Успех на матурата Listening - The Arrival of the Slavs

The main aim of the text is to explain

• some specifics of the early development of the Bulgarian state

• The Eastern and Southern Slavic tribes

• why the Balkan Peninsula attracted different barbarians

• the connection among Goths, Huns and Slavs

Answer explanation

The text dals with the reasons for the Balkan peninsula being so attractive to different barbarian tribes including the Slavs, the latter being discussed in slightly great detail that the rest.

This text is

• the beginning of a research paper

• the conclusion of a collection of essays on the history of the Balkans

• part of a longer piece about a certain period of the history of the Balkan Peninsula

• the preface of a historical novel set somewhere between the Danube and modern Greece

Answer explanation

The determiner these in the phrase 'these endless invasions' shows that the invasions were discussed in a previous part of the text.

The invasion referred to at the beginning of the text

• took place more than once

• was mainly aimed at the capital city of the Empire

• was entirely a Slav's doing

• succeeded in establishing a new state on the Balkans

Answer explanation

'It is impossible to count the number of times the tide of invasion and devastation swept...'

The defense of these lands was unsuccessful mainly because

• the emperors and generals could not reach an agreement about what tactics to use

• of the quarrels among the different groups of barbarians

• of the sheer extent of territories which needed protection

• the citizens of Constantinople and Salonika's wealth was not enough to pay for protection

Answer explanation

'....they had at the same time to defend an empire which stretched from Armenia to Spain...'

According to the text, the Huns and the Goths withdrew form the Balkans and the Slavic tribes started invading the peninsula.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

'The departure of the Huns and the Goths had made the way for fresh series of unwelcome visitors.'

At the beginning, the Slav's home was in modern-day Bulgaria.

• true

• false

According to historical chronicles, the Slavs first crossed the river Danube in the 6th century AD.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

'...they were first mentioned as having crossed that river during the reign of the Emperor Justin I (518-527)...'

According to the author, the Slavic tribes were not noted for being well-organised or close to one another.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

'What is certain is that amongst them neither leadership nor initiative was developed, and that they lacked both cohesion and organisation.'