Speed Reading — Santa Claus - Level 3 — 300 wpm 

Now do this put-the-text-back-together activity.

This is the text (if you need help).

Scientists from Oxford University in the UK believe they have found a bone that belonged to Santa Claus. The real name of Santa Claus is St Nicholas. He was a Christian holy man who lived in the 4th century in what is now Turkey. He died in the year 343. There are stories that he created many miracles, which is why the Christian church made him a saint. The scientists said the bone is from when St Nicholas lived. An archaeologist said: "This bone…suggests that we could possibly be looking at remains from St Nicholas himself." St Nicholas is the saint of children and students. There are stories that he secretly gave presents to poor people. This is the story behind today's Santa Claus.

Santa Claus has other names. His name can be shortened to Santa. In many countries, he is called Father Christmas. He is a legendary character who brings presents to the homes of well-behaved children on the evening of the 24th of December (Christmas Eve). Badly-behaved children get a piece of coal. He delivers the presents on a sleigh, which is pulled through the air by his flying reindeer. Santa Claus is usually seen as an over-weight, happy, smiling man with a white beard. He wears a red coat with a white fur collar and cuffs, red trousers, a black leather belt and black boots. He lives in the North Pole, where he has a toy-making workshop. Children today can track his Christmas Eve journey online.

Comprehension questions
  1. What university are the scientists from?
  2. What century did St Nicholas live in?
  3. Why did the Christian church make Nicholas a saint?
  4. Who is St Nicholas the saint of?
  5. According to stories, who did St Nicholas give presents to?
  6. What is another two-word name for Santa Claus?
  7. What present do Badly-behaved children get?
  8. What does Santa Claus use to deliver his presents?
  9. Where does Santa Claus live?
  10. What can children track on Christmas Eve?

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