Reading GRADE 9

1. Read the text and decide if each sentence is T (true) or F (false).

The Galápagos Islands

Imagine hiking through stunning scenery in one of the world’s most remote islands. The waves are crashing
against the shore and iguanas are swimming in the bay. This amazing island, with its incredible variety of
wildlife and landscapes it’s perfect for taking pictures, is part of the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Famous for inspiring explorers and scientists such as Charles Darwin, there are very few places in the
world as unspoilt as the Galápagos.
Made up of 21 different islands, the Galápagos Islands are 563 miles west of Ecuador, and are actually part
of that country. They include the Galápagos National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the
Galápagos Marine Reserve, which both help protect the area’s many rare and endangered animals and
plants. With so many incredible things to see it’s easy to understand why it’s the perfect destination for
adventure seekers!
The Islands include mountains, volcanoes, cliffs, beaches and wild coastline. However, they aren’t just the
home of amazing wildlife, people also live there too. In fact, there are towns, a population of around 26,000,
and even a capital city, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristóbal Island. Here you can find hotels,
shops, and a natural history museum. It’s also a good place to enjoy extreme sports such as surfing and
scuba diving. Snorkelling is very popular, too.
Although the Galápagos Islands are in South America, the weather isn’t as good as you’d expect. While it
can be sunny, the warm season only goes up to 25oC, with the cold season falling to 22oC. In addition to
this mild weather there is also rain throughout the year. For most visitors, the best time to explore the
Islands is December to May during the warm months, but make sure you bring a raincoat or an umbrella
during those showers!
One thing is for sure, whenever you decide to visit you can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a place
that hasn’t changed for thousands of years! The Galápagos Islands are full of breath-taking beauty that
makes you feel like you’re in another world!

1 The writer suggests having a camera when visiting the Galápagos Islands. __T__
2 Charles Darwin was the only scientist to visit the area. __F__
3 The Galápagos Islands are close to the coast of Ecuador. __F__
4 The Galápagos Marine Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. __F__
5 There are two main protected areas on the Islands. __T__
6 San Cristóbal is the name of the capital city. __F__
7 Outdoor activities are not allowed on the Islands. __F__
8 The climate on the Galápagos Islands can be very wet. __T__
9 In the summer the temperature doesn’t go above 25 degrees. __T__
10 December is a cold time of year to visit the Galápagos Islands. __F__

ANSWERS
1T 3 F 5 T 7 F 9 T
2F 4F 6 F 8 T 10 F
 Everyday English
2 Choose the correct response.
1 A: Could you please tell me where the supermarket is?
B: a It’s opposite the museum.
b No, it isn’t far.
2 A: Excuse me, is there a baker’s near here?
B: a My pleasure.
b There’s one about 5 minutes away on foot.
3 A: How was your trip to Wales?
B: a It was a disaster.
b That’s unbelievable.

4 A: How far is the museum from here?

B: a It’s 15 minutes by car.
b Turn left.

5 A: What’s the best way to North Street?

B: a It’s 10 minutes by foot.
b Turn left at the next street.

ANSWERS
1a

2b

3a

4a

5b

Use of English

3 Choose the correct answer.

1 Fred’s holiday to Japan was very ____; he’ll never forget climbing Mount Fuji.
A fascinating
B interesting
C exciting
D memorable

2 The ____wilderness of Alaska is perfect because it hasn’t been touched by mankind yet.
A unspoilt
B secluded
C remote
D isolated

3 Bobby fell and ____ his knee on the pavement; it left a nasty graze.
A twisted
B scraped
C pulled
D cut
4 Strong winds ____ the island during the storm.
A blew
B hit
C formed
D overflowed

5 If I dry the dishes, can you put them ____?

A out
B down
C on
D away

6 This curry dish is too ____ for Tom; he doesn’t like hot food.
A salty
B sour
C bitter
D spicy

7 Stan was ____ that the gym closed early today; it usually stays open until nine o’clock.
A confused
B puzzled
C surprised
D worried

8 The buildings were buried under heavy snow after the ____ crashed down the mountain.
A snowfall
B blizzard
C avalanche
D storm

9 The ____ in prices during the sale was huge; these jeans were forty percent off!
A deal
B bargain
C discount
D reduction

10 It’s quite cold today, the ____ is only 18 degrees outside.

A temperature
B climate
C weather
D environment

11 Mr. Anderson ____ to reach you for an hour. Where have you been?
A tries
B has been trying
C is trying
D has tried

12 Those shoes ____ really comfortable.

A looks
B have looked
C look
D are looking

13 ____ to exotic places must be very exciting.

A Travelling
B To travel
C To have travelled
D Having travelled

14 By the time I arrived at the cinema, the film ____ .

A already started
B has already started
C were already started
D had already started
15 It took Adam a few months to ____ living in the city.
A get used to
B used to
C being used to
D getting used to

16 George is ____ short to play basketball.

A absolutely
B rather
C fairly
D slightly

17 By the end of the year, he ____ here for 10 months.

A will be working
B will work
C will have been working
D work
18 Please notify me the moment Ms Fraser ____ here.
A gets
B would get
C will get
D will have got

19 I’m afraid you ____ use your mobile phone in here; it’s not allowed.
A ought not to
B can’t
C might not
D wouldn’t

20 Wendy ____ 16 next week.

A is going to be
B will have been
C will be
D is

ANSWERS
1D 11 B
2A 12 C
3B 13 A
4B 14 D
5D 15 A
6D 16 B
7C 17 C
8C 18 A
9D 19 B
10 A 20 C