A Reading Comprehension Text 1 Futurama: A Cartoon for the Future

Now, after more than ten years of “The Simpsons” on TV Matt Groening has invented a new series, a science-fiction cartoon called Futurama.

The story begins when Fry, a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy, accidentally freezes himself on New Year’s Eve 1999. When he wakes up, it is New Year’s Eve 2999. His life 1000 years later has not changed much. He is still a delivery boy, working for the Planet Express Corporation, which transports packages to all five quadrants of the universe. Other characters in the new cartoon are Leela, a beautiful one-eyed alien who is the captain of Fry`s delivery ship, and Bender, a robot who drinks too much, smokes too much and steals.

Life for people in Futurama is programmed. They are tested as young children to find out what they can do best, and then they are given a role in society. Naturally, some of the humour is very black. There are suicide booths, for example. You put your money in them to “stop and drop”. Like the Simpsons, Futurama also has many special guests.

It will be interesting to see whether Futurama can be as successful as the Simpsons. Bart, Homer and Co can now be seen in 70 countries and have earned almost one billion dollars. The series has also won lots of awards. Will it be the same with Futurama one day?

(Adapted from: Read On 11/99, Eilers und Schünemann Verlag, Bremen 1999)

Annotations: delivery Auslieferer to freeze einfrieren Planet Express Corporation Firmenname suicide booth Selbstmordhäuschen to drop hier: tot umfallen 2 like hier: wie Comprehension Exercise: Futurama: A Cartoon for the Future

1. Find the right headings for the four paragraphs. There is one heading for every paragraph. 4 pts

a) Matt Groening`s success b) Living in Futurama c) The father of two popular cartoons d) Stars of Futurama

2. According to the text, write down if the sentences are right or wrong. 4 pts

a) Fry has got a pizzeria. b) The life 1000 years later is completely different. c) Leela is a delivery boy, too. d) Bender loves alcohol and cigarettes.

3. According to the text, answer the following questions in English. 3 pts

a) How do people get a job and a position in Futurama? b) What is the same in the Simpsons and in Futurama?

4. Find the right endings. There is one ending for every sentence. 3 pts

4.1 Young people are checked ... a) in many countries of the world.

4.2 It is interesting to find out ... b) for what they will be best at.

4.3 People can watch the Simpsons ... c) if Futurama will have the same success as the Simpsons.

5. Copy the following table and fill in the information given in the text on the main characters. 4 pts

names of the Fry Leela Bender characters information given - 25 years old - ... - robot on the character - ... - ... - ...

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