Bakelite Reading Answers with IELTS Passage

Bakelite Reading Answers passage highlights the revolutionary invention of Leo Baekeland, which transformed industries and daily life by introducing the world’s first synthetic plastic. This Bakelite IELTS Reading Passage with solutions allows candidates to practice identifying details, understanding processes, and interpreting historical developments. 

Learners can also review the IELTS Academic Bakelite Reading Test Answers, along with an in-depth Bakelite Reading Explanation. Practicing such IELTS Reading Topics helps improve accuracy in handling IELTS Reading Question Types, mastering IELTS Reading structure, and boosting overall IELTS Reading Band Score effectively. Below, we cover the entire IELTS Bakelite Reading Answers with Passage.

Click Here to Explore IELTS Online Courses

IELTS Bakelite Reading Answers with Passage

Given here is the entire Bakelite IELTS Reading Passage with solutions helps candidates practice effectively by reviewing IELTS Academic Bakelite Reading Test Answers. This resource strengthens skills in IELTS Reading Topics, IELTS Reading Question Types, IELTS Reading structure, and guides learners to improve their IELTS Reading Band Score. Read the provided passage here: 

Bakelite Reading Passage

In 1907, a Belgian scientist named Leo Hendrick Baekeland, working in New York, discovered and patented a new revolutionary synthetic substance. His invention, which he named ‘Bakelite’, was of great technological importance and led to the launch of the modern plastic industry.

The word ‘plastic’ originated from the Greek word plassein, which means ‘to mould’. Plastics can be derived from natural sources. Some plastics are semi-synthetic, which is a result of chemical action on a natural substance. Some types of plastics are entirely synthetic, i.e., chemically engineered from the components of coal or oil. Plastics have ‘thermoplastic’ behaviour, which means that it melts when heated and can then be reshaped like candle wax. Few others have ‘thermosetting’ characteristics like eggs. They cannot go back to their original state, and its shape does not change forever. Bakelite became the first totally synthetic thermosetting plastic.

The history of today’s plastics dates back to the mid 19th century with the discovery of a series of semi-synthetic thermoplastic materials. The need for the development of these early plastics was due to many factors like immense technological progress in the domain of chemistry, along with wider cultural changes, and the practical requirements to discover suitable substitutes for decreasing supplies of luxury items like tortoiseshell and ivory. 

Baekeland was interested in plastics from 1885. As a young chemistry student in Belgium, he started his research on phenolic resins - a group of sticky substances produced when phenol (carbolic acid) combines with an aldehyde (a volatile fluid similar to alcohol). He then stopped the subject, however, only returning to it some years later. He became a wealthy New Yorker by 1905, after he made his fortune with the invention of a new photographic paper. While Baekeland had been busy making money, some innovations had been made to develop plastics. The first semi-synthetic thermosetting material was patented during 1899 and 1900 which could be made on an industrial scale. In scientific terms, Baekeland’s work in this field does not contribute so much to the actual discovery of the material to which he gave his name, but rather the way in which the reaction between phenol and formaldehyde could be controlled, to make its preparation possible on an industrial  level. Baekeland took out his famous patent with the preparation and the essential features on 13 July 1907, which are still in use today.

The original patent was a process that had 3 stages, where phenol and formaldehyde (from wood or coal) were first mixed inside vacuum in a large round kettle. A resin was formed from it known as Novalak, which becomes soluble and malleable when heated. Then the resin was let to cool in small trays until it became hard, and then was smashed and ground into powder. Other substances (fillers) like wood flour, asbestos or cotton were introduced, which increase strength and moisture resistance, catalysts and hexa (a compound of ammonia and formaldehyde which supplied the additional formaldehyde necessary to form a thermosetting resin). The resin was then given time to cool and harden and is again powered for a second time. This granular powder is the raw Bakelite, which can be made into numerous types of solid objects. In the final stage, the Bakelite is heated and poured into a hollow mould with the required shape and is exposed to extreme heat and pressure; and setting its form forever.

From chairs to TV sets the design of Bakelite objects was governed to a large extent by the technical needs of the moulding process. The object cannot be designed so that it was locked into the mould and was tough to extract. A common rule was that objects should move towards the deepest part of the mould, and if necessary, the piece was moulded as separate pieces. Moulds should be carefully designed so that the molten Bakelite could flow properly and evenly into the shape. Sharp corners were not practical so it had to be removed, giving rise to the smooth, ‘streamlined’ style which was popular in the 1930s. Thick walls take longer to cool and harden. The thickness of the walls of the mould was very crucial -  a factor which had to be taken into consideration by the designer to make the most out of the machines. 

Baekeland’s invention was treated with arrogance by the public in the early years. But it gained unmatched popularity which lasted throughout the first half of the 20th century. It became a spectacular invention for the industrial expansion of the new world. It was described as a material of a thousand uses. Bakelite being non-porous and heat-resistant, was used to manufacture kitchen goods and were advertised as being sterilisable and germ-free. Electrical manufacturers caught on to its electricity insulating properties, and people admired its bright shades of colours, at last, delighted that they are no longer restricted to the wood tones and dark brown colours of the preplastic era. In the 1950s it then became unpopular and was neglected and destroyed in large quantities. Recently, it again gained popularity with more requirements for original Bakelite products in the collectors’ marketplace, and museums, societies. People once again appreciated the style and originality of this innovative material.

Bakelite Reading Passage Sample Questions

IELTS Bakelite Reading Passage highlights the significance of Bakelite as the first synthetic plastic. This section provides sample questions to help learners practice IELTS Reading question types, including multiple choice, sentence completion, and true/false/not given, enhancing preparation for the IELTS Reading Test Format. Go through the provided questions and practice them to check your preparation level on the IELTS Reading Test. 

1. Bakelite True / False / Not Given Questions

Write TRUE if the statement agrees with the passage, FALSE if it contradicts the passage, and NOT GIVEN if there is no information.

The term "plastic" comes from a Latin word meaning "to mould."

Bakelite was the first completely synthetic thermosetting plastic.

Baekeland’s main contribution was inventing phenol.

Objects made from Bakelite often avoided sharp corners in their design.

Bakelite was always popular from the time it was invented.

2. Bakelite Sentence Completion Questions

Complete the sentences using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

The first semi-synthetic thermosetting material was patented in ________.

Bakelite was described as a material of a ________.

Kitchen products made of Bakelite were advertised as being ________ and germ-free.

Bakelite regained popularity among ________ and museums.

Novalak becomes soluble and ________ when heated.

3. Bakelite Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

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

What does thermoplastic behaviour mean?

A. Material changes shape permanently when heated.

B. Material becomes soft when heated and can be reshaped.

C. Material never melts even under heat.

D. Material is made from asbestos and cotton.

Why did early plastics need to be developed?

A. To replace decreasing supplies of ivory and tortoiseshell.

B. To help Baekeland become wealthy.

C. To make photographic paper.

D. To reduce the cost of coal and wood.

What was one factor that influenced the design of Bakelite objects?

A. They had to avoid smooth surfaces.

B. They could not be locked inside the mould.

C. They were always manufactured as one piece.

D. They had to be painted after moulding.

Why did electrical manufacturers prefer Bakelite?

A. It was lightweight and transparent.

B. It could be reused like thermoplastic.

C. It had excellent insulating properties.

D. It was stronger than metals.

4. Bakelite Matching Information Questions

Match the items (15–18) with the correct description (A–E).

Items

15. Novalak

16. Fillers

17. Streamlined Style

18. Collectors’ Marketplace

Descriptions

A. Increased strength and resistance to moisture.

B. A resin that becomes malleable when heated.

C. Smooth shapes influenced by moulding requirements.

D. Helped rediscover Bakelite’s popularity.

E. Used in photographic paper.

Click Here to Explore - Free IELTS Reading Practice Test PDF

Guidance to PW IELTS Prep