The Roman of Watling Street Reading Answers

Aug 13, 2024

The Roman of Watling street Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The Roman of Watling street Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the questions, you have to choose the correct statement from the options.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognise synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers, which feature topics such as The Roman of Watling street Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Section 1

THE ROMANS OF WATLING STREET

A. A relatively nondescript, grassy bank in Northamptonshire hides one of the greatest feats of engineering seen in Britain. This 2.5km stretch of land once formed a section of the great 444 km-long Watling Street, the best-known of the four key roads in Roman Britain. Excavations have shown that this section of road dates from around 43 AD and therefore is of huge archaeological importance. As a result of this, Historic England granted its status as a listed, and therefore protected, monument in 2013. What archaeologists can see here is fairly rare, as other sections of the road have been built on, while others have been lost forever.

B. Although Watling Street is notable because of the Romans, the basic framework for the road network was in use before the Romans came to Britain. The Celts, and indeed pre-Celts, of ancient Britain used some sections of the road. However, what we understand by 'road' is, in meaning, far from what ancient Britons took it to mean. In those times, a road was most likely a grassy track, or possibly even a dirt path. It is undoubtedly possible that some Celtic sections of the track had their origins back in prehistoric times, and there is evidence to suggest that the Celts used the same routes as their ancestors.

C. The Romans are credited with bringing much to Britain after their invasion around 43 AD, from effectively built cities, such as London and York, to sanitation. Possibly one of their greatest legacies, however, was the vast network of roads they constructed The new inhabitants of the country improved upon the grassy tracks that had previously been transporting people and paving them. The roads were paved with gravel, thereby demonstrating some resemblance to the techniques we use today. It has been estimated that 3,200km of roads were created during the time the Romans occupied Britain (until approximately 410 AD). Watling Street, though, was one of the most important routes for the Romans, because it connected their arrival point in the south-east to the major cities they were constructing. At some points along the route, Watling Street was approximately ten metres wide, while other roads were more commonly seven metres wide.

D. The construction of Roman roads in Britain tended to echo techniques used on the continent and elements of this work can still be seen in modern construction methods. A central carriageway was built on raised earth and this was made with the best materials available. Occasionally, on either side of the raised road, small ditches were dug for rainfall to collect - this ensured that the road remained as dry as possible. The Romans also made room for pedestrians and animals to walk off the main road, on paths of their own. Generally, the roads consisted of larger stones at the bottom to which was then added smaller lighter material to fill gaps and create a more even surface. In addition to improving track routes, sometimes the roads were straightened to make it easier to transport goods and people from one location to another. Far from simply constructing the roads, the Romans continued to maintain their important road network, but it fell into disrepair soon after the Romans left Britain

E. It seems clear why the roads were built as they were - the connection of various parts of the country to help the invasion attempt, and this was successful. The roads were mainly used for military purposes, such as transporting personnel and supplies. However, although this was most likely the main use, the construction of the road network allowed commerce and trade to take place more readily. In addition to roads, the Romans built sturdier crossings over rivers by replacing unstable wooden bridges at key vantage points.

F. Watling Street remained an essential route after the Romans had left, and its name most likely derives from an Anglo-Saxor tribe who occupied the region after the Romans. The Waclingas were an influential tribe in the Anglo-Saxon period of British history, and their name has been loosely connected with that of Watling Street. St Albans, one of the key points on the route was known by its ancient name Wæclingacaester, which also came from the tribe. The tribe was reported to have continued the maintenance of some of the network, but the majority of it soon disappeared. The Romans left a lasting legacy on the roadmap of Britain, and much of it can still be seen today. Many or one country's major motorways hollow the same routes as those used by the Romans, and some of the smaller, connecting roads are still in use, albeit maintained to modern standards. As archaeological excavations continue, scientists and experts alike can only wonder at the level of engineering knowledge the Romans possessed when they came to Britain.

Questions 27-30

Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B-E from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number, i-vii.

27. Paragraph B

Answer: V

Supporting statement: “.......The Celts, and indeed pre-Celts, of ancient Britain used some sections of the road. However, what we understand by 'road' is, in meaning, far from what ancient Britons took it to mean......”

Keywords: ancient, Britain

Keyword Location: para B, Lines 2-5

Explanation: Paragraph B discusses the road network before the Romans came to Britain. It describes how the Celts and even pre-Celts used these paths, which were grassy tracks or dirt paths rather than the paved roads we associate with Roman engineering.

28. Paragraph C

Answer: II

Supporting statement: “.....The new inhabitants of the country improved upon the grassy tracks that had previously been transporting people and paved them. .......”

Keywords: improved, paved

Keyword Location: para C, Lines 2-4

Explanation: Paragraph C explains how the Romans improved the existing roads in Britain after their invasion in 43 AD. They paved over the old grassy tracks with gravel, making them more durable and suitable for transportation.

29. Paragraph D

Answer: VII

Supporting statement: “.......Generally, the roads consisted of larger stones at the bottom to which was then added smaller lighter material to fill gaps and create a more even surface.....”

Keywords: larger, stones

Keyword Location: para D, Lines 6-8

Explanation: Paragraph D describes the structure and construction methods used by the Romans for their roads in Britain. It details how the roads were built with larger stones at the bottom and smaller materials on top to create an even surface, and how they sometimes included ditches to manage rainwater.

30. Paragraph E

Answer: I

Supporting statement: “......The roads were mainly used for military purposes, such as transporting personnel and supplies. However, although this was most likely the main use, the construction of the road network allowed commerce and trade to take place more readily......”

Keywords: military, purposes

Keyword Location: para E, Lines 2-5

Explanation: Paragraph E explores the primary functions of Roman roads, emphasizing their use for military purposes, such as transporting personnel and supplies. Additionally, it mentions how the roads facilitated commerce and trade.

LIST OF HEADINGS

i. The function of roads for the Romans

ii. Improvements in a system

iii. Why the Romans came to Britain

iv. Current conservation efforts

v. Streets and roads in older times

vi. Impacts on local communities

vii. The make-up of Roman roads

Questions 31-32

Choose the correct letter.

31. According to the writer, the Northamptonshire stretch of Watling Street

A. is liable for future industrial development.

B. is typical of other roads across the country.

C. is only a small portion of the network.

D. is the greatest archaeological discovery in Britain.

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “......This 2.5km stretch of land once formed a section of the great 444 km-long Watling Street......”

Keywords: stretch, 444km

Keyword Location: para A, Lines 1-2

Explanation: The passage states, “This 2.5km stretch of land once formed a section of the great 444 km-long Watling Street,” indicating that this stretch is just a small part of the entire network. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

32. Ancient uses of the word 'road'

A. differ greatly in comparison to the

B. only referred to paths longer than 400km

c. were now ceits described the paths of their ancestors.

D. included a wide range of types of paths.

Answer: A

Supporting statement: “......However, what we understand by 'road' is, in meaning, far from what ancient Britons took it to mean. In those times, a road was most likely a grassy track, or possibly even a dirt path......”

Keywords: grassy, track

Keyword Location: para B, Lines 3-5

Explanation: The passage mentions that the ancient Britons' understanding of a 'road' was quite different from our current interpretation, as roads back then were likely grassy tracks or dirt paths. This implies a significant difference in the meaning of the term, making option A the correct answer.

Questions 33-36

Choose the correct letter.

33. In the construction of Roman roads, larger rocks were

A. placed at the side for people to walk on.

B. deemed too heavy to use.

C. covered by smaller ones.

D. stacked in a ditch.

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “......Generally, the roads consisted of larger stones at the bottom to which was then added smaller lighter material to fill gaps and create a more even surface......”

Keywords: stones, smaller

Keyword Location: para D, Lines 6-8

Explanation: Paragraph D states that Roman roads consisted of larger stones at the bottom, which were then covered by smaller, lighter materials to fill gaps and create an even surface. This layering technique is described explicitly, making option C the correct answer.

34. The writer says that after the Romans left Britain

A. the majority of roads were largely maintained.

B. trade routes were then improved.

C. the Anglo-Saxons further developed the roads.

D. the roads themselves began to deteriorate.

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “......Far from simply constructing the roads, the Romans continued to maintain their important road network, but it fell into disrepair soon after the Romans left Britain......”

Keywords: disrepair, after

Keyword Location: para D, Lines 10-12

Explanation: The passage mentions that the road network fell into disrepair soon after the Romans left Britain. This indicates that the roads deteriorated, making option D the correct answer.

35. The Waclingas tribe in Britain

A. were of Roman origin.

B. gave their name to a town.

C. were the most important family in Britain.

D. settled in the region before the Celts.

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “......St Albans, one of the key points on the route, was known by its ancient name Wæclingacaester, which also came from the tribe......”

Keywords: name, Came

Keyword Location: para F, Lines 3-5

Explanation: The passage mentions that St Albans, a key point on Watling Street, was known by its ancient name Wæclingacaester, which came from the Waclingas tribe. This shows that the tribe’s name was associated with the town, making option B the correct answer.

36. According to the final paragraph, modern roads

A. are of a similar standard to Roman roads.

B. should be excavated.

C. often stick to Roman directions.

D. serve a vastly different purpose.

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “......Many of the country’s major motorways follow the same routes as those used by the Romans, and some of the smaller, connecting roads are still in use, albeit maintained to modern standards.......”

Keywords: routes, used

Keyword Location: para F, Lines 7-9

Explanation: The passage states that many of the country’s major motorways follow the same routes as those used by the Romans. This indicates that modern roads often adhere to the directions set by Roman roads, making option C the correct answer.

Questions 37-40 Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-F, below.

37. Rainwater was not a problem because the Romans managed to

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “......Occasionally, on either side of the raised road, small ditches were dug for rainfall to collect - this ensured that the road remained as dry as possible.......”

Keywords: ditches, rainfall

Keyword Location: para D, Lines 4-5

Explanation: The passage explains that the Romans dug small ditches on either side of the raised road to collect rainwater, ensuring the road remained dry. This corresponds to option B.

38. The methods of building roads in Roman times were to

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “.......The construction of Roman roads in Britain tended to echo techniques used on the continent.....”

Keywords: techniques, used

Keyword Location: para D, Line 1

Explanation: The passage mentions that the construction of Roman roads in Britain tended to echo techniques used on the continent. This implies that the Romans were inspired by or copied methods from other countries, making option C the correct answer.

39. The main reason why roads were built was to

Answer: F

Supporting statement: “......The roads were mainly used for military purposes, such as transporting personnel and supplies......”

Keywords: purposes, Transporting

Keyword Location: para E, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The passage clearly states that the roads were mainly used for military purposes, such as transporting personnel and supplies, indicating that the primary purpose was for military movement. This corresponds to option F.

40-. Some Roman roads today are likely to

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “.....As archaeological excavations continue, scientists and experts alike can only wonder at the level of engineering knowledge the Romans possessed when they came to Britain........”

Keywords: excavations, continue

Keyword Location: para F, Lines 10-12

Explanation: The passage ends by mentioning that archaeological excavations continue, suggesting that Roman roads are likely to be examined further for archaeological evidence, making option D the correct answer.

A. connect the farthest places in England.

B. construct ditches at the side of roads to collect it.

C. copy from other, nearby countries.

D. be examined for further archaeological evidence.

E. be saved to be used in later constructions.

F. move army officers and equipment from place to place.

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