The Sydney Opera House Reading Answers

The passage, The Sydney Opera House Reading Answers, comprises a part of an IELTS General Reading test.

The IELTS Reading Module can be the top-scoring category for IELTS aspirants, with diligent practice. To score well, you must understand how to approach and answer the different question types in the Reading Module.

Ideally, you should not spend more than 20 minutes on a passage. You must scan the material for important terms, comprehend the subject, and then respond in accordance with the instructions.  The type of question found in this IELTS Reading passage is:

• Yes/No/Not Given (Q. 1-6)

Reading Passage 1

The Sydney Opera House

It’s nearly hard to talk about Australia’s arts without mentioning the Sydney Opera House, the structure that initially put the country on the global cultural map. It is not simply the most well-known Australian structure in the world, but also possibly the most recognized design of any modern building anywhere, having been completed in 1973 after 14 years of passionate debate and at a cost of about £60 million.

The Opera House’s unusual and extremely original shape has been compared to everything from sailing ship sails to cracked eggshells, yet few would deny that it is a great contribution to world architecture. It is a reminder to all Australians of their deep and undying love of all things cultural, set within the graceful splendor of Sydney Harbour, ruling like a queen over the hustle and brashness of a modern metropolis attempting to create a financial name in a tough commercial sector.

The Opera House was designed by Jorn Utzon, a well-known Danish architect who won an international competition in the late 1950s. It was, however, not completed according to his original specifications. The plans for much of the building’s intended interior designs were just recently unearthed. Unfortunately, the State Government at the time intervened with Utzon’s designs due to financial concerns, which was understandable given that the building was initially estimated to cost only £5.5 million.

Utzon departed the country before finishing the project and vowed never to return in a fit of rage. A state-run lottery eventually paid for the project. A team of architects whose task was to finish construction on time and within budget significantly reduced the size of the building’s interior. Rehearsal rooms and other facilities for the many theatres inside the complex were either drastically reduced or eliminated, and some artists have been vocal about their dissatisfaction ever since.

Despite the controversies surrounding its construction, the Opera House has risen above the quarreling and is now regarded as a modern architectural marvel. The facility was officially opened by the Queen in 1975, and since then, audiences of all nationalities have flocked to see the many world-class performances by Australian opera, ballet, and theatrical stars within its bent and twisted walls.

Questions 1 – 6 

1 We can’t miss the Sydney Opera House while considering Australia’s arts.

2 Sydney Opera House having been completed in 1973 after 14 years of passionate debate.

3 Everyone accepts that it is a great contribution to world architecture.

4 The Opera House was designed by Jorn Utzon, a well-known Danish architect.

5 Prior booking is not required for the Sydney Opera House.

6 Rehearsal rooms and other facilities for the many theatres inside the complex were increased.

The Sydney Opera House Reading Answers with Explanation

Take a look at the answer key for the IELTS Reading passage, The Sydney Opera House, which includes detailed explanations for each question.

1 Answer: Yes

Question type: Yes/No/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 1, line 1

Answer explanation: The introductory line of the first paragraph points out that “It’s nearly hard to talk about Australia’s arts without mentioning the Sydney Opera House…”. As it is clear that one can’t miss the Sydney Opera House while considering Australia’s arts and the statement agrees with the claims of the writer, the answer is Yes.

2 Answer: Yes

Question type: Yes/No/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 1, line 4- line 5

Answer explanation: The mentioned line of Paragraph 1 says that “…having been completed in 1973 after 14 years of passionate debate and at a cost of about £60 million.”. The quoted line from the passage points out that Sydney Opera House having been completed in 1973 after 14 years of passionate debate and since it agrees with the claims of the writer, the answer is Yes.

3 Answer: No

Question type: Yes/No/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 2, line 2- line 3

Answer explanation: The provided lines say that “…yet few would deny that it is a great contribution to world architecture.”. It is clear from the statement that not everyone accepts that the Sydney Opera House is a great contribution to world architecture. Hence, the answer is No.

4 Answer: Yes

Question type: Yes/No/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 3, line 1 – line 2

Answer explanation: The given lines say that “The Opera House was designed by Jorn Utzon, a well-known Danish architect who won an international competition in the late 1950s.”. As mentioned in the third paragraph, the statement points out that the Opera House was designed by Jorn Utzon, a well-known Danish architect, which is claimed by the author of this passage. Hence, the answer is Yes.

5 Answer: Not Given

Question type: Yes/No/Not Given

Answer location: N.A.

Answer explanation: As it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this statement due to lack of information in the passage, the answer is Not Given.

6 Answer: No

Question type: Yes/No/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph 4, line 4 – line 5

Answer explanation: The following lines from Paragraph 4 say that “Rehearsal rooms and other facilities for the many theatres inside the complex were either drastically reduced or eliminated…”. From this reference, we can conclude that the statement contradicts the claims of the writer and so, the answer is No.

Check Out – 20 Best IELTS Preparation Books for Self Study

Tips to Solve the Passage Question Types in the Sydney Opera House Reading Answers 

Since now you know the answers to ‘The Sydney Opera House’ Reading Answers, let us check out some quick IELTS General Training Reading tips to answer the passage question types in the Reading Answers of Growing Forced Rhubarb Reading Answers.

IELTS Reading: Yes/No/Not Given Questions

In the IELTS Reading Yes/No/Not Given questions, test takers must determine whether statements agree with the views or claims of the author. The options are:

• Yes: The statement agrees with the author’s view.
• No: The statement contradicts the author’s view.
• Not Given: The statement’s information is not provided in the text.
• Understand the Question Type: Identify if the statement matches, contradicts, or is absent in the text.
• Read Instructions Carefully: Know what you are looking for: agreement, contradiction, or lack of information.
• Identify Keywords: Highlight and locate keywords in the passage; note synonyms and paraphrasing.
• Analyze the Context: Read surrounding sentences for context and look for certainty or doubt indicators.
• Practice Time Management: Avoid spending too long on one question; move on if unsure and return later if time permits.

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