Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 472
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 472 – PASSAGE – 3
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 472
READING PASSAGE – 3
The Comic Store
The Comic Store in Canterbury, UK, is a specialist bookshop established in 2008 by The Kent Consortium co-founder, Joe Lane. As well as establishing The Comic Store itself, Lane donated dozens of pieces of artwork from his private collection to decorate the walls and provide a permanent exhibition. The 8,000 m2 building was designed by the well-known Hungarian architect, Zoltan Nagy.
It contains several display areas and has held many successful temporary exhibitions, some of which have since toured across Europe and internationally. The Comic Store was formerly called the Cartoon Archive Project (CAP). Kasper Andersen, the curator at the time of the name change, explained that, besides art exhibits, the museum has a manga wing and has branched out into other areas of illustration and video, such as political cartoons, video games and contemporary art. Therefore, the new name was brought in to reflect the shop’s move beyond single pieces of art to a wider range of comic-based media and artefacts.
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The look and design of the store itself has been controversial with architects and the public debating whether it is beautiful or ugly. There has been much discussion about whether the modern building is in harmony with the surrounding historical buildings. Jade Lane, the sister of the founder who was involved in setting up the store, noted that it was important for the customer’s experience to begin before they enter the building.
The front of the building is decorated with large cartoon characters. The structure has many curves and shiny surfaces in various colours and materials, and its appearance has been compared to that of an eye watching the sky. Indeed, Nagy and his team took inspiration for the exterior of the building from the renowned artist Roy Lichtenstein’s eye images. The mix of textures and colours used in the design is said to reflect the energy and fluidity of comic art.
IELTS General Reading Test
The building project made technological advances in its sophisticated use of computer modelling which translated a three-dimensional shape into a geometric language that the project’s engineers and builders could understand. The computer coordinates gave precise three-dimensional instructions – a critical point because the project had no straight, ruled surfaces. This resulted in a perfect fit when it was finally assembled which overcame some of the initial design challenges.
The hub of activity at The Comic Store is the presentation area called The Main Event. This space has a soaring ceiling, state-of-the art acoustics and lighting, along with an IMAX screen that is one of the largest in the U K. As well as being a venue for private events, workshops and presentations, it is sometimes open late to the public for experiences such as The Comic Sleepover, where visitors can bring their own cushions and enjoy a series of classic cartoons.
IELTS General Reading Test
The Comic Store offers a wide variety of exhibitions, comics, books and mechandise for those interested in cartoons. Its largest exhibition to date has been Superheroes Save the Day on the second floor of the store.
This features models of superheroes, such as Spiderman, Dr Who and Wonderwoman, as well as the chance to see authentic comics dating back to the 1930’s. Set next to this on the second floor is the DC Thomson exhibition, which pays homage to the famous Dundee design company which created those famous comics The Beano and The Dandy. Visitors can explore photos, cartoons and, if eager to see more, can go to dedicated kiosks to watch videos.
Just across from this, The Levels offers an insight into gaming history, featuring the stories of video game developers, designers, coders, composers and critics. Also, on this floor, the Make-believe exhibition showcases items from lands of fantasy, such as a replica of Gandalf the Wizard’s staff (stick) from Lord of the Rings, one of the dragon models from Harry Potter and maps from Star Trek.
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Besides the exhibitions themselves, there are many dedicated spaces at the Comic Store that are set aside and available to be booked for educational workshops or entertainment purposes. For example, The Hive is a flexible space with a moveable air wall that means it can be subdivided into several rooms. Seminars are held there, and it can be booked privately, as can the Outdoor Terrace which can be setup for events, offering a pleasant outlook over some of the city’s points of interest such as the Cathedral or City Walls.
The Comic Store employs more than 50 people, most – if not all – of whom have experience and training in design, visual art and/or writing. In addition, there are many volunteers who share their knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors. Several internships are also offered every year to those who are hoping for a career in the arts or arts- based retail, but these positions are quite highly sought after so there is a long waiting list. More positions are, however, expected to be created in future as the The Comic Store attracts 50,000 visitors a year.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 28-32
Look at the following statements, Questions 28-32, and the areas of The Comic Store below. Match each statement with the correct part of The Comic Store, A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
NB you may use any letter more than once.
28. It has views of Canterbury’s landmarks.
29. It can be booked for large parties.
30. The area can be adjusted to create smaller spaces.
31. It hosts film events outside the usual opening hours.
32. Its design was influenced by the shape of a body part.
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Areas of The Comic Store
A. Exterior
B. The Main Event
C. Outdoor Terrace
D. The Hive
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 33-36
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
33. What does the writer say in the first paragraph about the exhibitions at The Comic Store?
A. Some of them have been shown in other cities.
B. They often reflect the architecture of the building.
C. They were commissioned by the store’s founder.
D. Visitors to The Comic Store are allowed to touch most things on display.
34. The name of the shop was changed to The Comic Store
A. as the public did not like the former name.
B. because it sounded good and was and easier to remember.
C. in order to signal a change in the management of the shop.
D. to show the shop had a wider focus than its earlier name suggested.
IELTS General Reading Test
35. What does the writer say in the third paragraph about the construction of The Comic Store?
A. The architect chose a construction team he had worked with before.
B. The people who built it were helped by the use of computer design.
C. A famous optician was consulted about the way it looked.
D. Engineers found it difficult to make the design a reality.
36. What does the writer say about the staff at The Comic Store?
A. A high proportion of them are volunteers.
B. Many of them have creative backgrounds.
C. Employees tend to stay in their jobs for a long time.
D. Working as an intern can lead to full-time employment at the stop.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 37-40
Label the map. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
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ANSWERS
28. C
29. B
30. D
31. B
32. A
33. A
34. D
35. B
36. B
37. SCREEN
38. COMICS
39. VIDEOS
40. MAKE-BELIEVE
IELTS General Reading Test