The History of Early Cinema Reading Answers

Jan 13, 2026

The answers for "The History of Early Cinema Reading Answers" include 13 questions and are part of the assessment framework for the IELTS General Reading test. Candidates are allotted 20 minutes to complete the reading responses concerning "The History of Early Cinema Reading Answers." This portion of the IELTS reading exam consists of various question formats, including writing answers A-F in boxes 28-30 on your answer sheet, using no more than three words for each answer, and matching each statement with the correct country.

The answers for "The History of Early Cinema Reading Answers" offer a comprehensive overview of the passage, explaining how the passage traces the rapid global expansion of cinema from short novelty films to feature-length productions and grand movie palaces. It highlights how Hollywood rose to dominate the industry artistically and commercially, overshadowing other national cinemas. For additional practice with similar reading assessments, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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The History of Early Cinema Reading Answers

The history of the cinema in its first thirty years is one of major and, to this day, unparalleled expansion and growth.

Beginning as something unusual in a handful of big cities - New York, London, Paris and Berlin - the new medium quickly found its way across the world, attracting larger and larger audiences wherever it was shown and replacing other forms of entertainment as it did so. As audiences grew, so did the places where films were shown, finishing up with the 'great picture palaces' of the 1920s, which rivalled, and occasionally superseded, theatres and opera-houses in terms of opulence and splendour. Meanwhile, films themselves developed from being short 'attractions' only a couple of minutes long, to the full-length feature that has dominated the world's screens up to the present day.

Although French, German, American and British pioneers have all been credited with the invention of cinema, the British and the Germans played a relatively small role in its worldwide exploitation. It was above all the French, followed closely by the Americans, who were the most passionate exporters of the new invention, helping to start cinema in China, Japan, Latin America and Russia. In terms of artistic development it was again the French and the Americans who took the lead, though in the years before the First World War, Italy, Denmark and Russia also played a part.

In the end, it was the United States that was to become, and remain, the largest single market for films. By protecting their own market and pursuing a vigorous export policy, the Americans achieved a dominant position in the world market by the start of the First World War. The centre of film-making had moved westwards, to Hollywood, and it was films from these new Hollywood studios that flooded onto the worldis film markets in the years after the First World War, and have done so ever since. Faced with total Hollywood domination, few film industries proved competitive.

The Italian industry, which had pioneered the feature film with spectacular films like iQuo vadis? (1913) and "Cabiria"

(1914), almost collapsed. In Scandinavia, the Swedish cinema had a brief period of glory, notably with powerful epic films and comedies. Even the French cinema found itself in a difficult position. In Europe, only Germany proved industrially capable, while in the new Soviet Union and in Japan, the development of the cinema took place in conditions of commercial isolation.

Hollywood took the lead artistically as well as industrially. Hollywood films appealed because they had better-constructed narratives, their special effects were more impressive, and the star system added a new dimension to the screen acting. If Hollywood did not have enough of its own resources, it had a great deal of money to buy up artists and technical innovations from Europe to ensure its continued dominance over present or future competition.

From early cinema, it was only American slapstick comedy that successfully developed in both short and feature format. However, during this Silent Filmí era, animation, comedy, serials and dramatic features continued to thrive, along with factual films or documentaries, which acquired an increasing distinctiveness as the period progressed. It was also at this time that the avant-garde film first achieved commercial success, this time thanks almost exclusively to the French and the occasional German film.

Of the countries which developed and maintained distinctive national cinemas in the silent period, the most important were France, Germany and the Soviet Union. Of these, the French displayed the most continuity, in spite of the war and post-war economic uncertainties. The German cinema, relatively insignificant in the pre-war years, exploded onto the world scene after 1919. Yet even they were both overshadowed by the Soviets after the 1917 Revolution.

They turned their back on the past, leaving the style of the pre-war Russian cinema to the emigres who fled westwards to escape the Revolution.

The other countries whose cinemas changed dramatically are: Britain, which had an interesting but undistinguished history in the silent period; Italy, which had a brief moment of international fame just before the war; the Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark, which played a role in the development of silent cinema quite out of proportion to their small population; and Japan, where a cinema developed based primarily on traditional theatrical and, to a lesser extent, other art forms and only gradually adapted to western influence.

Questions 28-30

Which THREE possible reasons for American dominance of the film industry are given in the text.

Write answers A-F in boxes 28-30 on your answer sheet.

A. plenty of capital to purchase what it didn't have

B. making films dealing with serious issues

C. being first to produce a feature film

D. well-written narratives

E. the effect of the First World War

F. excellent special effects

28. Answer: A

Supporting statement: “If Hollywood did not have enough of its own resources, it had a great deal of money to buy up artists and technical innovations from Europe.”

Keywords: money, buy up, resources

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, lines 3–4

Explanation: The passage explains that Hollywood had strong financial power. Whenever it lacked creative or technical resources, it could simply purchase them. This access to capital allowed America to stay ahead of competitors. European talent and innovations were absorbed into Hollywood. As a result, American studios strengthened their dominance globally.

29. Answer: D

Supporting statement: “Hollywood films appealed because they had better-constructed narratives.”

Keywords: better-constructed, narratives

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, line 1

Explanation: The author directly credits narrative quality for Hollywood’s success. American films were better structured and easier for audiences to follow. This made them more appealing internationally. Strong storytelling helped Hollywood films outperform others. Narrative strength was a key competitive advantage.

30. Answer: F

Supporting statement: “their special effects were more impressive”

Keywords: special effects, impressive

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, line 2

Explanation: The passage highlights special effects as another major strength. Hollywood invested heavily in visual spectacle. These effects attracted large audiences worldwide. Other film industries could not match this technical quality. This reinforced American dominance in global markets.

Questions 31-33

Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

31. Which TWO types of film were not generally made in major studios?

Answer: documentaries, avant-garde

Supporting statement: “factual films or documentaries… the avant-garde film first achieved commercial success”

Keywords: documentaries, avant-garde

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, lines 2–4

Explanation: The text distinguishes major studio productions from other film types. Documentaries developed separately from mainstream studio films. Avant-garde films also followed a different production path.These films were not the primary focus of major studios. They evolved alongside, rather than within, big studios.

32. Which type of film did America develop in both short and feature films?

Answer: slapstick comedy

Supporting statement: “it was only American slapstick comedy that successfully developed in both short and feature format”

Keywords: American, slapstick comedy

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, line 1

Explanation: The passage clearly names slapstick comedy. America was uniquely successful in this genre. It worked well in both short films and feature films. Other countries did not achieve similar success. This genre strengthened America’s cinematic influence.

33. Which type of film started to become profitable in the 'silent' period?

Answer: avant-garde film

Supporting statement: “the avant-garde film first achieved commercial success”

Keywords: avant-garde, commercial success

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, line 4

Explanation: The silent film era allowed experimental cinema to grow. Avant-garde films became financially viable during this time. This marked a shift from purely artistic efforts. French and German filmmakers led this change. Profitability helped the genre gain recognition.

Questions 34 - 40

Look at the following statements (Questions 34-40) and the list of countries below.

Match each statement with the correct country.

NB You may use any letter more than once.

34. It helped other countries develop their own film industry.

Answer: A (France)

Supporting statement: “helping to start cinema in China, Japan, Latin America and Russia”

Keywords: helping, start cinema

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, lines 2–3

Explanation: France played a key role in exporting cinema. French filmmakers introduced film to many regions. This helped other countries establish their industries. France acted as a pioneer rather than a follower. Its influence spread cinema worldwide.

35. It was the biggest producer of films.

Answer: C (USA)

Supporting statement: “the United States… the largest single market for films”

Keywords: largest, market

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, line 1

Explanation: The passage identifies the USA as the biggest producer. A strong domestic market supported large-scale production. Export policies increased output further. Hollywood films flooded global markets. This confirmed America’s production dominance.

36. It was first to develop the 'feature' film.

Answer: H (Italy)

Supporting statement: “The Italian industry… had pioneered the feature film”

Keywords: pioneered, feature film

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 1

Explanation: Italy is credited with early feature films. Films like Quo Vadis? and Cabiria are examples. This innovation influenced later cinema development. Despite later decline, Italy’s contribution was crucial. Feature films changed cinema permanently.

37. It was responsible for creating stars.

Answer: C (USA)

Supporting statement: “the star system added a new dimension to the screen acting”

Keywords: star system, screen acting

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, line 2

Explanation: Hollywood created and promoted movie stars. This system attracted audiences worldwide. Actors became a selling point for films. Other countries later copied this model. It increased Hollywood’s global appeal.

38. It made the most money from 'avant-garde' films.

Answer: A (France)

Supporting statement: “avant-garde film first achieved commercial success… thanks almost exclusively to the French”

Keywords: avant-garde, French

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, lines 3–4

Explanation: France dominated the avant-garde movement. French filmmakers turned experimental films into profitable ventures. This was unique during the silent era. Few other countries succeeded commercially. France became central to avant-garde cinema.

39. It made movies based more on its own culture than outside influences.

Answer: F (Japan)

Supporting statement: “a cinema developed based primarily on traditional theatrical… art forms”

Keywords: traditional, theatrical

Keyword Location: Paragraph 8, lines 3–4

Explanation: Japanese cinema relied on its own traditions. Western influence was adopted gradually. Local culture shaped film style and storytelling. This made Japanese cinema distinctive. Cultural independence defined its development.

40. It had a great influence on silent movies, despite its size.

Answer: D (Denmark)

Supporting statement: “played a role… quite out of proportion to their small population”

Keywords: small population, role

Keyword Location: Paragraph 8, line 2

Explanation: Despite its small size, Denmark influenced silent cinema. Its contributions exceeded expectations. The country produced significant films and techniques. Population size did not limit impact. Denmark left a lasting mark on cinema history.

List of countries

A. France

B. Germany

C. USA

D. Denmark

E. Sweden

F. Japan

G. Soviet Union

H. Italy

I. Britain

J. China

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