Roman Roads – IELTS Reading Answers

Consistent practice is vital for IELTS candidates aiming for high scores in the Reading module. It’s important to tackle various types of reading questions, such as those found in the ‘Roman Roads’’ passage from the IELTS Cambridge 18 General Reading Test 3.

In total, there are 13 questions across the passage. To answer them effectively, you need to grasp the subject matter, search for important terms, and approach each question accordingly. Also, start practicing IELTS General practice tests regularly if your goal is to become proficient in these passages and get a high reading band score.

The question types found in this passage are:

• Matching Information (Questions 1-6)
• Multiple Choice Questions (Questions 7-10
• Diagram Completion (Questions 11-13 )

Reading Passage 

Roman Roads

A The long straight roads built by the Romans have, in many cases, become just as famous in history as their greatest emperors and generals. Building upon more ancient routes and creating a huge number of new ones, Roman engineers were fearless in their plans to join one point to another in as straight a line as possible, whatever the difficulties in geography and the costs in manpower. Consequently, roads required bridges, tunnels, viaducts and many other architectural and engineering features to create a series of breathtaking but highly useful monuments, which spread from Europe to eastern parts of the Roman empire.

B The Romans did not invent roads, but, as in so many other areas, they took an idea which went back as far as the Bronze Age and extended that concept, daring to squeeze from it the fullest possible potential. The first and most famous great Roman road was the Via Appia, or Appian Way. Constructed from 312 BCE, and covering 196 kilometres, it linked Rome to ancient Capua in Italy in as straight a line as possible and was appropriately known to the Romans as the Regina Viarum or ‘Queen of Roads’. Much like a modern highway, it bypassed small towns along the way, and it largely ignored geographical obstacles. The road would later be extended to 569 kilometres in length.

C The network of public Roman roads covered over 120,000 kilometres. Besides permitting the rapid deployment of troops and, more importantly, the wheeled vehicles which supplied them with food and equipment, Roman roads allowed for an increase in trade and cultural exchange. Roads were also one of the ways Rome could demonstrate its authority. For this reason, many roads began and ended in a triumphal arch, and the imperial prestige associated with a road project was demonstrated in the fact that roads were very often named after the officials who funded them; for example, the Via Appia takes its name from the Roman magistrate Appius Claudius Caecus.

D To achieve the objective of constructing the shortest routes possible between two points, all manner of engineering difficulties had to be overcome. Once extensive surveying had been carried out, to ensure the proposed route was actually straight and to determine what various engineering methods were needed, marshes had to be drained, forests cut through, creeks diverted, bedrock channelled, mountain sides cut into, rivers crossed with bridges, valleys traversed with viaducts and tunnels built through mountains. When all that was done, roads had to be levelled, reinforced with support walls or terracing and then, of course, maintained, which they were for over 800 years.

E Major roads were around a standard 4.2 metres wide, which was enough space for two vehicles to pass each other. First a trench was dug in the earth, and a layer of large stones was used to form the foundation. This was followed by a substantial deposit of smaller broken materials — often crushed brick was used for this purpose, and on top of this, a layer of fine gravel was added. This upper section of the road was referred to as the nucleus and was then surfaced with blocks or slabs. Mountain roads might also have ridges running across the surface of the slabs, to give animals better grip, and have ruts cut into the stone to guide wheeled vehicles.

F Roads were purposely inclined slightly from the centre down to the kerb to allow rainwater to run off along the sides. Many also had parallel ditches that collected the runoff and formed a drainage canal on each side of the road. A path of packed gravel for pedestrians typically ran along each side of the road, varying in width from 1 to 3 metres. Separating the path from the road were the kerb stones, which were regular upright slabs. Busier stretches of main W l roads had areas where vehicles could pull over, and some of these had services for travellers and their animals. Milestones were also set up at regular intervals along the road and these often recorded who was responsible for the upkeep of that stretch of the road and what repairs had been made.

G Lasting symbols of the imagination of Roman engineers are the many arched bridges and viaducts still standing today that helped achieve the engineers’ straight-line goal. The Romans built to last, and the piers of bridges which crossed rivers, for example, were often built with a resistant prow-shape and used massive durable blocks of stone, while the upper parts might be built off of stone blocks strengthened with iron clamps. Perhaps the most impressive bridge was at Narni; 180 metres long, 8 metres wide and as high as 33 metres, it had 4 massive semicircular arches, one of which, stretching 32.1 metres, ranks as one of the longest block—arch spans in the ancient world. Recently hit by earthquakes, it is now having to undergo restoration work to repair the effects.

H Such was the engineering and surveying skill of the Romans that many of their roads have provided the basis for hundreds of today’s routes across Europe and the Middle East. Many roads in Italy still use the original Roman name for certain stretches, and some bridges, such as at Tre Ponti in Venice, still carry road traffic today.

Questions 1- 6

1 The various functions of Roman roads.
2 Reference to some current remains of Roman road building.
3 A description of preparations for building a road.
4 The period in history when road building began.
5 The consequence of damage caused by a natural disaster.
6 The total distance once crossed by Roman roads.

Questions 7- 10 

7 Which aspect of Roman road building does the writer mention in Section A?

A The strength and permanence of the roads.
B The magnificence and practicality of the road.
C The number of people involved in building.
D The powerful people who financed the roads.

8 The writer compares the Appian Way to a modern highway because

A It was lengthened over time.
B It took a long time to construct.
C It was used by a large number of travellers.
D It was designed to avoid certain areas.

9 According to the writer, the purpose of the triumphal arches was to

A Display the power of Rome.
B Celebrate the opening of a road.
C Show the name of important roads.
D Provide access for important officials.

10 What common use of a milestone is mentioned in Section E?

A Indicating to travellers the total length of the road.
B Highlighting areas of the road that needed repair.
C Noting details regarding the maintenance of the road.
D Marking rest places along the road for travellers and their animals.

Questions 11-13

Note: The questions mentioned in the image below are from 38-40, which should actually be numbered as 11-13. So, solve the questions accordingly.

11 …………………..

12 ………………….

13 ………………….

Check out:  The Ultimate Guide to IELTS General Reading!

Answers for Roman Roads with Location and Explanations

1 Answer: C
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph C, Lines 2-5
Answer Explanation: Take a look at these lines, “… Roman roads allowed for an increase in trade and cultural exchange. Roads were also one of the ways Rome could demonstrate its authority…” It is stated that Roman roads allowed an increase in trade, cultural exchange and even demonstrated authority. Here, Roman roads have various functions. Hence, the answer is ‘Paragraph C’.

2 Answer: F
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph F, Lines 11-13
Answer Explanation: In these specified lines, ‘…Such was the engineering and surveying skill of the Romans that many of their roads have provided the basis for hundreds of today’s routes across Europe and the Middle East.…” They are referring to the current remains of Roman Roads. Hence, the answer is ‘Paragraph F’.

3 Answer: D
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph D, Lines 4-7
Answer Explanation: Take a look at these lines from Paragraph D, “…forests cut through, creeks diverted, bedrock channelled, mountain sides cut into, rivers crossed with bridges, valleys traversed with viaducts and tunnels built through mountains…” Here, they are explaining the process of building a road. Hence, the answer is ‘ Paragraph D’.

4 Answer: B
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph B, Lines 2-5
Answer Explanation: In these lines of Paragraph B, “…Bronze Age and extended that concept, daring to squeeze from it the fullest possible potential. The first and most famous great Roman road was the  Via Appia, or  Appian Way…” they are talking about the history of the road building. Hence, the answer is ‘ Paragraph B’.

5 Answer: F
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph F, Lines 7-9
Answer Explanation: Take a look at these lines from Paragraph F, “…Recently hit by earthquakes, it is now having to undergo restoration work to repair the effects…” Here, the effects of earthquakes are described. Hence, the answer is ‘Paragraph F’.

6 Answer: C
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph C, Lines 1-4
Answer Explanation: In these lines of Paragraph C, “…The network of public Roman roads covered over 120,000 kilometers. Besides permitting the rapid deployment of troops and, more importantly…” It is clearly mentioned the distance of roman roads. Hence, the answer is ‘ Paragraph C’.

7 Answer: B
Question type: Multiple Choice Questions
Answer location: Paragraph A, Lines 1-4
Answer Explanation:  Take a look at these lines, “ …The long straight roads built by the Romans have, in many cases, become just as famous in history as their greatest emperors and generals. Building upon more ancient routes and creating a huge number of new ones…’ Here they are comparing the roads to great emperors and generals as they were powerful and magnificent and how the workers were fearless who built the road. Hence, the answer is ‘ B’.

8 Answer: D
Question type: Multiple Choice Questions
Answer location: Paragraph B, Lines 6-8
Answer Explanation: In these lines of Paragraph B, “…Much like a modern highway, it bypassed small towns along the way, and it largely ignored geographical obstacles…” It is clearly stated that it was like a modern highway because it ignored certain areas. Hence, the answer is ‘D’.

9 Answer: A
Question type: Multiple Choice Questions
Answer location: Paragraph C, Lines 3-6
Answer Explanation: Have a look at these lines, “…Roads were also one of the ways Rome could demonstrate its authority. For this reason, many roads began and ended in a triumphal arch…” It is mentioned here that roads were the source to demonstrate authority ( power ). Hence, the answer is ‘A’.

10 Answer: C
Question type: Multiple Choice Questions
Answer location: Paragraph E, Lines 14-16
Answer Explanation: It is stated in these lines from Paragraph E that “… Milestones were also set up at regular intervals along the road and these often recorded who was responsible for the upkeep of that stretch of the road and what repairs had been made…”Here, it is clear that milestones are used for repairing. Hence, the answer is ‘C’.

11 Answer: (fine) gravel
Question type: Diagram Completion
Answer location: Paragraph E, Lines 3-6
Answer Explanation: It is mentioned in Paragraph E that “…often crushed brick was used for this purpose, and on top of this, a layer of fine gravel was added. This upper section of the road was referred to as the nucleus and was then surfaced with blocks or slabs…” Here, it is stated that gravel is made of a ‘ Nucleus’. Hence, the answer is ‘ (fine) gravel’.

12 Answer: animals
Question type: Diagram Completion
Answer location: Paragraph E, Lines 6-8
Answer Explanation: Take a look at these lines from Paragraph E, “ …Mountain roads might also have ridges running across the surface of the slabs, to give animals better grip…’ Here, it is mentioned that the mountain roads have ridges to give animals a better grip. Hence, the answer is ‘ animals’.

13 Answer: (crushed) brick
Question type: Diagram Completion
Answer location: Paragraph E, Lines 3-5
Answer Explanation: It is mentioned in these lines, “... often crushed brick was used for this purpose, and on top of this, a layer of fine gravel was added…” that crushed brick is used as a layer for roads. Hence, the answer is ‘ (crushed) brick.

Tips to Solve the Question Types in Roman Roads Reading Answers 

Since now you know the answers of Roman Roads, let us check out some quick tips to answer the question types in IELTS Reading.

Matching Information

Matching information is a type of IELTS reading question that requires you to match a list of features to the correct people, places, or things in a passage.

To answer matching information questions, you can use the following strategies:

• Before starting, ensure clarity on what needs to be matched, such as headings to paragraphs or statements to sections.
• Quickly go through the passage to grasp its content and layout, aiding in locating relevant information.
• Identify keywords or key phrases in both the question and passage, as they often lead to the correct answer.
• Mark information in the passage that matches the question, facilitating easy reference during answering.
• Be mindful of synonyms and paraphrases, as they may replace exact words from the question within the passage.

Multiple Choice Questions

You will be given a reading passage followed by several questions. Your task is to understand the question and to select the best solution from the available possibilities.

• Before reading the passage, read the question and select the keywords. Check the keyword possibilities if the question statement is short on information.
• Then, using the keywords, read the passage to find the relevant information.
• To select the correct option, carefully read the relevant words and match them with each option.
• You will find several options with keywords that do not correspond to the information.
• Try opting for the elimination method mostly.
• Find the best option by matching the meaning rather than just the keywords.

Diagram Completion

You will be given a diagram with labels. Your task is to understand the diagram and to select the right label from the passages.

• Begin by analyzing the question and selecting keywords crucial for understanding the diagram.
• If the question lacks specificity, brainstorm potential keywords that could fit.
• Use these keywords to navigate the passage and locate corresponding information for the diagram.
• Scrutinize each option to match relevant details with the diagram’s requirements.
• Be cautious of options with keywords that don’t fit the diagram’s context.
• Employ the elimination method to systematically narrow down choices.
• Prioritize comprehension of the passage’s meaning to accurately select the best-fitting option for completing the diagram.

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