WEEK 1 BACKGROUND READING COMPREHENSION

Read the text and choose the correct answers.

EXERCISE 1
In Britain, you have to take a test if you want to ride a motorbike. In the
teat you always have to do an ‘emergency stop´, where you stop the
bike as quickly as possible.
One day a young women was taking her test. Everything was going
well when the examiner called her and told her to stop the bike. He
wanted to see an emergency stop, so he asked the woman to continue
riding round the streets until he jumped in front of the bike and shouted
“stop!” He told the young woman not to go too slowly, but to continue
as usual. A Little nervous, she continued quite slowly on the route and
was nearly at the end when she saw a few people in the road. One of
them waved and asked her to come and help them. Her examiner was
sitting in the road, confused, but not badly hurt. “what happened?” the bike asked. “I
jumped out on front of the wrong bike”, said the examiner, “and it did not stop”.
1. What do you have to do if you C. Stopping the motorbike
want ride a motorbike?
A. Buy one. 4. What does the examiner suggest
B. Take a driving course. to the driver?
C. Take a test. A. Turn to left and then turn to
right.
2. Who was taking the test? B. Not to go too faster.
A. A young woman C. Drive as fast as she can
B. A old women 5. How was the examiner?
C. A Young man A. Excited
B. Happy
3. What was the examiner asking C. Confused
for?
A. Taking the test again
B. Calling him and ask for an
appointment

EXERCISE 2
WILLOW WIFE

Heitaro was a poor Japanese man who lived in a hut close to a very beautiful, tall willow
tree. Heitaro loved the willow more than anything else in his life. Everyday
he used to pray underneath its long comforting branches. One night, when
he was praying under the tree, a beautiful young woman appeared. She
looked as if she wanted to speak with him but was too shy. “honorable
lady, I see you are waiting for someone. I will leave”.

She spoke softly. There is no need. No one will come. “does he not love you enough?”
asked Heitaro.
“He will not come because he is already here.” With these words she smiled and
disappeared.
After this the woman appeared every evening. One evening Heitaro asked her to marry
him. She agreed and in time they had a child. Heitaro was happier than he could ever
have imagined.
Years passed and then word came that the emperor needed fine wood to build a temple.
The villagers decided to offer the wood of the willow because it was the best tree to be
found anywhere. Heitaro said to his wife, ´Before I met you, I could not have lived
without the willow, but now I have you and the child. ´ The villagers arrived and started
to cut down the tree. Immediately the wife cried out in pain. Suddenly the willow fell with
a loud crash. Willow wife fell at the same time. Willow wife was no more.
1. Who was Heitaro? C. A beautiful young woman
A. A rich Japanese appears.
B. A poor Chinese
C. A poor Japanese
4. What does the word softly mean?
2. Heitaro loved
A. The willow more than A. Tenderly
anything else. B. Abruptly
B. To pray underneath its long C. Tightly
comforting branches
C.Live in a hut closet to the 5. The villagers arrived and started to
willow tree. cut down the tree

3. One night, when he was praying A. Willow wife smiled.

under the tree B. Willow wife fell in love
A. A phantom appears. C. Willow wife cried out in pain.
B. A handsome young man
appears.

EXERCISE 3
PEKING PARADISE
The Summer Palace is located just outside Beijing in China. It is one of the biggest and
most famous eating royal gardens in the world. It covers an área of more than 800 acres
including a huge lake called Kunming Lake. The palace was used by the emperors and
empresses of China. Construction was started in the 13th century, but it wasn´t until the
17th century that man-made hills, halls, pavilions, pagodas, towers, and bridges were
added. Unfortunately, the palace was destroyed in 1860 by a fire, but was rebuilt in
1888.
The Summer Palace is so well-preserved that visitors can still enjoy its beautiful features
today. One of the most famous sights is the Marble Boat which is two stories high and
82 feet long with four dragon heads that spout water. There is also the magnificent
White marble Seventeen-arch Bridge which has over 500 lions carved on it, and Suzhou
Market Street, a copy of a traditional street where the royal family used to do their
shopping.
The palace itself is a museum with a rich collection of precious antiques and priceless
treasures from various Chinese dynasties. It also contains the sight you must not miss;
the world´s longest handpainted covered walkway, known as the Long Corridor. Its walls
are covered in unique handpainted images and colourful designs.
A visit to the Summer Palace and it´s gardens will take up the beffer part of a day, but it
´s worth it. You shouldn´t miss it if you travel to Beijing.
1. The summer palace is located in
4. The palace was used by
A. Hong Kong China A. Perking People
B. Beijing China B. Visitors
C. Royal Japanese C. Emperors and empresses

2. The palace was destroyed 5. Construction was started

A. In 1860 A. In the 13th centaury

B. In 1888 B. In the 17th centaury
C. In the 17th century C. In 1888

3. The palace itself is

A. A museum Write a rich
collection
B. A school with a rich collection
C. A big garden in the world with a
rich collection