10 Reading comprehensions (PART 2)
INDEX:
1) AUSTRALIA DAY
2) ST VALENTINE'S DAY JOKES
3) ST VALENTINE'S DAY
4) SANTA CLAUS
5) CHRISTMAS
6) EASTER BUNNY
7) EASTER DAY
8) HALLOWEEN
9) EARTH DAY
10) WORLD WATER DAY
Australia Day
Australia Day is an official celabration that
commemorates the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British
Ships at Sydney Cove, New South Wales, and raising of the Flag of Great Britain
at that site by Governor Arthur Phillip. It is celebrated annually on
26 January and is variously referred to as the Anniversary Day, Invasion
Day, Foundation Day, and ANA (Australian Natives'
Association) Day.
Although it was not known as Australia
Day until over a century later, records of celebrations on 26 January
date back to 1808. A century later the celebration was officially recognized
when in 1908 the British colonies of Australia formed a Federation, marking the
birth of modern Australia. It was not until 1935 that all Australian states and
territories had adopted use of the term Australia Day to mark
the date, and not until 1994 that the date was consistently marked by a public
holiday by all states and territories.
Outdoor concerts, community barbecues,
sports competitions, festivals and fireworks are some of the many events
presented in communities across Australia for this occasion. These official
events are presented by the National Australia Day Council, an official council
or committee in each state and territory, and local committees. The celebration
is also marked by the announcement of the Australian of the Year Awards.
This celebrates the achievements and contributions of eminent Australians, both
young and old, in all fields from science to sport.
Source: Wikipedia
Comprehension:
- Australia Day commemorates the invasion of Australia by British ships.
a. True
b. False - Australia Day was celebrated for the first time in 1808.
a. True
b. False - In 1935 Australia Day was consistently celebrated by all states and territories as a public holiday.
a. True
b. False - The Australian of the Year Awards celebrates the achievements of young Australians.
a. True
b. False
CHECK ANSWERS
- Australia Day commemorates the invasion of Australia by British ships.
a. True
- Australia Day was celebrated for the first time in 1808.
a. True - In 1935 Australia Day was consistently celebrated by all states and territories as a public holiday.
b. False (It was in 1994) - The Australian of the Year Awards celebrates the achievements of young autralians.
b. Fals (It celebrates the achievements of old and young Australians)
Saint Valentine's Day Jokes
Valentine's day is
on 14th February every year. Here is a list of some funny valentine's day
jokes. Enjoy and spread these funny jokes about valentine.
To my one and only
love
Roger, who was 19
years old, was buying an expensive bracelet, to surprise his girlfriend on
Valentine's Day, at a very smart jeweller's shop in Hatton Garden, London.
The jeweller inquired, 'Would you like your girlfriend's name engraved on it?'
Roger thought for a moment, grinned, then answered, 'No, instead engrave "To my one and only love".'
The jeweller smiled and said, 'Yes, sir; how very romantic of you.'
Roger retorted with a glint in his eye, 'Not exactly romantic, but very practical. This way, if we break up, I can use it again.'
The jeweller inquired, 'Would you like your girlfriend's name engraved on it?'
Roger thought for a moment, grinned, then answered, 'No, instead engrave "To my one and only love".'
The jeweller smiled and said, 'Yes, sir; how very romantic of you.'
Roger retorted with a glint in his eye, 'Not exactly romantic, but very practical. This way, if we break up, I can use it again.'
Meaning of Dreams
A young woman was
taking an afternoon nap. After she woke up, she told her husband, "I just
dreamt that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine's Day.
What do you think it means?"
"You shall know tonight", he said.
That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it. She found a book entitled "The Meaning of Dreams".
What do you think it means?"
"You shall know tonight", he said.
That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it. She found a book entitled "The Meaning of Dreams".
Guess Who?
A guy walks into a
post office one day to see a middle-aged, balding man standing at the counter
systematically pasting "Love" stamps on bright pink envelopes with
hearts all over them. He then takes out a perfume bottle and starts spraying
scent all over them. The guy's curiosity gets the better of him and he walks up
to the balding man and asks him what he is doing.
The man says, "I'm sending out one thousand Valentine cards signed, 'Guess who?'"
"But why?" asks the guy.
The man replies, "I'm a divorce lawyer."
The man says, "I'm sending out one thousand Valentine cards signed, 'Guess who?'"
"But why?" asks the guy.
The man replies, "I'm a divorce lawyer."
Silence in the
cinema
It was Valentine's
day and John and Danielle's first date. They sat in the darkened cinema waiting
for the film to start. The screen finally lit up with a flashy advertisement
for the cinema's concession stand. John and Danielle realised that there was no
sound. The film began but the silence continued.
Suddenly, out of the darkness, an irritated voice in the crowd loudly shouted', Okay, who's got the remote control?'
Suddenly, out of the darkness, an irritated voice in the crowd loudly shouted', Okay, who's got the remote control?'
Valentine's Day
Gift
Jonny asked his
friend, Tony, whether he had bought his wife anything for Valentine's Day.
'Yes,' came the answer from Tony who was a bit of a chauvinist, 'I've bought her a belt and a bag.'
'That was very kind of you,' Jonny added, 'I hope she appreciated the thought.'
Tony smiled as he replied, 'So do I, and hopefully the vacuum cleaner will work better now.'
'Yes,' came the answer from Tony who was a bit of a chauvinist, 'I've bought her a belt and a bag.'
'That was very kind of you,' Jonny added, 'I hope she appreciated the thought.'
Tony smiled as he replied, 'So do I, and hopefully the vacuum cleaner will work better now.'
Short Valentine's
Day Jokes
Q. What do you call
a very small valentine?
A. A valentiny!
Q. What did the stamp say to the envelope on Valentine's Day?
A. I'm stuck on you!
Q. What did the boy snake say to the girl snake on Valentine's Day?
A. Give me a hug and a hiss, honey!
Q. What did the boy sheep say to the girl sheep on Valentine's Day?
A. I love ewe!
Q. What two words have a thousand letters in them?
A. Post Office!
Q. Why did the boy jump up and down on his valentine card?
A. He heard he had to stamp letters!
A. A valentiny!
Q. What did the stamp say to the envelope on Valentine's Day?
A. I'm stuck on you!
Q. What did the boy snake say to the girl snake on Valentine's Day?
A. Give me a hug and a hiss, honey!
Q. What did the boy sheep say to the girl sheep on Valentine's Day?
A. I love ewe!
Q. What two words have a thousand letters in them?
A. Post Office!
Q. Why did the boy jump up and down on his valentine card?
A. He heard he had to stamp letters!
Candy
Four-year-old Sam
loved candy almost as much as his mom Sally did. He and Daddy had given her a
beautiful heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day. A few days later
Sam was eyeing it, wishing to have a piece of it. As he reached out to touch
one of the big pieces, Sally said to him, "If you touch it, then you have
to eat it. Do you understand?"
"Oh, yes," he said, nodding his head. Suddenly his little hand patted the tops of all the pieces of candy. "Now I can eat them all."
"Oh, yes," he said, nodding his head. Suddenly his little hand patted the tops of all the pieces of candy. "Now I can eat them all."
Paired Puns
As Valentine's Day
approached, I tried to think of an unusual gift for my husband. When I
discovered that his favorite red-plaid pants had a broken zipper, I thought I
had the perfect Valentine. I had the pants repaired, and gift-wrapped them. On
the package I put a huge red heart on which I printed: My Heart Pants for You.
I was the surprised one, however, when I saw the same heart taped to our
formerly empty, but now overflowing, wood box. On it he had written: Wood You
Be My Valentine?
Hard grader
My high-school
English teacher was well known for being a fair, but hard, grader. One day I
received a B minus on a theme paper. In hopes of bettering my grade and in the
spirit of the valentine season, I sent her an extravagant heart-shaped box of
chocolates with the pre-printed inscription: �BE MINE.� The following day, I received
in return a valentine from the teacher. It read: �Thank you, but it�s still BE MINE-US.�
Guess who?
A guy walks into a
post office one day to see a middle-aged, balding man standing at the counter
methodically placing "Love" stamps on bright pink envelopes with
hearts all over them. He then takes out a perfume bottle and starts spraying
scent all over them.
His curiosity getting the better of him, he goes up to the balding man and asks him what he is doing. The man says "I'm sending out 1,000 Valentine cards signed, 'Guess who?'"
"But why?" asks the man.
"I'm a divorce lawyer," the man replies.
His curiosity getting the better of him, he goes up to the balding man and asks him what he is doing. The man says "I'm sending out 1,000 Valentine cards signed, 'Guess who?'"
"But why?" asks the man.
"I'm a divorce lawyer," the man replies.
Saint Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day is a Hallmark Holiday
Hallmark holiday refers to a holiday
that is perceived to exist mainly for commercial reasons, rather than to
celebrate a traditionally significant religious or secular event. Although many
people view these celebrations in a negative way, others have positive views.
On the negative side, hallmark holidays don't really celebrate an important
event, and only exist for companies to make a lot of money. On the
positive side, the term describes the perfect holiday in which family, friends,
and fun come first. Everyday problems, worries, and stress can be put
aside. Valentine's Day, which is celebrated on February 14, is usually
considered to be one of the hallmark holidays.
In Valentine's Day billions of cards
are sent. It is also an opportunity for customers to buy chocolates, flowers,
engagement rings, romantic dinners, and so on. This commercial aspect can
be traced back to the 19th century when printing technology improved to cheaply
mass-produce greeting cards. But the origin of the celebration is much
more ancient and can be traced back to a Roman festival called
"Lupercalia" which was held in mid-February every year. The
celebration purified new life in the spring. Around the third century A.D., the
holiday became associated with Saint Valentine, although it isn't exactly clear
how.
Historical Origin of the Celebration
A popular explanation of the link
between Saint Valentine and the Holiday says that at the time of the Roman
"Lupercalia" Festival marriage was a common tradition, but when
Claudius became Emperor he changed all of that. He outlawed all marriages
because he was afraid that men would refuse their duty to fight because they
would not want to leave their wives behind. Young couples still fell in love
though and still wished to marry and they took these desires to the Catholic
Bishop Valentine who, understanding love, began to secretly marry couples. When
Claudius found out, he arrested Valentine and sentenced him to death. While
waiting in prison, Valentine began exchanging letters with the prisoner's
daughter and soon had fallen in love with her. The day he was to be beheaded,
he wrote her one last note and signed it: "From Your Valentine".
In 496 A.D. Christianity had taken
over Rome and Pope Gelasius outlawed the pagan Lupercian Festival. Knowing it’s
popularity, he looked to replace it with something more "appropriate"
and set aside a day in February to honor the martyr St. Valentine. Even though
in 1969 the church removed St. Valentines Day from it’s calendar of
"official" holidays, it is still widely celebrated today. And
although Valentine's Day has become quite commercial, it still contains an
important aspect shared by all of the best holidays - time spent thinking of
and being with the one you love.
Source: Wikipedia
Comprehension:
- A Hallmark holiday :
a. celebrates a secular event,
b. celebrates a religious event
c. exists mainly for the sake of business - Valentine's Day :
a. was first celebrated in the 19th century
b. was celebrated much earlier than the 19th century. - Emperor Claudius used to:
a. forbid marriage,
b. kill newly married couples, - Saint Valentine
a. secretly helped couples to get married.
b. got married himself despite the new law forbidding marriage.
CHECK ANSWERS
- A Hallmark holiday :
exists mainly for the sake of business - c - Valentine's Day:
was celebrated much earlier than the 19th century - b - Emperor Claudius used to:
forbid marriage - a - Saint Valentine:
secretely helped couples to get married - a
Santa Claus
Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas,
Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa", is a figure which
was derived from the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas, a historical, legendary and
mythological figure who in many Western cultures, is said to bring gifts to the
homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of
Christmas Eve, December 24 or on his Feast Day, December 6 (Saint Nicholas
Day).The legend is based on the tales concerning the historical figure of gift
giver Saint Nicholas.
While Saint Nicholas was originally
portrayed wearing bishop's robes, today Santa Claus is generally depicted as a
plump, jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs,
white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots (images of him
rarely have a beard with no mustache). This image became popular in the United
States and Canada in the 19th century due to the significant influence of
caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. This image has been
maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, and films. In the
United Kingdom and Europe, he is often depicted in a manner identical to the
American Santa Claus, but he is commonly called Father Christmas.
Source: Wikipedia
Comprehension:
- Santa Claus is Saint Nicolas
a. True
b. False - Nowadays Santa Claus is depicted wearing bishop's robes
a. True.
b. False. - Today's image of Santa Claus was conceived in the United States and Canada.
a. True
b. False
CHECK ANSWERS
- Santa Claus is Saint Nicolas
False - b (it's a legend based on the tales concerning the historical figure of gift giver Saint Nicholas) - Nowadays Santa Claus is depicted wearing bishop's robes
False - b (today Santa Claus is generally depicted as a plump, jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots) - Today's image of Santa Claus was conceived in the United States and Canada.
True - a (this image became popular in the United States and Canada in the 19th century)
Christmas
Christmas which is celebrated on
December 25th is an important Christian holiday. The origin of the word
"Christmas" comes from "Christ" and the
"Holy.Mass" . It is believed that the day commemorates the birth of
Jesus Christ although a lot of people doubt that the Day corresponds to the
actual date of his birth. In spite of its Christian origin, Christmas is also
celebrated by a lot of non Christian countries and the celebration
includes a lot of non religious customs. People exchange gifts and greeting
cards. Homes are decorated with Christmas trees, light and garlands. Dinners
are planned with special food and all the families gather to have a lot of fun.
A central imaginary figure in
Christmas is Father Christmas, also called Santa Claus. He is believed to fly
on his sleigh bringing gifts for children .
Christmas is also an opportunity for
economic growth. It has become an important period for business activity. Shops
make a lot of profit and a lot of countries realized this economic impact.
Source: Wikipedia
Comprehension
- Christmas celebration is on
a. December 24,
b. December 25,
c. December 26. - Jesus Christ's Date of birth
a. is on December 25th.
b. We are not sure about the exact date. - Santa Claus comes
a. on foot
b. on a flying sleigh
CHECK ANSWERS
- Christmas celebration is on
- b - on December 25 - Jesus Christ's Date of birth
- b - We are not sure about the exact date. - Santa Claus comes
- b -on a flying sleigh
Easter Bunny
The Easter Bunny (also called Easter Hare or
Spring Bunny) is a character who brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy
and sometimes also toys to the homes of children on the night before Easter. It
is depicted as a rabbit sometimes with clothes. When Easter Bunny brings the
gifts, it will either put the baskets in a designated place or hide them
somewhere in the house or garden for the children to find when they wake up in
the morning.
Like Santa Claus, Easter Bunny brings
gifts to children on the night before the holiday. Easter Bunny and the eggs
symbolize fertility. Since birds lay eggs and rabbits and hares give birth
to large litters in the early spring, these became symbols of the rising
fertility of the earth and were adopted by early Christians as a
symbol of the resurrection of Jesus.
Source: Wikipedia
Comprehension:
- Easter Bunny brings gifts in a bag.
a. True
b. False - The custom of Easter Bunny is very much like that of Santa Claus.
a. True
b. False - Easter Bunny brings gifts on Easter Day.
a. True
b. False - Easter Bunny and The eggs are fertility symbols.
a. True
b. False.
CHECK ANSWERS
- Easter Bunny brings gifts in a bag.
False - b (in baskets) - The custom of Easter Bunny is very much like that of Santa Claus.
True - a (Like Santa Claus, Easter Bunny brings gifts to children) - Easter Bunny brings gifts on Easter Day.
False - b (on the night before the holiday) - Easter Bunny and the eggs are fertilty symbols.
True - a (they became symbols of the rising fertility of the earth)
Easter Day
Easter Day is the central religious
feast in the Christian world. According to Christian scripture, Jesus rose from
the death on the third day after his crucifixion. Some Christians celebrate
this resurrection on Easter Day or Easter Sunday (also Resurrection Day or Resurrection
Sunday). Easter is a moveable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the
civil calendar.
According to the traditions, Easter
Sunday is celebrated by taking part in an Easter vigil, lighting a new fire
outside the church early on Sunday morning. Another custom involves lighting
the Paschal candle and decorating it with studs to celebrate Christ's wounds.
Chanting of the easter proclamation, reading the old testament, singing hymns
and wishing happy Easter Day are other characteristics of the celebration.
Relatively newer elements such as the
Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunts have become part of the holiday's modern
celebrations, and those aspects are often celebrated by many Christians and
non-Christians alike. The Easter Bunny, which is a counterpart to the Santa
Claus of Christmas, brings gifts, a basket of colored eggs, to children on the
night before the celebration. Easter eggs used to be painted chicken eggs, but
a modern custom is to substitute chocolate eggs, or plastic eggs filled with
confectionery such as jelly beans. These eggs are often hidden, allegedly by
the Easter Bunny, for children to find on Easter morning.
Source: Wikipedia
Comprehension:
- Easter Day is celebrated on a fixed date.
a. True
b. False - The custom of Easter vigil involves lighting fire indoor.
a. True
b. False - Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs are very old customs.
a. True
b. False - Easter Bunny on Easter Day is very much like Santa Claus on Christmas.
a. True
b. False.
CHECK ANSWERS
- Easter Day is celebrated on a fixed date.
False - b (it is a moveable holiday) - The custom of Easter vigil involves lighting fire indoor.
False - b (out of the church) - Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs are very old customs.
False - b (They are relatively new customs) - Easter Bunny on Easter Day is very much like Santa Claus on Christmas.
True - a(both give gifts the night before the celebration)
Halloween
Halloween (also spelled Hallowe'en) is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31. It has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints.
Halloween has origins in the ancient festival known as Samhain, which is derived from Old Irish and means roughly "summer's end". This was a Gaelic festival celebrated mainly in Ireland and Scotland.This festival celebrates the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half", and is sometimes regarded as the "Celtic New Year".The celebration has some elements of a festival of the dead. The ancient Celts believed that the border between this world and the Other world became thin on Samhain, allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. The family's ancestors were honored and invited home whilst harmful spirits were warded off. It is believed that the need to ward off harmful spirits led to the wearing of costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise oneself as a harmful spirit and thus avoid harm.
But where does the origin of the name "halloween" come from? Well The term Halloween, originally spelled Hallowe’en, is shortened from All Hallows' Even – e'en is a shortening of evening. It is now known as "Eve of" All Saints' Day, which is November 1st. As Chritianity started to spread, the church tried to supplant these pagan festivities with the Christian holiday (All Saints' Day) by moving it from May 13 to November 1. Although All Saints' Day is now considered to occur one day after Halloween, the two holidays were once celebrated on the same day.
Halloween is also related to A jack-o'-lantern (sometimes also spelled Jack O'Lantern) which is typically a carved pumpkin. In a jack-o'-lantern, typically the top is cut off, and the inside flesh then scooped out; an image, usually a monstrous face, is carved onto the outside surface, and the lid replaced. At night, a light is placed inside to illuminate the effect.
Trick-or-treating is a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, "Trick or treat?" The word "trick" refers to a (mostly idle) threat to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. In some parts of Ireland and Scotland children still go guising. In this custom the child performs some sort of show, i.e. sings a song or tells a ghost story, in order to earn their treats.
Comprehension:
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario