Read this article in 4 levels: Basic A1 (英検3級), Intermediate B1(英検2級), Advanced C1(英検1級), original version. Multiple choice content questions for each level. Free English reading practice. The more you read in English, the more your English will improve. What is talc?
A1 Beginner 英検3級
B1 Intermediate 英検2級
C1 Advanced 英検1級
Original article
Basic A1 (英検3級) Version:
Article:
What is talcum powder? It is a mineral found in the ground. We often use talcum powder on a baby’s skin to prevent rashes, or on our own skin after playing sports. Talcum powder helps to absorb moisture.
Talc is a very soft mineral. It is usually white, brown, or gray and breaks easily into thin sheets. It is so soft that it is a 1 on the Mohs scale of hardness, where diamond is a 10. Talc is mined from the ground, often from an open pit mine. Explosives are used to get the talc out, but not too much because it can break the soft talc. After it is dug up, it is ground into powder.
The word “talc” comes from Arabic and Persian words that were used to describe shiny minerals. Talcum powder has been used for a long time. The ancient Egyptians carved things out of talc. In 1893, a scientist named Dr. Frederick Kilmer working for Johnson & Johnson suggested using talcum powder on babies. He didn’t invent talcum powder, but he thought it would be good for babies. Johnson & Johnson made it, and it became very popular.
Talc is used in many other products. It is used in ceramics to make them stronger and in paper to make it smoother and whiter. Talc is also used in plastics, paint, cosmetics, and even in chewing gum.
Every year, about 8 million tons of talc is mined. Most of it comes from China, India, the USA, Finland, and France.
Recently, talcum powder has been in the news because some women believe it caused their cancer. Talc can be dangerous if it is inhaled, especially for talc miners. The problem is that talc can be contaminated with asbestos, which can cause cancer. Talc and asbestos are often found together in the ground. Some talcum powder products contain asbestos. Johnson & Johnson are being sued because they knew their talcum powder had asbestos in it for over fifty years and didn’t tell anyone.
Questions:
- What is talcum powder made from?
a) A plant
b) A mineral found in the ground
c) Water
d) A type of food - What does talcum powder do?
a) It makes things harder
b) It absorbs moisture
c) It makes things stickier
d) It changes color - Where is talcum powder often used?
a) On food
b) On baby’s skin and after sports
c) In the ocean
d) On walls - What is talc’s hardness on the Mohs scale?
a) 10
b) 5
c) 1
d) 7 - Where does most of the talc come from?
a) China, India, the USA, Finland, and France
b) Japan, Brazil, and Australia
c) Canada, Russia, and Germany
d) Africa, Italy, and Mexico - What did Dr. Frederick Kilmer suggest using talcum powder for?
a) On babies
b) In cars
c) On food
d) For making buildings - Why has talcum powder been in the news recently?
a) It is very expensive
b) Some people believe it caused cancer
c) It has a new color
d) It is found in space - What can make talcum powder dangerous?
a) It is too soft
b) It can contain asbestos
c) It is too heavy
d) It is too hot - What is asbestos?
a) A type of plant
b) A mineral that can cause cancer
c) A kind of fruit
d) A metal - Why is Johnson & Johnson being sued?
a) They made the first talcum powder
b) They knew their talcum powder had asbestos for a long time
c) They made talcum powder very expensive
d) They sold talcum powder to babies only
Answers:
- b) A mineral found in the ground
- b) It absorbs moisture
- b) On baby’s skin and after sports
- c) 1
- a) China, India, the USA, Finland, and France
- a) On babies
- b) Some people believe it caused cancer
- b) It can contain asbestos
- b) A mineral that can cause cancer
- b) They knew their talcum powder had asbestos for a long time
Intermediate B1 (英検2級) Version:
Article:
What is talcum powder? It is a mineral found in the ground, commonly used on babies’ skin to prevent rashes and on adults after sports. Talcum powder is effective because it absorbs moisture well.
Talc is a very soft mineral, typically white, brown, or gray, that easily breaks into thin sheets. It is so soft that it ranks as a 1 on the Mohs scale of hardness, where diamond is a 10. Talc is usually mined from an open pit mine, where explosives are used to help extract it, though they must be used carefully because talc can easily be damaged. Once the talc is mined, it is ground into a fine powder.
The word “talc” comes from Arabic and Persian, where it was used to describe shiny minerals. Talc has been used for centuries. The ancient Egyptians carved amulets out of talc. The first use of talcum powder on babies was in 1893, when Dr. Frederick Kilmer, a scientist working for Johnson & Johnson, suggested it. He didn’t invent talcum powder, but he thought it would be beneficial for babies. Johnson & Johnson began marketing it, and it quickly became popular.
Talc is used in many other industries. In ceramics, it helps lower the firing temperature and improves the strength of the final product. In paper manufacturing, talc fills the tiny gaps between fibers, making the paper smoother and better at absorbing ink. Talc is also used in plastics, paint, cosmetics, and even in chewing gum to prevent it from sticking to the wrapper.
Every year, about 8 million tons of talc are mined, with China, India, the USA, Finland, and France being the largest producers.
Recently, talcum powder has been in the news because some women believe it caused their ovarian cancer. Talc can be dangerous if inhaled, especially for talc miners, and there is a higher incidence of lung cancer among them. The issue arises because talcum powder can be contaminated with asbestos, a mineral known to cause cancer. Talc and asbestos are often found together in the ground, making it difficult to mine talc without also extracting asbestos. Approximately 15% of products that use talc test positive for asbestos. Johnson & Johnson is being sued not because their talc contains asbestos, but because they knew about it for over fifty years and kept it a secret. Talc that is free from asbestos is generally safe, but not all industries require testing for asbestos in talc products.
Questions:
- What is talcum powder primarily used for?
a) To build houses
b) To prevent rashes on skin
c) To make clothes
d) To clean floors - How is talc typically mined?
a) By using water
b) By cutting trees
c) From open pit mines
d) From deep sea diving - What makes talc a useful mineral in various industries?
a) Its hardness
b) Its ability to absorb moisture and make surfaces smoother
c) Its color
d) Its rarity - What did Dr. Frederick Kilmer suggest using talcum powder for in 1893?
a) On food
b) On babies
c) In construction
d) For making toys - Why is talc added to paper?
a) To make it more colorful
b) To make it smoother and help absorb ink
c) To make it waterproof
d) To make it cheaper - Which country is the largest producer of talc?
a) Japan
b) China
c) Canada
d) Brazil - Why has talcum powder been controversial recently?
a) It is too expensive
b) Some women believe it caused their cancer
c) It has a bad smell
d) It is not available anymore - What is asbestos?
a) A type of food
b) A mineral that can cause cancer
c) A fabric used in clothes
d) A kind of plant - What percentage of talc products test positive for asbestos?
a) 50%
b) 25%
c) 15%
d) 5% - Why is Johnson & Johnson being sued?
a) They invented talcum powder
b) They kept the presence of asbestos in their talc a secret for over fifty years
c) They stopped making talcum powder
d) They raised the price of talcum powder
Answers:
- b) To prevent rashes on skin
- c) From open pit mines
- b) Its ability to absorb moisture and make surfaces smoother
- b) On babies
- b) To make it smoother and help absorb ink
- b) China
- b) Some women believe it caused their cancer
- b) A mineral that can cause cancer
- c) 15%
- b) They kept the presence of asbestos in their talc a secret for over fifty years
Advanced C1 (英検1級) Version:
Article:
What is talcum powder? It is a mineral found in clay, commonly used to prevent rashes by absorbing moisture. While most people associate talcum powder with baby care or post-sport applications, it is, in fact, a mined rock. Talcum powder’s absorbent properties make it an ideal product for keeping skin dry and preventing irritation.
Talc is an extremely soft mineral, often white, brown, or gray, that easily breaks into thin sheets. It is so soft that it ranks as a 1 on the Mohs scale of hardness, where diamond is a 10. Talc is typically extracted from open pit mines, with explosives used sparingly to avoid damaging the soft mineral. Once extracted, the talc is ground into a fine powder.
The term “talc” originates from Arabic and Persian words used to describe shiny minerals. Talc has been utilized for millennia, with ancient Egyptians carving objects from it. The use of talcum powder on babies began in 1893 when Dr. Frederick Kilmer, a scientist at Johnson & Johnson, suggested it for preventing diaper rash. Although Kilmer did not invent talcum powder, his suggestion led to its widespread use in baby care, and Johnson & Johnson successfully marketed the product.
Talc’s applications extend beyond baby powder. In the ceramics industry, talc lowers the firing temperature, enhancing the durability of the finished product. In paper manufacturing, talc fills the microscopic gaps in cellulose fibers, making the paper smoother, more absorbent, and whiter. Talc is also used in plastics, paint, cosmetics, pesticides, rubber, and food. It even plays a role in chewing gum, where it prevents the gum from sticking to the wrapper.
Globally, around 8 million tons of talc are mined annually, with China, India, the USA, Finland, and France being the largest producers.
Talc has recently been in the news due to health concerns. A group of women sued Johnson & Johnson, claiming that their ovarian cancer was caused by talcum powder. While talc can be hazardous when inhaled, especially for miners, the controversy centers on contamination with asbestos, a known carcinogen. Talc and asbestos often occur together in nature, making it challenging to mine talc without asbestos contamination. Approximately 15% of talc-based products test positive for asbestos fibers. Johnson & Johnson faces lawsuits not because their talc contains asbestos, but because they allegedly knew about the contamination for over fifty years and kept it secret. Talc that is asbestos-free is generally considered safe, but the lack of mandatory testing in some industries raises concerns.
Questions:
- What is the primary use of talcum powder?
a) To clean floors
b) To prevent rashes by absorbing moisture
c) To flavor food
d) To build houses - How is talc typically extracted?
a) Through deep-sea mining
b) From open pit mines with careful use of explosives
c) By cutting down trees
d) By digging tunnels - What historical use of talc is mentioned in the article?
a) As a currency
b) For making amulets by ancient Egyptians
c) As a food ingredient
d) In the construction of the pyramids - How does talc improve paper quality?
a) By making it waterproof
b) By filling gaps in the fibers, making it smoother and more absorbent
c) By adding color to it
d) By increasing its thickness - Why did Dr. Frederick Kilmer suggest using talcum powder on babies?
a) To make them smell nice
b) To prevent diaper rash
c) To help them sleep better
d) To keep them warm - What is one reason talcum powder has become controversial recently?
a) It is too expensive
b) It has been linked to ovarian cancer due to asbestos contamination
c) It causes skin discoloration
d) It is not effective - What is asbestos?
a) A type of plant
b) A mineral known to cause cancer
c) A kind of fish
d) A metal - Why is it difficult to mine talc without asbestos contamination?
a) Talc and asbestos often occur together in the same deposits
b) Asbestos is heavier than talc
c) Talc is usually found underwater
d) Asbestos is invisible - What percentage of talc-based products test positive for asbestos fibers?
a) 10%
b) 15%
c) 25%
d) 50% - Why is Johnson & Johnson being sued regarding their talcum powder?
a) They increased the price of talcum powder
b) They allegedly knew about asbestos contamination for over fifty years and did not disclose it
c) They stopped producing talcum powder
d) They changed the formula of their talcum powder
Answers:
- b) To prevent rashes by absorbing moisture
- b) From open pit mines with careful use of explosives
- b) For making amulets by ancient Egyptians
- b) By filling gaps in the fibers, making it smoother and more absorbent
- b) To prevent diaper rash
- b) It has been linked to ovarian cancer due to asbestos contamination
- b) A mineral known to cause cancer
- a) Talc and asbestos often occur together in the same deposits
- b) 15%
- b) They allegedly knew about asbestos contamination for over fifty years and did not disclose it
Original Version:
Article:
What is talcum powder? It is a mineral found in clay. When we think of talcum powder, most of us think of the powder we put on a baby’s bottom after they have been changed to prevent nappy rash (diaper rash), or something we put on our nether regions after a tough game of squash. However, it is actually a rock that is mined out of the ground. It is used as baby powder because it is very good at absorbing moisture. Modern nappies (diapers) are very effective at keeping waste water away from the baby, but even the best nappy can’t keep the baby completely dry. And, if there is moisture in the nappy, the dampness can cause nappy rash. The same can apply with adults after sports or showering. Excess sweat can cause rashes and talcum powder can absorb the sweat.
So, what exactly is talcum powder? It is a mineral that is found in the earth and has to be mined. It is usually white, brown, or gray, and it forms flakes. It breaks into thin sheets very easily. It is an extremely soft mineral. The scale of hardness is called the Mohs scale and talc is a 1 on this scale. At the other end is diamond, which is a 10. It is usually mined from an open pit mine. Explosives are used to dig deeper into the mine, but they are used sparingly because talc is so soft that blasting can destroy it. Once the talc is dug up, it can be ground to make powder. The word “talc” comes from Arabic “talq” or possibly Persian “talk” and it was a word used to describe any transparent, translucent, or shiny mineral. “Talcum” comes from Latin, where “um” is the neuter singular ending for a noun.
We mostly know talc from the powder, but that is not its only use. Talc has been around for millennia, and the ancient Egyptians carved scarab beetles and amulets out of the soft talc. The first use of talcum powder on babies was in 1893, when a scientist working for Johnson & Johnson, called Dr. Frederick Kilmer, suggested it. The story goes that someone had band aids on his hand and when he removed them his hands itched. Dr. Kilmer asked for a bottle of Italian scented talcum powder to stop the man’s hands itching, and that gave him the idea to try it on babies. Johnson & Johnson marketed the product, and it was a hit. However, Kilmer didn’t invent talcum powder, he just came up with the idea of using it on babies.
The most common use of talc is actually in the ceramics industry. When talc is added to the ceramics, it lowers the necessary firing temperature, which means kilns don’t have to be so hot. It also improves the thermal shock resistance of the finished product. Talc is also used in paper manufacture. Paper is made of the cellulose fibers from trees and these fibers have microscopic gaps between them. They are too small for us to see, but they make the paper very rough and abrasive. When talc is added, it goes in the gaps and makes the paper much smoother. The talc also helps the paper to absorb and hold ink better. And, as a very white and glossy mineral, it improves the whiteness of the paper. Talc is also used in plastics, drugs, paint, cosmetics, pesticides, rubber, and food. Talc is also an ingredient in chewing gum and is the white powder on sticks of gum that stop them sticking to the wrapper.
Every year, about 8 million tons of talc ore is mined. One quarter of this comes from China, and the next largest talc producers are India, the USA, Finland, and France.
Talc has been in the news recently because a group of women sued Johnson & Johnson because they had ovarian cancer and they believed it had been caused by talcum powder. The news is full of stories that talcum powder causes cancer. Talc can be dangerous if inhaled, but so can many other powders. There is a high incidence of lung cancer among talc miners. There are several other types of cancer that are associated with talc. The problem has arisen because talcum powder can often be contaminated with asbestos. And, as we know, asbestos can cause cancer. How does talc become contaminated with asbestos? They form in similar environments and when you find talc, you often find asbestos. It is difficult to dig the talc up without getting some asbestos with it. 15% of products that use talc test positive for asbestos fibers. Johnson & Johnson are being sued, not because their talc contains asbestos, but because they have known it contains asbestos for over fifty years and they have kept it secret. Talc that is not contaminated with asbestos is probably safe, and it is possible to test the talc for asbestos fibers. However, a lot of industries, such as many cosmetics, don’t require the talc to be tested.
Questions:
- What is talcum powder primarily used for?
a) To clean floors
b) To absorb moisture and prevent rashes
c) To flavor food
d) To build houses - What is talc’s position on the Mohs scale of hardness?
a) 1
b) 5
c) 7
d) 10 - Where does the word “talc” originate from?
a) Greek
b) Latin
c) Arabic and Persian
d) Chinese - How is talc commonly extracted?
a) Through open pit mining with careful use of explosives
b) By deep-sea drilling
c) By cutting down trees
d) By tunneling through mountains - What historical use of talc is mentioned in the article?
a) As a building material
b) As a form of currency
c) For carving scarab beetles and amulets by ancient Egyptians
d) In the creation of ancient weapons - What industry is the most common user of talc today?
a) The electronics industry
b) The ceramics industry
c) The automotive industry
d) The agricultural industry - What is one reason talcum powder has been controversial recently?
a) Its price has increased significantly
b) It has been linked to ovarian cancer due to asbestos contamination
c) It has a bad smell
d) It has been banned in many countries - What is asbestos, and why is it a concern?
a) A plant used in medicine, but it is rare
b) A mineral often found with talc that can cause cancer
c) A type of plastic used in packaging
d) A chemical used to make fireworks - What percentage of talc products test positive for asbestos fibers?
a) 5%
b) 10%
c) 15%
d) 20% - Why is Johnson & Johnson being sued regarding their talcum powder?
a) They raised the price too high
b) They allegedly knew about asbestos contamination in their talc for over fifty years and did not disclose it
c) They stopped making talcum powder
d) They sold it only to babies
Answers:
- b) To absorb moisture and prevent rashes
- a) 1
- c) Arabic and Persian
- a) Through open pit mining with careful use of explosives
- c) For carving scarab beetles and amulets by ancient Egyptians
- b) The ceramics industry
- b) It has been linked to ovarian cancer due to asbestos contamination
- b) A mineral often found with talc that can cause cancer
- c) 15%
- b) They allegedly knew about asbestos contamination in their talc for over fifty years and did not disclose it
