The history of the picnic
Read The history of the picnic and check the IELTS Reading answers. Picnics became popular in France in the 18th century. A favourite pastime of the upper classes, they were initially purely indoor affairs, held at home or in hired rooms. It was assumed that invited guests would contribute; they co…
Passage preview
Picnics became popular in France in the 18th century. A favourite pastime of the upper classes, they were initially purely indoor affairs, held at home or in hired rooms. It was assumed that invited guests would contribute; they could either bring a dish or pay a share of the overall cost. These picnics were often marked by conversation and wit and, as such, were associated with intellectual refinement. At larger gatherings, there was also music, with the result that 'picnic' came to mean the same as a ball or party. Picnics were, however, nothing if not adaptable. When the first restaurants appeared, picnickers quickly began going to them and having their picnics there.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- aristocracy noun
The highest social class in certain societies, typically comprising people of noble birth holding hereditary titles or offices.
The French Revolution forced many members of the aristocracy to seek refuge in neighboring European countries.
- gain ground verb
To become more popular, accepted, or successful; to make steady progress or advance in influence.
Outdoor picnics eventually began to gain ground in France, despite initial suspicion from the upper classes.
- genteel adjective
Characterized by exaggerated or affected politeness, refinement, or respectability, often associated with the upper social classes.
The outdoor picnic became a genteel activity once it was adopted by the emerging middle classes.
- idealisation noun
The action of regarding or representing something as perfect or better than it is in reality.
The idealisation of the countryside influenced how English artists depicted picnics in their landscape paintings.
- legacy noun
Something that is handed down from the past, such as a physical object, an idea, or a consequence.
The legacy of revolutionary equality in France allowed the picnic to be adopted by the working classes.
- perishable adjective
Likely to decay or go bad quickly, specifically referring to food items that require refrigeration or fast transport.
New technologies enabled the transportation of perishable food over long distances for modern picnic lunches.
- profound adjective
Having or showing great knowledge, insight, or intensity; demanding deep study or thought regarding a fundamental shift.
The shift from indoor social gatherings to outdoor picnics represented a profound change in English social customs.
- refinement noun
The quality of excellence in manners, taste, or intellectual discipline; the process of removing impurities or improving something.
The aristocratic gatherings in 18th-century France were defined by their intellectual refinement and sophisticated conversation.
- standardised verb
To cause something to conform to a standard; to make things of the same type consistent and uniform.
Specialist picnic baskets allowed for the contents of these outdoor meals to become more standardised for consumers.
- undergo verb
To experience or be subjected to something, typically a process of change, transformation, or a difficult ordeal.
Picnics have undergone significant changes over the last century due to the global availability of diverse foods.
Answers with explanations
- 1. FALSE
The statement claims guests were asked to **play music**. The text explicitly defines what was assumed of invited guests: they had to **contribute** by either bringing a **dish** or paying a **share of the overall cost**. Because the text restricts their required contributions to food or money, this contradicts the claim that they were asked to play music. Answer: FALSE.
- 2. TRUE
The passage confirms that wealthy French **aristocrats** who were **fleeing** (escaping) the **French Revolution** settled in London and **introduced the picnic to England**. All elements of the question directly align with the events described in the text. Answer: TRUE.
- 2-3: illness
2: The passage confirms that wealthy French **aristocrats** who were **fleeing** (escaping) the **French Revolution** settled in London and **introduced the picnic to England**. All elements of the question directly align with the events described in the text. Answer: TRUE.
3: The text confirms that the first English picnics became **decidedly less refined and noisier**. However, the statement specifically mentions that **many complaints were received** regarding this noise. The passage provides no information about whether people actually complained about it. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 3. NOT GIVEN
The text confirms that the first English picnics became **decidedly less refined and noisier**. However, the statement specifically mentions that **many complaints were received** regarding this noise. The passage provides no information about whether people actually complained about it. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 3-4: Bach
3: The text confirms that the first English picnics became **decidedly less refined and noisier**. However, the statement specifically mentions that **many complaints were received** regarding this noise. The passage provides no information about whether people actually complained about it. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
4: The text discusses the founding of the **Pic Nic Society** by a group of around 200 wealthy young people. However, it does not mention the admissions process, nor does it state whether new members required the **approval of existing members** to join. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 4. NOT GIVEN
The text discusses the founding of the **Pic Nic Society** by a group of around 200 wealthy young people. However, it does not mention the admissions process, nor does it state whether new members required the **approval of existing members** to join. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 5. TRUE
The statement describes the Pic Nic Society events as **extravagant**. The passage confirms this by stating that members tried to outdo each other in **luxury and expense**. These keywords are direct synonyms for extravagance, confirming the statement. Answer: TRUE.
- 6. FALSE
The statement claims the society's picnics took place in **theatres**. The text explicitly contradicts this by stating the events were held in hired rooms and that their stage was crudely built, **unlike in a theatre**. Answer: FALSE.
- 7. outside
The sentence requires an adverb or preposition describing where picnics were held in the 1800s. The text states that they were adopted by the middle classes and **moved outside**. 'Outside' grammatically completes the note and adheres to the ONE WORD ONLY limit.
- 8. music
The sentence asks what was no longer included for entertainment. The text notes that as a result of changes in the 1800s, **music ceased to be provided**. The noun 'music' directly answers what was removed from the gatherings.
- 9. cities
The question asks where the people who favoured picnics lived. The passage states that the activity was most popular with the middle classes in **cities**. The plural noun 'cities' fits the grammatical constraints perfectly.
- 10. paintings
The note compares the works of American and English artists regarding picnics. The text specifically contrasts the **paintings** of picnics by American artists with those by English artists. The noun 'paintings' is the required one-word answer.
- 11. aristocracy
The note requires a noun identifying the group that still preferred indoor picnics. The text states that the indoor version still predominated, especially among the **aristocracy**. This fits perfectly into the completion structure.
- 12. baskets
The blank requires a plural noun describing an item designed for picnickers that was widely sold. The passage mentions that specialist picnic **baskets** were produced for the mass market. The word 'baskets' accurately fills the blank.
- 13. variety
The sentence requires a noun describing what increased in picnic food over the last 100 years. The passage attributes these changes to the availability of a huge **variety** of food. The noun 'variety' correctly answers the prompt.