Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz passed away early Friday morning. The king was the world's oldest leader. He was 90 years old. He was in hospital a few weeks ago with a lung infection. His 79-year-old half-brother Salman has become the new king of the kingdom. World leaders have been quick to pay their respects to the late King Abdullah. US President Barack Obama passed on his sympathies. He said the king was a good friend of the USA. Obama also said the king did a lot for peace and stability in the Middle East. The British Prime Minister David Cameron said Abdullah would be remembered for his, "commitment to peace and for strengthening understanding between faiths".

King Abdullah was born on 1 August 1924. He was the thirteenth son of former King Abdulaziz. He grew up in the royal palaces and worked in various positions that would one day prepare him to be king. In 1961 he became mayor of Mecca. This was his first job in public office. In 1963, Abdullah was made commander of the Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG). He changed the SANG into a modern army. He became King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in 2005. News agencies are reporting that Abdullah was a careful reformer at home. He allowed women to join the kingdom's parliament. The BBC said that he "hinted that more women should be allowed to work".

1. TRUE / FALSE:Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.King Abdullah was the world's oldest leader.T / F

b.The king's 79-year-old step-brother is now the new king.T / F

c.Barack Obama was quick to pay his sympathies.T / F

d.Cameron said Abdullah would be remembered as a man of peace.T / F

e.King Abdullah was the twelfth son of a former Saudi king.T / F

f.Abdullah became mayor of Riyadh in 1961.T / F

g.Abdullah became King of Saudi Arabia in 2005.T / F

h.Abdullah was against women in the kingdom working.T / F

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.At what time of the day did King Abdullah die?

2.What did King Abdullah die from?

3.What relation is the new King Salman to King Abdullah?

4.What did Barack Obama say Abdullah was to the USA?

5.What did David Cameron say Abdullah was committed to?

6.How many positions did Abdullah have before 1961?

7.When did Abdullah become leader of the Saudi Arabia National Guard?

8.When did Abdullah become king?

9.Who said Abdullah was a careful reformer?

10.Who said that Abdullah hinted that he wanted more women to work?

答案

TRUE / FALSE

a T b F c T d T e F f F g T h F

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.Early morning

2.A lung infection

3.Half-brother

4.A good friend

5.Peace

6.Various

7.1963

8.2005

9.News agencies

10.BBC