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CELPIP Practice Reading: Reading for Information ID: #63138 Easy Halifax Citadel: hill fort and museum

Read the following passage.

A. In August 1828, work began on a new fort at the top of the hill that overlooks Halifax Harbour. Tensions between Britain and the United States were running high, and the British believed American forces might try to seize Halifax, possibly by land. This time they wanted a permanent fort that would protect the naval base for generations. Colonel Gustavus Nicolls of the Royal Engineers designed a star-shaped stone fortress that was expected to take just six years. Flaws in his design caused delays, and the Citadel was not completed until 1856.

B. The hill had been fortified long before. On 21 June 1749, Edward Cornwallis arrived with 2,576 colonists from Britain, and on 11 September British troops completed the first Citadel, a wooden fort near the top of the hill. Fog, rain, cold winters and neglect caused it to decay. A second fort, built during the American Revolution, had a large eight-sided tower that served as a barracks for 100 soldiers, but by 1784 it too was in ruins. Work on a third fort got under way in 1796, and Maroon men, brought from Jamaica against their will, worked on its defences.

C. Soon after the stone fort was completed, rifled artillery, with greater range and accuracy than earlier guns, made it out of date. It was partly rearmed in the 1860s and 1870s and stayed in use as a barracks. In 1906 the British passed control of the fort to the Canadian Department of Militia and Defence. In World War I the fort was used as barracks and a command centre for the harbour defences, and from 1 October 1914 it also held an internment camp, which at one point had just over 180 men. In World War II it again housed troops, and for those heading overseas it was their final view of Canada.

D. Today Parks Canada operates the Citadel, which has been restored to its Victorian look. From May to October, historical re-enactors take visitors back to 1869, when the 78th Highland Regiment was stationed in Halifax, and a guided walking tour comes free with paid admission. Visitors can explore period rooms such as the barracks, tailor shop and school, watch the firing of the noon gun and visit the Army Museum. Admission is free for youth 17 and under. The site also shows artwork by the Mi'kmaw artist Leonard Paul depicting Kjipuktuk and Mi'kma'ki as they were before the British arrived.

E. Not given in any of the above paragraphs.

Decide which paragraph, A to D, has the information given in each statement below. Select E if the information is not given in any of the paragraphs.

- 1.
Newer weapons soon made the finished stone fort old-fashioned.

- 2.
An adult ticket to visit the Citadel costs about twelve dollars.

- 3.
The fort's designer thought it could be built in a few years.

- 4.
Visitors aged 17 or younger can enter the site without paying.

- 5.
Fear of an American attack led to the start of the stone fort.

- 6.
The earliest fort on the hill was built of timber.

- 7.
Performers bring the year 1869 back to life for visitors.

- 8.
People taken from Jamaica by force helped build one of the earlier forts.

- 9.
The Citadel was once used to hold prisoners, starting in 1914.

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