Passages

Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental, as it is through the lyrics. By contrast, in musical theatre an actor's dramatic performance is primary, and the music plays a lesser role. The drama in opera is presented using the primary elements of theatre such as scenery, costumes, and acting. However, the words of the opera, or libretto, are sung rather than spoken. The singers are accompanied by a musical ensemble ranging from a small instrumental ensemble to a full symphonic orchestra. We can understand from the reading that ----

• people are captivated more by opera than musical theatre

• drama in opera is more important than the music

• orchestras in operas can vary considerably in size

• musical theatre relies above all on music

• there is argument over whether the music is important or the words in opera

Aristotle, who lived from 384 BC to 322 BC, taught that the heart contained the intelligence. Except for a few guesses like this, he observed carefully. He described the habits and the bodily structure (anatomy) of many animals, birds and fish. Another Greek, Galen, who lived in the second century AD, performed biological experiments. Both careful observation of living things and experiments are used today in the study of biology. Galen observed and described the internal anatomy of the human body.-He described many parts that he saw in the body. But he was not always careful. He sometimes described what he expected to see and did not look carefully to see what was really there. For centuries after Galen, people studied anatomy from his books instead of trusting their own observations. It's obvious that Aristotle ----.

• thinks that it is the brain which contains the intelligence

• died in his sixties

• observed only birds and fish

• is both a great philosopher and a biologist

• described both the habits and the structure of animals better than anyone else

Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood.

What is the main idea?

• Floods can cause a lot of damage.

• Floods cause mudslides.

• Floods damage houses and roads.

Why does the author quotes Peter Galison in paragraph 2 of “Was Einstein a Space Alien?”

• To demonstrate that Einstein’s loss was to be born at

  the right time

• To explain that Einstein displayed the prejudices of

  his era

• To suggest Einstein’s unwillingness To share his ideas

• To argue that Einstein was in some ways an average person

What a major claim about Einstein is the author of “Was Einstein a Space Alien?” develop in paragraph 7 and 8?

• He was a source of frustration for his teachers

• He was an independent and original thinker

• he relished provoking intellectual battles

• he ended up winning the respect of his adversaries

In paragraph 9 of “Was Einstein a Space Alien?” what is the meaning of the word beholden?

• Attached through shared interests

• Hostile

• Bound by obligation

• Grateful

Which word or phrase from paragraph 8-9 of “Was Einstein a Space Alien?” best clarifies the meaning of the word for beholden?

• “fig” paragraph 8

• “flaw” paragraph 8

• “authority figure” paragraph 9

• “freedom to roam” paragraph 9

Which statement represents a central idea of “No Mere Genius”?

• Einstein is the direct intellectual descendent of Isaac Newton

• Einstein’s celebrity almost never interfered with his research

• Einstein’s work had far-reaching transformational effects

• Einstein is remembered more for his image then for his achievements

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a passage in a literary work?

• To provide background information

• To introduce characters

• To advance the plot

• To offer a detailed description

In the context of reading comprehension, what is a 'passage'?

• A short excerpt from a text

• A summary of a book

• A list of vocabulary words

• A chapter from a novel