Reading comprehension - 2 term, 9 Form

1. Read the text and do the tasks.

Like all large cities, London has a lot of different parts and the river joins them together.

The oldest part of it is the City of London. There was a town here when the Romans came. The Romans built a new city with a bridge and a city wall. It became an important part with many industries. Today the City is an international financial centre, full of offices and banks. Over 2 million people work in the city during the day, but only a few thousand live there.

London hasn't always been the capital of England. The first capital was Winchester. But London has always been the richest city. The kings of England often needed money. So they moved their capital close to London.But they didn't want to live in London itself. It was dirty, smelly and dangerous. So they made their capital at Westminster. At first the two cities of London and Westminster were separate and there were fields between them. But slowly they grow together into one city. Until the 20th century most people and goods travelled between the different parts of London along the Thames. It was quicker and safer to travel along the river than along the roads.The kings built their city of Westminster to the west of the City, because the prevailing wind in Britain is from the West. This wind blew all the smells from the port and the factories in London towards the east. As the city grew, the rich people lived in the West End and poor people lived in the East End.

This is changing now, because the docks and a lot of the industries in the East End have closed. Now Dockland is becoming a new financial centre and a fashionable place to live.

1)TRUE OR FALSE

The kings built their city of Westminster to the west of the City.

1. 2) The prevailing wind in Britain is from the East.

1. 3) As the city grew, the rich people lived in the East End and poor people lived in the West End.

1. 4) The oldest part of London is Westminster.

1. 5) In the past it was quicker and safer to travel along the river Thames than along the roads.

1. 6) The docks are in the West End.

2. Read the text. What does it say? Choose the correct variant

Hi Scott.

My cousin is coming for a few days and I thought we could show him the city, take him out to that Indian place and maybe watch some football on TV.

Jonathan

3. Read the text. What does it say? Choose the correct variant

The city of Bedford invite you to its annual

WATER SPORTS DAY

on Saturday 18 August

If you are over 18 sign up and compete with some of our city’s best athletes.

Prize will be awarded during the closing ceremony at 6 in the evening.

4. Read the text. What does it say? Choose the correct variant

NOTICE

No cars beyond this point on flea market days.

(Friday and Saturday)

You may park in car park P6 free of charge and take public transport to the market.

5. Read the text and choose correct varint.

Fiona Ellis has a very challenging job. Some people think it’s a fun way to earn a living, but it’s actually very hard work and it can be stressful. Fiona often works long hours and has to travel a lot. What does she do? She scouts for models – that means she looks for new models that could be the next face of fashion. She runs the models department of the talent agency Independent, the agency that represents many of the most famous actors and models in the world, including Daniel Craig (star of the new Bond film) and the model Elizabeth Hurley.

Fiona travels all over Britain looking for new models. She goes to all the places young people go such as music festivals, clothes shops, train stations and clubs. She goes scouting twice a week. Although she sees hundreds of young people in a day, she doesn’t often find what she’s looking for. In the five years she has been at Independent, they have only taken on thirty-six new models.

Fiona is famous for finding unusual attractive models. So what does she look for in a possible new model? Surprisingly, it is not always beautiful girls. ‘People think models have to be beautiful or glamorous, but I look for different qualities … a special ‘something’. That could be the way they walk or their long wavy hair or their smile.’ Modelling is not an easy job – the girls have to be punctual and hard-working. Being sociable is important too because they work with a lot of different people. ‘It’s like being an actor,’ says Fiona. ‘You have to move your face and body so that the designer and photographer like the image. And you have to do it again and again if necessary. When the photographer starts, you aren’t allowed to move until he lets you move.’

1) Fiona’s job is challenging because she ...

5. 2) Fiona’s job is sometimes ...

5. 3) In her job, Fiona tries to find ...

5. 4) Fiona goes to music festivals because ...

5. 5) In the last five years, Fiona ...

5. 6) Photographers ...

5. 7) The girls that Fiona chooses are ...

6. 1) Read the following film review and tick (√) all the false statements.



PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

In this fourth film in Disney’s pirate series, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is trying to find the Fountain of Youth. This fountain can make the person who drinks from it younger.

But this task will not be easy. A well-known pirate Blackbeard (played by Ian McShane) also wants to find this fountain and does not want anyone to stay on his way. His cruel daughter Angelica (played by Penelope Cruz) supports him in the process of searching.

Directed by Rob Marshall, this new film is quite different from the previous three. First of all, it is based on a novel and not on a script. Another difference is that in this film you can see real-life historical figures like King George II of England and King Ferdinand VI of Spain. Additionally, the new film is the first to be shown in digital 3D format.

However, there is one thing that did not change. It is Jack Sparrow with his interesting behavior, unique clothing style and tendency to get himself in all kinds of trouble. Jack is the most unforgettable character and a true hero of the series.

6. 2) Put the events in order.

a) Another difference is that in this film you can see real-life historical figures like King George II of England and King Ferdinand VI of Spain. 

b) His cruel daughter Angelica (played by Penelope Cruz) supports him in the process of searching.

c) It is Jack Sparrow with his interesting behavior, unique clothing style and tendency to get himself in all kinds of trouble.

d) Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is trying to find the Fountain of Youth. 

e) Directed by Rob Marshall, this new film is quite different from the previous three.