The Vikings’ Wayfaring Ways - IELTS Reading Answers

Question

Answer

Explanation

1

793

The initial lines of paragraph B clearly mention that “during their first expedition, in 793, a force of Viking warriors sacked the famed abbey at Lindisfarne, on England’s northeast coast.” Since the word ‘sacked’ means plundering or pillaging, especially after capture, to obtain spoils of war from. We can infer that Vikings raided the abbey coast of England in 793. Hence, the correct answer is ‘793’.

2

980

As per paragraph C’s initial line, “In 980, an Icelandic assembly found a man named Eric ‘the Red’ Ericson guilty of the murder and sent him into exile.” Since the words ‘guilty of murder’ means ‘convited of crime.’ Therefore, this line confirms that in 980, Eric the Red was convicted for murder. Hence, the correct answer is ‘980’.

3

841

The line “to the west, they con-quered portions of Ireland, and in 841 founded Dublin, today a major Irish city, but originally a Viking fort.” Paragraph D confirms that the fort which was acquired in 841 was originally a Viking fort. Hence, the correct answer is ‘841’.

4

911

In paragraph E, the line states that “to stop the raids, French King Charles III in 911 offered the Viking chief Rollo territories in northwest France, called Normandy, after the Normas or ‘Northmen’.” Rollo territories are land pieces, and French King offered it to the Viking chief in 911. Hence, the correct answer is ‘911’.

5

1066

Paragraph E discusses that “they set up a powerful kingdom and, in 1066, under William, Duke of Normandy defeated King Harold at the battle of Hastings in England.” Duke of Normandy is a Viking warrior, and he defeated England King Harold in 1066. Hence, the correct answer is ‘1066’.

6

D

Paragraph A states that “Vikings were also the most far-ranging of peoples. The term Viking, in Old Norse, means ‘to go on an expedition.’ From the late 700s until the eleventh century, Viking explorers journeyed from their native Norway, Denmark, and Sweden to many distant lands.” From these lines, we can infer that Vikings were known as explorers. Hence, the correct answer is ‘explorers.’

7

H

Paragraph C states that “Ericson, and a small Viking fleet sailed west to North America. There they established the first European settlement in the New World, called ‘Vinland’.” As the word, ‘established’ means to settle. Therefore, we can deduce that Vikings were the first European who settled in North America. Hence, the correct answer is ‘settled in.’

8

F

The first few lines of Paragraph D mentions that “Vikings from Denmark, meanwhile, ravaged large swaths of England and France. In 866, a Viking ‘Great Army’ landed in England, occupying much of the country’s north and east.” These lines confirm that Vikings from Denmark occupied or took control (conquered) over a large area of England and France. Hence, the correct answer is ‘conquered.’

9

G

Paragraph F mentions that “Vikings had raided Portugal and Spain, then largely controlled by Arab Moors.Also, the Moors dealt them a rare defeat. The Moors catapulted flaming projectiles onto the Viking vessels, forcing a retreat.” The phrase ‘moors catapulted flaming projectiles’ means forcefully throwing flaming objects. Hence, the correct answer is ‘burning objects.’

10

B

Paragraph G confirms that “In 902, hundreds of Varagians served as marines during a Bzyantine naval assault on the island of Crete.” This line means that they took part in the Byzantine attack (assault) on the Island of Crete. Hence, the correct answer is ‘an attack.’

11

O

Paragraph H mentions that “Vikings journeyed through the Baltic Sea, then built inland posts in Germany and Poland. In time, they struck out across Central and Eastern Europe, down the Vistula River in Poland, and the Don Rivers in Russia. Further, Viking merchants on horseback penetrated far into the Asian heartland.” These lines indicate that Vikings traveled down the Russian River and then journeyed deep into Asia on the horse. Hence, the correct answer is ‘horse.’

12

C

According to Paragraph I lines, “after lucrative trade relations were established with the Byzantines and with Muslim lands, the Rush moved their capital southward to Kiev, later the capital of Ukraine.” From these lines, we can infer that Viking leaders expanded their territories towards the south and eventually formed Vikings’ territorial capital. Hence, the correct answer is ‘capital.’

13

K

The beginning lines of Paragraph J states that “another important Viking market town was Bulgar, on the Volga River. There, merchants peddled honey, wax, amber, and steel swords.” These lines indicate that Vikings had an important market in the town of Bulgar. Hence, the correct answer is ‘market.’