The Globemakers IELTS Reading Passage with Answers (Questions 27–40)

If you searched for the The Globemakers IELTS Reading answers — the Passage 3 review of Peter Bellerby's book about handmade globes — this post has everything you need in one place: the complete passage as it appears in the test, all 14 questions (27 to 40), a clean answer key, and a line-by-line explanation for every answer, grounded in the passage itself.

Try the passage under exam conditions (20 minutes) before you check the answers.

Prepared by Pacific Educational Consultant — Kota's trusted centre for IELTS Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking training.

The Full IELTS Reading Passage

The Globemakers: The Curious Story of an Ancient Craft

A review of Peter Bellerby's book The Globemakers

In 2008, Peter Bellerby, who lived in London, wanted to give his father a model globe for his eightieth birthday. What seemed simple enough to start with triggered an almost obsessive, decade-long journey, marked by a series of obstacles that would have deterred anyone less determined. It ended with his establishing the world's only bespoke globemaking company.

The first surprise in The Globemakers, Bellerby's account of this impulsive enterprise, is that obtaining such a globe was not simply a matter of a quick online order and a repressed sigh at the shipping costs. After all, contrary to stubbornly held popular views of our ancestors' geographical ignorance, we have known that the world is spherical since at least the 6th century BCE. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato in his work Phaedo likened it to a leather ball, while the accolade of producing the first recorded globe goes to the ancient Greek philosopher Crates of Mallus, who is said to have made one in around 150 BCE. Surely, Bellerby reasoned, a good-quality globe wouldn't be difficult to find.

Nearly two millennia later, however, it seemed that the art of globemaking had been largely forgotten. Bellerby came across shoddy commercial versions designed for school classrooms and genuine antiques in auction houses that would have bust his budget. Even his trips to Morocco and India, where surely the knowledge of artisan cartographers* had been preserved, drew a blank.

Not one to be easily thwarted, Bellerby decided to make his own good-quality globe. In the process, almost everything that could possibly go wrong did so. Even the shape of the Earth posed a problem, as it is not quite a perfect sphere, but oblate (slightly flattened at the poles). Having decided to compromise and opt for two half-spherical pieces that could be fitted together, he was unable to discover anyone capable of casting moulds with sufficient accuracy to ensure that he would not be left with two half-spheres that were not quite the same circumference. Even after he eventually resolved this issue, extracting these from the moulds resulted in piles of cracked plaster of Paris** and clouds of choking dust in the workshop he had set up at the rear of his house.

This series of abortive experiments taught Bellerby a lot about the challenges of making globes, which he communicates here to the reader. Finding just the right way to prise the globes from the mould — a high-end air compressor finally did the trick — and locating the right paper and inks with which to make the gores (the sections of flat sheet mapping that are pasted onto the spherical globe) without the ink seeping out to create a mushy, unreadable mess took months and an alarming chunk out of his bank balance. Bellerby's frustration at the painstaking process of attaching the gores to the globe surface — after having found a glue with precisely the right adhesive qualities — is palpable. Right at the end of the process, he learnt that the paper had stretched slightly and so the final one overlapped the first by a centimetre (which may not seem a great deal, but when that represents 2 per cent of the Earth's diameter, it's equivalent to obliterating the Himalayas or wiping out Chile).

Bellerby's account of the technical challenges of globe production is interspersed with a series of interludes on great globemakers of the past and cartographic history in general. Purists might wish for more map-making details, but Bellerby clearly found a kindred spirit in Martin Behaim. He was the Nuremberg entrepreneur who in 1492 created the Erdapfel, the world's oldest surviving globe, beautifully finished by a workshop of painters and other craftsmen, only to find that the explorer Christopher Columbus had stumbled upon the Americas the very same year, rendering his masterpiece instantly out of date. Something of Bellerby's unflinching ambition is reflected in the even more heroic efforts of the Italian cartographer Vincenzo Coronelli, who, in the seventeenth century, created two globes for Louis XIV of France. It took him twenty years to complete the monstrous pair, whose vast bulk — each with a diameter of around four metres — can still be admired in the National Library of France in Paris.

Although a celebration of the revival of an ancient craft, Bellerby's book is also a lament for the fading away of centuries-old traditions. When he embarked on his globemaking odyssey, he struggled to find artisans with the skills to make the right moulds for the globes or foundries that could shape the meridians (the metal frames which girdle globes) in just the right way. Although he finally located the right craftsmen, some simply dropping in, serendipitously, to his workshop (by now in more suitable premises than his back room), many of these have now retired or passed away.

Bellerby's father finally did receive his eightieth birthday present, albeit two years late. Bellerby went on to found a company which now turns out over six hundred globes a year for customers who can have their own tiny village marked or more unusual requests fulfilled. His book, beautifully illustrated with photographs of the various stages of his venture and a few illustrations of historic globes and maps, is hardly a blueprint for commercial success. But it is more than enough to stir up admiration for the craftsmanship of the great mapmakers of the past and the obsessive determination of a modern successor who revived their almost moribund art.

*cartographers: people who draw or make maps. **plaster of Paris: a white powder that hardens when mixed with water, used for making moulds.

The Questions

Questions 27–32

Complete the summary using the list of words, A–J, below. Write the correct letter, A–J, in boxes 27–32 on your answer sheet.

A birthday gift

Peter Bellerby's plan to give his father a globe for his birthday was an unexpectedly 27 …………………… for which he had to overcome 28 ……………………. He soon learnt that a straightforward 29 …………………… would not be possible. Some 30 …………………… that had been intended for 31 …………………… were available, as were some expensive antique globes, but these were beyond his budget. He even travelled to places where people might still have the 32 ……………………, but Bellerby could not find what he wanted.

A educational use B rare materials C inferior makes D product exchange E necessary skills F international markets G challenging task H memorable object I internet purchase J numerous problems

Questions 33–36

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 3? In boxes 33–36 on your answer sheet, write:

• YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
• NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
• NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

33 The assumption today that people in the past knew very little about geography is correct. 34 Plato was criticised for saying the world was shaped like a leather ball. 35 The globe made by Crates of Mallus was an accurate representation of the known world. 36 Bellerby assumed he would have few problems locating a well-made globe.

Questions 37–40

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D. Write the correct letter in boxes 37–40 on your answer sheet.

37 When Bellerby had to attach the gores to the globe surface,   A he decided it was best to work quickly.   B he became aware of an unexpected issue.   C he was worried about the quality of his materials.   D he nearly gave up the whole project.

38 The reviewer mentions other globe makers of the past because   A Bellerby was particularly inspired by them.   B their achievements are not widely known.   C Bellerby had something in common with each of them.   D their difficulties could have been avoided.

39 What point is made about Bellerby in the seventh paragraph?   A He had long working relationships with numerous craftsmen.   B He understands the lack of interest in traditional crafts.   C He appreciates the importance of careful planning.   D He regrets the loss of many globe-making skills.

40 What does the reviewer say about Bellerby's book in the final paragraph?   A It does not tell you how to create a profitable business.   B It overlooks some important mapmakers.   C It fails to discuss the future of globe-making.   D It does not give enough details about individual customers.

Quick Answer Key

Detailed Explanations — Questions 27 to 32 (Summary Completion)

The summary paraphrases paragraphs 1 to 3 of the passage. All six gaps follow the passage in order.

Q27. Peter Bellerby's plan to give his father a globe for his birthday was an unexpectedly __________

Answer: G — challenging task

Paragraph 1 says: "What seemed simple enough to start with triggered an almost obsessive, decade-long journey, marked by a series of obstacles." A journey full of obstacles that lasted a decade is exactly a challenging task. "Memorable object" (H) refers to a thing, not the plan itself, so it doesn't fit grammatically or logically.

Q28. for which he had to overcome __________

Answer: J — numerous problems

Same sentence: "a series of obstacles that would have deterred anyone less determined." A series of obstacles = numerous problems. This is the classic IELTS synonym swap.

Q29. He soon learnt that a straightforward __________ would not be possible.

Answer: I — internet purchase

Paragraph 2 opens with: "obtaining such a globe was not simply a matter of a quick online order and a repressed sigh at the shipping costs." A quick online order = a straightforward internet purchase. Do not be tempted by "product exchange" (D) — nothing in the passage talks about exchange.

Q30. Some __________ that had been intended for

Answer: C — inferior makes

Paragraph 3 says: "Bellerby came across shoddy commercial versions designed for school classrooms." Shoddy commercial versions = inferior makes. "Shoddy" means poor-quality, which is the exact meaning of "inferior."

Q31. intended for __________ were available

Answer: A — educational use

Same sentence: "designed for school classrooms." School classrooms = educational use. Simple paraphrase — as long as you have the paragraph located, this is a free mark.

Q32. He even travelled to places where people might still have the __________

Answer: E — necessary skills

Paragraph 3 ends: "his trips to Morocco and India, where surely the knowledge of artisan cartographers had been preserved." Knowledge of artisan cartographers = the necessary skills to make good globes. "Rare materials" (B) is a trap — the passage talks about skills, not materials.

Detailed Explanations — Questions 33 to 36 (Yes / No / Not Given)

Golden rule: YES = the writer clearly says this. NO = the writer clearly says the opposite. NOT GIVEN = the writer never comments on this at all.

Q33. The assumption today that people in the past knew very little about geography is correct.

Answer: NO

Paragraph 2 says: "contrary to stubbornly held popular views of our ancestors' geographical ignorance, we have known that the world is spherical since at least the 6th century BCE."

The phrase "contrary to popular views" tells you the writer is rejecting the common assumption. The writer clearly disagrees with it — so the statement contradicts the writer. Answer = NO.

Q34. Plato was criticised for saying the world was shaped like a leather ball.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Paragraph 2 mentions: "Plato in his work Phaedo likened it to a leather ball." That is all — no mention of criticism, praise, or reaction from anyone. When the passage only reports a fact and says nothing about a specific reaction, choose NOT GIVEN.

Q35. The globe made by Crates of Mallus was an accurate representation of the known world.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Paragraph 2 says only: "the accolade of producing the first recorded globe goes to the ancient Greek philosopher Crates of Mallus, who is said to have made one in around 150 BCE."

The passage confirms Crates made a globe, but says nothing about accuracy. Do not fall into the trap of assuming — no comment on accuracy = NOT GIVEN.

Q36. Bellerby assumed he would have few problems locating a well-made globe.

Answer: YES

End of paragraph 2: "Surely, Bellerby reasoned, a good-quality globe wouldn't be difficult to find." "A good-quality globe" = a well-made globe. "Wouldn't be difficult to find" = would have few problems locating. Straight YES.

Detailed Explanations — Questions 37 to 40 (Multiple Choice)

Q37. When Bellerby had to attach the gores to the globe surface,

Answer: B — he became aware of an unexpected issue.

Paragraph 5 says: "Right at the end of the process, he learnt that the paper had stretched slightly and so the final one overlapped the first by a centimetre." This is exactly an unexpected issue — he only learnt about it right at the end.

• A is wrong — the process is described as "painstaking", meaning slow and careful, not quick.
• C is wrong — he had already found the right paper, ink and glue.
• D is wrong — nothing says he nearly gave up.

Q38. The reviewer mentions other globe makers of the past because

Answer: C — Bellerby had something in common with each of them.

Paragraph 6 says Bellerby "clearly found a kindred spirit in Martin Behaim" and that "Something of Bellerby's unflinching ambition is reflected in the even more heroic efforts of the Italian cartographer Vincenzo Coronelli."

Kindred spirit and ambition reflected in both mean Bellerby shared qualities with them. That is exactly option C.

• A is wrong — the passage doesn't say he was inspired by them, only that he had things in common.
• B is wrong — the reviewer doesn't comment on how well-known they are.
• D is wrong — the passage doesn't say their difficulties were avoidable.

Q39. What point is made about Bellerby in the seventh paragraph?

Answer: D — He regrets the loss of many globe-making skills.

Paragraph 7 says: "Bellerby's book is also a lament for the fading away of centuries-old traditions," and adds that many of the craftsmen he finally found "have now retired or passed away."

A lament is an expression of sorrow or regret. Craftsmen retiring or dying = loss of skills. That matches option D precisely.

• A is wrong — nothing about long working relationships.
• B is wrong — the paragraph is about the skills fading, not about public interest.
• C is wrong — planning is never mentioned.

Q40. What does the reviewer say about Bellerby's book in the final paragraph?

Answer: A — It does not tell you how to create a profitable business.

The final paragraph says: "His book… is hardly a blueprint for commercial success."

A blueprint for commercial success = a plan for a profitable business. "Hardly" means "not really" — so the book does not teach you how to build a profitable business. Answer = A.

• B is wrong — the passage praises the mapmakers he mentions, doesn't say he missed any.
• C is wrong — the future of globe-making isn't discussed as a gap.
• D is wrong — customers are mentioned, but the passage doesn't complain about detail on them.

Vocabulary from the Passage That Often Appears in IELTS

• Bespoke — made specially for an individual customer
• Cartographer — a person who makes maps
• Kindred spirit — a person who shares your feelings, attitudes or interests
• Lament — an expression of grief or regret
• Moribund — in a state of dying out or of very low activity
• Odyssey — a long, eventful journey
• Oblate — flattened at the poles (opposite of prolate)
• Painstaking — done with great care and effort
• Palpable — so obvious it can almost be felt
• Serendipitously — happening by lucky chance
• Thwart — to prevent someone from doing what they want

Log these in your IELTS vocabulary journal — they are excellent for Writing Task 2 essays on tradition, craft, business and heritage.

Exam Strategy — How to Score High on This Passage

Summary completion (Q27–32):

All six answers come from paragraphs 1 to 3, and they appear in order. Underline the exact phrase in the passage that matches each blank — that habit alone will get you 5 or 6 out of 6.

Yes / No / Not Given (Q33–36):

This passage sets a classic trap with two consecutive NOT GIVEN answers (Q34 and Q35). Do not force YES or NO just because the passage mentions the same name — check whether the specific claim in the statement is discussed.

Multiple choice (Q37–40):

Every wrong option in this section is factually mentioned somewhere in the passage but for the wrong reason — a common Passage 3 trick. Read the question stem carefully and match it to the reason the paragraph gives, not just the topic.

Time management:

Passage 3 is the hardest of the three. Aim for 20 minutes flat. If you have any spare minutes from Passage 1 or 2, spend them here — not on double-checking easier passages.

Practice More IELTS Reading with Pacific Educational Consultant

If these The Globemakers IELTS Reading answers helped you understand exactly where you lost marks, the next step is more Cambridge-style passages under real exam pressure — and reviewing every wrong answer against the exact line in the text, the same way this post explains each answer.

Pacific Educational Consultant offers structured IELTS Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking programmes with British-Council-trained mentors, weekly full-length mock tests, and one-on-one feedback so you know exactly why you lost each band. Whether your target is 6.5 for Canada PR, 7.0 for UK universities, or 7.5+ for Australia, our band-focused courses are built around real Cambridge passages like this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is "The Globemakers: The Curious Story of an Ancient Craft" a real Cambridge IELTS reading passage?

Yes — it is an Academic Reading Passage 3 in the standard Cambridge format, using summary completion, Yes/No/Not Given and multiple choice question types you will meet on test day.

Q: What is the main idea of The Globemakers IELTS reading passage?

The passage reviews Peter Bellerby's book about how his simple wish to buy his father a globe led him to spend a decade reviving the ancient craft of handmade globe production and founding the world's only bespoke globemaking company.

Q: Which questions in this passage are the hardest?

Questions 34 and 35 (both NOT GIVEN) trip up most candidates because Plato and Crates of Mallus are mentioned by name — but the specific claim in each statement is not discussed. Question 40 also requires you to understand the idiom "blueprint for commercial success."

Q: What band level does this passage target?

Band 6.5 to 9.0. Scoring 12 or more correct out of 14 puts you comfortably in the Band 8+ range for Passage 3 difficulty.

Prepared by Pacific Educational Consultant — Kota's trusted centre for IELTS Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking training, and study-abroad guidance for the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.