“THE BIRTHDAY PARTY”

It is a special day for Emma and her twin sister, Lauren. It is their birthday! Lauren is
the oldest twin, she was born 6 minutes before Emma. Today they
are turning 21, Lauren is happy about it, but Emma is not. Emma is
enjoying being a university student and does not want to feel old!
Lauren can't wait to finish university and wants to be an adult.
You are only 21 once, so Lauren and Emma have planned a
special day. First, they will have pancakes for breakfast with their
family. They always have pancakes on their birthday, it is a family
tradition. Emma and Lauren’s dad makes amazing pancakes, he
always serves them with fresh fruit. After breakfast, they will visit their grandparents.
Both Emma and Lauren are very close to their grandparents. Then, they will
go to the supermarket to pick up some very important birthday supplies!
At their party, they will have a typical British buffet with sandwiches,
sausage rolls, cakes, crisps, and biscuits. They have invited a lot of
people to their party so they will have vegan and vegetarian
options, too! They also have party bags for the children with
little toys inside. Emma’s friend is a baker, so she is going to
make the girls a very special 21st birthday cake. It will be
multicoloured and have sweets inside. Ever since they were
little girls they have wanted a cake like this. So, why not had
one on their 21st birthday?! Emma’s friend
will also make some cupcakes, everyone loves cupcakes. They have
not booked a DJ, they will make their own party playlist on
YouTube or Spotify. That way, they can choose their favourite
music.
They have invited over 50 people to their party. The guests are
their friends, family members, and work colleagues from their part
time jobs. They hope that everyone will get on and have a good
time. They will have their party in
their parents garden. Luckily, they live in the countryside
and so they have a huge garden. They have a big gazebo at
the bottom of the garden, so if the weather is bad they will
have somewhere to go.
Emma has organised some party games
and Lauren is in charge of the drinks! She
has ordered a mix of alcoholic and non-
alcoholic drinks. Lauren has also ordered
some lights, balloons, and birthday decorations for the garden. They have
invited their parents’ neighbours so they don't have to worry about making
Audio to the reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VO0Ivq6wxU
too much noise. They are really excited. Now they just have to organise everything before
the guests arrive. They have three hours before the party starts. They start to make the food
for the buffet and their mum and dad organised the garden.
[3 hours later…]
Lauren and Emma are ready just in time for their first guests arriving. They have
decorated the garden, made the food, and set up the dance area with music and lights.
They have put on new outfits and have their first glass of champagne with their friends.
Luckily, Emma and Lauren were born in July, so the weather is
warm and sunny…for now! The guests enjoy the cakes and food
and their family dance to the music. The party is a huge success!
Lauren and Emma’s parents have organised a surprise for
them…fireworks! As soon as it is dark, Emma and Lauren’s
parents ask everyone to walk to the end of
the garden and tell them to look up
towards the sky. Lauren and Emma are
surprised when the sky lights up with beautiful fireworks. The
display is beautiful. Just as it ends, it starts to rain a little. Typical
English weather! Luckily, they have the gazebo. Some of the
guests go inside the house and others party under the gazebo until
it's time to go home.
Questions:
1. Which twin is older? By how much is she older?
________________________________________________________________________
2. How may guests came to the birthday party?
________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the family tradition that they do every birthday?
________________________________________________________________________
4. What type of food did they have?
________________________________________________________________________
5. What was the surprise that the twins’ parents organised for them?
________________________________________________________________________

Audio to the reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VO0Ivq6wxU