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The Norsemen usually arent a very studied topic in history,but they did some extraordinary things.One aspect of Norsemen history may not be the greatest highlight of their history,but it is probably the only way they made it into any history book.They were Viking raiders.They werent all Viking raiders,but some had chosen this form of life because farming was not in the least profitable because of the horrible soil in the Scandinavian countries where they lived.

As they advanced through raids they built fortified cities in Scandinavian.They also controlled the powerful duchy of Normandy and the Netherlands (once called Frisia).They gained much from England, Spain,Italy,and even Africa,mostly through raids. There also was a time when they had some of their people settled in Germany.

At one point the Byzantine Emperor had been encouraged to destroy the Vikings that came near his land by his peers. Those around him became unhappy when he made the decision to leave the Vikings alone. The Vikings ended up becoming his bodyguards.The Vikings had a ruling house in Russia,and settled Iceland and Greenland. They were the first to discover the land of America,on its northern shores of Canada. Iceland was run on a democratic government,and adopted Christianity.They released their slaves in Normandy,and were the first nation to ever do this. Their excellent example caused France and England to become more freedom oriented nations.

Some will look on the Vikings as mere pirates whose only goal was to terrorize their fellow countries for the plunder.However,the Norsemen were a very resourceful people who relied on trade and exploration and learned from those that they conquered.The Norsemen may be known as Vikings, but they should also be known as discovers of many nations.

1. According to the author, what did the Vikings gain from those they raided?

A. They gained plunder, and they gave back little.

B. They gained status and power.

C. They gained plunder, but they also learned from those that they conquered.

D. They gained the hate of those around them.

2. How was Christianity adopted in the land of Iceland?

A. By decision of the king

B. By missionaries

C. By war

D. By the democratic process

3. According to the author, were all the Scandinavian people Vikings?

A. All Scandinavian people were Vikings and farmers.

B. Some Scandinavian people had other means of survival.

C. Scandinavians werent Vikings.

D. The author doesnt say.

4. What did the Byzantine Emperor and his peers think of the Vikings?

A. The Emperor valued Viking service,but his peers did not.

B. The Emperor and his peers both valued Viking service.

C. The Emperor and his peers were fearful of Viking service.

D. The Emperor was fearful of Viking service though his peers valued it.

5. What position did the Norsemen hold in Russia?

A. They were slaves.

B. They were bodyguards.

C. They helped fight battles for Russia.

D. They were partial rulers

6. How did Normandy advance the cause of freedom?

A. By releasing their slaves

B. By setting up a democratic form of government

C. By protecting France from invasion

D. By guarding the king of France

OE

keys：1 C2 D3 B4 A5 D6 A