Вариант 13

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.

Macbeth was a king of the Scots whose rule was marked by efficient government and the promotion of Christianity, but who is (1) best known as the murderer and usurper in William Shakespeare’s tragedy.

Mac Bethad mac Findláich, known in English as Macbeth, was born in around 1005. His father was Finlay, Mormaer of Moray, and his mother (2) have been Donada, second daughter of Malcolm II. A ‘mormaer’ was (3) a high steward of one of the ancient Celtic provinces of Scotland, but in Latin documents the word is usually translated as ‘comes’, which means earl.

In August 1040, he killed the ruling king, Duncan I, in battle near Elgin, Morayshire. Macbeth became king. His marriage to Kenneth III’s granddaughter Gruoch strengthened his (4) to the throne. In 1045, Macbeth defeated and killed Duncan I’s father Crinan at Dunkeld.

For 14 years, Macbeth seems to have ruled equably, (5) law and order and encouraging Christianity. In 1050, he is known to (6) to Rome for a papal jubilee. He was also a brave leader and made successful raids (7) the border into Northumbria, England.

But in 1054 he was apparently forced by Siward to (8) part of southern Scotland to Malcolm. Three years later Macbeth was killed in battle by Malcolm, with assistance from (9) English.

Shakespeare’s Macbeth (10) little resemblance to the real 11th century Scottish king. He is portrayed as a general in King Duncan’s army who is spurred on by the prophecy of the Weird Sisters and personal ambition to change the (11) of Scotland’s succession. (12) the outset of the play, Macbeth is a brave, trusted, and respected soldier. He is undone by his inability to hold his own moral ground and his need to prove his manhood to his wife. (13) its horror at Macbeth’s acts, the audience is moved to (14) extent by his self-awareness, uneasiness, and haunted spirit to (15) with him as events spin out of control. The ultimate hopelessness of his position becomes clear to him at last, and he spells this out in two poignant speeches in Act V, “I have lived long enough” and “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.”