Level 9 - Prof. Denise Irbauch
Reading Practice
The
Story of Ice Cream
Ice cream
has been delighting people for centuries. In ancient China, frozen mixtures of
milk and rice were packed into snow to create a cool dessert. Later, in Italy, chefs
began adding sugar and fruit to icy treats, giving birth to what we now call
sorbet. Even today, many people enjoy sorbet as a light and refreshing dessert.
When
explorers traveled from Europe to Asia, they brought back new ingredients like
vanilla and cacao beans. These items were soon added to frozen recipes. In the
1600s, Italian inventors developed early machines to churn the mixture
smoothly. This made ice cream creamier and easier to enjoy.
The first
ice cream shop opened in Paris in 1686. The shop used ice blocks collected in
winter and stored underground. The frozen treat quickly became a favorite among
royals and wealthy citizens. In fact, ice cream was once considered a luxury.
Ice cream
became widely popular in America after the invention of the hand-cranked
freezer in the 1840s. Soon, street vendors were selling scoops to children and
adults alike. In 1904, the ice cream cone was introduced at the St. Louis
World's Fair. It was created when a waffle vendor helped an ice cream seller
who had run out of bowls.
During
World War II, ice cream was used to boost the morale of American soldiers. When
the war ended, returning troops brought their love of ice cream back home. As
machines improved, it became easier and cheaper to produce. Today, ice cream is
one of the most loved desserts in the world.
Some fun
ice cream facts include:
● The largest ice cream cone ever made was over 9 feet tall.
● Vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor in the world.
● The average American eats around 20 pounds of ice cream every year.
● National Ice Cream Day is celebrated in July.
● The first written ice cream recipe was found in a cookbook from the 18th
century.
Reading Comprehension
a) Read
and answer:
Mark:
___ / 5
i) Which
is the best title for this text?
☐ The
History of Frozen Desserts
☐ Ice Cream and Sorbet Around the World
☐ How Ice Cream Became So Popular
b) Read
the text and find the information to complete the fact file:
Mark:
___ / 18
i)
Country where sorbet was invented:
.....................................................................................
ii)
Ingredients used in the first Chinese frozen dessert:
.....................................................................................
iii) Two
ingredients that explorers brought to Europe:
.....................................................................................
iv) Name
of the first frozen dessert shop and the city it opened in:
.....................................................................................
v) How
people stored ice in the past:
.....................................................................................
vi)
Invention that helped ice cream spread in America:
.....................................................................................
vii)
Event where the cone was first introduced:
.....................................................................................
viii)
Country where ice cream boosted soldier morale:
.....................................................................................
ix)
Month when National Ice Cream Day is celebrated:
.....................................................................................
c) Match
the words with what they mean. Go back to the text to see them in context.
Write
the number of the definition on the line next to the word
Mark: ___ / 12
|
a. churn ___ |
|
Meet Lena
Lena is a young chef and gardener from Oregon, in the United States. In 2015, she was one of the winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, a national cooking contest for children aged 8 to 12. Lena’s delicious and healthy recipe was made with vegetables she grew herself in her backyard garden.
Lena became interested in gardening when she visited a community farm near her school. She was inspired by what she learned about planting, composting, and healthy food. Back home, she decided to help her parents grow tomatoes, carrots, and spinach. She later used these ingredients in the recipe that won the contest.
As part of the prize, Lena was invited to a special lunch at the White House, along with winners from every U.S. state and territory. The event was called the Kids’ “State Dinner”, and it was hosted by the First Lady. Lena was very excited to meet her and to share her ideas about healthy eating.
Now, Lena encourages her classmates to cook at home using fresh ingredients. She believes young people can help their families eat better and feel better. For Lena, growing food is not only fun—it’s also a way to make a real difference.
Comprehension Section
a) Read and answer:
Mark: _ / 5
i) Which is the best title for this text?
☐ Lena’s Garden Adventures
☐ How to Win a Cooking Contest
☐ Lena: A Healthy Cooking Champion
b) Read the text and find the information to complete the fact file:
Mark: _ / 18
i) Name of the girl in the story:
....................................................................................
ii) U.S. state where she lives:
....................................................................................
iii) Year of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge:
....................................................................................
iv) Where Lena first learned about gardening:
....................................................................................
v) Three vegetables Lena grows at home:
....................................................................................
vi) What event she was invited to:
....................................................................................
vii) Name of the person who hosted the event:
....................................................................................
viii) What Lena encourages her classmates to do:
....................................................................................
ix) Lena’s opinion about growing food:
....................................................................................
c) Match the words with what they mean.
Write the number of the definition next to the word
Mark: _ / 12
a. backyard _
b. community _
c. composting _
d. prize _
e. ingredient _
f. encourage _
Definitions:
To support or give someone confidence to do something
A material added to soil to help plants grow, made from food or garden waste
A reward for doing something well
A part of food used in a recipe
The space behind a house, usually with grass or garden
A group of people living in the same area or sharing something in common
