SOFL FLAIC Moscow

2023

IELTS Reading: True/False/Not

given and Yes/No/Not given
questions
 2

True/False/Not given questions

This task type asks you to look at statements and decide if they agree with the information in the text or not. TRUE means the information matches what the text says,
FALSE that the information is contradicted by the text, and NOT GIVEN means that the statement is neither confirmed nor contradicted. NOT GIVEN statements often
refer to ideas that are mentioned but not enough information is given for you to say if it is TRUE or FALSE.
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Read the titles and the first two or three sentences of Text 1 and Text 2 below to identify topics.
Spend no more than 20 seconds on this.
Childhood obesity goes global.
A. Childhood obesity is rapidly becoming a global epidemic. The US continues to Dinner time then and now
lead the way, with as many as 37% of its children and adolescents carrying around A. Patterns of food consumption in Britain are changing rapidly. A major survey by
too much fat. But other countries are rapidly catching up. According to statistics research group Mintel shows that, for the first time, convenience meals account for
presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Finland, more than 20% of the largest slice of all consumer spending on food — 30.1 per cent of the market.
European youngsters between the ages of 5 and 17 are either overweight or obese, Over the past decade, pizza sales have risen by 98 per cent.
Asia lags behind the US and Europe in its obesity statistics, but Thailand, Malaysia, B. But the trend has resulted in profound changes to eating habits. The proportion of
Japan and the Philippines have all reported troubling increases in recent years. Up to adults who say they regularly eat a traditional Sunday dinner, with roast meat and
10% of China's 290 million children are already believed to be overweight or obese, vegetables, has fallen by ten per cent over the same period. Now less than half say
and that percentage is expected to have doubled a decade from now. So across Asia they usually have a roast each week. Meat and fish account for a fifth of the UK's
too, childhood obesity is on the rise, and a less marked trend has been documented total food market, but the sector has shown no growth over the past decade. Spending
even in urbanised areas of sub-Saharan Africa. on fruit and vegetables, meanwhile, has gone up by only six per cent - despite a huge
B. Why do children become obese? One important factor is insulin, a hormone which government education campaign to get people eating more healthily.
enables the body to store extra calories as fat. Physical exercise helps control insulin C. However, the Mintel survey found that 40 per cent of the population still consider
levels, while ingesting fat combined with starches and sugar can cause surges in themselves as “traditionalist” diners. In contrast, 27 per cent are “convenience
insulin levels. A child who sits in front of the TV for hours on end, eating potato seekers”, who are happy heating up meals in the microwave. A growing proportion of
chips and doughnuts, is an ideal fat-storage machine. consumers - 31 per cent - are classed as “casual diners”, people who skip breakfast
C. What is urgently needed is for schools, health professionals, parents, and children and eat out most nights, not for pleasure but because they can't be bothered to cook.
to work together. Encouragingly, changing a family's lifestyle in healthy ways does D. It is predicted that more people will become casual diners as changes in society
not appear to be all that difficult: it involves regular exercise, slightly smaller see the size of households declining. This development, added to the increasing
portions, and slightly different foods. And this, say health officials, is a message that number of childless households, means that the pressure to cook a balanced meal has
badly needs to get out. declined, Mintel suggests.
Q: 1. Which text is about eating habits? Text /___/
2. Which is about a physical problem? Text /___/
 4

Read the titles and the first two or three sentences of Text 1 and Text 2 below to identify topics.
Spend no more than 20 seconds on this.
Childhood obesity goes global.
A. Childhood obesity is rapidly becoming a global epidemic. The US continues to
lead the way, with as many as 37% of its children and adolescents carrying around Dinner time then and now
too much fat. But other countries are rapidly catching up. According to statistics A. Patterns of food consumption in Britain are changing rapidly. A major survey by
presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Finland, more than 20% of research group Mintel shows that, for the first time, convenience meals account for
European youngsters between the ages of 5 and 17 are either overweight or obese, the largest slice of all consumer spending on food — 30.1 per cent of the market.
Asia lags behind the US and Europe in its obesity statistics, but Thailand, Malaysia, Over the past decade, pizza sales have risen by 98 per cent.
Japan and the Philippines have all reported troubling increases in recent years. Up to B. But the trend has resulted in profound changes to eating habits. The proportion of
10% of China's 290 million children are already believed to be overweight or obese, adults who say they regularly eat a traditional Sunday dinner, with roast meat and
and that percentage is expected to have doubled a decade from now. So across Asia vegetables, has fallen by ten per cent over the same period. Now less than half say
too, childhood obesity is on the rise, and a less marked trend has been documented they usually have a roast each week. Meat and fish account for a fifth of the UK's
even in urbanised areas of sub-Saharan Africa. total food market, but the sector has shown no growth over the past decade. Spending
B. Why do children become obese? One important factor is insulin, a hormone which on fruit and vegetables, meanwhile, has gone up by only six per cent - despite a huge
enables the body to store extra calories as fat. Physical exercise helps control insulin government education campaign to get people eating more healthily.
levels, while ingesting fat combined with starches and sugar can cause surges in C. However, the Mintel survey found that 40 per cent of the population still consider
insulin levels. A child who sits in front of the TV for hours on end, eating potato themselves as “traditionalist” diners. In contrast, 27 per cent are “convenience
chips and doughnuts, is an ideal fat-storage machine. seekers”, who are happy heating up meals in the microwave. A growing proportion of
C. What is urgently needed is for schools, health professionals, parents, and children consumers - 31 per cent - are classed as “casual diners”, people who skip breakfast
to work together. Encouragingly, changing a family's lifestyle in healthy ways does and eat out most nights, not for pleasure but because they can't be bothered to cook.
not appear to be all that difficult: it involves regular exercise, slightly smaller D. It is predicted that more people will become casual diners as changes in society
portions, and slightly different foods. And this, say health officials, is a message that see the size of households declining. This development, added to the increasing
badly needs to get out. number of childless households, means that the pressure to cook a balanced meal has
declined, Mintel suggests.
General strategy for Reading tasks: Before you look at the questions, you’d Q: 1. Which text is about eating habits? Text /___/
better spend a couple of minutes getting a general idea of what the text is about. 2. Which is about a physical problem? Text /___/
This will help you to tackle the tasks.
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Look at True/False/Not Given statements 1-6 below and choose the key words
Questions 1-6

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Text 1?

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Just over one-third of the total population of the US is overweight. (T or NG?)

2. Asia and Europe have an equal proportion of obese children. (T or F?)

3. It is forecast that the proportion of overweight or obese children in China will

reach 20% in ten years’ time. (T or NG?)

4. There is a downward trend in childhood obesity in some African towns and

cities. (T or F?)

5. Insulin levels rise sharply when foods with high levels of starch, sugar and fat
are eaten. (T or F?)

6. Parents play the most important role in improving eating habits. (F or NG?)
 6

Look at True/False/Not Given statements 1-6 below and choose the key words
Questions 1-6
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Text 1?
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Just over one-third of the total population of the US is overweight. (T or NG?)

2. Asia and Europe have an equal proportion of obese children. (T or F?)
3. It is forecast that the proportion of overweight or obese children in China will
reach 20% in ten years’ time. (T or NG?)
4. There is a downward trend in childhood obesity in some African towns and
cities. (T or F?)
5. Insulin levels rise sharply when foods with high levels of starch, sugar and fat
are eaten. (T or F?)
6. Parents play the most important role in improving eating habits. (F or NG?)

When True/False/Not given tasks are the case, you have to decide whether the
information given in a statement is true or false according to the text or not
given in the text. The statements focus on facts.
NB! Not Given statements are often based on the information you might expect
to be in the text but isn’t, and often use words that do appear in the text itself.
Read each statement and the relevant part of the text very carefully before
deciding whether the ideas are given or not. Make sure you are clear who is
being referred to in the text.
 7

Look at True/False/Not Given statements 1-6 below and choose the key words
Questions 1-6 Quickly find which paragraph in Text 1 contains the information relevant to each
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Text 1? statement. Write the paragraph letter (A, B or C) next to each statement. Don't try to
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information answer the questions yet.
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Just over one-third of the total population of the US is overweight. (T or NG?)

2. Asia and Europe have an equal proportion of obese children. (T or F?)
3. It is forecast that the proportion of overweight or obese children in China will
reach 20% in ten years’ time. (T or NG?)
4. There is a downward trend in childhood obesity in some African towns and
cities. (T or F?)
5. Insulin levels rise sharply when foods with high levels of starch, sugar and fat
are eaten. (T or F?)
6. Parents play the most important role in improving eating habits. (F or NG?)

When True/False/Not given tasks are the case, you have to decide whether the
information given in a statement is true or false according to the text or not
given in the text. The statements focus on facts.
NB! Not Given statements are often based on the information you might expect
to be in the text but isn’t, and often use words that do appear in the text itself.
Read each statement and the relevant part of the text very carefully before
deciding whether the ideas are given or not. Make sure you are clear who is
being referred to in the text.
 8

Look at True/False/Not Given statements 1-6 below and choose the key words
Questions 1-6 Quickly find which paragraph in Text 1 contains the information relevant to each
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Text 1? statement. Write the paragraph letter (A, B or C) next to each statement. Don't try to
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information answer the questions yet.
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this Read the relevant part of the text carefully and decide whether each statement (1-6)
agrees with the information given.
1. Just over one-third of the total population of the US is overweight. (T or NG?)
2. Asia and Europe have an equal proportion of obese children. (T or F?)
3. It is forecast that the proportion of overweight or obese children in China will
reach 20% in ten years’ time. (T or NG?)
4. There is a downward trend in childhood obesity in some African towns and
cities. (T or F?)
5. Insulin levels rise sharply when foods with high levels of starch, sugar and fat
are eaten. (T or F?)
6. Parents play the most important role in improving eating habits. (F or NG?)

When True/False/Not given tasks are the case, you have to decide whether the
information given in a statement is true or false according to the text or not
given in the text. The statements focus on facts.
NB! Not Given statements are often based on the information you might expect
to be in the text but isn’t, and often use words that do appear in the text itself.
Read each statement and the relevant part of the text very carefully before
deciding whether the ideas are given or not. Make sure you are clear who is
being referred to in the text.
 9
Now try a longer text. Work in pairs. Skim read the text IN ONE MINUTE. Quick reading will give you a general idea of the structure of the text which will help you locate information
quickly and avoid wasting time looking in the wrong part of the text. When finished reading, decide which statement matches the structure of the text:
A. A history of Modern Art D. Warhol's work was equally innovative, drawing from the world around him, but somewhat different in
B. A look at the similarities and differences between two Modern artists. approach. He rose to fame with his iconic “Campbell's Soup Can” series, which even today is seen as one
C. A look at the strengths and weaknesses of two Modern artists. of the most definitive images of the Pop Art movement. The simple red and white depictions of an
20th century modern art champions: RAUSCHENBERG AND WARHOL everyday item have been hanging in kitchens and cafés around the world since the 1960s. It's a similar
A. The term ‘Modern Art’ refers to art from the period 1860s to 1970s and encompasses the work of such story for his iconic series of movie star portraits ~ including such popular culture figures as Marilyn
well-known names as Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso. Modern Art represents the Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Elizabeth Taylor. Like Rauschenberg, he didn't limit himself to just one
discarding of the artistic traditions of the past in favour of a spirit of experimentation. It conceptualised medium. In 1964, he produced his first exhibition of sculpture, which consisted of hundreds of imitation
the functions of art in new ways and introduced different ideas about the nature of materials. Two artists supermarket product boxes, most famously, Brillo and Heinz. It was an exhibition which confounded
who had a huge impact on modern art in the twentieth century were Robert Rauschenberg and Andy critics and helped cement his credentials as an artist challenging the status quo.
Warhol. Arguably, they both had an important influence on art as we know it today, but whereas Warhol E. Not content with subverting the conventional art forms of painting and sculpture, both Rauschenberg
became a household name, Rauschenberg is remembered only by those in the artistic community. and Warhol experimented beyond them. Rauschenberg collaborated with musicians, costume designers,
B. Milton Ernest Rauschenberg, who later became known as Robert Rauschenberg, was born in Port dancers, and even scientists, never ceasing to expand the possibilities of what art could be. He has been
Arthur, Texas in 1925, while Andrew Warhola – Andy Warhol – was born in 1928 in Pittsburgh, described as “the wind blowing through the art world, pollinating everything”.
Pennsylvania. Both were of European heritage, born to working class families. In Rauschenberg’s case, Warhol, too, dabbled in other fields, including rock music and film, and engaged in Performance Art,
his childhood environment was hardly inspiring – a blue-collar town has been described as a “cultural with his multimedia show “The Exploding Plastic Inevitable” becoming one of the works he is best
wasteland with no art”. His father had no understanding of art and gave him no encouragement. His remembered for. This show pioneered many lighting innovations which rock musicians have been using
mother, on the other hand, supported her son as much as she could. For much of his life, Rauschenberg in their shows since the 1960s.
had been waiting for the opportunity to leave his hot, sticky, industrial hometown and he did so in 1944, F. Both Rauschenberg and Warhol were extremely prolific, the former's career spanning six decades,
moving to California. Like Rauschenberg, Warhol was close to his mother. A sickly child, he spent a lot whilst the latter is a household name whose work has been adopted by several generations. What
of time at home with her. Though he was missing a lot of school, he was developing his artistic skills and differentiates them is that Warhol courted publicity. He wrote books and co- founded a magazine,
tastes, so it was actually an important period of his life. He eventually enrolled in the Carnegie Institute in interview, which reported on film, fashion and popular culture. He socialised with celebrities and had
Pittsburgh, where he took his first steps into the art world. Eventually, both artists gravitated towards New several TV shows, which helped spread his fame. In contrast, Rauschenberg didn’t seek the limelight. His
York, which, by the early 1950s, had taken over from Paris as the centre of the Avant Garde. name is not widely known outside the art world, but that does not diminish his influence upon it. Given
C. Artistically, what the two have in common is the willingness to innovate, take chances and be different that Warhol's work is immensely reproducible and commercial, brightly coloured and attractive to buyers,
from everything that had gone before. Both were a new type of artist who embraced and drew inspiration it's easy to see why Rauschenberg’s productions with salvaged garbage and street signs would lack the
from popular culture. Both rejected the orthodoxical views of “high” and “low” art. To their minds, same popular appeal. However, this great innovator still deserves to be remembered for his unique
anything could be art. Rauschenberg produced paintings and sculptures and even combined them to contribution to Modern Art.
produce mixed media, working with a variety of less conventional materials including silk, metal, and
glass. ‘It has been said that “the whole world was his canvas”.
He was the ultimate scavenger, prepared to use anything he could find in his artworks, even going so far
as to incorporate such disparate objects as socks, bedspreads, and car parts into his work. His 1953
piece entitled “Automobile Tire Print” was conceptual art as never seen before and would ensure him a
place in the art history books.
 10

Which paragraph of the text contains the following information:

1. The Materials Rauschenberg Worked with

2. Why Warhol is More Famous than Rauschenberg

3. A Definition of Modern Art

4. The Artists’ Early Lives

5. Warhol’s Main Work

6. Both Artists’ Performance Art

 11

Read paragraph B carefully. Match each statement 1-3 with its answer. One is True,
one is False and one is Not Given.
1. Rauschenberg was often unwell as a child.

2. Both artists had a positive relationship with their mothers.

3. Warhol began to develop his ability as an artist when he went to New York.
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Statements 1-3 are Not Given in the text. Match them with the reasons some candidates
might think they are given (a-c).
Statement Reason
1. Conventional materials are not used in a. This information is given but about a
Modern Art. different person.
2. Rauschenberg and Warhol influenced b. Some of the words are used in the
each other’s work. text.
3. Warhol grew up in a working-class part c. We might expect this to be true, given
of his hometown. the focus on these two artists in the text.
 13

Read paragraphs A, B and C. Are the following statements True, False or Not Given?

1. Neither artist is known by their birth name.

2. Rauschenberg first achieved artistic fame in his hometown.

3. Paris was the best place for Modern artists in the 1950s.

4. Neither artist believed in distinguishing between high and low art.

5. Art critics were shocked by Rauschenberg’s use of everyday objects in his work.
 14
Skim the text below and decide which answer (A—C) best describes the overall topic. Spend no more than 45 seconds on this.
A. Education in the past and present traditional university to the student’s home. The information revolution, which is expected to have an
B. Changes in work patterns and what they mean enormous impact on education and on traditional schools and universities, will probably have an even
C. Education and work in developed and developing countries greater effect on the continuing education of knowledge workers, allowing knowledge to spread near-
THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY instantly, and making it accessible to everyone.
A. A century ago, the overwhelming majority of people in developed countries worked with their hands: E. All this has implications for the role of women in the labour force. Although women have always
on farms, in domestic service, in small craft shops, and in factories. There was not even a word for people worked, since time immemorial the jobs they have done have been different from men’s. Knowledge
who made their living other than by manual work. These days, the fastest-growing group in the work, on the other hand, is “unisex”, not because of feminist pressure, but because it can be done equally
developed world are “knowledge workers” - people whose jobs require formal and advanced schooling. well by both sexes. Knowledge workers, whatever their sex, are professionals, applying the same
B. At present, this term is widely used to describe people with considerable theoretical knowledge and knowledge, doing the same work, governed by the same standards and judged by the same results.
learning: doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants, chemical engineers. But the most striking growth in the F. The knowledge society is the first human society where upward mobility is potentially unlimited.
coming years will be in “knowledge technologists”: computer technicians, software designers, analysts in Knowledge differs from all other means of production in that it cannot be inherited or bequeathed from
clinical labs, manufacturing technologists, and so on. These people are as much manual workers as they one generation to another. It has to be acquired anew by every individual, and everyone starts out with
are knowledge workers; in fact, they usually spend far more time working with their hands than with their the same total ignorance. And nowadays it is assumed that everybody will be a “success” – an idea that
brains. But their manual work is based on a substantial amount of theoretical knowledge which can be would have seemed ludicrous to earlier generations. Naturally, only a tiny number of people can reach
acquired only through formal education. They are not, as a rule, much better paid than traditional skilled outstanding levels of achievement, but a very large number of people assume they will reach adequate
workers, but they see themselves as professionals. Just as unskilled manual workers in manufacturing levels.
were the dominant social and political force in the twentieth century, knowledge technologists are likely G. The upward mobility of the knowledge society, however, comes at a high price: the psychological
to become the dominant social – and perhaps also political – force over the next decades. pressures and emotional traumas of the rat race. Schoolchildren in some countries may suffer sleep
C. Such workers have two main needs: formal education that enables them to enter knowledge work in deprivation because they spend their evenings at a crammer to help them pass their exams. Otherwise,
the first place, and continuing education throughout their working lives to keep their knowledge up to they will not get into the prestige university of their choice, and thus into a good job. In many different
date. For the old high-knowledge professionals such as doctors, clerics, and lawyers, formal education parts of the world, schools are becoming viciously competitive. That this has happened over such a short
has been available for many centuries. But for knowledge technologists, only a few countries so far time - no more than 20 or 40 years — indicates how much the fear of failure has already permeated the
provide systematic and organised preparation. Over the next few decades, educational institutions to knowledge society.
prepare knowledge technologists will grow rapidly in all developed and emerging countries, just as new H. Given this competitive struggle, a growing number of highly successful knowledge workers of both
institutions to meet new requirements have always appeared in the past. sexes — business managers, university teachers, museum directors, doctors — plateau in their 40s. They
D. What is different this time is the need for the continuing education of already well-trained and highly know they have achieved all they will achieve. If their work is all they have, they are in trouble.
knowledgeable adults. Schooling traditionally stopped when work began. In the knowledge society, it Knowledge workers therefore need to develop, preferably while they are still young, a non-competitive
never stops. Continuing education of already highly educated adults will therefore become a big growth life and community of their own, and some serious outside interest - be it working as a volunteer in the
area in the next society. But most of it will be delivered in non-traditional ways, ranging from weekend community, playing in local orchestra, or taking an active part in a small town's local government. This
seminars to online training programmes, and in any number of places, from a outside interest will give them the opportunity for personal contribution and achievement.
 15

Now find the answers to these questions.

1. Which two time periods does paragraph A contrast?

2. Write down a new expression that the writer explains in paragraph A. How does the writer show this is a new expression?

3. In paragraph B, find another new expression that is explained by the writer.

4. Which one key word in the first sentences of both paragraphs C and D introduces the topic of both those paragraphs?

5. Underline a key phrase in the first sentence of paragraph E.

6. Match paragraphs F-H to these topics: 1- solutions, 2 - advantages, 3 – problems

 16

Complete the notes below with information from the text. Then use them to help you
summarise, in writing, the main points given in the text about the knowledge society.
Past: — most people 1/___/ workers

Present: being replaced by 2 /___/ , e.g. doctors, lawyers, etc.

Future: 3 /___/ computer technicians, software designers, etc., (need formal education + 4 /___/ education)

Knowledge society:

benefits: change in 5 /___/ + upward mobility

drawbacks: 6 /___/ + emotional trauma

 17

Read Question 6 in the exam task below. Use the underlined key words to help you locate the part of the text where
you will find the answer to this question. The rest of the questions will follow in order from that part of the text.

Questions 6-13

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the reading passage?

YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

6. In the knowledge society, knowledge can be passed down from parents to children.

7. Everyone is expected to be successful in the knowledge society.

8. The knowledge society means that some people may become successful by accident.

9. The knowledge society has both good and bad points.

10. Schoolchildren should not study so hard that they risk becoming ill.

11. It is right for schools to encourage a high degree of competition between their students.

12. When choosing outside interests, knowledge workers should avoid the need to try to do better than other people.

13. Outside interests are more fulfilling if they involve helping other people.
 18
Now let’s get a closer look at the point of identification of a writer’s claims or views. The writer’s claims mean what they present as a fact, views mean personal opinion expressed by the
writer. Skim reading a text first give you, apart from its general idea, a feeling of an overall tone and help you understand what the writer is trying to communicate. Skim the following
text quickly and answer the questions outlined right here.
1. What is the purpose of the text?
A to inform and entertain English king to study the sciences, of which he became a patron, with the construction of the King’s
B to argue and persuade Observatory in Richmond amongst his achievements. But his supposed episodes of madness, particularly
C to criticise monarchs and rulers towards the end of his life, remained a concern, and according to the standards of the day, George was
2. Which of the following do you think summarises the author’s view on royalty? subjected to some bizarre and inhumane treatments in an attempt to cure them.
A pro-royalty Interestingly, there is some speculation from historians that had it not been for these treatments, he would
B anti-royalty not have been quite so unstable.
C neither pro- nor anti-royalty E. Roman emperors are also said to have had some bizarre characters among their number, and Caligula,
who ruled from 37-41 AD, probably has the worst reputation. Amongst other things, he was reported to
ECCENTRIC LEADERS have been an insomniac, roaming his palace all night and engaging in lengthy conversations with the
A. When we think of kings, queens, emperors or any kind of royal leader, what usually comes to Moon and Jupiter. He allegedly even appointed his horse as a senator, building it a stable out of marble
everyone’s mind is dignity, power, ornate dress, or majestic figures sitting elegantly on their thrones and inviting it to dinner with his guests. However, it should be pointed out that many of these ‘reports’
dispensing favours or wisdom to their subjects. Although many monarchs have done justice to this vision, about Caligula were written more than 80 years after his death, so their accuracy is open to question.
throughout the world and throughout history there have also been a number of bizarre, frankly eccentric, What's more, if we compared his supposed behaviour to that of many of the other Roman emperors, quite
rulers. a few of them would almost certainly be regarded as even more eccentric.
B. The French have had their fair share of idiosyncratic kings. Charles VI, who reigned from 1368 to F. One queen who was actually accused of madness was Joanna (Juana) of Castile, who reigned from
1422, was not always aware that he was king and often forgot that he had a wife and children. There were 1504 to 1516. However, again, whether this was the case or not is subject to debate. Certainly, some of
times when he believed that he was made of glass and had his manservants put rods into his clothing so her behaviour could be regarded as unconventional, especially for the time. She was said to have been
that he would not shatter. Charles the Mad, as he was known, would run around the palace grounds very jealous and on one occasion attacked and cut off the hair of a rival for her husband's affections. On
howling like a wolf until, eventually, his son-in-law had to take over as regent. the other hand, by many accounts she was a gifted and intelligent woman with a talent for diplomacy. The
C. Turning now to Russia, one of their more eccentric tsars, or leaders, was Fyodor 1 (1557-1598). He is fact that both her father and her own son declared her mad and unfit to rule so that they could reign in her
said to have been simple-minded, and earned the nickname Fyodor the Bellringer for the almost childlike stead raises the question of whether the accusations were actually motivated by political ambition.
pleasure he took in ringing church bells. Not only did he allegedly lack the intelligence to rule, but he Whatever the case, historians have dubbed her Joanna the Mad and, sadly for her reputation, this is
also had no interest in doing so, leaving the running of the state to his wife's brother, Boris Godunov. unlikely to change.
Luckily for him, rather than it being seen as a disadvantage, his subjects saw his childlike simplicity as G. As we know from modern-day news reporting, just because something appears in print, it doesn't
being divinely inspired. However, as he died childless, his death marked the end of the Rurik dynasty and necessarily mean it is true, and it is all too easy to ruin someone's reputation with gossip and hearsay.
the beginning of a tumultuous period in Russian history known as the “Time of Troubles”. Had he left an Perhaps we should keep this in mind when we read about these colourful historical characters and
heir, Russian history might well have gone in a different direction. remember that some of them may have been unfairly judged. After all, we all have our own strange habits
D. England too can boast of at least one peculiar monarch, George III, who reigned from 1760 to 1820. and quirks. I for one think we should celebrate royal eccentricity. It certainly makes reading history much
One of his most evident quirks was his speech and famously he once produced a sentence containing 400 more interesting.
words with only 8 of them being verbs. He once purportedly shook hands with a tree, believing it to be
the King of Prussia. However, history often ignores the successes of his reign. He was the first
 19

Find these sentences in the text. For each, decide if the author is making a claim or
expressing a view.
1. Although many monarchs have done justice to this vision, throughout history there have also been a number of bizarre, frankly eccentric rulers.

2. Luckily for him, {..} his subjects saw his childlike simplicity as being divinely inspired.

3. He was the first English king to study the sciences.

4. I, for one, think we should celebrate royal eccentricity. It certainly makes reading history much more interesting.
 20

These views and claims (1-4) are made in the text (Yes statements). Match them with the
words from the text (a-d) which state the view.
Views and claims Quotes from the text
1. Most people probably have a favourable view a. ...if we compared his supposed behaviour to that of many
of royalty. of the other Roman emperors, quite a few of them would
almost certainly be regarded as even more eccentric.
2. George III’s condition was made worse by the b. ... what usually comes to everyone’s mind is dignity, power,
therapies he was given. ornate dress, or majestic figures sitting elegantly on their
thrones dispensing favours or wisdom to their subjects.
3. Caligula was probably not the most bizarre ruler c. The fact that both her father and her own son declared her
that his empire had. mad and unfit to rule so that they could reign in her stead
raises the question of whether the accusations were actually
motivated by political ambition.
4. Joanna of Castile may have been the victim of ... had it not been for these treatments, he would not have
political intrigue. been quite so unstable.
 21

These statements contradict the views and claims of the writer. Locate the part of the text where they are
found. Which words or phrases help you to realise the statements contradict the views of the writer?

1. Fyodor was disliked by his people.

2. Joanna of Castile showed no capacity as a ruler.

3. The stories about Caligula’s behaviour are completely trustworthy.

 22

Read the statement and then re-read paragraphs A and G. Why is this answer Not
Given?
History shows that the majority of rulers are eccentric.
 23

Are the following claims made by the writer? Write Yes, No or Not Given.

1. Countries should be ashamed of their eccentric monarchs.

2. All of the rulers were replaced by close relatives.

3. Russian history might have been different if Fyodor had had children.