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This is an English reading lesson. Read the short text and then answer the questions (comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar questions).
You can find many more useful lessons in our online courses and downloadable eBooks.
Read:
Located between November and January, December is the twelfth and final month of the calendar.
December was one of the original months in the ancient Roman calendar. The ancient Roman calendar was used from around 750 BC until 45 BC. At that time, December was actually the tenth month, and not the twelfth month. In fact, the word “December” translates into “tenth month” (decem in Latin means “ten”).
The Roman Emperor Julius Caesar changed the calendar in 45 BC and added two more months: January and February. This caused December to become the twelfth month.
December originally had only 30 days. A Roman King called Numa reduced the number of days to twenty-nine. But when Julius Caesar changed the calendar, December gained 2 days, and we gained December 31st!
The people of Britain originally had their own names for the month of December. One of these names was “Winter Monath” (meaning “Winter Month”).
After they converted to Christianity, they called December “Heligh Monath” (meaning “Holy Month”).
Of course, today we call this month December.
Here is what Dr. Seuss had to say about this special month:
“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”
Dr. Seuss (a popular American writer of children’s books)
Comprehension Quiz
Vocabulary Quiz
Grammar Quiz
End of Sample Lesson
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