Inglés

Propedéutico

Comprehension reading

1.- The police department of the New York has one branch which many do not know about,
although it was established almost a century ago. This is the harbor precinct’s fourteen–boat fleet
of police launches, which patrols 578 miles of waters around the city, paying particular attention
to the areas containing 500 piers and some ninety boat clubs. The boats are equipped for various
jobs. One boat is an icebreaker; another is equipped to render aid in the event of an airplane crash
at La Guardia Airport.

The harbor police were:

a) in full force almost 100 years ago

b) first used the twentieth century

c) in use before the Civil War

d) introduced by veterans of World War II

The boats used:

a) vary in function

b) are uniform in design

c) can all serve as icebreakers

d) are all equipped with deck guns

2.- Read the text about Elena’s vacations and answer next three questions.

Last year I went on vacations to Calgary in Alberta. I went with my boyfriend and my sister and
brother, and for all of us it was the best vacations! We stayed in an apartment. It had four
bedrooms and two bathrooms, and we had a living room, where there was a TV. Every day we did
something different.

The first day we went to Howie Park, a lovely little park with a water feature and even outdoor
exercise circuit. Another day, we visited Calgary Tower with no great expectations, and we were
pleasantly surprised. It is easily accessed and offers a great panoramic view of the entire city and
beyond. Glass floor is also a great attraction.

My boyfriend was happy because we visited Bow Habitat Station. There's an interactive "museum"
that shows the value of wetlands and fish. There are also aquariums in the lower level. My
boyfriend loves nature. And the weather was beautiful all the time we were there. We had a
fabulous time, and we all want to go back!

Where did Elena go on vacations?

a) She went to Alberta, in Canada.

b) She went to Bow Habitat Station, in Alberta

c) She goes to Alberta, in Canada

d) She’ll go to Alberta, in Canada

Who did she go with?

a) She goes with her parents and friends

b) She comes with her parents and friends

c) She went with her boyfriend and sibling

d) She went only with her boyfriend

What did they see at Calgary Tower?

a) A panoramic view of the entire city

b) A dirty dark glass floor

c) A water feature and outdoor exercise circuit

d) A large aquarium with thousands of fishes

4.- What is the purpose of the message?

No place outside is safe when a thunderstorm is in the area. Get inside as soon as you hear
thunder. Run to a substantial building or hard-topped metal vehicle as fast as you can. If you can’t
get to a safe building or vehicle: - Avoid open areas. Don’t be the tallest object in the area.

- Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility poles. Lightning tends to strike the taller
objects in an area.

- Stay away from metal conductors such as wires or fences. Metal does not attract lightning, but
lightning can travel long distances through it.

- If you are with a group of people, spread out. While this actually increases the chance that
someone might get struck, it tends to prevent multiple casualties, and increases the chances that
that someone could help if a person is struck.

a) Persuade b) Narrate c) Explain d) Warn

5.- What is the purpose of the text?

Once upon a time there lived a lovely princess with fair skin and blue eyes. She was so fair that she
was named Snow White. Her mother died when Snow White was a baby and her father married
again. This queen was very pretty but she was also very cruel.

The wicked stepmother wanted to be the most beautiful lady in the kingdom and she would often
ask her magic mirror, “Mirror! Mirror on the wall! Who is the fairest of them all?” And the magic
mirror would say, “You are, Your Majesty!” But one day, the mirror replied, “Snow White is the
fairest of them all!” The wicked queen was very angry and jealous of Snow White.
She ordered her huntsman to take Snow White to the forest and kill her. “I want you to bring back
her heart,” she ordered. But when the huntsman reached the forest with Snow White, he took pity
on her and set her free. He killed a deer and took its heart to the wicked queen and told her that
he had killed Snow White. Snow White wandered in the forest all night, crying.

a) Persuade b) Narrate c) Explain d) Report

6.- What is the title of the text?

Long time ago a remote village, in central China was inhabited mainly with farmers and hunters.
One day, a poor farmer lost his entire livestock to flood. He prayed hard to God for help or his
family would die of starvation. Few days later, an old man with long grey beard, passed by his
house took pity on him.

He gave him a goose and said “ I don’t have any expensive thing to give you and hope this goose
will help you to ease your hardship.” A week later to almost surprise the farmer found and egg in
his yard. This was no ordinary egg. It was a golden egg. He was suddenly overcome with joy.

Thereafter, his livelihood had rapidly improved but the farmer had forgotten his earlier hardship.
He became lazy, arrogant and spendthrift. Strangely, the goose only laid one golden egg every six
months. The greedy farmer lost his patient and slaughtered his goose thinking there were plenty
of golden eggs inside its stomach. Though he very much regretted for his foolishness, it’s already
too late.

a) China village b) The farmers c) The foolish farmer d) The greedy farmer

7.- From what source was taken the text?

March 3, 2012

I’m so upset!! I don’t even know where to begin! To start off, I think I completely failed my
geometry quiz, which I know I should’ve studied more for...my dad’s not gonna be happy about
that. :( Then, we had a pop quiz in history on the reading homework from last night, and I
completely forgot most of what I read, which made me even more upset because I actually did the
reading! But what really made me mad was the note that Sarah slipped into my locker during
passing period.

She said she was sad that I’ve been hanging out with Jane more lately and thinks that I don’t want
to be her friend anymore. I can’t believe she thinks that, especially after talking with her on the
phone for hours and hours last month while she was going through her breakup with Nick! Just
because I’ve been hanging out with Jane a little more than usual doesn’t mean I’m not her friend
anymore. She completely blew me off at lunch, and when I told Jane, she thought that Sarah was
being a “drama queen.”
This is just what I need! My parents are getting on my case about doing more extracurricular
activities, I have a huge paper due for AP English soon, and I can’t understand a thing in advanced
Spanish! The last thing I need is for my best friend to think I hate her and barely text me back
anymore. Uggh! I can’t concentrate on anything right now because of it. I hope she gets over it!!!

Kate

a) Letter b) Newsweek c) Diary d) Encyclopedia

8.- From what source was taken the text?

Dear John

My favorite time of the day is when I'm with you. Everyone has a moment of the day they look
forward to the most. For some, it's the first sip of wine, or when a good football game is on, or the
time of day they get to sit in front of the TV. My favorite part of the day is when I'm beside you.

We don't have to be doing anything in particular.

I just look forward to being by your side.

Micaela

a) Letter b) Newsweek c) Diary d) Encyclopedia

RIDDLES

1.- It comes from above, but never goes up. The planet earth needs it to survive.
Sometimes if it combines with the sun, you will get something very colorful. ______

2.- It gives light and it is not the sun or a light bulb. The more you use it, the shorter
it will be. You can usually find it on birthday cakes. _________

3.- I go up and down all day without stopping, except when there is no electricity. You
find me in hospitals, shopping centers and apartment buildings. In case of emergency,
never use me. ____________

4.- I am green and catch flies. I usually do not walk, hop and hop from here to there
all the time. I also kiss princesses and marry them. _________

5.- People feel me, but they cannot see me. I produce energy at a low cost. I can be
violent and dangerous, but I can also be soft and refreshing. ________
6.- I can be square or round. Many people wear me on their wrist. In ancient times,
some people carried me in a pocket. If you have a meeting and you think you’re going
to be late, you will probably look at me a lot. ________

My blog: Mi blog

Sunday, september 1 at 8 p.m. domingo primero de septiembre a las 8 pm

Well, I have been here in Seattle for exactly three months.

It is hard to belive because so much has happened. I was pretty nervous before we
left the UK but it´s been fine since my first day.

I think I’m lucky -I made Friends with a girl at school named Polly. We take a lot of
the same classes and we’ve gotten along really well since we met.

It feels as if I’ve known her for years, she was introduce me to other people, too, and
takes a big diference.

Last week four of us decide to go to the Pike Place Market and there are lots of cool
shops and stands there.

Then we took a tour on a Duck, it’s a bus and a boat.

It’s great here, but there’s one thing I really miss. I haven’t Heard any football news
for a long time. Can you do me a favor and tell me the standings?

Ok, I have to stop and do my science homework. My books have been in my bag since
Friday and I’ve done nothing for my test tomorrow.

Id the correct answer:

1. Jenna is writing to her Friends in:

a) The US
b) THE UK
2. She met Polly:
a) Before she left the UK
b) When she arrived in Seattle
3. Jenna and her Friends went.
a) Skating
b) Shopping
 4. She…
a) Has done any science homework this weekend
b) Hasn’t done any science homework this weekend
5. Jenna is…
a) Happy in her new home in Seattle
b) Unhappy in her new home in Seattle

My friens and I

Hi! My name is David and I have three very Good Friends. Their name are Isai and the
other two have the same name. One of the two I call him by his name “Daniel” and the
other one I call him “Six”.

We all like diferente things or prefer doing other activities. For example, I like being
responsible and the other three they don’t like it at all.

When we are together, I prefer going out, but they prefer not to go out and stay at
home. My Friends like to play cards and I don’t like to play; so I just see them play.

When we go out to the movies, I buy my own popcorn. The reason is because I like my
popcorn without sauce just butter.

My Friends prefer pouring a lot of sauce in their popcorn. Even though I have a lot of
differences with them they are my Friends.

1.- What are the name of his Friends?

__________________________________

2.- Who like to be responsible?

__________________________________

3.- Who prefers staying at home?

_________________________________

4.- What game does David dislike?

__________________________________

5.- Who like pouring sauce on their popcorn?

__________________________________