Dolls through the ages
Read Dolls through the ages and check the IELTS Reading answers. What is today a simple children's toy has a surprisingly rich history. Dolls have been a part of humankind for thousands of years. Often depicting religious figures, or used as playthings, early dolls were probably made from primitive…
Passage preview
What is today a simple children's toy has a surprisingly rich history. Dolls have been a part of humankind for thousands of years. Often depicting religious figures, or used as playthings, early dolls were probably made from primitive materials such as clay, fur, or wood.
Vocabulary from this passage
9 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- artistry noun
Creative skill or ability, especially when applied to the design or arrangement of something
The intricate artistry of the ancient vase suggests a highly developed culture.
- cherish verb
To protect and care for someone or something lovingly; to hold something dear
Freedom of speech is a cherished principle in democratic societies.
- depict verb
To show or represent something by a drawing, painting, or other art form; to describe
The data depicts a strong correlation between education levels and income.
- durable adjective
Able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; having a long useful life
Concrete is a durable material widely used in urban infrastructure projects.
- predecessor noun
A thing that has been followed or replaced by another; an ancestor
The new operating system is significantly faster and more stable than its predecessor.
- primitive adjective
Relating to an early stage in the evolutionary or historical development of something
Early astronomers used primitive instruments to map the movement of stars.
- propensity noun
A natural tendency to behave in a particular way or for something to happen
The chemical has a propensity to degrade rapidly when exposed to direct sunlight.
- unrivalled adjective
Better than everyone or everything of the same type; having no equal or competitor
The museum boasts an unrivalled collection of prehistoric artifacts.
- withstand verb
To remain undamaged or unaffected by; to resist or offer strong opposition to
The structure was designed to withstand earthquakes of significant magnitude.
Answers with explanations
- 1. clay
The notes ask what was used for the hair of dolls in **Egypt** around **2000 BC**. Paragraph B describes dolls found in Egyptian graves from that era with **'hair' made of clay**. The word 'clay' fits grammatically as a noun describing the material.
- 2. goddesses
The notes require a plural noun representing who received dolls from older girls in **ancient Greece and Rome**. Paragraph C explains that these girls offered their dolls to **goddesses** when they became too **grown-up**. 'Goddesses' is the correct recipient.
- 2-3: tree
2: The notes require a plural noun representing who received dolls from older girls in **ancient Greece and Rome**. Paragraph C explains that these girls offered their dolls to **goddesses** when they became too **grown-up**. 'Goddesses' is the correct recipient.
3: The question asks what, along with clothes, could be put in different positions on realistic dolls. The text states that the desire for lifelike dolls led to creations with **movable limbs** and **removable garments** (separate clothes). The plural noun 'limbs' fits perfectly.
- 3. limbs
The question asks what, along with clothes, could be put in different positions on realistic dolls. The text states that the desire for lifelike dolls led to creations with **movable limbs** and **removable garments** (separate clothes). The plural noun 'limbs' fits perfectly.
- 3-4: D
3: The question asks what, along with clothes, could be put in different positions on realistic dolls. The text states that the desire for lifelike dolls led to creations with **movable limbs** and **removable garments** (separate clothes). The plural noun 'limbs' fits perfectly.
4: The notes refer to a material from which dolls were made that became more common during the **17th and 18th centuries**. Paragraph F explicitly states that **wax dolls grew in popularity** during this specific time period. 'Wax' is the correct material noun.
- 4. wax
The notes refer to a material from which dolls were made that became more common during the **17th and 18th centuries**. Paragraph F explicitly states that **wax dolls grew in popularity** during this specific time period. 'Wax' is the correct material noun.
- 5. plaster
The question asks what material was used to make moulds during this era. Paragraph F describes the process where dollmakers covered a modeled head with **plaster to create a mould**. The noun 'plaster' perfectly matches the grammatical requirement for the material.
- 6. composition
The notes need a term for a new **mixture** used in manufacturing during the **1800s**. Paragraph E defines **'Composition'** as a **collective term for mixtures** of pulped wood or paper used for doll making. The noun 'composition' fits the blank perfectly.
- 7. FALSE
The statement claims bisque dolls are less realistic than china dolls. Paragraph G directly contradicts this by stating that **bisque looked more like skin than china did**, meaning bisque dolls appeared *more* realistic, not less. Answer: FALSE.
- 8. TRUE
The statement says **French dolls** tended to cost more. The passage confirms this by explaining that **German bisque dolls** became quite popular because they were **not as expensive** as the French dolls. This confirms the relative price difference. Answer: TRUE.
- 9. FALSE
The statement claims the *first* rag dolls were made in the **1850s**. The text contradicts this, stating mothers made them **For many centuries**. The 1850s date refers specifically to when commercially produced rag dolls were introduced, not the first ever made. Answer: FALSE.
- 10. TRUE
The statement claims the **cloth doll** classification depends strictly on cotton or linen. The passage provides the exact definition: 'Cloth doll' refers to a subset of rag dolls made of **linen or cotton**, confirming this specific classification is limited to those two materials. Answer: TRUE.
- 11. TRUE
The statement indicates **celluloid** dolls lost their color. Paragraph J confirms this by stating celluloid fell out of favor partly due to its **propensity to fade in bright light**. Fading is synonymous with losing color. Answer: TRUE.
- 12. FALSE
The statement claims **composition dolls** lasted longer than the **plastic dolls** of the 1940s. Paragraph K directly contradicts this, stating that the hard plastic dolls resembled composition dolls, but they were **much more durable**. 'More durable' means the plastic ones lasted longer. Answer: FALSE.
- 13. NOT GIVEN
The statement makes a claim about the preferences of modern **doll collectors** regarding **original clothing**. While the text mentions 'collectible dolls' being made by modern dollmakers in paragraph K, it contains absolutely no information about what collectors prefer regarding a doll's clothing. Answer: NOT GIVEN.