IELTS Reading

History: Incredible Achievements 3

– Marco Polo –

“In 1275, Marco Polo, a Venetian merchant, embarked on an audacious journey that was to be chronicled in his legendary book, “Il Milione.” With his father and uncle, Polo traversed treacherous terrain, crossing deserts and mountain ranges, to reach the opulent court of Kublai Khan, the Mongol Emperor. Through an unparalleled linguistic aptitude, Marco Polo ingratiated himself with the Mongol court and embarked on numerous excursions throughout the empire. He meticulously documented the culture, economics, and innovations he encountered, providing Europeans with unprecedented insights into the mystifying East. One of his most celebrated observations was the usage of paper currency, a concept then alien to the West. Polo’s momentous journey lasted 24 years, and his comprehensive accounts were instrumental in bridging the chasm between East and West. His legacy endures as an emblematic figure of the indomitable human spirit and the relentless pursuit of knowledge, catalyzing subsequent explorations and cultural exchanges that sculpted the tapestry of human history.”

​Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.
  1. Marco Polo was a merchant who set out on a daring _______ that took him through hazardous landscapes to reach the Mongol Empire.
  2. The Venetian explorer became accepted in Kublai Khan’s court, partly because of his unmatched ability in learning _______.
  3. His extensive travels included numerous _______ throughout the Mongol Empire, during which he took detailed notes.
  4. Polo’s writings provided Europeans with invaluable knowledge about the previously _______ East.
  5. He was amazed by the Mongol’s use of _______ currency, which was unknown in Europe at the time.
  6. Marco Polo’s detailed records played a crucial role in fostering _______ between the East and the West.
Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.

In 1275, Marco Polo, an audacious Venetian _______, commenced an extraordinary _______, spanning deserts and mountains to reach Kublai Khan’s splendid court. Displaying exceptional linguistic _______, he won favor with the Mongol court and undertook various excursions within the empire. Polo meticulously chronicled the _______, economy, and technological advancements, enlightening Europeans with unexplored knowledge of the East. Among his notable revelations was the deployment of paper _______, unfamiliar to the West at that time. His monumental voyage, lasting 24 years, was instrumental in closing the gap between the East and West through cultural exchange.

Vocabulary Builder 

  • Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.
Original Word Variants Used
journey _______________________ / ______________________
merchant _______________________
audacious _______________________
hazardous _______________________
linguistic _______________________
ingratiated _______________________
meticulously _______________________ / ______________________
currency _______________________
exchange _______________________
Original Word Variants Used
journey voyage, excursion
merchant trader
audacious daring
hazardous treacherous
linguistic languages
ingratiated won favor
meticulously detailed, chronicled
currency money
exchange cultural exchange

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