These squat, red-capped little men with long, white beards can be found everywhere, but they have a reputation for lounging around on people's lawns. Do you gnome what we're talking about? That's right, it's garden gnomes! Whether you find them kitschy or cool, these statuettes are nothing new—they've been a staple of outdoor décor for centuries.
The precise origins of garden gnomes are difficult to unearth, but some version of them existed in antiquity. Ancient Romans placed gnome-like statues in their gardens to ensure a bountiful harvest. Yet it wasn't until the early 1500s that gnome folklore developed. Swiss alchemist Paracelsus described gnomes as nature spirits that protected plants and represented the earth itself, especially stones and minerals. Gnome wonder people wanted them in their yards!
In the 1700s, the wealthy started placing these outdoor ornamentations inside their homes for good luck. But the figurines moved into the mainstream during the early 1800s when German writers included them in fairy tales. Around the same time, German sculptor Philipp Griebel established his own gnome depot to mass-produce the statuettes using terra cotta clay.
Gnome manufacturing flourished in Germany through the early 1900s. But then, World War I (1914–1918) led to a drastic decline in production. That might have been the end of the trend had it not been for Walt Disney's movie magic. In 1937, Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ushered in a new era of gnome appreciation, in part because the heroine's helpers closely resembled certain pointy-hatted figurines of the past.
In the 1970s, the use of plastics enabled manufacturers to produce gnomes more quickly and cheaply. Now, there are garden gnomes for every predilection: biker gnomes in leather vests, surfer gnomes in tank tops, and even musical gnomes playing guitar. Suffice it to say, these little figurines are still gnome sweet gnome in gardens around the world.
Garden gnomes are small statues with squat, red-capped little men with long, white beards. They have been a popular feature in outdoor décor for centuries. The exact origins of garden gnomes are unclear, but they were present in ancient Roman gardens and later developed into folklore in the 1500s.
Swiss alchemist Paracelsus described gnomes as nature spirits that protected plants and symbolized the earth. In the 1700s, wealthy individuals started placing these figurines indoors for good luck. It wasn't until the early 1800s, when German writers included gnomes in fairy tales, that they gained more popularity.
German sculptor Philipp Griebel established a gnome depot in the 1800s to mass-produce terra cotta clay gnomes. However, production declined during World War I. The popularity of gnomes was revitalized in the 1930s with the release of Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," in which the dwarfs resembled traditional garden gnomes.
In the 1970s, the use of plastics made gnome production faster and cheaper. This led to a wide variety of gnome designs, including biker gnomes, surfer gnomes, and musical gnomes. Despite the changing designs, garden gnomes remain a popular item in gardens worldwide.
QUESTION 1
1 / 4
According to the article, why were manufacturers able to make gnomes more quickly and cheaply?
They were able to craft them out of stone and minerals.
They were able to create them using movie magic.
They were able to sculpt them out of clay.
They were able to produce them using plastic.
According to the article, manufacturers were able to make gnomes more quickly and cheaply by using plastic.
QUESTION 2
2 / 4
Think about the history of gnomes. Which of these happened second?
Wealthy homeowners began to place gnomes indoors for good luck.
A sculptor established a depot to produce gnomes out of terra cotta clay.
Paracelsus described gnomes as nature spirits that protected plants.
World War I led to a drastic decline in gnome production.
According to the article, the second event in the history of gnomes was wealthy homeowners began to place gnomes indoors for good luck.
QUESTION 3
3 / 4
Which is the closest antonym for the word predilection, as it is used in the article?
distinction
dispute
distaste
disadvantage
The closest antonym for the word "predilection" as used in the article would be "distaste".
QUESTION 4
4 / 4
Based on the article, which of these is true about gnomes?
Ancient Romans placed gnomes in gardens to ensure a good harvest.
Guitar-playing gnomes have been popular since the 1500s.
Walt Disney made gnomes popular around the world for the first time.
Mass production of gnomes did not begin until the 1970s.