1: Story s1
One day Nasreddin borrowed a pot from his neighbour Ali. The next day he brought it back with another little pot inside. "That's not mine," said Ali. "Yes, it is," said Nasreddin. "While your pot was staying with me, it had a baby."
Some time later Nasreddin asked Ali to lend him a pot again. Ali agreed, hoping that he would once again receive two pots in return. However, days passed and Nasreddin had still not returned the pot. Finally Ali lost patience and went to demand his property. "I am sorry," said Nasreddin. "I can't give you back your pot, since it has died." "Died!" screamed Ali, "how can a pot die?" "Well," said Nasreddin, "you believed me when I told you that your pot had had a baby."
Questions:
Who was the owner of the pot?
a. Nasreddin
b. Ali
c. the baby
How many times did Nasreddin borrow the pot?
a. once
b. twice
c. three times
How many pots did he give back the first time?
a. none
b. one
c. two
Why was the neighbour happy to lend his pot a second time?
a. He was greedy.
b. He was a good neighbour.
c. He had lots of spare pots.
How many pots did Nasreddin return the second time?
a. none
b. one
c. two
What probably happened to the pot?
a. It died.
b. The neighbour took it back.
c. Nasreddin kept it.
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2: Story s10
Some scientists have predicted that healthy adults and children may one day take drugs to improve their intelligence and intellectual performance. A research group has suggested that such drugs might become as common as coffee or tea within the next couple of decades.
To counter this, students taking exams might have to take drugs tests like athletes. There are already drugs that are known to improve mental performance, like Ritalin, which is given to children with problems concentrating. A drug given to people with trouble sleeping also helps people remember numbers.
These drugs raise serious legal and moral questions, but people already take vitamins to help them remember things better, so it will not be a simple problem to solve. It will probably be very difficult to decide at what point a food supplement becomes an unfair drug in an examination.
Questions:
Only children will take pills to improve their intellectual performance.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
Intelligence pills are already as common as coffee or tea.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
Coffee is as common as tea.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
Students could have to take intelligence drugs tests.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
A sleeping pill helps people remember numbers.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
Vitamins to help people study are illegal.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
Food supplements are unfair.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
****************
3: Story s13
When Bobby turned six, his mom and dad had a birthday party for him. Twenty of his closest friends joined in the party. Everyone wore birthday hats and had birthday cake. The birthday cake was colored blue and white, which are Bobby's favorite colors.
As the day went on, the children played kickball in the back yard. Bobby played first base, Sally played outfield, and Bobby's dad was the pitcher.
At the end of the party, Bobby asked his parents if he could have next year's birthday at the zoo. His parents agreed and everyone cheered.
Questions:
How old is Bobby today?
a. three
b. five
c. six
d. ten
About how many people came to Bobby's birthday party?
a. five
b. seven
c. ten
d. twenty
Which of the following is a color that Bobby really likes?
a. blue
b. green
c. yellow
d. brown
What game did the party members play?
a. pin-the-tail
b. hide and go seek
c. baseball
d. kickball
What position did Bobby's dad play in the game?
a. first base
b. pitcher
c. shortstop
d. outfield
Where could you go to find Bobby's next birthday party?
a. school
b. the elk's hall
c. the kickball stadium
d. the zoo
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4: Story s15
Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. Over three million people live in the two hundred and twenty five mile area of Chicago.
The world's first skyscraper was constructed in Chicago in 1885. Today, some of the world's tallest and most famous skyscrapers are found in the city. Located in the heart of the city is the one hundred and ten story Sears Tower, which is among the most famous skyscrapers ever built.
Chicago is often called "The Windy City". It is assumed that this is due to the City's weather, but in the 1990s 11 major U.S. cities outranked Chicago for average annual wind speed.
Questions:
How many cities in the United States are larger than Chicago?
a. one
b. two
c. three
d. four
Which of the following is true?
a. Chicago is the largest city in the world
b. Chicago is home to some of the world's tallest skyscrapers
c. Chicago is the windiest city in the United States
d. None of the above
How many of people (in millions) live in Chicago?
a. one
b. two
c. three
d. four
What is one of Chicago's most famous skyscrapers?
a. The Sears Tower
b. The Sienna Tower
c. The Times Tower
d. The Empire State Building
****************
5: Story s16
Dating back to ancient times, humans have expressed emotions, stories, and sounds through the movement of their bodies. They use a variety of dance movements that allow for self-expression. Many dances string several movements together.
Dancers perform in a variety of productions, such as musicals, folk, ethnic, tap, and pop culture. They also perform in a variety of venues such as theaters, television, movies, music videos, opera, and commercials. For the most part, dancers perform in groups. Top dancers do perform solos as well.
Questions:
About how old is the art of Dance?
a. a few decades
b. a few centuries
c. hundreds of years old
d. thousands of years old
What is a good quality to have as a dancer?
a. a high level of flexibility
b. a low level of flexibility
c. a loud voice
d. a soft voice
If you were a dancer, what television program would you be likely to find work on?
a. golf television
b. news television
c. business television
d. music television
Most dancers perform in __________.
a. department stores
b. solos
c. offices
d. groups
****************
6: Story s17
Fire is to blame for countless lives and billions of dollars each and every year. Firefighters help protect people and their property from injury and damage. Firefighters put their life on the line every time they respond to a call.
While on duty, firefighters must be ready to respond in a matter of minutes to just about any disaster that may occur. At every fire scene, a superior fire officer takes command and dictates the jobs of all the personnel at the scene. Some personnel man hose lines to hydrants. Others manually operate the pumps to send water to the hoses. Teams of firefighters also operate ladders used to reach distances high in the air.
Questions:
How many dollars are spent each year to repair the damage of fire?
a. thousands
b. hundred-thousands
c. millions
d. billions
Which is not true about firefighters?
a. they are brave
b. they put their life danger often
c. they never put their life danger
d. they are highly trained
How long does a firefighter have to prepare for a fire?
a. minutes
b. hours
c. days
d. weeks
Which of the following is not operated by a firefighter at the scene of a fire?
a. hoses
b. cars
c. pumps
d. ladders
****************
7: Story s18
Savannah and Charlotte worked real hard all summer to prepare for the end of summer picnic. Savannah grew tomatoes and green peppers in her garden. Charlotte lives on a farm and since the spring has been growing corn, lettuce, and grapes.
A week before the picnic both girls harvested and packed their produce. They decided that all of their hard work deserved a reward. They charged others for their produce. Savannah charged one dollar for one tomato or green pepper. Charlotte charged one dollar for a head of lettuce, fifty cents for an ear of corn, and five cents for a grape.
Questions:
Savannah grew ________ for the end of summer picnic.
a. tomatoes
b. corn
c. lettuce
d. apples
Charlotte grew ________ for the end of summer picnic.
a. tomatoes
b. corn
c. lettuce
d. both b & c
Where does Charlotte live?
a. Mattydale
b. on a farm
c. in the circus
d. on a boat
If you were to go to the picnic and purchase 3 tomatoes and 3 ears of corn from the girls, how much would it cost?
a. $1.50
b. $3.50
c. $4.00
d. $4.50
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8: Story s2
One day Nasreddin went to town to buy new clothes. First he tried on a pair of trousers. He didn't like the trousers, so he gave them back to the shopkeeper. Then he tried a robe which had the same price as the trousers. Nasreddin was pleased with the robe, and he left the shop. Before he climbed on his donkey to ride home, the shopkeeper and the shop-assistant ran out.
"You didn't pay for the robe!" said the shopkeeper.
"But I gave you the trousers in exchange for the robe, didn't I?" replied Nasreddin.
"Yes, but you didn't pay for the trousers, either!" said the shopkeeper.
"But I didn't buy the trousers," replied Nasreddin. "I am not so stupid as to pay for something which I never bought."
Questions:
How did Nasreddin get to the shop?
a. on foot
b. by camel
c. by donkey
What did Nasreddin do first in the shop?
a. He tried on some trousers.
b. He tried on a robe.
c. He tried on a hat.
What did Nasreddin try on next?
a. a robe
b. a pair of trousers
c. a hat
Which item did Nasreddin like best?
a. the robe
b. the hat
c. the trousers
How many people were working in the shop?
a. four
b. three
c. two
Why was the shopkeeper angry when Nasreddin left?
a. He didn't take the trousers.
b. He didn't pay for the robe.
c. He didn't say goodbye.
What did Nasreddin actually pay for?
a. nothing
b. the robe
c. the trousers
****************
9: Story s20
I woke up one August morning in a warm sweat. I ran to the refrigerator to get a cold drink, but the refrigerator was broken and all the drinks were as hot as me. I walked over to my electric fan, but it wasn't working either. I then turned on the television and finally realized that the electricity in my house was out.
Later that day, I went to the pool to cool off. I dived right in! I swam eight laps before I tired out. My friend Jeremy then bought me an ice cream cone. I got a vanilla ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles.
Even though it was really hot, I did have a lot of fun.
Questions:
What did the narrator want from the refrigerator?
a. a ham sandwich
b. a fan
c. a drink
d. an apple
Why does the electric fan not work?
a. it was broken
b. it needed batteries
c. the power was out
d. it wasn't oiled
3. How many laps did it take for the narrator to tire of the pool?
a. two
b. four
c. six
d. eight
Who bought the narrator an ice cream cone?
a. Sarah
b. Samantha
c. Joe
d. Jeremy
What was the flavor of the ice cream?
a. vanilla
b. rainbow
c. chocolate
d. strawberry
****************
10: Story s21
The colony of Massachusetts established the first post office within the United States in 1639. In 1789 Congress authorized the postal service under the U.S. Constitution. At the time, the nation had 75 local post offices and delivered mail over an area of 1875 mi.
Today, the postal service is an independent agency responsible for postal regulation and delivery. The Postal Services main responsibilities are the collection and delivery of printed material and hard goods. The Postal Service also issues domestic and foreign money orders. In a single year, the Postal Service handles more than 160 billion pieces of mail.
Questions:
What U.S. State is credited with the Invention of the post office?
a. New Hampshire
b. Maine
c. Massachusetts
d. New Jersey
About how long was it between when the first post office was in operation and when the U.S. congress authorized the postal service?
a. 50 years
b. 75 years
c. 100 years
d. 150 years
How can you send and receive money through the post office?
a. with a postal money order
b. with postal crazy bucks
c. with a postal check
d. with a postal decoder ring
The post office handles just over 160 _________ pieces of mail a year.
a. thousand
b. million
c. billion
d. trillion
****************
11: Story s22
Sarah was hoping to get the lead role in the upcoming school play. Last year she played the role of Darma in the school's production of "My Favorite Day." The audience loved her performance. She received a huge round of applause at the end of every performance.
This year the school will be putting on a production called "My Crazy Week." Sarah began to practice her lines three times a day for four weeks before auditions. The week before the audition she began to practice with two friends. Sarah practiced the part of Jane, Mike practiced the part of James, and Amanda practiced the part of Teresa.
When the auditions started Sarah did an excellent job! Her outstanding performance won her the role of Jane. As soon as she learned that she won the part, she ran home to practice for opening night.
Questions:
What play did Sarah play the role of Darma in?
a. My Favorite Day
b. My Crazy Summer
c. My Worst Day
d. My Crazy Week
What is the lead role in the upcoming play?
a. James
b. Mike
c. Teresa
d. Jane
How long before the play did Sarah begin practicing her lines?
a. one week
b. three weeks
c. four weeks
d. five weeks
What part in the upcoming play did Mike pratice for?
a. James
b. Mike
c. Teresa
d. Jane
What part in the upcoming play did Amanda pratice for?
a. Sarah
b. Amanda
c. Teresa
d. Jane
****************
12: Story s23
All morning, all that Ted could think about was eating lunch. He got up late and did not get a chance to eat breakfast before the school bus arrived.
Ted was hoping to have a Ham sandwich. Ham is Ted's favorite lunchmeat. Ted also enjoys apples, but doesn't like the yellow or green ones.
At lunchtime Ted ran to the cafeteria. When he got in line he asked for Ham sandwich, but they only had Tuna and Turkey. Ted is allergic to Tuna, so he asked for the Turkey. He ate the sandwich so fast that he gave himself the hiccups.
Questions:
Why is Ted so hungry for lunch?
a. He hasn't eaten in days
b. He didn't eat breakfast today
c. He didn't eat lunch yesterday
d. He didn't eat dinner yesterday
What is Ted's favorite lunch meat?
a. ham
b. turkey
c. salami
d. bologna
What color apple might you find in Ted's lunch box?
a. yellow
b. green
c. red
d. Ted doesn't like apples
Which lunch item should Ted never eat?
a. ham
b. turkey
c. apples
d. tuna
****************
13: Story s24
When I fall asleep, I dream about what it would be like to have a rocket ship. If I had a rocket ship, my first destination would be the Earth's moon, which is called Luna. When I got to Luna I would jump all around. Because there is little gravity I would be able to jump very high.
After I finished jumping all over the moon, I would fly to Saturn and travel around Saturn's beautiful rings. On my way to Saturn, I would try to avoid a number of Asteroids. Asteroids are large pieces of rocks and minerals.
In my science class I learned that would take me almost my entire life to travel to Pluto. Pluto is the last Planet in our solar system. Because it's so far from our Sun that it is super cold. I wish I could see Pluto up close.
Questions:
What is the name of Earth's Moon?
a. moona
b. muna
c. mooon
d. luna
Which of the following IS true?
a. You wouldn't be able to jump on the moon.
b. The moon's gravity would allow you to jump high.
c. The Earth has less gravity than it's moon.
d. None of the above.
3. What is a unique feature of Saturn?
a. it's a moon
b. it has lots of water
c. it bright pink in color
d. it has rings
What are asteroids made of?
a. vitamins
b. ice
c. plastic
d. rock
Why is Pluto a cold planet?
a. it is too close to our Sun
b. it's far away from our Sun
c. it's outside our solar system
d. has no moons
which planet do think is furthest from our Sun?
a. Luna
b. Pluto
c. Earth
d. Saturn
****************
14: Story s25
One of the things I like best about school is my art class.
We have a great teacher named Mrs. Hilbert. She is a wonderful
artist. I love to watch her draw and paint. She taught us how to
mix paint to make just the right colors for our paintings. She
plays good music while we draw and paint. We draw and paint
almost everyday in class. Some days we look at pictures of other
artists. It is interesting to do this. It helps me to think of things
that I want to paint or draw. We have an art exhibit in May this
year. Our work will be in one of the banks in our town. We are
inviting people from the community to our exhibit. Our parents
are invited to go with us. I have three paintings I am working on
now. I hope one of them will be chosen to be in the exhibit. I like
having a goal to work toward.
Questions:
What is one of the favorite classes of this student?
a. math
b. reading
c. art
d. music
The author describes Mrs. Hilbert as a _______________.
a. nice lady
b. wonderful artist
c. sweet person
d. beautiful person
What did Mrs. Hilbert teach the class to do?
a. bake chocolate cake
b. write great stories
c. mix paint
d. do long division
Why does it help this student to see the works of other artists?
a. to learn to draw
b. mix paint
c. to think about what she wants to paint
d. none of these
Where will the art exhibit be?
a. at the library
b. at one of the banks
c. at the school
d. at one of the churches
What does this student hope will happen with her paintings?
a. one of them will be sold
b. one of them will be chosen for the exhibit
c. one of them will be of her younger sister
d. one of them will be lost
****************
15: Story s26
My cousin Emily is always wishing
for things. She wishes for new
shoes. She wishes for ribbons for
her hair. She wishes for toys.
My brother Justin wishes for different
things than Emily does. Justin wishes
for a computer. He wishes he could
fly. He wishes he could travel to the
moon.
I like to wish, too. But I wish for
different things than Justin or Emily. I
wish for sunny skies. I wish for a
letter from my grandmother. I wish I
could see my friends every day.
Everyone has wishes. Our wishes dont have to
be the same. We are all different and we all
have different wishes.
Questions:
Emily wished for
a. sunshine
b. to be a superhero
c. toys
d. all the above
Justin wished
a. to travel to the moon
b. to have a computer
c. to fly
d. all of the above
All the wishes were
a. the same
b. different
c. silly
d. none of the above
The purpose of this story was
a. to tell you not to wish for things
b. to tell you your wishes should be the same
c. to tell you it is okay to have different wishes
d. to tell you it is wrong to have different wishes
****************
16: Story s27
Hello. My name is Lupita Gonzalez. I work in a large company in Monterrey, Mexico. We make bottles and cans for soft drinks. I am a secretary. I answer the telephone and take messages. I also use a fax machine and a computer. My first language is Spanish but sometimes I speak English. Many of our clients are from the United States. My supervisor is Mr. Torres. He is an engineer. I start work at 8:00. I usually drive to work. I have lunch from 1:00 to 2:00. I finish work at 5:30. I go home and help my mother prepare dinner. We have dinner at 9:00. After dinner I usually watch television a while. I usually go to bed at 11:00.
Questions:
Where does Lupita live?
a. She starts work at 8:00.
b. She lives in Monterrey, Mexico.
c. She lives in a company.
d. She is a secretary.
Where does Lupita work?
a. She is a secretary.
b. She starts work at 8:00.
c. She works in a company that makes bottles and cans.
d. She answers the telephone.
What does Lupita do?
a. She answers the telephone.
b. She is an engineer.
c. She starts work at 8:00.
d. She is a secretary.
What languages does Lupita speak?
a. Spanish.
b. English.
c. Mexican.
d. Spanish and English.
What time does Lupita have lunch?
a. At 8:00.
b. From 1:00 to 2:00.
c. At 5:30.
d. At 9:00.
Lupita can cook.
a. True
b. False
****************
17: Story s28
Frank's day begins at 6:30. He gets up, takes a shower and gets dressed. He always has breakfast and drinks a cup of coffee. Then he goes to the university for his classes. When he finishes his morning classes, he usually eats lunch at 12:00 in the cafeteria. At lunch, he sometimes talks with his friends. After lunch he goes to his afternoon classes. He usually goes home at about 5:00. He eats dinner and relaxes for a while. Sometimes he takes a walk or goes running. For the rest of the evening he reads and does homework. Frank goes to bed about 11:00. What a busy day!
Questions:
What time does Frank get up?
a. 7:00 a.m.
b. 6:30 a.m.
c. 12:00 noon
d. 11:00 p.m.
What does Frank do after he eats breakfast?
a. He gets dressed.
b. He takes a shower.
c. He reads.
d. He goes to class.
At lunch, Frank sometimes....
a. talks to his friends.
b. has a cup of tea.
c. studies for his afternoon classes.
d. listens to music.
What time does Frank go home?
a. 11:00 p.m.
b. 7:00 a.m.
c. 5:00 p.m.
d. 5:00 a.m.
After dinner Frank ....
a. does homework.
b. relaxes.
c. lifts weights.
d. goes home.
What time does Frank go to bed?
a. 11:00 p.m.
b. 11:00 a.m.
c. 12:00 midnight.
d. 11:30 p.m.
****************
18: Story s3
One day, Nasreddin was up on the roof of his house, mending a hole in the tiles. He had nearly finished, and he was pleased with his work. Suddenly, he heard a voice below call "Hello!" When he looked down, Nasreddin saw an old man in dirty clothes standing below.
"What do you want?" asked Nasreddin.
"Come down and I'll tell you," called the man.
Nasreddin was annoyed, but he was a polite man, so he put down his tools. Carefully, he climbed all the way down to the ground.
"What do you want?" he asked, when he reached the ground.
"Could you spare a little money for an old beggar?" asked the old man. Nasreddin thought for a minute.
Then he said, "Come with me." He began climbing the ladder again. The old man followed him all the way to the top. When they were both sitting on the roof, Nasreddin turned to the beggar.
"No," he said.
Questions:
Why was Nasreddin on the roof of his house?
a. He was looking at the view.
b. He was waiting for the old man.
c. He was fixing the roof.
Who was the old man?
a. a beggar
b. Nasreddin's friend
c. a roof-mender
Why was Nasreddin angry?
a. It was a hot day.
b. He knew the beggar only wanted money.
c. It was a long way to go down the ladder.
Why did Nasreddin go down the ladder?
a. He wanted to get away from his work.
b. Because the beggar asked him to.
c. He wanted to speak to the beggar.
Why did Nasreddin make the beggar climb up the ladder?
a. He wanted to show him the view from the roof.
b. He wanted to get his revenge on the beggar.
c. He wanted the beggar to help him fix the roof.
****************
19: Story s4
One day, a poor man, who had only one piece of bread to eat, was walking past a restaurant. There was a large pot of soup on the table. The poor man held his bread over the soup, so the steam from the soup went into the bread, and gave it a good smell. Then he ate the bread.
The restaurant owner was very angry at this, and he asked the man for money, in exchange for the steam from the soup. The poor man had no money, so the restaurant owner took him to Nasreddin, who was a judge at that time. Nasreddin thought about the case for a little while.
Then he took some money from his pocket. He held the coins next to the restaurant owner's ear, and shook them, so that they made a jingling noise.
"What was that?" asked the restaurant owner.
"That was payment for you," answered Nasreddin.
"What do you mean? That was just the sound of coins!" protested the restaurant owner.
"The sound of the coins is payment for the smell of the soup," answered Nasreddin. "Now go back to your restaurant."
Questions:
What food did the poor man have?
a. soup
b. bread
c. nothing
What kind of food did he see in the restaurant?
a. bread
b. meat
c. soup
Why did he hold the bread over the soup?
a. So the steam from the soup would go into the bread.
b. So he could warm his hand.
c. So the restaurant owner would get angry.
Why did the restaurant owner take the poor man to Nasreddin?
a. Because Nasreddin was a judge.
b. So that Nasreddin could pay for the soup.
c. Because Nasreddin was the man's relative.
What did Nasreddin do with the coins?
a. He gave them to the restaurant owner.
b. He made a noise with them.
c. He gave them to the poor man.
What was the payment for the smell of the soup?
a. the sound of money
b. a few coins
c. there was no payment
****************
20: Story s5
Nasreddin once had an old boat, which he used to ferry people across the river. One day, he was taking a university professor to the other side.
"What is the square root of 9?" asked the professor.
"I don't know," answered Nasreddin.
"How do you spell elephant?" asked the professor.
"I have no idea," replied Nasreddin.
"Didn't you study anything at school?" demanded the professor, surprised.
"No," said Nasreddin.
"Then you wasted half your life," said the professor.
Nasreddin was silent for a little while. Then he said:
"Can you swim?"
"No," said the professor.
"Then you wasted ALL of your life," said Nasreddin. "We are sinking."
Questions:
What was Nasreddin's job?
a. university professor
b. ferry man
c. judge
What kind of question did the professor ask him first?
a. a language question
b. a history question
c. a math question
What kind of question did he ask second?
a. a language question
b. a history question
c. a math question
Why didn't Nasreddin know any of the answers?
a. He was a history professor.
b. He never studied at school.
c. He couldn't swim.
Which man was probably able to swim?
a. Nasreddin
b. the professor
c. No one
Who had the most useful knowledge?
a. Nasreddin
b. the professor
c. No one
****************
21: Story s6
One day a visitor came to Nasreddin's house. "I am your cousin from Konya," he said, "and I have brought you a duck to celebrate the visit." Nasreddin was delighted. He asked his wife to cook the duck, and served the visitor a fine dinner.
The next day another visitor arrived. "I am the friend of the man who brought you the duck," he said. Nasreddin invited him in and gave him a good meal. The next day another visitor arrived, and said he was the friend of the friend of the man who had brought the duck. Again Nasreddin invited him in for a meal. However, he was getting annoyed. Visitors seemed to be using his house as a restaurant.
Then another visitor came, and said he was the friend of the friend of the friend of the man who had brought the duck. Nasreddin invited him to eat dinner with him. His wife brought some soup to the table and the visitor tasted it. "What kind of soup is this?" asked the visitor. "It tastes just like warm water." "Ah!" said Nasreddin, "That is the soup of the soup of the soup of the duck."
Questions:
How many visitors came to see Nasreddin?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
How many of the visitors brought a duck?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
Did Nasreddin know the first visitor?
a. Yes
b. No
c. May be
Why did Nasreddin get angry?
a. He did not like eating duck.
b. His cousin didn't bring him a duck.
c. The first visitor brought a duck, but the others didn't bring anything.
How did Nasreddin solve the problem?
a. He served soup which tasted of nothing, so that no more visitors would want to come to his house.
b. He served excellent soup, so that everyone would want to eat at his house.
c. He opened a restaurant.
****************
22: Story s9
Liverpool city council want to clear the city of fat pigeons. They say that that people are feeding the birds, which makes them fat. The pigeons get bigger because their normal diet would consist of seeds and insects, not high-fat junk food they are eating in the city centre.
The council want people to know that everyone who feeds the pigeons is responsible for the streets being so crowded with these birds. They hope to encourage the birds to move away from the city centre and into parks and open spaces.
Ten robotic birds have been brought into the city centre to scare the pigeons away and visitors are asked not to give the pigeons any food. The mechanical birds - known as 'robops' - will sit on the roofs of buildings. They can be moved around to different locations. They look like a peregrine falcon, which is a bird that kills pigeons. They even make noises and flap their wings to scare the pigeons. They hope that the pigeons will go away before the city becomes the European Capital of Culture in two years.
Questions:
Pigeons are fatter in Liverpool than in other cities.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
Pigeons get fat because they eat seeds and insects.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
According to the council, everyone is to blame for the numbers of pigeons.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
They want the pigeons to move out of the city centre.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
Visitors shouldn't feed the pigeons.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
The robotic birds can move around the city centre.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
Liverpool is the European Capital of Culture.
a. True
b. False
c. Doesn't say
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23: Story s29
To: Jane Smith
From: Debbie O'Leary, Staff Supervisor
Re: Annual Leave
Date: 12 April 2002
I don't think you have understood about the need to book your main holiday before the end of the month. We have to ensure that the office is covered at all times. Therefore, if we know when everyone is planning to take their leave, I can make a rota for the holiday period. Please arrange this with me as soon as possible.
Questions:
What is the main purpose of this text?
a. To tell her how to book her holiday
b. To make it clear why she must book her holiday now
c. To tell her that it is time to book her holiday
d. To make her feel better about missing her holiday
What sort of text is this?
a. A letter
b. An email
c. A memo
d. A message
Who is meant to read this?
a. Debbie O'Leary
b. Colleagues at work
c. Jane Smith
d. Anyone interested
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24: Story s30
My name is Mia Lynne Lindstrom. I am a pianist. I began
studying the piano when I was three years old. I am ten years
old now. I play the piano in the junior orchestra at the
community college. We give a concert twice a year. I am
always practicing new music for the next concert.
During the school year, I take four piano lessons every week
from my piano teacher, Mrs. Taylor. Mrs. Taylor teaches piano
lessons at the college. In the summer, I take two lessons every
week. I practice playing the piano about ten hours every week. I
practice very hard because I want to learn everything about
playing the piano.
The piano is a very interesting instrument to play. I like reading
the notes, moving my fingers on the keys, and hearing the
beautiful music. It is sometimes difficult, but I always practice
until I can play the music perfectly.
I am not sure what I want to be when I grow up. I do know that
playing the piano will always be a major part of my life. It is
very special to me.
Questions:
Where does Mia take her piano lessons every week?
a. at her elementary school
b. at home
c. at the community college
d. none of these
How long has Mia been taking piano lessons?
a. five years
b. ten years
c. eight years
d. seven years
How many hours a week does Mia practice the piano?
a. two hours
b. five hours
c. ten hours
d. twelve hours
Mia practices the piano because ______.
a. her parents require her to practice
b. Mia wants to learn everything about the piano
c. Mrs. Taylor requires her to practice
d. she wants to be a piano teacher one day
The music Mia practices for the orchestra concerts____.
a. is probably difficult
b. is very easy to learn
c. is not interesting to Mia
d. is boring
Mia feels that the piano _____________.
a. is an interesting instrument to play
b. will always be a part of her life
c. requires hours of regular practice
d. all of the abov
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25: Story s31
Carolyn had nine children. They wanted cookies. She decided to bake
all those children some cookies. They were too noisy and maybe cookies
would keep them quiet. She looked for her recipe book everywhere.
She looked in the kitchen, in the bathroom, and in the den. It was not
there. She thought for a minute and decided she might remember the
recipe. She sifted 8 cups of flour, measured 5 cups of sugar, broke 7
eggs, and 9 teaspoons of vanilla. She mixed them all together in a bowl
and made round cookies. She placed them on a cookie sheet. The oven
was turned to 450 degrees. The children were running around
everywhere wanting the cookies to get ready. The cookies began to
smell. The oven door began to creep open. Carolyn heard strange noises
coming from the oven. ZZZZZZZZZrppppppp! Pop! Bing!
ZZZZZZZZZrppppppp! The oven door popped all the way open and
cookie dough went on the ceiling, on the floor, on the counter, and on
Carolyn. It was a big mess! Carolyn decided she must have used the
wrong ingredients for the cookies!
Questions:
Why did Carolyn decide to bake cookies?
a. She loves cookies and wanted to eat them.
b. She decided to bake them for her children to keep them quiet.
c. She was going to sell them at the school bake sale.
d. She wanted to have a cookie party and invite all her friends.
Which of the following BEST describes how Carolyn felt with all that noise from her children?
a. sleepy
b. crazy
c. happy
d. sad
3. Why did Carolyn try to remember the recipe?
a. She lost the recipe book.
b. She left it outside.
c. The dogs ate the book.
d. none of these
What were the nine children doing while Carolyn was baking cookies?
a. sleeping
b. eating
c. running around
d. coloring pictures
Why do you think the oven started to make funny noises?
a. the cookies were burning
b. the cookies were about to explode
c. the cookies were ready
d. the children were playing with the oven
6. The cookies exploded because__________.
a. it was a good recipe
b. they were ready to eat
c. the recipe was not right
d. the cookies were burning
What happened when the oven door popped open?
a. the cookies were ready to eat.
b. the cookies were good and the children loved them.
c. the cookies were burned and they threw them away .
d. the cookie dough went all over everywhere.
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