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Graffiti Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

The IELTS Reading section is a fundamental component of the IELTS exam. It aims to assess your proficiency in comprehending and analysing written English. It encompasses diverse texts, from straightforward factual content to more intricate analytical discussions. 
 

This segment comprises 40 questions distributed across three passages. You typically have 60 minutes to complete this section, requiring both speed and accuracy in your responses.
 

If you’re preparing for IELTS Reading, try the passage “Graffiti.” This passage discusses the history and evolution of graffiti, particularly its emergence alongside hip-hop culture in New York City during the 1970s. It highlights key figures such as Keith Haring and "Taki 183," who played significant roles in popularising graffiti as an art form. 
 

The passage also touches upon the formation of graffiti crews, the development of graffiti styles, and the widespread acceptance of graffiti as a legitimate form of creative expression. Let’s explore the passage, along with graffiti reading answers! 

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1. Graffiti Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below. This approach can help manage time effectively during a reading comprehension activity or exam. 

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2. Graffiti Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Graffiti

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1.

Graffiti 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.

 

 

 

 

Graffiti Reading Passage


 

 

Paragraph A: Graffiti comes from the Greek term graphein, which means "to write." A Latin word, graffito, was derived from this. As a plural noun, graffiti refers to a style of wall painting. Graffiti is any type of art or writing done on a wall, door, or other flat surface. The 'New York' or 'Hip Hop' style, which originated in New York City in the 1970s, is now synonymous with graffiti. The term "hip hop" has its roots in urban settings. Its roots can be traced back to the rap music of late 1960s/early 1970s Brooklyn/Harlem. Rap, according to music historian Donald Clarke, developed as a backlash to disco. Rap emerged as an alternative to disco, which was centred in the exclusive clubs frequented by New York City's wealthy elite. Lyrical rhythms and "beatboxing" were used in the music as a means of expressing thoughts and sentiments about urban living. Turntable Scratching' became an integral aspect of the rhythm, which led to the development of hip hop (the sound created by running the stylus over the grooves of an LP). Hip Hop music provided a new platform for artists to get recognition. In the 1980s, Keith Haring began distributing posters featuring his distinctive cartoon characters and figures. He soon started doodling on actual subway walls and posterboards. His drawings were so distinctive that they were eventually featured in exhibitions and published in books, cementing his status as a serious artist.

 

Paragraph B: Around the same time that Keith Haring began signing his work "Taki 183," a messenger service began inscribing the number on all of the packages he brought. It didn't take long for word of him to spread throughout the city. Both he and Keith Haring became well-known after being the subjects of news stories in periodicals. Many young people, especially those active in rapping, were drawn to the writer's claim to fame and began using the phrase "Taki 183" as a way to signify the writer's presence, a modern take on the age-old "I was here" declaration. Together with rapping and breakdancing, graffiti quickly became an integral part of Hip Hop culture. Rap music has become increasingly popular in the United States, whereas breakdancing has declined in its once widespread acclaim. There was a graffiti epidemic in New York City in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but as attention to the problem waned, so did the problem itself. In the mid-1980s, a major network television show featured graffiti, sparking a worldwide epidemic.

 

Paragraph C: Graffiti artists used to typically work independently, but crews, which may include anywhere from three to ten people, have emerged to tackle larger, more complicated pieces and address safety problems. A person can "down with" (associate) more than one crew. You need to show that you can generate high-quality work and have the capacity to develop your own personal style in order to be invited to join a crew. The "king" or "queen" of a crew is typically the individual who is regarded as having the highest level of artistic skill among the crew members. TAG (short for "Tuff Artists Group") was the initial crew moniker for a few people who hung out together in the early days. Since then, the term "tag" has evolved to refer to both the act of graffiti writing and the finished product, the tag. When a crew tags, everyone pitches in to write their own individual tags as well as the crew tag. Graffiti is a subculture with its own slang, including words like "piece," "toy," "wild-style," and "racking."

 

Paragraph D: At first, people used pens and markers, but they quickly switched to spray paint because of the wide variety of surfaces that it could be employed on. Spray paint has the potential to mark any surface quickly and easily. Unfortunately, the spray nozzles on the cans weren't strong enough to make larger or brighter paintings. Substituting the caps from aerosol cans like deodorant, insecticide, and others altered the paint's consistency, making it thinner or thicker. As more and more communities passed legislation prohibiting the use of graffiti tools, creative methods of hiding these instruments emerged. Containers for things like shoe polish and deodorant roll-ons were emptied and then refilled with paint. Furthermore, markers, paint pens, and grease pens bought from art supply stores were used. Taggers will use just about anything that will create a mark on a surface, though the spray can is the weapon of choice.

 

Paragraph E: The distinct personality of graffiti has evolved over time. Once a form of protest among the urban poor, graffiti is seen today as art by people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Whilst many inner-city youth remain deeply immersed in the graffiti subculture, taggers come from all walks of life, including the uber-rich and the uber-poor. Graffiti artists defy easy categorisation. There are both young men and women in the group, who are all talented musicians and artists. A 27-year-old stockbroker was recently apprehended in Philadelphia after driving his BMW to various tagging spots. The simple cursive style is still the most popular. Still, it has been joined by more complex interlocking letter graphic patterns using various colours, often referred to as "pieces" (from masterpieces). Gang territory markings can also be considered graffiti because they consist primarily of tags and phrases that spread "news" about what's going on in the area.

 

Paragraph F: Taggers can purchase a wide range of supplies from graffiti stores, both brick-and-mortar and online. You can get hats, pens, periodicals, tees, bags, shorts with secret compartments, and even colouring books with railcar templates. There are more than 25,000 graffiti sites online, and the vast majority of them support graffiti. Vandalism in the form of graffiti is an issue in virtually all major metropolitan areas throughout the globe. Photos of graffiti from all across the world, including Europe, South America, the Philippines, Australia, South Africa, China, and Japan, can be found on websites that advocate for graffiti. Every year, billions of dollars are spent around the world in an effort to reduce graffiti.
 

Paragraph G: While most taggers care just about getting their name out there as widely as possible, there are those who seek out abandoned warehouses to hone their skills in peace. In certain cases, these taggers might make $10,000–$12,000 from selling 12-by-48-inch canvases of their work. Two movements developed as a result of graffiti's entrance into the fine arts community. One, graffiti artists' style developed thanks to the input of the art world's collectors, dealers, curators, and other professionals, who probably imparted some of their own knowledge to the up-and-coming graffiti artists. Two, it spread graffiti to more places around the world. To further promote the art form and reduce the quantity of graffiti art that emerges as vandalism, more progressive cities have provided a way for graffitists to execute legal graffiti art. Similarly, graffiti art advocacy groups look for commercial and communal walls in parks where the practice is legal. This demonstrates that the traditional art community accepts some forms of graffiti as legitimate forms of creative expression, especially spray can art.

2.

Graffiti Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Graffiti

Questions and Answers 1-3
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 1-3 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 in the passage

 

 

1. To an extent, anti-graffiti laws have succeeded in slowing the problem's growth in some municipalities.

 

2. Hip Hop culture also gave rise to a new manner of expressing oneself visually.

 

3. The established art community was hostile towards graffiti artists.

 

 

Graffiti Reading Answers with Explanations (1-3)

 

Type of question: True/False/Not Given

 

You're given a statement and must determine if it aligns with the passage (True), opposes it (False), or if the passage doesn't provide enough information (Not Given).
 

How to Best Answer:
 

  • Carefully read the statement to understand its meaning.
  • Look for details like dates, numbers, or specific facts.
  • Scan the passage to locate where the relevant information might be found.
  • Focus on finding evidence that either supports or refutes the statement.
  • True: If the statement matches the information in the passage.

 

 

1. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F, "In the form of graffiti is an issue in virtually all major metropolitan areas throughout the globe" 

 

Explanation: The passage discusses the prevalence of graffiti as a form of vandalism globally, but it does not directly state whether anti-graffiti laws have been successful in slowing its growth in some municipalities. Therefore, the writer's stance on the effectiveness of anti-graffiti laws is not given. 


 

2. True

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A, "Turntable Scratching' became an integral aspect of the rhythm, which led to the development of hip hop" 

 

Explanation: The passage states that hip-hop culture led to the development of new forms of artistic expression, including visual, as evidenced by the emergence of graffiti as an integral part of hip-hop culture.


 

3. False

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C, "Graffiti artists used to typically work independently, but crews... have emerged" 

 

Explanation: The passage contradicts the statement by stating that graffiti artists used to work independently but now collaborate in crews to tackle larger projects, suggesting that the established art community is not necessarily hostile towards graffiti artists. 

Questions and Answers 4-6
  • Complete each sentence with the correct ending A-F below.

 

 

  1. Use it to express your dissatisfaction with law enforcement.
  2. It is becoming increasingly difficult to succeed in the art world. Use it to express your dissatisfaction with law enforcement.
  3. Transcends race, social status, and gender.
  4. Recognise that poverty in inner-city areas is on the decline.
  5. They keep their true intentions hidden from the law
  6. Enforcement. Embraces it as a means of expression.



 

4. Graffiti is thriving in the twenty-first century as people of all backgrounds have begun to ___________.

 

5. Graffiti has evolved as a ___________.

 

6. Graffiti artists used a variety of ingenious techniques to _____________.

 

 

Graffiti Reading Answers with Explanation (4- 6)


 

Type of question: Sentence completion

 

Sentence completion tasks require you to fill in the blanks in a given sentence with appropriate words or phrases from the reading passage.
 

How to best answer:
 

  • Read the entire sentence carefully to understand its context and meaning.
  • Identify the information needed to complete the sentence.
  • Scan the passage for relevant details or clues that fit the context of the sentence.
  • Look for words or phrases in the passage that directly match the missing parts of the sentence.
  • Choose the option that best completes the sentence logically and grammatically.
  • Ensure the completed sentence makes sense and maintains coherence with the surrounding text.
  • If unsure about a choice, eliminate options that don't fit the context or contradict information in the passage.


 
 

4. F

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F "Graffiti is thriving in the twenty-first century, as people of all backgrounds have begun to"

 

Explanation: As highlighted in paragraph F, the phrase "Graffiti is thriving in the twenty-first century" indicates the widespread acceptance and practice of graffiti across different demographics and backgrounds.


 

5. C

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C "Graffiti has evolved as a"

 

Explanation: The passage in paragraph C discusses the evolution of graffiti from individual artists working independently to the emergence of crews and collaborative efforts, reflecting its transformation as a form of artistic expression.


 

6. E

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E "Graffiti artists used a variety of ingenious techniques to"

 

Explanation: Paragraph E discusses how graffiti artists come from diverse backgrounds and employ various techniques, indicating their creativity and adaptability in expressing themselves through graffiti.

Questions and Answers 7-13
  • The Graffiti Reading passage has 7 paragraphs: A-G.
  • Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.

 

 

  1. Art is becoming more mainstream
  2. Graffiti Culture 
  3. Tools of the Trade 
  4. Internet Art Styles 
  5. Crossing Boundaries
  6. Cashing In On Street Music's Craze 
  7. Trends in Street Music 
  8. Gradually gaining popularity
  9. A Solitary Existence
  10. From Ancient to Modern


 

7. Paragraph B

8. Paragraph C

9.  Paragraph D

10. Paragraph E

11. Paragraph F

12. Paragraph G

13. Paragraph A

 

 

Graffiti Reading Answers with Explanations (7-13)

 

 

Type of question: Matching headings 

 

In this type of question, you're given a set of headings to match with paragraphs or sections of the reading passage.

 

How to best answer:

 

  • Start by thoroughly reading the passage to understand its main ideas.
  • Each heading should capture the main theme or idea of a paragraph.
  • Scan each paragraph to find specific details that relate to the headings.
  • Eliminate any headings that don't align with the content of the paragraphs.
  • Arrange the headings in an order that reflects the organisation of the text.
  • If uncertain about a match, eliminate options that don't fit.


 

7. VIII

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B "Both he and Keith Haring became well-known after being the subjects of news stories in periodicals. Many young people, especially those active in rapping, were drawn to the writer's claim to fame and began using the phrase 'Taki 183' to signify the writer's presence, a modern take on the age-old 'I was here' declaration." 

 

Explanation: The quoted in paragraph B illustrates the fame achieved by both individuals through graffiti and their association with the Hip Hop culture.


 

8. II

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C "Graffiti artists used to typically work independently, but crews, which may include anywhere from three to ten people, have emerged to tackle larger, more complicated pieces and address safety problems." 

 

Explanation: The statement in paragraph C illustrates the emergence of graffiti crews as collaborative entities, indicating a shift from individual to group work.


 

9. III

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D "At first, people used pens and markers, but they quickly switched to spray paint because of the wide variety of surfaces that it could be employed on." 

 

Explanation: The quoted line in paragraph D discusses the transition in graffiti tools, indicating the adaptability of graffiti artists.


 

10. V

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E "The distinct personality of graffiti has evolved over time. Once a form of protest among urban poor, today graffiti is seen as art by people of all socioeconomic backgrounds." 

 

Explanation: The lines in paragraph E demonstrate graffiti's broad acceptance and evolution as an art form transcending social barriers.


 

11. VI

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F "Taggers can purchase a wide range of supplies from graffiti stores, both brick-and-mortar and online." 

 

Explanation: The line "Taggers can purchase a wide range of supplies from graffiti stores, both brick-and-mortar and online" in paragraph F describes the availability of graffiti supplies, highlighting the thriving graffiti subculture.


 

12. I

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph G "Two movements developed as a result of graffiti's entrance into the fine arts community. One, graffiti artists' style developed thanks to the input of the art world's collectors, dealers, curators, and other professionals." 

 

Explanation: The excerpt discusses the art world's influence on the development of graffiti artists' style.

 

 

13. X

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A "The 'New York' or 'Hip Hop' style, which originated in New York City in the 1970s, is now synonymous with graffiti."

 

Explanation: The line "The 'New York' or 'Hip Hop' style, which originated in New York City in the 1970s, is now synonymous with graffiti" in paragraph A indicates the close association between the Hip Hop style and graffiti, emphasising graffiti's role in expressing dissatisfaction with law enforcement and societal norms.

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FAQs

Q. How long are the IELTS test scores valid?

Ans. The validity of your IELTS score is for two years. After this, your certificate is outdated, and you must retake the test. This is to ensure that your knowledge is intact. It can be easier to retake your test since you are already aware of the test details, format, and question types. However, do not overlook the test and take essential preparation.

Q. How does the IELTS Reading test take place?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test can be administered either online or offline. In the paper-based format, candidates receive a booklet containing questions and mark their answers on a separate answer sheet. Conversely, the computer-based test displays passages and questions on a screen, allowing test-takers to input their responses digitally.

Q. Is there a pass/fail system in the IELTS examination?

Ans. No, the IELTS test does not follow a pass or fail grading system. Instead, it assigns scores ranging from 0 to 9, with institutions establishing their own minimum score requirements for study or employment purposes. Typically, universities accept scores averaging around 6 to 6.5.