The Day London Changed Its Calendar
Written by Studio AM.
Your result
- Words per minute
- Score
- Pace
Words per minute mean something only with the score beside them. They describe this passage on this read. With fewer than 3 right, try the next slower pace.
Choose a pace and select Start. The passage is paced and timed, then the questions check what you understood. How pace mode works
Reading time 0:00
In Britain, Wednesday, September 2, 1752, was followed by Thursday, September 14. Eleven dates disappeared from that year's calendar. Time itself did not jump. Britain was changing from one calendar system to another.
The older Julian calendar measured the year a little too long. Over many centuries, its dates drifted away from the seasons. The newer Gregorian calendar used a better leap-year rule. Dropping eleven dates brought Britain's dates into line with that system.
People still woke after one ordinary night. Rent, birthdays, and legal dates needed careful handling, but nobody lost eleven days of life. The change shows that a calendar is a human tool for organizing natural cycles. When the tool is corrected, the labels can move even while sunrise arrives as usual.
The passage is hidden while you answer. It comes back with your result.
Questions
Choose an answer. The explanation appears after you answer.
-
Question 1 of 4
What is the main idea of the passage?
The answer is B: Britain skipped eleven date labels in 1752 to adopt a calendar that tracked the seasons more accurately.
The passage distinguishes a change in date labels from the normal passage of physical time.
-
Question 2 of 4
Why had the older calendar drifted from the seasons?
The answer is C: It measured the year slightly too long.
The second paragraph states that the Julian year was a little too long.
-
Question 3 of 4
What does “drifted” mean here?
The answer is D: moved gradually out of alignment
The mismatch accumulated over centuries, so drifted means moved slowly away.
-
Question 4 of 4
What date followed September 2 in Britain that year?
The answer is A: September 14
The opening sentence names Thursday, September 14 as the following date.
Score: none answered yet.