ENGLISH READINGS

READING 1.

Family Celebration in Ecuador

Hello this is Jack reporting from the Annual Family Celebration in Quito, Ecuador. People are
having a wonderful time. Most men are cooking a traditional dish called Fanesca. Some women
are playing hide-and-seek with their children. The elderly are listening to old music and telling
stories from the past.
I am here with Mario Velasco, the event organizer, and I want to ask him a couple of questions:
Reporter: Mario, how long is the event?

Mario: Well, it started yesterday at 7 am and it’ll finish tomorrow at 9 pm with a concert.

Reporter: Is this event meaningful for Ecuadorian families?

Mario: Yes, absolutely. Just look at the people. They are laughing, dancing or just relaxing.

Reporter: Thank Mario for your time and for the event.

That is all for now. I am Jack Baker. Bye-bye.

1. How often does this celebration take 4. How long is the event?
place? a) one day
a) Once a month b) two days
b) Once a year c) three days
c) Every other year
5. Who is talking about the past?
2. What is “Fanesca”? a) The children
a) a typical Ecuadorian food b) The men
b) a game c) The old people
c) a kind of music
6. Who are Jack and Mario?
3. What are the children doing? a) Jack is a reporter and Mario is the
a) They are eating. person who organized the event
b) They are playing. b) Jack is a tourist and Mario is the
c) They are cooking. event organizer
c) They are reporters
READING 2.

iPad Air review

With a new design based on the successful iPad Mini, Apple have relaunched their tablet
computer range with the iPad Air.

The result is a stunning piece of technology that is both a joy to use and powerful enough for most
of the tasks you’ll want to do on it.

Compared to older versions of the iPad, the Air is lighter and easier to handle. In terms of
performance, the Air is a great option. It comes with a fair number of free apps, which make it a
functional addition to your personal technology right out of the box. However, with these apps
and the HD quality of the device, the lower priced 16GB option isn’t worth buying. Instead, opt for
the much more useful 128GB device, which will allow you to fully take advantage of all the iPad Air
has to offer.

1. According to the review, the iPad b) Heavier and more difficult to handle
Mini than the iPad Air
a) Was cheaper than most tablets c) Quite powerful
b) Had a great deal of success
c) Has a new design 4. The iPad Air comes with _______
apps.
2. The adjective “stunning” is close in a) Few
meaning to: b) Little
a) Spectacular c) Some
b) Affordable
c) Useful 5. According to the review, it would be
a great idea to buy:
3. The older versions of the iPad were: a) The iPad Mini
a) Lighter and easier to handle than b) The 16GB iPad Air
the iPad Air c) The 128GB iPad Air

READING 3.

James David Rodríguez Rubio

He is a Colombian footballer. He was born in Cúcuta on July 12th 1991. He is 1.85 meters tall. His
parents’ names are Wilson James Rodriguez Bedoya and Maria Del Pilar Rubio. Although he was
born in Cúcuta, he grew up in Ibagué. He spent most of his childhood there.

Style of play:

He is a midfielder and a natural playmaker.

Career:

He started his career in 2006 in the Colombian team named “Envigado FC”. Then FC Porto signed
him for 5.1 million euros. He played for FC Porto from 2010 to 2013.

After that James was signed by AS Monaco for 45 million euros, one of the most expensive
transfer fees for a Colombian footballer. On July 22nd 2014 James signed a contract with the
famous Spanish team Real Madrid.

National Football Team:

James started playing for the national football team in 2011. In the 2014 World Cup qualifying
matches he scored three goals and helped Colombia to qualify to the tournament held in Brazil.

1. Was James born in Ibagué Colombia?

a) No, he wasn't 4. How much did AS Monaco pay for his
b) Yes, he was transfer?
a) 45 million dollars
2. What does he do? b) 45 million euros
a) He is an amateur footballer
b) He is a professional soccer player 5. How many goals did he score in
qualifying matches for the 2014
3. Did James grow up in Cúcuta? World Cup in Brazil?
a) No, he didn't a) He scored 4 goals.
b) Yes, he did b) He scored 3 goals

READING 4.

Sights in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is one of the biggest cities in the state of California. The city is a very popular tourist
attraction because there is so much to see and do there. First there is the biggest attraction of all:
the ocean! Los Angeles is only minutes away from the beautiful beaches on the coast of the Pacific
Ocean. Because of this, surfing and other water sports are very common there. Another popular
sight is Hollywood and the walk of fame. This star covered sidewalk shows the names of hundreds
of popular actors, actresses, musicians, and more. Many people visiting the city walk up and down
the sidewalk in search of their favorite star. There are even bus tours the visitors can go on to see
the homes of the famous people who live in Los Angeles.

1. Is the ocean far from Los Angeles? 2. The word “biggest” in the first line of
a) Yes, it is the text is close in meaning to:
b) No, it isn’t a) Slowest
c) Not mentioned b) Largest
c) Smallest
 3. According to the text, can tourists 5. Which expression is NOT close in
meet popular actors, actresses and meaning to “in search of”?
musicians in the walk of fame? a) Looking for
a) Yes, it is b) Seeking
b) No, it isn’t c) In spite of
c) Not mentioned 6. Which sight is not mentioned in the
text?
4. What can tourists find in the walk of a) Houses of famous people
fame? b) The walk of fame
a) Homes of famous people c) Hollywood
b) Stars with names of famous people d) The Atlantic Ocean
c) Wax figures of celebrities e) Beaches

READING 5.

Nelson Mandela biography

Nelson Mandela was a South African activist and politician, who was convicted to life in prison in
1962 for trying to overthrow the apartheid government. He got out of prison in 1990 after
apartheid ended. Mandela used his popularity and charisma to become President of South Africa
from 1994 to 1999.

After his presidency, Nelson Mandela continued to fight for equality and justice. Even retirement
couldn’t stop Mandela from speaking his mind to people all over the world.

He became a popular speaker who toured the world, inspiring people with his message. Nelson
Mandela received many awards during his life, including the Nobel Peace Prize and the
Presidential Medal of Freedom. He fathered six children during his life. He passed away on
December 5, 2013 at the age of 95.

1. Did Nelson Mandela support b) Dormitory

apartheid? c) Jail
a) Yes, he did
b) No, he didn't 4. Which of the following statements IS
c) Probably NOT true?
a) Mandela was a charismatic and
2. Mandela was the president of South popular political leader.
Africa for _____________. b) Mandela received only two awards
a) five years in his life: the Nobel Peace Prize and
b) seven years the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
c) four years c) Mandela spoke before audiences
around the world about justice and
3. The word “prison” is close in equality.
meaning to:
a) Sanatorium
 5. The expression “He passed away” is
close in meaning to:
a) He surrendered
b) He died
c) He left

READING 6.

Movie review: San Andreas

The blockbuster “San Andreas” made its worldwide debut on May 25, 2015. The movie was
released in 2D and 3D formats. The story of San Andreas was written by Jerry Passmore, Carlton
Cuse and Andre Fabrizio, and was directed by Brad Peyton. Filmed on location in Australia, Los
Angeles, Bakersfield and San Francisco, San Andreas follows the tale of a helicopter rescue pilot
named Raymond Gaines as he makes his way to San Francisco to find his daughter in the
aftermath of a major earthquake.

Stars of the thrilling movie include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Gaines, Carla Gugino as his wife
Emma, Alexandra Daddario as his daughter Blake and Paul Giamatti as Dr. Lawrence Hayes. Pop
singer Kylie Minogue also appears in the movie, as Susan Riddick.

A “blockbuster” movie is one with lots of action and special effects. Other blockbuster movies
include Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and Star Wars.

1. Relate the columns.

1. The movie was released a) is a helicopter pilot
2. Brad Peyton b) on May 25, 2015
3. Raymond Gaines c) is the director of the movie
a) 1a, 2b, 3c
b) 1b, 2a, 3c
c) 1b, 2c, 3a
d) 1c, 2b, 3a

2. Relate the columns.

1. Raymond Gaines a) tries to rescue his daughter, Blake.
2. San Andreas includes various b) stars such as the Rock and Kylie
3. San Andreas Minogue.
4. Jurassic Park and Batman c) is about a major earthquake.
d) are examples of blockbuster movies.
a) 1a, 2b, 3c, 4d
b) 1a, 2b, 3d, 4c
c) 1a, 2d, 3c, 4b
d) 1b, 2a, 3c, 4d
READING 7.

 Lee la entrevista que una reportera le hace al Señor White, un candidato que quiere ser
alcalde de una ciudad y luego contesta las preguntas.

Reporter: Mr. White, what will you do if you become the mayor of this city?

Candidate: Well, I will do everything in my power to improve the current conditions of the city.

R: I want to ask you about some specific topics. The first one is education.

C: Education has been a major problem in this city so I will build 200 modern schools. I will create a
tax in order to support free education for all the citizens. Nevertheless, I won’t hire new teachers
because we have more than enough.

R: Now I want to tell me what you will do about the heavy traffic and the traffic jams in the city.

C: Historically the Town Planning Office has not been able to manage this issue. As a result, I will
invest a large part of the budget of the city in this office. The objective is to reduce the heavy
traffic and the traffic jams not only in the short-term but also in the long-term.

R: The last two topics are entertainment and culture.

C: These two topics make a huge impact on the quality of life of the citizens. Regarding
entertainment, I will organize sports tournaments for both children and adults. With respect to
culture, the city will hold a cultural event every day.

R: Thank you, Mr. White.

1. We can infer that Mr. White a) wants

__________ to make the city a b) doesn't want
better pace to life.
a) wants 5. According to Mr. White, adults
b) doesn't want __________ the opportunity to
participate in sports competitions.
2. According to Mr. White education a) will have
has been __________ problem in the b) won't have
city.
a) a small 6. Escoge la oración que NO es
b) a difficult verdadera:
a) Mr. White will create a new tax.
3. Mr. White __________ more b) Mr. White won’t organize any
teachers. cultural events.
a) will c) Mr. White won’t hire new teachers.
b) won't d) Mr. White will try to reduce the
traffic jams.
4. Mr. White __________ a lot of
money on the projects of the Town
Planning Office.