Niagara Falls - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Trainer 2 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 3 · Questions 28–40
Reading Passage
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 28-40, which are based on Reading Passage 3.
Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls, on the Niagara River on the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York state, US, are one of North America's most famous spectacles.
A
The Falls are in two main parts, separated by Goat Island. The larger part, on the Canadian bank, is Horseshoe Falls; its height is 185 feet and the length of its curving crest line is about 2,200 feet. The American Falls, adjoining the right bank in the US, are 190 feet high and 1,060 feet wide.
The water that runs over the falls comes from the Great Lakes. Ninety percent of the water goes over the Horseshoe Falls. Originally, as much as 5.5 billion gallons of water per hour went over the Falls and, from 1842 to 1905, the site of the Falls receded upstream at an average rate of about 5.5 feet per year. Today the amount is controlled by the Canadian and American governments to slow erosion.
B
The first known image of Niagara Falls is an engraving by an unidentified Dutch printmaker which was first published in 1697 in a book by Father Louis Hennepin, a priest accompanying a French expedition to America. Alongside the engraving, Hennepin provided a description of the Falls, suggesting it to be over six hundred feet tall, and audible fifteen leagues away (a distance that could be the equivalent of a 15-hour walk). This turned out to be a wild exaggeration as the Falls in fact rise 170 feet. However, as the first European reporter to have seen the Falls, Hennepin's description is significant for the fact that it dominated the collective imagination of the Falls in the century to come.
C
In 1848, for the first time in recorded history, the falls ran dry. The river bed started drying quickly, leaving fish and turtles floundering. People came from miles around to explore the riverbed; they found things that had been hidden for years such as artefacts of the War of 1812. This phenomenon occurred due to strong westerly winds keeping water in Lake Erie, along with an ice jam that dammed the river near Buffalo, New York. Below the Falls, workers were able to head out onto the riverbed and clear away rocks which had been a navigation hazard to the steamboat, Maid of the Mist. It is estimated that the river stopped for 30–40 hours in total.
Later, in 1969, the US Army Corps of Engineers built a series of dams which brought the water flow over the American Falls to a small trickle. This was in order to enable a study of the rock formations at the crest of the Falls and see whether there was any way to remove the rock at the base of the American Falls. In the end, the engineers decided to let nature take its course.
D
Engineer Charles Ellet completed the first bridge across the Falls in 1948. Seven years later John Roebling oversaw construction of another suspension bridge, this one with two levels: one for carriages and the other for locomotive traffic, allowing the Grand Trunk Railway to connect from Canada to the USA. Before it was built, there was widespread doubt that a suspension bridge would be able to bear the weight of a locomotive; no bridge of this kind had ever done this. Roebling's bridge cost $450,000 and became one of the world's most famous bridges.
Another famous attraction in Niagara Falls is the steamboat, the Maid of the Mist. This boat made its maiden voyage in 1846 as a ferry, charging to transport people, cargo, and mail across the river. Before that, rowboats took people who needed to get across the Niagara river below the Falls. However, when Ellet's newly constructed bridge began to diminish its business in 1848, the Maid of the Mist concentrated on sightseeing and took visitors very close to the Horseshoe Falls. Several boats have taken the title Maid of the Mist since then, and to this day, Maid of the Mist VI and Maid of the Mist VII operate and since 2013 have been leaving from the US side of the Falls only. At 74 ft and 80 ft respectively, these boats are able to carry 600 visitors a piece, right to the base of the Falls.
E
It is often asked why the water of the Niagara Falls seems to take on an aquamarine colour, which is especially intense on sunny days. The reason is that the oxygen and mineral rich waters provide a conducive environment for the growth of algae called diatoms. The bodies of diatoms behave like prisms, reflecting a sparkling aquamarine. Minerals also contribute to the water's colour; dissolved limestone, shale and sandstone form salts that tint the river, while clean and well-oxygenated water helps this effect show through.
The foam in the water at the base of the Falls is not a man-made phenomenon. It is actually calcium carbonate from the mist as it evaporates while going over the Falls. This mixes with decaying diatoms and other algae to produce the foam. Moving further downstream, it remixes with the water and disappears. While in the 1950s and 1960s there was scum from phosphates and other pollutants, this is not the case today.
Questions
Questions 28–32 Matching Headings
The text has five sections, A-E.
Choose the correct heading for each paragraph, A-E, from the list of headings below.
i. Preserving the beauty of the area
ii. Getting from one side to the other
iii. When the Falls stopped flowing
iv. Permanent damage to the bottom of the river
v. The involvement of two countries
vi. Physical characteristics of the Falls
vii. Depictions of the Falls
Questions 33–36 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Questions 37–40 Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose ONE WORD/ONE NUMBER ONLY from the passage for each answer.
The Maid of the Mist
Prior to the Maid of the Mist's first voyage, people used 37 to get across the Niagara River at the base of the Falls. When launched in 1946, the steamboat carried 38 and cargo as well as passengers but after a suspension bridge was built, the main purpose of the Maid of the Mist was for 39. The original steamboat has been replaced many times and two Maids of the Mist currently run: Maid of the Mist VI and VII, which each have a passenger capacity of 40.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q28 | v | The Niagara Falls, on the Niagara River on the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York state, US, are one of North America's most famous spectacles Today the amount is controlled by the Canadian and American governments to slow erosion |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage shows that the Falls are placed right on the line between Canada and the US, and it clarifies that the leaders of both countries now make decisions together to protect the site. Answer Explanation: The answer 'v' means that the section describes how two different nations—Canada and the United States—are both connected to and share responsibility for Niagara Falls. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is section 'v' because Paragraph A explains that the Falls are located exactly on the border between two countries: Canada (Ontario) and the US (New York). It also mentions that the area is split into parts on the Canadian side and the American side. Finally, it notes that the governments of both nations work together to manage the water flow. Key terms like 'border', 'Canadian', 'American', and 'governments' confirm this shared involvement. |
| Q29 | vii | The first known image of Niagara Falls is an engraving by an unidentified Dutch printmaker which was first published in 1697 in a book by Father Louis Hennepin, a priest accompanying a French expedition to America. Alongside the engraving, Hennepin provided a description of the Falls | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that there was a very old picture (an engraving) and a written report (a description) published in a book to show people what Niagara Falls looked like. Answer Explanation: The answer means that this section of the text talks about how people have shown or described Niagara Falls through art and writing. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is vii because Paragraph B focuses on the early visual and written accounts of the Falls. It mentions the 'first known image' (an engraving) and a 'description' written by Father Louis Hennepin. The word 'depiction' refers to showing what something is like using pictures or words, which is exactly what these historical records did. |
| Q30 | iii | In 1848, for the first time in recorded history, the falls ran dry Later, in 1969, the US Army Corps of Engineers built a series of dams which brought the water flow over the American Falls to a small trickle |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that in 1848 there was no water flowing over the falls at all, and in 1969, the water was slowed down so much that only a tiny bit came through (a trickle). Answer Explanation: The answer iii means Section C is about times when the water in the waterfalls stopped falling or was reduced to a very small amount. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is iii because Paragraph C describes two historical moments when the water flow was significantly halted or reduced. In 1848, natural causes meant the falls ran dry, and in 1969, engineers purposely limited the water to a small trickle to study the area. This section focuses on these rare events where the massive flow of water stopped. |
| Q31 | ii | allowing the Grand Trunk Railway to connect from Canada to the USA This boat made its maiden voyage in 1846 as a ferry, charging to transport people, cargo, and mail across the river |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage shows that a bridge allowed trains to travel between the two countries and a ferry boat moved people and things across the river. Answer Explanation: The answer means finding ways to cross the river or move from one side to the other side. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "ii" because Section D describes how people moved between the two sides of the Niagara River. It explains that bridges were built to connect Canada and the USA for trains and carriages. It also mentions how rowboats and a ferry boat were used to transport people and mail across the water. |
| Q32 | vi | It is often asked why the water of the Niagara Falls seems to take on an aquamarine colour, which is especially intense on sunny days. The reason is that the oxygen and mineral rich waters provide a conducive environment for the growth of algae called diatoms | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the water has a bright blue-green color on sunny days because it contains a lot of oxygen, minerals, and tiny plants called algae. Answer Explanation: The answer is heading number six (vi). This heading is about the natural look and makeup of the water, such as its color and the foam it creates. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is vi because Paragraph E explains the specific details of the water's appearance and natural traits. It explains that the water looks blue-green because of minerals and tiny plants, and it explains why there is foam at the bottom. These traits are 'physical characteristics' of the falls. Keywords like 'aquamarine colour', 'minerals', and 'foam' are used to describe how the waterfall actually looks and what is inside the water. |
| Q33 | B | However, as the first European reporter to have seen the Falls, Hennepin's description is significant for the fact that it dominated the collective imagination of the Falls in the century to come | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that since Hennepin was the first European to write about the area, his words were very powerful and shaped the way everyone thought about the falls for a long time. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the story written by Father Louis Hennepin changed what many people believed the waterfalls looked like. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Paragraph B states that Hennepin's description of the falls was very important because it "dominated the collective imagination" for a hundred years. This means his account influenced how most people viewed or thought about the place, even though his description was actually an exaggeration (making them seem bigger than they really were). |
| Q34 | C | This phenomenon occurred due to strong westerly winds keeping water in Lake Erie, along with an ice jam that dammed the river near Buffalo, New York | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the water stopped flowing because of powerful winds and a large pile of ice that blocked the river like a wall. Answer Explanation: The answer states that a natural event blocked the water from coming down the falls. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text describes how the falls dried up in 1848 due to specific weather conditions. It mentions that strong winds and a block of ice (an ice jam) acted as a dam, stopping the water from flowing. These are natural events or phenomena that physically blocked the river's path, leading to the falls running dry. |
| Q35 | D | Before it was built, there was widespread doubt that a suspension bridge would be able to bear the weight of a locomotive; no bridge of this kind had ever done this | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that before this bridge existed, people were unsure if a suspension bridge could hold the heavy weight of a train. It also explains that this was the first time a bridge like this had ever carried a train. Answer Explanation: The answer explains that the bridge was special because it was the first suspension bridge that was strong enough to allow a train to travel across it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the text describes Roebling's bridge as having a level for locomotive (train) traffic. It notes that there was a lot of doubt about whether a suspension bridge could support such a heavy load, and it clearly states that no other bridge of that type had ever done this before. This uniqueness is what made the bridge remarkable. |
| Q36 | A | It is actually calcium carbonate from the mist as it evaporates while going over the Falls. This mixes with decaying diatoms and other algae to produce the foam | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that a natural mineral (calcium carbonate) and dead tiny plants (algae) mix together to create the foam at the bottom of the waterfall. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the foam in the water is made by a mix of different things that are naturally found in the environment. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text explains that the foam comes from a mineral called calcium carbonate and tiny old plants called algae. These are natural things, not made by people. The passage also says that while there was pollution (harmful chemicals) in the past, that is not why there is foam now. Key words to look for are "calcium carbonate," "mixes," "decaying diatoms," and "algae." |
| Q37 | rowboats | Before that, rowboats took people who needed to get across the Niagara river below the Falls | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that in the time before the big steam-powered boat started working, small boats moved by oars were used to help people cross the river under the waterfalls. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the specific type of small boats that people used to cross the river before the larger steamboat began its service. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the text in section D, which discusses the history of local transport. It states that before the 'Maid of the Mist' began its first trip in 1846, 'rowboats' were the primary method used to ferry people across the Niagara River beneath the falls. This directly corresponds to the summary's mention of how people crossed the river prior to the steamboat's first voyage. |
| Q38 | This boat made its maiden voyage in 1846 as a ferry, charging to transport people, cargo, and mail across the river | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that during its first ever trip, the boat worked as a ferry service that moved people, items for trade, and letters across the water for a price. Answer Explanation: The answer means letters or packages that people send to each other through a postal service. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the section describing the early history of the boat called the Maid of the Mist. The text lists three things that the boat was paid to carry across the river: people, cargo, and mail. In the summary sentence, 'passengers' means 'people' and 'cargo' is already mentioned, so 'mail' is the word needed to complete the list of items the boat transported when it first began its service. |
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| Q39 | sightseeing | However, when Ellet's newly constructed bridge began to diminish its business in 1848, the Maid of the Mist concentrated on sightseeing and took visitors very close to the Horseshoe Falls | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when the new bridge started to reduce the boat's regular business, the boat started focusing on showing people the views of the falls. Answer Explanation: The answer "sightseeing" means the activity of visiting and looking at interesting or beautiful places as a tourist. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "sightseeing". The passage explains that when the completion of the bridge reduced the ferry business, the Maid of the Mist changed its primary focus. Instead of just transporting people across the water, it started taking tourists to see the Horseshoe Falls. The word "concentrated" in the text shows that this became its main purpose. |
| Q40 | 600 | At 74 ft and 80 ft respectively, these boats are able to carry 600 visitors a piece, right to the base of the Falls | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the two boats currently in use can hold 600 guests each. Answer Explanation: The answer 600 represents the maximum number of people that each of the two current boats can hold at one time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 600 because the passage explains that the current boats, Maid of the Mist VI and VII, have the ability to take 600 guests each to the bottom of the waterfall. In the summary, the term "passenger capacity" means the same thing as being "able to carry" a certain number of visitors. |