Read this text very carefully and do the Written Comprehension exercice. 

You can check how to read in English.

Written Comprehension

Jamaica

It is a mountainous tropical island in the Caribbean Sea, about 600 miles south of Miami (Florida). It is part of the chain of Caribbean islands with Cuba and Puerto Rico. Kingston is its capital and its money the Jamaican dollar.

It is a parliamentary democracy and a member of the British Commonwealth. The official head of state is Queen Elizabeth but her role is mainly ceremonial. The Jamaican prime minister is responsible for the policy of the country. It became independent in 1962.

The name “Jamaica” means “land of wood and water”. Indeed, nearly half of the island is more than 330 meters above sea level. There are hills that are ideal for agriculture and lots of rivers called Black River, Rio Cobre or Rio Grande.

Today, Jamaica has got 2.9 million inhabitants: 90% are from African descent but many other people have come from India, China, Syria, and Europe to find work on the island. The language is English but people also speak a Creole dialect. The colours of the Jamaican flag describe the country perfectly: the black triangles (on the right and on the left) are symbolic of the many difficulties Jamaican have faced, the green triangles at the top and at the bottom are for agriculture and the central gold diagonal cross is for the sun. 

Tourism is the most important industry in Jamaica, with its beautiful mountains, beaches, waterfalls and caves. There are also farming and mining. The main crop is sugarcane but bananas, coffee and pimento are important agricultural products too. 

But there are also ghettos and terrible problems with poverty and drugs. 

Bob Marley is a legend in Jamaica. He introduced reggae to the world. Reggae or “Ragged Music” is a combination of traditional African rhythms and traditional Jamaican folk music. The Bob Marley museum, the house where the famous singer lived is in Kingston. 

Adapted from Vikidia by Mrs Williams

1st reading:  Say what the text is about.

2nd reading: 

1. Vocabulary: 

Find the English word for :       a. des cascades        b. des grottes       c. en effet 

Find the French words for :      d. beaches                e. sugarcane            f. the policy 

2. Say if it’s Right or Wrong and justify your answer without copying the text.  

Vrai ou Faux ? Justifie ta réponse sans copier le texte.

a. Jamaica is near France and England.

b. Jamaicans only speak English. 

c. The Jamaican flag looks like the Union Jack (the British flag). 

d. Bob Marley was a painter.

3. Answer the questions in your own words.

Réponds aux questions avec tes propres mots.

a. Why is Jamaica a very pleasant place to live in?

b. What sort of music is Reggae? 

c. Is Jamaica arid?

d. Is everybody rich in Jamaica?

e. Is Queen Elizabeth important for Jamaica?

f. How do you think Jamaica was populated?

Can you draw the flag of Jamaica?

Written expression : 

Would you like to live in Jamaica? Give your personal opinion.

Ask someone to correct your exercise.