This Sample belongs to the Academic Reading Section of the IELTS. The Academic Reading Section tests the ability of candidates to read and comprehend textual passages that they are likely to encounter during their graduate and/or postgraduate level studies. These texts are more complex compared to the ones in the General Reading Section but do not require any specialised knowledge to attempt them. All the information required to attempt the answers is given within the passages.

The passage in this Sample is taken from a research driven document and is primarily informative and analytical. Other features of the passage include:

• The sentences are mostly long and pack in a lot of information.

• The tone is formal and the piece works as an appropriate example of Academic English

• The passage tests candidates' basic strength of English language which includes vocabulary, grammar, reading skills, information processing skills, etc.

• A good idea is to first read the whole passage quickly (skimming) to get an overview of the structure and get acquainted with the writer’s style; then read again closely to understand.

The key points in the passage are:

1. The writer deals with two themes in the passage - the concept of Exodus and the concept of history.

2. The concept of Exodus is weighed against the concept of history since the latter is generally supposed to validate the existence of the former.

3. The writer goes into details explaining the various aspects of history, contemporary research to establish authenticity, and the shortcomings in each of the approaches.

4. Concepts such as history; historical; historical fact; and historical event have been analysed and discussed well to establish differences.

5. The writer returns to his initial discussion related to the Exodus and projects a new understanding under the light of his analysis to conclude.

Q1. Which of these two statements are closest to the writer’s characterization of history?

(i) History is a reliable account of what happened in the past

(ii) We write History to justify and legitimize our current circumstances

(iii) Writers of history prioritize collective memories over archaeological evidence

(iv) History is composed within the constraints of contemporary language and expression

(v) We should not trust something written down long after past events

A) (iv) and (v)

Q2. The writer advises historians to not concern themselves with the motivations behind the composition of history; instead looking only to prove the claims true or false.

B) False

Q3. The writer has a singular understanding of the meaning of the word ‘history’, and encourages historians towards this same understanding.

B) False

Q4. According to the passage, from where or through which incident does the writer draw the concept of “Exodus”?

C) The story of the Hebrew Slaves escaping captivity in Egypt

Q5. According to the passage, which text contains the reference and depiction of “Exodus” as we know it?

B) The Bible

Q6. What are the reasons behind doubting the truth behind the Biblical recording of the “exodus”?

(i) Lack of archaeological evidence

(ii) Non-existence of any other source of reference

(iii) Inconclusive research findings on the historicity of the event

(iv) Inconclusiveness and scholarly disagreement over the validity of such research

D) All options are correct

Q7. The writer includes a dash of humour while describing the concept of history. Identify it among the options.

C) My full head of hair is history

Q8. The word “authoritative” has been contextually used in the second paragraph of the passage. Identify its meaning from the options.

B) Certified

Q9. Complete the following sentence:

According to one of the definitions cited in the passage, history is constructed from a variety of sources, also drawing information from other disciplines such as ____________, ________________, and _______________.

D) Archaeology, Sociology, Anthropology

Q10. What does the writer mean when he refers to “spatial and temporal”?

A) Space and time

Q11. Complete the first part of the sentence based upon your reading of the passage. You cannot use more than two words from the passage to complete it:

______________________ is the “Holy Grail for any historian.”

To establish the history of any subject in a way that it is exhaustive, conclusive and invincible in depicting the truth to the minutest detail

Q12. On the basis of your reading of the passage, suggest a title for it. You cannot copy directly from the text.

The Great Exodus - Biblical Truth vs History

Q13. Write a note on the writer’s views on the subject. (Not more than 75 words)

The writer begins with a discussion on Exodus as an example of one of the most poignant of stories on origins. But before delving deeper, the writer seeks to analytically probe controversies associated with the historical authenticity of Exodus. Explaining concepts such as history, historical, historical fact, and historical event, he attempts to prove that the ambit of history cannot ever be an all-encompassing verifiable truth. Truth so often exists beyond the circumference of evidence.