The Sydney Opera House Reading answers | IELTS General Reading Practice Test Reading Answers

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 

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?

Write
YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO, if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

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. 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.

1. Answer: Yes 
Explanation: Paragraph 1 -  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. 

2. Answer: Yes 
Explanation: Paragraph 1 - … having been completed in 1973 after 14 years of passionate debate and at a cost of about £60 million.

3. Answer: No 
Explanation: Paragraph 2 - yet few would deny that it is a great contribution to world architecture. 

4. Answer: Yes 
Explanation: Paragraph 3 - The Opera House was designed by Jorn Utzon, a well-known Danish architect who won an international competition in the late 1950s. 

5. Answer: Not given 
Explanation: The particular information is not available in the passage. 

6. Answer: No 
Explanation: Paragraph 4 -  Rehearsal rooms and other facilities for the many theatres inside the complex were either drastically reduced or eliminated,...