Reading Comprehension - Check Your Understanding

A. Choose the correct answers.

1. Where have people seen the chupacabra?
A) only North America
B) only South America
C) both North and South America

2. Which of these statements about the chupacabra is correct?
A) It looks like a large dog.
B) It stands on two legs.
C) It is two meters tall.

3. How does Maria feel about the chupacabra?
A) She’s angry because it killed her chickens.
B) She’s afraid of it.
C) She thinks it’s funny.

4. Does Maria think she saw a chupacabra?
A) Yes, she does.
B) No, she thinks it was a bad dream.
C) Maybe. She doesn’t know.

B. Read the sentences about the chupacabra. Choose true (T) or false (F). If the statement is false, change it to make it true.

Critical Thinking

1. Do you think Maria's story is true? Why?
   Answer

   Answers will vary but it is probably a myth. Depending on culture and country, though, some, students may believe. Students should give reasons for their answers.

2. Does your country have stories about something like the chupacabra?
   Answer

   Answers will vary. Many countries have vampire stories.

truestories.heinle.com/chupacabra

Face to Face with a Chupacabra: An interview

For years, people in North and South America have told stories about the chupacabra. Chupacabra is Spanish for goat sucker. In this issue, Maria Teresa Perez, 24, from Chile, tells us her story.

Mystery Magazine: Tell us about that night. What happened?

Maria: My mother and I were watching a movie. It was late-maybe midnight. Suddenly,¹ we heard a loud noise in the yard.² we have chickens and other animals there.My mother and I went outside to find out what the noise was.That's when we saw this ... thing. I thought it was a large dog at first.It was dark, so I couldn't see well.But then it stood up on two legs-like a man! It was over a meter tall with red eyes and large teeth.

Mystery Magazine: What did you do?

Maria: My mom and I screamed, and the thing ran away. Or maybe it flew: It moved as fast as a bird.

Mystery Magazine: What happened to the animals?

Maria: Five chickens were dead.But the chupacabra didn't eat them. It drank their blood.

Mystery Magazine: So do you believe it was a chupacabra?

Maria: It was like a nightmare-a really scary dream-but I know it was real. Many people in Chile, Brazil, Mexico, even the U.S. have seen this thing. I hope I never see it again.