Reading Comprehension 2

Name: ________________________ Class: _________

Practice 1
Read the text carefully and answer the following questions.

Planet Carnivore
There's no denying that we live in a dog-eat-dog world. While we compete to survive, animals are
doing what they have to in order to stay alive. On the National Geographic Channel's series Planet
Carnivore, see how the top dogs of the animal world remain the big guys.

Malkia has been in charge for 16 years. In that time, she has mastered her skills and is at the top of
the food chain. As the oldest lioness inside Ngorongoro in East Africa, she reigns over a mighty
kingdom. Yet even for the "Queen," life inside isn't always easy. Since no outside lions have come into
the pride for 40 years, deadly illnesses are quickly killing off many of the lions in her area. In Lion,
NGC follows the ups and downs of her daily life in Ngorongoro.

In the cold waters of South Africa's False Bay, Haai, a great white shark, makes life difficult for many
of her neighbors. NGC follows Haai as she does what she knows how to do best: hunt. However, the
competition is heating up as younger, faster great whites are getting in on the food action. Will age
and experience win out over speed and youth? See for yourself in Great White Shark only on NGC.

Gaining weight isn't a problem for most of us. Imagine if you had just 10 weeks to eat all of the food
you needed for an entire year. This is exactly what Binne, a polar bear, must do. Unfortunately, the
changing world has caused her food supply to move further down the coast and she has no choice but
to go after it. If she doesn't have the blubber to get through the winter, Binne's days will be
numbered.

Planet Carnivore explores the lives of these vicious animals to see what it takes to survive in their
rough and ever-changing world.

Get in on the to start to take part in an activity that is already happening because you
will gain an advantage from it

Win out succeed, prevail

Get through succeed in passing or surviving something

1. In a dog-eat-dog world, ____________________________________.

A. everyone works together to be the best
B. people do whatever it takes to get ahead
C. dogs are always on top of the food chain
D. lions reign above us all

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Reading Comprehension 2

2.  Which of the following is an example of the food chain?

A. People eating rice grown by the farmers.
B. Cats eating the food served to them by their owners.
C. An insect eats some leaves, a frog eats that insect, and then a snake eats that frog.
D. Rats migrate west, disease spreads, and people die.

3. What is Haai in competition with?

A. A polar bear.
B. Her failing health.
C. The food chain.
D. Other sharks.

4. What does Binne need in order to survive?

A. A lot of extra weight.
B. A closer storage area for food.
C. A place where she can rest for the winter.
D. A faster way of hunting.

ADAWIYAH MOHAMAD SMKSPK

Reading Comprehension 2

Practice 2
Read the text carefully and answer the following questions.

Universal Appeal

Universal Studios Hollywood — a place for fun, entertainment, and even history — is taking
its first steps in a 25-year plan to expand the park. The new outline envisions an incredible
growth of the amusement facilities as well as the development of a residential
neighborhood in the area. This environmentally friendly living area is just another feather in
the cap of this amazing park of wonder.

Originally known as Universal City, Universal Studios Hollywood was founded in 1915 by
Carl Laemmle. It was the first studio to offer tours where audiences could watch films in
production. Since then, Universal Studios has grown to include theme parks, restaurants,
hotels, shopping malls, and much more. This park proved to be so popular that Universal
Studios Florida opened in 1990, and last year, Universal Studios Japan (Osaka) celebrated
its fifth birthday.

With so much past success from growth, it's no wonder that Universal is excited about its
latest plans for expansion. Previous plans were scrapped due to complex zoning and
environmental regulations. Now, they are ready to move ahead in full force.

While many new attractions are in the works for the new expansion, Universal will
preserve some of its old attractions, such as the Bates Mansion from the film Psycho and
the mechanical shark from Jaws. These attractions offer a historical perspective of the film
industry. Preserving them illustrates the advance in film production techniques over the
years. In addition to safeguarding the past, plenty of new high-tech soundstages, rides,
and theaters are in the works. In May, Citywalk, a shopping, dining, and entertainment
facility, began remodeling. Spring also saw the opening of SkyVenture Hollywood, an
attraction where visitors can float 40 feet into the air on 125 mph winds. Not bad for a
studio once called, "The strangest place on Earth."
 
Envisions to imagine as a likely possibility in the future

In full force in full strength

In the works under development

1. As a result of the popularity of Universal Studios, ______.

A. other parks and facilities were opened
B. homeowners lost their property rights
C. neighborhoods in the area were flattened
D. Carl Laemmle decided to shut down his park

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Reading Comprehension 2

2. In the third paragraph, "scrapped" is closest in meaning to _____.

A. blown up
B. refused
C. called off
D. prolonged

3. According to the article, why will older attractions remain?

A. They're too costly to replace.
B. They provide insight into the development of the film industry.
C. They represent the destruction of historic landmarks.
D. They only cost US$25 million in annual upkeep.

4. What will more than likely occur because of the expansion of the park?
A. The movie industry will improve its contents.
B. Business will experience a slight slump.
C. More tourists will be drawn to the area.
D. Universal Studios will pass out more tour packages.

  

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Reading Comprehension 2

  

Practice 3
Read the text carefully and answer the following questions.

Is It Real 3

Most people have some common sense. When we see something suspicious on TV, in
the newspaper, or on the Internet, we roll our eyes and wonder how anyone could
believe something so stupid. Nevertheless, there are stories that even educated people
still believe. These tales may or may not be true, but they leave us wondering whether
they are real or not. On National Geographic Channel, these stories are dissected in full
detail in the series Is It Real 3.

Thousands of years ago, aliens landed on Earth. They tampered with the evolution of
humans and the results of this can be seen practically everywhere. Sound ridiculous?
Not to some people. Believe it or not, there are those who believe that alien astronauts
had a hand in making the human race what it is today. Travel back in time with Ancient
Astronauts and visit our "alien ancestors."

In the autumn of 1888, Jack the Ripper roamed the streets of London's East End. After
his reign of terror was over, five women had been butchered. To this day, the mystery of
who slaughtered these ladies remains unsolved. No one knows for sure, but the truth
may be revealed on Jack the Ripper.

Vampires. Just the thought of these fictional beasts is enough to make your blood run
cold. While we may think that they only come to life in books and movies, vampires are
actually based on real people. Historians, folklorists, scientists, and doctors all work
together to investigate the plausibility of vampires. Take a bite into this juicy mystery on
Vampires.

No other channel can offer this type of programming other than National Geographic
Channel. In this unique series, they've stripped away 12 myths that have stood the test
of time to expose the truth and find out the answer to the question, Is It Real?
 

Tampered with make changes to something which you should

not, interfere or meddle

Had a hand in be involved

Make your blood run cold to make someone feel extremely shocked or
frightened

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Reading Comprehension 2

1. What type of person would believe these stories?

A. Anyone with a fear of ghosts.
B. A person without any common sense.
C. Anyone with a bit of imagination.
D. Only educated people.

2. Who was Jack the Ripper?

A. A notorious actor in London's East End theater district.
B. A name assigned to a famous butcher.
C. The moniker given to an unknown murderer.
D. The serial killer of hundreds of women in the 1800s.

3. The truth about vampires may be known because ______.

A. a novelist is looking into it
B. different people in different fields are weighing in on it
C. there's new evidence that can prove their existence
D. National Geographic Channel knows the truth

4. What is the purpose of this series?

A. To uncover the details about a series of murders.
B. To solve well-known crimes.
C. To hide the truth about fairy tales.
D. To take apart stories that people believe.

     

ADAWIYAH MOHAMAD SMKSPK

Reading Comprehension 2

Practice 4
Read the text carefully and answer the following questions.

Singing the Praises of Singapore

Located between Malaysia and Indonesia, Singapore is an island that's small in size but big in
reputation. Spanning only 683 square kilometers, it is one of the busiest ports in the world and a major
business center. Currently, pharmaceuticals, finance, and technology are what bring many visitors to
Singapore. But those are not all that Singapore has to offer.

The Suntec City Mall is an enormous commercial area and convention center that boasts the Fountain
of Wealth, the largest fountain in the world. Together, they are part of a unique feng shui design that
resembles the palm and fingers of a hand from an aerial view.

For those who like nocturnal action, Singapore's Night Safari is a zoo with over 900 animals and is
open until midnight. Outside of the zoo, you're bound to continue seeing amazing animals, including
one with a lion's head and fish's body. Known as the Merlion, this statue serves as the symbol of
Singapore.

Now that you know a few of the things you can do in Singapore, what about a few that you can't?
Chewing gum, for example, is illegal unless it's for medical purposes. Only licensed pharmacists are
allowed to sell it. Smuggling it into Singapore could mean one year in jail or a $218,000 fine. In
Singapore, make sure you don't forget to flush the toilet because failure to do so equals a $10,000
fine.

If you're ready to discover a place on the cutting edge and you've got the manners to match,
Singapore is the perfect destination.

Resembles to look like

Nocturnal relating to the night

Cutting edge the position of greatest advancement

1. According to the article, Singapore is better known for its ______.

A. numerous markets and zoos
B. illegal trade and corruption
C. resemblance to a hand from the air
D. role in the international business arena

ADAWIYAH MOHAMAD SMKSPK

Reading Comprehension 2

2. The Night Safari is _____.

A. a zoo where only lions can be seen at night
B. a zoo that is open until midnight
C. the statue and symbol of Singapore
D. a place where 900 rare species live

3. Under what circumstances is it legal to chew gum in Singapore?

A. If you have a license.
B. If you pay a fine.
C. If you have a special medical condition.
D. If you bring it into the country yourself.

Practice 5
Read the text carefully and answer the following questions.

Not Just Another Russian

In 1828, baby Leo was born into the rich and powerful Tolstoy family of Central Russia. He would
grow up to write two of the greatest novels in the history of literature and inspire social reform that
would make an impact on the world. Not just another Russian author, Leo Tolstoy was a teacher, a
philosopher, and the grandfather of non-violent revolution.

Tolstoy was an unsettled young man. He was a poor student who left his university when he could
find no meaning in his studies. He joined the army but could not endure the violence and soon left that
as well. By this time, Tolstoy was being noticed as a writer but he still felt unfulfilled. It was during this
time that Tolstoy wrote his most famous books, War and Peace and Anna Karenina. In them, Tolstoy
offered a new kind of fiction to Russian readers. He described events and characters so detailed and
convincing that they blurred the line between the imaginary and real life. In Tolstoy's version, it was
not great leaders that moved history, but the common people. His work has been called, "not art, but a
piece of life."

Tolstoy suffered a mid-life crisis after writing Anna Karenina. Giving up his fortune to live among the
peasants, he decided he must find the meaning of life or else kill himself. What he found came from
the core of his Christian faith—universal love and passive resistance to evil. Gandhi later adopted this
message in his campaign to free India. Martin Luther King, Jr. did the same in his fight for racial
equality in America. The effects of passive resistance can still be felt today. Tolstoy was a gifted
writer, but it was his revolutionary ideas that changed the course of history and the world in which we
live.

Unsettled tending to change

Core the basic and most important part of something

Gifted having special ability in a particular subject or activity

1. According to the article, which of the following is most true about Leo Tolstoy?
A. He always valued his peasant upbringing.
B. His teachers thought he was very smart.
C. He was satisfied with his life after people began noticing his work.
ADAWIYAH MOHAMAD SMKSPK
Reading Comprehension 2

D. He struggled to find meaning throughout his life.

2. What was special about Tolstoy's style of writing?

A. He was the first author to address the issue of war.
B. He described important events that really happened.
C. The characters in his books were very true to life.
D. He wrote about the great leaders who changed history.

3. Tolstoy considered killing himself because he ______.

A. had not yet found the meaning of life
B. was traumatized by his time in the army
C. lost his inspiration for writing
D. lost faith in universal love

4. How are Ghandi and Tolstoy alike?

A. Tolstoy adopted Ghandi's message and wrote about it in his books.
B. Tolstoy and Ghandi studied together at the university.
C. Ghandi helped Tolstoy find the meaning of life.
D. Ghandi used Tolstoy's ideas in his struggle to free India.

   

ADAWIYAH MOHAMAD SMKSPK