BALD EAGLE

Bald eagle is a majestic bird. The adult bird has a brown body, brown wings, white head and
large, hooked yellow bill. Younger birds appear all brown.
Bald eagles almost always live near water because their main food is fish. Sometimes,
however, bald eagles will eat dead animals (carrion). They will even steal food from other
birds such as ospreys and gulls ! it was for this reason that the famous patriot Benjamin
Franklin preferred the wild turkey as American’s national symbol

Vocabulary

Majestic Bird
Brown Wing
Eagle Bald
Hook Adult
Animal Younger
Gulls Steal
Turkey Wild
Famous Osprey
Answer the question below !
1. How are younger bald eagles different from adult bald eagles?
A. They have lighter bodies.
B. They are smaller.
C. They are totally brown.
D. They have black bills.

2. Why do bald eagles usually live near water?

A. Bald eagles eat fish.
B. Bald eagles like to swim.
C. It protects the nest from predators.
D. Because they steal food.

3. The author seemed surprised that

A. Bald eagles have white heads.
B. The bald eagle is America's symbol.
C. Bald eagles eat fish.
D. Bald eagles steal food from other birds.

4. Benjamin Franklin thought

A. The bald eagle was a better choice as America's symbol than the wild turkey.
B. Neither the wild turkey or bald eagle were good choices as America's symbol.
C. The wild turkey was a better choice as America's symbol than the bald eagle.
D. The bald eagle was a fine choice as America's symbol.
 Nasreddin and the Pot
One day Nasreddin borrowed a pot from his neighbour Ali. The next day he brought it back
with another little pot inside. "That's not mine," said Ali. "Yes, it is," said Nasreddin. "While
your pot was staying with me, it had a baby."
Some time later Nasreddin asked Ali to lend him a pot again. Ali agreed, hoping that he
would once again receive two pots in return. However, days passed and Nasreddin had still
not returned the pot. Finally Ali lost patience and went to demand his property. "I am sorry,"
said Nasreddin. "I can't give you back your pot, since it has died." "Died!" screamed Ali,
"how can a pot die?" "Well," said Nasreddin, "you believed me when I told you that your pot
had had a baby."
Vocabulary
Borrow Next
Pot Neighbour
Stay Brought
Inside Little
Receive Return
Agree Patience
Demand Property
Lend Once
Answer the question below !
1. Who was the owner of the pot?
A. Nasreddin
B. Ali
C. The baby
2. How many times did Nasreddin borrow the pot?
A. Once
B. Twice
C. Three times
3. How many pots did he give back the first time?
A. None
B. One
C. Two
4. Why was the neighbour happy to lend his pot a second time?
A. He was greedy.
B. He was a good neighbour.
C. He had lots of spare pots.
5. How many pots did Nasreddin return the second time?
A. None
B. One
C. Two
6. What probably happened to the pot?
A. It died.
B. The neighbour took it back.
C. Nasreddin kept it.
 Nasreddin goes shopping
One day Nasreddin went to town to buy new clothes. First he tried on a pair of trousers. He
didn't like the trousers, so he gave them back to the shopkeeper. Then he tried a robe which
had the same price as the trousers. Nasreddin was pleased with the robe, and he left the shop.
Before he climbed on his donkey to ride home, the shopkeeper and the shop-assistant ran out.
"You didn't pay for the robe!" said the shopkeeper.
"But I gave you the trousers in exchange for the robe, didn't I?" replied Nasreddin.
"Yes, but you didn't pay for the trousers, either!" said the shopkeeper. "But I didn't buy the
trousers," replied Nasreddin.
"I am not so stupid as to pay for something which I never bought."
Vocabulary
Town Clothes
Trouser Pair
Shopkeeper Price
Robe Left
Climbed Donkey
Ride Assistant
Ran out Pay
Exchange Reply
Answer the question below !
1. How did Nasreddin get to the shop?
A. On foot
B. By camel
C. By donkey
D. The story doesn't say
2. What did Nasreddin do first in the shop?
A. He tried on some trousers.
B. He tried on a robe.
C. He tried on a hat.
D. He greeted the shopkeeper.
3. Which item did Nasreddin like best?
A. The robe
B. The hat
C. The trousers
4. Why was the shopkeeper angry when Nasreddin left?
A. He didn't take the trousers.
B. He didn't pay for the robe.
C. He didn't say goodbye.
5. What did Nasreddin actually pay for?
A. Nothing
B. The robe
C. The trousers
D. The hat
 SCHOOL’S TOOLS
School starts in a week and today is the day we go shopping for school supplies! I told mom
that I didn’t need anything. I loved my backpack from last year. It had a picture of Topaz, my
favorite rock singer. It even had her autograph across the bottom of her picture. I couldn’t
wait to get it out and check my supplies.
When I pulled out my backpack from the back of my closet, I was horrified at how dirty it
was. Somehow, over the summer, a strap was broken, the color was faded, and the zipper was
stuck. There was a dark spot right on Topaz’s chin and you could hardly read her signature
any more. When I looked inside, I found papers that were stuck together from an open glue
bottle. I wondered who took the cap off of my glue bottle. There was a library book I
borrowed and forgot to return. My markers had escaped from the box and the caps were
mysteriously missing. My lucky pencil was too short to write with anymore. I discovered the
dark spot on Topaz’s chin was from the cupcake I packed away from the end-of-the-year
picnic. The frosting melted all over my notebooks and scissors. I decided it was time to make
my list of new school supplies.

Vocabulary
Supply Backpack
Autograph Bottom
Somehow Faded
Horrified Zipper
Stuck Signature
Glue Box
Caps Wonder
Missing Packed
Spot Dark

Answer the question below

1. Why didn’t the main character think she needed new school supplies?

2. What caused her to change her mind?

3. What caused the dark spot on her backpack?

4. Why couldn’t the markers be used?

5. How do you think the cap came off of the glue bottle?

6. What synonym for autograph is used later in the story?

 The serpent and the eagle
An Eagle swooped down upon a Serpent and seized it in his talons with the intention of
carrying it off and devouring it. But the Serpent was too quick for him and had its coils round
him in a moment; and then there ensued a life-and-death struggle between the two. A
countryman, who was a witness of the encounter, came to the assistance of the eagle, and
succeeded in freeing him from the Serpent and enabling him to escape. In revenge, the
Serpent spat some of his poison into the man's drinking-horn. Heated with his exertions, the
man was about to slake his thirst with a draught from the horn, when the Eagle knocked it out
of his hand, and spilled its contents upon the ground.

Vocabulary
Swoop down Serpent
Intention Talons
Carrying off Devour
Moment Coils
Ensued Struggle
Countryman Encounter
Succeed Escape
Spat Poison
Revenge Draught
Enable Exertion

Answer the question below

1. Why did the Eagle swoop down on the Serpent?

2. Why did the Eagle knock the drink out of the countryman’s hand?

3. How did the countryman help the Eagle?

4. What did the Serpent do to punish the countryman?

 Summer in the beach
Becky was visiting Aunt Agatha at her house at the beach. It was a beautiful summer day.
Becky had built a giant sand castle that morning. Aunt Agatha took pictures of the castle to
send to Becky’s parents. It was a great big sand castle. Later that morning, Becky and Aunt
Agatha went swimming in the ocean. It was fun to jump with the waves. Then, they went in
the house and ate sandwiches and strawberries for lunch.
Becky wanted to play on the beach that afternoon. Aunt Agatha told her it was too hot to go
outside without a hat on. Becky didn’t have a hat. Aunt Agatha told her not to worry, she
could wear one of hers. Becky tried on four hats. The pink one was really pretty, but it had a
big bow in the back that was too long for Becky. The green hat was too fancy for Becky. She
did not like that hat at all. The blue hat was nice, but it had an ugly bird on it. Then, Becky
saw a big brown hat with a yellow ribbon on it. That hat was made of straw. It was a perfect
hat for the beach. It was too big for Becky’s head but she didn’t care. It was a great hat

Answer the following questions

1. Where was Becky?
A. At the store
B. At the beach
C. At school
D. At home
2. Who was Becky visiting?
A. Her Grandparents
B. Her friends
C. Her sister
D. Her Aunt Agatha
3. Why didn’t Becky like the blue hat?
A. It was too fancy
B. It was new
C. It had an ugly bird on it
D. It was old
4. Why didn’t Becky want to wear the pink hat?
A. The bow was too long
B. It had a flower
C. It had a bird on it
D. It was dirty
5. Why did Aunt Agatha want Becky to wear a hat?
A. It was raining
B. It was too hot
C. It was cold
D. It was snowing
6. Why did Becky like the brown hat?
A. It was ugly
B. It was perfect
C. It was too big
D. It was cold
 SPIDERS
Did you know that spiders are not insects? They are actually called Arachnidas, a group of
animals related to insects that have eight legs and that have venom. There are many different
kinds of spiders. They live all over the world and can be found in just about every habitat,
most like dark places, which may include your home, closets,or basement.
Spiders are very interesting. Some spin silk webs to catch and eat prey, while others attack
their prey. Some spiders, like tarantula are large enough to eat lizards and mice. Many
people are afraid of spiders because they bite. Most spiders, however, will only bite of they
think they are danger and most are harmless. Spiders are actually helpful to people because
many eat insect pests like cockroaches and mosquitoes.
Choose the correct answer !
1. Spiders have ____________ legs.
A. Eight
B. Four
C. Six
D. The passage doesn't say
2. Which is NOT true about spiders?
A. Spiders are actually helpful to people.
B. Spiders like dark places.
C. All spiders are dangerous.
D. Some spiders attack their prey.
3. Spiders are....
A. All harmful
B. Tarantulas
C. Insects
D. Related to insects
4. Why are spiders helpful to people?
A. They live all over the world.
B. Some eat lizards.
C. They have eight legs.
D. Some eat insect pests.
5. Which question is NOT answered in the passage?
A. How long do spiders live?
B. What do spiders eat?
C. Where would I find a spider?
D. How many legs do spiders have?
 STARFISH
Starfish, sometimes called sea stars, are found in all of the world’s oceans, even in the icy
Artic Ocean. They are a kind of ocean invertebrate, which means they lack backbones. All
starfish have at least five arms, but some have more. Many kinds of starfish can regrow arms
that are bitten off by predators. Starfish can be dull or colorful and come in many different
sizes. Scientists belive there are more than 1,500 types of starfish.
Starfish attack and eat other invertebrates. Some starfish, however, are harmful to undersea
communities because they eat a special kinds of coral or fish. Starfish are rarely eaten by
humans because their bodies are bony and taste bad. Humans often use them as ornaments
or collectibles.

Choose the correct answer

1. All Starfish have
A. Five or more arms
B. Backbones
C. Lots of colors
D. Less than five arms
2. What does the word "lack" mean in the following sentence?
A. Have
B. Don't have
C. Eat
D. Hide in
3. Which of the following facts would make a starfish different from other sea life?
A. There are many different kinds of starfish
B. They are found in different oceans
C. They can re-grow arms that are bitten off
D. They can be colorful
4. Some starfish
A. Taste good
B. Are eaten by humans
C. Are harmful
D. Have backbones
5. Where are starfish found?
A. Some of the world's oceans
B. Only in icy oceans
C. Only where there is coral
D. All of the world's oceans
 MAGICIAN OF THE SEA
What do three hearts, eight arms and one huge brain add up to? An octopus, a creature that
can do amazing things.
Octopuses are extremely intelligent. They have even learnt a few tricks to get them out of
sticky situations, as for example, when it is afraid of a predator. As octopuses don’t have
teeth or sharp claws to defend themselves, they hide themselves in the sand on the bottom of
the ocean floor. Do you want to know how they do that? Well, the octopus is like a
chameleon because it can change the color of its skin to match the sand. This color change
happens in less than a minute.
Some octopuses like to stay in more shallow water where there are rocks and coral. Because
octopuses are invertebrates, they can squeeze themselves into small spaces between the rocks
to get out of reach of predators. Another way an octopus can hide is by shooting ink. An
octopus uses a part of its body called a siphon to shoot ink into the water. The ink forms a
cloud that hides the octopus. It’s like a magician doing a vanishing act.
If an octopus is being attacked, it can actually make itself look like a venomous sea snake. It
will bury itself in the sand, keeping two arms visible. It will change the color of those arms to
match a sea snake. But if there’s no time to hide? If an octopus is in trouble, it can break off
one of its arms. The arm will then change colors and squirm around the water to distract the
predator while the octopus swims away to safety. Don’t worry though. The octopus’s arm
will grow back.
There is one kind of octopus that has venom to use in defense. The blue-ringed octopus is
tiny; it could fit in the palm of your hand. Predators might think this size makes the octopus a
great snack, but they know to stay away. The blue-ringed octopus is very poisonous and can
kill predators much larger than it, including humans.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is special about the octopus’ body?

2. Why are octopuses intelligent?

3. What happens to an octopus if it breaks off one of its arms?

4. How do blue-ringed octopuses defend themselves?

 LEARNING ENGLISH
Today, millions of people want to learn or improve their English but it is difficult to find the
best method. Is it better to study in Britain or America or to study in your own country?
The advantages of going to Britain seem obvious. Firstly, you will be able to listen to the
language all the time you are in the country. You will be surrounded completely by the
language wherever you go. Another advantage is that you have to speak the language if you
are with other people. In Italy, it is always possible, in the class, to speak Italian if you want
to and the learning is slower.
On the other hand, there are also advantages to staying at home to study. You don't have to
make big changes to your life. As well as this, it is also a lot cheaper than going to Britain but
it is never possible to achieve the results of living in the UK. If you have a good teacher in
Italy, I think you can learn in a more concentrated way than being in Britain without going to
a school.
So, in conclusion, I think that if you have enough time and enough money, the best choice is
to spend some time in the UK. This is simply not possible for most people, so being here in
Italy is the only viable option. The most important thing to do in this situation is to maximise
your opportunities: to speak only English in class and to try to use English whenever possible
outside the class.

Choose the correct answer

1. What is the article about?

A. How many people learn English.
B. The best way to learn English. 
C. English schools in England and America.
2. What is one of the advantages of going to the UK to learn English?
A. There are no Italians in Britain.
B. You will have to speak English and not your language.
C. The language schools are better.
3. What is one of the advantages of staying in your country to learn English?
A. The teachers aren't very good in Britain.
B. You have to work too hard in Britain.
C. Your life can continue more or less as it was before.
4. People who don't have a lot of time and money should
A. Learn English in Britain.
B. Try and speak English in class more often.
C. Go to Italy to learn English.
 Dinner preparation
Montie's mother was coming to dinner, so he decided to get out the beautiful dishes she gave
him. He looked forward to impressing his mother. He remembered how great he felt when
she gave him the dishes. First, he got out his best silverware, cups and plates.
He carefully placed the plates on the table. Then, he laid a cloth napkin next to each plate. On
the left side of the plate, he placed a knife making sure that its blade was facing toward the
plate. On the right side, Montie placed the fork and spoon. After filling the glasses with ice,
he put water in each glass. He placed white flowers in a vase in the middle of the table. They
had a beautiful aroma.
As Montie stood back to admire his work, the doorbell rang. Montie had finished just in time
because his mother had arrived.

Please answer the following questions

1. Where did Montie put the napkins?

A. On top of each plate
B. Under each plate
C. Next to each plate
D. He did not use napkins
2. What did Montie put on the left side of the plate?
A. A spoon
B. A water glass
C. A knife
D. A fork
3. Montie placed a cloth napkin next to each plate. Which word could the author use to
say the same thing?
A. Fabric
B. Linen
C. Paper
D. material
4. Who was Montie expecting for dinner?
A. The text does not say
B. This mom
C. His dad
D. Noone
5. What should Montie do next?
A. Take a nap.
B. Put food on the table.
C. Answer the door.
D. Make sure the food is not burning.
 The House
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son and one daughter. The son's name is John. The daughter's
name is Sarah.
The Smiths live in a house. They have a living room. They watch TV in the living room. The
father cooks food in the kitchen. They eat in the dining room. The house has two bedrooms.
They sleep in the bedrooms. They keep their clothes in the closet. There is one bathroom.
They brush their teeth in the bathroom.
The house has a garden. John and Sarah play in the garden. They have a dog. John and Sarah
like to play with the dog.

Please answer the following questions

1. How many children do Mr. and Mrs. Smith have?

A. One son and one daughter
B. One daughter
C. No children
D. One son
2. Who cooks in the kitchen?
A. John
B. Father
C. Sarah
D. Mother
3. Where does the family eat?
A. Dining room
B. Kitchen
C. Bedroom
D. Living room
4. How many bedrooms are in the house?
A. Four
B. Three
C. Two
D. One
5. What do John and Sarah do in the garden?
A. Brush their teeth
B. Cook
C. Play
D. Sleep
 Writing form
Opinion Questions
Structure 

Sentence 1- Topic Sentence

Sentence 2- Explain Topic Sentence

Sentence 3- Example

Sentence 4- Conclusion

Example

Education should not be limited to strictly academic pursuits and those in education should
also develop life skills, such as teamwork, empathy and self-discipline, and one of the best
ways to hone these aptitudes is through community service. Serving those less fortunate than
ourselves teaches us many lessons including how to work with people from other
backgrounds and the value of hard work. For example, I personally volunteered to spend 6
weeks in Africa teaching disadvantaged children and this led to a much higher work ethic
when I returned to my studies. Therefore, gaining educational experience means self
development to broader personal life.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Structure

Sentence 1- State One Advantage

Sentence 2- Explain Advantage

Sentence 3- Example

Sentence 4- Result

Example

One of the principle advantages of an increase in the use electronic devices in education is the
autonomy it provides students. Students have the freedom to focus on whatever topic or
subject they want and study it in depth through the internet. A prime example of this is the
amount of online university courses available to students, covering a myriad of subjects, that
up until recently were unavailable to most learners. This has resulted in more people studying
third level degrees than ever before, at a pace and schedule that suits them.
Problem and Solution
Structure

Sentence 1- State Problem

Sentence 2- Explain problem

Sentence 3- Example

Sentence 4- Result

Example

The principal problem with over-reliance on technology, such as tablets and computers, is
plagiarism. Students often use search engines to answer a question and simply copy the text
from a website, rather than thinking about the question. This practice is not only prohibited in
schools and universities but also stunts a student’s intellectual development. For example,
many teachers complain that students copy web pages straight from Wikipedia word for word
rather than giving a reasoned answer to their questions. As a result, plagiarism is a
misbihavior approach towards educaional field.