Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 227
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 227 – PASSAGE – 1
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 227
READING PASSAGE – 1
Read the text below and answer Questions 1 — 7.
The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a significant Mughal Empire architectural marvel, still standing in all its beauty and finesse in Agra in India. It is a white marble mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. As If to show-case the expanse of the Mughal Empire, it combines architectures from all the corners of the Empire including Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles.
1. The Taj Mahal was built by a whopping 22,000 laborers, painters, stone-cutters and embroidery artists, and took 17 years to be built.
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 227
2. Legend has it that Emperor Shah Jahan intended to build another Taj Mahal in black marble across the river but a war with his sons interrupted these plans.
3. The changing moods of the Emperor’s wife are well captured by the changing hues of the Mausoleum at different times of the day. It takes a pinkish hue in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden at night when illuminated by moonlight.
4. The most recognizable feature is the white dome at the peak of the mausoleum. Often called the ‘onion dome’, it rises to about 35 meters, and is surrounded by four other domes.
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 227
5. Taj Mahal is a famous Indian landmark and tourist magnet, attracting more than a million tourists every year.
6. The materials that were used to build Taj Mahal were transported to the construction site by a whopping 1,000 elephants.
The Taj Mahal is indeed a beautiful place. When you visit, make sure you take a picture of yourself and your spouse with the mausoleum as the background…who knows, the love that the emperor had for his wife to dedicate this kind of resources for her remembrance after death might rub off on you.
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 227
Questions 1— 7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text.
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.
1. The Taj Mahal is the most famous of all Mughal architectural marvels.
2. The hues of the mausoleum reflect the moods of Mumtaz Mahal.
3. Islamic, Turkish, Persian and Indian laborers built the Taj Mahal.
4. The Taj Mahal has 5 domes in all.
5. Shah Jahan had three wives.
6. Shah Jahan also built a black Taj Mahal.
7. The Taj Mahal combines architectural styles from all across the world.
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 227
Read the text below and answer Questions 8-14.
Swimming Pool Rules and Regulations
{1}. All rules and requests made by lifesaving personnel must be followed.
{2}. All patrons entering the facility during Recreational/Lap Swim times are required to pay the facility admission fee. Parents wishing to watch their children that are 7 years and older during recreation swim are not required to pay the adult admission fee, but must remain in the designated spectator area.
{3}. Children under 7 years old or less than four feet tall must be accompanied by a parent or responsible person in a swimsuit at all times including in the water, on the deck and in the restroom. While in the water, the parent/responsible person must remain within arm’s reach at all times.
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 227
{4}. Persons in the water must wear acceptable swimsuits. T-shirts are not allowed. A tight fitting rash guard is acceptable.
{5}. Animals are not allowed in the building or pool area, with the exception of guide/service dogs. Guide/service dogs are allowed on deck, but not in the water.
{6}. Candy, food or beverages are not allowed except in designated areas provided for eating or drinking. No glass items, chewing gum or smoking is permitted in the facility.
{7}. All patrons must shower before entering the pool. Persons with open cuts, sores, bandages, colds, coughs or infected eyes are not permitted in the pool.
{8}. Everyone must pass a swim test before entering deep water. Weak or non-swimmers must remain in shallow water no deeper than their armpits.
{9}. Dangerous practices are prohibited. Patrons must not run on decks; climb, sit or jump from fences; dive in shallow water (less than 9 feet deep); dunk, push, pull or splash swimmers. Jumps are permitted feet first. Back jumps, twisting and flips are not permitted at any time.
{10}. Diving in water less than nine (9) feet deep, back dives, somersaults and cannonballs from the side of the pool or any other unsafe activities are not permitted.
{11}. Emergency procedures must be observed. Swimmers must leave the pool area immediately upon the signal or request of the Pool Manager.
{12}. Walk at all times!!! DO NOT RUN!!!
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 227
Questions 8-14
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? In boxes on your answer sheet, write
TRUE – if the statement is True
FALSE – if the statement is false
NOT GIVEN- if the information is not given in the passage
8. Parents wishing to watch their ten year old children during recreational swim are not required to pay the adult admission fee.
9. No food is allowed to be taken to the swimming pool.
10. Persons with open cuts and sores must shower before entering the pool.
11. A child who is 4 ft tall has to be accompanied by a parent or responsible person:
12. It is preferred that women wear a two piece swimsuit.
13. When you jump into the water, your feet must touch the water first.
14. Diving in 10 ft. deep water is permitted.
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 227
ANSWERS ARE BELOW
ANSWERS
1. NOT GIVEN
2. TRUE
3. NOT GIVEN
4. TRUE
5. NOT GIVEN
6. FALSE
7. FALSE
8. TRUE
9. TRUE
10. FALSE
11. FALSE
12. NOT GIVEN
13. TRUE
14. TRUE