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World Toilet Day
 
Reading Comprehension

This is a reading comprehension lesson to test your ability to understand information written in English. Read the information below and then answer the 10 test questions.
Hey if you cannot understand something on this page,
then use the Fun Easy English dictionary (opens in a new window)
Holiday: World Toilet Day

The World Toilet Organization (WTO) is a global non-profit organization committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide. WTO focuses on toilets instead of water, which receives more attention and resources under the common subject of sanitation. Founded in 2001 with 15 members, it now has 151 member organizations in 53 countries working towards eliminating the toilet taboo and delivering sustainable sanitation. WTO is also the organizer of the World Toilet Summits and World Toilet Expo and Forum.

WTO was founded in 2001 by Jack Sim with the stated aim of being a global network and service platform wherein all toilet and sanitation organizations can learn from one another and leverage media and global support to influence governments to promote sound sanitation and public health policies.

In 2005, WTO started the world's first World Toilet College (WTC) to provide training in toilet design, maintenance, School Sanitation and Disaster Sanitation and implementation of Sustainable Sanitation systems. WTO was also one of the founding members of the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA), a coalition of 50 organizations to promote sustainable sanitation systems.

In addition to advocacy, capacity building and sanitation projects, WTO is now driving a market-based strategy to address the dysfunctional sanitation market for the poor, by installing efficient market infrastructure.

In 2001, the World Toilet Organization declared its founding day, 19 November, as World Toilet Day. Since then, 19 November has been observed globally by its member organizations. In September 2009, a new website was launched dedicated to the celebration of World Toilet Day. Its 2012 slogan was “I give a shit, do you?”.

Source: Wikipedia: World Toilet Organization
From YOUR Teacher: World Toilet Day

Did any of you know about this holiday? I thought this was kinda interesting and decided to turn this into a lesson. Hopefully you like it.

The world is full of different toilet styles. After spending many years teaching English in Japan I can honestly say these were my least favorite. Especially in the countryside train stations, this was the only type of toilet you could find.

Japanese Toilets

The traditional Japanese-style (和式, washiki) toilet is a squat toilet—also known as the Asian toilet as squat toilets of somewhat similar design are common all over Asia. A squat toilet differs from a Western toilet in both construction and method of employment. A squat toilet essentially looks like a miniature urinal set horizontally into the floor. Most squat toilets in Japan are made of porcelain, although in some cases (as on trains) stainless steel is used instead. The user squats over the toilet, facing the hemispherical hood, i.e., the wall in the back of the toilet in the picture seen on the right. A shallow trough collects the waste, instead of a large water-filled bowl as in a Western toilet. All other fixtures, such as the water tank, piping, and flushing mechanism, may be identical to those of a Western toilet.

Flushing causes water to push the waste matter from the trough into a collecting reservoir which is then emptied, with the waste carried off into the sewer system. The flush is often operated in the same manner as a Western toilet, though some have pull handles or pedals instead. Many Japanese toilets have two kinds of flush: "small" (小) and "large" (大). The difference is in the amount of water used. The former is for urine (in Japanese, literally "small excretion") and the latter for feces ("large excretion"). The lever is often pushed to the "small" setting to provide a continuous covering noise for privacy.
Slang: Toilet Slang

A lot of words are used to describe toilet in English. Different words are used in different English speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. When traveling in these countries find out from the local residents which "toilet words" they use. This will avoid some embarrassment later.

The following are a few of the more popular slang terms for toilet:

Slang terms used to describe the room where a toilet is located:

bathroom, head, latrine, lavatory, loo, oval office, potty (for kids), restroom, shit house, toilet, washroom

Slang terms used to describe the actual toilet:

can, commode, crapper, john, kings chair, pot, shitter, stool, throne

Note: When using any of the toilet terms above always put "the" before the word.

ie: He needs to go to the head.
ie: He is using the can now.
Test: Reading Comprehension World Toilet Day

Read the information above. In the test questions below choose which is the best answer for each question. There are 10 questions. Good luck.
1.  What does WTO stand for?

a.  White Toilet Organization
b.  World Toilet Organization
c.  Wide Toilet Organization
d.  World Toilet Open
2.  The WTO is what kind of group?

a.  a non-profit
b.  a business
c.  a group
d.  a club
3.  The WTO is committed to improving which of the following?

a.  toilet and sanitation design
b.  toilet and sanitation conditions
c.  toilet and sanitation availability
d.  toilet and sanitation cost
4.  The WTO was founded in what year?

a.  2001
b.  2005
c.  2010
d.  2013
5.  Who founded the WTO?

a.  Barack Obama
b.  Jack Sim
c.  George Bush
d.  Howie Hayman
6.  What does WTC stand for?

a.  World Toilet Crap
b.  World Toilet Cup
c.  World Toilet Course
d.  World Toilet College
7.  What does the WTC provide?

a.  Free toilet classes
b.  Free toilet paper
c.  Training on how to properly sit on a toilet
d.  Training in toilet design, maintenance
8.  What is SuSanA?

a.  Susan Anal founder of WTO
b.  Suppress Smell Agency
c.  Sustainable Sanitation Alliance
d.  Su San A group
9.  When is World Toilet Day?

a.  November 9
b.  November 19
c.  December 9
d.  October 19
10.  What was the 2012 slogan of World Toilet Day?

a.  “I give a shit, do you?”
b.  “Did you take a shit today?”
c.  “My shit doesn’t stink, does yours?”
d.  “A shit per day is all we ask?”
 
 
 
 
 
 
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