Reading Test (2)

EXAM TASK Read two text about family dinners For each question choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Text 1.

A TREASURED MEMORY

One of the most vivid memories from my childhood and early teenage years was the Sunday dinner. My mum would do the cooking, while Alice, my elder sister, was supposed to lay the table, although she would sometimes protest that I was old enough to do the job as well. Dad, however, was glad to do that himself if he was not on duty at the hospital. I was quite happy to stay in my room with a book until I was eventually called to join them at the table.

For some reason, I could not understand at the time why my mum insisted that the dinner be a fairly formal event. We all wore nice clothes and were told to keep our elbows off the table. reading newspapers or watching TV was out of the question. But it would be unfair to say I was bored during those meals. There was always an interesting conversation going on at the table. Nothing serious, just things that had happened to each of us during the week. My dad would always tell us some interesting stories from work.

Now, thirty years on, I recall those family dinners with some sentiment. It is true that those dinners were a lot of trouble when compared with the quick, convenient meals people eat these days. The efforts involved in the preparation helped to integrate us as a family and respect the time we spent together. More than that, the dinners were a great lesson in the art of conversation and table manners.

1 What does the writer say about his role in the preparation of the family dinner?

A He was often made to help his sister set the table.

B He sometimes protested against having to help.

C He enjoyed not having to help his sister.

D He thought he was old enough to help his sister.

EXAM TASK Read two text about family dinners For each question choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Text 1.

A TREASURED MEMORY

One of the most vivid memories from my childhood and early teenage years was the Sunday dinner. My mum would do the cooking, while Alice, my elder sister, was supposed to lay the table, although she would sometimes protest that I was old enough to do the job as well. Dad, however, was glad to do that himself if he was not on duty at the hospital. I was quite happy to stay in my room with a book until I was eventually called to join them at the table.

For some reason, I could not understand at the time why my mum insisted that the dinner be a fairly formal event. We all wore nice clothes and were told to keep our elbows off the table. reading newspapers or watching TV was out of the question. But it would be unfair to say I was bored during those meals. There was always an interesting conversation going on at the table. Nothing serious, just things that had happened to each of us during the week. My dad would always tell us some interesting stories from work.

Now, thirty years on, I recall those family dinners with some sentiment. It is true that those dinners were a lot of trouble when compared with the quick, convenient meals people eat these days. The efforts involved in the preparation helped to integrate us as a family and respect the time we spent together. More than that, the dinners were a great lesson in the art of conversation and table manners.

2 During the dinner, the writer’s family usually

A ate in silence.

B watched TV.

C discussed serious topics.

D talked about everyday matters.

EXAM TASK Read two text about family dinners For each question choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Text 1.

A TREASURED MEMORY

One of the most vivid memories from my childhood and early teenage years was the Sunday dinner. My mum would do the cooking, while Alice, my elder sister, was supposed to lay the table, although she would sometimes protest that I was old enough to do the job as well. Dad, however, was glad to do that himself if he was not on duty at the hospital. I was quite happy to stay in my room with a book until I was eventually called to join them at the table.

For some reason, I could not understand at the time why my mum insisted that the dinner be a fairly formal event. We all wore nice clothes and were told to keep our elbows off the table. reading newspapers or watching TV was out of the question. But it would be unfair to say I was bored during those meals. There was always an interesting conversation going on at the table. Nothing serious, just things that had happened to each of us during the week. My dad would always tell us some interesting stories from work.

Now, thirty years on, I recall those family dinners with some sentiment. It is true that those dinners were a lot of trouble when compared with the quick, convenient meals people eat these days. The efforts involved in the preparation helped to integrate us as a family and respect the time we spent together. More than that, the dinners were a great lesson in the art of conversation and table manners.

3 Nowadays, the writer thinks that those family dinners

A were too much trouble.

B taught him important skills.

C are not a pleasant memory.

D were not worth the effort.