Page 24 - 67 READING COMPREHENSION LESSONS - ENGLISH 9

48. Read the text and do the task below

Every December, I begin to feel uncomfortable. Why? Christmas is coming. Most people enjoy this
holiday, but it makes me depressed. First, I’m not a religious person. This holiday celebrates the birth of
Christ, and it’s full of religious symbols. Second, Christmas is becoming more and more commercial. It’s
the most important time of year for owners of stores, for example. Spending lots of money seems to be
people’s main activity in December. Everywhere you hear the commands “Buy! Spend! Give!”. It’s awful.
Last, I think Christmas is a difficult time of year for people without families. I’ve been living away from
my family for several years, and I miss being with them - especially at Christmas.

Choose the best answer

1. How does the writer feel when Christmas comes?
A. enjoyable B. happy C. uncomfortable D. comfortable
2. What does Christmas celebrate?
A. The birth of religious people. B. The day when Christ was born
C. The birth of religious symbols. D. The birth of religious places.
3. What is the most important time of year for owners of stores?
A. Christmas B. New Year C. Easter D. Passover

Answer true or false

Statement T F
4. .............. Christmas makes the writer depressed.
5. .............. Christmas is full of religious symbols.

6. .............. People spend lots of money buying Christmas presents.
7. .............. Only shop owners enjoy Christmas.
8. .............. Christmas is a good time for people living away from the family.

49. Choose A, B, C or D to complete the following passage:
Christmas is a family (1) _________________ and many of the customs center on children. When
they go to bed on Christmas (2) _________________, children hang up a pillow case or a sack for their
presents.
(3) _____________, it should be a stocking, but a stocking wouldn’t hold enough to (4) ___________
today’s kids.
While the children are (5) _____________, so the custom goes, Father Christmas or Santa Claus,
comes but (6) _____________ to children who have been good). He travels (7) ____________ the North
Pole in a sleigh which is (8) _______________ by reindeer. After landing on the roof, Santa Claus climbs
down the (9) ____________ and puts (10) ________________ in the sacks that the children have left out.
1. A. tradition B. nation C. internation D. celebration
2. A. Eve B. evening C. morning D. afternoon
3. A. Actually B. Traditionally C. Fortunately D. Usually
4. A. become B. celebrate C. satisfy D. enjoy
5. A. sleep B. asleep C. sleeping D. slept
6. A. only B. so C. both D. also
7. A. to B. for C. from D. in
8. A. pull B. to pull C. pulling D. pulled
9. A. tree B. chimney C. roof D. reindeer
10. A. presents B. food C. drinks D. decoration