Reading Comprehension Test

LONDON DEPARTMENT STORE                                                                                 

     London department store Harrods is one of the world's largest and most famous department stores. With more than a million square feet (90,000 sq m) of space, Harrods sells luxury and everyday goods across seven floors and 330 departments.

Its motto is «All Things for All People, Everywhere» — and the store at­tracts 15 million customers each year. This world-popular store was es­tablished in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod. Beginning in a single room and employing two assistants and a messenger boy, it mainly sold tea and groceries. Harrods steadily expanded, and by 1880 it was a thriving department store, offering everything from medicines and perfumes to clothing and food and attracted wealthy customers.

In 1883, a fire destroyed the store. The owners fully rebuilt the store, with the help of architect Charles William Stephens, into what it is today. One of the world's first escalators was presented in Harrods in 1898.

1.  Choose the correct title for the text.

a)    Owners of Harrods Department Store

b)    History of Harrods Department Store

c)     The Fire that Destroyed Harrods

d)    All Things for Everybody, Everywhere

2.  Put the sentences into the correct order.

a) Harrods was fully rebuilt into what it is today. ___

b) In that time it mainly sold tea and groceries. ___

c) By 1880 it was a thriving department store. ___

d) Harrods was established by Charles Henry Harrod. ___

e) It was destroyed by a fire. ___

3.  Choose the correct variant to complete the sentences.

1) The owners had to ... after the fire.

a)     reconstruct the store

b)     destroy the store

c)     change their motto

d)     employ two assistants

2) From the text we know ....

a)     how many customers come to Harrods daily

b)     who the owner of Harrods at present is

c)     that Harrods is located in the capital of the USA

d)     when Harrods was established

3) Charles William Stephens is the name ....

a)     of the present owner of Harrods

b)     of the person who established Harrods in 1849

c)     of the person who designed Harrods after the fire

d)     of the most famous customer of Harrods

4.  Write short answers to the questions.

1) How many customers come to Harrods each year?

2) When was Harrods established?

3) What city is Harrods located in?

 ANSWERS:

1. Choose the correct title for the text.

- b

2. Put the sentences into the correct order.

1)    d;

2)    b;

3)    c;

4)    e;

5)    a.

3. Choose the correct variant to complete the sentences.

1) a;

2) d;

3) b;

4) с

4. Write short answers to the questions.

1)      How many customers come to Harrods each year? - 15 million.

2)      When was Harrods established? - In 1849.

3)      What city is Harrods located in? - In London.