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Intermediate
Reading Comprehension Texts
AMISH
YOUTH
Amish
youth is raised according to the church=s religious beliefs but they are not actually members of the church
until they choose to join at their baptism, usually between the ages of 16 and
21. Until that time, some adolescent Amish choose to explore the world=s offerings without running the risk of
shunning because they have not made their baptismal vow.
Some
boys, in particular, own automobiles, drink alcohol and join Amish youth gangs
or Acrowds@ that get into adolescent mischief-making or things as tame as ice
skating, parties, barn dances or movies, all done a respectful distance from
the Amish home and church leaders. Often they wear modern store-bought
clothing, styled hair and other worldly indulgences.
The
degree of adolescent exploration depends on the child. Though the church
frowns on this behaviour, it has no control over someone who has not yet
joined their church. Typically, extremely raucous behaviour by adolescents is
attributed to poor parental instruction.
Though
there is a period of lawlessness for Amish youth, more than 80 per cent choose
to join the church. Many are swayed in their decision by their family ties and
the knowledge that they must be members to be married in church. Also, farming
or craft-related professions are all that is available to them for employment
possibilities given their limited education.
Intelligencer
Journal
Sunday
21/12/97
QUESTIONS
1.
Match the following words to the definitions (2 points)
Raised (1)
Shunning (3)
Vow (4)
Frown
(9)
_______________:
Someone or something you deliberately avoid becoming involved with.
_______________:
To make a solemn promise or decision that you will do something.
_______________:
To be responsible for a child until it is grown up.
_______________:
It means that someone=s
eyebrows become drawn together because they are annoyed, worried or puzzled.
2.
Answer the following questions (1.5 points).
a.
When do young people become members of the church?
b.
Can Amish youngsters experience the non-amish world? When?
c.
Why do many youngsters decide not to abandon the Amish religion?
3.
Put the following sentences into the passive (1.5 points).
a. No one has ever driven this car before
b.
The US government doesn=t
approve of insecticides in California.
c.
The UN has flown experts into Somalia to organize relief work
4.
Rewrite the follwing sentences without changing the meaning of the original (2
points).
a.
Despite the age of the house, we managed to sell it.
b.
Her children have long conversations on the phone. Consequently, the phone bills
are expensive (Result).
c.
Helen is very busy at work. Andrea is on holiday (whereas).
d.
The temperature was freezing. The children were sent home (reason)
e.
Although the tickets were expensive, we went to the concert (In spite of)
5.
Composition (80 words) What do you do in your free time? (3 points).