Reading Comprehension #20 - Elementary

Read the text. Are the statements are true (T) or false (F)?

History of Halloween Like many other holidays, Halloween has evolved and changed throughout history. Over 2,000 years ago people called the Celts lived in what is now Ireland, the UK, and parts of Northern France. November 1 was their New Year's Day. They believed that the night before the New Year (October 31) was a time when the living and the dead came together. More than a thousand years ago the Christian church named November 1 All Saints Day (also called All Hallows). This was a special holy day to honor the saints and other people who died for their religion. The night before All Hallows was called Hallows Eve. Later the name was changed to Halloween. Like the Celts, the Europeans of that time also believed that the spirits of the dead would visit the earth on Halloween. They worried that evil spirits would cause problems or hurt them. So, on that night people wore costumes that looked like ghosts or other evil creatures. They thought if they dressed like that, the spirits would think they were also dead and not harm them. The tradition of Halloween was carried to America by immigrating Europeans. Some of the traditions changed a little, though. For example, on Halloween in Europe some people would carry lanterns made from turnips. In America, pumpkins were more common. So people began putting candles inside them and using them as lanterns. That is why you see Jack 'o lanterns today.   These days Halloween is not usually considered a religious holiday. It is primarily a fun day for children. Children dress up in costumes like people did a thousand years ago. But instead of worrying about evil spirits, they go from house to house. They knock on doors and say "trick or treat." The owner of each house gives candy or something special to each trick or treater

Are the sentences True(T) or False(F)?

a) The Celts created All Hallows.	_____
b) All Hallows is on October 31st.	_____
c) The word Halloween comes from the word Hallows Eve.	_____
d) A thousands years ago Europeans wore customes to get candy.	_____
e) All Americans still carve turnips to use as lanterns.	_____
f) Today Halloween is especially for children.	_____
g) Children get candy by saying "trick or treat".	_____
h) The Celts thought the spirits of dead people returned on the earth on October 31st.	_____

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #5 - Upper-Intermediate

Read the article and complete the gaps (1–5) with the sentences (A–E).

You only get one chance 0   One thing in common   Look on the Internet and you will find thousands of websites dedicated to extreme sports, from mountain boarding to barefoot waterskiing, sky surfing to white-water kayaking. Although these sports are all very different, they do all have one thing in common and that is a high level of inherent danger. 1   ___________________________ Whether on land, water, or in the air, these sports involve speed, height, a high level of physical exertion and spectacular stunts. One of the most extreme of these extreme sports is base jumping.  BASE stands for Buildings, Aerials, Spans (bridges) and Earth, so basically anything that is tall enough to allow someone to jump off. There are people risking life and limb all over the world and they been doing so since the 1990s when the sport really started to take off. 2   ___________________________ Dan ‘the Man’ Witchalls is Britain’s premier base jumper, a veteran with ten years’ experience. He is a roofer by profession, an appropriate line of work for someone addicted to heights. ‘I can’t drive past a new building or crane without thinking, maybe, maybe …’ he says. His business card shows him in his trademark jade-and-white jumpsuit, leaping from the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. It reads: ‘Extreme Roofing’. 3   ___________________________ While for many sportsmen, base jumping is like an act of personal rebellion, to Witchalls it is not.  He claims that he does it because it’s fun. At his house there are two places dedicated to base: a room filled with photographs of his most impressive jumps with every building named and dated, and the room where he keeps his equipment. 4   ___________________________ The room full of photos, while highlighting Witchalls’ triumphs, also serves as a sad reminder of just how dangerous this sport can be. There are six orders of service from the funerals of jumpers he has known, including Angus ‘Gus’ Hutchison-Brown, a popular British jumper who died in Switzerland in 2009.  Over 150 people have died over the years and the list of near-fatal injuries is quite horrific yet the sport goes on with people always looking for greater challenges. 5   ___________________________ So, how do you go about becoming an officially-recognised base jumper? You can apply for an official number when you’ve carried out all four genres of jumps successfully (building, aerial, span and earth). At the moment about 1,400 base numbers have been allocated, but none to women. I wonder if this means anything?!

 

Complete the gaps (1–5) using these sentences (A–F).

One thing in common

A The signs of success.

B The derivation of BASE.

C The cost in human terms.

D Qualifications needed..

E A well-known expert?.

 

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #4 - Upper-Intermediate

Read the article and complete the gaps (1–5) with the sentences (A–E).

Think carefully before you choose. The world of work has changed so much over the past couple of decades that it can often be quite challenging to decide which career path to follow. (0) Some people are very lucky and have a vocation. They know exactly what they want to do and have always done so. For others, however, the choices can be far harder to make. When you consider that you might well be spending fifty years in the workplace, as the retirement age rises, you will realise just how important it is to spend some time thinking about what it is you really want to do. Of course, we are not all lucky enough to have the ‘perfect’ job. How many people do you know who can honestly say they wake up every morning excited about the day ahead with all its demands and challenges? (1) _________________________ It’s more a case of ‘well it’s almost the weekend’. Most people would say that they just ‘fell’ into the line of work they’re doing. They knew someone who knew someone or they just happened to be in the right place at the right time. After that, there’s a natural progression. (2) ______________________ Increasingly, however, in this age of technology, people are choosing to work from home rather than going out to work. (3) ________________________________ It is an environment which needs to function, the only difference being that there you are likely to be working on your own, which in itself can be problematic if isolation does not suit your temperament. (4) _________________________________ You need to have a clear division between home as a place to relax and home as a place to work, ideally with a separate office so that you can shut the door at the end of the working day. This existence is not for everyone and is something that should be considered very carefully.  It is hard to predict how working patterns will change over the next twenty years as unemployment levels rise, but I imagine that the workplace as we know it will disappear as more and more people find new ways to work. (5) __________________________________ Only time will tell.

 

Complete the gaps (1–5) using these sentences (A–F). There is one extra sentence.

Some people are very lucky and have a vocation.

A One job leads to another and you acquire various skills along the way..

B Working from home means you have to be very disciplined and focused.

C Perhaps there will be a return to smaller communities becoming more self-sufficient.

D I for one, can’t think of anyone.

E And home is a ‘workplace’ in much the same way as the traditional workplace.

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #3 - Upper-Intermediate

Read the posting on a web forum and answer the questions.

School days are the happiest days of your lives St Anthony’s School is celebrating its centenary this year so we are inviting all of our former students to write in with memories of their time with us. We look forward to hearing what you have to say. Philip I vividly remember my first day at school. I walked through the main doors and felt so small.  I’d been at a village school before starting at St Anthony’s so it was quite a shock to the system. Everyone seemed so much older than me and everyone seemed to know what they were doing and where they were going. Whenever I start something new, I’m reminded of that awful sinking feeling. I don’t suppose it’ll ever go away.  Marianne My favourite subject was English because I really liked our teacher. She was so passionate about literature so we all just got caught up in her enthusiasm. At the start of every lesson she would read us a short extract from whatever it was that she was reading at the time. She also encouraged us to write for ourselves and I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be a teacher myself if it hadn’t been for her influence and encouragement. Luke To be honest, I don’t have happy memories of my time at the school. I was a very introverted child and had always found it hard to make friends. Everyone seemed so sporty and competitive and I just didn’t fit in. Looking back, I wish I’d told my parents how unhappy I was instead of staying put. The one saving grace, as far as I’m concerned, was the library. Whenever we had a break I just went there and studied. Graham I’m not really academic so I don’t see the point of learning all about physics and history and all that kind of stuff. From my point of view it would have been far better if we’d done a few vocational subjects something that’s actually useful if you want to go out and get a job. I dropped out when I was 16 and got myself an apprenticeship with a local building company. I don’t think the teachers were particularly interested in anyone who didn’t want to go to university but I still see some of my classmates from time to time. Kate One of my best memories is our trip to Berlin. We’d been studying German for four years. There were fifteen of us so it was a good number. A couple of parents came along as well and we all stayed in a small hostel in the city centre. It was so good to be able to practise what we’d spent so long learning in the classroom. And amazingly people actually understood us!

Who...

...felt unappreciated by the teachers?	Graham
a)...was lonely at school?	_____
b)...was able to put theory into practice?	_____
c)...is still affected by memories of school?	_____
d)...was inspired to into the teaching profession?	_____
e)...wanted to study practical subjects?	_____

 

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #2 - Upper-Intermediate

Read the email. Are the statements true (T), false (F) or not given (NG)?

Hi Anna How are things? I hope you managed to get yourself a decent last-minute flight. I know how tired you must be after the house move, and a break somewhere out of the way is probably just what you need. I can’t believe that I was at home this time last week and now I’m on the other side of the world. It’s been an amazing few days. Well, you of all people know how it is when you travel. I must say I’ve forgotten how many times I’ve had emails from you from some internet café or other! And now it’s my turn. To be honest, I was a bit nervous at first as I found the idea of travelling on my own quite daunting but once I’d checked in and gone through security to the departure lounge I could feel the excitement rising. It was a long flight but, would you believe, I got an upgrade so ended up travelling in business class! How the other half lives. Beginner’s luck I guess. There was plenty of room so I even managed to sleep for a while. We landed in Seattle in the early evening and I felt quite overwhelmed by all the signs and security. You wouldn’t think we all spoke the same language, but finally I was through, picked up my luggage and took the airport shuttle to my hotel. I’d taken your advice and booked accommodation for the first night. It was fine – clean and functional. I didn’t really sleep very much at all due to jetlag and the usual noises you get in hotels so I got up early and headed into town. There’s something about cities that are built by the sea. Do you think it’s the sense of space perhaps? You just feel you can breathe more easily. Anyway, I took the bus down town to the waterfront and spent the whole day breathing in all the sights and sounds of the bustling market. In fact, it was quite exhausting – sensory overload.  And by the end of the day I was looking forward to the next stage of the journey especially as it had started drizzling and was quite chilly. Surprisingly, given I’m a Brit, I didn’t have an umbrella with me! Day Two and the ferry over to Orcas Island.  had to take a bus to the ferry port and then it was a couple of hours on the ferry. Orcas is one of the few San Juan Islands that is inhabited. I’d heard about these islands from a friend of mine and had decided to head out there and do some island-hopping away from the bustle of the big city. Since getting off the mainland, I haven’t made any firm plans at all, so will take each day as it comes and will write to you again when I have internet connection – it’s quite difficult here to find places with decent reception. Take care and write back soon. Love, Sam xx

 

Are the statements true (T), false (F) or not given (NG)?

Ann has travelled a lot.	T
a) Sam hasn't travelled alone before.	_____
b) He found a hotel when he landed in Seattle.	_____
c) Seattle is surrounded by water.	_____
d) It poured with rain on the first day.	_____
e) It's not easy to send emails.	_____

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #1 - Upper-Intermediate

Read the article and complete the gaps (1–5) with the sentences (A–F).

We recently asked our readers to tell us about their experiences growing up, whether as one of several siblings or as only children. (0) We were inundated with entries and will be publishing a selection over the next couple of weeks.Thank you all for sharing your childhood memories with us.  Only is lonely – or is it? bySally MacFarlane I was brought up as an only child, the daughter of two intellectual, emotionally absent parents who believed that children should be seen and not heard. On the surface perhaps not the best start in life, but there were many advantages to this rather isolated upbringing. (1) ___________________________________ They were both successful writers who worked long hours and then often had to travel abroad to attend conferences and give talks. As a consequence I was left in the capable hands of an endless stream of nannies.  Once I started going to primary school, however, the focus of my world changed and I found that I enjoyed being challenged, learning new things every day. (2) ___________________________________ If I could show them the progress I was making, we had some point of contact. They weren’t really interested in my social development, more my academic skills. At first I was shy and introverted, although I think I probably came across as rather arrogant. It’s just that I was not accustomed to spending so many hours every day in the company of others and I’d grown to depend on myself for my own entertainment.  I spent hours creating stories for all my imaginary friends to star in. (3) ___________________________________ How could you be lonely when you had all this? Most of my friends had brothers and sisters and I could see that they sometimes felt sorry that I was often alone. I, on the other hand, felt sorry for them in a way as they had to compete with one another for attention and possessions. (4) ___________________________________ The years passed and I continued to do well at school. I passed all my exams and went on to university and strangely enough followed in my parents’ footsteps. (5) ___________________________________ It is now, as an adult with children of my own, I look back and wish I’d had brothers and sisters.

 

Complete the gaps (1–5) using these sentences (A–F). There is one extra sentence.

A   I quickly realised too that this was the way to engage my parents.

B   I at least did not have to do that.

C   There is, however, one big difference and that is my family life.

D   Even when my parents were around, they weren’t – if you know what I mean.

E   I had a room full of books as well and could happily spend all weekend in other worlds.

F   I don’t think I really appreciated what I had at the time.

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #10 - Intermediate

Tom trekked to Everest Base Camp to raise money for charity. Read his competition-winning article and match the headings to the correct paragraph.

Trying not to look down! An adventure in memory of my grandfather 0   a I’ve always been afraid of heights. Even climbing up a ladder to change a light bulb or paint the ceiling makes me feel quite sick, so imagine everyone’s surprise when I announced that I would be trekking to Everest Base Camp which is over 5,000 metres above sea level. Well, it’s all about overcoming your fears and challenging yourself, isn’t it? 1   ___ I’ve wanted to raise money for charity for a long time and when I saw an advertisement in the paper I jumped at the chance and I’d signed up. Of course as soon as I’d made my decision, I started to panic. What was I thinking? I’d never be able to get fit enough. I wouldn’t be able to cope. 2   ___ What kept me going, however, was the thought that I was doing this for my grandfather who was such a great influence on me as a child. I miss him every day and I felt that this would be the best way to commemorate his life as he was a great adventurer and used to tell me stories of his travels around the world. He’d always wanted to see the great mountain but had never managed to get there. 3   ___ Training was hard but I was determined to carry on. I went to the gym several times a week and went jogging after work. Not only that, I also had to raise money for the charity. I sent out letters to everyone I knew and I asked my colleagues to sponsor me. I held coffee mornings and even went to the local schools to give talks. 4   ___ And finally departure day arrived and soon we were standing in Lukla, at the foot of the mountain, ready to start our trek. Although I was physically fit, nothing could have prepared me for the mental challenge. I had to face my fear of heights every single moment. Crossing rope bridges hundreds of feet above raging rivers made my stomach turn but I carried on and thought of how proud my grandfather would have been. 5   ___ I would say that all the climbers went through some personal highs and lows but I’m proud to say that I achieved everything I set out to do. I raised money for those who’ve had a difficult start in life and I’ve done something that no-one believed I could do. In fact, I felt so good when I came back that I started to look for new challenges and am now thinking of running in next year’s London Marathon. Watch this space...

 

Match the headings to the correct paragraph.

a Motivation.

b A sense of achievement.

c Fundraising.

d Second thoughts

e Overcoming obstacles

f Inspiration

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #9 - Intermediate

Complete the article with the sentences below. There is one extra sentence.

The best job in the world? Choosing a career is surely one of the most important decisions we’ll ever have to make. (0) ___a___ With one click on a website we can apply for jobs on the other side of the world in the hope of making our dreams come true. (1) _______ . The job was for six months and involved living on Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef and looking after the environment there. Not only was there a very good salary but the perks included a beachside mansion boasting magnificent ocean views as well as a private swimming pool. Not surprisingly there were thousands of applicants from all over the world. After a few months, the candidates were down to the final 16 and these lucky few were flown over to the Island for the final selection process. (2) _______ . Ben, a bungee-jumping, scuba-diving charity fundraiser could hardly believe his luck when he heard that he had beaten over 34,000 other candidates to win this dream job. (3) _______ . Paradise was, however, not quite the dream he had anticipated. Instead of relaxing in the sun, Ben had very little time for any relaxation as he found himself working seven days a week and up to 19 hours a day. He had a demanding schedule involving promotional events, press conferences and administration and by the end of his contract, he had visited 90 exotic locations, made 47 video diaries and given more than 250 media interviews including a chat with Oprah Winfrey. (4) _______ . As part of his job he posted more than 75,000 words in 60 separate blogs, uploaded more than 2,000 photos and tweeted more than 730 times. Although some might argue that the blogs didn’t reveal much personal information, his bosses at Tourism Queensland were so pleased with his work that they offered him a new 18-month contract to promote their state worldwide. (5) _______ . In the end this competition, part reality TV show, generated more than $110 million dollars in free publicity.

 

Match the sentences so they best fit to the correct gaps.

a Today, thanks to the Internet, the world is a much smaller place.

b Six months on a tropical island with little more to do than lazing in the sun, snorkelling and writing a weekly blog about life in paradise

c Perhaps this really was the best job in the world after all.

d And this is just what happened to 34-year-old Ben Southall who replied to an advertisement put on the web by Tourism Queensland in Australia.

e He soon realised that this job wasn’t going to be as easy as he had originally thought.

f And as if that wasn’t enough, he also had to meet local politicians, tourists and travel industry representatives.

g They had to prepare an online video, demonstrate their swimming and snorkelling skills and show how they would sell Queensland to the world.

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #8 - Intermediate

Read this email and choose the correct answer.

Hi Laura Hope all’s well with you and the family. I’ve been meaning to write to you for ages but a lot’s been going on and I wanted to wait until I was more settled before I sent you this email. You probably heard from Tina that things weren’t going too well at work. I didn’t get the promotion I’d applied for after my boss left and the person who got the job was a nightmare. I don’t think anyone liked her and she certainly made my life very difficult. I found I was working incredibly long hours and taking work home because I didn’t want her to criticise me. Of course that meant that I wasn’t paying enough attention to Mike and the children. Jack has just started at secondary school and he’s at that difficult age where he wants more independence but he’s still just a kid. You know what it’s like! Hannah has been great though and I’m very grateful that she has been so patient – it can’t have been easy for her either. After a few months I decided to take the plunge and quit. I went into the office and told my boss that I wanted to leave and as soon as I’d spoken the words I felt so relieved. I walked out of the office a new woman. Of course a few days later I started to wonder whether I’d made the right decision so I made an appointment to see a life coach who was really great. In just two hours she managed to give me a new sense of focus. We made lots of lists and now I have a plan for the way forward and have never been happier. I get up every day now with a feeling of excitement instead of panic and I spend my time doing what I love – cooking. Who would have thought that I’d be able to make money doing something as simple and as enjoyable as preparing food for children’s birthday parties? It’s taken time to get to where I am now but if I hadn’t hated my job so much I wouldn’t have had the courage to quit and start a new path. I only wish I’d done it sooner but, as they say, better late than never. I hope you’ll come and visit soon. You can help me with some new ideas for birthday cakes. Love to everyone Jen xx

 

Choose the correct answer.

0 Jen hasn’t written for a while because.

a she has moved house.

b a lot of things have changed.

c she’s been too busy.

1 After her boss left,

a Jen was turned down for promotion.

b Jen got on well with her new boss.

c Jen worked from home.

2.

a Hannah has been behaving badly.

b Jack is a responsible teenager.

c Hannah has been understanding.

3.

a Jen immediately regretted resigning.

b Jen felt much better after resigning.

c Jen wished she hadn’t resigned.

4.

a Jen wrote down a lot of ideas for the future.

b Jen found a new job two hours later.

c Jen spent a few days planning her future.

5.

a Jen panics about the future now.

b Jen looks forward to the future.

c Jen regrets leaving her job.

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #7 - Intermediate

Read the article and answer the questions. Dayton High School is celebrating its centenary this year. In this article, former students share their memories of their school years.

‘I just remember being completely terrified on my first day at Dayton High’ recalls former Head Girl, Julia Franks. ‘Everyone was so grown up and all the classrooms seemed so big but the teachers were all very kind and patient so we soon settled down and I look back over my years there with great affection.’ Leonie Brand, however, doesn’t share these warm memories. ‘From the moment I stepped through the door into my new classroom, I felt uncomfortable. It was a steep learning curve for me because my parents had educated me at home until I was 11. I don’t think I ever really fitted in so my parents decided to take me away after a term when they realised things weren’t improving.’ For academic children like Cora Dyson, the school was perfect. ‘The more homework, the better! That’s what I thought in those days. I was like a sponge and wanted to learn everything. No doubt everyone thought I was the teacher’s pet and maybe I was but I didn’t care.’ ‘I don’t really remember that much about school except that we had to learn loads of poems by heart. Our English teacher was a great fan of 19th century literature and poetry so she would make us learn endless poems and then recite them in front of the class. I hated it because I could never remember all the words and she would invariably get annoyed with me,’ said Joe Sexton. Clare Howard used to envy the girls who made everything look so easy. ‘I remember one girl in particular, Stella, who passed all her exams with flying colours. How did she do it I would ask myself. She had everything. She was pretty, popular, funny and intelligent while I had to study so hard to do well.’ ‘It’s funny but when I was at school I was really bad at French grammar though I found it quite easy to pick up the slang when we went on a school trip to Paris,’ remembers Lucy Freeman. ‘I think it had something to do with the fact that our French teacher wasn’t very interesting so we didn’t pay attention in class.'

 

Answer the following questions.

0   Who didn’t find exams easy?	Clare Howard
a) Who was probably the favourite of her teachers?	_____
b) Who has a bad memory?	_____
c) Who found it hard to settle down?	_____
d) Who found it easier to learn outside the classroom?	_____
e) Who remembers her teachers as good people?	_____

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #6 - Intermediate

Read Sarah’s blog. Are the statements true (T), false (F) or not given (NG)?

Day 12: Lake Baikal, Siberia Well, here I am in Listvyanka on the shores of Lake Baikal, the deepest and biggest freshwater lake in the world and I must say it’s absolutely freezing! I arrived yesterday afternoon after a couple of days in Irkutsk, my first stop on this Trans-Siberian adventure. The journey so far has been amazing. I left Moscow on Saturday and didn’t see anyone apart from the train guard who very kindly came into my compartment every evening to make up the bed. You might think that the time would drag being alone but this wasn’t the case. It went really quickly as I spent my time reading, dreaming and looking out of the window at the endlessly barren vistas. The snowy expanses are so dramatic at night when the full moon shines from cloudless skies so it isn’t totally dark, even in the middle of nowhere. The hotel I’m staying in now is huge and I get the feeling that I’m the only guest which is quite spooky in a way. On the first night I had supper in the restaurant and was served by three different waiters who all stood around my table looking at me. I suppose they were all desperate to do something but I couldn’t really relax and enjoy the food. After a good night’s sleep, I got up early this morning and put all my warmest clothes on as I decided to go for a walk along the shore. The water is beginning to freeze and the ice is moving out into the lake. People say that in the old days they used to lay railway tracks over the ice so that trains could cross the lake. Can you imagine how thick the ice must have been? I don’t suppose they’d do that nowadays and if they did, I don’t think I’d want to take a ride. It is so quiet and unspoilt here at this time of year though I’m sure it’s a different story in the summer when tourists arrive to go hiking, fishing and sailing. I prefer to travel when there are few other people around as it’s more atmospheric and you can get a better sense of what life is like for the people who live in these places. I’m here for another day and then back on the train to Ulan-Bator, capital of Mongolia. It’ll be so different from Siberia but probably just as cold! I don’t really know what to expect but I’ve got time to read my guidebook before I get there. Hopefully I’ll be able to find an Internet café so I can write the next instalment of my Trans-Siberian adventure.

 

True (T), false (F) or not given (NG)?

0   Sarah has been on the train for 12 days.	F
a) There were no passengers in Sarah’s train compartment.	_____
b) Sarah didn’t see any trees on the journey.	_____
c) Sarah was the only guest staying at the hotel.	_____
d) It’s possible to cross the lake by train.	_____
e) Sarah has a laptop with her.	_____

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #5 - Intermediate

Read this restaurant review and choose a word from the box which best describes the content of each paragraph.

atmosphere

location

menu

prices

recommendation

service

 

One of the things I enjoy most about travelling is that I get the chance to visit restaurants all over the world. I have been very fortunate over the years as I have tried all kinds of regional delicacies and specialities. 0   location Earlier this year my wife and I spent a few days on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria. One of the highlights of our trip was an evening at a traditional restaurant which had wonderful views over the sea. The restaurant itself was right in the centre of the old part of the town and you could only get to it on foot. 1   _______ As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by a charming waiter, Georgi, who showed us to a table in the window and immediately offered us a welcome drink. Although the menu was in English as well as Bulgarian, we asked for some recommendations as we didn’t recognise any of the dishes. Georgi kindly explained what the specialities of the restaurant were so we took his advice and ordered a good variety. 2   _______ The food was excellent. We had a selection of starters or ‘meze’ including a yoghurt and cucumber salad, salami, vine leaves stuffed with rice and meat and a dip made of aubergine and mayonnaise, all served with freshly baked bread. We both had grilled fish and salad for the main course and this was followed by ‘baklava’, a deliciously sweet dessert made of nuts, pastry and syrup. 3   ______ The restaurant filled up quite quickly after we arrived. There was a band playing traditional music for most of the evening. This wasn’t to everyone’s taste but it was certainly very lively and colourful. 4   ______ When the bill came I was pleasantly surprised. I had expected to pay more considering the popularity of the restaurant and its situation. I suppose you might have to pay more during the summer when there are lots of tourists but it was a very good deal for us. 5   ______ For anyone interested in experiencing the true taste of Bulgaria, I think this would be an ideal place to go. I would, however, suggest eating early if you don’t like loud music during your meal.

 

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #4 - Intermediate

Read these money saving ideas on a web forum and answer the questions.

Luke I’m a student so I really can’t afford to waste money. I have a part-time job during term time and then work full-time during the holidays. Even then it’s hard but if you shop around, you really can find some good bargains. I always go shopping at the end of the day when a lot of food is reduced because it has reached its sell-by date. It’s amazing how much you can save that way. Marek I’ve just moved to the UK. When I arrived I didn’t have any furniture but someone told me about the ‘freecycle’ scheme and I’ve managed to get almost everything I need without spending any money. Basically, if you have something you don’t want any more, you advertise it on the freecycle website and then anyone who wants it must agree to come and collect it. No-one makes any money so it really is a good exchange. Akiko I love shopping but I also enjoy buying things that are good value for money so I always wait until the sales are on. In some shops you can get as much as 70% off if you go at the right time. I probably don’t save any money in the end though as I usually buy more things because I’m so pleased to have got a bargain! Stella We live way out in the country so I don’t often manage to get to the shops and to be honest, I don’t really have the time but if I do need something, I check out the price comparison websites and of course eBay. At first I was a little nervous about shopping on-line but now I’m hooked. Jon A lot of people these days seem to buy clothes, wear them a couple of times and then give them to charity shops so that’s where I do my shopping. You can get some really good stuff and you know that your money is helping other people so it’s a win-win situation in my opinion. Paul I must admit I don’t think too much about how or where I shop but the one thing I try to do is save money on electricity and gas in the house. In the winter when it’s really cold, instead of turning up the temperature I put on another sweater and I close the doors. I encourage the children to turn off the lights when they leave the room and we don’t leave the TV or computer on standby as that uses up unnecessary energy.

Who recommends...

...shopping in the evening for cheap food?	Luke
a)...waiting until prices come down?	_____
b)...buying second-hand clothes?	_____
c)...using less energy?	_____
d)...getting free items on the Internet?	_____
e)...doing research before buying?	_____

 

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #3 - Intermediate

Lisa has just moved into a new flat. Complete the email with the sentences below.

Hi Ben How are you and how are the children? (0) _____b_______ I can’t believe it’s September and I’ve already been here for a month. I’m sorry it’s taken so long to write to you but I had to wait for my computer to be connected to the Internet. (1) _____________________________________. I can’t remember if you’ve been to Prague before but I can honestly say that it’s one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen. (2) _______________________________ Although the centre is touristy, there are lots of green spaces so it doesn’t feel too crowded and of course there’s a river as well so that gives you a sense of space. I decided to wait until I got here before looking for somewhere to live because I wanted to get an idea of what the different neighbourhoods were like. I think it’s hard to make a decision without seeing a place first so I spent a couple of weeks with Jana when I first arrived and was lucky to find a small apartment in a residential area near the city centre. (3) ___________________________ As you know, I really enjoy going out in the evenings so this is ideal because I can walk home most of the time and it’s only a couple of stops on the tram or metro. The flat’s on the fourth floor with a great view over an enormous square. At night it’s pretty quiet but during the day the square’s always bustling with lots of people. There are lots of traditional street cafés and bars so there’s a great atmosphere and I often go downstairs to have a coffee and read the paper. (4) _______________ I’ve got two bedrooms as well as a large living room so you must come and stay. (5) ______________________________________ I’ve already discovered lots of interesting places so there’ll be plenty for you to do. Write soon and let me know your news. Love Lisa x

Complete the gaps (1–5) with the sentences (A–F).

a. Although it’s more expensive to live where I am, I didn’t want to be in the suburbs because it takes so long to get home at night

b. Did you have a good time in Spain?

c. Would you believe, there’s actually a cosy little café on the ground floor of this building.

d. There’s so much to tell you but let me start with a short description of my new flat and the area.

e. There’s plenty of room for all of you so book your flights and stay for as long as you want.

f. The architecture is amazing and you can see the most incredible buildings wherever you look

0. __b___
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #2 - Intermediate

Read these film reviews and choose the correct answers.

Avatar (2009) One of the most successful films of all time, Avatar (directed by James Cameron) tells the story of a reluctant hero who sets off on an epic adventure to save the alien world he has learned to call home. Now available in 3-D and 2-D this visually spectacular film is a must-see for all the family with important messages for both young and old. The Proposal (2009) An ambitious and obnoxious boss (played by Sandra Bullock) hears that she will have to return to Canada as her visa has run out. To avoid deportation, she forces her young assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her so that she can stay in the United States legally. After many crazy adventures to prove to his family that they do actually love one another, they finally really fall in love. This is a good old-fashioned feel-good comedy which is the perfect vehicle for both stars. A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) As a fan of horror films, I was looking forward to this remake of the Wes Craven cult classic which first appeared on our screens almost twenty years ago. Terrifying when it first came out, this remake, however, doesn’t compare in any way. The special effects are laughable and the acting is wooden. I’d recommend watching the original any day and I certainly hope they don’t bother to remake the others. The Young Victoria (2009) Nominated for three Academy Awards and winner of Best Costume Design, this is a perfectly crafted period drama. The film stars Emily Blunt as the young Queen Victoria and Rupert Friend as her husband Albert. It tells the story of the first few years of her reign with all the dramas and emotions that a young woman in her position would have to face. The acting by both young stars is excellent and totally believable. The Notebook (2004) If you enjoy sickly sweet romantic films that unashamedly tug on the heart strings to make you cry, then this is most definitely the film for you. From the moment the film begins you know where it is taking you. Boy meets girl. Boy is poor and girl is rich. Girl’s parents don’t approve. Fast forward to years later … Have your box of tissues to hand! The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) This is the third in the Bourne series starring the excellent Matt Damon. Filmed on location in Tangier, London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin and New York City, the story is fast-paced but to my mind rather confusing. My concentration was disturbed by the hand-held camera effect which meant that the film was constantly ‘shaking’. I appreciate that this was supposed to heighten the tension but I found it almost impossible to focus in places

Choose the correct adjective that fit with each film.

0. Avatar is _________.
a. nauseating	b. inspiring	c. unrealistic
1. The Proposal is _________.
a. entertaining	b. nonsense	c. moving
2. A Nightmare on Elm Street is _________.
a. gripping	b. annoying	c. rubbish
3. The Young Victoria is _________.
a. annoying	b. nonsense	c. moving
4. The Notebook is _________.
a. nonsense	b. nauseating	c. gripping
5. The Bourne Ultimatum is _________.
a. unwatchable	b. unrealistic	c. exciting

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #1 - Intermediate

Read this magazine article. Are the statements true (T) or false (F)?

Last month we asked our readers to write and tell us about a special relationship in their lives. Thank you to everyone who wrote in; we enjoyed reading all your stories. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be publishing some of your entries. A friend for life My friends have always been incredibly important to me as I'm an only child but one friend in particular, Clare, has always been special to me. We've known each other for almost twenty years and we met when we were both teaching at the same school. As soon as she introduced herself I knew that we would be friends. It was clear that we were very much on the same wavelength and had a lot in common - we're both very keen on sports amongst other things and after a couple of months we decided to share a flat together. What is it that makes her such a good friend? Well, she's totally dependable, funny, tolerant, generous, kind-hearted and almost always upbeat. I can honestly say that in all the years I've known her we've hardly ever fallen out and if we have an argument, we make up very quickly. I really enjoy her company and we can spend hours together just messing around. We have the same sense of humour and spend a lot of time laughing at the silliest things. Unfortunately, I had to move away recently because I'd been offered a new teaching job. I was worried that we might lose touch as we're no longer in the same country but we've managed to stay as close as ever. Clare is really good at keeping in touch with her family and friends and thanks to phone and email we're able to speak or write to one another almost every day. Last year she invited me to Canada during the summer holiday to spend time with her family. It was so good to see where she grew up. Her childhood was so different from mine as she was brought up in the country while I grew up in a big city. She's the oldest of six children and the only one who didn't stay close to home so when she goes home she has a lot of catching up to do. I can't imagine her not being in my life and I must say that I feel incredibly lucky to have her as a friend.

True (T), false (F) or not given (NG)?

The writer is a teacher.	T
a) The writer doesn't have any brothers or sisters.	_____
b) Clare and the writer enjoy doing the same things.	_____
c) Clare is always happy.	_____
d) Clare and the writer have never had an argument.	_____
e)The writer recently met Clare's family.	_____

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #10 - Elementary

Read the travel tips. Match the headings (1–5) with the paragraphs (B–F).

A:  I love travelling and one of the most interesting things about being in another country is the way we are all so different. It’s clear that the Chinese way of life will be very different from that of a Brazilian, but it’s amazing how many differences there are in countries which are closer to home. B:  It’s always useful to do some research before you go travelling so you can avoid embarrassing situations. I’ve prepared some handy tips for anyone who is thinking of going to Bulgaria, one of the most beautiful countries in south-eastern Europe and a country where tourism isn’t as well developed as in other places. C:  One of the most confusing experiences you can have is the simple ‘yes/no’! When you think the person you’re talking to is agreeing with you by nodding their head up and down, they are in fact disagreeing. If someone shakes their head from side to side that means ‘yes’. So remember, yes is no and no is yes! I can’t tell you how often I bought things I didn’t want in the market because I’d forgotten this simple difference. D:  When you visit someone’s house you should always take your shoes off as a sign of respect. Your host will probably offer you a pair of house shoes to wear. If you are going for a meal, it is customary to take flowers or some wine and remember if you buy flowers, don’t take an even number (2, 4, 6, 8 etc.) as even numbers are for the dead. A Bulgarian meal can last many hours so it’s important to follow some simple rules if you don’t want to put on a lot of weight! If you finish everything on your plate, this is a sign that you are still hungry, so your host will give you more food. Eat slowly and make sure you leave a little on your plate and then you’ll be fine! E: As in any country, the local people are always so pleased if foreigners try to learn a few words of the language, so before you go, buy a phrase book and impress everyone with your knowledge! Although the written language uses the Cyrillic script, which you probably won’t be able to read, you’ll find that most people (especially the young) can now speak a little English. F:  So, go and have a fabulous holiday and remember ‘when in Rome do as the Romans do’. I’m collecting information on customs around the world so would love to hear from anyone who has an interesting story to tell.

Match the headings (1–5) with the paragraphs (B–F).

1. Simple communication can be difficult.	_______.
2. Travellers’ tales.	_______.
3. Finding a common language.	_______.
4. Dos and don’ts.	_______.
5. The importance of planning.	_______.

 

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #9 - Elementary

Read What’s on in August. Then match the people in the box to the places and events.

What’s on in August Television Centre: We are filming the next three programmes for Have you got what it takes? The new talent show for all the family. Call us today to reserve your free tickets. Filming takes place on Saturday afternoons from 12–6p.m. Bring your friends and family and enjoy the show! Madison Gallery Exhibition: For the first time you can see a wonderful collection of 19th century paintings outside Russia. There are over 100 on show. This is a ‘must-see’. Book your tickets now. Adults €15, children €10, family ticket (two adults and two children) €35. Westside: The latest cartoon, a perfect film for all the family. Follow Pudge and his friends as they travel across America. Featuring the voices of the most famous Hollywood stars this film is full of fun and adventure. Turner Stadium: For one performance only! Rock legends of the 1980s. Five hours of live music featuring some of the greatest musicians in the world. 13th August.  Doors open at midday. Music starts at 5 p.m. Tickets cost €75. Duke of York:Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This performing arts company is one of the best in the world so we are very lucky to have these great actors and actresses here for two weeks (12th–26th August). Everyone knows this greatest love story of all time. City Centre: Watch local artists Lenny and Bruce as they paint colourful graffiti in different places in the city centre. Children under twelve years of age can join in and paint with them. This is part of the city’s summer programme. Check the website for further details.

Bella is doing theatre studies at school and she loves classical plays. Dan has three young children but not much money. They all like doing things outside. Ruth studied art history at university. She loves going to exhibitions with her niece and nephew. Laura and her family love singing. She wants to take her mother somewhere special for her birthday. Barry loves all old rock and pop. He spends all his money on CDs and going to concerts.  Jane always takes the children to the cinema during the summer holidays.

Match the people in the box to the places and events

1. Madison Gallery	_______.
2. Westside	_______.
3. Turner Stadium	_______.
4. Duke of York	_______.
5. City Centre	_______.

 

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #8 - Elementary

Read Tilly’s blog and choose the correct answers.

It’s 5:30 in the afternoon on Saturday 5th June and I’m sitting in the grass outside Salisbury Cathedral with thousands of people. I arrived in England yesterday after two weeks in France. I decided to come here and visit my friends Clare and Tom. They’re from the USA but they’re travelling around England at the moment. They told me about this fantastic city so now I’m here too!  We’re all here for the final concert of the Salisbury International Arts Festival. The Festival takes place at the same time every year and every year there is a different theme. This year it’s India so everything is connected with the country – music, theatre, films, books and food! Luckily today the weather is fantastic but yesterday it was terrible. The sun is shining and there aren’t any clouds in the sky. The atmosphere is great and everyone is enjoying themselves. There are families with children, students, old people, in fact people of all ages from zero to eighty! There are lots of activities for the children so they’re all very happy and running around. Most people have picnics with them as well.  My friend Claire made some delicious food this morning so we have sandwiches, salads, a huge chocolate cake, fruit and drinks. We brought some small chairs so we’re very comfortable and we’re not far from the musicians. No-one is playing at the moment but the programme looks very interesting. There are three bands and the first band starts at 6:00 p.m. I love Indian music so I hope we can dance. There’s space at the front so I’m sure we can.  People say that the English people aren’t very friendly but I can say that everyone here is very kind and helpful. I’m having a great time!

Choose the correct answer: a, b, or c.

1.She’s visiting ________.
a. English friends	b. her family	c. American friend
2. The Salisbury Festival takes place ______.
a. at different times	b. every June	c. with the same theme every year
3.The weather is _________.
a. sometimes bad	b. terrible	c. always sunny
4.Most people there _______.
a. have children	b. are eating	c. are cold
5.Tilly and her friends ________.
a. are dancing	b.are talking to the other people	c. are waiting for the music

 

 

 

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Reading Comprehension #7 - Elementary

Read the email. Are the statements are true (T) or false (F)?

Hi everyone! This is the end of the first week of the new term and I’ve got lots of new classmates I want to tell you about! There are twelve students in this class. We’re Class A and we come from a lot of different countries.  It’s really funny because we only speak English. I can’t speak Spanish or Czech or Japanese and I only know a few words in German and French.  I think it’s good for us. Stefan is from Munich in Germany. I think his English is good. I like him because he’s very friendly. He’s slim and tall with dark hair.  He wears glasses and he has a lovely smile. I’m sure all the girls think he’s handsome! Then there’s Michael who’s also from Germany but he’s quite unfriendly.  Zdenka is from the Czech Republic. She’s quite shy so I don’t know her very well.  She’s very tanned with long fair hair and she’s very attractive. The boys all like her of course. I usually sit next to Ana who’s from Spain. I can’t understand her English because she has a strong accent but I like her very much. She’s very confident and pretty with short dark hair. She’s quite short and very slim. Akiko is from Japan, from Kyoto I think. She’s a lovely person but very quiet. I think she’s shy and her English isn’t very good. She spends time with the other Japanese girl Keiko. I think they live in the same house too. Our teacher, Greg, is from Australia. He’s tall with a grey beard and moustache.  I don’t know how old he is but maybe fifty. He’s very funny and friendly and he always helps us. I think he’s very good. So, that’s it for now. Please write back and give me your news. Love Lara

Are the sentences True(T) or False(F)?

a) Lara thinks Stefan is attractive.	_____
b) She doesn’t like Michael.	_____
c) Zdenka is very confident.	_____
d) Lara’s best friend in the class is Ana.	_____
e)The Japanese girls speak English well.	_____

 

 

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