Charles Heaphy and the settlement of New Zealand
Read Charles Heaphy and the settlement of New Zealand and check the IELTS Reading answers. In the early 19th century, the London-based New Zealand Company was set up to promote the colonisation of the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It hoped to encourage British migrants to settle there and…
Passage preview
In the early 19th century, the London-based New Zealand Company was set up to promote the colonisation of the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It hoped to encourage British migrants to settle there and buy land. To do this, it needed to capture the public imagination, and used paintings and drawings of the landscape for this purpose. Eighteen was a young age for someone to become a hired artist and explorer for this kind of major land-trading company, but Charles Heaphy took on this role after 18 months producing technical drawings for a British railway company, and a further two years studying occasionally at the Royal Academy's school of painting. His family had possibly lacked the financial means to enable him to continue at the Academy, but he was luckily introduced to someone in the New Zealand Company. Heaphy was offered, and accepted, a position on 6 May 1839-threedays before the Company's ship, Tory, departed Plymouth for New Zealand with its cargo of settlers.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- artistic propaganda noun
Creative works used specifically to promote a particular political or commercial cause or point of view
The idealized paintings were used as artistic propaganda to encourage British citizens to settle overseas.
- comprehensive adjective
Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something
His records of the journey were less comprehensive than those produced by his professional contemporaries.
- congested adjective
Overcrowded or filled to excess, leading to obstruction or health issues in urban areas
The clean air of the new colony contrasted sharply with the congested and polluted English cities.
- contemporary noun
A person living at the same time as another or belonging to the same period
The artist's sketches provide a more vivid account than many of his 19th-century contemporaries.
- cultivation noun
The act of preparing and using land for crops or gardening activities
The surveyor noted that the fertile soil made the surrounding valley fit for intensive cultivation.
- envisage verb
To form a mental picture of something not yet existing; to foresee as a possibility
Experts envisage that the region will eventually transform into a major agricultural and trade hub.
- exploit verb
To make full use of and derive benefit from a natural or human resource
Settlers hoped to exploit the vast forests for timber needed in the construction of new homes.
- prospect noun
The possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring, especially success or advancement
The artist concluded that for any migrant moving to the islands, excellent economic prospects awaited.
- superficial adjective
Existing or occurring at the surface; appearing to be true only until examined more closely
The initial exploration of the North Island was superficial, lacking a deep analysis of the terrain.
- superiority noun
The state of being higher in quality, status, or effectiveness compared to others
The company officials were convinced of the superiority of Port Nicholson as a site for headquarters.
Answers with explanations
- 1. TRUE
The statement claims Heaphy worked for a **railway company** in **Britain** before going to New Zealand. Paragraph A confirms he spent 18 months producing technical drawings for a **British railway company** prior to his employment with the New Zealand Company. This is a direct match. Answer: TRUE.
- 2. FALSE
The statement says Heaphy **completed** his studies. However, the text says he studied **occasionally** and suggests his family lacked the funds to let him **continue**. If he could not continue, he did not complete the course. This contradicts the claim of completion. Answer: FALSE.
- 2-3: parental guidance
2: The statement says Heaphy **completed** his studies. However, the text says he studied **occasionally** and suggests his family lacked the funds to let him **continue**. If he could not continue, he did not complete the course. This contradicts the claim of completion. Answer: FALSE.
3: The text compares Heaphy's records to those of **contemporaries**, stating they were less comprehensive. It does not compare the level of **detail** between his own **written records** and his **paintings**. Because there is no comparison provided between his two mediums of work, the answer cannot be determined. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 3. NOT GIVEN
The text compares Heaphy's records to those of **contemporaries**, stating they were less comprehensive. It does not compare the level of **detail** between his own **written records** and his **paintings**. Because there is no comparison provided between his two mediums of work, the answer cannot be determined. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 3-4: NO
3: The text compares Heaphy's records to those of **contemporaries**, stating they were less comprehensive. It does not compare the level of **detail** between his own **written records** and his **paintings**. Because there is no comparison provided between his two mediums of work, the answer cannot be determined. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
4: The statement says his **first impression** was **positive**. The text explicitly says his expectations were **dampened** and he felt the country **hardly seemed worth settling**. This is a direct contradiction of a positive first impression. Answer: FALSE.
- 4. FALSE
The statement says his **first impression** was **positive**. The text explicitly says his expectations were **dampened** and he felt the country **hardly seemed worth settling**. This is a direct contradiction of a positive first impression. Answer: FALSE.
- 5. TRUE
The statement claims Heaphy thought Queen Charlotte Sound was a **poor choice** for migrants. The text states he found the fertile patches **insufficient** for a **major settlement**, which supports the idea that it was not an ideal choice for new settlers. Answer: TRUE.
- 6. soil
The blank requires a noun describing something of 'good quality' in the hills. The text describes the hills as having **exceedingly rich and fertile soil**. 'Soil' is the correct noun that fits the context of agricultural quality. Answer: soil.
- 7. park
The blank requires a noun for a comparison ('looking like a...'). The text states Heaphy described the area as having the appearance of a **park**. This matches the prompt's request for how he described the visual look of the land. Answer: park.
- 8. rivers
The blank requires a plural noun that aids transport. The text mentions **rivers** and specifies they were deep enough for the **passage of ships**, which is a form of **transport**. Therefore, 'rivers' is the specific feature identified. Answer: rivers.
- 9. population
The blank requires a noun representing what must increase ('a larger...'). The text states settlement could only happen with the **growth of the population**. This matches the requirement for a necessary condition for future settlement. Answer: population.
- 10. mountain
The blank requires a noun for the subject of a painting. The text mentions his painting of **Mt Egmont**, which is a **mountain**, and notes that its **proportions** were **exaggerated**, making it inaccurate despite being impressive. Answer: mountain.
- 11. trees
The blank requires a plural noun for building materials. The text highlights a **ready supply of trees** for the **construction** of homes and ships. 'Trees' is the source of the wood used for building. Answer: trees.
- 12. climate
The blank requires a noun describing a favorable general characteristic of New Zealand. Heaphy explicitly claims New Zealand had the **best climate** in the world. This fits the requirement for an 'excellent' feature. Answer: climate.
- 13. illness
The blank requires a noun comparing health conditions. Heaphy notes he didn't experience **illness**, unlike what was **common** in English cities. This implies New Zealand had less illness than England. Answer: illness.