Exercise 1

RULES TO FOLLOW
The Grade Six pupils decided to make their room clean, orderly
and beautiful. Here are some of the rules everyone needs to follow:

Wipe your shoes on the doormat before entering the room.

Put the wastepaper, fruit peelings and candy wrappers in the
wastebasket.
Keep the walls, desks and tables free from pencil and chalk
marks and scratches.
Put the cleaning materials in a box.
Arrange the furniture properly.
Put away your pencils, books, notebooks after using them.
Hang umbrellas and raincoats in one corner of the room.
Keep books clean and well- covered.

1. What did the pupils decide to do?

a. make their room clean, orderly and beautiful
b. make their homes clean, orderly and beautiful
c. make their school surroundings clean, orderly and beautiful
2. What did they agree upon?
a. to form a society
b. to follow the rules
c. to work on the school ground
3. What will they do with their shoes?
a. wipe on the doormat
b. leave on the doormat
c. put under the doormat
4. From what will they keep the furniture free?
a. books
b. cover
c. scratches
5. Where should the cleaning materials be kept?
a. box
b. drawer
c. bookcase
6. How should the furniture be arranged?
a. properly
b. carelessly
c. artistically
7. Where should one keep his pencils, books and notebooks after
using them?
a. in this bag
b. on the desk
c. on the teacher’s table
8. Where should wastepaper be thrown?
a. in the desk
b. in the drawer
c. in the wastebasket
9. Where should one hang raincoats and umbrellas?
a. on the desk
b. in the cabinet
c. on one corner of the room
10. What should be kept clean and well-covered?
a. desks
b. books
c. tables
 Exercise 2

DAPHNE
Daphne was a beautiful nymph. The sun god, Apollo, fell in
love with her but she rejected him. Once, Apollo saw here and
pursued her. Daphne sought shelter behind a big tree. She was out of
breath from running. Now, as she leaned on the tree, she looked back
with threw herself upon her knees and prayed to be saved from her
pursuer. She rose with outstretched arms. Then her fingers fluttered
gently, as if blown by a gentle breeze. Little by little she was changed
from a beautiful nymph to a laurel tree. Slowly she broke into a smile.
Now, she was safe. Apollo could not carry her away anymore.

1. Daphne sought shelter behind ____.

a. a big tree
b. a laurel tree
c. a large tree
2. As she leaned on the tree, she looked back with ____.
a. round eyes
b. smiling eyes
c. frightened eyes
3. She was out of breath from ____.
a. talking
b. running
c. laughing
4. She prayed to be saved from her ____.
a. father
b. pursuer
c. husband
5. Slowly she stretched out her ____.
a. feet
b. arms
c. hands
6. She threw herself upon her ____.
a. bed
b. knees
c. pillow
7. She was changed from a beautiful nymph into ____.
a. an oak tree
b. a narra tree
c. a laurel tree
8. Her fingers fluttered ____.
a. slowly
b. gently
c. rapidly
9. She felt safe, after she became a ____.
a. tree
b. nymph
c. goddess
10. She could not be carried away anymore by ____.
a. Theus
b. Midas
c. Apollo
 Exercise 3

HOW THE ROMANS COOKED THEIR FOOD

Long ago the Romans used to cook their food just as the way
hunters today sometimes do. They dug out an over in the ground,
lined it with stones and made a fire in it. When the improvised oven
was well heated, they raked out the ashes, put in the food and covered
it. We learned about this from excavations in the city of Pompeii.
Pompeii was destroyed and buried during the eruption of a volcano
hundreds of years ago. When the city found excavated, ovens with
wood and ashes were found among the ruins. It is believed that just as
the cooks were about to bake, the fiery volcano rained out ashes and
boiling lava and burned down the city.

1. In ancient times, how did the Romans cook their food?

a. just as the cooks do today
b. just as the people do today
c. just as some hunters do today
2. What did they use to line the ground where they built the ovens?
a. lime
b. clay
c. stones
3. What did they do with the oven before putting in their food?
a. They cooled it.
b. They heated it.
c. They poured water in it.
4. Where did they dig their ovens?
a. in the ground
b. in the cement
c. in the tree trunks
5. What did they rake out of the oven before putting in their food?
a. sand
b. ashes
c. wood
6. Who cooked their food in underground ovens?
a. the Jews
b. the Italians
c. the Romans
7. Who had ovens with food ashes in them?
a. the British
b. the Romans
c. the people of Pompeii
8. What destroyed Pompeii?
a. a great fire
b. a terrible flood
c. a volcanic eruption
9. What were the cooks about to do when the volcano erupted?
a. eat
b. bake
c. wash dishes
10. What was done with the buried city?
a. rebuilt
b. forgotten
c. excavated
 Exercise 4

FIRST NIGHT IN THE CITY

It was Lynn’s first night in the city. She woke up with a stun and
then she remembered where she was. She had never spent the night in
a city before. She lay still and listened. Cars and jeepneys seemed to
race like ants heading straight towards here. A new house was being
built next to her aunt’s house and the cement mixer was roaring
angrily. Downstairs, in the kitchen, she heard the clattering of pans.
Then, she heard the chime of the big clock. She turned over and fell
asleep again.

1. What did Lynn remember when she woke up?

a. She was in the city.
b. She was in their house.
c. She was in her country.
2. Has Lynn ever spent a night before in the city?
a. No
b. Yes
c. Maybe
3. Where did Lynn imagine the cars and jeeps going?
a. heading to the city
b. heading towards her
c. heading towards the house
4. Where did the roaring sound come from?
a. a bulldozer
b. a cement mixer
c. a street sweeper
5. How did she know the time?
a. from the radio
b. from the big clock
c. from the position of the sun
6. Why did Lynn wake up with a stun?
a. She was afraid.
b. She had a dream.
c. She felt she was in a strange place.
7. What did she do when she woke up?
a. She ran out to play.
b. She washed her faced.
c. She lay still and listened
8. What did Lynn hear passing in front of the house?
a. buses and trains
b. cars and jeepneys
c. streetcars and carts
9. Where did she hear the clattering of the pans?
a. from the streets
b. from the kitchen
c. from the living room
10. Did Lynn fall asleep again?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
 Exercise 5
THE FACE IN THE POOL
Narcissus was out of breath from running when he came to a
clear pool. He stopped to drink. Just as he was about to sip the cool
water, he saw a face in the pool. It was handsome and he was
attracted to it.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“Who are you?” echoed someone.
“Why are you mocking me?” asked Narcissus.
“Mocking me,” said the voice.
Narcissus was puzzled. He wanted to talk with the face in the
pool but it would not answer. He tried to catch it but to no avail. At
last, he lost hope and plunged into the pool hoping to see the owner of
the face.

1. Why was Narcissus out of breath?

a. He was running.
b. He was Jumping.
c. He was skipping.
2. Which of these sentence is true?
a. Narcissus came to a clear lake.
b. Narcissus came to a clear pool.
c. Narcissus came to a clear path.
3. He stopped to ____.
a. drink
b. swim
c. bathe
4. He saw something which ____.
a. attracted him
b. frightened him
c. drove him away
5. What did he see in the pool?
a. a boat
b. a face
c. a flower
6. Which is correct?
a. He talked with the face in the pool.
b. He shouted at the face in the pool.
c. He played with the face in the pool.
7. Narcissus heard ____.
a. his own echo
b. the singing bird
c. a reply from the man in the pool
8. Narcissus was not able to ____.
a. drink
b. swim
c. talk with the man in the pool
9. He became _____.
a. sad
b. angry
c. hopeless
10. What did he do at last?
a. plunged into the pool
b. ran into the dark woods
c. ran away from the pool
 Exercise 6

CAMPING

Rene was tired from the day’s tramp. He rolled himself in his
scout blanket and laid still. It was very quiet in the woods. Then he
heard some queer noses. There was a flapping of wings. A night owl
was on its way to hunt. Tiny raindrops started to fall on the leaves.
The shower was over though, in a moment. The cicadas and other
insects started their night songs which ended into a forest symphony.
“Those queer night sounds in the forest is a good lullaby,” Rene
thought as he drowsed off to a sound sleep.

1. Rene went on ____.

a. a field trip
b. an excursion
c. a Boy Scout camping
2. It was very quiet in the ____.
a. city
b. house
c. woods
3. He rolled himself in his ____.
a. mat
b. raincoat
c. scout blanket
4. He began to hear ____.
a. soft music
b. hooting cars
c. queer noises
5. He heard a soft flapping of ____.
a. skirts
b. wings
c. leaves
6. An owl was on its way to ____.
a. hunt
b. roost
c. lay eggs
7. Tiny raindrops fell on the ____.
a. roof
b. leaves
c. treetops
8. The shower lasted for a ____.
a. few hours
b. long time
c. short time
9. Rene heard the singing of the ____.
a. owls
b. cicadas
c. campers
10. To Rene, the sound of the insects was a ____.
a. lullaby
b. serenade
c. symphony
 Exercise 7

A WISE BUYER

“I have good news today, Mother,” said Norma as she put down
the big basket she was carrying.
“What’s your news, Norma?” asked Mother.
“Look at my basket,” said Norma excitedly, “I bought many
things today: meat, sugar, fish, vegetables and fruits. See, I still have a
little change left.”
“But why?” asked Mother, puzzled.

1. Where did Norma came from?

a. playing
b. the school
c. the market
2. What was she carrying?
a. a big bag
b. a big basket
c. a school bag
3. What was Norma’s news?
a. bad
b. good
c. neither good nor bad
4. How did Norma fell after coming from the market?
a. tired
b. angry
c. excited
5. What did she show to her Mother?
a. things in her study table
b. things in her school bag
c. things she bought in the market
6. Why was Norma happy?
a. She bought a pretty dress.
b. She bought things she would use in school.
c. She was able to buy many things and still had some change.
7. Which of these did Norma buy?
a. dress
b. meat
c. ribbon
8. How did Mother feel after listening to Norma?
a. sad
b. happy
c. puzzled
9. Why was Norma’s news good?
a. She was able to save an amount from marketing.
b. She found a wallet with money in the market.
c. She did not pay for the good she got from the market.
10. Why do you think was Mother puzzled?
a. She could not believe what Norma said.
b. She knew that prices of goods were high.
c. Norma had told the truth for the first time.
 Exercise 8

HOW TO PREPARE TOMATO CATSUP

Select some ripe tomatoes. Was them thoroughly. Cut them

crosswise into halves. Then separate the pulp from the seeds. Cook
the pulp in an enameled kettle, stirring it occasionally until the thin
peelings separate and roll up. Remove the pulp from the fire. Pass the
pulp through a wire strainer and get the juice, mix the juice with the
pulp. Add some vinegar. Put onion juice, powdered cinnamon,
pepper, cloves of garlic and spices in a small cloth bag and dip it into
the mixture. Cook the mixture until it is thick. Take out the bag of
spices. Bottle the cooked pulp and seal.

1. How is the pulp separated from the seeds?

a. by squeezing the tomato
b. by cutting crosswise into halves
c. by cutting the tomato into small pieces

2. When is the pulp removed from the fire?

a. when the pulp has hardened
b. when the pulp is mixed with the peelings
c. when the peelings have been separated and have rolled up

3. What is the first step in preparing catsup?

a. Boil the mixture.
b. Wash the tomatoes thoroughly.
c. Remove the mixture from the fire.

4. What kind of tomatoes are used?

a. ripe
b. green
c. cooked
5. What is used in cooking the pulp?
a. a pot
b. a pan
c. an enameled kettle
6. What kind of strainer is used?
a. wire strainer
b. rattan strainer
c. plastic strainer
7. What is wrapped in a cloth bag?
a. juice
b. spices
c. pulp
8. When is the mixture removed from the fire?
a. when it is thick
b. when it is watery
c. when it is smooth
9. What is added to the juice and pulp?
a. flour and others
b. water and others
c. vinegar, onion juice and others
10. What is the last step in preparing the catsup?
a. boil until thick
b. bottle and seal
c. add the vinegar to the mixture
 Exercise 9

TRAVEL MADE EASY

“How was your trip, Wally?” asked Grandma as Wally kissed

her hands.
“It was fine, Grandma,” answered Wally, yawning while
stretching his arms, and shaking his legs. “I slept almost throughout
the way.”
“Why, you lazy boy!” exclaimed Grandma. “Then you didn’t
see the beautiful scenery on the countryside.”
“It was so nice riding on the bus,” explained Wally. “The roads
now are very smooth, unlike the first time Father and I visited you
after the flood. A week had passed after that visit, yet my body was
still aching all over. We were like mashed fruits after our ride over
those pot marked roads.”
“It did not take long for the government to have all the damaged
roads repaired,” agreed Grandma. “Thanks to our government, things
are back to normal again.”

1. Where did Wally’s Grandma live?

a. in the city
b. in the province
c. in a city suburb
2. Why did Wally fail to see the beautiful scenery?
a. He slept almost throughout the way.
b. He was wearing dark glasses.
c. He was not interested to look at the scenery.
3. Where did Wally ride?
a. on a bus
b. on a train
c. in a jeepney
4. Who was with Wally when he visited Grandma?
a. his father
b. his mother
c. nobody
5. How did Wally try to freshen himself?
a. He jumped.
b. He ran and run.
c. He stretched out his arms and legs.
6. According to Grandma, what did Wally miss by sleeping all the
way?
a. Grandma’s house
b. the place where they were going
c. the beautiful scenery on the countryside
7. Why did Wally not enjoy his first visit to Grandma?
a. The journey was long.
b. The roads were pot marked.
c. The roads were smooth and nice.
8. What did Grandma call Wally for sleeping all the way?
a. lazy
b. cheerful
c. curious
9. Why were the roads easy to travel on now?
a. They were cleaned by the government.
b. They were damaged by the government.
c. They had been repaired by the government.
10. How was life after the flood?
a. It returned to normal.
b. It was never the same again.
c. It was much better than before.
 Exercise 10

BOOKS

Those who cannot read are pitiful because they cannot enjoy
books. Books tell us about the wonderful things in the world. They
tell us the interesting things people do. Books can answer the “whys”
and “hows” of things that puzzle us. They can take us to faraway
places through imagination. They can show us, too, the things that
happened a long time ago as well as those happening at present.
Books tell us about the children in other lands. They hold the key to
the greatest treasures in the world. A wise man once said that he
would rather be a poor boy in a cellar surrounded with books that a
prince who had no chance to read.

1. Those who do not know how to read are the

a. most pitiful people
b. most happy people
c. most wonderful people

2. What do books do for us?

a. make us rich
b. make us unhappy
c. tell us about the things in the world

3. Where can books take us?

a. nowhere
b. just in our room
c. to faraway places
4. What questions can books answer?
a. little things not worth knowing
b. the “whys” and “hows” the things
c. things that cannot be remembered
5. What do books hold for their readers?
a. falling leaves
b. running water
c. key to the greatest treasure in the world
6. What do books tell us?
a. nothing of importance
b. words without meaning
c. things that happened long ago
7. Do books tell us about the children in other places?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Perhaps
8. Who says he would rather be in a cellar with books than in a palace
with a single book?
a. a prince
b. a wise man
c. a poor man
9. What do books unfold before us?
a. hidden health
b. hidden wealth
c. hidden knowledge
10. What is preferable than a prince in a palace without the love for
reading?
a. a rich boy in a big house
b. a boy in a beautiful house
c. a poor boy in a cellar who loves books
 Exercise 11

THE DIVER

A skillful diver can see clearly what lies underneath a vast body
of water. He sees swaying seaweeds, acres of sea plants that have
large, bright colored leaves. He finds countless sea snakes, sea horses,
fierce sharks and other wild fishes. He takes delight in watching the
different species of fish, splendid in their brilliant colors. To a diver,
the life underworld is full of thrilling adventures.

1. What can the diver see through the clear water?

a. ships
b. sea horse
c. sea weeds
2. Are there plants in the sea?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
3. What kind of a diver can stay in the water for a long time?
a. amateurs
b. untrained
c. experienced
4. Do the divers find only wild fishes under the sea?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe

5. What does a diver find in the sea?

a. wealth
b. adventure
c. sunken ships
6. What makes a seaweed sway?
a. air
b. fishes
c. water current
7. How does a diver feel while watching the different species of fish
underwater?
a. afraid
b. excited
c. delighted
8. How wide is the place underwater where sea plants grow?
a. acres
b. few meet
c. few meters
9. What may possibly happen to a diver who is not skillful?
a. He may drown.
b. He may just float.
c. He may be eaten by fishes.
10. Do you think deep sea diving is safe?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
 Exercise 12

THE BLIND GIRL

A group of student were chatting and laughing excitedly near

the sidewalk. They seemed to be talking all at the same time when
suddenly they became silent. They stared spellbound at a blind girl
groping along the wall, and feeling her way about. Though her eyes
were open, they could tell that she could not see. In her right hand
was a bunch of flowers which she smelled how and then. She
continued walking till the end of the street. When she was out of sight
the students gave a sigh of relief. Were they not lucky to have two
good eyes?

1. What were the students doing?

a. playing and jumping
b. singing and dancing
c. chatting and laughing

2. Which of these students is true?

a. The students stopped talking as they stared at a blind girl.
b. The students stopped talking as they stared at a lame girl.
c. The students stopped talking as they stared at an old beggar.

3. How did the girl move along the wall?

a. She ran along?
b. She walked briskly.
c. She groped along her way.

4. What did the students notice about the girl’s eyes?

a. They were open.
b. They were closed.
c. They were half opened.
5. What were the students sure about the girl?
a. She could see.
b. She could not see.
c. She could see a little.

6. What was on the girl’s hand?

a. a cane
b. a bunch of keys
c. a bunch of flowers

7. Where was the girl going?

a. to a nearby store
b. to the end of the street
c. to the house at the street corner

8. What did the students do when they saw the girl?

a. stared
b. looked
c. smiled

9. How did the students feel when the blind girl was out of sight?
a. sorry
b. afraid
c. relieved

10. What were the students thankful for?

a. for their feet
b. for their legs
c. for their good eyes
 Exercise 13
FEEDING TIME AT THE ZOO
It was time the zookeeper to feed the animals. Judging from the
noise, the beasts were hungry. The lions opened their mouths and
gave the people in the zoo a frightful sample of the howl of the king
of beasts. The little monkeys squeaked as they tumbled over each
other to reach the cage bars. The monkey shook the iron bars till they
rattled, and parrots jumped up and down shrieking excitedly.

1. What time was it in the zoo?

a. playing time
b. feeding time
c. sleeping time
2. How did the animals show that they were hungry?
a. They played.
b. They quarreled.
c. They made noise.
3. Who howled?
a. the lions
b. the gorillas
c. the monkeys
4. What did the lions do?
a. roared
b. beat on the bars
c. opened their mouths
5. What was the zookeeper going to do?
a. beat the animals
b. feed the animals
c. bathe the animals
6. How did the little monkeys manage to reach the cage bars?
a. by jumping over each other
b. by tumbling over each other
c. by climbing over each other
7. What did the little monkeys do?
a. snitched
b. squeaked
c. screeched
8. What did the monkeys do with the iron bars?
a. broke
b. rattled
c. loosened
9. Who jumped up and down?
a. dancers
b. parrots
c. birds
10. How did the parrots welcome the zookeeper?
a. They shouted.
b. They shrieked.
c. They squeaked
 Exercise 14

HOME FOR THE AGED

“It will not be long from now and Tandang Sela will not go
begging anymore,” Mel told his sister Sheila.
“Why did you say that?” asked Sheila.
“Didn’t you know?” Mel asked. “The government had decided
to help the beggars, young and old.”
“But how?” asked Sheila, still puzzled. “There are hundreds of
beggars around. How can the government help them all?”
“It is like this,” explained Mel. “The young ones will be placed
in the care of their relatives if they have any. The others will be sent
to the provinces where they came from. The children who do not have
anybody to look after them will be placed in orphanages. The old ones
who have neither families nor relatives will be housed in the Home
for the Aged. They will be taken care of by the government.”
“How nice,” Sheila said. “It is really a pity to see these beggars,
especially the very old ones.”

1. What does Tandang Sela do?

a. She sells.
b. She begs.
c. She washes clothes.
2. What news does Mel have for Sheila?
a. Tandang Sela will move to another place.
b. Tandang Sela will not have to beg anymore.
c. Tandang Sela will not have to wash clothes anymore.
3. Whom will the government help?
a. the children
b. the beggars
c. the poor people
4. Where will the young ones be sent?
a. to their relatives
b. to the orphanage
c. to the social welfare
5. Where will the unattended young ones be sent?
a. to rich families
b. to orphanages
c. to the provinces where they came from
6. Who will be housed in the Home for the Aged?
a. the young ones
b. the very old ones
c. the ones with relatives
7. Who will provide the needs of the old folks?
a. their relatives
b. the rich people
c. the government
8. Which of these statements is true?
a. The government will help the beggars.
b. The government will imprison all beggars.
c. The government will drive the beggars away.
9. How did Sheila feel about the government’s decision?
a. glad
b. envious
c. curious
10. How does one feel when he sees beggars especially the old ones?
a. sad
b. joyful
c. happy
 Exercise 15

AN AIRPLANE RIDE

The strangest thing about my first airplane ride was that I

seemed not to be moving at all since the plane assumed a certain
altitude. As I looked down, the earth below seemed like a wonderful
map in lovely colors. Everything was a miniature. The houses, the
trees, the buildings appeared like playthings. The vast rice fields were
restful to the eyes to look at. The ocean was but a shallow stream of
clear, blue water.
Indeed, anybody’s first plane ride is a pleasant experience.

1. On what kind of transportation was the author riding?

a. a car
b. a ship
c. an airplane
2. How did the earth below appear to the narrator?
a. a vast rice field
b. a wonderful map
c. a undeveloped place
3. How did the objects appear to the author?
a. shadows
b. reflections
c. miniatures
4. What made the rice fields restful to the eyes?
a. their size
b. their color
c. the location
5. How did the author consider his first airplane ride?
a. a horrible experience
b. a pleasant experience
c. a nauseating experience
6. What did the author say the ocean looked like?
a. long river
b. shallow stream
c. swimming pool
7. What was the strangest thing about the author’s first airplane ride?
a. The plane flew so fast.
b. The plane seemed not to be moving.
c. The plane could not go above the clouds.
8. How many times has the author ridden on an airplane?
a. twice
b. once
c. many
9. Which appeared like playthings to the author?
a. buildings, trees, houses
b. houses, people, animals
c. houses, buildings, people
10. How did he describe the rice fields?
a. restful to the eyes
b. like a dense forest
c. like a shallow stream
 Exercise 16

JOSE RIZAL’S MOTHER

God’s best gift to Jose Rizal was his mother, Doña Teodora
Alonzo. Teodora was brought up by her mother in a home full of love
and understanding. She was educated at Santa Rosa College. Her
excellent education, her goodness of heart and her other virtues
prepared her to be the mother of our national hero. To Jose Rizal, next
to God, a mother means everything to a man. Doña Teodora was a
devout Catholic. It was her teachings that made her son, Jose, love the
Christian way of life. He was still a baby when his mother began
teaching him the alphabet and the simple prayers as was the custom of
the Filipino family.
Doña Teodora was fond of telling stories to her son, Jose. The
word “story: meant something new and wonderful to Jose. He would
sit down to listen, full of interest and wonder, when his mother called
him for the regular story time. He loved the stories his mother told
him. He remembered the moral lesson each story conveyed and made
it a part of his education and training.

1. How did Jose Rizal consider his mother?

a. his playmate
b. God’s best gift
c. a good story teller
2. Which word best described Doña Teodora?
a. gay
b. lovely
c. virtuous
3. Which of the following prepared her to be the mother of our
national hero?
a. her books
b. her goodness of heart
c. her pleasant disposition
4. What did a mother mean to Rizal?
a. Everyone’s mother is his friend.
b. Next to God, a mother meant everything to a man.
c. A mother is one who should teach her children how to read
and pray.
5. What was Doña Teodora’s religion?
a. Catholic
b. Protestant
c. Presbyterian
6. What made Jose love the Christian way of life?
a. his father’s teachings
b. his mother’s teachings
c. his teacher’s teachings
7. What did his mother teach him as was the custom of the Filipino
family?
a. reading simple stories
b. telling children’s stories
c. the alphabet and simple prayers
8. Did Jose believe his mother’s stories?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
9. What did the word “story” mean to Jose?
a. something nice
b. something good
c. something new and wonderful
10. How did Jose listen to his mother’s story?
a. carelessly
b. attentively
c. half-heartedly
 Exercise 17

PLANT PESTS

In addition to different kinds of plant diseases, there are a great

number of plant pests that can destroy or stop the growth of plants.
Insects carry fungi and bacteria diseases from plant to plant. The
potato beetle carries the potato rot. Some insects even eat plants.
Certain grasshoppers and biting insects strip a plant of its leaves thus
killing the plant lice and leaf hoppers. They consume the sap of plant
tissues this causing the withering of the plant itself.

1. What can destroy or stop the growth of plants?

a. plant food
b. plant pests
c. plant fertilizers
2. What else besides pests injure plants?
a. fertilizers
b. insecticides
c. different kinds of plant diseases
3. Which carry diseases from one plant to another?
a. flowers
b. insects
c. people
4. What causes potato rot?
a. potato fungi
b. potato beetle
c. potato bacteria
5. What happens to plants where insects live and feed on?
a. They grow fast.
b. The plants are injured.
c. The plants grow healthy.
6. What is another name for the grasshopper?
a. flying insect
b. biting insect
c. sucking insect
7. How do the grasshopper harm the plants?
a. They cut the plants.
b. They strip the plant of its leaves.
c. They suck the juice from the plants.
8. What happen to the plants when harmed by these insects?
a. plants grow rapidly
b. plants become healthy
c. plants stop growing and die afterwards
9. Which of the following insects are the most destructive?
a. ants
b. mites
c. scale insects
10. Are all insects harmful?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
 Exercise 18

THE SCHOOL LUNCH COUNTER

A school canteen or lunch counter is established in every school

to improve children’s eating habits and preferences. Native, nutritious
dishes such as goto, pancit, lumpia are prepared by a teacher with the
help of some children. Sandwiches are also sold for those who prefer
a light merienda. A good lunch counter has milk as a regular item for
sale. Teachers encourage their pupils to include milk in their daily
food intake.
The canteen is part of a school. It protects children from
sickness by discouraging them to buy from food peddlers and
unsanitary, nearby stores.
Pupils are asked to patronize the canteen for their own health.
The low prices of food serve as an encouragement for the children to
buy from the school canteen.

1. What does a school lunch counter serve?

a. lunch
b. dinner
c. merienda

2. When do the majority of children buy at the lunch counters?

a. after class
b. before class
c. during recess

3. Which of these statement is true?

a. Native foods are good for light merienda.
b. Recess lunch may take the place of lunch.
c. Goto, pancit and lumpia are eaten at breakfast.
4. What food should a lunch counter always have?
a. rice
b. milk
c. cereals
5. Why is milk good for children?
a. It tastes good.
b. It is nice to drink.
c. It supplies them with needed nutrients.
6. How do school lunch counters help children?
a. They sell native food.
b. They sell delicious food.
c. They sell nutritious food at low prices.
7. Why should children avoid buying food outside the school?
a. It is cleaner.
b. It is cheaper.
c. It is not safe to eat.
8. Where can children buy much safer and cheaper food?
a. from peedlers
b. from nearby stores
c. from school lunch counters
9. What is the aim of school lunch counters?
a. to make business
b. to make children thrifty
c. to improve the children’s health
10. How do the lunch counter operators encourage children to buy
from them?
a. by offering bonus prizes
b. by being open the whole day
c. by lowering the prices of food
 Exercise 19

BEAUTY

Beauty is seen
In the sunlight
The trees, the birds
Corn growing, people working
Or praying for a good harvest.
Beauty is heard all around
Wind sighing,
Rain falling or a singer humming
An old folk song.
Beauty is in yourself
Good deeds, happy thoughts reflected
In your dreams
In your work,
During peaceful rest.

1. Does beauty depend upon the observer?

a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe

2. Is there beauty everywhere?

a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe

3. Where lies the beauty in people?

a. in themselves
b. in their wealth
c. in their appearance
4. Is there beauty in the falling rain?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
5. When is a person peaceful?
a. when he is rich
b. when he is intelligent
c. when he has performed good deeds
6. According to the poem, where can you find beauty?
a. in flowers
b. in yourself
c. in the house
7. Can we hear beauty?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
8. Who are praying for good harvest?
a. rice growers
b. corn growers
c. coconut growers
9. Where are good deeds and happy thoughts reflected?
a. at home
b. in your dream
c. in other people
10. When do the happy thoughts occur?
a. when praying
b. during peaceful rest
c. when you are with other people
 Exercise 20

THE ANIMAL’S WISH

We beg no fancy garb

To keep us cozily warm
Nor softer bed to rest
Though it should be less hard.
We wish not our liberty
For to serve is our fate
We live as servants forever
To work early and late.
To talk is a silly dream
For us domed mute to remain
Buy we hear, see and feel
Please to us be a bit kinder.
Be kind a little bit more
And be unkind ten times less
We are poor dumb creatures
And we have but few needs.

1. What do animals ask in general?

a. that we make them sleep
b. that we be more kind to them
c. that we ask them to dine with us
2. How long do animals serve us?
a. a few years
b. for some time
c. as long as they live
3. What do animals consider a silly dream?
a. to be able to talk
b. to be able to hear
c. to be able to serve
4. What do they beg of us?
a. shelter for them
b. kindness to them
c. clothing for them
5. Which of these statements is true?
a. Giving food to dumb creatures is enough.
b. We need to be more kind to dumb creatures.
c. We must not consider dumb creatures as our friends.
6. Are they asking their master to let them free?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Does not say
7. When do the animals work as their master’s servant?
a. early and late
b. non-stop
c. only at night
8. How much needs do animals have?
a. Many
b. None
c. Few
9. What are the animals doomed to remain?
a. mute
b. sensitive
c. untrainable
10. What three things can the animals do?
a. feel, hear, see
b. see, hear, speak
c. hear, speak, feel
 Exercise 21
A LETTER OF INVITATION
26 del Pilar Street
Sampaloc, Manila
March 15, 2004
Dear Nina,
My parents are going to give a party on the evening of my
graduation, March 29. It will be held in our house on del Pilar Street.
Please come and bring along your brother, Milo, and your sister,
Ester. My father has prepared some very exciting parlor games which
I am sure you and your sister and brother will enjoy. There will also
be a program prepared by my elder sister, Nora. The party starts at six
o’clock. You can go home at nine so you will have plenty of time to
enjoy the party. We are hoping to see you all.
Your friend,
Gina

1. What kind of a letter is this?

a. a letter of thanks
b. a letter of invitation
c. a letter of congratulations
2. Who wrote the letter?
a. Gina
b. Father
c. Nina
3. The letter is addressed to
a. Mother
b. Gina
c. Nina
4. Who is giving a party?
a. Tita’s parents
b. Nina’s parents
c. Gina’s parents
5. Where is the party going to be held?
a. in school
b. in Nina’s home
c. in Gina’s home
6. Who are included in the invitation?
a. Milo & Ester
b. Gina & Nina
c. Gina’s parents
7. What did Gina’s father prepare for the children?
a. parlor games
b. group games
c. outdoor games
8. What has been prepared by Gina’s sister?
a. dances
b. program
c. parlor games
9. What occasion will be celebrated?
a. Gina’s birthday
b. Gina’s graduation
c. Gina’s house blessing
10. Who are expected by the family to come?
a. Nina, Milo and Ester
b. Gina, Nina and Ester
c. Nina, Gina and Nora
 Exercise 22

LUNETA AND MANILA BAY

Do you know that Manila Bay has the finest harbor in the
Philippines? It is also famous for its beautiful sunset. Tourists observe
that Manila Bay has one of the most glowing sunsets in the world.
Roxas Boulevard, formerly Dewey Boulevard, runs along the shores
of Manila Bay. There are many beautiful buildings aong the street,
mostly hotels and restaurants. Luneta, a big park with fountains and
ornamental plants, faces the bay. People go to Luneta to listen to band
concerts and to view performances at the open theater.

1. What is Manila Bay noted for?

a. tall buildings
b. its fine harbor
c. ornamental flowers
2. What is it also famous for?
a. its many streets
b. its beautiful sunset
c. its many mountains
3. What do tourists say about its sunset?
a. It is red.
b. It is colorful.
c. It is the most glowing sunset in the world.
4. On what street is the Luneta located?
a. Shaw Boulevard
b. Roxas Boulevard
c. Quezon Boulevard
5. What do people enjoy most at the Luneta?
a. the plants
b. the people
c. the cool breeze
6. What is the Luneta today?
a. a harbor
b. a big park
c. a commercial district
7. What do people do at the Luneta?
a. stroll
b. pray
c. trade goods
8. Where is the Luneta Park Luneta?
a. facing the Manila Bay
b. at the tip of the Manila Bay
c. in the commercial district of Manila Bay
9. How are people entertained at the Luneta Park?
a. open air movies
b. by clowns and circus
c. in the commercial district of Manila Bay
10. Where are most performances held?
a. at the open theater
b. at the Chinese garden
c. near Rizal’s monument
 Exercise 23

BEING ON TIME

Arturo was the president of the Grade Six class organization.

They agreed to celebrate Arbor Day with a program and mass
planting of fruit trees.
“At what time will the program start?” asked Miss Diaz, their
teacher.
“It will start at 7:00 o’clock in the morning, Miss Diaz,”
answered Arturo.
“That’s good,” observed Miss Diaz. “It will not be too hot for
the planting of trees. I only hope it will begin on schedule.”
“That’s sure, Miss Diaz,” Arturo said. “It will be a new Filipino
time concept.”
“I admire you, Arturo, for saying ‘Filipino time,’ which means
on time,” said Miss Diaz laughing.
“It is really time for us to observe punctuality,” explained
Arturo. “So instead of saying being on time is ‘American time,” we
shall call it ‘Filipino time’.”

1. What position Arturo have in the class organization?

a. secretary
b. treasurer
c. president
2. What did the class organization decide to celebrate?
a. Arbor Day
b. Town Fiesta
c. Parents Day
3. Aside from the program, what other activity was scheduled?
a. planting of shrubs
b. planting of fruit trees
c. planting of flowering trees
4. At what time was the program supposed to start?
a. 8:00 o’clock in the morning
b. 7:00 o’clock in the morning
c. 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon
5. Who was in doubt whether it would start on time?
a. Arturo’s mother
b. Arturo’s teacher
c. Arturo’s classmates
6. What do we usually say when punctuality is observed in any
activity?
a. Filipino time
b. Spanish time
c. American time
7. How did Arturo call punctuality?
a. Filipino time
b. Spanish time
c. American time
8. What did Arturo’s class agree on?
a. starting late
b. adopting American time
c. changing the concept of Filipino time
9. Did Arturo’s class agree with it?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
10. Who admired Arturo’s leadership?
a. The teacher
b. The parents
c. The principal
 Exercise 24

THE TRUE FILIPINO

President Quezon’s counsel to the Filipino was; “Make the

Filipinos true citizens of the Philippines. They should be made aware
of things connected with their country and people including their
culture and civilization.”
What did President Quezon want to convey to his countrymen?
In his opinion, we deserve to be called a true Filipino if we have our
country’s virtue welfare at heart. Knowledge and appreciation of our
country’s history, civilization and culture are to be required from each
individual. Every citizen must be concerned with the progress of the
nation, in making the country known to other parts of the world and in
achieving peace for the land of his birth.

1. What did President Quezon wish for the Philippines?

a. fame
b. wealth
c. loyal sons and daughters
2. Who deserve to be called a true Filipino?
a. somebody working in a foreign firm
b. somebody working in the government
c. somebody working for his country’s progress
3. What should every Filipino strive to achieve for his country?
a. progress
b. culture
c. machineries
4. In what should a Filipino feel proud of?
a. his country’s name
b. his country’s culture
c. his country’s location
5. to whom was President Quezon’s counsel addressed?
a. to the soldiers
b. to all the citizens
c. to the government officials
6. Which of the following did Quezon want the Filipinos to be?
a. true citizens of the Philippines
b. good soldiers of the Philippines
c. good speakers of Filipinos language
7. In Quezon’s opinion, when do we deserve to be called a true
Filipino?
a. when we can speak Filipino fluently
b. when we know our national anthem at heart
c. when we have our country’s welfare at heart
8. What did Quezon want every individual to know?
a. the country’s history, civilization and culture
b. the symbols of our country and their meanings
c. the different provinces that comprise our country?
9. To whom did Quezon want our own country be known?
a. to all the Filipino citizens
b. to all the people of Asia
c. to other parts of the world
10. One of the following was not mentioned among those which
Quezon wanted every individual to achieve. Copy the letter of that
word.
a. power
b. peace
c. progress
 Exercise 25

OUR MALAYAN BROTHERS

In some ways we, Filipinos, are similar or our Malayan brothers.

This is so because our ancestors included the Malays and the
Indonesians. The Malays and the Filipinos are similar in height, in
complexion and in looks. Philippines aborigines such as the Ifugaos,
Subanuns and Tagbanuas live in much the same way as the
Malaysians and Indonesians. The clothes, houses, weapons and art of
the Filipino Muslims are similar to those of the Malaysians and
Indonesians.
The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have the same
industries and products. The languages used in the Philippines include
many Malayan words. Like the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia
were former territories of western countries. Like the Filipinos, the
people of Malaysia and Indonesia struggled hard also of
independence. The former MAPHIILINDO composed of Malaysia,
the Philippines and Indonesia was organized for mutual protection
against belligent countries.

1. The selection tells us ____.

a. how the Filipinos dress
b. how the Indonesians dress
c. how similar we are to our Malayan brothers
2. To whom are the Filipinos similar in some ways?
a. to their Malayan brothers
b. to their European brothers
c. to their American brothers
3. Who of the following are among our ancestors?
a. Europeans
b. American Indians
c. Malays and Indonesians
4. Who live in the same way as the Malaysians and Indonesians?
a. Arabs and Egyptians
b. Indians, Polyneans, Hawaiians
c. Igorots, Ifugaos, Subanuns, Tagbanuas
5. Who believe in the Islam faith like the Indonesians and
Malaysians?
a. lowlanders
b. Filipino Muslims
c. Mountain people
6. What do the languages in the Philippines include?
a. many English words
b. many Malayan words
c. many Japanese words
7. What things are similar in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia?
a. religion
b. languages
c. products and industries
8. Which of these countries were former territories of Western
countries like the Philippines?
a. Japan and China
b. Taipei and Cambodia
c. Malaysia and Indonesia
9. People struggled hard to ____.
a. get their independence
b. get their countries started
c. get their people to cooperate
10. What was the former MAPHILINDO?
a. organization composed of Singapore, Hongkong and Taiwan
b. organization composed of Malaysia, Philippines and
Indonesia
c. organization composed of China, Japan and Cambodia.
 Exercise 26

THE RAT

The rat belongs to the mouse family although it is larger than a

mouse. It has also more scales on its tail than a mouse. There are rats
of different sizes and colors. The brown Norway rat is the most
destructive and powerful. Black rat can still be found in cities near
the coasts and in countries with warm climate.
Rats travel aboard ships and eat almost anything. If they are
hungry they attack animals, even men. Rats bread rapidly, producing
20 to 50 offsprings a year. A rat can start breeding at six months old.
Wild rats are special problems to man because they spread bubonic
plague, rat fever and they destroy crops.

1. To what family does the rat belong?

a. cat
b. dog
c. mouse
2. Which is the largest among the following animals?
a. rat
b. mouse
c. house lizard
3. What part of the rat has more scales?
a. its tail
b. its legs
c. its body

4. Which is the most powerful among the following?

a. white rat
b. black rat
c. brown Norway rat
5. Where can black rats be found?
a. near the coasts
b. near the woods
c. near the ground
6. What do rats eat?
a. roots
b. grass
c. almost anything
7. Why are there plenty of rats?
a. They eat anything.
b. They breed very rapidly.
c. They are found in homes.
8. What do rats destroy most?
a. trees
b. crops
c. houses
9. At what age does a rat start breeding?
a. a year old
b. six months old
c. three months old
10. Why are rats a problem to man?
a. They play around.
b. They breed rapidly.
c. They carry diseases.
 Exercise 27

TWO PAINTERS

When Jose Rizal and Juan Luna were studying in Madrid, they
lived together in a boarding house. They used to play jokes on one
another.
Juan Luna woke up early one morning and saw that Rizal was
still asleep. He did one of Rizal’s slippers and drew exactly one likely
it on a cardboard. When Jose woke up, he tried to put on his slippers
but he found out that one was made out of cardboard. “I know who
painted this. It is nicely done,” he said.
One day, Juan Luna went out with his friends. Jose decided to
draw the contents of Juan’s room on the closed door with the
permission of their landlady. When Luna arrived, he went directly to
his room. He bumped his head on the closed door. “You are a good
painter.” Juan Luna told Rizal.

1. Who studied in Madrid?

a. Andres Bonifacio
b. Apolinario Mabini
c. Juan Luna and Jose Rizal

2. Where did they live in Madrid?

a. in a hotel
b. in a Filipino home
c. in a boarding house

3. What did they usually do when they entertain themselves?

a. play sipa
b. play jokes
c. play chess
4. What did Luna hide?
a. one of Jose’s pets
b. one of Jose’s books
c. one of Jose’s slippers
5. Why did Jose think it was his real slipper?
a. It was large.
b. It was just right for him.
c. It was realistically painted.
6. Where did Rizal paint the contents of the room?
a. on the wall
b. on the closed door
c. on the window pane
7. Why did Luna enter the room directly?
a. It was his room.
b. He thought he door was open.
c. He thought the door had been removed.
8. What did Luna think of Rizal’s painting?
a. It was not right.
b. It was just a view.
c. It was beautifully done.
9. For what was Luna known?
a. being a good writer
b. being a good soldier
c. being a good painter
10. How will you describe Luna and Rizal’s sense of humor?
a. dull
b. keen
c. neither a or b
 Exercise 28

THE FLOWER OF LOVE

Once there loved a chieftain who had a beautiful daughter name

Liwayway. One day Liwayway went into the woods to gather fruits
and flowers but unfortunately lost her way. She became unconscious
when a wild beast ran after her. When she came to, she saw a young
man bending over her. He was the son of another chieftain. When
they parted, each one knew they were in love with each other.
One day the young man was going away to fight the white men
who had invaded their land. The lovers promised never to forget each
other saying “Sumpa kita.” But the warrior never came back. In
sorrow, the maiden killed herself. Sometime later, shrubs with
fragrant flowers grew on her grave. People believed that Liwayway’s
love grew and bloomed. It became a custom for young lovers after
that to exchange garlands of these flowers as a token of their faithful
love. They whispered “I promise” (Sumpa kita) to each other. In time
the flowers became known as sampaguita. It is adopted as our
national flower because of its fragrance and simplicity.

1. Who was Liwayway?

a. She was a mermaid.
b. She was a goddess of dawn.
c. She was the daughter of a chieftain.
2. Why did she go to the woods?
a. to chase birds
b. to take a bath
c. to gather fruits and flowers
3. What happened when a wild beast ran after her?
a. She played with it.
b. She climbed a tree.
c. She became unconscious.
4. What did she see when she regained consciousness?
a. a fairy bending over her
b. a wild beast bending over her
c. a young man bending over her
5. Who was the young man the maiden saw?
a. a hunter
b. a warrior
c. son of another chieftain
6. Why did the young man leave?
a. to go with his father
b. to fight the invaders
c. to live in another land
7. What did they promise each other?
a. to write each other
b. to love each other forever
c. never to forget each other
8. Who killed herself?
a. the fairy
b. Liwayway
c. the maiden
9. What grew on her grave?
a. shrubs with fragrant flowers
b. shrubs with yellow flowers
c. shrubs with thick leaves
10. What does the sampaguita symbolize?
a. loyalty
b. bravery
c. honesty
 Exercise 29

FOOD AND DRINKS OF THE ANCIENT FILIPINOS

Rice was the staple food of the ancient Filipinos. They cooked it
in pots and in bamboos. Our forefathers’ diet included also various
species of fish caught in rivers and lakes; meat from carabaos, deer,
hogs, chickens and edible birds; vegetables, tubers like sweet potato;
spices like pepper and garlic; and fruits like bananas, oranges, guavas
and mangoes.
There were also many kinds of wine and drinks on the islands.
The tuba which was taken from the coconut palms was the
champagne of the early Filipinos. Among the popular wines were the
Visayan pangasi, fermented from rice; the Visayan gauilang distilled
from sugar cane; and the Igorot tapuy, taken from rice.
Although the early Filipinos were heavy drinkers, they seldom
lost their senses when drunk. They only became lively, talkative and
witty when intoxicated. Even after a heavy drink, their hands never
trembled and they could manage to weigh their gold correctly.

1. The story tells about food and drinks of ____.

a. the ancient Filipinos
b. the modern Filipinos
c. the mountain people
2. Where did they cook rice?
a. in jars and pots
b. in kettles and pots
c. in pots and bamboos
3. What other things were used as food?
a. grasses and roots
b. various species of fish
c. leaves and branches
4. Which was considered the champagne of the ancient Filipinos?
a. rice
b. tuba
c. coconut juice
5. What was the Visayan pangasi?
a. wine fermented from rice
b. wine extracted from sugar cane
c. wine extracted from the coconut palms
6. What wine was distilled from sugar cane?
a. Ilocano basi
b. Visayan tapuy
c. Visayan gauilang
7. What was the Igorot tapuy?
a. wine taken from rice
b. wine taken from sugar cane
c. wine taken from coconut palm
8. Although the Filipinos were heavy drinkers what did they seldom
lose?
a. their drinks
b. their senses
c. their clothes
9. What happened to them when they got drunk?
a. They could not go home.
b. They became talkative and lively.
c. They trembled and became nervous.
10. What was the staple food of the ancient Filipinos?
a. rice
b. wine
c. roots
 Exercise 30

SUPERSTITIONS

“Please tell us about some of our superstitious beliefs,

Grandmother,” pleaded Elvi as she saw the old woman sitting by the
window. “We will discuss them in class tomorrow.”
“Listen and I will tell you about man’s three friends. These are
three superstitious beliefs about animals,” Grandma answered, putting
down the shorts she was mending.
“Tell us about them,” said Elvi excitedly.
“One of them is the rooster who is up before dawn and crows on
the rooftops,” said Grandmother. “It is bidding its master to get up
and go forth to earn his living.
“The second one is the cat who announces the coming of a
visitor by washing its face so it may look presentable to its master’s
guests.”
“And the third is the dog who can smell danger and death. It
barks to warm its master of the presence of any stranger who might do
him harm. When a dog howls with sorrow it is said that is smells
death coming its master’s way.”

1. What is the selection about?

a. a legend
b. a fairy tale
c. three superstitions

2. Which word describes superstitions?

a. true
b. good
c. beliefs
3. About what are the superstitions in the selection?
a. food
b. animals
c. weather
4. Why does the rooster crow from the rooftops before dawn?
a. to tell its master to get up
b. to tells its master to feed it
c. to make its master sleep soundly
5. Why does the rooster wake its master up before dawn?
a. to be given corn
b. to take it from the rooftop
c. to tell its master to earn his living
6. How do cats announce the coming of visitors?
a. by turning around
b. by waving their tails
c. by washing their faces
7. What do dogs smell?
a. food
b. other animals
c. danger and death
8. How do dogs warn their masters of a coming danger?
a. by barking
b. by howling
c. by wagging their tails
9. When does a dog howl with sorrow?
a. when he smells food
b. when he likes to sleep
c. when he smells death for its master
10. Are superstitious to be believed?
a. No
b. Yes
c. Maybe
 Exercise 31

THE LOBSTER AND THE CRAB

One day Lobster and Crab met.
“I have ten claws,” boasted Crab. “I am the Great Crab which
the land people like best to eat. We, crab are covered with a head
shield.”
“We are knights belonging to the Order of the Crustacea,” cried
Lobster.
“What does that mean?” asked Crab.
“Crustacea means covered with a crust or shell,” explained
Lobster.
“It is the same with us,” said Crab. “Our claws and bodies are
made of rings of shell joined together by sockets. We use our claws
for walking and for tearing our food.”
“Land people like to eat us,” said Lobster. “When we are
cooked, we turn into a bright red color but in the water, we are green.”

1. Lobster and Crabs are ____.

a. birds
b. fish
c. crustaceans

2. The crustaceans are like knights because ____.

a. they have claws
b. they have nippers
c. their bodies are all covered with shields

3. Crustacea means ____.

a. covered with hair
b. covered with shell
c. covered with scales
4. Land people like to
a. eat the crustaceans
b. play with the crustaceans
c. make pets of the crustaceans
5. What color do the crab and lobster have when they are in the
water?
a. green
b. orange
c. bright red
6. Both Crabs and Lobsters are kinds of
a. seafood
b. flying insects
c. land animals
7. Which of them can walk on land too?
a. Both
b. Crab
c. Lobster
8. Are crabs and lobsters eaten by people too?
Draw a crab if your answer is No; a lobster, if your answer is
Yes.

9. Crustaceans have ____.

a. fur
b. shells
c. scales
10. This kind of story is a ____.
a. fairy tale
b. legend
c. fable
 Exercise 32

PLANT FOR LIFE

Nestor looked happily at his rows of vegetable plants with their

green, fresh and healthy leaves. There were rows of lettuce, tomatoes,
eggplants and pechay. On one side of the yard were trellises of patola,
squash and amargoso. Nestor remembered that their backyard was
once a dumping place of garbage, empty cans and trash. Then the
government launched the “Plant for Life” project. With the help of his
father, they cleaned the backyard and dug the stumps and roots of old
trees. They cultivated the soil, got vegetable seeds from the Bureau of
Plants and planted them in their backyard. Now all are ready for
harvest. The vegetables will be more than what they need so Nestor
will take some to the market. That will be extra money for the family.

1. Where did Nestor plant the vegetable seeds?

a. in their garden
b. in their backyard
c. in front of their house
2. What made Nestor happy?
a. his row of toys
b. his row of vegetables
c. his row of flowering plants
3. Where were the climbing vegetables planted?
a. in front of the backyard
b. on one side of the yard
c. in the middle of the yard
4. What was Nestor’s backyard before?
a. a storeroom
b. a playground
c. a dumping place
5. What project did the government launch?
a. Save a Life
b. Plant for Life
c. Help the Typhoon Victims
6. Who helped Nestor clean the backyard?
a. his sister
b. his father
c. his mother
7. How did Nestor feel about his vegetable plants?
a. He did not like it.
b. He was sorry about it.
c. He was happy about it.
8. Where did Nestor get his vegetable seeds?
a. from the Bureau of Plants
b. from the Bureau of Fisheries
c. from the Bureau of Industries
9. Where would Nestor bring the vegetables they do not need?
a. to his friends
b. to the market
c. to his relatives
10. What activity would increase food production?
a. planting flowering trees
b. planting flowering plants
c. planting vegetables in the backyard
 Exercise 33

TELL THE TRUTH

Don’t be afraid, Little Johnny, my boy,

Open the door and go in;
The longer you wait before telling your fault
The harder it is to begin.
No wonder you stand with a pitiful face
And fear the confession to make;
For you know when you’re naughty the worst of it all
Is making your mother’s heart ache.
Have courage, dear boy, never mind if your shoes
Are muddy and wet, and all that;
Never mind if your clothes have been terribly torn
And you have ruined your pretty new hat.
Go in like a man, and tell Mother the truth
Like a brave little lad, and you’ll see
How happy a boy who confesses his fault,
And is truthful and honest as can be.

1. What was the author’s advice to Johnny?

a. not to play
b. not to enter the house
c. not to be afraid to confess the truth
2. What happens if one waits longer?
a. it will be hard to begin.
b. it will be easy to begin.
c. it will be foolish to begin.
3. How does a boy appear if he has a confession to make?
a. He has a pitiful face.
b. He has a brave face.
c. He has a happy face.
4. How does a mother feel when her little boy has been naughty?
a. She is sad.
b. She is proud.
c. She is very happy.
5. What will you do when you have something to confess?
a. Try to hide it.
b. Try to forget it.
c. Face the truth like a man.

6. Will you be afraid to tell what you have done if you have ruined
you clothes?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
7. What does one need to tell the truth?
a. fear
b. courage
c. shyness
8. How will one feel if he confesses the truth?
a. happy
b. afraid
c. timid
9. Is it always easy to tell the truth?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
10. What is the best trait one must possess to be able to confess?
a. fear
b. pride
c. courage
 Exercise 34

THE LEGEND OF LAKE BUHI

Grandmother was relating the story of Lake Buhi to her

grandchildren. According to her, Buhi was a town at the bottom of the
lake.
Once upon a time the people of this enchanted town lived in
abundance. But as the people became wealthy they forgot all about
God and so God punished them. Their town sank beneath the earth
overnight and in its place there rose a beautiful lake.
When the weather was warm and clear and the surface of the
lake is as clear as a mirror, it is said that one can look down into the
bottom of the lake. The people can be seen doing their everyday tasks.
Some are cultivating their lands, others are building houses and
smoke can be seen coming from the kitchen as women cook the
family meals.
It is also said that the tiniest fish in the world, found in Lake
Buhi, are trimmings of abaca fiber as the people in the lake continue
to make hats out of abaca for which the town was once famous.

1. What is the selection about?

a. a sea
b. a lake
c. a stream
2. What type of literature is the selection?
a. fable
b. legend
c. fairy tale
3. What was Buhi before?
a. lake
b. town
c. people
4. How does the surface of the lake look when the weather is calm
and clear?
a. muddy
b. gloomy
c. clear as a mirror
5. Why did God punish the people?
a. They were lazy.
b. They forgot God.
c. They were selfish.
6. What appeared in place of their town?
a. a city
b. a lake
c. a forest
7. What kind of fish is found in Lake Buhi?
a. the tiniest fish in the world
b. the wildest fish in the world
c. the most beautiful fish in the world
8. What was believed to be seen down the lake when the weather was
clear?
a. ruins of buildings and houses
b. people doing their everyday tasks
c. schools of fishes converging on the lake floor
9. What do people say about the fish found in Lake Buhi?
a. They are pieces of thread.
b. They are trimmings from abaca fiber.
c. They are roots of plants under the lake.
10. What do people believe about the lake?
a. It is big.
b. It is beautiful.
c. It is enchanted.
 Exercise 35

DAY OF FREEDOM

For more than three hundred years, Spain ruled our land. The
Spanish flag flew in our land to show that the Philippines was Spain’s
territory. Then, the Americans came. They freed us from the Spanish
rule. For fifty years, we were governed by the Americans. Our flag
was allowed to fly side with the American flag. We were permitted to
established our own government but under the control and supervision
of the Americans.
In 1941, the Japanese invaded the Philippines. Under the
Japanese, we suffered three years of hunger, fear and misery. With the
help of the Americans, our country was freed from the Japanese
invaders.
Once more, peace came to our country. The fourth of July, now
known as the Fil-American Friendship Day, marked the completion of
Philippine Independence from foreign rule. It was on the fourth July
that we were granted total freedom.

1. For three hundred years, the Philippines was under ____.

a. Spain
b. Japan
c. the United States
2. The Spanish flag flew over ____.
a. Spain
b. our land
c. United States
3. Our land was freed from the Spaniards by the _____.
a. Spaniards
b. Japanese
c. Americans
4. The United States ruled our land for _____.
a. fifty years
b. two hundred years
c. one hundred years
5. They allowed our flag to fly ____.
a. alone
b. below theirs
c. side by side with theirs
6. We were permitted to establish our own ____.
a. religion
b. schools
c. government
7. In 1941 our country was invaded by ____.
a. Spain
b. Japan
c. United States
8. Under the Japanese occupation, the Filipinos ____.
a. were happy
b. were prosecuted
c. suffered hunger, fear and misery
9. The Americans helped the Filipino guerillas to ____.
a. enrich our country
b. liberate our country
c. beautify our country
10. The fourth of July means ____.
a. misery for the Filipinos
b. slavery for the Filipinos
c. freedom for the Filipinos
 Exercise 36

AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN

An American soldier called General Gregorio del Pilar was an

officer and a gentleman. Del Pilar was the youngest general of the
Philippine revolution. When the revolution broke out he was only
seventeen. He was a brave and gallant soldier. He was only twenty-
four years old when he died fighting at Tirad Pass.
Gregorio del Pilar was born in Bulacan, Bulacan. He was a
nephew of Marcelo H. del Pilar. He became the favorite of General
Emilio Aguinaldo who took the very young soldier with him
wherever he went. When the fighting between the Americans and the
Filipinos became intense, General Emilio Aguinaldo had to retreat to
the mountains. General Emilion Aguinaldo had to retreat to the
mountains. General del Pilar and his sixty men stood at Tirad Pass to
cover the retreat. The narrow pass was in Palanan, Isabela. Three
hundred Americans soldiers fought against del Pilar’s sixty men. But
del Pilar and his men fought bravely until a bullet struck him dead.

1. Who called General del Pilar an officer and a gentleman?

a. the English
b. the Filipinos
c. and American soldier
2. Which word describes Gregorio del Pilar as a general?
a. oldest
b. youngest
c. middle-aged
3. How old was he when the revolution broke out?
a. nineteen
b. eighteen
c. seventeen
4. How was he related to Marcelo del Pilar?
a. He was his aid.
b. He was his cousin.
c. He was his nephew.
5. Where did General Aguinaldo retreat when the Americans pursued
him?
a. to Palanan
b. at Bulacan
c. at Pangasinan
6. Who were assigned to guard the pass where he Americans would
pass?
a. General Aguinaldo’s soldiers
b. Gregorio del Pilar and his men
c. Marcelo H. del Pilar and his men
7. How many soldiers defended Tirad Pass with General del Pilar?
a. sixty men
b. three hundred
c. six hundred men
8. Where was Tirad Pass?
a. in Isabela
b. in Nueva Ecija
c. in Nueva Vizcaya
9. What happened to Gen. del Pilar during the battle?
a. He died.
b. He retreated.
c. He surrendered.
10. How old was he when he died?
a. twenty
b. seventeen
c. twenty four
 Exercise 37

ABELENS, A NEW MOUTAIN TRIBE

The Abelens are small people, almost of pygmy size. The

average height of a grown up girl is four feet and a young man about
four feet and eight inches. They are entirely different from the
Negritoes among whom they have lived for thousands of years.
Abelens have long straight hair, not curly like that of the Negritoes.
Their complexion is light brown, much lighter than the dark
complexion of the Negritoes. Some of them have a distinct red tint on
their hair. Their eyes are brown. Their features are fine. They are
quite a savage people. They used to make drinking cups from skulls
of their enemies. Although they know the Negrito language, the
Abelens have a language of their own.

1. What is this selection about?

a. small islanders
b. small minority groups
c. small mountains group
2. What is the new tribe describe in the selction called?
a. Ifugaos
b. Abelens
c. Negritoes
3. How tall is an average Abelen girl?
a. 4 feet
b. 3 feet
c. 4 feet and 8 inches
4. How tall is an Abelen man?
a. 5 feet
b. 4 feet
c. 4 feet and 8 inches
5. From whom is the Abelen tribe distinctly differen?
a. Ifugaos
b. Ibanags
c. Negritoes
6. How does their hair look?
a. curly
b. wavy
c. straight
7. What is the color of their complexion?
a. black
b. light brown
c. dark brown
8. How are the Abelens described?
a. gentle
b. savage
c. intelligent

9. What do they use as drinking cups?

a. big leaves
b. bamboo joints
c. skulls of their enemies
10. What is their language?
a. Ifugao dialect
b. a language of their own
c. a borrowed language from some mountain tribe
 Exercise 38

THE DUTCH

The Dutch are the people of Holland. They are considered

serious and hardworking. They are the cleanest people in the world.
The Dutch are fond of eating, during and attending parties. Have you
seen a picture of a Dutch girl? She was wears big wooden shoes
called klompers. Men wear baggy trousers while women wear
flowing skirts, white aprons and starched cloth caps. Dutch children
are healthy for they drink plenty of milk and take big amounts of
butter. Boys are trained to steer the boat and take charge of the
windmill. Water sports are popular with the Dutch children.

1. The Dutch are considered ____.

a. the cleanest people in the world
b. the most religious people in the world
c. the most industrious people in the world

2. A Dutch girl usually wears ____.

a. big hats
b. big shirts
c. big wooden shoes
3. What is the native footwear of the Dutch called?
a. skirts
b. windmills
c. klompers

4. What do men wear?

a. long trousers
b. short trousers
c. baggy trousers
5. Who wear the flowing skirts, white aprons and starched caps?
a. the nurses
b. the women
c. the children
6. The Dutch are ____.
a. lazy
b. not serious
c. hardworking
7. Children take plenty of ____.
a. rice and fish
b. milk and butter
c. wheat and pork
8. Boys are trained to ____.
a. run races
b. steer boats
c. become soldiers
9. What is Holland known for?
a. boats
b. sports
c. windmills
10. What is the country of the Dutch?
a. Holland
b. England
c. Switzerland
 Exercise 39

THE HOMING PIGEONS

During the first World War, both the army and the navy felt a
great need for some way to send messages back to their headquarters.
Sometimes a torpedoed ship needed to send wireless message to land.
Men in a sinking ship were lost unless a passing ship chanced upon
them. Battalions sent out on scouting trips were sometimes gunned
down by enemies. A soldier sent with a message for help was
oftentimes caught. Even messengers in airplanes were not safe. The
enemy usually shot the planes and kept the messengers as prisoners.
So, pigeons were trained as messengers. They have a strong love for
their homes. Most of the birds move from one home to another but the
pigeons have one home to which they always return. Pigeons, even
when taken away far from home, always fly swiftly back to their
habitations.
1. Who have a strong love for their homes?
a. mayas
b. pigeons
c. love birds
2. What do they do even when taken away from home?
a. They are usually lost.
b. They never come back.
c. They fly swiftly back home.
3. Pigeons were trained as
a. nurses
b. soldiers
c. messengers
4. What often happened to men sent as messenger in airplanes?
a. They were often lost on their way.
b. They were often shot down by enemy guns.
c. They carried messages safely to the headquarters.
5. Who felt a great need for a way to send messages to the
headquarters?
a. the police
b. the constabulary
c. the army and the navy
6. During the First World War, how did the distressed ships ask for
help?
a. through the radio
b. through the underground channels
c. through the messenger-pigeons
7. Who were sometimes lost and kept as prisoners by enemies?
a. batallions
b. messenger in ships
c. messenger on planes
8. When is the safe delivery of messages very important?
a. during travel
b. during field trips
c. during World War
9. What is the common characteristic of most birds?
a. They build homes.
b. They stay in one home.
c. They move from one home to another.
10. Why do pigeons make good messengers?
a. They always fly steadily back home.
b. They change their homes very often.
c. They move from one place to another.
 Exercise 40

THE ATOMIC ENERGY

With the establishment of a Nuclear Center, we will engage in

the production of radio isotopes for use in agriculture, industry and
medicine. This is a landmark in our scientific progress as it opens up
for our youth the field of nuclear science and ultimately harness the
mightiest industrial power known to man. It will greatly help fight
poverty. With the use of the atomic energy, we will have the power to
run more industries.

1. What was established in our country?

a. a nuclear center
b. a telephone center
c. a telegraphic center
2. What can we engage in with the establishment of this center?
a. production of radio
b. production of short waves
c. production of radio isotopes
3. Of what use will this be?
a. in business and exporting
b. in sports and competitions
c. in agriculture, industry and medicine
4. What will the establishment of the Nuclear Center mean to us?
a. industrial progress
b. scientific progress
c. agriculture progress

5. For whom is the vast field of nuclear science open?

a. for the youth
b. for the old people
c. for the coming generation
6. What will the vast field of nuclear science harness?
a. mightiest manpower
b. mightiest industrial power
c. mightiest submarine power
7. What can atomic energy offer?
a. work in our land
b. illness in our land
c. poverty in our land
8. Of what use is atomic energy?
a. in planting rice
b. in running industries
c. in teaching children
9. Win what branch of science is the mightiest industrial power
known to man?
a. nuclear science
b. historical science
c. elementary science
10. With what area is the Nuclear Center concerned?
a. science
b. agriculture
c. entertainment