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Andrea Palladio Italian Architect Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Sep 06, 2024, 08:32

The passage highlights an exhibition in Vicenza celebrating Andrea Palladio, a renowned architect from the 16th century. Palladio, known for his Palladian style, is honoured in the International Centre for the Study of Palladio's Architecture with "la grande mostra." The exhibition is hosted in Palazzo Barbaran da Porto, one of Palladio's own designs. It showcases his architectural achievements, including his education, patrons, and influence on other architects like Inigo Jones. It also features miniatures and paintings of his works. The exhibition emphasises Palladio's impact on architecture globally and will travel to London, Barcelona, and Madrid.

 

This passage will help you practice summarising detailed information, understanding historical context, and following the structure of an exhibition review. It enhances skills in identifying key details about people, events, and locations, which are essential for the IELTS Reading test.

 

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1. Andrea Palladio Italian Architect Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below. 

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2. Andrea Palladio Italian Architect Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Andrea Palladio Italian Architect Reading Questions and Answers

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1.

Andrea Palladio Italian Architect Reading Passage

General Information

  • Read Instructions: Understand each question before answering.
  • Manage Time: Spend about 20 minutes per passage.
  • Skim and Scan: Quickly get the main idea and find specific information.
  • Highlight Key Info: Underline essential words or phrases.
  • Answer All Questions: Attempt every question; no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and grammar.
  • Transfer Answers Clearly: Write answers neatly on the answer sheet.
  • Don’t Dwell: Move on if stuck and return later.
  • Review: If time allows, review your answers.

 

 

Andrea Palladio Italian Architect Reading Passage

 

 

Paragraph A:

60 km west of Venice, in Veneto, lies a beautiful and affluent city, Vicenza. Since the 16th century, aristocratic families have settled and conducted agricultural activities in the area. However, Andrea Palladio, an architect so prominent that a neoclassical style known as Palladian, is the city's main claim to fame. The International Centre for the Study of Palladio's Architecture has a legitimate motive for putting on "la grande mostra," the great show, as the city is a permanent display of some of his best works. He was born 500 years ago, in Padua, to be exact.

 

Paragraph B:

The exhibition seems to have the special benefit of being hosted in Palazzo Barbaran da Porto, one of Palladio's creations. Its striking front is a blend of rustication and embellishment positioned between two rows of exquisite columns. The pediments on the second level alternately curve or point, which is a Palladian hallmark. The atrium's balanced proportions at the entry open up to a dramatic interior with gorgeous fireplaces and painted ceilings. Palladio's concept is basic, clean, and still not overcrowded. According to co-curator and architectural historian Howard Burns, the exhibition was planned using the same standards.

 

Paragraph C:

Palladio’s family settled in Vicenza, where he apprenticed to become a skilled stonemason; his father was a miller. How the miller's kid ended up becoming a well-known architect was now the question. The exhibition itself has the solution to this. Palladio, as a young man, was a master carver of beautiful and elegant stonework on pillars, doorways, and fireplaces. He was clever, and he was fortunate to find an affluent patron, Gian Giorgio Trissino, a landowner and scholar, who arranged his education, bringing him to Rome in the 1540s to learn the masterpieces of traditional Roman and Greek architecture, as well as the work of other prominent architects of the time such as Donato Bramante and Raphael.

 

Paragraph D:

Social mobility was also essential, according to Burns. Entrepreneurs in the Veneto, who benefited financially from agriculture, hired the young local architect to construct both their rural mansions and their urban palaces. The nobility in Venice was eager to hire outstanding artists, thus Palladio was granted the opportunity to design the churches of San Giorgio Maggiore and the Redentore, both of which are visible from the town's historic center across a water body and have been emblems of his glory.

 

Paragraph E:

He attempted to build bridges; his incomplete design for the Rialto Bridge had a massive pediment and columns from a temple. Following a fire at the Ducal Palace, he suggested an alternate design that has a striking similarity to the Banqueting House in Whitehall, London. This is not as unexpected as it seems since Inigo Jones, Palladio's first pupil from outside Italy, created it. When Jones traveled to Italy in 1614, he bought a trunk full of the master's blueprints. These designs then came into the possession of the Dukes of Devonshire and Burlington before being handed over to the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1894. Many of these are presently on exhibit in the Palazzo Barbaran. They show how Palladio used ancient Rome's architecture as inspiration for his works. Temple architecture, with a prominent peaked roof reinforced by columns and accessible by broad stairs, was the central theme of both his rural and urban projects.

 

Paragraph F:

Palladio's work for a wealthy landowner offends unreconstructed critics on the Italian left, but the exhibition also includes ideas for affordable accommodation in Venice. "Quattro Libri dell'Architettura," a book that Palladio authored and illustrated, has contributed to his popularity on a global basis. His impact was evident in St. Petersburg and Charlottesville, Virginia, where Thomas Jefferson built a Palladian mansion that he named Monticello.

 

Paragraph G:  

Vicenza's exhibition has miniatures of the major structures along with paintings of Palladio's patrons and professors by Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto; the drawings of his Venetia structures are all by Canaletto, no less. This is an austere exhibition; most of the paintings are minuscule and faded, and there are no kid-friendly sideshows. However, the effect of the exhibition's symmetrical lines and pleasing proportions is to instill a sense of benevolent calm in spectators. Palladio is regarded as history's greatest therapeutic architect.  

 

The exhibition "Palladio, 500 Anni: La Grande Mostra" is on display in Vicenza's Palazzo Barbaran da Porto until January 6th, 2009. From January 31 to April 13, the collection continues its exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London before heading on to Barcelona and Madrid.

2.

Andrea Palladio Italian Architect Reading Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers 1-5
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
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 the information is not given in passage

 

  1. The exhibition is being held in a building that has been renovated recently.
  2. Palladio's father was an architect.
  3. Palladio designed structures for both affluent as well as poor people.
  4. The exhibition had paintings and portraits of various individuals done by renowned painters.
  5. The alternative design for Ducal Palace in Venice created by Palladio was based on the English structure, the Banqueting House.

 

Andrea Palladio Italian Architect Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

Question Type:  True/False/Not Given

In this task, you are presented with a statement, and your task is to determine if it agrees with the information in the passage (True), contradicts the information in the passage (False), or if there is insufficient information in the passage to decide (not given).
 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Read the statement carefully to ensure you understand exactly what it is saying. 
  • Pay attention to details such as dates, numbers, and specific information.
  • Scan the passage to find the section where the relevant information will likely be located. 
  • Focus on finding evidence that either supports or contradicts the statement.
  • True: If the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
  • False: If the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
  • Not Given: If no information in the passage confirms or contradicts the statement.
     
1. NOT GIVEN

 

Reference: 
Not applicable 


Explanation: The passage does not provide information about whether the exhibition building has been renovated recently.

 

2. FALSE

 

Reference: 


Paragraph C :Palladio’s family settled in Vicenza, where he apprenticed to become a skilled stonemason; his father was a miller.


Explanation: The passage specifies that Palladio’s father was a miller, not an architect.

 

3. TRUE

 

Reference: 


Paragraph F: Palladio's work for a wealthy landowner offends unreconstructed critics on the Italian left, but the exhibition also includes ideas for affordable accommodation in Venice.

Explanation: This indicates that Palladio worked on both affluent and affordable housing projects.

 

4. TRUE

 

Reference: 


Paragraph G: Vicenza's exhibition has miniatures of the major structures along with paintings of Palladio's patrons and professors by Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto;

Explanation: The passage confirms that the exhibition included paintings by renowned artists.

 

5. FALSE

 

Reference: 


Paragraph E: Following a fire at the Ducal Palace, he suggested an alternate design that has a striking similarity to the Banqueting House in Whitehall, London. This is not as unexpected as it seems since Inigo Jones, Palladio's first pupil from outside Italy, created it.

Explanation: Palladio's design was similar to the Banqueting House, but he did not base his design on it.

 

Read more about Dictation Words for IELTS: Practice and Preparation! 

Questions and Answers 6-9
  • Answer the questions below
  • Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
  • Write your answers in boxes 6-9 on your answer sheet.

 

6. Before becoming an architect, Andrea Palladio was training for which profession?
7. Palladio’s work was massively influenced by which kind of Ancient Roman structures?
8. According to the writer, what should the audience feel while visiting the exhibition?
9. Who organised Palladio’s education in the architectural field?

 

 Andrea Palladio Italian Architect Reading Answers with Explanations (6-9)

 

Question Type:  Short Answer 

 

 In the IELTS Reading section, short answer questions require you to provide concise responses, typically consisting of a few words or a short phrase. 
 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Make sure your answers directly relate to the information provided in the passage and adhere to any specified word limits. 
  • Practice your scanning skills to quickly locate relevant information, and be prepared to recognise synonyms or paraphrased versions of the information. 
  • Ensure your answers are precise, correctly spelt, and grammatically accurate.
     
6. Stonemason

 

Reference: 


Paragraph C: Palladio’s family settled in Vicenza, where he apprenticed to become a skilled stonemason;


Explanation: This paragraph describes Palladio’s early life, specifically how he began his career by apprenticing as a stonemason. This foundation in stonemasonry provided him with essential skills in working with stone, which later influenced his architectural style. His hands-on experience with stone would have given him a deep understanding of the material's properties, shaping his approach to design and construction.

 

7. Temple

 

Reference: 


Paragraph F: Temple architecture, with a prominent peaked roof reinforced by columns and accessible by broad stairs, was the central theme of both his rural and urban projects.

Explanation: This paragraph highlights how Palladio’s architectural designs were inspired by ancient Roman temple architecture. The paragraph explicitly mentions the key features of temple architecture—such as peaked roofs, columns, and broad stairs—that became defining elements in Palladio’s work. 

 

8. Benevolent calm

 

Reference: 
Paragraph G: the effect of the exhibition's symmetrical lines and pleasing proportions is to instill a sense of benevolent calm in spectators. 

Explanation: This paragraph discusses the impact of Palladio’s designs on viewers, specifically how the symmetry and proportions of his work create a calming effect. The passage suggests that Palladio’s use of balance and harmony in design was intended to evoke a positive emotional response in those who experienced his architecture, which aligns with the concept of "benevolent calm" described. 
 

9. Gian Giorgio Trissino

 

Reference: 


Paragraph C: He was clever, and he was fortunate to find an affluent patron, Gian Giorgio Trissino, a landowner and scholar, who arranged his education.

Explanation: This paragraph details the pivotal role Gian Giorgio Trissino played in Palladio’s life. Trissino, recognising Palladio’s potential, not only supported him financially but also arranged for his education. This support was critical in Palladio's development as an architect, providing him with the intellectual and artistic foundation necessary to succeed in the field. 

 

Read more about A Guide on Most Common English Words Used in Daily Life! 

Questions and Answers 10-13
  • This reading passage has eight paragraphs, A-H.
  • Which paragraph contains the following information?
  • Write the correct letter A-H, in boxes 10-13, in your answer sheet.

 

NB You may use any letter more than once.

 

10. Paintings by famous artists were hung in the exhibition hall.
11. Palladio’s design had a striking resemblance with another building situated in London.
12. Andrea Palladio wrote a book, which contributed to his popularity.
13. The exhibition was held in the building designed by Andrea Palladio himself.

 

 

Andrea Palladio Italian Architect Reading Answers with Explanations (10-13)

 

Question Type:  Matching Information 

Matching Information questions in the IELTS Reading test require you to find specific details within a passage and match them to the appropriate paragraph. These questions test your ability to locate and understand specific information quickly. You will be given a list of statements and asked to identify the paragraph (labeled A, B, C, etc.) in which each piece of information is found.

 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Quickly skim through the passage to get a general idea of the content and structure. 
  • Read the statements carefully. Underline or highlight key terms or phrases that will help you identify the relevant information in the passage.
  • Go through each paragraph systematically and match it with the statement that best fits the content. 
     
10. H

 

Reference: 


Paragraph G : Vicenza's exhibition has miniatures of the major structures along with paintings of Palladio's patrons and professors by Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto;

Explanation: This paragraph highlights that the exhibition features paintings by renowned artists like Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto. The inclusion of these works by famous painters connects directly to Palladio’s patrons and professors, indicating the cultural and artistic significance of the exhibition. The mention of these artists emphasises the exhibition's richness, not just in architectural displays but also in the artistic context surrounding Palladio’s work.

 

11. E

 

Reference: 
 

Paragraph E: Following a fire at the Ducal Palace, he suggested an alternate design that has a striking similarity to the Banqueting House in Whitehall, London.

Explanation: This paragraph describes how Palladio proposed a design for the Ducal Palace that closely resembled the Banqueting House in London. The similarity between these two structures highlights Palladio's influence on architectural design beyond Italy, as his ideas were mirrored in significant buildings like the Banqueting House.

 

12. G

 

Reference: 


Paragraph F: ‘Quattro Libri dell'Architettura,’ a book that Palladio authored and illustrated, has contributed to his popularity on a global basis.

Explanation: This paragraph emphasises the importance of Palladio’s book, "Quattro Libri dell'Architettura," in spreading his architectural ideas worldwide. The book’s content and Palladio’s illustrations played a significant role in establishing his fame across different countries, making him a well-known figure in global architectural history. 

 

13. B

 

Reference: 


Paragraph B: The exhibition seems to have the special benefit of being hosted in Palazzo Barbaran da Porto, one of Palladio's creations.
 

Explanation:This paragraph explains that the exhibition is held in Palazzo Barbaran da Porto, a building designed by Palladio himself. This setting gives the exhibition a unique advantage, as it allows visitors to experience Palladio’s architectural genius firsthand while viewing the exhibition.

 

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FAQs

Q. What types of questions are in the IELTS Reading section?

Ans. The IELTS Reading section features various question types, including multiple-choice, true/false/not given, matching headings, summary completion, sentence completion, and short answer questions. These are designed to test a range of reading skills, such as understanding main ideas, detail, logical argument, and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes, and purposes.


 

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test lasts for 60 minutes. During this time, candidates must read three passages and answer a total of 40 questions. Time management is crucial to ensure all questions are attempted.

Q. Can I write on the question paper?

Ans. Yes, candidates are allowed to write on the question paper, which can help note key points or highlight important information. However, only answers written on the answer sheet will be marked, so it is essential to transfer answers accurately.