Cambridge IELTS 17 – Reading

PART1

Questions: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13

Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD ONLY from the passage in each gap.

The London underground railway

The problem

the 1. of London increased rapidly between 1800 and 1850

The streets were full of horse-drawn vehicles

The proposed solution

Charles Pearson, a solicitor, suggested building an underground railway

Building the railway would make it possible to move people to better housing in the 2.

A number of 3. agreed with Pearson’s idea

The company initially had problems getting the 4. needed for the project

Negative articles about the project appeared in the 5.

The construction

The chosen route did not require many buildings to be pulled down

The ‘cut and cover’ method was used to construct the tunnels

With the completion of the brick arch, the tunnel was covered with 6.

Choose TRUE if the statement agrees with the information given in the text, choose FALSE if the statement contradicts the information given in the text, or choose NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this.

(Questions 7-8-9-10-11-12-13)

7.Other countries had built underground railways before the Metropolitan line opened.

True
False
Not Given

8.More people than predicted travelled on the Metropolitan line on the first day.

True
False
Not Given

9.The use of ventilation shafts failed to prevent pollution in the tunnels.

True
False
Not Given

10.A different approach from the ‘cut and cover’ technique was required in London’s central area.

True
False
Not Given

11.The windows on City & South London trains were at eye level.

True
False
Not Given

12.The City & South London Railway was a financial success.

True
False
Not Given

13.Trains on the ‘Tuppenny Tube’ nearly always ran on time.

True
False
Not Given

PART2

Questions: 14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22-23-24-25-26

Reading Passage 2 has seven sections, i – vii. Which section contains the following information? Choose the correct letter, i – vii.

(Questions 14-15-16-17-18-19-20)

NB You may use any letter more than once

14.a mention of negative attitudes towards stadium building projects

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii

15.figures demonstrating the environmental benefits of a certain stadium

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii

16.examples of the wide range of facilities available at some new stadiums

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii

17.reference to the disadvantages of the stadiums built during a certain era

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii

Complete the summary below. Write ONE WORD ONLY from the passage in each gap.

(Questions 18-19-20-21-22)

Roman amphitheatres

The Roman stadiums of Europe have proved very versatile. The amphitheatre of Arles, for example, was converted first into a 18.

then into a residential area and finally into an arena where spectators could watch 19.

Meanwhile, the arena in Verona, one of the oldest Roman amphitheatres, is famous today as a venue where 20. is performed.

The site of Lucca’s amphitheatre has also been used for many purposes over the centuries, including the storage of 21.

It is now a market square with 22. and homes incorporated into the remains of the Roman amphitheatre.

Choose TWO correct answers.

When comparing twentieth-century stadiums to ancient amphitheatres in Section D.

23-24.Which TWO negative features does the writer mention?

They are less imaginatively designed.
They are less spacious.
They are in less convenient locations.

They are less versatile.
They are made of less durable materials.

Choose TWO correct answers.

25-26.Which TWO advantages of modern stadium design does the writer mention?

offering improved amenities for the enjoyment of sports events
bringing community life back into the city environment
facilitating research into solar and wind energy solutions

enabling local residents to reduce their consumption of electricity
providing a suitable site for the installation of renewable power generators

Complete the summary using phrases from the box below. Choose the correct letter, A-J.

(Questions 27-28-29-30-31)

i. military innovation
ii. large reward
iii. widespread conspiracy
iv. relative safety
v. new government
vi. decisive victory
vii. political debate
viii. strategic alliance
ix. popular solution
x. religious conviction

The story behind the hunt for Charles II

27. Charles II’s father was executed by the Parliamentarian forces in 1649. Charles II then formed a ——- with the Scots, and in order to become King of Scots

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
x

28. he abandoned an important ——– that was held by his father and had contributed to his father’s death.

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
x

29. The opposing sides then met outside Worcester in 1651. The battle led to a ——– for the Parliamentarians and Charles had to flee for his life.

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
x

30. A ——- was offered for Charles’s capture, but after six weeks spent in hiding

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
x

31. he eventually managed to reach the ——– of continental Europe.

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
x

Choose YES if the statement agrees with the writer’s claims, choose NO if the statement contradicts the writer’s claims, or choose NOT GIVEN if there is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this.

(Questions 32-33-34-35)

Charles chose Pepys for the task because he considered him to be trustworthy.

Yes
No
Not Given

33. Charles’s personal recollection of the escape lacked sufficient detail.

Yes
No
Not Given

34. Charles indicated to Pepys that he had planned his escape before the battle.

Yes
No
Not Given

35. The inclusion of Charles’s account is a positive aspect of the book.

Yes
No
Not Given

Choose the correct answer.

(Questions 36-35-36-37-38-39-40)

36. What is the reviewer’s main purpose in the first paragraph?

to describe what happened during the Battle of Worcester
to give an account of the circumstances leading to Charles II’s escape
to provide details of the Parliamentarians’ political views
to compare Charles II’s beliefs with those of his father

37. Why does the reviewer include examples of the fugitives’ behaviour in the third paragraph?

to explain how close Charles II came to losing his life
to suggest that Charles II’s supporters were badly prepared
to illustrate how the events of the six weeks are brought to life
to argue that certain aspects are not as well known as they should be

38. What point does the reviewer make about Charles II in the fourth paragraph?

He chose to celebrate what was essentially a defeat.
He misunderstood the motives of his opponents.
He aimed to restore people’s faith in the monarchy.
He was driven by a desire to be popular.

39. What does the reviewer say about Charles Spencer in the fifth paragraph?

His decision to write the book comes as a surprise.
He takes an unbiased approach to the subject matter.
His descriptions of events would be better if they included more detail.
He chooses language that is suitable for a twenty-first-century audience.

40. When the reviewer says the book ‘doesn’t quite hit the mark’, she is making the point that

it overlooks the impact of events on ordinary people.
it lacks an analysis of prevalent views on monarchy.
it omits any references to the deceit practised by Charles II during his time in hiding.
it fails to address whether Charles II’s experiences had a lasting influence on him.