| A | One of the most photographed coastal landmarks of the late 19th century is the Northpoint Lighthouse, a striking structure built on a rocky headland in northern Scotland. Now maintained by the Maritime Heritage Trust, it attracts thousands of visitors each year, both for its historical importance and its dramatic setting against the North Atlantic waves. Originally constructed to guide merchant ships safely past treacherous reefs, the lighthouse has since become a symbol of endurance and human ingenuity. |
| B | The scene at Northpoint is spectacular. Rising over 30 metres, the white cylindrical tower is crowned with a lantern room encased in glass and framed by bronze metalwork. At its base stands a small keeper's cottage, once home to the families who tended the light. Inside, a spiral staircase winds up to the lantern, offering views of seabirds swooping over the cliffs. Today, the surrounding landscape is quiet, but old photographs show a bustling site: fishing boats docking nearby, traders hauling barrels, and crew members signalling with flags. |
| C | Although the location and much of its exterior remain authentic, the modern-day interior is far from the original design. When the Maritime Heritage Trust restored Northpoint in the early 2000s, they replaced the weathered wood and worn ironwork with safer, modern materials. The furniture displayed inside is mostly replicas, based on sketches found in maritime records. Some elements, like the polished stone floor in the entryway, are completely new and chosen to withstand heavy tourist traffic. |
| D | Even more intriguing is the fact that the original lighthouse keeper's diary contains descriptions that contradict what visitors see today. In his notes, the keeper describes narrow, uneven stairs, a cramped lantern room, and a constant struggle against the saltwater corrosion. In contrast, the restored lighthouse has wider stairs, a more spacious lantern area, and gleaming surfaces. The result is a kind of historical illusion: while the structure appears authentic, parts of it reflect a modern reimagining rather than a true replica of the past. |
| E | Why would the restorers make such changes? Perhaps they wanted to preserve the essence of Northpoint while also making it safe and comfortable for visitors. Another possibility is that they wished to present two versions of the lighthouse: one that exists in historical records and another that functions as a tourist attraction. In this way, the lighthouse can be seen as a metaphor for history itself, part truth, part interpretation. |
| F | Since its reopening, maritime historians have debated how much accuracy is necessary when restoring heritage sites. Some have recreated parts of the lighthouse in smaller models to test whether the keeper's diary descriptions were physically possible. While experts often focus on these structural puzzles, most tourists simply admire the building's beauty and the stories surrounding it. This blend of fact and feeling is likely what keeps Northpoint such a beloved landmark. |
Reading Passage 1 has six paragraphs, A–F.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A–F, in boxes 1–5 on your answer sheet.
| 1. details of changes made to the building's interior | |
| 2. the reason visitors are drawn to the lighthouse | |
| 3. examples showing differences between historical records and the modern version | |
| 4. speculation about the motives for altering the building | |
| 5. mention of debates among experts about the lighthouse's accuracy |
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 6–10 on your answer sheet.
| 6. Who is responsible for maintaining the lighthouse today? | |
| 7. What material frames the lantern room's glass? | |
| 8. What structure once housed the lighthouse staff? | |
| 9. Where were the furniture designs found? | |
| 10. What natural problem did the keeper have to fight against? |
Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A–F, below.
Write the correct letter, A–F, in boxes 11–13 on your answer sheet.
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| 11 The restorers changed the interior because they | |
| 12 The lighthouse can be seen as a metaphor for history because it | |
| 13 Historians have built models of the lighthouse to |
| Possible endings: |
|---|
| A. wanted to preserve safety and tourist appeal |
| B. wanted to understand the daily lives of lighthouse staff |
| C. is both based on fact and shaped by interpretation |
| D. test whether the diary's descriptions were realistic |
| E. needed to attract funding for further restoration |
| F. reflects only the beauty of the past |
Questions 1–5
Questions 6–10
Questions 11–13
Tip: Complete each section under timed conditions (20 minutes per passage) before checking answers.
For practice purposes only
