	ACADEMIC READING TEST 1		BOOK CAMBRIDGE IELTS 10

	READING PASSAGE 1, QUESTIONS 1-13	20	ii
		21	iv
1	FALSE	22	TRUE
2	TRUE	23	FALSE
3	NOT GIVEN	24	NOT GIVEN
4	NOT GIVEN	25	NOT GIVEN
5	TRUE	26	FALSE
6	pavilions
7	drought		READING PASSAGE 3, QUESTIONS 27-40
8	tourists
9	earthquake	27	C
10	4/four sides	28	A
11	tank	29	D
12	verandas/verandas	30	B
13	underwater	31	G
		32	E
	READING PASSAGE 2, QUESTIONS 14-26	33	A
		34	F
14	viii	35	B
15	iii	36	NO
16	xi	37	YES
17	i	38	NOT GIVEN
18	v	39	NOT GIVEN
19	x	40	NO

TEST 1 READING PASSAGE 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on reading passage 1 below.

Stepwells

A millennium ago, step-wells were fundamental to life in the driest parts of India. 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 this region, stepwell is often architecturally complex and varies widely in size and shape. During their heyday, they were places of gathering, leisure and relaxation and of worship for villagers of all but the lowest classes. Most stepwells are found in dotted classes. Most stepwlls are found in the desert areas of Gujarat (where they are called vav) and Rajasthan (where they are called the board), while a few also survive in Delhi. Some were located in or near villages as public spaces for the community; others were positioned beside roads as resting places for travellers.

As their name suggests, step-wells 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.

Some wells are vast, open craters with hundreds of steps paving each sloping side, often in tiers. Others are more elaborate, with long stepped passages leading to the water via several storeys. Built from stone and supported by pillars, they also included pavilions that sheltered visitors from the relentless heat. But perhaps the most impressive features are the intricate decorative sculptures that embellish many stepwells, showing activities from fighting and dancing to everyday acts such as women combing their hair or churning butter.

Down the centuries, thousands of wells were constructed throughout north-western India, but the majority have now fallen into disuse; many are derelict and dry, as groundwater had been diverted for industrial use and the wells no longer reach the water table. Their condition hasn’t been helped by recent dry spells: southern Rajasthan suffered an eight-year drought between 1996 and 2004.

However, some important sites in Gujarat have recently undergone major restoration, and the state government announced in June last year that it plans to restore the step-wells throughout the state.

In Patan, the state’s ancient capital, the stepwell of Rani ki Vav (Queen’s Stepwell) is perhaps the finest current example. It was built by queen Udayamati during the late 11^th century but became silted up following a flood during the 13^th century. But the Archaeological Survey of India began restoring it in the 1960s, and today it is in pristine condition.at 65 metres long, 20 metres wide and 27 metres deep, Rani ki Vav features 500 sculptures carved into niches throughout the monument. Incredibly. In January 2001, this ancient structure survived an earthquake that measured 7.6 on the Richter scale.

Another example is the Surya Kund in Modhera, northern Gujarat, next to the Sun Temple, built by King Bhima I in 1026 to honour the sun god Surya. It actually resembles a tank (kund means reservoir or pond) rather than a well but displays the hallmarks of stepwell architecture, including four sides of steps that descend to the bottom in a stunning geometrical formation. The terraces house 108 small, intricately carved shrines between the sets of steps.

Rajasthan also has a wealth of wells. The ancient city of Bundi, 200 kilometres south of Jaipur, is renowned for its architecture, including its step wells. One of the larger examples is Raniji Baori, which was built by the queen of the region, Nathavatji, in 1699. At 46 metres deep, 20 metres wide and 40 metres long, the intricately carved monument is one of 21 boards commissioned in the Bundi area by Nathavatji.

In the old ruined town of Abhaneri, about 95 kilometres east of Jaipur, is Chand Baori, one of India’s oldest and deepest wells; aesthetically it’s perhaps one of the most dramatic. Built-in around 850 AD next to the temple of Harshat Mata, the baori comprises hundreds of zigzagging steps that run along three of its sides, steeply descending 11 storeys, resulting in a striking pattern when seen from afar. On the fourth side, verandas which are supported by ornate pillars overlook the steps.

Still, in public use is Neemrana Ki Baori located just off the Jaipur-Delhi highway. Constructed around 1700, it is nine storeys deep, with the last two being underwater. At ground level, there are 86 collonaded openings from where the visitor descends 170 steps to the deepest water source.

Today, following years of neglect, many of these monuments to medieval engineering have been saved by the Archaeological Survey of India, which has recognised the importance of preserving them as part of the country’s rich history. Tourists flock to wells in far-flung corners of north-western India to gaze in wonder at these architectural marvels from hundreds of years ago, which serve as a reminder of both the ingenuity and artistry of ancient civilisations and of the value of water to human existence.

Questions 1-5

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?

In boxes 1-5 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 Example of ancient step-wells can be found all over the world.

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

3 The few existing step wells in Delhi are more attractive than those found elsewhere.

4 It took workers many years to build the stone steps characteristic of step wells.

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

Questions 6-8

Answer the question the questions below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 6-8 on your answer sheet.

6 Which part of some stepwells provided shade for people?

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

8 Who are frequent visitors to stepwells nowadays?

Questions 9-13

Complete the table below.

Choose ONE WORD and A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.

Stepwell

Date

Features

Other notes

Surya Ki Vav

Late 11^th century

As many as 500 sculptures decorate the monument

Restored in the 1960s

Excellent condition, despite the 9 ……………………. Of 2001

Surya Kund

1026

Steps on the 10 ……………………. Produce a geometrical pattern

Carved shrines

Looks more like an 11 ………………. Than a well

Ranji Ki Baori

1699

Intricately carved monument

One of 21 baoris in the area commissioned by Queen Nathavatji

Chand Baori

850 AD

Steps take you down 11 storeys to the bottom

Old, deep and very dramatic

Has 12 …………… which provides a view of the steps

Neemrana Ki Baori

1700

Has two 13 ………………….

levels

Used by the public today

THANKS FOR READING: Stepwells