Reading Comprehension Test La Tomatina

Reading Comprehension

La TOMATINA

II. Complete the sentences according to the text.

1. The town of Bunol is famous for:

a) growing tomatoes; b) its parades and street parties;

c) its funny event.

2. People begin to throw tomatoes:

a) to mark a religious day; b) without any special explanation;

c) because they have lots of tomatoes.

3. The celebration takes place before ... Wednesday of August.

a) the second; b) the third; c) the fourth.

4. The fight:

a) is organized beforehand; b) takes place without any special preparation;

c) starts in shops and offices.

III. Put the sentences in the right order.

1. From that day on, the holiday has been celebrated annually.

2. Lorries deliver about 150, 000 tomatoes to the square.

3. In the 1940s in Bunol’s main square some friends started throwing tomatoes.

4. It lasts for half an hour or less.

5. It is shown on TV in Spain and has become very popular.

IV. Complete the sentences:

1. Valencia in Spain is …

2. The population doubles as, as 20,000 visitors...

3. In the 1940s in Bunol's main square …

4. From that day on …

5. The night before La Tomatina, people …

6. Then friend and foe …

Valencia in Spain is well-known for its oranges, but fifty kilometres away, the town of Bunol is famous for tomatoes. But not because they grow here, but because the town stages the world's largest tomato fight. Every year in August, this small town of 20,000 inhabitants holds a week-long celebration before the last Wednesday of the month. The population of the town doubles, as 20,000 visitors arrive from all over the world to watch or to join in. Unusually, there isn't really any reason for the fight. It doesn't celebrate a victory or a religious day. It's just good fun!

In the 1940s in Bunol's main square some friends started throwing tomatoes. Why they started has been forgotten, but soon passers-by joined in, and they all enjoyed it. From that day on, the holiday has been celebrated annually, and has grown bigger every year. Now it coincides with the festival for the town's patron saint (святой покровитель) as a way of bringing in more tourists. It is even shown on television in Spain and has become very popular.

During the week before the tomatoes start flying, the town is filled with parades, fireworks and street parties.

The night before La Tomatina, people stay up late eating and drinking in the streets, and lorries deliver about 150,000 tomatoes to the square.

Early the next morning, all the shops and offices cover their windows, and the fight then begins. Special officials throw buckets of water at the crowd to get things started, and soon all the street, the people, and everything nearby is covered with squashed tomatoes. It lasts for half an hour or less. Then friend and foe head to the river for a bath, and the celebrations continue. It's all good messy fun!