The IELTS Reading section includes different types of passages that test your ability to find information, understand ideas, and recognise paraphrased details. Cutty Sark Reading Answers is based on a historical passage about one of the most famous sailing ships in maritime history.
The passage explains the construction and early career of the Cutty Sark, its role in the tea and wool trades, its rivalry with other sailing ships, and the changes it went through after steamships became dominant. It also covers the ship's Portuguese ownership, its rescue and restoration, and its later life as a museum ship.
The passage includes True/False/Not Given and Sentence Completion questions. To solve them accurately, you need to locate specific information, understand paraphrased statements, follow the sequence of historical events, and distinguish between information that agrees with, contradicts, or is not mentioned in the passage.
Cutty Sark: The Fastest Sailing Ship Of All Time Reading Passage
The Cutty Sark was a famous 19th-century sailing ship whose history reflects the major changes that took place in international shipping. This IELTS exam passage covers its construction, trading career, rivalry with other clippers, later ownership, and eventual preservation. Read the numbered paragraphs carefully, as they can help you track the answer locations.
Cutty Sark: The Fastest Sailing Ship Of All Time
Paragraph 1
The Cutty Sark was one of the last tea clippers to be built and one of the most famous sailing ships of all time. She was launched at Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869, and was originally intended to compete in the tea trade between China and Britain. However, the opening of the Suez Canal in the same year changed the economics of the tea trade. The route through the canal was shorter for steamships, which could travel at a reliable speed regardless of wind, and they soon began to take over this trade from sailing ships. The Cutty Sark made just eight voyages in the tea trade before this cargo became unprofitable.
Paragraph 2
The Cutty Sark's designers wanted to combine speed with a large cargo capacity. The ship was constructed with a composite hull, an iron frame planked with wood, which was both strong and light. Her sail plan was also enormous: a total sail area of 2,973 square metres. She was among the first ships to be fitted with a short iron bowsprit, the spar pointing forward from the bow, and this contributed to her speed, as did the shape of the hull. She could carry 1,300 tonnes of cargo at speeds up to 17.5 knots.
Paragraph 3
In 1872, Cutty Sark shifted to carrying wool from Australia to Britain, and she set impressive records on this route. She could make the journey from Australia to England in approximately 72 days, which was considerably faster than most other ships. Her best run in a single day was 363 nautical miles. She dominated the wool-carrying trade because no other ship could match her speed in light winds, and she carried the wool in better condition than steamships.
Paragraph 4
The Cutty Sark's greatest rival was the Thermopylae, another famous clipper built in 1868. The two ships raced each other on several occasions. In 1872, both ships left Shanghai on the same day. The Cutty Sark was ahead for most of the journey, but she lost her rudder in the Indian Ocean during a storm. Despite this setback, her crew managed to make a temporary rudder, and she still arrived home only a week behind the Thermopylae. This near-victory was seen as a triumph given the damage she had sustained.
Paragraph 5
In 1895, the Cutty Sark was sold to a Portuguese shipping company, J.A. Ferreira & Co., and she was renamed Ferreira. Under Portuguese ownership, she continued carrying general cargo across the Atlantic. She now had a reduced rig; her sail area was significantly cut down because cargo mattered more than speed. By this stage, the great era of sail was over. Steamships had taken over most trade routes, and sailing ships could no longer compete except in very specific trades. The change in the shipping industry also meant that the Cutty Sark's value was no longer in her speed but purely in her capacity to carry cargo.
Paragraph 6
In 1916, a severe storm damaged the Cutty Sark so badly that she was put into a Portuguese port for repairs. A British sea captain, Wilfred Dowman, saw her there and recognised her. He bought her back in 1922, restored her to something like her original appearance, and used her as a training ship at Falmouth. The ship was moved to the Thames Nautical Training College at Greenhithe in 1938. Dowman's preservation of the ship is credited with saving her from being broken up, a fate that had befallen many other historic sailing vessels.
Paragraph 7
The Cutty Sark was moved to permanent dry dock at Greenwich in 1954, where she became a museum ship. A major restoration project began in 2006, costing £25 million. During this project, a serious fire broke out in 2007, causing significant damage. However, many of the ship's original timbers had already been removed for restoration elsewhere and were undamaged. After extensive repairs, the Cutty Sark reopened to the public in 2012. She remains one of only three 19th-century clipper ships still in existence and continues to draw visitors from around the world.
Cutty Sark Reading Answers: Questions 1–13
The following questions test your understanding of key information and events presented in the passage. Questions 1 to 8 are True/False/Not Given questions, and questions 9 to 13 are Sentence Completion questions. Look for keywords in each question and search the paragraph for the idea in the same wording or paraphrasing before looking at the answers.
Questions 1–8: True/False/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
Write:
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information FALSE if the statement contradicts the information NOT GIVEN if the information is not mentioned in the passage
Q1: The Cutty Sark was launched in Scotland in 1869.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Paragraph 1 states that the Cutty Sark was launched at Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869. The statement directly agrees with the passage.
Answer Location: Paragraph 1
Keywords: launched, Scotland, 1869
Paraphrase: “was launched at Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869” → “was launched in Scotland in 1869”
Q2: The opening of the Suez Canal made steamships slower than sailing ships on the tea route.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: The first paragraph claims that using the Suez Canal route was less time consuming for steamers than sailing ships. In addition, the paragraph says that steamers sailed at a steady speed not affected by the wind and therefore soon became the replacement for sailing ships in the tea trade. Thus, the statement contradicts the passage.
Answer Location: Paragraph 1
Keywords: Suez Canal, steamships, slower
Paraphrase: “shorter route” and “reliable speed” contradict the idea that steamships became slower.
Q3: The Cutty Sark had a hull made using both iron and wood.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: The second paragraph talks about the structure of the ship and its composite hull made from an iron frame lined with wooden planks. Hence, the statement is accurate.
Answer Location: Paragraph 2
Keywords: hull, iron, wood
Paraphrase: “iron frame planked with wood” → “hull made using both iron and wood”
Q4: The Cutty Sark could carry more than 1,500 tonnes of cargo.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Paragraph 2 states that the Cutty Sark could carry 1,300 tonnes of cargo. This is less than 1,500 tonnes, so the statement is incorrect.
Answer Location: Paragraph 2
Keywords: carry, cargo, 1,500 tonnes
Paraphrase: “could carry 1,300 tonnes” contradicts “more than 1,500 tonnes”.
Q5: The Cutty Sark arrived in Britain only one week after the Thermopylae despite losing its rudder.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: The fourth paragraph tells us that the Cutty Sark took the lead most of the time; however, during the storm, it lost its rudder. The crew built a new one, and the ship arrived back only one week after the Thermopylae.
Answer Location: Paragraph 4
Keywords: rudder, Thermopylae, one week
Paraphrase: “arrived home only a week behind” → “arrived ... one week after”
Q6: The Cutty Sark's sail area was increased after it was sold to a Portuguese company.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Paragraph 5 says the opposite. Under Portuguese ownership, the Cutty Sark had a reduced rig, and its sail area was significantly cut down because carrying cargo had become more important than speed.
Explanation: Paragraph 6 states that British sea captain Wilfred Dowman recognised the ship and bought her back in 1922. He then restored her and used her as a training ship.
Answer Location: Paragraph 6
Keywords: Wilfred Dowman, bought, 1922
Paraphrase: “He bought her back in 1922” directly supports the statement.
Q8: The 2007 fire destroyed all of the Cutty Sark's original timbers.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Paragraph 7 states that the 2007 fire caused significant damage. However, many of the original timbers had already been removed for restoration elsewhere and were undamaged. Therefore, the fire did not destroy all the original timbers.
Answer Location: Paragraph 7
Keywords: 2007, fire, original timbers
Paraphrase: “many ... had already been removed ... and were undamaged” contradicts “destroyed all”.
Questions 9–13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Q9: From 1872, the Cutty Sark carried ______ from Australia to Britain.
Answer: WOOL
Explanation: Paragraph 3 states that in 1872, the Cutty Sark changed to carrying wool from Australia to Britain. The answer is directly stated in the passage.
Answer Location: Paragraph 3
Keyword: Australia
Paraphrase: “shifted to carrying wool” → “carried wool”
Q10: Under Portuguese ownership, the ship was renamed ______.
Answer: FERREIRA
Explanation: Paragraph 5 explains that the Cutty Sark was sold to J.A. Ferreira & Co. in 1895 and was subsequently renamed Ferreira.
Answer Location: Paragraph 5
Keywords: Portuguese ownership, renamed
Paraphrase: “was renamed Ferreira” directly completes the sentence.
Q11: British captain Wilfred ______ bought the Cutty Sark in 1922.
Answer: DOWMAN
Explanation: Paragraph 6 identifies the British sea captain as Wilfred Dowman. It then states that he bought the ship back in 1922.
Answer Location: Paragraph 6
Keywords: British sea captain, 1922
Paraphrase: “A British sea captain, Wilfred Dowman” → “Wilfred ______”
Q12: At Falmouth, the Cutty Sark was used as a ______ ship.
Answer: TRAINING
Explanation: Paragraph 6 states that after restoring the ship, Dowman used her as a training ship at Falmouth. Therefore, the missing word is “training”.
Answer Location: Paragraph 6
Keywords: Falmouth, ship
Paraphrase: “used her as a training ship” → “used as a ______ ship”
Q13: A serious ______ broke out during the major restoration project in 2007.
Answer: FIRE
Explanation: Paragraph 7 explains that a major restoration project began in 2006. During the project, a serious fire broke out in 2007 and caused significant damage to the ship.
Answer Location: Paragraph 7
Keywords: restoration, 2007, serious
Paraphrase: “a serious fire broke out” directly completes the sentence.
How to Approach Cutty Sark: The Fastest Sailing Ship Of All Time Reading Answers
The Cutty Sark Reading passage can be used to practice IELTS questions related to history, transport, trade, technology, and chronological events. Since the information flows in various stages of the ship's journey, making a simple timeline may help comprehend the passage.
Identify Names, Dates and Key Events
Names, dates, places, and numbers are useful scanning clues in this passage. For example, 1869, 1872, 1895, 1922, 1954, 2006, 2007, and 2012 mark important stages in the ship's history.
You can also use names such as Thermopylae, J.A. Ferreira & Co., and Wilfred Dowman to find relevant information quickly.
Instead of reading every sentence repeatedly, scan for these specific details and then read the surrounding sentences carefully.
Follow the Chronological Order
The passage follows the Cutty Sark through different stages of its life:
Understanding this sequence can help you distinguish between events that happened many years apart.
For example, the Portuguese ownership in 1895 should not be confused with Dowman's purchase in 1922. Both events concern the ship's ownership, but they happened at different stages.
Watch for Paraphrased Information
IELTS questions rarely repeat every sentence exactly as it appears in the passage. Instead, they often change the wording while keeping the same meaning.
For example:
“significantly cut down” can be understood as “reduced”
“bought her back” can be expressed as “purchased the ship”
“undamaged” can be expressed as “not harmed”
“carrying wool” can appear as “transporting wool”
This is why you should focus on meaning rather than searching only for exact matches.
Historical passages can contain many dates, names, numbers, and events. This can make it easy to confuse information, especially when several paragraphs discuss changes in the ship's career.
Relying Only on Exact Keywords
Finding a word from the question in the passage does not automatically mean that you have found the answer.
For example, a question may contain the word “fire”, but you still need to read the surrounding information to understand what happened during the fire and which year it occurred.
Always read the complete sentence and, when necessary, the sentence before or after it.
Confusing Historical Details
The Cutty Sark passage contains several important dates and changes in ownership.
Students may confuse:
1869 — launch of the ship
1872 — shift to the wool trade
1895 — sale to a Portuguese company
1922 — purchase by Wilfred Dowman
1954 — move to permanent dry dock
2006 — major restoration begins
2007 — serious fire
2012 — reopening to the public
Keeping these events in chronological order can prevent many mistakes.
Ignoring the Sequence of Events
The writer explains the Cutty Sark's history in a clear sequence. If you ignore this order, it becomes easier to confuse events that occurred decades apart.
For instance, the ship was renamed Ferreira under Portuguese ownership before Wilfred Dowman later bought it back and restored it.
Exceeding the Word Limit
For Sentence Completion questions, always follow the instructions.
In Questions 9–13, the instruction is ONE WORD ONLY. Therefore, an answer containing two or more words would not follow the required format, even if the meaning is correct.
Before moving to the next question, quickly check that your answer fits the word limit and the grammar of the sentence.
Looking for more IELTS Reading practice? Read these answer guides to practise different passage topics and question types:
The Cutty Sark Reading Answers passage is useful practice for students preparing for IELTS Academic Reading. It combines historical information with details about shipbuilding, international trade, competition, ownership, restoration, and preservation.
Working through this passage can help you improve your ability to locate specific information, understand paraphrased ideas, follow chronological events, and identify evidence in the text. When practising Cutty Sark Reading Passage Answers, focus on dates, names, numbers, and changes in the ship's history rather than trying to memorise individual sentences.
FAQs on Cutty Sark: The Fastest Sailing Ship Of All Time Reading Answers
1. What is the Cutty Sark Reading passage about?
The passage describes the history of the Cutty Sark, including its launch, tea and wool trading career, rivalry with other sailing ships, Portuguese ownership, restoration, and eventual conversion into a museum ship.
2. Why is the Cutty Sark important in the passage?
The Cutty Sark represents an important period in maritime history when sailing ships were gradually being replaced by steamships. Its speed, cargo capacity, trading career, and later preservation made it an important historic vessel.
3. What type of IELTS Reading questions are included in this passage?
The passage uses True/False/Not Given questions and Sentence Completion questions. These formats test different skills, including checking factual information, recognising contradictions, locating details, and selecting words from the passage.
4. Why are dates important in Cutty Sark IELTS Reading Answers?
Dates help you follow the ship's history and distinguish between different events. For example, the passage discusses its launch in 1869, the wool trade from 1872, Portuguese ownership from 1895, and restoration events much later.
5. How can I solve True/False/Not Given questions?
First, identify the main claim in the statement and locate the relevant part of the passage. Then compare the meaning. If the information agrees, choose TRUE; if it contradicts the passage, choose FALSE; if it is not mentioned, choose NOT GIVEN.
6. How should I approach Sentence Completion questions?
Start by reading the sentence around the blank and identifying the information you need. Then scan the passage for relevant keywords or synonyms. Finally, check that the answer fits grammatically and follows the specified word limit.
7. What keywords should I look for in the Cutty Sark passage?
Useful keywords include dates, names, locations, numbers, cargo types, ship names, and important events. Words such as 1872, Thermopylae, Ferreira, Dowman, wool, and Greenwich can help you locate relevant information quickly.
8. Why is paraphrasing important in the Cutty Sark reading passage answers?
IELTS often changes the wording between the question and passage. For example, “bought” may appear as “purchased”, while “reduced” may be expressed as “cut down”. Understanding these relationships makes it easier to locate the correct information.
9. How can I avoid confusing dates in this passage?
Create a simple timeline while reading. Note the most important years and connect each one with its event. This makes it easier to distinguish between the Cutty Sark's launch, trading career, ownership changes, restoration, and museum history.
10. What should I do if I cannot find an answer?
Do not spend too much time searching for one answer. Check the relevant keywords and possible synonyms, then move to the next question if necessary. You can return to the difficult question after completing the easier ones.
11. Can Cutty Sark Reading Answers help improve my IELTS Reading score?
Yes. The passage provides practice with historical information, scanning, paraphrasing, chronology, True/False/Not Given questions, and Sentence Completion. Reviewing your mistakes after completing the passage can make your future IELTS Reading practice more effective.
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