1er Test Nanda :-)

Read the following text and do the comprehension questions.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born on February 5th, 1985 and commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club Real Madrid and serves as captain of the Portuguese national team. Ronaldo currently holds the distinction of being the most expensive player in football history after having transferred to Real Madrid from Manchester United in a deal worth £80 million (€94m, US$132m). His contract with Real Madrid is believed to have made him the highest-paid football player in the world.

Ronaldo began his career as a youth player for Andorinha, where he played for two years, then moved to Nacional. In 1997, he made a move to Portuguese giants Sporting CP. Ronaldo's precocious talent caught the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and he signed the 18-year-old for £12.24 million in 2003. The following season, Ronaldo won his first club honour, the FA Cup, and reached the Euro 2004 final with Portugal, in which tournament he scored his first international goal.

In 2008, Ronaldo won the Champions League with United, and was named player of the tournament. He was named the FIFPro World Player of the Year and the FIFA World Player of the Year, in addition to becoming Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or winner in 40 years. Three-time Ballon d'Or winner Johan Cruyff said in an interview on 2 April 2008, "Ronaldo is better than George Best and Denis Law, who were two brilliant and great players in the history of United."

**Question: Ronaldo scored his first international goal in ___________________________**

**Este texto pertenece a la pregunta 5 y 6**

Read the following text

The Great Wall of China

Walls and wall building have played a very important role in Chinese culture. These people, from the dim mists of prehistory have been wall-conscious; from the Neolithic period – when ramparts of pounded earth were used - to the Communist Revolution, walls were an essential part of any village. Not only towns and villages; the houses and the temples within them were somehow walled, and the houses also had no windows overlooking the street, thus giving the feeling of wandering around a huge maze. The name for “city” in Chinese (ch’eng) means wall, and over these walled cities, villages, houses and temples presides the god of walls and mounts, whose duties were, and still are, to protect and be responsible for the welfare of the inhabitants. Thus a great and extremely laborious task such as constructing a wall, which was supposed to run throughout the country, must not have seemed such an absurdity.

However, it is indeed a common mistake to perceive the Great Wall as a single architectural structure, and it would also be erroneous to assume that it was built during a single dynasty. For the building of the wall spanned the various dynasties, and each of these dynasties somehow contributed to the refurbishing and the construction of a wall, whose foundations had been laid many centuries ago. It was during the fourth and third century B.C. that each warring state started building walls to protect their kingdoms, both against one another and against the northern nomads. Especially three of these states: the Ch’in, the Chao and the Yen, corresponding respectively to the modern provinces of Shensi, Shanzi and Hopei, over and above building walls that surrounded their kingdoms, also laid the foundations on which Ch’in Shih Huang Di would build his first continuous Great Wall.

The role that the Great Wall played in the growth of Chinese economy was an important one. Throughout the centuries many settlements were established along the new border. The garrison troops were instructed to reclaim wasteland and to plant crops on it, roads and canals were built, to mention just a few of the works carried out. All these undertakings greatly helped to increase the country’s trade and cultural exchanges with many remote areas and also with the southern, central and western parts of Asia – the formation of the Silk Route. Builders, garrisons, artisans, farmers and peasants left behind a trail of objects, including inscribed tablets, household articles, and written work, which have become extremely valuable archaeological evidence to the study of defence institutions of the Great Wall and the everyday life of these people who lived and died along the wall.

Question 1: Chinese cities resembled a maze________________________________________

**Este texto pertenece a la pregunta 5 y 6**

Read the following text

The Great Wall of China

Walls and wall building have played a very important role in Chinese culture. These people, from the dim mists of prehistory have been wall-conscious; from the Neolithic period – when ramparts of pounded earth were used - to the Communist Revolution, walls were an essential part of any village. Not only towns and villages; the houses and the temples within them were somehow walled, and the houses also had no windows overlooking the street, thus giving the feeling of wandering around a huge maze. The name for “city” in Chinese (ch’eng) means wall, and over these walled cities, villages, houses and temples presides the god of walls and mounts, whose duties were, and still are, to protect and be responsible for the welfare of the inhabitants. Thus a great and extremely laborious task such as constructing a wall, which was supposed to run throughout the country, must not have seemed such an absurdity.

However, it is indeed a common mistake to perceive the Great Wall as a single architectural structure, and it would also be erroneous to assume that it was built during a single dynasty. For the building of the wall spanned the various dynasties, and each of these dynasties somehow contributed to the refurbishing and the construction of a wall, whose foundations had been laid many centuries ago. It was during the fourth and third century B.C. that each warring state started building walls to protect their kingdoms, both against one another and against the northern nomads. Especially three of these states: the Ch’in, the Chao and the Yen, corresponding respectively to the modern provinces of Shensi, Shanzi and Hopei, over and above building walls that surrounded their kingdoms, also laid the foundations on which Ch’in Shih Huang Di would build his first continuous Great Wall.

The role that the Great Wall played in the growth of Chinese economy was an important one. Throughout the centuries many settlements were established along the new border. The garrison troops were instructed to reclaim wasteland and to plant crops on it, roads and canals were built, to mention just a few of the works carried out. All these undertakings greatly helped to increase the country’s trade and cultural exchanges with many remote areas and also with the southern, central and western parts of Asia – the formation of the Silk Route. Builders, garrisons, artisans, farmers and peasants left behind a trail of objects, including inscribed tablets, household articles, and written work, which have become extremely valuable archaeological evidence to the study of defence institutions of the Great Wall and the everyday life of these people who lived and died along the wall.

Question 2: The Great Wall of China______________________________________________

**Este texto pertenece a la pregunta 7 y 8**

Read the following text

Dirty Britain

Before the grass has thickened on the roadside verges and leaves have started growing on the trees is a perfect time to look around and see just how dirty Britain has become. The pavements are stained with chewing gum that has been spat out and the gutters are full of discarded fast food cartons. Years ago I remember travelling abroad and being saddened by the plastic bags, discarded bottles and soiled nappies at the edge of every road. Nowadays, Britain seems to look at least as bad. What has
gone wrong?

The problem is that the rubbish created by our increasingly mobile lives lasts a lot longer than before. If it is not cleared up and properly thrown away, it stays in the undergrowth for years; a semi-permanent reminder of what a tatty little country we have now.

Firstly, it is estimated that 10 billion plastic bags have been given to shoppers. These will take anything from 100 to 1,000 years to rot. However, it is not as if there is no solution to this. A few years ago, the Irish government introduced a tax on non-recyclable carrier bags and in three months reduced their use by 90%. When he was a minister, Michael Meacher attempted to introduce a similar arrangement in Britain. The plastics industry protested, of course. However, they need not have bothered; the idea was killed before it could draw breath, leaving supermarkets free to give away plastic bags.

What is clearly necessary right now is some sort of combined initiative, both individual and collective, before it is too late. The alternative is to continue sliding downhill until we have a country that looks like a vast municipal rubbish tip. We may well be at the tipping point. Yet we know that people respond to their environment. If things around them are clean and tidy, people behave cleanly and tidily. If they are surrounded by squalor, they behave squalidly. Now, much of Britain looks pretty squalid. What will it look like in five years?

Question 1: Michael Meacher_______________________________________________

**Este texto pertenece a la pregunta 7 y 8**
Read the following text

Dirty Britain

Before the grass has thickened on the roadside verges and leaves have started growing on the trees is a perfect time to look around and see just how dirty Britain has become. The pavements are stained with chewing gum that has been spat out and the gutters are full of discarded fast food cartons. Years ago I remember travelling abroad and being saddened by the plastic bags, discarded bottles and soiled nappies at the edge of every road. Nowadays, Britain seems to look at least as bad. What has
gone wrong?

The problem is that the rubbish created by our increasingly mobile lives lasts a lot longer than before. If it is not cleared up and properly thrown away, it stays in the undergrowth for years; a semi-permanent reminder of what a tatty little country we have now.

Firstly, it is estimated that 10 billion plastic bags have been given to shoppers. These will take anything from 100 to 1,000 years to rot. However, it is not as if there is no solution to this. A few years ago, the Irish government introduced a tax on non-recyclable carrier bags and in three months reduced their use by 90%. When he was a minister, Michael Meacher attempted to introduce a similar arrangement in Britain. The plastics industry protested, of course. However, they need not have bothered; the idea was killed before it could draw breath, leaving supermarkets free to give away plastic bags.

What is clearly necessary right now is some sort of combined initiative, both individual and collective, before it is too late. The alternative is to continue sliding downhill until we have a country that looks like a vast municipal rubbish tip. We may well be at the tipping point. Yet we know that people respond to their environment. If things around them are clean and tidy, people behave cleanly and tidily. If they are surrounded by squalor, they behave squalidly. Now, much of Britain looks pretty squalid. What will it look like in five years?

Question 2: According to the writer, things used to be___________________________

**Este texto pertenece a la pregunta 11 y 12**

Read the following text

Safety At The Sea

Forget razor fish. The lesser weever is the fish to look out for on British beaches.

The fish, which has venomous spines on its gills and dorsal fin, is common in many areas of the UK, including the Cardigan Bay area of Wales.

It lies virtually buried in the sand with just its mouth and fin exposed, a trap for hapless fishermen and beachgoers wading around in the shallows.

If you stand on a weever fish, you are likely to feel a sharp prick-like sensation which gets worse and spreads along your leg, often causing swelling.

Allergy

Many people have an allergic reaction to the fish and may start to sweat, develop a rapid pulse and feel nauseous as the poison gets further into the body.

Some people collapse as a result. Others can develop chest pain, although the sting is not fatal.

People who have been stung should take painkillers and if they develop an allergic reaction to the sting, a course of antihistamines is recommended.

Other common poisonous fish on Britain's beaches include jelly fish and the stingray, which, if disturbed, can use its tail to venomous effect.

Sea currents

But fish are the least of your worries on the beach. The force of the sea is much more dangerous than anything swimming about inside it.

Over the weekend, two people nearly drowned in the Bournemouth area after getting out of their depth swimming.

One was just 16 years old. They are both now in stable condition in hospital.

"We were much more hit by that than sunburn cases where the message seems to be getting home," said a spokesman for the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

In other areas, the situation was less dramatic with a handful of sunburn and sprained ankles reported in other sunspots, including Cornwall, Blackpool and Brighton.

Coastguards are warning the public not to swim if there is a red flag flying on a beach and to find out about local tides and currents.

Safe swimming

The Coastguard Agency says people should not swim if they feel unwell, for at least an hour after a meal, if they have been drinking alcohol or if they are cold and tired.

They also warn against swimming alone, swimming too far out to sea and snorkling if you have breathing problems.

And you should avoid cliff edges, even on gentle slopes, when they have been dampened by sea spray.

One organisation that aims to help swimmers who get into trouble is the UK's answer to Baywatch, the Surf Lifesaving Association of Great Britain.

Founded in 1955 and based on an idea originated in Australia, it now has 81 branches and has made 17,500 rescues.

The association has three types of member: Nippers (aged eight to 12), Junior (aged 12 to 16) and Seniors and Masters.

Its motto is 'Vigilance and Service'. All members are surfers trained in lifesaving skills.

They paddle out across the waves to save struggling swimmers. Most of their money comes from fundraising events, but local councils also provide some funding.

Another danger on the beach is pollution. A recent survey of UK beaches showed more than 10% are failing to meet minimum standards for clean water.

The Marine Conservation Society said raw sewage was still being pumped into the sea in some areas and was findiing its way onto beaches.

But the water companies say the society's standards are too tough and that 90% of British beaches pass European standards.

Question 1: Why does the Coastguard Agency suggest people keep away from cliffs?

**Este texto pertenece a la pregunta 11 y 12**
Read the following text

Safety At The Sea

Forget razor fish. The lesser weever is the fish to look out for on British beaches.

The fish, which has venomous spines on its gills and dorsal fin, is common in many areas of the UK, including the Cardigan Bay area of Wales.

It lies virtually buried in the sand with just its mouth and fin exposed, a trap for hapless fishermen and beachgoers wading around in the shallows.

If you stand on a weever fish, you are likely to feel a sharp prick-like sensation which gets worse and spreads along your leg, often causing swelling.

Allergy

Many people have an allergic reaction to the fish and may start to sweat, develop a rapid pulse and feel nauseous as the poison gets further into the body.

Some people collapse as a result. Others can develop chest pain, although the sting is not fatal.

People who have been stung should take painkillers and if they develop an allergic reaction to the sting, a course of antihistamines is recommended.

Other common poisonous fish on Britain's beaches include jelly fish and the stingray, which, if disturbed, can use its tail to venomous effect.

Sea currents

But fish are the least of your worries on the beach. The force of the sea is much more dangerous than anything swimming about inside it.

Over the weekend, two people nearly drowned in the Bournemouth area after getting out of their depth swimming.

One was just 16 years old. They are both now in stable condition in hospital.

"We were much more hit by that than sunburn cases where the message seems to be getting home," said a spokesman for the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

In other areas, the situation was less dramatic with a handful of sunburn and sprained ankles reported in other sunspots, including Cornwall, Blackpool and Brighton.

Coastguards are warning the public not to swim if there is a red flag flying on a beach and to find out about local tides and currents.

Safe swimming

The Coastguard Agency says people should not swim if they feel unwell, for at least an hour after a meal, if they have been drinking alcohol or if they are cold and tired.

They also warn against swimming alone, swimming too far out to sea and snorkling if you have breathing problems.

And you should avoid cliff edges, even on gentle slopes, when they have been dampened by sea spray.

One organisation that aims to help swimmers who get into trouble is the UK's answer to Baywatch, the Surf Lifesaving Association of Great Britain.

Founded in 1955 and based on an idea originated in Australia, it now has 81 branches and has made 17,500 rescues.

The association has three types of member: Nippers (aged eight to 12), Junior (aged 12 to 16) and Seniors and Masters.

Its motto is 'Vigilance and Service'. All members are surfers trained in lifesaving skills.

They paddle out across the waves to save struggling swimmers. Most of their money comes from fundraising events, but local councils also provide some funding.

Another danger on the beach is pollution. A recent survey of UK beaches showed more than 10% are failing to meet minimum standards for clean water.

The Marine Conservation Society said raw sewage was still being pumped into the sea in some areas and was findiing its way onto beaches.

But the water companies say the society's standards are too tough and that 90% of British beaches pass European standards.

Question 2: What sentence best summarises the pollution situation on UK beaches?