Physics Wallah

The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers

The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers: Discover IELTS Reading sample questions on the History of British Wool Industry to improve your IELTS Reading band score.
authorImagePorishmita Paul11 Mar, 2025
Share

Share

The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers

The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers: The IELTS Reading section includes reading passages that assess a candidate's ability to read and comprehend various forms of literature. The reading section "The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers" is a popular choice for reading passages. The "The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers" includes three main sorts of questions: IELTS Reading Matching Headings and True/False/Not Given IELTS Reading.

Here, we have included a total of 14 questions for "The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers" topic. Practice the "The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers" sample passage to score well in IELTS exam .

Free IELTS Reading Practice Tests, Cambridge Sample Test PDF

The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes on Questions 1-14, which are based on the “The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers” passage below.

The History of Woodlands in Britain

Paragraph A. The climate in Britain has been arctic for the last several million years, punctuated by relatively warm timespans, or interglacials of thousands of years, one of which we are in as of now. Since the last glaciation, British woodland history is considered quite short in terms of geological time spans, and is also closely related to the human civilization developing.
Paragraph B.  At the peak of the last glaciation (100,000 — 12,000 BC), the majority of Britain would have had no trees. Birch and willow scrub may have grown along the lower reaches of the ice, with pine in some areas. It’s possible that remnants of pre-glacial flora were sheltered along the western bays of Great Britain and Ireland’s coasts, but as far as the southern parts of England, the ice kept any land barren. Information regarding the development of Britain’s flora following glaciation can be found by studying the deposits of pollen and seed in peat, as well as by the use of radiocarbon dating. Tundra and moorland followed the retreating ice, which lead to phases of different tree species spreading from the south. First came birch, aspen and sallow, followed by pine and hazel continuing to spread north as of 8500 BC, replacing birch to make it less commonly found for the next few thousand years. Oak and alder came after pine, then lime, elm, beech, and maple, all spreading northwards one after the other. From the moment lime arrived, in about 7300, to about 4500 BC the climate remained stable for a length of time known as the Atlantic Period, a time in which numerous species grew to form a series of wildwood or wilderness types.
Paragraph C.  What did the wilderness or wildwood look like, before man started interfering with it? One theory holds that Britain and Western Europe in Palaeolithic times was covered from coast to coast in a wildwood of continuous trees. However, a modern theory proposed by Francis Vera holds that Western Europe wilderness was a combination of grassland, scrub, and clusters or groves of trees. It was not a dense, impassable wildwood, but instead, an area similar to a park, kept up by wild herbivores eating the plants and grass. Throughout earlier interglacial periods, this may also have been the case in Britain, as creatures of the Palaeolithic era needed to roam large areas of grassland to survive. A variety of grassland plants continued to live there in the last interglacial, as according to pollen records. However, since the last glaciation, the bison, elk and other large herbivores which persisted on mainland Europe were extinct in Britain, so Vera’s theory may not apply so well to Britain.
Paragraph D.  Meanwhile, throughout the period since it’s spread northwards after the last glaciation, the sustained growth of oak in Britain demonstrates that the wildwood was not as continual as once believed. Oak is a pioneer species, which requires vacant space to generate more of itself. Grazing animals are also present to keep areas open, so Oak regenerates in the thorny brush as a protective measure from their grazing. Archaeological evidence indicates that red deer, who graze on grass as well as browse from trees, were essential to the economy in Mesolithic Britain, with people utilizing them for meat, skins, antlers, and bones.
Paragraph E.  As the Mesolithic (10,000-3000 BC) era ended, evidence of the beginnings of agriculture emerges. Agricultural weeds, such as plantain and stinging nettle, were also increasing in number. Nearly all the wildwood was cut down as the population increased rapidly. However, the falling elm population around 4,000 BC all across Europe has been attributed not to the clearing of trees, but to what’s referred to as Elm disease.
Paragraph F. Throughout the Bronze Age (2400-750 BC), people were cutting down trees more than ever before, until the prevalence of the practice “coppicing” peaked, likely at some point during the early Iron Age. Oliver Rackham (1990) theorizes that nearly 50% of land throughout England was no longer wildwood by 500 BC. The regrowth from a stump grows more readily than the original tree, and Neolithic man had discovered this practice, known as coppicing. Much of the remaining woods were maintained by way of this method during the Bronze Age. 
Paragraph G.  The Celtic peoples living in the Iron Age were able to master woodworking as an artform. Today, Celtic woodworking can be seen in houses, boats, wheels and other artifacts of the time. Coppicing as a means to manage woodland was of massive importance throughout two millennia that followed. Buildings, roads, fences, carts, and the fuel for heating, cooking, metalworking and pottery were all made possible due to wood materials gained from the vital practice of coppicing.
Paragraph H.  A clear divide has existed between wooded and non-wooded regions of Britain since the time of the Romans. As evidenced by The Domesday Book (1086), all the wood in England had an economic value and was the property of either an individual or community owner. Woods were the territories, or ‘exclaves’ of communities who lived some miles away. Even though it had to be transported over long distances, the materials which woodlands produced were of obvious value, and their ownership was long before established. Merely around 15% of land in England was represented by woodland or wood-pasture in the year 1086.
Paragraph I.  English woodlands produced mostly underwood used as fuel along with other things, with small oaks being used to construct buildings. The average wood-framed houses of the Medieval era mostly used oaks shorter than 18″ in diameter. Longer pieces of timber were hard to come by, and kept only for elaborate buildings intended for the Church. Imported boards of thin oak or wainscot from Central Europe were brought in for the purpose of domestic building. Woodland cover was as low as 15% in 1086, and continued to decline from as a result of an ever-growing population to 10% by 1350. This stopped suddenly with the plague of the Black Death of 1349 wiping out some of the human population. Woods which had persisted up to 1350 mostly prospered over the next 500 years.
Classifying Societies IELTS Reading Answers Jargon IELTS Reading Answers
History of Refrigeration IELTS Reading Answers Otters IELTS Reading Answers
The Lost City IELTS Reading Answers The Innovation of Grocery Stores IELTS Reading Answers
Bring Back the Big Cats IELTS Reading Answers Food For Thoughts IELTS Reading Answers
The Persuaders IELTS Reading Answers The Awesome Banana IELTS Reading Answers
Why Are Finland’s Schools Successful? IELTS Reading Answers Glaciers IELTS Reading Answers
The Thylacine IELTS Reading Academic Answers Clutter Bugs Beware IELTS Reading Answers
Classifying Societies Reading Answers Lie Detector IELTS Reading Answer
Tea And The Industrial Revolution IELTS Reading Answers
The History Of The Tortoise IELTS Reading Answers Storytelling IELTS Reading Answers
Serendipity The Accidental Scientists IELTS Reading Answers

The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers Sample Questions

The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers Questions 1-9

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage? 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
  1. Birch was the first tree species to spread in Britain after the last glaciation.
  2. The wildwood of Britain was completely covered by dense trees in Palaeolithic times.
  3. Oak trees need open areas to regenerate and grow.
  4. Elm trees disappeared around 4000 BC because of deforestation.
  5. The practice of coppicing was discovered during the Iron Age.
  6. Red deer were important to Mesolithic people for various resources.
  7. The Domesday Book recorded that all the woodland in England was owned by the church.
  8. Most large oak trees in Medieval times were used for constructing houses.
  9. Woodland cover in England dropped to 10% by 1350 because of population growth.
The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers Questions 10-14

Match each item with the period of time it best corresponds with. Write the correct letter A-F in boxes 10-14 on your answer sheet.

List of Periods:
A. Palaeolithic Period 
B. Mesolithic Period 
C. Neolithic Period 
D. Bronze Age 
E. Iron Age 
F. Medieval Period 
10. The beginning of agriculture in Britain 
11. The cutting down of most wildwood in Britain 
12. The use of wood for heating, cooking, and metalworking 
13. Woodland management through coppicing 
14. The decline of woodlands due to population growth 
IELTS Exam Important Links
IELTS Reading Band Score IELTS Listening Band Score
IELTS Speaking Band Score IELTS Writing Band Score

The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers with Explanations

The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers 1-9 (True/False/Not Given)
Ans 1. Birch was the first tree species to spread in Britain after the last glaciation.
True
Explanation:  Paragraph B states, “First came birch, aspen and sallow, followed by pine and hazel.” This confirms that birch was the first tree species to spread after the glaciation.
Ans 2. The wildwood of Britain was completely covered by dense trees in Palaeolithic times. 
False 
Explanation:  Paragraph C mentions a theory that “Britain and Western Europe in Palaeolithic times was covered from coast to coast in a wildwood of continuous trees,” but it contradicts this by presenting Francis Vera’s theory that the wilderness was a mix of grassland, scrub, and groves of trees rather than dense forest.
Ans 3. Oak trees need open areas to regenerate and grow. 
True 
Explanation:  Paragraph D explains that oak is a “pioneer species, which requires vacant space to generate more of itself.” This directly supports the statement.
Ans 4. Elm trees disappeared around 4000 BC because of deforestation. 
False 
Explanation:  Paragraph E clearly states, “The falling elm population around 4,000 BC all across Europe has been attributed not to the clearing of trees, but to what’s referred to as Elm disease.” This contradicts the statement.
Ans 5. The practice of coppicing was discovered during the Iron Age. 
False 
Explanation:  Paragraph F mentions that “Neolithic man had discovered this practice, known as coppicing.” The Iron Age came after the Neolithic period, making the statement incorrect.
Ans 6. Red deer were important to Mesolithic people for various resources. 
True 
Explanation:  Paragraph D highlights that “red deer were essential to the economy in Mesolithic Britain” and were used for “meat, skins, antlers, and bones.” This confirms the statement.
Ans 7. The Domesday Book recorded that all the woodland in England was owned by the church. 
False 
Explanation:  Paragraph H states, “All the wood in England had an economic value and was the property of either an individual or community owner.” This contradicts the idea that the church owned all the woodland.
Ans 8. Most large oak trees in Medieval times were used for constructing houses. 
False 
Explanation:  Paragraph I explains that “The average wood-framed houses of the Medieval era mostly used oaks shorter than 18” in diameter,” and larger oak timber was reserved for church buildings. This contradicts the statement.
Ans 9. Woodland cover in England dropped to 10% by 1350 because of population growth. 
True 
Explanation:  Paragraph I mentions, “Woodland cover...continued to decline as a result of an ever-growing population to 10% by 1350.” This directly confirms the statement.
The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers 10-14 (Matching Periods of Time) 
Ans 10. The beginning of agriculture in Britain 
C. Neolithic Period 
Explanation:  Paragraph E mentions the emergence of agriculture at the end of the Mesolithic and the beginning of the Neolithic period.
Ans 11. The cutting down of most wildwood in Britain 
C. Neolithic Period 
Explanation:  Paragraph E states that nearly all wildwood was cut down as the population increased during the Neolithic period.
Ans 12. The use of wood for heating, cooking, and metalworking 
E. Iron Age 
Explanation:  Paragraph G explains that wood was used for heating, cooking, and metalworking during the Iron Age.
Ans 13. Woodland management through coppicing 
D. Bronze Age  
Explanation: Paragraph F mentions that coppicing peaked during the early Iron Age but originated in the Bronze Age, making D the best match.
Ans 14. The decline of woodlands due to population growth 
F. Medieval Period 
Explanation:  Paragraph I explains that woodland cover declined to 10% by 1350 due to population growth, aligning with the Medieval period.
Also Read: 

Guidance of PW IELTS

Physics Wallah offers a few popular online IELTS courses for all students. Follow the latest IELTS articles to better prepare for the exam.
IELTS Exam Other Related Links
IELTS  Registration IELTS Eligibility Criteria
IELTS Exam Pattern IELTS Syllabus
IELTS Exam Dates IDP IELTS Test Centers

The History of British Wool Industry IELTS Reading Answers FAQs

Q. Why did Britain have no trees during the last glaciation?

Ans. During the last glaciation, most of Britain was covered by ice, preventing tree growth. Only small areas near the ice edges had birch and willow.

Q. What caused the decline of elm trees around 4000 BC?

Ans. Elm trees declined due to Elm disease, not deforestation.

Q. What is coppicing, and why was it important?

Ans. Coppicing is cutting trees to encourage regrowth from the stump. It provided wood for tools, construction, and fuel.

Q. How much woodland existed in England by 1086?

Ans. By 1086, woodland covered around 15% of England, as recorded in the Domesday Book.
Popup Close ImagePopup Open Image
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Popup Image
CTA Image
008448982616
Check out these Related Articles
BlogImage
IELTS
Share
IELTS For Work Abroad in 2025, Industries, Vocational Training
Read Full Story
29 Sept 2025, 06:13 pm
BlogImage
IELTS
Share
350+ Synonyms for IELTS, A to Z Complete List
Read Full Story
29 Sept 2025, 06:06 pm
BlogImage
IELTS
Share
Describe A Place You Visited Where The Air Was Polluted IELTS Cue Card
Read Full Story
29 Sept 2025, 06:02 pm
BlogImage
IELTS
Share
IELTS Exam Difficulty Level 2025, Is it Hard or Easy?
Read Full Story
29 Sept 2025, 06:00 pm
BlogImage
IELTS
Share
Minimum IELTS Score for Canada Universities in 2025
Read Full Story
29 Sept 2025, 05:55 pm
BlogImage
IELTS
Share
IELTS Score Validity 2025, How long the Validity is?
Read Full Story
29 Sept 2025, 05:53 pm
BlogImage
IELTS
Share
Difference Between IELTS and IELTS UKVI Exams
Read Full Story
29 Sept 2025, 05:52 pm
BlogImage
IELTS
Share
IELTS for UKVI - Types (Life Skill Test and UKVI)
Read Full Story
29 Sept 2025, 05:49 pm
BlogImage
IELTS
Share
IELTS General Syllabus for Writing, Reading, Listening, Speaking
Read Full Story
29 Sept 2025, 05:45 pm
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Point IconLive & recorded classes available at ease
Point IconDashboard for progress tracking
Point IconMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Download ButtonDownload Button
Banner Image
Banner Image
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Privacy Policy
Terms of use
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.