Reading test (II term)

Read the texts below. Match choices. There is one choice you do not need to use.

1 .............. Throughout its years as a part of the Roman Empire, from AD 43 to AD 410, parts of Britain became heavily Romanised. Though many centuries have passed since the Romans left,  evidence of their time  remains,  hidden beneath  the soil.

2 .............. While most civilians lived in wooden huts similar to those of pre-Roman times, local nobles and elites were encouraged to move into Roman-style towns where they could be more easily controlled – and taxed. These towns were built of brick, stone and wood, in styles adapted from those of the Mediterranean.

3 .............. Some wealthy families lived in villas – large rural houses that formed the centre for farmland estates. These homes were often ornately finished, with marble sculptures and mosaic floors.

4 .............. At this time, Roman Britain had a large number of military bases, needed to protect against attacks from tribes in Ireland, Scotland and Germany. As a result, there are many preserved forts, barracks, roads and camps to explore.

5 .............. The Roman Empire went into decline after AD 300. Walls were erected to protect British towns, as the waning army could no longer keep invaders at bay. By around AD 380, the economy was in disarray – people left the towns, and many of the luxurious villas were converted into workshops. After the Romans left, Germanic raiders and settlers overran the country. Roman buildings were abandoned, and fell into ruin. Apart from a few places where stonework survived above ground, we know about Roman sites only  thanks  to archaeologists.

Spread of Roman-style towns      [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, none]

Martial traces      [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, none]

Income reflected in design      [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, none]

Luxurious rural dwellings      [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, none]

Decrease of Roman Britain      [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, none]

Proofs left behind      [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, none]

Read and match the correct answer:

This picture was among the first to enter the collection of Gwendoline (1882 – 1951) and Margaret (1884 – 1963) Davies, part of one of the great British art  collections of the 20th century‘, which they bequeathed in its 260-work entirety to the Welsh nation.

Early in life, the sisters inherited £500,000 each (£50 million today), making them, so it was said, the richest unmarried women in Britain. Yet, for all their wealth and good looks, their strict  Methodist upbringing  ensured  they  dedicated their celibate lives to philanthropy. A low-church background did not deny encouragement of their love of art; they even travelled extensively with a governess to learn art history.

The art collection of the Davieses‘ contained...

Read and match the correct answer:

This picture was among the first to enter the collection of Gwendoline (1882 – 1951) and Margaret (1884 – 1963) Davies, part of one of the great British art  collections of the 20th century, which they bequeathed in its 260-work entirety to the Welsh nation.

Early in life, the sisters inherited £500,000 each (£50 million today), making them, so it was said, the richest unmarried women in Britain. Yet, for all their wealth and good looks, their strict  Methodist upbringing  ensured  they  dedicated their celibate lives to philanthropy. A low-church background did not deny encouragement of their love of art; they even travelled extensively with a governess to learn art history.

According to the article Gwendoline and Margaret Davies...