Read the text carefully, then answer the questions.
Many people enjoy living in a big city because they think life is more exciting there. However, I come from
a small village and in my view, there are lots of benefits. The main reason I prefer village life is because it’s
very quiet, so I always feel calm when I’m here. Another reason is that the air is so fresh and clean. We have
more green spaces and bigger gardens, too. In addition, I think the people here are friendlier. Personally, I’m
interested in wildlife photography, so the countryside is perfect for me.
The only downside is transport. I have an early start for a long Journey to school in Faro and the school bus
is always stopping to pick up more people. Also, it’s boring sometimes, but I enjoy chatting to my friends.
Fortunately, I’m learning to ride a moped. On balance, I disagree that city life is better, as I think my village
lifestyle is healthier and more relaxing. In spite of that, some of my friends couldn’t cope with life in the
country, so it comes down to personal opinion.
1. Where does the writer come from?
2. Does he like living in a big city?
3. Why does he prefer village life?
4. How does he think about the people in his village?
5. According to the writer, what is the disadvantage of living in the village?
6. How does he go to school?
7. Does he think city life is better than village life?
8. What is he interested in?

Read the text carefully, then choose the correct answers.
For 3,000 years, Mongolians have lived in the rural areas, adopting a pastoral way of life, moving in the
search of new pastures. They depend largely on their livestock for a living and sustain themselves with what
they can get from the land. Today, approximately half of Mongolia’s population is still roaming the vast plains
living in the ger and moving their campings several timesa year. Nomadic life thrives in summer and survives
in winter. When temperatures are warm, they work hard on their farms to get milk and make airag, consuming
meat from their sheeps and goats. Once winter comes, temperatures dip extremely low and they stay indoors
and survive on horse meat.
With the rise of technology, changes in the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle are almost inevitable. While they
still lead their lifestyle as pastoral herders, many use motorbikes to herd cattle and horses. To move their
homes, trucks have taken the place of ox carts. Solar panels are also becoming an addition to the ger, giving
them access to electricity without being confined to one place. The nomads use solar energy to power television
sets and mobile phones.
1. Mongolians regularly move from place to place in order to _________.
a.look for food for their family b. find pastures for their livestock
c. herd their cattle and horses d. sell their animals and farm products
2. How many Mongolians still live a traditional nomadic life?
a.Close to 40 percent b. More than 50 percent
c. About 50 percent d. Approximately 60 percent
3. What is a ger?
a.A portable, round tent b. A thatched house
c. A circular house made of snow d. A wooden hut
4. What is the Mongolian’s main food in winter?
a.airag b. goat meat c. sheep meat d. horse meat
5. Today, Mongolian nomads _________.
a.don’t lead their lifestyle as herders any more
b.use ox carts to move their homes
c.use solar energy to power electronic devices
d.have the advantage of urban life
6. Which of the followings is NOT true about Mongolian nomads?
a.They live in the countryside.
b.They live by and for their livestock.
c.They work hard in winter when the temperature dip very low.

Write the correct form of the word in brackets.
1. People seem to have lost their ___________ in boating on small rivers. (enjoy)
2. More and more ___________are leaving the countryside to city. (farm)
3. A town has a ___________ population than a village does. (large)
4. Sylvia likes the ___________ atmosphere during her stay in the valley. (peace)
5. The firefighters were praised for their ___________ and devotion to duty. (brave)
6. Visually the house is very pleasing, but it’s ___________. (comfort)
7. It is true that the city can provide much ___________. (convenient)
8. Agricultural work is ___________ seen as a male occupation. (tradition)
9. Villages and towns are not as densely ___________ as cities. (populate)
10. The trip was an ___________ experience. We enjoyed it very much! (forget)

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in brackets.

1. These trousers are too wide. Do you have any that are _____________? (narrow)
2. My mother always gets up _____________ than everybody else in the house. (early)
3. Rene speaks _____________ than the other ESL students in the class. (fluent)
4. Can’t you think of anything _____________ to say? (intelligent)
5. I think his new book is much _____________ than his last one. (boring)
6. Max finished the homework _____________ than anyone else in the class. (fast)
7. He doesn’t look as _____________ as he used to. (happy)

Choose the best answer a, b, c or d to complete the sentence.
1. I went on a trip to the countryside and had my first experience _______ farm work.
a.on b. with c. for d. of
2. We usually spend our holiday in the village _______ our grandparents live.
a.what b. where c. which d. when
3. I think country life is so boring and _______ because you’re not close to shops and services.
a. unhealthy b.inconvenient c. comfortable d. peaceful
4. On the farm, uncle Duong showed us how to _______ cucumbers.
a. plough b.produce c. pick d. put up
5. Mongolian children start to learn _______ before they can walk.
a. horse riding b.riding horse c. ride horse d. horse ridden
6. On the side of the road, a herd boy was herding _______.
a. kites b.hay c. cattle d. blackberries
7. Mongolian children learn to ride when they are _______ as three years old.
a. as young b.younger c. younger than d. so young
8. Does your new stereo play music _______ than your old one did?
a. louder b.more loudly c. loudlier d. more louder
9. Countryside is not polluted _______ you can breathe there fresh air.
a. although b.however c. therefore d. as
10. ‘Children in my village often fly their kites in dry rice fields.’ ‘_______’
a. It’s right up my street! b. That’s awesome.
c. Exactly what I want. d. How interesting!