Practical Learning in the Classroom
Read Practical Learning in the Classroom and check the IELTS Reading answers. The way we think about architecture in schools has come along way. Once, studying architecture in the art class meant learning to appreciate great buildings art- history style, through slide presentations. In recent years…
Passage preview
The way we think about architecture in schools has come along way. Once, studying architecture in the art class meant learning to appreciate great buildings art- history style, through slide presentations. In recent years, though, the American Institute of Architects has fostered the idea that the process of architectural design, not just the appreciation of architecture, is a beneficial aspect of the art curriculum (Sadler, 1989).
Vocabulary from this passage
7 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- experiential adjective
Involving or based on observation and practical experience rather than theory
The internship provided experiential learning that textbooks could not offer.
- feasible adjective
Possible to do easily or conveniently; likely to succeed
With the new funding, the construction project became financially feasible.
- foster verb
To encourage or promote the development of something
The teacher tried to foster a sense of community within the classroom.
- preservation noun
The action of maintaining something in its original or existing state
The society is dedicated to the preservation of historic buildings.
- prohibit verb
To formally forbid something by law, rule, or other authority
Strict safety regulations prohibit the use of mobile phones in the laboratory.
- rehabilitation noun
The action of restoring something that has been damaged to its former condition
The old factory underwent rehabilitation to become a modern art gallery.
- sustainability noun
The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level, often regarding environmental resources
The company emphasized sustainability by reducing its carbon footprint.
Answers with explanations
- 27. C
The question asks what initiative the **American Institute of Architects** promotes. The passage clearly states they foster the idea that the **process of architectural design** is a beneficial aspect of the curriculum. This aligns perfectly with the option 'the practice of designing architectural structures'. The other options either discuss past practices (like history slides) or are unsupported.
- 28. B
The question asks for the **problem** with teaching architecture noted in the third paragraph. The text states that the technology and expertise required can **prohibit students from actually realizing their designs**. This directly supports the correct option that students cannot always construct their designs. It does not say they lack motivation or that courses are unavailable.
- 29. A
The question asks for the **greatest benefit** of a traditional architecture project. The text highlights that 'most significantly', it motivates students to invest intellectually and emotionally in the outcome. This deep emotional and intellectual investment directly corresponds to a 'personal connection to the end result', making it the correct choice.
- 30. B
The eighth paragraph outlines how a single earthen project can draw students into design, soil chemistry, structural dynamics, and math skills. Its main purpose is to **outline the multiple skills involved** in a single project. The paragraph focuses on interdisciplinary integration rather than strictly explaining why projects should be small or making proposals.
- 31. D
The question asks what the writer says about the general population and traditional building. The passage details three distinct reasons people are drawn to it: cultural heritage, quality of living, and sustainability. This explicitly supports the option that **people are attracted to earthen architecture for different reasons**.
- 32. D
The blank requires a noun identifying what the old building was being used for. The text states that the adobe structure was currently serving as a place 'where old furniture could be kept'. Keeping old furniture is synonymous with **storage** (Option D), which grammatically and logically fits the summary.
- 33. C
The summary needs a noun explaining what made the building functionally worthy of rehabilitation. The passage explains that the **building's design** kept it warm in winter and cool in summer, leading students to agree it was worth preserving. Therefore, **design** (Option C) is the correct choice to describe its functional merits.
- 34. F
The blank asks what the students learned to locate. The text notes that preservationist Shalie Gasper showed them where to find local 'supplies of sand and clay soil'. These supplies act as the physical building materials, effectively translating to **resources** (Option F).
- 35. A
The blank requires a noun representing the people the students worked closely with. The passage mentions that Gasper and other **local specialists** joined them to teach traditional skills. 'Specialists' is synonymous with **experts** (Option A), which correctly identifies the professionals guiding the students.
- 36. G
The blank asks what students were given to build useful skills. The passage states that the specialists gave the class 'three full mornings of intensive workshops' on various techniques. Workshops serve as an educational process, synonymous with **training** (Option G), which grammatically fits the summary.
- 37. NO
The statement claims the **price of materials** is a **drawback** to traditional architecture. However, the passage explicitly states that traditional materials like earth, clay, and straw are **cheap**. Since being cheap is an advantage, not a drawback, the statement directly contradicts the writer's claims. Answer: NO.
- 38. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims earthen structures can be easily built in **all regions of the U.S.** While the text discusses hand-built earthen structures in New Mexico and the accessibility of materials there, it never claims that they can be easily built across the entire United States. Because this scope is absent, the Answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 39. YES
The statement suggests that traditional earthen structure work has **physical benefits**. The passage confirms this by listing various activities a student does during the project, ending with the fact that they will **exercise muscles**. Exercising muscles is a clear physical benefit. Answer: YES.
- 40. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims the curriculum is **best suited** to middle school level students. The writer says their experiment convinced them traditional architecture deserves a place in the regular curriculum, and they did this with middle schoolers, but they never state it is *best* suited solely for this age group compared to others. Answer: NOT GIVEN.