This IELTS Reading post deals with a total solution package for IELTS Cambridge 10 Reading Test 1 Passage 1 entitled Stepwells. This is an aimed post for candidates who have big difficulties in finding Reading Answers. This post can direct you the best to comprehend every Reading answer easily. Finding IELTS Reading answers is a gradual process and I hope this post can help you in this respect.

IELTS Cambridge 10 Test 1: AC Reading Module

Reading Passage 1:

The headline of the passage: Stepwells

Questions 1-5 (TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN):

In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:

The statement in the question matches with the account in the text- TRUE
The statement contradicts the account in the text- FALSE
The statement has no clear connection with the account in the text- NOT GIVEN

[For this type of question, divide each statement into three independent pieces and go through with the answer.]

Question 1: Examples of ancient stepwells can be found all over the world.

Keywords for these answers: examples of ancient stepwells, all over the world,

The answer can be found in paragraph 2 lines 7-11 says, “Most stepwells are found dotted round the desert areas of Gujarat (where they are called vav) and Rajasthan (where they are called baori), while a few also survive in Delhi.” This means that stepwells are unique to India, so they cannot be found all around the world.

So, the answers are: FALSE

Question 2: Stepwells had a range of functions, in addition to those related to water collection.

Keywords for these answers: range of functions, in addition to, water collection, 

The answer can be found in paragraph 2 lines 11-14 says, “Some were located in or near villages as public spaces for the community; others were positioned beside roads as resting places for travelers.” In the same paragraph, the writer also says in the previous lines, “During their heyday, they (stepwells) were places of  gathering of leisure and relaxation and of worship for villagers of all but the lowest classes.”

This means that stepwells were not only used for collecting water. They were also used for other social purposes.

So, the answers are: TRUE

Question 3: The few existing stepwells in Delhi are more attractive than those found elsewhere.

Keywords for this answer: few existing, Delhi, more attractive

In this passage, there is no comparison of the decorations of the stepwells.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN                   

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

Keywords for this answer: stone steps characteristic,

We can find the mention of ‘stone steps’ in both paragraphs 3 and 4. However, no paragraph indicates whether it took the workers many years or not.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN                   

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

Keywords for this answer: number of steps, altered, course of a year,

In paragraph 3 lines 6-9, the author mentions, “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.” These lines suggest that the water level changed during the year, which means that the number of steps above the water level changed, too.

So, the answer is: TRUE       

Questions 6-8: Short answers to open questions

[In this kind of question, candidates have to answer some questions, only with some conditions like NO MORE THAN THREE/TWO WORDS and/or A NUMBER or, ONE WORD ONLY. Each question has keywords that will lead to the answer. This question type generally follows a sequence.]

Question 6: Which part of some stepwells provided shade for people?

Keywords for the answer: shade

The answers is in lines 6-8 of paragraph no. 4, where the writer says, “Built from stone and supported by pillars, they also included pavilions that sheltered visitors from the relentless heat.”

Here, sheltered visitors from the relentless heat = provided shade,

So, the answer is: pavilions

Question 7: What type of serious climatic event, which took place in southern Rajasthan, is mentioned in the article?

Keywords for these answers: serious climate event, southern Rajasthan,

The answers is in the last lines of paragraph no. 5. The writer says, “. .. . . .southern Rajasthan suffered an eight-year drought between 1996 and 2004.”

We know that drought is a serious climate event.

So, the answer is: drought

Question 8: Who are frequent visitors to stepwells nowadays?

Keywords for this answer:  frequent visitors, nowadays,

The word ‘nowadays’ indicates the present tense. So, we need to find recent information about stepwells. The final paragraph starts with the word ‘today’ which indicates the present tense. So, we need to check here for the answer. In lines 6-8 of the final paragraph the writer says, “. .. .. .. . Tourists flock to wells . .. .”

Here, the word flock means visit frequently.

So, the answer is: tourists

Questions 9-13 (Table completion):

In this type of question, candidates have to fill in the blanks in a table. It is one of the easiest questions because many keywords are available to find the answers.

Question 9:
Other notes: Restored in the 1960s.

Excellent condition, despite the _________ of 2001.

Keywords for this answer: Rani Ki Vav, Restored, 1960s, excellent condition, despite, 2001,

To find the answer to this question, let’s find the times between the 1960s and 2001. In paragraph no. 7 we can find both the times 1960s (line 7) and 2001 (line 14).
Now, let’s read the last lines in this paragraph, “Incredibly, in January 2001, this ancient structure survived an earthquake that measured 7.6 on the Richter scale.” So, the stepwell remained in excellent condition even though/despite it suffered an earthquake.

So, the answer is: earthquake

Question 10:
Features: Steps on the __________ produce a geometrical pattern.

Keywords for this answer: Surya Kund, produce, geometrical pattern,

The answer is in lines 8-10 of paragraph no. 8. The author says here, “. . .. Besides, it is the steps on the four sides that create a geometrical formation.”

So, the answer is: 4 sides (four sides is not the answer because of the given condition in the instruction)

Question 11:
Other notes: Looks more like a _______ than a well.

Keywords for these answers: Surya Kund, looks more like,

The answer is in lines 4-6 of paragraph no. 8. The author says here, “It  actually  resembles  a  tank  rather  than  a  well,. . .”

Here, resembles = look more like

So, the answer is: tank

Question 12:
Other notes: Old, deep and very dramatic

Has ________ which provide a view of the steps

Keywords for this answer: Chand baori, old, deep, dramatic, provide, view of the steps,

In paragraph 10, the last lines have the answer to this question. “On the fourth side, verandas which are supported by ornate pillars overlook the steps.” The same paragraph has the words like oldest, deepest, most dramatic.

Here, overlook the steps = provide a view of the steps.

So, the answer is: verandas

Question 13:
Features: Has two ______ levels

Keywords for this answer: Neemrana Ki Baori, two,

In paragraph 11, lines 4-5 give us the answer. “. .. .storeys deep, with the last two being underwater.”

So the answer is: underwater

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 10 Test 1 Reading Passage 2

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 10 Test 1 Reading Passage 3