EXERCISE 1

It is not kindness to set a canary free, or a bird that is injured or has

been kept in a cage for years because it will be unable to take are of itself. Canaries

are born in cages of pet bird parents. They have been taken cared of generations and

have no knowledge of how to find food or shelter. Letting loose a canary in this world

is like leaving a two-year old baby to make his own living.

The only way to soften the hard lot of a canary is to make it feel so happy
Developing Reading Power 6

that it will not wish to be set free.

Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which word best describes the canary?

a. helpless
b. Happy
c. Restless

2. What is like to let loose a canary in this world?

a. Leaving a dog to make his own living
b. Leaving a two-year old baby to make his own living
c. Leaving a beggar to make his own living

3. Which sentence tells why canaries do not know how to find food or shelter?
a. Hey have been taken cared of for generations.
b. They do not wish to be set free.
c. They are lazy to look for their own food.
 EXERCISE 2

The gorilla, an ape, is a large and man-like animal. It lives in African

jungles and is so large and fierce, that no full-grown one has even been caught alive.

It lives on fruits and builds a covered platform in trees for its house. With one stroke

of its great arm, it can kill a person or a horse. Young gorillas have been caught and

brought to our menageries but they usually die because of the climate.

A young gorilla can be cared for and taught tricks. It also prove itself to

be very intelligent. Developing Reading Power 6

Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. What is the selection about?

a. wild creatures in Africa
b. the gorillas of Africa
c. the natives

2. Which word best describes the gorilla?

a. fierce
b. intelligent
c. gentle

3. What kind of gorillas are usually caught and tamed?

a. full-grown ones
b. the young ones
c. large and fierce ones
 EXERCISE 3

Taxes are important sources of income for the government. They are

essential to the life, progress and security of a nation. As good citizens, it is our

obligation and responsibility to pay taxes willingly and on time. The income of the

movement is intended for the welfare of the people. A large part of the government

money is spent on the following: maintenance of public schools, maintenance of the

army and the police, establishment of health services and construction of roads and

bridges. This is why it is necessary that our people-young and old alike-made to

understand the importance of paying taxes.

Developing Reading Power 6

Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which of the titles below is appropriate for this selection?

a. Why We Pay Taxes
b. Necessary Taxes
c. Expenses of the Government

2. Why are taxes necessary?

a. They are put in a bank as savings.
b. They are sources if income for the government.
c. They help us travel abroad.

3. What are taxes for?

a. For government support
b. For its officials
c. For the welfare of the people
 EXERCISE 4

We hear of cottage industries. These are industries that people engage in

at home. Many governments and civic organizations are helping to promote cottage

industries. These are encouraged because they help the people in the following ways:

They provide work for the jobless.

They increase man’s usefulness through creative and useful activities.

They increase the family income.

They develop the neighborliness and cooperation among the people in a

community.
Developing Reading Power 6

Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. What is the selection about?

a. Cottage industries
b. How people work
c. Increase in usefulness

2. What is true about cottage industries?

a. They promote goodwill among nations.
b. They provide work for those who already have jobs.
c. They develop cooperation among people in a community.

3. Why are cottage industries encouraged in our country?

a. to help big industries
b. to get rich
c. to help the jobless
 EXERCISE 5

February is the shortest month of the year, having only 28 days. It has 29

years during a leap year which comes once in every four years. There are 366 days in

all in a leap year.

All of the months of the year are named after a Roman god or goddess,

February comes from the Latin word “Frebuare”. It means to make clean and pure or

purity. This is also the month of love, as February 14 is Valentine’s day, a day for

dedication and renewal of love for parents, friends and sweethearts. We can make

everyday a Valentine’s Day by loving others daily.

Developing Reading Power 6

Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. What is the story about?

a. Roman gods and goddess
b. Leap Year
c. February and Valentine’s Day

2. The message of this selection is

a. purity and cleanliness
b. friendship and love
c. significance of the leap year

3. Which sentence is true?

a. All months are named after Roman gods and goddesses.
b. February is the only month not named after a Roman god or goddess.
c. The month of February has 28 days.
 Exercise 6

“My pet can bark. It guards our house,” Pablo said.

“My pet lives in a cage. It has brightly colored feathers. It can
sing and dance,” Paula said.
“Min has soft hair. It walks lightly. It catches mice,” Nena said.
“I have three pets. One barks, another catches mice and the
other lives in a cage,” Merla said.
Developing Reading Power 3

Choose the letter of best answer.

1. What is the story about?

a. pets
b. mouse
c. dogs

2. What is Pablo’s pet?

a. dog
b. cat
c. bird

3. What are Merla’s pets?

a. dog, bird and cat
b. fish, bird, hen
c. cat, carabao, goat
 Exercise 7

“Nelia, please stop playing for a while and buy me a bottle of

vinegar,” Mother called.
Mother gave Nelia a big five-peso coin.
‘I’ll be back as fast as I can,” Nelia told her playmates and went
to the store running.
A big dog saw her running and barked at her. She was so afraid
that she ran faster. She ran so fast that she stumbled. Down fell the coin.
She got up to look for the coin. She could not find it. She went home
without the coin and vinegar. Developing Reading Power 3

Choose the letter of best answer.

1. What is the story about?

a. Nelia and her dog
b. Nelia and her playmates
c. Nelia and the coin

2. Why did Nelia run and now walk?

a. Her mother told her to run.
b. her playmates were waiting.
c. She was running with her dog.

3. Which sentence is true?

a. Nelia brought home the coin.
b. Nelia brought home the vinegar.
c. Nelia lost the coin.
 Exercise 8

The cars, trucks and jeeps in the streets stopped. There was
something wrong with the traffic. The jeep Cynthia was riding in was not
moving. She looked at her watch. It was only fifteen minutes before time.
She was already near the school. She could reach it in ten minutes if she
could walk.

Cynthia picked up her schoolbag. She paid the driver her fare
and left.

Many children were late that morning but Cynthia was not.

Developing Reading Power 3

Choose the letter of best answer.

1. Why were many children late?

a. They woke up late.
b. There was a heavy traffic.
c. There were no rides.

2. Why was Cynthia not late?

a. She got out of her ride and walked.
b. She walked all the way from home.
c. She rode on a bicycle.

3. What is the story about?

a. why the children were late
b. how to repair trucks
c. land transportation
 Exercise 9

“Always keep right,” Mother told marina. Look left and right
before crossing the street.”

Off went marina with a basket in her hand. She was thinking of
the things she would buy at the market.

“I will buy a kilo of meat, a dozen of eggs, fish and vegetables. On

my way home I will buy a bar of soap at Aling Tinay’s store.”

Suddenly a jeep stopped near her.

“Get in and ride with us. We are going to the same place anyway,
Chita her friends, said.
Developing Reading Power 3

Choose the letter of bestanswer.

1. Where was Marina going?

a. to the store
b. to the market
c. to the church

2. How did China know that Marina and she were going to the same place?
a. Marina was holding a basket.
b. Marina told her.
c. Aling Tinay told her.

3. What did Mother tell Marina before she left the house?
a. what to buy
b. to ride in a jeep
c. some safety rules
 Exercise 10

Last night before I went to bed

I saw the stars shone overhead;
And sa I watched them twinkling there
I felt like praying s short prayer.

That you God, for every star,

They seem so near and yet so far;
Though I can’t see you shining clear,
You’re not far off, but very near.
Developing Reading Power 3

Choose the letter of best answer.

1. What is the prayer for?

a. Thanking God for parents
b. Thanking God for the stars
c. Thanking God for the night

2. Which is true about the stars?

a. near yet so far
b. far off but clear
c. very near

3. When was the prayer said?

a. at daytime
b. at noon
c. at night