READING COMPREHENSION

Name: _______________________________

The woman who can remember every day of her life

As part of our series on extraordinary people, this week we find out about Rita Howard, a woman with a very unusual talent.

What was the weather like yesterday? What were you thinking about when you woke up this morning? If someone asked you these questions, you probably wouldn’t find it too hard to answer. But how about remembering the same information for this date last year, or even ten years ago? Most of us find it easy to remember what happened on the most important days of our lives, but soon forget the little details of the other days, weeks, months and years. We often imagine that, without this regular ‘forgetting’, our brains would be too crowded with memories and thoughts. For Rita Howard, however, it’s as easy to remember a day thirty years ago as it is to tell us about yesterday.

Rita can choose any date from her 68 years and say where she was, what she was doing, and what day of the week it was. For years, she had no idea that this amazing memory was anything special. She was a hard-working student who always did well at school. Then later she became a historian, a job where she had many opportunities to use her ability to memorize all the facts she’d ever learned. Even so, it was only six years ago, when she was in a research project, that scientists actually told Rita she had hyperthymesia – an unusually good memory of her own experiences. Only around 20 people worldwide have the condition.

‘People began to imagine that I knew everything,’ says Rita. ‘Whereas, of course, I only know everything about my own life!’ Another common idea is that Rita has far more memories than everyone else. ‘In fact, we all have a similar number,’ she comments. ‘I’m just far better at finding and using mine than other people.’

As Rita reached retirement age, she wondered if her memory would get worse. Three years later, however, it’s just as good as ever. ‘Will that always be the case?’ she asks. ‘Who knows? I know all about the past, not the future!’

1   Which two details does the writer give as examples of things that are easy to remember? _______________________________________________________________________________

2   What kind of information do most people forget quite quickly?

     _______________________________________________________________________________

3   How old is Rita Howard?

     _______________________________________________________________________________

4   What kind of student was she?

     _______________________________________________________________________________

5   What did she expect to happen after she finished working?

     _______________________________________________________________________________

/10

2) Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1   Tod _______________ (watch) TV at the moment.

2   The sports hall _______________ (not clean) on Wednesdays.

3   Ella _______________ (have) blonde hair, but now she’s quite dark.

4   He _______________ (look for) a job next month.

5   What _______________ he _______________ (find) when he opened the door?

6   She _______________ (not go) out last night; she went home after work.

7   I _______________ (go) to the USA five times. How about you?

8   When we arrived, they _______________ already _______________ (leave) – the house was empty.

9   They _______________ (not listen) to the teacher at the moment.

10   _______________ you ever _______________ (see) a giraffe?

11   She _______________ (meet) her new boss last week.

12   Happy anniversary! How long _______________ you _______________ (be) married?

13   I don’t think it _______________ (snow) this week. It’s too warm.

14   He _______________ (cook) lunch when we arrived, so we offered to help.

15   We left the cinema because we _______________ (see) the film before.

16   Pizza _______________ (make) with flour, oil, tomatoes and cheese.

/32

3)  Complete the sentences with one word.

1   How __________ bread do you eat?

2   I __________ do the washing up now. I’ll do it later.

3   A chemist’s is a place __________ you buy medicines.

4   A  I don’t like Chinese food.

     B  __________ do I.

5   Put __________ some shoes. We’re going outside.

6   We walked __________ of the shop, because the music was too loud.

7   __________ it was a warm day, she wore a big winter coat.

8   I went to Rome __________ learn Italian.

9   What __________ you do if it rains this afternoon?

10   A  Have you heard the news?

       B  No, not __________.

/10

4) Underline the correct word(s) in each sentence.

1   You must / mustn’t listen to your teacher. She’s trying to help you.

2   This is the best / better museum I’ve ever visited.

3   This bike’s most / more expensive than mine.

4   He’s eaten too many / too much cakes, and now he feels ill!

5   You mustn’t / don’t have to wear a uniform at work if you don’t want to.

6   You don’t do enough / too housework. I have to do it all!

7   We had a boring weekend. We didn’t have anything / nothing to do.

8   You don’t have to / should try on this shirt. I think it’ll look great on you.

9   They might / must go to the beach tomorrow – if the weather’s hot.

10   Wait! You walk more quickly / quicker than me.

11   Who did paint / painted this picture? It’s great!

12   She said / told us she was busy this weekend.

13   Walking / Walk in the country makes me feel great.

14   If I didn’t have to, I won’t / wouldn’t go to that conference.

    15   Have you finished that book yet / just?

/15

5)  Complete the sentences with the correct word.

1   David __________ me he wanted to get a burger.

     told   said   replied

2   We __________ a really good time at the festival.

     spent   had   did

3   My brother is my aunt’s __________.

     niece   grandson   nephew

4   Put your lights on. We’re going to drive __________ a tunnel!

     through   under   across

5   The opposite of crowded is __________.

     clean   safe   empty

6   Kate’s really __________. She always gives me presents.

     mean   lazy   generous

7   Can you turn __________ the TV? I want to watch the news.

     on   in   off

8   Is he looking __________ to the party?

     after   for   forward

9   Those jeans look nice. Would you like to __________ them on?

     take   try  wear

10   Enter our competition now! You could __________ a great prize.

       win   earn   make

11   Our new school year starts __________ 5th September.

       in   on   at

12   We haven’t got much money __________ we aren’t going to buy the flat.

       because   so   although

13   He __________ on really well with his sister.

       does   gets   makes

14   I’m not __________ good at languages. I find them difficult.

       bit   quite   very

/14

6) Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

1   Be careful when you jump __________ the swimming pool.

2   I’m not sure if I can come camping. It depends __________ my work.

3   Did you wait long __________ your train?

4   Harry’s worried __________ his driving test tomorrow.

5   Leo fell in love __________ his girlfriend soon after they met.

6   Can you pay __________ the tickets today?

7   Please write __________ me soon, and tell me all your news.

8   What time did you arrive __________ school? Were you late?

9   What music do you listen ________?

/9

7)  Complete the sentences with one word.

1   Can you ______________ the dog for a walk?

2   I’m taking this watch _______________ to the shop. It doesn’t work.

3   Work _______________ pairs to do this next exercise.

4   Don’t run ______________ the road! It’s dangerous.

5   Let’s ________________ Fred to the party on Saturday.

6   Shall we _______________ surfing tomorrow?

7   Don’t _______________ so much noise! I’m trying to study.

8   Write ______________ the words.

/8

8) Underline the odd word out.

1   fly   mosquito   dolphin   bee

2   palace   statue   receipt   castle

3   talkative   polluted   crowded   dangerous

4   sightseeing   ironing   camping   sunbathing

5   jeans   leggings   tights   gloves

6   funny   friendly   kind   safe

WRITING

Write a short tourist guide for your favourite town (100–150 words). Write about these things.

·          The location

·          The town’s history

·          The things the town is famous for

·          Activities and sights for tourists

·          The best places to eat and stay

·          Advice for a successful visit

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

George Washington’s Biography

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Washington served as a general and commander-in-chief of the colonial armies during the American Revolution, and later became the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He died on December 14, 1799, in Mount Vernon, Virginia.

Early Life and Family

Augustine Washington, George’s father, was an ambitious man who acquired land and slaves, built mills, and grew tobacco. For a time, he had an interest in opening iron mines. He married his first wife, Jane Butler and they had three children. Jane died in 1729 and Augustine married Mary Ball in 1731. George was the eldest of Augustine and Mary’s six children, all of which survived into adulthood. The family lived on Pope's Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia. They were moderately prosperous members of Virginia's "middling class."

Augustine moved the family up the Potomac River to another Washington family home, Little Hunting Creek Plantation, (later renamed Mount Vernon) in 1735 and then moved again in 1738 to Ferry Farm on the Rappahannock River, opposite Fredericksburg, Virginia, where George Washington spent much of his youth.

George Washington’s father died when he was 11 and he became the ward of his half-brother, Lawrence, who gave him a good upbringing. Lawrence had inherited the family's Little Hunting Creek Plantation and married Anne Fairfax, the daughter of Colonel William Fairfax, patriarch of the well-to-do Fairfax family. Under her tutorage, George was schooled in the finer aspects of colonial culture.

In July, 1752, George Washington's brother, Lawrence, died of tuberculosis making him the heir apparent of the Washington lands. Lawrence’s only child, Sarah, died two months later and Washington became the head of one of Virginia's most prominent estates, Mount Vernon. He was 20 years old. Throughout his life, he would hold farming as one of the most honorable professions and he was most proud of Mount Vernon. He would gradually increase his landholdings there to about 8,000 acres.

In January 1759, Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, a widow, who was only a few months older than he. Washington became one of the more wealthy landowners in Virginia. The marriage also brought Martha's two young children, John (Jacky) and Martha (Patsy), ages 6 and 4, respectively. They didn’t have children together.

Presidency

After a long and successful military life Washington hoped to retire to his beloved Mount Vernon but he was once again called upon to serve this country. During the presidential election of 1789, he received a vote from every elector to the Electoral College, the only president in American history to be elected by unanimous approval. He took the oath of office at Federal Hall in New York City, the capital of the United States at the time.

As the first president, Washington was astutely aware that his presidency would set a precedent for all that would follow. He carefully attended to the responsibilities and duties of his office, remaining vigilante to not emulate any European royal court. To that end, he preferred the title "Mr. President," instead of more imposing names that were suggested.

George Washington proved to be an able administrator. He surrounded himself with some of the most capable people in the country, appointing Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury and Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. He delegated authority wisely and consulted regularly with his cabinet listening to their advice before making a decision. Washington established broad-ranging presidential authority, but always with the highest integrity, exercising power with restraint and honesty. In doing so, he set a standard rarely met by his successors, but one that established an ideal by which all are judged.

Retirement and Legacy

Desiring to return to Mount Vernon and his farming, and feeling the decline of his physical powers with age, Washington refused to yield to the pressures to serve a third term, even though he would probably not have faced any opposition. By doing this, he was again mindful of the precedent of being the "first president," and chose to establish a peaceful transition of government.

In the last months of his presidency, Washington felt he needed to give his country one last measure of himself. With the help of Alexander Hamilton, he composed his Farewell Address to the American people, which urged his fellow citizens to cherish the Union and avoid partisanship and permanent foreign alliances. In March 1797, he turned over the government to John Adams and returned to Mount Vernon, determined to live his last years as a simple gentleman farmer.

Upon returning to Mount Vernon in the spring of 1797, Washington felt a reflective sense of relief and accomplishment. He had left the government in capable hands, at peace, its debts well-managed, and set on a course of prosperity. He devoted much of his time to tending the farm's operations and management. Although he was perceived to be wealthy, his land holdings were only marginally profitable.

During his long absence, the plantation had not been productive, and there was much work to be done. On a cold December day in 1799, Washington spent much of it inspecting the farm on horseback in a driving snowstorm. When he returned home, he hastily ate his supper in his wet clothes and then went to bed. The next morning, on December 13, he awoke with a severe sore throat and became increasingly hoarse. He retired early, but awoke around 3 a.m. and told Martha that he felt sick. The illness progressed until he died late in the evening of December 14, 1799. The news of his death spread throughout the country, plunging the nation into a deep mourning.

Washington could have been a king. Instead, he chose to be a citizen. He set many precedents for the national government and the presidency: The two-term limit in office, only broken once by Franklin Roosevelt, and then later ensconced in the Constitution's 22nd Amendment. He crystallized the power of the presidency as a part of the government’s three branches, able to exercise authority when necessary, but also accept the balance of power inherent in the system.

George Washington’s Biography

A/ BEFORE READING: Answer the following questions.

1/ What sort of document is it?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

2/ Where was it published?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

3/ What is its subject?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

B/ WHILE READING: Underline the proper nouns and circle the numbers. Then complete the following chart.

George Washington was the _____________________________ of the United States.

Served as President: __________________________

Number of terms as President: __________________________

Age at inauguration: ____________

Born: _______________________ in _______________________________

Died: _______________________ in _______________________________

Married: __________________________________________

Children: ___________________________________________

2nd President of the USA: _________________________

C/ TRUE OR FALSE: Say if the following statements are true (right) or false (wrong) and justify ALL your answers by quoting the text.

George Washington had 8 brothers and sisters.                                                    T                     F

__________________________________________________________________________

He married at the age of 27.                                                                                        T                     F

__________________________________________________________________________

He’s the only president to have been elected unanimously.                              T                     F

__________________________________________________________________________

Thomas Jefferson helped him write his Farewell address.                                  T                     F

__________________________________________________________________________

He caught a cold and died.                                                                                           T                     F

__________________________________________________________________________

Franklin Roosevelt served more than 2 terms as a President.                           T                     F

__________________________________________________________________________

FIND THE NUMBERS

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, 36, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48, 55, 57, 59, 60, 63, 67, 69, 70, 77, 80, 81, 84, 90, 92, 100, 117, 200, 316, 440, 500, 609, 711, 800, 883, 905, 1.234, 3.000, 7.011, 8.080, 9.064, 10.000, 30.000, 1.000.000, 9.000.000, 12.000.000

Presidents of the United States

Name_______________________________________________ Date_______________

U L Y S S E S G R A N T S O O S N X L N U R C E N M I Z W Y 

D A N D R E W J O H N S O N O O O P Z O I B A D O P D V I E 

E N P R Z N G M K T N E C P S H D O G T L O L X S R F P L L 

T F A X E L O K L G G N U I S V E W N G M Y V G N R C G L N 

Z H T L E V E S O O R E R O D O E H T N G D I K H E F E I I 

R K O Q E G O V K M Y R D W I G H T E I S E N H O W E R A K 

B I M M H V J O R C A E T O O R G I R H W N C K J R U A M C 

J N C I A X E C H H A X T C H E F E J S U N O L N O T L H M 

M O X H J S Q L N T F J P R O Q T O Y A W E O O O L S D A M 

J M H R A F J I C L R O W R D R H F N W Q K L P D Y O F R A 

Y A Q N L R M E B R C E G E A U P E N E F N I S N A D O R I 

B F M H Q A D Y F A E E B C R Q N C D G T H D E Y T A R I L 

T F C E J A H N F F B V Y R A D L K R R O O G M L Y F D S L 

U L H N S K D W I U E M O Y E Y N H L O X J E A L R W Q O I 

R F E T A G S A S X M R N R W H I A O E H N O J L A I T N W 

E B S V E B A H M I O U S R G Z G B M G M S U S F H R U J W 

R O T A E X R R J S Z N E O B C J I D B W B M Y J C D M O N 

O O E N G S L A F Z H F R A N K L I N P I E R C E A F O E N 

N N R E A M O I H I N O T N I L C M A I L L I W F Z D R A N 

A A A E M M A O J A E S E Y A H D R O F R E H T U R U N O J 

L G R C L Q U K R X M L D R S M A D A N H O J O O B A S A S 

D C T N X Y L R S N N L D T F A T M A I L L I W N H I M Q J 

R S H K S E T J T H I F I R W C D I K D E W W A C D E V V L 

E D U G B M B N N Y I L R N S K S P M W I I V U A S V S J G 

A Z R X M J R X H L R E K E C T O Z U C L N B M M B B E I U 

G Y L D Q A V K L O Y R V N H O H K F S I S S O C O U R Z H 

A Z M X R H I M F I J C A Y A N L L O T E E N S F L S J I B 

N X O P D I O Q S C Y R H H O R D N R M M R M S B S Z A Z S 

T G N I D R A H N E R R A W G T F A A A O G X Y J R D X Y X 

Z E U G E O R G E W B U S H F N M J J E L R V C J B O O L Z 

ABRAHAMLINCOLN

ANDREWJACKSON

ANDREWJOHNSON

BENJAMINHARRISON

CALVINCOOLIDGE

CHESTERARTHUR

DWIGHTEISENHOWER

FRANKLINPIERCE

FRANKLINROOSEVELT

GEORGEBUSH

GEORGEWASHINGTON

GEORGEWBUSH

GERALDFORD

GROVERCLEVELAND

HARRYTRUMAN

HERBERTHOOVER

JAMESBUCHANAN

JAMESGARFIELD

JAMESMADISON

JAMESMONROE

JAMESPOLK

JIMMYCARTER

JOHNADAMS

JOHNKENNEDY

JOHNQADAMS

JOHNTYLER

LYNDONJOHNSON

MARTINVANBUREN

MILLARDFILLMORE

RICHARDNIXON

RONALDREAGAN

RUTHERFORDHAYES

THEODOREROOSEVELT

THOMASJEFFERSON

ULYSSESGRANT

WARRENHARDING

WILLIAMCLINTON

WILLIAMHARRISON

WILLIAMMCKINLEY

WILLIAMTAFT

WOODROWWILSON

ZACHARYTAYLOR

last sumer

Last summer, Joel and Sara travelled to England for two weeks. They travelled in August and stayed in a college with other students in Brighton, the South of England. It was really fantastic because they talked to a lot of students of different nationalities and learned a lot about other cultures and customs. Of course, they learned a lot of English too because they practiced it every day. In the morning they studied a little, they asked the teacher to speak slowly when necessary and answered her questions.  In the afternoon they visited different places or played different sports at the college. It was so much fun. They often walked down to the beach with their new friends and played or chatted. In the evening they were tired so they sometimes watched videos or played board games.

The best days were Saturday and Sunday because they travelled to London. The city is very big and they visited all the monuments like Big Ben, The London Eye and Buckingham Palace. They wanted to see the Queen but they didn’t see her, only her guards!

They liked everything in the city but their favourite thing was the museums, especially Madam Tussards. There were lots of realistic figures of famous people there.

At the end of the two weeks, they were sad to return home. The holidays were fun and different from usual. They cried a little when they waved goodbye to their new friends and promised to write or send emails when they arrived home.

True or false? Correct the false ones.

Joel and Sara travelled to England for three weeks.

___________________________________________.

They stayed in a college.

___________________________________________.

Brighton is in the North of England.

___________________________________________.

They asked the teacher to speak fast.

___________________________________________.

They sometimes walked to the beach.

___________________________________________.

Answer the following questions.

 What did Joel and Sara do in the afternoon?

___________________________________________.

Did they learn a lot of new things?

___________________________________________.

What did they like the best?

___________________________________________.

What did they visit in the capital?

___________________________________________.

Did they like the museums?

___________________________________________.

What museum did they like the best?

___________________________________________.

Did they see the Queen?

___________________________________________.

Were they happy at the end of the holidays? Explain.

___________________________________________

___________________________________________.

What did they promise to do when they arrived home?

___________________________________________.

Write the past simple of these verbs. Pay attention to the spelling rules:

Travel – ________________________.

Copy-________________________.

Count-________________________.

Play-________________________.

Close-________________________.

Open-________________________.

Dance-________________________.

Drop-________________________.

Cook-________________________.

Live-________________________.

Look-________________________.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was an American printer and publisher, author, inventor and scientist, and diplomat. He is best known for playing a key role in the writing of the Declaration of Independence and for signing the original United States Constitution.

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston. His father, Josiah Franklin, had seven children with first wife, Anne Child, and ten more with second wife, Abiah Folger. Ben was his 15th child and youngest son. He learned to read at an early age and was a good student, but he stopped going to school when he was ten and started working full-time. When he was twelve, he started working at his brother’s print shop. He learned a lot about publishing and newspapers. In 1723, he moved to New York and then to Philadelphia.

In Philadelphia, Franklin worked as a printer. He wanted to start his own printing shop and travelled to London to buy the things that he needed for it. In London, he had to work, but he also had a lot of fun. He went to coffee houses and swam in the Thames. He returned to America in 1726 and continued his printing activities. He also continued studying. Franklin bought The Pennsylvania Gazette and made it one of the most successful newspapers in America. In 1732, he started publishing Poor Richard’s Almanack.

Franklin became one of the richest men in Pennsylvania. In 1748, he moved into a new house and bought his first slaves. Later, he came to see that slavery is evil and he freed his slaves in the 1760s. Franklin also became interested in electricity and made some important scientific discoveries. He also took part in politics. In 1776, he became one of the five men who wrote the Declaration of Independence.

After the USA became independent, Franklin went to France as America’s first ambassador. He was very popular with French aristocrats. After ten years in France, Franklin returned to America. He was politically active and worked against slavery.

Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the home of his daughter, Sarah Bache. His Autobiography got published in 1794.

1 Read the text and answer the following questions.

1 How many children did Benjamin Franklin’s father have? __________________________________________

2 How old was Benjamin Franklin when he started working? _________________________________________

3 Where did Benjamin Franklin move in 1723? ____________________________________________________

4 Why did Benjamin Franklin travel to London? ___________________________________________________

5 What did Benjamin Franklin do in 1748? _______________________________________________________

6 What did Franklin later think about slavery? ____________________________________________________

7 Where did Franklin live after America became independent? _______________________________________

2 Are these sentences true (T) or false (F)?

1 Benjamin Franklin was his father’s youngest child. _____

2 When he was twelve, Benjamin Franklin worked for his brother. _____

3 When Benjamin Franklin was in England, he spent all his time working. _____

4 Benjamin Franklin bought a newspaper and made it popular. _____

5 Benjamin Franklin did some experiments with electricity. _____

6 Benjamin Franklin stopped taking part in politics after he returned from France. _____

7 Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography was published after his death. _____