year 9 Reading Comprehension Term 2

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries in the United Kingdom, with England, Scotland and Wales. It is to the north of the Republic of Ireland, on an island next to Great Britain. Around 1.8 million people live in Northern Ireland, which is about three per cent of the population of the UK. The capital city is Belfast. Another name for Northern Ireland is ‘Ulster’ or ‘The Six Counties’ because it is made up of six regions or counties. In Northern Ireland you can find beautiful beaches, forests and mountains. You can visit the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: here, about 40,000 columns were formed after a volcanic eruption. Most of them are hexagonal and some of them are 12m tall. Films and TV series such as Dracula Untold and Game of Thrones are filmed in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland was a place of conflict between people who wanted to be part of the Republic of Ireland, people who wanted to be part of the UK and people who wanted Northern Ireland to be a separate country. In the 1990s there was an important peace process and the violence and conflict stopped. The Northern  Ireland Assembly and the UK Parliament decide on the laws in Northern Ireland. 

1) Northern Ireland is in Great Britain.

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries in the United Kingdom, with England, Scotland and Wales. It is to the north of the Republic of Ireland, on an island next to Great Britain. Around 1.8 million people live in Northern Ireland, which is about three per cent of the population of the UK. The capital city is Belfast. Another name for Northern Ireland is ‘Ulster’ or ‘The Six Counties’ because it is made up of six regions or counties. In Northern Ireland you can find beautiful beaches, forests and mountains. You can visit the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: here, about 40,000 columns were formed after a volcanic eruption. Most of them are hexagonal and some of them are 12m tall. Films and TV series such as Dracula Untold and Game of Thrones are filmed in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland was a place of conflict between people who wanted to be part of the Republic of Ireland, people who wanted to be part of the UK and people who wanted Northern Ireland to be a separate country. In the 1990s there was an important peace process and the violence and conflict stopped. The Northern  Ireland Assembly and the UK Parliament decide on the laws in Northern Ireland. 

2) Another name for Northern Ireland is 'Ulster'.

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries in the United Kingdom, with England, Scotland and Wales. It is to the north of the Republic of Ireland, on an island next to Great Britain. Around 1.8 million people live in Northern Ireland, which is about three per cent of the population of the UK. The capital city is Belfast. Another name for Northern Ireland is ‘Ulster’ or ‘The Six Counties’ because it is made up of six regions or counties. In Northern Ireland you can find beautiful beaches, forests and mountains. You can visit the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: here, about 40,000 columns were formed after a volcanic eruption. Most of them are hexagonal and some of them are 12 m tall. Films and TV series such as Dracula Untold and Game of Thrones are filmed in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland was a place of conflict between people who wanted to be part of the Republic of Ireland, people who wanted to be part of the UK and people who wanted Northern Ireland to be a separate country. In the 1990s there was an important peace process and the violence and conflict stopped. The Northern  Ireland Assembly and the UK Parliament decide on the laws in Northern Ireland. 

3) The Giant's Causeway was created by a volcano.

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries in the United Kingdom, with England, Scotland and Wales. It is to the north of the Republic of Ireland, on an island next to Great Britain. Around 1.8 million people live in Northern Ireland, which is about three per cent of the population of the UK. The capital city is Belfast. Another name for Northern Ireland is ‘Ulster’ or ‘The Six Counties’ because it is made up of six regions or counties. In Northern Ireland you can find beautiful beaches, forests and mountains. You can visit the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: here, about 40,000 columns were formed after a volcanic eruption. Most of them are hexagonal and some of them are 12m tall. Films and TV series such as Dracula Untold and Game of Thrones are filmed in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland was a place of conflict between people who wanted to be part of the Republic of Ireland, people who wanted to be part of the UK and people who wanted Northern Ireland to be a separate country. In the 1990s there was an important peace process and the violence and conflict stopped. The Northern Ireland Assembly and the UK Parliament decide on the laws in Northern Ireland. 

4) Conflict stopped in Northern Ireland in 1980s.

Language 

Nearly everyone in Northern Ireland speaks English. A small number of people speak Irish Gaelic, an old Celtic language which is very different from English. The other regional language is Ulster Scots, a variation of English which is spoken in Northern Ireland and is similar to Scots spoken in Scotland. 

5) Three languages are spoken in Northern Ireland.

Music 

You can hear all types of music in Northern Ireland including traditional Irish music, jazz, rock or pop. In summer Belfast has music festivals like Belsonic and Belfast Vital. Many international artists play at these festivals, including bands from Northern Ireland like Snow Patrol, Ash and Two Door Cinema Club. 

6) All the musicians and bands at summer music festivals in Belfast are Northern Irish.

Sport 

Northern Ireland is a popular place to go walking or do outdoor activities such as mountain biking, coasteering (climbing up rocks and jumping into the sea) or zorbing (rolling down a hill in a giant PVC ball). Football, rugby, cricket, hurling (a sport similar to hockey) and Gaelic football are all popular. Gaelic football is similar to rugby because players can touch and kick the ball. For most sports, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland join together in the same team when they play in international competitions. However, football is different and Northern Ireland has its own national team and football league. Some players from Northern Ireland play for teams in the English or Scottish leagues. 

7) Northern Ireland is a good place for unusual adventure sports.

Sport 

Northern Ireland is a popular place to go walking or do outdoor activities such as mountain biking, coasteering (climbing up rocks and jumping into the sea) or zorbing (rolling down a hill in a giant PVC ball). Football, rugby, cricket, hurling (a sport similar to hockey) and Gaelic football are all popular. Gaelic football is similar to rugby because players can touch and kick the ball. For most sports, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland join together in the same team when they play in international competitions. However, football is different and Northern Ireland has its own national team and football league. Some players from Northern Ireland play for teams in the English or Scottish leagues. 

8) In Gaelic football it's fine to touch the ball with your hand.

Food 

The best-known dish from Northern Ireland is the Ulster Fry, which is bacon, eggs, sausages and soda bread. Some versions include tomatoes, mushrooms or baked beans. It’s called the Ulster Fry because everything is fried in a pan. It is also eaten with Irish potato bread. 

9) The 'Ulster Fry' is a very healthy dish.

Symbols 

St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and Northern Ireland. St Patrick’s Day, on 17 March, is a very important celebration in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with parades, concerts, music and dancing. Another important symbol is the shamrock, a green plant with three leaves. It is the symbol of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. 

10) St. Patrick is the patron saint of Northern Ireland only.

Symbols 

St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and Northern Ireland. St Patrick’s Day, on 17 March, is a very important celebration in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with parades, concerts, music and dancing. Another important symbol is the shamrock, a green plant with three leaves. It is the symbol of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. 

11) A shamrock has three leaves on each stem.

Symbols 

St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and Northern Ireland. St Patrick’s Day, on 17 March, is a very important celebration in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with parades, concerts, music and dancing. Another important symbol is the shamrock, a green plant with three leaves. It is the symbol of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. 

12) St. Patrick's Day is a traditional holiday.

British people don't go to the cinema as often as they did twenty or thirty years ago. There are still around 800 cinemas in the UK but tickets are expensive - around seven pounds for an adult ticket- and popcorn, ice cream and soft drinks can cost a lot of money too. In Ukraine, it's also easier to watch films at home on your own TV screen or online. Of course, this doesn't mean that British films are becoming less popular. Nowadays, actors like Benedict Cumberbatch, Christian Bale, Martin Freeman, Emma Watson are famous all over the world. In the last decade, three British films won the Best Picture award at the Oscars- invluding The King's in 2011.

Which is not true about the British cinematography?

Theatre in Britain has much longer history than cinema. The first plays were performed during the Roman Empire and William Shakespeare began writing for the stage in the 16th century. Many of his plays were first performed at the Globe Theatre, which was built in 1599. Unfortunately, it was pulled down in 1644 to make space for houses. In 1997, the Globe reopened and today you can watch plays like Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet in the open air every summer. You don't have to stay in London to see a Shakespeare play, however. You can also visit his birthplace, Strarford-upon-Avon, where the Royal Shakespeare Company regularly perform at the Swan Theatre.

What does the author say about William Shakespeare

Modern theatre is also extremely popular. Almost 15 million people watched plays and musicals at London's West End in 2013. West End shows are usually on as long as the people buy tickets to watch them so, for example, Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Cats was performed almost every evening for 21 years before it finally closed in 2002. More recent successes include the musical Billy Elliot, which was based on an award winning film, and the Curious Incident of thr Dog in the Night -Time. Every August, actors and performers go to Edinburgh in Scotland to take part in the International Festival there.

Which of the following is true about modern theatre in Britain?

Even if you never been to London you probably know all about it. Britain's capital city is visited by millions of tourists every year and such sights as Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge and Big Ben are known all over the world from films, TV programmes and social media posts. However, if you are planning a visit to England, other parts of the country also have a lot of must-see attractions.

4.Most of England's sights are concentrated in London

Canterbury is another popular day-trip from the capital. This small 12th century town of 55,000 has always been one of Britain's best-known tourist destinations. Its sight, Canterbury Cathedral, was completed in 597 AD and is now visited by almost 1 million people every year. The place to go when nearby is the Canterbury Roman Museum . There you will discover what life was really like in Roman Britain.

5. Canterbury has just recently become popular with tourists.

Farther north, York is one of the most historic cities in Britain. If you want to visit York, the fastest way to get there is by train from London's Kingston Crossover station. Originally founded by the Romans, York was later ruled by the Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings and the Normans. Once there, take a walk along ancient Roman streets, have a relaxing cup of tea in Betty's Cafe, learn about the history of some of the world's favourite snacks at the York's Chocolate story museum, and do not forget to take a stroll along the City Walls!

While in York, you can eat some of the world's favourite chocolate snacks.

The best way to get to York is by train.

Finally, if you are planning to visit Britain, you must go to the Lake District. It is a national park in the north-west of England and one of the most beautiful places in Europe - with many deep lakes, the highest mountains in England. This is also the birthplace of one of the English greatest poets, William Wordsworth. In the Lake District, you can go camping, take a cruise on one of the sixteen lakes, visit Wordsworth's house. If you do decide to visit, take an umbrella because it'll be probably rain!

The Lake District is famous for its lakes tours, writers, animals and natures.

You can get wet while visiting the Lake District.

The British royal family was headed by Queen Elizabeth. When the Queen was born on the 21st of April 1926, her grandfather, King George V, was on the throne and her uncle was his heir. The death of her grandfather and the abdication of her uncle brought her father to the throne as King George VI.

As a child she studied constitutional history and law as well as art and music. In addition she learned to ride and acquired her enthusiasm for horses. As she grew older she began to take part in public life, making her first broadcast at the age of 14.

How did Queen Elizabeth's father become the King ?

The marriage of the young Princess Elizabeth to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh took place in November 1947. She came to the throne after her father's death in 1952 and was crowned in Westminster Abbey in June 1953.

Who became Elizabeth's husband?

The marriage of the young Princess Elizabeth to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh took place in November 1947. She came to the throne after her father's death in 1952 and was crowned in Westminster Abbey in June 1953.

What was the occasion which had taken place before Elizabeth's coronation?