Page 115 - READING COMPANION TO ENGLISH EXAMS

Answer the questions 27–29 according to the
passage below.

In the 15 century, during the peak of the 28. According to the passage, the process of
th
Ottoman Empire, İznik, a town situated near the underglaze decoration is ----.
Marmara Sea, became a centre for the production A) painting intricate designs on the surface of
of high-quality ceramics and tiles. These tiles tiles using pigments before glazing
were characterised by their unique designs,
often featuring a combination of nature-inspired B) applying a mineral-based layer of glaze over
floral motifs such as tulips and roses, geometric the painted designs on the tiles
patterns, and stylised arabesques. Shades of C) the firing process used to achieve the vibrant
cobalt blue, turquoise, green, and white were the colours of the tiles before painting
main colours in the palette, derived from natural
mineral pigments and fired at high temperatures D) the incorporation of minerals in the final
to achieve their peculiar brilliance. Before İznik glaze layer for added brilliance
tiles were glazed, they underwent a process E) the use of high temperatures to achieve
of underglaze decoration, where designs were unique colour combinations on the tiles
painted onto the surface of the tiles using
mineral-based pigments by craftspeople. İznik
tiles have been widely used in the architectural
decoration of Ottoman mosques and palaces
to create decorative panels and intricate wall
coverings. The Blue Mosque, for instance,
showcases a striking array of blue and white
İznik tiles, creating an atmosphere of dignity and
beauty. The Topkapı Palace and the tomb of
Süleyman the Magnificent are also known for their
extensive use of İznik tiles. Even after hundreds
of years, the intricate designs and colour
combinations of these marvellous tiles continue
to be a source of inspiration for contemporary
designers and decorators.

27. Which of the following is true according to the 29. It can be understood from the passage that
passage? İznik tiles ----.
A) To give the colours their shades, natural A) have primarily gained popularity as museum
mineral pigments were added before firing artefacts rather than functional design
the tiles at high temperatures. elements used in religious monuments and
palaces
B) Ottoman architecture basically relied on İznik
tiles to create decorative items like interior B) serve as a testament to the temporary impact
panels and coverings. of the Ottoman Empire on global art with their
intricate patterns and colour combinations
C) Under the influence of İznik tiles,
contemporary craftspeople continue to use C) have bridged the gap between historical
vibrant colours in their works of art. craftsmanship and modern creativity,
preserving their inspirational significance for
D) Unfortunately, there are only three buildings designers of our day
left which still stand as examples of
high-quality ceramics and tiles. D) lost their appeal and widespread popularity
over time and are now solely valued for their
E) The combination of nature-inspired motifs historical significance due to changing design
and geometric patterns was a one-of-a-kind trends
feature of marvellous İznik tiles.
E) have been extensively replicated by
contemporary designers and decorators,
leading to a decline in their uniqueness and
popularity
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