VOL-8 Test 12 Passage 1 — IELTS Reading

<p>One of the earliest forms of portable illumination, candles have served vital functions for humankind throughout history, a fact chronicled through the use of candles or candle-like objects in virtually every society. Historians believe the original candle may have been invented by early humans who dipped dried branches from trees into animal fat, thus producing a slow-burning and reliable source of light. Ancient Egyptian artworks depict the use of candles by writers and philosophers who worked long after sundown. These early candles were most likely developed from tapers that were made of fibrous materials mixed with wax or with tallow, the white, nearly tasteless fat of cattle or sheep also used to make soap.</p>

<p>One of the earliest forms of portable illumination, candles have served vital functions for humankind throughout history, a fact chronicled through the use of candles or candle-like objects in virtually every society. Historians believe the original candle may have been invented by early humans who dipped dried branches from trees into animal fat, thus producing a slow-burning and reliable source of light. Ancient Egyptian artworks depict the use of candles by writers and philosophers who worked long after sundown. These early candles were most likely developed from tapers that were made of fibrous materials mixed with wax or with tallow, the white, nearly tasteless fat of cattle or sheep also used to make soap.</p>

<p>A major improvement in candle making materials came in the Middle Ages, when beeswax was preferred over animal or vegetable fats candles were introduced to Europe. Beeswax was preferred over animal or vegetable fats because it smelled pleasant and did not produce as much mess as other fats. During this time, candles were primarily used as a source of illumination. However, this was not their only purpose. In the 15th century, for example, candles were used as a means of keeping time. At auctions, the bidding time was limited by inserting a pin into a candle and letting the wax melt until the pin dropped, thus concluding the period in which a bid could be made.</p>

<p>The growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century brought another major change in candle making materials, as spermaceti wax, which was extracted from the oil of the sperm whale, became more widely available. Spermaceti wax was popular because it provided a significantly brighter light and burned evenly. Ozokerite, a colorless mineral hydrocarbon wax, was also popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly in warmer weather, when its relatively high melting point meant it remained firm. Paraffin, a wax crystallized from petroleum, became popular during the 1860s. It was eventually blended with spermaceti and ceresin — a byproduct of refined petroleum oil. This created a more durable wax, and, thanks to the fact that it resulted in inexpensive candles of reasonably high quality; its use was widespread by the end of the 19th century.</p>

<p class="text-left"><strong>Additional passage (candle making process &amp; modern candles)</strong></p>

<p>The candle wick, the length of soft material which runs through the middle of the candle, was made from a variety of natural fibers. In 1824, Frenchman Jean-Jacques Cambaceres introduced an important refinement to wick technology with the plaited wick, which consisted of several strands of material woven together. This burned more evenly than unplaited wicks. Although candle making materials have changed through the years, the art of candle making has remained surprisingly similar to the original production process.</p>

<p>Originally, candles were produced by hand using an approach known as the dipping method. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the method involved the use of wicks made from rushes. These were repeatedly dipped into molten fat until the desired thickness of fat had stuck to them. In the pouring method, which was introduced later, melted beeswax was poured over a suspended cotton wick while the wick was manually twirled. After a sufficient amount of wax had gathered at the bottom of the wick, the candle was reversed and wax was poured from the other end.</p>