Rasputin

                            TEXT

        Rasputin, Grigory Yefimovich (1872-1916), Russian mystic and court figure, whose pervasive influence over the imperial family helped to destroy its reputation in prerevolutionary Russia. He was born in Pokrovskoye, Siberia. Rasputin was uneducated and lived as a peasant until about 1901, when he left his family to become a wandering holy man. He soon acquired a wide reputation for both his faith healing and his debauched behavior. In 1905, during a visit to Saint Petersburg, then the site of the national capital, Rasputin was presented at court and made a deep impression on Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna. Because he was able to relieve the suffering of her hemophiliac son and heir to the Russian throne, Alexis Nikolayevich, Rasputin became the most influential person in the czarina's entourage. After 1911 many high government offices were filled by his appointees, most  of whom were incompetent. After the start of World War I in 1914, when Emperor Nicholas II went to the front to take command of the army, Rasputin became the decisive influence in the government, advising Alexandra on the conduct of internal affairs. His famous orgies scandalized the people of Russia., and rumors circulated that he was conspiring with Germany. Called the Mad monk, he became an object of hatred, and on December 29, 1916, a group of aristocrats assassinated him during a midnight tea party. Rasputin's influence over the royal family was partly responsible for the rising tide of discontent that led to the 1917 revolution and the downfall of the monarchy.

                    TEXT COMPREHENSION

01- Choose the correct item according to the text:

a) Saint Peterburg is the current  Russia's capital city

b) Alexandra Fyodorovna was  Rasputin's wife

c) Rasputin always lived with his family

d) Rasputin was assassinated in the 19^th century

e) Rasputin had influence over Russia's government

02- Rasputin impressed Alexandra Fyodorovna 'cos

a) he was a monk

b) he was able to relieve her son

c) he was born in Siberia

d) he was Russian

e) he praised Saint Petersburg very much

03- Check the correct alternative

a) ) Rasputin contributed to the downfall of monarchy

b) When Rasputin died, he was forty six years old

c) The imperial family destroyed Rasputin's reputation

d) Rasputin killed Nicholas II

e) Nicholas II was Alexandra's bridegroom

04- When Rasputin was introduced to the Empress he was ___________________years old.

a) thirty two

b) thirty three

c) thirty four

d) thirty five

e) fifty six

05- Check the correct alternative:

a) Rasputin became popular 'cos of his debauched behavior

b) When Rasputin died, he was forty two years old

c) In Moscow, Rasputin was presented at court

d) Rasputin became popular 'cos he was honest

e) Rasputin was faithful to the Emperor