You are going to read a text on the life of a famous person. For questions 1-15, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, or С) best fits each gap.
Harold was (1) last Anglo-Saxon king of England, a strong ruler and a skilled general.
Harold was born in the early 1020s, the son of Godwine, Earl of Wessex. Harold’s mother, Gytha, (2) to a powerful Danish noble family with close connections to Canute, the Danish king of England. Harold’s father, Godwine, was an important supporter of the king. (3) an ally of the Anglo-Danish line, Godwine accepted the accession as king of a member of the (4) English royal family, Edward, following the death of Canute’s successor. Godwine emerged as the dominant figure in the kingdom early in Edward’s reign, more powerful (5) than the king himself.
Harold succeeded to his father’s titles in 1053, becoming the second (6) man in England after the monarch. He was also a focus (7) opposition to the growing Norman influence in England encouraged by the king, Edward (known as ‘the Confessor’ for his piety).
In 1064, Harold (8) on the coast of Normandy. William, Duke of Normandy considered himself to be the successor to the childless Edward and is believed (9) Harold to swear an oath to support his claim. The following year, the Northumbrians revolted against Tostig, Earl of Northumbria, who was Harold’s brother. Harold replaced Tostig, (10) him into a bitter enemy.
Edward died in January 1066 and Harold assumed power, claiming Edward (11) him (12) heir. William now used Harold’s oath of 1064 to (13) Papal support for his invasion of England.
In September, Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, invaded England, aided by Tostig, but he was defeated by Harold on 25 September at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, near York. Three days (14) William landed in England. Harold hurried south with his army and, on 14 October, met William in battle near Hastings. A day-long battle (15) and Harold was defeated.
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1
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A. a
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B. the
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C. –
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2
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A. belonged
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B. was belonged
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C. belonging
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3
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A. However
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B. Despite
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C. Although
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4
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A. later
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B. former
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C. latter
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5
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A. even
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B. rather
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C. enough
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6
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A. powerful
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B. more powerful
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C. most powerful
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7
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A. on
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B. for
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C. to
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8
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A. was a shipwreck
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B. had shipwrecked
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C. was shipwrecked
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9
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A. to force
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B. to have forced
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C. having forced
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10
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A. turning
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B. being turned
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C. to have turned
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11
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A. designated
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B. had designated
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C. had been designating
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12
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A. as
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B. being
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C. to
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13
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A. save
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B. secure
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C. protect
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14
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A. prior
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B. past
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C. later
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15
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A. ensued
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B. ensured
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C. enabled
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