Let’s start:-tips of ielts reading short answer questions
5. Short Answer Question
Tips for ielts reading, short-answer question is a conditional question, which is generally given as a singular open question or as fill in the blacks. In this type of question condition like write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS or, Write ONE WORD ONLY, or Write TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER, or Write A NUMBER ONLY.
This type of question you must maintain the condition as it is given to the question. If you do not apply the answer according to condition it will be WRONG ANSWER. So, if you are given the condition ONE WORD ONLY, you must write one word; you cannot write two or three words for your answer.
Now, we will look at some question of this type.(Tips for ielts reading)
Questions 1–3
Answer the questions below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 1-3 on your answer sheet.
PARAGRAPH OF A PASSAGE
Some wells are vast, open craters with hundreds of steps paving each sloping side, often in tiers. Others are more elaborate, with long stepped passages leading to the water via several storeys built from stone and supported by pillars, they also included pavilions that sheltered visitors from the relentless heat. But perhaps the most impressive features are the intricate decorative sculptures that embellish many stepwells, showing activities from fighting and dancing to everyday acts such as women combing their hair and churning butter.
Q1. Which part of some stepwells provided shade for people?
Scan the question carefully, you will find some important keywords/phrases which will surely guide you to the answer.
Keywords: – which part, provided shade
So, you must look for lines where you can find words/phrases close to synonymous with these words/phrases. Here, the word “shade” gives us the hint that the answer has a close relation to the sun’s heat and a protection from it.
Now, look at the paragraph you can find your answer “they also included pavilions that sheltered visitors from the relentless heat.”
The part which provided shade is pavilion. The condition for writing the answer is ONE WORD ONLY. So, in the answer sheet, we have to write pavilion.
Answer will be: – PAVILION
NEXT PARAGRAPH OF SAME PASSAGE
Down the centuries, thousands of wells were constructed throughout northwestern India, but the majority have now fallen into disuse; many are derelict and dry, as groundwater has been diverted for industrial use and the wells no longer reach the water table. Their condition hasn’t been helped by recent dry spells: southern Rajasthan suffered an eight-year drought between 1996 and 2004.
Q2. What type of serious climatic event, which took place in southern Rajasthan, is mentioned in the article?
Keyword for this question: – serious climatic, southern Rajasthan
Continue reading from where you have found the last answer. Don’t go back. You won’t find the answer there. At the same time, think about serious climate events (like earthquake, flood, volcanic eruption, drought etc.)
Now, look at the paragraph’s last line “southern Rajasthan suffered an eight-year drought between 1996 and 2004.”
So, Answer will be: – DROUGHT
AGAIN LAST PARAGRAPH OF SAME PASSAGE
Today, following years of neglect, many of these monuments to medieval engineering have been saved by the Archaeological Survey of India, which has recognised the importance of preserving them as part of the country’s rich history. Tourists flock to wells in far-flung corners of northwestern India to gaze in wonder at these architectural marvels from 1,000 years ago, which serve as a reminder of both the ingenuity and artistry of ancient civilisations and of the value of water to human existence.
Q3. Who are frequent visitors to stepwells nowadays?
Keyword for this question: – frequent visitors, nowadays
Keep reading from where you have found last answer. Now, you look at paragraph its start with word “Today” which is synonymous to nowadays. Continue reading now you look at “Tourists flock to wells in far-flung corners of northwestern India to gaze in wonder at these architectural marvels from 1,000 years ago…..”
It means that nowadays the frequent visitors to stepwells are tourists.
So, Answer will be: – TOURISTS
In next post we will learn about Diagram Completion/Labeling.
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Er. Nachhattar Singh (CEO, blogger, youtuber, Motivational speaker)