A Brief History of Ballet
Read A Brief History of Ballet and check the IELTS Reading answers. Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance of the 15th century. The nobility were treated to extravagant events, especially wedding celebrations, where dancing and music created a detailed and fascinating spectacle. Dancing maste…
Passage preview
Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance of the 15th century. The nobility were treated to extravagant events, especially wedding celebrations, where dancing and music created a detailed and fascinating spectacle. Dancing masters taught the dance steps to the nobility, who participated in the performances.
Vocabulary from this passage
11 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- artifice noun
The use of clever or cunning devices, or a subtle trickery or artificiality that lacks genuine authenticity.
The director rejected cinematic artifice, opting instead for a documentary style with natural lighting.
- choreograph verb
To design and arrange the sequence of physical movements, steps, and patterns for a dance or theatrical performance.
The artistic director was commissioned to choreograph a new piece for the international festival.
- contemporary adjective
Belonging to or occurring in the present period; modern and reflective of current trends or ideas.
Contemporary social scientists study how social media algorithms influence public political discourse.
- depict verb
To represent or portray something through visual art, performance, or descriptive language in a detailed manner.
Historical novels often depict the harsh realities of everyday life during industrialization.
- forerunner noun
A person, object, or concept that precedes and signals the development or advent of something more advanced.
The early computing machines developed in the 1940s were the direct forerunner of modern microprocessors.
- incorporate verb
To include or integrate something as a part of a larger whole, combining distinct elements into a unified system.
The new curriculum designs incorporate digital literacy modules into traditional core subjects.
- long-standing tradition noun
A well-established custom, practice, or belief that has been passed down and maintained across generations.
The university maintains a long-standing tradition of hosting annual public debates on current ethical issues.
- patron noun
A person who provides financial or other support to artists, organizations, or causes, fostering cultural or scientific development.
The museum relies on wealthy patrons to fund its acquisitions of contemporary artwork.
- precision of movement noun
The quality of executing physical actions with exceptional accuracy, technical control, and minimal margin of error.
Classical ballet requires immense precision of movement to execute complex turns seamlessly.
- standardise verb
To cause something to conform to a uniform model or standard, ensuring consistency across a specific field or system.
Universities often standardise entry requirements to ensure a fair evaluation process for all applicants.
- undergo verb
To experience or be subjected to a significant process, transformation, or necessary series of changes.
The historic city center will undergo major infrastructural changes to reduce vehicular traffic.
Answers with explanations
- 1. TRUE
The statement claims the first ballet was for Italian upper classes. The text confirms that it **originated in the Italian Renaissance** and that the **nobility** (which means society's upper classes) were treated to these events. Because the text directly supports the claim, the answer is TRUE.
- 2. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims that *Ballet De la Nuit* was Louis XIV's favourite. The passage mentions that he **performed many roles himself, including that of the Sun King in Ballet de la Nuit**, but it never states which specific ballet was his absolute favourite. Because this specific preference is not mentioned, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 2-3: NOT GIVEN
2: The statement claims that *Ballet De la Nuit* was Louis XIV's favourite. The passage mentions that he **performed many roles himself, including that of the Sun King in Ballet de la Nuit**, but it never states which specific ballet was his absolute favourite. Because this specific preference is not mentioned, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
3: The statement says the strong link between ballet and opera was challenged in mid-18th century France. The text states that in the **mid-18th century**, a French ballet master **rebelled against the artifice of opera-ballet**, arguing that it could **stand on its own**. "Rebelled against" directly means it was challenged. Therefore, the statement is TRUE.
- 3. TRUE
The statement says the strong link between ballet and opera was challenged in mid-18th century France. The text states that in the **mid-18th century**, a French ballet master **rebelled against the artifice of opera-ballet**, arguing that it could **stand on its own**. "Rebelled against" directly means it was challenged. Therefore, the statement is TRUE.
- 3-4: A
3: The statement says the strong link between ballet and opera was challenged in mid-18th century France. The text states that in the **mid-18th century**, a French ballet master **rebelled against the artifice of opera-ballet**, arguing that it could **stand on its own**. "Rebelled against" directly means it was challenged. Therefore, the statement is TRUE.
4: The statement claims that the majority of dancers in the first half of the 19th century were women. While the text mentions that ballets of the time **showed women as passive and fragile** and that pointe work became normal for the ballerina, it does not provide any statistical information regarding whether the **majority** of all dancers were women. Thus, it is NOT GIVEN.
- 4. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims that the majority of dancers in the first half of the 19th century were women. While the text mentions that ballets of the time **showed women as passive and fragile** and that pointe work became normal for the ballerina, it does not provide any statistical information regarding whether the **majority** of all dancers were women. Thus, it is NOT GIVEN.
- 5. FALSE
The statement claims 19th-century Russian choreographers mostly wanted to tell a story. The text directly contradicts this by stating the **primary purpose of Russian ballet in this period was to display classical technique**. Because their main interest was technique rather than storytelling, the correct answer is FALSE.
- 6. NOT GIVEN
The statement says the classical tutu was very popular with ballerinas when first introduced. The text explains that the classical tutu **was introduced in the second half of the century** to reveal legs and emphasize footwork. However, it gives no information about how the ballerinas felt about it or whether it was **popular** with them. Therefore, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 7. NOT GIVEN
The statement specifies that George Balanchine began his career in New York. The passage introduces him as **the greatest innovator of the contemporary "plotless" ballet**, but it contains absolutely no geographical information regarding where he **began his ballet career**. Because this detail is missing, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 8. ["floating","lightness"]
The note requires a word describing what the shoes make the dancing seem like. The text states they **create an illusion of lightness** and give a sense that the dancer is **floating on air**. Both "lightness" and "floating" perfectly capture the visual illusion described and fit the one-word limit. Both are accepted.
- 9. delicate
The note mentions that their appearance is misleading. The text explicitly states that **they look very delicate**, but that they **are, in fact, quite the opposite** (which means the appearance is misleading). The word "delicate" acts as the required adjective to complete the note.
- 10. box
The note describes materials inside the tip forming something. The passage directly explains that **The tip of the shoe is a rigid box** created from **densely packed layers of fabric, cardboard or paper**. The noun "box" accurately completes the description.
- 11. glue
The gap needs the substance used to make the materials tougher. The text describes how the layers of material are **hardened by glue**. In this context, "hardened" means to make tougher, so "glue" is the exact one-word answer required.
- 12. hammer
The note asks what tool is used to prepare the shoes. The passage details that dancers break in their new shoes **by pounding the box of the shoe with a hammer**. The noun "hammer" correctly fits the grammatical structure and the factual detail of the sentence.
- 13. ["100-120","120","100 to 120"]
The note requires the maximum number of pairs worn in a single season. The text specifies a professional ballerina can use **100-120 pairs of pointe shoes** per season. The hyphenated range "100-120" counts as a single word/number combination under IELTS rules, fitting the instruction exactly.