Do Reading Test 5 Year 8 to develop your reading skills.

Task 1. Read the text.

Philip Pullman was born in England in 1946. He travelled a lot in his childhood visiting many countries of the world. Philip Pullman has become wellknown for the «His Dark Materials» series, fantasy novels telling the story of Lyra Belacque, a young girl whose destiny is to change destiny: «Northern Lights», winner of a Carnegie Medal, the «Guardian» Children’s Fiction Prize and a British Book Award.

A film adaptation of «Northern Lights» — «The Golden Compass» — was launched at Cannes Film Festival 2007.

Philip Pullman now lives in Oxford. He believes that «stories are the most important thing in the world. Without stories, we wouldn’t be human beings at all».

Are these statements true or false?

Philip Pullman is a British writer.
Philip Pullman has lived in many countries of the world.
Philip Pullman has become wellknown for a book for adults.
The «His Dark Materials» series are documentary novels.
«The Golden Compass» is a fantasy book.
Philip Pullman’s stories have got a lot of awards.

Task 2. Read the text. Make the sentences below the text true.

Canterbury Cathedral is considered by many to be the most beautiful cathedral in the United Kingdom, although several others compete for the title (York, Durham, Winchester, and St.Paul’s).

Canterbury has had a strong role in England’s religious history and Saint Thomas Becket was martyred here in 1170 as was written in Chaucer’s «Canterbury Tales».

You can see there the Church of St. Martin, which is the oldest church in England, and the ruins of the Abbey of St. Augustine.

People think that Canterbury Cathedral is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the United Kingdom.
Chaucer wrote about the ruins of the Abbey of St. Augustine in his «Canterbury Tales».
York Cathedral is the oldest in England.

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous churches in England. The cathedral is in Canterbury, Kent. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also one of the greatest examples mediaeval Norman architecture in Britain. The cathedral is the official ‘seat’ of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The archbishop is the leader of the Church of England.

Canterbury Cathedral is the home of Anglicans worldwide. As the capital of the Anglican Church, it serves as a place of holiness and a tourist attraction site for visitors.

Task 3. Read the text below. Match choices (A—G) to (1—6). There is one choice you do not need to use.

Arthur Conan Doyle was born on 22 May 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Arthur’s mother 1 __ and was a master storyteller. There was little money in the family. After Arthur reached his ninth birthday, 2 __ offered to pay for his studies. He was in tears 3 __, where for seven years he had to go to a boarding school. Arthur hated the cruelty and punishment at school.

During the school years, Arthur’s only moments of happiness were 4 __, and also when he practised sports, 5 __, at which he was very good. It was during these difficult years at boarding school 6 __ he also had a talent for storytelling.

A. the wealthy members of the Doyle family
B. his dreams came true
C. that Arthur understood
D. all the way to England
E. when he wrote to his mother
F. had a passion for books
G. mainly cricket