IELTS Reading #85: To catch a king

Questions 1–5: Summary Completion

Complete the summary below.
Drag words from the box into the blanks.
Write your answers in boxes 1–5.

Word Box:

military innovation large reward widespread conspiracy relative safety new government decisive victory political debate strategic alliance popular solution religious conviction

The story behind the hunt for Charles II

Charles II’s father was executed by the Parliamentarian forces in 1649. Charles II then formed a (1) with the Scots, and in order to become King of Scots, he abandoned an important (2) that was held by his father and had contributed to his father’s death. The opposing sides then met outside Worcester in 1651. The battle led to a (3) for the Parliamentarians and Charles had to flee for his life. A (4) was offered for Charles’s capture, but after six weeks spent in hiding, he eventually managed to reach the (5) of continental Europe.

Questions 6–9: Yes/No/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer?
Write YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
Write NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
Write NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

6. Charles chose Pepys for the task because he considered him to be trustworthy.

YES NO NOT GIVEN

7. Charles’s personal recollection of the escape lacked sufficient detail.

YES NO NOT GIVEN

8. Charles indicated to Pepys that he had planned his escape before the battle.

YES NO NOT GIVEN

9. The inclusion of Charles’s account is a positive aspect of the book.

YES NO NOT GIVEN

Questions 10–14: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.

10. What is the reviewer’s main purpose in the first paragraph?

A) to describe what happened during the Battle of Worcester B) to give an account of the circumstances leading to Charles II’s escape C) to provide details of the Parliamentarians’ political views D) to compare Charles II’s beliefs with those of his father

11. Why does the reviewer include examples of the fugitives’ behaviour in the third paragraph?

A) to explain how close Charles II came to losing his life B) to suggest that Charles II’s supporters were badly prepared C) to illustrate how the events of the six weeks are brought to life D) to argue that certain aspects are not as well known as they should be

12. What point does the reviewer make about Charles II in the fourth paragraph?

A) He chose to celebrate what was essentially a defeat. B) He misunderstood the motives of his opponents. C) He aimed to restore people’s faith in the monarchy. D) He was driven by a desire to be popular.

13. What does the reviewer say about Charles Spencer in the fifth paragraph?

A) His decision to write the book comes as a surprise. B) He takes an unbiased approach to the subject matter. C) His descriptions of events would be better if they included more detail. D) He chooses language that is suitable for a twenty-first-century audience.

14. When the reviewer says the book ‘doesn’t quite hit the mark’, she is making the point that

A) it overlooks the impact of events on ordinary people. B) it lacks an analysis of prevalent views on monarchy. C) it omits any references to the deceit practised by Charles II during his time in hiding. D) it fails to address whether Charles II’s experiences had a lasting influence on him.

IELTS Reading Practice Test: To catch a king

Reading Passage Content Summary

Question Types Included

Test Information

Reading Passage Content

Questions 1–5: Summary Completion

Word Box:

Questions 6–9: Yes/No/Not Given

Questions 10–14: Multiple Choice

Reading Passage Content

Questions 1–5: Summary Completion

Word Box:

Questions 6–9: Yes/No/Not Given

Questions 10–14: Multiple Choice