PART C. READING (30 POINTS) Read the following passage and choose the best answer to each of the following questions. The Grand Tour Travel is so much the norm these days that it’s hard to imagine a time when the world's great historical sites, beaches and beauty spots weren't crowded with camera­carrying tourists. But two centuries ago, (51)……….. before cheap rail tickets greatly reduced the cost of crossing Europe, tourism was (52)………..for those with time and money. In Britain, The Grand Tour ...

PART C. READING (30 POINTS)

Read the following passage and choose the best answer to each of the following questions.

The Grand Tour

Travel is so much the norm these days that it’s hard to imagine a time when the world's great historical sites, beaches and beauty spots weren't crowded with camera­carrying tourists. But two centuries ago, (51)……….. before cheap rail tickets greatly reduced the cost of crossing Europe, tourism was (52)………..for those with time and money. In Britain, The Grand Tour was seen as an essential part of any wealthy young man's education. It was a trip of up to five years, taking in a (53)………..range of Europe’s artistic and architectural highlights.

Italy was the focus of The Grand Tour, (54)………..it was highly regarded for both its

antique and modern culture. (55)………..it was to Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples that

the young aristocrats flocked. The hardships of the long and sometimes hazardous journey across the Alps were all part of the experience and they were amply rewarded by the celebrated countryside, the antique ruins and the works of the great Italian painters, not to (56)………..the parties, pageants and carnivals. Tourists were (57)………..to Italy from many countries, as they still are, but it was from Britain that the majority of visitors came.

Although mass tourism was still in its infancy, all the (58)………..of the modern

tourist were already there, as the young aristocrats went round Italy in (59)………..of

paintings, drawings and a (60)………..of other souvenirs to carry back home. English

houses were soon filled with them. The tourists brought the craze for all things Italian and antique back to Britain, and buildings, furniture, even clothes were all influenced by this revolution in taste.

(First Certificate Skills: Use of English)