Reading Comprehension Quiz

Victor Gruen's firm consists only of architects.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Explanation: The firm includes engineers as well as architects.
"Victor Gruen & Associates is a planning team of architects and engineers..." (lines 1-2)

The firm has designed both commercial and residential projects.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Explanation: The firm worked on a wide range of projects, both commercial and residential.
"In the commercial field, the firm has progressed from (35) the planning of individual shops and department stores to the development of planned regional shopping centers that have changed American shopping habits. In the residential field, Victor Gruen & (40) Associates has planned everything from individual houses, apartments, and housing projects to complete community developments that meet all the needs of modern living."  (lines 33–43)

As senior partner, Gruen is mainly responsible for developing project concepts.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Explanation: As the senior partner, Gruen is specifically in charge of concept development.
"As senior partner, Victor Gruen is responsible for the concept development of major projects." (line 16)

When they began construction on Southdale, Gruen and his partners had little experience designing shopping centers.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Explanation:
"As senior partner, Victor Gruen is responsible for the concept development of major projects. R. L. Baumfeld heads the Los Angeles office and has been in charge of many (20) large projects, among them the Southdale Center. Edgardo Contini directs engineering for the firm and is in charge of coordinating engineering and architectural design. Karl Van Leuven, Jr., head of the Detroit office, has been the partner in charge (25) of such major projects as Northland Regional Shopping Center in Detroit. Ben S. Southland is chief designer and director of planning." (lines 16-27)

Gruen and his partners designed not only the shopping center but also several of the stores and facilities inside the center.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Explanation:
"The Gruen organization created the master plan for Southdale, in addition to designing the regional shopping center. In addition to Dayton's, it designed the following stores and (80) special facilities: Egekvist Bakery, Boutell's, Walters..." (lines 76–87)

This firm has offices in several cities.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Explanation:
"Victor Gruen & Associates is a planning team of architects and engineers with headquarters in Los Angeles and offices in Detroit, New York, (5) Minneapolis, and San Francisco."  (lines 2–5)

Gruen's work is of little interest to other professional architects.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Explanation: Gruen's work has been widely published in professional publications and is of significant interest.
"Gruen's work has been widely published in (120) such professional publications as PROGRESSIVE ARCHITECTURE and ARCHITECTURAL FORUM... He has spoken frequently before professional, technical, business, and planning groups and has written many articles." (lines 119-139)

According to the press release, the development of planned regional shopping centers has changed American shopping habits.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Explanation:
"the development of planned regional shopping centers that have changed American shopping habits." (lines 35-38)