This is a free B1 intermediate level English reading lesson about the Year of the Dragon. It includes the reading and reading comprehension exercises in 4 different formats together with the answer keys and explanations.
Long ago, in a time filled with myth and magic, there was a cycle of animals. This cycle, known as the star signs, guided people in their lives. Each year was connected to one animal, influencing fortunes and festivities. Among these animals, the dragon stood out as the most powerful figure.
The lunar calendar, which people used to measure time, marked every twelfth year as the year of the dragon. During this year, they held a grand festival. People filled the streets with colors and joy, celebrating the dragon’s might and lucky nature.
According to tradition, those born in the dragon’s year were thought to be strong and wise. The dragon was not just an animal; it was a special symbol. It came from ancient mythology and was linked to the element of water, often bringing rain for crops.
Everyone treated the year of the lucky animal with great respect because they believed it brought good luck and fortune. Families would gather together and share stories about lucky animals. They would talk about the past, when lucky animals soared through the skies and protected the land.
Long tables were filled with special food, and everyone wished each other well. Children played with toys shaped like lucky animals and dreamed of adventures. As the year passed, the excitement of the lucky animal’s year remained in people’s hearts. They knew that the cycle would continue and the lucky animal would always be a part of their lives.
When the festival ended, they started to look ahead with hope. They believed the next year in the cycle would also bring them luck, just like the lucky animal did.
General Level: B1.6
Vocabulary: B1.7
Verb Forms: B1.0
Sentences: B1.3
dragon NOUN C2
Definition (En):
lunar ADJ C1
Definition (En):
mythology NOUN C1
Definition (En):
soar VERB C1
Definition (En):
fortune NOUN B2
Definition (En):
myth NOUN B2
Definition (En):
wise ADJ B2
Definition (En):
crop NOUN B1
Definition (En):
element NOUN B1
Definition (En):
PHRASE | COUNT | SENTENCES |
according to (someone or something) | 1 |
|
dream of (someone or something) | 1 |
|
gather together | 1 |
|
good luck | 1 |
|
in (one’s) heart | 1 |
|
link to (someone or something) | 1 |
|
remain in (something or some place) | 1 |
|
wish something well | 1 |
|
1. Why did people celebrate the dragon’s year with a grand festival?
A) Because the dragon was considered an unlucky symbol
B) Because it was the most powerful and brought luck
C) Because the dragon was connected to the element of fire
D) Because they needed to obey the lunar calendar rules
2. What was the dragon a symbol of according to the text?
A) Weakness
B) Fire
C) Wisdom and strength
D) Bad luck
3. What did the families do during the year of the lucky animal?
A) They traveled to meet the dragon
B) They held races in honor of the dragon
C) They shared stories about lucky animals
D) They ignored the festivities
4. Why was the dragon linked to the element of water?
A) Because it was the most powerful fire-breather
B) Because it loved swimming
C) Because people thought it brought rain for crops
D) Because it was the color blue
5. What did children do to honor the lucky animal?
A) They went to school to learn about it
B) They played with toys shaped like lucky animals
C) They drew pictures of unlucky animals
D) They went to sleep early
6. What happened after the festival dedicated to the dragon ended?
A) People felt sad and worried
B) Everyone went home to sleep
C) They looked ahead with hope for the next year
D) They forgot about the lucky animals
7. Why did the lunar calendar mark every twelfth year as special?
A) Because that was when they invented the calendar
B) Because it was a leap year
C) It was the year of the dragon, a powerful sign
D) It was a random choice with no meaning
8. What did people wish each other during the dragon’s year festival?
A) Bad luck
B) Good harvest
C) They didn’t speak to each other
D) Well wishes
Long ago, in a time filled with myth and magic, there was a cycle ___1___. This cycle, known as the star signs, guided people ___2___ their lives. Each year was connected to one animal, ___3___ fortunes and festivities. Among these animals, the dragon stood out as the most powerful figure.
The lunar calendar, which people used to measure time, marked every twelfth year as the year of the dragon. During this year, they held a ___4___ festival. People filled the streets with colors and joy, celebrating the dragon’s might and lucky nature.
According to tradition, those born in the dragon’s year were thought to be strong and wise. The dragon was not just an animal; it was a ___5___ symbol. It came from ancient mythology and was linked to the ___6___ of water, often bringing rain for crops.
Everyone treated the year of the lucky animal with great ___7___ because they believed it brought good luck and fortune. Families would gather together and ___8___ stories about lucky animals. They would talk about the past, when lucky animals soared through the skies and protected the land.
Long tables were filled with special food, and everyone wished each other well. Children played with toys shaped like lucky animals and dreamed of ___9___. As the year passed, the excitement of the lucky animal’s year remained in people’s hearts. They knew that the cycle would continue and the lucky animal would always be a part of their lives.
When the festival ended, they started to look ahead with hope. They believed the next year in the cycle would also bring them luck, just like the lucky animal ___10___.
1) A. of animals B. of plants C. of stones D. of stars
2) A. about B. of C. in D. for
3) A. affecting B. destroying C. ignoring D. building
4) A. tiny B. sad C. grand D. silent
5) A. interesting B. annoying C. special D. ordinary
6) A. element B. color C. flavor D. sound
7) A. respect B. anger C. jealousy D. surprise
8) A. write B. ignore C. erase D. share
9) A. adventures B. problems C. homework D. fear
10) A. did B. was C. is D. done
Explanation: The text suggests that the cycle of animals (star signs) provided guidance for people’s lives, implying it helped predict the future.
(“This cycle, known as the star signs, guided people in their lives.”)
Explanation: The text states that each year was connected to an animal which affects people’s lives.
(“Each year was connected to one animal, influencing fortunes and festivities.”)
Explanation: According to the text, the dragon was not ordinary; it was the most powerful figure.
(“Among these animals, the dragon stood out as the most powerful figure.”)
Explanation: The text mentions a grand festival being held every twelfth year, which is the dragon’s year according to the lunar calendar.
(“The lunar calendar, which people used to measure time, marked every twelfth year as the year of the dragon. During this year, they held a grand festival.”)
Explanation: The text specifically states that the dragon was connected to the element of water, not air.
(“The dragon was not just an animal; it was a special symbol. It came from ancient mythology and was linked to the element of water, often bringing rain for crops.”)
Explanation: The text mentions families gathering together, which contradicts the statement that they would stay apart.
(“Families would gather together and share stories about lucky animals.”)
Explanation: The text mentions toys shaped like lucky animals, but it does not specify that they were dragons.
(“N/A”)
Explanation: The text implies that people considered the following years lucky as well, not only the dragon year.
(“When the festival ended, they started to look ahead with hope. They believed the next year in the cycle would also bring them luck, just like the lucky animal did.”)
Explanation: The text states that the dragon was associated with water and often brought rain which would be beneficial for crops.
(“It came from ancient mythology and was linked to the element of water, often bringing rain for crops.”)
Explanation: People celebrated the dragon’s year with a grand festival because it was considered the most powerful and brought luck.
(“During this year, they held a grand festival. People filled the streets with colors and joy, celebrating the dragon’s might and lucky nature.”)
Explanation: The dragon was considered a symbol of wisdom and strength according to the tradition mentioned.
(“According to tradition, those born in the dragon’s year were thought to be strong and wise.”)
Explanation: During the year of the lucky animal, families shared stories about lucky animals.
(“Families would gather together and share stories about lucky animals.”)
Explanation: The dragon was linked to the element of water because it was thought to bring rain for crops.
(“It was linked to the element of water, often bringing rain for crops.”)
Explanation: Children played with toys shaped like lucky animals to honor it.
(“Children played with toys shaped like lucky animals and dreamed of adventures.”)
Explanation: After the festival ended, people looked ahead with hope for the next year.
(“When the festival ended, they started to look ahead with hope.”)
Explanation: The lunar calendar marked every twelfth year as the year of the dragon because it was a powerful sign.
(“The lunar calendar, which people used to measure time, marked every twelfth year as the year of the dragon.”)
Explanation: During the dragon’s year festival, people wished each other well.
(“Long tables were filled with special food, and everyone wished each other well.”)
Explanation: The text states that each year in the cycle was connected to an animal that influenced fortunes and festivities.
(“Each year was connected to one animal, influencing fortunes and festivities.”)
Explanation: The text says that the lunar calendar marks every twelfth year as the year of the dragon.
(“The lunar calendar, which people used to measure time, marked every twelfth year as the year of the dragon.”)
Explanation: The dragon is mentined as a special symbol for water and it is known for bringing rain necessary for crops.
(“It was linked to the element of water, often bringing rain for crops.”)
Explanation: The text indicates that one of the activities during the year of the dragon was for families to gather and share stories about lucky animals.
(“Families would gather together and share stories about lucky animals.”)
Explanation: The text says children played with toys shaped like lucky animals.
(“Children played with toys shaped like lucky animals and dreamed of adventures.”)
Explanation: The text speaks about the excitement of the lucky animal’s year still being present in people’s hearts even as the year passed.
(“As the year passed, the excitement of the lucky animal’s year remained in people’s hearts.”)
Explanation: The text describes that once the festival ended, people looked ahead with hope.
(“When the festival ended, they started to look ahead with hope.”)
Explanation: According to the text, people respected the year of the dragon because it was believed to bring good luck and fortune.
(“Everyone treated the year of the lucky animal with great respect because they believed it brought good luck and fortune.”)
Explanation: The text relates to a cycle of animals in myth and magic.
Explanation: People were guided ‘for’ their lives, indicating direction and purpose.
Explanation: Years were connected to animals, ‘affecting’ peoples’ lives.
Explanation: The festival was ‘grand’, indicating it was large and impressive.
Explanation: The dragon symbol was ‘special’, denoting its unique and significant role.
Explanation: The dragon was linked to the ‘element’ of water, as mentioned in the text.
Explanation: People treated the lucky animal’s year with ‘respect’ due to bringing good fortune.
Explanation: Families ‘share’ stories, meaning to tell and enjoy them together.
Explanation: Children dreamed of ‘adventures’, which fits the context of playing and dreaming.
Explanation: The lucky animal ‘did’ bring them luck, thereby aligning with the context.
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