English Reading Practice
Moral
Story Number 18:
Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others
1.
Watch the video at the top of the page.2. Read the story "Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others" just below it.
3. Do the exercises at the bottom of the page.
Here is the Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others video. You can watch it in your own language at The Way to Happiness Foundation. (Simply click the word "language" at the top right corner of that page.)
The Way to Happiness is a common sense guide to better living which has been distributed to more than 100 million people in over 100 languages. It describes 21 principles to a better quality of life.
Principle number 18 is "Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others."
Now read the short story about this important principle.
Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others
Connor meets a wonderful girl. He really likes her. Luckily for him, she really likes him too. They meet and have a lot of fun together. They share their hopes and dreams. Connor decides this is the woman of his dreams.Connor tells his parents about her. His parents disapprove. "It cannot be, Connor," his mother says. "She has a different religion. They are other people. They are not like us."
Connor is confused. "But you always say we should respect all people, and never judge anyone until we get to know them."
"Yes, Connor," says his father, "this is true in most cases, but not in this case. They have a different religion. They are a different kind of people. We cannot understand them and they cannot understand us."
Connor cannot agree with this. Something just does not sound right. "We are all people. They may dress differently and act differently, but we are all human. I think we should all meet."
In the end, Connor's parents agree to meet the girl and her family. They drive across the city to join them for a festive dinner.
The girl and her family are very nice, but they wear different clothes and serve different foods. They say different prayers. They have different customs. Connor's parents are concerned. Are they good people? Why do they do all these things?
The girl's mother is a wise woman. She explains their tradition. She translates their prayers. She tells them a few of their ancient stories.
"That is so beautiful," Connor's mother smiles.
"And quite similar to our own," Connor's father nods.
They look around them, as if for the first time. They have heard of a different kind of people, but these are people just like them. They have thought their ways were strange and different, but there is generosity and purpose behind them.
What is the purpose? To become a better person, have a happy family, and make the world a better place.
And now, practice:
Exercises
Vocabulary Questions
1. What does "religion" mean?a) a system of
beliefs in a superior power, god or gods
b) holidays and prayers
c) ceremonies and traditions
d) all of the above
b) holidays and prayers
c) ceremonies and traditions
d) all of the above
2. What does "tradition" mean?
a) a
new way of behaving
b) a way of behaving that has existed for a long time
c) an ancient story
d) a modern story
b) a way of behaving that has existed for a long time
c) an ancient story
d) a modern story
3. What does "world" mean?
a) our country
b) the sky
c) the earth, with all its countries, groups and people
d) all plants and animals
b) the sky
c) the earth, with all its countries, groups and people
d) all plants and animals
Grammar Questions
1. Connor tells his parents ________ her.a) on
b) about
c) off
d) with
b) about
c) off
d) with
2. Why ________ they do all these things?
a) does
b) do
c) are
d) is
b) do
c) are
d) is
3. They look around them, ________ for the first time.
a) of as
b) as of
c) if as
d) as if
b) as of
c) if as
d) as if
Comprehension Questions
1. Why do Connor's parents disapprove his new relationship?
2. Why does Connor disagree with them?
3. In your opinion, why is it important to respect the religious
beliefs of others?
Get Updates, Special Offers, and English Resources
Download your FREE GIFT (the first two chapters of
English Short Stories Book and Workbook)
as soon as you join!
By submitting your email, you consent to receiving updates and newsletters from us and to the sharing of your personal data with third parties for the purposes of sending you communications. We will not spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please see our privacy policy.
[?] Subscribe To This Site
