and historical figures in the reading passages. Historically, such topics underline the intersection of innovative scientific achievements and their societal impacts, making them popular choices in the test.

In this article, we will explore a valuable practice passage about Marie Curie’s contributions to science, create typical IELTS Reading test questions, and provide detailed answers and explanations. This will assist students in preparing effectively for the IELTS Reading test.

Sample IELTS Reading Passage

Contributions of Marie Curie to Science

Marie Curie, born Maria Sklodowska in 1867, was a pioneering physicist and chemist. Her groundbreaking work in radioactivity earned her not one but two Nobel Prizes, making her the first woman to receive these prestigious awards in two different scientific fields – Physics (1903) and Chemistry (1911). Curie’s contributions to science are numerous and have had a lasting impact on both theoretical and applied science.

Discovery of Radioactivity

Curie’s first groundbreaking discovery was radioactivity. Alongside her husband, Pierre Curie, she extensively researched uranium rays, leading to the identification and isolation of radium and polonium. Her research laid the foundation for a new scientific discipline, that of atomic physics, and she coined the term “radioactivity” to describe the phenomena they were studying.

Development of X-ray Machines

During World War I, Curie recognized the immense potential of X-rays in medical diagnostics and treatment. She developed mobile X-ray units, often referred to as “Little Curies”, which were used to assist military doctors in diagnosing battlefield injuries. Curie personally drove one of these mobile units to the front lines, significantly contributing to the medical treatment of wounded soldiers.

Her Legacy and Impact

Marie Curie’s research has had a profound effect on the development of both medical and industrial applications. Her work directly contributed to the field of radiotherapy in treating cancer, and her discoveries continue to influence the world of science. The Curie Institutes, established in Paris and Warsaw, are leading research centers continuing her legacy in the field of oncology and science.

Curie’s persistent pursuit of knowledge and her resilience in overcoming the barriers of her time have made her an enduring role model in scientific communities across the globe.

Marie Curie’s Contributions to Science

IELTS Reading Questions

Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

1. What was Marie Curie’s significant contribution to medical diagnostics?

   • A. Discovery of radium
   • B. Discovery of polonium
   • C. Development of mobile X-ray units
   • D. Creation of the atomic theory

2. Marie Curie won her first Nobel Prize in:

   • A. Chemistry
   • B. Physics
   • C. Medicine
   • D. Biology

3. The term “radioactivity” was coined by:

   • A. Pierre Curie
   • B. Henri Becquerel
   • C. Marie Curie
   • D. Albert Einstein

4. Which of the following institutes is associated with Marie Curie?

   • A. The Pasteur Institute
   • B. The Rockefeller Institute
   • C. The Curie Institute
   • D. The Darwin Institute

5. Marie Curie’s work laid the foundation for which scientific discipline?

   • A. Organic Chemistry
   • B. Quantum Physics
   • C. Atomic Physics
   • D. Molecular Biology

Questions 6-10: True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? Write:

• True if the statement agrees with the information
• False if the statement contradicts the information
• Not Given if there is no information on this

6. Marie Curie was the first scientist to isolate radium.
7. Marie Curie drove mobile X-ray units during World War I.
8. Radium and polonium are elements discovered by Pierre Curie alone.
9. The term “Little Curies” was used to refer to X-ray machines in her laboratories.
10. Marie Curie received her Nobel Prizes in the same scientific field.

Questions 11-13: Sentence Completion

Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

11. Marie Curie’s first name at birth was ___.
12. Marie Curie’s husband was a ___ scientist.
13. The ___ established in Paris and Warsaw continue Marie Curie’s legacy.

Answers and Explanations

Answer Key

Multiple Choice

1. C
2. B
3. C
4. C
5. C

True/False/Not Given

6. True
7. True
8. False
9. False
10. False

Sentence Completion

11. Maria Sklodowska
12. physicist
13. Curie Institutes

Explanation

1. C – Development of mobile X-ray units: As stated, Curie developed these units for medical diagnostics.
2. B – Physics: Curie’s first Nobel Prize was in Physics in 1903.
3. C – Marie Curie: Curie coined the term “radioactivity.”
4. C – The Curie Institute: Named after Marie Curie, these institutes continue her research.
5. C – Atomic Physics: Curie’s research paved the way for this field of science.
6. True: The text mentions that she isolated radium.
7. True: Curie personally drove one of the mobile X-ray units.
8. False: Radium and polonium were discovered by both Pierre and Marie Curie.
9. False: The term “Little Curies” referred to mobile X-ray units, not laboratory machines.
10. False: She won her Nobel Prizes in different fields, Physics and Chemistry.

Common Mistakes and Tips

1. Reading Thoroughly: Skimming might cause you to miss key details. Always ensure thorough reading for complex texts.
2. True/False/Not Given Strategy: Be careful with “Not Given” statements; they require confirmation that the information is truly absent from the text.
3. Sentence Completion: Stick to the word limit and check for grammatical accuracy.

Vocabulary

Here are some challenging words from the passage:

• Radioactivity (noun): /ˌreɪ.di.oʊˈæk.tɪ.vɪ.ti/ – The emission of ionizing radiation or particles caused by the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei.
• Isolate (verb): /ˈaɪ.sə.leɪt/ – To separate a substance from others.
• Diagnostics (noun): /ˌdaɪ.əɡˈnɒs.tɪks/ – The branch of medicine dealing with diagnosis.

Grammar Focus

1. Past Perfect Tense: Used to indicate an action completed before another past action.

   • Example: Before Curie developed X-ray units, she had isolated radium and polonium.

2. Passive Voice: Used to emphasize the action rather than the subject.

   • Example: Radium was discovered by Marie Curie.

Advice for High IELTS Reading Scores

1. Practice with Diverse Texts: Read various genres, including scientific articles, to build familiarity with different topics that might appear in the test.
2. Enhance Skimming and Scanning Skills: Learn to quickly identify key ideas and details without reading the entire text in-depth.
3. Improve Time Management: Allocate specific times for each section while practicing so you can manage time efficiently during the actual test.

For more insights and sample tasks on similar topics, you might find these articles useful: Political Impact of Nelson Mandela’s Leadership and Examples of ‘Badass’ in IELTS.

Approach your IELTS Reading practice with diligence and curiosity, and you’ll find that your comprehension and efficiency improve significantly. Happy studying!