Liverpool had done it before and really wanted to do it again. However, the Archdruid put his foot down and refused.   He even went so far as to say that he would deny them his presence. Liverpool insisted. The Archdruid persisted. He believed somewhere in Wales was a more suitable choice. What was the squabble all about? The hosting of the time-honoured Welsh art festival - the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

The festival's roots can be traced back to 1176 when the first Eisteddfod (literally 'sitting' festival) is said to have been held at Lord Rhys' castle in Cardigan. It was a grand gathering of poets and musicians from all over the country with the prize of a chair at the Lord's table awarded to the best artists.

The idea caught on in no time, and the Eisteddfod became a folk tradition across Wales. However, when the Eisteddfod was officially associated with the Gorsedd of Bards at the beginning of the nineteenth century, it firmly established itself as a great artistic occasion. The Gorsedd of Bards is made up of the most distinguished Welsh artists who, to this day, participate in the festival. At their head is the Archdruid, who is responsible for conducting the ceremonies during Eisteddfod week and for choosing the venue. The ceremonies are still held to honour literary achievements amongst Welsh poets and prose writers.

Three ceremonies are held during the Eisteddfod week, the Crowning ceremony to honour the finest free verse poet, the Prose Medal ceremony and the Chairing ceremony for strict metre poetry. During the ceremonies, members of the Gorsedd of Bards gather on the Eisteddfod stage along with the Archdruid. But the indisputable highlight of the week is when the Archdruid reveals the identity of the winning poet, who is then honoured by a children's floral dance.

In its purest form an eisteddfod is simply a series of music and poetry competitions and there are hundreds of small local and school eisteddfodau (plural of eisteddfod) throughout Wales all year round. However, it is the national Eisteddfod that is the main event being held in a different spot each year and hosted by the Bards in their historic ceremonial robes. The venue turns into a vast sea of tents providing a roof for the artists and visitors who come to enjoy the performances as well as the craftsmen and traders surrounding the event.

According to the first paragraph

A   Liverpool hosted the first Eisteddfod.

B   the Archdruid thought the festival should take place in Wales.

C   the Archdruid refused to make a choice.

 D   Liverpool did not want to host the festival.

 The first Eisteddfod took place

 A   in a castle.

 B   all over the country.

C   around a large table.

D   in a large theatre.

3 What is true about Eisteddfod?

A   It quickly became very popular in Wales.

B   Prominent artists did not have time for it.

C   It became unpopular at the start of the 19th century.

D   It was only for Lords and the wealthy.

4  Nowadays, Eisteddfod

A   is held in the town of Gorsedd.

B   has awards in two categories.

C   includes a dance competition with flowers.

D   is held where the Archdruid decides.

5  A floral dance is held to celebrate
A   the victory of the winning poet.
B   the end of the Eisteddfod week.  
C   the arrival of the Archdruid on stage.
D   all of the week's highlights.

6 The national Eisteddfod

 A   takes place at the same time as hundreds of small, local competitions.

       B   is only for artists who have already won their local eisteddfod.

       C   in the most famous of many competitions which happen all through the year.

       D   travels from one venue to another throughout the year.