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Reading Task

The article discusses the experiences of the Wilkinson family who have lived aboard their boat for 15 years, traveling around the world. Mary Wilkinson discusses the educational and social benefits for children living aboard, while Sunny Wilkinson notes both the advantages of being close to nature but also the difficulty of saying goodbye to friends. Their son Jeffrey is already planning to live aboard in the future but is worried about adjusting to school.

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Stanislav Kiseliov
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33 views2 pages

Reading Task

The article discusses the experiences of the Wilkinson family who have lived aboard their boat for 15 years, traveling around the world. Mary Wilkinson discusses the educational and social benefits for children living aboard, while Sunny Wilkinson notes both the advantages of being close to nature but also the difficulty of saying goodbye to friends. Their son Jeffrey is already planning to live aboard in the future but is worried about adjusting to school.

Uploaded by

Stanislav Kiseliov
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TASK 4 Read the article, choose and circle the best alternative to answer
the questions.
(2 points for each correct answer).

LIVING ABOARD

In many of the world’s cities, on canals and rivers or in


marinas, you can find people who have chosen to live on the
water. The Wilkinsons have lived aboard their boat for fifteen
years. Much of that time they have spent sailing around the
world. Here’s what they had to say about living aboard.
Mary Wilkinson
People sometimes ask me if I think it’s fair to the children.
How could it not be fair? They live in a less polluted, safer
environment. They get to travel and become comfortable with and
able to deal with people of all ages and from different
cultures. This makes them confident and relaxed. Children who
live aboard are often better educated because instead of being
taught in overcrowded classrooms they learn with their brothers
and sisters and with a parent as the teacher.
Sunny Wilkinson
People usually don’t believe we live on a boat until I show
them a photo. It seems so different to the lifestyles they
know. Of course living aboard has its advantages and
disadvantages. It’s fantastic living so close to nature and
getting to know other cultures and languages. It’s also really
exciting to sail off somewhere and know that you will see new
places and meet new people, but sometimes I have made new
friends somewhere and then they move on or we do. Saying
goodbye to people is always hard.
Jeffrey Wilkinson

I’ve already decided that I’m going to get a boat when I’m
older and go cruising with my friends. I have had so many
experiences and seen so many amazing things: dolphins, whales,
fantastic tropical fish and a lot of beautiful places on land
as well. My only worry is how I will get on with the kids in a
normal classroom and with the school system in general. I want
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to go to university and I don’t know how well I’ll do in the final
exams. Mum and Dad both say I’m ahead of other kids of my age,
but I’m not sure.

16. What does the writer of the article want to tell her readers about?
A One family’s experience of living on a boat.
B Why she thinks it’s a good idea to live on a boat.
C The disadvantages of living on a boat.
D Where you can see people living on boats.

17. How does Mary Wilkinson feel about other lifestyles?

A She thinks they are unfair to children.


B She thinks they do not offer the advantages of living aboard.
C She is not sure what she thinks about them.
D She thinks they are safer than living aboard.

18. What is the main disadvantage of living aboard according to Sunny Wilkinson?

A She has to learn foreign languages.


B She hasn’t made many friends.
C They stay in the same place for too long.
D She misses her friends.
19. Why is Jeffrey Wilkinson worried?

A He does not know as much as other people his age.


B His parents think he is behind other people his age.
C He thinks he might not get good enough results to get into university.
D He wants to go to a normal school.

20. Which of the Wilkinsons have the same opinions about the advantages of living aboard.

A Mary and Jeffrey agree that the children are better educated.
B Jeffrey and Sunny agree that meeting new people and getting to know new cultures are
important.
C Marry and Sunny agree that it is good to get away from pollution.
D Sunny and Jeffrey both think it is wonderful to be in close contact with nature.

POINTS
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