Table of Contents
BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 503
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 503 – PASSAGE – 2
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – 503
READING PASSAGE – 2
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution at Lyme Regis
The Early History
Only two years after the foundation of the Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck in 1824, Lyme Regis was fully recognised as a town that needed a lifeboat.
This need had been originally highlighted in November of 1824 when, during a tremendous storm, the lives of the crew of the barque Unity were saved by local men at Black Ven, east of the town. The actions of three of the rescuers gained recognition in the awarding of a gold medal and two silver medals respectively. These were some of the first RNLI medals to be awarded.
Early in 1825, a Coastguard Captain named Richard Spencer altered a local boat by fitting airtight compartments and cork fendering so that it could be used as a “proper” lifeboat. The organisation that we now know of as the RNLI (since 1854) was pleased with Spencer’s experiments and in 1826 brought the saving of life at sea under its auspices.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
From 1826 to 1852 the station was served by two locally converted vessels, but no records exist as to their names. It was the events of Boxing Day 1852 that stimulated the need for a purpose-built lifeboat in the town when four of the five lifeboatmen perished on service to the barque Heroine-carrying emigrants bound for Australia.
The following years saw two 8m “Peake Plan” lifeboats at the town and in 1866 the first named lifeboat, the William Woodcock was placed on station. The 10m vessel carried out 7 rescue call-outs and was replaced in 1891 by the Susan Ashley and then by the Thomas Masterman Hardy in 1915. In all, these five sailing and rowing lifeboats carried out 32 call-outs before the station was closed in 1932, as motorised lifeboats from Exmouth and Weymouth were believed to be able to cover the area.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
In 1937, and with only local boats once again acting as lifeboats, the Royal Air Force Marine Craft Unit came to the town and operated their fast patrol and safety launches from the site of what is now the Marine Centre west of Monmouth Beach. The Royal Air Force unit was closed in 1964. With the boom in boating as a recreation, and Lyme Regis now a thriving holiday resort, the town was yet again without a lifeboat: but after long discussions and hard fundraising, June 10th 1967 saw the re-opening of an RNLI lifeboat station in the town and almost 900 call-outs later, it is still operating to this day.
Awards for Gallantry
There have been many services at Lyme Regis that have been recognised by awards: in total, 1 Gold, 7 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals since 1825. The most prestigious in recent years was in August 1979 when helmsman John Hodder with his crew of three rescued a party of five persons (including a small boy) from their yacht White Kitten in storm-force conditions. John Hodder and crewman Colin Jones (who single-handedly sailed the yacht to the safety of the harbour) were each awarded the Bronze Medal and the crew were also presented with the Ralph Glister Award for the most meritorious rescue by an inshore lifeboat that year.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
The Lifeboat Today
The lifeboat now stationed here was funded almost entirely by local donations and came into service on 29 September 1997. She is a longer, wider and more powerful successor to the Atlantic 21 being powered by twin 70h.p. engines giving a maximum speed of 34 knots. Pearl of Dorset is fitted with a satellite navigation system, VHF radio, righting capability in the event of a capsize, and first aid equipment. The crew is normally three, including the helmsman.
The boat is launched from its DO-DO trolley (meaning Drive On, Drive Off). This is manoeuvred by a semi-submersible tractor enabling speedy launches, particularly at low water. The station prides itself on an average launch time from the initial call to leaving the harbour of just seven minutes. Each year the lifeboat launches over one hundred times on rescue call-outs and exercises, many of which involve other rescue services.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
Lifeboatmen Today
Today’s volunteer lifeboatmen here come from all walks of life. Only two of the crew of fourteen are professional seafarers: the rest is made up of such professionals as teachers, market gardeners, engineers, builders and chefs. The crew are supported by a similar number of people on the shore acting as mechanics, tractor drivers, radio operators and other invaluable shore helpers. They are all dedicated to the saving of life at sea and can only do so by the continued support of the public.
Questions 14-18
Look at the events and dates below. Match one date in the box to each event. Use each date ONCE ONLY. Write your answers in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.
14. A lifeboat service was provided by the armed forces.
15. Several lifeboatmen died carrying out a rescue.
16. The first dedicated lifeboat was created.
17. The lifeboat service was relocated to other coastal towns.
18. The Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck changed its name.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
| 1824 | 1825 | 1852 | 1854 | 1967 |
| 1932 | 1866 | 1937 | 1964 |
Questions 19-21
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
19 The current lifeboat was mostly paid for by
A. the local council.
B. local people.
C. the crew.
D. the RNLI.
20. The current lifeboat is launched
A. from a trolley.
B. from a larger boat.
C. in shallow water.
D. in under seven minutes.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
21. John Hodder won a medal for
A. rescuing so many people.
B. skilful sailing in bad weather.
C. sailing single-handed.
D. rescuing a small boy.
Questions 22-26
Do the following statements reflect the claims of the writer? Write,
YES if the statement reflects the claims of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
IELTS Academic Reading Test
22. Richard Spencer’s lifeboat saved many lives.
23. Lyme Regis has had its own lifeboat service since 1937.
24. The lifeboat service is important to the local economy.
25. The present lifeboat will not sink if it turns over in the water.
26. Lifeboatmen come from a wide variety of backgrounds.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
ANSWERS
14. 1937
15. 1852
16. 1825
17. 1932
18. 1854
19. B
20. A
21. B
22. NOT GIVEN
23. NO
24. NOT GIVEN
25. YES
26. YES
IELTS Academic Reading Test