Do Reading Test 1 Year 8 to develop your reading skills.
Task 1. Read the text
Elizabeth Goudge was born in the cathedral city of Wells. Elizabeth was educated at Grassendale School, Southbourne, and at the art school at University College Reading, then at a college of Christ Church. She went on to teach design and handicrafts in Ely and Oxford.
Goudge’s first book, “The Fairies’ Baby and Other Stories”, was a failure and it was several years before she wrote her first novel, “Island Magic”, which was a success. “The Little White Horse” was Goudge’s own favourite among her works, and also the book which J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter stories, has said was her favourite as a child. The television mini series “Moonacre” and the film “The Secret of Moonacre” were based on “The Little White Horse”.
After her father’s death in 1939, Goudge moved to Devon where she took care of her mother. After her mother’s death in 1951, she moved to Oxfordshire where she spent the last 30 years of her life. She died on 1 April 1984.
Are the following statements true or false?
- Elizabeth Goudge is a Scottish writer.
- Elizabeth Goudge’s first book was not successful.
- Her first novel was a failure.
- She liked «The Little White Horse» better than her other books.
- The book «The Little White Horse» was made into a good film.
- The author spent the last 30 years of her life in Devon.
Task 2. Read the text. Make the sentences below the text true.
The main reason that you might want to visit Stratford is the fact that it is the birthplace of the Bard, William Shakespeare. Of course, Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the English countryside! There are a number of places to see located along the Avon River (including 5 houses connected with Shakespeare), so plan your time carefully.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s birthplace are the most interesting of the houses, but all are worth a look at if you want to know more about the Bard. William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway are buried at the local church, named Shakespeare’s Church by some, but best known as Holy Trinity Church.
- Tourists visit Stratford because they want to know more about the river Avon.
- There are a number of churches to see located along the Avon River.
- Five houses are connected with Shakespeare but not all of them are worth visiting.
Task 3. Read the text below. Match choices (A—G) to (1—6). There is one choice you do not need to use.
Christopher’s love for the magic of stories led him to write a novel that he would enjoy reading. The project began as a hobby, 1 _________ . All the characters in “Eragon” are from Christopher’s imagination 2 _________ , who is based on his sister. Christopher was fifteen when he 3 _________. It took him two years. Then he gave it to his parents to read. The family decided to selfpublish the book and spent a third year 4 _________ . During this time Christopher drew the map for “Eragon”, 5 _________ . The manuscript was sent to press 6 _________ in November 2001.
A. preparing “Eragon” for publication
B. he never planned it to be published
C. and the first books arrived
D. as well as the dragon eye for the book cover
E. except Angela
F. wrote the first variant of “Eragon”
G. loved books
Leave A Comment