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2017 ‫מועד פברואר‬ - 39 - ‫ פרק ראשו ן‬- ‫ אנגלית‬

Reading Comprehension

This part consists of two passages, each followed by several related questions. For each
question, choose the most appropriate answer based on the text.

Text I (Questions 13-17)

(1) Daniel Defoe's adventure classic Robinson Crusoe (1719) tells the story of a
headstrong English youth who goes to sea against his parents' wishes. Many years later,
after a series of voyages and misfortunes, he ends up shipwrecked on an island off the
coast of South America.

(5) Robinson Crusoe is stunned to discover that he is the ship's only survivor – apart
from a dog and two cats – but he slowly begins to make a new life for himself. Having
fetched tools and supplies from the ship before it sank, he builds himself a small house
and learns to hunt, grow crops and raise goats. Crusoe keeps track of time by making
marks on a piece of wood. Many years later he discovers another man on the island,

(10) who becomes his loyal helper. One day a ship arrives and Crusoe sails back to England,
having spent 28 years, 2 months and 19 days on the island.

Most scholars believe that Defoe based his main character on a young Scotsman of
his day, Alexander Selkirk. Selkirk had run away to sea and joined a ship's crew. After
quarrelling with the ship's captain, he asked to be put ashore on a small island. He lived

(15) alone on the island for over four years before being rescued by another ship. Published
accounts of Selkirk's adventures were widely read and Defoe would have been familiar
with them. Using his vivid imagination, he elaborated on the facts to create a story of
his own.

Defoe's Robinson Crusoe has been a favourite among children and adults alike
(20) since it first appeared. Translated into dozens of languages, the novel continues to be
read by people around the world today.

Questions

13. The main purpose of the first paragraph is to -

(1) present a well-known adventure novel
(2) introduce a successful author
(3) explain why Robinson Crusoe became a classic
(4) discuss a famous shipwreck

)‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬

.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬