iTEP_ READING

iTEP_ READING PRACTICE

PART 1

​Read the text and answer the questions

​​The Greeting Card Industry

While certain industries seem to thrive and then disappear according to the whims of ever-changing markets, the greeting card industry has shown incredible staying power. In the United Kingdom, for instance, it is estimated that the average person sends 55 cards per year, generating over a billion pounds per year in revenue. The custom of sending greeting cards can be traced back to the ancient Chinese, who exchanged scrolls with New Year’s messages. By the 15th Century handmade paper greetings were exchanged in Germany and soon throughout other parts of Europe.

​A In the 19th Century, due in large part to the proliferation of printing presses and inexpensive postage rates, greeting cards became very popular. Christmas card companies began hiring artists as designers for mass-produced cards featuring 77 Copyright © 2016 iTEP International, LLC. 4th Edition their illustrations. B Today cards range from classic, simple messages to timely, humorous cards that mock popular figures.*C Even as email has largely replaced traditional mail for communication in many instances, most people have retained their appreciation of traditional cards for special occasions. *D As long as people wish to send messages of good cheer to help celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and births as well as major holidays on a folded card with a printed funny message, the industry will continue to thrive.

Multiple Choice

The word ‘range’ as used in the passage probably means:

• a) distance

• b) position

• c) vary

• d) are created

Multiple Choice

Where would the following sentence most logically occur in relation to the marked sentences in the passage? (*A, B, C or *D) “Soon it became common for people to send cards for birthdays and other celebrations.”

• A

• B

• C

• D

​Reading Part 2

​

Homing Pigeons

​The homing pigeon is a variety of domestic pigeon capable of finding its way home over extremely long distances. This species of pigeon can fly distances of up to one thousand miles to return to its own nest, making it extremely reliable for carrying messages. The practice of using pigeons to carry messages goes back over 3000 years. When these pigeons were used as “carrier pigeons,” they carried small messages written on light, thin paper that was rolled into a small tube and attached to the leg of the bird.

​One of the earliest recorded instances of carrier pigeons was when they were used to relay the results of the original Olympic Games in ancient Greece. Records show they may have been used even earlier than that in Egypt and Persia. When the outcome of the Battle of Waterloo was decided, the news was first delivered by a pigeon. In 1860, Reuters, founder of the Reuters News Service, used a fleet of 45 pigeons to carry news messages. As recently as the early 20th century pigeons were used prominently in World War 1 and one was even awarded a medal for delivering vital messages despite being badly injured.

​It is the carrier pigeons’ natural instincts, combined with their special navigational abilities that make them uniquely qualified to serve as dependable messengers. The birds rely upon a combination of methods to orient themselves and return to their homes, including using what is called a “map and compass” system. Relying on the sun, a pigeon may locate itself using an innate compass and direct itself to its “home site.” Pigeons can only, however, return to one place that they recognize as home. Thus to have an effective “mail” system, one would need a stock of pigeons separated from their home, and they would only be capable of delivering “mail” to that single location.

​In addition to gauging its position by the sun, a carrier pigeon may also use “olfactory” navigation, detecting the spatial distribution of atmospheric odors, as well as visual landmarks that guide them as they near their homes. Some research has even shown that homing pigeons navigate by following roads, avenues and structures, essentially guiding themselves in the same way that people do. Certain bird experts, however, were not satisfied that the carrier pigeons only used superior sight and smell to find their way. University researchers tested an alternate theory, that the birds can actually detect the Earth’s magnetic field. In testing their hypothesis, the researchers discovered that certain pigeon breeds were confused by 87 Copyright © 2016 iTEP International, LLC. 4th Edition magnetic irregularities in the Earth’s atmosphere, while others were not affected. In this century, however, the use of homing pigeons has practically disappeared, as they have been rendered obsolete by the spread of digital technology. They were last utilized in certain relief areas when natural disasters had dismantled communications infrastructure. But as more and more areas become populated the need for an older, though reliable, messenger service has vanished.

Multiple Choice

The word ‘innate’ as used in the passage probably means:

• a) evolutionary

• b) instinctive

• c) preternatural

• d) flying

Multiple Choice

The passage mentions the ‘single’ location in paragraph 4 to emphasize:

• a) pigeons mate for life

• b) the limitations of pigeon mail

• c) the effect of sunlight on pigeons’ navigation

• d) the effect of the magnetic field on pigeons’ navigation

Multiple Choice

It can be concluded from the passage that:

• a) Not all carrier pigeons can detect the Earth’s magnetic field.

• b) All pigeon species can carry messages.

• c) Pigeons have more than one nest.

• d) The field of carrier pigeon research has recently expanded

Multiple Choice

The passage attributes the decrease in the use of carrier pigeons to:

• a) lack of proper research

• b) changes in natural habitat

• c) changes in the Earth’s magnetic field

• d) improvements in communications technology

Multiple Choice

It can be understood from the passage that the idea of ‘homing’:

• a) can refer to all bird species

• b) relies only on ‘olfactory’ senses

• c) is an important quality of certain pigeon species

• d) was first introduced in Ancient Greece

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of mentioning Egypt and Persia in paragraph 3?

• a) to demonstrate the great distances that pigeons can fly

• b) to show places where pigeons have been used by armies

• c) to illustrate how the use of carrier pigeons has changed

• d) to give an example of the earliest uses of carrier pigeons