Excerpt from
"Armour's Monthly Cookbook"
Most of us could manage to be fairly happy if we really tried to
make the best of things.
Don't get depressed even if
things do seem to be going wrong at the moment. Depression will make matters
worse rather than better. If you do your duty faithfully, the sun is sure to
shine again sometime.
Many people pride themselves on their plain speaking. An ability
to put things pleasantly is really far more valuable. Even fault-finding can be
pleasantly done.
It always seems to me that
it is less important that we should fulfill our tasks in life than that we
should do our best.
Of the people who complain most bitterly that they have "no
chance," probably very few would do great things if great opportunities
came. "No chance" is a very old excuse.
Don't give way to
selfishness—it is a terrible vice that we all find it so difficult to forgive
in others.
Even if you don't like your work, try to do it well. It may lead
on to your true vocation.
Reading
Comprehension Questions
1) The author of the above passage obviously feels that which
of the following is very important?
a.
a large bank account
b.
a fashionable wardrobe
c.
a skeptical attitude
d.
a positive outlook
2) Which of the following describes the author’s style
for the above passage?
a.
technical
b.
casual
c.
formal
d.
annoyed
3) Which is the best way to paraphrase Wednesday morning’s
activities?
a.
You always need to accomplish
great things, no matter how difficult.
b.
Doing your best is more
important than succeeding at everything.
c.
Sometimes it’s better to
relax than to focus on the task at hand.
d.
Avoid being selfish, even if
it means that you can’t do your best.
4) Using the contextual clues in the above passage, what is the
meaning of “vocation” for Saturday morning’s activities?
a.
career
b.
holiday
c.
award
d.
opinion
5) When conducting an internet search, the above passage would
most likely be found when searching for which ‘key words’?
a.
“get-rich-quick ideas”
b.
“art of plain speaking”
c.
“weekly calendars”
d.
“daily tips for good living”
Answer Key
1) The author of the above passage obviously
feels that which of the following is very important?
a.
a large bank account
b.
a fashionable wardrobe
c.
a skeptical attitude
d.
a positive
outlook
2)
Which of the
following describes the author’s style for the above passage?
a.
technical
b.
casual
c.
formal
d.
annoyed
3)
Which is the best
way to paraphrase Wednesday morning’s activities?
a.
You always
need to accomplish great things, no matter how difficult.
b.
Doing your best is more important than succeeding
at everything.
c.
Sometimes it’s
better to relax than to focus on the task at hand.
d.
Avoid being
selfish, even if it means that you can’t do your best.
4)
Using the
contextual clues in the above passage, what is the meaning of “vocation” for
Saturday morning’s activities?
a.
career
b.
holiday
a.
award
b.
opinion
5)
When conducting
an internet search, the above passage would most likely be found when searching
for which ‘key words’?
a.
“get-rich-quick ideas”
b.
“art of plain speaking”
c.
“weekly calendars”
d.
“daily tips for good
living”