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Roman Shipbuilding And Navigation Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

The IELTS Reading section is a pivotal component of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination, designed to assess a candidate's ability to comprehend and interpret written texts in English. 

 

This section consists of passages sourced from various authentic materials, ranging from newspapers and magazines to academic journals and literary works. Test-takers are tasked with reading these passages carefully and answering questions that test their understanding of the text's main ideas, supporting details, logical arguments, and implied meanings. 

 

With a time limit of 60 minutes and three passages of increasing complexity, the IELTS Reading section challenges candidates to demonstrate their reading comprehension skills under pressure. 

 

Key highlights of the Reading section:

 

  • The IELTS Reading section comprises three passages sourced from various written materials.
  • You'll face different question types, such as multiple-choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given.
  • Time management is crucial, with 60 minutes to complete all three passages.
  • Answers concerning spelling and grammar accuracy must be recorded on the answer sheet.

 

Now, let's dive into a fascinating passage on Roman Shipbuilding and Navigation, exploring ancient maritime practices and technological advancements that shaped history.

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1. Roman Shipbuilding And Navigation 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. Roman Shipbuilding And Navigation Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Roman Shipbuilding And Navigation

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1.

Roman Shipbuilding And Navigation 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.

 

 

 

 

 Roman Shipbuilding And Navigation Reading Passage


 

 

Paragraph A: Several historical documents have been preserved that provide descriptions and illustrations of ancient Roman ships, even down to the sails and rigging. Furthermore, ancient shipbuilding knowledge may be inferred from unearthed boats. According to this research, the outer hull was built first by ancient Roman shipbuilders, and then the frame and the remainder of the ship. The outside hull boards were first stitched together. The mortise and tenon jointing method was developed in the sixth century BCE to eliminate the necessity for stitching between the boards. Shipbuilders in the Mediterranean shifted to a method that is being used today in the early centuries of the current era, which entails creating the frame of the ship before the hull and other components. Ship construction times were drastically cut because of this more systematic approach. The ancient Roman fleet and warships were the largest and most technologically advanced in the world up until the early 16th century CE.

 

Paragraph B: Ships built in modern shipyards adhere to scientific principles and are crafted with the assistance of computers and other cutting-edge gear. Shipbuilding in ancient Rome, on the other hand, was more of an art than a science; it relied on hunches, on tradition, and on the individual's competence. In spite of the fact that they are commonly thought of as sailors, the Romans were in fact landlubbers who learned the art of shipbuilding from the Greeks and Egyptians that they conquered.

 

Paragraph C: Commercial ships are built to transport heavy loads over long distances for an affordable price. They had a larger hull, double planking, and a sturdy interior for greater stability. They couldn't reach the coast since their V-shaped hull was deeper than battleships'. A small tiller bar that was connected to a network of cables was used to steer the two large side rudders that were generally found off the stern of these boats. They were equipped with one to three masts, huge square sails, and a small triangular sail in the bow. Commercial ships had oarsmen, just like battleships, but it was hard to manage the hundreds of rowers on both kinds of ships. The oars would keep time with the music as it was performed on an instrument to assist them.

 

Paragraph D: Commercial ships transported a variety of goods, including agricultural products and raw materials such as grain from Egypt's Nile Valley. Some examples of the raw materials that were transported were iron bars, copper, marble, and granite. In ancient times, Rome was considered to be a major city due to its population of around one million people while it was ruled by the Empire. Both the enormous port of Ostia, which is found at the mouth of the Tiber River and the port of Pozzuoli, which is found to the west of Naples Bay in Italy, would carry products from all over the world to the city. Pozzuoli was located in Italy. The same as it is now, when large commercial ships got close to the port of destination, a number of towboats would meet them and bring them to the dock.

 

Paragraph E: The predicted trip times for the various sailing routes vary greatly. Ancient Roman navigators depended on instinct, acquaintance with the terrain, and careful observation of natural phenomena rather than compasses or other precision instruments. When weather conditions permitted, seafarers in the Mediterranean frequently had land or islands in sight, which greatly benefited navigation. They kept note of where they were with respect to various landmarks to help them navigate. When the weather was rough or land was no longer visible, Roman sailors would utilize the pole star or, less precisely, the Sun at midday to help them find their way. They guessed correctly about the prevailing winds and seas. Large ships traversed the oceans on a regular basis to bring commodities from the Roman Empire, just as contemporary shipping does today.

 

Paragraph F: Warship design objectives included making them swift and lightweight. They were built with a long, thin hull and little ballast to handle the shallow seas around the shore. After naval battles, it was usual to see them floating on the water's surface, damaged but still afloat since they wouldn't sink with the tide after suffering damage. Their bronze battering ram was used to pierce the wooden hulls of other ships and break their oars. Warships were made extremely speedy by the combination of sails and oarsmen. The Mediterranean Sea was given the Latin moniker Mare Nostrum, which means "our sea," after the Romans eventually gained control of the area. Their navy grew to be the largest and most powerful in the region. There were many different types of battleships. Triremes were the most typical kind of warship from the seventh century B.C.E. to the fourth century B.C.E. Over three levels, there were around fifty rowers on each side. Since they were directly beneath the other rowers and had to contend with water seeping in through the oar holes, the bottom rowers suffered the most. Contrary to popular opinion, the majority of rowers were free Roman citizens who had served in the military, which is crucial to highlight. The trireme was later supplanted by bigger ships with more rowers.

2.

Roman Shipbuilding And Navigation Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Roman Shipbuilding And Navigation

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. The Greeks and Egyptians inherited the Romans' shipbuilding expertise.
 

2. Planks were fastened using the mortise and tenon process, which required skilled craftsmen.
 

3. As they controlled its use, the Romans named the Mediterranean Sea Mare Nostrum.


 

Roman Shipbuilding And Navigation Reading Answers with Explanations (1-3)


 

Type of Question: True/False/Not Given

 

These types of questions involve choosing whether the statement is TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN  based on the given paragraph. 
 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Carefully read the instructions and the passage to understand the task.
  • Focus on the specific information provided in the passage relevant to the question.
  • For "True" answers, ensure that the statement is directly supported by the information in the passage.
  • For "False" answers, look for information in the passage that contradicts or negates the statement.
  • For "Not Given" answers, if the information in the passage neither confirms nor denies the statement, mark it as "Not Given".

 

 

1. False

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph A, "Romans were in fact landlubbers who learned the art of shipbuilding from the Greeks and Egyptians that they conquered." 

 

Explanation: The statement is false because it states that the Greeks and Egyptians inherited shipbuilding expertise from the Romans, while the passage states the opposite, that the Romans learned shipbuilding from the Greeks and Egyptians they conquered.


 

2. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Not Available 

 

Explanation: The passage does not provide information about the process of fastening planks using the mortise and tenon method, so the answer is "Not Given."


 

3. True

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F, "The Mediterranean Sea has given the Latin moniker Mare Nostrum, which means 'our sea,' after the Romans eventually gained control of the area." 

 

Explanation: The statement is true because it directly corresponds with the information provided in Paragraph F, which states that the Romans named the Mediterranean Sea "Mare Nostrum" after gaining control of the area.

Questions and Answers 4-5
  • Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
  • Write your answers in boxes 4-5 on your answer sheet.

 

 

4. Due to which factor, the construction times had to be cut drastically?

 

  1. a standardised approach
  2. technology glitch
  3. enlightenment of directions
  4. knowledge from scholars

 

5. The ships were unable to make it to the coasts because….

 

  1. The terrain interrupted
  2. Coasts were too rough 
  3. The hull mismatched the depth of the ships
  4. Information was not fully true


 

Roman Shipbuilding And Navigation Reading Answers With Explanation (4-5)


 

Type of Question: Multiple Choice Questions
 

These types of questions in IELTS reading involve identifying the right choice from the given options using the given paragraph. 

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Carefully read the question and all answer choices before referring back to the passage.
  • Identify keywords in the question to locate the relevant section in the passage.
  • Skim the passage to find the context of the keywords and understand the surrounding information.
  • Eliminate clearly incorrect answer choices to narrow down your options.
  • Choose the answer that best matches the information in the passage, ensuring it directly addresses the question.


 

4. A

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph A, "Ship construction times were drastically cut because of this more systematic approach." 

 

Explanation: The statement is accurate because the passage explains that the systematic approach to shipbuilding significantly reduced construction times.

 

 

5. C

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "They had a larger hull, double planking, and a sturdy interior for greater stability. They couldn't reach the coast since their V-shaped hull was deeper than battleships.”

 

Explanation: The statement is accurate because the passage describes the specific features of commercial ships, including their larger hull and deeper V-shaped design.

Questions and Answers 6-13
  • Complete the summary below.
  • Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
  • Write your answers in boxes 6-13 on your answer sheet.

 

 

Warships and merchant ships

 

 

It was important that warships be both 6) ______ and fast in order to be effective. They could avoid sinking during engagements and sail near shore since they were light. The plan called for a 7) ______ battering ram to smash the wooden hulls and break the oars of the enemy ships. The 'Trireme,' a type of warship, had rowers stationed on three 8) ______.
A commerce ship's broad 9) ______ would often extend well below the water's surface, in contrast to the narrow hulls of warships. Large rudders and a tiller bar were used to guide merchant ships through the sea. There were squares and 10) ______ sails on board. It was common practice for rowers on both commercial and military vessels to employ 11) ______ to synchronize their strokes. Merchant ships carried a large quantity of 12)  ______ and other agricultural products to two major ports in Italy. 13) ______ assisted in bringing the vessels ashore. When the skies were clear, sailors would utilize familiar land or island features to guide them to safety.


 

Roman Shipbuilding And Navigation Reading Answers With Explanation (6-13)

 

Type of Question: Summary Completion 

 

Carefully read the summary and identify keywords, then scan the passage to locate the relevant information, ensuring the words you choose to complete the summary accurately reflect the content and context of the passage.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read the summary carefully to understand the overall context and main ideas.
  • Identify keywords and phrases in the summary that will help you locate the relevant parts of the passage.
  • Scan the passage for these keywords and phrases to find the exact information needed.
  • Ensure that the words or phrases you choose to complete the summary fit grammatically and logically.
  • Double-check your answers by reading the completed summary to confirm it accurately reflects the passage's content.


 

6. Lightweight

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F, "Warship design objectives included making them swift and lightweight."
 

Explanation: The paragraph explains that warships were designed to be swift and lightweight to handle shallow seas and avoid sinking during battles.


 

7. Bronze

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F, "Their bronze battering ram was used to pierce the wooden hulls of other ships and break their oars."
 

Explanation: The paragraph specifies that warships used bronze battering rams to damage enemy ships.


 

8. Levels

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F, "Over three levels, there were around fifty rowers on each side."

 

Explanation: The paragraph mentions that Triremes had rowers positioned on three levels.


 

9. Hull

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "They had a larger hull, double planking, and a sturdy interior for greater stability."
 

Explanation: The paragraph contrasts the larger hulls of commercial ships with the narrower hulls of warships.


 

10. Triangular

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "They were equipped with one to three masts, huge square sails, and a small triangular sail in the bow."
 

Explanation: The paragraph describes the types of sails on commercial ships, including triangular sails.


 

11. Music

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C, "The oars would keep time with the music as it was performed on an instrument to assist them."
 

Explanation: The paragraph explains that rowers synchronised their strokes with music.


 

12. Grain

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph D, "Commercial ships transported a variety of goods, including agricultural products and raw materials such as grain from Egypt's Nile Valley."
 

Explanation: The paragraph lists grain as one of the agricultural products transported by commercial ships.


 

13. Towboats

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph D, "The same as it is now when large commercial ships got close to the port of destination, a number of towboats would meet them and bring them to the dock."
 

Explanation: The paragraph mentions that towboats assisted in bringing large commercial ships ashore.

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FAQs

Q. What are some good sources for practice materials for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. To find quality practice materials for the IELTS Reading test, consider using official IELTS preparation books, such as those published by Cambridge University Press. Additionally, websites like the British Council and IELTS.org offer free practice tests and reading exercises. Online forums and study groups, such as those on Reddit and Facebook, can also provide valuable resources and tips from fellow test-takers.

Q. How can I improve my comprehension skills for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Improving comprehension skills for the IELTS Reading test involves regular practice with IELTS-specific reading passages and questions. Focus on skimming and scanning techniques to quickly identify key information. Enhancing your vocabulary through reading diverse materials, such as newspapers, academic journals, and novels, can also be beneficial. Regularly timed practice sessions will help improve your speed and accuracy, ensuring better performance on the test.

Q. What are some good resources for improving my reading skills in general?

Ans. To improve your reading skills in general, explore a variety of sources such as newspapers, magazines, and books across different genres. Websites like Project Gutenberg and Kindle offer free e-books that can enhance your reading practice. Additionally, consider using apps like Blinkist for summaries of non-fiction books, and Duolingo Stories for language-specific reading practice. Regular reading and diverse material exposure will help improve comprehension and vocabulary.