READING COMPREHENSION What changes of style in interior decoration and furniture took place in the 18th—19th centuries in Britain?
1. At the beginning of the 18th century, the wealthy patron asked artists and designers to carry out his ideas for his home. The patron's ideas might be influenced by buildings he had seen abroad or by designs he chose in the pattern books of famous designers. New projects would be discussed with designers whose craftsmen would try to produce what was wanted.

2. In time, however, designers and craftsmen started working for industry rather than for individuals, and by the middle of Queen Victoria's rule people were already beginning to question the value of mass-produced, machine-made products. During this period artists and designers displayed their paintings, sculptures and decorative arts at exhibitions so that patrons could choose from a selection of finished works.

3. It is clear from the late Georgian* and early Victorian designs that innovation was the request of the day. The introduction of machines made people ask for something new and unusual. One section of the gallery is devoted to the Great Exhibition which was held in Hyde Park in 1851. The exhibition was meant to bring together the very best in science, art and manufacture.

4. Outside the section devoted to, the Great Exhibition there are examples of Moris's work and that of other designers such as Owen Jones and Edward Godwin, who designed small lightweight pieces, sometimes influenced by art from other cultures such as Japan. These pieces are quite unlike the heavy style which is popularly associated with Victorian decoration.
(information fromthe Victoria and Albert Museum guidebook)
Choose the right answer.
1. What did wealthy people do, according to paragraph 1?
A.​They wrote pattern books while they were abroad.
B.​They changed the design of their houses.
C.​They influenced the building industry of the 18th century.
2. What was the attitude of people to machine-made products, according to paragraph 2?
A. People didn't like machine-made products anymore.
B. People thought that machine-made products were of great value.
C. People didn't like the price of machine-made products.

3.​What is said about the Great Exhibition in paragraph 3?
A. People asked for new things at the Exhibition.
B. People were asked to bring their best things to the Exhibition.
C. The Exhibition showed art and science achievements.

4.​What does the author make clear about things designed by Jones and Godwin in paragraph 4?

Things designed by Jones and Godwin ...
A.were different from Victorian style.
B.were in a very heavy style.
C.were very popular in Japan.

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