Reading Exercises

Using appropriate reading techniques, try to answer these articles.

EXERCISE 1

April Fool's Day

April Fool's Day started in the sixteenth century in Europe. Before that time, New Year's Day was celebrated on April 1st. Then a new calendar was introduced called the Gregorian calendar. January 1st became the first day of the year, but many people did not know about it. So those who continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1st were teased. They were called fools.

Nowadays we play jokes on people on April 1st. For example, someone might put salt in the sugar container so another person could "accidentally" put it in their coffee. Or someone might change the time on another person's alarm clock so that person would unknowingly wake up earlier or later than planned. Or maybe a person would tell a lie to make someone else shocked.

After we play the trick, we say "April Fool." Then the poor person realizes he was fooled. It is generally done in the spirit of fun and doesn't cause any real harm to anyone. Do you have any great jokes to play on anyone today? Try it out. Just don't forget to say "April Fool" when the other person begins looking a little confused.

extracted from: http://www.5minuteenglish.com/apr1.htm

1) What is the main idea of the article?

2) What technique did you use to find out about the main idea of the article?

3) When did April Fool's Day start?

4) Gregorian Calander is the name of the new calander. True or false?

5) April Fool's Day is generally done in the spirit of _______________

6) List the examples of jokes stated in the article.

7) After we played a trick on someone, we should not say "April Fool". True or false?

EXERCISE 2

Is breakfast the most important meal?

We've all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While I agree that eating breakfast is a good idea, I actually think all the meals are important. It may be a bad idea to miss out on breakfast,but it's also not good for you to skip lunch or dinner. People who skip meals tend to end up snacking more and eating whatever food is available, with little regard for nutrition. The easiest foods to access are often high in sugar and fat, and low in fibre, vitamins and minerals.

So, eat your breakfast - but also make sure you have lunch and dinner as well. Meals don't need to be complicated or take hours to cook.

However, if you eat good food and don't miss meals, you'll feel better for it.

extracted from Reader's Digest (2012, July)

1) What is the main idea of this article?

2) Breakfast is the only meal that is important. True or false?

3) Can we skip meals? Why?

4) Easiest foods to access are often______________________________.

5) We need complicated and take hours to cook a meal. True or false?

EXERCISE 3

Anoka, Minnesote : The Halloween Capital of the World

A Local Legacy

Did you know that Halloween has a capital? Anoka, Minnesota, calls itself the "Halloween Capital of the World," as it is one of the first cities in the United States to put on a Halloween celebration that discourages people from playing tricks or causing trouble.

In 1920, a weeklong celebration was started in Anoka in an effort to take the trick out of trick-or-treat. The Grand Day Parade includes a Mass Band, made up of bands from four high schools. Another featured event is the Gray Ghost 5K Run, inspired by sightings of Bill Andberg, a marathon runner in his 70s whose gray-clad ghostly figure can often be seen running through a local cemetery.

There are many competitions during the week, including a pumpkin bake-off and one for best Halloween house decorations. Most participants wear their Halloween costumes. Do you suppose people wear the same costumes all week long?

Retrieved from http://www.americaslibrary.gov/es/mn/es_mn_hallown_1.html

1) What does Anoka, Minnesota calls itself?

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2) Why does Anoka, Minnesota put on a Halloween celebration?

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3) How long is the celebration?

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4) The Grand Day Parade includes what?

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5) The Gray Ghost 5K Run, inspired by sightings of Bill Adelberg. True or false?

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6) What other competitions held during the celebration?

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7) ‘Anoka, Minnesota: The Halloween Capital of the United States of America, a Local Legacy’ is the title of the article. True or false?

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