Sculpture Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test with Answers

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Updated on Mar 28, 2025, 12:26

The IELTS Reading section assesses your ability to understand and interpret a variety of texts. You will encounter three passages with increasing difficulty, followed by 40 questions that test your skills in identifying key information, understanding opinions, and recognising main ideas. You must manage your time effectively, as you have 60 minutes to complete the section.
 

In the Sculpture Reading answer passage, you'll explore the art of sculpture, delving into its history, techniques, and cultural significance. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of how sculpture has evolved and its impact on societies worldwide.

Let’s look at the Sculpture reading answer passage, questions, and answers with explanations.

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1. Sculpture Reading Answer Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 – 14 based on the Sculpture Reading Answer Passage below.

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2. Sculpture Reading Answers with Sample Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Sculpture.

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3. Check Out Top 40 IELTS Reading Practice Test Questions with Answers

Below are some top free IELTS Reading Practice test online questions with detailed answers to enhance your IELTS preparation online. 

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1.

Sculpture Reading Answer 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.

 

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Sculpture Reading Answer Passage

 


Paragraph A. The creation of a three-dimensional item for the express purpose of art and beauty has been going on since ancient times. Traditional sculptures have been crafted from permanent materials, including metal, stone, marble, and jade; however, several subgenres of the art form specialise on making figures of a more transitory nature, such as ice sculpture. In many countries, the sculpture has historically been connected with religious thinking; for instance, Numerous renowned sculptures in Asia are associated with Hinduism or Buddhism.

 

Paragraph B. Perhaps more so than elsewhere in the world, Africa favoured and celebrates three-dimensional artwork above two-dimensional artwork. Because of evidence of sculpture's existence in Pharaonic Africa, some experts place the origin of sculpture in Africa to the time of 500 B.C. Nok Civilization in Nigeria.

 

Paragraph C. In the presence of a trained eye, the distinctive style and medium of African art from various regions become immediately obvious. Two unique types may be found in West African figurines. The first kind of sculpture has sharp corners and pointed features on lengthy bodies; such sculptures have historically been used in religious rituals. In contrast, Mande-speaking communities' traditional wood sculptures have wide, flat surfaces on the arms and legs of their spherical arms and legs. Many consider the metal sculptures of the eastern areas of West Africa to be among the finest works of art ever created.

 

Paragraph D. Sculptures from Central Africa may be made from a larger range of materials, from wood to ivory, stone, or metal, making it more challenging for the untrained eye to recognise. Despite the increasing number of tills, a signature style defined by the use of curvilinear and spherical motifs remains a reliable indicator of the originality of such works. Throughout most of Africa, including in Eastern and Southern regions, it is common to see portrayals of hybrid human and animal beings. Typically, art from the former area takes the form of a human-shaped pole capped with a person or animal figure that has a strong link to death, burial, and the spiritual universe. The traditional value of such works is less appreciated than that of works from other areas of Africa. Examples of these clay sculptures of human/animal hybrids may be found all throughout Southern Africa, with the earliest dating back to about 400 and 600 A.D.

 

Paragraph E. There are universal commonalities that identify African art as a whole, even though there are significant and defining regional distinctions in creative expression. Mostly a common element is that the emphasis is primarily on portraying the human body. Another characteristic of African art is that it is sometimes motivated by ritual or performance, and the artist often intends for the meaning and significance of their work to be perceived differently depending on the viewer's age, gender, or socioeconomic level.

 

Paragraph F. There is a wider range of artists throughout Africa to provide a more abstract interpretation of their subjects rather than a realistic and naturalistic one. African art is said to have motivated and impacted artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, and Gauguin. Beginning in the 20th century, western artists showed a great lot of interest in its capacity to evoke emotional response and imagination due to its ability to do so. Consequently, new works emerged throughout Europe that were more abstract than had been imagined before. Art that properly captured the actual and precise shape of its themes gave way to more intellectually and emotionally engaging art than had previously been seen in this society.

 

Paragraph G. The followers of the 20th-century "Modernism" movement aspired to go beyond realism in their creative endeavours, and hence, they encouraged experimentation in literary and artistic forms. Henry Spencer Moore, The sculptor who was born in Yorkshire in 1898, played a pivotal role in bringing his unique brand of modernism to Britain. His abstract bronze sculptures of the human form are renowned, numerous critics have seen connections between the undulating landscapes and hills of his native country of Yorkshire and the forms and lines of his sculptures.

 

Paragraph H. Moore’s work was increasingly in demand by the 1950s, and he was receiving prominent contracts like the one for the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The sculptor was enormously wealthy at the end of his career owing to his reputation and the scope of the projects he did; nevertheless, a large amount of his money was given to the Henry Moore Foundation, which was founded to fund the education and promotion of the arts. Since Moore's demise in 1986, the foundation's charitable work has continued. This includes providing grants to arts organisations as well as bursaries and scholarships to students and artists.

 

Let’s explore the questions and answers of the Sculpture reading answer passage.

2.

Sculpture Reading Answers with Sample Questions

Have you read the passage? Now, take the test and find Sculpture Reading answers! Try to answer these questions by yourself before you sneak a peek at the answers given below.

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • Complete the table.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

 

Region Style Additional Information
Eastern Africa Subjects similar to the (1) _________ region of the country. Less sought-after than other styles of African art.
Southern Africa Artwork representing human & animal form Made from (2) _______________
WesternAfrica Style 1 Sharp lines, long bodies Conventionally made for the purpose of (3) ______________
Style 2 Cylindrical, wide and flat lines created from (4) _______________ Made by Mande speakers
Central Africa Smooth lines & circular forms Often more difficult to identify owing to the diversity of (5)____________used.

 

Sculpture  Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)
 

Type of question: Table Completion

 

Under this task, you are required to fill in missing information in a table based on the information provided in the passage. These questions typically appear as part of the matching information or summary completion tasks.

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Quickly skim the passage for the main idea and relevant details.
  • Note keywords or headings in the table to place missing information.
  • Read surrounding sentences carefully for specific details.
  • Use accurate and grammatically correct information from the passage.
  • Verify and finalise your answers.
     
1. Southern

 

Reference: From Paragraph D: “Throughout most of Africa, including in Eastern and Southern regions, it is common to see portrayals of hybrid human and animal beings..”

 

Explanation: This line suggests that sculptures in Eastern Africa share similarities with those from the Southern region. Since the question asks for a region similar to Eastern Africa, "Southern" is the correct answer.

 

2. Clay

 

Reference: From Paragraph D: “Examples of these clay sculptures of human/animal hybrids may be found all throughout Southern Africa, with the earliest dating back to about 400 and 600 A.D.”

 

Explanation: This line confirms that sculptures in Southern Africa were made using clay, particularly depicting human and animal hybrids. Since the question asks for the material used, "clay" is the correct answer.
 

3. Religious rituals

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: ‘The first kind of sculpture has sharp corners and pointed features on lengthy bodies; such sculptures have historically been used in religious rituals.’ 

 

Explanation: This line states that one style of Western African sculptures was created for religious rituals. Since the question asks for the purpose of sculptures with sharp lines and long bodies, "religious rituals" is the correct answer.
 

4. Wood

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “In contrast, 'Mande-speaking communities' traditional wood sculptures have wide, flat surfaces on the arms and legs of their spherical arms and legs.”

 

Explanation: This line highlights that Mande-speaking communities in West Africa created sculptures using wood. Since the question asks for the material used in cylindrical sculptures with wide, flat lines, "wood" is the correct answer.

 

5. Materials

 

Reference: From Paragraph D: “Sculptures from Central Africa may be made from a larger range of materials, from wood to ivory, stone, or metal, making it more challenging for the untrained eye to recognise.”

 

Explanation: This line states that Central African sculptures are made from various materials, making them harder to identify. Since the question asks for the reason behind this difficulty, "materials" is the correct answer.

 

To build a strong word bank that can help you approach the Reading section with clarity and confidence, go through the list of IELTS Reading Vocabulary!

Questions and Answers 6-10
  • Write down the answer to the following questions.
  • Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.

 

6. What ceremonial events are the creations from Eastern Africa associated with?

7. What did Moore represent most often that gained him the most recognition?

8. Verification of art in which civilisation sheds doubt on the theory that African art goes back to the Nok period?

9. Due to African influence, what did Western art become that allowed it to be more intellectually and emotionally engaging?

10. What substance is used for the African sculptures many consider to be the best?  
 

Sculpture  Reading Answers With Explanations (6-10)

 

Type of question: Short answer 

 

In this task, you will be given a set of questions with missing information, typically sentences with blank spaces. You must complete each statement with one word or phrase (as instructed). 

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Read the questions first to understand what information you need to look for in the passage.
  • Skim the passage and look for keywords. 
  • You may have to look for synonyms or paraphrases to locate the answer. 
  • Verify your answers and finalise them.

 

 

6. Burial

 

Reference: From Paragraph D: “Typically, art from the former area takes the form of a human-shaped pole capped with a person or animal figure that has a strong link to death, burial, and the spiritual universe.”

 

Explanation: This line establishes a strong connection between Eastern African art and burial rituals, highlighting that these creations are often associated with death and spiritual beliefs. Therefore, "burial" is the correct answer.

 

7. The human form

 

Reference: From Paragraph G: “His abstract bronze sculptures of the human form are renowned; numerous critics have seen connections between the undulating landscapes and hills of his native country of Yorkshire and the forms and lines of his sculptures.”

 

Explanation: This statement clearly states that Moore gained recognition for his abstract bronze sculptures, which mainly depicted the human form. The emphasis on this subject matter makes "the human form" the correct answer.

 

8. Pharaonic Africa

 

Reference: From Paragraph B: “Because of evidence of sculpture's existence in Pharaonic Africa, some experts place the origin of sculpture in Africa to the time of 500 B.C.”

 

Explanation: The passage explains that sculptures were present in Pharaonic Africa, challenging the theory that African art originated in the Nok period. This evidence makes "Pharaonic Africa" the correct answer.
 

9. Abstract

 

Reference: From Paragraph F: “There is a wider range of artists throughout Africa to provide a more abstract interpretation of their subjects rather than a realistic and naturalistic one.”

 

Explanation: This line explains that African influence led to a shift in Western art towards abstraction, making it more intellectually and emotionally expressive. Therefore, "abstract" is the correct answer.

 

10. Metal

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “Many consider the metal sculptures of the eastern areas of West Africa to be among the finest works of art ever created.”

 

Explanation: This statement highlights that metal sculptures from Eastern West Africa are regarded as some of the best artistic creations. The direct mention of "metal" confirms it as the correct answer.

 

To build a strong word bank that can help you approach the Reading section with clarity and confidence, go through the list of IELTS Reading Vocabulary!

Questions and Answers 11-14
  • Complete the summary.
  • Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

 

In Africa, sculpture is more predominant and more highly (11) ______________ than canvas art, for example. In Asia, many prestigious works are connected to (12) ______________ values. Sculpture is an ancient art in which figurines are created from materials which are, in the main, (13)  _____________ to ensure the longevity of the art form; however, though more (14)  ____________, materials such as ice are used in certain spheres.
 

Sculpture  Reading Answers With Explanations (11-14)
 

Type of question: Summary completion

 

Under this task, you will be given a summary with incomplete sentences. However, you will not be given any list of words/phrases to choose the missing information. You must refer to the main passage to fill in the missing information. 

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Read the summary to understand what information it’s missing.
  • Identify keywords and locate them in the main passage to find missing words. 
  • Review the context of the words you’ve chosen to match the summary.
  • Finalise your answers.
     
11. Favoured

 

Reference: From Paragraph B: ‘Perhaps more so than elsewhere in the world, Africa favoured and celebrates three-dimensional artwork above two-dimensional artwork.’

 

Explanation: This line highlights that Africa places greater importance on three-dimensional art, such as sculpture, rather than two-dimensional artwork, like paintings. This preference makes "favoured" the correct answer.
 

12. Religious

 

Reference: From Paragraph A: ‘In many countries, the sculpture has historically been connected with religious thinking; for instance, Numerous renowned sculptures in Asia are associated with Hinduism or Buddhism.’

 

Explanation: This sentence establishes a direct link between sculptures in Asia and religious beliefs, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism. This connection confirms "religious" as the right answer.
 

13. Permanent

 

Reference: From Paragraph A: “Traditional sculptures have been crafted from permanent materials including metal, stone, marble, and jade; however, several subgenres of the art form specialise on making figures of a more transitory nature, such as ice sculpture.

 

Explanation: This line shows that sculptures are commonly made from long-lasting materials to preserve them over time. Since the focus is on durability, "permanent" is the correct answer.

 

14. Transitory

 

Reference: From Paragraph A: “Traditional sculptures have been crafted from permanent materials including metal, stone, marble, and jade; however, several subgenres of the art form specialise on making figures of a more transitory nature, such as ice sculpture.

 

Explanation: This sentence contrasts traditional, permanent materials with temporary ones, such as ice, which melt over time. This characteristic makes "transitory" the appropriate answer.

 

To build a strong word bank that can help you approach the Reading section with clarity and confidence, go through the IELTS Academic Reading 2025!

3.

Check Out Top 40 IELTS Reading Practice Test Questions with Answers

Below are some top 35+ free IELTS Reading Practice test online questions with detailed answers to enhance your IELTS preparation online. We have provided sample passages for each test type for your reference.
 

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FAQs

Q. What are common keywords in the Sculpture reading passage?

Ans. Common keywords in a Sculpture reading passage include terms related to materials (e.g., marble, bronze, clay), techniques (e.g., carving, moulding, casting), historical periods, famous sculptors, and artistic styles. Identifying synonyms and paraphrased versions of these words is crucial for locating answers quickly.

Q. How to answer matching headings questions in the Sculpture reading passage?

Ans. First, skim the passage to understand the main idea of each paragraph. Then, compare the headings with the central theme of each section. Look for synonyms, key phrases, and repeated ideas. Avoid matching based on single words and focus on overall meaning.

Q. What is a challenging aspect of the Sculpture reading passage?

Ans. One of the biggest challenges is dealing with technical vocabulary related to sculpture techniques and materials. Additionally, understanding implied meanings and distinguishing between different artistic periods can be tricky, requiring careful reading and inference skills.

Q. Are Sculpture passages part of the IELTS Academic or General Reading?

Ans. Sculpture-related passages are typically found in the IELTS Academic Reading test. These texts often discuss artistic movements, historical influences, or technical aspects of sculpture, making them suitable for an academic context.

Q. How are the IELTS Reading scores calculated?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test has 40 questions, and each correct answer earns one point. The raw score is then converted to a band score ranging from 0 to 9. The Academic and General Training Reading tests have different score conversion charts.

Q. Can I write on the question paper during the test?

Ans. Yes, you can write notes, underline keywords, or highlight important parts on the question paper. However, only answers written on the answer sheet will be marked, so ensure you transfer them before time runs out.

Q. Are spelling and grammar important in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Yes, spelling and grammar matter when writing answers. Incorrect spelling will be marked wrong, even if the answer is otherwise correct. Pay attention to singular/plural forms and word order, especially in gap-fill questions.

Q. What types of texts can I expect in the Academic Reading test?

Ans. The Academic Reading test includes passages from books, journals, newspapers, and research articles. Topics are typically related to science, history, technology, or social issues and may include arguments, descriptions, or factual reports.

Q. How can I improve my reading speed for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Practise skimming to grasp main ideas quickly and scanning to locate specific information. Read a variety of academic texts regularly, focus on expanding vocabulary, and time yourself while solving practice tests to improve speed and accuracy.

Q. Can I use a dictionary during the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. No, dictionaries are not allowed in the IELTS Reading test. You must rely on your vocabulary knowledge and contextual understanding to interpret unfamiliar words. Learning common IELTS-related vocabulary can be beneficial.

Q. What strategies can help me answer True/False/Not Given questions?

Ans. Read the statement carefully, then locate the relevant section in the passage. If the information exactly matches, choose "True." If it contradicts, choose "False." If there is no clear information, select "Not Given." Avoid making assumptions beyond the text.