History of Women's Football in Britain Reading Answers

Feb 17, 2023

History of Women's Football in Britain Reading Answers contains a write up about Women's football in Britain. History of Women's Football in Britain Reading Answers contains a total of 12 paragraphs. Related to the paragraphs are 13 questions. Candidates in this IELTS Section will be shown various question types with clear instructions. The paragraphs contain information about granting rights to women for football. The struggle and different organization's formed in Britain for women's football.

History of Women's Football in Britain Reading Answers is an IELTS Reading passage which comprises three types of questions: choose the correct answer, match the organization and Complete the summary. Candidates must carefully and properly read each paragraph. It is necessary to interpret each text. In order to respond to the questions, you must identify the paragraph's main idea. It's vital to keep in mind the crucial facts. It is necessary to interpret and comprehend each text. The information which is not mentioned in the paragraphs must be answered as not given. To gain proficiency, candidates can practice from IELTS reading practice test.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

History of Women's Football in Britain Reading Answers

Womens' football in Britain has deeper roots than might be expected. In one town in 18th-century Scotland, single women played an annual match against their married counterparts, though the motives behind the contest were not purely sporting. Some accounts say that the games were watched by a crowd of single men, who hoped to pick out a potential bride based on her footballing ability.
By the late 19th century, with the men's game spreading across Britain like wildfire, women also began to take up association football. Early pioneers included Nettie J Honeyball, who founded the British Ladies' Football Club (BLFC) in 1895. Honeyball was an alias: like many of the middle- and upper-class women who played in the late 19th century, she was not keen to publicize her involvement with a contact sport played on muddy fields. We know more about Lady Florence Dixie, who was appointed president of the BLFC in 1895 and who was an ardent believer in equality between the sexes.
The BLFC arranged games between teams representing the north and the south of England, where money would be raised for those in need. These initially attracted healthy numbers of supporters although early newspaper reports were not particularly generous, with one reporter suggesting 'when the novelty has worn off, I do not chink women's football will attract the crowds'. And crowds did drop off as the growing popularity of the men's game came to dominate public interest. In a country where women were not yet allowed to vote, it would take extraordinary circumstances for their efforts on the football pitch to attract widespread attention.
Those circumstances arose in 1914 with the outbreak of the First World War. With many men leaving their jobs to join the army, women started to work in factories and just as men had done before them, they began to play informal games of football during their lunch breaks. After some initial uncertainty, their superiors came to see these games as a means to boost morale and thus increase productivity. Teams soon formed and friendly matches were arranged.
In the town of Preston in the north of England, the female workers at a manufacturing company called Dick, Kerr & Co showed a particular aptitude for the game. Watching from a window above the yard where they played, office worker Alfred Frankland spotted their talent and he set about forming a team. Under Frankland's management, they soon drew significant crowds to see their games. Known as Dick, Kerr's Ladies, they beat rival factory Arundel Coulthard 4-0 on Christmas Day 1917, with 10,000 watching at Preston stadium.
After the war ended in 1918 the Dick, Kerr's side and other women's teams continued to draw large crowds. In 1920 there were around 150 women's sides in England and Dick, Kerr's Ladies packed 53,000 into Everton's Goodison Park stadium. The same year, the team found their one true genius: Lily Parr. Parr grew up playing football with her brothers, and began her career with her town's ladies' team at the age of 14.
When they played against the Dick, Kerr's side, she caught Frankland's eye and was offered a job at the factory - as well as a spot on the team. Close to six-feet tall and with jet-black hair, she had a ferocious appetite and a fierce left foot. She is credited with 43 goals during her first season playing for Dick, Kerr's Ladies and around 1,000 in total.
By 1921 Dick, Kerr's Ladies were regularly attracting crowds in the tens of thousands. But the year ended in catastrophe for the women's game. The Football Association (FA) - officially the governing body for the sport as a whole, but really only concerned with men's competitions had always taken a poor view of female participation. Women's football was tolerated during the war, but in the years that followed, driven by the fear that the women's game could affect Football League attendances, the FA sought to assert itself.
Its solution was decisive and brutal. On 5 December 1921, the FA banned its members from allowing women's football to be played at its grounds, saying that football was 'quite unsuitable for females'. The FA also forbade its members from acting as referees at women's games. To all intents and purposes, women's football in England was outlawed.
The FA also suggested that an excessive proportion of the gate receipts were absorbed in expenses and an inadequate percentage devoted to charity. No such obligation to donate profits existed for men's clubs and no proof of financial mismanagement was presented, but there was little the women's clubs could do in response.
There was outrage from players, with the captain of Plymouth Ladies remarking that the FA was 'a hundred years behind the times' and calling its decision 'purely sex prejudice'.
It was not until 1966 that serious efforts to revive the women's game began, but progress remained painfully slow. It took pressure from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), to finally force the FA to end restrictions on women's football in 1971. By this time, half a century of progress had been lost.

Section 2

Solution with Explanation

Questions 28-31

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

In the first paragraph, the writer says that in 18th- century Scotland

only unmarried women were allowed to play football.
women's football was more common than men's football.
women were sometimes forbidden to watch football matches.
skill at football might be considered when choosing a wife.

Answer: D
Supporting statement: Womens' football in Britain has deeper roots than might be expected. In one town in 18th-century Scotland, single women played an annual match against their married counterparts, though the
motives behind the contest were not purely sporting
Keywords: Britain, 18th century
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1
Explanation: As per paragraph 1, it has been clearly mentioned that women's football in Britain has a longer history. In one Scottish town in the 18th century, unmarried ladies and married women competed in an annual match. Although the motivations for the competition were not solely athletic. According to some stories, a large group of single men watched the matches in an effort to identify a potential spouse based on her football prowess. So, the correct answer is D as per the explanation provided.

The writer says that Nettie J Honeyball was unwilling to

take an active part in team sports.
mix with people she considered lower class.
let the public know of her involvement in football.
takes a leadership role in the British Ladies' Football Club.

Answer: C
Supporting statement: Early pioneers included Nettie J Honeyball, who founded the British Ladies' Football Club (BLFC) in 1895. Honeyball was an alias: like many of the middle- and upper-class women who played in the
late 19th century, she was not keen to publicize her involvement with a contact sport played on muddy fields.
Keywords: Nettie J honeyball, football
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2
Explanation: It has been clearly mentioned that Nettie J. Honeyball, who established the British Ladies' Football Club (BLFC) in 1895, was one of the early pioneers. Like many middle- and upper-class women who participated in contact sports in the late 19th century, Honeyball used an alias. Because she did not want to draw attention to her participation in a game played on muddy fields. So, the correct answer is C as per the explanation provided.

The writer suggests that in Britain, between 1895 and 1914,

society was not yet ready for women's football.
there were false reports of the decline of women's football.
the media felt that women's football should not be allowed.
women's football mainly attracted people because it was unusual.

Answer: A
Supporting statement: And crowds did drop off as the growing popularity of the men's game came to dominate public interest. In a country where women were not yet allowed to vote, it would take extraordinary circumstances for their efforts on the football pitch to attract widespread attention.
Keywords: crowds, men's gane
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3
Explanation: As per paragraph 3, it has been clearly mentioned that attendance did decline as the men's game gained more and more attention from the general public. It would take special circumstances for their efforts on the football field to garner broad attention in a nation where women were not yet permitted to vote. So, the correct answer is A as per the explanation provided.

After the First World War broke out in 1914, factory managers

were initially unwilling to employ women.
played in matches against female employees.
allowed extra time for their employees to play football.
decided that women's football might have positive effects.

Answer: D
Supporting statement: Those circumstances arose in 1914 with the outbreak of the First World War. With many men leaving their jobs to join the army, women started to work in factories and just as men had done before
them, they began to play informal games of football during their lunch breaks. After some initial uncertainty, their superiors came to see these games as a means to boost morale and thus increase productivity.
Keywords: productivity, factories
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4
Explanation: As per paragraph 4, it has been clearly mentioned that the First World War broke out in 1914, which led to those situations. Women began working in industries after many men quit their professions to join the military. And much like males before them, they started playing informal games of football during their lunch periods. Their superiors eventually accepted these games as a way to promote morale and consequently production after some initial skepticism. So, the correct answer is D as per the explanation provided for the same.

Questions 32-37

Look at the following statements (Questions 32-37) and the list of football organizations below.

Match each statement with the correct organization, A, B, C or D.

NB You may use any letter more than once.

List of Football Organisations

the British Ladies' Football Club (BLFC)
the Dick, Kerr's Ladies team
the Football Association (FA)
the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)

It felt threatened by the rise of women's football.

Answer: C
Supporting statement: The Football Association (FA) - officially the governing body for the sport as a whole, but really only concerned with men's competitions had always taken a poor view of female participation. Women's football was tolerated during the war, but in the years that followed, driven by the fear that the women's game could affect Football League attendances, the FA sought to assert itself.
Keywords: FA, female participation
Keyword Location: Paragraph 8
Explanation: It has been mentioned that the Football Association (FA), which is the official sport's regulating organization. But really primarily cares about men's events, has never been very supportive of female involvement. Women's football was allowed during the war, but in the months that followed. The FA sought to impose itself out of concern that the women's game may have an impact on Football League attendance. So, the correct answer is C 'the Football Association (FA)' as per the explanation provided.

It was established by a male office worker.

Answer: B
Supporting statement: Watching from a window above the yard where they played, office worker Alfred Frankland spotted their talent and he set about forming a team. Under Frankland's management, they soon drew significant crowds to see their games. Known as Dick, Kerr's Ladies, they beat rival factory Arundel Coulthard 4-0 on Christmas Day 1917, with 10,000 watching at Preston stadium.
Keywords: Frankland's management
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5
Explanation: As per paragraph 5, it has been clearly mentioned that Alfred Frankland, an office worker, saw them playing from a window above the yard and noticed their talent. He then set about putting together a team. Under Frankland's direction, they quickly attracted sizable crowds to see their games. In front of 10,000 spectators at Preston Stadium, they were known as Dick, Kerr's Ladies and defeated the rival manufacturer Arundel Coulthard 4-0 on Christmas Day 1917. So, the correct answer is B 'the Dick, Kerr's Ladies team' as per the explanation provided.

It donated money from football matches to good causes.

Answer: A
Supporting statement: The BLFC arranged games between teams representing the north and the south of England, where money would be raised for those in need. These initially attracted healthy numbers of supporters although early newspaper reports were not particularly generous
Keywords: BLFC, those in need
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3
Explanation: It has been clearly mentioned that in order to raise money for individuals in need. The BLFC organized games between teams symbolizing the north and south of England. These gained a sizable number of supporters at first, despite early newspaper reports not being all that kind. So, the correct answer is A 'the British Ladies' Football Club (BLFC)' as per the explanation provided.

It called for the ending of the ban on women's football in Britain.

Answer: D
Supporting statement: It was not until 1966 that serious efforts to revive the women's game began, but progress remained painfully slow. It took pressure from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), to finally force the FA to end restrictions on women's football in 1971.
Keywords: revive the women's game
Keyword Location: Paragraph 12
Explanation: As per paragraph 12, it has been clearly mentioned that the women's game wasn't seriously revived until 1966, but even then, development was agonizingly slow. In order to eventually persuade the FA to remove limitations on women's football in 1971, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) had to apply pressure. So, the correct answer is D 'the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)' as per the explanation provided.

It was accused of being old-fashioned.

Answer: C
Supporting statement: There was outrage from players, with the captain of Plymouth Ladies remarking that the FA was 'a hundred years behind the times' and calling its decision 'purely sex prejudice'.
Keywords: outrage, behind the times
Keyword Location: Paragraph 11
Explanation: It has been clearly mentioned that the captain of Plymouth Ladies expressed his indignation. Further, calling the FA's decision "purely sex bias" and said that they were "a hundred years behind the times." So, the correct answer is C 'the Football Association (FA)' as per the explanation provided.

It was led by a believer in women's rights.

Answer: A
Supporting statement: Early pioneers included Nettie J Honeyball, who founded the British Ladies' Football Club (BLFC) in 1895. Honeyball was an alias: like many of the middle- and upper-class women who played in the late 19th century, she was not keen to publicize her involvement with a contact sport played on muddy fields.
Keywords: women, involvement
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2
Explanation: As per paragraph 2,it has been clearly mentioned that Nettie J. Honeyball, who established the British Ladies' Football Club (BLFC) in 1895, was one of the early pioneers. Like many middle- as well as upper-class women who participated in contact sports in the late 19th century, Honeyball used an alias. Because she did not want to draw attention to her participation in a game played on muddy fields. So, it was founded by Nettie J Honeyball who was a believer in women's rights. So, the correct answer is A 'the British Ladies' Football Club (BLFC)' as per the explanation provided.

Questions 38-40

Complete the summary below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

A catastrophic year for women's football

At the end of 1921, women's football teams were forbidden to use the 38...................... of the Football Association, and were not allowed to have Football Association members as 39 ..................The FA said that women's clubs did not give enough to charity, and that there had been mismanagement of funds. Female workers accused the FA of 40.......... .......against women, but the ban continued until 1971.

Question 38

Answer: Ground
Supporting statement: On 5 December 1921, the FA banned its members from allowing women's football to be played at its grounds, saying that football was 'quite unsuitable for females'. The FA also forbade its members
from acting as referees at women's games. To all intents and purposes, women's football in England was outlawed.
Keywords: females, banned
Keyword Location: Paragraph 9
Explanation: It has been clearly mentioned that the FA forbade its members from hosting women's football games at their facilities on December 5, 1921. Thus, claiming that the sport was "very unsuited for females." The FA also prohibited its members from officiating women's games. In all actuality, women's football was prohibited in England. So, the correct answer is 'ground' as per the explanation provided.

Question 39

Answer: Referee
Supporting statement: On 5 December 1921, the FA banned its members from allowing women's football to be played at its grounds, saying that football was 'quite unsuitable for females'. The FA also forbade its members from acting as referees at women's games. To all intents and purposes, women's football in England was outlawed.
Keywords: forbade, members, women's games
Keyword Location: Paragraph 9
Explanation: It has been clearly mentioned that the FA forbade its members from hosting women's football games at their facilities on December 5, 1921. Thus, claiming that the sport was "very unsuited for females." The FA also prohibited its members from officiating women's games. In all actuality, women's football was prohibited in England. So, the correct answer is 'referee ' as per the explanation provided.

Question 40

Answer: Prejudice
Supporting statement: There was outrage from players, with the captain of Plymouth Ladies remarking that the FA was 'a hundred years behind the times' and calling its decision 'purely sex prejudice'
Keywords: purely sex prejudices, outrage\
Keyword Location: Paragraph 11
Explanation: It has been clearly mentioned that the captain of Plymouth Ladies expressed his indignation, calling the FA's decision "purely sex bias". And said that they were "a hundred years behind the times." So, the correct answer is 'prejudice' as per the explanation provided and the lines of paragraph 11.

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