Reading 1

​Reading 1
English as a New Language

Jamaica Learning Center

ES1

emigrate- (v) to move permanently from one's country to another.

dry goods- (n) clothing, fabric, and other items to sell

miner- (n) a person who searches for gold, diamonds, etc.

durable- (adj) last a long time

fabric- (n) material for clothing, curtains, etc.

tailor- (n) a person who sews clothing

rivet- (n) (v) a metal piece that holds 2 thing together. (You can see the metal on Levi's jeans)

patent- (n) (v) an inventor's right to be the only one making or selling a product

think it over- (v) think about it, decide

​Reading 1

Do you enjoy wearing Levi's blue
jeans? Blue jeans have become
popular all over the world, but do
you know how they got started?
Read on to find out...

Levi Strauss was born in Germany in the mid
1800's and emigrated to the United States as a young man. He lived in New York City and learned the dry-goods business for several years.

In 1853 he took his knowledge and his

dreams to San Francisco (California., USA.)

His dream to succeed came true over

the

the next 20 years as he became a very succssful

businessman.

Many of Levi Strauss' customers were
cowboys and miners. They needed
clothing that was strong and durable.
Strauss found a special fabric from
France that was comfortable and
lasted a long time. It was called
"serge de Nimes," which was later
shortened to the word denim.

Another man named Jacob Davis bought large amounts of the denim fabric from Levi Strauss.
He was a tailor who made pants for
hard-working men. One of his customers was
continually tearing the pockets off his pants. So Jacob Davis decided to put rivets on certain parts of the pants to make them stronger. The customer loved the new pants so much that he told all his friends, and soon Jacob Davis was busy making lots of pants with rivets.

Jacob Davis soon realized that using rivets
was a great business idea, and he didn't
want anybody to steal that idea. He decided that he would need to get a patent. But being a poor tailor, he didn't have enough money to pay for the patent.

After thinking it over, he went to the
businessman Levi Strauss and told him his
idea. He said, "If you agree to pay for the
patent, we will share the profits from the
riveted pants." Levi Strauss did agree, and
the new riveted pant business was called Levi Strauss and Company. Today Levi's jeans are more popular than ever, and Levi's name continues to live on.

Reading Comprehension

True or False?

Multiple Choice

1. Levi Strauss was born in 1853.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

2. 2. Levi Strauss wanted to become a great businessman.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

3. Levi Strauss sewed pants in his business.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

4. Jacob Davis sewed pants in his business.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

5. Jacob David used denim to make pants.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

6. Jacob Davis put rivets in pants because they looked good.

• True

• False

Reading 2

English 1

Jamaica Learning Center

Kasi and Dami

Reading Comprehension

True or False?

1. Kasi is from Nigeria.

Multiple Choice

1. 1. Kasi is from Nigeria.

• True

• False

2. Kasi and Dami live in Nigeria.

Multiple Choice

2. Kasi and Dami live in Nigeria.

• True

• False

3. They are happy.

Multiple Choice

3. 3. They are happy.

• True

• False

Reading Comprehension

True or False?

Multiple Choice

4. 4. Eki doesn't like jam.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

5. 5. Kasi eats figs.

• True

• False

6. Kasi and Dami’s family likes to eat.

Multiple Choice

6. Kasi and Dami’s family likes to eat.

• True

• False

Short Answers

Read the questions. Then, use a short answer.

Affirmative

Negative

Yes, I am

Yes, they are

Yes, he is.

Yes, I was.

Yes, she was.

Yes, I do
Yes, I did.

Yes, she did
Yes, they did.

Yes, I will.

Yes, they will.

Yes, we can.
Yes, I can.

No, I’m not.

No, they aren’t.

No, he isn’t.

No, I wasn’t.

No, she wasn’t.

No, I don’t.
No, I didn’t.

No, she didn’t.
No, they didn’t.

No, I won’t.

No, they won’t.

No, we can’t.
No, I can’t.

1. Can Sheila cook?

2. Did Angela drive to work?

3. Do you like vegetables?

4. Will they go to school?

5. Are you okay?

6. Will you go home after class?

7. Is it raining?

8. Were you in class yesterday?

9. Did you sleep well?

10. Can you speak English?