Reading Comprehension - Multiple Matching
Read the magazine article about four people (A–D) who speak about their cycling experiences. Then answer Question 10 (a)–(j).
ON THE SADDLE
A. Nancy
As a young girl of six, my mom recollects, I had a strange habit to sit by the window of our drawing room and look outside for bicycles of different colours. I was told that I developed a kind of passion for bikes and wanted to have one for myself. However, dad trained me in riding when I was just seven and presented me with a second hand bike. It was my brother’s. When dad gifted him a brand new bicycle on his tenth birth day, his old one was given to me. It was neither handy nor impressive, but it was all mine. It was on this bike that I got fluent in riding and then, I started to go around our village with my gang of neighbouring kids. It took two more years for me to get a new bike, which my maternal uncle bought for me as a reward for a school scholarship. Ever since I learnt how to ride, bike has been my favourite pass time.
B. Nasreen
I would say it was in my blood. My mom was quite emotional with her bike and wouldn’t miss an opportunity to ride her sportive bicycle. I loved to see, to feel and to ride from a time I can’t even remember. Mom used to take me to a park near our flat in the town and there I started my early practice with stabilisers attached. Mom herself was my instructor. She presented me with a cute little bike on my eighth birthday. But, my excitement was tempered the very next day as I skidded on the sloppy hillside near grandma’s house in the village. I was hurt and the bike was damaged. But, I was scarcely discouraged. In fact, this accident helped me to be more cautious with it and also to take riding seriously. I started my racing practice at the age of ten, when I was in grade six. My trainer has been one Ms Bernard. She was a champion in our province some years ago
C. Jaison
Cycling is a late fashion in my life. It’s true my dad bought me a bicycle when I passed grade 7. My secondary school was little away from my home and so I used to ride. It was a cousin who helped me to learn riding. Before I left my secondary school, I passed my cycling proficiency test. Though I was nervous for many days before the test, I did well and got over it smoothly. In spite of all this, I had little excitement those days about riding. After my school days, I didn’t attend my bike and this indifference continued for long time. But years after I was back on the saddle, more as an exercise than need. It was in this second visit that I grew fond of riding. Now it is also my hobby. Recently I have met with an accident riding along the lake road. I hit against a car which was parked sideways, but, fortunately I was not hurt. My bike got bent and needs some repair works. Now I am thinking of to buy new bike.
D. Stephen
My mom and dad were penniless, struggling to make both ends meet during the whole years of my boyhood. Naturally a bike was too expensive a luxury for me to long for. I borrowed from other kids in my neighbourhood and by the time I was eight, learnt how to ride. A distant cousin of mine taught me and helped me. One day is still bright in my memory. It was when my cousin removed the stabiliser and asked me to get on. I was thrilled to the extreme to find myself freewheeling. Since then, I cherished the dream of buying a bike for myself. But it took many years to get in true. When I was in my A level, I worked part time in a resort and saved small amount of money every month. Thus I bought a bicycle within one year. Even now I go to the office, riding my cycle. I don’t enjoy motor bikes. So, except for family trips, I use bicycle. For me, it means business, exercise and hobby at one and the same time.
The questions below are about the people (A–D) who speak about cycling experiences.
For each question write the correct letter A, B, C or D on the line.
Which person …
a) was unable to afford a bicycle in the early years of life
b) inherited a passion for bikes from the mother
c) is uninterested in automobile biking
d) used to observe other bikers in his/her early childhood
e) rode bicycle without much passion in school days
f) got a bicycle as a birthday gift
g) started with a second hand bike
h) was injured in bike accident
i) wants to buy a brand new bicycle
j)got a bike as a recognition of an academic achievement.
