English Heritage Blue Plaques Scheme 2 Reading Answers

Jan 6, 2023

English Heritage Blue Plaques Scheme 2 Reading Answers contains sample answers about the blue plaque scheme that has been running over 140 years. English Heritage Blue Plaques Scheme 2 Reading Answers comprises 13 different questions. IELTS English Heritage Blue Plaques Scheme 2 Reading Answers contains three types of questions: match the information stated with the correct paragraph, label the diagram and write true/false/not given. Candidates are required to read the IELTS Reading passage to which paragraph contains the stated information. Candidates need to thoroughly go through each paragraph to complete the diagram using no more than two words or a number. Candidates are required to answer whether the given statement is true or false, write not given if the information is not stated. Candidates gain proficiency on diverse topics by undertaking IELTS Reading practice papers.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

English Heritage Blue Plaques Scheme 2 Reading Answers

The blue plaques scheme has been running for over 140 years and is one of the oldest of its kind in the world. The idea of erecting ‘memorial tablets’ was first proposed by William Ewart MP in the House of Commons in 1863. It had an immediate impact on the public imagination, and in1866 the Society of Arts (later Royal Society of Arts) founded an official plaques scheme. The Society erected its first plaque–to the poet Lord Byron–in 1867. In all, the Society of Arts erected 35 plaques; today, less than half of them survive, the earliest of which commemorates Napoleon III (1867). In 1901, the plaques scheme was taken over by London Country Council (LCC), which erected nearly 250 plaques over the next 64 years and gave the scheme its popular appeal.It was under the LCC that the blue plaque design as we know it today was adopted,and the selection criteria were formalised. On the abolition of the LCC in 1965, the plaques scheme passed to the Greater London Council (GLC). The scheme changed little, but the GLC was keen to broaden the range of people commemorated. The 262 plaques erected by the GLC include those to figures such as Sylvia Pankhurst, campaigner for women’s rights; Samuel Coleridge–Taylor, composer of the Song of Hiawatha; and Mary Seacole, the Jamaican nurse and heroine of the Crimean War. Since 1986, English Heritage has managed the blue plaques scheme. So far, English Heritage has erected nearly 300 plaques, bringing the total number to over 800.

English Heritage receives about 100 suggestions for blue plaques each year, almost all of which come from members of the public. The background of each case is very different. Each nominated person has to meet basic selection criteria before they can be considered. Most importantly, they must have been dead for 20 years or have passed the centenary of their birth, whichever is earlier. This delay allows a person’s reputation to mature and ensures that their fame is long-lasting.

English Heritage’s Blue Plaques Panel–representatives of various disciplines from across the country –considers all the suggestions which meet the basic criteria; on average, around 1 in 3 proposals are accepted. If a figure is rejected, proposers must wait a further 10 years before their suggestion can be considered again. Detailed research is carried out into the surviving addresses of shortlisted candidates, using sources such as autobiographies, electoral registers and post office directories.

As only one plaque is allowed per person, the house to be commemorated has to be chosen very carefully. Factors which are considered include length of residence and the accomplishments of a candidate during the relevant years. A significant place of work can also be considered.

Before a plaque can be erected, the owners and tenants of the building in question have to give their consent. Where listed buildings are involved, Listed Building Consent is sought from the relevant local authority. If such consents are granted, the plaque is designed, and then produced by a specialist manufacturer. It is normally ready within about two months. Plaques are set into the fabric of the building, flush with the wall face. The cost of plaque manufacture and installation are borne entirely by English Heritage. In all, it can take between 2 and 5 years from the initial suggestion to the erection of a plaque.

The exact form of the blue plaque, as we see it now, was a relatively late development, though certain guiding principles had been in place from the outset. The earliest plaques, erected in 1867, were blue. Their format, a circle with the name of the Society of Arts worked into a pattern around the edge, was used consistently by the Society over its 35 years of management.

Manufacture of each plaque is undertaken by the mixing and pouring of a thick clay slip into a casting mould. When sufficiently dry,the cast is removed and the outline of the inscription and border is piped onto the face of the plaque and filled with white glaze. Blue glaze is then applied to the background before firing. This process produces gently raised characters and borders, a unique feature of English Heritage plaques. After firing, plaques usually have thickness of 2 inches (50mm) and a final diameter of 19.5 inches (495mm), although smaller diameter plaques are sometimes used to meet special circumstances.

Plaques have been found to be extremely durable and have an almost indefinite life expectancy. Similar plaques erected by the Society of Arts have lasted, perfectly legible, for over one hundred years. Due to the slightly domed design, they are self-cleansing and require virtually no maintenance.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 1-6

Reading Passage 1 has eight paragraphs A-H. Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet.

the toughness of the plaques

Answer: H
Supporting Sentence: Plaques have been found to be extremely durable and have an almost indefinite life expectancy.
Keyword : plaque, durable, indefinite
Keyword Location: paragraph H, line 1
Explanation: Plaques have been discovered to be exceedingly resilient and to have an almost infinite lifespan, according to paragraph H. Similar plaques placed by the Society of Arts have endured, clearly apparent for more than a century. They are self-cleaning and require almost no maintenance because of their slightly domed form. Hence, the answer is H.

the length of time it takes to produce a plaque

Answer: E
Supporting Sentence: it can take between 2 and 5 years from the initial suggestion to the erection of a plaque
Keyword : initial, plaque, erection, 2 and 5 years
Keyword Location: paragraph E, last line
Explanation: If permissions are granted, the plaque is designed and then created by a specialised maker, according to paragraph E. Normally, it takes two months to complete. From the time of the initial suggestion until the construction of the plaque, it can take anywhere between 2 and 5 years.

the way the Blue Plaques Panel functions

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: considers all the suggestions which meet the basic criteria; on average, around 1 in 3 proposals are accepted
Keyword : suggestions, basic, proposals
Keyword Location: paragraph C, line 2-3
Explanation: According to paragraph C, the Blue Plaques Panel for English Heritage is made up of experts from a variety of fields from all around the nation. It takes into account all suggestions that satisfy the fundamental requirements; typically, only around one in three are selected. If a number is rejected, proposers have to wait an additional 10 years before their idea is taken into consideration.

the conditions which need to be met in each case

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Each nominated person has to meet basic selection criteria before they can be considered.
Keyword : nominated, basic selection, criteria
Keyword Location: paragraph B, line 3
Explanation: According to paragraph B, each nominee must satisfy the fundamental requirements for consideration. Most significantly, they must have passed away 20 years prior to the centennial of their birth or sooner, whichever comes first. This delay gives a person's reputation time to develop and guarantees that their fame will endure.

the reasons behind selecting a house to be honoured

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: As only one plaque is allowed per person, the house to be commemorated has to be chosen very carefully
Keyword : plaque, house, commemorated
Keyword Location: paragraph D, line 1
Explanation: As stated in paragraph D, the house to be honoured must be carefully chosen because each person is only permitted one plaque. A candidate's achievements during the pertinent years are taken into consideration, along with their period of residence. A noteworthy place of employment may also be taken into account.

how the Blue Plaques scheme first started

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: The idea of erecting ‘memorial tablets’ was first proposed by William Ewart MP in the House of Commons in 1863
Keyword : memorial tablets, house of commons
Keyword Location: paragraph A, line 2
Explanation: The blue plaques programme, one of the world's oldest of its kind, has been in operation for more than 140 years, according to paragraph A. William Ewart MP first brought up the concept of "memorial tablets" in the House of Commons in 1863. It immediately affected people's imaginations.

Questions 7-10

Complete the diagram below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

Question 7:

Answer: Blue Glaze
Supporting Sentence: Blue glaze is then applied to the background before firing.
Keyword : background, firing, applied
Keyword Location: paragraph G, line 4
Explanation: The cast is taken off once it has dried completely, according to paragraph G. Afterward, white glaze is piped onto the plaque's face and filled in around the inscription's contour and border. The backdrop is then covered in blue glaze before being fired.

Question 8:

Answer: Characters
Supporting Sentence: This process produces gently raised characters and borders, a unique feature of English Heritage plaques
Keyword : features, plaques, borders
Keyword Location: paragraph G, line 5
Explanation: According to paragraph G, the background is then covered in blue glaze before being fired. An exclusive element of English Heritage plaques, the procedure results in gently elevated characters and borders. Plaques typically have a 2 inch (50 millimetre) thickness after firing and a 19.5 inch ultimate diameter (495mm).

Question 9:

Answer: Border
Supporting Sentence: This process produces gently raised characters and borders, a unique feature of English Heritage plaques.
Keyword : process, feature, characters, raised
Keyword Location: paragraph G, line 4
Explanation: According to paragraph G, the background is then covered in blue glaze before being fired. Because of this procedure, English Heritage plaques acquire their distinctively elevated borders and characters.

Question 10:

Answer: 5 inches/495 mm
Supporting Sentence: plaques usually have thickness of 2 inches (50mm) and a final diameter of 19.5 inches (495mm)
Keyword : plaques, thickness, diameter
Keyword Location: paragraph G, line 6
Explanation: Plaques typically have a final diameter of 19.5 inches and a thickness of 2 inches (50mm) after burning, according to paragraph G. (495mm). Despite this, smaller diameter plaques are occasionally utilised to address unique situations.

Questions 11-13

Do the following statements agree with the information in Reading Passage 1? Write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information about the statement

The GLC did not erect as many plaques as English Heritage has.

Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: The 262 plaques erected by the GLC include those to figures.
Keyword : 262, erected, GLC
Keyword Location: paragraph A, line 5 from the end
Explanation: 262 plaques were constructed by the GLC, according to paragraph A. In contrast, English Heritage has placed close to 300 plaques. Therefore, GLC has installed fewer plaques than English Heritage. So, the assertion is true.

Rejected proposals are given a detailed explanation of their refusal.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: Relevant information regarding the statement is not given in the passage.

The form of the blue plaque has not changed since it was first made.

Answer: False
Supporting Sentence: English Heritage receives about 100 suggestions for blue plaques each year, almost all of which come from members of the public.
Keyword : blue plaque, suggestion, public
Keyword Location: paragraph B, line 1
Explanation: According to paragraph B, every year, English Heritage receives roughly 100 recommendations for blue plaques. Almost all of them belong to the general people. These lines imply that the plaque's design varies annually. It is based on recommendations from several people. Therefore, the claim is false.

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