Cambridge IELTS 19 · Academic · Test 1 · Passage 2
The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean — IELTS Reading Answers
All 11 answers for The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean, Cambridge IELTS 19 Academic Reading Test 1 Passage 2, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean answer key at a glance
Questions 14–26. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this passage tests
This passage is tested with Matching Information (Q14–19), Two Choices (Q20–21), Two Choices (Q22–23), Summary Completion (Q24–26). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
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 reference to a denial of involvement in piracy
“In the letters, the king of Alashiya (modern Cyprus) rejected Akhenaten’s claims of a connection with the Lukka (based in modern-day Turkey). The king assured Akhenaten he was prepared to punish any of his subjects involved in piracy.”
Paragraph D recounts the king of Alashiya rejecting Akhenaten's claims of a Lukka connection, a clear denial of involvement in piracy.
details of how a campaign to eradicate piracy was carried out
“After cleansing one district of pirates, the fleet would join another in the next district. The process continued until the entire Mediterranean was free of pirates. Although thousands of pirates died at the hands of Pompey’s troops”
Paragraph G describes Pompey's fleet clearing one district at a time until the whole Mediterranean was pirate-free, which is the campaign's method.
a mention of the circumstances in which states in the ancient world would make use of pirates
“One should also add that it was not unknown in the first and second millennia BCE for governments to resort to pirates’ services, especially during wartime, employing their skills and numbers against their opponents.”
Paragraph C notes governments would 'resort to pirates' services, especially during wartime', employing them against their opponents.
a reference to how people today commonly view pirates
“When one mentions pirates, an image springs to most people’s minds of a crew of misfits, daredevils and adventurers in command of a tall sailing ship in the Caribbean Sea.”
Paragraph A opens with the popular image of 'a crew of misfits, daredevils and adventurers' in the Caribbean, how people picture pirates today.
an explanation of how some people were encouraged not to return to piracy
“Although thousands of pirates died at the hands of Pompey’s troops, as a long-term solution to the problem, many more were offered land in fertile areas located far from the sea. Instead of a maritime menace, Rome got productive farmers that further boosted its economy.”
Paragraph G explains many pirates were 'offered land in fertile areas located far from the sea', discouraging any return to piracy.
a mention of the need for many sailing vessels to stay relatively close to land
“Geography itself further benefited the pirates, with the numerous coves along the coast providing places for them to hide their boats and strike undetected. Before the invention of ocean-going caravels in the 15th century, ships could not easily cross long distances over open water.”
Paragraph B says that before ocean-going caravels 'ships could not easily cross long distances over open water', so they stayed near land.
Questions 20–21: Two Choices
Strategy: Both answers must be supported by the passage. Check each option independently; order does not usually matter.
“In addition, knowledge of the local area helped the pirates to avoid retaliation once a state fleet arrived. While the Mediterranean region is predominantly fertile, some parts are rugged and hilly, even mountainous.”
B and D both fit: pirates' local knowledge let them avoid retaliation, and rugged, hilly terrain pushed inhabitants to rely on marine resources.
Questions 22–23: Two Choices
Strategy: Both answers must be supported by the passage. Check each option independently; order does not usually matter.
“Even high-ranking members of the state were not beyond engaging in such activities. Interestingly, in his works the Iliad and the Odyssey, the ancient Greek writer Homer not only condones, but praises the lifestyle and actions of pirates.”
C and E both fit: even high-ranking state members engaged in piracy, and Homer 'not only condones, but praises' the pirates' lifestyle.
Questions 24–26: 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.
“Pirate raids provided a steady source of slaves, essential for Rome’s agriculture and mining industries. But this arrangement could work only while the pirates left Roman interests alone. Pirate attacks on grain ships”
The gap needs the cargo whose ships were attacked, and the text specifies 'pirate attacks on grain ships' vital to Roman citizens.
“Pirate attacks on grain ships, which were essential to Roman citizens, led to angry voices in the Senate, demanding punishment of the culprits.”
Angry senators were 'demanding punishment of the culprits', so the noun 'punishment' fits the call made in the Senate.
“Rome, however, did nothing, further encouraging piracy. By the 1st century BCE, emboldened pirates kidnapped prominent Roman dignitaries, asking for a large ransom to be paid.”
Pirates kidnapped dignitaries 'asking for a large ransom to be paid', which is exactly the demand the summary describes.
Learn the question types in this passage
Frequently asked questions
Where does the The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean passage come from?
It is Passage 2 of Cambridge IELTS 19 Academic Reading Test 1, and it covers Questions 14–26.
What question types appear in The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean?
The passage is tested with Matching Information, Two Choices, 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.