G9 A Revision (2)

For some people Christmas and the New Year are very jolly and pleasant times; but there is no holiday for cabmen and cabmen’s horses, though it may be a harvest. There are so many parties, balls, and places of amusement open that the work is hard and often late. Sometimes driver and horse have to wait for hours in the rain or frost, shivering with the cold, while the merry people within are dancing away to the music. I wonder if the beautiful ladies ever think of the weary cabman waiting on his box, and his patient beast standing, till his legs get stiff with cold.

What is the text MAINLY about?

• New Year is a joyful time for cabmen and horses.

• Christmas and the New Year are pleasant times for cabmen.

• Christmas and the New Year are enjoyable times for horses.

• Christmas and the New Year are difficult times for cabmen and their horses.

The rain began early in the morning. It fell as hard drops, one after another. The sky was full of dark purple clouds. Thunder began as a soft rumble and became louder and louder. Lightning crashed every few minutes, making the sky a brilliant white.

What is the text MAINLY about?

• The farms needed the rain.

• The thunder hurt the people’s ears.

• Lightning made the sky bright.

• The storm was very strong.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes between the Earth and the sun. During an eclipse, the moon blocks all or part of the sun. A solar eclipse would happen every month if the orbits of the Earth and the moon were perfectly circular and the moon orbited on the same plane as the Earth’s orbit around the sun. However, the Earth’s orbit and the moon’s orbit are not perfect circles. They are both oval shaped, or elliptical. In addition, the moon’s orbit is not on the same plane as the Earth’s, but is angled at about 5 degrees. These orbit characteristics provide fewer opportunities for the moon to be in the correct position to block the sun. Rather than happening every month, some type of solar eclipse happens only two to five times a year.

A total solar eclipse for any given location is even rarer. In a total eclipse, the moon completely blocks the sun, leaving only an edge of light called “the ring of fire.” A total eclipse occurs somewhere on Earth about every 18 months. Any one location on Earth, however, will only be able to view a total eclipse about every 360 to 410 years.

What is the text MAINLY about?

• A solar eclipse only happens two to five times a year.

• A solar eclipse is a rare event.

• During an eclipse, the moon blocks all or part of the sun.

• A total eclipse for one particular place on Earth occurs about once every 360 to 410 years.

As important as water conservation is, it is also very easy. A few simple habits can signifi cantly reduce the water consumption of a household. One way to save water is to turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. Also, don’t allow faucets to drip; one drip can waste a large amount of water over a short period of time. Baths require less water than showers, so by taking a bath instead of a shower, you can reduce the amount of water your home uses. In the kitchen, running a dishwasher when it is completely full, rather than half full, can save up to 20 gallons a day. These simple changes will save water and save money.

What is the text MAINLY about?

• Water conservation is important.

• Consumers can save money by conserving water.

• A few simple changes can save water in the home.

• Baths take less water than showers.

Dolphins are mammals that live in the ocean. Mammals are different than fish, reptiles or birds. As a mammal, dolphins breathe oxygen, even though they live in water. Because they are mammals, a dolphin mother gives birth to a live baby, unlike reptiles and birds who lay eggs. A dolphin mother also feeds her baby milk like other mammals.

What is the text MAINLY about?

• A dolphin mother feeds her baby milk.

• A dolphin breathes oxygen.

• A dolphin is a mammal.

• Mammals are the same as fish, reptiles and birds.

Spots was a large grey and white cat. Spots lived in a barn on a farm. Spots liked living in the barn. It was warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There were many mice for Spots to chase. Best of all, Spots had a soft place to sleep in the corner of the barn.

What is the text MAINLY about?

• The barn was dirty.

• Spots was grey and white.

• The barn was a good place for Spots to live.

• Spots often slept outside when it rained.