Reading Passage 1: Stepwells
Questions 1-5 (TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN):
In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:
The statement in the question matches with the account in the text- TRUE
The statement contradicts the account in the text- FALSE
The statement has no clear connection with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN
[For this type of question, divide each statement into three independent pieces and go through with the answer.]
Question 1: Examples of ancient stepwells can be found all over the world.
Keywords for these answers: examples of ancient stepwells, all over the world,
The answer can be found in paragraph 2 lines 7-11 says, “Most stepwells are found dotted round the desert areas of Gujarat (where they are called vav) and Rajasthan (where they are called baori), while a few also survive in Delhi.” This means that stepwells are unique to India, so they cannot be found all around the world.
So, the answers are: FALSE
Question 2: Stepwells had a range of functions, in addition to those related to water collection.
Keywords for these answers: range of functions, in addition to, water collection,
The answer can be found in paragraph 2 lines 11-14 says, “Some were located in or near villages as public spaces for the community; others were positioned beside roads as resting places for travelers.” In the same paragraph, the writer also says in the previous lines, “During their heyday, they (stepwells) were places of gathering of leisure and relaxation and of worship for villagers of all but the lowest classes.”
This means that stepwells were not only used for collecting water. They were also used for other social purposes.
So, the answers are: TRUE
Question 3: The few existing stepwells in Delhi are more attractive than those found elsewhere.
Keywords for this answer: few existing, Delhi, more attractive
In this passage, there is no comparison of the decorations of the stepwells.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question 4: It took workers many years to build the stone steps characteristic of stepwells.
Keywords for this answer: stone steps characteristic,
We can find the mention of ‘stone steps’ in both paragraphs 3 and 4. However, no paragraph indicates whether it took the workers many years or not.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question 5: The number of steps above the water level in a stepwell altered during the course of a year.
Keywords for this answer: number of steps, altered, course of a year,
In paragraph 3 lines 6-9, the author mentions, “When the water level was high, the user needed only to descend a few steps to reach it; when it was low, several levels would have to be negotiated.” These lines suggest that the water level changed during the year, which means that the number of steps above the water level changed, too.
So, the answer is: TRUE
Questions 6-8: Short answers to open questions
[In this kind of question, candidates have to answer some questions, only with some conditions like NO MORE THAN THREE/TWO WORDS and/or A NUMBER or, ONE WORD ONLY. Each question has keywords that will lead to the answer. This question type generally follows a sequence.]
Question 6: Which part of some stepwells provided shade for people?
Keywords for the answer: shade
The answers is in lines 6-8 of paragraph no. 4, where the writer says, “Built from stone and supported by pillars, they also included pavilions that sheltered visitors from the relentless heat.”
Here, sheltered visitors from the relentless heat = provided shade,
So, the answer is: pavilions
Question 7: What type of serious climatic event, which took place in southern Rajasthan, is mentioned in the article?
Keywords for these answers: serious climate event, southern Rajasthan,
The answers is in the last lines of paragraph no. 5. The writer says, “. .. . . .southern Rajasthan suffered an eight-year drought between 1996 and 2004.”
We know that drought is a serious climate event.
So, the answer is: drought
Question 8: Who are frequent visitors to stepwells nowadays?
Keywords for this answer: frequent visitors, nowadays,
The word ‘nowadays’ indicates the present tense. So, we need to find recent information about stepwells. The final paragraph starts with the word ‘today’ which indicates the present tense. So, we need to check here for the answer. In lines 6-8 of the final paragraph the writer says, “. .. .. .. . Tourists flock to wells . .. .”
Here, the word flockmeans visit frequently.
So, the answer is: tourists
Questions 9-13 (Table completion):
In this type of question, candidates have to fill in the blanks in a table. It is one of the easiest questions because many keywords are available to find the answers.
Question 9:
Other notes: Restored in the 1960s.
Excellent condition, despite the _________ of 2001.
Keywords for this answer: Rani Ki Vav, Restored, 1960s, excellent condition, despite, 2001,
To find the answer to this question, let’s find the times between the 1960s and 2001. In paragraph no. 7 we can find both the times 1960s (line 7) and 2001 (line 14).
Now, let’s read the last lines in this paragraph, “Incredibly, in January 2001, this ancient structure survived an earthquake that measured 7.6 on the Richter scale.” So, the stepwell remained in excellent condition even though/despite it suffered an earthquake.
So, the answer is: earthquake
Question 10:
Features: Steps on the __________ produce a geometrical pattern.
Keywords for this answer: Surya Kund, produce, geometrical pattern,
The answer is in lines 8-10 of paragraph no. 8. The author says here, “. . .. Besides, it is the steps on the four sides that create a geometrical formation.”
So, the answer is: 4 sides (four sides is not the answer because of the given condition in the instruction)
Question 11:
Other notes: Looks more like a _______ than a well.
Keywords for these answers: Surya Kund, looks more like,
The answer is in lines 4-6 of paragraph no. 8. The author says here, “It actually resembles a tank rather than a well,. . .”
Here, resembles = look more like
So, the answer is: tank
Question 12:
Other notes: Old, deep and very dramatic
Has ________ which provide a view of the steps
Keywords for this answer: Chand baori, old, deep, dramatic, provide, view of the steps,
In paragraph 10, the last lines have the answer to this question. “On the fourth side, verandas which are supported by ornate pillars overlook the steps.” The same paragraph has the words like oldest, deepest, most dramatic.
Here, overlook the steps = provide a view of the steps.
So, the answer is: verandas
Question 13:
Features: Has two ______ levels
Keywords for this answer: Neemrana Ki Baori, two,
In paragraph 11, lines 4-5 give us the answer. “. .. .storeys deep, with the last two being underwater.”
So the answer is: underwater
Reading Passage 2 : European Transport System 1990-2010
Questions 14-18: (List of headings)
[To find answers for List of Headings, check the first and (occasionally) the last few lines of each paragraph. Most of the time, the answer is there for you containing some synonymous words, which have a match with the lists of headings. If you cannot find the answers in the first and last few lines, you may need to check the middle of the paragraphs. This we did in other tests too.]
Question 14: Paragraph A
In paragraph A, the author states in lines 2-4 “Although modern information technologies can reduce the demand for physical transport by facilitating teleworking and teleservices, the requirement for transport continues to increase.” Also in lines 6-7, the author says, “The number of cars on European Union (EU) roads saw an increase of three million cars each year from 1990 to 2010, … .. . ..” This means that the requirement for vehicles continues to rise.
So, the answer is: viii (The rapid growth of private transport)
Question 15: Paragraph B
In paragraph B, the first sentence gives us the main clue “As far as goods transport is concerned, growth is due to a large extent to changes in the European economy and its system of production.” Right after that, the author also suggests that these changes are the reason of some production sites to be shifted far away from the final assembly plant or away from users, “ –even though the production site is hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away… ..”. These lines means that these changes clearly affect the transport distances.
So, the answer is: iii (Changes affecting the distances goods may be transported)
Question 16: Paragraph C
In paragraph C, some important transport statistics is provided by the author, in some nations which wish to enter the EU, “….candidates for entry to the EU”. The statistics show a clear increase in road transport and a decrease in rail transport.
So, the answer is: xi (Transport trends in the countries awaiting EU admission)
Question 17: Paragraph D
In paragraph D, after the first line “A new imperative – sustainable development- offers an opportunity for adapting the EU’s common transport policy.. .. ”, we find the word objective. And in the last line we find the time needed to implement the objective “… in 30 years’ time.”
- Objective = goal
- In 30 years’ time = long-term
So, the answer is: i (A fresh and important long-term goal)
Question 18: Paragraph E
In paragraph E, we can see the mention of the effect of energy consumption in the transport sector on the environment. This is specified by the statistic provided on CO2 (carbon-di-oxide). The paragraph says that CO2 emissions are projected to rise by 50% by 2020 because of the increase in traffic. So, the environment is paying heavily for the increase of CO2.
So, the answer is: v (The environmental cost of road transport)
Question 19: Paragraph G
Paragraph G proposes a solution that concentrates on road transport only through pricing. This is because the previous paragraph (paragraph E) talks about transport rebalance.
- charging=pricing
- alone=solely
- restrict=curb
So, the answer is: x (Restricting road use through charging policies alone)
Question 20: Paragraph H
Paragraph H is also about another solution to achieve transport balance. Here, the approach is to concentrate “… .. .on road transport pricing but is accompanied by measures to increase the efficiency of the other modes (better quality of services, logistics, technology.)”.
Here, other modes mean other transport methods.
So, the answer is: ii (Charging for roads and improving other transport methods)
Question 21: Paragraph I
Paragraph I specifically talks about the change needed to restructure the modes of transport and the transport network. Look at the first two lines “the third approach comprises a series of measures ranging from pricing to revitalising alternative modes of transport and targeting investment in the trans-European network… … ”
So, the answer is: iv (Taking all the steps necessary to change transport patterns)
Question 22-26: (TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN)
In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:
The statement in the question matches with the account in the text- TRUE
The statement in the question contradicts with the account in the text- FALSE
The statement in the question has no clear connection with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN
Question 22: The need for transport is growing, despite technological developments.
Keywords for this answer: growing, technological developments,
In paragraph A, look at these lines, “Although modern information technologies can reduce the demand for physical transport by facilitating teleworking and teleservices, the requirement for transport continues to rise.” So, the main indication here is “the requirement or need for transport is rising”.
In this paragraph,
- requirement means need
- rise means grow
- information technologies means technological developments
So, the answer is: TRUE
Question 23: To reduce production costs, some industries have been moved closer to their relevant customers.
Keywords for this answer: reduce production costs, closer to customers
The answer is found in paragraph B. “This phenomenon has been emphasized by the relocation of some industries, particularly those which are labour intensive, to reduce production costs, even though the production site is hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away from the final assembly or away from users.”
This means that some industries are moved much far away from their relevant customers, not moved closer.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Question 24: Cars are prohibitively expensive in some EU candidate countries.
Keywords for this answer: prohibitively expensive, candidate countries.
The phrase “EU candidate countries” is mentioned in paragraph C. However, there is no mention of any information about the price of EU countries’ cars or any indication of whether they are expensive or not.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question 25: The Gothenburg European Council was set up 30 years ago.
Keywords for this answer: The Gothenburg Council, 30 years ago
In Paragraph D, we find the mention of The Gothenburg Council. However, there is no information about the founding time of the Gothenburg Council in this paragraph or the following paragraph.
Don’t be fooled by the mention of ’30 years’ at the end of paragraph D. It indicates to the time needed to complete the objective of sustainable development.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question 26: By the end of this decade, CO2 emissions from transport are predicted to reach 739 billion tonnes.
Keywords for this answer: the end of this decade, 739 billion tonnes,
In paragraph E, the writer argues that “… .. CO2 emissions from transport can be expected to increase by 50% to 1,113 billion tonnes, compared with the 739 billion tonnes recorded in 1990.” This means that 739 billion tonnes is the figure or CO2 emissions in 1990, not “by the end of this decade”.
So, the answer is: FALSE
Reading Passage 3: The psychology of innovation
Questions 27-30 (Multiple Choice Questions)
[Multiple choice questions is a common type of question set in IELTS Reading test. It is also found in Listening test. Most of the time, they come with four options but sometimes there are three options. Candidates need to work hard for this type of questions because this may confuse them easily in passage 2 or passage 3. There will be long answers for each question, so they may kill valuable time. So, quick reading or skimming technique might come handy here. Remember that answers in 3 options out of 4 will be very close. So, vocabulary power will help a lot to choose the best answer.]
[TIPS: Skimming is the best reading technique here. You need not understand every word here. Just try to gather the gist of the sentences. That’s all. Read quickly and don’t stop until you finish each sentence.]
Question 27: The example of the ‘million-dollar quartet’ underlines the writer’s point about –
Keywords for this question: ‘million-dollar quartet’
The phrase ‘million-dollar quartet’ is found in paragraph no. 3, line 7. A quick skimming of the paragraph lets us know that ‘million-dollar quartet’ was, in fact, a famous picture of four great “….. … singers Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jonny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis jamming at a piano in Sun Studios in Memphis …. .. .” However, the paragraph also points out that the picture missed another great singer of the time who was Roy Orbison. The four singers joined hands together at Sun Studios under Sam Phillips, but ‘… .. . Orbison wasn’t inspired by the goal, and only ever achieved one hit with the Sun label’.
This means Orbison did not like the idea of sharing success.
So, the answer is: C (having a shared objective)
Question 28: James Watson suggests that he and Francis Crick won the race to discover the DNA code because they –
Keywords for this question: James Watson, Francis Crick, won, discover the DNA code,
In paragraph no. 6 we find the mention of James Watson and Francis Crick, the great minds who discovered DNA code. Here, in this paragraph, look at lines 18-20. “….. he (James Watson) and Crick had succeeded because they were aware that they weren’t the most intelligent of the scientists pursuing the answer.”
It means both James Watson and Francis Crick knew that they had learning limitations.
So, the answer is: A (were conscious of their own limitations)
Question 29: The writer mentions competitions on breakfast cereal packets as an example of how to –
Keywords for this question: competitions on breakfast cereal packets
In paragraph no. 8, ‘competitions on breakfast cereal packets’ is mentioned in lines 8-9. The reason of mentioning this example is described just before. In lines 5-7, the writer says, “….. . . even something as simple as writing deepens every individual’s engagement in the project.”
So, the answer is: D (strengthen commitment to an idea)
Question 30: In the last paragraph, the writer suggests that it is important for employees to –
Keywords for this question: important for employees to
In the middle of the last paragraph, lines 4-9, we find the final comments of Cialdini. “ … … Cialdini says: ‘Leaders should encourage everyone to contribute and simultaneously assure all concerned that every recommendation is important to making the right decision and will be given full attention.’ … ..”
This means that company owners or employers should provide a view to their employees that they (employees) are also a big part of the company and their suggestions are valued.
So, the answer is: B (feel that their contributions are valued)
Questions 31-35 (Completing sentences with correct endings)
[For this type of question, candidates need to match the beginning and ending of sentences. Candidates need to look for keywords in the sentence-beginnings and find the relative paragraphs and then sentences in the passage. Skimming and scanning, both reading skills are essential for this question-type.]
Question 31: Employees whose values match those of their employers are more likely to –
Keywords for this question: values, match, more likely to,
In paragraph no. 2, the writer says in lines 5-12, “. . . .. . Research shows that the fit between an employee’s values and a company’s values makes difference to what contribution they make and whether they’re still at the company”.
This clearly suggests that the matching or fitting of value has an influence on whether employees stay in their present jobs or not.
So, the answer is: G (remain in their jobs)
Question 32: At times of change, people tend to –
Keywords for this question: time of change,
In paragraph no. 4, the writer mentions in lines 4-6, “ . .. .. when things change, we are hard-wired to play it safe.”
This line suggests that when there are changes we or people try our best to play safe or avoid risks.
So, the answer is: E (avoid risk)
Question 33: If people are aware of what they might lose, they will often –
Keywords for this question: if, aware, might lose, will often
At the end of paragraph no. 4 the writer says, “.. .. . studies show that we invariably take more gambles when threatened with a loss than when offered a reward”.
This means that when people are threatened with a loss or damage, people will take gambles or chances.
So, the answer is: A (take chances)
Question 34: People working under a dominant boss are liable to –
Keywords for this answer: dominant boss, liable to,
In paragraph no. 9, lines 7-11, we find comments of Cialdini, “. .. . crew members of multipilot aircraft exhibit a sometimes deadly passivity when the flight captain makes a clearly wrong-headed decision. This behaviour is not unique to air travel, but can happen in any workplace where the leader is overbearing.”
These lines indicate the fact that people working under an overbearing or dominant boss tend to take more passive decision or action.
To be more precise, they become liable to ignore their duties.
So, the answer is: F (ignore their duties)
Question 35: Employees working in organisations with few rules are more likely to –
Keywords for this answer: employees, with few rules
We find the answer in paragraph no. 10 Here, the writer specifies that the environment ‘. .. . where the only rule was that there were no rules.. ..’ … … .. . ‘.. . .encouraged a free interchange of ideas…. ..’
*interchange = share
This means that employees who work in organisations with few rules are more likely to interchange or share their ideas.
So, the answer is: B (share their ideas)
Questions 36-40 (YES/NO/NOT GIVEN):
[In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:
The statement in the question matches with the account in the text- YESThe statement in the question contradicts the account in the text- NOThe statement in the question has no clear connection with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN
For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]
Question 36: The physical surroundings in which a person works play a key role in determining their creativity.
Keywords for this answer: surroundings, determining creativity
In paragraph no. 1, lines 3-9 say, “There are, nevertheless, people working in luxurious, state-of-the-art centres designed to stimulate innovation who find that their environment doesn’t make them feel at all creative. And there are those who don’t have a budget, or much space, but who innovate successfully.”
This means that the working environment or physical surroundings of the workplace does not affect the employees’ creativity.
So, the answer is: NO
Question 37: Most people have the potential to be creative.
Keywords for this answer: potential, creative,
In paragraph no. 2, lines 11-14, the writer says, “… . .. . although some individuals may be more creative than others, almost every individual can be creative in the right circumstances.” The lines clearly agree with the statement.
So, the answer is: YES
Question 38: Teams work best when their members are of equally matched intelligence.
Keywords for this answer: work best, equally matched intelligence
We find a reference to teamwork in paragraph no. 7. However, there is no mention of whether teamwork gives the best work result when team members are equally intelligent.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question 39: It is easier for smaller companies to be innovative.
Keywords for this answer: easier, smaller companies, innovative
Again, in paragraph 5, the author only argues in lines 2-6, “It’s easy for a company to be pulled in conflicting directions as the marketing, product development, and finance departments each get different feedback from different sets of people.” The author also says in lines 8-10, “… .. .it’s also easy for small ‘pockets of innovation’ to disappear.”
Therefore, ‘whether it is easy or difficult for smaller companies to be creative or innovative’ is not clearly mentioned here.
So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN
Question 40: A manager’s approval of an idea is more persuasive than that of a colleague.
Keywords for this answer: manager’s approval, more persuasive
At the last part of paragraph no. 7, the writer mentions in lines 8-11, “.. . . Research shows that peer power, used horizontally not vertically, is much more powerful than any boss’s speech.”
So, the statement clearly contradicts with the view of the writer. It means a colleague or peer’s speech is more persuasive or powerful than a boss.
So, the answer is: NO
