Reading comprehension

Reading comprehension (I четверть - Level A)

Fred Talbot, 12, of Toppenish, Washington, gives guided tours of the heavens. There is the largest public telescope there. Fred points out the planets and stars to visitors at the observatory. “I became interested in astronomy when I first went to the observatory”, says Fred. “I went back so often that they asked me to give tours”.

Midory, 15, of New York City, first played a violin at the age of four. She now plays violin solos symphony orchestras around the world. Midory practices at least five hours a day. “It’s hard work”, she says, “but I don’t mind because I love it”.

Reading comprehension (II четверть – Level B)

Youngsters in Robertson, New Wales, in Australia, wanted to help their town. So they formed the Robertson Tidy Town Youth Committee. They plant trees, clean up parks and paint playgrounds. Last year the members of the Committee earned an award of the Keep Australia Beautiful Council.

When Hilary Spivach was small, her mother made a doll’s house for her. Not long ago, Hilary and her mother decided to help children in Ethiopia. They sold the doll’s house and raised 805 dollars – enough money to feed 15 starving children for a year.

Heather Brackeen and her friend, Stacey Smith, are good at weaving. So they decided to start their own business. They opened their own shop in Heather’s bedroom.

“When people see our work and tell us how pretty is it,” say the girls, “we feel really proud. It is really wonderful to do something with your own hands.”