The history of Leiden dates back to Roman times.

Although the city of Leiden itself is

not of Roman origin, in around 50 A.D. the Romans built a fortress called Matilo in what is
now the Roomburg city district. This was one of the ‘castella’ along the Old Rhine, built to
protect the northern border of the Roman Empire. Matilo existed until about 275.
Since the 16th century, significant archaeological finds have been made, including
Roman artefacts, many of which are on display in the National Museum of Antiquities
located in the city centre.
Leiden started its development in around 860 as an embankment (‘dike’) village at the
foot of a castle located strategically at the confluence of the Old Rhine and the New Rhine. In
around 1100, Leiden became the court residence of the Counts of Holland. Between the 13 th
and 15th centuries, the city prospered, developing into one of the largest cities in Holland by
its flourishing textile industry. In the 16th century, the cultural role of Leiden increased in
importance. Leiden became an international centre of painting art (Lucas van Leyden,
Rembrandt, Van Goyen, van Steen).
With the establishment of the University in 1575, many eminent scientists were soon
attracted to the city. Consequently, Leiden also became a centre of book printing and
publishing (Elsevier, Plantijn). In order to escape from the Inquisition, Galileo Galilei
published one of his most important works, the Discorsi, in Leiden (1637). In the 17th
century, the Dutch Golden Age, arts, science and industry developed further. Rembrandt was
born in 1606 in Leiden. This was the period when first important scientific and technological
discoveries took place. The city continued to grow and in around 1670 Leiden, with some
70,000 inhabitants, was the largest city in Holland after Amsterdam.
In the 18th century, the textile industry declined and Leiden rapidly became
impoverished. At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the city recovered
with the metal and printing industries. At the same time, Leiden University experienced the
‘Second Golden Age’, winning a series of Nobel prizes, particularly in physics and
medicine.
Following a deterioration of the socio-economic position in the 1950’s and 60’s, Leiden
rapidly recovered. The city received major national funding to restore its historic city centre;
new residential areas began to be built and the city witnessed the prosperous growth of the
Bio Science Park as a result of the many application-oriented research activities generated by
its University. Today, Leiden with its suburbs is a sought-after residential area with an
agreeable socio-economic and cultural climate.
41. What does the passage talk about?
(A) The establishment of Leiden
(B) Study programs at Leiden University
(C) The history of Leiden
(D) Experiences at Leiden University
42. In what paragraph does the author mention about Leiden with its flourishing textile
industry?
(A) One
(B) Two
(C) Three
(D) Four
43. Why did many eminent scientists were attracted to the Leiden city?
(A) Because of the university establishment in 1575
(B) Because of the flourishment of textile industry
(C) National Museum of Antiquities located in the city centre
(D) Because the textile industry declined
44. How did Leiden recover from a deterioration of the socio-economic position?
(A) Many eminent scientists were soon attracted to the city.
(B) The city recovered with the metal and printing industries.
(C) The city received major national funding to restore its historic city centre and new
residental areas began to be built
(D) The city Develop into one of the largest cities in Holland by its flourishing textile
industry.
45. In what line does the author state that Leiden became an international centre of
painting art?
(A) 5 – 7
(B) 15 – 16
(C) 19 – 23
(D) 29 – 30
46. The word prospered in line 13 is closest in meaning to .......
(A) Became quiet
(B) Became destitute
(C) Became successful
(D) Became crowded
47. In what year did Galileo Galilei publish one of his most omportany book, the
Discorsi?
(A) 1575
(B) 1637
(C) 1670
(D) 1950
48. The following information are true, EXCEPT.....
(A) At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the city recovered
with the metal and printing industries.
(B) In around 1100, Leiden became the court residence of the Counts of Holland.
(C) In around 1670 Leiden, with some 70,000 inhabitants, was the largest city in
Holland after Amsterdam.
(D) Rembrandt was born in 1906 in Leiden.
49. The word flourishing in line 14 is closest in meaning to .......
(A) Growing
(B) Distributing
(C) Establishing
(D) Deteriorating
50. When did Leiden University experience the `Second Golden Age`?
(A) At the end of 19th and the beginning of the 20th century
(B) Since the 16th century
(C) In the middle of 16th century
(D) Between the 13th and 15th centuries