Knighthood Reading Answer with IELTS Passage

Knighthood Reading Answer passage provides the students with guidance in the IELTS Reading Test. Through this passage, students can master a historically rich and culturally infused passage. The passage on Knighthood explores the origins, evolution, and modern adaptation of one of the most prestigious titles in the British honor system. The passage holds its roots in Ancient Rome, in its medieval traditions, and in its contemporary nomination process. 

Therefore, for candidates preparing for the IELTS Academic Reading Test, passages like this test a combination of skimming, scanning, inference, and vocabulary skills. Moreover, understanding context, such as the IELTS reading explanation for medieval titles and honor systems, is vital for accuracy in comprehension and answering. Here we will present sample questions, provide IELTS reading answers for Knighthood in Britain, and explain how to solve IELTS reading passage on knights and tradition efficiently.

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Knighthood Reading Answers IELTS Passage

Mentioned here is the complete IELTS Knighthood Reading answer passage. Referring to the complete passage will enable candidates to practice on this passage and boost their problem-solving skills. So, check out the complete passage on Knighthood: 

Knighthood Reading Answers

One that goes back to the beginning of time A knighthood is one of the oldest and highest honors a British citizen can receive. Originally given only to those who excelled in battle, the award is now given for any and all contributions to national life. Musical artists and performers have received some of the most illustrious knighthoods in recent history, including Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney. However, those from the business world, academia, and other sectors are not left out. Honorary knighthoods are available to citizens of non-Commonwealth 1 countries, but recipients are not entitled to use the titles "Sir" or "Dame" in their formal address.

Popularly associated with the United Kingdom, the history of knighthoods actually begins in ancient Rome. During the Middle Ages, the custom spread to other European countries, where it took on local flavor. From a young age, an aspiring knight was expected to train rigorously in the military. This included serving as an esquire, or apprentice, to an established knight and taking part in actual battles.

There was a need for him to learn how to prepare his knight for battle and assist him in donning the bulky and heavy armor of the time. He was in charge of maintaining this armor and making sure it was clean and shiny. Chivalrous qualities such as bravery, bravery in battle, bravery in the face of danger, and selflessness were also required. Finally, the would-be knight needed to be able to afford his own horses, weapons, and armor, as well as to be willing to serve the reigning monarch for a set amount of time each year.

The procedure is different now than it was back then. A nominations system is used instead of traditional military education or political patronage. This allows any organization, whether academic or professional or even an individual citizen, to propose a candidate for a knighthood. After this, a panel of advisors makes the final decision on who will become the next crop of knights and dames on behalf of the sovereign. Before making any public announcements, we make sure the honorees have had a chance to accept the recognition by privately contacting them.

Forfeiture is the process by which a knighthood is revoked in extremely exceptional circumstances. Most commonly, this occurs after the recipient is found guilty of a crime. After being accused of various crimes, including taking bribes totaling $700,000 from bookmakers and casinos and forging the signature of an Australian politician on a police document, Terry Lewis, a police officer in Queensland, Australia, had his knighthood revoked in 1981. Lewis has maintained his innocence and claimed he is a victim of false accusations, but his appeals have been denied on numerous occasions. Anthony Blunt, a British art historian, and an intelligence officer was stripped of his knighthood after it was revealed that he had been acting as a double agent and passing sensitive information to the Soviet Union.

There have been cases where knighthoods were stripped away due to incompetence rather than outright crime or treachery. Chief Executive Officer Fred Goodwin was knighted in 2004 for his "services to banking," but just four years later, the Royal Bank of Scotland lost 24 billion pounds under his watch as CEO. Goodwin had his knighthood revoked after an advisory panel to the Queen deemed him "the chief decision-maker at the time," though he was allowed to keep the 16 million pound pension to which he was entitled. These scandals have stoked heated discussions about the purpose and utility of knighthoods in modern society.

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Knighthood Reading Passage Sample Questions

Although the focus here is on knighthood, let us briefly reference an example set of IELTS-style questions from a technical topic such as Surge Protection. This will enable the candidates in figuring out the kind of questions that can be asked from the given process.

1. Knighthood Reading Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

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

1.1 Originally, knighthood was awarded to those who:

A. Served the monarchy in politics

B. Excelled in battle

C. Contributed to national life

D. Inherited the title from family

1.2 Honorary knighthoods for non-Commonwealth citizens:

A. Allow them to use the title “Sir” or “Dame”

B. Are only given to political leaders

C. Do not grant the use of “Sir” or “Dame”

D. Require service in the military

1.3 What is a key difference between medieval and modern knighthood selection?

A. Modern candidates must train as squires

B. Medieval knights were chosen by public vote

C. Modern selections are made via a nominations system

D. Medieval selections involved a written application

2. Knighthood Reading True / False / Not Given Questions

Write TRUE if the statement agrees with the information, FALSE if it contradicts it, and NOT GIVEN if it is not mentioned.

2.1 The tradition of knighthood started in the Middle Ages in the UK.

2.2 Medieval knights had to buy their own horses and armor.

2.3 The Queen personally interviews all candidates before awarding knighthood.

2.4 Anthony Blunt was accused of providing sensitive information to the Soviet Union.

2.5 Fred Goodwin was allowed to keep his pension after his knighthood was revoked.

3. Knighthood Reading Matching Headings Questions

Match the correct heading to each paragraph.

i. Origins of knighthood

ii. Role and duties of medieval squires

iii. Modern nomination process

iv. Forfeiture due to criminal activities

v. Removal of titles for poor performance

vi. Knighthood in arts, business, and academia

Paragraph 1 → …

Paragraph 2 → …

Paragraph 3 → …

Paragraph 4 → …

Paragraph 5 → …

Paragraph 6 → …

4. Knighthood Reading Fill-in-the-Blanks Questions

Complete the sentences below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

4.1 Honorary knighthoods are granted to citizens of __________ countries outside the UK.

4.2 In medieval times, an aspiring knight often worked as an __________ to a knight.

4.3 The modern knighthood selection process starts with a __________ system.

4.4 The process of cancelling a knighthood is called __________.

4.5 Fred Goodwin lost his knighthood after the bank lost __________ pounds.

5. Knighthood Reading Short Answer Questions

Answer using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

5.1 Name one famous musician who has been knighted.

5.2 What was Terry Lewis accused of taking from bookmakers and casinos?

5.3 In medieval times, what personal qualities were essential for a knight?

5.4 Who makes the final decision on awarding knighthoods today?

5.5 In which year was Fred Goodwin knighted?

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