Table of Contents
Passage
A. The term graffiti derives from the Italian graffio meaning ‘scratching’ and can be defined as uninvited markings or writing scratched or applied to objects, built structures and natural features. It is not a new phenomenon: examples can be found on ancient structures around the world, in some cases predating the Greeks and Romans. In such circumstances it has acquired invaluable historical and archaeological significance, providing a social history of life and events at that time. Graffiti is now a problem that has become pervasive, as a result of the availability of cheap and quick means of mark-making.
B. It is usually considered a priority to remove graffiti as quickly as possible after it appears. This is for several reasons. The first is to prevent ‘copy-cat’ emulation which can occur rapidly once a clean surface is defaced. It may also be of a racist or otherwise offensive nature and many companies and councils have a policy of removing this type of graffiti within an hour or two of it being reported. Also, as paints, glues and inks dry out over time they can become increasingly difficult to remove and are usually best dealt with as soon as possible after the incident. Graffiti can also lead to more serious forms of vandalism and, ultimately, the deterioration of an area, contributing to social decline.
C. Although graffiti may be regarded as an eyesore, any proposal to remove it from sensitive historic surfaces should be carefully considered: techniques designed for more robust or utilitarian surfaces may result in considerable damage. In the event of graffiti incidents, it is important that the owners of buildings or other structures and their consultants are aware of the approach they should take in dealing with the problem. The police should be informed as there may be other related attacks occurring locally. An incidence pattern can identify possible culprits, as can stylised signatures or nicknames, known as ‘tags, which may already be familiar to local police. Photographs are useful to record graffiti incidents and may assist the police in bringing a prosecution. Such images are also required for insurance claims, and can be helpful to cleaning operatives, allowing them to see the problem area before arriving on site.
D. There are a variety of methods that are used to remove graffiti. Broadly these divide between chemical and mechanical systems. Chemical preparations are based on dissolving the media; these solvents can range from water to potentially hazardous chemical ‘cocktails’. Mechanical systems such as wire-brushing and grit-blasting attempt to abrade or chip the media from the surface. Care should be taken to comply with health and safety legislation with regard to the protection of both passers-by and any person carrying out the cleaning, operatives should follow product guidelines in terms of application and removal, and wear the appropriate protective equipment. Measures must be taken to ensure that run-off, aerial mists, drips and splashes do not threaten unprotected members of the public. When examining a graffiti incident it is important to assess the ability of the substrate to withstand the prescribed treatment. If there is any doubt regarding this, then small trial areas should be undertaken to assess the impact of more extensive treatment.
E. A variety of preventive strategies can be adopted to combat a recurring problem of graffiti at a given site. As no two sites are the same, no one set of protection measures will be suitable for all situations. Each site must be looked at individually. Surveillance systems such as closed circuit television may also help. In cities and towns around the country, prominently placed cameras have been shown to reduce anti-social behaviour of all types including graffiti. Security patrols will also act as a deterrent to prevent recurring attacks. However, the cost of this may be too high for most situations. Physical barriers such as a wall, railings, doors or gates can be introduced to discourage unauthorised access to a vulnerable site. However, consideration has to be given to the impact measures have on the structure being protected. In the worst cases, they can be almost as damaging to the quality of the envfronment as the graffiti they prevent. In others, they might simply provide a new surface for graffiti.
F. One of the most significant problems associated with graffiti removal is the need to remove it from surfaces that are repeatedly attacked. Under these circumstances the repeated removal of graffiti using even the most gentle methods will ultimately cause damage to the surface material. There may be situations where the preventive strategies mentioned above do not work or are not a viable proposition at a given site. Anti-graffiti coatings are usually applied by brush or spray leaving a thin veneer that essentially serves to isolate the graffiti from the surface.
G. Removal of graffiti from a surface that has been treated in this way is much easier, usually using low-pressure water which reduces the possibility of damage. Depending on the type of barrier selected it may be necessary to reapply the coating after each graffiti removal exercise.
Questions
Questions 14-19
Reading Passage has six paragraphs, A-G.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-G ,in boxes 14-19 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
14 why chemically cleaning graffiti may cause damage
15 the benefit of a precautionary strategy on the gentle removal
16 the damaging and accumulative impact of graffiti to the community
17 the need for different preventive measures being taken to cope with graffiti
18 a legal proposal made to the owner of building against graffiti
19 the reasons of removing graffiti as soon as possible
Question 20-21
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Write your answers in boxes 20-21 on your answer sheet.
Which two statements are true concerning the removal of graffiti
A cocktail removal can be safer than water treatment
B small patch trial before applying large scale of removing
c Chemical treatments are the most expensive way of removing
D there are risks for both Chemical and medication method
E mechanical removals are much more applicable than Chemical treatments
Questions22-23
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Write your answers in boxes 22-23 on your answer sheet.
Which TWO of the following preventive measures against graffiti are mentioned effective in the passage?
A organise more anti graffiti movement in the city communities
B increase the police patrols on the street
C Build a new building with material repelling to water
D installing more visible security cameras
E Provide a whole new surface with chemical coat
Questions 24-27
Complete the Summary of the paragraphs of Reading Passage.
Use NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 24-27 on your answer sheet.
24 Ancient graffiti is of significance and records the 24.……………… of details
life for that period.
25 The police can recognize newly committed incidents of graffiti by the
signature which is called 25……………….that they are familiar with
26 Operatives ought to comply with relevant rules during the operation, and
put on the suitable 26………………..
27 Removal of graffiti from a new type of coating surface can be much
convenient of using 27………………..
Answers
Below are the answers, key words, synonyms and full explanations for the IELTS Reading passage Is Graffiti Art or Crime? (Passage 2, Questions 14–27).
Questions 14–19: Which paragraph contains the following information? (A–G)
14. why chemically cleaning graffiti may cause damage
Answer: D
Key words: assess the ability of the substrate to withstand the prescribed treatment … small trial areas should be undertaken
Synonyms: chemical cleaning may cause damage = the substrate may not withstand the chemical treatment = “Chemical preparations are based on dissolving the media … it is important to assess the ability of the substrate to withstand the prescribed treatment. If there is any doubt … small trial areas should be undertaken”
Explanation: Paragraph D describes chemical/mechanical methods and warns that a substrate may not survive the treatment — why cleaning can cause damage → D.
15. the benefit of a precautionary strategy on the gentle removal
Answer: G
Key words: Removal of graffiti from a surface that has been treated in this way is much easier, usually using low-pressure water
Synonyms: benefit of a precautionary strategy (the anti-graffiti coating) on gentle removal = coated surfaces are easier to clean with low-pressure water = “Removal of graffiti from a surface that has been treated in this way is much easier, usually using low-pressure water which reduces the possibility of damage”
Explanation: Paragraph G explains that a pre-applied coating makes later, gentle removal easier → G.
16. the damaging and accumulative impact of graffiti on the community
Answer: B
Key words: Graffiti can also lead to more serious forms of vandalism and, ultimately, the deterioration of an area, contributing to social decline
Synonyms: damaging and accumulative impact on the community = leads to worse vandalism, deterioration of an area, social decline = “Graffiti can also lead to more serious forms of vandalism and, ultimately, the deterioration of an area, contributing to social decline”
Explanation: Paragraph B shows graffiti’s escalating harm to a whole area/community → B.
17. the need for different preventive measures being taken to cope with graffiti
Answer: E
Key words: As no two sites are the same, no one set of protection measures will be suitable for all situations. Each site must be looked at individually
Synonyms: need for different preventive measures = no single set of measures suits all sites; each site looked at individually = “A variety of preventive strategies can be adopted … no one set of protection measures will be suitable for all situations. Each site must be looked at individually”
Explanation: Paragraph E stresses that prevention must be tailored site by site → E.
18. a legal proposal made to the owner of a building against graffiti
Answer: C
Key words: The police should be informed … Photographs … may assist the police in bringing a prosecution
Synonyms: a legal proposal to the owner = advising owners to involve police / support a prosecution = “the owners of buildings … are aware of the approach they should take … The police should be informed … Photographs … may assist the police in bringing a prosecution”
Explanation: Paragraph C advises owners on the legal approach — informing police and helping a prosecution → C.
19. the reasons for removing graffiti as soon as possible
Answer: B
Key words: It is usually considered a priority to remove graffiti as quickly as possible … This is for several reasons
Synonyms: reasons for removing graffiti as soon as possible = why quick removal is a priority (copy-cat, offensive, drying inks) = “It is usually considered a priority to remove graffiti as quickly as possible after it appears. This is for several reasons”
Explanation: Paragraph B lists why fast removal matters → B.
Questions 20–21: Which TWO statements are true concerning the removal of graffiti?
Answer: B and D
B — small patch trial before applying large-scale removing
Key words: small trial areas should be undertaken to assess the impact of more extensive treatment
Synonyms: small patch trial before large-scale removal = small trial areas before more extensive treatment = “small trial areas should be undertaken to assess the impact of more extensive treatment”
D — there are risks for both chemical and mechanical methods
Key words: Care should be taken to comply with health and safety legislation … protection of both passers-by and any person carrying out the cleaning
Synonyms: risks for both chemical and mechanical methods = health-and-safety care needed for both systems = “Broadly these divide between chemical and mechanical systems … Care should be taken to comply with health and safety legislation”
Explanation: The passage recommends a trial patch first (B) and warns both method types carry health-and-safety risks (D). (“medication” in option D is a typo for “mechanical”.) → B and D.
Questions 22–23: Which TWO preventive measures are mentioned as effective?
Answer: B and D
B — increase the police patrols on the street
Key words: Security patrols will also act as a deterrent to prevent recurring attacks
Synonyms: increase police patrols = security patrols act as a deterrent = “Security patrols will also act as a deterrent to prevent recurring attacks”
D — installing more visible security cameras
Key words: prominently placed cameras have been shown to reduce anti-social behaviour of all types including graffiti
Synonyms: visible security cameras = prominently placed cameras / closed-circuit television = “Surveillance systems such as closed circuit television may also help … prominently placed cameras have been shown to reduce anti-social behaviour … including graffiti”
Explanation: Paragraph E names surveillance cameras (D) and security patrols (B) as deterrents that work → B and D.
Questions 24–27: Summary Completion (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS)
24. Ancient graffiti is of significance and records the ______ of detailed life for that period.
Answer: social history
Key words: providing a social history of life and events at that time
Synonyms: records the ______ of life = provides a social history of life = “it has acquired invaluable historical and archaeological significance, providing a social history of life and events at that time”
Explanation: Ancient graffiti gives a social history of the period → social history.
25. The police can recognize newly committed incidents of graffiti by the signature which is called ______.
Answer: tag
Key words: stylised signatures or nicknames, known as ‘tags’
Synonyms: the signature which is called ______ = stylised signatures/nicknames known as tags = “stylised signatures or nicknames, known as ‘tags’, which may already be familiar to local police”
Explanation: These signature marks are called tags → tag.
26. Operatives ought to comply with relevant rules during the operation, and put on the suitable ______.
Answer: protective equipment
Key words: follow product guidelines … and wear the appropriate protective equipment
Synonyms: put on the suitable ______ = wear the appropriate protective equipment = “Operatives should follow product guidelines in terms of application and removal, and wear the appropriate protective equipment”
Explanation: Workers must wear proper protective equipment → protective equipment.
27. Removal of graffiti from a new type of coating surface can be much more convenient using ______.
Answer: water
Key words: usually using low-pressure water which reduces the possibility of damage
Synonyms: convenient removal from a coated surface using ______ = much easier, usually using low-pressure water = “Removal of graffiti from a surface that has been treated in this way is much easier, usually using low-pressure water”
Explanation: Coated surfaces can be cleaned simply with water → water.
Answer Key (Quick Reference)
| Q | Answer | Q | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | D | 21 | D |
| 15 | G | 22 | B |
| 16 | B | 23 | D |
| 17 | E | 24 | social history |
| 18 | C | 25 | tag |
| 19 | B | 26 | protective equipment |
| 20 | B | 27 | water |
Note: Questions 20–21 and 22–23 each accept the two answers in either order.
