Question

IX. Complete the following sentences with the words from text 11C. 1. Nowadays pigeons are not regarded to be... 2. In the past they provided fresh meat and eggs to... 3. Massive stone dove-towers were the monopoly of the manor in... 4. Complete the old rural proverb o f four grains sown in a row: One for the pigeon, one for the crow, one to rot and one... 5. Later the importance of pigeons... Text 11C . The Dovecote Nowadays we do not regard pigeons as a form of farm stock. But in the past their agricultural importance was considerable. They provided fresh meat and eggs to vary the limited diet of the times and they left valuable residues for the dunghill. In feudal times, however, these benefits were the monopoly of the lord of the manor. Only he could build the massive stone dove-towers of the early Normans or the lighter, more ornamental structures of their successors from which fluttered the winged flocks whose ceaseless depredations on neighbouring crops are remembered in the old rural proverb of the four grains sown in a row, One for the pigeon, one for the crow, One to rot and one to grow. The order is significant. As farming developed, the importance of pigeons decreased and men began to emphasise the harm they did to crops rather than the value of their meat and manure. The tradition died slowly. Some early nineteenth century farmers built lofts for doves in their barns or over their cartsheds and as late as the 1880s pigeons played a quite appreciable part in the economy of most farms in Northamptonshire. But it is now a long time since domesticated pigeons have contributed more than pleasure and interest to the farm.

Answer 1

1. Nowadays pigeons are not regarded to be as a form of farm stock.

2. In the past they provided fresh meat and eggs to vary the limited diet

of the times.

3.  Massive stone dove-towers were the monopoly of the manor

in feudal times.

4. Complete the old rural proverb of four grains sown in a row:

One for the pigeon, one for the crow, one to rot and one to grow.

5.  Later the importance of pigeons decreased and men began to emphasise the harm they did to crops rather than the value of  their meat and manure.  

Answer 2

1. Nowadays pigeons are not regarded to be a form of farm stock. 2. In the past they provided fresh meat and eggs to vary the limited diet of the times. 3. Massive stone dove-towers were the monopoly of the lord of the manor. 4. Complete the old rural proverb of four grains sown in a row: One for the pigeon, one for the crow, one to rot and one to grow. 5. Later the importance of pigeons decreased as farming developed and men began to emphasize the harm they did to crops rather than the value of their meat and manure.