Read this text very carefully and do the Written Comprehension exercice. 

You can check how to read in English.

Written Comprehension

            There are no snakes in Ireland, which is surprising because there are lots of snakes in Great Britain. But the Irish have an explanation. What they say that Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, drove the snakes out of the country.

            A lot of Irish legends mention St Patrick; but we don’t know many facts about him, except what he tells us in a book he wrote in Latin about his life. He says he was born in England around 389 AD. When he was 16, he was kidnapped by bandits and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but came back to convert the Irish to Christianity.

            Today St Patrick is still very important in Ireland. So is his emblem, the shamrock. It has three leaves, which is why Patrick chose it, to represent the Holy Trinity; everybody recognizes it as the emblem of Ireland. And Saint Patrick’s Day, the 17th of March, is a very special day. It’s a holiday in Ireland.

Green is Saint Patrick’s colour, so on Saint Patrick’s Day, the Irish like wearing green clothes, eating green food, and sending green greetings cards. They also organize parades through the streets, with big bands – and not only in Ireland.

            After the Great Potato Famine in the 1840’s, millions of Irish people emigrated to England, America or Europe, and their descendants are fond of remembering their Irish roots. Irish Americans love Saint Patrick’s Day; every year more than 150,000 of them march towards Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. There are celebrations in lots of English towns and even in France. So don’t miss the fun on the 17th of March!

Written Comprehension

1. General comprehension: Read the text and answer the following questions :

1. What is the text about?
2. Where does the scene takes place?
3. Who is the main character?

2. Vocabulary: Find the English for:

Sainte (adjectif)  -  une explication  -  un esclave  -  un trèfle  -  des racines  -  rater

3. Detailed comprehension: 

1. Are there snakes in Ireland? Why?
2. What do we know about Saint Patrick?
3. How did he come to Ireland?
4. Do people go to work on March 17th ? Why?
5. What is the emblem of Ireland?
6. What do people do on Saint Patrick’s day? Give examples.
7. Why is St Patrick’s day also celebrated in the United States or Europe?
8. What did Saint Patrick change in Ireland?

Ask someone to correct your exercise or send it to Mrs Williams

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