Today, millions of people want to learn or improve their English but it is difficult to find

the best method. Is it better to study in Britain or America or to study in your own
country?

The advantages of going to Britain seem obvious. Firstly, you will be able to listen to the
language all the time you are in the country. You will be surrounded completely by the
language wherever you go. Another advantage is that you have to speak the language if
you are with other people. In Italy, it is always possible, in the class, to speak Italian if
you want to and the learning is slower.

On the other hand, there are also advantages to staying at home to study. You don't have
to make big changes to your life. As well as this, it is also a lot cheaper than going to
Britain but it is never possible to achieve the results of living in the UK. If you have a
good teacher in Italy, I think you can learn in a more concentrated way than being in
Britain without going to a school.

So, in conclusion, I think that if you have enough time and enough money, the best
choice is to spend some time in the UK. This is simply not possible for most people, so
being here in Italy is the only viable option. The most important thing to do in this
situation is to maximise your opportunities: to speak only English in class and to try to
use English whenever possible outside the class.

1. What is the article about?

How many people learn English.
The best way to learn English.
English schools in England and America.

2. What is one of the advantages of going to the UK to learn English?

There are no Italians in Britain.
You will have to speak English and not your language.
The language schools are better.

3. What is one of the advantages of staying in your country to learn English?

The teachers aren't very good in Britain.
You have to work too hard in Britain.
Your life can continue more or less as it was before.

4. People who don't have a lot of time and money should...

Learn English in Britain.
 Try and speak English in class more often.
Go to Italy to learn English.

Going On A
Picnic
Savannah and Charlotte worked real hard all summer to prepare for the
end of summer picnic. Savannah grew tomatoes and green peppers in
her garden. Charlotte lives on a farm and since the spring has been
growing corn, lettuce, and grapes.

A week before the picnic both girls harvested and packed their produce.
They decided that all of their hard work deserved a reward. They
charged others for their produce. Savannah charged one dollar for one
tomato or green pepper. Charlotte charged one dollar for a head of
lettuce, fifty cents for an ear of corn, and five cents for a grape.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. Savannah grew ________ for the end of summer picnic.

a. tomatoes b. corn
c. lettuce d. apples
2. Charlotte grew ________ for the end of summer picnic.

a. tomatoes b. corn
c. lettuce d. both b & c

3. Where does Charlotte live?

a. Mattydale b. on a farm
c. in the circus d. on a boat

4. If you were to go to the picnic and purchase 3 tomatoes and 3 ears of

corn from the girls, how much would it cost?

a. $1.50 b. $3.50
c. $4.00 d. $4.50

5. If you were to go to the picnic and purchase 1 tomato, 1 pepper, 2

ears of corn, and 4 grapes from the girls, how much would it cost?

a. $2.20 b. $2.50
c. $3.20 d. $3.50

Autumn
Autumn is the season that falls between summer and winter. There are
many changes that begin in this fascinating season. Days become
shorter. Leaves of trees turn from green to vibrant red, yellow and
orange. Trees need sunlight to keep their leaves a lively green. Without
sunlight leaves turn colors. The grass is no longer blanketed with dew
but with frost, almost every morning, as temperatures reach the freezing
point. Animals start storing up a food supply to last through the long
winter months. These changes occur as we adjust from the heat of the
summer to the chill of the winter.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. Autumn occurs between summer and which other season?

a. January b. spring
c. winter d. solstice

2. Which of the following changes may occur during Autumn?

a. days become shorter b. it becomes very hot

c. days become longer d. there is more sunlight

3. Why do leaves change color during Autumn?

a. they don't get enough oxygen b. they don't get enough light
c. they don't get enough water d. they get too much oxygen

4. What do animals begin to do to prepare for the end of Autumn?

a. store extra body fat b. eat less

c. shed fur d. turn colors
The Big Run
Mary likes to run. Ever since she was in third grade she
has been training to run long distances. Now that she was
in eighth grade, her parents agreed to let her run in the
Banana Classic. The Banana Classic is a ten kilometer
run. It takes place every year in Mattydale. The winners
get a lifetime supply of peanuts and fruit juice from Paul's
Peanut Stand.

Mary practiced by running for ten kilometers twice a day.

On the average run, she would finish in thirty minutes.
Last year's winner finished the race in twenty-six minutes
and ten seconds.

On the day of the race, Mary ran faster then she ever had
in past. As she came across the last kilometer she was in
fourth place. She picked up the pace and quickly leaped
into second place, just as she could see the finish line.
She ran fast as should in a mad dash to the finish line, but
she just wasn't fast enough to get ahead of leader.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. About how many years have past since Mary began training for long
runs and when she ran in the Banana Classic?

a. one year b. three years

c. five years d. eight years

2. How long of a run is the Banana Classic?

a. one kilometer b. five kilometers
c. seven kilometers d. ten kilometers

3. Where is the Banana Classic held?

a. New York b. Rosendale

c. Zilldiale d. Mattydale

4. While training, what was the average amount of time it took Mary to
complete a run the same distance as the Banana Classic?

a. fifteen minutes b. thirty minutes

c. forty minutes d. one hour

5. What place did Mary finish in the Banana Classic?

a. first b. second
c. fourth d. sixth

Sydney
Just over four million people call Sydney, Australia home. Citizens of
Sydney call themselves Sydneysiders. Over thirty thousand native
people of Australia called Aborigines live in Sydney. In the late 1700s
Britain sent ships of convicted prisoners to Sydney to help free up space
in overcrowded jails. When released, many prisoners stayed in Sydney
adding to the city's diverse population. The British colonization of
Australia also consisted of free settlers, soldiers, and administrative
staff.

The Sydney Opera House is the centerpiece of the city. Many live
performances of ballet, opera, and classical music take place there. The
beautiful architecture seen in the Opera House has helped it gain
international fame.

Because Sydney is found in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasonal

pattern is opposite the Northern Hemisphere. Sydney's coldest month of
the year is July. Snow is extremely rare in the city, but it does happen
occasionally.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. Sydney is a city in which country?

a. Austria b. Australia
c. Africa d. Antarctica

2. What is the name given to early natives of Australia?

a. Aborigines b. Australians
c. Sydneysiders d. Austrians

3. Which country outside of Australia contributed to large population of

Sydney?

a. Japan b. France
c. Great Britain d. Spain
4. What do you think the picture at the top of the passage represents?
Hint: It's the centerpiece of the city.

a. The Sydney Opera House b. The Sydney Boat House

c. The Sydney Hemisphere d. The Sydney Ballet

5. When its the Summer season in North America, what season is it in

Sydney?

a. Fall

b. Winter

c. Spring

d. Summer

The Play
Sarah was hoping to get the lead role in the upcoming school play. Last
year she played the role of Darma in the school's production of "My
Favorite Day." The audience loved her performance. She received a huge
round of applause at the end of every performance.

This year the school will be putting on a production called "My Crazy
Week." Sarah began to practice her lines three times a day for four weeks
before auditions. The week before the audition she began to practice with
two friends. Sarah practiced the part of Jane, Mike practiced the part of
James, and Amanda practiced the part of Teresa.

When the auditions started Sarah did an excellent job! Her outstanding
performance won her the role of Jane. As soon as she learned that she
won the part, she ran home to practice for opening night.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. What play did Sarah play the role of Darma in?

a. My Favorite Day b. My Crazy Summer
c. My Worst Day d. My Crazy Week

2. What is the lead role in the upcoming play?

a. James b. Mike
c. Teresa d. Jane

3. How long before the play did Sarah begin practicing her lines?

a. one week b. three weeks

c. four weeks d. five weeks

4. What part in the upcoming play did Mike pratice for?

a. James b. Mike
c. Teresa d. Jane

5. What part in the upcoming play did Amanda pratice for?

a. Sarah b. Amanda
c. Teresa d. Jane

Martin The Monkey

 Martin The Monkey lives in an oak tree at Cragmore Park
in Bananaville. He works for the Banana telephone
company. He is the best employee they have because he
can climb the telephone poles twice as fast as everyone
else.

On Saturdays, Martin pitches for Cragmore Craters

Baseball team. The Caters are a semiprofessional team.
Martin has become extremely famous for what he calls his
"Primate Pitch." The "Primate Pitch" is thrown straight up.
The pitch then comes straight down and travels directly
over home plate at over one hundred miles per hour.

On Wednesday nights, Martin takes painting lessons with

Sarah Able. She is a famous oil painter who lives in the
same town as Martin. Martin is one of the only artists in
the area that paints with his tail.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. In what town does Martin live in?

a. Cragmore b. Bananaville
c. Primate d. Able

2. In what town does Sarah Able live in?

a. Cragmore b. Bananaville
c. Primate d. Able

3. Where does Martin work?

a. the banana factory b. the paint factory

c. the telephone company d. the oil company

4. What semiprofessional baseball team does martin play for?

a. Craters b. Cardinals
c. Drains d. Drabs

5. What position does Martin play on his baseball team?

a. catcher b. outfield
c. second base d. pitcher

6. Where can you find Martin on Wednesday nights?

a. Banana telephony company

b. a baseball game
c. painting
d. tail fishing

London

London, is the largest city in Europe. It has held this title

 for over four hundred years. Over seven million people
call London, the capital of the United Kingdom, home.
One in ten people, who live in the United Kingdom, live in
London. Three hundred fifty thousand people travel each
day into London to work.

Due to London's location, it is a very dry all year. Although

it is dry, London is often very cloudy. On average it rains
mildly just about every other day.

More than a hundred of the world's major companies

have their headquarters in London, making the city a
major world influence. Most people from London work in a
job that involves printing or publishing.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. How long has London been the largest city in Europe?

a. 100 years
b. 200 years
c. 300 years
d. 400 years

2. London is the capital city of what country?

a. United States b. France

c. United Kingdom d. Spain

3. What of the following is true about London?

a. it's very wet b. it's very cold

c. it's very dry d. it's very hot

4. Most of the people that work in London work in which industry?

a. construction
b. law enforcement
c. professional soccer
d. publishing

My Rocket Ship
When I fall asleep, I dream about what it would be like to have a rocket ship. If
I had a rocket ship, my first destination would be the Earth's moon, which is
called Luna. When I got to Luna I would jump all around. Because there is little
gravity I would be able to jump very high.

After I finished jumping all over the moon, I would fly to Saturn and travel
around Saturn's beautiful rings. On my way to Saturn, I would try to avoid a
number of Asteroids. Asteroids are large pieces of rocks and minerals.

In my science class I learned that would take me almost my entire life to travel
to Pluto. Pluto is the last Planet in our solar system. Because it's so far from our
Sun that it is super cold. I wish I could see Pluto up close.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. What is the name of Earth's Moon?

a. moona b. muna
c. mooon d. luna

2. Which of the following IS true?

a. You wouldn't be able to jump on the moon.

b. The moon's gravity would allow you to jump high.
c. The Earth has less gravity than it's moon.
d. None of the above.

3. What is a unique feature of Saturn?

a. it's a moon b. it has lots of water

c. it bright pink in color d. it has rings

4. What are asteroids made of?

a. vitamins b. ice
c. plastic d. rock

5. Why is Pluto a cold planet?

a. it is too close to our Sun b. it's far away from our Sun
c. it's outside our solar system d. has no moons

6. which planet do think is furthest from our Sun?

a. Luna b. Pluto
c. Earth d. Saturn

The Post Office

The colony of Massachusetts established the first post office within the
United States in 1639. In 1789 Congress authorized the postal service
under the U.S. Constitution. At the time, the nation had 75 local post
offices and delivered mail over an area of 1875 mi.

Today, the postal service is an independent agency responsible for

postal regulation and delivery. The Postal Services main responsibilities
are the collection and delivery of printed material and hard goods. The
Postal Service also issues domestic and foreign money orders. In a
single year, the Postal Service handles more than 160 billion pieces of
mail.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. What U.S. State is credited with the Invention of the post office?

a. New Hampshire b. Maine

c. Massachusetts d. New Jersey

2. About how long was it between when the first post office was in
operation and when the U.S. congress authorized the postal service?

a. 50 years b. 75 years
c. 100 years d. 150 years
3. How can you send and receive money through the post office?

a. with a postal money order b. with postal crazy bucks

c. with a postal check d. with a postal decoder ring

4. The post office handles just over 160 _________ pieces of mail a
year.

a. thousand b. million
c. billion d. trillion

The Play
Sarah was hoping to get the lead role in the upcoming school play. Last
year she played the role of Darma in the school's production of "My
Favorite Day." The audience loved her performance. She received a
huge round of applause at the end of every performance.

This year the school will be putting on a production called "My Crazy
Week." Sarah began to practice her lines three times a day for four
weeks before auditions. The week before the audition she began to
practice with two friends. Sarah practiced the part of Jane, Mike
practiced the part of James, and Amanda practiced the part of Teresa.

When the auditions started Sarah did an excellent job! Her outstanding
performance won her the role of Jane. As soon as she learned that she
won the part, she ran home to practice for opening night.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. What play did Sarah play the role of Darma in?

a. My Favorite Day b. My Crazy Summer
c. My Worst Day d. My Crazy Week

2. What is the lead role in the upcoming play?

a. James b. Mike
c. Teresa d. Jane

3. How long before the play did Sarah begin practicing her lines?

a. one week b. three weeks

c. four weeks d. five weeks

4. What part in the upcoming play did Mike pratice for?

a. James b. Mike
c. Teresa d. Jane

5. What part in the upcoming play did Amanda pratice for?

a. Sarah b. Amanda
c. Teresa d. Jane
The Hottest Day Ever

I woke up one August morning in a warm sweat. I ran to the refrigerator

to get a cold drink, but the refrigerator was broken and all the drinks
were as hot as me. I walked over to my electric fan, but it wasn't working
either. I then turned on the television and finally realized that the
electricity in my house was out.

Later that day, I went to the pool to cool off. I dived right in! I swam eight
laps before I tired out. My friend Jeremy then bought me an ice cream
cone. I got a vanilla ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles.

Even though it was really hot, I did have a lot of fun.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. What did the narrator want from the refrigerator?

a. a ham sandwich b. a fan

c. a drink d. an apple

2. Why does the electric fan not work?

a. it was broken b. it needed batteries

c. the power was out d. it wasn't oiled

3. How many laps did it take for the narrator to tire of the pool?

a. two b. four
c. six d. eight
4. Who bought the narrator an ice cream cone?

a. Sarah b. Samantha
c. Joe d. Jeremy

5. What was the flavor of the ice cream?

a. vanilla b. rainbow
c. chocolate d. strawberry

Vitamin D

Scientists have known for a long time that vitamin D is

essential for humans. If children have a vitamin D or
calcium deficiency, they can develop rickets, a softening of
the bones. New studies are showing that people of all ages
need vitamin D to help them fight off diseases by keeping
their immune systems strong.
1. The main idea of this paragraph is that vitamin D _______.

a. is found in milk
b. has been studied by scientists
c. is no secret
d. is important for good health

2. If something is essential, it is _______.

a. harmful
b. expensive
c. dreadful
d. needed

3. When you have a deficiency of something, you _______.

a. have all you need

b. do not have enough
c. look like an onion
d. are rich

Our bodies can make vitamin D when our skin is exposed

to sunlight. However, its best to eat a diet that is rich in the
vitamin.
4. The remainder of the above incomplete paragraph probably goes on
to _______. (Remember that every paragraph should have a single
main idea.)

a. say why vitamin C is also important

b. explain why you should brush your teeth after eating beetles
c. give some examples of foods that are rich in vitamin D
d. say which diseases might be prevented by vitamin D

5. Which statement is false?

a. Some foods contain vitamin D.

b. Our bodies can use sunlight to make vitamin D.
c. Some people dont have to get vitamin D from food.
d. If youre a child, you will definitely get rickets if you dont play in the
sun.

1___________2___________3___________4___________5___________
The boys ......... really close because they spend a lot of time together.

(a) is
(b) are R
(c)
being
(d) has

Do you want to ......... to my party?

(a) come
(b) coming
(c) is coming
(d) are coming

The platypus has ......... feet like a duck.

(a) no
(b) four
(c) eight
(d) webbed

Zebras have black and white ......... on them. These bands cover their bodies. (chua lay)

(a) spots
(b) squares
(c) stars
(d) stripes

Parrots, like eagles and hawks, are birds. They have ......... so they can fly.

(a) feet
 (b) beaks
(c) teeth
(d) wings

Lions are the second largest ......... in the world. Tigers are the largest.

(a) fish
(b) dogs
(c) cats
(d) reptiles

Elephants are the largest land animal in the world. They are not only large in size but they
are also very .........; often weighing more than 6000 pounds (3000 kg).

(a) tall
(b) shy
(c) light
(d) heavy

Man: ......... are you leaving?

Woman: I leave at 6 am tomorrow morning.

(a) What
(b) When
(c) Where
(d) Why

A ......... is a very tiny baby who is recently born.

(a) toddler
(b) teenager
 (c) youth
(d) newborn

I think Chelsea is ......... now than she was three years ago.

(a) happy
(b) happier
(c) happiest

Ralph is a very ......... guy. He's tough and stubborn.

(a) strong
(b) stronger
(c)
strongest

I can hardly hear the baby when she cries because she's so .......... I'm pretty lucky in that
respect.

(a) quiet
(b) quieter
(c)
quietest

Are there ......... oranges left on the table?

(a) any
(b) a
(c)
much
(d) an
She is ......... attractive woman.

(a) an
(b) some
(c) the
(d) a

Curt went ......... school yesterday.

(a) to
(b) on
(c) in
(d) at

Would you like ......... to drink?

(a) any
(b) anything
(c) some
(d) many

My mother ......... in a hospital.

(a) works
(b) work
(c) working
(d) is work

The weatherman says it ......... going to snow next week.

 (a) will
(b) is
(c) does
(d) has

Would you like ......... cream with your coffee?

(a) few
(b) many
(c) some
(d) an

I want to ask Dianne out on a date. I like ......... so much!

(a) she
(b) her
(c) it
(d) hers

Shannon likes ......... classical music.

(a) listen
(b) listening to
(c) listening
(d) been listening

She ......... work on Sundays.

(a) not
(b) doesn't
 (c) don't
(d) do

How often ......... go shopping?

(a) does you

(b) do you
(c) you
(d) have you

Where ......... your girlfriend live?

(a) do
(b) doing
(c) does
(d) goes

I don't ......... coffee. I prefer tea.

(a) likes
(b) like
(c) did
like
(d) liking

I ......... be really mean to her, but I don't want to treat her like that.

(a) need
(b) could
(c) could
have
(d) have

You ......... follow the law or you will go to jail.

 (a) could
have
(b) need
(c) must
(d) have

David ......... the party early because he wasn't feeling well.

(a) leave
(b) leaves
(c)
leaving
(d) left

The wind ......... down the tree in our front yard last week.

(a) blew
(b) blow
(c) blowing
(d) blows

She ......... going for walks at night.

(a) love
(b) loving
(c) is
loving
(d) loves

Are you ......... to Montana tomorrow?

(a) drive
(b) driving
(c) drove
(d) drives
Do you know how she ......... so thin?

(a) is
staying
(b) stays
(c) staying
(d) stay

I ......... for the shoes already.

(a) pays
(b) paying
(c) paid
(d) pay

I want to ......... your hand. Thanks for defending our country.

(a) shakes
(b) shook
(c) shake
(d) shaking

The sun is .......... Let's spend some time outside today.

(a) shine
(b) shone
(c) shining
(d) shines

This steak ......... bad. I think we should throw it out.

(a) smells
(b) smell
(c) smelling
(d) is smelling
I ......... a lot of money on her birthday gift and she wasn't even grateful when I gave it to
her.

(a) spend
(b) spending
(c) spent
(d) spends
Sam ......... some money from his employer. That is why he was fired.

(a)
stealing
(b) stole
(c) steals
(d) steal

Cameron ......... the English Channel last year. That's an outstanding achievement.

(a) swim
(b) swimming
(c) swam
(d) swims

Brody went ......... today.

(a) surfing
(b) surf
(c) surfs
(d) surfed

A good tale is..for being twice told.

a. no worse
b. none worse
c. none the worse
d. never worst

Jessica was ..most brave girl.

a. far
 b. so
c. a
d. none of

What do you think about Joe? Hes wiser than in his class.
a. any other one
b. anyone else
c. any else ones
d. else any one

if the teachers life is hard, the doctors is even ..

a. more hardly
b. more hard
c. harder
d. the hardest

I want to go to the dentist but you with me.

a. need not to go
b. do not need to go
c. need go not
d. need not go

Paul live in London, and so..his parents.

a. do
b. are
c. live
d. dont

Will the weather clear up this afternoon? No, Im afraid it.

a. didnt
b. wont
c. shouldnt
d. may not

it can be , dont forget to bring umbrella with you.

a. rain
b. rainy
c. windy
d. foggy