IELTS Reading – History: Historical Figures 1

– Leonardo da Vinci –

Leonardo da Vinci, born in the 15th century, was an Italian polymath whose influence spanned various domains like art, science, anatomy, and engineering. Often hailed as the epitome of the Renaissance Man, his insatiable curiosity was evident in his exhaustive notebooks filled with sketches, scientific diagrams, and innovative ideas.

Most celebrated for his masterpieces in painting, such as the “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper”, Leonardo’s brilliance wasn’t confined to art alone. He demonstrated forward-thinking concepts in engineering, proposing mechanisms like the helicopter and the parachute, centuries before they became a reality.

Moreover, his explorations into the human anatomy led to detailed sketches of the human body, often considered revolutionary for their time. These investigations surpassed the medical knowledge of the Renaissance era, laying the groundwork for future anatomists.

Leonardo’s multifaceted contributions to various fields, coupled with his insatiable thirst for knowledge, underscore his enduring legacy as one of the most brilliant minds in history. His work continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.

Leonardo da Vinci is often described as the ______ of the Renaissance Man.
His numerous notebooks were filled with drawings, scientific ______, and innovative concepts.
Among his renowned artworks are the “Mona Lisa” and “The ______ Supper”.
In the realm of engineering, he envisioned machines like the ______ and the parachute.
His deep dive into the human body yielded detailed ______ of its structure.
Leonardo’s diverse contributions to multiple domains highlight his enduring ______ as one of history’s greatest thinkers.

Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.

Leonardo da Vinci, a pivotal figure from the Renaissance era, was not only renowned for iconic paintings like the “Mona Lisa”, but also for his ______ into various scientific fields. His notebooks, teeming with illustrations, showcased his profound understanding of ______ and machinery. Astonishingly, he conceptualized inventions such as the ______ long before they were constructed. His in-depth studies of the ______ body produced sketches that were way ahead of their time. Such vast expertise across disciplines emphasizes Leonardo’s lasting ______ as a prodigious intellect in history.

Vocabulary Builder

Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.

Original word	Variants used
masterpieces	__________________________
sketches	__________________________
engineering	__________________________
helicopter	__________________________
anatomy	__________________________
revolutionary	__________________________
contributions	__________________________
legacy	__________________________

Reveal answer (9 More Words)

Original word	Variants used
masterpieces	iconic paintings
sketches	illustrations
engineering	machinery
helicopter	inventions
anatomy	human body
revolutionary	ahead of their time
contributions	expertise
legacy	lasting impact