# The Step Pyramid of Djoser: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 16, Test 1, Reading Passage 2

Source: Passage, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 16, Test 1, Reading Passage 2. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## Answer key

| Q | Answer | Proof |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 14 | iv | there is no question that, as far as Egypt is concerned, it began with one monument |
| 15 | vii | conceived of building a taller, more impressive tomb for his king by stacking stone slabs on top of one another |
| 16 | ii | The weight of the enormous mass was a challenge for the builders |
| 17 | v | included a temple, courtyards, shrines, and living quarters for the priests |
| 18 | i | a large number of stone vessels |
| 19 | viii | There was enough left throughout the pyramid and its complex, however, to astonish and amaze the archaeologists |
| 20 | vi | became the archetype which all the other great pyramid builders of Egypt would follow |
| 21 | city | The complex in which it was built was the size of a city in ancient Egypt and included a temple |
| 22 | priests | and living quarters for the priests. |
| 23 | trench | the entire wall was then ringed by a trench 750 meters long and 40 meters wide. |
| 24 | location | If someone wished to enter. he or she would have needed to know in advance how to find the location of the true opening in the wall. |
| 25 | B, D | Djoser is thought to have reigned for 19 years, but some historians and scholars attribute a much longer time for his rule |
| 26 | B, D | all archaeologists found were a small number of his valuables overlooked by the thieves |

## Why these answers are right

**14. iv.** Paragraph A notes that the evolution of the pyramid has been argued about for centuries, then says there is no question that in Egypt it began with Djoser's Step Pyramid. One fact beyond doubt set against much debate matches heading iv.

**15. vii.** Paragraph B contrasts earlier tombs of dried clay brick with Imhotep's plan to build a taller tomb by stacking stone slabs that grew progressively smaller. A new concept for how tombs were built fits heading vii, an idea for changing burial structures.

**16. ii.** Van de Mieroop's quotation in paragraph C describes much experimentation and several plans, and adds that the weight of the enormous mass was a challenge for the builders. That struggle with the construction matches heading ii, a difficult task for those involved.

The why and the trap for questions 17 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/reading/the-step-pyramid-of-djoser/answers).

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