COMPREHENSION SKILL

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A JILLAROO

Hi everyone! Well, here I am, in the Australian outback! It’s a big change from Sydney, but I’m really enjoyiong the peace and quiet here, and the scenery is just
amazing! It’s late now and the sun is slowly setting behind the mountains. I’m still dressed in my work clothes.

For two weeks, I’m what they call a “Jillaroo”, which is a cowgirl in training. The young men training with me are
called “Jackaroos”. There are twenty of us staying on the ranch. Every morning. After that, we spend most of the
morning with the horses. For Jillaroos and Jackaroos, your horse is your best friend, so we learn how to gain their
trust. My horse’s name is Sheila. We’re not close friends yet, but we’re making progress.

Being a Jillaroo isn’t just about working with horses. In the evenings, we go trekking and learn how to set up
campsites. Our instructor, Bill, is great. I love it when we gather around the campfire drinking tea.

Well, that’s all for now. Wish me luck on the ranch!

Read the text and complete the sentences.

1. Erin thinks the scenery is just amazing.

2. Erin stays on the ranch
3. The Jillaroos start work at sunrise
4. Jillarros and Jackaroos have to make their horses in the morning
5. Jillaroos also learn how to gain their trust.
6. Erin’s favourite time is when they gather around the campfire drinking tea.

Match the words in bold to their synonyms.

Build scenary difference change view set up win gain

Come together gather teacher instructor fantastic great}

Fill in :

SETTING TREKKING INSTRUCTOR PEACE CLOSE SURVIVE

1. She likes the peace and quiet of the countryside.
2. Look! The sun is setting behind the mountain.
3. Tammy and Laura are close friends.
4. It’s difficult to survive in the Australian outback.
5. We like going trekking
6. Our instructor is showing us how to set up campsites.

Read the text again and complete the mindmaps, then describe a typical day in the life of a Jillaroo to the class.

A jillaroo's typical day

In the morning

1 they wake up at sunrise to feed the ranch animals before they have breakfast.

2 they spend most of the morning with the horses

3 they learn how to gain their horses trust

In the evenings….

1 they go trekking

2 they learn how to set up campsites.

3 they gather around the campfire drinking tea