How Tennis Rackets Have Changed Reading Answers

arivarasi

Author

16-09-2025

How tennis rackets have changed reading answers

We have given How tennis rackets have changed reading practice and answers with explanations. It has 13 questions in 2 different types of question forms- 7 questions as true, false or not given questions form and 6 questions as note completion questions form.

Check out our YouTube Channel to Practice Full-Length IELTS Reading Tests Daily

IELTS Reading Practice Test Demo

 

Table of contents:

Solution for How Tennis Rackets Have Changed

Here we have given how tennis rackets have changed reading answers, in the table given below.

Answer Table

1. False 4. False 7. True 10. Training 13. Grips
2. False 5. Not given 8. Paint 11. Intestines  
3. Not given 6. True 9. Topspin 12. Weights  

How Tennis Rackets Have Changed IELTS reading practice test -Exam Review

In this article we have given how tennis rackets have changed IELTS reading answers it will help you to attain a band score in your major exam. Read the passage carefully and answer the given questions. 

Passage

We have given How tennis rackets have changed reading answers with location. Read the passage completely and answer your questions. 

How Tennis Rackets Have Changed

  1. In 2016, the British professional tennis player Andy Murray was ranked as the world’s number one. It was an incredible achievement by any standard – made even more remarkable by the fact that he did this during a period considered to be one of the strongest in the sport’s history, competing against the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, to name just a few. Yet five years previously, he had been regarded as a talented outsider who entered but never won the major tournaments.
  2. Of the changes that account for this transformation, one was visible and widely publicised: in 2011, Murray invited former number one player Ivan Lendl onto his coaching team – a valuable addition that had a visible impact on the player’s playing style. Another change was so subtle as to pass more or less unnoticed. Like many players, Murray has long preferred a racket that consists of two types of string: one for the mains (verticals) and another for the crosses (horizontals). While he continued to use natural string in the crosses, in 2012 he switched to a synthetic string for the mains. A small change, perhaps, but its importance should not be underestimated. 
  3. The modification that Murray made is just one of a number of options available to players looking to tweak their rackets in order to improve their games. ‘Touring professionals have their rackets customised to their specific needs,’ says Colin Triplow, a UK-based professional racket stringer. ‘It’s a highly important part of performance maximisation.’ Consequently, the specific rackets used by the world’s elite are not actually readily available to the public; rather, each racket is individually made to suit the player who uses it. Take the US professional tennis players Mike and Bob Bryan, for example: ‘We’re very particular with our racket specifications,’ they say. ‘All our rackets are sent from our manufacturer to Tampa, Florida, where our frames go through a . . . thorough customisation process.’ They explain how they have adjusted not only racket length, but even experimented with different kinds of paint. The rackets they use now weigh more than the average model and also have a denser string pattern (i.e. more crosses and mains). 
  4. The primary reason for these modifications is simple: as the line between winning and losing becomes thinner and thinner, even these slight changes become more and more important. As a result, players and their teams are becoming increasingly creative with the modifications to their rackets as they look to maximise their competitive advantage.
  5. Racket modifications mainly date back to the 1970s, when the amateur German tennis player Werner Fischer started playing with the so-called spaghetti-strung racket. It created a string bed that generated so much topspin that it was quickly banned by the International Tennis Federation.  However, within a decade or two, racket modification became a regularity. Today it is, in many ways, an aspect of the game that is equal in significance to nutrition or training. 
  6. Modifications can be divided into two categories: those to the string bed and those to the racket frame. The former is far more common than the latter: the choice of the strings and the tension with which they are installed is something that nearly all professional players experiment with. They will continually change it depending on various factors including the court surface, climatic conditions, and game styles. Some will even change it depending on how they feel at the time.
  7. At one time, all tennis rackets were strung with natural gut made from the outer layer of sheep or cow intestines. This all changed in the early 1990s with the development of synthetic strings that were cheaper and more durable. They are made from three materials: nylon (relatively durable and affordable), Kevlar (too stiff to be used alone) or co-polyester (polyester combined with additives that enhance its performance). Even so, many professional players continue to use a ‘hybrid set-up’, where a combination of both synthetic and natural strings are used.
  8. Of the synthetics, co-polyester is by far the most widely used. It’s a perfect fit for the style of tennis now played, where players tend to battle it out from the back of the court rather than coming to the net. Studies indicate that the average spin from a co-polyester string is 25% greater than that from natural string or other synthetics. In a sense, the development of co-polyester strings has revolutionised the game.
  9. However, many players go beyond these basic adjustments to the strings and make changes to the racket frame itself. For example, much of the serving power of US professional player Pete Sampras was attributed to the addition of four to five lead weights onto his rackets, and today many professionals have the weight adjusted during the manufacturing process. 
  10. Other changes to the frame involve the handle. Players have individual preferences for the shape of the handle and some will have the handle of one racket moulded onto the frame of a different racket. Other players make different changes. The professional Portuguese player Gonçalo Oliveira replaced the original grips of his rackets with something thinner because they had previously felt uncomfortable to hold. 
  11. Racket customisation and modification have pushed the standards of the game to greater levels that few could have anticipated in the days of natural strings and heavy, wooden frames, and it’s exciting to see what further developments there will be in the future.

Questions

Questions 1-7

  • Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?
  • In boxes 1–7 on your answer sheet, write 
  • TRUE if the statement agrees with the information 
  • FALSE if the statement contradicts the information 
  • NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this 

1. People had expected Andy Murray to become the world’s top tennis player for at least five years before 2016.
2. The change that Andy Murray made to his rackets attracted a lot of attention. 
3. Most of the world’s top players take a professional racket stringer on tour with them. 
4. Mike and Bob Bryan use rackets that are light in comparison to the majority of rackets. 
5. Werner Fischer played with a spaghetti-strung racket that he designed himself. 
6. The weather can affect how professional players adjust the strings on their rackets. 
7. It was believed that the change Pete Sampras made to his rackets contributed to his strong serve.

Questions 8 –13

  • Complete the notes below. 
  • Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
  • Write your answers in boxes 8 –13 on your answer sheet.

The tennis racket and how it has changed

• Mike and Bob Bryan made changes to the types of 8________ used on their racket frames. 
• Players were not allowed to use the spaghetti-strung racket because of the amount of 9__________ it created. 
• Changes to rackets can be regarded as being as important as players’ diets or the 10________ they do. 
• All rackets used to have natural strings made from the 11________ of animals.
• Pete Sampras had metal 12______ put into the frames of his rackets. 
• Gonçalo Oliveira changed the 13_________ on his racket handles.

Answer for How Tennis Rackets Have Changed

We have given How Tennis Rackets Have Changed reading answers with explanations, It will help you to identify your mistakes in the answering process.

(Note: The text in italics mentions the location and referring lines written in the reading passage)

1. Answer: False

Explanation: Yet five years previously, he had been regarded as a talented outsider who entered but never won the major tournaments. The given answer is located in the last 2 lines of paragraph 1. 

2. Answer: False

Explanation: Another change was so subtle as to pass more or less unnoticed. Like many players, Murray has long preferred a racket that consists of two types of string: one for the mains (verticals) and another for the crosses (horizontals). While he continued to use natural string in the crosses, in 2012 he switched to a synthetic string for the mains. A small change, perhaps, but its importance should not be underestimated. The given answer is located in the 4-9 lines of paragraph 2.

3. Answer: Not given

4. Answer: False

Explanation: The rackets they use now weigh more than the average model and also have a denser string pattern (i.e. more crosses and mains). The given answer is located in the last 2 lines of paragraph 3.

5. Answer: Not given 

6. Answer: True

Explanation: They will continually change it depending on various factors including the court surface, climatic conditions, and game styles. The given answer is located in the 4-6 lines of paragraph 6.

7. Answer: True

Explanation: And today many professionals have the weight adjusted during the manufacturing process. The given answer is located in the last 2 lines of paragraph 9. 

8. Answer: Paint

Explanation: Take the US professional tennis players Mike and Bob Bryan, for example: ‘We’re very particular with our racket specifications,’ they say. ‘All our rackets are sent from our manufacturer to Tampa, Florida, where our frames go through a . . . thorough customisation process.’ They explain how they have adjusted not only racket length, but even experimented with different kinds of paint. The given answer is located in the 7-12 lines of paragraph 3. 

9. Answer: Topspin

Explanation: Racket modifications mainly date back to the 1970s, when the amateur German tennis player Werner Fischer started playing with the so-called spaghetti-strung racket. It created a string bed that generated so much topspin that it was quickly banned by the International Tennis Federation. The given answer is located in the first 4 lines of paragraph 5.

10. Answer: Training

Explanation: Today it is, in many ways, an aspect of the game that is equal in significance to nutrition or training. The given answer is located in the last 2 lines of paragraph 5.

11. Answer: Intestines

Explanation: At one time, all tennis rackets were strung with natural gut made from the outer layer of sheep or cow intestines. The given answer is located in the first 2 lines of paragraph 7.  

12. Answer: Weights

Explanation: However, many players go beyond these basic adjustments to the strings and make changes to the racket frame itself. For example, much of the serving power of US professional player Pete Sampras was attributed to the addition of four to five lead weights onto his rackets. The given answer is located in the first 4 lines of paragraph 9. 

13. Answer: Grips

Explanation: The professional Portuguese player Gonçalo Oliveira replaced the original grips of his rackets with something thinner because they had previously felt uncomfortable to hold. The given answer is located in the last 3 lines of paragraph 10. 

Other reading answers

arivarasi

About Author Arivarasi

Arivarasi is an experienced author with expertise in the study abroad industry and preparing test materials for exams like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, SAT, PTE, etc. She stays up-to-date with university and college requirements for international students which allows her to provide guidance on course selection, documents like SOP, LOR, and scholarship opportunities. She has written numerous articles on study abroad exams, destinations, universities & colleges requirements, admission procedures, and the entire process of studying abroad. Collaborating with industry experts and counselors, she crafts informative articles that make students take the right decisions.

More Articles Post by Arivarasi

Kanan.co is a trusted study abroad consultancy offering comprehensive services, resources, and solutions for students and education institutions. We support students at every stage of their global education journey, ensuring a smooth and guided experience. Along with test preparation for IELTS, GRE, TOEFL, and SAT, we provide expert services such as SOP writing, visa guidance, accommodation support, scholarship assistance, and education loan support. Our expertise and commitment to excellence make us a reliable partner for students pursuing international education.

kanan-logo1
kanan-ftr-fbkanan-ftr-igkanan-ftr-linkedinkanan-ftr-twitterkanan-ftr-youtube
kanan-ftr-phone1

+91 73555 73555

DMCA.com Protection Status
Mobile app
Mobile app

Global Headquarters

Kanan Int EdTech Inc

320 Bay Street, Suite 321 (Spaces), Toronto ON, Canada M5B 1N9

Indian Headquarters

Kanan International Pvt. Ltd.

D-wing, 2nd Floor, Trident Complex, Ellora Park Vadiwadi Road, Vadodara, Gujarat 390007

IT/ Digital Campus

Kanan International Pvt. Ltd

Old, New No 3, 2nd Floor, 1A, Dr Sadasivam Rd, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017

Our branches

  • Bardoli
  • Bharuch
  • Chennai
  • Dehradun
  • Gurugram
  • Himatnagar
  • Karnal
  • Nadiad
  • Navsari
  • Palanpur
  • Rajkot
  • Vadodara
  • Valsad
  • Vallabh Vidyanagar
  • Vapi

Copyright © 2026 KANAN.CO All rights reserved.