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BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 31
ACADEMIC READING TEST 31 – PASSAGE – 1
ACADEMIC READING TEST 31
READING PASSAGE – 1
You are advised to spend about 20 minutes on Question 1-13, which are based on Reading Passage 1
HORATIO GATES
Horatio Gates has been labelled as one of the most controversial, military figures of the Americans Revolution. He was a retired British, major who served in the Continental Army as a general during the American Revolutionary War. He took credit for the victory in the Battle of Saratoga, which is a matter disputed by many scholars. He has also been blamed for the defeat at the Battle of Camden in 1780 and for his action during and after his defeat at Camden. He was involved with the Conway Cable, which attempted to discredit and replace George Washington during the Battle of Saratoga.
Gates served in the British Army in America during the French and Indian wars. In 1755, he accompanied the Braddock Expedition in attempting to control access to the Ohio Valley. This expedition included future Revolutionary War leaders Thomas Gage, Charles Lee, Daniel Morgan and George Washington. Gates himself was not involved in much combat, having been severely injured early in the expedition. He was subsequently limited to the command of small companies and eventually became quite skilled at military administration. After the war, Gates’ prospects for advancement faded due to the demobilisation of the army and he did not have the financial resources to purchase a commission of higher rank. Because he was frustrated with the British class system which prevented him from moving upward in the ranks, he sold his major’s commission and came to North America in 1769. In 1772, he met up with Washington and purchased a plantation in Virginia the following year.
In May 1775, Gates heard of the outbreak of war. He immediately went in Mount Vernon and volunteered his services to Washington. In June, the Continental Congress started organising the continental Army, Washington recommended that Gates be appointed Adjutant of the Army. On June 17, 1775, Congress commissioned Gates to the rank of Brigadier General and Adjutant General of the Continental Army. Because of his previous administrative posts in the British Army. Gates’ experience was invaluable to the new American army. As Adjutant, Gates created the army’s system of records and orders as well as standardised the various colonial regiments.
Despite his success in administration, Gates longed for a field command. In June 1776, he was promoted to be Major General and given command of the Canadian Department. The Department was in a shamble and required the skills of not just a good commander, but an administrator. This appointment occurred during a disorganised retreat from Quebec due to the arrival of British reinforcements at Quebec City. Also, disease had taken its toll on the ranks, who were also suffering from low morale due to issues surrounding pay and conditions. The retreat from Quebec to Fort Ticonderoga brought Gates into conflict with Major General Philip Schuyler, who was the commander of the Northern Department. However, during the summer of 1776, the conflicts between the tow was resolved with Schuyler being given command of the whole department and Gates command of Ticonderoga and the defence of Lake Champlain.
Gates oversaw the enlargement of American fleet that would be needed to prevent the British from controlling Lake Champlain. Much of the work was given to Benedict Arnold who was the army during the retreat and was himself an experienced seaman. Gates rewarded Arnold for his work and gave him command of fleet when it set sail against the British. The fleet was defeated against Ticonderoga until 1777.
Gates then marched some of the army south to join Washington’s forces in Pennsylvania when it was clear that British were nit going to make an immediate attack against Ticonderoga. He met with Washington in Pennsylvania. After his troops retreated at the fall of New York City, Washington wanted to attack the British at Trenton in a night-time attack. Gates’ forces joined in the attack, but Gates himself was not present. He claimed to be ill as his excuse for not participating, and travelled to Baltimore to meet with the Continental Congress, Gates claimed that he should be in command of the Continental Army rather than Washington and he had support of several wealthy and prominent delegates to the continental Congress. Despite Gates’ lobbying Washington’s successes at Trenton and Princeton solidified Washington’s position as commander of the U.S army.
In 1777, Gates was eventually given command, Gates led the Northern Department due to the loss of fort Ticonderoga. Upon assuming command, Gates led the Northern Department army to Saratoga where the British were attempting an invasion. Gates and his supporters took credit for the victory, but Gates had not led the military action. This was done by a group of field officers, including Benedict Arnold, Enoch Poor, Benjamin Lincoln and Daniel Morgan. Arnold took the against Gates’ orders and rallied the troops in an attack against the British. Furthermore, John Stark led a group which defeated a sizeable British force at the Battle of Bennington. The result of stark’s actions resulted in the killing and capturing of over 900 British soldiers. This was also a major factor in the outcome of the Battles of Saratoga.
Questions 1-5:
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D and write your answer next to question 1-5.
1. As a major in the British army, Gates served during
A. the Anglo-French War
B. the Braddock Expedition
C. the French and Indian wars
D. the American Revolution
2. After the Braddock Expedition, Gates got opportunity to excel in
A. field command
B. military administration
C. commanding small companies
D. leading combatants in battle
3. Gates was frustrated with the British class system because
A. He thought this stood in the way of his advancement
B. He had to sell his Major’s commission
C. The British army in America was being demobilised
D. He wanted to start a new life in America
4. Why did Gates go to Mount Vernon in May 1775?
A. He had heard of the outbreak of war.
B. He wanted to volunteer his services to Washington.
C. He wanted to be a general in the American Army.
D. He wanted to be appointed adjutant of the army.
5. What was Gate’s response to Washington’s decision to attack Trenton at night time
A. He ordered his solders to join in the attack.
B. He did not participate as he was ill.
C. He feigned illness and went to Baltimore.
D. He maintained that he should be in command and not Washington.
Question 6-13
Complete the sentences by choosing a phrase(A-L) from the list given below.
Note: There are more phrases (A-L) than sentences, so you will not need to use them all. You may use each phrase once only.
6. Gates became a general____________________.
7. George Washington _______________________.
8. Gates secured high rank in the Continental Army because of_______________________.
9. Gates helped in improving__________________.
10. Gates cherished a desire to_________________.
11. The Canadian Department needed_____________________.
12. The Battle of Valour Island__________________.
13. Some delegates to the Continental Congress supported Gates’ efforts to______________.
List of Phrases
A. Was not involved in much combat
B. Was an unmitigated disaster
C. Previous administrative experience in the British Army
D. Get a field command
E. During the American Revolutionary war
F. The continental Army’s record keeping
G. His proximity to George Washington
H. Take command of the Continental Army
I. After his defeat at Camden
J. Skills of a good administrator
K. Was part of the Braddock Expedition?
L. Delayed the British advance towards Ticonderoga
