In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. At Ferney, Voltaire entered one of the most active (1) _____ of his life. Both patriarch and lord of the manor, he developed a modern estate, sharing in the movement of agricultural reform in which the aristocracy was interested at the time. He (2) _______ not be true to himself, however, without stirring up village feuds before the magistrates on a question of tithes, as well as about the beating of one of his workmen. He renovated the church and had Deo erexit Voltaire (3) ________ on the facade. At Easter Communion, 1762, he delivered a sermon on stealing and drunkenness and repeated this sacrilegious offence in the following year, flouting the prohibition by the bishop of Annecy, in whose jurisdiction Ferney lay. He meddled in Genevan politics, taking the side of the workers, and installed a stocking factory and watchworks on his estate in order to help them. He called for the liberation of serfs in the Jura but without success, though he did succeed in suppressing the customs barrier on the road between Gex in the Jura and Geneva, the natural outlet for the produce of Gex. Such generous interventions in local politics (4) _______ him enormous popularity. In 1777, he received a popular acclamation from the people of Ferney. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna halted the annexation of Ferney to Switzerland in his honour. His fame was now worldwide. ‘Innkeeper of Europe’—as he was called—he welcomed such literary figures as James Boswell, Giovanni Casanova, Edward Gibbon, the prince de Ligne, and the fashionable philosophers of Paris. He kept up an (5) ________ correspondence— with the philosophes, with his actresses and actors, and with those high in court circles, such as the duc de Richelieu (grandnephew of the cardinal de Richelieu), the duc de Choiseul, and Mme du Barry, Louis XV’s favourite. He renewed his correspondence with Frederick II and exchanged letters with Catherine II of Russia.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
carved
Analyzing the Passage and Filling Blank 3
The passage describes Voltaire's active life at Ferney, detailing his various activities, including managing his estate, engaging in local disputes, undertaking renovation projects, and corresponding with influential figures. The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3, which appears in the sentence:
"He renovated the church and had Deo erexit Voltaire (3) ________ on the facade."
This sentence tells us that Voltaire renovated a church and then placed an inscription, "Deo erexit Voltaire," on its facade. The phrase "Deo erexit Voltaire" is Latin and means "Voltaire erected [this] to God." We need to determine the most suitable verb to describe the action of placing this inscription on the church's facade.
Evaluating Options for Blank 3
Let's examine each option provided to determine which one best fits the context of putting an inscription on a building facade:
- Option 1: formed
The word 'formed' means to create or shape something. While an inscription is a creation, 'formed' is not the typical verb used to describe putting text onto a building surface in this manner. You might 'form' a shape or an object, but text on a facade is usually applied differently.
- Option 2: knapped
The word 'knapped' primarily refers to shaping stone by striking it, often used in the context of creating tools from flint or other rocks. It is related to stone work, but it's not the specific term for engraving text into stone. While carving involves shaping stone, 'knapped' describes a particular method of striking, not the process of creating an inscription.
- Option 3: carved
'Carved' means to cut shapes or designs into a material, such as wood, stone, or metal. Inscriptions on the facade of buildings, especially historical ones like churches, are typically made by cutting the letters into the stone surface. This action is accurately described by the verb 'carved'. Having an inscription 'carved' on the facade is a common practice.
- Option 4: modelled
'Modelled' means to create a form or shape, often using soft materials like clay or wax, or to create a representation. This word is not appropriate for applying a permanent inscription onto a hard surface like a stone facade. You wouldn't 'model' letters onto a building; you would cut or engrave them.
Conclusion for Blank 3
Based on the analysis of the options and the context of putting an inscription on a church facade, the word that best describes this action is 'carved'. Inscriptions on stone buildings are traditionally created by carving the text into the stone.
Therefore, the most appropriate option to fill blank number 3 is 'carved'.
| Blank Number | Sentence Context | Most Appropriate Word | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | He renovated the church and had Deo erexit Voltaire _____ on the facade. | carved | Inscriptions on stone facades are typically created by carving the text into the surface. |
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning in Context |
|---|---|
| Renovated | Restored or repaired to a good state. |
| Facade | The principal front of a building, typically the part that faces onto a street or open space. |
| Deo erexit Voltaire | Latin phrase meaning "Voltaire erected [this] to God". |
| Carved | Cut or engraved text or designs into a material. |
| Knapped | Shaped stone by striking it, typically for tools; not standard for inscriptions. |
| Modelled | Created a form from soft material or made a representation; not suitable for stone inscriptions. |
Additional Information: Voltaire at Ferney
Voltaire's period at Ferney, near the border of Switzerland, was indeed one of the most productive and influential times of his life. From 1758 until his death in 1778, he established himself as a prominent figure, known not only for his literary work but also for his involvement in social justice issues and local affairs.
- Patriarch of Ferney: Voltaire took on the role of lord of the manor, managing his estate and implementing agricultural reforms.
- Champion of Justice: He became known for intervening in legal cases, notably defending victims of religious intolerance and judicial errors, such as the Calas affair.
- Industrialist: To support the local economy and provide employment, he established industries like watchmaking and silk weaving on his estate.
- Social Reformer: He advocated for the liberation of serfs and fought against unjust taxes and customs barriers, demonstrating a commitment to improving the lives of ordinary people.
- Literary Hub: Ferney became a meeting place for leading intellectuals and writers from across Europe, reinforcing Voltaire's position as a central figure of the Enlightenment.
- Church Renovation: His renovation of the local church and the placement of his own name in the dedication ("Deo erexit Voltaire") was a controversial act that reflected his complex relationship with religion and authority. While seemingly pious, placing his own name so prominently was seen by some as an act of vanity or defiance against traditional church authority.
His activities at Ferney solidified his reputation as a practical reformer, a defender of human rights, and a cultural icon, earning him widespread popularity and recognition.
Important Questions from Cloze Test
What would come in blank space (1)?
What would come in blank space (2)?
What would come in blank space (3)?
What would come in blank space (4)?
What would come in blank space (5)?
