Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

My Wonderful Family (A1)

I live in a house near the mountains. I have two brothers and one sister, and I
was born last. My father teaches mathematics, and my mother is a nurse at
a big hospital. My brothers are very smart and work hard in school. My sister
is a nervous girl, but she is very kind. My grandmother also lives with us.
She came from Italy when I was two years old. She has grown old, but she is
still very strong. She cooks the best food!
My family is very important to me. We do lots of things together. My brothers
and I like to go on long walks in the mountains. My sister likes to cook with
my grandmother. On the weekends we all play board games together. We
laugh and always have a good time. I love my family very much.

Did you understand the text?

1) My mother is a...
A. Doctor
B. Nurse
C. Writer
D. Waitress

2) My house is near the...

A. City
B. Monastery
C. Mountains
D. Italy

3) How old was I when my grandmother came?

A. Three years old
B. Just born
C. Ten years old
D. Two years old

4) On the weekends, we...

A. Play board games together
B. Go to a movie
C. Clean the house
D. Cook pasta

5) My sister is kind, but also...

A. Mean
B. Quiet
C. Nervous
D. Strong
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

A great summer vacation (A2)

I just returned from the greatest summer vacation! It was so fantastic, I
never wanted it to end. I spent eight days in Paris, France. My best friends,
Henry and Steve, went with me. We had a beautiful hotel room in the Latin
Quarter, and it wasn't even expensive. We had a balcony with a wonderful
view.
We visited many famous tourist places. My favorite was the Louvre, a well-
known museum. I was always interested in art, so that was a special treat for
me. The museum is so huge, you could spend weeks there. Henry got tired
walking around the museum and said "Enough! I need to take a break and
rest.”
We took lots of breaks and sat in cafes along the river Seine. The French food
we ate was delicious.
The wines were tasty, too. Steve's favorite part of the vacation was the hotel
breakfast. He said he would be happy if he could eat croissants like those
forever. We had so much fun that we're already talking about our next
vacation!

Did you understand the text?

1) What city did they go to for their summer vacation?

A. Lyon
B. Louvre
C. Paris
D. Latin

2) How long was the summer vacation?

A. Eight weeks
B. Eight days
C. One week
D. Two weeks

3) What did their hotel room have?

A. A balcony
B. A refrigerator
C. A view of the metro
D. A bottle of wine

4) Who got tired walking in the Louvre museum?

A. Steve
B. Harry
C. Seine
D. Henry

5) What did Steve enjoy the most?

A. The wine and the food
B. The cafes along the river Seine
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

C. The Latin Quarter and the balcony

D. The hotel breakfast and the croissants

Las Vegas (B1)

Last April, John took a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is a popular
destination in the western portion of the United States. The town is most
popular for its casinos, hotels, and exciting nightlife.
In downtown Las Vegas, John spent a lot of time on The Strip, which is a 2.5
mile stretch of shopping, entertainment venues, luxury hotels, and fine
dining experiences. This is probably the most commonly
visited tourist area in the city. The Strip at night looks especially beautiful. All
of the buildings light up with bright, neon, eye-catching signs to attract
visitor attention. A stay in Las Vegas can feel similar to a visit to many
popular cities worldwide. Many of the hotels have miniature versions of
important international sites and monuments. These famous landmarks
include the Eiffel Tower, Venice, and even ancient Rome.
One day, John took a side trip outside of the city to visit the Grand Canyon,
one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. The canyon offers a
breathtaking view of Nevada's ridges and natural landscape.
John especially liked the canyon because it was removed from all of the noise
and movement in downtown Las Vegas.
John had a great time during his trip to Las Vegas. He did not win a lot of
money in the casinos. However, he managed to see a lot of amazing sites
during his visit to this city that never sleeps.

Did you understand the text?

1) When did John travel to Las Vegas?

A. Yesterday
B. Last weekend
C. Last spring
D. Last summer
2) What is an activity that a tourist cannot do on The Strip?
A. Eat
B. Stay overnight
C. Shop
D. Visit the Grand Canyon
3) Which best describes the purpose of the Las Vegas Strip?
A. It is a 2.5 mile stretch.
B. It offers a lot of activities for tourists.
C. There are too many neon lights.
D. It keeps tourists safe.
4) Explain why John liked his visit to the Grand Canyon.
A. The setting was very different from downtown Las Vegas.
B. It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
C. John does not enjoy spending time in cities.
D. The Grand Canyon offers a breathtaking view.
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

5) What does it mean that Las Vegas is a "city that never sleeps?”
A. A lot of people here have sleep disorders.
B. There is too much noise here for people to sleep.
C. Las Vegas offers exciting activities at all hours.
D. The neon lights keep people awake at night.

Chicago (B1)
Keith recently came back from a trip to Chicago, Illinois. This midwestern
metropolis is found along the shore of Lake Michigan. During his visit, Keith
spent a lot of time exploring the city to visit important landmarks and
monuments.
Keith loves baseball, and he made sure to take a visit to Wrigley Field. Not
only did he take a tour of this spectacular stadium, but he also got to watch
a Chicago Cubs game. In the stadium, Keith and the other fans cheered for
the Cubs. Keith was happy that the Cubs won with a score of 5-4.
Chicago has many historic places to visit. Keith found the Chicago Water
Tower impressive as it is one of the few remaining landmarks to have
survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Keith also took a walk through
Jackson Park, a great outdoor space that hosted the World's Fair of 1892. The
park is great for a leisurely stroll, and it still features some of the original
architecture and replicas of monuments that
were featured in the World's Fair.
During the last part of his visit, Keith managed to climb the stairs inside of
the Willis Tower, a 110-story skyscraper. Despite the challenge of climbing
the many flights of stairs, Keith felt that reaching the top was worth the
effort. From the rooftop, Keith received a gorgeous view of the city's skyline
with Lake Michigan in the background.

Did you understand the text?

1. Where is Chicago in the United States?

A. The east coast
B. The midwest
C. The south
D. The west coast
2) What sport do the Chicago Cubs play in Wrigley Field?
A. Rugby
B. Baseball
C. Soccer
D. Football
3) Why was Keith impressed by the Chicago Water Tower?
A. It is the tallest building in the city.
B. It supplies water to the entire population.
C. It is the only remaining monument of the World's Fair.
D. It is one of few landmarks that survived a historical fire.
4) What event was important for Chicago in 1892?
A. Wrigley Field was constructed.
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

B. The Great Fire destroyed a large part of the town.

C. The World's Fair took place here.
D. Jackson Park became open to the public.
5) How did Keith arrive to the rooftop of the Willis Tower?
A. He took an outdoor elevator.
B. He used an indoor elevator.
C. He climbed the building's exterior.
D. He walked up the interior stairs.

Halloween (B1)
Halloween (also referred to as All Hollows' Eve) is a holiday that's celebrated in
America on 31 October of each year, regardless of what day of the week this date
falls on. Although it is rooted in religion, Halloween today is enjoyed mainly because
of its decorations, costumes, candy, treats, and general excitement, and
furthermore, it is enjoyed by most everyone.
Before Halloween, many individuals carve a design into an orange-colored pumpkin,
or a solid, durable vegetable. Once a personally satisfying design is carved, a lit
candle is typically put inside a pumpkin, thereby making it a Jack-O-Lantern. At
night, this design lights up against the darkness.
Besides carving pumpkins, some celebrate Halloween by putting decorations up.
Supernatural (referring in this case to non-natural creatures that're typically based
in fiction) figures, including vampires, ghosts, werewolves, zombies, and more,
generally account for most of these decorations.
Bugs, spiders, cobwebs, gravestones, and anything else that can be considered
creepy (or unusual and possibly scary) can also be found on Halloween, in
decoration form.
Only some adults celebrate Halloween, and they generally do so by attending
parties. Inversely, the vast majority of children dress in costume (Halloween
costumes can be based upon anything, from the mentioned supernatural creatures
to the stars of today's films) and walk from door to door in search of candy—a
practice known as trick or treat—on Halloween. After knocking on a door (houses
that participate in Halloween usually leave a light on), one says, "Trick or Treat" and
a piece (or pieces!) of candy is given to him or her.

Did you understand the text?

1) When does Halloween take place?

A. 14 February
B. 25 December
C. 31 October
D. Eight weeks before Christmas
2) What day of the week does Halloween fall on?
A. Halloween is always on Saturday
B. Halloween is always on Friday
C. Halloween is always on Monday
D. Halloween's day of the week varies by year
3) How do most children celebrate Halloween?
A. By dressing in costume and trick-or-treating
B. By studying schoolwork
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

C. By hanging ornaments on a Christmas tree

D. By producing candies
4) One can expect to see all of the following types of decorations on
Halloween except:
A. Spiders and other bugs
B. Snowflakes and ribbons
C. Gravestones and zombies
D. Vampires
5) Some adults celebrate Halloween in which of the following ways?
A. Trick-or-treating
B. Going to bed early
C. Attending Halloween parties
D. Buying Christmas gifts

Human body parts and organs (B2)

It goes without saying that humans (mammals identifiable as those that
stand upright and are comparatively advanced and capable of detailed
thought) have pretty remarkable bodies, given all that they've accomplished.
(Furthermore, an especially intelligent human brain produced this text!) To
be sure, humans have overcome predators, disease, and all sorts of other
obstacles over thousands of years.
To fully understand and appreciate these accomplishments, let's take at
some of the most well-known parts of the human body!
The head, or the spherical body part that contains the brain and rests at the
top of the human body, has quite a few individual organs and body parts on
it. (It should quickly be mentioned that hair occupies the space on top of the
head, and the ears, the organs responsible for hearing, are located on either
side of the head.) From top to bottom, the eyebrows, or horizontal strips of
hair that can be found above the eye, are the first components of the head.
The eyes are below them, and are round, orb-like organs that allow humans
to see.
The eyes make way for the nose, or an external (sticking-out) organ that
plays an important part in the breathing and bacteria-elimination processes.
Below that is the mouth, or a wide, cavernous organ that chews food,
removes bacteria, helps with breathing, and more. The mouth contains
teeth, or small, white-colored, pointed body parts used to chew food, and the
tongue, or a red-colored, boneless organ used to chew food and speak.
The neck is the long body part that connects the head to the chest (the
muscular body part that protects the heart and lungs), and the stomach, or
the part of the body that contains food and liquid-processing organs, comes
below that.
The legs are the long, muscular body parts that allow humans to move from
one spot to another and perform a variety of actions. Each leg contains a
thigh (a thick, especially muscular body part used to perform strenuous
motions; the upper part of the leg) and a calf (thinner, more flexible body
part that absorbs the shock associated with movement; the lower part of the
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

leg). Feet can be found at the bottom of legs, and each foot is comprised of
five toes, or small appendages that help balance.
Arms are long, powerful body parts that are located on either side of chest,
below the shoulders;arms are comprised of biceps (the thicker, more
powerful upper portion), and forearms (the thinner, more flexible lower
portion). Hands, or small, gripping body parts used for a tremendous number
of actions, are at the end of arms. Each hand contains five fingers, or small
appendages used to grip objects.
The aforementioned shoulders are rounded body parts that aid arms'
flexibility. One's back is found on the opposite side of the stomach, and is a
flat section of the body that contains important muscles that're intended to
protect the lungs and other internal organs, in addition to helping humans
perform certain motions and actions.

Did you understand the text?

1) Which of the following body parts is not located on the head or face?
A. Eye
B. Nose
C. Mouth
D. Leg

2) Legs are comprised of which of the following?

A. Feet
B. Calves
C. Thighs
D. All of the above

3) How many toes and fingers are on each foot/hand?

A. Ten
B. Five
C. Four
D. Two

4) The part of the body that contains important organs that aid digestion
is:
A. The back
B. The head
C. The stomach
D. The neck

5) Which of the following is not a body part/organ on the human body?

Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

A. Quilt
B. Neck
C. Head
D. Arm

Hotel: Reservations Dialogue (B1)

Receptionist: Good afternoon! This is Capitol Hotels in Washington, D.C. How
may I help you?
Mr. Abrams: Hi, I'd like to schedule a reservation for this upcoming weekend
from Friday night until Sunday.
Receptionist: Sure! Let me check and see what rooms are available. Do you
need a room with one bed or two?
Mr. Abrams: My wife and I will be visiting the city, but a room with one bed
will be just fine.
Receptionist: Alright... It looks like we have several rooms available. Would
you care for a room with a balcony?
Mr. Abrams: A single room with no balcony will suit our needs just fine. I did
notice on your website that you have a pool and an exercise room. Are these
facilities available for all hotel guests?
Receptionist: Yes, all hotel guests are allowed access to those facilities. The
hotel stay also includes breakfast.
We have a restaurant on-site that also serves lunch and dinner, but those
meals are not included in your lodging fee.
Mr. Abrams: Okay, that's fine. What time are both check-in and check-out?
Receptionist: Check-in for you on Friday can be any time after 3:00 p.m.
Check-out will be on Sunday before noon.
Mr. Abrams: Sounds great!
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

Receptionist: I am glad that I could help you today. Is there anything else
that you need at this point in time?
Mr. Abrams: Would you like my credit card information now, or can I take
care of that upon my arrival to the hotel's reception desk?
Receptionist: We can handle payment upon your arrival on Friday. We look
forward to seeing you then!
Mr. Abrams: Thank you! I look forward to my stay.
Receptionist: Enjoy the rest of your week!

Did you understand the text?

1) What is the name of the hotel where Mr. Abrams plans on staying?
A. Kennedy Hotels
B. Lincoln Hotels
C. Capitol Hotels
D. Washington D.C.

2) For how long does Mr. Abrams plan on staying at the hotel?
A. Overnight
B. Two nights
C. Three nights
D. A week
3) What kind of room does Mr. Abrams request to stay in?
A. A single room with a balcony.
B. A single room without a balcony.
C. A double room with a balcony.
D. A double room without a balcony.
4) All of the following are amenities the hotel offers its guests except:
A. A swimming pool
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

B. A massage room
C. An exercise room
D. Free breakfast
5) At what time can Mr. Abrams check into the hotel on Friday?
A. Before 11:00 a.m.
B. Before noon
C. After 1:00 p.m.
D. After 3:00 p.m.
6) When does Mr. Abrams plan on giving the hotel his credit card
information?
A. During the phone call
B. Upon his arrival to the reception desk
C. At the end of his stay
D. Mr. Abrams wants to pay in cash

The Environment (C1)

In our modern world, there are many factors that place the wellbeing of the
planet in jeopardy. While some people have the opinion that environmental
problems are just a natural occurrence, others believe that human beings
have a huge impact on the environment. Regardless of your viewpoint, take
into consideration the following factors that place our environment as well as
the planet Earth in danger.
Global warming or climate change is a major contributing factor to
environmental damage. Because of global warming, we have seen an
increase in melting ice caps, a rise in sea levels, and the formation of new
weather patterns. These weather patterns have caused stronger storms,
droughts, and flooding in places that they formerly did not occur.
Air pollution is primarily caused as a result of excessive and unregulated
emissions of carbon dioxide into the air. Pollutants mostly emerge from the
burning of fossil fuels in addition to chemicals, toxic substances, and
improper waste disposal. Air pollutants are absorbed into the atmosphere,
and they can cause smog, a combination of smoke and fog, in valleys as well
as produce acidic precipitation in areas far away from the pollution source.
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

In many areas, people and local governments do not sustainably use their
natural resources. Mining for natural gases, deforestation, and even
improper use of water resources can have tremendous on the environment.
While these strategies often attempt to boost local economies, their effects
can lead to oil spills, interrupted animal habitats, and droughts.
Ultimately, the effects of the modern world on the environment can lead to
many problems. Human beings need to consider the repercussions of their
actions, trying to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials while establishing
environmentally sustainable habits. If measures are not taken to protect the
environment, we can potentially witness the extinction of more endangered
species, worldwide pollution, and a completely uninhabitable planet.

Did you understand the text?

1) The text's introduction presents:

A. All of the factors that damage the environment
B. Scientific support regarding global warming
C. Questions about the effects of environmental problems
D. Two opinions about environmental problems

2) Which term means the same thing as "global warming?”

A. Air pollution
B. Biodiversity
C. Climate change
D. Deforestation

3) What is the primary cause of air pollution?

A. Uncontrollable forest fires
B. Smog formation in valleys
C. Heavy amounts of acid precipitation
D. Excessive carbon dioxide emissions

4) Which is a logical effect of overusing the natural water supply?

A. Deforestation
B. Droughts
C. Oil spills
D. Flooding

5) All of the following are effects of environmental problems except:

A. Space travel
B. Animal extinction
C. Worldwide pollution
D. An uninhabitable planet

6) Which is the best title for the article?

A. How to Prevent Global Warming
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

B. Top Environmental Concerns

C. Water Conservation Strategies
D. Protecting Endangered Species

Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918

The deadliest virus in modern history, perhaps of all time, was the 1918
Spanish Flu. It killed about 20 to 50 million people worldwide, perhaps more.
The total death toll is unknown because medical records were not kept in
many areas.
The pandemic hit during World War I and devastated military troops. In the
United States, for instance, more servicemen were killed from the flu than
from the war itself. The Spanish flu was fatal to a higher proportion of young
adults than most flu viruses.
The pandemic started mildly, in the spring of 1918, but was followed by a
much more severe wave in the fall of 1918. The war likely contributed to the
devastating mortality numbers, as large outbreaks occurred in military forces
living in close quarters. Poor nutrition and the unsanitary conditions of war
camps had an effect.
A third wave occurred in the winter and spring of 1919, and a fourth, smaller
wave occurred in a few areas in spring 1920. Initial symptoms of the flu were
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

typical: sore throat, headache, and fever. The flu often progressed rapidly to
cause severe pneumonia and sometimes hemorrhage in the lungs and
mucus membranes. A characteristic feature of severe cases of the Spanish
Flu was heliotrope cyanosis, where the patient's face turned blue from lack
of oxygen in the cells. Death usually followed within hours or days.
Modern medicine such as vaccines, antivirals, and antibiotics for secondary
infections were not available at that time, so medical personnel couldn't do
much more than try to relieve symptoms.
The flu ended when it had infected enough people that those who were
susceptible had either died or developed immunity.

Did you understand the text?

1) Which pandemic is the deadliest in modern history?

A. The bubonic plague in the 14th century
B. The Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic in 1793
C. The Spanish Flu in 1918
D. The Covid-19 coronavirus in 2020

2) The Spanish Flu pandemic occurred during which war?

A. The French Revolution
B. The Spanish-American War
C. World War I
D. World War II

3) Where did the Spanish flu originate?

A. Spain
B. United States
C. Italy
D. That information is not provided

4) Why are total deaths for the Spanish Flu not known?
A. No one cared because of the war
B. Many areas did not keep medical records
C. Most medical records were destroyed in the war
D. No one wants to know how bad it was

5) When was the first wave of the Spanish Flu pandemic?

A. Spring 1918
B. Summer 1918
C. Fall 1918
D. Winter 1918
Saif Al Yaruby school C3 Ministry of Education

6) What contributed to deaths from the flu in military personnel?

A. Close quarters
B. Poor nutrition
C. Unsanitary conditions

7) What is a characteristic feature of serious cases of the Spanish Flu?

A. Coma
B. Face turning blue
C. Liver failure
D. Extremely high fever

8) What caused the Spanish Flu pandemic to end?

A. They created a vaccine for it
B. Improved medical care
C. The end of the war caused better conditions
D. Those who were susceptible had either died or were immuneAll of the above