Beauty Through the Ages Reading Answers

Jul 31, 2025

Beauty Through the Ages Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Beauty Through the Ages Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions, such as state whether the statement is true, false or not given with the information given in the text. Choose the correct letter. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each.

The IELTS Reading section is an essential part of the test that evaluates a candidate's comprehension and analysis of various passage types. You will work through a number of IELTS reading practice problems in this section that resemble actual test situations. These questions are designed to help you improve your ability to recognise essential concepts, extract particular facts, and make inferences. Practising these IELTS reading problems can help you get comfortable with the structure and increase your confidence for the exam, regardless of whether you are studying for the Academic or General Training module.

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Section 1

BEAUTY THROUGH THE AGES

In the ancient world, ideals of beauty were closely connected with cultural, social, and philosophical perspectives. Greece, for instance, celebrated the concept of “kalos kagathos”, which emphasised finding a balance between physical attractiveness and moral virtue. The Greeks admired youthful, athletic bodies, considering them a reflection of a person's discipline and commitment to excellence.

Meanwhile, in Ancient Egypt, beauty was seen as a divine quality, connected with the gods and the heavens. Smooth, perfect skin and symmetrical features were valued, and cosmetics were used not only to look more beautiful but also as a form of spiritual expression. In contrast, Roman ideals of beauty often centred around a more tough and well-built physique, reflecting the importance of strength and vitality in their militaristic society. As we moved into the early Middle Ages, around the 5th century, the influence of Christian beliefs led to less emphasis on physical appearance. In fact, too much care of the body or the use of makeup were often discouraged. The ideal of feminine beauty shifted towards a more modest and plain appearance. Pale skin remained desirable, but excessive efforts to achieve it were discouraged. This period saw a move away from celebrating physical attractiveness, and the focus shifted towards inner virtues and religious devotion.

During the Renaissance period, ideals of female and male beauty underwent another notable transformation. For women, the ideal moved back towards a more rounded figure, characterised by a full bosom, a softly defined waist, and rounded hips. This represented fertility and motherly

qualities, reflecting societal values of the time. Fair skin was also highly prized, as it signified nobility and a life of leisure, away from manual labour. Later, in the Baroque Era an even more voluptuous female figure became fashionable in Europe, characterised by a shape with big curves.

In the Victorian era, which spanned from the early 19th century to the early 20th century, ideals of male and female beauty changed again. For women, ideas about beauty revolved around a delicate, modest appearance. Pale, porcelain-like skin was considered a sign of elegance and virtue, and was achieved through the use of cosmetics like lead-based face powders. A very small waist was considered ideal and was achieved by the use of a corset, a garment which could be tightened to significantly reduce the size of the user's waistline. The small waist emphasised a woman's ability to follow the society's standards of grace and modesty. Additionally, full, rounded hips and a generous bust were admired, reflecting the era's idealisation of motherhood and domesticity. As for men, the Victorian ideal of beauty involved a tough, well-groomed appearance. A strong, upright posture was favoured, indicating discipline and self-control. A full, well-trimmed beard was often seen as a symbol of masculinity and maturity, while a tailored suit emphasised a man's social status.

The 1920s marked a seismic shift in ideals of male and female beauty, reflecting the Cultural Revolution of the Jazz Age. For women, the “flapper” aesthetic emerged as a symbol of liberation and rebellion against traditional norms. The ideal flapper possessed a slender, boyish figure, with a straight shape that rejected the hourglass figure of previous eras. Bobbed hair and a carefree, genderless appearance became celebrated, as did a more liberated attitude towards makeup and fashion. Dark smoky eyes and vibrant red lips became symbols of the era's bold and experimental spirit. In contrast, male beauty ideals also underwent transformation. The lean, athletic build of the ideal male reflected the influence Of Hollywood icons like Rudolph Valentino. A clean-shaven face was favoured, and well-groomed hair became a sign of modernity and sophistication.

The 1960s witnessed another revolution in ideals of beauty that mirrored the profound cultural shifts of the era. For women, the prevailing aesthetic was epitomised by the emergence of the “mod” look, characterised by a slender, youthful frame. Twiggy, a model who one could even call skinny, became the iconic face of this era, popularising the notion of the “coltish” girl. The emphasis on a slim physique and androgynous features clearly contrasted with the curvier, more voluptuous ideals of the previous decades. Makeup trends shifted towards bold, graphic statements, with heavy eyeliner and vibrant eyeshadows at the forefront. In contrast, male beauty ideals took on a more youthful and relaxed tone. The clean-cut, all-American look of icons like the Beatles and James Dean set the standard. Longer hair for men became a symbol of rebellion against conventional norms, while a toned, natural physique was favoured.

By the 1980s, things had changed again. This time period brought about an exercise-crazed phenomenon. Workout videos were all the rage, encouraging women to be slim, but also fit and athletic. This era also saw an upswing in anorexia, thought by some experts to be caused by an

widespread obsession with exercise.

The 1990s brought in a unique blend of natural beauty ideals and a rejection of the highly stylized looks of previous decades. For women, a minimalist approach became popular, with models like Kate Moss leading the “heroin chic” movement. The ideal female beauty of the 90s was characterised by a slender physique, often accompanied by a more androgynous, tomboyish style. This departure from the more voluptuous figures of the 80s was a reaction to the perceived excesses of the previous era. Makeup trends favoured a more plain, “no-makeup” look, with a focus on natural tones and understated lip colours. Men, too, embraced a more relaxed aesthetic. The “grunge” movement popularised by bands like Nirvana championed a rugged, unkempt appearance. This was reflected in fashion with loose-fitting, casual clothing.

Fashion never stays the same, and neither do people's ideas about what ideal male and female beauty should be. Our ideals seem to be continuously moving through cycles. The truth is, it can be hard to keep up!

Questions 14-18

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? Write

TRUE — if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE — if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN — if there is no information on this

14. In Ancient Greece, beauty was connected with moral character.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “Greece, for instance, celebrated the concept of “kalos kagathos”, which emphasised finding a balance between physical attractiveness and moral virtue.”

Keywords: Greece, attractiveness and moral

Keyword Location: Para 1, Lines 1-2

Explanation: The phrase balance between physical attractiveness and moral virtue confirms that in Ancient Greece, beauty was directly linked to moral character.

15. Ancient Romans considered soft and youthful features ideal for both genders.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “Roman ideals of beauty often centred around a more tough and well-built physique, reflecting the importance of strength and vitality in their militaristic society.”

Keywords: Roman ideals, physique, strength and vitality

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 4-5

Explanation: The Romans valued a strong and well-built look, not soft or youthful features. The statement contradicts the information in the passage.

16. Middle Ages discouraged women from using beauty products.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “In fact, too much care of the body or the use of makeup were often discouraged.”

Keywords: makeup, discouraged

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 7-8

Explanation: The passage clearly states that the use of makeup was discouraged during this period due to the influence of Christian beliefs.

17. The Renaissance ideal for women included a muscular figure.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “The ideal moved back towards a more rounded figure, characterised by a full bosom, a softly defined waist, and rounded hips.”

Keywords: rounded figure, defined waist, rounded hips

Keyword Location: Para 3, Lines 2-3

Explanation: According to the passage, the Renaissance beauty ideal focused on softness and curves, not muscularity.

18. Victorian women sometimes used harmful products to look more attractive.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “Pale, porcelain-like skin was considered a sign of elegance and virtue, and was achieved through the use of cosmetics like lead-based face powders.”

Keywords: porcelain-like skin, lead-based

Keyword Location: Para 4, Lines 3-4

Explanation: According to the passage, Lead-based cosmetics are harmful, and the passage confirms that Victorian women used them to enhance their appearance.

Question 19-22

Choose the correct letter.

19. What was the ideal male appearance during the Victorian era?

A. Slim and youthful with long hair

B. Clean-shaven with a casual outfit

C. Disciplined posture with a well-groomed beard

D. Athletic build with no facial hair

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “The Victorian ideal of beauty involved a tough, well-groomed appearance… A strong, upright posture was favoured… A full, well-trimmed beard was often seen as a symbol of masculinity and maturity…”

Keywords: Victorian ideal, upright posture, masculinity and maturity

Keyword Location: Para 4, Lines 9-10

Explanation: The passage directly describes disciplined posture and a well-groomed beard as key aspects of male beauty in the Victorian era.

20. The 1920s flapper look symbolised:

A. A return to traditional femininity

B. A celebration of motherhood

C. A rebellious shift from older ideals

D. Preference for pale skin and corsets

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “the “flapper” aesthetic emerged as a symbol of liberation and rebellion against traditional norms.”

Keywords: flapper, symbol, liberation and rebellion

Keyword Location: Para 5, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The passage explicitly connects the flapper style with rebellion and breaking away from traditional feminine ideals.

21. The “mod” look of the 1960s was characterised by:

A. Curves and heavy makeup

B. Full hips and red lips

C. Pale skin and tight corsets

D. Youthful thinness and dramatic eye makeup

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “The prevailing aesthetic was… a slender, youthful frame… Twiggy… popularising the notion of the ‘coltish’ girl… Makeup trends shifted towards bold, graphic statements, with heavy eyeliner and vibrant eyeshadows…”

Keywords: prevailing aesthetic, bold, statements

Keyword Location: Para 6, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The mod look emphasised slim, androgynous features and bold eye makeup, matching option D.

22. The shift in the 1990s towards minimalism was influenced by:

A. The increasing popularity of workout videos

B. A reaction to the extremes of the 1980s

C. A return to Victorian standards

D. Greater access to beauty products

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “This departure from the more voluptuous figures of the 80s was a reaction to the perceived excesses of the previous era.”

Keywords: voluptuous figures, previous era

Keyword Location: Para 8, Lines 5-6

Explanation: According to the passage, the minimalist style of the 1990s was in direct contrast to the extreme fitness and glamour of the 1980s.

Questions 23-26

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each.

23. Ancient Egyptian beauty was thought to have a connection with_______.

Answer: THE GODS

Supporting statement: “In Ancient Egypt, beauty was seen as a divine quality, connected with the gods and the heavens.”

Keywords: Ancient Egypt, divine quality, gods and the heavens

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 1-2

Explanation: The passage directly links beauty in Ancient Egypt with divinity and the gods.

24. The Baroque era idealised a female body that was extremely__________.

Answer: VOLUPTUOUS

Supporting statement: “Later, in the Baroque Era an even more voluptuous female figure became fashionable in Europe…”

Keywords: Baroque Era, voluptuous female

Keyword Location: Para 3, Lines 5-6

Explanation: According to the passage, the word “voluptuous” is explicitly used to describe the body ideal in the Baroque period.

25. In the 1980s, beauty trends caused concern due to the rise in__________.

Answer: ANOREXIA

Supporting statement: “This era also saw an upswing in anorexia, thought by some experts to be caused by a widespread obsession with exercise.”

Keywords: anorexia, widespread

Keyword Location: Para 7, Line 4

Explanation: As per the text, the rise in anorexia is directly associated with 1980s beauty standards and fitness obsession.

26. In the 1990s, the “grunge” fashion embraced a more________ appearance for men.

Answer: UNKEMPT

Supporting statement: “…the ‘grunge’ movement… championed a rugged, unkempt appearance.”

Keywords: grunge, rugged, unkempt

Keyword Location: Para 8, Lines 8-9

Explanation: According to the passage, the term unkempt is specifically used to describe the fashion and appearance linked to 1990s male beauty in the grunge subculture.

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