Reading comprehension exercise number 6°

Cool Britannia. Lea cuidadosamente cada una de las lecturas y desarrolle en su cuaderno las distintas actividades propuestas. Tenga en cuenta hacer traducción de cada uno de los textos. Cool Britannia is a term used in some media to describe the contemporary culture of the United Kingdom, coined in the mid-1990s and closely associated with the "New Labour" government of Tony Blair. It is a pun on the title of the patriotic song "Rule Britannia". The phrase "Cool Britannia" was first used in 1967 as a song title by the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, but there is no connection between that usage and the modern coining of the term. This seems to have arisen from the description of London in Newsweek in late 1996 as "coolest capital city on the planet." The phrase was coined shortly after and widely used in the media and in advertising. The election of Blair's government in 1997 on a platform of modernisation and with Blair as a relatively young Prime Minister gave the idea fresh currency. (There is a strong parallel between this and the catch-phrase "Swinging London" during the early years of Harold Wilson's Labour government.) To the extent that it had any real meaning, "Cool Britannia" referred to the transient fashionable London scene, 1990s bands such as Blur, Oasis, and later The Spice Girls, fashion designers and magazines. By 1998 The Economist was commenting that "many people are already sick of the phrase," and by 2000 it was being used mainly in a mocking or ironic way. Similar terms for Wales and Scotland, "Cool Cymru" and "Cool Caledonia" respectively, were coined but had next to no currency whatsoever and to this day most people have never heard of them. "Cool Britannia" was also a registered trade mark for one of Ben & Jerry's ice-creams (vanilla with strawberries and chocolate-covered shortbread), designed for the British market. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Cool Britannia". You can explore more on the Wikipedia website. The text and the images are used here only for educational purposes. Questions about the text 1. The term was invented in the 1990s. a. True. b. False. c. We don't know. 2. London was described as the coolest city on the planet by Newsweek in 1996. a. True. b. False. c. We don't know. 3. Tony Blair introduced this phrase. a. True. b. False. c. We don't know. 4. Many people got tired of this phrase. a. True. b. False. c. We don't know. 5. Similar names were introduced in Wales and Scotland with a great success. a. True. b. False. c. We don't know. 6. The phrase is also used as an ice-cream flavour in the UK. a. True. b. False. c. We don't know.

Reading comprehension exercise number 5°

The four seasons. Lea cuidadosamente cada una de las lecturas y desarrolle en su cuaderno las distintas actividades propuestas. Tenga en cuenta hacer traducción de cada uno de los textos. The four seasons are spring,summer, fall, and winter, and although various areas of the United States experience drastically different weather during these times, all portions of the country recognize the seasons; winter in California may bring heat, and winter in New York may bring blizzards, but both periods are nevertheless winter. Following winter, spring begins on 20 March and ends on either 20 June or 21 June, in the United States (this date may vary slightly from year to year and hemisphere to hemisphere). For most, spring is a time of "thawing," when the cold and snow of the winter are replaced by sunshine, reasonable temperatures, green grass, and more. It is also the season wherein previously dormant bees and butterflies reemerge, and when birds become more active. Summer follows spring and spans from about 21 June to 22 September, in America. Summer is the warmest, the longest, and (arguably) the liveliest of the four seasons; students from kindergarten to college are given two or so summer months off from class, and to be sure, there are more young individuals out and about during this season than any other. It's not uncommon to see shorts, t-shirts, and sunglasses worn by those who're soaking up the summer's hot sun, and to stay cool, many individuals crank the air conditioning, take a dip in a swimming pool, and/or explore the ever-comforting ocean waves. Autumn (or fall), more than being a simple precursor to winter, is one of the most beautiful and exciting seasons. Spanning from 22 September to 21 December (technically, that is; snow will begin to fall long before this latter date, in most parts of the country, leading many to classify the period as winter) in the US, autumn is characterized by falling leaves, Halloween (on 31 October), and Thanksgiving. During fall, traditional farmers harvest their produce, and the aforementioned falling leaves change to gorgeous orange, red, and yellow colors; these colors are generally associated with autumn itself, in turn. In the US, winter spans from 21 December to 20 March, and is, as one would expect, the coldest of the four seasons. In the eastern, northern, and central portions of the country, winter snowfall can be considerable; in the western and southern portions of the country, winter snowfall is highly unlikely, but temperatures nevertheless drop from their usual. Winter is most widely known for its snow and the Christmas holiday, but it also boasts New Year's Eve (on December 31, in recognition of the start of a new year) and other special days. Ice skating, sledding, ice hockey, and snowball fights are commonly enjoyed winter activities. Responder las siguientes preguntas acerca del texto anterior: 1. ¿In America, students are given roughly two months off from school during which season? 2. ¿Christmas and New Year’s Eve take place during which season? 3. Autumn is characterized by: 4. Which of the four seasons is the longest? 5. Which season is thought of by many as a "thaw"?

Reading comprehension exercise number 4°

Valentine's Day. Lea cuidadosamente cada una de las lecturas y desarrolle en su cuaderno las distintas actividades propuestas. Tenga en cuenta hacer traducción de cada uno de los textos. Valentine's Day (or Saint Valentine's Day) is a holiday that, in the United States, takes place ___ February 14, and technically signifies the accomplishments of St. Valentine, a third-century Roman saint. ____ that said, most Americans, instead of honoring St. Valentine through religious ceremony, enjoy the holiday ____ engaging in "romantic" behavior with _____ significant other or someone who they wish to be their significant other; gifts, special dinners, and other acknowledgements of affection comprise most individuals' Valentine's Day celebrations. Chocolates ____ flowers are commonly given as gifts during Valentine's Day, as are accompanying greeting cards (greeting card companies release new Valentine's Day designs annually). Red and pink _____ generally understood to be "the colors" of Valentine's Day, and many individuals, instead ___celebrating romantically, spend the holiday with their friends and/or family members. Variations of Valentine's Day are celebrated across the globe throughout the year ___ America, the holiday, ______ acknowledged by the vast majority of the population, isn't federally recognized; no time off work is granted ____ Valentine's Day. Responder las siguientes preguntas acerca del anterior texto 1. When does Valentine's Day take place in the United States? 2. What does Valentine's Day technically signify? 3. Which of the following gifts are commonly given on Valentine's Day? 4. Besides in the US, where is Valentine's Day celebrated? 5. Which colors are generally understood to represent Valentine's Day? Escoger la palabra indicada para completar el siguiente texto dándole hilaridad y coherencia 1. a. at b. on c. in 2. a. with b. only c. so 3. a. so b. or c. by 4. a. their b. his c. her 5. a. that b. and c. or 6. a. was b. is c. are 7. a. from b. for c. of 8. a. in b. on c. at 9. a. since b. although c. though 10 a. for b. by c. from

Reading comprehension exercises number 3°

The Statue of Liberty. Lea cuidadosamente cada una de las lecturas y desarrolle en su cuaderno las distintas actividades propuestas. Tenga en cuenta hacer traducción de cada uno de los textos. The Statue of Liberty, arguably one of New York City’s most iconic symbols, is a popular tourist attraction for first-time visitors to the city. This 150-foot monument was gifted to the United States from France in order to celebrate 100 years of America’s independence. The statue is located on Liberty Island, and it is accessible by taking a ferry from either Battery Park in New York City or Liberty State Park in Jersey City. When Claire visited the Statue of Liberty for the first time, she instantly admired it as a symbol of freedom. Claire made sure to make reservations before her visit because only 240 people are permitted to climb the staircase to the top of the statue every day. After climbing almost 400 stairs, Claire received spectacular views of the city from the statue’s crown. During her visit, Claire learned that the Statue of Liberty was not always the color that it is now. She found out that because the statue’s exterior is made of copper, the statue oxidized over time, giving it the greenish appearance it has in present day. When it was first constructed, the statue was the same color as a shiny penny! After touring the Statue of Liberty, Claire spent the rest of the day in New York City visiting other important monuments and historic landmarks. Claire left New York hoping to have had the time to explore more sites, but she can’t wait to return to the city in the future. Responder las siguientes preguntas acerca del anterior texto: 1. Who gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States? 2. What was the Statue of Liberty intended to celebrate? 3. How many people are permitted to climb the statue’s stairs per day? 4. From which part of the statue did Claire receive spectacular views of the city? 5. Why has the Statue of Liberty changed color over time?

Reading comprehension exercise number 2°

Plants Lea cuidadosamente cada una de las lecturas y desarrolle en su cuaderno las distintas actividades propuestas. Tenga en cuenta hacer traducción de cada uno de los textos. Plants are extraordinary living things. Although they seem simple, they are actually, in some ways, more complicated than us. For instance, a whole new plant can be grown from just a single leaf. ¡No animal can accomplish that! The way that plants distribute their seeds is amazing too. Plants can shoot seeds from their pods, send them flying on the wind, or grow spines that attach seeds to animals’ fur, spreading new generations everywhere. Plants are also amazingly adaptable, finding ways to grow even in impossible environments, both hot and cold. Plants manufacture their own food from sunlight, absorb nutrients from the ground, and fool insects into spreading their pollen. Truly, they are some of nature’s finest creations. Completar las siguientes preguntas y responderlas de acuerdo con el texto. 1. Plants are ____, because they can grow in any environment. 2. Can a single leaf ____? 3. Although plants seem simple, are they really _____? 4. ¿Can plants spread their seeds by_______? 5. How do plants ______________ their own food?

Reading comprehension exercises 11° grade. Exercise number 1°

INSTITUCION EDUCATIVA JOSE ROBERTO VASQUEZ BARRIO MANRIQUE Actividades de comprensión lectora. Preparación pruebas saber 11°. Lea cuidadosamente cada una de las lecturas y desarrolle en su cuaderno las distintas actividades propuestas. Tenga en cuenta hacer traducción de cada uno de los textos. Las Vegas. Last April, John took a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is a popular destination in the western portion of the United States. The town is most popular for its casinos, hotels, and exciting nightlife. In downtown Las Vegas, John spent a lot of time on The Strip, which is a 2.5 mile stretch of shopping, entertainment venues, luxury hotels, and fine dining experiences. This is probably the most commonly visited tourist area in the city. The Strip at night looks especially beautiful. All of the buildings light up with bright, neon, eye-catching signs to attract visitor attention. A stay in Las Vegas can feel similar to a visit to many popular cities worldwide. Many of the hotels have miniature versions of important international sites and monuments. These famous landmarks include the Eiffel Tower, Venice, and even ancient Rome. One day, John took a side trip outside of the city to visit the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. The canyon offers a breathtaking view of Nevada’s ridges and natural landscape. John especially liked the canyon because it was removed from all of the noise and movement in downtown Las Vegas. John had a great time during his trip to Las Vegas. He did not win a lot of money in the casinos. However, he managed to see a lot of amazing sites during his visit to this city that never sleeps. Responder las siguientes preguntas de acuerdo al anterior texto 1. When did John travel to Las Vegas? 2. What is an activity that a tourist cannot do on The Strip? 3. Which best describes the purpose of the Las Vegas Strip? 4. Explain why John liked his visit to the Grand Canyon? 5. What does it mean that Las Vegas is a “city that never sleeps?”