BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 494

Table of Contents

IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 494 – PASSAGE – 3

IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – 494

READING PASSAGE – 3

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND NEW BUILDINGS IN FRANCE

In all there are over 100 cathedrals in France, plus a lot more large abbeys. The majority of them date from the Middle Ages, though many of them have been extensively modified in more recent centuries. Christianity spread to France in the Gallo-Roman age, but almost all of the most ancient Christian places of worship in France were subsequently rebuilt to make them bigger, more impressive and generally more substantial.

The great age of cathedral building began in the eleventh century and it was in this century that work began on the oldest surviving cathedrals in France. In the 1900’s, architecture changed just as much as painting and sculpture. In the 1800’s architects looked back to the past and based most of their buildings on earlier designs. In the 1900’s buildings became simpler and more functional. New materials led to new freedom for architects.

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One such material was reinforced concrete, which can be poured into a variety of shapes. This freedom may be seen in the work of the Swiss-born architect Charles Édouard Jeanneret, called Le Corbusier. Le Corbusier lived in Paris and became a French citizen. He expressed his theories about architecture in his designs and writings. His theories did much to shape modern architectural thought.

A. In the district of Beaubourg is one of France’s most visited museums. Not far from the busy shopping precinct of Les Halles, the Pompidou centre was designed in the style of high-tech architecture. With its colour-coded pipes and ducts, the design of the modern art museum has been the source of much controversy since its construction. Inaugurated in 1977, some see it as an eyesore; others praise its architectural audacity. Many prefer to climb on the top floor to enjoy the panoramic views over the roofs of Paris where it also has a famous restaurant.

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B. It is surrounded by its beautiful gardens, was built in 1617. It owes its name to the Duke of Piney- Luxembourg, landlord of a domain which was later acquired by Maria de Medici, widow of the King of France, Henri IV. The Italian-born Queen wished to create a residence to remind her of the Pitti Palace as well as establishing gardens evoking those of Boboli in Florence. Architect Salomon de la Brosse was entrusted the construction of the palace. It now houses the French Senate, the upper house of Parliament. The palace opens onto a beautiful park which is a brilliant play area for kids.

C. It is a jewel of Gothic architecture and arguably one of the finest churches in Europe. Built from the Middle-Ages, the cathedral is the centre stage of “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”, a 19th century novel written by French writer Victor Hugo. Its best visiting Notre-Dame at Christmas to admire the monumental Nativity Scene. If you climb up the 380 stairs to the South Tower, you’ll meet the many chimeras and gargoyles that watch over the city of Paris day and night.

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D. It is a monumental triumphal arch that sits at the top of the prestigious Avenue des Champs-Élysées. It was raised at the centre of Place de l’Étoile (or Place du Général Charles de Gaulle) from where 12 avenues radiate. The Arc de Triomphe was built in honour of the French Imperial army of Napoleon.

E. Among the famous monuments of Paris, La Tour Eiffel is certainly the most popular. The “dame de fer” (iron lady) is known everywhere in the world. But did you know that the world-famous metallic tower was built for the Paris International Exhibition in 1889 for the centenary of the French Revolution? At the time of its inauguration, it was the world’s tallest monument. It welcomes more than 7 million visitors each year and it is estimated that more than 250 million people have visited the tower since its completion. Today it is the most visited paid-entrance monument in the world.

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F. Marseille has a strong connection to the sea, and Les Docks, a historic building originally constructed in 1858, plays a central role in the city’s identity. After more than two years of renovations, Les Docks reopened in 2015 to much acclaim. Today, it’s a bustling commercial centre with the 60 independent retailers, shops and restaurants teeming with people day and night.

G. Located in the Amphitheatre quarter, just behind the Centre Pompidou-Metz, Muse is a sleek two- level shopping centre with offices, residences, gardens and parking lots all spread over 80,000m2. The exterior features a blue-tinted glass façade, propped up by white trunks, while inside boasts contemporary artworks38 like the spectacular Polyèdre Bleu by Julio Le Parc.

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H. Atelier Weiss is no ordinary chocolate shop. Aside from selling melt-in-your-mouth chocolates, this modern steel and glass warehouse also has an exhibition space; gourmet refreshment area and the actual Atelier Weiss factory where you can watch chocolatiers prepare a fresh velvety batch.

I. Oscillation is a pop-up art installation designed to protect a construction site in Nantes. It’s a long open tunnel criss-crossed with beams all made from the same section of wood. Depending on the time of day, the sun hits the winding walkway at different angles, artistically diffusing the light. It won’t be around forever though-Oscillation will only be there for two years until construction is finished.

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Questions 28-36

Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number, I-IX, in boxes 28-36 on your answer sheet.

LIST OF HEADINGS

i. The Luxembourg Palace

ii. The Paris cathedral of Notre-Dame

iii. The Arc de Triomphe

iv. Marseille’s cutting-edge commercial centre

v. Chocolate factory in Saint-Etienne

vi. A space-age shopping centre in Metz

vii. Eiffel Tower

viii. The Pompidou Centre

ix. Nantes’ winding wood tunnel

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28. Section A

29. Section B

30. Section C

31. Section D

32. Section E

33. Section F

34. Section G

35. Section H

36. Section I

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Questions 37-40

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text above?

In boxes 37-40 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE – if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE – if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN – if there is no information on this

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37. The exterior of the shopping centre in Metz features a green-tinted glass façade, propped up by white trunks, while inside boasts of contemporary artworks.

38. The spirit of modern France as a lively center of art is captured in the unique architecture of the Pompidou Center in Paris.

39. The Luxemberg Palace currently houses the French Senate which is the upper house of Parliament.

40. In the 1900’s buildings became complex and less functional as modish materials led to autarky for architects.

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