Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension

We offer you here a variety of texts on various interesting subjects. You can practice reading comprehension and at the same time you will certainly learn something new.
Each text is identified with an icon showing the level of English used on it. You will also find some questions to answer at the end of some texts to test your comprehension






World Cup

The FIFA World Cup (often called the Football World Cup, Soccer World Cup or simply the World Cup) is the most important men's competition in international football. The world's most representative team sport event, the World Cup is contested by the men's national football teams of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) (the sport's largest governing body) member nations. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930 (except in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II). However, it is more of an ongoing event as the qualifying rounds of the competition take place over the three years preceding the final rounds. In 1991, FIFA added a separate Women's World Cup.The men's final tournament phase (often called the "Finals") involves 32 national teams competing over a four-week period in a previously nominated host nation, with these games making it the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world. In the 17 tournaments held, only seven nations have ever won the World Cup Finals. Brazil is the current holder, as well as the most successful World Cup team, having won the tournament five times, while Germany and Italy follow with three titles each. The next football World Cup Finals will be held in Germany between June 9 and July 9, 2006.




Questions
Now answer the questions about the text.


1. The tournament takes place every four years
A) True
B) False
C) We don't know


2. In 1942 the World Cup was not played.
A) True
B) False
C) We don't know


3. There are 32 teams playing the World Cup.
A) True
B) False
C) We don't know


4. Only seven nations have ever won the championship.
A) True
B) False
C) We don't know


Answers
1. A
2. A
3. A
4. A





Shamrock
The shamrock, an unofficial symbol of Ireland, is a three-leafed old white clover, sometimes called (rarely, nowadays) Trifolium repens (white clover, known in Irish as seamair bhán) but more usually today Trifolium dubium (lesser clover, Irish: seamair bhuí).The diminutive version of the Irish word for "clover" ("seamair") is "seamaróg", which was anglicised as "shamrock", representing a close approximation of the original Gaelic pronunciation. However, other three-leafed plants — such as black medic (Medicago lupulina), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and Common wood sorrel (genus Oxalis) — are sometimes designated as shamrocks.The shamrock was traditionally used for its medical properties and was a popular motif in Victorian times. It is also a common way to represent St. Patrick's Day, a holiday celebrated on March 17. Shamrocks are said to bring good luck.


Questions
Now answer the questions about the text.

1. The shamrock is the unofficial symbol of Ireland.
A) True
B) False
C) We don't know

2. Nowadays, it's usually called Trifolium repens.
A) True
B) False
C) We don't know

3. It was used for its medical properties
A) True
B) False
C) We don't know

4. It was a popular motif in Victorian times
A) True
B) False
C)We don't know

Answers
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. A





Cardiff

Cardiff is the capital and largest city of Wales. Located on the south coast of the country it is administered as a unitary authority. It is in the historic county of Glamorgan and is recognised as one of the more appealing cities in the UK.It was a small town until the early nineteenth century and came to prominence as a major port for the transport of coal following the arrival of industry in the region. It eventually grew to become the largest city in Wales and serves as a major centre of culture, sport and history in the United Kingdom.
Cardiff was made a city in 1905, and proclaimed capital of Wales in 1955. Today, it is the 14th largest city in the United Kingdom. Cardiff Urban Area includes most of the city, along with the adjoining settlements of Dinas Powys, Penarth and Radyr, and is the 21st largest urban area in the UK.





Questions
Now answer the questions about the text.


1. Cardiff is the capital of Scotland
A) True
B) False
C) We don't know


2. Cardiff is a small town
A) True
B) False
C) We don't know

3. It has been the capital city since...
A) 1905
B) 1955
C) We don't know


4. Cardiff is now the largest city in the United Kingdom.
A) True
B) False
C)We don't know


Answers

1. B
2. B
3. B
4. B