Unidentified Farming Object

One night last summer, while my husband, Earl, watched television in the family room, I relaxed and read in our bedroom. It was another nice, peaceful night in our quiet rural neighbourhood. It was about 10 p.m., when Earl burst into the bedroom shouting, “Get up! There’s something in the pasture — it looks like a UFO! It’s all covered in lights and 1s heading straight for the house!”

I felt my heart pounding against my chest as I jumped up, grabbed my housecoat and shoes, and ran outside with Earl to face whatever crisis was happening out there in the dark. And there it was, speeding directly toward us: an enormous object with light radiating all around it. The light was so blinding we couldn’t actually see the thing itself. For a second, I wondered if it really was a UFO. What else could it be?

Whatever it was, it was scary, coming out of nowhere, heading toward us at a high speed, lights blazing in the country darkness. But right before it reached the pasture fence, it made a fast turn. Without the lights shining directly in our eyes, we could see that it was a big high-powered tractor mower, lit up like Times Square on wheels.

That’s when we remembered that, several weeks earlier, we’d asked a neighbour if he knew anyone who could mow our pasture. He said he knew a fellow who planned to mow his hay nearby and might do ours at the same time, but he didn’t know when. After some time, we learnt that the tractor driver was in the hospital with back trouble. But as the weeks went by, we forgot the whole matter.

Apparently, the fellow had either recovered or had hired someone to mow his hay. Whoever it was, he or she decided to finish off the day by driving in through our open gate and doing our pasture after dark.

We were extremely relieved to see that our unexpected meeting had nothing to do with aliens determined to start their Earth invasion in our pasture. By the time our heart rates had settled down to normal, we burst into laughter.

Who says we don’t have excitement out in the country?

Why were Shirley and Earl surprised to see the tractor?

Unidentified Farming Object

One night last summer, while my husband, Earl, watched television in the family room, I relaxed and read in our bedroom. It was another nice, peaceful night in our quiet rural neighbourhood. It was about 10 p.m., when Earl burst into the bedroom shouting, “Get up! There’s something in the pasture — it looks like a UFO! It’s all covered in lights and 1s heading straight for the house!”

I felt my heart pounding against my chest as I jumped up, grabbed my housecoat and shoes, and ran outside with Earl to face whatever crisis was happening out there in the dark. And there it was, speeding directly toward us: an enormous object with light radiating all around it. The light was so blinding we couldn’t actually see the thing itself. For a second, I wondered if it really was a UFO. What else could it be?

Whatever it was, it was scary, coming out of nowhere, heading toward us at a high speed, lights blazing in the country darkness. But right before it reached the pasture fence, it made a fast turn. Without the lights shining directly in our eyes, we could see that it was a big high-powered tractor mower, lit up like Times Square on wheels.

That’s when we remembered that, several weeks earlier, we’d asked a neighbour if he knew anyone who could mow our pasture. He said he knew a fellow who planned to mow his hay nearby and might do ours at the same time, but he didn’t know when. After some time, we learnt that the tractor driver was in the hospital with back trouble. But as the weeks went by, we forgot the whole matter.

Apparently, the fellow had either recovered or had hired someone to mow his hay. Whoever it was, he or she decided to finish off the day by driving in through our open gate and doing our pasture after dark.

We were extremely relieved to see that our unexpected meeting had nothing to do with aliens determined to start their Earth invasion in our pasture. By the time our heart rates had settled down to normal, we burst into laughter.

Who says we don’t have excitement out in the country?

What can be inferred from the passage about Shirley and Earl?

New Year Traditions

In the Czech Republic, fireworks light up the sky. In Prague, visitors can watch fantastic fireworks on the world-famous Charles Bridge after the clock strikes midnight. All across the country, people gather in pubs, clubs, and city squares to celebrate New Year.

Where do people ________?

In Ecuador, thousands of life-size dolls representing misfortunes from the past year are burnt in the streets. They are made from newspapers and pieces of wood, and at midnight everyone gathers outside their homes to burn the dolls together. Another interesting feature is that some men dress like women to ask for beer money. Kids will dress up too and ask for candy.

Where do people ________?

The Chinese Lunar New Year, or the “Spring Festival’, does not happen until late January or early February. Traditions vary across China, but many include cleaning. The grounds, the walls, and every corner of the house need to be cleaned to drive misfortunes away. Then the Chinese buy presents for loved ones, and children receive money in red paper envelopes.

Where do people ________?

On New Year’s Eve in Japan, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times to welcome Toshigami, the New Year’s God. The Japanese also send thank-you cards called “nengajo” that wish a Happy New Year and give thanks to friends and relatives.

Where do people ________?

Some people in Estonia believe that they should eat seven, nine, or twelve meals on New Year’s Eve. It 1s believed that the person gains more strength with each meal eaten. You don’t have to eat the entire meal, however — part of the meal is left unfinished for the spirits of ancestors who visit the house on New Year’s Eve.

Where do people ________?

Single women of Ireland place mistletoe under their pillows on New Year’s night in the hope that it will bring them better luck and a future husband. Also, according to Irish superstition, be careful of who enters your home after the 3lst of December — if the visitor is a tall, dark handsome man, a new year will bring good fortune. If it’s a red-headed woman, she will bring a lot of trouble.

Where do people ________?

A decade ago, Fabrice Schnuller was an engineer (33)_______. In 2007, he went on a sailing trip to the island of Mauritius. One day, when his boat approached the coast, giant towers of steam began (34)_______. Curious as to the source of this strange ocean phenomenon, Schnuller grabbed his snorkelling equipment and a camera, and jumped in. Diving down beneath the ship, Schnuller felt his ears were bombarded by what sounded like underwater explosions, (35)_______ the deeper he went. At first he feared the boat had suffered a mechanical failure. But as he circled around, he began to sense that he was not alone. Glancing downwards, Schnuller froze. Out of the darkness, a series of giant dark monolithic shapes were heading directly towards him. It was a group of whales speeding towards the surface. As they approached, the sounds grew louder and louder until they penetrated his flesh like an X-ray. Schnuller felt the warm vibrations (36)________ from every angle. The whales surrounded him, staring with large, unblinking eyes. At more than 60 feet in length and weighing approximately 125,000 pounds, they made him feel small. But rather than (37)________ in one gulp, the whales appeared to be deeply intrigued. After scanning him, the rhythm structure of their sounds began to change. Schnuller later realised that these were the patterns that we believe whales use to communicate and send information. The whales appeared to be speaking to him. They stayed for two hours, circling, staring and showering him with bursts of sound, before (38)________ into the deep.