Cambridge IELTS 10 · Academic · Test 1 · Passage 1
Stepwells — IELTS Reading Answers
All 13 answers for Stepwells, Cambridge IELTS 10 Academic Reading Test 1 Passage 1, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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Stepwells answer key at a glance
Questions 1–13. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this passage tests
This passage is tested with True / False / Not Given (Q1–5), Short Answers (Q6–8), Table Completion (Q9–13). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 1–5: True / False / Not Given
Strategy: Judge the whole statement against the text. FALSE contradicts the passage; NOT GIVEN means the passage never addresses that specific claim.
Examples of ancient stepwells can be found all over the world.
“Unique to the region, stepwells are often architecturally complex and vary widely in size and shape.”
Stepwells are described as unique to the region, so they cannot be found all over the world.
Stepwells had a range of functions, in addition to those related to water collection.
“During their heyday, they were places of gathering, of leisure, of relaxation and of worship for villagers of all but the lowest castes.”
Besides water collection, stepwells served as places of gathering, leisure, relaxation and worship, which confirms a range of additional functions.
The few existing stepwells in Delhi are more attractive than those found elsewhere.
“a few also survive in Delhi.”
The text notes that a few also survive in Delhi but never compares their appearance with stepwells elsewhere, so the comparison is absent.
It took workers many years to build the stone steps characteristic of stepwells.
“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.”
The passage explains that stepwells comprise a series of stone steps descending to the water source, but says nothing about how long building them took.
The number of steps above the water level in a stepwell altered during the course of a year.
“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.”
High water meant descending a few steps and low water several levels, so the number of steps above the water level varied through the year.
Questions 6–8: Short Answers
Strategy: Use the question word to predict the answer type, locate the relevant sentence, and copy no more words than the limit allows.
Which part of some stepwells provided shade for people?
“they also included pavilions that sheltered visitors from the relentless heat.”
The gap asks what gave shade; the passage says stepwells included pavilions that sheltered visitors from the relentless heat.
What type of serious climatic event, which took place in southern Rajasthan, is mentioned in the article?
“Their condition hasn’t been helped by recent dry spells: southern Rajasthan suffered an eight-year drought between 1996 and 2004.”
The gap asks for the serious climatic event; the passage names an eight-year drought that southern Rajasthan suffered between 1996 and 2004.
Who are frequent visitors to stepwells nowadays?
“Tourists flock to wells in far-flung corners of northwestern India to gaze in wonder at these architectural marvels from 1,000 years ago”
The gap asks who visits frequently now; the passage says tourists flock to the stepwells in northwestern India.
Questions 9–13: Table Completion
Strategy: Work row by row. The row label tells you where to look; the column heading tells you what kind of word you need.
“Incredibly, in January 2001, this ancient structure survived a devastating earthquake that measured 7.6 on the Richter scale.”
The table needs the event the structure survived; the passage says it survived a devastating earthquake measuring 7.6 in January 2001.
“including four sides of steps that descend to the bottom in a stunning geometrical formation.”
The gap counts the flights of steps descending to the bottom; the passage says four sides of steps descend in a geometrical formation.
“It actually resembles a tank (kund means reservoir or pond) rather than a well”
The gap is what the structure resembles; the passage says it actually resembles a tank rather than a well.
“On the fourth side, verandas which are supported by ornate pillars overlook the steps.”
The gap names the structures on the fourth side; the passage says verandas supported by ornate pillars overlook the steps.
“Constructed in around 1700, it’s nine storeys deep, with the last two being underwater.”
The gap describes where the deepest two storeys lie; the passage says the structure is nine storeys deep with the last two being underwater.
Learn the question types in this passage
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Stepwells passage come from?
It is Passage 1 of Cambridge IELTS 10 Academic Reading Test 1, and it covers Questions 1–13.
What question types appear in Stepwells?
The passage is tested with True / False / Not Given, Short Answers, Table 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.