The Birth Of Blue Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test with Answers

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Updated on Apr 07, 2025, 14:58

In the IELTS Reading section, you will answer 40 questions based on three different passages. You have 60 minutes to complete the section, and you must manage your time well, as there is no extra time for transferring answers. The questions test your ability through question types such as summary completion, multiple choice questions and matching features.
 

The Birth Of Blue Reading passage explores how the colour blue was discovered, developed, and used throughout history. The text discusses both natural and synthetic origins, and how blue came to hold cultural and artistic significance across civilisations.


Let’s look at The Birth Of Blue reading answer passage, questions, and answers with explanations.

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1. The Birth Of Blue Reading Answer Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 – 13 based on The Birth Of Blue Reading Answer Passage below.

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2. The Birth Of Blue Reading Answers with Sample Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Birth Of Blue.

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3. Check Out Top 65+ 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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The Birth Of Blue 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.

 

 

The Birth Of Blue Reading Answer Passage

 

Paragraph A. Blue has been the hardest main colour for artists and scientists to generate. Blue has always mesmerised artists, yet excellent blues have been elusive for a very long time. Since blues are very uncommon in nature, painters throughout history have found themselves at the mercy of what modern chemical technology has to offer. Some blues have been costly, while others have been unreliable. Some significant technological innovations have been fueled by the search for a good blue, demonstrating that the interplay between art and science has not always been a one-way process.

 

Paragraph B. The first pigments were merely ground-up coloured minerals that were extracted from the earth. There are no blues in cave art because there aren't many blue minerals that work well as pigments. However, the reason why blue was used so frequently by ancient Egyptian artists was that they were able to create a fine artificial pigment that is now known as Egyptian blue.

 

Paragraph C. Like the discovery of many other synthetic pigments, Egyptian blue's discovery was almost certainly an accident. The Egyptians used a method they learned from the Mesopotamians to create blue-glazed stones and ornaments known as faience. In the ancient world, making faience was a lucrative industry; by 1500 BC, it was being traded all over Europe. Stone decorations are heated in a kiln with copper minerals like malachite to create faience. Egyptian blue, which has been produced since at least 2500 BC, is made by fusing chalk or limestone with sand and copper minerals and is said to have spontaneously formed in a faience kiln.

 

Paragraph D. A different old blue, called Maya blue, which was used for centuries in Central America prior to the Spanish Conquest, has recently been revealed by scientists. This is a particular type of clay, a mineral made of sheets of atoms, with molecules of indigo-blue dye jammed between the sheets. By using indigo in this manner, it is less likely to disintegrate. Since the Mayas, no one has created colours in this manner, and no one is certain of how they did it. Technologists, however, are now interested in using the same technique to create durable pigments from other dyes.

 

Paragraph E. The richest pigment that was available to mediaeval artists was ultramarine, which first appeared in Western art in the thirteenth century. It was created using the blue material lapis lazuli, which had just one known source: the isolated mines of Badakhshan, which are currently located in Afghanistan. The pigment was extremely difficult to make, in addition to the challenge of transporting the material across such long distances. Due to impurities in the stone, lapis lazuli turns yellowish when powdered. The powder needs to be combined with wax to make a dough, then it needs to be continuously kneaded in water to extract the pure blue colour.

 

Paragraph F. Ultramarine may, therefore, be more expensive than its weight in gold, so medieval artists were very picky about how they used it. Since the Renaissance, painters have yearned for a less expensive, more widely available blue to contrast with ultramarine. Things got better in 1704 when a Berlin-based colour manufacturer by the name of Diesbach found Prussian blue, the first "modern" synthetic pigment. Diesbach was working on a recipe that called for caustic potash in order to create a red pigment. However, Diesbach's potash was tainted with animal oil, which prevented the synthesis from going as intended. Diesbach made blue instead of red.

 

Paragraph G. The oil had reacted, creating cyanide, an essential component of Prussian blue. Diesbach kept his recipe a secret for a long time, but it was found and published in 1724, at which point anyone could create the colour. By the 1750s, it was only a tenth the price of ultramarine. However, it wasn't a particularly beautiful blue, and the painters were still unsatisfied. In 1802, when French chemist Louis Jacques Thenard created cobalt blue, they had a better option. The best of all was the 1826 discovery of a process for producing ultramarine itself. In 1824, the French Society for the Encouragement of National Industry offered a reward of 6,000 francs to anyone who could produce synthetic ultramarine at a reasonable cost.

 

Paragraph H. Two years later, Toulouse chemist Jean-Baptiste Guimet won the Prize for demonstrating how to make ultramarine by burning china clay along with soda, charcoal, sand, and sulphur in a furnace. This meant that there was no longer a need to rely on the scarce natural source, and ultramarine eventually evolved into a relatively affordable commercial pigment (known as French ultramarine. As it was initially mass-produced in Paris).

 

Paragraph I. Synthetic ultramarine, which is regarded as the most beautiful blue in the world, rose to prominence in the 1950s. The creation of International Klein Blue by French artist Yves Klein and Parisian paint producer Edouard Adam is a triumph of contemporary chemistry. When pigments were combined with a liquid binder to create paint, Klein found it disturbing how the richness of the pigments was lost. He discovered, with Adams' assistance, that a synthetic resin diluted with organic solvents would preserve this bright texture in the dry paint layer. Klein introduced his new blue in 1957 with a collection of monochromatic paintings, and in 1960, he obtained a patent to safeguard his creation.

 

Let’s explore the questions and answers of The Birth Of Blue reading answer passage.

2.

The Birth Of Blue Reading Answers with Sample Questions

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

Questions and Answers 1-4
  • Complete the summary below.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS frоm thе passage fоr еасh answer.

 

The colours used in cave paintings and other early art were created by crushing (1) __________, but later artists have typically had to rely on the (2) __________ of the day for their supply 

of blue. One of the earliest instances of the widespread use of blue was in (3) __________ art. Many more attempts to produce respectable blues have been made throughout the ages, 

some of which have resulted in important (4) __________ .
 

The Birth Of Blue Reading Answers with Explanations (1-4)

 

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. 

 

1. (coloured) minerals

 

Reference: From Paragraph B: “The first pigments were merely ground-up coloured minerals that were extracted from the earth.”

 

Explanation: This line explains that the earliest pigments were made by grinding coloured minerals found in the earth. Since cave paintings are some of the earliest forms of art, this confirms that minerals were the original source of colour, making "coloured minerals" the correct answer.

 

2. chemical technology/science

 

Reference: From Paragraph A: “Some significant technological advancements have been fueled by the search for a good blue, demonstrating that the interplay between art and science has not always been a one-way process.”

 

Explanation: This line highlights that natural blues are rare, so artists had to rely on modern chemical advances to get usable blue pigments. It clearly shows a dependence on scientific developments, which makes "chemical technology" or "science" the correct answer.

 

3. (ancient) Egyptian

 

Reference: From Paragraph B: “However, the reason why blue was used so frequently by ancient Egyptian artists was that they were able to create a fine artificial pigment that is now known as Egyptian blue.”

 

Explanation: This line indicates that ancient Egyptian artists were among the first to use blue widely because they invented a synthetic pigment. Their innovation led to the frequent use of blue in their artwork, making "ancient Egyptian" the accurate answer.

 

4. technological innovations

 

Reference: From Paragraph A: “Some blues have been costly, while others have been unreliable. Some significant technological innovations have been fueled by the search for a good blue, demonstrating that the interplay between art and science has not always been a one-way process.”

 

Explanation: This line shows that the long-standing effort to find better blue pigments has led to major technological breakthroughs. It directly supports the idea that this pursuit inspired new developments, making "technological innovations" the correct answer.

 

Also Read: 350+ English Vocabulary Words for IELTS

Questions and Answers 5-6
  • Choose the correct letter A, B, C оr D.

 

5. What was the primary drawback of using ultramarine for mediaeval artists?

A. lt contained а number оf impurities.
B. lt wаѕ excessively expensive.
C. Thе colour wasn’t permanent.
D. Thе preparation process wаѕ hazardous.
 

6. Prussian blue was discovered as a result of

A. uѕіng thе wrong quantity оf аn ingredient.
B. mixing thе wrong ingredients together.
C. including an ingredient thаt wаѕ impure.
D. uѕіng аn ingredient оf thе wrong colour.
 

The Birth Of Blue  Reading Answers With Explanations (5-6)
 

Type of question: Multiple choice questions

 

In this question type, you are asked to answer the question followed by several options, typically lettered A, B, C, or D. The task is to select the correct answer from the given choices based on the information provided in the reading passage.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read the question carefully and understand what it asks.
  • Pay attention to the keywords in the question.
  • Skim the passage quickly to locate relevant information.
  • Eliminate the clearly incorrect options.
  • Select the answer that best fits the information in the passage.s you’ve chosen to match the summary.
  • Finalise your answers. 

 

5. B - lt wаѕ excessively expensive.

 

Reference: From Paragraph F: “Ultramarine may, therefore, be more expensive than its weight in gold, so mediaeval artists were very picky about how they used it.”

 

Explanation: This line indicates that the high cost of ultramarine made it extremely difficult for mediaeval artists to use it freely. Because it was even more expensive than gold, they had to be selective, which makes "excessively expensive" the correct answer.

 

6. C - including an ingredient that was impure

 

Reference: From Paragraph E: “Due to impurities in the stone, lapis lazuli turns yellowish when powdered. The powder needs to be combined with wax to make a dough; then it needs to be continuously kneaded in water to extract the pure blue colour.”

 

Explanation: This line explains that an impurity—animal oil—in the potash led to an unexpected chemical reaction. As a result, Diesbach accidentally created Prussian blue, making "including an ingredient that was impure" the correct 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!

Questions and Answers 7-13
  • Lооk аt thе descriptions аnd thе types оf blue below.
  • Match еасh description wіth thе type оf blue.

 

7. Created in the first decades of the 19th century...…….

8. Produced from a limited supply of a natural resource……..

9. Created specifically to keep its depth of colour when used in paint……

10. Was inexpensive to create but had little appeal to artists…..

11. Made using a process that is yet to be completely understood…….

12. Believed to have been created through a different manufacturing technique……..

13. Came to be produced in huge quantities at a low cost………
 

Types оf Blue

A. Egyptian blue

B. Maya blue

C. Ultramarine

D. Prussian blue

E. cobalt blue

F. French ultramarine

G. International Klein Blue

 

The Birth Of Blue  Reading Answers With Explanations (7-13)
 

Type of question: Matching Features

 

In this task, you are required to match a list of opinions or deeds with the correct individuals from a provided list. This type of question tests your ability to identify relationships and connections between people and their contributions or viewpoints, as mentioned in the text.

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Carefully read the instructions to know what criteria or basis you're using for matching.
  • Identify the key features or attributes of each item on the list.
  • Use the elimination process to narrow down the options for the remaining matches.
  • Review all matches to ensure they are coherent and aligned with the given criteria.
  • Look for patterns or relationships between items to improve the efficiency of making correct matches.
  • Finalise your answers.

 

7. E - cobalt blue

 

Reference: From Paragraph G: “In 1802, when French chemist Louis Jacques Thenard created cobalt blue, they had a better option.”

 

Explanation: This line indicates that cobalt blue was created by Thenard in 1802, which clearly places its invention in the first decades of the 19th century. That time frame matches the question prompt, making cobalt blue the correct answer.

 

8. C - Ultramarine

 

Reference: From Paragraph H: “This meant that there was no longer a need to rely on the scarce natural source, and ultramarine eventually evolved into a relatively affordable commercial pigment known as French ultramarine”

 

Explanation: The line confirms that ultramarine was made from lapis lazuli, a rare mineral with only one known source. This highlights its limited natural availability, which aligns with the clue about a restricted supply.

 

9. G - International Klein Blue

 

Reference: From Paragraph I: “He discovered with Adams' assistance that a synthetic resin diluted with organic solvents would preserve this bright texture in the dry paint layer. Klein introduced his new blue in 1957 with a collection of monochromatic paintings, and in 1960 he obtained a patent to safeguard his creation.”

 

Explanation: The sentence explains how a synthetic resin was used to retain the rich colour of the pigment when applied as paint. This deliberate effort to preserve the depth of colour makes International Klein Blue the right match.

 

10. D - Prussian blue

 

Reference: From Paragraph G: “However, it wasn't a particularly beautiful blue, and the painters were still unsatisfied.”

 

Explanation: This suggests that although Prussian blue was affordable, artists did not find it visually appealing. Its lack of aesthetic charm, despite being cheap, makes it the correct choice for this description.

 

11. B - Maya blue

 

Reference: From Paragraph D: “Since the Mayas, no one has created colours in this manner, and no one is certain of how they did it.”

 

Explanation: The statement clearly mentions that the process used to make Maya blue is not fully understood today. This mystery surrounding its production method makes it fit the description perfectly.

 

12. A - Egyptian blue

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “Egyptian blue's discovery was almost certainly an accident.”

 

Explanation: The quote suggests that Egyptian blue was likely formed unintentionally during the faience-making process. This indicates a different or accidental method of manufacturing, matching the statement.

 

13. F - French ultramarine

 

Reference: From Paragraph H: This meant that there was no longer a need to rely on the scarce natural source, and ultramarine eventually evolved into a relatively affordable commercial pigment (known as French ultramarine. As it was initially mass-produced in Paris).

 

Explanation: This shows that synthetic ultramarine, known as French ultramarine, became widely available and affordable. Its mass production in Paris makes it the correct answer for large-scale, low-cost creation.

 

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FAQs

Q. What are common keywords in The Birth Of Blue reading passage?

Ans. Common keywords in this passage include terms like “pigments,” “natural dyes,” “lapis lazuli,” “synthetic,” “chemistry,” and “colour production.” These help you trace key ideas in the text related to the history and development of the blue pigment.

Q. How to answer matching headings questions in The Birth Of Blue reading passage?

Ans. Read the headings first to understand the main ideas. Then, skim each paragraph to find its central theme. Match the heading that best summarises the whole paragraph, not just a part of it. Look for topic sentences and repeated ideas.

Q. What is a challenging aspect of The Birth Of Blue reading passage?

Ans. One challenging aspect is identifying subtle differences between similar terms or processes related to pigment creation. Also, the scientific vocabulary and historical references can make it difficult to locate exact answers quickly.

Q. Are The Birth Of Blue passages part of the IELTS Academic or General Reading?

Ans. "The Birth Of Blue" is part of the IELTS Academic Reading section. Academic passages are typically more detailed and complex, often covering scientific, historical, or technical topics.

Q. What is the band score range for the IELTS Reading module?

Ans. The band score range for the IELTS Reading module is from 1 to 9. You receive a whole or half-band score based on your correct answers. A higher number of correct answers results in a higher band score.

Q. Can I skip the IELTS Reading Module for my IELTS exam?

Ans. No, you cannot skip the IELTS Reading module. It is a compulsory section of the test, whether you take the Academic or General Training version. All four modules—Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking—are mandatory.

Q. Does the IELTS Reading module have more weightage?

Ans. No, all four modules in the IELTS exam carry equal weight. Your Reading score contributes 25% to your overall band score, just like Listening, Writing, and Speaking.

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

Ans. No, there is no negative marking in the IELTS Reading module. You should attempt all questions, even if you're unsure, as incorrect answers won’t reduce your score.

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test is 60 minutes long. You must answer 40 questions within this time, and there is no extra time for transferring answers to the answer sheet.

Q. How many passages are there in the Reading section?

Ans. There are three passages in the IELTS Academic Reading section and also in the General Training version, though the topics differ. Each passage gets progressively more difficult.

Q. Are the Academic and General Training Reading tests the same?

Ans. No, they are not the same. The Academic Reading test features more complex and academic-style texts, while the General Training test includes everyday reading materials like advertisements, notices, and work-related texts.