Reading comprehension activity for 10º

ACTIVITY

Read the texts and answer the questions about it.


A. STONEHENGE

Stonehenge is a Neolithic and Bronze Age megalithic monument located near Amesbury in the English country of Wiltshire, about 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury. Its geographical location is 51°10'43.87"N, 1°49'35.07"W.

It is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones and is one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world.

Archaeologists think that the standing stones were erected between 2500 BC and 2000 BC although the surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC.

The site and its surroundings were added to the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 in a co-listing with Avebury henge monument, and it is also a legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument. Stonehenge itself is owned and managed by English Heritage whilst the surrounding downland is owned by the National Trust.

Questions about the text

1. Stonehenge lies near Amesbury.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

2. It is about 8 miles north of Wiltshire.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

3. Archaeologists think that the stones were erected 4000 years ago.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

4. One part of the monument was built around 3100 BC.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

5. In 1986 Stonehenge was declared a World Heritage Site.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

B. UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (10º1)

The University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world (after Oxford).

It is situated in the town of Cambridge, England. According to legend, the university was founded in 1209 by scholars escaping from Oxford after a fight with locals there.

Cambridge has produced more Nobel prize winners than any other university in the world, having 80 associated with it, about 70 of whom were students there.

It regularly heads league tables ranking British universities, and a recent league table by the Times Higher Education Supplement rated it sixth in the world overall and first for science.

The universities of Oxford and Cambridge, often referred to together as Oxbridge, compete to be seen as the strongest overall university in the UK. Historically, they have produced a significant proportion of Britain's prominent scientists, writers and politicians.

Questions about the text

1. The University of Cambridge is the oldest university in England.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

2. The University of Cambridge was founded by scholars from Oxford.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

3. Many Nobel Prize winners were students at the University of Cambridge.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

4. Many scientists, writers and politicians were students at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

5.Write the main idea

C. UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (10º2)

The University of Oxford, situated in the city of Oxford in England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

The universities of Oxford and Cambridge are sometimes referred to collectively as Oxbridge.

The two universities have a long history of competition with each other, as they are the two oldest and most famous universities in England.

Oxford is a member of the Russell Group of research-led British Universities. It has recently come top of some league tables which rank universities in Britain.

Oxford is, like Cambridge and others, a member of the Coimbra Group, a network of leading European universities, and the LERU (League of European Research Universities).

Questions about the text

1. The University of Oxford is the oldest university in England.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

2. Oxbridge is the old name of Oxford.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

3. There has always been a competition between Cambridge and Oxford.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

4. The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge are members of the Coimbra Group.
a. True.
b. False.
c. We don't know.

5. Write the main idea