READING


Reading Comprehension | Snake Charmers


Develop your reading skills. Read the following text about snake charmers and do the comprehension questions


Snake Charmers

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Snake charming is a roadside show performed by a charmer. It is the practice of pretending to hypnotize a snake by playing an instrument called pungi or bansuri. It is worthwhile noting that snakes lack external ears, though they do have internal ones, and respond to the movement of the flute, not the actual noise. That is, snakes follow the pungi that the "snake charmer" holds with his hands. They consider the person and the pungi as a threat and respond to them as if they were predators. The most popular species used in this activity are those native to the snake charmer's home region, typically various kinds of cobras, though vipers and other types are also used.

Ancient Egypt was home to one form of snake charming, though the practice as it exists today likely arose in India. It eventually spread throughout Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Despite a sort of golden age in the 20th century, snake charming is today in danger of dying out due to a variety of factors, including the emergence of laws banning ownership of snakes.

Many snake charmers live a wandering existence, visiting towns and villages on market days and during festivals. With a few rare exceptions they make every effort to keep themselves from harm's way. The charmer typically sits out of biting range and the snake is sluggish and reluctant to attack anyway. More drastic means of protection include removing the creature's fangs or venom glands, or even sewing the snake's mouth shut.

Source: Wikipedia

Comprehension:

  1. Snakes respond to sounds.
    a. True
    b. False
  2. Snake charming exists only in India.
    a. True.
    b. False.
  3. Snakes sometimes undergo some kind of mutilation in order not to harm the charmer. 
    a. True
    b. False

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