St. Patricks Day History and Traditions - Reading Comprehension ... - Free Printable

Let’s go through the reading passage and answer each question step by step. We’ll use only what’s written in the text — no guessing!

---

Section 1: Read the text again and answer the questions below

Question 1: On what day is Saint Patrick’s Day every year?
→ The first sentence says: “St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on March 17.”
✔ Answer: March 17

---

Question 2: In which country is Saint Patrick’s Day most popular?
→ Second paragraph, second sentence: “It is especially popular in Ireland...”
✔ Answer: Ireland

---

Question 3: What was Saint Patrick’s religion before he became a Christian?
→ Third paragraph, third sentence: “While some say that his real name was Maewyn Succat, others believe it was Patricius. He was originally pagan or religious.”
Wait — let’s read carefully: “He was originally pagan or religious.” But then it says he became a priest after escaping slavery. So before Christianity, he was pagan.
✔ Answer: Pagan

---

Question 4: Where was Saint Patrick born? (city)
→ Fourth paragraph, first sentence: “Saint Patrick was not Irish; he was actually born in England.”
But wait — does it say city? Let’s check… It doesn’t name a city. Hmm. Maybe we missed something?
Actually, re-reading: “He was captured by Irish raiders when he was 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave.” No city named for birthplace.
BUT — look at the next part: “After six years, he escaped and returned to his family in Britain.” Still no city.
Wait — maybe the text doesn’t give a city? That can’t be right for a homework question.
Let me scan again… Ah! Actually, the text never names a specific city where he was born. It just says “England” and later “Britain”.
So perhaps the answer is not given? But that seems odd.
Wait — maybe I misread. Let’s check the original text again from the image description...
Actually, looking back: “Saint Patrick was not Irish; he was actually born in England.” That’s all. No city.
Hmm. Perhaps this is a trick? Or maybe the student is expected to write “England”? But the question asks for “city”.
Wait — let’s keep going and come back.

Actually, upon double-checking standard knowledge (but we must stick to text!) — the text DOES NOT specify a city. So if forced to answer based ONLY on text, we might have to say “not mentioned”. But since this is a school worksheet, maybe they expect “England”? But that’s a country, not a city.
Wait — let’s look at Question 5 — maybe context helps.

Actually, let’s move on and return.

---

Question 5: How did Saint Patrick make use of the escaped shamrock?
→ Fifth paragraph: “There are many legends associated with St. Patrick. For example, the symbol of the shamrock used during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations consists of three leaflets. Legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — to the pagans in Ireland.”
So he used it to teach about the Trinity.
✔ Answer: To explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to pagans.

---

Question 6: When did the Romans take over Ireland?
→ Sixth paragraph: “Another popular legend is that St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland. Legend has it that after St. Patrick spent 40 days fasting on top of a mountain, he threw all the snakes into the sea. However, there were never any snakes in Ireland to begin with!”
Wait — that’s about snakes. Not Romans.
Let’s find where Romans are mentioned.
Seventh paragraph: “The first recorded celebration of St. Patrick’s Day took place in Boston in 1737. The day was organized by the Charitable Irish Society of Boston. This society included a large group of mostly Protestant Irish immigrants who wanted to celebrate their heritage. At that time, Catholics were still discriminated against in America, so they could not publicly celebrate their faith.”
Still no Romans.
Eighth paragraph: “In Chicago, the river is dyed green every year for St. Patrick’s Day. In New York City, there is a big parade. In Ireland, villages and towns hold parades and official holidays. Until 2019, pubs were closed on the holiday because alcohol consumption was discouraged. Now, however, many people drink Guinness beer and eat corned beef and cabbage around the world to mark the occasion.”
No mention of Romans taking over Ireland.
Wait — let’s go back to beginning.
First paragraph: “St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on March 17 in honor of the patron saint of Ireland. In 2020, the celebrations in Dublin city centre drew more than half a million visitors but were cancelled due to the pandemic.”
Second paragraph: “It is especially popular in Ireland, where people of all ages enjoy wearing green clothes and eating traditional food like corned beef and cabbage. Public houses also serve special drinks such as Guinness stout. Some people even dye rivers green to mark the occasion. The White House fountain is dyed green too! But, alas, you can’t get drunk and row an old boat up to parliament as an international joke.”
Third paragraph: “St. Patrick, the ‘Apostle of Ireland’, was originally pagan or religious. While some say that his real name was Maewyn Succat, others believe it was Patricius. He was captured by Irish raiders when he was 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. After six years, he escaped and returned to his family in Britain. Later, he became a priest and came back to Ireland to convert the pagans to Christianity. His mission was successful, and he is now known as the patron saint of Ireland.”
Fourth paragraph: “Saint Patrick was not Irish; he was actually born in England. There are many legends associated with St. Patrick. For example, the symbol of the shamrock used during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations consists of three leaflets. Legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — to the pagans in Ireland.”
Fifth paragraph: “Another popular legend is that St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland. Legend has it that after St. Patrick spent 40 days fasting on top of a mountain, he threw all the snakes into the sea. However, there were never any snakes in Ireland to begin with!”
Sixth paragraph: “The first recorded celebration of St. Patrick’s Day took place in Boston in 1737. The day was organized by the Charitable Irish Society of Boston. This society included a large group of mostly Protestant Irish immigrants who wanted to celebrate their heritage. At that time, Catholics were still discriminated against in America, so they could not publicly celebrate their faith.”
Seventh paragraph: “Nowadays, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Boston begin with 400,000 visitors who enjoy a huge parade along the streets. In Chicago, the river is dyed green every year for St. Patrick’s Day. In New York City, there is a big parade. In Ireland, villages and towns hold parades and official holidays. Until 2019, pubs were closed on the holiday because alcohol consumption was discouraged. Now, however, many people drink Guinness beer and eat corned beef and cabbage around the world to mark the occasion.”
Eighth paragraph: “For example, the whole country shuts down for a day with over 150,000 participants. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a religious feast day and therefore an official public holiday. Until 2019, pubs were closed on the holiday because alcohol consumption was discouraged. Now, however, many people drink Guinness beer and eat corned beef and cabbage around the world to mark the occasion.”

Wait — nowhere does it say when Romans took over Ireland. In fact, historically, Romans never conquered Ireland — but we must go by the text. Since the text doesn’t mention Romans taking over Ireland at all, the answer should be: Not mentioned in the text.

But let’s check if I missed it. Scanning again — no, no mention of Romans conquering Ireland. So for accuracy, we say it’s not stated.

However, sometimes worksheets assume prior knowledge — but our rule is to use only the text. So:

✔ Answer: The text does not say when the Romans took over Ireland.

But wait — maybe the question is misphrased? Or perhaps it’s referring to something else? Let’s skip and come back.

Actually, let’s look at Question 7.

---

Question 7: How did the Irish feel about the English rule?
→ Eighth paragraph: “For example, the whole country shuts down for a day with over 150,000 participants. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a religious feast day and therefore an official public holiday. Until 2019, pubs were closed on the holiday because alcohol consumption was discouraged. Now, however, many people drink Guinness beer and eat corned beef and cabbage around the world to mark the occasion.”
No mention of English rule or feelings.
Wait — earlier? Let’s see...
Actually, in the sixth paragraph: “At that time, Catholics were still discriminated against in America, so they could not publicly celebrate their faith.” But that’s America, not Ireland under English rule.
Is there any mention of English rule in Ireland?
Looking again — no direct mention. The text talks about Irish immigrants in America, discrimination there, but not about English rule in Ireland.
So again, based on text alone: Not mentioned.

But this is strange. Let’s try to find any clue.

Wait — perhaps in the context of “Catholics were discriminated against” — but that’s in America.
Maybe the worksheet expects us to infer? But we shouldn’t.
Let’s proceed.

---

Question 8: When and where was the first Saint Patrick’s Day parade?
→ Sixth paragraph: “The first recorded celebration of St. Patrick’s Day took place in Boston in 1737. The day was organized by the Charitable Irish Society of Boston.”
And seventh paragraph: “Nowadays, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Boston begin with 400,000 visitors who enjoy a huge parade along the streets.”
So the first parade was in Boston in 1737.
✔ Answer: Boston in 1737

---

Question 9: How many people participate in Saint Patrick’s parade in Boston nowadays?
→ Seventh paragraph: “Nowadays, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Boston begin with 400,000 visitors who enjoy a huge parade along the streets.”
It says “visitors”, not necessarily participants. But likely refers to those attending/parading.
Also, eighth paragraph: “For example, the whole country shuts down for a day with over 150,000 participants.” — but that’s for Ireland, not Boston.
So for Boston: “400,000 visitors” — probably means attendees.
But the question says “participate in Saint Patrick’s parade” — so maybe the 400,000 includes participants?
The text doesn’t specify exact number of marchers, just “visitors who enjoy a huge parade”.
But in context, it’s safe to say 400,000 as the number associated with the Boston parade attendance/participation.
✔ Answer: 400,000

---

Question 10: Where is the oldest Saint Patrick’s Day parade held?
→ The text says the first was in Boston in 1737. Is there any older one mentioned?
No. All other places (Chicago, New York, Ireland) are described as current practices, not historical firsts.
So Boston is the oldest mentioned.
✔ Answer: Boston

---

Now let’s go back to Questions 3 and 4.

Question 3: What was Saint Patrick’s religion before he became a Christian?
Text: “St. Patrick, the ‘Apostle of Ireland’, was originally pagan or religious.” Then he became a priest. So before Christianity, he was pagan.
✔ Final Answer: Pagan

Question 4: Where was Saint Patrick born? (city)
Text: “Saint Patrick was not Irish; he was actually born in England.”
It doesn’t name a city. So strictly speaking, the text does not provide a city.
But perhaps the worksheet expects “England”? But it asks for city.
Maybe it’s a mistake? Or perhaps in some versions it says a city?
Given the text provided, we must say: The text does not specify a city; it only says England.
But since this is a fill-in-the-blank, and likely expects a short answer, and “England” is the only location given, perhaps that’s acceptable? But it’s not a city.
Wait — let’s check online or common knowledge — but we can’t. Must use text.
I think the safest is to write: Not specified (only says England)
But for school purposes, maybe they want “England”.
Alternatively, perhaps I missed it. Let me read once more:
“Saint Patrick was not Irish; he was actually born in England.” — that’s it.
So I’ll go with: England (even though it’s a country, it’s the only answer possible from text)

But to be precise, let’s note that.

Actually, upon second thought — in many sources, he was born in Bannaventa Berniae, but that’s not in the text. So we can’t use that.

So for this exercise, based solely on the text:

✔ Answer for Q4: England (with note that city is not named)

But since the question says “(city)”, and text doesn’t give city, perhaps it’s an error. But we have to answer.

Let’s assume the worksheet allows “England” as the answer.

---

Now Section 2: True or False

Statement 1: In Chicago, the river turns green on Saint Patrick’s Day.
→ Seventh paragraph: “In Chicago, the river is dyed green every year for St. Patrick’s Day.”
✔ True

Statement 2: In Ireland, the whole country shuts down for St. Patrick’s Day.
→ Eighth paragraph: “For example, the whole country shuts down for a day with over 150,000 participants.”
✔ True

Statement 3: St. Patrick was born in Ireland.
→ Fourth paragraph: “Saint Patrick was not Irish; he was actually born in England.”
✔ False

Statement 4: In the 1700s, St. Patrick was already famous in the British Isles.
→ Text doesn’t mention anything about his fame in the 1700s. First celebration was 1737 in Boston, but that’s America. No info on British Isles fame in 1700s.
So: False (not supported by text)

Statement 5: The first Saint Patrick’s Day parade was held in Ireland.
→ Sixth paragraph: First celebration was in Boston in 1737. Parade mentioned in Boston. Nothing about Ireland having the first parade.
✔ False

Statement 6: The first Saint Patrick’s Day parade was held in the US on St. Patrick’s Day.
→ Sixth paragraph: “The first recorded celebration of St. Patrick’s Day took place in Boston in 1737.” And it was on March 17? The text doesn’t explicitly say the date of that first celebration, but since it’s called “St. Patrick’s Day”, and the holiday is March 17, it’s implied. Also, seventh paragraph says “celebrations in Boston begin with... parade” on St. Patrick’s Day.
So yes, it was on St. Patrick’s Day.
✔ True

Statement 7: Boston holds the oldest Saint Patrick’s Day parade.
→ As established, first was in Boston in 1737, and no older one mentioned.
✔ True

Statement 8: Nowadays, people go out to church on Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
→ Eighth paragraph: “In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a religious feast day and therefore an official public holiday.”
Religious feast day implies church services. Also, traditionally, it is a day for church.
Text doesn’t explicitly say “people go to church”, but calls it a “religious feast day”, which strongly suggests church attendance.
So: ✔ True

Statement 9: Nowadays, people go out to drink beer on Saint Patrick’s Day.
→ Seventh paragraph: “Now, however, many people drink Guinness beer and eat corned beef and cabbage around the world to mark the occasion.”
✔ True

Statement 10: Nowadays, people go out to drink beer on Saint Patrick’s Day.
Wait, this is duplicate of Statement 9? Looking back at user input:

User wrote:
"Service 2. Mark the following statements as True or False according to the text.
1. In Chicago, the river turns green on Saint Patrick’s Day.
2. In Ireland, the whole country shuts down for St. Patrick’s Day.
3. St. Patrick was born in Ireland.
4. In the 1700s, St. Patrick was already famous in the British Isles.
5. The first Saint Patrick’s Day parade was held in Ireland.
6. The first Saint Patrick’s Day parade was held in the US on St. Patrick’s Day.
7. Boston holds the oldest Saint Patrick’s Day parade.
8. Nowadays, people go out to church on Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
9. Nowadays, people go out to drink beer on Saint Patrick’s Day.
10. Nowadays, people go out to drink beer on Saint Patrick’s Day."

Oh, Statement 10 is identical to Statement 9. Probably a typo in the worksheet. But we’ll treat them separately.

Since both are the same, and text supports it, both are True.

But let’s confirm: Statement 9 and 10 are word-for-word the same. So answer for both is True.

---

Now compiling all answers:

Section 1:

1. March 17
2. Ireland
3. Pagan
4. England (though not a city, it's the only location given)
5. To explain the Holy Trinity to pagans
6. Not mentioned in the text
7. Not mentioned in the text
8. Boston in 1737
9. 400,000
10. Boston

Section 2:

1. True
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. False
6. True
7. True
8. True
9. True
10. True

But for Q6 and Q7 in Section 1, since the text doesn't mention Romans or English rule feelings, we have to say "not mentioned". However, in many school contexts, if not mentioned, it's considered false or not applicable. But the question is "when did...", so if not stated, we can't invent.

Perhaps for Q6: The text doesn't say, so answer is "The text does not provide this information."

Similarly for Q7.

But to fit the format, let's write concise answers.

Final decision:

For Q4: Since it asks for city and text says England, and no city, I'll put "England" with understanding.

For Q6: "Not mentioned"

For Q7: "Not mentioned"

But let's see if there's any indirect clue.

Actually, for Q7: "How did the Irish feel about the English rule?" — the text mentions that in America, Catholics were discriminated against, but that's not about Irish in Ireland under English rule. So no.

So we'll go with that.

Now for the Final Answer section, we need to list all answers clearly.

Since the user didn't specify how to format, I'll list them numerically.

Also, for Section 2, Statements 9 and 10 are identical, so both True.

Let's write the final answers.