Reading get 200

Task 1

Read the text below. Match choices (A-F) to paragraphs (1-5). There is one choice you do not need to use.

A. An unusual hobby

B. A new image for politicians

C. An early success story

D. Different plans for my future

E. An important influence

F. A young rebel

1. ___   [A, B, C, D, E, F]_____ When I was young, I don’t think there was ever any doubt in my mind about what job I intended to do for the rest of my life. However, I agree that it probably seemed a rather strange ambition for a child to want to be a politician rather than a footballer or astronaut. I’m quite sure that the person who was responsible for this was my grandfather. When he became the local Mayor, I was very impressed by the golden chains he wore!

2. _____   [A, B, C, D, E, F]___ I inherited his love of debate and, apparently, even at primary school, I used to argue a lot with the teacher about school rules and fairness in the classroom. I remember one school report when she wrote that I had very strong views on a wide range of topics, and my parents got quite angry with me for not doing what the teacher told me.

3. ____   [A, B, C, D, E, F]____ By the time I was a teenager, my parents were getting very worried about me. They wanted me to be a doctor, but I had no interest in this at all! In fact, the only thing I was interested in was reading newspapers, which was very odd for a young teenager! Then, I joined the UK Youth Parliament, and they realised that I was serious about becoming a politician.

4. ____   [A, B, C, D, E, F]____ The UK Youth Parliament was very good training for me, and, some years after, I went on to be elected as a Member of Parliament for my own area. In the beginning, my parents were unhappy about my choice of career. They wanted me to choose a job which was well-paid with security, and it didn’t help that my political beliefs were completely different from theirs! But I’ve been a politician for four years, and they’re really happy now.

5. ___   [A, B, C, D, E, F]_____ It’s interesting how people react when I tell them that I’m an MP. Some think that I must be very caring and want to change the world, whereas others think that all politicians are rich and never tell the truth! I suppose politicians, in general, have a bad reputation, but I’m sure that young MPs, like me, really do want what is best for the people and our country. I hope so, anyway

Task 2

Read the text below. For questions 6-11 choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D).

Most, if not all, countries have their traditional dress which people wear on certain occasions, especially national or religious holidays. The same goes for the Englishspeaking countries. Scotland and Wales certainly seem the best examples here.

The Scottish and Welsh national costumes are often considered to be Britain's most well-known dress, though the Scottish ones are definitely more recognisable across the world. Most foreigners will have some idea what a typical Scotsman looks like! The Scottish national dress is called the kilt and it symbolises Scotland alongside whisky and haggis. The kilt is made from a tartan material and each Scottish clan has their own unique pattern of the fabric. Some people believe that wearing a kilt in a tartan which does not belong to their family brings bad luck.

Kilts are worn only by gentlemen and are complemented by a shirt, a waistcoat, a tweed jacket, stockings, special shoes and a sporran (a small bag). Sometimes men also wear small hats called bonnets which show the clan's symbols. Women, on the other hand, wear tartan dresses or skirts and shawls (big scarves).

As for the Welsh national dress, it's women who wear the most characteristic costumes. A typical lady’s outfit is made up of a small white cap underneath a large black hat, a white blouse, a red flannel shawl, a long checked skirt and a white apron. In the past women always used to wear black woollen stockings and carry small baskets.

Although there has never been a traditional Welsh costume for men, now, as a result of recent Welsh nationalism, men have designed special tartan trousers or even kilts. As a matter of fact, the Welsh traditional clothes have survived mainly due to the efforts of Lady Llanover (a Welsh patriot) who realised that the Welsh national identity was disappearing because of English or European influences.

6. Scottish and Welsh traditional costumes are                                         [A. both equally famous abroad., B. are only worn on national holidays., C.recognised by all people in the world, D. are popular symbols of Great Britain]

7. The Scottish national dress is                                    [A. the only symbol of Scotland., B. made from, different materials., C. different for each clan., D. often said to bring had luck.]

8. Kilts are

A. usually worn by both men and women.

B. rarely worn together with head accessories.

C. hardly ever worn by men.

D. never worn by women.   [A, B, C, D]

9. The typical Welsh national costume

A. consists of one head accessory.

B. is worn by women.

C. has some striped pattern.

D. hasn't changed since past times.   [A, B, C, D]

10. The traditional Welsh costumes have not disappeared especially thanks to

A. Lady Llanover.

B. the current Welsh nationalistic feelings.

C. Welsh men.

D. outside influences.   [A, B, C, D]

11. The text is mainly about Scottish and Welsh

A. traditions.

B. clothes for men.

C. national dress.

D. national holidays.   [A, B, C, D]

Task 3

Read the texts below. They are all about women talking about sports they used to do when they were younger. Match choices (A-H) to (12-16). There are three choices you do not need to use.

12 __   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H]__

Martha I really wanted to be an Olympic swimmer when I was at school. I used to watch the winners on television, and I begged my parents to let me take up the sport. Eventually, they agreed, and I went swimming regularly until I left school. I never achieved my dream of entering the Olympics, but swimming kept me fit and helped me meet some very good friends.

13 ___   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G]

Cathy My mother did a lot of dancing when she was young. She wanted to become a professional dancer, but she didn’t feel she was good enough. So, when I was about three, it seemed natural for her to make me join a ballet class. However, this just wasn’t me, and I’m afraid to say I didn’t behave very well. I left after six months, and then started doing judo. This was much more my sort of thing!

14 ___   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H]

Linda My favourite sports at school were athletics and hockey. I think this was partly because my dad had been a hockey coach, and I really admired him. I was in the school team for both sports. I used to do a lot of running, although I didn’t win any major competitions. Our hockey team was really successful though. Unfortunately, I hurt my ankle badly when I was fifteen, and had to give both sports up.

15 _   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H]__

Claire I started skiing late on – after I’d left university – when some good friends invited me on a winter holiday with them. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it that much, but, in fact, I loved every minute of it, and, before last year, I was going to the French Alps skiing several times a year. But I didn’t go last year because I didn’t have enough money. Sadly, I’m still short of money.

16 _   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H]__

Sarah I’ve never been much of a sportsperson, and I know that I’m a bit out of shape. So, last year, I started jogging before and after school. It’s great for waking you up properly in the morning! It’s more fun when a couple of friends join me – this happens twice a week. However, at the moment, I haven’t been going out much because of the bad weather, but I’ll start again when the snow clears up, and it’s safer out there.

The woman stopped the activity because

A. the conditions have been too dangerous.

B. her official education finished.

C. she had financial problems.

D. she wasn’t very good at it.

E. she preferred to do something else.

F. she had a serious injury.

G. she was influenced by her friends.

H. she wasn’t given a choice.