Stepwell Cambridge 10 Reading Answer | IELTS Reading

READING PASSAGE

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27-40 which are based on Reading Passage below.

STEPWELL

A millennium ago, step-wells were fundamental to life in the driest parts of India. Although many have been neglected, recent restoration has returned them to their former glory. Richard Cox traveled to north-western India to document these spectacular monuments from a bygone era.

During the sixth and seventh centuries, the inhabitants of the modern-day states of Gujarat and Rajasthan in North-western India developed a method of gaining access to clean, fresh groundwater during the dry season for drinking, bathing, watering animals and irrigation. However, the significance of this invention – the stepwell – goes beyond its utilitarian application.

Unique to the region, step-wells are often architecturally complex and vary widely in size and shape. During their heyday, they were places of gathering, of leisure, of relaxation and of worship for villagers of all but the lowest castes. Most stepwells are found dotted around the desert areas of Gujarat (where they are called vav) and Rajasthan (where they are known as baori), while a few also survive in Delhi. Some were located in or near villages as public spaces for the community; others were positioned beside roads as resting places for travelers.

As their name suggests, step-wells comprise a series of stone steps descending from ground level to the water source (normally an underground aquifer) as it recedes following the rains. 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.

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 stories 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.

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.

However, some important sites in Gujarat have recently undergone major restoration, and the state government announced in June last year that it plans to restore the step-wells throughout the state.

In Patan, the state’s ancient capital, the stepwell of Rani Ki Vav (Queen’s Stepwell) is perhaps the finest current example. It was built by Queen Udayamati during the late 11th century but became silted up following a flood during the 13th century. But the Archaeological Survey of India began restoring it in the 1960s, and today it’s in pristine condition. At 65 meters long, 20 meters wide and 27 meters deep, Rani Ki Vav features 500 distinct sculptures carved into niches throughout the monument, depicting gods such as Vishnu and Parvati in various incarnations. Incredibly, in January 2001, this ancient structure survived a devastating earthquake that measured 7.6 on the Richter scale.

Another example is the Surya Kund in Modhera, northern Gujarat, next to the Sun Temple, built by King Bhima I in 1026 to honor the sun god Surya. It’s actually a tank (kund means reservoir or pond) rather than a well but displays the hallmarks of stepwell architecture, including four sides of steps that descend to the bottom in a stunning geometrical formation. The terraces house 108 small, intricately carved shrines between the sets of steps.

Rajasthan also has a wealth of wells. The ancient city of Bundi, 200 kilometers south of Jaipur, is renowned for its architecture, including its step wells. One of the larger examples is Ranji Ki Baori, which was built by the queen of the region, Nathavatji, in 1699. At 46 meters deep, 20 meters wide and 40 meters long, the intricately carved monument is one of 21 boards commissioned in the Bundi area by Nathavatji.

In the old ruined town of Abhaneri, about 95 kilometers east of Jaipur, is Chand Baori, one of India’s oldest and deepest wells; aesthetically, it’s perhaps one of the most dramatic. Built-in around 850 AD next to the temple of Harshat Mata, the baori comprises hundreds of zigzagging steps that run along with three of its sides, steeply descending 11 stories, resulting in a striking geometric pattern when seen from afar. On the fourth side, covered verandas supported by ornate pillars overlook the steps.

Still in public use is Neemrana Ki Baori, located just off the Jaipur–Dehli highway. Constructed in around 1700, it’s nine stories deep, with the last two levels underwater. At ground level, there are 86 colonnaded openings from where the visitor descends 170 steps to the deepest water source.

Today, following years of neglect, many of these monuments to medieval engineering have been saved by the Archaeological Survey of India, which has recognized 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 civilizations and of the value of water to human existence.

Questions 1–5

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage?

In boxes 1–5 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

1 Examples of ancient stepwells can be found all over the world.

2 Stepwells had a range of functions, in addition to those related to water collection.

3 The few existing stepwells in Delhi are more attractive than those found elsewhere.

4 It took workers many years to build the stone steps characteristic of stepwells.

5 The number of steps above the water level in a stepwell altered during the course of a year.

Questions 6–8

Answer the questions below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 6–8 on your answer sheet.

6 Which part of some stepwells provided shade for people?

7 What type of serious climatic event, which took place in southern Rajasthan, is mentioned in the article?

8 Who are frequent visitors to stepwells nowadays?

Questions 9-13

Complete the table below

Choose ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.

Stepwells	Date	Features	Other notes
Rani Ki Vav	Late 11th century	As many as 500 sculptures decorate the monument	Restored in the 1990s Excellent condition, despite the 9 of 2001.
Surya Kund	1026	Steps on the 10 produce a geometric pattern Carved shrines.	looks more like an 11 then a well.
Ranji Ki Baori	1699	Intricately carved monument	One of 21 baoris in the area commissioned by Queen Nathavatji
Chand Baori	850 AD	Steps take you down 11 stories to the bottom	Old, deep and very dramatic Has 12 which provides a view to the steps.
Neemrana Ki Baori	1700	It has two 13 levels.	Used by the public today