Class 9 – IEO – Reading – SET 2 Welcome to your Class 9 - IEO - Reading - SET 2 Read the passages and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct option“Most of my time is spent in my room, French‐plaiting other girls’ hair,” said Rachael Burford, centre player in the England women’s rugby team. Burford, and her braided friends then go out on the rugby pitch where, if you caught any of the recent World Cup, you will have noticed that the women are just as fearless as their male counterparts. “It has got to the point now when I feel a bit weird if I don’t do someone’s hair before a game,” said Burford. “Some of the girls look really tough with their hair plaited, so it’s also a psychological thing — a victorious thing.” Sadly, victory wasn’t tied up in those braids — the team lost to New Zealand in the September 5 final — but many of the players looked fierce, like warrior women going into battle. “Plaits are the earliest of hairstyles because before haircutting and hairdressing, people obviously had long hair and plaits were the simplest way of keeping it out of the way,” says fashion historian Caroline Cox. For that reason, she says, we associate plaits with both women and men, and particularly those who are involved in athletic pursuits, such as war. Think of Legolas in “The Lord of the Rings”, or the super strong Obelix in the “Asterix” cartoons. “For women, Boudicca or Valkyrie plaits seem to enhance their ferocity,” says Cox. “It was a practical hairstyle until we get to the 19th century, when it begins to be associated with female children. Even now, plaits on the whole have the meaning of the youthful schoolgirl.” Not an image you will associate with England’s nearly victorious rugby team.Q1. Rachel Burford is a central player. hairdresser. rugby player. fearless fighter None During the World Cup, all her hair plaited friends played fearlessly. were able to beat male players won the World Cup. were well appreciated. None Burford feels that whenever she plaits her friends’ hair, they will _____ the match. win lose draw play None In paragraph 2, the phrase ‘a psychological thing’ refers to plaiting her friends’ hair. feeling confident with plaited hair. playing a mind game. Burford’s feeling of weirdness. None According to the passage, which of these statements is true? Modern athletes plait their hair. Both men and women used to plait their hair in olden days. Plaiting and victory are synonymous in athletics. Plaiting was a convenient hairstyle for athletes. None Time's up Leave a Reply Cancel replyCommentEnter your name or username to comment Enter your email address to comment Enter your website URL (optional) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
