TENSES REVIEW GRAMMAR (MULTIPLE CHOICE) Task 1 Fill in the correct form of the verb – All tenses 1 My family have (buy) some land in southern France recently They (build) a summer house there at the moment 2 Andy an.
GRAMMAR Task 1: Fill in the correct form of the verb – All tenses My family have _ (buy) some land in southern France recently They _ (build) a summer house there at the moment Andy and Mary _ (go) to a concert tomorrow night They (look forward to) it the whole week Jonathon _ (watch) the news on TV every day and it _ (help) him with his English My car _ (break) down when I _ (drive) home from work I (fix) it if I _ (know) what was wrong But I didn’t so _ (have) to take it to the garage When he _ (found) Microsoft, Bill Gates was only 20 years old He _ (already write) his first computer programme six years earlier An accident _ (happen) near my house last night A car _ (hit) a young man He _ (ride) his bike when someone in front of him suddenly _ (open) a car door Many people _ (see) the accident The police _ (interrogate) them last night Mrs Smith said that one day she (retire) from teaching She said that she _ (spend) her new free time learning about computers I (not sleep) at all last night Someone _ (listen) to music all night I _ (see) a film a week ago, but I _ (not enjoy) it very much because I _ (already read) the book If I _ (not read) the book I (probably enjoy) the film more 10 The judge sentenced the man to eight years in prison because he _ (rob) a bank 11 They (stand) in the queue for over an hour when the manager _ (tell) them that there were no more tickets 12 Alan _ (be) in the car accident yesterday The other driver _ (lose) control of his car because he _ (fall) asleep 13 She _ (not see) her father since he _ (start) to work in Marseille two years ago 14 I _ (sleep) when the fire broke out 15 Linda phoned and explained that she _ (not can) to come to the party the next day because she _ (be) still sick 16 I (just see) the film “The Da Vinci Code” – _ (you see) it too? – No, I _ (not have) but I _ (read) the book 17 My sister _ (fly) home from London today Her flight _ (arrive) in an hour so I _ (leave) for the airport right now to get there in time 18 Unless he _ (sell) more he won’t get much money 19 While he _ (wait) for the bus there _ (be) a robbery at the bank After the robbers _ (go) away the police _ (come) but they _ (not can) to catch them 20 I _ (use) to ski when I was at the university but I _ (break) a leg five years ago and since then I _ (not ski) any more Task 2: Fill in the correct form of the verb given in the bracket I _ a great film yesterday (see) _ a new car? (you ever buy) I _ him last Monday (meet) The band _ while I _ (play, write) She _ the new car in 2005 (buy) Her mother _ in Victoria for the past five years (live) They in Germany when we arrived a few days ago (already be) _ to get married? (you plan) I _ so much fun since I was a kid (have) 10 When I got up I _ out of the window and _ that it _ (look, see, rain) 11 Janet _ for Smith and Brothers before she came to work for us (work) 12 I _ three movies so far this week (see) 13 How long _ for me? (you wait) 14 I _ over Loch Ness last week - _ the Loch Ness monster? (fly, you see) 15 I’m afraid I’m not hungry I _ (already eat) 16 Peter _ football in the afternoon when he got the call (play) 17 “What _ between and 12 yesterday morning”, the detective said (you do) 18 He kept looking at her, wondering where he _ her before (see) 19 The doctor’s waiting room was full of people Some _ a magazine, a woman _ and a child _ with a doll Suddenly the door _ and a nurse _ out (read, knit, play, open, come) 20 Traveling _ much easier and more comfortable in the past hundred years (become) 21 I _ cake That’s why my hands are full of flour (bake) 22 When I first came to this house it _ quite a noisy area (be) 23 He twisted his ankle while he _ (ski) 24 _ the doors before you leave the house? (you ever lock) 25 My best friend and I _ each other for 15 years (know) 26 Jack usually _ but he _ when his father comes (smoke, not smoke) 27 _ breakfast yet? – Yes I had it together with Sue at (you have) 28 I _ this kind of work when I was a small boy (do) 29 He _ the paper when his wife came home (read) 30 He _ for an hour now I’ll be finished soon (speak) 31 How long _ John and Maria?- We met the couple over thirteen years ago (you know) 32 He _ in Oxford for two years and when his mother died he moved to London (live) 33 After Harry _ his work he _ Jude from the office (finish, call) 34 You _ your homework for two hours Haven’t you finished yet? (do) 35 He always _ to the supermarket alone, but today he _ his son with him (go, take) 36 He never _ in the evening, only on Sundays (work) 37 I _ to South America but I have been to New York several times (never, be) 38 _ Jean? – No, she probably went to her friend’s place (anyone, see) 39 I _ to the bank yesterday but when I got there it was closed (go) 40 She _ in school all day (be) 41 Lee _ late every day since Tuesday (be) 42 Herbert’s father _ his son’s birthday (never forget) 43 I _ my report because I had a problem with my computer (not finish) Task 3: Fill in the correct form of the verbs given in the bracket When we reach Land’s End we 1,500 km (walk) I just remembered that I the rent yet I’m surprised that the landlord me up and reminded me (not pay, not ring) It’s a beautiful drive I am sure you the scenery (enjoy) The car If you get in Tom and I you a push (not start, give) I put the five-pound notes into one of the books; but the next day it me ages to find it because I which book I it in (take, forget, put) He the bagpipes since six this morning He (play, just stop) My son work yet He’s still at High School – How long _ at school? - He there for six years Before that he five years at primary school (not start, he be, be, spend) Mary: I wonder what he now Ann: Well, his girlfriend from Japan too, so I suppose he Japanese (say, come, speak) When I first met him he architecture (study) 10 While we someone into the house and _us this note (fish, break, leave) 11 It won’t be easy to get out of the country The police all of the ports (watch) 12 If I catch some fish, them for me? (you cook) 13 He to come (not forget) 14 It for the last two hours so the game (rain, be postponed) 15 When I him he a picture of his wife – it? (see, paint, you like) 16 The car had nobody in it but the engine (run) 17 Tom can’t have the newspaper now because his aunt it (read) 18 This shop for good next Monday (close) 19 Where tonight? – I out with Peter (you go, go) 20 At a.m Jane up her husband and said that she that someone to get into the house (wake, think, try) 21 When you see me next time I my new sunglasses (wear) 22 This bike in our family for the last 14 years My father it for the first five years, then my brother it and I it since then (be, use,ride,have) 23 Some time ago I that our mayor to go to Iceland - What to there? (read, want, he want) 24 You see, Doctor, she ill two days ago and since then she anything I’m sure she several kilos (fall, not eat, lose) 25 Most people at work when the fire (be, start) 26 After five years of traveling through Asia I back to Europe next week I the flight (go, already book) 27 I saw him when he the house I at the corner when he by He a word and I a word either (leave, just stand, pass, not say , not say) Task 4: Complete the sentences with one of the following words: FOR, SINCE, JUST , ALREADY, YET, EVER, NEVER, STILL It hasn’t rained June We have been married 12 years now I’ve known John a very long time We have known each other high school They have had this car 2008 She has been very ill several days We haven’t seen her this morning This jacket is very old I have had it ages He hasn’t eaten anything this morning 10 It has been hot May 11 Bob hasn’t phoned me yet I am starting to get nervous 12 Have you eaten porridge ? 13 We have seen this film, but we’ll watch it again 14 Sue has come back from her holiday in Greece She’s got a wonderful tan 15 Have you finished your exams , ? 16 I have been to Turkey but I would love to go 17 They haven’t installed my phone 18 Has she worked in a restaurant? 19 The books I ordered haven’t arrived Where are they ? 20 I have visited Rome, but it would be nice to go there again 21 He hasn’t found his keys He’s been looking for them the whole morning 22 They have arrived from a long journey to Australia 23 Has your lesson started ? 24 I have done my homework, so I guess I can play outside with my friends Task 5: Fill in the correct form of the Present Perfect or Present Perfect Continuous tense The earth here for billions of years (be) We cards for the last few hours (play) We problems with our new car recently (have) on anything interesting lately ?(you work) Cuba a socialist country since 1959 (be) I care of my neighbor’s cats while they are away (take) I my car for three years (have) an important fight? (the boxer , ever, win) John and Mary with each other since the day they got married (quarrel) 10 It hard since last night (rain) 11 I’m tired because I well lately (not feel) 12 _ your problems? (your parents, always, understand) 13 The patient penicillin for several days now (take) 14 A big earthquake San Francisco since 1906 (not hit) 15 They _ in San Francisco since they arrived in the USA 20 years ago (live) 16 He got ill five weeks ago and yet (not recover) 17 Everyone in the Middle East about the situation for decades (worry) 18 We very cold weather this year (have) 19 Where the money? (you, hide) 20 At last ,my favorite team against its most important rival (win) 21 I for years (marry) 22 Dad a number of jobs in the last few years (have) 23 The bank is still closed It yet (not open) 24 Our daughter _ lipstick since she was 16 (wear) 25 She is angry because her boyfriend up yet and she _ for half an hour (not show, wait) 26 I’m still waiting for an answer They up their minds yet (not make) 27 How many times the cat today? (Kim feed) 28 The kids on my nerves They too much noise (get, make) 29 My company a lot of money in the last few years They hard on an important project (make, work) 30 They our new refrigerator yet, but they will any day now (not deliver) Task 6: Fill in the blank with correct verb using Past or Present Perfect Tense The weather _ (be) awful in the past few days We _ (wash) the dishes They’re clean now _ (your course, start) yet? Emma _ (pack) her suitcase last night They _ (close) the factory – Really? When (that happen) ? Shall we play tennis? We _ (not play) since we were children The airplane _ (land) The pilot is just getting out Prices _ (go) up Everything is more expensive this year I’m tired We _ (walk) 10 miles 10 The Queen _ (arrive) in an RAF helicopter last night 11 How long (Vicky, have) that camera? – For about a month 12 We (just come) back from our holidays 13 You parcel _ (arrive) The postman _ (bring) it two hours ago 14 He _ (be) at his computer for two hours 15 We _ (live) there for ten years but we _ (be) in Birmingham for the last two 16 We _ (not have) a party for ages 17 My sister’s car is only a year old but she _ (already crash) it 18 Dinosaurs _ (roam) the earth millions of years ago 19 It _ (not rain) yet today 20 (you see) last week’s magazine? - It must be here somewhere Task 7: Fill in the blank with correct verb using Past or Present Perfect Tense The President _ (just come) out of the building and will make a speech in a moment _ (you ever be) to America? (Churchill ever go) to America? – No, not that I know of _ (you see) this week’s magazine? (you wash) the car yet? – No, I haven’t But I (already mow) the lawn We _ (not have) many visitors last year; we _ (have) a lot more this year The last time I _ (go) to Brighton was in August A few days ago I _ (learn) that someone is planning to tear down the old building We (always be) poor We _ (never have) any money 10 I love this film I think it’s the fourth time I _ (see) it 11 It _ (be) very dry so far this week, but it _ (rain) a lot last week 12 I would like to meet a ghost but I _ (never see) one before 13 Marilyn Monroe _ (play) in about 30 films 14 _ (you ever bake) your own bread? –Yes I _ (try) it when I _ (be) in high school but I _ (not bake) anything since then 15 Janet _ (be) very ill three years ago 16 We _ (move) here in 1993 We _ (be) here for a long time now 17 Two people _ (die) in a fire on Elm Street last night 18 It _ (take) ages to repair the car I’m glad we’re finished now 19 I _ (find) the wallet I _ (lose) yesterday 20 The runner _ (break) the world record in Frankfurt Two days later he _ (run) even faster Task 8: Choose the correct tense for each sentence After Jonathan (finish) _ his degree, she intends to work in an office A will finish B will have finished C finished D is fishing Lola looked down to discover a snake at her feet When she saw it she (scream) _ A screamed B was screaming C had screamed D screams I borrowed four books on gardening the last time I (go) _ to the library A go B went C had gone D have gone By the time I go to bed tonight I (finish) my work for the day A will finish B have finished C will have finished D finish Mark Twain (grow) _ up in a small town in Mississippi A was growing B had grown C grew D has grown When my parents (arrive) tomorrow, they will see our new baby for the first time A will arrive B arrive C will have arrived D arrived Until you learn how to take a break, you (improve) _ your ability to speak English A haven’t improved C don’t improve B aren’t improving D won’t improve My grandfather (fly) _ in an airplane before, so this is his first time A never flies B had never flown C has never flown D never flew I (live) in this city since I was a small child A lived B have been living C am living D had been living 10 While I (watch) TV last night a small mouse ran across the room A watched B have watched C watch D was watching 11 Jane isn’t here yet I _ (wait) since noon but there is no sign of her A have waited B have been waiting C am waiting D wait 12 By the time my brother finally graduated from high school, he (attend) seven different schools A attended B was attending C had been attending D had attended 13 On June 20th I returned home I (be away) _ for almost two years A was away B have been away C had been away D am away 14 When I got to the party, many people (dance) _ A already danced B were already dancing C had already danced D have already danced 15 Before I started the car, all of the passengers their (buckle) _ seat belts 16 Right now we (have) _ a heat wave It’s been so hot for almost a week A have B have had C have been having D are having 17 When I go and see the doctor this afternoon I (ask) him to take a look at my throat A will ask B asked C will have asked D ask 18 I sent you the money almost a week ago but I still (not receive) any confirmation A hadn’t received B am not receiving C haven’t received D hadn’t received 19 After they (win) _ the race the celebrations began A won B have won C win D had won 20 Our football team (never, win) _ a football match until last season, when the new coach came A never wins B has never won C had never won D never won 21 I (answer) _ all the questions correctly since I began the course A had answered B have been answering C have answered D answered 22 It’s against the law to kill whales They (become) extinct A have become B become C are becoming D became 23 Jim, why don’t you take some time off You (work) _ too hard lately A are working B had been working C had been working D were working 24 Next month I have a week’s vacation I (plan) on going on a trip to the Rockies A am planning B will be planning C have planned D will plan 25 I’ll be right with you as soon as I (find) my keys A will find B will have found C find D found Task 9: Fill in the correct form of the verb given After we _ dinner we went to bed (EAT) I _ several matches this season, but I _ to a single game last season (SEE, NOT GO) What _ when the headmaster _ the classroom yesterday? (YOU DO, ENTER) My granddad doesn't _ well so he always _ up the volume on the radio (NOT HEAR, TURN) We _ hard since o'clock in the morning (WORK) She _ in such cold water before (NEVER SWIM) When we _ at the stadium thousands of spectators _ in front of the gates (ARRIVE, WAIT) We for over an hour when we found out that we were in the wrong village (TRAVEL) The district attorney's office _ before next Monday (NOT OPEN) 10.Here are your shoes Jimmy I _ them (JUST CLEAN) 11.She _ well yesterday because she _ too much (NOT FEEL, EAT) 12 Look at those fans! They're so excited because their team _ the winning goal (JUST SCORE) 13 Last Saturday Susan an accident She _ off the ladder and _ her knee while she _ to pick some apples (HAVE, FALL, CUT, TRY) 14.We _ to Chris's party next Tuesday because nobody _ us (NOT GO, INVITE) 15.Whenever Kevin is in England, he _ to his parents back in Australia every weekend (WRITE) 16.When I was at school, I often _ adventure stories written by Jack London (READ) – _ any of his books yet? (YOU READ) 17.Who _ that terrible noise outside? – It's a group of hooligans They around with flags in their hands (CAUSE, WANDER) 18.How _ to school, Marvin? – I _ the bus but today my dad _ me a lift (YOU USUALLY GET, USUALLY TAKE, GIVE) Task 10: Fill in the gap with the correct form of verb to complete the passage below Two walkers are reported to (1) _ gone missing near the summit of Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales John Watkins , aged 21 and Melanie McBrian, 19, (2) by nightfall, leading to fears that they (3) _forced to spend the night on the mountain Weather conditions, when the pair (4) _ off yesterday morning, were fairly good By the afternoon , however, it had got much worse Thick clouds quickly (5) over the region and there was a sharp drop in temperature The surface of the local lakes (6) to freeze within a few hours Blizzards began in the evening , with a great deal of snow (7) _ above 500 meters Friends of the two walkers (8) _ that they (9) _ from either of them They think their mobile phones (10) _ unusable for some reason Melanie’s friend Janet Richards believes Melanie (11) her to say they were alright if her phone (12) properly Joe Hill , a friend of John’s , admits he (12) they (13) _ an accident last night, but insists they have a lot of experience walking in the mountains of Wales They (14) shelter if they (15) to stay on the mountain during last night Mountain rescue teams, which began looking for the couple early this morning ,say that one or both of the walkers (16) and fallen in bad weather conditions ,especially as neither of them (17) walking in the mountains in winter The hope is, though, that they (18) safe before long ,especially as the weather is forecast to clear up within the next few hours 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 A having been B being C have D been A not return B have not returned C did not return D were not returning A should be B would be C will have been D may have been A had set B set C are setting D have set A spread B were spread C are spread D have spread A began B have begun C begin D were beginning A have been falling B fell C falling D fall A have been surprised B surprise C were surprised D had surprised A don’t hear B wouldn’t hear C hadn’t heard D shouldn’t have heard A were becoming B should have become C should become D might have become A will call B would have called C was called D could have called A has been working B is working C was working D had been working A has been worried B has worried C is worried D is worrying A could have had B should have had C must have D have had A are forcing B were forced C are forced D had been forced A were slipping B could slip C may have slipped D should have slipped A used to B is used to C has been used to D is using to A will find B are being found C will be found D will have been found Task 11: Complete the sentences below using Modal verb + Have + V3/ed I (buy) bread but I didn't know we needed it We _ (invite) so many people to our party! I'm worried that we won't have enough room for everyone I _ (start) saving money years ago! We _ (join) you at the restaurant, but we couldn't get a babysitter The weather _ (be) any worse! I _ (arrive) on time, even if I'd left earlier There were dreadful traffic jams all the way They _ (win) the football match, but John hurt his ankle (past possibility) Amanda _ (finish) the work, but she felt ill and had to go home (past willingness) Lucy _ (left) earlier She missed her flight 10 We _ (finish) the game, even if we'd wanted to It was raining very hard and we had to stop 11 I _ (eat) so much chocolate! I feel sick! 12 Luke _ (pass) the exam if he'd studied a bit more 13 John _ (call) Amy, but he didn't have her number 14 You _ (be) rude to him He's going to be really angry now 15 She _ (come) to the restaurant if she'd left work earlier 16 You _ (take) this job I can see you're not enjoying it 17 The race was really difficult She _ (win) because she's not fit enough 18 Our neighbors _ (cut) down the tree in their garden It was a really beautiful tree 19 The children _ (do) their homework last night Then they wouldn't be panicking on the way to school 20 I'm really cold! I (bring) my coat 21 I _ (come) to see you! I didn't know you were ill 22 Andrew _ (go) to Cambridge University, but he decided to travel instead 23 They _ (be) kinder to me They were absolutely lovely 24 You _ (buy) some milk at the shops We don't have any milk 25 They _ (come) to have breakfast with us, but they went to bed too late the night before Task 12: Complete the sentences below using Modal verb + Have + V3/ed Sally looks worried She a problem with something (HAVE) Bob at school because I haven’t seen him all day (BE) I you the money Why didn’t you ask me (LEND) Mr Travis hasn’t come to work yet He has never been late for work He the bus (MISS) She knew everything about our plans She to our conversation (LISTEN) A: Will you come to my birthday party tomorrow afternoon ? B : I’m sorry but I because I have to look after my sister (COME) Timmy is a very good boy He isn’t naughty, so he that window Somebody else it (BREAK, BREAK) The street is wet this morning I’m not sure but it last night (RAIN) She like an angel when she was a child (SING) 10 A : I talked to your science teacher yesterday B : You to her because she wasn’t at school yesterday (TALK) 11 Mrs White bought a new fur coat ! - She the lottery (WIN) 12 He came home alone yesterday You him that ; he lost (LET, GET) 13 He read the message but he it (UNDERSTAND) 14 The singer has got a sore throat so she at the concert (SING) 15 It Jack I saw in the park yesterday, but I’m not sure about it (BE) 16 We can’t wait any longer Something at once (DO) 17 Everyone shouted in fear They very afraid (BE) 18 A : I’m afraid Ted is watching TV again B : He TV because his room is completely silent and dark He _ (WATCH, SLEEP) 19 I can’t find my book I on the bus (LEAVE) 20 She stupid She teaches math at the university (BE) 21 She to school It’s Saturday (GO) 22 You were stupid to go skiing here You a leg (BREAK) 23 He looked so tired when I saw him He so hard (WORK) 24 Tom this because it is in French and Tom doesn’t know French (WRITE) READING Task 1: Culture Shock You have read about Romulus and Remus whose culture shock came when they went back to the world of human beings after being raised by a wolf Tarzan's culture shock came when he discovered that he was not a "white ape" but a human being Emily Carr preferred the culture of the First Nations people and the life she led on her explorations to the dresses and polite conversations of her own culture You now know that First Nations culture did not include school or even business activity, people spent most of their time in nature or around the fire of their home talking, telling stories and making the things they needed to survive Psychologists tell us that there are four basic stages that human beings pass through when they enter and live in a new culture This process, which helps us to deal with culture shock, is the way our brain and our personality reacts to the strange new things we encounter when we move from one culture to another If our culture involves bowing when we greet someone, we may feel very uncomfortable in a culture that does not involve bowing If the language we use when talking to someone in our own culture is influenced by levels of formality based on the other person's age and status, it may be difficult for us to feel comfortable communicating with people in the new culture Culture begins with the "honeymoon stage" This is the period of time when we first arrive in which everything about the new culture is strange and exciting We may be suffering from "jet lag" but we are thrilled to be in the new environment, seeing new sights, hearing new sounds and language, eating new kinds of food This honeymoon stage can last for quite a long time because we feel we are involved in some kind of great adventure Unfortunately, the second stage of culture shock can be more difficult After we have settled down into our new life, working or studying, buying groceries, doing laundry, or living with a home-stay family, we can become very tired and begin to miss our homeland and our family, girlfriend/boyfriend, pets All the little problems that everybody in life has seem to be much bigger and more disturbing when you face them in a foreign culture This period of cultural adjustment can be very difficult and lead to the new arrival rejecting or pulling away from the new culture This "rejection stage" can be quite dangerous because the visitor may develop unhealthy habits (smoking and drinking too much, being too concerned over food or contact with people from the new culture) This can, unfortunately lead to the person getting sick or developing skin infections or rashes which then makes the person feel even more scared and confused and helpless This stage is considered a crisis in the process of cultural adjustment and many people choose to go back to their homeland or spend all their time with people from their own culture speaking their native language The third stage of culture shock is called the "adjustment stage" This is when you begin to realize that things are not so bad in the host culture Your sense of humor usually becomes stronger and you realize that you are becoming stronger by learning to take care of yourself in the new place Things are still difficult, but you are now a survivor! The fourth stage can be called "at ease at last" Now you feel quite comfortable in your new surroundings You can cope with most problems that occur You may still have problems with the language, but you know you are strong enough to deal with them If you meet someone from your country who has just arrived, you can be the expert on life in the new culture and help them to deal with their culture shock There is a fifth stage of culture shock which many people don't know about This is called "reverse culture shock" Surprisingly, this occurs when you go back to your native culture and find that you have changed and that things there have changed while you have been away Now you feel a little uncomfortable back home Life is a struggle! When does culture shock happen? A when you reach your teens B when you move to a big city C when you meet foreign people for the first time D when you go to live in a foreign culture How you feel during the first stage of culture shock? A lonely and depressed B bored and homesick C happy and excited D angry and frustrated How you feel during the second stage? A homesick and afraid B interested and amused C stressed, but positive D you have no particular feelings How could the third stage be described? A adjustment B rejection C enthusiasm D anger How you feel during the fourth stage of culture shock? A tense, but positive B relaxed C negative and stressed D afraid Why might reverse culture shock be a problem? A It hardly ever happens B It is extremely stressful C Most people not expect it D It only happens to young people The four basic stages of culture shock are: A honeymoon, rehearsal, memorization, return B honeymoon, rejection, adjustment, at ease at last C honeymoon, rejection, reverse, at ease at last D honeymoon, rehearsal, rejection, at ease at last What is the mysterious fifth stage of culture shock called? A rehearsal culture shock B reverse culture shock C foreign culture shock D unknown culture shock Why would people in the second stage of culture shock choose to spend all their time with people from their homeland? A They are afraid to risk being uncomfortable with strangers and it is easier to stay with people from their own culture B They are afraid of skin diseases and want to hide from contact with foreigners C They feel that they can learn the new language by themselves and don't need contact with people from the new culture D They are only interested in going home Task 2: The Wild Life Long before the arrival of Europeans on the Canadian prairie (the wide grasslands of what is now called Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba), the First Nations people lived in a harmonious relationship with their natural surroundings Every item of their culture, from sewing needles to homes was obtained from nature Their homes were called teepees and were like large tents made from the skins of deer These people - tribes with names like the Blackfoot, the Peigan and the Blood people - were nomadic, which means that they traveled from place to place following the animals they hunted or the growth of the berries and fruits on the bushes and trees They had horses, although horses came to North America after escaping from the Spanish explorers who brought them here to explore the areas around Mexico and Texas Boys and girls were both expert riders They did not use saddles or reins or stirrups; they rode "bareback" Their clothes were made from deer skins and buffalo skins and decorated with the parts of other animals - tails from squirrels and gophers, quills from porcupines and the delicate bones of birds These children of nature did not ever have to go to school They did not have to study to get into a prestigious college, nor did they have to worry about finding a job after graduation This does not mean their life was easy The winters were very long and very cold and there were sometimes wars between tribes There were also the very great dangers involved in the buffalo hunt Warriors rode at top speed (with no saddle) beside the huge buffalo shooting arrows to bring them down The chances of a buffalo turning suddenly or of falling off the horse were very great We must remember that there were also no hospitals in those days Even so, the young people of the tribes must have enjoyed a very pleasant lifestyle: fishing and gathering berries in summer, hunting in the forests in the early morning, dancing around the fire at night and listening to the old people tell stories and legends from long ago A Read the following statements and decide if they are True or False: Riding "bareback" means riding without any equipment on the horse First Nations people never killed deer First Nations people had no enemies Mathematics was not a priority for the kind of life they led The First Nations people did not develop a written language People were rarely killed while hunting buffalo B Write an appropriate word to complete the following statements: modern horse-riders, First Nations children rode bareback, without saddles or reins their teepees and their clothes were made from animal skins The European settlers who came to the prairies settled down to farm the land; _, the First Nations people were nomadic Task 3: Why Do People Get Tattoos? Jack lay, quiet and unmoving, for thirty minutes while a stranger repeatedly stabbed him with sharp needles, causing blood to pour steadily out of his leg Jack was getting a tattoo His friend Tony had recently gotten a tattoo, and Jack was so impressed by Tony's bravery and his tattoo that he decided to get one too Getting a tattoo because your friends and peers have them is just one of the reasons why a lot of young people in North America get tattoos Peer pressure, media influence, and personal expression are some of the common reasons for wearing tattoos today The desire to be part of a group, to be accepted by one's friends or peers, can have a great influence on what a person does Sometimes, wearing a tattoo can be a sign that you belong to a certain group Gangs often use special clothes and tattoos to identify their particular group For example, in one gang all the members may wear green army jackets and have large 'Xs' tattooed on their arms It is not only gangs that have this type of special 'uniform' Young people often belong to a certain group of friends Some of these groups wear only brand-name clothes Some wear only black clothes Others wear tattoos When a person's friends are all doing something, such as getting a tattoo, that person is more likely to the same thing, and get a tattoo too The media is another big influence behind the popularity of tattoos in North America A wide variety of media images show tattoos Tattoos can be seen on people appearing in commercials selling expensive cars Famous sports heroes with tattoos are shown in magazines Fashion models are often seen in magazines and on TV wearing designer clothes that show their bodies tattooed with detailed and colourful patterns These media images link tattoos to ideas of wealth, success, and status As a result, many people decide to get a tattoo for its fashion and status value It is not always the influence of other people or the media that results in a person getting a tattoo Many people decide to wear tattoos in order to express their artistic nature, their beliefs, or their feelings in other words, to show their individuality A musician in a rock band may get a tattoo of a guitar on the arm Some environmentalists may tattoo pictures of endangered animals on their shoulders Lovers may tattoo each other's names over their hearts A tattoo can be a public sign to show what is important in a person's life As you can see, there are many reasons why young North Americans get tattoos A tattoo can be part of a group's uniform It can be a sign of fashion It can be an expression of individuality The decision to get a tattoo is most often a result of the influence of friends or media or the desire to express oneself For Jack, it was a mixture of all three A Read the text and answer the following questions: According to the essay, what are the three most common reasons why a person gets a tattoo? What are common ways that people show they belong to a certain group? What are ways that the media uses tattoos in advertising? According to the essay, media images are linked to? According to the essay, what are possible artistic reasons for getting tattoos? B Read the text again and choose the correct answer: Jack was stabbed for thirty minutes with a needle because _ A he was getting a tattoo B he was getting acupuncture C he is was getting his ears pierced D he was getting a nose ring According to the essay, some people get tattoos because A they think it is fashionable B they like pain C they think it will wash off in the bath D they are religious According to the essay, Jack thinks people who get tattoos are A brave B cowardly C old fashioned D nitwits The reason Jack wanted to get a tattoo was A the influence of friends B the influence of the media C a desire to express himself D all of the above Task 4: A Special Meal Milpa Alta is a region to the south of Mexico City It has a famous volcano – Teuhtli – and twelve villages and towns Milpa Alta is also famous for a traditional meal every Christmas, called La Rejunta The meal is part of the Christmas celebrations and it feeds huge numbers of people The cooks make about sixty thousand tamales Tamales are made from corn and have different fillings They also make about fifteen thousand litres of hot chocolate They make all of this food and drink in less than one week The meal is one of the activities for people who go on a walk to the cave of El Señor de Chalma It’s an important place for people from the region at Christmas The cave is about eighty kilometers away and the walk begins on the 3rd of January About 20,000 people go on the walk each year That's 20,000 hungry people! Every year, the organizers of the meal change This year, Virginia Meza Torres and her husband Fermín Lara Jiménez are the organizers, or majordomos They waited for 14 years to this Lots of people want to organize the meal because it’s a very important tradition They put their names on a list At the moment, the list has names for every year until 2046 The preparation for the meal takes a whole year At the start of the year, men collect wood from the forest They store it near the home of the majordomos so that it will be dry and ready to use The wood burns in the fires that they use to cook the food The farmers in the area grow the ingredients for the meal, such as corn, meat and vegetables Everything is natural; there’s no ready-made food Lots of volunteers help to cook and serve the meal Tradition is very important to the people of Milpa Alta, and one of the most important activities is eating together One woman, Josefina García Jiménez, says that sitting together at the table shows love to your family Everybody stays at the table after the meal finishes and they talk, tell stories and laugh together At Christmas, La Rejunta is like a huge family meal Read the article and choose the correct option What is the article about? A a special tradition B a town in Mexico C farmers in Milpa Alta What is La Rejunta? A a meal B a person C a place Where is Milpa Alta? A in Mexico B in Mexico City C near Mexico Which sentence is true? A People eat for a week at La Rejunta B Twenty thousand people go to El Señor de Chalma C People take their own food to La Rejunta At La Rejunta A There's food but no drink B There's food and drink C There's drink but no food Which sentence is true? A Virginia and Fermin are majordomos for the first time B Virginia and Fermin got married 14 years ago C Virginia and Fermin organise La Rejunta every year What majordomos do? A cook the tamales B organise La Rejunta C pay for the food Which sentence is true? A Only men prepare the food B Some of the food comes from shops C They cook the food on wood fires Which sentence is true? A Eating together is a tradition in Milpa Alta B Josefina García Jiménez says her family loves her cooking C Josefina García Jiménez’s family only eats together at Christmas