200 Years of Australian Landscapes at the Royal Academy in London
Read 200 Years of Australian Landscapes at the Royal Academy in London and check the IELTS Reading answers. For the casual viewer, the exhibition of landscapes, Australia, selected by the Royal Academy of Art, will be a spectacular guide through Australian art history. Included in the exhibition ar…
Passage preview
For the casual viewer, the exhibition of landscapes, Australia, selected by the Royal Academy of Art, will be a spectacular guide through Australian art history. Included in the exhibition are a range of artists and styles, dating from the earliest days of colonial art and progressing through expressionism and modernism to the greats of the 20th century, culminating with the current generation of Australian artists. It is hardly surprising, then, that this results in a flexible, wide-ranging notion of landscape.
Vocabulary from this passage
11 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- authentic adjective
Of undisputed origin or authorship; entirely genuine and completely verifiable rather than a copy
Carbon dating unequivocally confirmed that the recently discovered manuscript was an authentic historical document.
- condescending adjective
Having or showing a distinct feeling of patronizing superiority toward others or their work
The critic's condescending review dismissed the young artist's innovative techniques as merely amateurish.
- conventional selection noun
A deliberate choice or curation made based on highly traditional or generally accepted academic standards
The modern gallery broke away from conventional selection criteria to feature strictly avant-garde pieces.
- culminate verb
To reach a significant climax or the point of highest development after prolonged effort
The decades of intensive research will culminate in a comprehensive publication next year.
- curate verb
To expertly select, intentionally organize, and professionally look after the items in a collection
The director worked tirelessly to curate an impressive collection of authentic indigenous artifacts.
- distinctiveness noun
The specific quality of being easily identifiable and structurally or visually different from others
The geographical isolation of the island heavily contributed to the distinctiveness of its wildlife.
- fusion noun
The overarching process or result of joining two or more complex things together organically
The contemporary architectural style represents a perfect fusion of traditional aesthetics and modern utility.
- idiosyncrasy noun
A distinctive mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual or distinct group
The species developed a unique behavioral idiosyncrasy to survive in the harsh desert environment.
- landmark exhibition noun
A highly significant or historically important public display of art, artifacts, or specific items
The museum hosted a landmark exhibition that completely redefined our understanding of modern abstract art.
- periphery noun
The outer limits, boundary, or edge of an area; representing a marginal or secondary position
Many marginalized communities remain permanently stuck on the economic periphery of the rapidly developing city.
- warrant verb
To firmly justify, validate, or necessitate a particular course of action, behavior, or outcome
The highly unusual preliminary findings certainly warrant further rigorous investigation by the scientific community.
Answers with explanations
- 27. NO
The statement suggests the artworks reflect a **narrow** interpretation of landscape. The text explicitly contradicts this by describing the result as a "**flexible, wide-ranging** notion of landscape." Answer: NO.
- 28. NOT GIVEN
The passage discusses the **Academy** choosing the theme and inviting criticism from Australians. However, there is no mention of the Academy formally receiving and **rejecting Australian suggestions** for the exhibition's subject. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 29. YES
The text confirms the statement. It explicitly states that early Australian landscape painting inevitably reflected **Britain's devotion** to landscape art due to their **colonial ties**. Answer: YES.
- 30. YES
The statement matches the curator's goal. She wanted the exhibition to show how Australian art developed a "**real distinctiveness**" (its own particular qualities) linked to its landscape and light. Answer: YES.
- 31. NO
The statement claims contemporary artists have **rejected** British traditions. The passage contradicts this, stating there is no denying that British landscape painting is "**still relevant** to a current generation" of practitioners. Answer: NO.
- 32. C
The writer discusses Joanna Mendelssohn's view that **British artistic values** have **directed this exhibition** instead of letting Australia show its own maturity. This aligns with option C, which states that Britain is still imposing its principles on Australian art. The other options misinterpret the dynamic being criticized.
- 33. B
The text explicitly states that Mendelssohn found it **surprising** that the **rules for the selection of works** were so **conservative** (traditional). Option B directly paraphrases this point. Other options do not reflect the specific cause of her surprise.
- 34. A
Shaun Gladwell’s work is featured because it combines the traditional landscape with his **own individualism**. This personal, unique approach matches option A's description of a **subjective approach**. Options mentioning skateboarding or storms focus on the content of the video rather than the artistic reason for its inclusion.
- 35. C
Soriano included Aboriginal art because it was important to present it as **part of Australian art history**, not as a **separate area**. Option C matches this by stating it is part of the tradition and not independent of it. The other options introduce unstated reasons.
- 36. A
Mendelssohn mentions **China** as an example of a new major global art market to support her argument that **London is increasingly less important** to artists today. Option A correctly captures this shift in importance. The text does not claim Shanghai art itself is more important than Australian art.
- 37. F
Despite the **conventional selection** (conservatism), the text states that the Royal Academy exhibition is **embracing the peculiarities** of Australian art. This aligns with ending F: showing an acceptance of the unique qualities of Australian art.
- 38. E
The curator notes that art from the **early to mid-1800s** clearly showed the influence of **English, French, or German art**. This perfectly matches ending E, which describes demonstrating a strong **European flavour**.
- 39. A
Gladwell’s modern work, **Storm Sequence**, was created when he was interested in how **atmosphere affects vision**. This correlates with ending A, which discusses reflecting the **mood created by the natural environment**.
- 40. C
Including **Aboriginal art** under the landscape theme is justified because it **started in and on the landscape**. This highlights ending C, demonstrating an understanding of the deep **historical importance of the land**.