1. A. The Columbian Island of Providencia: The passage talks about the features of an
island in the Caribbean Sea which is an ancient volcano. It speaks about the vegetative
features of the island, its climate, its cultural traditions (including dishes), and the
islanders/population, giving readers a detailed look about what life on Providencia is like.
B. Tequila: A True Mexican Drink: This passage talks about the sanctity of tequila in
Mexico. It also speaks about the effects that a few shots of tequila can have on person,
and states various beliefs and properties that individuals have attributed to the drink.
C. The Typical "Paisa" Dish: This passage talks bout how the creativity and
imagination of the people from the Department of Antioquia in Colombia and their
significant and flexible use of beans in meals accompanied by many other food items led
to the creation of the Paisa Dish.
D. Michoacan - a variety of fun: This passage talks about the wide range of activities
that individuals can take part in Michoacan ranging from beach activities, cultural
activities that preserve traditions, activities in nature, and traditional activities that cater
to different interests. It also makes mention of the characteristics of the people who work
in the service industry.
E. Hispanic Festivals: This passage talks about how weekends are a foreign concept to
Hispanic Americans because they have many colorful fairs and festivals with a wide
variety of activities, including ones committed to honoring patron saints and solemn ones
that observe more serious occasions.
F. The "Flamenco": This passage briefly talks about the wide variety of attractions
found in Spain and then goes on to focus on the Flamenco dance. It talks about the origin
of the dance, the elements, and describes how it is performed.
READING COMPREHENSION
1. What was Teresita accustomed to doing for the children?
Teresita was accustomed to greeting the children and offering them refreshments,
such as soft drinks when they played in the street.
2. What kind of person was Don Sebastian?
Don Sebastian was an unfriendly and stingy person.
3. What did he complain about?
Don Sebastian complained about amount of money that Teresita was spending on soft
drinks/refreshments for the children. He said she was spending too much money on
them.
4. How was Teresita dressed when the children saw her?
When the children saw her, Teresita was wearing a pretty, red and blue dress.
5. What did she do when she saw the children playing?
When she saw the children playing, Teresita waved at them as usual.
6. Why did the children go to visit Teresita?
The children went to visit Teresita because after that encounter where she waved at
them, they had not seen her again for a whole week.
7. How did Don Sebastian respond to the children’s inquiry about Teresita?
Don Sebastian told that children that Teresita was not there and that she was never
coming back.
8. What was the reaction of the children to Don Sebastian’s reply?
The children were surprised and sad when they heard Don Sebastian’s reply.
9. What did the children hear?
The children heard a sound inside the house that was sound of Don Sebastian’s new
little bird.
10. What comparisons did the children make?
The children compared how Teresita was dressed the last time the saw her, in blue
and red to the colors of Don Sebastian’s little bird. Teresita was also pretty just as
Don Sebastian’s bird had beautiful feathers.
SITUATIONS
1. You see your two friends, who are identical twins coming toward you.
a. What question do you ask one of them?
b. What do you say when he/she refuses to answer your question?
a. ¿Qué gemelo eres?
b. No puedo distinguir entre ustedes dos. Entonces, tienes que identificarte.
2. You are at a concert and want to meet your favorite performer.
a. What do you ask one of the officials to do?
b. What reason do you give?
a. ¿Puedo ir detrás del escenario para ver a Justin Bieber?
b. Tengo un pase para backstage y él ha sido mi artista favorito desde que
tenía tres años.
3. The exchange student who will be living with your family calls to say what
he/she will be wearing when he/she arrives at the airport.
a. What does the student tell you?
b. What comment do you make?
a. Llevaré un vestido verde, un sombrero de playa grande y zapatillas
amarillas.
b. No creo que sea buena idea llevar ropa de verano en invierno.
4. Your mother bought an appliance and asks you to return it to the store.
a. What does your mother insist the store manager do?
b. What reason do you give your mother for your reluctance to go to the
store for her.
a. El gerente de la tienda debe reemplazar el electrodoméstico.
b. No puedo ir a la tienda por ti porque rompiste el electrodoméstico,
por lo que no es justo que te den uno nuevo gratis.
5. You go to a large company for an interview and need directions to get to the
person you are to see.
a. What response does the receptionist give to your question?
b. What else do you ask?
a. Tome el ascensor o las escaleras hasta el quinto piso, gire a la izquierda
en la primera puerta y luego camine recto por el pasillo.
b. ¿Es más rápido tomar el ascensor o las escaleras hasta el quinto piso?