reading comprehension

CREATING YOUR OWN DISHES

Cooking is always a strange mixture of science and art and you certainly have to be fairly creative if you want to come up with your own recipe. All cooking also demands a fair amount of preparation, and this is doubly true when you’re producing original dishes. You also have to be thick-skinned.

You will be surprised by how honest people can be when it comes to food. I’ve had people tell me my latest dish is disgusting and thoroughly inedible. Sometimes, they were right! But don’t get upset. Just smile sweetly and thank them for their valuable opinion. And never forget that when you’re waiting anxiously to hear whether or not your “masterpiece” is a success and they suddenly show their appreciation, you’ll realise it was all worth it.

My tips: home-grown vegetables are always the tastiest. Every good cook needs a top-quality mixer. It’s an essential piece of kitchen equipment, not a luxury. Make sure you’ve got good quality food-storage containers. And, finally, remember that designing a new dish is not about safety. It’s about taking risks, and learning from your mistakes. Have fun in the kitchen.

1. Cooking usually involves:

CREATING YOUR OWN DISHES

Cooking is always a strange mixture of science and art and you certainly have to be fairly creative if you want to come up with your own recipe. All cooking also demands a fair amount of preparation, and this is doubly true when you’re producing original dishes. You also have to be thick-skinned.

You will be surprised by how honest people can be when it comes to food. I’ve had people tell me my latest dish is disgusting and thoroughly inedible. Sometimes, they were right! But don’t get upset. Just smile sweetly and thank them for their valuable opinion. And never forget that when you’re waiting anxiously to hear whether or not your “masterpiece” is a success and they suddenly show their appreciation, you’ll realise it was all worth it. My tips: home-grown vegetables are always the tastiest.

Every good cook needs a top-quality mixer. It’s an essential piece of kitchen equipment, not a luxury. Make sure you’ve got good quality food-storage containers. And, finally, remember that designing a new dish is not about safety. It’s about taking risks, and learning from your mistakes. Have fun in the kitchen.

2. What would be the best alternative title for the text?

CREATING YOUR OWN DISHES

Cooking is always a strange mixture of science and art and you certainly have to be fairly creative if you want to come up with your own recipe. All cooking also demands a fair amount of preparation, and this is doubly true when you’re producing original dishes. You also have to be thick-skinned.

You will be surprised by how honest people can be when it comes to food. I’ve had people tell me my latest dish is disgusting and thoroughly inedible. Sometimes, they were right! But don’t get upset. Just smile sweetly and thank them for their valuable opinion. And never forget that when you’re waiting anxiously to hear whether or not your “masterpiece” is a success and they suddenly show their appreciation, you’ll realise it was all worth it. My tips: home-grown vegetables are always the tastiest.

Every good cook needs a top-quality mixer. It’s an essential piece of kitchen equipment, not a luxury. Make sure you’ve got good quality food-storage containers. And, finally, remember that designing a new dish is not about safety. It’s about taking risks, and learning from your mistakes. Have fun in the kitchen.

3. The expression “to be thick-skinned” means:

Cooking is always a strange mixture of science and art and you certainly have to be fairly creative if you want to come up with your own recipe. All cooking also demands a fair amount of preparation, and this is doubly true when you’re producing original dishes. You also have to be thick-skinned.

You will be surprised by how honest people can be when it comes to food. I’ve had people tell me my latest dish is disgusting and thoroughly inedible. Sometimes, they were right! But don’t get upset. Just smile sweetly and thank them for their valuable opinion. And never forget that when you’re waiting anxiously to hear whether or not your “masterpiece” is a success and they suddenly show their appreciation, you’ll realise it was all worth it. My tips: home-grown vegetables are always the tastiest.

Every good cook needs a top-quality mixer. It’s an essential piece of kitchen equipment, not a luxury. Make sure you’ve got good quality food-storage containers. And, finally, remember that designing a new dish is not about safety. It’s about taking risks, and learning from your mistakes. Have fun in the kitchen.

4. When it comes to food

CREATING YOUR OWN DISHES

Cooking is always a strange mixture of science and art and you certainly have to be fairly creative if you want to come up with your own recipe. All cooking also demands a fair amount of preparation, and this is doubly true when you’re producing original dishes. You also have to be thick-skinned.

You will be surprised by how honest people can be when it comes to food. I’ve had people tell me my latest dish is disgusting and thoroughly inedible. Sometimes, they were right! But don’t get upset. Just smile sweetly and thank them for their valuable opinion. And never forget that when you’re waiting anxiously to hear whether or not your “masterpiece” is a success and they suddenly show their appreciation, you’ll realise it was all worth it. My tips: home-grown vegetables are always the tastiest.

Every good cook needs a top-quality mixer. It’s an essential piece of kitchen equipment, not a luxury. Make sure you’ve got good quality food-storage containers. And, finally, remember that designing a new dish is not about safety. It’s about taking risks, and learning from your mistakes. Have fun in the kitchen.

5. What statement is not true?

A different night

The night in prison was new and interesting enough. The prisoners were

enjoying a chat and the evening air near the entrance, when I entered. But the

guard said, “Come, boys, it is time to lock up”; and so they left, and I heard the

sound of their steps returning into the hollow building. My roommate was

introduced to me by the guard as “a first class fellow and a clever man.” When the

door was locked, he showed me where to hang my hat, and how he managed things

there. The rooms were whitewashed once a month; and this one, at least, was the

whitest, most simply furnished, and probably neatest apartment in town. He

naturally wanted to know where I came from, and what brought me there; and,

when I had told him, I asked him in my turn how he came there, believing him to

be an honest man, of course; and as the world goes, I think he was.

He said, “They accuse me of burning a barn; but I never did it.” As near as I could discover, he had probably gone to bed in a barn when drunk, and smoked his pipe there; and so a barn was burnt. He had the reputation of being a clever man, had been there some three months waiting for his trial to come, and would have to wait that much longer; but he was quite domesticated and comfortable, since he got his food for

nothing, and thought that he was well treated.

6. What word could best describe the author’s experience in the prison that night?

The night in prison was new and interesting enough. The prisoners were

enjoying a chat and the evening air near the entrance, when I entered. But the

guard said, “Come, boys, it is time to lock up”; and so they left, and I heard the

sound of their steps returning into the hollow building. My roommate was

introduced to me by the guard as “a first class fellow and a clever man.” When the

door was locked, he showed me where to hang my hat, and how he managed things

there. The rooms were whitewashed once a month; and this one, at least, was the

whitest, most simply furnished, and probably neatest apartment in town. He

naturally wanted to know where I came from, and what brought me there; and,

when I had told him, I asked him in my turn how he came there, believing him to

be an honest man, of course; and as the world goes, I think he was.

He said, “They accuse me of burning a barn; but I never did it.” As near as I could discover, he had probably gone to bed in a barn when drunk, and smoked his pipe there; and so a barn was burnt. He had the reputation of being a clever man, had been there some three months waiting for his trial to come, and would have to wait that much longer; but he was quite domesticated and comfortable, since he got his food for

nothing, and thought that he was well treated.

7. How can we describe the author’s relationship with his roommate?

The night in prison was new and interesting enough. The prisoners were

enjoying a chat and the evening air near the entrance, when I entered. But the

guard said, “Come, boys, it is time to lock up”; and so they left, and I heard the

sound of their steps returning into the hollow building. My roommate was

introduced to me by the guard as “a first class fellow and a clever man.” When the

door was locked, he showed me where to hang my hat, and how he managed things

there. The rooms were whitewashed once a month; and this one, at least, was the

whitest, most simply furnished, and probably neatest apartment in town. He

naturally wanted to know where I came from, and what brought me there; and,

when I had told him, I asked him in my turn how he came there, believing him to

be an honest man, of course; and as the world goes, I think he was.

He said, “They accuse me of burning a barn; but I never did it.” As near as I could discover, he had probably gone to bed in a barn when drunk, and smoked his pipe there; and so a barn was burnt. He had the reputation of being a clever man, had been there some three months waiting for his trial to come, and would have to wait that much longer; but he was quite domesticated and comfortable, since he got his food for nothing, and thought that he was well treated.

8. What can we say about the room in which the author spent the night in prison?

The night in prison was new and interesting enough. The prisoners were

enjoying a chat and the evening air near the entrance, when I entered. But the

guard said, “Come, boys, it is time to lock up”; and so they left, and I heard the

sound of their steps returning into the hollow building. My roommate was

introduced to me by the guard as “a first class fellow and a clever man.” When the

door was locked, he showed me where to hang my hat, and how he managed things

there. The rooms were whitewashed once a month; and this one, at least, was the

whitest, most simply furnished, and probably neatest apartment in town. He

naturally wanted to know where I came from, and what brought me there; and,

when I had told him, I asked him in my turn how he came there, believing him to

be an honest man, of course; and as the world goes, I think he was.

He said, “They accuse me of burning a barn; but I never did it.” As near as I could discover, he had probably gone to bed in a barn when drunk, and smoked his pipe there; and so a barn was burnt. He had the reputation of being a clever man, had been there some three months waiting for his trial to come, and would have to wait that much longer; but he was quite domesticated and comfortable, since he got his food for nothing, and thought that he was well treated.

9. Why was the author’s roommate put in prison?

The night in prison was new and interesting enough. The prisoners were

enjoying a chat and the evening air near the entrance, when I entered. But the

guard said, “Come, boys, it is time to lock up”; and so they left, and I heard the

sound of their steps returning into the hollow building. My roommate was

introduced to me by the guard as “a first class fellow and a clever man.” When the

door was locked, he showed me where to hang my hat, and how he managed things

there. The rooms were whitewashed once a month; and this one, at least, was the

whitest, most simply furnished, and probably neatest apartment in town. He

naturally wanted to know where I came from, and what brought me there; and,

when I had told him, I asked him in my turn how he came there, believing him to

be an honest man, of course; and as the world goes, I think he was. 

He said, “They accuse me of burning a barn; but I never did it.” As near as I could discover, he had probably gone to bed in a barn when drunk, and smoked his pipe there; and so a barn was burnt. He had the reputation of being a clever man, had been there some three months waiting for his trial to come, and would have to wait that much longer; but he was quite domesticated and comfortable, since he got his food for nothing, and thought that he was well treated.

10. Why was the author’s roommate comfortable living in the prison?

 A DAY LIKE NO OTHER

Frank Wilcox has been Chief of Police in Lansett County for 25 years. He

took the job when he had just turned 30. He has seen murders. He has seen

robberies. He has seen cats stuck in trees. He has found missing children. But

today would be like no other day on the job.

It is 11:00 at night. Chief Wilcox begins putting together his things. He is tired. He

wants to go home.

 “Chief Wilcox,” calls an officer walking quickly into his office. It is Officer

Simpson. He looks nervous. He looks like he would like to be anywhere else but

there.

“What is it, Simpson?” asks the Chief. “Holman’s Grocery was just held up at

gunpoint,” Simpson says. His voice is shaky. He coughs to clear his throat. “Was

anyone hurt?” asks Chief.

Lansett is a very small county. The Chief knows just about everyone who lives

there. If anyone was hurt, there is a good chance he knows the person. Maybe that's

why Officer Simpson looks nervous. “No one was hurt,” says Simpson. “But we

caught the suspect.”

“Ah, well, Simpson. You guys can take care of that. I’m—” Chief Wilcox stops in mid-sentence. He understands what is wrong. From behind Officer Simpson, the Chief sees his youngest daughter, Devon. She is in handcuffs. Chief Wilcox gets a lump in his throat. He sits in his chair, stunned. “How could it be?” he thinks. “Devon, will you please tell me what is going on?” the Chief demands. Devon does not look at him. The Chief can feel anger growing inside of him. He refuses to let that anger show. “Take her back for questioning,” the Chief says to Officer Simpson in a calm voice. “Devon, whatever you do, tell the truth,” the Chief says. “I’m your dad. I love you. We will figure this out.”

11. What is the main problem in this story?

Frank Wilcox has been Chief of Police in Lansett County for 25 years. He

took the job when he had just turned 30. He has seen murders. He has seen

robberies. He has seen cats stuck in trees. He has found missing children. But

today would be like no other day on the job.

It is 11:00 at night. Chief Wilcox begins putting together his things. He is tired. He

wants to go home.

 “Chief Wilcox,” calls an officer walking quickly into his office. It is Officer

Simpson. He looks nervous. He looks like he would like to be anywhere else but

there.

“What is it, Simpson?” asks the Chief. “Holman’s Grocery was just held up at

gunpoint,” Simpson says. His voice is shaky. He coughs to clear his throat. “Was

anyone hurt?” asks Chief.

Lansett is a very small county. The Chief knows just about everyone who lives

there. If anyone was hurt, there is a good chance he knows the person. Maybe that's

why Officer Simpson looks nervous. “No one was hurt,” says Simpson. “But we

caught the suspect.”

“Ah, well, Simpson. You guys can take care of that. I’m—” Chief Wilcox stops in mid-sentence. He understands what is wrong. From behind Officer Simpson, the Chief sees his youngest daughter, Devon. She is in handcuffs. Chief Wilcox gets a lump in his throat. He sits in his chair, stunned. “How could it be?” he thinks. “Devon, will you please tell me what is going on?” the Chief demands. Devon does not look at him. The Chief can feel anger growing inside of him. He refuses to let that anger show. “Take her back for questioning,” the Chief says to Officer Simpson in a calm voice. “Devon, whatever you do, tell the truth,” the Chief says. “I’m your dad. I love you. We will figure this out.”

12) For how long has Wilcox been Chief of police?

Frank Wilcox has been Chief of Police in Lansett County for 25 years. He

took the job when he had just turned 30. He has seen murders. He has seen

robberies. He has seen cats stuck in trees. He has found missing children. But

today would be like no other day on the job.

It is 11:00 at night. Chief Wilcox begins putting together his things. He is tired. He

wants to go home.

 “Chief Wilcox,” calls an officer walking quickly into his office. It is Officer

Simpson. He looks nervous. He looks like he would like to be anywhere else but

there.

“What is it, Simpson?” asks the Chief. “Holman’s Grocery was just held up at

gunpoint,” Simpson says. His voice is shaky. He coughs to clear his throat. “Was

anyone hurt?” asks Chief.

Lansett is a very small county. The Chief knows just about everyone who lives

there. If anyone was hurt, there is a good chance he knows the person. Maybe that's

why Officer Simpson looks nervous. “No one was hurt,” says Simpson. “But we

caught the suspect.”

“Ah, well, Simpson. You guys can take care of that. I’m—” Chief Wilcox stops in mid-sentence. He understands what is wrong. From behind Officer Simpson, the Chief sees his youngest daughter, Devon. She is in handcuffs. Chief Wilcox gets a lump in his throat. He sits in his chair, stunned. “How could it be?” he thinks. “Devon, will you please tell me what is going on?” the Chief demands. Devon does not look at him. The Chief can feel anger growing inside of him. He refuses to let that anger show. “Take her back for questioning,” the Chief says to Officer Simpson in a calm voice. “Devon, whatever you do, tell the truth,” the Chief says. “I’m your dad. I love you. We will figure this out.”

13. What can the reader tell about Chief Wilcox?

Frank Wilcox has been Chief of Police in Lansett County for 25 years. He

took the job when he had just turned 30. He has seen murders. He has seen

robberies. He has seen cats stuck in trees. He has found missing children. But

today would be like no other day on the job.

It is 11:00 at night. Chief Wilcox begins putting together his things. He is tired. He

wants to go home.

 “Chief Wilcox,” calls an officer walking quickly into his office. It is Officer

Simpson. He looks nervous. He looks like he would like to be anywhere else but

there.

“What is it, Simpson?” asks the Chief. “Holman’s Grocery was just held up at

gunpoint,” Simpson says. His voice is shaky. He coughs to clear his throat. “Was

anyone hurt?” asks Chief.

Lansett is a very small county. The Chief knows just about everyone who lives

there. If anyone was hurt, there is a good chance he knows the person. Maybe that's

why Officer Simpson looks nervous. “No one was hurt,” says Simpson. “But we

caught the suspect.”

“Ah, well, Simpson. You guys can take care of that. I’m—” Chief Wilcox stops in mid-sentence. He understands what is wrong. From behind Officer Simpson, the Chief sees his youngest daughter, Devon. She is in handcuffs. Chief Wilcox gets a lump in his throat. He sits in his chair, stunned. “How could it be?” he thinks. “Devon, will you please tell me what is going on?” the Chief demands. Devon does not look at him. The Chief can feel anger growing inside of him. He refuses to let that anger show. “Take her back for questioning,” the Chief says to Officer Simpson in a calm voice. “Devon, whatever you do, tell the truth,” the Chief says. “I’m your dad. I love you. We will figure this out.”

14. Why is Officer Simpson nervous?

Frank Wilcox has been Chief of Police in Lansett County for 25 years. He

took the job when he had just turned 30. He has seen murders. He has seen

robberies. He has seen cats stuck in trees. He has found missing children. But

today would be like no other day on the job.

It is 11:00 at night. Chief Wilcox begins putting together his things. He is tired. He

wants to go home.

 “Chief Wilcox,” calls an officer walking quickly into his office. It is Officer

Simpson. He looks nervous. He looks like he would like to be anywhere else but

there.

“What is it, Simpson?” asks the Chief. “Holman’s Grocery was just held up at

gunpoint,” Simpson says. His voice is shaky. He coughs to clear his throat. “Was

anyone hurt?” asks Chief.

Lansett is a very small county. The Chief knows just about everyone who lives

there. If anyone was hurt, there is a good chance he knows the person. Maybe that's

why Officer Simpson looks nervous. “No one was hurt,” says Simpson. “But we

caught the suspect.”

“Ah, well, Simpson. You guys can take care of that. I’m—” Chief Wilcox stops in mid-sentence. He understands what is wrong. From behind Officer Simpson, the Chief sees his youngest daughter, Devon. She is in handcuffs. Chief Wilcox gets a lump in his throat. He sits in his chair, stunned. “How could it be?” he thinks. “Devon, will you please tell me what is going on?” the Chief demands. Devon does not look at him. The Chief can feel anger growing inside of him. He refuses to let that anger show. “Take her back for questioning,” the Chief says to Officer Simpson in a calm voice. “Devon, whatever you do, tell the truth,” the Chief says. “I’m your dad. I love you. We will figure this out.”

15) "He refuses to let that anger show." Which sentence below means the same thing?