Transcript:
The first records of genealogy can be traced back to the earliest civilisations in Northern Africa who recorded success ions of dynasties and wealthy families reaching back hundreds of years. This was usually done to establish rights to title, land and property. There is evidence that this happened in many places in the world. However, it was the domain of the wealthy and few people outside those circles were even aware that family ancestry could be recorded and traced. This situation changed in the early nineteenth century when genealogy became more generally well-known after the first practical guide to research was published. But it was not until the mid-twentieth century that family history was no longer solely devoted to tracing the genealogies of the great, the wealthy, or the famous and it became a more common activity among the general population.
Result:
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Option 3: "Originally, tracing family history was only used in order to establish the origins of prosperous and powerful families. However, by the middle of the twentieth century, ordinary people were also starting to show an interest in researching their family background too."
Explanation: This option accurately summarizes the text by highlighting that genealogy was initially focused on prosperous and powerful families. It correctly notes that by the mid-twentieth century, ordinary people began to take an interest in researching their family backgrounds, reflecting the shift described in the text.
Option 1: "Research into family history by ordinary people only started to become far more widespread in the early nineteenth century. Prior to that time, it was chiefly rich, important and powerful families who had an interest and involvement in this type of activity"
Explanation: This option incorrectly states that research into family history by ordinary people only started in the early nineteenth century. While the text mentions that genealogy became more well-known during this time, it does not imply that ordinary people had no interest before then. Additionally, it overlooks the fact that genealogy was practiced by wealthy families for centuries prior.
Option 2: "The study of family history began hundreds of years ago in North Africa in order to establish such things as ownership of property. It rapidly became a common practice in many cultures because inheritance played such an important role in society and government."
Explanation: This option misrepresents the text by suggesting that the study of family history became common in many cultures due to the importance of inheritance. The text states that genealogy was primarily the domain of wealthy families and was not widely known or practiced by the general population until later. Thus, the claim about it becoming common practice is inaccurate.
Option 4: "All social classes of the general population have always been interested in recording their family history, but genealogy became really popular in the early nineteenth century due to the publication of a book concerned with methodology of determining family history."
Explanation: This option is incorrect because it claims that all social classes have always been interested in genealogy, which contradicts the text. The text specifies that genealogy was primarily the concern of wealthy families until the mid-twentieth century, when it became more common among the general population. Therefore, the assertion about universal interest is misleading.
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