The Sydney Opera House Reading Answers

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

The 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. Also, read the IELTS reading passage, The Sydney Opera House, pick out significant words, and recognise synonyms in order to provide an appropriate response.

So, let’s see how easy this passage is for you and if you’re able to make it in less than 20 minutes. If not, try more IELTS reading practice tests from IELTSMaterial.com.

The type of question found in this passage is:

• Yes/No/Not Given (Q. 1-6)

Section 1 – 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.

Answers with Explanation

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.