READING COMPREHENSION FOR 8º

ACTIVITY

Read the texts and answer the questions.

READING 1

FAMOUS AMERICAN BRIDGES

People and vehicles use bridges to cross bodies of water, valleys and roads. If you ask people to name some famous American bridges, they probably will include the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California and the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. Both are suspension bridges. They cross great distances and have roadways that hang from steel cables supported by high towers. 

You may think the Golden Gate Bridge was named for its orange color. But it is named for the body of water that it crosses - the Golden Gate Strait. The Golden Gate Strait is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The Golden Gate Bridge links the city of San Francisco with Marin County, California. 

Joseph Strauss designed the bridge. It opened in 1937. The Golden Gate Bridge extends 1,280 meters across the water. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world until 1964. That is when the Verrazano Narrows Bridge opened in New York City. Still, the Golden Gate Bridge has become famous around the world. And many people consider it to be the most beautiful bridge structure in the world. 

The Brooklyn Bridge is much older than the Golden Gate. It was one of the first great suspension bridges. It was built between 1869 and 1883. John Augustus Roebling designed the bridge. But he died as a result of an accident at the start of its construction. 

His son, Washington Roebling, replaced him as chief engineer. But he became sick while working underwater. Washington Roebling was not able to go to the construction area. Yet he continued to direct the operations through his wife, Emily. 

The Brooklyn Bridge links Brooklyn with Manhattan Island. It extends 486 meters over the East River. It was the longest bridge in the world until the Firth of Forth cantilever bridge was built in Scotland in 1890. Today, thousands of cars, trucks, bicycles and people cross the Brooklyn Bridge every day.

QUESTIONS

1. The designer of the Golden Gate Bridge died as a result of an accident at the start of its construction.

 True

False

2. People only use bridges for crossing bodies of water.

 True

False

3.The Golden Gate Bridge was named for its orange color.

 False

True

4. The Brooklyn Bridge is a cantilever bridge.

True

False

5. Suspension bridges hang from steel cables supported by high towers.

True

False

6. The Verrazano Narrows Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world.

 True

False

7. The Golden Gate Bridge connects the city of San Francisco with Marin County, California.

False

True

8. The Golden Gate Bridge was the first great suspension bridge.

False

True

9. The Golden Gate Bridge is much older than the Brooklyn Bridge.

True

False

10. The Golden Gate Strait is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay.

 True

False

READING 2

PUPPIES

Many people who are looking to get a pet dog get a puppy. There are many reasons why people get puppies. After all, puppies are cute, friendly, and playful. But even though puppies make good pets, there are good reasons why you should consider getting an adult dog instead.

When you get a puppy, you have to teach it how to behave. You have to make sure that the puppy is housebroken so that it does not go to the bathroom inside the house. You have to teach the puppy not to jump up on your guests or chew on your shoes. You have to train the puppy to walk on a leash. This is a lot of work.

On the other hand, when you get an adult dog, there is a good chance that it will already know how to do all of the previously mentioned things. Many adult dogs have already been housebroken. Many adult dogs will not jump on or chew things that you do not want them to jump on or chew. Many adult dogs will be able to walk on a leash without pulling you to the other side of the street.

Puppies also have a lot of energy and want to play all of the time. This can be fun, but you might not want to play as much as your puppy does. Puppies will not always sleep through the night or let you relax as you watch television.

On the other hand, most adult dogs will wait on you to play. What is more, they will sleep when you are sleeping and are happy to watch television on the couch right beside you.

There is one last reason why you should get an adult dog instead of a puppy. When most people go to the pound to get a dog, they get a puppy. This means that many adult dogs spend a lot of time in the pound, and some never find good homes. So if you are looking to get a dog for a pet, you should think about getting an adult dog. They are good pets who need good homes.

QUESTIONS

1) The author apparently thinks that puppies are

A. bad pets because they take too much work to own

B. friendly, playful, and a lot of work

C. not as cute as adult dogs

D. not as playful as adult dogs

2) As used in paragraph 2, which is the best synonym for behave?

A. listen

B. understand

C. train

D. act

3) The main purpose of paragraph 2 is to explain how puppies

A. are very immature

B. do not make good pets

C. can be very destructive

D. are a lot of work

4) As used in paragraph 2, which is the best example of a dog that is housebroken?

A. Spot goes outside to use the bathroom.

B. Rex always breaks things inside of the house.

C. Rover never jumps on guests.

D. Muffin chews on people’s shoes.

5) According to the passage, why are adult dogs easier to take care of than puppies?

I. Puppies need to learn how to walk nicely on a leash.

II. Adult dogs have less energy than puppies do.

 III. It is harder for adult dogs to find a home than it is for puppies.

A. l only

B. I and II only

C. II and III only

D. I, II, and III

6) Based on information in the passage, which of the following statements is false?

A. Puppies have a lot of energy.

B. Puppies need a lot of attention.

C. Adult dogs do not like to play.

D. Adult dogs do not need eat very much.

7) As used in paragraph 4, which is the best synonym for relax?

A. work

B. leave

C. play

D. rest

8) The author begins paragraphs 3 and 5 with the phrase, "On the other hand." This phrase is used to

A. highlight an example

B. contrast previous information

C. contradict a later statement

D. support the upcoming paragraph

9) In the final paragraph, the author says, "many adult dogs spend a lot of time in the pound, and some never find good homes." Based on what you have read in the passage, why is this most likely the case?

A. People see adult dogs as unhappy and dangerous, while they see puppies as cute and friendly.

B. People understand that most adult dogs still need to a lot of training before they understand how to behave properly.

C. People think that puppies are cute and playful and do not always think about how much work it will take to train them.

D. People do not want to get a dog that does not have much time left to live.

10) Based on information in the passage, it can be understood that someone who owns a puppy must be

A. strict

B. serious

C. careful

D. responsible