We’re back with a TOEFL iBT reading! In this blog, you’ll have a set of questions to answer followed by the answers which will be on page 2. In the video, I will break down 5 questions and show you how NOT to overanalyze. Although this could be difficult at first glance, by watching me break it down, you will gain confidence in answer the question. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
[1] In the fifth century AD, Britain was being attacked by the Irish, Pict and Germanic people from southern Denmark and Germany. These invaders were called Saxons. The term Anglo Saxon was developed in the eighth century. It was coined to distinguish between the British (Anglo) and the Germanic people (Saxons). The Roman-Britano leaders defended the land as best they could, but the invaders eventually began to settle into Britain. Irish kingdoms settled in both the west and north of the country. Meanwhile, the Angles, Saxons and Jute tribes took over the east part of Britain.
[2] Most of the information we have gathered about the Anglo-Saxons has been collected from cemeteries where personal possessions were placed. A graveyard in Suffolk is considered to be a royal cemetery of the East Anglian kings. A large oak ship was discovered here along with objects suggesting that the Swedes settled in this area.
[3] Although the Christian church suffered greatly from the invasions, it survived in the areas of Roman Britain that were not invaded by the Anglo-Saxons. Two missionaries came out of that church: Saint Nina from Scotland and Saint Patrick. Nina founded a church at Whithorn. Patrick is thought to have come from Wales where he was captured by Irish raiders. Having escaped home from slavery, he returned again to Ireland where he introduced Christianity to the Irish population. It is thought that he was buried in County Down in the late fifth century. St Columba was a later missionary who founded Derry and Durrow in Ireland. In 565 AD, he founded the monastery of Iona on an island west of the Isle of Mull in Scotland.
[4] One important source of sixth to eighth-century British history is the ‘Ecclesiastical History of the English People’, written by a monk, Venerable Bede. In his work, he explains how Pope Gregory (pope from 590 to 604 AD) sent a missionary called Augustine to England to found major churches in London and York. Augustine met Æthelberht, king of Kent, in 597AD who gave him land in Canterbury to build a church. Thus, Canterbury became the main center for English Christianity. Æthelberht and Edwin, king of Northumbria, both converted to Christianity.
[5] Britain was now divided into the kingdoms of Diera (Yorkshire), Bernicia (north)South Saxons (Sussex), East Angles (East Anglia), West Saxons (Wessex) and Mercians in the Midlands. Cornwall, Devon and Wales were independent and in Northern Ireland, there were smaller kingdoms. Some British kingdoms remained independent, including Cornwall and Devon in the south west, Gwynedd and Powys in modern Wales, and Strathclyde, in what is now the region of Glasgow.
[6] At this time, the Irish missionaries founded churches along the west coast of Scotland. Converts remained loyal to the Iona church, founded by Columba. However, a disagreement over the Christian calendar arose. King Oswiu decided for the Roman calendar over the Ionan calendar. From that point, Irish influence on the England church began to wane. Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury was appointed in 668 AD by Pope Vitalian. Theodore introduced Greek and established new dioceses.
[7] Irish and English missionaries continued to travel and convert in France, Italy and Germany. Great English missionaries included Egbert and Boniface who reorganized the church in Germany and Bavaria. The Northumbrian empire began to decline after 685AD. However, Northumbria remained a cultural crossing point between Rome, England and Ireland. Sculptor, poetry and a library of works remains from Northumbrian culture.
1 Paragraph 1 supports which of the following statements about the word Anglo-Saxon:
- The word Anglo-Saxon derives from two words, meaning British-German.
- The word Anglo-Saxon derives from the British term Saxon for invaders.
- The word Anglo-Saxon derives from the German word Saxon for the British.
- The word Anglo-Saxon derives from the Irish term Saxon for invaders.
2 According to paragraph 3, all of the following statements are true about the work of missionaries, EXCEPT:
- Saint Nina was a Scottish missionary.
- Saint Patrick was an Irish missionary who converted the people of Northern Ireland.
- Saint Patrick may have been buried in Country Down in the fifth century.
- Saint Columba established the Ionan monastery.
3 Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 3 about Christianity?
- Christianity disappeared from Britain after the invasions.
- Christianity did not survive in the areas not invaded by the Anglo-Saxons.
- Christianity survived only in the areas not invaded by the Anglo-Saxons, but moved to Iona in 565 AD.
- Christianity survived only in the areas not invaded by the Anglo-Saxons, and important missionaries came from those areas.
4 In paragraph 4, why does the author mention the ‘Ecclesiastical History of the English People’, written by a monk, Venerable Bede?
- Because it sheds light on the invasions of the Anglo-Saxons in Britain.
- Because it sheds light on the history of Britain between the sixth and eight centuries.
- Because it explains the work of the missionaries.
- Because it describes the rise of the Canterbury church.
5 According to paragraph 5, what happened in Britain after 597 AD?
- Britain was divided into several kingdoms, all dependent on one another.
- Britain was divided into several kingdoms, all independent.
- Britain was divided into several kingdoms and some remained independent.
- Britain was united into one kingdom.
6 The word ‘decline’ in paragraph 7 is closest in meaning to:
- Increase
- Decrease
- Get worse
- Improve
7 Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the following sentence?
However, a disagreement over Christian calendar arose.
- But a conflict emerged related to the Christian calendar.
- But a conflict started over the Christmas calendar.
- However, an agreement over the Christian calendar was impossible.
- However, a dispute over the Christian calendar raged.
8 Which of the following is true, according to the passage?
- The Christian church in Britain faced many challenges between the sixth and eighth centuries, but disintegrated after this time.
- The Christian church worldwide faced many challenges between the sixth and eighth centuries, but continued to thrive.
- The Christian church in Britain had many achievements between the sixth and eighth centuries, but disintegrated after this time.
- The Christian church in Britain faced many challenges between the sixth and eighth centuries, but continued to thrive.
9 Examine the four █ in the selection below and indicate at which block the following sentence could be inserted into the passage:
Ionan followers became more isolated from the king whose allegiance was with the Roman church.
█ [A] However, a disagreement over the Christian calendar arose. █ [B] King Oswiu decided for the Roman calendar over the Ionan calendar. █ [C] From that point, Irish influence on the England church began to wane. █ [D] .
- [A]
- [B]
- [C]
- [D]
10Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
One important source of sixth to eighth century British history is the ‘Ecclesiastical History of the English People’, written by a monk, Venerable Bede.
- A.The ‘Ecclesiastical History of the English People’ by Venerable Bede is the most important book in British history.
- B.Bede’s work sheds important light on British history between the sixth and eighth centuries.
- C.Augustine was sent by the pope to establish new churches in Britain.
- D.Because of his conversion to Christianity, King Æthelberht agreed to give Augustine the land for the church.
- E.Augustine established the Canterbury church which became the hub of English Christianity.
- F.The Canterbury Church became the seat of the British Monarchy.
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