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The Development Of Museums Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

In the IELTS Reading section, your comprehension of the text about the development of museums will be thoroughly tested. Lasting for 60 minutes, this segment comprises three passages, each accompanied by a series of questions in various formats like multiple choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. Success in this section hinges on your ability to grasp key information, discern main ideas, and infer meaning from context.

 

To ace the IELTS Reading section on the development of museums, adopt effective reading strategies such as skimming for main ideas and scanning for specific details. Regular practice with sample questions and exposure to different question types will sharpen your skills for test day.

 

Prepare for an enlightening exploration of "The Development of Museums," an insightful look into the evolution and significance of these cultural institutions. Delve into the historical, social, and educational aspects of museums through engaging passages and accompanying questions, enriching your understanding of their role in society and cultural preservation.

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1. The Development Of Museums Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 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. The Development Of Museums Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Development Of Museums

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1.

The Development Of Museums 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.

 

 

 

 

The Development Of Museums Reading Passage


 

 

Paragraph A 

The conviction that historical relics provide infallible testimony about the past is rooted in the nineteenth and early twentieth century, when science was regarded as objective and value free. As one writer observes: 'Although it is now evident that artefacts are as easily altered as chronicles, public faith in their veracity endures: a tangible relic seems ipso facto real.' Such conviction was, until recently, reflected in museum displays. Museums used to look - and some still do - much like storage rooms of objects packed together in showcases: good for scholars who wanted to study the subtle differences in design, but not for the ordinary visitor, to whom it all looked alike. Similarly, the information accompanying the objects often made little sense to the lay visitor. The content and format of explanations dated back to a time when the museum was the exclusive domain of the scientific researcher.

 

Paragraph B

Recently, however, attitudes towards history and the way it should be presented have altered. The key word in heritage display is now 'experience', the more exciting the better and, if possible, involving all the senses. Good examples of this approach in the UK are the Jorvik Centre in York; the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford; and the Imperial War Museum in London. In the US the trend emerged much earlier: Williamsburg has been a prototype for many heritage developments in other parts of the world. No one can predict where the process will end. On so-called heritage sites the re-enactment of historical events is increasingly popular, and computers will soon provide virtual reality experiences, which will present visitors with a vivid image of the period of their choice, in which they themselves can act as if part of the historical environment. Such developments have been criticised as an intolerable vulgarization, but the success of many historical theme parks and similar locations suggests that the majority of the public does not share this opinion.

 

Paragraph C

In a related development, the sharp distinction between museum and heritage sites on the one hand, and theme parks on the other, is gradually evaporating. They already borrow ideas and concepts from one another. For example, museums have adopted story lines for exhibitions, sites have accepted theming as a relevant tool, and theme parks are moving towards more authenticity and research-based presentations. In zoos, animals are no longer kept in cages, but in great spaces, either in the open air or in enormous greenhouses, such as the jungle and desert environments in Burgers Zoo in Holland. This particular trend is regarded as one of the major developments in the presentation of natural history in the twentieth century.

 

Paragraph D

Theme parks are undergoing other changes, too, as they try to present more serious social and cultural issues, and move away from fantasy. This development is a response to market forces and, although museums and heritage sites have a special, rather distinct, role to fulfill they are also operating in a very competitive environment, where visitors make choices on how and where to spend their free time. Heritage and museum experts do not have to invent stories and recreate historical environments to attract their visitors: their assets are already in place. However, exhibits must be both based on artifacts and facts as we know them, and attractively presented. Those who are professionally engaged in the art of interpreting history are thus in a difficult position, as they must steer a narrow course between the demands of 'evidence' and 'attractiveness', especially given the increasing need in the heritage industry for income-generating activities.

 

Paragraph E

It could be claimed that in order to make everything in heritage more 40 'real', historical accuracy must be increasingly altered. For example, Pithecanthropus erectus is depicted in an Indonesian museum with Malay facial features, because this corresponds to public perceptions. Similarly, in the Museum of Natural History in Washington, Neanderthal man is shown making a dominant gesture to his wife. Such presentations tell us more about contemporary perceptions of the world than about our ancestors. There is one compensation, however, for the professionals who make these interpretations: if they did not provide the interpretation, visitors would do it for themselves, based on their own ideas, misconceptions and prejudices. And no matter how exciting the result, it would contain a lot more bias than the presentations provided by experts.

 

Paragraph F

Human bias is inevitable, but another source of bias in the representation of history has to do with the transitory nature of the materials themselves. The simple fact is that not everything from history survives the historical process. Castles, palaces and cathedrals have a longer lifespan than the dwellings of ordinary people. The same applies to the furnishings and other contents of the premises. In a town like Leyden in Holland, which in the seventeenth century was occupied by approximately the same number of inhabitants as today, people lived within the walled town, an area more than five times smaller than modern Leyden. In most of the houses several families lived together in circumstances beyond our imagination. Yet in museums, fine period rods give only an image of the lifestyle of the upper class of that era. No wonder that people who stroll around exhibitions are filled with nostalgia; the evidence in museums indicates that life was so much better in the past. This notion is induced by the bias in its representation in museums and heritage centres.

2.

The Development Of Museums Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Development Of Museums

Questions and Answers 1-4
  • The Development of museums reading passage has six paragraphs, A-F.
  • Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B-E from the list of headings below.
  • Write the correct number, i-vii, in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet.

 

 

List of Headings

 

i. Commercial pressures on people in charge

ii. Mixed views on current changes to museums

iii. Interpreting the facts to meet visitor expectations

iv. The international dimension

v.  Collections of factual evidence

vi. Fewer differences between public attractions

vii. Current reviews and suggestions 

 

Example 

 

Paragraph A = v

 

1. Paragraph B
2. Paragraph C
3. Paragraph D
4. Paragraph E

 

 

The Development Of Museums Reading Answers with Explanations (1-4)

 

Question Type:  Matching Headings

 

In this question type, you are provided with a list of headings, usually in the form of short phrases or sentences, and you need to match each heading to the corresponding paragraph or section of the reading passage.
 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Before attempting to match the headings, it's essential to read the passage thoroughly. 
  • The headings should capture the main idea or theme of each paragraph or section.
  • Once you understand the main ideas of the passage, scan each paragraph for specific details that align with the headings. 
  • Cross out any options that don't match the content of the paragraphs, even if they seem somewhat related.
  • The headings should follow a coherent order that reflects the organisation of the text.
  • If you're unsure about a particular match, try to eliminate options that clearly don't fit. 

 

 

1. Paragraph B = ii

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B

Such developments have been criticised as an intolerable vulgarisation, but the success of many historical theme parks and similar locations suggests that the majority of the public does not share this opinion.
 

Explanation

The statement aligns with the information provided in Paragraph A, which emphasises the importance of innovation in business survival and the significant investment companies make in their employees to foster novel ideas.


 

2. Paragraph C = vi

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

In a related development, the sharp distinction between museum and heritage sites on the one hand, and theme parks on the other, is gradually evaporating.

 

Explanation

This paragraph highlights the blurring boundaries between museums, heritage sites, and theme parks, indicating that there are fewer differences between them, thus fitting the heading "Fewer differences between public attractions."


 

3. Paragraph D = i

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D

This development is a response to market forces and, although museums and heritage sites have a special, rather distinct, role to fulfill they are also operating in a very competitive environment, where visitors make choices on how and where to spend their free time 

 

Explanation

The paragraph addresses the competitive environment in which museums and heritage sites operate, driven by market forces and the need to attract visitors, indicating commercial pressures on those in charge, which aligns with the heading "Commercial pressures on people in charge."


 

4. Paragraph E = iii

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E
It could be claimed that in order to make everything in heritage more 40 'real', historical accuracy must be increasingly altered. 
 

Explanation

This paragraph discusses the alteration of historical accuracy to meet public perceptions and expectations, suggesting the need to interpret facts to meet visitor expectations, fitting the heading "Interpreting the facts to meet visitor expectations."

Questions and Answers 5-10
  • Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
  • Write the correct letter to the questions 5-10 on your answer sheet.

 

 

5. Compared with today’s museums, those of the past


A  did not present history in a detailed way.
B  were not primarily intended for the public.
C  were more clearly organised.
D  preserved items with greater care.
 
 

6. According to the writer, current trends in the heritage industry


A  emphasise personal involvement.
B  have their origins in York and London.
C  rely on computer images.
D  reflect minority tastes.
 
 

7. The writer says that museums, heritage sites and theme parks


A  often work in close partnership.
B  try to preserve separate identities.
C  have similar exhibits.
D  are less easy to distinguish than before.
 
 

8. The writer says that in preparing exhibits for museums, experts


A  should pursue a single objective.
B  have to do a certain amount of language translation.
C  should be free from commercial constraints.
D  have to balance conflicting priorities.
 
 

9. In paragraph E, the writer suggests that some museum exhibits


A  fail to match visitor expectations.
B  are based on the false assumptions of professionals.
C  reveal more about present beliefs than about the past.
D  allow visitors to make more use of their imagination.
 
 

10. The passage ends by noting that our view of history is biased because

A  we fail to use our imagination.
B  only very durable objects remain from the past.
C  we tend to ignore things that displease us.
D  museum exhibits focus too much on the local area.

 

 

The Development Of Museums Reading Answers with Explanations (5-10)

 

Question Type: Multiple Choice 

 

Multiple Choice questions in the IELTS reading test present you with a question followed by a set of options from which you must choose the correct answer. Typically, there are three or four options to choose from. You must carefully read the question and each option before selecting the correct answer.
 

How to best answer this question:

 

  • You must comprehend the passage to select the most accurate option.
  • Efficient skimming and scanning help locate relevant information quickly.
  • Some options may be designed to mislead you, so it's crucial to base your choice on evidence from the passage.
  • Multiple-choice questions can be time-consuming if you dwell on each option too long. Manage your time wisely to ensure you can attempt all questions.


 

5. B. were not primarily intended for the public

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A

Museums used to look - and some still do - much like storage rooms of objects packed together in showcases: good for scholars who wanted to study the subtle differences in design, but not for the ordinary visitor, to whom it all looked alike.
 

Explanation

The paragraph discusses how museums in the past were not primarily intended for the public but rather for scholars, which aligns with the statement that "those of the past were not primarily intended for the public."


 

6. A. emphasise personal involvement

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B

The key word in heritage display is now 'experience', the more exciting the better and, if possible, involving all the senses.
 

Explanation

The paragraph discusses how current trends in the heritage industry emphasize personal involvement and exciting experiences, which aligns with the statement that "current trends in the heritage industry emphasize personal involvement."


 

7. D. are less easy to distinguish than before

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C

In a related development, the sharp distinction between museum and heritage sites on the one hand, and theme parks on the other, is gradually evaporating.

 

Explanation

The paragraph discusses the blurring boundaries between museums, heritage sites, and theme parks, indicating that they are becoming less easy to distinguish, which aligns with the statement that "museums, heritage sites, and theme parks are less easy to distinguish than before."


 

8. D. have to balance conflicting priorities

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D
Those who are professionally engaged in the art of interpreting history are thus in a difficult position, as they must steer a narrow course between the demands of 'evidence' and 'attractiveness'.

 

Explanation

The paragraph discusses the challenges faced by experts in preparing exhibits for museums, including the need to balance conflicting priorities such as evidence and attractiveness, which aligns with the statement that "experts have to balance conflicting priorities."


 

9. C. reveal more about present beliefs than about the past

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E
Such presentations tell us more about contemporary perceptions of the world than about our ancestors.

 

Explanation

The paragraph discusses how museum exhibits may reveal more about present beliefs than about the past, as they are influenced by contemporary perceptions and interpretations, which aligns with the statement that "some museum exhibits reveal more about present beliefs than about the past."

 

10. B. only very durable objects remain from the past

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F

The simple fact is that not everything from history survives the historical process.

 

Explanation

The paragraph discusses how the transitory nature of historical materials contributes to bias in the representation of history, as only very durable objects remain from the past, which aligns with the statement that "only very durable objects remain from the past."

Questions and Answers 11-14
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 11-14 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

 

 

11. Consumers prefer theme parks which avoid serious issues.
 

12. More people visit museums than theme parks.
 

13. The boundaries of Leyden have changed little since the seventeenth century.
 

14. Museums can give a false impression of how life used to be.

 

 

The Development Of Museums Reading Answers with Explanations (11-14)

 

Question Type:  True/False/Not Given

 

In this task, you are presented with a statement, and your task is to determine if it agrees with the information in the passage (Yes), contradicts the information in the passage (No), or if there is insufficient information in the passage to decide (not given).
 

How to best answer the question:

 

  • Read the statement carefully to ensure you understand exactly what it is saying. 
  • Pay attention to details such as dates, numbers, and specific information.
  • Scan the passage to find the section where the relevant information is likely to be located. 
  • Focus on finding evidence that either supports or contradicts the statement.
  • True: If the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
  • False: If the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
  • Not Given: If there is no information in the passage that confirms or contradicts the statement.

 

 

11. False

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D

Theme parks are undergoing other changes, too, as they try to present more serious social and cultural issues and move away from fantasy. This development is a response to market forces. 

 

Explanation
The paragraph discusses how theme parks are trying to present more serious social and cultural issues and move away from fantasy, indicating that consumers may prefer theme parks that address serious issues, contradicting the statement.


 

12. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph 

NA
 

Explanation

The passage does not provide information regarding the comparison of the number of visitors to museums and theme parks.


 

13. False

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F

In a town like Leyden in Holland, which in the seventeenth century was occupied by approximately the same number of inhabitants as today, people lived within the walled town, an area more than five times smaller than modern Leyden.  
 

Explanation

The paragraph discusses the town of Leyden in the seventeenth century and its smaller size compared to modern Leyden, suggesting that the boundaries have changed, contradicting the statement.


 

14. True

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E
It could be claimed that in order to make everything in heritage more ‘real', historical accuracy must be increasingly altered.

 

Explanation
The paragraph discusses how museum exhibits can give a false impression of how life used to be by altering historical accuracy to meet public perceptions, supporting the statement that "museums can give a false impression of how life used to be."

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FAQs

Q. Do I lose marks for incorrect answers in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. No, there is no penalty for incorrect answers in the IELTS Reading test. This means it's beneficial to attempt all questions, even if you're unsure. You may still earn points for correct responses by making educated guesses, improving your overall score.

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

Ans. Yes, you are allowed to write on the question paper during the IELTS Reading test. This can be a helpful strategy for keeping track of key information, identifying important details, and organising your thoughts as you read the passages. You can underline relevant points, circle keywords, or make brief notes to aid in answering the questions later.

Q. How can I prepare effectively for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. To prepare effectively for the IELTS Reading test, start by familiarising yourself with the test format and question types. Practice with sample questions and past papers to develop your skills in skimming for main ideas, scanning for specific details, and understanding complex passages. Work on expanding your vocabulary by reading various texts and noting down unfamiliar words. Additionally, practice time management to ensure you can complete the test within 60 minutes.