Reading
1. Read the text and mark the following statements «True» (T) or «False» (F).
Christopher Paolini was born on 17 November 1983 in Southern California. He has lived most of his life in Paradise Valley, Montana, with his parents and younger sister, Angela. The tall,jagged Beartooth Mountains rise on one side of Paradise Valley. Snowcapped most of the year,they inspired the fantastic scenery in «Eragon».
Christopher was homeschooled by his parents. As a child, he often wrote short stories and poems, often went to the library, and read much. Some of his favourite books were Bruce Coville’s «Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher», Frank Herbert’s «Dune», and Raymond E. Feist’s «Magician». The idea of «Eragon» began as daydreams of a teen.
T F
1) Christopher Paolini is a British writer.
2) The Paolinis are a family of five.
3) The nature in Christopher’s native place is very beautiful.
4) Christopher got his education in the local school.
5) As a child, the boy drew fantastic pictures of the place where he lived.
6) Christopher Paolini wrote «Eragon» after watching a fantasy film.
2. Read the text. Make the sentences below the text true.
One of England’s oldest towns, Winchester is a historic site with a unique cathedral which original foundations are thought to be over thirteen hundred years old. In addition, the cathedral contains the grave of the author Jane Austin. While in Winchester, be sure to see the Great Hall. Long ago it was Winchester Castle built in the 13th century. Unfortunately, the «Round Table» on display wasn’t there at the time of the legendary King Arthur — but that does not stop tourists from going to see it.
1) Winchester’s cathedral was built less than six hundred years ago.
2) There are a famous writer’s manuscripts in the cathedral.
3) The famous «Round Table» on display is connected with one of the kings of England.
3. Read the text below. Match choices (A—G) to (1—6). There is one choice you do not
need to use.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
«The Spiderwick Chronicles» is a series of children’s books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. They write about the adventures of the Grace children, twins Simon and Jared 1) , after they move into Spiderwick Estate and discover a world of faeries that they never knew existed.
According to a letter from Holly Black, it all started when she and Tony DiTerlizzi were at a bookstore 2) and were given a letter that the Grace children 3) . The letter told them about a book that «tells people 4) and how to protect themselves». The letter went on to say, «We just want people to know about this. The things 5) could happen to anyone». A few days later, according to Black, she and DiTerlizzi met the Grace children, and 6) became «The Spiderwick Chronicles».
A the story the children told them
B how to find faeries
C where the story began
D had left for them
E and their older sister Mallory
F that have happened to us
G signing autographs
