Reading Comprehension
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Reading Comprehension
William Shakespeare (1564s – 1616)

William Shakespeare, the greatest English writer of drama, was born in 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon. We do not know everything about Shakespeare’s early life. But we know that he studied at the Grammar School in Stratford, and that lie became interested in the theatre when lie was still a boy.

In 1586 Shakespeare went to London, where he worked in the theatre for some years before he began to write his own plays.

Shakespeare soon became well-known in London literary circles. Every play that he wrote was good news to the people of the capital. Queen Elizabeth liked Shakespeare's plays, and the actors were often invited to play before the Queen and later before King James - a great honor in those days. By the end of the 16th century, Shakespeare and his friends had enough money to build their own theatre - the famous Globe Theatre.

But we must not think that Shakespeare had no difficulties in his life. Less talented writers, whose plays were worse than his, often quarreled with Shakespeare and attacked him, the actors in his own theatre sometimes turned against him.

People in our Country love and honor Shakespeare. Many say that they love him for his wonderful optimism: in his light comedies and even in his tragedies lie seems to promise a better and brighter future for all mankind.

Read the text “William Shakespeare” and do the tasks below.    

I. The text is about  ...

1) Shakespeare's life.

2) The life of English people in Shakespeare's time.

3) The queen's and king's life.

4) The writers who lived in England in the 16th century.

II. Complete the sentence.

Shakespeare was especially good at...

1) novels

2) detective stories

3) mystery plays

4) dramas

III. Find the wrong statement.

1) In his childhood Shakespeare got interested in the theatre.

2) The King and the Queen of England liked his plays.

3) Shakespeare was widely known only for his Globe Theatre.

4) Shakespeare had difficulties in his life.

IV. Answer the question.

What kind of man was Shakespeare?

1) He was a man who liked to quarrel with people.

2) He was a man who was fond of saving money.

3) He was a man who tried to perform only in the king's palace.

4) He was a man who had wonderful optimism.

V. Why do you think Shakespeare is well-known throughout the world?

1) He was an English writer.

2) His actors disliked him.

3) He built his own theatre.

4) He wrote a lot of brilliant plays.

VI. Choose the synonym to the underlined word.

People in our country love and honor Shakespeare.

1) envy        2) respect        3) read        4) remember