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Intermediate

Reading Comprehension Texts

 

NIGHT-CLUB CLOSING TIME

 The Greek Government has enacted legislation that will radically alter the nocturnal habits of the nation. Despite growing protests, the ruling Socialists have passed a law that enforces a 2p.m. closing time on all night-clubs and prohibits entry to anyone under 17. Any bar, disco or dance-hall which does not respect the new law will be heavily fined.

The Socialists say their ambitious clean-up measure will also crack down on alarming rates of crime, alcoholism and drug addiction among the younger generation. ASpecial police units will monitor night-clubs to see they=re not breaking the law. Too many young and drunk people die on our roads.@

But night-club owners, who accept the age limit but reject the new hours, have threatened to launch a war against it by closing their clubs altogether. AThe 400.000 of us who work in this field will be ruined if we have to shut so early@, said a night-club owner. AGreeks never begin their night before 11p.m.@.

 

QUESTIONS

1. Find words in the text that have the same or similar meaning to the following (2 points)

To pay an amount of money as a punishment:

Increasing:                                                       

Take a disciplinary action on:

Start:                                                               

Close:

 

2. Answer the following questions in your own words. (1.5 points)

1. Which have been the measures taken by the Greek Government, as described by the text?

2. Why have the Socialists decided to take these measures?

3. What have been the reactions of people?

 

3. Complete the following sentences so that they become the type in brackets. (1.5 points)

1. I do not like the English class (reason)

2. I do not like the English class (time)

3. I do not like the English class (contrast)

 

4. Put the following sentences into the passive (2 points)

1. They say that Henry Crippen was the first murderer to be caught by radio.

2. In most of Europe, they consider that capital punishment is barbaric.

3. They said that Ruth Ellis, hanged in 1952, was in love with the man she murdered.

4. They know that women commit 20% of all homicides in the USA.

5. They claim, according to some studies, that each execution deters 8 murders.

 

5. Write your opinion about the following topic (80 words): Staying out late at night. (3 points)