Match each statement with the correct person and write the appropriate letters (A-I).
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 center of it.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | He, among others, used Copernicus’s theories to advance scientific knowledge. | |||||||||
| 2 | He proposed an inaccurate theory based on the work of early philosophers. | |||||||||
| 3 | His attitude to the new theory was similar to that of the Church. | |||||||||
| 4 | He was killed because of his belief in the new theory. | |||||||||
| 5 | He was responsible for Copernicus’s ideas being made public. | |||||||||
| 6 | He had to go to jail because he believed in the new theory. |
AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Question Focus: Finding which person used Copernican theory to make further discoveries
Why this is correct: The passage says that scientists like Brahe, Kepler and Newton took Copernicus's work as a starting point and used it to glean further truths about celestial mechanics. Newton is listed as one of those who advanced science using these ideas.
Passage Reference: 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.
Common Mistake: Some students choose Kepler (C) because he is also mentioned. But the key phrase is 'among others' - Newton is listed alongside others who all did this. Since D is the answer given, Newton is the correct match. This is a multiple candidate trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'took Copernicus's work as a starting point and used it to glean further truths' = Statement: 'used Copernicus's theories to advance scientific knowledge'
Tips: When multiple people could match, check which specific person letter is available in the options.
Key Vocabulary:
- subsequent = coming later
- glean = discover gradually
Question Focus: Finding who created a wrong theory from earlier thinkers' ideas
Passage Reference: 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. Ptolemy's theory, was of course, incorrect.
Why this is correct: The passage says Ptolemy's theory was formulated by gathering and organizing the thoughts of the earlier thinkers. We also know his theory was of course, incorrect. So Ptolemy proposed an inaccurate theory based on early philosophers.
Common Mistake: Some students choose Copernicus (G) because his theory was also based on observations. But Copernicus's theory was correct, not inaccurate. This is a contradiction trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'formulated by gathering and organizing the thoughts of the earlier thinkers' = Statement: 'based on the work of early philosophers'
Tips: Two clues must match: the theory must be (1) wrong AND (2) based on earlier work. Only Ptolemy fits both.
Key Vocabulary:
- formulated = developed
- inaccurate = wrong
Question Focus: Finding who shared the Church's negative view of the Copernican theory
Passage Reference: Even the famous playwright William Shakespeare feared the new theory, pronouncing that it would destroy social order and bring chaos to the world.
Why this is correct: The passage says Shakespeare feared the new theory and said it would destroy social order and bring chaos. This negative reaction is the same attitude the Church had. Shakespeare agreed with the Church's opposition.
Common Mistake: Some students choose Galileo (F) because the Church is mentioned with him. But Galileo believed in the theory - he did not share the Church's opposition. This is a contradiction trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'feared the new theory, pronouncing that it would destroy social order' = Statement: 'attitude similar to that of the Church'
Tips: When the statement mentions similarity to the Church, look for someone who also opposed the theory.
Key Vocabulary:
- pronouncing = declaring
- social order = structure of society
Question Focus: Finding who was executed for supporting Copernican ideas
Passage Reference: 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.
Why this is correct: The passage clearly states that Bruno dared to say that space was endless and for this he was sentenced to death by burning in 1600. He was killed because of his belief in the new theory.
Common Mistake: Some students choose Galileo (F) because he was also punished. But Galileo was imprisoned, not killed. The word 'killed' is very specific. This is a degree trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'sentenced to death by burning' = Statement: 'was killed'
Tips: Pay close attention to the difference between imprisonment and death. Both are punishments, but only one means killed.
Key Vocabulary:
- sentenced = given a punishment by a court
- dared = had the courage
Question Focus: Finding who caused Copernicus to publish his work
Passage Reference: 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.
Why this is correct: The passage says that George Rheticus, a German mathematics professor, convinced Copernicus to publish his ideas. Without Rheticus, Copernicus might never have made his work public.
Common Mistake: Some students choose Copernicus (G or H) because it was his work. But the question asks who was responsible for it being made public, and Copernicus was actually reluctant. This is a logic trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'convinced Copernicus to publish his ideas' = Statement: 'responsible for ideas being made public'
Tips: When a statement says 'responsible for X happening', look for the person who caused or persuaded it, not who did it.
Key Vocabulary:
- convinced = persuaded
- reluctant = unwilling
Question Focus: Finding who was imprisoned for supporting the Copernican theory
Passage Reference: 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.
Why this is correct: The passage says Galileo was forced to deny his belief in the Copernican theories and was imprisoned for the rest of his life. Going to jail because of belief in the theory matches perfectly.
Common Mistake: Some students choose Bruno (E) because he was also punished. But Bruno was killed, not jailed. The word 'jail' specifically means prison. This is a degree trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'imprisoned for the rest of his life' = Statement: 'had to go to jail'
Tips: IELTS often tests whether you can distinguish between different types of punishment - death versus prison.
Key Vocabulary:
- imprisoned = put in prison
- escaped = avoided
General Tips:
- Read all the person options first and note which paragraph each person appears in.
- Matching Features can jump around the passage - do not assume answers follow paragraph order.
- Some people may not be used at all, and some may appear close together in the same paragraph.
- Focus on what EACH person DID, not just where they are mentioned.
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