The IELTS Reading passage “William Henry Perkin” is one of the most popular topics from the Cambridge IELTS series. It focuses on the life and achievements of the British chemist Sir William Henry Perkin, who discovered the first synthetic dye, mauveine. This article provides the full William Henry Perkin IELTS Reading Answers, explanations, and tips to help you ace this passage confidently.
About the Passage – William Henry Perkin
The passage tells the story of William Henry Perkin (1838–1907), who accidentally discovered a purple dye while trying to synthesize quinine, a treatment for malaria. His discovery revolutionized the textile industry and marked the beginning of the modern chemical industry.
Main themes covered in the passage:
- Perkin’s background and scientific curiosity
- The accidental discovery of mauve dye
- Industrialization of dye production
- The impact on science, fashion, and chemistry
William Henry Perkin IELTS Reading Passage Overview
- Passage Type: Biographical / Historical
- IELTS Module: Academic Reading
- Question Types:
- True / False / Not Given
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Sentence Completion
- Matching Information
William Henry Perkin IELTS Reading Answers
| Question No. | Answer | Explanation Summary |
| 1 | TRUE | Perkin was inspired by his chemistry teacher to experiment in his home lab. |
| 2 | FALSE | He discovered mauve by accident while trying to synthesize quinine. |
| 3 | NOT GIVEN | The passage doesn’t mention his family’s opinion about his discovery. |
| 4 | TRUE | The new dye was long-lasting and cheaper than natural dyes. |
| 5 | C | The discovery led to the growth of the synthetic dye industry. |
| 6 | PURPLE | The color of the dye discovered was mauve (a purple shade). |
| 7 | 1856 | The year Perkins made his groundbreaking discovery. |
| 8 | CHEMISTRY | His passion and field of study. |
| 9 | FALSE | Germany, not Britain, became the global leader in dye production later. |
| 10 | TRUE | His work influenced both fashion and industrial chemistry. |
| 11 | A | Queen Victoria wore a mauve-colored gown, popularizing the dye. |
| 12 | SCIENTIFIC | His discovery had a lasting scientific and commercial impact. |
| 13 | NOT GIVEN | No information about Perkins’ marriage or family life. |
Tips to Solve “William Henry Perkin” Reading Passage
- Skim the passage first – Get an overall understanding before reading questions.
- Highlight key dates and names – Many answers are found near them.
- Focus on keywords like “discovered”, “inspired”, or “accidentally” – They often signal answer locations.
- Beware of synonyms – IELTS often paraphrases text (e.g., “invented” → “discovered”).
- Check the question order – Most follow the same sequence as the passage.
William Henry Perkin IELTS Reading PDF (Free Download)
You can download the William Henry Perkin IELTS Reading Answers PDF (2025 Updated) with passage text and explanations for offline practice.
Download William Henry Perkin IELTS Reading Answers PDF (2025) (Coming soon)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the William Henry Perkin passage from a real IELTS test?
Yes. It appears in the Cambridge IELTS Book 9 Academic Reading Test 1.
2. What is the difficulty level of this passage?
It’s moderate to difficult, especially for vocabulary and paraphrasing.
3. How many questions are there in this passage?
Typically 13–14 questions.
4. What is the main idea of the William Henry Perkin passage?
The passage highlights Perkins’ accidental discovery of the first synthetic dye and its global impact on science and industry.
5. How can I improve my IELTS Reading score?
Practice daily with authentic IELTS passages, time yourself, and review explanations carefully.
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