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Reading answers with explanations

IELTS · Part 1 · Cambridge 10 — Test 1

Stepwells: Reading answers

Answers to questions 1–13 (13 in all), each with why it is right.

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The passage opens

A millennium ago, stepwells were fundamental to life in the driest parts of India. Although many have been neglected, recent restoration has returned them to their former glory. Richard Cox travelled to north-western India to document these spectacular monuments from a bygone era. During the sixth and seventh centuries, the inhabitants of the modern-day states of Gujarat and Rajasthan in North-western India developed a method of gaining access to clean, fresh groundwater during the dry season for drinking, bathing, watering animals and irrigation. However, the significance of this invention – the stepwell – goes beyond its utilitarian application. Unique to the region, stepwells are often…

Answers 1–13

  1. 1

    Examples of ancient stepwells can be found all over the world.

    FALSE True / False / Not Given

    “Unique to this region, stepwells are often architecturally complex and vary widely in size and shape”
  2. 2

    Stepwells had a range of functions, in addition to those related to water collection.

    TRUE True / False / Not Given

    “During their heyday, they were places of gathering, of leisure and relaxation and of worship for villagers of all but the lowest classes.”
  3. 3

    The few existing stepwells in Delhi are more attractive than those found elsewhere.

    NOT GIVEN True / False / Not Given

  4. 4

    It took workers many years to build the stone steps characteristic of stepwells.

    NOT GIVEN True / False / Not Given

  5. 5

    The number of steps above the water level in a stepwell altered during the course of a year.

    TRUE True / False / Not Given

    “stepwells comprise a series of stone steps descending from ground level to the water source (normally an underground aquifer) as it recedes following the rains.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.”
  6. 6

    Which part of some stepwells provided shade for people?

    pavilions Short answer

  7. 7

    What type of serious climatic event, which took place in southern Rajasthan, is mentioned in the article?

    drought Short answer

  8. 8

    Who are frequent visitors to stepwells nowadays?

    tourists Short answer

  9. 9

    earthquake Table completion

  10. 10

    four sides / 4 sides Table completion

  11. 11

    tank Table completion

  12. 12

    verandas / verandahs Table completion

  13. 13

    underwater Table completion

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