READING ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY

Sarah is a keen walker. She lives in an area which is very flat and when she goes on holiday she likes to walk in the hills. She is looking for new places to go.

Jane is keen on music. She likes reading about the personal life of famous people to find out what they are really like.

Peter is going to France next week on business and has a free weekend which he plans to spend in Paris. He would like to find out what is happening there for fun and entertainment.

Paul likes visiting other countries. He is also interested in history and likes reading about famous explorers from the past.

Mary likes clothes but hasn't got much money so she is looking for ways of dressing smartly without spending too much. 

Below are some articles from 8 different magazines. Choose one magazine for each person that best matches their interests.

MARIA MARIA
 

She conquered the world of opera with the most extraordinary voice of the century -- and died miserable and alone. Michael Tonner looks at Maria Callas, the woman behind the opera singer.
 

1. BUSINESS IN PARIS

John Felbrick goes to Paris to see what facilities it offers for business people planning meetings.

 A            Sarah

 B            Jane

 C            Peter

 D            Paul

 E            Mary

 F            None

2.  DON"T GO into the hills unprepared. If you're a hill walker, we have advice for you on what to take and what to do if something goes wrong.
 

WE SHOW pictures of Linda Evangelista, the supermodel from Toronto, wearing next season's clothes for the woman with unlimited money.

 A            Sarah

 B            Jane

 C            Peter

D             Paul

E             Mary

F             None

3. HERE AND THERE

Our guide to what is happening in London, and this month we'll also tell you what's on in Paris, Rome, and Madrid.
 

EXPLORE AFRICA

Last year Jane Merton joined a trip across Africa, exploring the most cut-of parts of the continent. Read what she has to say.
 

 A            Sarah

 B            Jane

 C            Peter

 D            Paul

 E            Mary

 F            None

4. FESTIVALS

This is the season for street festivals. We've travelled to three of the big ones in South America and bring you pictures and information.
 

HOW I GOT THERE

Georgina Fay tells us how she became a famous clothes designer overnight.
 

 A            Sarah

 B            Jane

 C            Peter

 D            Paul

 E            Mary

 F            None

5. READ about NEIL ASHDOWN's recent walk along one of Britain's oldest paths. It passes through some of the most beautiful hill country.
 

ENTER our competition and win a week for two in THAILAND.
 

 A            Sarah

 B            Jane

 C            Peter

 D            Paul

 E            Mary

 F            None
 

6. IN THE FREEZER
 

We talk to the two men who have just completed a walk across the Antartic.
 

TIGHTEN THAT BELT
 

Well-known fashion designer, Virginia McBride, who now lives in Paris, tells us how to make our old clothes look fashionable.
 

 A            Sarah

 B            Jane

 C            Peter

 D            Paul

 E            Mary

 F            None

7. WAKE UP THE CHILDREN
 

Penelope Fine's well-known children's stories are going to be on Sunday morning Children's TV. We have a wonderful talk with this famous author.
 

FLATLANDS
 

It may not look like promising walking country -- it hardly rises above sea level, but we can show you some amazing walks.
 

 A            Sarah

 B            Jane

 C            Peter

 D            Paul

 E            Mary

 F            None

8. MY INTERVIEW WITH PAVAROTTI
 

David Beech talks to the famous singer about his future tour to the Far East.

 

NEW LIGHT

Julian Smith talks to the granddaughter of one of the men who reached the North Pole for the first time in 1909. She tells us about his interesting life.
 

 A            Sarah

 B            Jane

 C            Peter

 D            Paul

 E            Mary

 F            None

READING COMPREHENSION

ACTIVITY

Read the following texts and answer the questions about them.

A. http://www.esolcourses.com/ielts/reading/scanning/infographic-b.html

Obesity

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. Body mass index (BMI), a measurement which compares weight and height, defines people as overweight (pre-obese) when their BMI is between 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2, and obese when it is greater than 30 kg/m2.

Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties during sleep, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive dietary calories, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility, although a few cases are caused primarily by genes, endocrine disorders, medications or psychiatric illness. Evidence to support the view that some obese people eat little yet gain weight due to a slow metabolism is limited; on average obese people have a greater energy expenditure than their thin counterparts due to the energy required to maintain an increased body mass.

The primary treatment for obesity is dieting and physical exercise. To supplement this, or in case of failure, anti-obesity drugs may be taken to reduce appetite or inhibit fat absorption. In severe cases, surgery is performed or an intragastric balloon is placed to reduce stomach volume and/or bowel length, leading to earlier satiation and reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food.

Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with increasing prevalence in adults and children, and authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century. 

Obesity is stigmatized in much of the modern world (particularly in the Western world), though it was widely perceived as a symbol of wealth and fertility at other times in history, and still is in some parts of the world.

Source: Wikipedia

Comprehension

1. The statistics state that. 
   a.  although obesity is prevalent, it is not considered as a serious illness. 
   b.  obesity is considered as a serious illness. 
2. Obese people 
   a.  may suffer from severe illnesses.
   b.  may suffer from mild ailments. 
3. Modern medicine 
   a.  can cure obesity. 
   b.  cannot cure it at all. 
4. The best treatment for obesity is 
   a.  related to individuals lifestyle. 
   b.  medical. 

 

C. British Culture and Children

Millions of British children are "culture starved" as they have never been to an art gallery, theatre or museum, a study has claimed.

The research, commissioned by Visit Birmingham, found four in 10 children had never been to an art gallery, while a quarter of parents had never taken their offspring to the theatre.

One in five parents said they did not think their child would be interested.

The study surveyed 2,000 parents of five to 12-year-olds around the UK.

It also found 17% of children had never visited a museum, while one in 10 had not been outside their home town to visit other sites in the UK.

Half of parents said they made little effort to educate their children about culture or history and relied on schools to do so.

A quarter said they could not afford to visit attractions with 28% saying they did not have the time and 18% believed their child was "too young for culture".
However half said they were more likely to take their children sight-seeing when they were abroad on holiday.

When asked what cultural activities their children had participated in, the most popular was learning an instrument (39%), with ballet (24%), painting (23%) and singing in a choir (22%) the next most popular activities.

Just over a fifth of children were learning a foreign language.

Emma Gray, from Marketing Birmingham, which runs the Visit Birmingham campaign, said it was important for all generations to embrace cultural activity.

"Culture can take many kinds of forms and it's essential our children are encouraged to get involved with this at any early age," she said.

"A few trips during the year to museums, landmarks or even cultural festivals will prove to be memorable, informative and fun occasions for youngsters."

Are the following statements true or false?

·         1 - Most UK children have never been to an art gallery.

True 
False

·         2 - The survey focused on children from age 11 to 16.

True 
False

·         3 - 50% of parents felt it was the schools responsibility to teach children about culture.

True
False 

·         4 - Some children are learning a foreign language.

True
False

·         5 - Emma Gray thinks culture isn’t that important and more focus should be on science and maths.

False
True