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Stepwells Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

updated at

Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

In this practice test of the IELTS speaking module, we will discover the topic ‘Stepwells.’ These are old buildings from India made for storing water and as meeting spots for people. They're cool because they have a lot of history and show how smart people were in the past.
 

This stepwells reading answers practice test will teach us about their history, design, and importance. Get ready to explore these fascinating structures and test your reading skills with engaging passages and questions.
 

The IELTS reading test is one of the modules of the IELTS. This section assesses the reading skills of individuals who intend to study or work in a foreign nation. 


 

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1. Stepwells Reading Passages

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

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2. Stepwells Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Stepwells.

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1.

Stepwells Reading Passages

General Instructions
General Instructions for IELTS Reading:

  • You will have 60 minutes to complete the entire reading test.
  • The test consists of three reading passages with a total of 40 questions.
  • The texts may be taken from books, magazines, journals, or newspapers.
  • You will receive an answer sheet and should write your answers on it.
  • The questions will be in different formats, such as multiple-choice, matching, sentence completion, and summary completion.
  • The reading passages will increase in difficulty as you progress through the test.
  • You cannot bring any electronic devices, including mobile phones, into the test room.

 

 

 

 

Stepwells Reading Passages


 

A millennium ago, stepwells were fundamental to life in the driest parts of India. Although many have been neglected, recent restoration has returned them to their former glory. Richard Cox travelled to north-western India to document these spectacular monuments from a bygone era. 

 

A. 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.

 

B. Unique to the region, stepwells are often architecturally complex and vary widely in size and shape. During their heyday, they were places of gathering, of leisure, of relaxation and of worship for villagers of all but the lowest castes. Most stepwells are found dotted around the desert areas of Gujarat (where they are called vav) and Rajasthan (where they are known as baori), 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.

 

C. As their name suggests, stepwells 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.

 

D. 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 and churning butter.

 

E. Down the centuries, thousands of wells were constructed throughout northwestern India, but the majority have now fallen into disuse; many are derelict and dry, as groundwater has 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 stepwells throughout the state.

 

F. 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 11th century, but became silted up following a flood during the 13th century. But the Archaeological Survey of India began restoring it in the 1960s, and today it’s in pristine condition. At 65 metres long, 20 metres wide and 27 metres deep, Rani Ki Vav features 500 distinct sculptures carved into niches throughout the monument, depicting gods such as Vishnu and Parvati in various incarnations. Incredibly, in January 2001, this ancient structure survived a devastating earthquake that measured 7.6 on the Richter scale.

 

G. 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’s actually 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.

 

H. Rajasthan also has a wealth of wells. The ancient city of Bundi, 200 kilometres south of Jaipur, is reknowned for its architecture, including its stepwells. One of the larger examples is Raniji Ki 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 baoris commissioned in the Bundi area by Nathavatji.

 

I. 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 geometric pattern when seen from afar. On the fourth side, covered verandas supported by ornate pillars overlook the steps.

 

J. Still in public use is Neemrana Ki Baori, located just off the Jaipur–Dehli highway. Constructed in around 1700, it’s nine storeys deep, with the last two levels underwater. At ground level, there are 86 collonaded openings from where the visitor descends 170 steps to the most profound water source.

 

K. 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 northwestern India to wonder at these architectural marvels from 1,000 years ago, which serve as a reminder of both the ingenuity and artistry of ancient civilisations and the value of water to human existence.

2.

Stepwells Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Stepwells.

Questions and Answers 1-5
Type of question: True/False
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. Examples of ancient stepwells 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 stepwells in Delhi are more attractive than those found elsewhere. 

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

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

 

Stepwells Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

Type of question: TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN
 

In this task, you are given a set of statements which you should answer based on your understanding of the passage. 
 

You can assess whether the statement given in the question is:


 

TRUE                if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE              if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN     if there is no information on this

 

How to best answer the question
 

  • Read the given question statements carefully and note down the keywords
  • With the help of the keywords, locate them in the passage, which will help you decide whether the given statement is true or false. 
  • Your answer will not be given if the information is not in the passage.

 

1. False

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B: “Unique to the region, stepwells are often architecturally complex and vary widely in size and shape.”

 

Explanation

The answer is false because stepwells are only found in semi-arid or arid regions where it is crucial to store water for survival. The cultural and geographical factors of the region also influence it. 

 

2. True

 

Reference:

 

Reference

From Paragraph B: “During their heyday, they were places of gathering, of leisure, of relaxation and of worship for villagers of all but the lowest castes.”
 

Explanation

The answer is true because the ancient people used to gather at the stepwells to celebrate their good times and also visit them during leisure time for relaxation. The villagers also used to gather and worship at the stepwells. 

 

3. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph B: “Most stepwells are found dotted around the desert areas of Gujarat (where they are called vav) and Rajasthan (where they are known as baori), while a few also survive in Delhi.”
 

Explanation

According to the statement in paragraph B, the keyword ‘Delhi’ is found, but there is no context mentioning that the stepwells in Delhi were more attractive than those elsewhere. 

 

4. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C: “As their name suggests, stepwells comprise a series of stone steps descending from ground level to the water source (normally an underground aquifer) as it recedes following the rains.”
 

Explanation

Though the keyword ‘stone steps’ is mentioned in paragraph C, we do not find any information regarding the duration it took to build the stone steps of the step wells. 


 

5. True

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph C: “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.”
 

Explanation 

The given information in paragraph C mentions that due to water level changes, the number of steps used to be altered during the year. 

Questions and Answers 6-8
Type of question: One word only

  • In boxes 6-8 on your answer sheet, you need to choose only one word from the passage for each answer.

 

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?

 

Stepwells Reading Answers with Explanations (6-8)


 

Type of question: One word only
 

In this task, you will be given a question. Based on your reading and understanding of the passage, you should write one word that, according to you, is a perfect answer to the given question. 
 

How to best answer the question:
 

  • Read the given passage thoroughly and note down the keywords.
  • Locate the keywords in the passage to help you identify the one word for the given question. 

 

6. Pavilion

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph D: “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.”
 

Explanation: 

The answer is ‘pavilion’, as the second sentence of the ‘D’ paragraph mentions that the stepwells also included pavilions, which sheltered visitors from the relentless heat.

 

7. Drought

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph E: “Their condition hasn’t been helped by recent dry spells: southern Rajasthan suffered an eight-year drought between 1996 and 2004.”
 

Explanation

The Para E explains that there was an eight-year drought in the southern Rajasthan from 1996 to 2004. 

 

8. Tourists

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph K: “Tourists flock to wells in far-flung corners of northwestern India to wonder at these architectural marvels from 1,000 years ago, … ancient civilisations and the value of water to human existence.”
 

Explanation 

The last paragraph mentions that the tourists used to arrive in the remote locations of Northwestern India to explore these ancient stepwells.

Questions and Answers 9-13
Type of question: One word or a number

  • In questions 9-13, you need to write either one word or a number from the passage from each answer.

 

Stepwell

Date

Features

Other Notes

Rani Ki VavLate 11th century As many as 500 sculptures decorate the monumentRestored in the 1960s Excellent condition, despite the 9) ………… of 2001
Surya Kund 1026Steps on the 10) ………… produce a geometrical pattern Carved shrines Looks more like a 11) ………… than a well 
Raniji Ki Baori 1699Intricately carved monument One of 21 baoris in the area commissioned by Queen Nathavatji 
Chand Baori 850 ADSteps take you down 11 storeys to the bottom Old, deep and very dramatic Has 12) ……………. which provide a view of the steps 
Neemrana Ki Baori 1700Has two 13) …………….. levels Used by public today 

 

Stepwells Reading Answers with Explanations (9-13)


 

Type of question: One word or a number 
 

In this task, you will be given questions, each containing a blank word/number. Based on your reading, you need to identify the missing word or the number from the given statement. 
 

How to best answer the question:
 

  • Read the given passage thoroughly and note down the keywords.
  • Locate the keywords in the passage to help you identify the one word for the given question. 

 

9. Earthquake

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph F: “Rani Ki Vav features 500 distinct sculptures ……in January 2001, this ancient structure survived a devastating earthquake.”
 

Explanation

A major earthquake hit Gujarat in 2001. The Rani Ki Vav is also located in Gujarat, and the year 2001 is also mentioned, so this can be the only suitable answer.


 

10. 4 sides

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph G: “Stepwell architecture, including four sides of steps that descend to the bottom in a stunning geometrical formation.”
 

Explanation

Paragraph G mentions that the Surya Kund site has four sides of steps descending to the bottom in a stunning geometrical formation.

 

11. Tank

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph G: “It’s actually a tank (kund means reservoir or pond) rather than a well.”
 

Explanation

Paragraph G explains that the Surya Kund resembles a tank because ‘kund’ refers to a reservoir or a pond. 

 

12. Verandas

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph I: “On the fourth side, covered verandas supported by ornate pillars overlook the steps.”
 

Explanation

Paragraph I explains that the Chand Baori covered verandas, which provides a good view of the steps. 
 

13. Underwater

 

Reference:

 

From Paragraph J: “Constructed in around 1700, it’s nine storeys deep, with the last two levels underwater.”
 

Explanation

In Paragraph J, it is mentioned that the Neemrana Ki Baori has two levels underwater.

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FAQs

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

Ans. The best way to improve your reading skills is to practice reading faster to grasp the main idea of passages. You should also read materials like blogs, stories, and novels to learn new words. Also, you should practice focusing without distractions. Read and understand the questions first, then quickly go through the paragraphs to find the answers.

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

Ans. To improve your IELTS vocabulary, you should read enough to learn new words and understand how to form sentences using the words. Explore your favourite novels or read newspapers to increase your word power. While reading, if you encounter any difficult words, you can note them along with their meanings. Then, you should use these words when speaking or writing something, which will help you retain them in your mind.

Q. What are some effective reading strategies for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Start reading the paragraph to get the main idea, and keep highlighting the key points and keywords. Then, go through the questions to understand correctly, quickly walk through the paragraphs, and find the information. The highlighted key points and phrases will benefit you while finding the answers.

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

Ans. There are many ways you can use to improve your comprehension skills:
 

  • Focus on understanding the central idea and get the supporting details from each passage. 
  • Start reading and summarising the paragraphs based on your understanding. 
  • Also, practice the different sets of questions and scan through the paragraphs to quickly gather the answers.
     

In addition to the above three, you can keep measuring your performance and focusing on the areas you lack. Do enough practice to work on those areas and perform better in the IELTS test. 

Q. What are some valuable tips for tackling the IELTS Reading test's True/False/Not Given questions?

Ans. Some of the proven tips which can be helpful to tackle the True/False/Not Given questions are as follows: 
 

  1. Read through the passage and keep the keywords of the questions in mind while reading. There can be different instances of it: 
    1. You can find the texts supporting the statements of the questions, then it is TRUE.
    2. If you find the texts, but they do not support the statements, then it's FALSE. 
    3. If you cannot find the statements given, they are NOT GIVEN. 

     2. Keep track of time and ensure you spend only a little time dealing with the answers. 

     3. Always practice proper ways to get a habit of scanning passages and finding answers. 
 

If you want to improve your speed, you can highlight the passage's keywords to help you quickly locate the answer.

Q. What is an IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS reading test is one of the modules of the IELTS. In this test, the examiner will evaluate your ability to understand and interpret the English language skills. In this module, you will get some passages, and based on them, different types of questions will be asked, such as true-false, sentence completion questions, or MCQs. You need to skim through the passages and find the required answers to the questions. 

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS reading test lasts 60 minutes. There are 3 different types of passages, and 40 questions can be asked. The most popular questions asked in the reading test are MCQs, matching headlines, matching features, sentence completion, short answer questions, tables, and more. 
 

You will have minimal time to cover each question, so you should practice fast reading and analysing the context of the questions. 

Q. What are some good books for IELTS Reading test preparation?

Ans. Some of the best books that you should consider for IELTS reading preparation are:
 

  • The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
  • Barron’s IELTS 
  • Collins English for IELTS
  • Official IELTS Practice Materials
  • Writing Made Easy – B-Ghud Publications
     

You can choose any of the above books, but remember to give enough time to practice the questions to score good marks. 

Q. Does the IELTS Reading Module have a negative marking?

Ans. Fortunately, the IELTS reading test has no negative marking for wrong answers. However, you will gain 1 mark if you give a correct answer. All these marks will be counted together, and a band score ranging from 0 to 9 will be awarded depending on your performance. Therefore, you should prepare enough to make the most of the correct answers and get a good band score. 

Q. How many questions are there in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS reading test has 40 questions. These questions are spread across three passages, each with a set of different questions, such as MCQs, short answer questions, true/false questions, sentence completion, and more. All these questions are created to analyse your ability to understand and analyse the information presented in the answers. You must answer all 40 questions within the allotted time of 60 minutes.

Q. What is a good score for my IELTS Reading module?

Ans.  A good score in the IELTS depends on the eligibility criteria set by the institution you want to apply for. Some institutions like Cambridge and Imperial College of London require a minimum band score of 7.0 to be considered for admission. Whereas institutions like the University of Birmingham. The University of Southampton require a band score of 6.5 to taking admission. On average, you should aim for a score above 6.0 to get admission to prestigious universities.