Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Introduction
What do you know about the Great Depression in the United States?
What caused instability in the US economy in the late 1920s?
What were the main consequences of the depression?
Reading
General Comprehension
1. Quickly scan the unordered text below and decide which of the following statements is correct.
In 1929, the fastest way to hear about breaking news was by
a) listening to the radio.
b) getting your shoes shined.
c) buying a special type of newspaper.
d) talking to someone who looked well informed.
Answer
c) An ‘extra’ was a special publication containing the most up-to-date news. It was produced as important events or situations became known. There are a several references to this in the text:
“Sir, the latest edition!…” / “…you won’t hear it on the wireless. Only here in the extra edition.” / The extra edition—fresh off the press… / “…We get to shout it from the rooftops.” / …the thrill of being the first to deliver the news…
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Question 1 of 10
1. Question
2. Order the text, starting with “The sun set, casting a warm glow…” at the top.
-
The sun set, casting a warm glow on the busy streets of New York City. Newsboys moved through the crowds, their shouts filling the evening air. Among them was young Tommy, a scruffy kid with a cap pulled low, so it almost covered his eyes.
-
“Extra! Extra! Read all about it!” Tommy’s voice cracked as he waved a crumpled newspaper in the air, his thin frame lost under the weight of the headline shouting from the front page.
-
The year was 1929, and the Great Depression had tightened its grip. The stock market had crashed, fortunes evaporated, and hope seemed scarce. But Tommy knew one thing: people were hungry for the latest news.
-
He headed towards a well-dressed businessman, pushing through the crowd like an agile cat. “Sir, the latest edition! The headlines will make your head spin!”.
The man glanced at Tommy, his brow furrowing. “What’s with all the fuss, boy?”
Tommy thrust the paper into the man’s hands. “Wall Street in ruins! Banks collapsing! Read all about it!” -
The man’s eyes widened as he scanned the big, bold letters. “My God,” he whispered. “How could this happen?”
Tommy shrugged his shoulders. “Beats me, mister. But it’s all there, and you won’t hear it on the wireless. Only here in the extra edition.” -
The extra edition—fresh off the press, ink still wet, stories hitting the streets within minutes of the breaking news reaching the news desks.
-
Tommy’s heart raced as he continued his rounds. He passed a shoeshine stand, where old Mr. Higgins sat, polishing a pair of old, worn shoes. “Mr. Higgins!” Tommy called. “Get your news here!”
Mr. Higgins raised his spectacles to look at the headline. “Market crash, eh? Well, I’ll be damned. What’s the world coming to?” -
Tommy leaned in, lowering his voice. “They say fortunes went up like smoke. But you know what? We’re the lucky ones. We get to shout it from the rooftops.”
Mr. Higgins grinned. “You’re smart, kid. Keep it up.” -
And so, Tommy continued through the city’s streets—past carts selling apples, past newsstands with yesterday’s news, past the clatter of streetcars. He felt excited by the power of words, the thrill of being the first to deliver the news to the masses.
“Extra! Extra!” he shouted. “Read all about it!” And the city listened.
Correct
Incorrect
-
-
Question 2 of 10
2. Question
3. Match the paragraph descriptions below to the text and write a letter a-i in each space.
a) An expression is repeated and described in detail.
b) Background information details the context and we discover a character’s thoughts about it.
c) There is a moment of quiet intimacy between two characters, and one jokes with the other.
d) The place, scene and a character are introduced.
e) A character is astonished, and asks how something is possible. The other character says he doesn’t know.
f) Two characters interact; the first goes up to the second who is confused and asks for clarification.
g) A character passes different things, and we discover his feelings about his job.
h) A character moves on, excitedly. He speaks to someone he knows. The man stops what he is doing and puts on his glasses.
i) A character speaks and we are given more detail about him and the scene.-
1/9
The sun set, casting a warm glow on the busy streets of New York City. Newsboys moved through the crowds, their shouts filling the evening air. Among them was young Tommy, a scruffy kid with a cap pulled low, so it almost covered his eyes.
Your answer: (d)
Correct 1 / 1 PointsIncorrect / 1 Points -
-
Question 3 of 10
3. Question
3. Match the paragraph descriptions below to the text and write a letter a-i in each space.
a) An expression is repeated and described in detail.
b) Background information details the context and we discover a character’s thoughts about it.
c) There is a moment of quiet intimacy between two characters, and one jokes with the other.
d) The place, scene and a character are introduced.
e) A character is astonished, and asks how something is possible. The other character says he doesn’t know.
f) Two characters interact; the first goes up to the second who is confused and asks for clarification.
g) A character passes different things, and we discover his feelings about his job.
h) A character moves on, excitedly. He speaks to someone he knows. The man stops what he is doing and puts on his glasses.
i) A character speaks and we are given more detail about him and the scene.-
2/9
“Extra! Extra! Read all about it!” Tommy’s voice cracked as he waved a crumpled newspaper in the air, his thin frame lost under the weight of the headline shouting from the front page.
Your answer: (i)
Correct
Incorrect
-
-
Question 4 of 10
4. Question
3. Match the paragraph descriptions below to the text and write a letter a-i in each space.
a) An expression is repeated and described in detail.
b) Background information details the context and we discover a character’s thoughts about it.
c) There is a moment of quiet intimacy between two characters, and one jokes with the other.
d) The place, scene and a character are introduced.
e) A character is astonished, and asks how something is possible. The other character says he doesn’t know.
f) Two characters interact; the first goes up to the second who is confused and asks for clarification.
g) A character passes different things, and we discover his feelings about his job.
h) A character moves on, excitedly. He speaks to someone he knows. The man stops what he is doing and puts on his glasses.
i) A character speaks and we are given more detail about him and the scene.-
3/9
The year was 1929, and the Great Depression had tightened its grip. The stock market had crashed, fortunes evaporated, and hope seemed scarce. But Tommy knew one thing: people were hungry for the latest news.
Your answer: (b)
Correct
Incorrect
-
-
Question 5 of 10
5. Question
3. Match the paragraph descriptions below to the text and write a letter a-i in each space.
a) An expression is repeated and described in detail.
b) Background information details the context and we discover a character’s thoughts about it.
c) There is a moment of quiet intimacy between two characters, and one jokes with the other.
d) The place, scene and a character are introduced.
e) A character is astonished, and asks how something is possible. The other character says he doesn’t know.
f) Two characters interact; the first goes up to the second who is confused and asks for clarification.
g) A character passes different things, and we discover his feelings about his job.
h) A character moves on, excitedly. He speaks to someone he knows. The man stops what he is doing and puts on his glasses.
i) A character speaks and we are given more detail about him and the scene.-
4/9
He headed towards a well-dressed businessman, pushing through the crowd like an agile cat. “Sir, the latest edition! The headlines will make your head spin!”.
The man glanced at Tommy, his brow furrowing. “What’s with all the fuss, boy?”
Tommy thrust the paper into the man’s hands. “Wall Street in ruins! Banks collapsing! Read all about it!”
Your answer: (f)
Correct
Incorrect
-
-
Question 6 of 10
6. Question
3. Match the paragraph descriptions below to the text and write a letter a-i in each space.
a) An expression is repeated and described in detail.
b) Background information details the context and we discover a character’s thoughts about it.
c) There is a moment of quiet intimacy between two characters, and one jokes with the other.
d) The place, scene and a character are introduced.
e) A character is astonished, and asks how something is possible. The other character says he doesn’t know.
f) Two characters interact; the first goes up to the second who is confused and asks for clarification.
g) A character passes different things, and we discover his feelings about his job.
h) A character moves on, excitedly. He speaks to someone he knows. The man stops what he is doing and puts on his glasses.
i) A character speaks and we are given more detail about him and the scene.-
5/9
The man’s eyes widened as he scanned the big, bold letters. “My God,” he whispered. “How could this happen?”
Tommy shrugged his shoulders. “Beats me, mister. But it’s all there, and you won’t hear it on the wireless. Only here in the extra edition.”
Your answer: (e)
Correct
Incorrect
-
-
Question 7 of 10
7. Question
3. Match the paragraph descriptions below to the text and write a letter a-i in each space.
a) An expression is repeated and described in detail.
b) Background information details the context and we discover a character’s thoughts about it.
c) There is a moment of quiet intimacy between two characters, and one jokes with the other.
d) The place, scene and a character are introduced.
e) A character is astonished, and asks how something is possible. The other character says he doesn’t know.
f) Two characters interact; the first goes up to the second who is confused and asks for clarification.
g) A character passes different things, and we discover his feelings about his job.
h) A character moves on, excitedly. He speaks to someone he knows. The man stops what he is doing and puts on his glasses.
i) A character speaks and we are given more detail about him and the scene.-
6/9
The extra edition—fresh off the press, ink still wet, stories hitting the streets within minutes of the breaking news reaching the news desks.
Your answer: (a)
Correct
Incorrect
-
-
Question 8 of 10
8. Question
3. Match the paragraph descriptions below to the text and write a letter a-i in each space.
a) An expression is repeated and described in detail.
b) Background information details the context and we discover a character’s thoughts about it.
c) There is a moment of quiet intimacy between two characters, and one jokes with the other.
d) The place, scene and a character are introduced.
e) A character is astonished, and asks how something is possible. The other character says he doesn’t know.
f) Two characters interact; the first goes up to the second who is confused and asks for clarification.
g) A character passes different things, and we discover his feelings about his job.
h) A character moves on, excitedly. He speaks to someone he knows. The man stops what he is doing and puts on his glasses.
i) A character speaks and we are given more detail about him and the scene.-
7/9
Tommy’s heart raced as he continued his rounds. He passed a shoeshine stand, where old Mr. Higgins sat, polishing a pair of old, worn shoes. “Mr. Higgins!” Tommy called. “Get your news here!”
Mr. Higgins raised his spectacles to look at the headline. “Market crash, eh? Well, I’ll be damned. What’s the world coming to?”
Your answer: (h)
Correct
Incorrect
-
-
Question 9 of 10
9. Question
3. Match the paragraph descriptions below to the text and write a letter a-i in each space.
a) An expression is repeated and described in detail.
b) Background information details the context and we discover a character’s thoughts about it.
c) There is a moment of quiet intimacy between two characters, and one jokes with the other.
d) The place, scene and a character are introduced.
e) A character is astonished, and asks how something is possible. The other character says he doesn’t know.
f) Two characters interact; the first goes up to the second who is confused and asks for clarification.
g) A character passes different things, and we discover his feelings about his job.
h) A character moves on, excitedly. He speaks to someone he knows. The man stops what he is doing and puts on his glasses.
i) A character speaks and we are given more detail about him and the scene.-
8/9
Tommy leaned in, lowering his voice. “They say fortunes went up like smoke. But you know what? We’re the lucky ones. We get to shout it from the rooftops.”
Mr. Higgins grinned. “You’re smart, kid. Keep it up.”
Your answer: (c)
Correct
Incorrect
-
-
Question 10 of 10
10. Question
3. Match the paragraph descriptions below to the text and write a letter a-i in each space.
a) An expression is repeated and described in detail.
b) Background information details the context and we discover a character’s thoughts about it.
c) There is a moment of quiet intimacy between two characters, and one jokes with the other.
d) The place, scene and a character are introduced.
e) A character is astonished, and asks how something is possible. The other character says he doesn’t know.
f) Two characters interact; the first goes up to the second who is confused and asks for clarification.
g) A character passes different things, and we discover his feelings about his job.
h) A character moves on, excitedly. He speaks to someone he knows. The man stops what he is doing and puts on his glasses.
i) A character speaks and we are given more detail about him and the scene.-
9/9
And so, Tommy continued through the city’s streets—past carts selling apples, past newsstands with yesterday’s news, past the clatter of streetcars. He felt excited by the power of words, the thrill of being the first to deliver the news to the masses.
“Extra! Extra!” he shouted. “Read all about it!” And the city listened.
Your answer: (g)
Correct
Incorrect
-
Reading for Detail
Complete Text
The sun set, casting a warm glow on the busy streets of New York City. Newsboys moved through the crowds, their shouts filling the evening air. Among them was young Tommy, a scruffy kid with a cap pulled low, so it almost covered his eyes.
“Extra! Extra! Read all about it!” Tommy’s voice cracked as he waved a crumpled newspaper in the air, his thin frame lost under the weight of the headline shouting from the front page.
The year was 1929, and the Great Depression had tightened its grip. The stock market had crashed, fortunes evaporated, and hope seemed scarce. But Tommy knew one thing: people were hungry for the latest news.
He headed towards a well-dressed businessman, pushing through the crowd like an agile cat. “Sir, the latest edition! The headlines will make your head spin!”.
The man glanced at Tommy, his brow furrowing. “What’s with all the fuss, boy?”
Tommy thrust the paper into the man’s hands. “Wall Street in ruins! Banks collapsing! Read all about it!”
The man’s eyes widened as he scanned the big, bold letters. “My God,” he whispered. “How could this happen?”
Tommy shrugged his shoulders. “Beats me, mister. But it’s all there, and you won’t hear it on the wireless. Only here in the extra edition.”
The extra edition—fresh off the press, ink still wet, stories hitting the streets within minutes of the breaking news reaching the news desks.
Tommy’s heart raced as he continued his rounds. He passed a shoeshine stand, where old Mr. Higgins sat, polishing a pair of old, worn shoes. “Mr. Higgins!” Tommy called. “Get your news here!”
Mr. Higgins raised his spectacles to look at the headline. “Market crash, eh? Well, I’ll be damned. What’s the world coming to?”
Tommy leaned in, lowering his voice. “They say fortunes went up like smoke. But you know what? We’re the lucky ones. We get to shout it from the rooftops.”
Mr. Higgins grinned. “You’re smart, kid. Keep it up.”
And so, Tommy continued through the city’s streets—past carts selling apples, past newsstands with yesterday’s news, past the clatter of streetcars. He felt excited by the power of words, the thrill of being the first to deliver the news to the masses.
“Extra! Extra!” he shouted. “Read all about it!” And the city listened.
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Question 1 of 1
1. Question
1. Match the words from the story to the definitions.
Sort elements
- scruffy
- scarce
- fuss
- thrust
- scan
- beats me
- rounds
- polish
- thrill
- the masses
-
ADJECTIVE: dirty and untidy
-
ADJECTIVE: rare or not available in large amounts
(See WORDLIST: Defining Link opens in new tab) -
NOUN: when people become annoyed or anxious about something, especially something unimportant
(See WORDLIST: Personality Link opens in new tab) -
VERB: push suddenly or violently in a specified direction
-
VERB: quickly read a piece of writing to understand the main meaning or to find a particular piece of information
(See WORDLIST: People – Actions Link opens in new tab) -
PHRASE: informal spoken expression meaning, ‘I don’t know.’
-
NOUN: act of visiting a number of people or places in turn, especially in relation to working as a doctor, postal worker, etc.
-
VERB: make the surface of something smooth and shiny by rubbing it
-
NOUN: strong feeling of excitement and pleasure
-
PHRASE: ordinary people who form the largest group in a society
Correct
Incorrect
Vocabulary
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Question 1 of 1
1. Question
Complete the gaps with one of the following words:
scan scarce thrill rounds thrust the masses scruffy polish beats me fuss -
a) “I know you cleaned the mirror, but can you (polish) it, so it really shines?”
b) “It was a great concert, but the real (thrill) was meeting the band at the end of the show.”
c) “John’s such a nice guy. (beats me) why he was so rude to the waiter.”
d) “Can you quickly (scan) this letter for me, just to make sure I’ve included all the main points?”
e) “I liked some parts of the series, but you can tell it was made for (the masses). You know, typical jokes, tragedy resolved by a happy ending.”
f) “I can’t understand why the milkman hasn’t delivered today. He must’ve finished his (rounds) by now.”
g) “Migration will only increase as local resources become more (scarce).”
h) “Stop making such a (fuss). It’s only a small cut. You’ll be fine.”
i) “I know you love that jacket, but it’s so old and (scruffy). Come on, throw it away and get a new one.”
j) “I saw that policeman (thrust) her against the wall. That’s how she got hurt.”
Correct 10 / 10 PointsIncorrect / 10 Points -
Now have a well-deserved breather!!
Complete Text
The sun set, casting a warm glow on the busy streets of New York City. Newsboys moved through the crowds, their shouts filling the evening air. Among them was young Tommy, a scruffy kid with a cap pulled low, so it almost covered his eyes.
“Extra! Extra! Read all about it!” Tommy’s voice cracked as he waved a crumpled newspaper in the air, his thin frame lost under the weight of the headline shouting from the front page.
The year was 1929, and the Great Depression had tightened its grip. The stock market had crashed, fortunes evaporated, and hope seemed scarce. But Tommy knew one thing: people were hungry for the latest news.
He headed towards a well-dressed businessman, pushing through the crowd like an agile cat. “Sir, the latest edition! The headlines will make your head spin!”.
The man glanced at Tommy, his brow furrowing. “What’s with all the fuss, boy?”
Tommy thrust the paper into the man’s hands. “Wall Street in ruins! Banks collapsing! Read all about it!”
The man’s eyes widened as he scanned the big, bold letters. “My God,” he whispered. “How could this happen?”
Tommy shrugged his shoulders. “Beats me, mister. But it’s all there, and you won’t hear it on the wireless. Only here in the extra edition.”
The extra edition—fresh off the press, ink still wet, stories hitting the streets within minutes of the breaking news reaching the news desks.
Tommy’s heart raced as he continued his rounds. He passed a shoeshine stand, where old Mr. Higgins sat, polishing a pair of old, worn shoes. “Mr. Higgins!” Tommy called. “Get your news here!”
Mr. Higgins raised his spectacles to look at the headline. “Market crash, eh? Well, I’ll be damned. What’s the world coming to?”
Tommy leaned in, lowering his voice. “They say fortunes went up like smoke. But you know what? We’re the lucky ones. We get to shout it from the rooftops.”
Mr. Higgins grinned. “You’re smart, kid. Keep it up.”
And so, Tommy continued through the city’s streets—past carts selling apples, past newsstands with yesterday’s news, past the clatter of streetcars. He felt excited by the power of words, the thrill of being the first to deliver the news to the masses.
“Extra! Extra!” he shouted. “Read all about it!” And the city listened.
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