IELTS Reading

Technology: Historic Inventions 2

– The Invention of the Telegraph –

“In the mid-19th century, an innovation that changed the course of history emerged—the telegraph. Devised by Samuel Morse in 1837, this device employed a system of symbols—commonly referred to as Morse code—to communicate messages over vast distances. The invention sparked a revolution, transforming human communication and the dissemination of information.

Before the advent of the telegraph, conveying messages across long distances was laborious and time-consuming, heavily reliant on horseback riders or ships. The telegraph altered this reality, enabling instantaneous communication across continents. This had a profound impact on various sectors, including commerce, journalism, and warfare.

Through the use of electric signals, Morse code represented different letters and numbers, making it feasible to transmit complex messages swiftly and accurately. Yet, despite its historical significance, the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 overshadowed the telegraph, offering a more natural and immediate means of communication. Today, the telegraph stands as a testament to our unceasing pursuit of technological advancement.”

​Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.
  1. The telegraph, invented in the mid-19th century, served as an __________ that shifted the trajectory of history.
  2. The technology it utilized, known as Morse code, allowed the conveyance of messages across __________ expanses.
  3. Before its creation, the distribution of messages over long distances was __________ , relying on methods like horseback riders or maritime transport.
  4. The telegraph’s impact was profound, influencing various fields including trade, __________ , and military strategy.
  5. The system functioned by using electrical signals to denote various letters and numerals, enabling the swift and __________ transmission of intricate messages.
  6. However, with the advent of the telephone in 1876, the telegraph was __________ , as the telephone provided a more direct and intuitive method of communication.
Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.

During the mid-19th century, an epoch-making ________ took place – the birth of the telegraph. It ushered in a new era of communication, where messages were sent ________ and reliably using Morse code, even over ________ distances. Prior to its existence, message delivery was a ________ process heavily dependent on horse-mounted couriers or nautical travel. The telegraph’s debut had a transformative effect on several fields, such as trade, ________ and the military. However, the arrival of the telephone in 1876 ________ this technology, offering an even more immediate means of exchange.

Vocabulary Builder 

  • Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.
Original Word Variants Used
Innovation _____________________
System _____________________
Vast __________ / __________
Laborious _____________________
Journalism _____________________
Warfare _____________________
Electric _____________________
Accurate _____________________
Overshadowed _____________________

 

Original Word Variants Used
Innovation Epoch-making
System Technology
Vast Long, Expansive
Laborious Time-consuming
Journalism News
Warfare Military
Electric Electrical
Accurate Reliable
Overshadowed Superseded

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