Trí Đức English - IELTS Reading Practice: British Architecture TRÍ ĐỨC ENGLISH - IELTS READING PRACTICE Chuyên đề: British Architecture & Evolution (Reading Passage 3 - Questions 27–40) Reading Passage Questions 27–40 [A] Without a doubt, architecture contains elements of evolution and development, rather than revolution and war. A clear example of this concept involves looking at the history of British architecture and debunking myths surrounding the topic. Despite the popular notion that the Roman escape from Britain in the fifth century marked the simple disappearance of engineering phenomena, such as Hadrian's Wall and expertly laid-out towns, the truth is more complicated. Another myth involves the Norman Conquest of 1066. In that myth, the force is thought to bring back the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages, thus sparking a rebirth in British Culture. Additionally, a large number of the Anglo-Saxon buildings were constructed from wood, resulting in hardly any proof of their elegant style and stunning undertakings. These ideas, albeit interesting, ignore the fact that Romano-British culture maintained a strong existence even after the Romans pulled out. [B] Some of the most wondrous examples of British architecture came about after 1066, when the Normans landed at Pevensey and before 1485, when the Tudors entered the Early Modern period due to the death of Richard III in Bosworth. The fundamental idea behind medieval architecture can be best described as 'fitness for purpose', meaning that British architecture was not only beautifully elegant, but it featured perfectly functional buildings. However, domestic architecture of the time also featured buildings with a purpose of showcasing one's affluent status in society or financial stability. [C] The craftsmanship of the 16th Century featured a striking paradox in terms of the arrangement of houses and courtyards. In previous medieval times, houses faced inward towards one or many courtyards as a way to prevent intruders from entering. However, it was a different picture in the 16th century when British domestic architecture featured more elaborately decorated, outward-facing buildings, placing a higher emphasis on security and decorative exteriors. These structures usually included larger rooms, which were often detailed with glass aspects. The proportional exteriors, grand entrance halls, and decorative features all made quite a flashy statement regarding one's monetary aspects. [D] Most architects of the 17th century followed this classic Tudor style, and some continued on to expand upon its dramatic influence. Inigo Jones (1573–1652), perhaps, is the sole example of how an artist was able to maintain a diverse style when working with classical detail during this period. In any case, the Italian, Dutch, and French architecture styles came into prominence during the aftermath of the Civil War in the 1640s and 1650s. Circumstances related to the war and Charles II's exile brought both nobl...