The Development Of Museums IELTS Reading Answers

Janice Thompson

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Updated On Aug 14, 2024

The Development Of Museums
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The Academic passage ‘The Development Of Museums’ is a reading passage that appeared in an IELTS Test. Try to find the answers to get an idea of the difficulty level of the passages in the actual reading test. If you want more passages to solve, try taking one of our IELTS reading practice tests.

The Development Of Museums

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Question number	Answer	Explanation
1	ii	In the first sentence of paragraph B, the author introduces the changing attitudes towards history and how the way it should be presented have altered. While the re-enactment of historical events on so-called heritage sites is increasingly becoming popular, which is a positive reaction, such developments have been criticised as an intolerable vulgarisation (criticism). It is also added that the success of many historical theme parks and similar locations suggests that the majority of the public does not share this opinion. So, it can be said that there are mixed opinions about the changes in museums. Hence, the answer is ii (Mixed views on current changes to museums).
2	vi	Paragraph C points out that the sharp distinction between museum and heritage sites and theme parks is gradually evaporating (is being reduced or is becoming less). They already borrow ideas and concepts from one another. For example, museums have adopted story lines for exhibitions, sites have accepted ‘theming’ as a relevant tool, and theme parks are moving towards more authenticity and research-based presentations. So, it can be said the differences between public attractions like theme parks and museums are becoming less. Hence, the answer is vi (Fewer differences between public attractions).
3	i	Paragraph D brings out the fact that theme parks are undergoing other changes which is a response to market forces. They are also operating in a very competitive environment. As a result of which, heritage and museum experts or those who are professionally engaged in the art of interpreting history (people in charge) are in a difficult position (pressure), as they must steer a narrow course between the demands of ‘evidence’ and ‘attractiveness’, especially given the increasing need in the heritage industry for income- generating activities (commercial). Hence, the answer is i (Commercial pressures on people in charge).

4	iii	Paragraph E claims that in order to make everything in heritage more ‘real’, historical accuracy must be increasingly altered. For example, Pithecanthropus erectus is depicted in an Indonesian museum with Malay facial features, because this corresponds to public perceptions. If the professionals did not provide the interpretation, visitors would interpret for themselves based on their own ideas, misconceptions and prejudices. And no matter how exciting the result, it would contain a lot more bias than the presentations provided by experts. So, to please and attract the visitors, professionals must provide facts in such a way that they interest the public. Hence, the answer is iii (Interpreting the facts to meet visitor expectations).
5	B	Paragraph A mentions that museums used to look (refers to the past) much like storage rooms of objects packed together in showcases which was good for scholars who wanted to study the subtle differences in design, but not for the ordinary visitor (public), to whom it all looked alike. Moreover, the content and format of explanations dated back to a time when the museum was the exclusive domain of the scientific researcher. Therefore, in the past, museums were not meant for the public. Hence, the answer is B (were not primarily intended for the public).
6	A	Paragraph B states that the key word in heritage display is now ‘experience’, which refers to personal involvement. Moreover, the re-enactment of historical events on so-called heritage sites is becoming increasingly popular (the emphasis in growing), and computers will soon provide virtual reality experiences, which will present visitors with a vivid image of the period of their choice, in which they themselves can act as if part of the historical environment. This provides them with personal experience and they feel involved in the process. Hence, the answer is A (emphasise personal involvement).
7	A	In paragraph C, the writer says that the sharp distinction between museum and heritage sites on the one hand, and theme parks on the other, is gradually evaporating. They already borrow ideas and concepts from one another and work in close partnership. Hence, the answer is A (often work in close partnership).
8	D	Paragraph D indicates that those who are professionally engaged in the art of interpreting history (experts) are thus in a difficult position, as they must steer (balance) a narrow course between the demands of ‘evidence’ and ‘attractiveness’ (conflicting priorities). Hence, the answer is D (have to balance conflicting priorities).
9	C	Paragraph E communicates that the Museum of Natural History in Washington, Neanderthal man is shown making a dominant gesture to his wife. According to the writer, such presentations (museum exhibits) tell us more about (reveal more about) contemporary perceptions (present beliefs) of the world than about our ancestors (the past). Hence, the answer is C (reveal more about present beliefs than about the past).
10	B	Paragraph F explains that human bias (our view of history is biased) is inevitable as the representation of history has to do with the transitory nature of the materials. The simple fact is that not everything from history survives the historical process, which means that only very durable objects remain from the past. Hence, the answer is B (only very durable objects remain from the past).
11	FALSE	The first sentence of paragraph D presents that theme parks are undergoing other changes, too, as they try to present more serious social and cultural issues, and move away from fantasy. So, even if the consumers are preferring theme parks, it is not because they are avoiding serious issues, but because they are presenting them. As the statement contradicts the information, the answer is ‘FALSE’.
12	NOT GIVEN	In paragraph D, it is given that museums and heritage sites have a special, rather distinct, role to fulfil, and yet, they are also operating in a very competitive environment, where visitors make choices on how and where to spend their free time. There is no reference to the fact that visitors prefer museums over theme parks. Hence, the answer is ‘NOT GIVEN’.
13	FALSE	Paragraph F compares and tells that in a town like Leyden in Holland, which in the seventeenth century was occupied by approximately the same number of inhabitants as today, people lived within the walled town, an area more than five times smaller than modern Leyden. This means that the number of people remained unchanged since the 17th century, but the area/boundary of the town has increased upto five times, which is not little. As the statement contradicts the information, the answer is FALSE.
14	TRUE	The first sentence of paragraph E informs that in order to make everything in heritage (artefacts or other relics kept in museums) more ‘real’, historical accuracy must be increasingly altered. So, it proves that the authenticity of the information in museums is sometimes altered to give false impressions. Moreover, at the end of paragraph F, it is added that people who stroll around exhibitions are filled with nostalgia; the evidence in museums indicates that life was so much better in the past (impression about how life used to be). This notion is induced by the bias in its representation (false impression) in museums and heritage centres. As the statement agrees with the information, the answer is ‘TRUE’.

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