# Laki Eruption

IELTS Academic Listening - 10 questions - 8 minutes - Multiple choice, Multiple choice (choose more than one), Matching features

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 18, Test 2, Listening Part 3. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## The recording

7 minutes of audio. Practice it with the player on the page; the transcript is on the answers page.

## Questions

### Questions 21-24: Multiple choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

21. Why do the students think the Laki eruption of 1783 is so important?
   - A. It was the most severe eruption in modern times.
   - B. It led to the formal study of volcanoes.
   - C. It had a profound effect on society.

22. What surprised Adam about observations made at the time?
   - A. the number of places producing them
   - B. the contradictions in them
   - C. the lack of scientific data to support them

23. According to Michelle, what did the contemporary sources say about the Laki haze?
   - A. People thought it was similar to ordinary fog.
   - B. It was associated with health issues.
   - C. It completely blocked out the sun for weeks.

24. Adam corrects Michelle when she claims that Benjamin Franklin
   - A. came to the wrong conclusion about the cause of the haze.
   - B. was the first to identify the reason for the haze.
   - C. supported the opinions of other observers about the haze.

### Questions 25-26: Multiple choice (choose more than one)

Choose TWO letters, A-E. Which TWO issues following the Laki eruption surprised the students?

- **A** how widespread the effects were
- **B** how long-lasting the effects were
- **C** the number of deaths it caused
- **D** the speed at which the volcanic ash cloud spread
- **E** how people ignored the warning signs

### Questions 27-30: Matching features

What comment do the students make about the impact of the Laki eruption on the following countries? Choose the correct letter, A-F, for each one.

- **A** This country suffered the most severe loss of life
- **B** The impact on agriculture was predictable.
- **C** There was a significant increase in deaths of young people.
- **D** Animals suffered from a sickness.
- **E** This country saw the highest rise in food prices in the world.
- **F** It caused a particularly harsh winter.

27. Iceland

28. Egypt

29. UK

30. USA

[Practice online with a timer and instant marking](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/laki-eruption) - [Answers and explanations](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/laki-eruption/answers)