Cambridge IELTS 10 – Test 1- Reading Passage 1.
Stepwells
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 colonnaded openings from where the visitor descends 170 steps to the deepest water source.
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 gaze in 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 of the value of water to human existence.
Questions 1–5
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?
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.
Questions 6–8
Answer the questions below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 6–8 on your answer sheet.
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?
Question 9-13
Complete the table below
Choose ONE WORD AND /OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.
[table id=1 /]
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General Tips To Solve IELTS Reading Passage
Step 1: Read the heading & bold lines of passage.
Step 2: Pick up ideas & get into yourself within ideas of the passage.
** Application of step 1 & step 2:
Stepwells Ok, I know about it as an Indian Sub-continent person. If you don’t just pick it up from the bold lines like-
1st line “A millennium ago…” it says driest part of India built something that was fundamental to life, to keep them moist(!) and easily can say it was something related to water source.
2nd line “Although many have been neglected,….” it says water source structures are now reconstructed to let them their previous glory though some are neglected.
3rd line “Richard Cox travelled to….” says that these are spectacular monuments and found in north-western India.
Step 3: Don’t read the whole passage first, rather read 1/2 questions first and Underline/Mark the Keywords.
Step 4: Now read for keywords and alternative to keywords.
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Step by step solution to CAMBREDGE IELTS 10 – READING TEST 1 – PASSAGE 1 – Stepwells
Questions 1–5
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?
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
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Q# 1. Examples of ancient stepwells can be found all over the world.
NB: Found where (ancient one)?
Answer to Q 1
A millennium ago, stepwells were fundamental to life in the driest parts of India.
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.
1st line from topic sentence, “A millennium ago..” revels ‘ancient‘ which is the keyword of Q1 and “the driest parts of India.” that means ancient one found in India not all over the world.
*So the answer for Q 1 is False.
Again
1st paragraph starts with “During the sixth and seventh centuries…..” India developed a method..” that must replace ‘ancient’ one found in ‘India’ not all over the world.
*So the answer is False.
Q# 2. Stepwells had a range of functions, in addition to those related to water collection.
NB: Function?
Answer to Q 2
…..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.
This part of 1st paragraph contains word “method ” that reflexes ‘function’ keyword and “gaining access to clean, fresh groundwater” that is for “water collection” keyword of the Q2.
*So the answer is True
Q# 3. The few existing stepwells in Delhi are more attractive than those found elsewhere.
NB: More attractive one?
Answer to Q 3
Now search for the word ‘Delhi’ from the next paragraph.
…..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.
Here we find the word “Delhi” from last segment of 2nd paragraph we get that some stepwells found in Delhi and there is no indication whether it is attractive or not.
*So the answer is NOT GIVEN.
Q #4. It took workers many years to build the stone steps characteristic of stepwells.
NB: Time required to build stone steps?
Answer to Q 4
Here we search for the word ‘Stone steps’ and a time frame.
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.
3rd paragraph contains the word ‘Stone steps’ and no time frame mentioned here related to stone steps.
*So the answer is NOT GIVEN.
Q#5. The number of steps above the water level in a stepwell altered during the course of a year.
NB: Steps number altered or not? or course of a year?
Answer to Q 5
…..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.
Last segment of 3rd paragraph mentioned about ‘rain’ as season that is ‘the course of a year’ . ‘a few steps’ means ‘number of steps‘ and ‘levels would have to be negotiated.’ that means steps are ‘altered’.
*So the answer is TRUE.
**See, we just mark the key words that we need to find from the passage. NB’s are given for those who can memorize things better thus they can go for further questions to read. If you are not so good at memorizing, that’s not a problem, the best way to solve the question 1-5 one by one because questions are arranged serially from the passage.
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Questions 6–8
Answer the questions below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 6–8 on your answer sheet.
Tips and Tricks Short Answer Question in IELTS Reading
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Q#6. Which part of some stepwells provided shade for people?
NB: Which part provide shade?
Answer to Q 6
Here ‘Shade’ is the keyword. Now start reading 4th paragraph-
…..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…..
Shade gives the expression of sheltering house for people, In the passage we get the line “pavillions that sheltered visitors” that means visitors get shelter from pavillions or we can say that, pavillions are the sheltering house or shade.
*So the answer is Pavillions.
Q#7. What type of serious climatic event, which took place in southern Rajasthan, is mentioned in the article?
NB: Serious climatic event in Rajasthan?
Answer to Q 7
Here we search for the word “southern Rajasthan” in the passage
……southern Rajasthan suffered an eight-year drought between 1996 and 2004.
we get the word “southern Rajasthan“at the end of the 5th paragraph. Here serious climatic condition is mentioned as drought.
* So the answer is Drought.
Q#8. Who are frequent visitors in stepwells nowadays?
NB: Frequent visitors now?
Answer to Q 8
Now we look for the word frequent visitors or now. In 6th paragraph we get nothing,
7th paragraph starts with “In Patan…”,
8th paragraph starts with ” Another Example is the….”
Like that if we go through the 1st sentence of each paragraph then we find today in the last paragraph of the passage.
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 gaze in wonder at these architectural marvels from 1,000 years ago,…..
Here ‘Today’ means ‘nowadays’ and ‘tourists flock to wells’ that says tourists are the visitors of wells.
*So the answer is Tourists.
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Question 9-13
Complete the table below
Choose ONE WORD AND /OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.
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Q#9. Restored in the 1960s. Excellent condition, despite the …………..of 2001.
To solve the questions of a table you need to follow the general instructions.
Here the question is placed in 2nd row & last column. 2nd row 1st column includes Rani Ki Vav stepwell, So the question is about this stepwell.
Now in passage find out Rani Ki Vav stepwells and it is found in 7th paragraph. Now look for 2001 and this is found in the last line of this paragraph.
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.
From the question it is clear that it wants to know about an event/ a phenomenon in noun form (noun takes article ‘the’ before it). Here in this sentence two noun can find and these are earthquake and Richter scale. Among these two earthquake is an event/a phenomenon but Richter scale is an instrument.
*So the answer is Earthquake.
Q#10. Steps on the …….. produce a geometric pattern.
Carved shrines.
Here question is placed in 3rd row & 3rd column. 3rd row 1st column includes Surya Kund stepwell, So the question is about this stepwell.
Now in passage find out Surya Kund stepwell and it is found in 8th paragraph. Now look for geometric pattern and this is found in the 2nd line of this paragraph.
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.
Now, the question is- what thing produce geometric pattern? here four side steps that can alternately say like steps on four side and that match with the question pattern.
*So the answer is Four sides.
Q#11. looks more like a ……. then a well.
Here question is placed in 3rd row & 4th column. 3rd row 1st column includes Surya Kund stepwell, So the question is about this stepwell.
Now in passage find out Surya Kund stepwell and it is found in 8th paragraph. Now looks for the word looks like and this is found in the 2nd line of this paragraph.
…..It’s actually a tank (kund means reservoir or pond) rather than a well, but displays the hallmarks of stepwell architecture….
Here underlined section clarify that it looks like a tank.
*So the answer is Tank.
Q#12. Old, deep and very dramatic.
Has …….. which provide a view to the steps.
Here question is placed in 5th row & 4th column. 5th row 1st column includes Chand Baori stepwell, So the question is about this stepwell.
Now in passage find out Chand Baori stepwell and it is found in 9th paragraph. Now looks for the word which is noun after ‘Has’ and that also provide a view to the steps. This is found in the last segment of 9th paragraph.
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.
Here, Noun Varadas relates to the steps.
*So the answer is Varandas.
Q#13. Has two …….. levels
Here question is ptwolaced in 6th row & 3th column. 6th row 1st column includes Neemrana Ki Baori stepwell, So the question is about this stepwell.
Now in passage find out Neemrana Ki Baori and it is found in 11th paragraph. Now looks for the word two that is found in the 1st line of 11th paragraph.
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.
Here, the line two levels underwater, we can re-arrange it as two underwater levels.
*So the answer is underwater.
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More Reading Passage Solution
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