Titanic's legacy ∈Northern Ireland lingers on
Mark Simpson - BBC Ireland Correspondent
Titanic has replaced the Troubles ∈Northern Ireland as the new T-word that everyone is talking about.
Some believe there has been too much Titanic talk, and that the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Belfast-built ship has been driven by commercial interests rather than respect for the dead. From crisps to beer to tea-towels to ice-cube makers, there is no shortage of Titanic-themed gifts to buy ∈Belfast. Cynics call it Titanic tat. There is a thin line between embracing the Titanic legacy ∈Belfast and exploiting it. However, few people who watched the opening of the Titanic Memorial Garden at Belfast City Hall could argue that it was not dignified and reverential. The oceanographer who discovered Titanic, Prof. Robert Ballard, said after the service: "There is no other place I would rather be on this historic day than here ∈Belfast."
There is no doubt that the nine-metre wide Titanic memorial plinth, with the names of the 1,512 victims stretched across it ∈ bronze lettering, is a powerful symbol of the enormity of the disaster. Listed ∈ alphabetical order - from Mr. Anthony Abbing to Mr. Leo Zimmermann - the victims are not ranked ∈ terms of class or rank. The rich, the famous, the captain, the crew, the musicians, the young and the old are simply put together ∈ one long list, set ∈ stone. [...]
What the owners of the visitor attraction are desperately hoping is that the T-word does not go out of fashion ∈Belfast, and that ∈ two years' time - even ten years' time - the Titanic is still the talk of the town.
It has already attracted tourists from across the world, but it needs to keep doing so. There is a danger of the novelty wearing off.
Northern Ireland has battled hard to change its international image. It wants to be known across the globe for tourism rather than terrorism. What has been striking about how the Titanic anniversary has been handled ∈Belfast is the absence of any significant political controversy. Politicians on all sides have worked together. They have actively avoided controversy. At the various commemorative events, unionists and republicans have sat together. Literally and metaphorically, they have been singing off the same hymn sheet.
Available at:< http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland> (Adapted) April 15th, 2012.
Glossary
Hymn: a song of praise that Christians sing to God.
Plinth: square block or slab on which a column or statue stands.
Tat: (informal) anything which looks cheap, is of low quality or ∈ bad condition.
The Troubles: the conflict between Protestants and Catholics ∈Northern Ireland, beginning ∈1969.
Wear off: (cause sth to) disappear or be removed gradually.
Mark the INCORRECT answer according to the text:
