IELTS General Reading Practice - 26 - The Shock of the Truth
Read the following general reading passage 26 and then answer the questions below (28- 40).
28. the public's reaction to the new theory
The Shock of the Truth
A Throughout history, there have been instances in
which people have been unwilling to accept new theories, despite
startling evidence. This was certainly the case when Copernicus
published his theory - that the earth was not the centre of the
universe.
B Until the early 16th century, western thinkers
believed the theory put forward by Ptolemy, an Egyptian living in
Alexandria in about 150 A.D. His theory, which was formulated by
gathering and organizing the thoughts of the earlier thinkers, proposed
that the universe was a closed space bounded by a spherical envelope
beyond which there was nothing. The earth, according to Ptolemy,
was a fixed and immobile mass, located at the centre of the universe.
The sun and the stars, revolved around it.
C The theory appealed to human nature. Someone
making casual observations as they looked into the sky might come to a
similar conclusion. It also fed the human ego. Humans could
believe that they were at the centre of God's universe, and the sun and
stars were created for their benefit.
D Ptolemy's theory, was of course, incorrect, but at
the time nobody contested it. European astronomers were more
inclined to save face. Instead of proposing new ideas, they
attempted to patch up and refine Ptolemy's flawed model. Students
were taught using a book called The Sphere which had been written two
hundred years previously. In short, astronomy failed to advance.
E In 1530, however, Mikolaj Kopernik, more commonly
known as Copernicus, made an assertion which shook the world. He
proposed that the earth turned on its axis once per day, and travelled
around the sun once per year. Even when he made his discovery, he
was reluctant to make it public, knowing how much his shocking
revelations would disturb the church. However, George Rheticus, a
German mathematics professor who had become Copernicus's student,
convinced Copernicus to publish his ideas, even though Copernicus, a
perfectionist, was never satisfied that his observations were
complete.
F Copernicus's ideas went against all the political and
religious beliefs of the time. Humans, it was believed, were made
in God's image, and were superior to all creatures. The natural
world had been created for humans to exploit. Copernicus's
theories contradicted the ideas of all the powerful churchmen of the
time. Even the famous playwright William Shakespeare feared the
new theory, pronouncing that it would destroy social order and bring
chaos to the world. However, Copernicus never had to suffer at the
hands of those who disagreed with his theories. He died just
after the work was published in 1543.
G However, the scientists who followed in Copernicus's
footsteps bore the brunt of the church's anger. Two other Italian
scientists of the time, Galileo and Bruno, agreed wholeheartedly with
the Copernican theory. Bruno even dared to say that space was
endless and contained many other suns, each with its own planets.
For this, Bruno was sentenced to death by burning in 1600.
Galileo, famous for his construction of the telescope, was forced
to deny his belief in the Copernican theories. He escaped capital
punishment, but was imprisoned for the rest of his life.
H In time however, Copernicus's work became more
accepted. Subsequent scientists and mathematicians such as Brahe,
Kepler and Newton took Copernicus's work as a starting point and used it
to glean further truths about the laws of celestial mechanics.
I The most important aspect of Copernicus' work is that
it forever changed the place of man in the cosmos. With
Copernicus' work, man could no longer take that premier position which
the theologians had immodestly assigned him. This was the first, but
certainly not the last time in which man would have to accept his
position as a mere part of the universe, not at the centre of it.
Questions 28 - 34
The text has nine paragraphs, A-I. Which paragraph contains the following information?
28. the public's reaction to the new theory
29. an ancient belief about the position of the earth
30. Copernicus's legacy to the future of science
31. How academics built on Copernican ideas
32. An idea which is attractive to humans
33. Out-dated teaching and defective research
34. Scientists suffer for their beliefs
Questions 35 - 40
Look at the following statements and the list of people below.
Match each statement with the correct person.
List of People
Ptelomy
George Rheticus
William Shakespeare
Galileo
Bruno
Newton
Ptelomy
George Rheticus
William Shakespeare
Galileo
Bruno
Newton
35. He, among others, used Copernicus's theories to advance scientific knowledge.
36. He proposed an inaccurate theory based on the work of early philosophers.
37. His attitude to the new theory was similar to that of the Church.
38. He was killed because of his belief in the new theory.
39. He was responsible for Copernicus's ideas being made public.
40. He had to go to jail because he believed in the new theory.
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