Reading Comprehension

One to watch! Essay by Jessica Bourne, aged 14

I'm a big fan of films featuring the spy James Bond. I've got most of them on DVD. We've recently bought Quantum of Solace, in which Daniel Craig plays the part of Bond. I don't know why the film's got that name - but it's a great movie, anyway. All the actors who've played James Bond have been great, but Daniel Craig, who's made lots of other films, plays the part better than any of them. Even though he doesn't talk very much, I think he's the most perfect actor for the role. He even does a few of the more dangerous things in the film himself, instead of getting someone else to do them. I did wonder sometimes whether he'd be clever enough to defeat the bad people - but I'm not going to tell you the ending! The actress who stars with Craig gives a fantastic performance, too - I loved all the glamorous clothes she wore! The director probably had a hard job making this Bond film as full of action as earlier ones. But the excitement starts right at the beginning here, with a car chase along a mountain road, and plenty of other thrilling scenes, too - Bond leaping off tall buildings and so on. Unfortunately, I found the story difficult to follow in places, and it also seemed to be over very quickly - it lasted under two hours. I also felt there weren't as many jokes as in the old Bond films. And where was all the ridiculous Bond equipment - the underwater car or exploding watch that everyone laughed at? This is a more serious, darker Bond film, but I still really enjoyed it.

1. What is Jessica trying to do in her essay?

• explain what first attracted her to Bond films

• tell readers about the Bond DVDs she owns

• give a balanced view of a Bond film she has seen

• describe how Daniel Craig got the part of James Bond

I'm a big fan of films featuring the spy James Bond. I've got most of them on DVD. We've recently bought Quantum of Solace, in which Daniel Craig plays the part of Bond. I don't know why the film's got that name - but it's a great movie, anyway. All the actors who've played James Bond have been great, but Daniel Craig, who's made lots of other films, plays the part better than any of them. Even though he doesn't talk very much, I think he's the most perfect actor for the role. He even does a few of the more dangerous things in the film himself, instead of getting someone else to do them. I did wonder sometimes whether he'd be clever enough to defeat the bad people - but I'm not going to tell you the ending! The actress who stars with Craig gives a fantastic performance, too - I loved all the glamorous clothes she wore! The director probably had a hard job making this Bond film as full of action as earlier ones. But the excitement starts right at the beginning here, with a car chase along a mountain road, and plenty of other thrilling scenes, too - Bond leaping off tall buildings and so on. Unfortunately, I found the story difficult to follow in places, and it also seemed to be over very quickly - it lasted under two hours. I also felt there weren't as many jokes as in the old Bond films. And where was all the ridiculous Bond equipment - the underwater car or exploding watch that everyone laughed at? This is a more serious, darker Bond film, but I still really enjoyed it.

2. What can a reader find out from Jessica's essay?

• whether Quantum of Solace is her favourite Bond film

• what other films Daniel Craig has made

• which other actors have played James Bond

• whether she thinks Daniel Craig is the best James Bond

I'm a big fan of films featuring the spy James Bond. I've got most of them on DVD. We've recently bought Quantum of Solace, in which Daniel Craig plays the part of Bond. I don't know why the film's got that name - but it's a great movie, anyway. All the actors who've played James Bond have been great, but Daniel Craig, who's made lots of other films, plays the part better than any of them. Even though he doesn't talk very much, I think he's the most perfect actor for the role. He even does a few of the more dangerous things in the film himself, instead of getting someone else to do them. I did wonder sometimes whether he'd be clever enough to defeat the bad people - but I'm not going to tell you the ending! The actress who stars with Craig gives a fantastic performance, too - I loved all the glamorous clothes she wore! The director probably had a hard job making this Bond film as full of action as earlier ones. But the excitement starts right at the beginning here, with a car chase along a mountain road, and plenty of other thrilling scenes, too - Bond leaping off tall buildings and so on. Unfortunately, I found the story difficult to follow in places, and it also seemed to be over very quickly - it lasted under two hours. I also felt there weren't as many jokes as in the old Bond films. And where was all the ridiculous Bond equipment - the underwater car or exploding watch that everyone laughed at? This is a more serious, darker Bond film, but I still really enjoyed it.

3. What does Jessica tell us about Craig in the new Bond film?

• He performs some of the action scenes.

• He wears some stylish clothes.

• He is given a lot of lines to say.

• He looks strong and fit enough to fight the criminals

I'm a big fan of films featuring the spy James Bond. I've got most of them on DVD. We've recently bought Quantum of Solace, in which Daniel Craig plays the part of Bond. I don't know why the film's got that name - but it's a great movie, anyway. All the actors who've played James Bond have been great, but Daniel Craig, who's made lots of other films, plays the part better than any of them. Even though he doesn't talk very much, I think he's the most perfect actor for the role. He even does a few of the more dangerous things in the film himself, instead of getting someone else to do them. I did wonder sometimes whether he'd be clever enough to defeat the bad people - but I'm not going to tell you the ending! The actress who stars with Craig gives a fantastic performance, too - I loved all the glamorous clothes she wore! The director probably had a hard job making this Bond film as full of action as earlier ones. But the excitement starts right at the beginning here, with a car chase along a mountain road, and plenty of other thrilling scenes, too - Bond leaping off tall buildings and so on. Unfortunately, I found the story difficult to follow in places, and it also seemed to be over very quickly - it lasted under two hours. I also felt there weren't as many jokes as in the old Bond films. And where was all the ridiculous Bond equipment - the underwater car or exploding watch that everyone laughed at? This is a more serious, darker Bond film, but I still really enjoyed it.

4. What is one problem with the film, according to Jessica?

• It seems a bit too long.

• It's sometimes hard to understand what's happening

• It has too much silly technology in it.

• It has jokes that aren't very funny.

I'm a big fan of films featuring the spy James Bond. I've got most of them on DVD. We've recently bought Quantum of Solace, in which Daniel Craig plays the part of Bond. I don't know why the film's got that name - but it's a great movie, anyway. All the actors who've played James Bond have been great, but Daniel Craig, who's made lots of other films, plays the part better than any of them. Even though he doesn't talk very much, I think he's the most perfect actor for the role. He even does a few of the more dangerous things in the film himself, instead of getting someone else to do them. I did wonder sometimes whether he'd be clever enough to defeat the bad people - but I'm not going to tell you the ending! The actress who stars with Craig gives a fantastic performance, too - I loved all the glamorous clothes she wore! The director probably had a hard job making this Bond film as full of action as earlier ones. But the excitement starts right at the beginning here, with a car chase along a mountain road, and plenty of other thrilling scenes, too - Bond leaping off tall buildings and so on. Unfortunately, I found the story difficult to follow in places, and it also seemed to be over very quickly - it lasted under two hours. I also felt there weren't as many jokes as in the old Bond films. And where was all the ridiculous Bond equipment - the underwater car or exploding watch that everyone laughed at? This is a more serious, darker Bond film, but I still really enjoyed it.

5. Which of these might appear in a magazine review of the new Bond film?

• It's full of excitement, with Bond jumping across rooftops, so don't be disappointed by the slow start

• he director wanted to move away from the last Bond film and include a bit less action.

• I'm not sure the title tells you much, but be prepared to watch a rather different kind of Bond movie

• Daniel Craig performed well as James Bond, but the main female star was disappointing

I've practised skateboarding for 18 months now, and I was the youngest person in a street skateboarding competition last year. I spend my free time at my town's new skatepark - I rarely stay at home and watch TV. Before the new skatepark was built this year, the nearest skatepark was in a town 10 km away. Some of my older friends went there, but my mum wouldn't let me go because I wasn't old enough. The only place to skate was on the pavements, but then I fell and injured my arm. I wasn't popular with pedestrians, either, so I stopped! Nowadays, though, I can use the new skatepark in the evenings - it's got huge lights, so you can use it even at night.

We've got a skatepark at our school now, too. It keeps us fit! The school skatepark is dangerous for smaller children like my little brother, though, as the teenage students also use their rollerskates or ride their BMX bikes there. I guess they prefer it because the skatepark in town is pretty busy. I've always found schoolwork easy, but skateboarding is hard! My favourite trick is jumping over boxes. Doing things like that really makes you concentrate, which is a challenge, but it's something I really enjoy. My older sister works as a skateboard instructor, so one day I'd like to be like her. It's unusual for girls to skate around here, so although I love it, it's a bit lonely. I'd like more girls to join in!

In this text Rachel Martin

• explains what equipment is needed for skateboarding.

• describes the places for skateboarding in her area

• persuades young people to enter skateboarding competitions.

• compares skateboarding with other sports.

I've practised skateboarding for 18 months now, and I was the youngest person in a street skateboarding competition last year. I spend my free time at my town's new skatepark - I rarely stay at home and watch TV. Before the new skatepark was built this year, the nearest skatepark was in a town 10 km away. Some of my older friends went there, but my mum wouldn't let me go because I wasn't old enough. The only place to skate was on the pavements, but then I fell and injured my arm. I wasn't popular with pedestrians, either, so I stopped! Nowadays, though, I can use the new skatepark in the evenings - it's got huge lights, so you can use it even at night.

We've got a skatepark at our school now, too. It keeps us fit! The school skatepark is dangerous for smaller children like my little brother, though, as the teenage students also use their rollerskates or ride their BMX bikes there. I guess they prefer it because the skatepark in town is pretty busy. I've always found schoolwork easy, but skateboarding is hard! My favourite trick is jumping over boxes. Doing things like that really makes you concentrate, which is a challenge, but it's something I really enjoy. My older sister works as a skateboard instructor, so one day I'd like to be like her. It's unusual for girls to skate around here, so although I love it, it's a bit lonely. I'd like more girls to join in!

Why was it hard for Rachel to go skateboarding last year?

• There wasn't a skatepark near enough to her house

• None of her friends were able to go with her.

• She was worried she would hurt herself.

• She wasn't allowed to go out in the evenings

I've practised skateboarding for 18 months now, and I was the youngest person in a street skateboarding competition last year. I spend my free time at my town's new skatepark - I rarely stay at home and watch TV. Before the new skatepark was built this year, the nearest skatepark was in a town 10 km away. Some of my older friends went there, but my mum wouldn't let me go because I wasn't old enough. The only place to skate was on the pavements, but then I fell and injured my arm. I wasn't popular with pedestrians, either, so I stopped! Nowadays, though, I can use the new skatepark in the evenings - it's got huge lights, so you can use it even at night.

We've got a skatepark at our school now, too. It keeps us fit! The school skatepark is dangerous for smaller children like my little brother, though, as the teenage students also use their rollerskates or ride their BMX bikes there. I guess they prefer it because the skatepark in town is pretty busy. I've always found schoolwork easy, but skateboarding is hard! My favourite trick is jumping over boxes. Doing things like that really makes you concentrate, which is a challenge, but it's something I really enjoy. My older sister works as a skateboard instructor, so one day I'd like to be like her. It's unusual for girls to skate around here, so although I love it, it's a bit lonely. I'd like more girls to join in!

What does Rachel say about the skatepark at her school?

• It allows younger children to practise their skating.

• It takes too many people away from other sports.

• It is used for several different activities.

• It is more crowded than the skatepark in town.

I've practised skateboarding for 18 months now, and I was the youngest person in a street skateboarding competition last year. I spend my free time at my town's new skatepark - I rarely stay at home and watch TV. Before the new skatepark was built this year, the nearest skatepark was in a town 10 km away. Some of my older friends went there, but my mum wouldn't let me go because I wasn't old enough. The only place to skate was on the pavements, but then I fell and injured my arm. I wasn't popular with pedestrians, either, so I stopped! Nowadays, though, I can use the new skatepark in the evenings - it's got huge lights, so you can use it even at night.

We've got a skatepark at our school now, too. It keeps us fit! The school skatepark is dangerous for smaller children like my little brother, though, as the teenage students also use their rollerskates or ride their BMX bikes there. I guess they prefer it because the skatepark in town is pretty busy. I've always found schoolwork easy, but skateboarding is hard! My favourite trick is jumping over boxes. Doing things like that really makes you concentrate, which is a challenge, but it's something I really enjoy. My older sister works as a skateboard instructor, so one day I'd like to be like her. It's unusual for girls to skate around here, so although I love it, it's a bit lonely. I'd like more girls to join in!

What does Rachel like about skateboarding?

• getting the chance to be good at something

• having to think carefully

• learning new skills from her sister

• doing an activity with girls of her own age

I've practised skateboarding for 18 months now, and I was the youngest person in a street skateboarding competition last year. I spend my free time at my town's new skatepark - I rarely stay at home and watch TV. Before the new skatepark was built this year, the nearest skatepark was in a town 10 km away. Some of my older friends went there, but my mum wouldn't let me go because I wasn't old enough. The only place to skate was on the pavements, but then I fell and injured my arm. I wasn't popular with pedestrians, either, so I stopped! Nowadays, though, I can use the new skatepark in the evenings - it's got huge lights, so you can use it even at night.

We've got a skatepark at our school now, too. It keeps us fit! The school skatepark is dangerous for smaller children like my little brother, though, as the teenage students also use their rollerskates or ride their BMX bikes there. I guess they prefer it because the skatepark in town is pretty busy. I've always found schoolwork easy, but skateboarding is hard! My favourite trick is jumping over boxes. Doing things like that really makes you concentrate, which is a challenge, but it's something I really enjoy. My older sister works as a skateboard instructor, so one day I'd like to be like her. It's unusual for girls to skate around here, so although I love it, it's a bit lonely. I'd like more girls to join in!

Which of the following might Rachel write in her diary?

• Did another competition today - I won, although I was the youngest. But then I have got two years' experience.

• Didn't feel like practising tonight, so stayed in and watched TV instead. That's the fourth time this week!

• Was skating on the pavement today when I fell and hurt my ankle. I've done that three times now.

• Couldn't use school skatepark today - there were too many bikers. My little brother wanted to play there but it wasn't safe for him.