IELTS Rewind

IELTS Reading Practice Test: The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean

Practice your IELTS reading skills with this comprehensive 13-question test. Time limit: 20 minutes.

Reading Passage Content Summary

**The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean** In the first and second millennia BCE, pirates sailed around the Mediterranean, attacking ships and avoiding pursuers **A** When one mentions pirates, an image springs to most people’s minds of a crew of misfits, daredevils and adventurers in command of...

Question Types Included

  • matching-information (6 questions)
  • multiple-choice-with-multiple-answer (4 questions)
  • summary-completion (3 questions)

Test Information

  • Total Questions: 13
  • Time Limit: 20 minutes
  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced
  • Format: IELTS Academic Reading

The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean

Reading Passage Content

This page contains IELTS reading practice materials with comprehensive questions and explanations.

Reading Comprehension Questions

Questions 1–6: Matching Information

Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A–G, in boxes 1–6. NB You may use any letter more than once.

1. a reference to a denial of involvement in piracy
2. details of how a campaign to eradicate piracy was carried out
3. a mention of the circumstances in which states in the ancient world would make use of pirates
4. a reference to how people today commonly view pirates
5. an explanation of how some people were encouraged not to return to piracy
6. a mention of the need for many sailing vessels to stay relatively close to land

Questions 7–10: Multiple Choice

7–8: Which TWO of the following statements does the writer make about inhabitants of the Mediterranean region in the ancient world?







9–10: Which TWO of the following statements does the writer make about piracy and ancient Greece?






Questions 11–13: Summary Completion

Complete the summary below.
ChooseONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 11–13.

Ancient Rome and piracy

Piracy was an issue ancient Rome had to deal with, but it also brought some benefits for Rome. For example, pirates supplied slaves that were important for Rome’s industries. However, attacks on vessels transporting 11. to Rome resulted in calls for 12. for the pirates responsible. Nevertheless, piracy continued, with some pirates demanding a 13. for the return of the Roman officials they captured.

Ready to Start?
Customize your exam settings and begin your reading test
Exam Duration:
min
Standard test • Range: 5-180 minutes
20 min
13 questions
IELTS Reading #55: The pirates of the ancient Mediterranean | IELTS Rewind