Christmas (B1)

A Christian holiday signifying the birth of Jesus, Christmas is widely celebrated and enjoyed across the
United States and the world. The holiday always falls on 25 December (regardless of the day of the
week), and is typically accompanied by decorations, presents, and special meals.

Specifically, the legend behind Christmas (and the one that most children are told) is that Santa Claus,
a bearded, hefty, jolly, and red-jacket-wearing old man who lives in the North Pole, spends the year
crafting presents with his elves, or small, festive, excited Santa-assistants. All the children who behave
throughout the year are admitted to the Good List, and will presumably receive their desired gifts on
Christmas, while those who don't behave are placed on the Naughty List, and will presumably
(although the matter is determined by parents) receive a lump of coal.

Santa Claus is said to fly around the Christmas sky in a sled powered by his magical reindeer, or
cold-resistant, mythically powered, individually named animals, delivering presents to each child's
house in the process. Santa is also expected to slide through chimneys to deliver these presents
(homes not equipped with chimneys might "leave the front door cracked open"), and children
sometimes arrange cookies or other treats on a plate for him to enjoy.

Gifts are placed underneath a Christmas tree, or a pine tree that's decorated with ornaments and/or
lights and is symbolic of the holiday. Additionally, smaller gifts may be placed inside a stocking, or a
sock-shaped, holiday-specific piece of fabric that's generally hung on the mantle of a fireplace (homes
without fireplaces might use the wall). A Christmas tree's ornaments, or hanging, typically spherical
decorations, in addition to the mentioned lights, may be accompanied by a star, or a representation of
the Star of Jerusalem that the Three Apostles followed while bringing Baby Jesus gifts and honoring
him, in the Bible.

Did you understand the text?

1) On what date does Christmas take place?

a) The date varies from year to year
b) 20th December
c) 31st December
d) 25th December

2) Which mythical figure is said to deliver presents on Christmas?

a) The Easter Bunny
b) Saint Patrick
c) Santa Claus
d) Christmas Angel

3) How are children's present requests said to be granted or denied on Christmas?

a) Randomly
b) Through a specially designed mathematical formula
c) Nobody is quite sure
d) By reviewing their presence on either the "Good" or "Naughty" List

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More questions about the text:

Which parties are said to help Santa Claus make and deliver presents?
a) Elves
b) He performs the work himself
c) Magical reindeer
d) A and C

On Christmas, where are presents typically found?

a) Underneath the Christmas tree and in stockings
b) In the chimney
c) In the mailbox
d) Hidden throughout the house

Source: https://lingua.com/english/reading/christmas/
Solution: 1) d 2) c 3) d 4) d 5) a 2/2
Days of the week (A2)
There are seven days of the week, or uniquely named 24-hour periods designed to provide scheduling
context and make time more easily measureable. Each of these days is identifiable by specific plans,
moods, and tones.

Monday is viewed by many to be the "worst" day of the week, as it marks the return to work following
the weekend, when most full-time employees are given two days off. Most students attend school in
the morning and return home in the afternoon (usually from about eight until three or seven until
two), and most workers go to work in the morning and return home in the evening (usually from nine
to five or eight to four).

Tuesday is the second day of the week, and is in many ways similar to Monday. Not a whole lot
changes, schedule-wise, between Tuesday and Monday; most individuals go to school or work and
return home to watch television, play video games, make plans with friends, spend time with family,
read, or engage in a similar leisure-related activity.

Wednesday is the third day of the week, and serves as the "middle" of the work week; some
individuals refer to Wednesday as "hump day," as once its workday is complete, employees will have
passed the work-week "hump," and will be on the downturn, as only two days on the job will remain in
the week.

Thursday is the fourth day of the week, and is viewed favorably by many, as it's rather close to the end
of the work week.

Friday is the fifth day of the week, and marks the end of the workweek and school-week for the vast
majority of employees and students. By Friday afternoon/evening, most students/workers cannot wait
to leave and go home, as they won't have to report back to school/work until Monday.

Saturday is perhaps the most highly regarded day of the week. Because Sunday follows it (and there is
presumably no work or school to attend, for most individuals), everyone is free to stay out (or awake)
until late at night, having fun with plans or other leisure-related activities. To be sure, Saturday is
generally thought of as a day to partake in hobbies that couldn't otherwise be enjoyed during the
regular week.

Sunday is the final day of the week, and is used by most as a day of rest. Fewer late-night plans are
made on Sundays, compared to Saturdays, as most individuals have to wake up for work or school on
Monday morning.

Did you understand the text?

1) How many days of the week are there?

a) six
b) three
c) seven
d) five

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More questions about the text:

What is the weekend?

a) Saturday and Sunday
b) Wednesday and Friday
c) Thursday and Sunday
d) Friday and Saturday

Which day of the week is sometimes referred to as "hump day"?

a) Saturday
b) Thursday
c) Wednesday
d) Tuesday

Which day of the week is perhaps the most exciting, in terms of plans and activities?
a) Monday
b) Saturday
c) Sunday
d) Wednesday

A regular work week begins on which day?

a) Thursday
b) Sunday
c) Friday
d) Monday

Source: https://lingua.com/english/reading/days/
Solution: 1) c 2) a 3) c 4) b 5) d 2/2
Preparing food (A1)
Jack was hungry. He walked to the kitchen. He got out some eggs. He took out some oil. He placed a
skillet on the stove. Next, he turned on the heat. He poured the oil into the skillet. He cracked the eggs
into a bowl. He stirred the eggs. Then, he poured them into the hot skillet. He waited while the eggs
cooked. They cooked for two minutes. He heard them cooking. They popped in the oil.

Next, Jack put the eggs on a plate. He placed the plate on the dining room table. Jack loved looking at
his eggs. They looked pretty on the white plate. He sat down in the large wooden chair. He thought
about the day ahead. He ate the eggs with a spoon. They were good.

He washed the plate with dishwashing soap. Then, he washed the pan. He got a sponge damp. Finally,
he wiped down the table. Next, Jack watched TV.

Did you understand the text?

1) What food was cooked? 2) Where did Jack eat the eggs?
a) Pork a) In front of the TV
b) Rice b) At the dining room table
c) Fish c) In the kitchen
d) Eggs d) In his room

3) How long did the eggs cook? 4) What was the chair made of?
a) 2 minutes a) Wood
b) 3 minutes b) Metal
c) 5 minutes c) Stone
d) 10 minutes d) We do not know

5) Jack cooked in a skillet. What is another

word for skillet?
a) Slow cooker
b) Pan
c) Oven
d) Microwave

Source: https://lingua.com/english/reading/preparing-food/
Solution: 1) d 2) b 3) a 4) a 5) b
Our Vacation (A1)
Every year we go to Florida. We like to go to the beach.

My favorite beach is called Emerson Beach. It is very long, with soft sand and palm trees. It is very
beautiful. I like to make sandcastles and watch the sailboats go by. Sometimes there are dolphins and
whales in the water!

Every morning we look for shells in the sand. I found fifteen big shells last year. I put them in a special
place in my room. This year I want to learn to surf. It is hard to surf, but so much fun! My sister is a
good surfer. She says that she can teach me. I hope I can do it!

Did you understand the text?

1) My favorite beach is... 2) What animals do I see in the water?

a) Surf Beach a) Sharks
b) Emerson Beach b) Starfish
c) Palm Beach c) Dolphins
d) Long Beach d) Dogs

3) How many shells did I find last year? 4) What do I want to learn this year?
a) Twelve a) Surfing
b) Five b) Swimming
c) Fifty c) Sailing
d) Fifteen d) How to find shells

5) Where did I put my shells last year?

a) In a box
b) In the garage
c) In my room
d) In Florida

Source: https://lingua.com/english/reading/vacation/
Solution: 1) b 2) c 3) d 4) a 5) c
My Wonderful Family (A1)
I live in a house near the mountains. I have two brothers and one sister, and I was born last. My father
teaches mathematics, and my mother is a nurse at a big hospital. My brothers are very smart and
work hard in school. My sister is a nervous girl, but she is very kind. My grandmother also lives with us.
She came from Italy when I was two years old. She has grown old, but she is still very strong. She
cooks the best food!

My family is very important to me. We do lots of things together. My brothers and I like to go on long
walks in the mountains. My sister likes to cook with my grandmother. On the weekends we all play
board games together. We laugh and always have a good time. I love my family very much.

Did you understand the text?

1) My mother is a... 2) My house is near the...

a) Doctor a) City
b) Nurse b) Monastery
c) Writer c) Mountains
d) Waitress d) Italy

3) How old was I when my grandmother 4) On the weekends, we...

came? a) Play board games together
a) Three years old b) Go to a movie
b) Just born c) Clean the house
c) Ten years old d) Cook pasta
d) Two years old

5) My sister is kind, but also...

a) Mean
b) Quiet
c) Nervous
d) Strong

Source: https://lingua.com/english/reading/wonderful-family/
Solution: 1) b 2) c 3) d 4) a 5) c
My name is John (A1)
Hi! Nice to meet you! My name is John Smith. I am 19 and a student in college. I go to college in New
York. My favorite courses are Geometry, French, and History. English is my hardest course. My
professors are very friendly and smart. It's my second year in college now. I love it!

I live in a big house on Ivy Street. It's near the college campus. I share the house with three other
students. Their names are Bill, Tony, and Paul. We help each other with homework. On the weekend,
we play football together.

I have a younger brother. He just started high school. He is 14 and lives with my parents. They live on
Mulberry Street in Boston. Sometimes they visit me in New York. I am happy when they visit. My Mom
always brings me sweets and candy when they come. I really miss them, too!

Did you understand the text?

1) Where does John Smith go to college? 2) What is John Smith's hardest course?
a) Berlin a) French
b) Paris b) English
c) New York c) Math
d) Boston d) Art

3) Who shares a house with John Smith? 4) How old is John Smith's younger brother?
a) Bill, John, and Tom a) seven
b) Frank, Tony, and Mike b) eleven
c) Anna, Margaret, and Tanya c) thirteen
d) Bill, Tony, and Paul d) fourteen

5) What does John Smith's Mom bring him

when they visit?
a) Candy and ice cream
b) Sweets and candy
c) Fruits and vegetables
d) Flowers and coffee

Source: https://lingua.com/english/reading/john/
Solution: 1) c 2) b 3) d 4) d 5) b
My day (A1)
First, I wake up. Then, I get dressed. I walk to school. I do not ride a bike. I do not ride the bus. I like to
go to school. It rains. I do not like rain. I eat lunch. I eat a sandwich and an apple.

I play outside. I like to play. I read a book. I like to read books. I walk home. I do not like walking home.
My mother cooks soup for dinner. The soup is hot. Then, I go to bed. I do not like to go bed.

Did you understand the text?

1) What happens first? 2) What do I like?

a) Wake up a) Rain
b) Get dressed b) Going to bed
c) Eat lunch c) Walking home
d) Walk to school d) Books

3) How do I go to school? 4) What do I eat for dinner?

a) I ride a bike. a) Soup
b) I ride the bus. b) Sandwich
c) I walk. c) Apple
d) I drive a car. d) Pie

5) What do I not like?

a) Playing
b) Soup
c) Going to school
d) Going to bed

Source: https://lingua.com/english/reading/my-day/
Solution: 1) a 2) d 3) c 4) a 5) d
The House (A1)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son and one daughter. The son's name is John. The daughter's name is
Sarah.

The Smiths live in a house. They have a living room. They watch TV in the living room. The father cooks
food in the kitchen. They eat in the dining room. The house has two bedrooms. They sleep in the
bedrooms. They keep their clothes in the closet. There is one bathroom. They brush their teeth in the
bathroom.

The house has a garden. John and Sarah play in the garden. They have a dog. John and Sarah like to
play with the dog.

Did you understand the text?

1) How many children do Mr. and Mrs. Smith 2) Who cooks in the kitchen?
have? a) Mother
a) One son b) Sarah
b) One daughter c) Father
c) One son and one daughter d) John
d) No children

3) Where does the family eat? 4) How many bedrooms are in the house?
a) Living room a) One
b) Kitchen b) Two
c) Bedroom c) Three
d) Dining room d) Four

5) What do John and Sarah do in the garden?

a) Play
b) Sleep
c) Cook
d) Brush their teeth

Source: https://lingua.com/english/reading/house/
Solution: 1) c 2) c 3) d 4) b 5) a