Passage 36

Because Ireland is an island geographically near the main-land of the United Kingdom, English rulers have fought since the Middle Ages to retain political control over it. Attracted by the lush farmland, English and Scottish landowners settled there, and in time of famine or political unrest, the local workers suffered, while their landlords were cushioned by their wealth. The history of modern Ireland is, in fact, largely a story of antagonism and resentment between the Irish and their English and Scottish rulers.

Since the 1920's, Ireland has been divided into two parts: Northern Ireland (Ulster) and the Republic of Ireland (Eire). The north is still part of the United Kingdom and is predominantly Protestant; the majority in Ulster accept this political compromise, but the active and mainly Catholic minority are fighting for union with the independent republic of Southern Ireland. The IRA, the Irish Republican army, have mounted bombing cam-paigns on military and civil targets in Ulster and England, they have sent letter-bombs to public figures, they have shot fellow Irishmen who support the British or belong to opposing, and now equally militant Protestant groups. As a result of this, the British have stationed an army in Belfast, the IRA have been outlawed, and several of them have spent many years in prison or have died in support of their cause. Whether this level of violence and repression is justifiable, and whether the violence that could result from political change would be worthwhile are the controversial issues that divide everybody involved.

  1. This passage suggests that the central problem is .

    1. many centuries old

    2. about three centuries old

    3. about sixty years old

    4. a few years old

  2. It suggests that the central problem is relationships between

.

  1. Britain and Ireland

  2. Ulster and Eire

  3. Catholics and Protestants

  4. the Irish Republican Army and Ulster

  1. According to the passage, the IRA is .

    1. part of the British army

    2. part of the Ulster police force

    3. a group of militant priests

    4. a terrorist organization

  2. Bomb attacks occur .

    1. only in England

    2. only in military buildings

    3. in England and Northern Ireland

    4. when public figures talk about Ireland

  3. The writer's attitude towards the Irish is .

    1. intolerant

    2. sympathetic

    3. aggressive

    4. militant