This is a reading and listening comprehension lesson to test your ability
to understand information written and spoken in English. Read the information
or listen to the video below and then answer the 10 test questions.
Hey
if you cannot understand something on this page,
then use the Fun Easy English
dictionary
(opens in a new window)
Holiday:
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States and
Canada on February 2nd.
A groundhog is a rodent and is also known as a woodchuck, marmot, or
ground squirrel.
Video:
Groundhog Day
Video Script:
Groundhog Day
Hi. In the classroom today you will learn about Groundhog Day.
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States and
Canada on February 2nd.
A groundhog is a rodent and is also known as a woodchuck, marmot, or
ground squirrel.
In weather lore, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day
and does not see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter
will soon end.
If on the other hand, it is sunny and the groundhog sees its shadow,
the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter
will continue for 6 more weeks.
Famous groundhogs are found throughout the United States and Canada.
The most famous groundhog is
Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
As stated earlier, the groundhog's shadow means six more weeks of
winter, and no shadow means spring is around the corner.
Groundhog Day proponents state that the rodents' forecasts are
accurate 75 to 90 percent of the time.
A Canadian study for 13 cities in the past 30 to 40 years puts the
overall predictions accuracy rate at 37 percent.
The National Climatic Data Center puts the overall predictions
accuracy rate at around 39 percent.
Whether accurate or not, Groundhog Day is still a fun holiday.
Until next time.
From
YOUR Teacher:
Groundhog Day
This is kind of a fun holiday. All across America and
Canada, people watch their televisions to see what the
groundhog will predict.
Video: Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day - A 1993 comedy film
starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. In the film, Murray plays
Phil Connors, an egocentric Pittsburgh TV weatherman who, during a
hated assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event (February
2) in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania finds himself repeating the same
day over and over again. The following video was a trailer (preview)
for the movie. Try to understand as much of the movie trailer as
possible.
Test:
Reading Comprehension Groundhog
Day
Read
the video script or watch the video above. In the test
questions below choose which is the best answer for each
question. There are 10 questions. Good luck.
1. Groundhog Day is a
holiday celebrated in which countries?
a. United States and Canada
b. United States and Australia
c. Canada and Australia
d. United States, Canada and Australia
2. A groundhog is which
of the following?
a. pig
b. cow
c. rodent
d. chicken
3. Which of the
following is not another name for a groundhog?
a. woodchuck
b. walking pig
c. marmot
d. ground squirrel
4. What is supposed to
happen if a groundhog does not see its shadow?
a. summer will be hot and humid
b. fall will be more colorful
c. winter will soon end
d. spring will be only 6 weeks long
5. What is supposed to
happen if a groundhog sees its shadow?
a. summer will be only 6 weeks long
b. fall will continue for 6 more weeks
c. winter will continue for 6 more weeks
d. spring will be only 6 weeks long
6. Which groundhog is
considered to be the most famous?
a. Punxsutawney Phil
b. Phil Connors
c. Bill Murray
d. William Shatner
7. Punxsutawney is
located in which state?
a. New Jersey
b. Pennsylvania
c. California
d. New York
8. A Canadian study for
13 cities in the past 30 to 40 years puts the overall
predictions accuracy rate at which percentage?
a. 33 percent
b. 35 percent
c. 37 percent
d. 39 percent
9. The National
Climatic Data Center puts the overall predictions accuracy
rate at around which percentage?
a. 33 percent
b. 35 percent
c. 37 percent
d. 39 percent
10. Which of the
following is true about Groundhog Day?
a. it is a federal holiday
b. it is an international holiday
c. it is an excuse to stay home from work
d. it is a fun holiday
