Graffiti Reading Answers for IELTS Academic Practice

The best way to master IELTS Reading is to practice passages like ‘Graffiti Reading Answers’. However, merely answering the questions will not help. The key to achieving the desired band score in this section is to learn how to scan the given text, use IELTS Reading keyword techniques, and locate the answer within the limited time provided. Graffiti Reading Answers, an IELTS Academic reading passage with 13 questions, offers you that opportunity.

The question types found in the IELTS Reading Answers of Graffiti are:

• IELTS Reading Matching Headings to Paragraphs (Q. 1-7)
• True/False/Not Given IELTS Reading (Q. 8-10)
• IELTS Reading Matching Sentence Endings (Q. 11-13)

Reading Passage

GRAFFITI

The word 'graffiti' derives from the Greek word graphein, meaning to write. This evolved into the Latin word graffito. Graffiti is the plural form of graffito. Simply put, graffiti is a drawing, scribbling, or writing on a flat surface. Today, we equate graffiti with the 'New York' or 'Hip Hop' style which emerged from New York City in the 1970s. Hip Hop was originally an inner-city concept. It evolved from the rap music made in Brooklyn and Harlem in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Donald Clarke, a music historian, has written that rap music was a reaction to the disco music of the period. Disco was centered in the rich, elitist clubs of Manhattan and rap emerged on street corners as an alternative. Using lyrical rhythms and 'beat boxing', the music was a way to express feelings about inner-city life. Hip Hop emerged as turntables began to be used to form part of the rhythm by 'scratching' (the sound created by running the stylus over the grooves of an LP). As Hip Hop music emerged so did a new outlet for artistic visibility. Keith Haring began using posters to place his uniquely drawn figures and characters in public places. Soon he began to draw directly on subway walls and transit posters. The uniqueness of his drawings eventually led to their being shown in galleries and published in books and his art became 'legitimate'.

At about the same time as Keith Haring, a delivery messenger began writing 'Taki 183' whenever he delivered documents. Soon his name was all over the city. Newspapers and magazines wrote articles about him and Keith Haring, and soon both became celebrities. This claim to fame attracted many young people, especially those involved with rapping, and they began to imitate 'Taki 183', as a means to indicate the writer's presence, i.e. the age-old statement of I was here. Graffiti was soon incorporated into the Hip Hop culture and became a sort of triad with rapping and breakdancing. Breakdancing has since lost much of its initial popularity, while rapping has emerged as a major style in American music. New York City was inundated with graffiti during the late seventies and early eighties, but as media coverage faded so did the graffiti. Then, in the mid-eighties, a national TV program did a graffiti story and set off a graffiti wildfire that has since gone global.

In the past, graffiti artists usually worked alone, but the size and complexity of pieces, as well as safety concerns, motivated artists to work together in crews, which are groups of graffitists that vary in membership from 3 to 10 or more persons. A member of a crew can be 'down with' (affiliated with) more than one crew. To join a crew, one must have produced stylish pieces and show potential for developing one's own, unique style. A crew is headed by a king or queen who is usually that person recognized as having the best artistic ability among the members of the crew. One early crew wrote TAG as their crew name, an acronym for Tuff Artists Group. The tag has since come to mean both graffiti writing, 'tagging' and graffiti, a 'tag'. Crews often tag together, writing both the crew tag and their tags. Graffiti has its own language with terms such as piece, toy, wild-style, and racking

At first pens and markers were used, but these were limited as to what types of surfaces they worked on, so very quickly everyone started using spray paint. Spray paint could mark all types of surfaces and be quick and easy to use. However, the spray nozzles on the spray cans proved inadequate to create more colourful pieces. Caps from deodorant, insecticide and other aerosol cans were substituted to allow for a finer or thicker stream of paint. As municipalities began passing graffiti ordinances outlawing graffiti implements, clever ways of disguising paint implements were devised. Shoe polish, deodorant roll-ons, and other seemingly innocent containers were emptied and filled with paint. Markers, art pens, and grease pens obtained from art supply stores were also used. Nearly any object which can leave a mark on most surfaces is used by taggers, though the spray can is the medium of choice for most taggers.

As graffiti has grown, so too has its character. What began as an urban lower-income protest, graffiti now spans all racial and economic groups. While many inner-city kids are still heavily involved in the graffiti culture, taggers range from the ultra-rich to the ultra-poor. There is no general classification of graffitists. They range in age from 12-30 years old, and there are male and female artists. One tagger recently caught in Philadelphia was a 27-year-old stockbroker who drove to tagging sites in his BMW. Styles have dramatically evolved from the simple cursory style, which is still the most prevalent, to intricate interlocking letter graphic designs with multiple colours called 'pieces' (from master-pieces). Gang markings of territory also fit the definition of graffiti, and they mainly consist of tags and messages that provide 'news' of happenings in the neighbourhood.

Graffiti shops, both retail and online, sell a wide variety of items to taggers. Caps, markers, magazines, T-shirts, backpacks, shorts with hidden pockets, and even drawing books with templates of different railroad cars can be purchased. Over 25,000 graffiti sites exist on the world wide web; the majority of these are pro-graffiti. Graffiti vandalism is a problem in nearly every urban area in the world. Pro-graffiti websites post photos of graffiti from Europe, South America, the Philippines, Australia, South Africa, China, and Japan. Billions of dollars worldwide are spent each year in an effort to curb graffiti.

While most taggers are simply interested in seeing their name in as many places as possible and as visibly as possible, some taggers are more content to find secluded warehouse walls where they can practise their pieces. Some of these taggers can sell twelve-foot canvases of their work for upwards of $10-$12,000. As graffiti was introduced to the art world, two trends happened. One, the art world of collectors, dealers, curators, artists, and the like helped graffitists evolve in style, presumably by sharing their artistic knowledge with the newcomers. Two, the exposure helped to expand graffiti into all parts of the world. Furthermore, more progressive cities have recognized the talent of graffitists by providing a means for them to do legal graffiti art, which has helped to foster the art form and lessen the amount of graffiti art that appears in the city vandalism. Likewise, organizations that support graffiti artists seek out places to do legal graffiti such as abandoned buildings, businesses, or community walls in parks. What this shows is that some graffiti, particularly in the form of a spray can art, is recognized as art by the conventional art world.

Questions 1-7

1. Becoming mainstream art
2. The Culture Of Graffiti
3. Tools Of The Trade
4. Internet Art Styles
5. Crossing Boundaries
6. Cashing In On The Craze
7. Trends In Street Music
8. Gradually gaining popularity
9. A Solitary Existence
10. From Ancient To Modern

1 Paragraph A

2 Paragraph B

3 Paragraph C

4 Paragraph D

5 Paragraph E

6 Paragraph F

7 Paragraph G

Questions 8-10

8 The introduction of anti-graffiti laws managed to curb its spread in some cities.

9 Along with Hip Hop music came a new way of visual expression.

10 There was hostility towards graffiti artists among the established art community.

Questions 11-13

11 Graffiti is flourishing in the 21st century as people from all backgrounds have begun to ……………………….

12 As graffiti has developed, it has come to ……………………….

13 Graffiti artists used many ingenious methods to ……………………..

A use it as a means of expression of rebellion against law enforcement.

B become increasingly more difficult to succeed in the art world.

C transcend race, status, and gender.

D realize that inner-urban areas where poverty is the norm are decreasing.

E conceal their intentions from law enforcement officers.

F embrace it as a means of expression.

Answers of Graffiti Reading Passage With Location and Explanation

Check out the answer key for this IELTS Academic Reading passage, Graffiti, with location and explanations.

1 Answer: x

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph A

Answer explanation: Paragraph A illustrates that the word ‘graffiti’ derives from the Greek word graphein, meaning to write. This evolved into the Latin word graffito. Graffiti is the plural form of graffito. Simply put, graffiti is a drawing, scribbling, or writing on a flat surface. Today, we equate graffiti with the ‘New York’ or ‘Hip Hop’ style which emerged from New York City in the 1970s. Hip Hop was originally an inner-city concept. These lines suggest how graffiti has evolved from ancient to modern times. Thus, the answer is x.

2 Answer: viii

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph B, line 2

Answer explanation: The 2nd line of paragraph B states that newspapers and magazines wrote articles about him and Keith Haring, and soon both became celebrities. This claim to fame attracted many young people, especially those involved with rapping, and they began to imitate ‘Taki 183’, as a means to indicate the writer’s presence, i.e. the age-old statement of I was here. Graffiti was soon incorporated into the Hip Hop culture and became a sort of triad with rapping and breakdancing. These lines suggest how it gradually gained popularity. Hence, the answer is viii.

3 Answer: ii

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph C

Answer explanation: Paragraph C suggests, “In the past, graffiti artists usually worked alone, but the size and complexity of pieces, as well as safety concerns, motivated artists to work together in crews, which are groups of graffitists that vary in membership from 3 to 10 or more persons. A member of a crew can be ‘down with’ (affiliated with) more than one crew. To join a crew, one must have produced stylish pieces and show potential for developing one’s own, unique style.” These lines suggest the culture of graffiti. Thus, the answer is ii.

4 Answer: iii

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph D

Answer explanation: Paragraph D suggests that at first pens and markets were used, but these were limited as to what types of surfaces they worked on, so very quickly everyone started using spray paint. Spray paint could mark all types of surfaces and be quick and easy to use. However, the spray nozzles on the spray cans proved inadequate to create more colorful pieces. Caps from deodorant, insecticide and other aerosol cans were substituted to allow for a finer or thicker stream of paint. We can deduce from these lines that Paragraph D illustrates the tools of the trade. Hence, the answer is iii.

5 Answer: v

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph E

Answer explanation: Paragraph E illustrates that as graffiti has grown, so too has its character. What began as an urban lower-income protest, graffiti now spans all racial and economic groups. While many inner-city kids are still heavily involved in the graffiti culture, taggers range from the ultra-rich to the ultra-poor. There is no general classification of graffitists. These lines indicate crossing boundaries. Hence, the answer is v.

6 Answer: vi

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph F

Answer explanation: Paragraph G illustrates, “Graffiti shops, both retail and online, sell a wide variety of items to taggers. Caps, markers, magazines, T-shirts, backpacks, shorts with hidden pockets, and even drawing books with templates of different railroad cars can be purchased. Over 25,000 graffiti sites exist on the world wide web; the majority of these are pro-graffiti. Graffiti vandalism is a problem in nearly every urban area in the world. Pro-graffiti websites post photos of graffiti from Europe, South America, the Philippines, Australia, South Africa, China, and Japan. Billions of dollars worldwide are spent each year in an effort to curb graffiti.” These lines indicate the cashing in on the craze. Hence, the answer is vi.

7 Answer: i

Question type: Matching Heading

Answer location: Paragraph G

Answer explanation: Paragraph G states that while most taggers are simply interested in seeing their name in as many places as possible and as visibly as possible, some taggers are more content to find secluded warehouse walls where they can practice their pieces. Some of these taggers are able to sell twelve-foot canvases of their work for upwards of $10 – $12,000. As graffiti was introduced to the art world, two trends happened. One, the art world of collectors, dealers, curators, artists, and the like helped graffitists evolve in style, presumably by sharing their artistic knowledge with the newcomers. We can understand from these lines that graffiti becomes mainstream art. Hence, the answer is i.

8 Answer: Not Given

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph A – G

Answer explanation: When we go through Paragraphs A – G, we do not find any reference to the statement that the introduction of anti-graffiti laws managed to curb its spread in some cities. Thus, the answer is Not Given.

9 Answer: True

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph A, line 9

Answer explanation: The 9th line of paragraph A states that Hip Hop emerged as turntables began to be used to form part of the rhythm by ‘scratching’ (the sound created by running the stylus over the grooves of an LP). As Hip Hop music emerged so did a new outlet for artistic visibility. It is evident from these lines that along with Hip Hop, music came a new way of visual expression. Thus, the statement agrees with the information, so, the answer is True.

10 Answer: False

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph C

Answer explanation: Paragraph C illustrates that in the past, graffiti artists usually worked alone, but the size and complexity of pieces, as well as safety concerns, motivated artists to work together in crews, which are groups of graffitists that vary in membership from 3 to 10 or more persons. It is clear from these lines that there was not any hostility towards graffiti artists among the established art community. Thus, the statement contradicts the information, so, the answer is False.
11 Answer: F

Question type: True/False/Not Given

Answer location: Paragraph A

Answer explanation: Paragraph A suggests that the word ‘graffiti’ derives from the Greek word graphein, meaning to write. This evolved into the Latin word graffito. Graffiti is the plural form of graffito. Simply put, graffiti is a drawing, scribbling, or writing on a flat surface. Today, we equate graffiti with the ‘New York’ or ‘Hip Hop’ style which emerged from New York City in the 1970s. It is clear from these lines that Graffiti is flourishing in the 21st century as people from all backgrounds have begun to embrace it as a means of expression. Thus, the answer is F.

12 Answer: C

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph G

Answer explanation: In Paragraph G, it is mentioned that As graffiti was introduced to the art world, two trends happened. One, the art world of collectors, dealers, curators, artists, and the like helped graffitists evolve in style, presumably by sharing their artistic knowledge with the newcomers. Two, the exposure helped to expand graffiti into all parts of the world. Furthermore, more progressive cities have recognized the talent of graffitists by providing a means for them to do legal graffiti art, which has helped to foster the art form and lessen the amount of graffiti art that appears in the city vandalism. These lines suggest that as graffiti has developed, it has come to transcend race, status, and gender. So, the answer is C.

13 Answer: E

Question type: Sentence Completion

Answer location: Paragraph D, line 5

Answer explanation: The 5th line of paragraph D states that as municipalities began passing graffiti ordinances outlawing graffiti implements, clever ways of disguising paint implements were devised. We can understand that Graffiti artists used many ingenious methods to conceal their intentions from law enforcement officers. Thus, the answer is E.

Tips for Answering the Question Types in Graffiti Reading Answers

When you want to do your best on the IELTS exam, knowing the answers to Graffiti IELTS Reading Answers might not be enough. Let's quickly review some tips for solving Graffiti Reading Answers.

Matching Headings:

You must match the heading in this type of question to the appropriate paragraph or reading segment in the text. Your ability to figure out the paragraph's key concept and its supporting ideas will be put to the test.

• Take your time to rephrase the potential headings' keywords.
• Find the main idea by scanning and skimming the paragraphs. Sometimes the essential idea of the paragraph is expressed in the header.
• For clarification on the paragraph's main idea, see the first and last sentences. Likewise, quickly scan the middle of the paragraph to make sure you comprehend it.
• Don't try to match words. Your primary goal is to match a correct paragraph.
• Choose the heading that best fits the paragraph after reading it again if two seem to be appropriate.
• The number of headings will always be greater than the number of paragraphs or sections. Therefore, some headings will never be utilized.

True/False/Not Given

The 'True, False, Not Given' questions in IELTS Reading are based on facts given in the passage. Just read the text and decide if the facts are right or not.

• Read the question statements carefully. Before analyzing the text, note what the questions are stating. This helps figure out what information you will need.
• Throughout the passage, keep an eye out for the keyword in the statement. Determine which words or phrases have a connection to the question. Don't read the passage in its entirety; instead, focus on finding the relevant passage.
• Once you've identified the main keyword or keywords, pay close attention to the phrases that follow. Make sure you understand the context, as often the most minute details can have a significant impact on the meaning.
• Remember, True means the information in the statement matches the information in the passage. False means the information in the statement contradicts the information in the passage. Not Given means there’s no clear information in the passage to confirm or deny the statement.
• Don't assume anything if you are unable to find the information to support or reject a statement. Marking it as Not Given is preferable to guessing.

Matching Sentence Endings:

Matching sentence ending questions come with two lists – a list of incomplete sentences and another one of possible sentence endings. You will have to match them on the basis of the information provided in the passage. Some IELTS exam preparation tips to answer the questions and obtain a high band in the IELTS examination are given below:

• The answers will be in the same order as the list of incomplete sentences.
• Use the elimination process to get the correct answer.
• Don’t read the complete text until you have studied the incomplete sentences and the endings.
• Only read the relevant sentences.
• You will have to match meanings and not the exact words. Thus, look for paraphrasing and words.
• You must ensure that the grammatical structure of two halves of the sentence is matching correctly.

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