Тексти для читання англійською мовою. Texts for Reading for junior pupils

Reading

Australian Rules Football

Read the text and answer the questions

 

     Australians are proud of a popular national winter sport fondly referred to as Aussie Rules but also known as Australian football, Australian rules football, football and footy. Since the earliest known football matches held in the 1800s this popular spectator sport is now played in more than thirty countries around the world including Japan, Argentina, Spain, South Africa, Pakistan, Indonesia, France, India, China, Canada, North America, Britain, Sweden and Germany.

     It is a fast paced contact sport whereby two opposing teams, playing on an oval shaped grass field, score goals and points by passing the ball between four posts at either end of the field.  With no offside rules players can go anywhere on the field and propel the ball in any direction.  Each team of eighteen players uses a variety of kicking, handball and running strategies to score goals between the middle posts and points between a goal post and a smaller post known as the behind post.  Each goal is worth 6 points and the combined goals and points make up the final score.

     Australians love watching their footy.  The crowd goes crazy when players show skill and talent in taking possession of the ball and scoring.  Although it is a contact sport dangerous play is not allowed and usually results in free kicks to the opposing team, penalties or suspension. 

     Many teams have their own song however one well known footy song, Up There Cazaly, is often played during national grand final games.  Recorded in 1979 it was based on the catch cry of a fellow team mate of whom the song was named after, the great Roy Cazaly.  It is also interesting to note that ‘Up There Cazaly’ was also a cry used by Australian soldiers during the Second World War.

     Cazaly is a former champion football player from the early twentieth century who was famous for his ‘marks’ which is where a player catches a kicked ball that has travelled more than fifteen metres without touching the ground or being touched by any other players.  A good player will take several marks every game.  There are several different types of ‘marks’ including the ‘Spectacular Mark’ (also known as a ‘speccy’, ‘screamer’ and ‘hangar’) which involves catching the ball whilst jumping in the air.  The best mark of the season is awarded with a special ‘Mark of the Year’.

     Aussie Rules is an exciting sport to watch and play whether it is a school match, a local community match or a larger game.  Watch out for details of your nearest footy games and learn more about this popular national sport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Australian Rules Football)

       1. Aussie Rules is another name for

a) Australian football

b) Australian basketball

c) Australian hockey

 

        2. The first known match was in the

a)1600s

b) 1700s

c) 1800s

 

        3. The pace of a game is

a) slow

b) medium

c) fast

 

     4. The shape of the ball is

a) round

b) square

c) oval

 

         5. The shape of the field is

a) rectangular

b) square

c) oval

 

         6. The number of posts at each end of the field is

a) two

b) four

c) six

 

         7. The two middle posts are called

a) goal posts

b) middle posts

c) behind posts

 

         8.  The end posts are called

a) goal posts

b) middle posts

c) behind posts

 

 

 

        9. Players can travel

   a) in any direction

   b) forwards only

   c) backwards only

 

10. Dangerous play

   a) is allowed

   b) is not allowed

   c) is neither allowed or disallowed

 

      11. A Spectacular Mark is where a player catches a kicked ball that has

               a) travelled more than fifteen metres without touching the ground or

 being touched by any other players; 

               b) travelled less than fifteen metres without touching the ground or

 being touched by any other players; 

               c) travelled more than fifteen metres without bouncing more than once. 

 

      12. Roy Cazaly was famous for his spectacular

a) kicks

b) catches

c) handball strategies

 

 

 

 

                   Key:

1. a                       7) a
2. c                       8) c
3. c                       9) a
4. c                     10) b
5. c                     11) a
6. b                     12) b

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doug’s birthday

     Doug is a nine-year old boy. He has got brown hair and brown eyes. Doug’s favourite sport is baseball. He is a pupil. His school is Lincoln Primary School in New Jersey. There are fifteen girls and seventeen boys in his class. His friends are his classmates. The boys’ names are Sam, Tom, Ben, Kenny and Johnny.

           Sam is 9. His hair is black, his eyes are brown. His favourite sport is football.

Tom and Ben are 10. They are twins. Their hair is blonde, they have got blue eyes. Their favourite sport is baseball.

     Kenny and Johnny are cousins. Kenny is 9, Johnny is 10 years old. They have got brown hair. Kenny’s eyes are blue, Johnny’s eyes are green. Johnny’s favourite sport is baseball; Kenny’s favourite ball game is football.

     Today is Doug’s birthday. His friends are in Doug’s garden. There is a birthday party in the garden. There is a table. There are six chairs. The birthday cake with nine candles is on the table. There are lots of presents on the table. They are for Doug. There is a baseball cap from Ben, a baseball card set from Johnny, a baseball T-shirt from Tom, a baseball glove from Kenny and a baseball bat from Sam.

     So Doug is very happy. This is a perfect birthday.

 

I. True or false

 

  1) Doug has got a baseball card set from Tom. 

  2) Doug is from New Jersey.  

  3) There are thirty-one pupils in the class. 

  4) One boy has got green eyes. 

  5) Doug has got a card set and a cap from the cousins. 

  6) There are five friends of Doug on the party. 

  7) Kenny and Johnny are twins. 

  8) Ben and Sam are 10. 

  9) Doug has got nine candles on his cake. 

10) Tom and Ben are brothers.

 

II. Write short answers to the following questions.

  1) How many friends has Doug got?

  2) What’s the name of Johnny’s cousin?

  3) Who are twins?

  4) Whose favourite sport is football?

  5) Who has got brown hair?

  6) How many pupils are there in the class?

  7) Which is Doug’s school?

  8) Why is Doug happy?

  9) How many candles are there on the cake?

10) How many presents has Doug got?

 

 

Key:

         I. 1) False        6) True                    II. 1) Five

            2) True         7) False                         2) Kenny

            3) False        8) False                         3) Tom and Ben

            4) True         9) True                          4) Sam’s and Kenny’s

            5) False      10) True                          5) Dough, Johnny and Kenny

                                                                       6) 32

                                                                       7) Lincoln Primary School

                                                                       8) Because it is his birthday

                                                                       9) Nine

                                                                      10) Five

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Thanksgiving

     When people think of Thanksgiving, remember the story of the Pilgrims and the Indians at Plymouth Rock. The Pilgrims first arrived in America on December 11, 1620. They weren't prepared for the winter. From the 102 pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower, forty-six died during the first few months. They had problems but they tried to have a good harvest, with the help of the Indians who lived near.

     They had a traditional British Harvest Feast in thanks to God for surviving. In those days they had more meat than vegetables, including deer and fish and wild birds maybe like turkeys. They didn't have desserts, they didn't have a lot of flour or sugar. They probably had some fruits and corn. Instead of pumpkin pie, they probably had boiled pumpkin. The first Thanksgiving feast lasted for three days.

     Thanksgiving Day is a day in the United States and Canada for giving thanks. People give thanks with feasting and prayer for the blessings that they have received during the year. The first Thanksgivings were harvest festivals, or days for thanking God for good crops. For this reason, the holiday is associated with fall - a time of harvesting the crops.

 

                     I.. Write True or False.

     1. The Indians arrived at Plymouth Rock.

     2. The Pilgrims arrived in America on December 12th.

     3. There were 102 pilgrims on the Mayflower.

     4. Forty-six pilgrims died during the first winter.

     5. The Indians helped the pilgrims.

 

II. Find the words in the second paragraph that have the meaning below.

     1. A custom, belief or way of doing something that has continued from

         the past to the present.

     2. The parts of animals or birds that people eat.

     3. Something sweet that is eaten after the main part of a meal.

     4. That continued for a period of time.

     5. A large, special meal, especially to celebrate something.

 

 

       Key:

                I. 1) False        II. 1) Traditional

                     2) False             2) Meat

                     3) True              3) Dessert

                     4) True              4) Lasted

                     5) True              5) Feast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read the text and answer the activities below

An Amazing Life

     Justine was a 21-year-old city girl when she moved to her family's small fishing camp, called Gunflint Lodge, in the wilderness of Northern Minnesota. She and her family lived there after they lost their money and their homes in the Depression. The lodge didn't have running water or electricity when they arrived. Justine learned how to hunt and fish from the Native Americans who lived in the area. In the winter, she traveled by dogsled for days or even          a week at a time.

     She got married in 1934. She and her husband, Bill Kerfoot, had three children. They worked very hard to make the lodge a successful business. After a fire in 1953, Justine and Bill rebuilt the lodge in only few months.

     Justine made most of the new furniture herself. It was sometimes difficult, but Justine drove across Africa and traveled to the Amazon and Antarctica. She continued to hunt, fish, canoe, and ride dogsleds when she was over        80 years old. She wrote three books about her life.

     Her life definitely didn't turn out as planned, but it was an amazing life.

I. Write True or False:

     1. Justine and her family went to Gunflint Lodge for a vacation.

     2. There were no electric lights at Gunflint Lodge when they arrived.

     3. Justine didn't know how to hunt or fish when she arrived.

     4. Justine and Bill had two sons and two daughters.

     5. It took a long time to rebuild the lodge after the fire.

           6. Justine didn't do adventurous things when she was old.                       3 б

 

II. Complete the sentences:

1. Justine ______ a family with her husband and her 3 children.

2. She was able to build a ______.

3. She ______ three books about ______.

4. When she was over ______ she was still able to do things like hunting

     and fishing.

5. The lodge didn't have ______ when she first arrived.                       2,5 б

 

 

III. Number the events in order:

a) She got married.

b) A fire burned the lodge.

c) Justine continued hunting, fishing and canoeing at the age of 80.

d) Justine and her family lost their money in the Depression.

e) She moved to the lodge of her family.

f) She and her husband had three children.

g) She wrote 3 books about her life.

h) They rebuilt the lodge in few months.                                             4 б

 

 

IV. Complete with WHO, WHERE, HOW MANY, WHAT

and choose the correct answer.

1. ______ children did Justine have?  (three; two; one)

2. ______ was the lodge of Justine family?

(In Minnesota; in Northern Minnesota; in Southern Minnesota)

3. ______did Justine and her family lose? (Their money and their cars.

   Their pets and their homes. Their money and their homes)

4. ______ wrote three books?  (Justine;  Justine’s husband;  Justine’s children)

5. ______ places did she travel to?

(Africa and America.  Amazon and Antarctica.  Antarctica and America.) 

                                                                                                                     2,5 б                                                          

 

   V. Use the underline words from the text to complete these definitions:

     1. A small country house occupied in season for sports such as hunting

         and shooting.

     2. A sled pulls by dogs.

     3. Commercial activity.

     4. An uncultivated, uninhabited and inhospitable region.

     5. The movable articles that are used to make a room or building

         suitable for living or working in, such as tables, chairs or desks.

                                                                                                                 2,5 б

 

           Key:

                    I. 1) False            II. 1) had;                                 III. a) - 3            

                     2) True                    2) furniture;                               b) - 5                   

                     3) True                   3) wrote;  her life;                      c) - 7                                 

                     4) False                  4) 80 years old;                          d) - 1                   

                     5) False                  5) water or electricity                e) - 2     

                     6) False                                                                                         f) - 4

                                                                                         g) - 8

                                                                                         h) – 6

 

  IV. 1) How many (three)                                   V. 1) Lodge

                      2) Where (In Northern Minnesota)                  2) dogsled

                      3) What (Their money and their homes)         3) business

                      4) Who (Justine)                                              4) wilderness

                      5) What (Amazon and Antarctica)                  5) furniture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

English Around the World

 

Have you ever had the desire to wander the world and see what was out there? While some people prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home, others have been bitten by the travel bug and can't wait to explore the world. Exotic places call to them. "Come visit me and I will show you my mysteries," they say.

 

Every year millions of people pack their suitcases or put on backpacks and flock to visit the seven continents of the world. They wander through the castles and museums of Europe, and the cities and natural wonders of North and South America. Some visit the vast exotic cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The great outback of Australia is a wonderland for those who go there. And a few lucky people even make to the most mysterious continent on the earth- Antarctica.

 

Why do people want to explore the world? It gives them a better perspective about the earth and the people living on it. It opens their minds, it gives them a feeling of accomplishment, and it makes them feel alive. So save some money, get your passport ready, and see the world. It will change your life forever.

 

Choose True or False:

1. To be bitten by the travel bug means you like to stay home.

2. People bitten by the travel bug like to visit new places.

3. The great outback is in Europe.

4. Antarctica is in Africa.

5. Asia is vast.

6. Traveling opens your mind.

7. Traveling makes you feel alive.

8. Traveling helps you see things in a new way.

Vocabulary

travel bug (idiom)- strong desire to travel

to be bitten by the travel bug (idiom)- kind of a cute way to say when someone begins to want to travel. After the "bug" bites you, you will really want to travel.

to wander- to go from one place to another without any definite plans

to be in the comfort of (one's) own home- to be at home, in a familiar or comfortable place

to explore- to look around and find out new things

exotic (adjective)- strange, mysterious, exciting, unknown

mystery- something unknown, something that needs to be found out

to flock- large amounts of people go to the same place at the same time

vast (adjective)- very large

perspective- view, way of seeing things

accomplishment- feeling like you have done something important and good

 

Key: 

1. F        5) T
2. T        6) T
3. F        7) T
4. F        8) T

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELEPHANTS

     The elephant is the largest animal to walk on Earth. An elephant can carry a load of 1200 pounds. They eat 300 pounds of food a day. An elephant baby can weigh 200 pounds at birth. Elephants can live up to 70 years. Elephants can be trained to carry logs with their trunks, and have been used in the forestry industry in Asia for many years. Elephants also use their trunks for drinking water, bathing, and eating and communicating.             

 Recently it was discovered that elephants can communicate over a distance of several miles using infrasonic sounds inaudible to humans. 

 Elephants use their ears as a cooling system. The blood flows through veins in the ears and as the elephant flaps his ears, the blood cools and flows through his body to cool off other parts.

 Elephant feet are large and round. They distribute the large animal's weight effectively. In the past, elephants were killed and their feet were made into umbrella stands and small tables for tourists. Now elephants are protected by special laws.

     There are two kinds of elephants: the African elephant and the Indian elephant. African elephants can be identified by the larger ears. The African elephant grows up to 10 feet tall and weighs as much as 12,000 pounds.             

 The Indian elephant grows up to 9 feet tall, and weighs up to 8000 pounds. It's easier to identify because of its smaller ears. Most circus elephants are Indian elephants. Another name for the Indian elephant is the Asian elephant.

 Unfortunately, there is a growing conflict between elephants and humans as more of the elephants' habitat is developed. Elephants can destroy the crops of an entire village in a single night, and this also causes conflict. At the moment, there are about 600,000 elephants remaining in Africa.

The greatest threat to elephants is the ivory trade. Most commercial ivory comes from elephant's tusks. From 1979 to 1989 was a bad time for African elephants. About 70,000 wild elephants were killed for ivory each year. In 1989 an international treaty limited the trade in ivory, decreasing the number of elephants killed, but elephants are still being killed for ivory. Please don't ever buy anything made from ivory! Don't even buy anything that looks like ivory!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choose the correct answer for each question.

 

      1. How much does a baby elephant weigh at birth?

             a) 70 pounds;             b) 200 pounds;

             c)  300 pounds;          d) 1200 pounds.

 

      2. True or False: An elephant cannot carry things with its trunk.

             a)True.       b) False.

 

      3. Elephants also use their trunks for:

             a) drinking water and eating ;

             b) a cooling system.

 

      4. "Inaudible" means:

             a) I can't hear it.

             b) It's very noisy.

 

      5. Hunters made umbrella holders out of:

             a) Elephants' trunks.    b) Elephants' tails.

             c) Elephants' feet.        d) Elephants' teeth.

 

      6. Which kind of elephant is the largest?

             a) the Indian Elephant

             b) the African Elephant

 

      7. An Indian Elephant has _________ than the African Elephant.

             a) a longer tail             b) a stronger trunk

             c) smaller ears             d) bigger teeth

 

      8. What part of an elephant's body is used to cool the elephant?

             a) The tail.                  b) The trunk.

             c) The feet.                 d) The ears.

 

      9. What animal is the most dangerous to an elephant?

             a) Human beings.       b) Snakes.

             c) Lions.                     d) Zebras.

 

    10. How can you help elephants?

             a) Don't eat elephant burgers!

             b) Never buy ivory!

             c) Don't go to Africa.