Fishbourne Roman Palace
Read Fishbourne Roman Palace and check the IELTS Reading answers. Fishbourne Roman Palace is in the village of Fishbourne in West Sussex, England. This large palace was built in the 1st century AD, around thirty years after the Roman conquest of Britain, on the site of Roman army grain stores that…
Passage preview
Fishbourne Roman Palace is in the village of Fishbourne in West Sussex, England. This large palace was built in the 1st century AD, around thirty years after the Roman conquest of Britain, on the site of Roman army grain stores that had been established after the invasion during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius in 43 AD. The rectangular palace was built around formal gardens, the northern half of which has been reconstructed. There were extensive alterations in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, with many of the original black-and-white mosaic floors being overlaid with more sophisticated coloured ones, including a perfectly preserved mosaic of a dolphin in the north wing. More alterations were in progress when the palace burnt down in around 270 AD, after which it was abandoned.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- archaeological excavation noun
The systematic and scientific recovery and study of material remains of past human life and culture.
The archaeological excavation revealed a complex network of underground tunnels previously used for ancient trade.
- authentic adjective
Of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine, verifiable, and accurately representing historical facts or reality.
The national museum exhibition features authentic pottery fragments recovered from early Mesopotamian settlements.
- commemorate verb
To serve as a memorial to; to recall and formally show respect for someone or an event.
The ancient city erected a grand marble arch to commemorate the emperor's decisive military victory.
- dismantle verb
To take a machine or structure to pieces systematically; to deconstruct an organization or physical system.
The engineering team had to safely dismantle the obsolete nuclear reactor over a period of ten years.
- excavate verb
To systematically remove earth carefully and scientifically in order to find buried archaeological remains.
Archaeologists plan to excavate the ancient ruins to uncover artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age.
- extensive alteration noun
Significant and widespread changes, modifications, or adjustments made to an existing structure, system, or document.
The historical building underwent extensive alteration to meet modern safety and accessibility regulations.
- monumental adjective
Great in importance, extent, or size; comparable to a monument in physical massiveness or historical significance.
The construction of the Roman aqueducts was a monumental engineering achievement of the ancient world.
- outlast verb
To live, exist, or remain functional longer than someone or something else; to endure beyond a specific period.
High-quality infrastructure from the Roman era has managed to outlast many modern, cheaper constructions.
- plausibly adverb
In a way that seems reasonable, believable, or probable given the available empirical evidence or logic.
The rapid decline of the empire can plausibly be attributed to prolonged agricultural failures and internal strife.
- systematic adjective
Done or acting according to a fixed plan, highly organized method, or rigorously structured process.
Researchers conducted a systematic review of the historical literature to identify gaps in the current methodology.
Answers with explanations
- 1. FALSE
The text explicitly states that the palace was **built** on a site that previously held **Roman army grain stores**. Therefore, the palace was not the **first structure** to be built on the site, making the statement FALSE.
- 2. TRUE
The text confirms that the palace underwent **extensive alterations** during multiple centuries, and further **alterations** were in progress when it burned down. Because it was changed **more than once**, the statement is TRUE.
- 2-3: base
2: The text confirms that the palace underwent **extensive alterations** during multiple centuries, and further **alterations** were in progress when it burned down. Because it was changed **more than once**, the statement is TRUE.
3: The passage states the palace was **approximately equivalent** to the **Roman palaces in Italy** in size. The question claims it was **large in comparison** (implying it was larger), which contradicts the passage. Thus, it is FALSE.
- 3. FALSE
The passage states the palace was **approximately equivalent** to the **Roman palaces in Italy** in size. The question claims it was **large in comparison** (implying it was larger), which contradicts the passage. Thus, it is FALSE.
- 3-4: C
3: The passage states the palace was **approximately equivalent** to the **Roman palaces in Italy** in size. The question claims it was **large in comparison** (implying it was larger), which contradicts the passage. Thus, it is FALSE.
4: The text states that an **ongoing archaeological excavation** (meaning **research is continuing**) is taking place on the site of **nearby** buildings (**close to** the palace). Therefore, the statement is TRUE.
- 4. TRUE
The text states that an **ongoing archaeological excavation** (meaning **research is continuing**) is taking place on the site of **nearby** buildings (**close to** the palace). Therefore, the statement is TRUE.
- 5. FALSE
The text clearly states that there are a **number of theories** regarding who lived in the palace, and it proceeds to list several possibilities (Cogidubnus, Lucullus, Verica, Catuarus). Since the researchers do not **agree on the identity**, the statement is FALSE.
- 6. NOT GIVEN
The passage states that the palace was **destroyed in a fire** (or **burnt down**). However, it does not provide any information regarding who started the fire or whether **local people** were responsible. Thus, the statement is NOT GIVEN.
- 7. ["Roman army","army"]
To complete the note about buildings containing **food** (grain stores), we locate the description of the first structures. The passage says they were **Roman army grain stores**. Either 'Roman army' or 'army' correctly completes the grammatical structure.
- 8. formal gardens
The question asks what the **palace building surrounded**. The text states it was **built around** the **formal gardens**. This exact noun phrase fits the note perfectly.
- 9. ["mosaic floors","floors"]
The notes ask what had **colour** added to it in the **2nd and 3rd centuries**. The text notes the **original black-and-white mosaic floors** were covered with **coloured ones**. Therefore, 'mosaic floors' is the correct answer.
- 10. wall
The notes ask what was the **first part** of the palace **to be found** (discovered). The passage indicates that in 1960, workmen **accidentally uncovered a wall**. Thus, 'wall' is the correct noun.
- 11. 93
The question requires a number (an AD date) to indicate until when **Sallustius Lucullus** might have lived there. The text states he was **executed** in or shortly after **93 AD**, meaning he could only have lived there until approximately **93**.
- 12. ["gold ring","ring"]
The note refers to the discovery relating to **Catuarus**. The text confirms the finding of a **gold ring** belonging to him. Both 'gold ring' and 'ring' correctly complete the sentence grammatically.
- 13. ["modern museum","museum"]
The question asks what has been **built on the site to help protect it** (preserve the remains). The passage says a **modern museum** (or simply 'museum') was built for this purpose.