Sydney Opera House
Read Sydney Opera House and check the IELTS Reading answers. In 1956 the Premier of New South Wales, Australia, announced an international competition for the design of an opera house for Sydney. It attracted more than 200 entries from around the world and was won by Jørn Utzon, a relatively little…
Passage preview
In 1956 the Premier of New South Wales, Australia, announced an international competition for the design of an opera house for Sydney. It attracted more than 200 entries from around the world and was won by Jørn Utzon, a relatively little-known architect from Denmark. The story goes that during the judging of the competition, one judge, American architect Eero Saarinen, arrived in Sydney after the other three judges had started assessing the entries. He looked through their rejected entries and stopped at the Utzon design, declaring it to be outstanding.
Vocabulary from this passage
9 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- acoustics noun
The specific properties or physical qualities of a space that determine how sound waves behave and are perceived.
The concert hall was carefully designed to ensure flawless acoustics for unamplified orchestral performances.
- architectural integrity noun
The degree to which a building authentically retains its original design principles, structural logic, and aesthetic characteristics.
Modern renovations must respect the architectural integrity of historical buildings to maintain their cultural heritage.
- colonnade noun
A classical architectural feature consisting of a long sequence of columns joined by an entablature or structural roof.
Visitors entering the museum are immediately struck by the grand marble colonnade framing the courtyard.
- cost overrun noun
An unexpected financial expense that exceeds the initially budgeted or estimated amount for a specific project.
Severe cost overruns forced the local government to completely reevaluate the feasibility of the infrastructure project.
- innovative technique noun
An advanced, highly original method or approach applied to solve complex problems or construct new systems.
Engineers employed innovative techniques to secure the foundation of the bridge against seismic activity.
- maritime adjective
Connected with the sea, especially in relation to seafaring, navigation, commercial shipping, or military naval activity.
The nation leveraged its extensive maritime history to develop an advanced naval defense strategy.
- precast adjective
Manufactured and cast into its final structural shape at a factory before being transported to a construction site.
The use of precast concrete panels significantly accelerated the timeline of the skyscraper's construction.
- prominent adjective
Holding an important, influential, or highly visible position within a particular professional field or societal structure.
Several prominent scientists co-authored the definitive academic study on anthropogenic climate change.
- reinstate verb
To restore a person, policy, or object to a former position, condition, or state of authority.
The committee voted to reinstate the strict environmental regulations following the devastating ecological report.
Answers with explanations
- 1. FALSE
The statement claims Utzon was **famous** before this project. The text directly contradicts this by describing him as a **relatively little-known architect** when he won the competition. Therefore, the answer is FALSE.
- 2. FALSE
The question asks if all **four judges favoured** his design from the beginning. The passage reveals that one judge had to rescue the design from the **rejected entries** discarded by the other three. Because it was initially rejected, they did not favour it from the beginning. The answer is FALSE.
- 2-3: F
2: The question asks if all **four judges favoured** his design from the beginning. The passage reveals that one judge had to rescue the design from the **rejected entries** discarded by the other three. Because it was initially rejected, they did not favour it from the beginning. The answer is FALSE.
3: The statement asserts that his **knowledge of boats gave him the idea** for parts of the building. The text supports this, stating his **early exposure to shipbuilding** (knowledge of boats) provided the **inspiration for the design** (ideas for parts). Thus, the answer is TRUE.
- 3. TRUE
The statement asserts that his **knowledge of boats gave him the idea** for parts of the building. The text supports this, stating his **early exposure to shipbuilding** (knowledge of boats) provided the **inspiration for the design** (ideas for parts). Thus, the answer is TRUE.
- 3-4: B
3: The statement asserts that his **knowledge of boats gave him the idea** for parts of the building. The text supports this, stating his **early exposure to shipbuilding** (knowledge of boats) provided the **inspiration for the design** (ideas for parts). Thus, the answer is TRUE.
4: The passage confirms he traveled to Mexico and was inspired to use a wide platform. However, it does not mention if he saw **opera houses** there, nor does it say whether he was **impressed** by them. Because this specific information is missing, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 4. NOT GIVEN
The passage confirms he traveled to Mexico and was inspired to use a wide platform. However, it does not mention if he saw **opera houses** there, nor does it say whether he was **impressed** by them. Because this specific information is missing, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 5. TRUE
The statement claims he **changed his designs in the 1960s** after construction started. The text confirms that construction began in 1959 and he **amended his original designs** (changed his designs) throughout the **early 1960s**. The answer is TRUE.
- 6. TRUE
The statement says **Seidler defended Utzon's role**. The text confirms this by noting that Seidler led street protests **demanding that Utzon be reinstated as architect**. Organizing protests to get Utzon his job back is a clear defense of his role. Therefore, the answer is TRUE.
- 7. FALSE
The question claims he **went back to Australia in 1973**. The passage explicitly states that after leaving in 1966, **He never returned**. This completely contradicts the claim, making the answer FALSE.
- 8. 102 million
We need the **Final cost** to complete the note with the '
#39; symbol. The passage specifies that by its formal completion in 1973, the project had cost **102 million**. The answer grammatically fits the requirement of ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER. - 9. Sweden
The note seeks the origin location of the **million tiles**. The passage details that there were over a million tiles (1,056,006) and that they were manufactured in a factory in **Sweden**. This provides the exact origin needed for the answer.
- 10. granite
The gap asks for a material **from Australia** that covers the **outside walls**. The text states that the building's **exterior** (outside) is clad with **granite** quarried in Australia. Therefore, the correct completion is 'granite'.
- 11. four
The note requires a number specifying how many **performing-arts companies** have their **home base** there. The text states that the Opera House is home to **four resident companies** ('resident' implies a home base). Therefore, the number is four.
- 12. forecourt
We are looking for a noun describing a **large** space at the foot of a **wide staircase**. The passage identifies a **sizeable** (large) **forecourt** that sits at the base of steps that are **nearly 100 metres wide**. Thus, 'forecourt' is the correct answer.
- 13. harbour
The summary notes that structural openings made something **visible from foyers**. The text explains that the new colonnade and openings enabled patrons to see the **harbour** from the **theatre foyers**. The missing word is 'harbour'.