Cambridge IELTS 21 · Academic · Test 2 · Passage 2
Mapungubwe — IELTS Reading Answers
All 13 answers for Mapungubwe, Cambridge IELTS 21 Academic Reading Test 2 Passage 2, with paragraph references and explanations.
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Mapungubwe answer key at a glance
Questions 14–26. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this passage tests
The passage describes the Iron Age kingdom of Mapungubwe in southern Africa and what its archaeology reveals about trade, rank and craft. Questions 14-19 match information to paragraphs, 20-21 ask you to choose two details about gold, and 22-26 complete a summary of the archaeological finds.
Questions 14–19: Matching Information
Strategy: Scan for the idea, not the exact words. The answer is a paragraph letter, and one paragraph may be used more than once unless the instructions say otherwise.
a mention of the uncertainty regarding the purpose of certain objects
“The figures may have been used in ceremonies as offerings to ancestors, but their precise function is not known”
Paragraph E says of the figures that 'their precise function is not known'.
the likelihood that a climatic factor increased the problems Mapungubwe faced
“The kingdom of Mapungubwe was already in decline by the late 13th century, probably because overpopulation placed too much stress on local resources, a situation that may have been brought to a crisis point by a series of droughts”
Paragraph G says droughts may have pushed overpopulation 'to a crisis point'.
a mention of the location where members of the king's family are thought to have lived
“There were some grander residences dotted around the outskirts of Babandyanalo, and these probably belonged to male relatives of the king”
Paragraph C describes grander residences on the outskirts that 'probably belonged to male relatives of the king'.
a reference to people who brought goods by ship
“The presence of glass beads, almost certainly from India, indicates there was trade of some sort with other states on the coast who, in turn, traded with merchants travelling from India by sea”
Paragraph D cites glass beads from India, indicating trade with merchants 'travelling from India by sea'.
an estimate of the size to which the Mapungubwe community grew
“The total population of Mapungubwe at its peak in the mid-13th century was around 5,000 people”
Paragraph B gives the population at its peak as 'around 5,000 people'.
a mention of agricultural produce being exchanged for other items
“cattle herding and other types of farming brought plenty of food and a surplus that could be traded for needed goods”
Paragraph A says surplus food 'could be traded for needed goods'.
Questions 20–21: Two Choices
Strategy: Both answers must be supported by the passage. Check each option independently; order does not usually matter.
The archaeological record reveals information about gold and the kingdom of Mapungubwe. Which TWO pieces of information are mentioned by the writer?
- ANot everyone in Mapungubwe used gold as a form of payment.
- BItems of gold were placed close to where Mapungubwe kings were buried.correct
- CThe most valuable item discovered in Mapungubwe was a sceptre made of gold.
- DThe way gold was decorated in Mapungubwe was also practised in another kingdom.correct
- EWorking with gold was a respected occupation in the Mapungubwe community.
“A type of decoration, found nowhere else except Great Zimbabwe, involved the crafting of gold into small rectangular sheets and carving geometrical patterns into it. These objects were all found at the royal burial site and date to c. 1150.”
Both answers are supported: gold items were buried with kings, and the gold decoration technique also appears at Great Zimbabwe. Choose B and D; either order is accepted.
Questions 22–26: Summary Completion
Strategy: Read the summary as a paragraph first to establish the logic, then locate the missing idea in the passage. With a lettered list, confirm the grammar fits.
“Archaeological discoveries reveal that pottery was produced on a scale large enough to suggest the presence of professional potters, and is another indicator of the prosperity of Mapungubwe society”
Pottery was produced on a scale suggesting professional potters, 'another indicator of the prosperity of Mapungubwe society'.
“There are also ceramic discs, and whistles”
The passage lists 'ceramic discs, and whistles' among the finds.
“In addition, cattle, sheep, and goat figurines, and small figures of highly stylised humans with elongated bodies and short limbs have been found”
The figurines include humans with 'elongated bodies and short limbs'.
“In addition, cattle, sheep, and goat figurines, and small figures of highly stylised humans with elongated bodies and short limbs have been found. The figures may have been used in ceremonies as offerings to ancestors, but their precise function is not known”
The figures may have been used as 'offerings to ancestors'.
“Other discoveries include small jewellery items made from locally sourced copper”
Other discoveries include 'small jewellery items made from locally sourced copper'.
Learn the question types in this passage
Traps in this passage
- Questions 20-21 are a 'choose TWO letters' task. Both selected options must be supported independently, and either order is accepted.
- In Matching Information, the same paragraph can answer more than one question. Do not assume a one-to-one mapping.
- The summary answers (22-26) are single nouns copied from the passage. Do not paraphrase them.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Mapungubwe passage come from?
It is Passage 2 of Cambridge IELTS 21 Academic Reading Test 2, and it covers Questions 14–26.
What question types appear in Mapungubwe?
The passage is tested with Matching Information, Two Choices, Summary Completion. Each type is explained on this page, alongside the answers.
Are these reading answers reliable?
Every answer is paired with the sentence that proves it, so you can check each one against the passage yourself. Use the page after a timed attempt, not instead of one.
Cambridge IELTS is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Band9Prep is not affiliated with Cambridge. This page is an independent study aid: it gives the answer key, the passage evidence and an explanation so you can review an attempt you have already made.