Мазмұны

1. The Ice Hotel

2. Food Firsts

3. Hurricane Who?

4. How Did Those Get in There?

5. A Bug’s Sleep

6. Tiger’s Tale

7. Not the Normal News

8. The Wright Way to Fly

9. Computer security

10. Bugs for Sale

11. Mona Who?

12. Borrowed Words

13. Growing Deserts

14. The Importance of Water

15. Animal Forecasters

16. A Fantastic Mind

17. Seeing Red

18. Worth Collectingа

19. Can’t Beat Them? Join Them!

20. Rich Dogs

21. In the Name of Beauty

22. Who Took That Tooth?

23. The Ring of Fire

24. Myths About Pimples

25. I Cut the Cheese!

26. Mr. Nintendo

27. Are Sports Bad for Kids?

28. May I Have Your Autograph?

29. Where Are Our Jetpacks?

30. Desert Delivery

31. Shakespeare, Where Are You Now?

32. What’s in a Name?

33. Out of Rainforests

34. For a Quick Pickup

35. The Misunderstood Tomato

36. The Greatest of the Century

The Ice Hotel

Are you into skiing? Is winter your favorite

time of year? If you like snow and ice, maybe you should staay at the Ice Hotel in Quebec, Canada. But, you can only check in to this hotel during the winter. Why? Because this hotel is made entirely of ice and snow! This amazing hotel is built every December. It has 32 rooms, and 80 people can stay there each night. The hotel has a movie theater, an art gallery, and a church. Of course, all of these

parts of the hotel are made of ice. In fact, all the furniture, art, lights, and even plates and drinking glasses are made of ice. Because this hotel is so unusual, it has become very popular. People from all over the world come to the Ice Hotel to look at the fantastic ice art, drink and eat from designer ice dishes, and experience the unique atmosphere. Some couples have even gotten married in the hotel’s ice church. However, all the guests keep their winter coats on! Because of all the ice, the temperature inside the hotel is always between -2 and -5o C. Surprisingly, sleeping is not a problem in the freezing cold hotel rooms. Every guest gets a special cold-weather sleeping bag and some fur blankets. These keep them cozy and warm until morning.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

a. great d. unbelievable b. different e. one of a kind c. like ice f. but; in fact

1. It is freezing cold outside in winter.

2. The Ice Hotel is very cold. Surprisingly, people like to stay there.

3. These dishes are very unusual. This is the first time I’ve seen dishes made of ice.

4. There’s no other hotel like this in the world. It’s unique.

5. I can’t believe how large this hotel is. It is amazing!

6. This ice art is beautiful. It’s fantastic!

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. How the Ice Hotel is built

   2. What makes the Ice Hotel special

   3. Why the Ice Hotel is made of ice

   4. The services of the Ice Hotel

2. What can you do in the hotel?

   1. Watch a movie

   2. Get married

   3. Eat an interesting meal

   4. All of the above

3. Why is sleeping NOT a problem at the hotel?

   1. The rooms are warm.

   2. The temperature is -2o C.

   3. The sleeping bags are warm.

   4. The furniture is warm.

4. In which part of the hotel would you probably find the ice plates?

   1. The church

   2. The restaurant

   3. The rooms

   4. The art gallery

5. What do you think happens to this hotel in the spring?

   1. It freezes.

   2. It melts.

   3. It stays open.

   4. It moves

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words.

cozy fantastic freezing surprisingly unique

The Ice Hotel is a/an 1 hotel in Canada. It is made of only ice and snow. So, the

inside temperature is usually 2 cold. 3 , this hotel is very popular. Many people enjoy looking at the 4

art in its gallery and eating from special ice dishes. Guests have a good sleep in the cold hotel rooms under the 5

fur blankets.

Food Firsts

How much do you know about the history of some of your favorite foods? Do you know when people in England started cooking curry dishes? Do you know in which country pizzas or hamburgers were first made? The facts might surprise you. Many people think

the English found out about curry from people in India in the 1600s. In reality, wealthy English people were eating dishes made with curry spices hundreds of years before British ships traveled to India. Cooks of wealthy English families during the time of King Richard I were making curry dishes, and in fact, the word “curry” can be found in an English language cookbook as far back as 1377. As for pizza, this dish was probably first made in Persia (what is now Iran). The Persians were eating round, flat bread with cheese in the

500s. That was nearly 1,000 years before pizza caught on in Naples, Italy! Finally, let’s look at the truth behind hamburgers. Many people think hamburgers are an American food.

However, according to some stories, hamburgers came from Hamburg, Germany. A German named Otto Kuasw created the first hamburger in 1891. Four years later, German sailors introduced hamburgers to

Americans. Where foods come from isn’t nearly as important as how they taste; as long as they are delicious! So, go get some of your favorite food and dig in.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word or phrase.

a. almost; close to

d. first showed or gave

b. as said by

e. have the flavor of

c. actually; really

f. make

1. Chefs today create new dishes by putting together interesting foods.

2. In reality, curry comes from England, not India.

3. According to this book, people in England cooked curry dishes in the 1300s.

4. People in Persia ate pizza nearly 1,000 years before people in Italy.

5. Some kinds of curry taste hot, so some people don’t like them.

6. Sailors from Europe introduced new foods to Americans.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. Curry was created in England.

   2. There are many foods that help your body.

   3. People created fast food long ago.

   4. Some facts about foods are surprising.

2. Which is probably true about British curry dishes in the 1400s?

   1. The dishes did not have meat.

   2. The spices cost a lot.

   3. People ate curry on special days.

   4. British sailors first made curry.

3. What did people in Naples learn from Persians?

   1. How to make pizza

   2. How to cook cheese

   3. How to use spices from Iran

   4. How to make flat bread

4. Who introduced hamburgers to America?

   1. Persians

   2. Otto Kuasw

   3. Italians

   4. German sailors

5. Which food was probably made first?

   1. Hamburgers

   2. Cheesy Persian bread

   3. Italian pizza

   4. English curry

3. Scan the passage and complete the chart with the correct information.

1377	1891	500s
created	introduced	wealthy

Curry	Pizza	Hamburgers
Word already in the	3	5
English language by	in Persia	to Americans by German
1	Was eaten in Persia in	sailors
Cooked for	the 4	First made in Hamburg
2		in 6
English families

Hurricane Who?

Tropical cyclones are called typhoons in Asia and hurricanes in North and South America. These storms go around like a wheel turning to the left when they hit in the northern part of the world. They have wind speeds of 60 kph or more. In the United States, the Tropical Prediction Center in Miami, Florida keeps an eye out for hurricanes. When meteorologists

detect a hurricane, they give it a name. They can use either a male or female name. Why should tropical cyclones have names? The name makes it easier for people to keep up

with information about a hurricane and its possible dangers. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), an international weather group, decides what names will be used. The WMO makes lists of names using the English alphabet. Each name on the list starts with a different letter. The first hurricane of the year gets the first name on that year’s list. The second hurricane gets the next name. For example, if the first hurricane is

named Abel, the second might be named Betty. The name lists do not include names beginning with the letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z. There aren’t many names that begin with these letters. Asian countries use a different list, which is made up by the WMO’s Typhoon Committee. This list has a few personal names, but most of the names are of flowers, animals, trees, and other similar things.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. Strong winds can cause danger.

2. People try to detect typhoons before they come to land.

3. I need information about when the storm will begin.

4. Typhoons often occur in summer.

5. Hurricane Fred and Hurricane Gloria had similar wind speeds.

6. We should decide what to call this typhoon.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. Why tropical cyclones are named

   2. What tropical cyclones can do

   3. How tropical cyclones are named

   4. Who watches for tropical cyclones

2. In which direction do tropical cyclones go around in the northern part of the planet?

   1. Down

   2. The same direction as a clock

   3. The opposite direction of a clock

   4. Up

3. The fifth hurricane of 2015 might have the name .

   1. Diana

   2. Darren

   3. Eric

   4. Connie

4. Which name would a hurricane NOT have?

   1. Rita

   2. Veronica

   3. William

   4. Yanni

5. Why should tropical cyclones have names?

   1. It sounds interesting.

   2. The names help people.

   3. The names are a code for the WMO.

   4. It is traditional.

3. Read the sentences from the reading passage. Paraphrase the sentences to create a summary of the passage.

a. The WMO makes a list of names, using the English alphabet. b. They can use either a male or female name.

1. a + b: Using the letters of the alphabet, the WMO makes a list of names that includes

.

3. Each name on the list starts with a different letter.

4. The name lists do not include names beginning with the letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z.

2. c + d: The lists are made of names that start with different letters, but the lists do not include

.

3. Asian countries use a different list, which is made up by the WMO’s Typhoon Committee.

4. This list has a few personal names, but most of the names are of flowers, animals, trees, and other similar things.

3. e + f: Asian countries name hurricanes using a list of words that includes

.

How Did Those Get in There?

A young actress is about to go onto the stage. As she waits by the side of the stage, she

looks nervous. You might hear her whisper to her friend, “I’ve got butterflies in my stomach.” Butterflies in her stomach? How did those get in there? The feeling of butterflies comes from chemicals produced by the body in stressful situations. One chemical that the body makes under stress is cortisol. This chemical benefits the body in normal situations. In fact, it helps the body start normal activities in the morning after waking up. It also plays a

role in helping the body and mind respond well to healthy exercise. However, when the body is under stress, extra cortisol begins to affect the stomach. For some people, cortisol shuts down the stomach, producing the funny feeling of butterflies. For others, cortisol speeds up the way the stomach works, which makes these people feel sick. All you need to do to get rid of a few butterflies in the stomach is just relax. Laughing with, or talking to, others about your stress can help reduce it. Stepping out onto the stage will also help those butterflies fly away.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. thing to do

2. help e. make

3. make less or lower f. regular; like usual

4. feel less stress or pressure

1. She does not feel normal right now because she is nervous.

2. A fun activity may help you forget your worries.

3. Exercise can benefit both your body and your mind.

4. Fear can produce a strange feeling in your stomach.

5. I usually listen to music or read a book to relax.

6. Sometimes you can reduce your fear by talking about it with others.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. A new kind of medicine called cortisol

   2. An illness that nervous people get

   3. The cause of butterflies in the stomach

   4. The stress that actors have

2. According to the reading, what is NOT true about cortisol?

   1. In small amounts, it benefits the body.

   2. It can shut down the stomach.

   3. It is found in many kinds of food.

   4. It is produced by the body.

3. What helps a body respond well to exercise?

   1. Butterflies

   2. Cortisol

   3. Stomach acid

   4. Stress

4. According to the passage, what makes some people feel sick?

   1. When situations return to normal

   2. When the stomach shuts down

   3. When the stomach works too fast

   4. When there is too little cortisol

5. Which may help a person get over butterflies in the stomach?

   1. Doing the thing that makes him or her nervous

   2. Not talking while the butterflies are there

   3. Shutting down his or her stomach for some time

   4. Taking a small amount of cortisol

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words or phrases.

butterflies normal produces respond shut down

When a person is under some stress, his or her body may 1 to the stress by making too much cortisol. This chemical benefits the body in many ways in 2 situations. However, if the body 3 a lot of extra cortisol, the cortisol may 4 the person’s stomach. This can make people feel like they have 5 in their stomachs.

A Bug’s Sleep

Every mammal needs sleep, as do birds and reptiles, such as snakes. But what about insects? Do they need sleep? Scientists have been trying to discover the truth about insect sleep behavior for years. Scientists first thought insects did not need sleep. According to them, the insect brain was not complex enough to need it. Scientists said that some kinds of brain activity, like dreaming, were sleep behaviors. Insects do not dream, so scientists said that they did not sleep. They believed that insects rested, instead. However, new studies have

shown that some insects may actually sleep. There are four types of behavior during sleep. First, sleeping people and animals don’t move much. Also, they have a position for sleeping; for example, they lie down. Additionally, they don’t wake up easily when hearing noises or seeing light. Lastly, they are able to come out of sleep quickly in response to some intense stimulant. Scientists have now seen similar behaviors in fruit flies. For example, fruit flies become still every night for about seven hours. At these times, they sit in a different way, let their antennae drop, and do not respond to quiet noises. The flies do begin to move around when louder noises are made. Scientists think that some insects may have their own unique kind of sleep.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. find out

2. also

3. complicated; not simple

4. thought something was true

5. research; experiments

6. sounds

1. Scientists are trying to discover how insects sleep.

2. Insects can send messages to each other in complex ways.

3. Long ago, many people believed that the world was flat.

4. Studies show that fruit flies sleep.

5. Loud noises made the flies start to move.

6. The fly sat in a funny way. Additionally, it kept its antenna down.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. Fruit flies show sleep behavior. b. Scientists were wrong.

c. Scientists have changed their view d. Animals die without sleep. about insect sleep.

2. Which of the following animals do NOT sleep?

   1. Black bears b. Chickens

c. Rattlesnakes d. All of these animals sleep

3. Why did scientists believe that insects did not need sleep?

   1. Insects don’t work hard. b. Insects can’t close their eyes.

c. Insects don’t dream. d. Insects don’t live very long.

4. How did scientists learn that insects sleep?

   1. They used brain scanning machines. b. They put flies in dark rooms.

c. They watched insects. d. They took the antennae off flies.

5. What do fruit flies do for seven hours each day?

   1. Sleep b. Eat

c. Make noise d. Fly

3. Scan the passage and complete the chart with the correct information. antennae

loud position respond to still

wake up

Sleep Behaviors of Most Animals	Sleep Behaviors of Fruit Flies
Don’t move much • Have a 1 for sleeping Don’t 2 easily from noise or light Come out of sleep quickly when woken up	Become 3 for about seven hours Sit in a different way, let their 4 drop Do not 5 quiet noises Start to move around when 6 noises are made

Tiger’s Tale

Tiger Woods started playing golf when he was two years old. Now he is one of the most famous professional golfers in the world. Tiger is from the United States. His father is

African-American and his mother is Thai. His real name is Eldrick, but everyone knows him as Tiger, the nickname his father gave him. He started playing golf professionally in 1996, and won all four of the World Golf Championships before he turned 25. He holds the record as the youngest player ever to win all four of these championships. Although he has played on many great golf courses, one of Tiger’s

favorite places to play is Pebble Beach. Tiger became a role model at an early age. People look up to him, so he is very grateful. Because many people helped Tiger as a child, he wants to lend a hand to others now. Some people cannot play golf because of their ethnicity, while others do not have enough money. Occasionally, Tiger himself was prevented from playing golf. Because of this, he created the Tiger Woods Foundation to help make golf open to everyone. He likes to see diversity on the golf course, and he wants all children to play golf if they want to. Tiger is happy that many children now want to play golf because of him.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. different kinds; variety

2. well-known

3. stopped f. skilled; earning money for doing work

4. something no one else has done

5. Thankful

1. Most American golfers are white. Golf does not have much diversity.

2. Tiger Woods is a very famous golfer.

3. I am grateful for all the help you have given me.

4. Tiger Woods was sometimes prevented from playing golf.

5. Some professional golfers make a lot of money.

6. He was the first player to win so many games. He set a record.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. Tiger’s golf career

   2. Tiger’s experience and opinions

   3. Tiger’s foundation

   4. Tiger’s best teacher

2. Which is true about Tiger’s parents?

   1. Both of them are Asian.

   2. His father is famous.

   3. One of them is not from America.

   4. Neither of them plays golf.

3. What record does Tiger hold?

   1. The youngest to win four important championships

   2. The player to finish a game of golf the fastest

   3. The first golfer to turn professional as a teenager

   4. The first African-American golfer

4. Where does Tiger like to play golf?

   1. Augusta

   2. The United States

   3. Pebble Beach

   4. The World Golf Championship

5. What does the Tiger Woods Foundation do?

   1. Sells golf equipment

   2. Gives money to professional golfers

   3. Helps kids to play golf

   4. Makes golf courses

3. Write your own short paragraph by answering the questions below.

A Sport I Like

1. What is a game or sport that you like?

2. Where do people play it?

3. How do they play it?

4. Why do you like this game or sport?

Choose the correct form of the word to fill in the blank.

8. Los Angeles is a city with great . There are many different kinds of people there.

   1. diverse

   2. diversity

   3. diversify

9. My favorite food is Indian.

   1. ethnicity

   2. ethnic

   3. ethically

10. My sister wants to become a tennis player.

1. professional

2. profession

3. professionally

Not the Normal News

Newspapers and television news programs always seem to report about the bad things happening in society. However, there is a place where readers can find some good news. That place is the website called HappyNews. The man behind HappyNews is Byron Reese. Reese set up HappyNews because he thought other news sources were giving people an unbalanced view of the world. Reese said about HappyNews, “The news media gives you a distorted view of the world by

exaggerating bad news, misery, and despair. We’re trying to balance out the scale.” Not everyone agrees with Reese’s view, though. Many people think that news sources have a responsibility to provide news that is helpful to people. People need to know about issues or problems in today’s society. Then people are better able to make informed decisions about things that affect their daily lives. Reese said that HappyNews is not trying to stop people from learning about issues or problems. HappyNews is just trying to provide a balanced picture of today’s world. By the end of its first month online, HappyNews had more than 70,000 unique readers. About 60 percent of those readers were women. Something else unique makes HappyNews different from any of the other news or information websites that are on the Internet. Unlike many other websites, HappyNews gets fan mail from its readers on a daily basis.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. duty; required job

2. gives

3. problem; concern

4. place to get things from

5. idea; opinion

6. wrote; told

1. The city newspaper reported about yesterday’s parade.

2. A reporter has the responsibility to check his or her facts carefully.

3. Hurricanes are not an issue here since we are far from the ocean.

4. The Internet is a good source of lots of information.

5. I don’t think things are all bad in the world. What is your view?

6. This website provides interesting news stories from around the world

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is another possible title for the reading?

   1. “Byron Reese Tells People How to

   2. “Good News for a Change” Be Happy”

   3. “Newspapers vs. Online News” d. “Why Women Like HappyNews”

2. How is HappyNews different than other news sources?

   1. All of the stories are written by Reese.

   2. HappyNews does not exaggerate its stories.

   3. Its stories are not about bad things.

   4. The website only has stories about women.

3. Why might some people NOT like HappyNews?

   1. It doesn’t tell them about important issues or problems.

   2. Reese’s stories are about misery and despair.

   3. Some sources give a balanced view.

   4. The stories are from around the world.

4. Which of the following is NOT true about HappyNews after its first month online?

   1. It had thousands of readers.

   2. Most of its readers were women.

   3. Readers sent in nice letters about it every day.

   4. Reese used it to create other websites.

5. What does “unique” mean in this reading?

   1. Different

   2. Interesting

   3. One of a kind

   4. Awful

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words or phrases.

agrees with balanced reports responsibility set up

A man named Byron Reese 1 an online source of news information. Reese’s website is different from other news media because his website only 2 happy news. Reese believes that he can provide a more 3 view of today’s society by reporting stories that don’t focus on bad things. Others believe that the news media

has the 4 to report on issues that people need to know about. Reese 5 them, but he also thinks people get a distorted view of the world if they only hear about bad news all the time.

The Wright Way to Fly

The inventors of the first airplane were not scientists. In fact, they did not even finish high school! The inventors of the first airplane were just ordinary brothers with a big dream— a dream of flying. Wilbur and Orville Wright grew up in Indiana in a large family. Neither of the brothers finished high school. Instead of sitting in class and reading, they wanted to work and make things, like machines. When the brothers were 18 and 22 years old, they started up their own

printing press and bicycle shop. One day, Wilbur read an interesting story in the newspaper about a man trying to fly in a glider. The man died, but the story gave Wilbur an idea. He decided to teach himself about flying in order to make the perfect glider. Together, Orville and Wilbur successfully tested their new glider on the beach. Then the brothers decided to make their glider into a flying machine. They put an engine and propeller on the glider and called their new machine the “Wright Flyer.” The plane broke down on its first test, but the Wright brothers didn’t give up. With a little more hard work, the Wright Flyer made a successful flight! On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers made history by flying the Wright Flyer over the beach at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The airplane was born.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. try something

2. not special; like most others

d. flying time; airplane trip

c. without any problems or errors

e. effectively; well

f. person who makes new things

1. The inventor made a lot of money with his new machine.

2. He was not smarter than other students. He was ordinary.

3. There was nothing wrong with the machine. It was perfect.

4. The flight from New York to Paris takes six hours.

5. They made a plane and it worked. They made a plane successfully.

6. You have to try a new machine to see if it works. You have to test it.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is another good title for this reading?

   1. “The First Glider” b. “American Inventions”

c. “Two Brothers’ Dream”

d. “Gliders vs. Planes”

2. How did the brothers learn about planes?

   1. They learned about them in school.

   2. Their father taught them.

   3. They worked in a glider shop.

   4. They learned by themselves.

3. Why did the Wright brothers succeed in building the first plane?

   1. They quickly gave up.

   2. They were good students.

   3. They never gave up.

   4. They spent a lot of money.

4. What made the Wright Flyer different from a glider?

   1. It had a propeller.

   2. It had an engine.

   3. It could fly.

   4. It had an engine and propeller.

5. What is the lesson of this story?

   1. Flying is too difficult for ordinary people.

   2. If you don’t succeed at first, keep trying.

   3. The airplane is an important invention.

   4. Dreams can make you rich.

3. Scan the passage and complete the chart with the correct information.

finishes give up machine perfect start up

successfully

3. Write your own short paragraph by answering the questions below. A Famous Inventor

1. Who is a famous inventor?

2. What was invented by this person?

3. Who uses this invention today?

4. What do they use this invention for?

5. What other inventions also came from this?

Computer security

Companies these days spend thousands of dollars on their computer security. They buy the best firewalls and computer programs. However, Kevin Mitnick thinks the biggest danger these days is not a weakness in technology. In the 1990s, Kevin Mitnick was an

infamous hacker. He hacked into government and corporate computer systems. After being sent to prison, Mitnick decided to use his skills in a different way. He started his own computer security firm. He now advises people on how to keep their computers safe. According to Mitnick, the biggest danger to security is people. However, by this he doesn’t mean hackers. In fact, he means the people using the programs. “If an attacker can get one trusting person to give his or her information, the attacker gets in. All that money spent is basically

wasted.” A hacker can get around everything with just one person within the company. Unfortunately, people are still too trusting. In a recent test of the US tax office (the IRS), security experts called 100 managers. They posed as IRS computer technicians. The experts were able to fool 35 of the managers. They gave both their passwords and IDs. In the hands of real hackers, this would have been a disaster!

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. specialist; knowledgeable person

2. have confidence in

3. offered suggestions to

4. safety from harm or attack

5. abilities

6. pretended to be

   1. It’s important to have good computer security.

   2. I trust her. She would never do anything bad to me.

   3. The robber posed as a police officer.

   4. James is an expert in computers.

   5. He uses his skills to help people.

   6. My father advised me about what university I should go to

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. Managers need to be more careful about who they talk to.

   2. Hackers can help us make our computers safe.

   3. Technology is not helpful if people aren’t careful.

   4. It’s important to get the newest technology.

2. What is true about Kevin Mitnick?

   1. He now works for the US government.

   2. He thinks security technology is too expensive.

   3. He used to be a criminal.

   4. He teaches people how to hack computers.

3. What happened at the IRS?

   1. Hackers stole important information.

   2. Employees gave information to the wrong people.

   3. The security technology had a problem.

   4. Managers tested the computer system.

4. What is Kevin Mitnick’s advice to us?

   1. Don’t give information to strangers.

   2. Buy the newest firewalls.

   3. Test your computer systems often.

   4. Don’t store important information on computers.

5. What does the word “they” refer to in line 22?

   1. Experts

   2. Technicians

   3. Managers

   4. Hackers

3. Discuss the following questions.

1. What kinds of things do you have on your computer?

2. Are you worried about computer security? Why or why not?

3. Do you know anyone who has been hacked? Who?

Write your own short paragraph by answering the questions below.

1. How much important information do you have stored on your computer? (2) What kind of information is it? (3) Do you worry about keeping this information safe? (4) Why or why not?

Bugs for Sale

How often have you gone to a vending machine to get a bag of chips? What if you found

a pair of live beetles instead? It may sound strange, but a company in Japan sells large beetles through vending machines. The vending machine company and nature conservationists disagree about selling beetles this way. Many school-age children in Japan collect beetles. Other people also enjoy this hobby. However, people are building houses where the beetles live. This destroys the beetles’ homes. Now, it is difficult to find the beetles in the wild. Since 1999, the Mirai Seiko Company has been selling these beetles in vending machines. The company

says that it wants to help people own these rare insects. It also says that it takes good care of the beetles in the machines. True or not, the machines are very popular. The machines sell more than 1,500 beetles per month. Sometimes, people buy all the beetles in a machine in just a few minutes. On the other hand, conservationists feel that the machines are harmful. Children may think that living creatures are like soft drinks or boxes of candy. Do you feel that the vending machines give people a rare experience, or that they give children bad ideas? Either way, they show how clever people can be.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. have a different opinion

2. pastime

3. smart

4. something that happens to a person

5. unexpected; not usual or ordinary

6. not common

1. I enjoyed my experience in Japan.

2. It was a clever idea to do that. No one had had that idea before.

3. My daughter’s hobby is collecting insects.

4. They disagree with the pet store. They think those animals should not be sold.

5. People built houses on the animals’ homes. Now the animals are very rare.

6. She thought it was strange to see insects in a vending machine.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is another good title for this reading?

   1. “Expensive Beetles in Japan”

   2. “Unusual Vending Machines”

   3. “Japanese Beetles”

   4. “Japanese Children’s Hobbies”

2. Who likes to collect beetles as pets?

   1. Mirai Seiko

   2. Many people in Japan

   3. Only Japanese schoolchildren

   4. Conservationists

3. Why is it hard to find beetles in the wild?

   1. They are too fast.

   2. They live underground.

   3. Their homes are disappearing.

   4. They die very easily.

4. How quickly do the beetles usually sell out?

   1. Within a couple of days

   2. Within hours

   3. Within a month d. Within minutes

5. Why do conservationists dislike the beetle vending machines?

   1. People learn bad ideas about animals.

   2. The beetles are too expensive.

   3. No one wants the beetles.

   4. The beetles don’t get food.

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words.

clever disagree beetles rare vending

1. How da Vinci created a great painting

2. The making of a great mystery

3. Fashion trends long ago

4. The identity of a famous woman

2. According to the reading, what is one point about the Mona Lisa that intrigued people?

   1. What kind of woman da Vinci’s ideal was

   2. Where it was painted

   3. Her hairstyle

   4. Her lack of eyebrows

3. What could the word “unearthly” mean in this reading?

   1. Ideal

   2. Frightening

   3. Specific

   4. Realistic

4. According to the reading, which of the following was NOT an idea about the identity of the woman in the Mona Lisa?

   1. Leonardo da Vinci painted himself.

   2. She was married to Francesco del Giocondo.

   3. Leonardo da Vinci painted a member of his own family.

   4. She was not a real woman.

5. How do we know who the woman in the Mona Lisa is?

   1. A historian looked closely at the portrait.

   2. The name on the portrait tells us.

   3. There were no eyebrows.

   4. Someone wrote about it long ago.

3. Choose the best word or phrase to fill in the blank.

1. I don’t know how to this cap from the bottle. Do you?

   1. discover

   2. remove

   3. propose

   4. detect

2. Is this a of the old king?

   1. buff

   2. portrait

   3. mystery

   4. theory

3. Is there any kind of car that you are interested in?

   1. particular

   2. unearthly

   3. familiar

   4. beautiful

4. The of the jungle is very green and lush.

   1. landscape

   2. manuscript

   3. machine

   4. woman

5. That child has very bad . He frequently hits others.

   1. eyebrows

   2. theories

   3. behavior

   4. answers

6. John that we go to the beach for our holidays.

   1. painted

   2. removed

   3. tested

   4. proposed

7. I don’t know the answer, and , neither does Sue.

   1. apparently

   2. according to

   3. however

   4. nearly

Borrowed Words

Do you often use shampoo or put ketchup on your food? Have you ever visited a sauna? If you think these words are originally English, you’d better think again. In fact, each of these words comes from a different language! Shampoo, for example, is actually a word from the Hindi language in India. This word originally meant “massage.” In hair shops in India, barbers massage your head while washing your hair. Over time, British people in

India used this word to mean a liquid that cleans hair. Almost everyone knows what ketchup is. People all over the world like to pour this tomato sauce on French fries or sandwiches. This word is originally Chinese (from ketsiap, a fish sauce). In the 1600s, British and Dutch sailors brought this fish sauce to Europe. Over time, people changed the sauce by adding tomato flavor to it, but the name basically stayed the same. Sauna, a popular type of public steam room and shower facility, comes from the Finnish language.

During one of the European Olympics, athletes from Britain and Germany saw Finnish athletes use saunas after training. Later, the general public all over Europe started using this style of bathing, too. Now, we still use this word to describe all kinds of steam rooms. English is full of many wonderful borrowed words from many languages. Perhaps English should change its name to Eng- hin-chi-fin-fre-ger-ital-span-ish!

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word or phrase.

1. taste

2. people who play sports

3. in the beginning

4. not private; for any person

5. tell about; explain

6. in most cases

1. Originally, many English words came from German.

2. The flavor of ketchup is like sweet tomatoes.

3. Anyone can use public restrooms.

4. Professional athletes in Finland relaxed in saunas after training.

5. In general, I like Italian food very much.

6. “Can you describe him?” “Well, he’s very tall.”

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. English words in other languages

   2. Words from India

c. Usage of words from other languages in English

d. The most popular borrowed words

2. Which of the following words is from Hindi?

   1. Shampoo

   2. Sauna

   3. Ketchup

   4. Massage

3. What did the original word for ketchup mean?

   1. A red tomato sauce

   2. A hair shop

   3. Fish

   4. A kind of fish sauce

4. Why did people start to use the word “sauna”?

   1. Athletes made it popular at home.

   2. The public liked the Olympics.

   3. The Finnish traveled a lot.

   4. It was good after training.

5. What does “ital” probably mean in “Eng-hin-chi-fin-fre-ger-ital-span-ish?”

   1. The name of a country

   2. The name of a language

   3. The name of a group of people

   4. The name of people who speak English

3. Read the sentences from the reading passage. Paraphrase the sentences to create a summary of the passage.

1. Shampoo, for example, is actually a word from the Hindi language in India. This word originally meant “massage.”

2. Over time, British people in India came to use this word for a liquid that cleans hair.

1. a + b: English borrowed the word

, in which the word meant “to massage a person’s head,” but is now known to mean a liquid that cleans hair.

c. This word is originally Chinese (from ketsiap, a fish sauce). In the 1600s, British and Dutch sailors brought back this fish sauce to Europe.

d. Over time, people changed the sauce by adding tomato flavor to it, but the name remained basically the same.

2. c + d: English borrowed the word , in which the word meant a kind of fish sauce, but people changed it by adding tomato flavor to it.

e. Sauna, a popular type of public steam room and shower facility, comes from the Finnish language.

f. During one of the European Olympics, athletes from Britain and Germany saw Finnish athletes use saunas after training.

3. e + f: English borrowed the word , in which the word meant a steam room that Finnish athletes used after training.

Growing Deserts

There are deserts all over the world. They can be found in Africa, China, South America, and North America. In some places, deserts are growing. This is a serious problem because deserts destroy farmland and ruin land where animals live. When people cannot

grow food or find animals to eat, they have to leave their homes. Sometimes, nature can cause deserts to spread. Wind can move sand away from deserts and onto useful land. When there is no rain for a long time, plants die and deserts grow. However, humans can also cause deserts to grow. This is called desertification, and it happens in many ways. One way is when people cause too much air pollution, which can make an area hotter. Hotter weather can reduce the amount of rain as well. Too many people in one area can also damage the land. In addition, having many animals can harm the land. When large animals like cows walk on soil too much, they turn it into dust. The wind easily blows this dust away. Trees

help hold water in the ground. When people cut down too many trees, less water stays in the ground, and the soil is ruined. All of these things can speed up desertification. To stop deserts from growing, people must think of ways to treat the land better.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. hurt

2. become wider

3. important; big

4. helpful

5. make something unusable

6. care for

1. Deserts are not useful for growing food.

2. Deserts can ruin farmland. Then no one can use it anymore.

3. If you damage the land, you won’t be able to grow as much food.

4. People should treat the land well.

5. If there is no rain for a long time, deserts can start to spread.

6. Deserts getting bigger is a serious problem

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of the reading?

   1. Where the world’s deserts are

   2. How people live in deserts

   3. Why some deserts are growing

   4. How cows can stop deserts from growing

2. Where are deserts found?

   1. Africa and South America

   2. The United States and China

   3. On useful land

   4. All around the world

3. Which is NOT a cause of desert growth?

   1. No wind

   2. Using land too much

   3. No rain

   4. Many animals

4. How do humans cause desert growth?

   1. By causing pollution

   2. By eating only vegetables

   3. By planting trees

   4. By moving sand

5. How can humans stop desert growth?

   1. By using bicycles less

   2. By raising more cows

   3. By cutting down trees

   4. By having fewer children

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words.

damage serious spread treat ruin

There are deserts all around the world. Deserts are getting bigger in some places. This is

a 1 problem, since deserts can 2

farmland. Not only nature, but also people can cause deserts to 3 . People can cause too much air pollution, which makes weather hotter. Large numbers of people can 4 land. Also, cutting down too many trees can make the soil lose water. People must 5 the land better if they want to stop desert growth.

The Importance of Water

Some doctors think that you should drink a glass of water each morning. You should drink this water first thing, before doing anything else. The temperature of the water should be similar to body temperature; neither too hot nor too cold. Why should you drink this water? Water helps your body in many ways. It helps clean out your kidneys. It prepares your stomach for digestion. Water can also help your intestines work better. After drinking water, the intestines can more easily take out nutrients from our food. Water also helps us go to the bathroom more easily.

Scientists suggest that people take in 1,600 milliliters of water each day. But don’t drink all of that water in one sitting. If you do, your kidneys will have to work much harder to eliminate it. It’s better to drink some in the morning and some in the afternoon. Some people think it’s better to drink between meals and not during meals. They think water dilutes the juices produced in our stomachs. This can interfere with normal digestion. Are you drinking enough water every day? Check the color of your urine. If it is light yellow, you are probably drinking enough. If your urine is very dark yellow, you probably need to drink more water. A little more water each day could make you much healthier!

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. look at closely; examine

2. gets ready

3. remove; get rid of

4. the degree of heat

5. delay; prevent

6. things necessary for life and growth

1. It’s very hot today. Do you know the temperature?

2. My father prepares for exercise by drinking water.

3. Meat and vegetables are full of nutrients.

4. How can I eliminate this smell from my room?

5. Music can interfere with my studying. I can only study in a quiet room.

6. Are you healthy? Maybe you should ask your doctor to check.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What could be another title for this reading?

   1. “Drink Water, Not Soft Drinks”

   2. “Drink During Meals”

   3. “Drink Between Meals”

   4. “Drink Enough Water”

2. Why is it helpful to drink water in the morning?

   1. Your kidneys will work harder.

   2. Your intestines will work well.

   3. Your juices will be diluted.

   4. Your urine will be pale yellow.

3. Which of the following is NOT a reason to drink water?

   1. So your intestines will work well

   2. To get more nutrients

   3. To clean out your kidneys

   4. To dilute your stomach juices

4. Why is it better to drink between meals?

   1. So you eat enough food

   2. So you don’t dilute stomach juices

   3. So your urine will not smell bad

   4. So you don’t overwork your kidneys

5. Why is dark-colored urine a sign to drink more water?

   1. It shows our body is healthy.

   2. It means our kidneys are working too hard.

   3. Less water makes the color darker.

   4. It is the same color as our digestive juices.

3. Scan the passage and complete the chart with the correct information

1,600

check digestion light meals nutrients

Animal Forecasters

Do you think animals can predict the weather or other natural events? Farmers living in the countryside think so. For hundreds of years, they have observed animals and noticed

many things about the way animals act. For example, some farmers believe that if they see swans flying into the wind, a hurricane is coming. Or, when cows lie down, a rainstorm is coming. There are many traditional stories connecting animals and natural events. Some scientists are taking another look at animals to see if there is any truth behind these stories and beliefs. They have found some surprising things. Kiyoshi Shimamura is a Japanese

earthquake researcher. He noticed an increase in dog bites a short time before earthquakes hit. Then, he did an investigation of twelve public health centers in Kobe, Japan. These health centers treated people after a big earthquake. Shimamura noticed that the month before the big earthquake, treatment for animal bites had increased. In fact, aggressive behavior in dogs, such as biting and barking loudly, jumped 60 percent! Other animals

change their behavior before an earthquake as well. For example, fish in ponds or lakes begin swimming together in large groups only in the middle of the water and not near the edges. Also, birds may fly away from their nests for many days, leaving their eggs unprotected. These behaviors suggest that animals may be able to predict natural events, such as earthquakes, better than people.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. linked; related

2. studied; watched

3. foretell; guess

4. opinions; ideas; values

5. relating to customs

6. saw; noted

1. Can you predict the future?

2. Scientists observed the rat’s behavior in their experiment.

3. Researchers say the right brain is connected to musical skills.

4. Turkey is a traditional holiday food in Canada.

5. Her beliefs are very strong.

6. She noticed my new necklace.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. What animals do during earthquakes

   2. The many earthquakes of Japan

   3. Effect of natural events on animals’ actions

   4. Folklore and other stories about animals

2. How do dogs begin to behave just before an earthquake?

   1. They lie down in grass.

   2. They stay together in large groups.

   3. They leave their homes.

   4. They hurt people.

3. According to the passage, what other animals behave strangely before an earthquake?

   1. Pigs

   2. Birds

   3. Cows

   4. All of the above

4. What did Kiyoshi Shimamura look at during his investigation?

   1. Animal clinics treating dogs

   2. The number of patients with bites

   3. The number of earthquakes a year

   4. Places dogs go during earthquakes

5. Why do you think Japanese researchers are so interested in studying earthquakes?

   1. Japanese people like dogs.

   2. Japan has lots of researchers.

   3. Japan has lots of earthquakes.

   4. Many animals in Japan behave strangely

3. Read the sentences from the reading passage. Paraphrase the sentences to create a summary of the passage.

1. For example, some farmers believe that if they see swans flying into the wind, a hurricane is coming.

2. Or, when cows lie down, a rainstorm is coming.

1. a + b: Farmers believe that swans is a sign of a coming hurricane, and cows is a sign of a coming rainstorm.

c. He [Kiyoshi Shimamura] noticed an increase in dog bites a short time before earthquakes hit.

d. In fact, aggressive behavior in dogs, such as biting and barking loudly, jumped 60 percent!

2. c + d: Shimamura believes that dogs is a sign of a coming earthquake.

e. For example, fish in ponds or lakes begin swimming together in large groups only in the middle of the water and not near the edges.

f. Also, birds may fly away from their nests for many days, leaving their eggs unprotected.

3. e + f: Other people believe that fish

1. Animation is not reality. The characters are not real people.

2. Miyazaki is a very original animator. No one makes movies like he does.

3. She is very charming, so everyone wants to talk to her.

4. Totoro is so enormous. He’s bigger than any animal I know.

5. Some of Miyazaki’s movies are about supernatural things, like ghosts.

6. Miyazaki’s movies often contain fantasy, like talking animals

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. The movie My Neighbor Totoro

   2. The education of Hayao Miyazaki

   3. The most famous movie in Japan

   4. The works of Hayao Miyazaki

2. How did the success of Nausicaa help Miyazaki?

   1. He could start his own studio.

   2. He could publish a comic book.

   3. He could join Toei Animation.

   4. He could work on more movies.

3. Cat Bus is a character in which movie?

   1. Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind

   2. My Neighbor Totoro

   3. Puss in Boots

   4. Spirited Away

4. Who likes My Neighbor Totoro?

   1. Teenage girls

   2. Children

   3. Adults

   4. All of the above

5. According to the reading, why are Miyazaki’s movies so successful?

   1. Children like them.

   2. His movies are unique.

   3. His movies have strange creatures.

   4. He wants to protect the environment.

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words.

original supernatural animated charming reality

Hayao Miyazaki is very famous in Japan. He has made many successful 1 movies. One of his most famous films is My Neighbor Totoro, which is about a friendly 2 animal. Miyazaki’s movies always have characters that are very unusual. However, they are also 3 and warm-hearted. Many parts of his stories are not real, but other parts come from 4

. Miyazaki shows new ideas in each of his movies. They are successful because they are so 5 .

Seeing Red

Bright colors stir up active feelings. For example, the color red can cause people to feel excited. In fact, red can even make a person feel hungrier. Yellow can increase energy. Therefore, a room with strong red and yellow colors, would be a good place to eat a lot

of food quickly. On the other hand, darker colors, like blue and green, are peaceful. The color blue can help people calm down. So, a blue room can be a good place to study, since people can concentrate more easily. However, it is easier to nod off in a blue room than in a red one. The colors of clothes can also affect feelings. Black and deep-blue clothes can produce a sense of strength and seriousness. Therefore, a person in a black suit can seem like a leader more easily than one wearing

white. If a person is wearing a dark suit and a red tie, he or she may seem both powerful and energetic. Perhaps this is why many politicians and businesspeople wear dark suits with red ties. Brown and green clothes can produce a sense of confidence, which means it may seem easier to trust a person wearing such colors. Therefore, many people choose to wear green or brown clothes for meetings or interviews. Choice of color, for rooms as well as clothes, is not simply about appearance.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. calm; happy

2. feeling

3. large; strong

4. trust; a sure feeling

5. focus; think deeply

6. looks

1. Pictures of green fields and blue lakes give me a peaceful feeling.

2. It is too noisy here. I can’t concentrate on my work.

3. From her behavior, I did not get the sense that she was a good person for this job.

4. The speaker’s words had a powerful effect on the audience.

5. I have confidence the new president will be a great leader.

6. Her appearance was very clean and tidy

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. Colors are important.

   2. Managers should wear black.

   3. Colors can affect feelings.

   4. People do not see colors well.

2. Where would red and yellow be most useful?

   1. In an office

   2. In a health club

   3. In a department store

   4. In a fast food restaurant

3. According to the reading, what would be the best color for a bedroom?

   1. Blue

   2. Yellow

   3. Grey

   4. Brown

4. According to the reading, green clothes would be most useful for which person?

   1. A professor

   2. Someone looking for a job

   3. A manager of a large department

   4. A doctor

5. Why would a president wear a black suit?

   1. To seem powerful

   2. To scare people

   3. To make people feel relaxed

   4. To look better in pictures

3. Scan the passage and complete the chart with the correct information.

confident increase meeting peaceful powerful strong

Worth Collectingа

Would you be worried if your classmate told you that he was a philatelist? Would you call a doctor or call the police? Actually, there is no reason to be concerned. A philatelist is just a person who collects stamps! Stamp collecting has been around for well over 150 years. People began collecting stamps soon after adhesive postage stamps (stamps with glue on the back) were introduced in London in 1840. Today, according to Boys’ Life magazine, stamp collecting is the most practiced hobby in the world. Some people collect stamps just for fun. These people may just want to collect stamps with animals or famous people on them. Or maybe they want to collect all

the stamps issued by one particular country. Other people collect stamps that they think will be valuable down the road. Such collectors ask three questions to determine if a stamp is worth collecting and what its value might be. First, how many of a particular stamp were made? Next, how popular is the stamp? Finally, what is the condition of the stamp? If a stamp has a low print run, a popular picture or design, and is in excellent condition, this stamp may be worth a lot of money. In 1980, a one-cent British Guinea stamp issued in 1856 went for $935,000!

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. worth a lot of money

2. cause; basis for action

3. decide; find out

4. followed; engaged in

5. state; form; shape

6. gathers together for a hobby

1. Why are you late? Do you have a reason?

2. My sister collects stamps. She has about 200 of them!

3. Hinduism is the most practiced religion in India.

4. Some stamps are very valuable. They are worth hundreds of dollars.

5. How did the expert determine the value of the stamp?

6. Her car is in good condition. It looks like new.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What does a philatelist enjoy?

   1. Collecting stamps

   2. Determining the value of things

   3. Writing letters

   4. Introducing new stamps

2. According to the reading, which of the following is true?

   1. People in the 1800s collected stamps.

   2. The first stamps were made in America.

   3. Boys’ Life is a magazine for philatelists.

   4. Most people collect stamps with people on them.

3. What determines a stamp’s value?

   1. Quantity

   2. Popularity

   3. Condition

   4. All of the above

4. What does it mean if a stamp has a low print run?

   1. It was made by Boys’ Life magazine.

   2. It has a picture of an animal on it.

   3. It is in excellent condition.

   4. Not many were made.

5. Why was the 1856 British Guinea stamp worth so much?

   1. It was old and rare.

   2. People liked it.

   3. It was in good condition.

   4. All of the above

3. Read the sentences from the reading passage. Paraphrase the sentences to create a summary of the passage.

1. The first adhesive stamps were introduced in England in the 1800s.

2. Stamp collecting became a popular hobby, and today it is the most practiced hobby in the world.

1. a + b: After the first adhesive stamps were issued in England in the 1800s, stamp collecting became

c. Some people collect stamps just for fun.

d. Or maybe they want to collect all the stamps issued by one particular country.

2. c + d: People who enjoy collecting stamps for fun might focus on stamps

.

e. Such collectors ask three questions to determine if a stamp is worth collecting and what its value might be.

f. If, for example, a stamp has a low print run, a popular picture or design, and is in excellent condition, this stamp may be worth a lot of money.

3. e + f: Collectors interested in valuable stamps might look for ones

, ones that

, and ones that

.

Can’t Beat Them? Join Them!

Movie studios and recording companies are in a constant fight against piracy. The Internet is the worst culprit. People often upload or watch pirated material, especially on video- sharing sites. The companies try to shut down these sites. They even sue the people using this material. Still, it has been of little use thus far. There are just too many people and websites with pirated materials. As well, these methods are making the studios and companies unpopular with the public. People are starting to see these companies as greedy. However, a new kind of software may change the nature of this fight. Amazingly,

it is advertising software that is making a difference. This new software can actually analyze videos on the Internet. When it finds a pirated video clip, it doesn’t report it. Instead, it just puts an ad at the bottom of the video. This is an ad for the original source of the material. For example, it could show a link to the website of the studio or recording company. Or, it could show an ad for a product that the company owns. In this way, each

pirated copy would actually help make money for the original company. If you can’t beat them, join them!

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. way

2. things; information

3. give details about

4. closely look at

5. public announcements; commercials

6. duplicate; something that is the same as the original

1. What kind of material did you download?

2. Companies use advertising to sell products.

3. Let’s try another method to do this.

4. This software can analyze videos on the Internet.

5. I’m going to report this to the police!

6. Do you have a copy of that song?

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. How to download pirated materials

   2. A new way to fight piracy

   3. Why using pirated material is wrong

   4. Companies with a new vision

2. According to the reading, what is a problem with the old methods of fighting piracy?

   1. They are too expensive.

   2. They insert advertisements.

   3. They can’t analyze the websites.

   4. They give companies a bad image.

3. How does the software help the movie studios and recording companies make money?

   1. It helps them catch people using pirated material.

   2. It makes the pirated material not useful anymore.

   3. It uses the pirated material to promote the companies.

   4. Other companies buy the software from them.

4. What does the word “clip” mean in line 11?

   1. To cut

   2. A hair accessory

   3. To make shorter

   4. A small part of an original

5. According to the reading, what is true about the new method?

   1. It still punishes piracy.

   2. It makes the companies more money.

   3. It is more difficult to use.

   4. It is similar to the old methods, but more useful

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words.

advertising ads

suing original piracy

There is now a new method being used to fight 1 . Instead of shutting down websites or 2 people, companies are now using 3

. Using special software, 4 are put on the bottom of pirated material. This way, the pirated material helps the 5

company make money!

Rich Dogs

When wealthy people pass away, they usually leave instructions for what to do with the money or property that they leave behind. Often, the money and property go to their heirs. However, in some cases, rich pet owners leave their wealth to their pets after they die. For example, there is a poodle named Toby. When this poodle’s owner passed away, she

left Toby 15 million pounds (about $25 million). Then there is Flossie, a yellow Lab mutt, who is not only rich, but is also famous. In 2001, Flossie made the headlines after she rescued her owner, the actress Drew Barrymore and Drew’s husband, from a house fire. To thank Flossie, Drew gave her house to Flossie. Of course, Drew repaired the fire damage first. Now, Flossie is the owner of a beautiful $3 million home. It may seem strange for a dog to own such an expensive home, but Flossie is not the only dog like that. Gunther IV, a German Shepherd, bought his home from Madonna and paid over $7 million for the house.

However, this was no big deal for him because Gunther IV has about $200 million! This makes him the richest dog in the world. He inherited the money from his father, who was the heir to the fortune of a German countess.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. fix

2. valuable amount of money

3. woman from a high class

4. a person who will receive power or money

5. received after a person died

6. saved from danger or trouble

1. When her father died, she inherited a lot of money.

2. That is the queen’s son. He is her heir.

3. She has lots of money in the bank. She has a small fortune.

4. The dog rescued her from a fire. It saved her life.

5. Many parts of the house are in bad shape. Someone should repair those parts.

6. Her husband is a European count. She is a countess.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What could be another title for this reading?

   1. ”Taking Care of Your Dog”

   2. “Homeless Dogs”

   3. “Dog Millionaires”

   4. “Expensive Dogs”

2. Why is Flossie famous?

   1. She is a dog in a children’s story.

   2. She is a German countess.

   3. She inherited $5 million.

   4. She saved Drew Barrymore’s life.

3. What do Flossie and Gunther have in common?

   1. Their owners have passed away.

   2. They are both mutts.

   3. They both own a house.

   4. Their owners are entertainers.

4. The price Gunther IV paid for his house was .

   1. low compared to the house’s value

   2. more than he wanted to pay

   3. no problem for him

   4. the same amount Madonna paid

5. Based on the reading, which of the following is probably true?

   1. Gunther IV lives with Madonna.

   2. Drew Barrymore likes poodles.

   3. Drew Barrymore sold Flossie.

   4. Toby’s owner was British.

3. Scan the passage and complete the chart with the correct information. countess

fortune inherited owner pounds rescued

In the Name of Beauty

C osmetics have been used throughout history. The ancient Greeks, the Egyptians, and the Romans all used various kinds of makeup. Some of these cosmetics were used to

improve one’s appearance. Others were used to protect one’s skin. However, in some cases, things used for makeup were dangerous or even deadly! Skin care treatments including perfumes, lotions, and cosmetic masks were used in ancient Egypt by rich and poor alike. Egyptians also developed some of the earliest sunscreens. They used oils and creams for protection against the sun and dry winds.

Egyptians, as well as other ancient cultures, used

various powders on their skin for beauty as well. Egyptians used black kohl around their eyes. Romans put white chalk on their faces. And Indians painted red henna on their bodies. Most of the ancient cosmetics were harmless. However, in the name of beauty, some people applied dangerous chemicals and poisons to their skin. During the Italian Renaissance, women wore white powder made of lead on their faces. Of course, doctors today know lead is like a poison for our bodies. Also around the time of the Renaissance, women in Italy put drops of belladonna in their eyes. These belladonna drops were made from a plant whose poison affects the nerves in the body. By putting belladonna drops in her eyes, a woman’s pupils would become very large. People thought this made women more beautiful. Actually, this is where the plant’s name comes from. In Italian, belladonna means “beautiful woman.” When Elizabeth I was queen in the late 1500s, some rather dangerous cosmetics were also being used by women in England. In particular, women were using special hair dye made with lead and sulphur. The dye was designed to give people red hair, the same color as the queen’s hair, but over time, the dye made people’s hair fall out. Finally, women using this dye ended up bald, like the queen, and had to wear wigs.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word

1. makes better

2. tiny pieces of something solid

3. very old

4. beliefs; normal ways

5. small amounts of liquid

6. something that causes illness or death

1. His new hairstyle really improves his looks.

2. Young girls in that country often wear makeup. It’s part of that country’s culture.

3. Sometimes I put powder on my face. Then it doesn’t look oily.

4. Don’t touch that powder. It is a poison!

5. She put a few drops of medicine in her eyes.

6. Some ancient pictures in the pyramids show women wearing eye makeup

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. The ancient Egyptians used a lot of makeup.

   2. People have always used makeup.

   3. Some cosmetics in the past were dangerous.

   4. Italian women had the best makeup.

2. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?

   1. The Egyptians used makeup to help their skin.

   2. The Romans used chalk to make their faces white.

   3. Queen Elizabeth I had blond hair.

   4. All of the above

3. Where did Italian women apply lead powder?

   1. In their hair

   2. On their hands

   3. On their faces

   4. Under their arms

4. What was belladonna used for?

   1. To give women pretty eyes

   2. To change the color of women’s skin

   3. To poison plants

   4. To make people look smarter

5. What is the meaning of “rather” as it is used in line 20?

   1. normally

   2. on the contrary

   3. preferred

   4. fairly

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words. in the name of culture drops nerves cosmetics dangerous

Although 1 have been used all throughout history, not all of them have been safe. In fact, some of them have been quite

2 to people. For

example, long ago in Italian 3

, people thought women with big eyes were beautiful. Therefore,

4 beauty, women

began to put 5 of

Who Took That Tooth?

Different cultures follow their own special customs when a child’s baby teeth fall out. In Korea, for example, they have the custom of throwing lost teeth up on the roof of a house. According to tradition, a magpie will come and take the tooth. Later, the magpie will return with a new tooth for the child. In other Asian countries, such as Japan and Vietnam, children follow a similar tradition of throwing lost teeth onto the roofs of houses. Birds aren’t the only animals thought to take lost teeth. In

Mexico and Spain, tradition says a mouse takes a lost tooth and leaves some money. However, in Mongolia, instead of mice, dogs are responsible for taking teeth away. Dogs are highly respected in Mongolian culture and are considered guardian angels of the people. Tradition says that the new tooth will grow in good and strong if the baby tooth is fed to a guardian angel. Accordingly, parents in Mongolia will put their child’s lost tooth in the fat of a piece of meat and feed it to a dog. The idea of giving lost teeth to an angel or fairy is also a tradition in the West. Many children in Western countries count on the Tooth Fairy to leave money or presents in exchange for a tooth. The exact origins of the Tooth Fairy are a mystery, although the story probably began in England or Ireland centuries ago. According to tradition, a child puts a lost tooth under his or her pillow before going to bed. In the wee hours, while the child is sleeping, the Tooth Fairy takes the tooth and leaves something else under the pillow. In France, the Tooth Fairy leaves a small gift or candy. In the United States, however, the Tooth Fairy usually leaves money. These days, the rate is $1 to $5 per tooth. That can add up to a lot of money from the Tooth Fairy!

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word or phrase.

1. has the duty of

2. specific; accurate

3. think highly of

4. think of; believe

5. rather than; in the place of

6. usual thing to do by tradition

1. It is a custom for children to put lost teeth under their pillows.

2. A bird is responsible for taking the lost tooth away.

3. People in Mongolia respect dogs a lot, so they take good care of them.

4. Koreans consider one kind of bird very lucky.

5. She hopes to get money instead of a gift.

6. This is the exact place where I put the lost tooth last night.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. The Tooth Fairy leaves money for teeth.

   2. Different cultures have different traditions about teeth.

   3. Many Asian countries have similar traditions concerning teeth.

   4. Some tooth customs involve animals.

2. Why do some people throw a tooth on the roof?

   1. To get rich

   2. To get a larger house

   3. To have a long life

   4. To get a new tooth

3. Where did the story of the Tooth Fairy probably come from?

   1. North America

   2. Eastern Asia

   3. Western Africa

   4. Northern Europe

4. What is NOT traditionally put under a pillow in exchange for a tooth?

   1. A new tooth

   2. Money

   3. A gift

   4. Candy

5. Which meaning can define “lost” as used in line 7?

   1. Misplaced

   2. Not won

   3. Wasted

   4. Fallen out

3. Scan the passage and complete the chart with the correct information.

fairy

and leaves money

bird

and leaves a gift Mongolia

takes the tooth

The Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire is an enormous chain of volcanoes all around the Pacific Ocean. The ring goes from New Zealand up to Asia and across the ocean to Alaska. From Alaska, the

ring continues southward along the coast of both North and South America. More than seventy-five percent of the world’s volcanoes are located in this ring. Scientists are interested in studying the Ring of Fire because they can observe plate tectonics at work there. In 1912, a German scientist, Alfred Wegener, came up with the first theory of land movement. Wegener said continents are made up of lighter rocks resting on heavier material. Similar to the way large things move while floating on water, Wegener suggested that the positions of the continents were not fixed, but that they moved slightly. Later, scientists discovered most of Wegener’s ideas were right on the mark. They then developed the theory called plate tectonics. According to plate tectonics, the surface of the Earth consists of a number of enormous plates or sections of rock, each about eighty kilometers thick. The plates float and slowly move at speeds between one to ten centimeters every year. That is about the rate your fingernails grow! Within the Ring of Fire, new material for the Earth’s plates is constantly being created as hot liquid rock called magma flows from the center of the Earth up to the ocean floor. All the existing plates on the Earth’s surface have to move slightly to make room for the new material. As plates move both away from and toward each other, they run into each other. When they hit each other, one plate might move under another. This process is called subduction. Subduction frequently causes earthquakes. It may also result in the bottom plate melting due to the extreme temperatures under the top plate. The magma created in this process can rise to the Earth’s surface and come out through volcanoes, as can be seen along the Ring of Fire.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word or phrase.

1. often

2. is made of

3. top; covering

4. goes up

5. idea; assumed law in science

6. steps toward achieving some result

1. Earthquakes frequently occur in Japan.

2. Scientists did not prove the theory yet, so many people don’t believe it.

3. One idea says the surface of the Earth is covered by huge plates of land.

4. Lava rises from under the Earth and comes out of volcanoes.

5. The process of creating new land involves lava becoming solid rock.

6. Lava consists of various kinds of rock melted together.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main focus of this reading?

   1. The most active volcanoes found in the Ring of Fire

   2. The location of the Ring of Fire

   3. How the plates on the Earth’s surface move in different ways

   4. How plate tectonics, volcanoes, and earthquakes are related

2. According to the reading, which is true about the Ring of Fire?

   1. All of the volcanoes along the ring are active.

   2. Most of the volcanoes on Earth are part of the ring.

   3. The ring gets bigger each year.

   4. The ring was discovered in the 20th century.

3. What does “subduction” mean in this reading?

   1. Rocks moving under volcanoes

   2. Erupting liquid rock

   3. The theory of moving plates

   4. Movement of a plate under another

4. What is NOT a result of shifting tectonic plates?

   1. Earthquakes

   2. Extreme temperatures inside the Earth

   3. Volcanoes

   4. Subduction

5. Which question is NOT answered in the reading?

   1. How fast do tectonic plates move?

   2. How thick are the plates in tectonic theory?

   3. What is the most active volcano today?

   4. Where is the Ring of Fire?

3. Read the sentences from the reading passage. Paraphrase the sentences to create a summary of the passage.

1. The Ring of Fire is an enormous chain of volcanoes all around the Pacific Ocean.

2. More than seventy-five percent of the world’s volcanoes are located in this ring.

1. a + b: Around the Pacific Ocean is a chain of volcanoes called the Ring of Fire, in which .

c. According to plate tectonics, the surface of the Earth consists of a number of enormous plates or sections of rock, each about eighty kilometers thick.

d. The plates float and slowly move at speeds between one to ten centimeters every year.

2. c + d: Movement of sections of the Earth’s surface is explained by the theory of plate tectonics, according to which

e. When they hit each other, one plate might move under another.

f. This process is called subduction.

3. e + f: During the process of subduction,

.

Myths About Pimples

Almost everybody has had acne. Acne, also known as pimples or zits, is a normal part of growing up. When kids reach puberty, their bodies experience many changes. As the levels of hormones in teenagers’ bodies change, teenagers frequently develop pimples. Additionally, many people continue to have pimples after puberty. What can a teenager or an adult do to cure pimples? Unfortunately,

many cures people think will work on pimples are really just myths. Many people believe that popping pimples is the best way to get rid of them. Popping a pimple will actually push the germs further under the skin, which can cause more redness and pain, or even turn into an infection. For that reason, doctors who specialize in skin problems normally encourage people not to pop their pimples. Also, do you think that washing your face frequently will help get rid of pimples? Of course, washing your face is a good idea, but washing your face too much could irritate the skin more, making the pimples even worse. Another widely believed myth is that not wearing makeup can help reduce a person’s chance of developing pimples. In fact, some kinds of makeup or face creams actually have special medicine in them to fight pimples. As a result, not all of them are bad for you. Along with makeup, people claim that eating fatty foods or chocolate can cause acne. The truth is that eating a candy bar or a piece of pizza will not cause pimples. Even so, both teenagers and adults should still try to eat foods that are good for their bodies and

their skin. Another myth is that stress can cause acne. Stress comes in many forms, like a big exam at school or problems with friends. While it is true that stress can cause a person’s skin to create extra oil, this extra oil does not necessarily cause more pimples.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word

1. definitely; surely

2. kind; sort

3. untrue story or belief

4. disease caused by germs

5. make a problem worse

6. urge

1. People say strong soap helps your skin, but that is a myth.

2. She did not wash her finger after she cut it, so she got an infection.

3. Don’t scratch your rash. You will irritate it.

4. I encourage you to stop eating candy and sweet snacks.

5. Pimples are only one form of skin problem.

6. Pimples are not necessarily a sign of dirty skin

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. In the past, people thought pimples showed a serious disease.

   2. People do many things to cure pimples which don’t actually work.

   3. Pimples are not a problem for most people.

   4. Teenagers are not the only people with pimples.

2. According to the reading, who can get pimples?

   1. Teenagers

   2. Adults

   3. Babies

   4. Both teenagers and adults

3. Which of the following might really cause more pimples?

   1. Taking medicine

   2. Having oil on your skin

   3. Eating certain foods

   4. None of these

4. What might be the result of washing your face too much?

   1. Less oil is produced by your skin.

   2. You can make pimples worse.

   3. You will not develop large pimples.

   4. You will get rid of dirt deep in your skin.

5. Which of the following means about the same as “fight” in the line 16?

   1. To argue with

   2. To compete with

   3. To have a war

   4. To work against

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words.

cure encourage myth necessarily pop

skin

Some of the ways people think they can 1 or control pimples are really just myths. For example, teenagers often try to 2 their pimples to get rid of them. However, this can cause more 3 problems. For this reason, doctors 4 people not to pop their pimples. Another 5 people believe is that oily skin will develop pimples. Oil does not 6 cause pimples, but it’s still a good idea to wash your face regularly.

I Cut the Cheese!

To toot, to cut the cheese, or to fart are all funny ways to talk about something that everyone does: passing gas! A normal person passes about half a liter of gas a day, which equals about 14 farts per day. Lots of people are embarrassed by passing gas, but there is no need to feel this way. The first step is to admit that everyone does it. After you face up to this fact, then you can really enjoy learning some interesting facts about your gas. There are several sources of gas. Gas in our intestines has

to do with both the air we swallow and the gas molecules in our blood. In addition, gas is also produced from chemical reactions and bacteria living in our intestines. Nervous people usually have more gas for two reasons. They swallow more air when they get nervous, and food usually goes through their digestive systems faster, which means that the oxygen in the food cannot be absorbed quickly enough. Therefore, the oxygen naturally found in the food goes into the intestines and becomes gas. Another interesting fact is that a person’s diet affects the stinkiness of his or her gas. Foods with a lot of sulfur in them--such as eggs, meat, and cauliflower--cause stinkier gas. On the other hand, beans cause a lot of gas, but this gas isn’t usually stinky because beans aren’t high in sulfur. However, they do contain a lot of sugars that bacteria in the intestines love. The bacteria eat the sugars and produce gas. Finally, people wonder, “Where does gas go when you hold it in? Is this held gas harmful?” Well, this gas will not poison you, but you may get a bad stomachache from the pressure. The gas that you hold in is neither released nor absorbed. It moves back up into the intestines and sooner or later comes out. It is not lost, just delayed. Now that you know some facts about gas, be proud of yourself and say, “Yes, I cut the cheese!”.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. dangerous

2. a weight or force pushing on something

3. takes in

4. let go

5. say one did something; confess

6. slowed; stopped for a short time

1. No one likes to admit making a mistake.

2. It hurt when the doctor put pressure on my stomach.

3. Your body absorbs nutrients from food as it goes through your intestines.

4. It is OK if a child eats a little sand. Sand is not harmful.

5. He released the balloon, and all of the air came out.

6. On her way home, she was delayed by her boss. He wanted to talk to her.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea?

   1. Dangers of gas

   2. Jokes about passing gas

   3. Myths about gas in our bodies

   4. Things to know about our gas

2. How much gas does a person produce in one day?

   1. None

   2. Less than one liter

   3. One liter

   4. Fourteen liters

3. Why does gas from our bodies smell bad?

   1. The air is bad.

   2. It contains sulfur.

   3. Food is digested quickly.

   4. It is from bacteria.

4. According to the reading, which of the following foods would cause stinkier gas?

   1. Candy

   2. Steak

   3. Black beans

   4. Pasta

5. What does the word “diet” in this reading probably mean?

   1. A part of the digestive system

   2. A program for losing weight

   3. Special foods to improve health

   4. The food a person eats

3. Scan the passage and complete the chart with the correct information.

into our intestines high sulfur content Oxygen in food gas

We swallow air which contain sugar

Mr. Nintendo

Satoru Iwata is not a household name, but he should be. Most people, however, would recognize his brain children, the Nintendo DS and the Wii. These two game systems completely changed the world of gaming. It’s hard to imagine gaming without them, but amazingly, the DS and Wii almost didn’t happen! It is only thanks to the innovative ideas of Iwata that we have these systems

today. Satoru Iwata was made the CEO of Nintendo in 2002. At that time, the video game market was suffering, and Nintendo was having trouble with its sales. Iwata thought that a change in strategy was due. Previously, the strategy in the game industry was to keep making the same kinds of games and consoles but just improve their power and complexity. However, Iwata didn’t just want to attract dedicated gamers. He wanted to bring in new kinds of players to video gaming. How was he going to do that? He decided to change the very concept of video games. Iwata wanted to make video games easier to pick up and more relevant to people’s lives. Out of this idea came the Nintendo DS. People interacted more directly with the game by using a touch screen instead of just a set of buttons. Iwata took this idea to the extreme with the motion-based Wii. Now, just by using natural body movements, players can enjoy playing all sorts of games. The kinds of games produced changed as well. Along with the regular role-playing game (RPG), action, and sport games, new kinds of “games” were designed. Some of these new games, like Brain Age, improved thinking abilities. Others, like Wii Fit, improved fitness. This has brought in a new age of gaming. Everyone from grandparents to their grandchildren

seems to be playing Nintendo products. With all that we have seen so far, we can only wonder what is next for Iwata. Surely it will be something groundbreaking!

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word or phrase.

1. see and know

2. ideas and image behind

3. related to; connected with

4. skill

5. act on

6. not doing well

1. Do you recognize that game system?

2. Business is suffering because of the poor economy.

3. I don’t like the concept of shooting games.

4. Is this subject relevant to my life?

5. I interact with Wii games by using body movements.

6. This game improves thinking ability.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. Satoru Iwata is a man with amazing ideas.

   2. Gaming is not just for dedicated gamers anymore.

   3. Satoru Iwata is an important man for dedicated gamers.

   4. The gaming industry is making educational games now.

2. What first motivated Iwata to change the strategy of Nintendo?

   1. He wanted to make useful consoles.

   2. He wanted to lower sales.

   3. He wanted to attract more players.

   4. He wanted a new concept for gaming.

3. What did Iwata change about the world of gaming?

   1. More games for children and girls

   2. More dedicated gamers

   3. Created a new style of gaming

   4. Less expensive game systems

4. What does the phrase “brain children” mean as seen in the reading?

   1. Products thought of and created

   2. The brains of gamers

   3. The world of gaming

   4. Children who are geniuses

5. What does the author think about Iwata’s future products?

   1. There will be no future products.

   2. They will probably not change the world of gaming.

   3. They will probably be very innovative.

   4. They will be very similar to products now.

3. Read the sentences from the reading passage. Paraphrase the sentences to create a summary of the passage.

1. Most people, however, would recognize his brain children, the Nintendo DS and the Wii.

2. These two game systems completely changed the world of gaming.

1. a + b: The world of video games completely changed after he came out with

.

c. Satoru Iwata was made the CEO of Nintendo in 2002.

d. He wanted to bring in new kinds of players to video gaming.

2. c + d: After becoming the CEO of Nintendo,

.

e. People interacted more directly with the game by using a touch screen instead of just a set of buttons.

f. Iwata took this idea to the extreme with the motion-based Wii.

3. e + f: After Nintendo introduced , the company went to the next level of gaming with its motion-based Wii game system.

Are Sports Bad for Kids?

People think children should play sports. Sports are fun, and children stay healthy while playing with others. However, playing sports can have negative effects on children. It may produce feelings of poor self-esteem or aggressive behavior in some children. According to research on kids and sports, 40 million kids play sports in the US. Of these, 18 million say they have been yelled at or called names while playing sports. This leaves

many children with a bad impression of sports. They think sports are just too aggressive. Many researchers believe adults, especially parents and coaches, are the main cause of too much aggression in children’s sports. They believe children copy aggressive adult behavior. This behavior is then further reinforced through both positive and negative feedback. Parents and coaches are powerful teachers because children usually look up to

them. Often these adults behave aggressively themselves, sending children the message that winning is everything. At children’s sporting events, parents may yell insults at other players or cheer when their child behaves aggressively. As well, children may be taught that hurting other players is acceptable, or they may be pushed to continue playing even when they are injured. In addition, the media makes violence seem exciting. Children watch adult sports games and see violent behavior replayed over and over on television. As a society, we really need to face up to this problem and do something about it. Parents and coaches should act as better examples for children. They also need to teach children better values. They should teach children to enjoy themselves whether they win or not. It is not necessary to knock yourself out to enjoy sports. Winning is not everything. In addition, children should not be allowed to continue to play when they are injured. Sending a child with an injury into a game gives the child the message that health is not as important as winning. If we make some basic changes, children might learn to enjoy sports again.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. make stronger

2. OK

3. let; permit

4. beliefs a person follows in life

5. bold and active; ready to fight or attack

6. bad

1. She is a very aggressive player. She always tries hard to win.

2. After a lesson, you should practice to reinforce what you have learned.

3. It is never acceptable to hit another player.

4. If you think negative thoughts before the game, you will lose.

5. Honesty and hard work are values everybody respects.

6. His parents did not allow him to join the school’s soccer team.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of the reading?

   1. Children often become like their parents.

   2. Children need to play sports in school.

   3. Playing sports may have negative results.

   4. Some sports can cause health problems.

2. How many children said they had some negative experience when playing sports?

   1. All of the children

   2. More than half of the children

   3. Less than half of the children

   4. About ten percent of the children

3. Which is described as the main cause of more aggressive playing?

   1. Adults

   2. Children with low grades in school

   3. New rules in sports

   4. Other players

4. What does the writer suggest?

   1. Aggressive sports should not be shown on television.

   2. Children should not play sports until high school.

   3. Coaches should be required to study child psychology.

   4. Parents should teach children to play sports for fun and exercise.

5. What would probably NOT be done when “facing up to a problem”?

   1. Ignoring the problem

   2. Finding the reason

   3. Admitting there is a problem

   4. Looking for a solution

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words or phrases.

acceptable aggressive called names effects healthy main

Sports can be 1 for children, but sometimes there are also negative 2 from sports. For example, children who don’t play well may be 3 or yelled at. Sometimes, parents and coaches also teach children that 4 play is OK in sports. Because of this,

children may think it is 5 to hurt others in sports and in life as

long as they win. Parents need to teach children that the 6 thing is to have fun rather than focus just on winning.

May I Have Your Autograph?

I s there a famous person whom you really admire? Wouldn’t you love to have his or her autograph? You would never throw that person’s autograph away because of your admiration for him or her. However, some people collect autographs even from people they don’t admire. They just want autographs from any famous person. Rather than collecting these autographs to keep, they collect the autographs to sell. These days there are more than 20,000 people who collect autographs for the value the

autographs might have in the future. Since these people are willing to pay a lot of money for an autograph, autograph hounds now hang around sports centers, concert arenas, and chic restaurants trying to get autographs they can sell. They can sometimes make as much as $1,500 for one autograph. In fact, one very successful autograph hound earns about

$100,000 a year. There are also companies that buy and sell autographs. One company, Profiles in History, says it has the largest collection of entertainers’ autographs in the world, and earns more than $12 million a year! Some autographs from this company may cost under $100, but others can cost several thousand dollars. The price of an autograph depends on how rare the autograph is. For example, famous people like Angelina Jolie and George Clooney sign a lot of autographs. Therefore, their autographs are not rare and are not worth very much money. On the other hand, Madonna and Nicole Kidman rarely sign anything. This makes their autographs rarer and more valuable. Queen Elizabeth II almost never signs autographs, therefore, something with her signature on it might sell for around $3,500. It doesn’t matter if the person is dead. Elvis Presley and Napoleon signed many things. Their signatures are only worth $1,500. However, signed letters from Marilyn Monroe are very rare. They can cost $50,000 each. The highest price ever paid for an autograph was $750,000 for a letter written and signed by Abraham Lincoln.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. concerns; means

2. make through work

3. ready to do happily

4. actors, singers, or dancers

5. write

6. respect; look up to

   1. My grandfather started his own business. I really admire him.

   2. We can always ask her for help. She is willing to help us any time.

   3. Employees in fast food restaurants do not earn much money.

   4. You can see famous entertainers walking on the street in Hollywood.

   5. Please sign your name on the line.

   6. I am worried about the test. My score matters a lot to me.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of the reading?

   1. Collecting autographs is fun.

   2. Some autographs are rare.

   3. Signatures of people who are dead are worth the most.

   4. Collecting autographs can be a business.

2. What does the price of an autograph mostly depend on?

   1. How hard it is to find the autograph

   2. Whether the person is living or dead

   3. How many people admire the person

   4. When the person wrote the signature

3. Which is true about Profiles in History?

   1. It is an autograph museum.

   2. It has the most expensive autographs.

   3. It is a book about famous people.

   4. It is a business that sells autographs.

4. Whose signature was worth the most?

   1. Queen Elizabeth II’s

   2. Abraham Lincoln’s

   3. Marilyn Monroe’s

   4. George Clooney’s

5. From the reading, what do you think an “autograph hound” is?

   1. Someone who buys autographs

   2. Someone who gets autographs from famous people

   3. A famous person who signs many autographs

   4. A dog that can sign its autograph

3. Scan the passage and complete the chart with the correct information.

$1,500

$3,500

$50,000

$100,000

$750,000

$12 million

Where Are Our Jetpacks?

I n the 1920s, the science fiction hero Buck Rogers flew across the pages of comic books using a jetpack. It was a vision of the future that has yet to actually be created. Now that we are living in the 21st century, people still aren’t using jetpacks to get around. Lots of inventors have tried to build working jetpacks over the years, but none of them have ever

worked as well as the one Buck Rogers wore in the comic books. One jetpack that was recently demonstrated at the annual Experimental Aircraft Association’s Convention was the Martin jetpack. This jetpack was built by an inventor from New Zealand named Glenn

Martin. Martin’s 120 kilogram jetpack holds about twenty liters of gasoline and can fly for about thirty minutes. Two large fans pointing toward the sky create a jet of air that the jetpack operator flies on. The Martin jetpack may be too loud and too heavy for the taste of some people. However, it really works, and it is on the market today. Another jetpack that was demonstrated recently is Raymond Li’s Jetlev-Flyer. This is a jetpack that propels a person into the air by shooting out a jet of water rather than a jet of air. The Jetlev-Flyer is

smaller and lighter than the Martin jetpack. This is due to the fact that the engine and water pump for the jetpack is on a boat that is pulled along behind the operator. A ten meter hose connects the engine and the pump to the Jetlev-Flyer. In a test of his jetpack, Li flew almost ten meters high and could travel forward at a speed of 35 kph. Neither the Martin jetpack nor the Jetlev-Flyer are going to be big sellers. They are just too expensive for the average person. Both cost over $100,000 each.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. 100 years

2. ordinary; common

3. showed

4. not long ago

5. push

6. yearly; once a year

1. The 1900s were called the 20th century.

2. Burning gasses propel a rocket up or forward.

3. The average person is not ready to go into space like an astronaut.

4. I recently bought a new car.

5. The company demonstrated how the new product worked.

6. There is an annual convention where inventors can demonstrate their new machines.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. Buck Rogers is still popular with older readers.

   2. It is impossible to really fly with jetpacks.

   3. People can buy jetpacks, but don’t use them for transportation.

   4. The future is rarely like what is seen in comic books.

2. How many working jetpacks are described in the reading?

   1. None

   2. One

   3. Two

   4. Three

3. Which of the following is NOT true about the Martin jetpack?

   1. It has two large fans on it.

   2. It is very loud when it is running.

   3. It propels the operator on jets of air.

   4. It can hold more than fifty liters of gas.

4. What can be inferred about Raymond Li?

   1. He is not afraid of heights.

   2. He enjoyed working with Glenn Martin.

   3. He knows how to fly a plane.

   4. He works for a company that makes boats.

5. How much does a working jetpack cost today?

   1. Less than $10,000

   2. About as much as a small motorcycle

   3. As much as an average car

d. $100,000

3. Read the sentences from the reading passage. Paraphrase the sentences to create a summary of the passage

1. In the 1920s, the science fiction hero Buck Rogers flew across the pages of comic books using a jetpack.

2. It was a vision of the future that has yet to actually be created.

1. a + b: Buck Rogers flew with a jetpack in the comic books, but a jetpack like that

.

c. This jetpack was built by an inventor from New Zealand named Glenn Martin.

d. However, it really works, and it is on the market today.

2. c + d: Glenn Martin built a jetpack that really works, and his jetpack

.

e. Another jetpack that was demonstrated recentely is Raymond Li’s Jetlev-Flyer.

f. This is a jetpack that propels a person into the air by shooting out a jet of water rather than a jet of air.

3. e + f: Raymond Li made another kind of jetpack called a Jetlev-Flyer, but unlike Martin’s jetpack, the Jetlev-Flyer

.

Desert Delivery

These days it is easy for most of us to get a hold of the latest books or magazines. We can go to bookstores, order them through the Internet, or borrow them from the local library. Now imagine having to walk miles and miles through a hot sandy desert just to borrow a book. This is the reality for people living in the villages of the Garissa region of Kenya in East Africa. In 1996, librarian Wycliffe Oluoch used to spend each day waiting for people to come to borrow some of the 24,000 books in his library in Garissa. The library had no shortage of books, but people weren’t coming to read them. It was too much effort to walk through the desert just to borrow books. Oluoch racked his brain for ways to entice people into the library. After a lot of thought, he hit upon a great idea. If people wouldn’t come to the library, then he would have to take the library to them. Oluoch strapped boxes of books onto the backs of camels, and created the Mobile Camel Library. Starting with three camels in 1996, but more recently expanding the service to six camels, the Mobile Camel Library serves over one million people. Twice a month, the camel library can be seen carrying books all around the Garissa region. These hard-working animals need little water and can carry up to 500 pounds of books across the sands. A

librarian, a library assistant, a herdsman, and a lookout all travel with the camels. The lookout helps protect the books from thieves. The children of Garissa love the camel library and appreciate Oluoch’s effort. Elevenyear-old Mohamud Mohamed reads his library books carefully and always returns them on time. He knows the Garissa library punishes people for losing books, just like any other library. However, the punishment is very stiff compared to that of other libraries. If a village loses a book, the camel library stops visiting.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. making bigger

2. extra

3. attempt to do something

4. lack; not enough

5. nearby; neighborhood

6. attract

1. Do you have any spare money you can lend me?

2. Let’s go to our local store to get that. I don’t want to go too far.

3. There is a shortage of books at our library. There are only 100 books available.

4. Make an effort! Do your best!

5. That company wants to entice more people to come into their store.

6. Everyone loves that restaurant, so they are expanding their menu

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. Wycliffe Oluoch is a smart man.

   2. A mobile camel library was invented.

   3. Lookouts are necessary because of thieves.

   4. Camels can carry up to 500 pounds.

2. Who travels with the Mobile Camel Library?

   1. People who work in the library

   2. People who take care of the camels

   3. People who guard the books

   4. All of the above

3. Why do you think people did not visit the library in Garissa?

   1. It was too difficult to walk there.

   2. People in Garissa didn’t like reading.

   3. There were too few books.

   4. People didn’t like the camels.

4. What makes camels good animals to carry books in the desert?

   1. They travel well together.

   2. The children love the camels.

   3. They are strong and don’t need much water.

   4. The camels carry books twice a month.

5. Which of the following best describes the meaning of “punish” in the reading?

   1. Make someone feel pain

   2. Send someone to a small place

   3. Take away something good

   4. Treat someone badly

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words or phrases.

mobile hit on shortage camels librarian effort

1 Wycliffe Oluoch had a problem. Although he had no 2

of books, people didn’t make the 3 to borrow them. Walking across the hot sandy desert was too hard. So, Wycliffe Oluoch 4

an idea. Instead of people coming to him, he would go to them with the 5 Camel Library. Six 6 travel around Garissa, Kenya twice a month, carrying around 500 pounds of books each. People love this new mobile library!

Shakespeare, Where Are You Now?

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) wrote many plays and poems which are known the world over. But perhaps you think the works of an Elizabethan playwright are not important today. Well, think again. Shakespeare’s works have survived the years and then some! For example, Romeo and Juliet has not only been performed again and again in theaters around the world, but it has also been made into a very popular movie, twice! During the late 1500s, however, Shakespeare’s plays were often performed at the Globe Theatre in London. The Globe was a large open-air theater that used only natural lighting. Shows at the Globe used very few props, but performances were always interesting and exciting because the audience yelled at, cheered, and talked with the performers. The Globe was a great success. However, in 1613, during a performance of Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, a cannon was fired on stage, setting off a fire. The fire

completely destroyed the theater. The Globe was fixed a year later, but it did not stay open long. The theater was closed by the Puritans, who did not approve of entertainment. The Globe never opened again, and the building was finally torn down in 1644. Theater lovers in England never forgot the Globe, and in 1970, a decision was made to rebuild it as close to the original design as possible. Imagine how people felt when, in 1989, those working on the new Globe came across some of the original building only about 100 meters from the new theater. They were building the new theater almost in the original Globe’s location! The new Globe opened in 1999 and has since won many awards as one of the best tourist attractions in Europe. Since the new theater opened, hundreds of thousands of people have attended Shakespearean performances such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, and Henry V. Shakespeare, where are you now? At the Globe, of course!

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word or phrase

1. go to; be at

2. tear down; get rid of completely

d. acts, sings, dances, etc.

c. place

e. have a good opinion about

f. lived or lasted through a time

1. This old book survived the fire in the library.

2. I like to watch that actress’s movies. She always performs well.

3. Nobody uses the building. The city wants to destroy it and build something new.

4. Some parents did not approve of the play because the actors kissed.

5. This is a great location for a theater. I’m sure the theater will do well.

6. We have to reserve tickets early to attend the opening night of the play

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main focus of this reading?

   1. Interesting attractions in Europe

   2. Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre

   3. Shakespeare’s plays and poems

   4. The first play at the Globe Theatre

2. Which is probably NOT true about plays at the Globe in the 1500s?

   1. Actors didn’t use very many objects on stage.

   2. The shows were very popular.

   3. The audience said things to actors on stage.

   4. The shows were usually performed at night.

3. Which is true about the new Globe Theatre?

   1. It was open from 1500-1616.

   2. A fire happened there around 1970.

   3. Workers finished it in 1989.

   4. People could see plays there in 1999.

4. During what kind of scene did the fire at the Globe start?

   1. During a battle scene

   2. During a party scene

   3. During a scene in which witches cooked something

   4. During a scene on a beach after a boat sank

5. What won an award for the best attraction in Europe?

   1. Romeo and Juliet

   2. Shakespeare’s plays

   3. The Globe Theatre

   4. The original performance

3. Scan the passage and complete the timeline with the correct information.

What’s in a Name?

When naming a child, some parents seem to choose a name based simply on their personal preference. In other families, grandparents or professional name-makers come up with a child’s name. And in some cases, the time of a child’s birth influences how the child’s name is determined. In many European cultures, names are typically chosen by parents. Parents’ choice for their child’s name may be based on names of relatives or ancestors

within their particular family. For example, in Italy, children are traditionally named after their grandparents. The parents generally use the father’s parents’ names first. If they have more children, then they will use the mother’s parents’ names. Similarly, some people in Eastern Europe name their children after relatives who have died. This tradition is seen as a means to protect the child from the Angel of Death. Traditionally in some Asian countries, a child’s grandfather or a fortune-teller chooses the child’s name. In contrast to the tradition of naming children after relatives, the child’s name is chosen to influence the child’s character. For example, names may be based on a connection to certain elements such as fire, water, earth, wood, or metal. Or the name might include a written character meaning beauty, strength, or kindness. In certain African cultures, when a child is born plays a large part in determining the child’s name. In Ghana’s Akan culture, the

day a child is born determines the child’s name. But each day has different names for boys and girls. For instance, a boy born on Friday is named Kofi, whereas a girl born on the same day is named Afua. Both Kofi and Afua are names meaning “wanderer” or “explorer.” Children with these names are seen as travelers. No matter where the name comes from, a child’s name is the first gift in life. Whether it is chosen according to preference or dictated by tradition, the name reflects something about a child’s culture. For that reason, all names should be treasured and respected.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word

1. normally; usually

2. affects

3. shows

4. opposite

5. the basic things people used to think made all things

6. relatives from long ago

1. The elements of fire and water are opposites.

2. My family influences how I act.

3. Typically, Canadian families have two children.

4. Even though I am from America, my ancestors were from Europe.

5. In contrast to Thailand, Norway is almost always cold.

6. Her way of dressing reflects her outgoing character.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. How names reflect a person’s culture

   2. How Asian people name their children

   3. Choosing traditional names

   4. Choosing names in Italian culture

2. In which culture are children most likely named after their grandparents?

   1. Italian

   2. Japanese

   3. Mexican

   4. Akan

3. In which culture do grandparents most likely choose the child’s name?

   1. Italian

   2. Eastern European

   3. American

   4. Chinese

4. In China, what should names relate to?

   1. A child’s ancestors

   2. A child’s birth date

   3. A child’s birth element

   4. A child’s personality

5. Which is true in Akan culture if a twin brother and sister are born on a Friday?

   1. They will have different names.

   2. They will have to travel to a different city.

   3. They will both be named Afua.

   4. They will both be named Kofi.

3. Read the sentences from the reading passage. Paraphrase the sentences to create a summary of the passage.

1. A parent’s choice for a name may be based on names of relatives or ancestors within their particular family.

2. For example, in Italy, children are traditionally named after their grandparents.

1. a + b: In Italy, relatives’ or ancestors’ names can determine a child’s name,

.

c. Traditionally in some Asian countries. . .the child’s name is chosen to influence the child’s character.

d. For example, names may be based on a connection to certain elements. . .or the name might include a written character meaning beauty, strength, or kindness.

2. c + d: In some Asian cultures,

.

5. In Ghana, the day a child is born determines the child’s name in the Akan culture.

f. For instance, a boy born on Friday is named Kofi, whereas a girl born on the same day is named Afua.

3. e + f: In the Akan culture of Ghana, the

.

Out of Rainforests

Have you ever entered a tropical rainforest? It’s a special, dark place completely different from anywhere else. A rainforest is a place where the trees grow very tall. Millions of kinds of animals, insects, and plants live in the rainforest. It is hot and humid in a rainforest. It rains a lot in the rainforest, but sometimes you don’t know it’s raining. The trees grow so closely together that rain doesn’t always reach the ground. Rainforests make up only a small part of the Earth’s surface, about six percent. They are found in tropical parts of the world. The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon in South America. The Amazon covers 1.2 billion acres, or almost five million square kilometers. The second largest rainforest is in Western Africa. There are also rainforests in Central America, Southeast Asia, Northeastern Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Rainforests provide us with many things. In fact, the Amazon Rainforest is called the “lungs of our planet” because it produces twenty percent of the world’s oxygen. One fifth of the world’s fresh water is also found in the Amazon Rainforest. Furthermore, one half of the world’s species of animals, plants, and insects live in the Earth’s rainforests. Eighty percent of the food we eat first grew in the rainforest. For example, pineapples, bananas, tomatoes, corn, potatoes, chocolate, coffee, and sugar all came from rainforests. Twenty-five percent of the drugs we take when we are sick are made of plants that grow only in rainforests. Some of these drugs are even used to fight and cure cancer. With all the good things we get from rainforests, it’s surprising to find that we are destroying our rainforests. In fact, 1.5 acres, or 6,000 square meters, of rainforest disappear every second. The forests are being cut down to make fields for cows, to harvest the plants, and to clear land for farms. Along with losing countless valuable species, the destruction of rainforests creates many problems worldwide. Destruction of rainforests results in more pollution, less rain, and less oxygen for the world.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. medicines

2. touch; get to

3. remove all things from

4. incapable of being counted

5. don’t exist any longer

6. waste products

1. Can you reach my cup from where you are?

2. The fire destroyed countless trees in the forest.

3. There are many different kinds of drugs that help fight disease.

4. Every second, thousands of square meters of forests disappear from Earth.

5. Farmers must clear the land before they farm on it.

6. Pollution from cars and factories is contributing to changes in the environment.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the focus of this reading?

   1. Kinds of forests

   2. Where rainforests are located

   3. Facts about rainforests

   4. How much oxygen rainforests make

2. What do rainforests provide?

   1. Drugs used to fight and cure cancer

   2. Oxygen

   3. Fresh water

   4. All of the above

3. Why is the Amazon Rainforest called the “lungs of the planet”?

   1. It helps us breathe.

   2. It uses much of the world’s oxygen.

   3. It helps circulation.

   4. It provides much of our air.

4. Where would you NOT find a rainforest?

   1. Hawaii

   2. Canada

   3. Australia

   4. Brazil

5. What is the most likely reason why the author is surprised that we are destroying rainforests?

   1. They are necessary for the health of our planet.

   2. They are necessary for the fight against cancer.

   3. It will be too expensive to replant them.

   4. It will be too difficult to grow food without them.

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words or phrases.

pollution make up disappearing oxygen drugs

cut down

Rainforests only 1 six percent of the Earth’s surface, but they are very important to us. They provide us with much of the Earth’s 2

and fresh water. Also, many of the 3 we use to fight disease are made from rainforest plants. Most of the creatures on the Earth, and foods that we eat, come from the rainforest as well. Unfortunately, rainforests are 4 . They are being 5 so that farmers can grow crops or raise cattle. Problems resulting from the destruction of rainforests include more 6 , less oxygen, and fewer species of animals.

For a Quick Pickup

I t used to be that people would drink coffee or tea in the morning to pick them up and get them going for the day. Then cola drinks hit the market. With lots of caffeine and sugar, these beverages soon became the pick-me-up of choice for many adults and teenagers. Now drink companies are putting out so-called “energy drinks.” These beverages have the specific aim of giving tired consumers more energy. One example of a popular energy drink is Red Bull. The company that puts out this beverage has stated in interviews that Red Bull is not a thirst quencher. Nor is it meant to be a fluid replacement

drink for athletes. Instead, the beverage is meant to revitalize a tired consumer’s body and mind. In order to do this, the makers of Red Bull, and other energy drinks, typically add vitamins and certain chemicals to their beverages. The added chemicals are like chemicals that the body naturally produces for energy. The vitamins, chemicals, caffeine, and sugar found in these beverages all seem like a sure bet to give a person energy. Health professionals are not so sure, though. For one thing, there is not enough evidence to show that all of the vitamins added to energy drinks actually raise a person’s energy level. Another problem is that there are so many things in the beverages. Nobody knows for sure how all of the ingredients in energy drinks work together. Dr. Brent Bauer, one of the directors at the Mayo Clinic in the US, cautions people about believing all the claims energy drinks make. He says, “It is plausible if you put these twelve things together, you will get a good result.” However, Dr. Bauer adds the mix of ingredients could also have a negative impact on the body. “We just don’t know at this point,” he says.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

a. available power; ability to do work

c. says; promises

b. effect; influence

4. goal; purpose

5. facts to show it is true

6. warn

1. I didn’t eat breakfast this morning, so I don’t have much energy right now.

2. This beverage claims to have 100% of the vitamins a person needs, but I don’t believe it.

3. Let me caution you about drinking too much coffee. Too much caffeine is bad for you.

4. New research showing how unhealthy colas are has not had much impact on cola sales.

5. The aim of the company is to sell their drinks around the world.

6. They say this drink will help you study, but there is no evidence to support that claim

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the main idea of this reading?

   1. Caffeine is bad for people to drink.

   2. Energy drinks may or may not work.

   3. Red Bull is a good energy drink.

   4. Teenagers should not drink energy drinks.

2. What is NOT found in most energy drinks?

   1. Caffeine

   2. Sugar

   3. Thirst quenchers

   4. Vitamins

3. According to the reading, what makes it difficult for researchers to know if an energy drink gives people energy?

   1. Natural chemicals in a person’s body

   2. The age of the consumer

   3. The company that makes the beverage

   4. The number of ingredients

4. What has Dr. Bauer probably researched?

   1. Countries where Red Bull is popular

   2. Drinks for teenage athletes

   3. Habits of healthy and unhealthy adults

   4. Vitamins and chemicals in the body

5. Which of the following is NOT true according to the reading?

   1. Bauer does not believe the claims of energy drink makers.

   2. Colas have been on the market longer than energy drinks.

   3. It is impossible to ever prove that energy drinks work.

   4. The makers of Red Bull say that it can revitalize a person

3. Scan the passage and complete the chart with the correct information.

a negative impact a thirst quencher all the ingredients enough evidence to revitalize people

vitamins, chemicals, caffeine

The Misunderstood Tomato

Do you enjoy eating salsa and chips? Or maybe you like having ketchup on your fries? Then, you must like the essential ingredient in these sauces, tomatoes. The tomato originally comes from South America and has been eaten by people there for thousands of years. Today, tomatoes are popular the world over.

However, when they were first introduced, there was quite a bit of controversy and worry surrounding them. Ancient Aztec writings mention recipes for dishes of tomatoes, peppers, and salt--- probably the first salsa recipe! Spanish soldiers conquered the Aztecs and brought tomato seeds back with them to Europe. In Europe, these yellowish tomatoes were first called “apples of gold.” For a long time, people in Northern Europe and North America did not eat these “apples of gold.” People were afraid to eat tomatoes because the plant looked similar to the nightshade plant, a deadly poison. German people even thought that if someone ate tomatoes, he or she would change into a werewolf. However, by the mid-1800s, people all over the world had accepted the tomato as a good food to eat. Nevertheless, the tomato was due for more controversy. Do you think tomatoes are a fruit or vegetable? Actually tomatoes are a fruit. However, in America, tomatoes are a vegetable by law. Why are tomatoes legally a vegetable in America? In the 1800s, there was no import tax on fruit from other countries, but there was an import tax on vegetables. At that time, many tomatoes were coming from other countries into America, and American tomato farmers became worried about making a living. The government made tomatoes a vegetable by law so that non-American tomatoes would be taxed. It is easy to tell that the tomato is really a fruit. In fact, tomatoes are similar to berries. Both have seeds inside, and both grow from the flowers of a plant. Both also have delicious flesh surrounding the seeds. Tomatoes and strawberries are actually in the same family. Tomato ice cream, anyone?

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word.

1. disagreement; discussion

2. necessary e. near; related to

3. with permission by law

4. talks about; says briefly

f. defeated and controlled

1. It is essential to use tomatoes when you make salsa.

2. There is a lot of controversy about cloning.

3. One of the difficulties surrounding farmers is farm products from other countries.

4. The company pays a lot of taxes to legally bring goods into the country.

5. Her letter mentions that her mother is sick.

6. The Spanish conquered many other cultures

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the focus of this reading?

   1. What kind of thing tomatoes really are

   2. How to grow tomatoes

   3. The history of famous tomato dishes

   4. Controversies surrounding tomatoes

2. What is NOT a reason why people didn’t eat tomatoes at first?

   1. They thought tomatoes could change them into monsters.

   2. They thought tomatoes were poisonous.

   3. They thought tomatoes were similar to a deadly plant.

   4. They thought tomatoes cost too much to grow.

3. What does the US government say tomatoes are?

   1. A kind of fruit

   2. A kind of vegetable

   3. Both a fruit and a vegetable

   4. Neither a fruit nor a vegetable

4. How are tomatoes like strawberries?

   1. They grow on trees.

   2. The inside parts are similar.

   3. Tomatoes do not grow very big.

   4. Summer is the best time to pick them.

5. What is the most likely reason why people first called tomatoes “apples of gold”?

   1. Tomatoes were very expensive.

   2. Tomatoes tasted delicious.

   3. Tomatoes were a color like gold.

   4. Tomatoes came from South America.

3. Read the sentences from the reading passage. Paraphrase the sentences to create a summary of the passage.

1. Spanish soldiers conquered the Aztecs and brought tomato seeds back with them to Europe.

2. For a long time, people in Northern Europe and North America did not eat these “apples of gold”. . . because the plant looked similar to the nightshade plant, a deadly poison.

1. a + b: After Spanish soldiers brought tomato seeds back to Europe,

.

c. In the 1800s. . . many tomatoes were coming from other countries into America, and American tomato farmers became worried about making a living.

d. The government made tomatoes a vegetable by law so that non-American tomatoes would be taxed.

2. c + d: The US government made a law in the 1800s to call tomatoes vegetables because

.

e. In fact, tomatoes are similar to berries.

f. Both have seeds inside, and both grow from the flowers of a plant.

3. e + f: It is easy to see that tomatoes are like berries because

.

The Greatest of the Century

As the new century began, several groups came up with the idea of selecting the greatest sports person of the 20th century. These groups included the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), Sports Illustrated (SI), and the World Sports Award Organization. Interestingly, all three named the same person as the Sportsman of the Century! One man who was among the athletes appearing at the top of these three groups’ lists was golf legend Jack Nicklaus. Certainly, no one would doubt that he was the greatest golfer of the century. His sixth Masters win in 1986 at the age of forty-six amazed golf fans all around the world. Nicklaus is also known for his charity work to help children in need. The second sports legend appearing on all three lists, but not winning the top honor, was Pelé. This soccer star led Brazil’s World Cup team to victory

in 1958 when he was only seventeen years old. He is the only soccer player in the world to receive three World Cup winning medals. Over his career, Pelé personally scored more than 1,000 goals. In addition to his soccer fame, Pelé is also known for working to try and improve life for poor people in Brazil and around the world. Likewise, the athlete named

the Sportsman of the Century by the BBC, SI, and the World Sports Award is known for more than just his sports skills. This man spoke out against the abuse of civil liberties even to the point of having his awards in his sport taken away. Then, later in life when faced with Parkinson’s disease, he boldly continued to work for his beliefs. Almost forty years before receiving the award as the Greatest, this athlete called himself the greatest. And he proved it. The Sportsman of the 20th Century without a doubt is the boxer Muhammad Ali.

1. Write the letter of the word or phrase with the same meaning as the underlined word

1. choose

2. do not believe

3. get

4. in the same way

5. person who did something incredible

6. professional work

1. Babe Ruth is a legend in baseball.

2. I doubt that anyone will ever break the player’s record.

3. Nicklaus does charity work. Tiger Woods does charity work, likewise.

4. Pelé began his soccer career when he was a teenager.

5. The coach will select one player to join the All Star team.

6. The winner will receive an award from the BBC.

2. Choose the best answer.

1. What is the focus of the reading?

   1. A problem with an award

   2. Important sports organizations

   3. The career of the greatest sportsman

   4. The winner of a prize

2. How did Nicklaus amaze golf fans?

   1. By giving money to charity

   2. By playing a very long game

   3. By taking his name off of the list

   4. By winning when he was older

3. According to the reading, what is Pelé known for, other than soccer?

   1. Helping the poor

   2. Speaking out for civil liberties

   3. Telling people about Brazil

   4. Working with children’s charities

4. Which of these questions is NOT answered in the reading?

   1. How many boxing matches did Ali win?

In conclusion, I would like to note that this teaching aid is effective

• in working with reading skills, it expands the student’s vocabulary,

• orient students to modern life,

• focus the course material on typical cultural phenomena; learn to identify general and specific;

• develop understanding and good attitude towards the country, its people, traditions

• develop listening skills, reading authentic texts with a general coverage of content, with a detailed understanding, with an understanding of specific information;

• develop the ability to compare and express your own opinion; introduce students to the basics of grammar, give ideas

• teach to see differences, some deviations from the rules;

• help schoolchildren to grasp the unity of theory and practice in the process of cognition;

• develop creative abilities in schoolchildren, conscious

In terms of implementing these tasks, the elective course is built the proposed material satisfies interests in accessible language; ensures accessibility of the studied material for provides interaction between literature and the Russian language; geography. The content of the course contributes to the expansion of knowledge, original material that goes beyond the scope of school.

In the process of working with this teaching aid, we achieved the following results:

1. the most students began to understand the meaning of the text, developed the ability to compare and express their opinions.

2. They developed their vocabulary and began to participate in various competitions. Such as “Kangaroo”, subject Olympiads, competition of essays, scientific work competitions.

	The winners of “Kangaroo”	The winners of subject Olympiads	The winners competition of essays	The participation of scientific work competitions.
2022-2023 school year	9	0	1	0
2022-2023 school year	10	1	2	3

I hope this teaching aid will be useful for teachers and students. Good luck!!!