Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed most commonly on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is prepared for by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night; in some traditions, Christmastide includes an Octave. The traditional Christmas narrative, the Nativity of Jesus, delineated in the New Testament says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in accordance with messianic prophecies; when Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming this news to shepherds who then disseminated the message furthermore. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world's nations, is celebrated religiously by the vast majority of Christians, as well as culturally by a number of non-Christian people, and is an integral part of the holiday season, while some Christian groups reject the celebration. In several countries, celebrating Christmas Eve on December 24 has the main focus rather than December 25, with gift-giving and sharing a traditional meal with the family.

1. what holiday occurs on Dec 25?
2. whose birth is celebrated?
3. is there a story about him?
4. where can it be found?
5. where does it say he was born?
6. was his birth foreseen?
7. who are his parents?
8. who celebrates christmas?
9. any one else?
10. how long does the celebration last in the west?
11. is there a feast?
12. what is it the beginning of?
13. what season is it?
14. does it sometimes include an octave?
15. what is the typical story of Jesus called?
16. when his parents arrived in bethlehem, where did they go?
17. were rooms available for them?
18. where was jesus born?
19. do people celebrate christmas eve too?
20. when does it occur?

Numbered answers:

A: 1. Christmas
2. Jesus Christ
3. Yes
4. in the New Testament
5. Bethlehem
6. Yes
7. Joseph and Mary
8. Christians
9. non-Christian people as well
10. 12 days
11. Yes
12. Advent
13. Christmastide
14. Yes
15. the Nativity of Jesus
16. First, to an inn
17. No
18. In a stable
19. Yes
20. December 24

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

"Mom, you should put some of your things away. The house should be safe for the baby," said my son Mark as he walked upstairs with his wife and fifteen-month-old Hannah.

They visited us for the Thanksgiving holiday. After driving all day from Salt Lake to Ft. Collins, his temper showed. "That one finger rule may work with other kids, but never Hannah," he insisted.

When my three granddaughters first moved into our house three years ago, my friend offered me her secret to behave grandchildren. "Teach them the 'one finger rule'." All of her five grandchildren learned it at a young age and it proved to also work well with mine.

I picked up my granddaughter and said, "Well, Mark, just watch." I hugged her and walked all around the great room.

"Hannah, you may touch anything in this room you want, but, you can only use one finger." I showed the technique by touching my forefinger to the sculpture. Hannah followed my example. "Good girl. Now what else would you like to touch?"

She stretched her finger toward the lamp. I allowed her to touch everything in sight, plants, glass objects, TV, VCR, speakers, etc. If she started to grab , I gently reminded her to use one finger. She always obeyed. However, Hannah, an only child, possessed a more adventurous personality. Her father predicted it would prevent her from accepting the "one finger rule".

During their four-day stay, we aided Hannah in remembering "one finger rule". She learned quickly.

Months later, my husband and I drove to Salt Lake. I watched Mark continue to practice the one finger rule. I smiled happily each time he asked Hannah to touch with "one finger".

1. Where does Mark live?
2. What is the one finger rule?
3. What did Hannah touch?
4. Where did the narrator drive later?
5. Why did she smile during the trip?
6. How old is Hannah?
7. Did Mark initially have doubts the one finger rule would work?
8. Is Hanna an only child?
9. What holiday did Mark and his family visit?
10. Is Mark married?

Numbered answers:

A: 1. Salt Lake to Ft. Collins,
2. you may touch anything in this room you want, but, you can only use one finger
3. the lamp
4. Salt Lake
5. she watched Mark continue to practice the one finger rule
6. fifteen-month-old
7. Yes
8. No
9. Thanksgiving
10. Yes

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

CHAPTER XII

GEORGE FACES DISASTER

A fortnight had passed since the affair at the settlement when Hardie arrived at the Marston homestead toward supper-time. After the meal was over, he accompanied his host and Edgar to the little room used for an office.

"As I've been busy since four this morning, I don't mean to do anything more," said George, "I suppose you don't smoke?"

"No," Hardie answered. "It's a concession I can make without much effort to our stricter brethren. I'm inclined to believe they consider smoking almost as bad as drink. You agree with them about the latter?"

"We try to be consistent," Edgar told him. "You see, I couldn't very well indulge in an occasional drink when I've undertaken to make those Sage Butte fellows abstainers. Anyhow, though you're by no means liberal in your view, you're practical people. As soon as I landed at Montreal, a pleasant young man, wearing a silver monogram came up to me, and offered me introductions to people who might find me a job. Though I didn't want one, I was grateful; and when I told him I wasn't one of his flock, he said it didn't matter. That kind of thing makes a good impression."

"How are you getting on at the settlement?"

George interposed.

Hardie sat silent for a few moments, and George saw that his eyes were anxious and his face looked worn.

"Badly," he said. "I feel I can talk to you freely, and that's really why I came, though I had another call to make."

1. what did edgar say they try to be?
2. what kind of people did Edgar say they were?
3. who was grateful?
4. what was puffing a cigarette as bad as?
5. what type of idea is for good feeling?
6. who wasn't?
7. who was sitting quietly?
8. and who gazed at him?
9. who could speak openly?
10. and what did he have have yet to carryout?
11. who was donning the shiny name engraved?

Numbered answers:

A:
1. "We try to be consistent
2. practical people.
3. Edgar
4. as bad as drink
5. when I told him I wasn't one of his flock
6. Edgar
7. Hardie
8. George
9. hardie
10. another call
11. a pleasant young man