SECOND LEVEL

READING COMPREHENSION ACTIVITIES

Reading Five: Pets and ChildrenWritten by Debbie MasonParents often cant make up their minds what to do when their child asks to have a pet. In my view, you should always agree to a request for a pet providing you follow these basic rules:

1. Before you get a pet, its a good idea to visit someone who keeps one so your child has a chance to see the day to day realities of pet ownership: cleaning, feeding, exercise, grooming.2. Its even better if the pet owner you visit is also a child. Your son or daughter will probably learn more about keeping a pet from someone of the same age than from you or another adult.3. Dont only consider kittens and puppies for your child. More unusual choices like tropical fish, canaries and stick insects make suitable and sensible household pets.4. But dont impose your choice of suitable pet. Listen to suggestions. If possible, offer your child his or her choice of pet. On the other hand, dont be afraid to refuse an impractical request.5. It isnt helpful to use a favorite pet as a way to discipline a child or to try and improve the childs behavior. For example, threats to remove a pet are likely to cause more problems than they can solve.6. If your child gets bored with all the hard work, dont just take over. Its a good idea to share the care of the pet for a while. Some children just need a short break before their interest in their pet returns.7. It is certain that you will have to look after your childs pet some of the time. Remember when you are cleaning again the hamsters cage that your child is learning skills from owning a pet which will prepare them for their future responsibilities. Read the article and choose the best paragraph to complete the idea

1. Your child will probably learn about pets from a pet owner ofa. a different ageb. the same agec. a younger aged. an older age2. In rule number 4, the word impose is closest in meaning to: a. to force someone to acceptb. to suggest something to someonec. to understand someoned. to give something to someone3. Threats to remove a pet dont help to improve behavior or a. disciplineb interests c. choicesd. skills4. In rule number 3, the word suitable probably means: a. incorrect qualities b. at the wrong timec. too old d. having the right qualities 5. Looking after a pet prepares children for a. future responsibilitiesb. house choresc. schoold. day realities

Decide whether these sentences are true or false

6. Before you get a pet your child should visit an adult who has a pet. ______ 7. The article suggests that children should have only kittens and puppies. ______8. If a child is tired of the hard work, parents should give it away.______9. Parents should impose the right pet to their children ______10. It isnt useful to discipline a child with a pet______

Reading Six: One Evening in OctoberHannah met Jamie in the summer of 2004. It was Hannahs 21st birthday and she and her friends went to a club. They wanted to dance, but they didnt like the music so Hannah went to speak to the DJ. This music is awful, she said. Could you play something else? The DJ looked at her and said Dont worry; I have the perfect song for you.

Two minutes later he said: The next song is by Coldplay. Its called Yellow and its for a beautiful girl who is dancing over there. Hannah knew that the song was for her because she was wearing a yellow dress. When Hannah and her friends left the club the DJ was waiting at the door. Hi, Im Jamie, he said to Hannah. Can I see you again? So Hannah gave him her phone number.

Next day Jamie phoned Hannah and invited her to dinner. He took her to a very romantic French restaurant and they talked all evening. After that Jamie and Hannah saw each other every day. Every evening when Hannah finished work they met at 5.30 in a coffee bar in the High Street. They were madly in love.

One evening in October, Hannah was at work. As usual she was going to meet Jamie at 5.30. It was dark and it was raining. She looked at her watch. It was 5.20! She was going to be late! She ran to her car and got in. At 5.25 she was driving along the High Street. She was going very fast because she was in a hurry.

Suddenly, a man ran across the road. He was wearing a dark coat so Hannah didnt see him until it was too late. Although she tried to stop, she hit the man. Hannah panicked. She didnt stop and she drove to the coffee bar as fast as she could. But when she arrived Jamie wasnt there. She phoned him, but his mobile was turned off, so she waited for ten minutes and then went home.Taken from: http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=3872

Read the paragraph and choose the correct answer1. How did Hannah meet Jamie?a. She met him because he was a DJ in a club and she went there to celebrate her birthday.b. Hannah met Jaime at the university when she was studying to be a lawyer.c. Hannah met Jaime because a friend of hers introduced him in a club.d. Hannah met him because of a friends party.2. In paragraph one, what do you think This music is awful means?a. This music is nice.b. This music is interesting.c. This music is sad.d. This music is terrible.3. Why did Hannah know the son Yellow was for her?a. Because she was wearing a yellow suit.b. Because she had a yellow flower.c. Because she was wearing a yellow dress.d. Because she was wearing a yellow blouse.4. Where did they go on their first date?a. They went to an American restaurant.b. They went to a club.c. They went to a French restaurant.d. They went to a coffee bar.5. Why was Hannah driving fast?a. Because she needed to buy a watch.b. Because she was late for her date with Jamie.c. Because she wanted to buy a cup of coffee.d. Because she wanted to dance with Jamie.

Match the two halves of these sentences

6. Hannah met Jamiea. to invite her to dinner.

7. Jamie was waiting Hannahb. five-thirty.

8. Jamie called Hannahc. she was driving her car.

9. Hannah finished work atd. at the door, the first time they met.

10. Hannah hit a man whilee. in 2004.

Reading Seven: Good Health

Most people agree with the definition of good health as the state where you are free from sickness but there are many different opinions about how a person can actually have good health. People used to think of their health when they were sick. But these days more and more people are taking measures to make sure that they don't get sick in the first place. In this article I will describe a few of the most common things that you can do to stay healthy.

One of the best things you can do for your body is exercise. But how much is enough? Not everyone agrees on exactly how much people should exercise each day. Some people think that doing simple things like cleaning the house are helpful. Other people do heavy exercise everyday such as running or swimming. One thing experts do agree on is that any kind of exercise is good for you.

Along with exercise, having a healthy diet can help promote good health. You should eat foods like vegetables and fruits several times each day. It is also important to eat foods high in fiber such as beans, grains, fruit and vegetables. Fiber helps your body to digest the food you eat. It also prevents your body from getting some cancers, heart disease and diabetes. Avoiding foods with a lot of sugar, salt and fat is a good idea. Eating these kinds of foods can lead to a variety of health problems.

In todays modern world, we all have some level of stress in our life. Different things cause stress for different people. Money problems, work and relationships with other people can all cause stress. Good things like getting married or moving into a new house can also cause stress. The important thing to remember is that you can never completely remove stress from your life. It will always be with you. Instead of trying to remove stress, people need to be aware of what causes them stress and find ways to reduce the impact.

There are several ways to fight against stress in your life. Exercise and sports are a great way to reduce stress. Other activities like Tai Chi, yoga or taking a walk also help reduce stress. Changing the way you think can also reduce stress. Try living for now, and don't worry about the future.Doing these simple things can help you to have a better life now and will lead to a longer and happier life in the future.Taken from: http://www.eslreadinglessons.com/good_health.htm

Read the following article and decide whether these sentences are true or false.

1. People agree that you can be healthy with 30 minutes of exercise a day. ______2. Some people believe that doing house chores can be a kind of exercise. ______3. Eating food with a lot of fat is a good idea.______4. Getting married can also cause stress.______5. Practicing some kind of sport can help you to reduce stress.______ Choose the correct answer to complete the sentences6. You can have good _____ when you do exercise and eat foods like vegetables, fruit, etc.a. health b. grains c. things d. beans

7. You should eat food high in _____ because it helps your body to digest the food a. fat b. fiber c. cholesterol d. sugar

8. Eating foods with a lot of sugar and salt can cause _____. a. sicknesses b. stressc. depression d. money problems

9. Doing sports and _____ can reduce stress.a. thinking about the future b. getting worried about the presentc. changing the way of thinking d. drinking a lot of coffee.

10. People can never be free from _____ but we can reduce the impact. a. exerciseb . healthy foodc. stressd. heart diseases

Reading Eight:A letter

Dear Elena,Thank you for the letter you sent me last week. I'm very happy to hear that you and Francesco are well and that your exam results were so good. Well done! I know you studied hard and you deserve your success.Mine are next week so at the moment I'm studying a lot. I'm really nervous about them because, if you remember, I was sick for a couple of months at the end of the year and so I missed a lot of lessons. When they finish I would like to come and visit you for a few days, if that's OK with your mom and dad.Do you remember I told you about my friend Amanda from Scotland? She's going to come here next month and is going to stay for two weeks. I'd like you to come too so you can meet her and we can all go out together. What do you think? We can practice our English!I remember last year we had such a good time. The beaches near your house are wonderful and I really enjoyed meeting your friends (especially Roberto! Is he still single?) I can't remember the name of the disco next to the train station but I'd like to go there again - it was fun.Oh, guess what! Jason broke his arm last weekend! He went to the skateboard park with his friends from school and fell down some steps (he doesn't know how to skateboard!) He's got a plaster cast and he's going to have it for at least six weeks. He's such an idiot!My mom's calling me for lunch so I'll finish this letter now. Say hello to your family and don't forget to congratulate Francesco for me.Lots of love

Milena x xPS. Say Hi to Roberto too!

Taken from: www.esl-lounge.com/student/reading/2r7-pen-pals.php Read the letter and choose the correct answer1. Who is writing the letter?a. Elenab. Milenac. Robertod. Amanda

2. In paragraph 1, the word hear is closest in meaning toa. listenb. comec. stayd. know

3. Who is Amanda?a. Jasons friendb. Robertos friendc. Elenas friendd. Milenas friend

4. What activities did Milena do last year?a. She went to the beach and the disco.b. She broke her arm.c. She went to the skateboard park.d. She went to Scotland.

5. Why did Jason break his arm?a. He had a car accident.b. He fell down on the floorc. He went to the skateboard and fell down some steps.d. He was playing soccer.

Put a tick () in the correct boxTRUEFALSE

6. Amanda is from Ireland.

7. Milena is worried because of her exams.

8. Amanda is going to stay at Milenas house for three weeks.

9. Elena lived near the beach.

10. Jason knows how to skateboard.

ANSWER SHEET READING FIVE: Pets and children8

1. b2. a3. a4. d5. a6. F7. F8. F9. F10. T

READING SIX: One evening in October1. 2. a3. d4. c5. c6. b7. e8. d9. a10. b11. c

READING SEVEN: Good Health 1. 2. F3. T4. F5. T6. T7. a8. b9. a10. c11. c

READING EIGHT: A letter1. 2. b3. a4. d5. a6. c7. F8. T9. F10. T11. F