Dolls through the ages
Read Dolls through the ages and check the IELTS Reading answers. 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.
Passage preview
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 gap follows "was used for the" and the heading **Egypt, 2000 BC**, so it needs a **noun** naming a material. The passage describes Egyptian dolls built from **flat pieces of wood**, painted, with **hair** made of **clay**. The note's phrase about the hair matches the quoted word **hair** in the passage. The answer is copied verbatim and is one word. Wood is mentioned too, but that is the material for the bodies.
- 2. goddesses
The notes require a plural noun representing who received dolls from older girls in **ancient Greece and Rome**. The third paragraph 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**. The third paragraph 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**. The sixth paragraph 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**. The sixth paragraph 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. The sixth paragraph 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**. The fifth paragraph 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. The seventh paragraph 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 says **only** dolls made of cotton or linen count as **cloth dolls**. The paragraph on rag dolls defines **rag doll** as any fabric, then says **cloth doll** refers to a **subset** made of **linen or cotton**. So the term is restricted to those two fabrics, which supports the claim. The text states the definition directly, so the answer is TRUE, not NOT GIVEN.
- 11. TRUE
The statement says celluloid dolls tended to **lose their colour**. In the paragraph on dollmaking in the United States, the writer says celluloid fell out of favour because of its **extreme flammability** and **propensity to fade** in bright light. **Lose their colour** paraphrases **fade**, and propensity matches tended to. The claim is fully supported, so the answer is TRUE.
- 12. FALSE
The statement claims **composition dolls** lasted longer than the **plastic dolls** of the 1940s. The final paragraph 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 the final paragraph, it contains absolutely no information about what collectors prefer regarding a doll's clothing. Answer: NOT GIVEN.